The first-generation Ka was never a big seller despite Ford’s best attempts to promote it, even snaring Kylie Minogue at one point to help sell the tiny hatch. Its awkward styling and budget connotations didn’t serve well, and with fuel prices at its launch back in 1999 less than half the price they are today many buyers wouldn’t have looked twice at Ford’s odd econo car. The newest version hopes to capitalise on the changing times as well as spice up its own image with its new design.

Emissions trading, global warming and high petrol prices seem to be adding up to spell the doom of the just-for-fun sports car form of transport, but a new crop of all-electric vehicles is hoping to change that.

The trend was kick-started by American company Tesla, and now a British company has announced it will be joining the fray with a production version of its Lightning GT sports car, which was revealed yesterday at the London Motor Show.

HSV’s most powerful and expensive model ever offered for sale has already sold out for the year, with all 90 vehicles planned for 2008 pre-ordered.

The new model is the W427, which was first revealed in concept form at February’s Melbourne Motor Show and today went on sale priced at a staggering $155,500.

BMW has finally released full details and images for its fifth-generation 7-series flagship following the premature leak yesterday of several blurry images and vague details.

As expected, the car picks up several influences from 2007’s striking CS Concept vehicle including new LED elements on the headlights, an oversized grille and more fluid taillights.

The first Chinese vehicles to be launched in Australia will officially go on sale this October, six months earlier than previously predicted.

The new vehicles will be sold under the Great Wall Motors (GWM) brand and are being imported to Australia and New Zealand through the Ateco network.