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VW to intro Passat BlueMotion Concept at Detroit auto show

While performance heads are anxiously awaiting the North American debut of the hot-heat Mk VII Golf R at the Detroit auto show, Volkswagen's Passat BlueMotion Concept offers never-before technology in the Yank/Canuck family sedan segment: a four-pot motor with cylinder deactivation. Based on the EA211 1.4L turbo motor we sampled last year in the Euro-market Audi A3 sedan, the Passat BlueMotion Concept's engine is capable of shutting down the middle two cylinders during cruise, and features the Jetta Hybrid's gearbox, a twin-clutch unit capable of decoupling from the engine during off-throttle coasting. In the Passat's application, the 1.4 puts out 150 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque; VW suggests its highway fuel economy will stand at 42 mpg.

2014 Nissan Leaf pricing announced

Nissan has announced pricing for its pure-electric Leaf, which seems to be growing more popular by the hour. This time last year Nissan slashed the price of the Leaf by a whopping $6,000, sending into the sub-$30K territory, and for 2014 the price and equipment list has barely changed. The Leaf's driving range remains at 84 miles on a full charge, and the mpg-equivalent ratings stay at 126 mpge in the city and 101 mpge on the highway, for a combined rating of 114.

Electric Mercedes B-Class for China

Mercedes B-Class is the basis for new China BEV Back in March we reported that Mercedes and Chinese car maker BYD – they of the high-end battery technology – were getting cosy with plans to launch a new car make in China. And it looks like the first product on the list will be a BEV (battery electric vehicle) based on the current – soon to be repalced – Mercedes B Class. Which makes a lot of sense.