Toyota tests chips that improve hybrid efficiency by 10 percent

Toyota announced on Tuesday that it has developed a new semiconductor, claiming it can boost fuel efficiency in hybrid cars by an impressive 10 percent. The semiconductors manage the flow of electricity through the power-control unit that connects the battery to an electric or hybrid car's motor and generator. The newly developed semiconductors are said to consume only a tenth of the energy of today's chips, while allowing the power-control unit to be 80 percent smaller.

MG TF – finally built at Longbridge. Plus mystery MG

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 02 June 2008 12:18 After a series of twists, turns, delays and wildly ambitious claims more akin to a Miss Marple whodunnit, MG has finally built its first TFs at the Longbridge plant in the West Midlands. We've seen the first TF LE500 models at Longbridge and we hear they will be in dealers soon, priced at around £16,000.  What's changed since the last 2005 cars? These early pre-prototypes look virtually unchanged, but now come with a body-coloured hard-top, leather seats, air-con and improved interior plastics as standard.The cars pictured here have the new standard-fit glass rear screen, wind deflector, 16in alloys in shadow chrome or satin-black finish and the new piano black interior trim and revised dials.

Dude, Where’s My Car?

HAVE you ever forgotten where you parked your car? Don't worry, as you’re not alone. According to a new survey from Direct Line, Britain is a nation of dozy parkers with many drivers forgetting where they have left their car.