Mike Hanlon

Among Sony's releases at IFA is one that could put a dent in Kindle's dominance of the eReader space - the 6-inch Sony Reader Wi-Fi. The new reader comes in at just 168 grams, two thirds of the weight of the Kindle 3 WiFi and with a host of advantages that include faster and smoother page turns (we tried it), and a dual-touch touchscreen for easy zooming. Unlike the Kindle, it won't lock you to Amazon as the sole provider of your reading material. It's also cheaper and lighter than the model it replaces, but still US$10 dearer than the Kindle at US$149. Read More

UPDATED: NEW IMAGES Yet another interesting mobility idea to be seen for the first time at the Frankfurt Motor Show is Citroen's Tubik concept - a high-tech, high-comfort, connected executive shuttle. The idea came from Citroen's Multicity project, an online routefinder portal that provides a door-to-destination transport solution using all available modes - car, train, bus, plane etc. In looking at the big picture, Citroen realised that something was missing - a vehicle was needed that was more than a taxi and more flexible than a limousine. The Citroen Tubik is that solution. Read More

Volkswagen has once more produced a minimalist and frugal commuter vehicle for its home auto show in Frankfurt, and this one has us quite excited. NILS is an F1-inspired single-seat electric concept with an aluminum space frame, gull-wing doors and thanks to its extreme light weight (460 kg), small frontal area, it offers sports car performance at speeds up to 130 km/h from a small 25kW electric motor. The electric motor's 130 Nm of torque offers rapid acceleration and although the range is limited to just 65 kilometers (40 miles), it recharges from empty in just two hours from a conventional 230-volt electrical outlet. Read More

Ford's Evos may only be a concept car but with its four scissor doors reaching skyward to the heavens, it is both the most distinctive and important concept from Ford in many a year. The Evos is the first manifestation of the Blue Oval's "first truly global design language," a visual signature that Ford hopes will make its next generation of vehicles more recognizable than the current fleet. The plug-in hybrid will debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show two weeks from now and previews not just the new family resemblance, but the intuitive "cloud connected" functionality Ford will infuse into the next generation of vehicles. Read More

When French automotive powerhouse Peugeot set out to redesign the MPV, it obviously took a look at the vehicle's target market and decided on making the boxy, aerodynamically-dysfunctional, aesthetically-unappealing van a lot more desirable to the genre's traditional driver – the young mum. The resultant HX1 concept is a long, low, wide and sleek, plug-in diesel-electric hybrid that seats six and returns economy of just 3.2 l/100 km (88.2 mpg), has CO2 emissions of just 83 g/km and can drive 30 km (18.6 miles) on electric power alone. It also teamed up with luxury shoe designer Pierre Hardy to create a concept shoe which transforms from a slipper suitable for driving, to a gorgeous high-heeled shoe suitable for more glamorous occasion. Vive La France! Read More

The iconic, brand-defining Porsche 911 Carrera has once again been redesigned, and the latest incarnation will be seen for the first time at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It's lighter, more economical, more powerful, cleaner and orders are being taken from September 1, with deliveries beginning December 3. After 48 years, the 911 remains a rear-engined, boxer six with vague styling similarities to the 956 and Volkswagen Beetle DNA, but the 911 name still represents excellence, performance and a badge of success. Read More

Two new electric smart vehicles will debut in showrooms next year. The third generation smart fortwo electric car will be available within twelve months in more than 30 markets while a smart pedelec power-assist electric bike will also be available in dealerships during 2012. Read More

The distracted driving epidemic seems to know no bounds. With global road deaths set to exceed 1.5 million human beings in 2011, almost every country in the world continues to accept the mayhem on the roads as the cost of doing business. Distracted driving is the hot topic of the moment with research suggesting 5,800 U.S. traffic deaths last year were tied to motorists who failed to keep their eyes on the road. Another study claims American drivers are distracted between one-quarter and one-half of the time, two-thirds of drivers use a cell phone while driving, one-third used a cell phone routinely and observational studies suggest between 7% and 10% of all drivers are using a cell phone at any given time. If you think that's bad, you should see what happens in Asia. Mike Hanlon spent a few months on the road in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand - his photography of everyday motoring in largely motorcycle-mounted countries will leave you aghast. Read More

Covini is testing a new petrol-electric hybrid "speedster" version of the new 434 bhp V8 C3A. In testing, the track-only hybrid is apparently proving to be extremely fast with excellent braking and handling. The six-wheelTyrell P34 Formula One car won an F1 race before it was banned, so the logical benefits of four-front-wheels (reduced high speed lift and improved aerodynamics, more rubber, more braking power and more grip, particularly in treacherous conditions) are once again being validated. Read More