News in brief

Tree planting schemes by car makers could worsen global warming, it's claimed

Auto Express Car Reviews

17th January 2007

Research by Washington University in the US argues that planting in temperate regions such as Europe can warm the earth's surface by absorbing sunlight and trapping heat. The study concluded many initiatives could be counter-productive and result in significant warming by 2100.

LOTUS has been chosen to develop a pair of new Brazilian urban sports cars.

Both lightweight models boast a 'trybrid' engine, which runs on petrol, bioethanol or natural gas. The 1.6-litre unit will produce 170bhp, rising to 250bhp when a turbo is added. Lamborghini-style scissor doors feature, while three-abreast seating provides practicality.

GERMANY: Emergency services in Berlin rescued a driver stuck upside down in a manhole. He was trying to retrieve his car keys.

IRELAND: Baby-faced David James, 21, of Dublin, has been stopped 157 times by police, as they think he looks too young to drive.

USA: Florida bank robber Don Hendricks took a taxi to his latest hold-up - then escaped in it too, before using a bike he had stored in the boot.

MOTORISTS are still baffled by the number of technology acronyms, says Internet guide New Car Net.

It found that only a third of those questioned could identify PCS as Pre-Collision System, and just seven per cent correctly picked out every abbreviation tested. Only the short-hand for power-assisted steering (PAS) was correctly identified by all.