Russelsheim, Germany - Opel is working on a compressed natural gas (CNG) hybrid drive system in cooperation with car parts supplier Bosch and the University of Stuttgart to combine a turbo engine with an electric motor.

A prototype based on an Astra Caravan and equipped with a start- stop-system achieved a carbon dioxide emission figure of just 90 grammes per kilometre, the car maker said.

Maranello, Italy  - Manufacturers of super sports cars have just announced a host of new models as many now face an uncertain future as the global financial crisis hits a customer segment previously immune to economic downturns.

Tuning firms and the makers of premium luxury and super sports cars could in the past always rely on an extremely wealthy clientele eager to fork out several hundred thousand dollars for a new V12 with up to 700 horsepower.

Hamburg - Calling all company car users and well-heeled family fathers - the all-new E-class from Mercedes-Benz is as solid and reliable as customers of this marque expect, with a host of clever electronic trickery and greener engines too.

The new limousine also goes a long way towards restoring the model's tarnished reputation for durability after some irksome quality control slip-ups in the past.

Ingolstadt, Germany  - As part of its centenary celebrations, Audi will exhibit a 1935 Audi 225 Front Roadster, which has been reconstructed on an original frame, at this month's Essen Techno Classica show.

Audi hailed the vehicle as one of the "most spectacular cars" during the recently opened exhibition "Horch - an Audi!" at the company museum in Ingolstadt, south-west Germany.

Wolfsburg/St Tropez  - The sixth generation of the VW Golf GTI hits European showrooms this month after the official presentation in the French resort of St Tropez last month fitted with a 155 kW/210 turbo engine with a top speed of 240 km/h.

Volkswagen lists the selling price in Germany at 26,650 euros (35,900 dollars) with the four-door version costing an additional 750 euros (1,000 dollars). The sales start in North America and Asia will follow later this year.

Los Angeles  - The US electric car maker Tesla has unveiled its Model S sedan and said the first models will be delivered to customers in the second half of 2011.

Featuring a coupe-like design, the Model S has electric engines fitted to the rear axle that are fed by lithium-ion batteries positioned in the floor. A four-wheel drive is an option.

Three different battery packs will be available giving the car a range of between 260 and 480 kilometres on a single charge lasting only 45 minutes. According to Tesla the batteries have a life span of five years.