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With the Paris Motor Show only a day away Lexus has revealed more details of its CT 200h. The Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series rival is due to arrive in the UK early next year.

Fitted with a 1.8-litre engine developing 98bhp and an electric motor taking the total output to 134bhp, Lexus claims a 0-62mph time of 10.3 seconds. The CT 200h can also run for up to a mile and a half on battery power alone at speeds of up to 28mph. Provisional figures for economy and emissions are 68.9mpg on the combined cycle and 96g/km respectively.

Lexus has promised a high standard of ride comfort and handling. To achieve this it has engineered the body to be rigid with a low centre of gravity. Suspension

What do you get if you put a tuned Audi S3 engine into a car that weighs less than your Sunday lunch? You get the KTM X-Bow R.

There are no official performance numbers yet, but this X-Bow might win a 50-yard race with an arrow fired from an actual crossbow. It’s got 300bhp, and the engine is placed lower in the chassis to the benefit the centre of gravity and hence of cornering speed.

A number of performance enhancing changes will accompany the engine transplant, though we’re not told what they are yet. We do know, however, that they’ll be available as aftermarket parts for existing X-Bows.

The R will come in two flavours, named Sport and Race, the latter revoking the car’s

From October 2010 the revised Citroen C4 Picasso range will hit UK showrooms, having been debuted at the Paris Motor Show.

Most intriguing is that the update marks the introduction of Citroen’s e-HDI ‘micro-hybrid’ technology in the UK. It’s really just a posh engine start-stop system linked to a 110bhp HDi diesel engine and a six-speed automatic transmission, but it results in impressive efficiency.

The system uses a reversible alternator that captures brake energy to charge the battery, as well as performing start-stop duties. With it, the C4 Picasso returns 58.9mpg on the combined cycle and the Grand Picasso 57.6mpg. Emissions are 125- and 132g/km respectively.

The facelift is standard issue stuff, including a mild front-end redesign, new rear light clusters and some daytime LEDs

A very green showdown between an electric supercar and an electric superbike has happened at Thruxton – the first race of its type we believe.

The Citroen Survolt and the Agni Z2 fought it out at the Thruxton race circuit in a test of speed and agility. A big publicity stunt, sure, but it makes compelling viewing as the 300bhp Survolt and the 65bhp Agni battle it out.

Obviously weight plays a part, so despite the massive power advantage of the twin electric motored Survolt, the Agni is quicker to 62mph: 3.5 seconds for the bike, and ‘under five’ for the car. The Survolt hits 162mph, while the 220kg bike tops out at just over 130mph.

The electric competitors were both piloted by women

It’s no secret that the Vauxhall GTC Paris Concept is basically the production three-door Astra, due on sale next year.

Well, to keep those intrigue fires burning, Vauxhall has unveiled a new set of pictures and a little more information on the Paris show car.

The front sports seats are its most unusual feature. They’re both finished in contrasting red and black leather with text printed onto them.

The steering wheel has metal inserts, and some of the interior detailing is of polished chrome. Strip back the metal and sporty add-ons, though, and you have the basics of your next diesel Astra Sport Hatch – if that is indeed what Vauxhall calls it.

The gloss piano black on the dash is