Tuning Truck

Last year Ford Switzerland showed a concept Focus RS WRC Edition at the 23rd Auto Zürich Show. The company invited the world to help design the car with the promise that the most popular and appropriate designs would be put into the market. People logged on to the appointed website, voted, made suggestions, and generally commented.

True to its word the resulting "40 years Ford RS" special edition goes on the Swiss market at 55,900 francs (US$52,126) a pop. It features a special

TuningTruck.com's editors have driven the Hyundai Accent—in both hatchback and sedan form—in order to give you an expert opinion. TuningTruck.com's car experts then researched available road tests on the 2009 Hyundai Accent to produce this conclusive review and to help you find the truth where other reviews might differ.

Likes

Excellent fuel economy

Spacious backseat

Nicely styled interior

Dislikes

Uncooperative

Last week, we wrote that the smash success of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV is leading the company to plan five additional electric cars.

We've now driven electric-car prototypes from a number of automakers: a 2011 Chevrolet Volt mule, the 2012 Nissan EV prototype, the 2012 Ford Focus EV prototype, and the disappointing Mini E. And we've ridden in the 2011 Coda Sedan prototype.

But the only actual production EV we've driven was the 2010

Mazda is known for its "Zoom-Zoom" tagline, meaning sporty cars that set the bar for enjoyable handling at real-world prices. But the company has repeatedly expressed its lack of interest in electric cars, and its one hybrid is so half-hearted few know it exists.

Now, Mazda may have reversed course. It plans to join the fast-growing wave of automakers hoping to launch battery electric cars and an array of hybrid models. More remarkably still, it may acquire

If you live in a crowded urban environment, you understand the value of minicars. No, they can't haul sheetrock, and trips to the grocery store become more like social calls, but where parking and (occasionally) fuel economy are concerned, they can be a condo-dweller's dream.

Until, of course, they get in a fender-bender.

To demonstrate, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently put seven mini- and micro cars through a series of low-speed crash tests. The

With all the talk about hybrid systems and clean-diesel powertrains as the current be-all and end-all for green-car shoppers, it’s easy to forget that there are a few simple small cars out there that are nearly as frugal—without paying thousands more.

You still can get a basic, lightweight hatchback or sedan with a smaller-displacement four-cylinder engine for way under $15,000—and that’s before you count any discounts you’re likely to find at the dealership. The

Last week, BMW proudly announced that Peter Trepp, of Pacific Palisades, California, had become the first person in the United States to take delivery of an all-electric Mini E.

We pity Mr. Trepp.

Not ready for primetime

Ten days ago, we had a chance to drive a Mini E. Rarely have we been in a car less ready for primetime than this electric conversion of that fun, peppy, cheerful rollerskate,  the 2009 Mini Cooper