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IF, like me, you’re old enough to remember the VHS/Betamax battle of those things called video recorders in the eighties, you’ll find the conundrum facing many car makers deciding between plug-in electric and hydrogen power curiously familiar. At this week’s LA Motor Show, it was electric power that was getting all the attention – mostly thanks to Jaguar’s new I-Pace SUV. It has a promised range of over 300 miles, a 0-60mph time of ‘around four seconds’ and a stunning, practical SUV body, so we’d be surprised if a fair few deposits hadn’t already been paid out. Jaguar Land Rover clearly sees the future as allelectric, but not everyone does. I spent time last week with Lexus Europe boss Alain Uyttenhoven, who told me Lexus will be launching a hydrogenpowered…

JAGUAR’S first all-electric production car, the I-Pace SUV, will go on sale in 2018, and has been previewed by the thinly-disguised I-Pace Concept at this week’s Los Angeles Motor Show. We’ll see the production version of the I-Pace in 12 months’ time. Not only will the name of the new car remain, it’ll also look pretty much the same as the concept and its figures will still hold true. Jaguar claims that the I-Pace will have a range of more than 300 miles on a single charge, and be able to get from 0-60mph in around four seconds. Price-wise, Jaguar has hinted that it will cost around 10-15 per cent more than an equivalent version of the F-Pace SUV. With the power and performance on offer, we’d expect a starting…

“There are significant upgrades as VW tries to win back consumer confidence following dieselgate” VOLKSWAGEN’S focus may be on developing a raft of new electric vehicles, but it isn’t neglecting its core product range. This is the facelifted VW Golf, which will bring much improved infotainment along with more efficient engines when it goes on sale in the UK in February, priced from around £18,000. While the external differences are mild and evolutionary, plus big components like the chassis remain essentially unchanged, there are still significant upgrades as the embattled manufacturer tries to win back consumer confidence following dieselgate. The big changes come inside, with the hatchback now offered with the option of ‘Active Info Display’ – the same digital instrument panel that we’ve already seen on various Audis and…

PORSCHE has rolled out a longwheelbase version of its latest Panamera at the Los Angeles Motor Show. The new Panamera Executive has a wheelbase that has been stretched by 150mm, giving increased rear passenger space for two. There are also big changes inside, with Porsche adding a panoramic roof, plus multi-way powered adjustment and heating for the two rear seats. Adaptive air suspension with electronically controlled dampers is fitted as standard, too. Buyers have the option of specifying a new centre console in the rear as well; this brings two airline-style folding tables. A rear seat entertainment package, featuring two 10.1-inch displays attached to the back of the front seats, is also on offer. The displays can be removed and used as tablets. Prices for the Executive model start at…

ELSEWHERE at Porsche, development on the next-generation 911 appears to be under way after our spies caught a modified prototype testing at Germany’s Nürburgring race track. An all-new 911 is still a couple of years away, with the bulk of the changes likely to focus on mechanical upgrades – so there’s no new bodywork to gauge. The mule uses a current 991-generation Carrera 4 body, with some slight modifications, most notably the wider wings and extended wheelarches. It suggests that Porsche is plotting a wider track for its next 911, boosting stability for better handling. However, the increase in size could also hint at the potential for petrol/electric technology. Company bosses have previously expressed an interest in developing a plug-in hybrid 911, so a wider track will be necessary in…

“I’m determined to do all we can to make it more attractive to those who run and use electric cars” THE Government should do more to boost electric charging in the UK to help meet 2040 targets, according to the minister in charge of low emission vehicles. John Hayes, minister of state at the Department for Transport, told Auto Express that his team would do more to support infrastructure projects, as well as continue to back the Plug-in Car Grant in a bid to achieve a target of seeing every new car sold in 2040 delivering zero emissions. “I’m determined to do all we can to make it more attractive to those who run and use electric cars,” Hayes said. “The Government needs to help and should do more. It’s…