• VW board member for research and development, Heinz-Jakob Neusser, announced at Geneva a new type of long-life battery based on Lithium-air chemistry. The new battery is being tested by VW and is said to have the potential to quadruple the power of current batteries of the same size and weight. A Golf Blue e-motion has a battery pack with a 26.5 kWh. The new battery would raise that to 80 kWh and would increase the range of electric cars accordingly. Dr. Neusser said that most consumers would settle for 200 km (124 miles) of range for a second car — but for a primary car, a family would require a longer range.

• NISSAN has announced the development of what it calls “smart rear-view mirror”, which is formed of an LCD monitor that provides rear-view visibility. The smart mirror can revert to a traditional mirror if the driver prefers the old-style mirror. A high-resolution camera mounted on the rear of the vehicle provides the driver with a clear unobstructed view of the rear flanks, allowing the ability to check blind spots and other traffic conditions. The camera projects a clear image onto the monitor to provide the driver with a better view for a more comfortable driving experience. Rearward visibility from conventional rearview mirrors can be obstructed when there are tall passengers in the rear seats, or when luggage is stacked high in the rear compartment. However, with the Smart rearview mirror, rearward visibility is free from in-vehicle obstructions.

• BUYERS in Saudi Arabia can now order the new BMW X5 with XDrive35i, which joins the X5 XDrive50i launched late last year. Commenting on the new vehicle, Stavros Paraskevaides, managing director of Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors (BMW Group), said: “Launching the new BMW XDrive35i will help to further diversify our offering in the Sports Activity Vehicle segment.” Now in its third generation, the BMW X5 has set new standards with its evolutionary design features, spacious interior and increased driving comfort. In addition, for the first time, the X5 is available with a choice of new suspension packages. These include the Adaptive Suspension Comfort, Dynamic, Professional and Adaptive M Suspension, all of which provides further enhanced ride comfort.

• JAGUAR has confirmed the XE as a new name for its mid-size sedan. The car would be the first aluminum monocoque produced in this segment under the advanced aluminum architecture showcased by the company in the C-X17 concept displayed at Frankfurt Auto Show last year. A new family of two-liter engines formed of four cylinders will be lined up for the XE. This family of engines, called Ingenium, will enable Jaguar to produce class-leading performance of 300 KM/H (186 MPH) while keeping emissions lower than 100g of CO2 per kilometer. The name of the Jaguar XE follows a logical progression, positioned alongside the XF and XJ saloons in the range. Full XE technical and range details will be announced later in 2014.

• INFINITI has revealed a 557 HP engine for the Q50 Eau Rouge. The beating heart of the Eau Rouge is a twin-turbocharged, 3.8-liter V6 petrol engine. The V6, 24-valve, twin-turbocharged petrol engine partners a full-time, all-wheel drive system with 50/50 front-to-rear torque split. Predicted acceleration of 60mph in less than four seconds and a top speed close to 180 MPH (289.6 KM/H) would put the Q50 Eau Rouge firmly into the premier league of super-sports sedans.

• FORD celebrated International Women’s Day by highlighting role of women in the production of the iconic Mustang. The company shed light on the role of four women executives: Marcy Fisher, vehicle line director; Michelle Lubin Henney, vehicle integration supervisor; Susan Lampinen, chief color and materials designer; and Melanie Banker, US marketing manager. The company said that for 50 years women have been influential in the Mustang story as engineers, designers, executives and customers.

The first buyer of a Mustang in the US back in 1964 was Gail Brown, a Chicago school teacher.