Pricing and spec details have been announced for the forthcoming Volkswagen CC, with the 1.8-litre 158bhp manual TSI model costing £24,200.

That figure rises to £30,100 for the range-topping 68bhp GT 2.0-litre TDI with twin-clutch DSG gearbox and BlueMotion Technology.

There will be three engines with four power outputs in total. The TDI diesel will come in 138bhp and 168bhp guises.

The 138bhp version features CO2 emissions as low as 125g/km, and claims fuel economy of 60.1mpg.

The most popular models will probably be the most frugal diesels, in standard CC form for £25,345 and in luxurious GT spec for £27,570.

The four-door CC replaces the Passat CC and reflects the latest changes to the Volkswagen family face.

Standard spec on all models will include touchscreen satnav, DAB radio, dual zone climate control, bi-xenon headlights and brake energy recuperation.

GT models will all come with leather seats, the front two of which are heated, three-mode adaptive chassis control, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, 18in wheels and heat-reflecting privacy glass around the rear windows.

If you like, you can add climate control and a massage function to the front seats, a rear-view camera, an electronically deployable towbar and various safety systems.

Dealers are taking orders for the cars now, with first deliveries expected on April 16.

MITSUBISHI has added a new twist of style to its Shogun 4x4 by adding the special edition Black to the range.

Using the 3.2 Di-D LWB Shogun SG4 as a starting point, the Shogun Black adds a distinctive styling kit finished in black with alloy wheels, front grill, headlamp surrounds, roof, spoiler, door mirrors and handles plus side steps.

It comes in a choice of five metallic exterior colours too, while under the bonnet the 197bhp 3.2-litre diesel engine remains unchanged.

Available now from Mitsubishi dealers, the Shogun Black is priced £1,000 above the standard model at £41,999, which is good value considering the metallic paint option on a standard Shogun is £540.

Kia has unveiled an electric car that combines a range of up to 86 miles per charge with a recharge time of just 25 minutes – but for now it’s just for the Korean government.

The Ray EV is a five-door supermini, but the 1.0-litre petrol engine in the car already on sale in Korea has been replaced by a 50kw electric motor and a reasonable supply of batteries.

When driven at speeds below 12mph, VESS (Virtual Engine Sound System) delivers a mixture of recorded gasoline engine noises, which are also emitted whenever the car is backing up.

Customers in Europe can expect to see similar technologies within the next 10 years.