Harrods and cars. Harrods and cars. What links the two? A deleted scene from Mr. Bean’s first film. He drives his iconic Mini through the jewellery section to avoid the traffic on his way to work. They cut it from the final reel, as they felt that, with this scene in place, it was taking him too long to get to America – where the action really happens.

But anyway, there’s now a second thing linking the disparate worlds of motoring and high-end shopping. It’s Fisker Automorive’s Karma!

Described as the world’s first luxury car, it’ll be on display along the prominent Brompton Road window display throughout the busy Winter Sale period – from now until 4 February 2012.

Says Henrik Fiker, co-founder and CEO of Fisker Automotive: “Harrods is one of the most prestigious retail sites in the world, which is perfect for our car. The landmark store attracts hundreds of thousands of customers from all over the world during January, and we look forward to introducing them to the Fisker Karma.”

He named his company after himself! But then, wouldn’t we all?

The Karma, then. It comes with extended range (EVer™ ) and pledges to combine the efficiency of electric drive with the range and freedom of petrol-powered cars, while offering the comfort and performance expected of a high-end sedan.

In fact, the Karma happens to be one of the most efficient, low emission vehicles available today. It can travel from 0-60 mph in 6.2 seconds. Gas guzzler! However, it was recently given an incredible emissions rating of just 51 g/km CO2 by the TUV and a 112 mpg equivalency rating.

The 2012 Fisker Karma is already on sale in the United States, priced from $102,000, and will be available at dealerships internationally in the coming weeks.

But before then, why not pop along to Harrods to take a closer look? There you can take a tour of the vehicle and even virtually configure your own model before getting in touch with your nearest dealership to arrange a test drive.

How about that for a fun-filled afternoon?

The EyesOn Design Award recognises skills and creativity in different areas of design for both concept and production vehicles. Judged by a group of world leading automotive designers and design academics, they look for such qualities as Aesthetics, Innovation, Concept Implementation, Functionality and the Spirit of Industrial Design. They’re their capitals, not mine. Oh yes: That’s how important they see these qualities to be.

And this year, such qualities have seemingly been evoked in the design of the Lexus LF-LC Hybrid Sport Coupe Concept, showcased at the Detroit Motor Show (NAIAS).

With this 2+2 coupe, Lexus’s Calty studio in California aimed to explore how a future rendition of Lexus design might take a more “emotive and avant garde approach” as it harnessed new and advanced technologies.

Eagle-eyed Lexus fans might be able to spot elements of the new Lexus GS 450h in the concept – the “spindle” grille shape and the rear architecture are dead giveaways, now that you mention it.

Says Mark Templin, Lexus US Group Vice President and General Manager: “The LF-LC is a striking design and breathtaking in its beauty. The team at Lexus quickly fell in love with this concept vehicle and it’s rewarding to see that the industry agreed. Receiving the EyesOn Design Award is a great start to what promises to be a fantastic year for Lexus.”

Well done, Lexus.

SEAT have released (or, as they might put it, “unleashed”) details of the new generation of their Ibiza line.

They’ve described the design as “young” and “emotional”. Now, if the ink’s not quite dried on the schematics, technically a design can be “young”, I suppose. But “emotional”? You’ve lost me there, SEAT.

But where they’ve lost me they’re bound to pick up someone else, for this generation of Ibiza’s all about versatility. They’re trying to offer something for everyone. The three-door Ibiza SC promises to be “compact and sporty”; the five-door “dynamic and universally popular”; the ST estate “elegantly practical”.

But particular note is to be taken of the Ibiza E Ecomotive. With emissions of just 89 g/km of CO2 it’s more than worthy of its “ultra-efficient” label.

Then there’s the Ibiza FR. Described as “exceptionally sporty”, it achieves a really rather meaty 150 PS.

Something for everyone, then. Something for everyone.

See? Even moany me has been quietened with their fresh green credentials.

“The Ibiza is an important foundation of our brand,” says James Muir, President of SEAT, S.A. “With the new generation, we are taking a clear step forward – the fresh and young design language speaks to SEAT’s unique and distinctive character.”

“It underscores the precision and quality of our products. This makes the new Ibiza a crucial element in SEAT’s strategy. Its success will grow even further, not least in our new market of China.”

China, hey? Well, good luck there, SEAT!

As for the UK,  we’re looking at a spring 2012 launch. Full details of UK trim levels, prices and technical specifications will be announced as and when.

Look: Toyota have released the first ever pictures of their new Yaris Hybrid – months ahead of the  public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

Oh, you lucky lucky internet user.

The new model proclaims to bring together the “ingenious packaging and agile handling” with the “high efficiency and refined driving experience” of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy powertrain.

But the Hybrid Synergy Drive has been downsized for Yaris – combining a new 1.5-litre petrol engine with a more compact electric motor, transaxle, inverter and battery pack, the result is a system that’s 20% lighter than that used in the Auris Hybrid.

And lighter cars tend to be more fuel efficient in any case.

This is looking good, yes?

But how good?

Wait ’til March, if you can!

Are Infiniti the most interesting of car manufacturers, or the most pretentious?

Let’s weigh up the evidence that stands before us: Their latest press release.

It’s titled “Infiniti’s next inspired performance comes from a new direction”. It contains such sentences as “Mid-ship layout for optimal weight distribution, at the same time facilitating a change in vocabulary for Infiniti’s design language.” However, beyond that, as per, information is scant at best. The car in question doesn’t even have a name yet.

Awful, awful teases.

They’re always doing this, aren’t they?

Anyway, this concerns an “advanced sports car concept” which is due for unveiling at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. It’s apparently “lightweight” with the “offer of low emissions” (offer of?) – and it seems that it will be the “first Infiniti to have not only a range-extender drivetrain but also one mounted in a mid-ship package for optimal weight distribution and therefore handling.”

OK.

Yes yes, I suppose that is quite intriguing.

But you know what? We’ll just have to wait before they show their hand.

The awful teases. Whadareyeh?

Smart are describing their latest model – the for-us – as a “rule breaker”.

Previously, I wasn’t aware of any rules obeyed by cars beyond those of time, space and physics. I naively allowed myself to get a little excited by the prospect of this being the first car to be able to trip the light fantastic and transcend the boring barriers of mundane reality.

But no. The “rules” in question are more like ideas – as in, the “ideas about what an urban pickup should look like”.

And might I add to that the rules about what you should call your car? For-us isn’t a very good name. It just isn’t.

But anyway, it’s designed with the young (and the young at heart) in mind. Those with “active lives who attach importance to low emissions and taking up minimum road space”.

Hey, that sounds like me! Does it come in metallic lime green?

Its dimensions alone (3547/1506/1701 mm) would make all the other pickups on the market laugh. But, if the cinema of the 1980s is anything to go by, truly it’s what’s inside that counts: A 55kW magneto-electric motor offering an electric zero-emission drive.

smart CEO Dr. Annette Winkler says: “We at smart love pickups – if they are small on the outside, large on the inside, very safe and extremely comfortable. With the smart for-us a petrol station is no longer required!”

I wouldn’t boast about that until the infrastructure’s caught up with the technology, Ms. Winkler.

The smart for-us will celebrate its world premier at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit (14-22 January 2012).

No news yet on when you might be able to drive your own.

Sorry.

If economy is top of your list when searching for a new car, you won’t want to miss our latest deal on the Honda Insight, available to lease from just £149.95 + VAT a month!

Styling, spacious and super-economical, the Honda Insight is hard to beat when it comes to low running costs and fuel economy.

Featuring Honda’s latest hybrid technology, the Insight delivers a low fuel consumption of up to 64.2mpg and produces only 101g/km of C02 placing it into the inexpensive B VED tax band.

But don’t be fooled by the Insight’s hybrid capabilities, this stylish family car also boasts a high standard specification with climate control, front and rear electric windows, heated electric mirrors, alloy wheels and MP3 compatibility as standard on every model.

Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is pleased to offer a special car leasing deal on the Honda Insight 1.3 IMA SE CVT. Prices now start from just £149.95 + VAT a month on a 5000 MPA, 2 year contract – fantastic value for a car of this specification.

To take advantage of this amazing Honda car leasing deal and to find out more about the Honda Insight, simply follow the above links or call Nationwide Vehicle Contracts on 0844 482 9595.

Prices based on a 2 year , 5000 mpa contract and excludes VAT, initial payment and processing fee. Limited Stock Available. Terms & Conditions Apply.

The North may be in mourning over the death of leader and perceived saviour Kim Jong Il and tensions between the North and South may be rising, but this hasn’t stopped Kia releasing the first ever Korean Electric Vehicle.

The Ray EV is closely based on the petrol powered Ray CUV which went on general sale in Korea in November and features a 6 hour charge time on 220v house charge or a surprisingly pacey 25 minutes when being charged in ‘fast mode’ and a top speed of 81mph. You might be waiting a while to get to that speed though, with an acceleration of 0 – 100km in just less than 16 seconds, although not awful for an electric model.

These speeds are slightly faster than the petrol model of the Ray EV despite the fact that the electric model is 187kg heavier; however its increased torque allows the EV to still be fairly nippy.

The EV does contain a unique navigation system which rather than only taking the driver to their destination, it finds the closest electrical recharging station. It also shows a visual radius that the car is able to travel on its remaining battery charge before it dies. Currently the stations are pretty rare in Korea, with only 500 spread across the country, which could be a problem for those people who want to buy the car buy the Korean government is launching an initiative to have that number increased to 3,100 stations by the end of 2012.

The biggest problem with the car on a practical level is that the engine of the car makes no noise and is therefore deemed to be a health hazard to any pedestrians who may be crossing the road or in the same area of the car. Presumably their eyes don’t work. To solve this issue Kia have added a Virtual Engine Sound System (cleverly known as VESS) in order to quell safety fears. As there is talk of laws being passed in Japan and the US to make such systems compulsory in all electric cars this may just prove to be a savvy move.

2,500 models will be produced in 2012 to be delivered to offices and government officials as part of Kia’s environmental aims.