(Tue 18 May 10)

You might have thought that Range Rover would be the last 4x4 brand to introduce a two-wheel drive option on its cars, and indeed it has become pretty much the last to do so. The first ever Range Rover with this layout will be a version of the new compact model due to go on sale next year, and as well as being the lightest in the range it will also have the lowest CO2 emissions - the company claims a figure of "less than 130g/km".

A more dramatic development is Range Rover's first diesel hybrid, though that won't be going on sale until 2013. Indeed, testing isn't due to start until the end of this year, but when it does it will be based on the Range Rover Sport-based range_e (pictured), which will have a three-litre TDV6 turbo diesel engine, an eight-speed automatic gearbox and an electric motor whose battery should be able to let the car run on electric power only for up to 20 miles. A top speed of 120mph and CO2 emissions below 100g/km are being targeted.

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