The Good Oil: Honda's roomy new CR-V

The Honda CR-V offers five seats of luxury. Photo / Supplied

Honda has unveiled a concept version of its next CR-V. Among the changes are a stretched body and near-vertical hatchback rear to deliver more interior space than the current model. But, despite the bigger cabin, Honda confirms the CR-V will remain a five-seater, ending speculation that a third row of seats would be added.

Honda remains tight-lipped on engine details, but expect an updated version of the current 2.4-litre petrol unit.

Honda also equips the CR-V with a 2.2-litre diesel in some markets. Asked if Honda NZ would offer it as an option, managing director Graeme Seymour said: "That's always a consideration, but I will neither confirm nor deny the diesel."

The production-ready CR-V will make its debut at next month's LA motor show and land in New Zealand next year.

Lead-footed IndyCar racer sidelined
Two-time Indy 500 winner Al Unser Jr (right) has been charged with drink driving after being stopped in New Mexico for speeding. Police in Albuquerque said Unser was in his Chevrolet Suburban SUV drag-racing another car at speeds of more than 160km/h. He was also charged with reckless and aggravated driving. Unser lost his driver's licence in 2007 after a car crash in Nevada, in which he was three times over the blood-alcohol limit. In 2002, he underwent treatment for alcohol abuse after hitting his girlfriend. IndyCar has suspended Unser from his role as a race control official.

Datsun name to make a comeback
Nissan is planning to extend its ownership of the rights to the Datsun name - and the plans include an all-new logo. The Japanese carmaker was rebranded as Nissan in the 1980s and was most famous for small sportscars such as the 240Z.

Analysts say if Datsun makes a return, it's likely to be a sub-brand for Nissan that aims to produce economical and affordable cars. Nissan's sister company, Renault, already has such a subsidiary in Dacia, so it's possible that the new Datsuns could simply be re-badged Dacias. The new machines will most likely be launched as part of the "Power88" plan, which will see Nissan release a new model every six weeks for the next six years.

A spokesperson for Nissan said: "We are looking at various brands and the option to acquire various brands for use in the future. We need to make sure that we own the Datsun name. If we were to use it, Datsun would most likely be a brand for large, developing markets such as Russia and China."

None for the road
The drink-drive limit is to be almost halved in Northern Ireland, dropping the blood-alcohol thresholds from the UK's 80mg/100ml to just 50mg. This would align it with other European countries, including France, Germany and Italy. The proposal was outlined this week by Northern Ireland's environment minister, who revealed young drivers and those who drive for a living could be further restricted, with their threshold limited to 20mg/100ml.

New ix45 on tarmac
The new Hyundai ix45 has been pictured for the first time testing on public roads in Europe. It's set to replace the Santa Fe. Expect it in New Zealand around the middle of next year, with seven seats and perhaps a choice of front- or four-wheel drive. Inspired by the Hyundai Nuvis concept car first shown at the 2009 New York motor show, the ix45 is the fifth new Hyundai to get the firm's "Fludic Sculpture" design treatment. There's also talk of all-new petrol and diesel engines, including an eco-friendlier 1.7-litre oil-burner.

Range Rover lightens up to reduce its carbon footprint
The next Range Rover is expected to lose half a ton in weight over the current car (above). Spy shots of the luxury SUV show it to be instantly recognisable but with rounded-off edges and LED daytime running lights.

Under the fresh body lies a new aluminium chassis that helps to shed 500kg, allowing the big 4x4 to tip the scales at about 2000kg. The weight reduction is combined with a revised powertrain, including an uprated 240kW 4.4-litre diesel engine and a tweaked eight-speed automatic gearbox with stop-start. It all helps to cut the Range Rover's exhaust emissions dramatically from 253g per kilometre to less than 180g/km and bring average fuel economy up to 8-litres/100km (35mpg).

A supercharged 5-litre V8 will also be available, as will a diesel V6. A mild hybrid using an electric motor attached to the gearbox is rumoured, too. Inside, rear-seat passengers have more space. Gadgets include direct syncing of smartphones, plus integration of devices such as iPads for rear-seat fun. Expect the new model at the Geneva show in March.

Plug-in speedster
US electric carmaker Tesla is working on a go-fast version of the Model S sedan, due next year. CEO Elon Musk says the plug-in car will cost about US$80,000 ($104,000) and comes with the same 85kW battery pack as the standard Model S. But whizz-bang electronics will cut the faster car's 0-100km/h sprint time from 5.5 to 4.6 seconds, and optional aerodynamic wheels will boost its range from 500 to 535km. Musk has promised to equip the Model S with seating for up to seven and fit it with a battery pack that can be swapped at suitable sites along motorways.

Says Musk: "The goal with the Model S was to build the best car, not just the best electric vehicle. It can seat seven, has two boots, and a really low center of gravity. No one thought any of this was possible. I'm proud of this car. It's a revolution that I hope the rest of the industry will follow."