Plug-In

BMW is preparing a facelift for its the X2, and the crossover looks as though it will gain plug-in hybrid and pure electric variants. Spied on the back of a trailer, the updated X2 looks as though it will have a revised grille design and new headlight graphics. Circular fog lights were once a signature of BMW's range of X crossovers, but since the introduction of the current X3, X5 and X7 this feature has been steadily eliminated.

The new Toyota RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid – the most powerful and quickest RAV4 to date – will go on sale in the US by the middle of next year, but Australian customers will need to wait a little longer. While Toyota is the clear market leader for regular petrol-electric hybrid cars – which charge their onboard battery pack during normal driving, but only offer a limited electric boost – the company is yet to introduce a plug-in hybrid locally despite the technology being available overseas.

October 22: The proliferation of plug-in hybrid options across Audi's range continues, with the company unveiling the Audi A6 55 TFSI e quattro overnight. UPDATE October 24, 8:50am: Audi has provided new imagery of the A6. We've updated the pictures in our story text. The A6 55 TFSI e's all-wheel drive setup has a 185kW 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine paired with a 105kW electric motor built into the car's seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

BMW has revealed a plug-in hybrid version of its compact X1 SUV, the xDrive25e. Power in the X1 xDrive25e comes from a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine making 92kW and 220Nm, and an electric motor outputting 70kW and 165Nm. Combined, the two offer a peak of 165kW and 385Nm. Top speed in pure electric mode is 130km/h, and you'll be doing 192km/h at full noise with the petrol engine cranking.