Volkswagen, Audi, Mini, Pikes Peak, Hyundai.

VW e-scooter: The German carmaker is planning an electric trike dubbed City Surfer, Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn said in an interview with German Bild. The LEV will weigh less than 20 kilos, have a range of about 20 kilometres and cost less than a 1,000 euros. Market entry is set for the second half of 2016. Meanwhile, Winterkorn confirmed that the rumoured 1,500 hp Bugatti will indeed be a hybrid (we reported).
bild.de (City Surfer, in German with pictures), themotorreport.com.au (Bugatti)

Audi A4 without e-tron? Audi presented the next-gen A4 for the first time but did not announce a PHEV as part of the motor line-up, even though media expected an A4 e-tron. German Heise Autos still believes a hybrid variant will come at a later date. First, the Audi Q5 PHEV will take the road.
puregreencars.com, heise.de (Q5, in German)

Mini Superleggera with i8 drive? Despite Mini denying production plans of its Superleggera concept, the rumour mill will not stop. Autocar reports that the classy convertible might be powered by a motor similar to that of the BMW i8 and expects a definite decision about production in November.
autocar.co.uk

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Optimised production of battery casings: The new project of the leading edge cluster Electric Mobility South-West “OptiFeLio” is dedicated to reducing production costs in the manufacturing of cell casings for pouch and prism cells. Already existing production methods are being upgraded.
e-mobilbw-sw.de

Pikes Peak electrified: Drive eO’s 1,020-kW electric racer took the first place in this weekend’s hill climb race. The Tajima Rimac E-Runner Concept_One came in second, making the dominance of electric vehicles perfect. Only one gas guzzler climbed onto the podium.
transportevolved.com, hybridcars.com, youtube.com (video out of the winning hill climber)

Hyundai’s hopes on hydrogen: Hyundai’s fuel cell manager Kim Sae Hoon sees the future in FCVs. He says fuel cell batteries can be incorporated into vehicles of all sizes because they are easily scaled and are thus more competitive. But the technology needs more time to penetrate the market.
nytimes.com