In brief: Poo powers Beetle

Bristol company GENeco has converted a VW Beetle to run on methane gas obtained from human faeces. GENeco says bacteria process the organic matter. The "fuel" produced by 70 homes in one year will propel one car 16,000km.

BMW checks your speed
BMW's speed limit information system launches in NZ this year in the 7 and 5 Series. It uses a camera to monitor roadside and variable speed limit signs, then compares that data with the satnav's info. Camera data takes priority and the allowable speed appears on the head-up display or instrument cluster to help prevent accidental speeding.

Hybrid Camry half-Aussie
Toyota Australia plans to source as much as half its next-generation Camry hybrid drivetrain components locally to avoid currency fluctuations.

Ford and Harley tag team
Ford has updated its Harley-Davidson edition F-150 with a 306kW, 588Nm 6.2-litre V8 and a 4.2-tonne tow rating. Specs include 22-inch wheels, special badging and leather seats. Harley and Ford have produced nine F-150s to date. The models are only sold in the US.

Lotus unveils GT4 race car
Lotus unveils its new Evora Cup GT4 race car at Pebble Beach concours d'Elegance in California this weekend.

Land Rover's India production
Land Rover will start production in India next year, while talks with a joint venture partner could see Jaguar and Land Rover also built in China.

Lexus legalities
Lexus will now sell its LFA supercar in the US - as long as the buyer promises the dealer first right of refusal if they sell within the first two years. Lexus had planned to restrict the car to lease-only deals to prevent buyers from using undriven cars as investments.

Special Arabian Bentley
Bentley has launched a pair of special edition Flying Spurs for the Middle East. Unique features include an ashtray capped with the Arabia model badge.

i-MiEV off to a good start
Mitsubishi's electric i-MiEV has entered Australian fleets with orders exceeding supply. Expect 110 on the road by year-end.

Premium Nissans get 'eyes'
Nissan says its premium Infiniti brand now has "moving object driving assistance", which detects moving objects like people when driving at low speeds.

Saab and Mini back in the rally
Saab is set to join Mini with a return to world rallying, using the upcoming 9-2 Supermini for an entry in 2012.

Double take on the bus
China could soon see a bus that straddles other traffic. Passengers board via elevated platforms and sit on an upper level of the bus while cars zip by underneath - between the bus wheels. A pilot programme is proposed in Beijing by the year's end.