First Drive: 2008 Ford Focus ST (Euro-spec)

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2008 Ford Focus ST

Save the hot hatch for last. That's what we kept telling ourselves as we wandered the Belgian countryside looking for Ford's Lommel Proving Ground. As it turns out, the facility, located next to an air force base – restricted airspace, you know – is so secret, our hosts at Ford could hardly find it. So we had a little extra time to repeat the mantra: save the hot hatch for last.

On our way to Italy to drive the new Fiesta, we took a detour to Lommel to sample some of Ford's European C-segment offerings. A variety of vehicles, including one with the new dual-clutch gearbox, a Kuga crossover and the fire-breathing Focus ST, would be on hand for us to drive around the track. But we knew that if we gave into temptation and drove the ST first, the rest would seem sluggish by comparison, even though the vehicles aren't comparable. So did we resist the urge, or give into the little demon that's always whispering in our ears to go faster? Follow the jump and we just might tell you.

Mercedes-Benz to be 20 percent hybrid by 2015

German magazine Auto Motor und Sport is reporting that Mercedes-Benz expects one fifth of its vehicle sales to be hybrids by the middle of the next decade. The information came from Mercedes sales head Klaus Maier during an interview. Mercedes has already announced the first two hybrid models that will be coming to market in 2009. The S400 Hybrid will use Mercedes new mild hybrid system and a lithium ion battery some time in the spring. Later in the year, the ML450 using the Two-Mode hybrid system is scheduled to launch. Whether the ML hybrid launches on time is unknown at this time because of a lawsuit between Daimler and battery supplier Cobasys. Mercedes plans to launch at least one hybrid every year until 2015. The company has already shown several other hybrids as concepts in the past year including a BlueTec diesel hybrid version of the new GLK compact SUV. Thanks to Matt for the tip!

BMW exec confirms electric city car

Fuel-efficient city cars are being created at automaker R&D departments the world over, and even BMW plans on getting in on the action. BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer has confirmed that the German automaker was working on a 'mega city car' that will carry an all-new look, and two powertrains. One micro car will receive motivation with the aid of standard combustion, but the other will be pure electric. The electric vehicle will also comply with a California mandate that by 2012 there must be a fuel cell or battery-powered car that can travel 200 on a single charge. For comparison sake, GM promises at least 40 miles for the Chevy Volt, and Mitsubishi is looking at 100 mpg for the iMiEV.

It's also worth mentioning that the BMW CEO specifically pointed out that it meets California regulations, signaling that the vehicle would be available Stateside. There is still no word regarding which of BMW's three brands would be used for the vehicle, but we're still very sure it won't be a Rolls Royce.