AUDI A2 ELECTRIC CONCEPT REVEALED, INVOLVES LASERS, LEDs AND MICROREFLECTORS

Lasers make everything better, including (but not limited to): microphones, kidneys and Audi's electric A2 concept. This newest flight of fancy uses a laser diode as the rear fog lamp, which projects a red triangle onto the road to let other drivers know you're there. The German car-maker has tricked out the rest of the EV's lighting system as well by implementing matrix beam technology using LEDs and microreflectors -- giving it high resolution, non-glaring beams and intelligent tail lights that change in intensity based on weather conditions. Claiming other state-of-the-art features like gesture controls instead of keys, and brake lights that glow brighter the harder you press, it sounds like this would be a pretty sweet ride -- if it ever makes it to market. No word on the other, insignificant details, like what actually powers the thing.

BMW UNVEILS ELECTRIC i3 AND i8 CONCEPTS

BMW's been teasing us with its vision for electric motoroing for years, and today, folks, the trend continues. The German automaker has unveiled two concepts from its upcoming i sub-brand: the city-dwelling i3 and a rehashed version of its i8. This is the first time we've officially seen the smaller of the two, as the car formerly known as the Megacity had only been spied in an official render and during routine testing at the arctic circle. It'll haul four peeps with its 150km range (around 100 miles) and accelerate from 0-60mph in around 8 seconds. As for those with range anxiety, the German company will soothe such fears with an optional range-extending motor dubbed "REx." Either variant could land in your garage in 2013, where you'll be able top them up in 6 hours with a standard socket, or up to eighty percent in an hour if you're rocking a spiffy high capacity charger.

The i8, which you'll recall for its radical aerodynamic design and hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain, has received a bevy of aerodynamic tweaks and junked its oil burner, opting for a gasoline one instead. Engine swap aside, the sporty coupé apparently drinks only 2.7 liters per 100km -- 87 mpg (!) for yanks -- which is unreal in a car that'll accelerate to 62mph in 4.6 seconds. Sound too good to be true? We'll have to wait until 2014 to see if München can make good on those promises

NEW SANDGLASS TRAFFIC SIGNAL LETS DRIVERS KNOW HOW LONG THEY HAVE TO WAIT

A new concept traffic light is called “Sand Glass” and was developed by designer Thanva Tivawong as a more informative traffic signal than your standard traffic light. A constantly displayed hour glass image lets drivers know how long it will take between light changes. The animated digital sand left in the hour glass serves as a change indicator along with a 3-2-1 countdown in yellow when the light changes from red to green and green to red. [Geek]

URBEE HYBRID BODY CAME FROM A PRINTER

The Urbee Hybrid vehicle is a concept with an interesting twist. The body of the vehicle was produced from a printer...a really big 3D printer. The result is a partnership between Kor Ecologic, a transportation company, and Stratasys, a printer company that markets its 3D printers as HP Designjets.

Kor provided the concept and the underpinnings of the thing, a design that amazingly has its roots in the early '90s but has been given a new, teardrop body 100 percent printed by Stratasys. Underneath is a plug-in hybrid powertrain that manages up to 200mpg on the highway and 100mpg around town running on ethanol or plain 'ol gasoline. No, there are no plans for the three-wheelin' Urbee to actually see production, and beneath that luscious shape rolls something that looks rather more like a work in progress. [Engadget]

BMW AND DAIMLER UNVEIL ELECTRIC SCOOTERS

Among all the splash and glitz of the Paris Auto Show, BMW's Mini and Daimler's Smart divisions each unveiled concept electric scooters.  While these are concept, both companies will use the feedback they get from the auto show to decide to produce the scooters or not.

Daimler's Smart electric scooter claims a 62-mile range and a recharging time of three to five hours on a regular power outlet, while the Mini's range is 50 to 60 miles with a recharge time of four to five hours. By contrast, Nissan Motor Co.'s coming electric car, the Leaf, requires eight hours of charging using a special home dock and is expected to travel 80 or so miles on a charge. [WSJ]

BMW's Mini scooter concept