Paris: from midnight last night the speed limit on the Peripherique ring road was cut from 80kmh to 70kmh. The move is being justified primarily on safety grounds – a quarter of road accidents in the city happen on the Periph, half of them due to speeding according to official figures (when the cut was first suggested last year it was in order to improve air quality). Longer term the idea is to reduce the limit to 50kmh says news agency AFP, and cover the carriageway to build housing and breach the barrier between the city centre and suburbs. Photo Henri Garat, Paris City Hall, @Paris.

Buyers of BMW’s new range of electric vehicles – the i3 family car or i8 sports car – can take their replacement cars abroad. BMW Access allows owners free use of conventionally powered BMWs for trips beyond the range of their electric vehicle (such as driving holidays). Peterborough dealer @Sycamore_BMWi tells us today, ‘Subject to your motor insurer’s terms and conditions, you can take the car to anywhere in the EU for up to 30 days.’ The Access scheme awards owners 700 points each year to be redeemed against a list of regular cars: the 1-series costs 100 points per day, an X3 is 180 points per day. Owners can buy extra points – ten for £6 up to 500 for £240.

Audi Allrounder: quite liking this Audi Allroad Shooting Brake concept. Pictures have leaked out ahead of the Detroit Motor Show starting Monday. (Relatively) compact, four wheel drive, high performance – presumably – smart and economical (judging by the e-tron decal on the side). Looks like you might be able to sleep in it. Just needs a targa roof – or at least a massive panoramic sunroof – to be the complete all-rounder. Industry commentators think it’s actually a preview of the upcoming TT coupe or Q1 SUV.