Infiniti brought out their new M35h, a hybrid version of the M sedan, packing a big V6 motor and the ability to hit 40 mpg on the highway. With 360 horsepower and a 7-speed automatic transmission, the M35h can get up to highway speed quickly, and can even cruise as fast as 62 mph on...
Continue Reading...
Poor Kia, always playing second fiddle to big brother Hyundai, including when it comes to Hybrids. Many months after the debut of the new Sonata Hybrid, the car’s twin, the new Kia Optima, now gets its own hybrid variant. Using the same 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to an electric motor and lithium-polymer battery, the combined...
Continue Reading...
Buick‘s LA Auto Show press conference included the launch of two new vehicles that span the gamut from performance to fuel economy. Along with the new Regal GS performance mode, Buick also announced the introduction of the mild-hybrid LaCrosse – dubbed the LaCrosse eAssist. Taking a page out of Honda’s playbook, the LaCrosse eAssist uses...
Continue Reading...
Porsche is going on a hiring blitz, looking to recruit 100 engineers for its Weissach research center, ostensibly to help shore up ranks for the expected hybrid car blitz that was alluded to at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Porsche’s official press release (posted below the jump) directly mentions that engineers will be able to...
Continue Reading...
When Hyundai launched its new Sonata Hybrid a few months back, skeptics wondered what the Korean automaker would do to back its hybrid powertrain. Known for one of the best warranties in the business on the rest of its products, no info was provided about a warranty on the new lithium-polymer setup used in the...
Continue Reading...
One of the show-stoppers of the recent Paris Auto Show, Jaguar will make its new C-X75 Concept the center of attention at its booth at the LA Auto Show this week. Currently touring several high-traffic locations in LA, the supercar is drumming up a lot of interested for it’s incredibly high-tech powertrain, but even more...
Continue Reading...
Perhaps groundbreaking new technology isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Sure, General Motors has the new Volt electric car/hybrid thingy, but the company has also just announced the eAssist version of its Buick LaCrosse luxury car. Taking a page out of Honda’s playbook, the LaCrosse eAssist uses a relatively low-tech hybrid setup, combined with...
Continue Reading...
Ahead of its official debut at the LA Auto Show next week several photos, videos and specs of the new Audi Q5 Hybrid SUV have leaked online. The hybrid Audi SUV will get an all-new hybrid setup, using a smaller 4-cylinder engine rather than the V6 option used in the big-brother Cayenne Hybrid S. Reportedly,...
Continue Reading...
Despite a slew of new hybrids joining the market this past year, the Toyota Prius retains the top spot as the most fuel efficient vehicle in the U.S. There is a catch, however, with no electric vehicles (like the Nissan Leaf or Chevy Volt) being included in this year’s round of testing – yet. With...
Continue Reading...
At the SEMA Show it’s no surprise to see high horsepower street and race cars. It’s far less common to see a modified hybrid. And while there are a few tuned Priuses and CR-Zs, over at the Kia booth is the world’s first Forte Hybrid. This is not a conventional tuner car, but a one...
Continue Reading...
Technically the SEMA Show doesn’t start until tomorrow but thanks to our spies inside we have these snap shots of just what potential Honda‘s new CR-Z has. The Honda Performance Development CR-Z Racer looks like a true racing machine and likely is with a fully stripped-down body, a lowered suspension, functional aero and some big...
Continue Reading...
If the SEMA Show stands for anything, it’s that the aftermarket industry is as much about style as it is about performance. That being said, Lexus has decided to showcase its lineup of hybrid models at the world’s largest aftermarket expo next week. Several tuners will will take part, including Fox Marketing, EST Styling and...
Continue Reading...
BMW and French automaker PSA Peugeot Citroen have officially announced plans to partner on development of hybrid components for front-drive vehicles. Currently the two automakers already share engines, between the Peugeot, Citroen and MINI brands. It’s expected that the new hybrid drivetrains will be shared with models from those ranges (including the next-generation MINI Cooper)...
Continue Reading...
Lexus has just revealed a new F-Sport performance version of its new CT200h hybrid hatchback. The CT200h F-Sport gets more aggressive front and rear styling, light-weight alloy wheels, plus an F-sport suspension that includes lowering springs and sway bars. Inside the car also gets some extra toys, like an F-Sport steering wheel, sport pedals, scuff...
Continue Reading...
Toyota seems to be catching on to this whole social media thing. Last week the automaker teased us with the Prius MPV on its Facebook page and now the folks in the PR department have used Twitter to announce that the second Prius model will debut at the Detroit Auto Show this January. The vehicle...
Continue Reading...
PSA Peugeot Citroen is the first automaker to publicly stand up to the Chinese government’s proposed Green Car Plan. Recently an initial draft of a new piece of Chinese government legislation was leaked in which was revealed plans by the world’s largest auto market to strong arm international auotmakers into sharing their hybrid and electric...
Continue Reading...
Lexus is planning a successor to the retired SC430 model that should put it back in contention with the Mercedes SL. The new car is rumored to wear the LC600h badge and that name says a lot. Using a shortened version of the next generation LS platform the LC would be AWD and use an...
Continue Reading...
We may not be seeing Honda’s 2011 Honda Jazz/Fit hybrid over here in North American any time soon, but it doesn’t mean we won’t uncross our fingers. And now we’re even more excited – that’s because it has launched in Japan for 1.59 million yen ($19,310 U.S.), making it the cheapest gas-electric car available in...
Continue Reading...
The Chevy Volt’s Voltec powertrain might not be as special as we’ve been led to believe. Then again, maybe it’s even more so. After several initial reports about the car’s electric drive/hybrid system GM has issued a press release to clarify exactly how it works, stating that specifics were never given in the past as...
Continue Reading...
As the original Prius prepares to celebrate its 10th birthday, Toyota is planning to finally expand the hybrid lineup, adding an MPV model. While not common in North America, MPVs are a hit in other parts of the world where our minivans are seen as gargantuan. A single photo showing the Prius MPV peaking out...
Continue Reading...
Acura might just be starting to get its act together. After several years of passable products, the lack of a true top-tier luxury sedan, the elimination of the RSX and cancellation of the next-generation NSX, comes word of some good products news from Honda’s luxury division. According to a report by AutoWeek, Acura is looking...
Continue Reading...
Infiniti still doesn’t have much of a presence in Europe, but the brand it looking to continue to grow thanks to a strong lineup of sport-oriented luxury models on one side, and an expanding hybrid and EV initiative on the other. The latest addition to the Infiniti lineup, the M35h, has plenty of potential with...
Continue Reading...
For years under Ford, Jaguar had to play second fiddle to Aston Martin, both in terms of performance and style. With new ownership, Jag has expanded its performance capabilities in recent years with a new line of 5.0-liter V8 engines that make over 500-hp in certain applications. Now, Jag is looking to ramp-up the style...
Continue Reading...
With styling hints reminiscent of the stunning XJ220, Jaguar has just released the first photos of an 780-hp range-extended electric supercar concept ahead of its official debut tomorrow at the Paris Auto Show. Along with being achingly beautiful, as a range-extended electric car it has a propulsion system similar to that found in the Chevy...
Continue Reading...
sidebar...
