Audi A1 Sportback Concept: First Pictures of 5-door Variant

Nearly a year after Audi unveiled the 3-door A1 Metroproject Quattro concept at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show and the Germans are still fiddling around with their minicar project. This time the firm from Ingolstadt will preview a 5-door variant of their forthcoming MINI rival at the Paris salon. Aside from the two extra doors, the Germans polished the A1’s exterior styling by tweaking the front-end treatment which now features a hexagonal grille and a more concave hood design. -Continued

Other changes in the vehicle’s design include the tweaked rear-end and the more pronounced fenders. As expected, the A1 Sportback’s retains the interior of the Tokyo show concept car.

We don’t have the official technical specs in our hands yet, but we gather the A1 Sportback will most likely use the Metroproject Quattro’s hybrid drivetrain that combines a 150 HP 1.4-liter TSI petrol engine to a 41 HP electric motor in the rear axle. The production version of the A1 which will be offered in both 3-door and 5-door body styles is scheduled to hit showrooms in late-2009 or early-2010.

2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: First Official Picture?

German car magazine Autozeitung is claiming to have obtained the first official photo of the next-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class in its latest September issue. According to the folks over at Autozeitung, the above image has not been digitally enhanced in any way, and unless someone can provide substantial proof of the opposite, we have no reason to doubt them. Clearly apparent on this photo is the 2010 E-Class’ distinctive front-end design with the new trapezoidal shaped headlights that ditch the rounded theme used on the previous two generation models. -Continued

The new headlamp treatment was first previewed in the ConceptFASCINATION that will make its world debut in Paris next week. Like the concept, the rest of the styling falls in line with Mercedes-Benz’s current range and especially the new C-Class, adopting tauter body surfacing and sharper creases.

Under the body panels expect to see an updated engine line-up with several new and revised gasoline and ultra-clean Bluetec diesel powerplants including a base 1.8-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol unit and Merc’s new 204 HP 2.2-liter turbo diesel. By 2010, Mercedes-Benz will also enhance the E-Class range with the BMW M5-rivaling AMG version equipped with a powerful direct-injection V8 engine developing around 550 HP as well as the first hybrid E-Class that will use the same mild-hybrid drivetrain as the new S400 BlueHybrid.

According to our sources, the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class will make its global premiere in sedan form at the 2009 Geneva Show in March, followed by the Estate and Coupe / Cabriolet models at the 2009 Frankfurt motorshow in September of the same year.

Via: Autozeitung

Video: 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid Spied Testing

As we’re patiently waiting to get a close up of the Insight Concept at the Paris motorshow, Honda is continuing the development of the production version of its Prius-killer. And talking about the Prius, if we didn’t know better, we could have easily mistaken the camouflage prototype that was caught on film by the folks over at Car magazine hot-weather testing in the States for Toyota’s 4-year-old hybrid model… Hit the jump to check out the video. -Continued

Via: Car

Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid Video

The road-ready petrol-electric Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHybrid limousine will make its debut at next week’s Paris motorshow. The German automaker promises that although the S400 Hybrid is more powerful and slightly faster than the S350 upon it is based, it betters the average fuel consumption of the conventionally powered S-Class limo by up to 2.2 lt /100 km, at 7.9 lt /100 km. Hit the jump for the video or click here for more details on Merc’s first production hybrid model. -Continued

Hyundai’s 38mpg Santa Fe blue Hybrid Revealed

Maintaining the Santa Fe’s overall design and dynamics, Hyundai has developed a hybrid study of its mid-size SUV model that will make its world premiere at the Paris motorshow. The Korean automaker’s engineers have equipped the Santa Fe with a proprietary parallel hybrid drive system that mates the 2.4-litre Theta engine to a 41PS electric motor coupled directly to the six-speed automatic transmission. Electrical power is stored in a 270V Lithium Polymer rechargeable battery. -Continued

To further reduce fuel consumption, Hyundai’s engineers also optimized the 2.4-litre petrol engine’s ECU module and revised major driveline and cooling system components. Other improvements over the standard Santa Fe include the low resistance tires and the extended top three gear ratios. Together these changes allow the Santa Fe to deliver a fuel consumption figure in the EU combined cycle of 6.2 lt/100km or 38 mpg US with CO2 emissions of 148 g/km. According to Hyundai, the Santa Fe blue Hybrid can achieve a top speed of 170 km/h or 105 mph.

Lotus Helps Development of Honda Civic Hybrid Race Car

Bet you never thought you’d see a Honda Civic IMA Hybrid in the air like the one in featured in the picture above. Of course, this isn’t your ordinary hybrid but a race prepped version of the eco-friendly Civic created by Oaktec. The Lancashire based company has been developing the Honda Hybrid system for motorsport since 2004. Oaktec took part in several rallies around the UK winning the F1000 Class A Championship in 2006 with a Honda Insight. Now Oaktec has joined forces with Lotus to develop the performance of a Civic Hybrid for rallying and circuit racing. -Continued

Though no details on the car’s specifications have been revealed yet, Phil Barker, Chief Engineer of Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Technologies at Lotus said that the British automaker will work with Oaktec to create a revised electrical specification for more power and a control system that will allow a more aggressive regenerative braking strategy.

Paul Andrews, Senior Partner of Oaktec said: “Maximizing racetrack performance from a hybrid drivetrain is a complex technical exercise but one that Lotus Engineering has the experience and expertise to help us deliver. We look forward to seeing our success on the rally tracks replicated in the race circuits. We will be breaking new ground with the project when Gavan Kershaw of Lotus Engineering and Jamie Corstorphine of Autocar magazine will race our Honda Civic Hybrid for the first time in the Dunlop Max Sport Cup at Rockingham circuit on 28th September.”

Via: Le Blog Auto , Source: Lotus

Kia Soul Hybrid with 48MPG to make World Debut in Paris

Aside from the conventional Kia Soul (faux) crossover, the Korean automaker’s Paris Show stand will also host the world premiere of the Soul Hybrid prototype. This particular Soul features a 1.6-liter gasoline engine mated to an electric motor that delivers an output of 15 kW and 105 Nm of torque. Power is driven to the front wheels via Kia´s own CVT (continuously variable transmission) while the Soul Hybrid’s batteries are charged through regenerative braking. -Continued

According to Kia’s preliminary specs, the prototype is designed to return an average fuel consumption of 4.9 lt/100 km or 48 MPG US and a CO2 figure of 117 g/km – reducing CO2 emissions by 26.4% compared to the conventional Soul 1.6L. In order for the show visitors to be able to check out the Soul’s hybrid powertrain and battery pack, the prototype comes complete with a transparent bonnet and floor.

Chrysler Town and Country EV with 255 HP Hybrid Powertrain

In case you happened to overlook the discreet insignia, this is the Chrysler EV, one of three electric powered prototypes that were revealed today by Chrysler LLC. The other two vehicles were the Dodge Coupe EV and the Jeep Wrangler EV. Based on the Town and Country minivan, Chrysler's proposal utilizes the same hybrid system as the Jeep EV combining the electric-drive components of an Electric Vehicle with an integrated small-displacement engine and generator to produce additional energy to power the electric-drive system when needed. If you're thinking Chevy Volt you're absolutely right as GM’s forthcoming hybrid uses a similar in philosophy drivetrain. -Continued

In the Chrysler EV the electric motor produces an output of 190 kW or 255 HP and 350 Nm or 258 lb.-ft. of torque, providing 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) acceleration in approximately nine seconds. Just like the Wrangler EV, the Chrysler Town and Country EV can drive 40 miles on all-electric power, and boasts a range of 400 miles on approximately eight gallons or 31 liters of gasoline.

Jeep EV: Plug-in Hybrid Study Hints at Production version

The Jeep EV is one of three electric-drive prototype models revealed today (see here) by Chrysler LLC. Unlike the Dodge EV that is equipped with an all-electric drivetrain, Jeep’s proposal that is based on the 5door Wrangler Unlimited features a hybrid system similar to the one used by GM on the Chevrolet Volt. What this means is that the Jeep EV uses an electric motor, a lithium-ion battery system, and a small gasoline engine with an integrated electric generator to produce additional energy to power the electric-drive system when needed. -Continued

The electric motor generates an output of 200 kW (268 HP) and 400 Nm (295 lb.-ft.) of torque. Chrysler supports that with approximately eight gallons or about 31 liters of gasoline, the Jeep EV has a range of 400 miles, including 40 miles of zero fuel-consumption, zero-emissions, all-electric operation. As for performance, the Jeep EV sprints from zero to 60 mph (96 mph) in 9.0 seconds and on to a top speed of more than 90 mph or 145 km/h.

Chrysler officials said that along with the Jeep EV’s hybrid drivetrain, the company’s engineers are also exploring an advanced system with in-wheel electric motors that will offer the Wrangler EV a four-wheel-drive configuration.

BMW 750i Active-Hybrid 427 HP: Official Details and 22 High-Res Photos

While we’re still trying to figure out what’s so efficient and ‘hybridish’ about a saloon the size of the 7-Series that’s equipped with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 petrol engine, let us tell you that 7-Series ActiveHybrid concept car that will make its debut at the Paris Show in October previews BMW’s first production hybrid model that’s set to go on sale this time next year. Largely based on the new 750i, the ActiveHybrid is equipped with the same mild hybrid system as the Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHYBRID. And if you’re wondering why, the system was co-developed by BMW, Merc and GM. -Continued

The 7-Series ActiveHybrid uses the 750i’s 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that delivers 407 HP with peak torque of 600 Nm or 442 lb-ft combined with an electric motor fully integrated in the transmission housing, developing maximum output of 15 kW/20 hp and peak torque of 210 Newton-metres/155 lb-ft (just like in the case of Merc’s S400 BlueHYBRID).

Electric power is provided by BMW’s latest variant of Brake Energy Regeneration. The energy generated this way is then stored in a high-performance lithium-ion battery. But unlike Mercedes which managed to house the battery in the engine compartment, BMW integrated it in the luggage compartment. As with most BMW’s today, the ActiveHYBRID also features an auto-start-stop function that prevents the combustion engine from running in the idle mode.

BMW has yet to announce official performance or consumption figures for the 7-Series ActiveHYBRID, but the Bavarian automaker did say that the drivetrain technology featured in the concept car combines enhanced driving dynamics together with a reduction of fuel consumption and emissions by 15 per cent in the EU test cycle versus the conventional 750i.