The Chrysler Group will be adding hybrid versions of its Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen vehicles for the 2008 model year, with both vehicles getting a 5.7L Hemi V8 engine mated to an electric motor. The hybrid vehicles will hit showrooms next year and are expected to improve mileage rates by 25%, while increasing efficiency by nearly 40% in stop-start city driving. It’s the best of both worlds, a powerfull SUV with big-cube V8 power plus MDS and hybrid tech saving you fuel.

Chrysler exec Frank Klegon, who spoke with The Detroit News, described the Hemi-powered Chrysler Aspen Hybrid as the “ultimate combination of fuel efficiency, overall performance and capability in a premium full-size SUV.” The eco-friendly SUV will feature a fuel-saving multi-displacement system that can shut down four of the engine’s eight cylinders during low load conditions.

The hybrid system used in the Aspen and Durango is the latest Two-Mode version co-developed with General Motors and BMW, and pairs an electric motor with the V8 engine. Under minimal load, the SUVs can run on electric power alone and can then switch to employ both power sources during heavy demand. We wouldn’t be surprised if Chrysler’s 300C sedan also picks up the hybrid option with its own V8 Hemi powerplant in the near future.

GM is expected to follow-up with its own hybrid SUV, the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid due early next year.

Swiss Porsche specialist Rinspeed has unveiled its exclusive ‘Le Mans’ pack with the introduction of its new 997 Porsche Turbo Le Mans 600 edition. As its title suggests, the tuned Porsche is pumping out an even 600hp (441kW) at 6,700rpm from its force-fed 3.6L boxer engine, while torque is up at a lofty 800Nm at 4,000rpm. With these kinds of numbers under its belt, Rinspeed’s Porsche can complete the 0-100km/h dash in just 3.3seconds with 200km/h passing in 10.9 seconds. Top speed is a claimed 343km/h.

To attain the supercar level of performance, the developers had to upgrade the twin variable turbine geometry (VTG) turbochargers, install a new carbon air intake ram with sports filters and then add a pair of high-performance intercoolers and free-flow exhaust system with metal catalytic converters.

Adding to the car’s handling package is an adjustable suspension system based on the original PASM damper settings. The new system was co-developed with Bilstein and works in conjunction with a pair of eight-piston aluminum callipers biting 380mm discs up front and smaller six-piston units at the rear. These reside inside 20in aluminum alloys with wide 325mm rubber at the back.

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Ford may not be the most respected brand in its homeland, but over in the UK, the Blue Oval has been voted the most trusted brand for the seventh consecutive year by subscribers of Reader’s Digest. Ford beat out competitors from 15 different countries and 38 product categories with over 24,000 respondents taking part in the annual survey.

Although the survey finds which brand is trusted most, respondents assess factors including value for money, image and quality and also the consumers’ perceived relationship between their trust in brands and criteria such as “responsibility towards the environment” and “high ethical standards”.

This is only the seventh time the survey has been run and each time Ford has taken the honors. It doesn’t come as a complete surprise. Ford of Europe offers some spectacular vehicles including 2007’s European car of the year, the versatile S-Max, as well as the stylish Mondeo and Focus.

A new safety device developed in Australia could potentially reduce injuries or deaths caused by motor vehicle fires by up to 80%. Labeled ‘Vehicle Safety Shutdown’ (VSS), the new system could easily be manufactured in commercially viable numbers and could one day become mandatory in all new cars. Best of all, it can also be retrofitted to older models.

The VSS was created by mechanic John Quee and utilizes two separate devices that can prevent fuel from igniting when in an accident. There is a fuel shutoff valve and a battery isolation unit, both of which are activated during a crash. It works on the principal that a fire starts with exposed fuel and an ignition source. “In an accident, if you can eliminate either one, then you have successfully prevented a vehicle fire and saved lives,” Mr. Quee said when speaking with AutoNews reporters.

In the US alone, it’s estimated that more than 2,000 people die from car fires every year with an additional 1,000 suffering from severe burns. Unfortunately, the VSS system is still in prototype form, but according to its designer, there is “no reason for delaying its inclusion into motor vehicles.”

The star of Ford’s Premier Auto Group, Swede safety brand Volvo, is rumored to be expanding its range with several radically styled all-new models. The first of these is the new V60 crossover pictured in the rendering above, which is expected to be based on the same platform used by the upcoming S60. The second model, pictured after the jump, is a new flagship Volvo positioned above the XC90 and S80, possibly labeled the XC100. The luxury wagon will come with AWD as standard and will be able to seat up to seven passengers.

Volvo execs hope to sell more than 600,000 cars in the following year, a feat that would be difficult given its limited model range. The new C30 hatch is expected to lift sales substantially as will the XC60 when it finally goes on sale.

This latest rendering was compiled with information sourced from Volvo’s design manager Steve Mattin, who revealed sketches of future models at the recent Geneva Motor Show. Volvo’s new range will be getting certain design elements that will be shared across the entire lineup including running lights positioned next to an enlarged grille.

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Famous Ford modder Shelby Automobiles will be releasing another limited run of high-performance Mustangs with a newly-developed Ford Racing GT500 ‘Super Snake’ package. Shelby will be transforming a limited number of 2007 and 2008 Ford Shelby GT500s, enhancing them with handling, styling and power upgrades to the tune of 600hp and 725hp in unwarranted form.

The first Super Snake model was built in 1967 and featured a 427-V8 motor, which enabled it to reach a top speed of 170mph with Carroll Shelby behind the wheel. The performance shop is now bringing that concept forward 40 years for customers who own the latest Ford Shelby GT500.

The new pack will include a Ford Racing supercharger upgrade kit, good for over 600hp and 590ft-lb of torque. Completing the power upgrade is a high-flow exhaust system with drive sent to the rear wheels via a 6-speed short-throw manual shifter. Developers then will add a handling pack with unique performance suspension tuning including dynamic adjustable dampers, lowering springs, tuned stabilizer bars, and a front strut tower brace.

Other additions include a set of Baer 6 piston brakes with Shelby cast calipers and larger rotors sitting inside unique 20in wheels. There’s also a carbon composite hood with ‘Shelby’ lettering across the front edge of hood and rear decklid and in the interior.

The Maybach Exelero, which debuted back in 2005 and was most recently seen in a Jay-Z rap video, is easily one of the most striking coupes to ever grace the stands of any car show in history. The super-coupe is actually a one-off design created by Maybach on behalf of Fulda Tyres, which uses the vehicle as a test bed for its next generation tyre designs. This video, which was picked up by Automobiles De Luxe, showcases the Exelero as it’s prepped for one of its high-speed runs at Italy’s Nardo test track.

The Gallardo is one of our all-time favourite cars so we can understand why NBA star Shaquille O’Neal went so far as to have one stretched out by metal workers to accommodate his 7-foot-1-inch stature. The custom work was completed by Gaffoglio Family Metalcrafters, a specialist in car customisation and aerospace fabrication.

The custom Gallardo received extended versions of the doors, roof and side windows, adding a total of 12in to the car’s overall length. The goal of the project as put by Gaffoglio CEO George Gaffoglio was to maintain the car’s “visual integrity,” adding “we relied on our aerospace and coachworks divisions to make sure Shaq could fit in the car, but the naked eye could not detect any differences from the original Gallardo.”

We immediately noticed the awkward mid-section, which would most likely make the car less agile but, with the amount of money Shaq has, we doubt he cares.

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There may be a new model out on the streets, but Porsche’s 996 Turbo is still an amazing performance machine with massive tuning potential. Germany’s Edo Competition has applied its magic touch to the potent coupe, which thanks to the assortment of power upgrades churns out a supercar-rivalling 585hp and 780Nm of torque.

Top speed is now rated at 345km/h while acceleration times for the 0–100km/h sprint is just 3.7 seconds with 0-200km/h done in 9.9 seconds. To attain this level of performance, engineers had to add a new turbocharger for added boost pressure and then bolt on some breathing mods. These include low restriction induction and exhaust components such as the BMC-Sport air filter and stainless-steel exhaust kit with a Tri-alloy cat converter. And to cope with the power jump, the tuners had to apply a heavy-duty sport clutch kit.

Extra stopping power was then called for, so engineers added Edo’s own Sport-brake system with 370mm discs and six-piston-single block callipers up front. At the rear is a pair of smaller 342mm discs and four-piston units, with all cables replaced with steel flex brake lines. Other additions to the car’s rolling stock include 18in racing wheels huge 315mm rubber at the back and an RDK-tyre pressure control system.

Finally, attention was turned to the car’s aerodynamic package. New additions include a front spoiler lip with protective grille as well as a tail lid spoiler from the 996 GT2.

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With over 45,000 fans watching, BMW-Sauber’s Nick Heidfeld took to the notorious Nordschleife at Germany’s Nürburgring in his F1.06 racecar. This was the first time in 31 years that a Formula One racer has taken to the famous circuit after the site was dropped from the event’s calendar in 1976 following some spectacular crashes. After watching the pace and fast corners Heidfeld faces in this video, we can understand why.

Heidfeld made three laps of the 20.8 kilometre race track and recorded a fastest time of 8:34 on his second attempt with a top speed of 275 km/h on the “Döttinger Höhe” straight. Sadly, this was purely a promotional event with Heidfeld putting on more of a show than any serious attempt at the lap record.

Toyota is set to unveil a new minicar aimed at European markets at September’s Frankfurt Auto Show later this year. The new model will be similar in size to DaimlerChrysler’s Smart Fortwo and will be able to seat two passengers up front with space available for a small child behind the driver’s seat. According to Automotive News Europe, an inside source has revealed that we should see the car hit showrooms by the middle of 2008.

The carmaker’s presence in Europe is expanding rapidly, especially in the compact segments with production of its current Yaris and Aygo cars increasing from 59,445 to 73,877 and 27,527 to 30,109 respectively over the past 12 months to meet increasing demand.

There’s also rumors of Toyota planning an ultra-low cost vehicle for sale in emerging markets, a car that would sell for less than Renault’s Logan budget car at around €5,000. Pictured above is Toyota’s Endo concept developed at its European design studios, which features styling elements that are likely to feature on the upcoming minicar.

Other carmakers reported to be rushing new and affordable small cars include industry giants General Motors and Volkswagen as well as newcomers such as India’s Tata, with the latter planning to release a car for close to €2,000.

New Delhi has moved another crucial step closer to arriving on a formula one calendar of the very near future.

With a project that is already supported by Bernie Ecclestone and private investors, it is reported that the exclusive designer of grand prix circuits recently made a visit to the Indian capital city.

Indeed, Hermann Tilke has stopped off in Delhi “six times” in the recent past, according to the newspaper Times of India, and the latest was to inspect the proposed street circuit layout in an area known as Rajpath.

“We’d like to position Delhi as a street circuit,” the German is quoted as saying.

“We think it’s a perfect track for F1 racing.”

Tilke also revealed that formula one officials have already met with Delhi’s chief minister Sheila Dixit, and “(we) will be meeting her again to further discuss the matter,” he added.
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Volkswagen has unveiled its latest TSI gasoline engine as well as a new double clutch DSG gearbox designed for compact and economy-class vehicles at this week’s annual Vienna Engine Symposium. The new 1.4L motor develops peak power of 90kW, joining VW’s TSI range, which also includes 103kW and 125kW versions.

This time, the tiny motor loses the supercharger and makes do with just a turbocharger attached as well as FSI direct injection technology. This allowed designers to bump up torque, which now stands at 200Nm from just 1,500rpm, as well as reducing fuel consumption.

Engineers then modified the excellent DSG by removing the clutches from their oil-bath, a design that’s said to improve efficiency. The new gearbox can withstand torque figures of up to 250Nm and when combined with the new TSI engine should return fuel consumption figures of around 5.9L per 100km. The new motor and gearbox will first arrive in VW’s Polo small hatch in the second half of the year.

In an effort to curb levels of carbon-dioxide emitted by its cars, Ford is currently developing a new generation of small capacity engines. Its European lineup already has some of the lowest levels of CO2 emissions in the region but engineers at its engine plant in Cologne are developing a new, ultra-clean low-displacement engine range. The information comes from Ford product development exec Jens Ludmann who spoke recently with Automotive News.

Ford is fighting the greenhouse battle on two fronts. It will offer both ethanol fueled vehicles as well as the new range of smaller engines. According to inside sources, the first of these new highly-efficient motors will be a turbocharged 1.6L gasoline unit that will replace the aging 2.3L Duratec motor. In about a year’s time, Ford will also launch ethanol variants that it will use to compete with Volkswagen and Opel’s diesel range. The most likely models to receive the new engines will be Ford’s new Mondeo and its Galaxy and S-max cousins.

By the middle of the year, Ford will also release a newly developed six-speed automatic transmission, which will cost an extra €2,000 and is also expected to appear in some Mazda models. In 2008, expect to see a new dual-clutch manual gearbox sourced from Getrag that Ford will use company-wide.

It was going to happen eventually. Toyota surpassing General Motors in the sales race was not surprising in the least, but what happens now is anyone’s guess. How GM reacts to being dethroned from its number one spot could either send the company to the receivers or bring the American giant back to the top.

All signs point to GM dropping some of its underperformers and streamlining its portfolio. In essence, to become like Toyota. A report from Fortune highlights the fact that GM has more brands now than it did when it commanded more than 50% of the US market close to 50 years, seven in total. In contrast, Toyota makes do with just three, Toyota, Lexus and Scion.

GM maintains that having a wide portfolio is an advantage and the potential loss of customers by dropping a brand isn’t worth the risk. However, it may no longer be able to afford the massive costs required in keeping all of those labels such as marketing, advertising and distribution expenses. Instead, experts agree that GM should keep Chevrolet as its volume brand, Cadillac as a premium label and expand it with more models based on the CTS, while keeping Saturn as an import brand.

In regards to dropping some labels, first on the chopping block should be Buick in North America. Despite numerous new models and investment, sales have barely nudged from where they were years ago and cars like the new Enclave are unlikely to make any valuable inroads. The same could be said for Pontiac, while Hummer will continue to face an uphill battle in light of the greenhouse gas debate. GMC should focus on the commercial side of things as private customers move away from big and heavy trucks. Finally, Saab should be dropped altogether as its volume is simply too low to be worthwhile.