Hybrids

Toyota gave us a preview of a next-generation hybrid model with its Hybrid X concept car (pictured) that debuted at the recent Geneva Motor Show. Given its familiar shape, many pundits, including us, quickly surmised that this was a preview of the third iteration of Toyota’s eco-friendly...

General Motors’ on again off again Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid is back on the drawing board with a possible release date as early as 2010. "We are doing the production engineering on the Chevrolet Volt," said GM R&D vice president Larry Burns in an interview with Automotive News. Some of...

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%...

General Motors’ Holden subsidiary is spearheading the development of a new diesel version of the modular Zeta platform as well as an advanced hybrid system, which could eventually be sold in its VE Commodore sedan and Pontiac’s new G8. In an interview with Australia’s GoAuto News...

BMW has always backed economic diesels in favor of petrol-electric hybrids when it comes to building fuel efficient drivetrains, however, a senior engineer has confirmed the carmaker will launch a hybrid vehicle but only if it proves more economical in real world conditions than its diesel...

UK’s Connaught Motor Company has set up its new global headquarters and R&D center in Wales and is well underway in the development of the world’s first green high-performance hybrid sports coupe. Connaught has spent close to £12 million in building the high-tech facility, which will...

Lexus has been one of the pioneers of hybrid technology and has stated early on that it wants to see the efficient drivetrain feature across its model lineup. Europe’s carmakers are fearful of strict carbon-dioxide emissions standards being introduced, and now Lexus is poised to take a swipe...

Arizona based Riley Enterprises will introduce the new XR-3 plug-in hybrid in less than three months, a streamlined three-wheel sports car that its maker claims achieves a 225mpg fuel economy rating. Riley will be selling the new vehicle in kit form or as plans for a do-it-yourself version...

If you thought Tesla’s popular electric Roadster was amazing, wait until you see the specs of the upcoming ZAP-X electric crossover. US based ZAP Automotive has revealed a new rendering of its ZAP-X, an exciting vehicle that was co-developed with Lotus engineering that’s soon to be...

DaimlerChrysler’s CEO Dieter Zetsche has made the bold claim that all DCX vehicles in the future will be developed with a hybrid option. Speaking with reporters from German magazine Auto Motor und Sport, Zetsche admitted that the topic of the environment and hybrid vehicles is “very...

Saab is currently developing its first hybrid model based on technology gained from parent company General Motors. Speaking with Reuters at this week’s Geneva Motor Show, Saab’s Managing Director Jan Ake Jonsson told reporters that the decision will allow it to reduce development costs...

The race for an all-electric vehicle from the major carmakers is on, and General Motors has lept off the blocks first with its claim to have an electric vehicle in production by 2010. Vice Chairman Bob Lutz admits the only factor holding GM back from releasing a production version of the Chevrolet...

Honda’s flood of new concept models continues with its latest Small Hybrid Sports Concept unveiled today at the Geneva Motor Show. The concept represents Honda’s interpretation of how a future sports hybrid model might appear, and was designed at the Honda R&D Europe center based in...

The Geneva Motor Show saw the unveiling of Toyota’s new Hybrid X concept car today, a crucial model that highlights the future design trend of its hybrid models as well as a showcase of upcoming technologies. The Hybrid X has been created and developed by Toyota’s European styling...

Toyota is the latest company reported to be working on a plug-in hybrid vehicle, and it may even collaborate with other carmakers in developing new battery technology to power its new car. Toyota’s president of its North American operations, Jim Press, revealed during an interview with...

BMW and DaimlerChrysler are currently developing a new rear-wheel-drive hybrid drivetrain, with both manufacturers planning to release vehicles equipped with the system within the next three years. This rush to market of the new drivetrain is the main reason for the forming of a partnership back in...

Toyota is a clear market leader in hybrid-electric technology, so it’s not surprising that Ford’s CEO Alan Mulally is interested in forming an alliance with the Japanese giant in order to co-develop the enviro-friendly drivetrains. Mulally met with Toyota Chairman Fujio Cho in December...

A team of researchers from MIT have created a concept for a lightweight electric car that can be folded and stacked in order to ease congestion in crowded car parks. With the help of General Motors and MIT’s own Media Lab, the team is developing several working-prototypes. Called the City...

Porsche has made it clear that it would not be fitting any diesel powertrains to its cars, a move that would have brought it closer to complying with future carbon-dioxide emissions standards. Just Auto is reporting the Stuttgart based sports carmaker has chosen to develop a hybrid drivetrain that...

Toyota will unveil two hybrid concepts at next month’s Geneva Motor Show, the next step in its ambitious plan to have a full range of hybrid vehicles. The first of these vehicles will be the Hybrid X, a concept car that proposes a new design language for hybrid models while also acting as a...