We talked about the upcoming Porsche 918 Spyder just a few posts back, and here is the first bunch of spy shots showing us a prototype caught on film while testing in Germany. The pictured model sports the new, almost-definitive livery of the 918 Spyder even though the model is not supposed to make its debut on the markets until the second half of the next year.

Some people consider this car as the spiriutal successor of the iconic Carrera GT (that was listed in Porsche’s line-up some ten years ago) and just like the Carrera GT, the 918 Spyder will have a removable top, that by chance is open in the pictures. As previously stressed out, the 918 Spyder will be a hybrid supercar powered by a 4.6-litre V8 credited with an output of 570 hp, a 109 hp electric motor at the front and a 120 hp electric motor at the rear: in other words, the 918 Spyder is expected to deliver close to or more than 800 hp.

With a price tag expected to be in the 660,000 € area (roughly 530,000 £ / 850,000 $) this will not be the sort of car that you will be able to see at every corner, but since it is believed that only 918 units will be produced, chances are that you will only get to see it live at some motor show next fall and that’s it.

View the full Porsche 918 Spyder spy shots photo gallery

It reminds us of the Porsche 917 racer, and this is something that makes its birth even more exciting: the new Porsche 918 Spyder - which the German manufacturer describes as a “super sports car” - is still undergoing testing at the Nardò ring in Italy (as we reported in a previous post) but the news is that the model is finally sporting its real body work, which is thought to be pretty close to what will be the final design of the car.

The model is a sportscar pushed by a plug-in hybrid powertrain that includes a 4.6-litre V8 petrol engine delivering 578 hp and two electric motors: the first one produces 122 hp and is located within the 7-speed automatic gearbox, while the other one, producing 109 hp, is in charge of delivering extra traction to the rear axle. The combined power of these units should provide the model with a total output of about 780 hp, with a maximum torque of 769 Nm that can go up to 948 Nm when in overboost. Impressive numbers that should provide for impressive performance figures: 0-100 km/h (62 mph) sprint time of about 3 seconds, 0-200 km/h (124 mph) in about 9 secs and a top speed in the 325 km/h (202 mph). Almost needless to say, this car is bound to set new standards for the whole category.

Porsche claims that the model is currently being tested in order to find a right balance between its electric and mechanical power sources, a compromise solution that would provide the car with its own personality. Besides, the engineers and technicians working on the prototypes are also trying to keep consumption and emissions down to a minimum without affecting its performance, an aspect that they are definitely not overlooking. Other highlights of the model will include a CFRP safety frame, active aerodynamics and two flashy exhaust outlets placed right behind your head: check them out in our pics. The model is expected to debut in its final form in September 2013.

View the Porsche 918 Spyder gallery

Video dedicated to the BMW i8 Spyder Concept, presented for the first time to the public during the last Beijing Motor Show. Here is just a reminder of the main features of the innovative German prototype: it measures 4.48 m in length and 1.92 m in width, in comparison to the four-seat coupe version has a shorter wheel-base and has a folding roof in two sections.

The combined output of its supercharged engine and electric motor is rated at 354 hp. The i8 Spyder Concept accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds, reaching an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h and has an average fuel consumption of 3.0 l/100 km, while its range on electric energy alone is 30 km.

The car handles with precision the traction between the front or rear axle, prioritising performance or autonomy according to the driver’s cruising mode selection. There are three different driving modes to choose from: Eco, Pro and Sport. The modular LifeDrive architecture, with CFRP body, integrates the battery inside the central energy tunnel.

Here is a nice video picturing the new Honda NSX Concept, which was premiered at the last Geneva Motor Show following a first appearance at the North American Internationa Auto Show in New York, where it was displayed with an Acura badge (the final version of this car will in fact be marketed in US and Canada as a model from Honda’s luxury brand).

The production version of the NSX should be ready in 2015 and is supposed to retain most of the elements of the concept. The prototype measures 4.33 meters in length, 1.90 in width, 1.16 in height and has a wheel base of 2.58 meters. Under the bonnet pulses a naturally aspirated, mid-mounted V6 VTEC engine mated to a pair of electric motors that allow the car to increase its power while keeping the fuel consumption down.

The model comes with the SH-AWD (Super Hybrid All Wheel Drive) system which makes sure that the right amount of torque is delivered to each wheel of the car at all time in order to obtain the maximum traction and performance in every situation. The transmission is a dual clutch auto, while the wheels are 19″ on the front axle and 20″ at the back.

The car pictured in these images represents an ideal balance between the most diverse requirements of mobility, economy and efficiency. This vision is shared by the Federal German Ministry of Education, which has financed 10.8 million of Euros to the project Visio.M. Behind this project are BMW and the Technical University of Munich (TUM), as well as many automotive companies including Daimler, Continental, Siemens and TUV SUD. All of them have joined forces to develop and support the idea of a smart car with reduced environmental impact, which could transform the concept of personal mobility, in modern and much polluted cities, for ever.

The result of this ambitious project is a small compact car that weights just 400Kg, certified as a heavy quadricycle and powered by an electric motor delivering 15 kW. The total weight, included batteries, is 500Kg. At the moment, no official images or details have been released: the photo gallery shows images of the prototype MUTE, an electric vehicle built using a similar technology.

Utah State University Research Foundation’s Energy Dynamics Laboratory (EDL) is working to develop a new high-power, high efficiency wireless power transfer system for electric cars. This system will be able to rapidly recharge the batteries of electric vehicles in motion, thus solving many problems of today’s electric cars.

The system works by transferring power from a special pad built under the ground to a receiver attached under the car, wirelessly. The next step for the American researchers will be to recharge vehicles while in motion. Jeff Muhs, director of EDL said: “Future versions of the system architecture have the unique potential to be embedded under pavement and transfer power wirelessly to vehicles at speeds of 75 mph or more and provide enough power to completely eliminate the range anxiety of electric vehicles”.

EDL plans to make the first demonstration of wireless power transfer system by the end of 2013. This new technology will also be reducing cars’ battery size by up to 80%, making electric vehicles much lighter and solving many of the problems related to charging. The development of this technology will take another few years to be completed, but it “will eventually enable the safe and efficient electrification of highways – states Muhs - end our dependence on foreign oil, and enable a new era of enhanced mobility.”

Via| greentechmedia

Suzuki has chosen the 2012 Beijing Motor Show to introduce the two cars displayed at the last Tokyo Motor Show to the Chinese public: Suzuki G70 and Swift Range Extender. The G70 is a concept car also known as Suzuki Regina, a next-generation compact car that boasts a very original futuristic look.

The G70 Cx is less than 10% compared to a conventional car and the weight is contained to just 730kg, which allow the car to travel 32Km on a single litre of fuel. The emissions are very low: the Regina emits only 70g of CO2 per kilometer. The same idea of energy conservation and environmental sustainability has also been applied to the other concept car on display at the Suzuki stand.

The Suzuki Swift Range Extender is a hybrid vehicle, equipped with an electric motor coupled to a combustion engine that serves as a range extender, which charges the lithium-ion batteries when the car is in motion, offering 30 km zero-emissions driving range.

Toyota has released a new video of the Yaris Hybrid, presented at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. The car, which uses the latest evolution of the HSD (Hybrid Synergy Drive) platform, is equipped with a 1.5-litre VVT-i petrol engine mated to an electric motor and battery pack located beneath the rear seat. The total output produced by the vehicle, in combined cycle sum up to 100 hp.

Toyota declares fuel consumption figures of 79 g/Km of CO2m that qualify the Yaris Hybrid for free road tax and London Congestion Charge exemption. Following tests carried out by the technicians of the Japanese brand, significant data have emerged regarding the performance of the electric motor: the car can travel zero emissions (without operating the petrol engine) 64% of the time for journeys less than 10Km. The battery pack has been reduced in size so that won’t affect the 286 litres of luggage space.

As for the aesthetics we can see a few changes to the front, now more aerodynamic and outlined, sporting a new front grille, modified bumpers and LED daytime headlights. The Toyota Yaris Hybrid is available to order now and will be delivered in July.

As reported by Car and Driver, Ferrari could be working on a new hybrid engine, that won’t involve the use of the KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) system. There is lots of speculation going on, but the American magazine has discovered patent applications that prove Ferrari’s engineers might develop a more conventional hybrid system.

It is not clear yet whether they will use a conventional battery or a supercapacitor coupled to two electric motors. By using two motors the performance of the car won’t be compromised: the smaller motor will be handling the on-board systems, such as the air conditioning and the power steering, and the larger one will transmit power to the wheels only, in order to achieve higher performance. This kind of setup allows the torque to be delivered to the internal-combustion engine only, without wasting energy feeding the auxiliary systems of the car.

In the patent application there are also details about a front mounted V-90 degree engine, which suggests a connection to the V8 fitted on the Ferrari California only, as all the V12 cars have a 65-degree angle. The positioning of the main electric motor is not clear yet, as some diagrams show it in front of the car, while others in the rear with the transaxle. It’s important to remember that these are just patent applications and have no guarantee of production, as many manufacturers apply to patent projects that are still in the development phase or expecting decisions. We’ll see, what do you think?

Renault continues its campaign to promote the Twizy with a music video by David Guetta entitled “The Alphabeat”. In the video the famous French DJ drives the small electric car to an exclusive club, where the dance floor uses a futuristic system to generate electricity through the movement of people dancing. The film focus is mainly on electric mobility and renewable energies.

The Renault Twizy is proposed in three different variants: Urban, Colour and Technic. The Renault Twizy Urban, the lower powered version, is limited to 45 km/h and has an output of 10hp with a price of £6,990. The batteries range stands at 100km and are leased for a monthly fee of £45.

The most powerful version of the quadricycle, the Technic, comes with 20hp and is able to reach 80km/h; it is offered at a base price of £7,400. The car weighs 450 kg and can be customised with accessories such as side doors, rear parking sensors or Bluetooth and USB connections kits. It is available in the UK from today.

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It’s the latest addition to the Toyota Prius hybrid family. Toyota Prius Plug-in will be on the market from the 9th July priced at £27,895 with the Government’s electric vehicle grant. The car comes in a single equipment specification featuring technologies such as head-up display, Toyota Touch and Go Plus infotainment system with satellite navigation, voice recognition, Bluetooth, camera and LED daytime running lights and headlights. The company claims the new Prius CO2 emissions figures at just 49 g/km.

The new lithium ion battery can power the Prius Plug-in electric motor efficiently, allowing the car to travel over much greater distances with zero emissions and better performance. Once the charge is completed the car switches to Hybrid Synergy Drive automatically to extend its autonomy. The battery can be charged through a standard domestic plug or at an on-street charging point. The manufacturer supplies a 5m cable, stored in a special compartment in the boot’s floor, as standard.

The Toyota Prius Plug-in single specification also includes 15 “alloy wheels, DAB digital radio, JBL audio system with eight speakers, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control and heated front seats. Black leather upholstery, rear privacy glass, Protection Pack and Style Pack is offered as option. The bodywork comes in four colours including the new Sky Blue, Tyrol Silver, Novus Grey and White Pearl Pearlescent.

New official videos dedicated to the Citroen DS5 HYbrid4, which represents the cutting edge of the French D-segment range: under the hood is a full-hybrid solution that combines a 4-cylinder 2.0-litre diesel engine with a permanent magnet synchronous motor located on the rear axle developing 37 hp.

The result is 200 hp of total power, an original four wheel drive system, the ability to travel 100% electric mode. Not to mention the great flexibility provided by the combination internal combustion/electric and its environmental credentials, well summarised in the data reported by the brand: 99 g/km of CO2, 3.8 l/100 km on the combined cycle.

View the full Citroen DS5 Hybrid4 gallery