The Peugeot SR1 Concept will be presented at the 2010 Geneva motor show, and it just might be enough to help me forgive them for getting rid of the Peugeot GTI badge. The SR1 Concept is part of a total brand revamp that will take place this year, similar to that which Citroen has also been developing.

The SR1 Concept, after the Peugeot RCZ, is a key part of what will become Peugeot’s new brand image, which has already seen a restyling of the Peugeot logo. The SR1 is a kind of futuristic gran turismo, ecological model, with Hybrid4 technology. The entire engine unit is based on a 1.6-litre THP motor with 218 hp, and an electric motor with another 95 hp mounted at the rear axle.

This means the Peugeot SR1 is capable of a total of 313 hp, using only 4.9 litres of fuel per 100 km, and 119 g/km of CO2 emissions. In full electric mode, the car has zero emissions. The SR1 will be an all-wheel drive model, showing obvious gran turismo styling with a long bonnet, but muscly look. The inside of the SR1 features an unusual three-seater layout with a centre console at the front that can move foward to allow the occupants to enter more easily.

The Peugeot SR1 will be just part of an interesting stand from the company at the Geneva motor show, and together with the RCZ, it should mark a new design language for Peugeot. Time will tell whether the direction that is being taken is the right one, or whether Peugeot is losing some of its individuality to follow the coupe, gran turismo fashion.

Continue reading: Peugeot SR1 Concept

After the first round of Ferrari 612 Scaglietti spy shots and the famous bulge in the bonnet, the first Ferrari all-wheel drive hybrid technology is reportedly being developed as more spy shots emerge. The new Ferrari hybrid could appear on the next generation 612 with electric motors powering the front wheels, and the traditional V12 or a turbocharged V8 delivering power to the rear.

Ferrari has denied that the aim is to improve fuel efficiency, saying the system is being developed to enable better handling, though it’s hard to deny that even supercar manufacturers are under pressure to watch their emissions. The news comes from unnamed sources to Autocar, and would seem to confirm the leaked Ferrari hybrid designs of a few months back.

Source | Autocar via Autoblog

Continue reading: Ferrari hybrid confirmed: more 612 Scaglietti spy shots

As Bentley reveals its plans to produce a hybrid, debate kicks off as to just what combination of technology and engines the luxury car maker intends to use. While it’s full steam ahead on preparing Arnage, the new flagship, it looks as though Bentley is finding the time to dedicate to the environmental viability of its range.

This spy shot shows that Bentley is testing a petrol-electric drivetrain on a Continental prototype. The powerplant being used is a versions of the Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne hybrids that combines a 3.6 litre petrol V6 at 280 hp, and 375 Nm, to an electric motor with 284Nm.

The Bentley version is likely to be more powerful as using a V8 engine could result in a final 500hp. This means that the original and fuel consuming Continental W12 engine could be scrapped.

This may be bad news for Bentley fans, but it’s good news for the company as it prepares the technology across its range ahead of new EU targets to reduce CO2 emissions by 2015.

Source | Autoexpress

Continue reading: Bentley develops hybrid for Continental and Arnage

If you’re a dedicated Ferrari fan you might be wondering what’s happening at a company so steeped in powerful supercar tradition that it’s hard to imagine it would ever dabble in modern ecological technology. But leaked drawings reveal that Ferrari is developing hybrid plans.

The designs show an electric motor powering two wheels with a combustion engine powering the remaining wheels, or two electric motors placed inside the wheels themselves, combined with the same previous combustion engine system.

Ferrari is arguing that it’s hybrid technology will be used not to increase fuel efficiency necessarily, but to create an effective all wheel drive vehicle with refined handling.

Continue reading: All wheel drive Ferrari hybrid technology

In the following series of videos you can see the new technology and accessories available on the new Toyota Prius. The hybrid has already reached its third generation and the updates are essential in maintaining sales in the US market.

The Smart Key function will be present, along with Drive Mode, park assist, multifunction display, bluetooth connection and new XM Nav Traffic sat nav. Other options available will be the Moonroof, active cruise control and remote control air conditioning.

Continue reading: New Toyota Prius videos

In attempts to boost the “green car” industry, the UK government has announced a two to five thousand pound incentive scheme for customers buying electric and hybrid plug-in cars. The scheme will start from 2011, when we should be seeing more options for hybrid purchases, and more eco-friendly cars on the road.

The program includes infrastructure plans for electric car networks around the UK, amounting to 20 million pounds. The combination of personal customer incentives and infrastructure development is set to make electric cars a real option for drivers.

Source | CarScoop

Continue reading: UK announces hybrid car incentive scheme

The Jaguar XJ hybrid plug-in is set to debut in 2011 with targets of 50 km running on electric power, 25 kilometres on one litre of petrol, and CO2 emissions at only 120 grams per kilometre. It may sound like utopian ambition, but Jaguar is intent on achieving this aim.

According to technicians, a hybrid version with electric engine is enough to produce the above figures. In addition, according to Autocar, Jaguar is also working on a “mild hybrid” Range Rover Sport, while the production model of the LRX concept will have a 2.0 litre TDI.

Source | Autocar

Continue reading: New Jaguar XJ in hybrid

Auto Journal has confirmed that the Citroen C-Cactus concept car that was presented back in 2007 at the Frankfurt show, will have a production series. The news comes after many rumours on C-Cactus production.

The model will apparently remain very similar to the prototype, including its length of about 420cm. The engine will be a combination of a turbo petrol unit of about 100 hp and an electric unit. The model should debut some time between the end of 2011 and the start of 2012.

Continue reading: Citroen confirms C-Cactus production

The Mercedes ML 450 Hybrid presentation at the New York auto show has a couple of figures to really impress: the model offers 90 percent of the power of the ML, 500, but consumes nearly 60 percent less. The SUV at New York has debuted with a new hybrid engine, built on the 3.5 litre V6 at 280 hp, coupled with two electric units at 30 hp each.

The model has an intelligent “drivetrain” control, which regulates power distribution according to driving conditions, switching between all-electric or the opposite, on a needs basis. The air system also works on an independent electric compressor, which can be used even when the V6 is off.

The ML 450 Hybrid has all-wheel drive, with 340 hp and 515 Nm of torque, available at even the lowest rpm. A full gallery of the ML 450 is below.

Continue reading: New York Motor Show: Mercedes presents the ML 450 Hybrid

Below is a gallery of the official pics of the Hyundai models presented at the Geneva motor show, including the i20 three door, the i30 BlueDrive, which presents a new range of ecological vehicles, and the ix-sonic concept - a new sports SUV with European style.

The compact i20 three door is available with seven different engines, including the new 1.2 litre petrol from the Kappa series at 78hp, with fuel consumption at 5.2l/100km and CO2 emissions of 124g/km. The most economic engine is the 1.4 diesel at 75hp, with CO2 emissions at only 116g/km and fuel consumption at only 4.4l/100km on a mixed circuit.

The i30 BlueDrive is the first model from Hyundai’s future ecological range, characterised by technological solutions to reduce consumption such as the Idle Stop & Go (ISG). The range will soon expand to include a hybrid model, which will be presented in summer in Korea. Called the Elantra, it will be the first hybrid capable of combining an LPG fuel source with battery power.

Continue reading: New Hyundai BlueDrive range, hybrid and i20 compact

If we were looking for hybrid sports cars with flair, Fisker provided exactly that at the Geneva show with its Karma and Karma S. The definitive versions of these cars are on display, with the Karma already gaining impressive sales, and the spider to follow in 2011.

The Fisker Karma will be available on the European market from 2010 at a price, excluding taxes, of about 78,780 euros. It might seem a lot or not, but looking at it in person, the Karma is striking in its agressive but sensual design. New figures released include the electric motor at 403 hp, with a two litre Turbo Ecotec direct injection engine from GM.

In Stealth Mode with just the electric motor, the Karma reaches 100km/hr in 7.5 seconds with a top speed of 153 km/hr and a range of 80km. In Sport Mode, running on both engines, the Karma gains maximum power with just 5.8 seconds to reach 100 km/hr and a top speed of 200 km/hr. With combined engine use, the range increases to 483 km.

Continue reading: Fisker Karma revealed at Geneva show

To see the fastest hybrid car in the world, you would need to go the Geneva motor show for a look at this vehicle from the Giugaro family. Father Giorgietto and son Fabrizio, have designed this concept car that will be presented at the show under the name of Frazer Nash.

The new Giugiaro concept is similar to the Quaranta concept car seen at the Geneva show a year ago. Concepts of power and emotion have not previously been considered in the sector of hybrid cars, but this particular example will have a 3.3 V6 engine, with two electric engines.

An overall power of 272hp can be reached, with torque at 288Nm. It is all wheel drive and capable of reaching 100 km/hr in just 4.05 seconds. Maximum speed is 300 km/hr.

Source | Motorauthority

Continue reading: Giugiaro Frazer Nash Concept: fastest hybrid in the world