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Toyota is kicking it up a notch by still trying to stay ahead of its competition with introducing an all new Prius Hybrid.  It is not here for sale just yet but just to give you an idea of what we may be looking at, it will come with high-output, lithium-ion battery that can be charged in 90 minutes.  It will also go 20 km in EV mode and run up to 62 mph on electricity.  Below is the complete press release from Toyota.

PRESS RELEASE

Clean urban mobility Prius and Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept

Reinforcing the company’s environmental leadership in addressing the needs of tomorrow’s customers today, Toyota is leading the drive towards sustainable mobility through the goal of the ultimate Eco Car.

In recognition of the importance of energy diversification, the latest development in Toyota’s plug-in vehicle programme, the Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept, represents a significant expansion of the Hybrid Synergy Drive® system’s capabilities and introduces a further development in environmentally-friendly mobility.
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PRESS RELEASE:

The 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 – American Market Version

* 13.08.2009
* Press Release

Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, 13 August 2009, 6pm Eastern… BMW announced today the production version of the BMW ActiveHybrid X6. The BMW ActiveHybrid X6 will make its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) in September and will reach US BMW Centers in fourth-quarter 2009. ActiveHybrid technology provides a glimpse into the future, achieving outstanding driving dynamics with equally impressive efficiency. It melds both of these qualities to offer a truly unique driving experience. The world’s first Sports Activity Coupe with full hybrid drive capitalizes on the options offered by combining the combustion engine with electric motors to create a powertrain with new levels dynamic performance and efficiency.

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General Motors CEO Fritz Henderson has announced ad very interesting piece of news today regarding Chevy Volt.  It has been promissed that Volt will have a staggering 230 MPG rating in the city, but apperently this is not as simple as GM would like you to believe.  The EPA has released a new way for calculating and determining a fuel economy standard for extended-range EVs like the Volt, and this is the system that has shown Chevy’s unusually large triple digit MPG rating.

Unfortunately, the promised November ship date looks like will slip again, and this time to an unknown month and year.  Another interesting fact is that report has also noted that there is “no assurance” that it will qualify for any remaining energy loans to develop advanced fuel technology automobiles.  Here are some words directly out of the report regarding this: “Our competitors and others are pursuing similar technologies and other competing technologies, in some cases with more money available; there can be no assurance that they will not acquire similar or superior technologies sooner than we do.”

Hmm Very interesting, right?

Source: AutoblogGreen

Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann has confirmed that the company is working on a hybrid version of Lamborghini Gallardo.  This was only a matter of time since every car manufacturer is jumping on the electric band wagon.  This electric super car is expected to hit the market in 2015, the same exact year as Ferrari will be releasing their fuel saving version.

But do not wary you super car lovers, Lamborghini is not planning to replace gasoline power plant completely.  The plan is to have a small electric motor that would propel the cat at low speeds, after which either the so much loved V10 or V12 engine would take over and let the fun begin.  

We will all be eagerly awaiting more details on this future car.

Source:  Popular Science

GM has added the the all new hybrid GMC Yukon Denali.   It will have a 6.0-liter Vortec V8 engine with 332 horsepower and 367 lb-ft of torque and up to a 6,200-pound towing capacity.

The min feature is 2-Mode Electrically Variable Transmission, which features twin electric motors powered by a 300-volt nickel metal hydride battery.

The expect EPA fuel economy is 21 city, 22 highway for two-wheel drive models and 20/20 in 4WD.

The Brammo Enertia electric motorcycle can now be purchased, as it’s officially on sale.  This eco-friendly battery powered motorcycle is powered by 13.7 HP engine, with torque rating of 31 ft/lbs, and weighs about 280 pounds. With a top speed of about 50 miles an hour, the bike’s got a 45 mile range before needing a 3 hour recharge. It’s not the most powerful of motorcycles for sure, but it looks cool, environmentally aware , and it can be yours for about $12,000.

Source:  Cool Hunting

Land Rover is looking to to go green and they are doing it.  The will be adopting a new hybrid system for use in their new compact Range Rover LXR.  As a part of their hybrid system they are expected to implement a new drive system that can run on electric only, petrol only or a combination of the two. 

Another cool developmental part that should see itself in to this vehicle, is the Land-e’s clever electric drive rear axle, which can send electric power to the front axle, adjust the inner and outer wheel torque as needed or completely disengage itself from center differential, to always make sure it has traction. Working together with the above mentioned system will be the manufacturer’s Terrain Response system.  We are all looking forward to get more official details on this very anticipated Range Rover.

Source: Auto Express

The Energy Department is expected to announce today that it is lending money to the Ford, Nissan and Tesla from a $25 billion fund to continue the development of new fuel-efficient vehicles.

A total of $38 billion from the loan program will be disbursed to the automakers. Ford has asked to receive $5 billion in loans by 2011. Nissan has applied for an undisclosed amount of assistance, and Tesla has asked for $450 million.

Complete Story

Daimler has announced that the Smart ed is “ready for small series production.” They have been testing it in UK since December 2007, and tests have been very successful. The company is ready to put Smart ed into production with lithium-ion batteries. According to the report, UK will get some production cars in early 2010. During the Detroit Auto Show, smart said that the cars would be available by the end of this year. As far as we are concerned, the US will get 1,000 Smart eds the following year.

Here is a complete press release.

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Toyota Motors received 180,000 orders for the new Prius hybrid in just one month passing their target of 10,000 vehicles.  

It has been a big hit in Japan ever since it has been rolled out a month ago.  This success has been primarily due to the big tax-breaks and other government incentives.

For the first time, Toyota Prius has overtaking Honda’s new hybrid, the Insight and becoming the number one seller in Japan in month of May.  Honda has dropped to the third spot after been first selling car in April. 

The price that Toyota is offering its new Prius is just over 2 million yen ($20,900 US), which is about 300,000 yen ($3,100 US) cheaper than the previous model. The big new upgrade is a larger 1.8-liter engine but the car gets better mileage than the second generation Prius.

The new Prius is starting to arrive to us dealers, where sales for last month totaled only 700 so far.

Source:  MSNBC