Range Rover

The new 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid will carry a U.S. price tag of $25,790 (including destination charges) for the base model. For those with the extra cash, the middle-trim SE model starts at $27,785. And for those who just want the best, the top-of-the-line SEL model starts at $30,120.

Finally the top of the line SEL Premium package will receive LED daytime running lights, an active front-lighting system, foglights with cornering light, 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with all-season tires, a Fender premium audio system and a rear-view camera.

All models are powered by a 1.4-liter TSI engine that is backed up by an electric motor. This gives the car a combined output of 170 hp (127 kW) and 184 lb-ft (249 Nm) of torque.  It enables the sedan to accelerate from 0-60 mph in less than 9.0 seconds and average approximately 45 mpg US (5.2 L/100km / 54.0 mpg UK).



Press Release

VOLKSWAGEN ANNOUNCES 2013 JETTA HYBRID PRICING

The latest member of the Jetta family offers competitive pricing, excellent fuel economy, and the fun-to-drive nature expected of a Volkswagen

•  Jetta Hybrid starts at $24,995*, with SE priced from $26,990
•  Most fuel-efficient Jetta in the lineup with manufacturer estimated combined fuel economy of 45 mpg**
•  World's first hybrid to use a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission
•  Fastest compact hybrid in its class with an estimated 0-60 mph of less than 9.0 seconds
•  Drives as a full EV at speeds of up to 44 mph
•  Premium features include LED taillights and Daytime Running Lights, plus Bi-Xenon headlights
•  Jetta range now extended to five different powertrains, providing a German-engineered compact sedan for everyone

Herndon, VA - Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced pricing for the 2013 Jetta Hybrid, expected to be the most fuel-efficient Jetta in the lineup. Powered by an all-new, high-tech, 1.4-liter turbocharged and direct-injected TSI® engine mated to a zero-emissions electric motor, the Jetta Hybrid has a combined output of 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The innovative powertrain also features a seven-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The Jetta Hybrid can be driven in pure electric mode at speeds of up to 44 mph and for a distance of up to 1.2 miles, depending on operating conditions. With a manufacturer estimated combined fuel economy of 45 miles per gallon** and a 0-60 mph time of less than 9.0 seconds, this newest addition to the Jetta family demonstrates that being fuel-efficient doesn't have to come at the cost of performance or fun. The Jetta Hybrid will be available starting at $24,995* and will go on sale in the last quarter of 2012.

The 2013 Jetta Hybrid model range:

Hybrid (available by order only)
The Hybrid trim has an MSRP of $24,995. Standard equipment includes a 1.4-liter turbocharged TSI engine; 27-hp electric motor; seven-speed dual-clutch DSG automatic transmission; front and rear disc brakes; Daytime Running Lights; power and heated exterior mirrors;15-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with all-season tires; rear spoiler and rear diffuser; unique grille; hybrid badging on front, sides and rear; power windows with one-touch up/down; hybrid interior accents; six-way manually adjustable front seats; Climatronic® automatic climate-control; Bluetooth ® technology; auxiliary input jack; trip computer; RCD 310 radio with CD player and six speakers; leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel; 60/40 folding rear seat; tilt/telescoping steering wheel column; temperature display; and front, side and Side Curtain Protection® airbags.

Hybrid SE
The 2013 Jetta Hybrid SE starts at $26,990. In addition to all of the equipment offered on the Hybrid trim, it adds: LED taillights; power recline front seats; Media-Device Interface (MDI) and iPod® cable; Premium VIII touchscreen radio with color energy flow display in center console; SiriusXM® Satellite Radio; and keyless access with push-button start.

Hybrid SEL
The Hybrid SEL has an MSRP of $29,325 and features 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with all-season tires; a power tilt and slide sunroof; RNS 315 radio and navigation; heated front washer nozzles; heated front seats; and a six-way power driver's seat.

Hybrid SEL Premium
The Hybrid SEL Premium retails for $31,180. Compared to the Hybrid with Navigation, it adds Bi-Xenon headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights and the Active Front-Lighting System (AFS); foglights with cornering light; 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with all-season tires; the Fender® Premium Audio System with subwoofer; and a rearview camera.

All prices exclude destination charges of $795 per vehicle.
*Available by order only
**Manufacturer estimate of fuel economy only; EPA results may vary

The 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid will start at $25,995 when it goes on sale this fall, the base-level 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid is $555 cheaper than the very lowest specification 2012 Toyota Prius V wagon, but Ford claims it can best the Japanese hybrid on gas mileage, specification and interior space.

"The C-Max Hybrid offers better fuel economy, performance, technology and functionality than Prius v - and C-Max Hybrid customers will pay less at the dealership and at the pump," commented Ken Czubay, vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. "

2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid has a li-ion battery pack which is recharged when the gasoline engine is in operation. Additionally, the regenerative braking system can recapture more than 95 percent of the braking energy that would be used to help charge the battery. This means that C-MAX Hybrid requires no plug-in charging.

The five-passenger C-MAX hybrid is powered by an all-new 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine that Ford states is among the most advanced non-turbocharged four-cylinder powertrains they have ever offered. The four-cylinder engine is mated to an electric motor and advanced li-ion battery system.

Inside, it’s all about having enough room for five passengers and more than enough space for cargo and carry-along items. This translates into 99.7 cubic feet of passenger space (nearly three inches more than the Prius V) and more headroom in the front and rear seats.

Cargo room amounts to 54.3 cubic feet of space behind the first row, with 60/40 split-fold rear seats folded flat. Behind the second row, however, the cargo capacity is 24.5 feet, nearly 10 cubic feet less than the 34.3 cubic feet in the Prius V.





Press Release

• Ford dealers are now taking orders for the Ford C-MAX Hybrid, which will be more affordable than Toyota Prius v while achieving better fuel economy

• Class-exclusive technologies include hands-free liftgate, active park assist for easier parallel parking and next-generation SmartGauge® with EcoGuide to help customers increase their fuel economy

• C-MAX will launch this fall as part of Ford’s power of choice strategy to deliver leading fuel economy across its lineup while tripling electrified vehicle production capacity by 2013

Ford dealers are starting to place orders for America’s most affordable and fuel-efficient hybrid utility vehicle – the 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid – with innovative technologies such as a hands-free liftgate, spaciousness for five passengers and cargo as well as the fun-to-drive character shared with well-handling cars including Ford Focus.


The C-MAX is a compact hybrid utility vehicle and the company’s first dedicated line of hybrids. The 2013 C-MAX Hybrid will be available this fall with a base price of $25,995 – approximately $500 lower than the Toyota Prius v’s base price.


The C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid will follow later this year with better electric-mode fuel economy and overall driving range than the Prius plug-in hybrid.


“C-MAX Hybrid offers better fuel economy, performance, technology and functionality than Prius v – and C-MAX Hybrid customers will pay less at the dealership and at the pump,” said Ken Czubay, vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. “Ford is delivering the power of choice for leading fuel economy across its lineup – from EcoBoost to electrified vehicles – because customers increasingly want to save money at the pump, even as gas prices rise over time.”


The C-MAX Hybrid blends fuel economy with performance, with projected best-in-class horsepower and torque along with Ford’s third-generation powersplit technology that allows for higher speed while in electric mode than Toyota Prius v.


C-MAX Hybrid benefits from 20 years of research and innovation behind the software and hardware technology driving it, with many of Ford’s almost 500 hybrid vehicle-related patents contained within.


That means that along with SYNC® with MyFord Touch®, drivers get class-exclusive features like hands-free liftgate (offering hands-free cargo access with a simple kicking motion), SmartGauge® with EcoGuide, regenerative braking and an advanced lithium-ion (li-ion) battery pack that is being used for the first time in a Ford hybrid.


C-MAX Hybrid – being built on Ford’s global C-segment platform – also benefits from a proven design and nameplate with more than 156,000 units of the gasoline version sold in Europe since its 2010 launch.


Room to move


C-MAX Hybrid is a compact hybrid utility vehicle jam-packed with features and room for five people and cargo.


The vehicle has a high roofline (63.9 inches) offering ample interior space and flexibility. C-MAX Hybrid offers 99.7 cubic feet of passenger space compared with 97 cubic feet in Prius v. The spacious C-MAX Hybrid also provides greater headroom in both front and rear seats than Prius v (41/39.4 inches vs. 39.6/38.6 inches).


For cargo, C-MAX Hybrid has 60/40 split-fold rear seats that easily fold flat with 54.3 cubic feet of space behind the first row and 24.5 cubic feet behind the second row.


Tech-savvy


C-MAX Hybrid features the company’s innovative hands-free liftgate, allowing for quick and easy access to the cargo area without messing with keys. A gentle kicking motion under the rear bumper opens the liftgate when used in combination with a key fob the user keeps in his or her pocket or purse that tells the car it’s OK to engage. The same motion can close the liftgate.


The vehicle also features the newest version of MyFord Touch to help inform, enlighten, engage and empower drivers. MyFord Touch offers multiple ways for customers to manage and control their phone, navigation, entertainment and climate functions through voice commands, menus accessed through controls on the steering wheel, touch screens, buttons or knobs.


C-MAX Hybrid also offers the next generation of SmartGauge with EcoGuide. Designed to help drivers get the most from the C-MAX Hybrid, information such as instantaneous fuel economy can be displayed on the left cluster to help drivers more closely monitor how their driving behavior affects the vehicle’s efficiency.


The left cluster also shows Brake Coach, a feature that helps drivers optimize their use of the braking system so that driving range can be enhanced through proper braking techniques. In the right cluster, redesigned imagery of green leaves shows overall driving efficiency – as drivers improve their efficient driving, they are rewarded with more leaves.


Quality and ingenuity


The 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid is new, but its software and hardware technology have been evolving for nearly two decades.


C-MAX Hybrid is powered through the combination of a gasoline engine and a battery-driven electric motor. When powered by gasoline, the C-MAX Hybrid uses the all-new 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine – a powerful and fuel-efficient engine and among the most advanced non-turbocharged four-cylinder powertrains Ford has ever offered.


The electric motor of the C-MAX Hybrid is powered by an advanced li-ion battery system designed to maximize use of common, high-quality components, such as control board hardware that has proven field performance in Ford’s critically acclaimed hybrid vehicles.


C-MAX Hybrid also offers Ford’s next-generation powersplit architecture that allows the electric motor and gasoline-powered engine to work together or separately to maximize efficiency. The engine also can operate independently of vehicle speed, charging the batteries or providing power to the wheels as needed. The motor alone can provide sufficient power to the wheels in low-speed, low-load conditions and work with the engine at higher speeds.


In the C-MAX Hybrid, the li-ion battery pack is recharged when the gasoline engine is in operation. Further, the regenerative braking system can recapture more than 95 percent of the braking energy that would otherwise be lost, and is able to use that power to help charge the battery. C-MAX Hybrid requires no plug-in charging.

BMW has releases details and photos for the i8 Concept Spyder. This hybrid convertible follows the BMW i3 Concept and BMW i8 Concept in a line of purpose-built alt-fuel vehicles. The Spyder is a two-seat roadster with fuel consumption “no higher than you would expect from a small car,” according to BMW.

Overall length is 6 inches shorter (176.3 inches) and it's about an inch skinnier (75.6 inches) than the i8 coupe. At 50.3 inches in height, it's nearly 3 inches shorter, and the wheelbase is 6 inches shorter, at 104.3 inches.

The i8 Spyder pairs a 96kW electric motor on the front axle and a 220-horsepower turbocharged three-cylinder gas engine at the rear, for a combined output of 349 hp. The powertrain combination enables 0-60 acceleration in less than 5.0 seconds, with top speed electronically limited to 155 mph.

The cabin is elegantly appointed with leather upholstery, carbon fiber trim and piano black accents. There's also a digital instrument cluster and a three-dimensional iDrive display.




Press Release

BMW i8 Concept Spyder.

The BMW i8 Concept Spyder with eDrive is an open-top two-seater embodying a form of personal mobility with equal sporting and emotional appeal.

Under the banner of its sub-brand BMW i, the BMW Group is developing a range of purpose-built vehicle concepts and complementary mobility services which meet the changing needs of customers and redefine the understanding of personal mobility. As well as adopting intelligent technologies and innovative design, BMW i is pursuing an all-embracing approach defined to a significant degree by sustainability throughout the value chain.

Following the presentation of the BMW i3 Concept and BMW i8 Concept, the BMW Group introduces the BMW i8 Concept Spyder to the mix. This third BMW i model embodies the future of cutting-edge and emotionally appealing mobility concepts. Its sporting design headlines the qualities of an open-top two-seater blending lightness, dynamic capability and efficiency with a very special aesthetic allure.

The combination of intelligent lightweight design and state-of-the-art hybrid technology imbues the BMW i8 Concept Spyder with genuine sports car performance, yet its fuel consumption is no higher than you would expect from a small car.

Among the most eye-catching features of the BMW i8 Concept Spyder are the upward-swivelling, windowless doors and a range of purpose-oriented on-board equipment including electric kickboards stowed under a transparent tailgate. The sports car is based around the innovative LifeDrive architecture, itself underpinned by a lightweight modular construction and the use of high-quality high-tech materials. The BMW i8 Concept Spyder is a plug-in hybrid powered by an eDrive drivetrain combining a high-performance electric motor and petrol combustion engine. The lithium-ion battery supplying the motor with power can be recharged in an extremely short space of time from any domestic power socket. Together, the car's minimised weight, low centre of gravity and finely judged balance, coupled with a combined system output of up to 260 kW (354 hp), promise unbeatable dynamic capability, exceptional efficiency and unbridled driving pleasure.

Barely a year after the unveiling of the 2+2-seater BMW i8 Concept, BMW i is presenting the second variant of this innovative hybrid sports car, a machine designed to light up the path to compelling and purpose-oriented mobility. Like its Coupe sibling, the emotionally charged BMW i8 Concept Spyder combines intelligent lightweight design with the leading-edge drivetrain technology eDrive, while its open-top two-seater construction delivers an even more intense driving experience. This is a car in which outstanding performance potential goes hand-in-hand with extremely low fuel consumption and emissions.

Compared with the Coupe variant of the BMW i8 Concept, the BMW i8 Concept Spyder has a slightly shorter wheelbase and overall length. With its compact dimensions and distinctive exterior paintwork, the sports car exudes a feeling of dynamism before it so much as turns a wheel, while striking features of its design include upward-swivelling, windowless doors and a transparent glass panel at the rear. Underneath this cover two electric kickboards are stowed, providing a visual showcase for the fun factor in mobility and adding another layer to the car's recreational appeal. Inside, a revised material and colour concept provides an extra dose of sportiness. Like the Coupe, the BMW i8 Concept Spyder with eDrive is a high-performance plug-in hybrid, and it fuses the specific advantages of an electric motor and combustion engine to optimum effect. Exceptional efficiency and dynamic capability are the upshot.

Modular LifeDrive architecture offers a preview of the future.
Like the Coupe, the BMW i8 Concept Spyder is also built around the innovative LifeDrive architecture, a fusion of independent functional units. For example, the carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) Life module gives the car an extremely lightweight passenger cell, while the Drive modules - made primarily from aluminium components - bring together all the car's operational driving functions, such as the powertrain, chassis and safety structure. Impressively extensive use of high-tech materials allows this innovative concept to chart new territory in terms of weight minimisation, structural rigidity and crash safety. This is good news not only for the car's dynamic performance, but also for its range and fuel economy. Intelligent lightweight design, encompassing the use of innovative materials, has allowed the unavoidable additional weight of the high-output hybrid drivetrain to be cancelled out in full. Plus, the LifeDrive architecture has been carefully adapted to the sports car character of the BMW i8 Concept Spyder. The front and rear axle modules are connected by an "energy tunnel", which houses the hybrid battery. This allows the engineers to give the car a low centre of gravity and ideal balance.

The distinctive two-way split of the LifeDrive concept is also reflected in the car's design, which renders the basic elements of the body clearly distinguishable. Expressive surfaces and precise lines create a harmonious transition from one module into another. This overlap and interlocking of surfaces and lines - "layering" in BMW i speak - is displayed both on the body and in the interior of the new car.

Latest interpretation of the BMW i design language.
The BMW i8 Concept Spyder's emotion-led design vividly spotlights the car's qualities, with lightness, dynamic capability and efficiency highlighted to particularly prominent effect. For example, the two-seater embodies the perfect synthesis of technology and aesthetic appeal, and exudes unbridled driving pleasure even when stationary. Key to creating this impression of sporty dynamics are large body panels, a hunkered-down stance and numerous aerodynamic elements such as contact surfaces, spoiler lips, AirCurtains and aeroflaps. These features substantially reduce the hybrid car's Cd and enhance both efficiency and range.

Dynamic front end.
The front end offers a particularly revealing window into the open-top two-seater's dynamic talent. One defining element is the headlights with pioneering laser light technology, which follow the hallmark BMW i U-shaped design template. A semi-transparent "V" opens out from the front end of the flat bonnet towards the windscreen and beckons the eye to the electric motor below. A spoiler lip positioned on the windscreen frame guides the airflow over the heads of the passengers. And for journeys when the weather cannot quite be trusted, the planned two-section folding roof might well come in handy.

Athletic silhouette.
Short front and rear overhangs and a low-slung silhouette define the side view of the BMW i8 Concept Spyder and underline its athletic character. Alluring lines and forms generate a strong forward-surging stance even before the car powers off the line. The doors, which open by pivoting forwards around the A-pillar axis, further enhance the BMW i8 Concept Spyder's emotional impact. Below the doors, the side skirts create a powerful wedge shape which opens out towards the rear. At the same time, the open-top two-seater cuts a light and flowing figure and appears as if carved from a single mould.

Striking rear.
Like the front end, the rear also sits low to the road. Its headline feature is a transparent cover revealing the two folded electric kickboards accommodated below. Adopting the hallmarks of BMW i design, the kickboards are perfect for relaxed cruising along promenades and paths or around city squares. There can be few more attractive advertisements for individual mobility. A visually imposing rear diffuser, three-dimensional air outlets and the U-shaped rear lights give the BMW i8 Concept Spyder an extremely wide appearance and emphasise its sporting credentials.

Functional aesthetics: layering in the interior.
The interior of the BMW i8 Concept Spyder is defined by three levels showcasing its various functions. As with the car's body, the interlocking of surfaces and lines is also one of the stand-out features of the interior design. The outer layer frames the supporting structure, while the inner "comfort" layer comprises seat surfaces and stowage compartments. The cockpit fills the third "technical" layer, bringing together the instrument panel, steering column and steering wheel with the instrument cluster, central information display and control elements. The prominent driver focus of the cockpit and the low seating position, which adds further depth to the open-top two-seater's credibility, are particularly eye-catching. All the controls are in just the right position and, like the other functional components of the interior, designed to further enliven the driving experience. An 8.8-inch (22.4 cm) screen displays all the relevant driving information in three-dimensional, high-resolution quality.

The colour and materials concept also provides some stand-out touches. The Spyder's interior is defined by a mixture of plastic, carbon and leather, with the off-white of the outer layer and the bold orange tone of the naturally tanned leather generating a sporting atmosphere rich in contrast. The cockpit and centre console also show slight modifications over the Coupe. The overall effect of the interior is one of quality, purity and emotional appeal.

Plug-in hybrid: the perfect alliance of dynamic capability and efficiency.
Like the Coupe, the BMW i8 Concept Spyder with eDrive is a plug-in hybrid combining two different power sources and employing the specific advantages of its electric motor and combustion engine to optimum effect. The hybrid drivetrain's key components gel together with outstanding smoothness, allowing it to offer peerless dynamic capability and maximum efficiency. In other words, the open-top two-seater produces the performance of an out-and-out sports machine yet posts the fuel economy of a small car.

The 96 kW (131 hp) electric motor on the front axle works in tandem with a turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine sending 164 kW (223 hp) through the rear wheels. Both units are in-house BMW Group developments and generate an aggregate system output of 260 kW (354 hp) and peak torque of 550 Newton metres. That is enough to accelerate the BMW i8 Concept Spyder from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in five seconds on the way to an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). Despite this performance, the two-seater burns just three litres of petrol per 100 kilometres (equivalent to fuel economy of 94 mpg imp) in the European test cycle.

The electric motor sources its energy from a lithium-ion battery which can be fully charged from a domestic power socket in less than two hours. The high-output battery is located in the energy tunnel between the front and rear axle modules in order to keep the car's centre of gravity as low as possible - and therefore to maximise the car's dynamic performance. The space-saving and well-balanced packaging of this and other drive and chassis components gives the sporting two-seater ideal 50:50 weight distribution.

With its battery fully charged, the BMW i8 Concept Spyder can cover up to 30 kilometres (19 miles) on electric power alone. As such, far from filling in as a bit-part player, the electric motor plays a role equal to that of the petrol engine. If required, a high-voltage alternator hooked up to the combustion engine generates extra power, which is then stored in the hybrid battery. This range-extending function during the course of a journey allows the two-seater to travel further between charging stations.

Another special feature of the BMW i8 Concept Spyder is the ability to send power through the front, rear or all four wheels at the same time. Intelligent control electronics ensure that the optimum drive configuration is available for the situation at hand. The driver can view the driving mode currently engaged and monitor the activity of the two drive sources on the large information display in the cockpit. Furthermore, the electronic systems ensure maximum energy recuperation under braking or when coasting. All of which means that the driver can enjoy maximum dynamic performance, unbeatable directional stability and minimal consumption and emissions at all times.

Connectivity: the perfect link between mobile living environments.
BMW i sums up the idea of mobility geared to the demands of the future and the needs of its customers. To this end, BMW i drivers will have a new generation of driver assistance systems at their disposal which significantly enhance both safety and comfort. For example, the camera-based proactive Collision Warning system, Parking Assistant and Traffic Jam Assistant ensure all on board can enjoy a safe and relaxed journey.

In addition, BMW i is developing an array of innovative connectivity functions which provide a seamless link between its models and their owners' lives outside the car. Remote functions accessed via a smartphone help users to locate their car in large car parks (CarFinder), show nearby charging stations, allow the battery to be charged at pre-set times and inform drivers on the current status of their vehicle. Plus, the battery and interior can be brought up to peak operating temperature before the driver sets off on a journey. The Last Mile Navigation function, meanwhile, assists drivers after they have parked their car, with route instructions transferred directly onto their smartphone directing them along the last leg of their journey on foot - to a museum or restaurant, for example. And the Intermodal Route Planning function effectively integrates the car into the local public transport network and provides information on current parking availability at the driver's destination.

Interface design aids intelligent mobility.
Two large displays inside the BMW i8 Concept Spyder make up the interface between the car, its passengers and the outside world. Positioned alongside the instrument cluster behind the steering wheel, the central information display flags up all relevant information and assists the driver in the use of connectivity applications. A third display shows the automatic climate control settings currently engaged. All the screens display their information in 3D, and the cutting-edge, visually appealing graphics are also impressively clear.

Instrument cluster.
The instrument cluster displays important driving data using two variable-form ellipses. Positioned alongside the digital speedometer, the efficiency display allows drivers to view how much energy they are currently using - or recovering through the recuperation process. Added to which, the display also contains extra navigation details and information on the car's range when running purely on electric power, its range when powered by the combustion engine alone and its range using both power units in tandem. If the driver switches to energy-saving ECO PRO mode, the display turns blue in colour to signal the shift in functional emphasis, and the ellipses now also vary in form. By the same token, moving into SPORT mode treats the driver to an emotional orange hue. As well as the changes in colour, the displays also provide information tailored to the driving mode selected and to assisting the driver as effectively as possible.

Central information display.
The central information display in the BMW i8 Concept Spyder makes a key contribution to intelligent mobility. It allows the driver to view the current status of the hybrid system, provides a platform for menu navigation and route guidance, and uses innovative connectivity functions to offer drivers a gateway into their lives outside the car. This ensures drivers remain up to speed at all times on how the combustion engine and electric motor are being used, while also being able to monitor the energy flow within the system.

Forward-thinking analysis of the driving situation.
The car's power electronics are linked up to intelligent navigation and traffic guidance systems to enable the hybrid drive system to work at maximum efficiency. In this way, information on route profile, speed limits and unavoidable traffic congestion are incorporated into the calculations of the energy management system so that the hybrid system's operating strategy can be adapted accordingly. For example, proactive charging of the hybrid battery allows the BMW i8 Concept Spyder to negotiate a traffic tailback on the road ahead using electric power alone - and therefore without producing any emissions. In addition, handy displays such as fuel consumption history allow interesting reflections on past journeys and help to optimise the driving style of the individual at the wheel.

Perfectly prepared at all times thanks to diary synchronisation.
Intelligent connectivity functions open the door to a host of other practical solutions when it comes to preparing the BMW i8 Concept Spyder for its daily workload. One example of this is automatic diary synchronisation with the driver's smartphone. The system registers upcoming appointments and, when plugged into a power socket, ensures that the battery is topped up overnight so that the car is ready for action with a fully charged battery the following morning.

The BMW i concept.
BMW i is about the development of visionary vehicles and mobility services, inspiring design, and a new premium perception strongly guided by sustainability. Under the banner of the young sub-brand, the BMW Group is developing purpose-built vehicle concepts which redefine the understanding of personal mobility. Key elements include groundbreaking technologies, intelligent lightweight design and the innovative use of materials, all with the aim of creating vehicles with extremely low weight, the greatest possible range, generous interior space, poised and authoritative driving characteristics, and exceptional safety. The BMW i8 Concept Spyder follows in the tyre tracks of the BMW i3 Concept and BMW i8 Concept Coupe as the third concept car created under the BMW i sub-brand.

Sustainability plays a paramount role in the BMW i concept. It is an issue that runs like a thread throughout the value chain - all the way from purchasing, through development and production to sales and marketing. And when it comes to the efficient manufacturing of its vehicles, BMW i goes a step further still.

The Leipzig production plant will see an additional 70 per cent reduction in water use and 50 per cent drop in energy consumption per vehicle over the years ahead. And the energy that is used will be sourced 100 per cent from renewable sources.

Specifications: BMW i8 Concept Spyder
Length/Height/Width: L 4480 mm, H 1208 mm, W 1922 mm
Wheelbase: 2650 mm
No. of seats: 2
Kerb weight: 1630 kg
Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph) electr. governed
Acceleration: 0-100 km/h (62 mph) 5 s 80-120 km/h (50-75 mph) 4.0 s
System output TwinPower Turbo engine: 260 kW / 550 Nm 164 kW / 300 Nm
Fuel consumption (EU cycle): 3 l/100km / 94 mpg imp
eDrive
output electric motor: 96 kW
electric range: approx. 27-30 km (17 - 19 miles)
battery charge time: standard: 1.45 h for 100% charge approx.
Luggage compartment: 100 litres

Volkswagen has releases photos and details for the Cross Coupe concept, which will debut at the Tokyo Motor Show this week.

The Cross Coupe is smaller than a Tiguan at 171.1 inches in overall length, although VW says it stretches a bit longer than a standard Golf. However, its 103.5-inch wheelbase is long for the A segment, which combines with its wide track to give it an especially poised style.

The concept is a four-seater featuring bucket seats with integrated headrests. Adding versatility, both the back seats and front passenger seat can be folded flat to increase cargo capacity. While subcompact trunk space is only 13.4 cubic feet, cargo capacity increases to 43.4 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded.

The specific displacement of the engine wasn’t divulged in the release, but based on the power output of 148 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque, we’re lead to believe it’s the company’s 1.4-liter TSI gasoline turbo engine.

Toyota Motorsport GmbH will field a hybrid racer in the Le Mans 24 Hours and other 2012 FIA World Endurance Championship races.

The Japanese company will develop a brand-new, gasoline-electric hybrid racer that will compete in the top LMP1 class. The chassis will be built by Toyota Motorsport in its Cologne, Germany headquarters. The engine used will come from Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan.

The Japanese automaker expects its new attack on Le Mans give better results than their lasta attempt in the late 90′s, the GT One, which was fast but not fast enough to get a win.

In addition Toyota will compete with the new hybrid racer in other races next year in the FIA World Endurance Championship.





Press Release

TOYOTA TO RETURN TO LE MANS WITH HYBRID POWER SPORTS CAR

24-hour race included in proposed 2012 FIA World Endurance Championship programme

KEY POINTS

• Toyota to compete in the 2012 Le Mans 24 Hours with a new race car powered by a petrol hybrid powertrain
• Chassis to be built to LMP1 specifications by Toyota Motorsport in Germany, engine produced by Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan
• Toyota also plans to enter other races in the 2012 FIA World Endurance Championship
• Race car will be rolled out early in 2012 for extensive pre-season testing

Toyota will compete in the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2012 with a new hybrid power sports car. Its return to the world's most famous endurance race will be with a new LMP1 chassis designed, developed and produced by Toyota Motorsport in Germany, equipped with a hybrid petrol powertrain engineered by Toyota in Japan.

Participation at Le Mans will be one of a number of races Toyota proposes to enter in the 2012 FIA World Endurance Championship, a competition that will enable it to further explore the potential of its world-leading hybrid technology.

The new team will be based at Toyota Motorsport's Cologne headquarters and it is expected that the new car will be rolled out early in 2012 for an extensive pre-season testing programme. Further details about the team will be announced later.

Tadashi Yamashina, Toyota Motor Corporation Senior Managing Officer and Toyota Motorsport Chairman, said: "Toyota has entered Le Mans before, but by using our hybrid technology this time will be a completely new challenge. We want to write a new chapter in the history of the Le Mans 24 Hours, as in the FIA World Endurance Championship, through our use of hybrid technology.

"In addition, we aim to learn from the experience of competing in such a challenging motorsport environment to enhance our production car technology. Le Mans is a legendary race and I would like to thank the ACO and the FIA for their constructive and positive co-operation over the last few months.

Toyota Motosport's award-winning engineering services and all its current motorsport projects are unaffected by the announcement of the new racing programme and will continue as before. Toyota hopes the new enterprise will provide further impetus to Toyota Motorsport's successful business development.

Toyota last competed in the Le Mans 24 Hours as a manufacturer in the late 1990s racing the GT-One, a car which famously established a new race lap record in 1999.

The Chevrolet Volt will be sold in Europe, along side the Opel and the Vauxhall Ampera and there is a chance that both could be sold at the time in the same region.

Chevrolet says the Volt will cost €41,950, including Europe's hefty value added tax, when it goes on sale in Germany later this year, and will carry a similar price tag when it launches on the rest of the continent.

The Chevrolet Volt and Opel Ampera are basically the same car, differentiated by the unique design of the front and rear of the car. Both models are manufactured at the General Motors plant in Detroit, Hamtramck, Michigan and have the same specifications: an electric motor of 111kW (150hp) and 370nm of torque, 161km / h top speed from 40 to 80km electric range and up to 600km using gasoline.




Press Release

Chevrolet Volt to go on sale for €41,950

• Germany price announced at Geneva Motor Show press conference
• Standard eight-year/160,000 km warranty on battery and powertrain

Zurich. The award-winning electric car with extended-range capability, the Chevrolet Volt, will be offered for a price of €41,950 (including VAT) in Germany. This was announced in the Chevrolet press conference at the Geneva Motor Show 2011. The Volt will come fully equipped with all the safety features you would expect and a host of convenience features, including leather seats. Similar prices can be expected for other euro markets.

European Chevrolet customers will have the same unprecedented standard eight-year/160,000 km warranty as U.S. customers on the Voltec powertrain and the advanced lithium-ion battery. It is the automotive industry's longest, most comprehensive battery warranty for an electric vehicle.

"We believe Volt is the best solution on the planet today for worry-free electric driving", says Wayne Brannon, President and Managing Director of Chevrolet Europe. "Our price in Europe is based on the U.S. Volt price adjusted for transportation cost, import duties, exchange rates and homologation."

The Chevrolet Volt is designed and engineered to be the only car in the household. It is the world's first electric vehicle with extended-range capability, a four-seater that can drive between 40 and 80 km electrically with a small fuel-powered generator that sustains the battery charge to extend the range to about 600 km in total. Due to its instant torque of 368 Nm the Volt only needs nine seconds from 0-100 km/h and achieves a top speed of 161 km/h. To charge the battery all you need is a normal household 230-Volt power outlet. The charging will take between three to four hours.

Since late 2010, the Volt has been on sale in the first seven U.S. launch markets (California, Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Washington, DC). Thanks to the high demand, it was decided to speed up the national rollout so the Volt will be sold in the remaining U.S. states by the end of 2011. The Volt will reach European Chevrolet showrooms in November of 2011, just in time for Chevrolet's 100th birthday.

Chevrolet plans to produce 10,000 Volts by the end of the 2011 calendar year, and an additional 45,000 Volts during the 2012 calendar year. The Chevrolet Volt is produced at GM's Detroit Hamtramck plant in Michigan, U.S.A. The state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery is produced at GM's Brownstone Township plant, also located in Michigan.