Infiniti Names its Geneva Motor Show Sports Car Concept "Emerg-E"

Infiniti has been trickling out information on the new sports car concept it plans to reveal at the 2012 Geneva Salon bit by bit these past couple of months. Today we learn that the electric sports car model will be called the "Emerge E".
"The INFINITI EMERG-E will be the first car from the brand to have not only a range-extender drivetrain offering vivid performance with zero emissions capability but also one mounted in a mid-ship package for optimal handling," the company said in a short statement.

Acura Releases Second Super Bowl Ad with Jerry Seinfeld Trying to get the NSX

With close to 7 million views on YouTube in just three days after it launched, Acura's first ever Super Bowl commercial titled "Transactions" with Jerry Seinfeld trying to be the first in line to take delivery on the upcoming NSX, is one of the most watched ads of this year's game.
Therefore, it only makes sense that Acura will bet heavily on the commercial to create more buzz around its name.
Following the extended version of the original ad, Acura has released a second commercial with Jerry Seinfeld, who once again attempts to convince the man who secured the first NSX to give him his place through bribery, which in this case involves a Munchkin.

SPIED: 2013 Land Rover Range Rover Spotted Testing, we get Our First Peek at the Interior

We have another round of spy shots of the all-new 2013 Land Rover Range Rover. While the exterior of the British firm's luxury SUV continues to wear plenty of camouflage, our scoopsters were able to snag the first photos of the Range Rover's interior.
If you pay close attention to the pictures, you'll notice several changes including the repositioned main air-vents that are mounted on the same level as the audio and navigation screen on the current model. Right below we find a massive screen for the infotainment system that takes plenty of real estate on the center stack.
The lower console is also new and seems to be positioned slightly higher than before.

2011 Honda Insight Hybrid Refined with Suspension Changes and Trim Enhancements

The new Insight hybrid has only been around with us for a little over a year, yet Honda's UK division has just announced that the five-door hatch received a series of improvements that include suspension changes to enhance ride and comfort, and upgrades to the interior trim levels.

In a press statement, the Japanese automaker said changes made to the Insight "are in direct response to the comments received from early customers and the media", adding that the initial focus was on the car's suspension to address "negative feedback on ride and comfort levels."

In order to improve ride, handling and stability, Honda's engineers went ahead and performed a series of upgrades to the Insight's suspension including, adjusting the recoil rate of the springs, altering the rear camber angles, changing the V-shape rear suspension brace and adjusting mounts.

First Fisker Karma to be Delivered to Leo Di Caprio, Company has More than 3,000 Orders

Fisker is finally starting deliveries of its Karma luxury plug-in hybrid sedan later this month �and the lucky person to get the first car will be none other than Hollywood star Leonardo di Caprio (....the spicy female model featured in the firm's print advert is not included with the car).
The company says it has already received 3,000 pre-orders with the waiting list reaching until early 2012. Other famous customers for the $100,000 hybrid sports sedan are former US Vice President Al Gore and former National Security Advisor and Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Union of Concerned Scientists Releases 2011 Hybrid Scorecard: Prius = Good, Touareg Hybrid = Bad

The Union of Concerned Scientist, a non-profit science advocacy group in the U.S., has released its second annual Hybrid Scorecard. The organisation criticised hybrid car manufacturers for not delivering on the technology�s promise, for placing performance above fuel efficiency and environmental benefit and burdening hybrids with features that put them out of the price range of average Americans.
A total of 34 hybrid vehicles from the 2011 to 2012 model year were tested for their fuel efficiency, environmental impact, value-for-money and their so-called �forced-feature premium�. The latter is features that don�t improve fuel efficiency but probably make the cars more appealing to money-conscious consumers.

Volvo to Extend Driving Range of its EVs by Going the Way of the Chevy Volt

Electric Vehicles, or EVs, are the future. Or so the automakers say. And they would be correct, if it wasn�t for a significant disadvantage over petrol or diesel powered models: their abysmal range which makes them suitable only for limited city use.
Volvo is taking measures to solve this problem and make its EVs attractive to the public by adding an extra 1,000 km (621 miles) to their range. The solution, which has also been adopted by other models such as the Chevrolet Volt and the Audi A1 E-Tron concept, is the addition of a �range extender� internal combustion engine.

CNN Says Toyota Prius Plug-in will Top Chevy Volt, 12 Months before the Former Goes On Sale

If you are a GM diehard or a Chevy Volt fanboy, I suggest you cover your ears and start humming loudly to yourselves. CNN Money recently featured an article from Fortune magazine�s Motorworld declaring the upcoming Toyota Prius Plug-in hybrid a better buy and a better car than Chevy�s range-extended electric vehicle. Shock, gasp, horror, blasphemy etc.
To quote Motorworld senior editor Alex Taylor III: �[The Prius Plug-in is] more efficient and less expensive than the Volt, and Toyota actually stands the possibility of making a profit on it -- something General Motors concedes it can't do with the Volt.�

New Peugeot 508 RXH with AWD Diesel-Electric Hybrid Drivetrain Takes on Audi�s A4 Allroad Quattro

Only a week after we brought you spy shots of Peugeot�s high-riding 508 SW, and the French carmaker released the first official photos of the production model that will carry the RXH moniker, ahead of its world premiere at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September of 2011.
The new nameplate isn�t the only thing that differentiates Peugeot�s new crossover from the rest of the brand�s Outdoor models as the 508 RXH comes with all-wheel drive, courtesy of the Hybrid4 diesel-electric hybrid drivetrain.

NHTSA Says EVs and Hybrids Must Warn Pedestrians With an Alert

Hybrid and electric cars are good for the environment because of they either emit extremely low or even no emissions at all. However, there seems to be a problem: they are also too quiet. And it�s not just a problem for car lovers who will miss the sound of the engine revving, but mostly for pedestrians who will not hear an oncoming, completely silent vehicle and face the risk of an accident.
Therefore, the US NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) has published a notice that, if implemented, will require by law all electric and hybrid vehicles to emit a noise that will warn pedestrians of their presence. This comes after a study in October 2009, which reported that a greater percentage of hybrids were involved in accidents with pedestrians than vehicles with normal combustion engines.

2012 Toyota Camry Revealed in Leaked Presentation Video?

Last week, we told you about Toyota�s national dealer meeting in Las Vegas where the company briefed its associates on the firm�s current and future plans which include the launch of the all-new 2012 Camry sedan.
It appears though that the Japanese company did a bit more than simply brief its dealers on its plans as a video allegedly showing the presentation of the new Camry has made its way on the internet.
While we can�t be 100 percent sure that what we�re seeing in this amateur footage is the new Camry but given that the color of one of the vehicles depicted in the clip as well as the background seem to match the official video showing Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) President Akio Toyoda standing next to the 2012MY mid-size sedan, we wouldn�t be surprised if it is the real thing.

All-New 2012 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid Coming this Fall

Toyota officially placed the arrival of the all-new 2012 Camry sedan and its hybrid sibling (2010/2011 Camry pictured above) in the U.S. market for this fall during the company�s annual national dealer meeting which took place on Wednesday in Las Vegas.
The Japanese company said that the next generation of its best-selling model will move away from the conservative designs of the past.
�Designed to meet the changing needs of the 21st Century driver, the new Camry will provide technologically advanced features, a contemporary design inside and out, improved performance and refined ride and handling,� Toyota said in a press statement.

Toyota and Lexus Hybrids Recalled Over Stalling Issues

A problem with the electronics of the hybrid system, which could cause certain Lexus RX 400h and Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUVs to lose power or stop running, is the reason behind the Japanese carmaker�s latest recall.
Toyota said about 45,500 Highlander Hybrid and 36,700 Lexus RX 400h vehicles from the 2006 and 2007 model years sold in the USA are affected by the voluntary recall.

Greenpeace wants to Turn VW Away from the Dark Side, Launches Spoof Star Wars Ads

The rebel alliance from�Greenpeace launched a coordinated attack against the Volkswagen Group this morning by airing spoofs of the German firm�s now famous mini Darth Vader commercial, taking over advertising hoardings to install their own banners on billboards located in London and unleashing �eco-storm troopers� to protest on London's Old Street.
Greenpeace went ahead with the attack to draw attention to its concerns over the German company�s ecological record.
The environmental activist group claims that the car giant is �spending millions of Euros every year funding lobby groups who are trying to stop Europe increasing its commitment to greenhouse gas reductions from 20% to 30% by 2020� and calls Volkswagen to turn away from the Dark Side.

Lexus Builds one-off Landaulet LS 600h for Monaco Royal Wedding [with Video]

Whatever your opinion of royal families, you can�t deny that they know a thing or two about spectacular weddings, as evidenced recently by the huge viewership of the Prince William-Kate Middleton tie-up.
Now, another European royal is about to tie the knot: on July 2, Prince Albert of Monaco will stand on the altar besides Carlene Wittstock and exchange vows for richer or poorer (just saying...), better or worse etc.
And Lexus is the one providing the newlyweds� transportation by building a one-off version of its top of the range LS 600h limo. This version, which has been engineered by Belgian coachbuilder Carat Duchatelet and took over 2,000 hours to complete, is a Landaulet.

Porsche Ready for 24h N�rburgring Race with 911 GT3 R Hybrid

One of the most important racing events of the year in Germany is the 24-hour race of N�rburgring, which will take place this weekend (25/26 June). Porsche will enter the endurance race with eight factory cars, most prominent of which is the updated version of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid that led the event for eight hours last year in its first outing.
For this year, the organizers have changed the rules, restricting the flat six�s output to 448 hp which is directed to the rear wheels. But the hybrid system that features two electric motors driving the front wheels adds another 200 hp.

Honda CR-Z Mugen Concept Prototype [Test video]

Honda CR-Z Mugen Concept Prototype
Honda the Japanese automaker has made a Prototype model of upcoming car i.e., Honda CR-Z Mugen Concept and decided to release the video of Prototype Supercharged hybride Honda CR-Z Mugen Concept car.

This Supercharged Hybrid Honda CR-Z Mugen Concept car is boosted with 1.5liters supercharged i-VTEC Petrol engine with an output of 122HP Horsepower, the supercharged model should flirt with the 200HP 181lb-ft.

Performance tests with a prototype car based mostly on a customary CR-Z and a mid-tune engine have given 0-60mph times around that of the Civic type R,’ says the blurb issued overnight feels like 0-60mph in around 6.6sec then.

Honda CR-Z Mugen Concept Prototype 01

Honda CR-Z Mugen Concept Prototype 02

Honda CR-Z Mugen Concept Prototype Cockpit