Last week, Porsche introduced its , featuring the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS). It will be formally unveiled at next month’s Geneva auto show, exactly 100 years after Ferdinand Porsche launched the world’s first hybrid car, the Lohner Porsche Semper Vivus. In May, it will race in the 24-hour Nürburgring, the track of which is widely thought to be the world’s toughest, most demanding racetrack.

Most hybrids rely on heavy lithium-ion batteries, but the KERS is a flywheel generator that captures and stores energy from braking, and replaces the passenger seat. As the driver brakes, the car’s front two motors act as generators, accelerating the flywheel. When the driver pushes a button on the steering wheel, the flywheel then acts as a generator converting mechanically stored kinetic energy into electrical energy, sending up to 120 kW to the front wheels for a 6 to 8 second burst of 160 hp. This will be useful as the driver is coming out of a turn, or trying to pass. It is expected to save fuel, lower the number of pit stops, and allow the car to be heavier.

Typical for 911s, a 480 HP 4.0 Liter flat six engine runs the rear wheels. This motor is known for lower mechanical vibrations.

Porsche will be using the same design that the Williams Formula 1 racing team uses, except as there is no passenger seat in the F1, the F1 KERS gets its energy from the rear drivetrain. In the past, Formula 1 found the technology controversial for several reasons. It adds 25 kg. (55 lbs.) of weight, raises the car’s center of gravity and reduces the ballast, making it difficult to evenly distribute the car’s weight.

Though there are no plans yet for a street-legal version of this car, this design is part of Porsche’s “Intelligent Performance” philosophy, which will drive all future car designs. The goal is more power, less fuel and lower CO2 emissions (which they have lowered by 1.7% annually for the last 15 years). This hybrid will act as a racing laboratory, and is intended to spearhead Porsche’s new design.

GM emerged from bankruptcy proceedings recently and is making new strategies for gaining new market. In the same line they planned to manufacture next generation of electric cars. GM has decided to manufacture Cadillac Converj an electric car in line with the technology used in Chevrolet Volt.

Cadillac Converj concept car was unveiled in 2009 North American International Auto Show and was able to garner very good supporters. Industry critics and general public both were happy with the concept.

The production date for the car is not set and it might be a few years before one could expect this car with the dealer. This car will only go into production floor after the launch 2010 Chevy Volt. That means it would be somewhere near to 2013 when one would be able to see this car on the roads.

Cadillac with a higher sticker price would help to offset high cost of the battery system. It will also help GM to include electric car technology into their fleet. They could enhance the technology and reduce its cost thus they could use same technology on their other car models with lower sticker price,

Until GM is able to provide a car that could provide value like 2010 Toyota Prius at the same price it is going to struggle in the market. The lost market share is very hard to achieve as the road ahead is going to be tough for GM.

The Ford Edge with HySeries Drive was the world’s first fuel cell plug-in hybrid. The Ford Edge HySeries combines a hydrogen fuel cell generator with lithium-ion batteries to give customers improved fuel economy.

In the first tests, the Ford Edge was able to obtain 41 miles per gallon in combined city/highway fuel economy with zero emissions. In fact, the only emission that the Edge concept produced is water. If individuals drive less than 50 miles each day, the average fuel economy increases to over 80 miles per gallon.

There are different types of hybrids available. The current production solutions combine gasoline internal combustions with electric motors. Other technologies, such has hydrogen fuel cells, are longer-term options that may allow for even greater fuel economy savings than the current gasoline engine/electric motor hybrids.

The HySeries Drive in the Ford Edge concept is 50% smaller, lighter, and lower in complexity than conventional fuel cell systems. It also offers more than double the life of the fuel cell stack. The vehicle has 250 horsepower and 340 lb-ft of torque. The vehicle’s top speed is 88 miles per hour.

The Edge concept is powered by a 336-volt lithium-ion battery pack at all times. The first 25 mile of each journey is completed on stored electricity. Then, the fuel cell begins to operate to keep the battery charged. The total range for the vehicle is 225 miles. The Edge is the first hydrogen vehicle to have a range that approaches a traditional combustion engine. The battery pack can also be charged by plugging in the on board charger into a standard home outlet.

Fuel cell vehicles are currently very expensive mainly because of the cost of the lithium-ion batteries. In addition, for hydrogen vehicles to become a viable alternative for customers the fuel cell reliability will have to be improved and the infrastructure to be able to supply hydrogen to customers will have to be implemented.

Ford claims that the Ford Edge with HySeries Drive will be available for 2015 for fleet use. However, if you want one now, their prototype concept vehicle cost approximately $1 million.

The Dodge Ram line of trucks has been around for a long time, a testament to its enduring and versatile design. However, with such longevity, you run the risk of getting lazy and resting on your laurels. The designers at Dodge understand this risk, that’s why they’ve introduced a number of innovative features into the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500. Pickup trucks have always come in a variety of styles designed to fit with the exact needs of the driver. The Ram 1500 is no different and comes in three different cab configurations, the 2-door Regular cab, the 4-door Quad cab which features two rear access doors, and the 4-door Crew cab which features four full sized doors. The Regular cab can fit three people while the Quad and Crew cabs can fit as many as six. Available lengths of the truck beds vary based on cab design.

Some Great New Luxuries in 2009 Dodge Ram 1500
When you think of a pickup truck, you don’t normally think of the word “luxury”. However, Dodge realizes that just because a pickup truck has to be tough, that doesn’t mean that it can’t provide the passengers with a few creature comforts as well. Some of the options available for the 2009 Ram 1500 are heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats (both highly desirable options if you ever have to do outside work in a place with a harsh winter), and a pair of “store in the floor” storage bins. These bins each feature a removable liner that can fit 10 beverage cans and ice.

Where’s The Power
Like the previous model year, the 2009 Ram 1500 will be available with three engine options, one V6 and two V8’s. The 3.7 liter V6 engine will only come on the Regular Cab and Quad Cab two-wheel-drive models. The 4.7 liter Magnum V8 engine will come standard on all four wheel drive and Crew Cab models. The Magnum engine is FlexFuel Capable, a technology that allows the engine to run on either unleaded gasoline or on E85 ethanol. The top of the line engine choice is an upgraded version of Dodge’s 5.7 liter V8 Hemi engine. What makes this newer version of the Hemi special is that is features Dodge’s Multi-Displacement System, which will automatically shut down four cylinders under lighter loads. This system is a brilliant step towards increasing the fuel efficiency of the Ram 1500, especially since pickup trucks have never been known for their exceptional fuel economy.

What’s In A Name?
Those familiar with the Ford brand and it’s subsidiaries know that in the past the company has simply taken a car and interchanged the brand insignias so as to seem diverse. Ask the average driver the difference between a mid-1990s Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable, aside from the Ford and Mercury insignias, and you’ll likely be met with a blank stare. Well, for the 2010 model year, the Taurus is bringing something new. First and foremost is a change in design aesthetic. The new Taurus takes it’s styling cues from it’s European cousin, the Ford Mondeo. This is by no means a bad thing as the Mondeo is a top seller in the European markets. The new Taurus is not simply a rehash of the Mondeo, however, as the Mondeo is built on a different platform and utilizes a different drive train. Expect the Taurus to have a range of power options, including Ford’s proven turbocharged four cylinder and an engine from Ford’s new “Eco-Boost” line. The Eco-Boost engines deliver impressive power with greater efficiency and, as they further evolve, they will probably become the standard engines on many Ford models. As it stands right now, a 2010 Taurus equipped with either the turbo four cylinder or an Eco-Boost V6 will likely garner a MPG rating of mid to high twenties for city and around thirty for highway. These numbers are not staggering when compared with compacts and hybrids, but considering that the Taurus features the roomiest cabin in it’s class, they are impressive.

Will It Work?
So, is the 2010 Ford Taurus going to turn around it’s predecessor’s sales figures? Time will tell, but the Taurus will certainly put up a fight. However, considering that the Toyota Avalon will see a redesign in the 2011 model year, along with the Dodge Charger and the Chrysler 300, competition will be stiff.

Lamborghini president Stephan Winkelmann confirmed today as reported by jalopnik that the rumors which were spread across net since last few months is in fact true. In 2 weeks the limited-edition sports car will be officially confirmed at the Frankfurt Auto Show. The rumored price for the car was not confirmed but it will be more then $1 million and if rumors are true then a whooping $1.5 million.

How many people could afford this expensive car which will fall between LP640 and a jet fighter? Well, not many but Lamborghini would get into limelight with the unveiling of this super car within 2 weeks at Frankfurt Auto Show.