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The new 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid recently premiered at 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

It’s the first hybrid model with a 1.4-litre TSI turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 27hp electric motor and 7-speed DSG transmission. The new Jetta hybrid can be switched into pure electric mode at the simple push of just one button. The Jetta Hybrid produces 110kW (150hp) and 184 lb-ft (249Nm) of torque between 1400 rpm and 3500 rpm. The Jetta Hybrid will become available in North America in 2012.

According to Volkswagen, the new Jetta hybrid will be “competitively priced with other compact hybrids”. The Jetta Hybrid may be the first hybrid to use a 7-speed dual-clutch (DSG) transmission, but the way the clutch decouples the engine from the drivetrain when the car is using just the battery for power or coasting is similar to how the Porsche hybrids do it.

Photo Gallery: 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid

The wait is finally over. Lexus has revealed its new concept vehicle ahead of the official at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The 2+2 sport coupe concept is to be called LF-LC. The LF-LC will be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 10, 2012. In our first glance, the conceptual model looks similar to Toyota 86 (GT 86).

Anyway, conceived as an exercise to explore the future of Lexus design, the LF-LC was created at the company’s Calty design studio in Newport Beach, California.

Photo Gallery: Lexus LF-LC Sport Coupe Concept

Remember the Toyota Prius Puzzle Teaser that posted on end of last year? Now, the car is revealed in the 2011 Detroit Motor Show. The car is named as Toyota Prius V.

The Prius V is 5 inches longer and an inch wider than the on-going Prius with the same 1.8-liter four cylinder hybrid powerplant. Of course, the Prius V is not capable to match the original Prius for its fuel efficiency.

Prius v will combine Entune with a standard Display Audio system rich with dynamic entertainment and communication features. The system will include HD Radio with iTunes tagging for future purchase; XM radio, weather, sports, stocks and local fuel pricing; Bluetooth hands-free phone and wireless audio; and full iPod integration including music and video.

A new evolution in hybrid vehicles with excellent cargo space and Prius’ heritage of environmental performance and fuel economy, the 2012 Prius V will go on sale in 3^rd quarter of 2011.

2012 Toyota Prius V – Preliminary Specifications

Powertrain: 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with VVT-i engine
Engine: 98 hp @ 5,200 rpm / torque: 105 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
Electric motor: Permanent magnet synchronous motor Electric motor Power output: 80 hp/153 lb-ft torque Hybrid system
Combined net horsepower: 134 hp
Emission rating: SULEV/Tier 2 Bin 3
Drive System: Front-wheel-drive
Hybrid battery pack: Nickel-metal hydride
Estimated fuel economy: 42 mpg city/38 mpg hwy/ 40 mpg comb.

Dimensions (inches)
Overall Length: 181.7
Overall Width: 69.9
Overall Height: 62.0
Wheelbase: 109.4
Ground clearance: 5.7
Coefficient of Drag: 0.29

Wheels: 16-inch alloy wheels 17-inch alloy wheels (optional)
Tire Size: 16-inch: 205/60R16 17-inch: 215/50R17 (optional)
Seating Capacity: 5
EPA class rating: Midsize Station Wagon

Photo Gallery: 2012 Toyota Prius V

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Porsche has officially reveal it’s new company symbol – a race version Porsche 918 Spyder at the Detroit Auto Show.  The Porsche 918 RSR was the initial idea of the Porsche 918 project. The Porsche 918 Spyder concept was just a rendition from what they want to create the best sports car and racing car.

Fitted with the similar engine of the Porsche 911 GT3 R hybrid race car, the Porsche 918 RSR will punch out 767hp in total when it goes on track.In detail, there’s a 6.2-liter V8 engine under the hood that produces 563hp that revs up to 10,300 rpm and a two electric motors thundering 75 kilowatts on each of the front wheel. This also increases agility and improves steering response.

To make the braking energy of this hybrid beast, its braking returned energy is store in a flywheel accumulator which is fitted right beside the driver ( the passenger seat). This function as a extra power boost when activated by the driver. The boost can go up to 8 seconds in total.

The interior of the Porsche 918 RSR is trim with a classic brown leather, with a body hugging bucket seat.

The Porsche 918 RSR chasis is fully carbon fiber reinforce plastic to reduce the weight thus allows go car to go even faster.

Check out the short video from Porsche on the 918 RSR, listen to the awesome growling sound in the end of the video!

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There is no doubt that recent technology on automotive engine has much improved and efficient. Smaller engine can churn out more horsepower than before. E.g., Output of in-line 4 turbo-charged engine is close to a V6 engine.

Look very closely here, let me introduces you the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The new facelift model of C-Class has changes made under the hood and restyling works. This model will be preview at upcoming 2011 Detroit Auto Show.

A new aluminium hood, restyled bumper and headlamps, and LED daytime running lamps on the front of the car. The LED running lamps are similar to the new E-Class model. For the rear, the C-Class gets a new bumper and revised LED tail lights.

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class reportedly gets more than 2,000 new parts compared to the previous model, including the seven-speed automatic transmission 7G-Tronic Plus.

Moving towards the powerplant, a new twin-turbocharged direct injection 4-cylinder engine delivering 201hp and 229lb-ft of torque for C250. Other variants got some upgrades to direct injection and improve fuel efficiency.

Besides that, the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class gets Attention Assist, Blind Spot Assist, lane-keeping assistant and adaptive cruise control Distronic Plus. Optional telematics systems as well as other multimedia and convenience equipments are also available.

Photo Gallery: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

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