Italdesign's next big Hollywood hybrid

Cool enough for Hollywood

Italdesign Giugiaro is slowly teasing out a new hybrid concept that it will debut at the Geneva auto show. It has a certain wow factor, I guess. But, when I saw the picture yesterday, I though it seemed ridiculous, really.

0 - 62 in 4 seconds and a top speed of 186. Yet, this screaming fast hybrid vehicle concept still achieves 117 mpg thanks to its Wankel rotary gasoline engine and a few other tricks.

Looks damn cool, if you can afford a $100,000.

Of course, this concept will never be built. Nonetheless, wouldn't this be a great toy for one of Hollywood's next big block busters? Can't you just see Leo driving down Rodeo in some sexy LA movie with a hidden green message?

Hybrid notes from the Geneva Auto Show

Will this be the first Saab hybrid?

Without doubt the hottest hybrid news coming out of Geneva has been the Hybrid X concept. Unfortunately, much of the rest of Geneva's hybrid news isn't really new.

For example, Saab announced a future hybrid vehicle, though its plans are still sketchy. At NAIAS, Saab displayed the Biopower 9-3 flex-fuel hybrid, so the possibility of a Saab hybrid isn't really news. In addition, Mercedes reconfirmed plans to offer its first hybrid in 2009, but it did not clarify which model will be a hybrid nor whether the hybrid would be a full hybrid or a mild hybrid.

There was; however, one other interesting piece of news regarding hybrid cars coming out of Geneva: TATA, the Indian automaker, is seeking a hybrid partnership. Considering that India will drive much of the automotive market in the future, this is very interesting news.

Hybrid X: Is this the third generation Prius?

Wow!

According to Erin Riches of Straightline, the Toyota press conference at the Geneva Auto Show was packed, as the hype around the Hybrid X had boiled into a froth.

So, is the Hybrid X the third generation Prius? If so, and if this vehicle can hit the streets sometime in 2008, Toyota is going to become an almost unstoppable force in the automotive world. Imagine this hybrid with lithium-ion batteries, significantly increasing both the performance and the fuel efficiency of the third-generation Prius compared to the current Prius.

This hybrid says one thing: future.

Toyota might be the king of hybrid cars right now, but this vehicle could be the beginning of a new hybrid vehicle empire for Toyota.

Read more of Erin's report.

Honda'a small hybrid more concept than reality?

Unfortunately, Honda's new small hybrid is more concept than reality

Sure, Honda's new small hybrid sports car is cool looking, but it doesn't seem anywhere near reality. Honda, it seems, continues to believe there is little value in hybrid cars.

Disappointing....

Lutz confirms Volt plans in Geneva

GM's Bob Lutz again confirmed the plans for the Chevy Volt at the Geneva Auto Show - the same plans Mr. Lutz has confirmed in several recent interviews. Basically, GM is shooting for a 2010 Volt, the Volt design will become more conventional, and batteries are the key. Unfortunately, no new info. Read the Reuters story.

Hybrid developments at the Geneva Auto Show

Hybrid rumors and more

The Geneva Auto Show opens March 8th to the general public, but media days begin on the 6th and there are already some interesting hybrid developments. The biggest hybrid premiere at the Geneva Auto Show is the Honda Hybrid Sport Concept, at least according to publicly announced premieres. This new hybrid car from Honda will be a compact hybrid sports car, but few other details have been released. Also, there are rumors that the Kia Rio hybrid will also be displayed at the Geneva Auto Show. Additionally, according to AutoWeek, "Toyota will introduce a hybrid concept, the Hybrid X. The concept previews a new design language for hybrids while also acting as a technology showcase."

The Toyota hybrid concept sounds an awful lot like the FT-HS hybrid concept. Has the name changed? Is there an even newer, more interesting hybrid development coming from Toyota?

While I'm excited about Honda's hybrid reveal, it is Toyota's hybrid which is most intriguing. Is the king of hybrid cars prepared to up the hybrid ante? We'll find out soon.