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| The next generation Toyota Prius Posted: 02 Jul 2008 08:16 AM CDT  Everyone knows about the Toyota Prius, the hybrid car, but not everyone knows very much about it. Well, in short terms, if everyone would have a Prius then the world could cleaner, dryer, relaxed, more silenced, and many more. But imagine the next generation of Toyota Prius, with a larger engine, more efficient, faster, cleaner and greener. This car will have a big launch at the Detroit auto show in January 2009. Even America has fallen for this car and in a big way. There’s no doubt about that and through an extraordinary combination of style and engineering, this hybrid car remains the absolute gold standard for eco cars. The next generation will have a bigger impact and that’s because it will be a touch bigger and offering more space and it will be stronger with a 1.8 liter hybrid performance. January 2009 will mark the point at with Prius will change gear and moves up to the next level. Till now, this hybrid car was just one of its kind, just one model, but Toyota plans to spice up the action and will come with different Prius models as it closes it on its bid to be making over 1 million cars pers year till 2010.  | ||||
| Tax incentives for hybrids dropping Posted: 02 Jul 2008 07:57 AM CDT  After last fall the Prius and the Camry saw their $3,150 tax credits disappear, the Honda Civic hybrid’s tax credit was cut in half, starting Tuesday, July 1st, from $1,050 to $525. This happened after the original $2,100 tax credit was cut in half in January. According to the 2005 federal law that established the hybrid credit, the tax break begins to phase out after a manufacturer sells 60,000 qualifying vehicles. Because of heavy demand for the Prius, Toyota reached that benchmark early in the program, and tax breaks for its Toyota and Lexus brand hybrids were gone by October 2007. This tax credit cuts are not very popular, with a lot of people believing that the government should support hybrid sales, not increase the taxes. “We need to be reducing our dependence on oil, so why are we taking away something that will encourage people to do that?” asked Ailis Aaron Wolf, spokeswoman for the advocacy group 40mpg.org, which wants to raise mileage standards. So, what will happen next? Will hybrid sales drop? Honestly, with gas prices skyrocketing, I don’t think so, on the contrary.  | ||||
| Volkswagen to release Polo-based SUV Posted: 02 Jul 2008 07:49 AM CDT  This will give BMW and Opel a run for their money, both having announced the launches of the X1 and Corsa-based crossover, by being outfitted with VW’s 4Motion tehnology, designed for 4×4 models but it will not go into the premium market, VW not wanting to hurt Audi’s sales of their future model, the A1. According to Walter da Silva, chief designer of VW, the future models will not try to bring something really innovative, but every model will enjoy a certain dose of character. This model will almost certainly be powered by most of the TDI engines available, the 1,4 and 1,6 litre diesels, and for those who prefer regular petrol, the range of engines is consisted by the 1,4 TSI, the old 1,2 litre engine developing 70 bhp, and a brand new 1,2 litre TSI engine capable of delivering 105 bhp.  | ||||
| Range Rover gets new “Autobiography” trim level Posted: 02 Jul 2008 05:52 AM CDT  Land Rover announced that the Range Rover will get a new exclusivem trim level. Called “Autobiography”, the model features new 20-inch diamond-turned twin-seven-spoke alloy wheels, new colors, new exterior package with a supercharged grille, side vents, lights and upgraded leather upholstery for the interior. The Range Rover “Autobiography” will debut at the British Motor Show in Londin, later this month and after that will be available with prices starting at £72,995 for the TDV8 and £76,495 for the supercharged version. More photos after the jump.
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| The $2 million convertible Rolls Royce Phantom Posted: 01 Jul 2008 09:24 AM CDT  Some of us might say that the Rolls Royce Drophead Coupe, priced at $600,000 is already an exclusive convertible. But apparently a rich collector doesn’t agree with that, because he asked Pininfarina, the famous Italian coachbuilder, to create an unique version of the Phantom. The car, which will be named Hyperion (a Titan from the Greek mythology) and, as you can see from the teaser image, will be a really unique car. Pininfarina will create a complete new body for the car, inspired by pre-war Rolls-Royce models with an aerodynamic shape featuring a swept-back windscreen and sculpted flanks and a bespoke cabin. The interior will probably be redesigned as well, but we’re really curious how will Pininfarina beat the already exclusive interior on the production Drophead. Nothing official so far, but AutoExpress estimates that the project will cost around £1 million (1.4 million Euros or $2 million).
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| Bugatti Veyron Sang Noir update Posted: 01 Jul 2008 09:01 AM CDT  Remember the Bugatti Veyron Sang Noir? It’s the third Veyron special edition, after the Pur Sang and the Fbg by Hermes. According to recent rumors, a lot of potential American customers were unhappy with not being able to buy a Pur Sang, because the car was first shown to a few European customers, which ordered all the 5 units made. But things changed now, because the Snag Noir, available in 15 units, will first be brought to the United States and then to the rest of the world, so the American customers get the chance to buy one of these.
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