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.

Peugeot's Geneva Motor Show Debuts Limited to 308 Facelift and Special Editions of RCZ and 3008 Hybrid4

Unless Peugeot is hiding a surprise in its pouch, the French carmaker's presence at the upcoming Geneva Salon will most likely go under the radar. Aside from the subtly facelifted 308 family which includes the hatchback models, an estate and the coupe-cabriolet, Peugeot's stand will also host the premiere of two limited edition models. The first is the RCZ Asphalt which is based on the most

BMW Confirms New "i" Sub-Brand, will Launch with i3 EV City Car and i8 Plug-in Hybrid Sports Coupe in 2013

It's been a long time in the making, but the BMW Group today confirmed its new sub-brand called "i", with which it will market a new lineup of eco-friendly vehicles including regular and plug-in hybrids, and pure electric models as well as an additional range of mobility services. The first models to be launched under the new sub-brand from 2013 are the BMW i3 and i8. The BMW i3 is an

Volvo Releases Photos and New Details on V60 Plug-in Diesel-Electric Hybrid

Last month, we told you about Volvo's plans to reveal an almost production-ready diesel-electric hybrid version of the V60 at the Geneva Salon in March. Today, the Swedish automaker released a full set of photos and additional information on its Plug-in Hybrid, which will be launched in the market in 2012. Pegged as the world's first diesel plug-in hybrid, the eco-friendly V60 is the result of

The Biggest Threat to the Chevy Volt are...Rats?!

.fullpost { display: inline; } Okay, readers: hands up if you like rats. No, not the cute white ones you see in science labs or can buy at pet shops. I’m talking about the sewer-dwelling, disease-carrying ones that invade your house to eat, poop and scare your misses. What if I told you those same feral rats are not only a danger to your home but also to your brand-spanking-new plug-in

New Panamera S Hybrid is The Most Fuel Efficient Porsche of All Time

.fullpost { display: inline; } Just as we suspected when Porsche first announced its plans to present a brand new hybrid model at the Geneva Salon, the German firm's 'surprise' is indeed the Panamera S Hybrid. According to the automaker, the new 380HP hybrid GT is the most economical Porsche of all time with a combined fuel economy of 6.8 lt/100km or 34.6 mpg US, and also boasts the lowest

Land Rover to Premiere Range E Diesel-Electric Plug-in Hybrid at Geneva Show

.fullpost { display: inline; } The new Land Rover Range_e diesel-electric plug-in prototype that was first teased back in May, 2010, will make its motor show debut at next month's Geneva Salon. The Range_e is said to be one of several working prototypes currently being developed at Land Rover's design and engineering centre in the UK. It is based on the Range Rover Sport model and features

Honda Publishes New Photos and Info on European-spec Jazz Hybrid and Face-lifted Jazz Models

.fullpost { display: inline; } Honda today released full details and some 80 or so photos on the European-spec Jazz Hybrid and face-lifted conventional Jazz models, which will soon go on sale across the continent. Previewed at the 2010 Paris Auto Show, the Jazz Hybrid is said to be the first B-segment car fitted with a petrol-electric powertrain and it does it without compromising the cabin

VIDEO: Porsche's 34.6 MPG 2012 Panamera S Hybrid on the Move

.fullpost { display: inline; } Porsche is out to prove that luxury sports saloons can offer exceptional fuel economy and low emissions without losing on performance with its new Panamera S Hybrid model, the first details of which were released earlier today. Shortly after the presentation Porsche also published a short video of the hybrid model in motion, which you can check out after the

VIDEO: Porsche's 34.6 MPG 2012 Panamera S Hybrid on the Move

Porsche is out to prove that luxury sports saloons can offer exceptional fuel economy and low emissions without losing on performance with its new Panamera S Hybrid model, the first details of which were released earlier today. Shortly after the presentation Porsche also published a short video of the hybrid model in motion, which you can check out after the jump. The newest member of the

Honda Publishes New Photos and Info on European-spec Jazz Hybrid and Face-lifted Jazz Models

Honda today released full details and some 80 or so photos on the European-spec Jazz Hybrid and face-lifted conventional Jazz models, which will soon go on sale across the continent. Previewed at the 2010 Paris Auto Show, the Jazz Hybrid is said to be the first B-segment car fitted with a petrol-electric powertrain and it does it without compromising the cabin space and luggage compartment. By

Honda Publishes New Photos and Info on European-spec Jazz Hybrid and Face-lifted Jazz Models

Honda today released full details and some 80 or so photos on the European-spec Jazz Hybrid and face-lifted conventional Jazz models, which will soon go on sale across the continent. Previewed at the 2010 Paris Auto Show, the Jazz Hybrid is said to be the first B-segment car fitted with a petrol-electric powertrain and it does it without compromising the cabin space and luggage compartment. By

Land Rover to Premiere Range E Diesel-Electric Plug-in Hybrid at Geneva Show

The new Land Rover Range_e diesel-electric plug-in prototype that was first teased back in May, 2010, will make its motor show debut at next month's Geneva Salon. The Range_e is said to be one of several working prototypes currently being developed at Land Rover's design and engineering centre in the UK. It is based on the Range Rover Sport model and features a 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged diesel

Land Rover to Premiere Range E Diesel-Electric Plug-in Hybrid at Geneva Show

The new Land Rover Range_e diesel-electric plug-in prototype that was first teased back in May, 2010, will make its motor show debut at next month's Geneva Salon. The Range_e is said to be one of several working prototypes currently being developed at Land Rover's design and engineering centre in the UK. It is based on the Range Rover Sport model and features a 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged diesel

New Panamera S Hybrid is The Most Fuel Efficient Porsche of All Time

Just as we suspected when Porsche first announced its plans to present a brand new hybrid model at the Geneva Salon, the German firm's 'surprise' is indeed the Panamera S Hybrid. According to the automaker, the new 380HP hybrid GT is the most economical Porsche of all time with a combined fuel economy of 6.8 lt/100km or 34.6 mpg US, and also boasts the lowest CO2 output of any large sports sedan

New Panamera S Hybrid is The Most Fuel Efficient Porsche of All Time

Just as we suspected when Porsche first announced its plans to present a brand new hybrid model at the Geneva Salon, the German firm's 'surprise' is indeed the Panamera S Hybrid. According to the automaker, the new 380HP hybrid GT is the most economical Porsche of all time with a combined fuel economy of 6.8 lt/100km or 34.6 mpg US, and also boasts the lowest CO2 output of any large sports sedan

The Biggest Threat to the Chevy Volt are...Rats?!

Okay, readers: hands up if you like rats. No, not the cute white ones you see in science labs or can buy at pet shops. I’m talking about the sewer-dwelling, disease-carrying ones that invade your house to eat, poop and scare your misses. What if I told you those same feral rats are not only a danger to your home but also to your brand-spanking-new plug-in hybrid extended range electric vehicle?

Opel Ampera EV Police Cruiser: Volt's European Cousin Getting Ready for Patrol

.fullpost { display: inline; } If there's one way to kick-start sales of specialty vehicles like the Chevrolet Volt and its European counterpart, the Opel Ampera, that's by enlisting the government as one of your clients. And with a starting price of €42,900 (about US$58,000 at the current exchange rates) in Europe, GM's Opel division will need all the help it can get to sell the Ampera.