Honda Launches Insight and Civic Sedan Hybrid Taxis in Europe

Most, if not all taxis on the other side of the pond run on diesel or LPG, but Honda believes it might be able to convince some European cabbies to try out its Insight and Civic mild-hybrid models. Both cars come in appropriate exterior colors and are equipped with pre-installed roof brackets and a mounting for the taxi-meter on the dashboard as well as some other special equipment such as heavy duty floor mats.

In the European driving cycle, the Insight achieves a combined fuel rating of 4.4 lt/100km (53.5 mpg US) while the Civic Hybrid, 4.9 lt /100km (48 mpg US).

Prices in Germany start from €15,990 for the Insight and from €17,990 for the Civic Hybrid (about US$22,000 and $24,700 at today's exchange rates) with Honda offering upon request, a warranty extension to 3 years or 300,000km, whichever comes first.

Peugeot Previews New 508 Sedan with Geneva Show Concept, Said to Replace Both the 407 and 607

The awkwardly named "5 by Peugeot" is a near-production concept car from Peugeot that will have its world premiere at the 2010 Geneva Salon in the beginning of March. It previews the French firm's all-new 508 sedan that could be revealed as early as this fall at the Paris Motor Show.

The automaker describes the 508 concept car as "another indication of the changing face of Peugeot" and as "providing an insight into the marque's future ambitions in the large luxury vehicle segment."

From what we understand, the production 508 will replace both the VW Passat-fighting 407 and the unsuccessful Audi A6-sized 607 sedan. This is also suggested by the concept model's exterior dimensions which at 4,860mm long, is 42mm shorter than the 607 but 168mm longer than the 407 sedan.

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New Toyota Auris HSD with Prius Hybrid Drivetrain Revealed in Production Guise

Along with the redesigned RAV-4 SUV and the revamped Auris, Toyota's presentation at next month's Geneva Salon will also included the world premiere of the showroom-ready, full hybrid Auris HSD that was first teased through a concept model at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show.

Programmed to be added to the European Auris line-up in July, the HSD will be Toyota's first hybrid model to be built in Europe at the firm's Burnaston factory in the UK.

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VIDEO: New Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid with Williams-Developed Energy Storage System

If you're wondering why we (or anybody else, for that matter) didn't note that the energy storage system used on Porsche's new 911 GT3 Hybrid racer was developed by Williams in our original post, that's because the Germans 'conveniently' forgot to mention it in their official press release...

Thankfully, Williams issued a separate release informing us about their collaboration with Porsche while the company also noted that the energy storage system was originally developed for use in Formula One by the AT&T Williams team (the KERS system), but now it is focusing on applying the technology in road vehicles through its Williams Hybrid Power subsidiary.

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2011 VW Touareg: Photo Gallery from VW's Late Night Show-Style Presentation

Volkswagen celebrated the world premiere of its new Touareg SUV with a special event in Munich, Germany this week. More than 600 guests and celebrities hailing from radio and television, industry and politics enjoyed a 'Late Night Show' themed presentation that led up to the official reveal of the firm's new SUV model that will have its first public outing at next month's Geneva Salon.

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Lexus CT 200h to Have its World Premiere in Geneva - First Teaser Photo of Hybrid Premium Hatchback

Only six months after the presentation of the LF-Ch concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show last September, Lexus has announced that it will unveil the production version of the car that bears the name CT 200h at the Geneva Salon in the beginning of March.

Billed as the first full hybrid vehicle in the premium compact segment, the five-door model is designed to go against the Audi A3 and the BMW 1-Series hatchbacks with Lexus claiming that it will offer "new levels of refinement and attention to detail, without compromising style or driving pleasure".

Details remain scarce, as the only piece of information we have up until now is that the CT 200h will equipped with second-generation Lexus Hybrid Drive technology and that it can be driven exclusively in all-electric mode.

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Global Recall for 2010 Toyota Prius and Lexus HS250h Over Software Glitch in the Braking System

First of all, let us tell you that the above picture isn't a Carscoop chop, but an official advert for the Lexus HS 250h that's shown here in the U.S. and is supposed to highlight the use of sustainable materials on the car. And now that we've got that out of the way, let's concentrate on Toyota's latest recall.

Following the NHTSA's investigation on owner complaints of momentary loss of braking on the third-generation Prius, Toyota decided to issue a voluntary safety recall on approximately 400,000 vehicles worldwide to update software in the anti-lock brake system (ABS).

Aside from the 2010 Prius, the recall also affects the 2010 Lexus HS 250h and its JDM only sibling, the new Toyota Sai hybrid sedan, as all three models use the same components for the ABS system.

Toyota said that the recall is being taken in response to reports of inconsistent brake feel during slow and steady braking on bumpy or slick road surfaces when the anti-lock braking system (ABS) is actuated.

The company added that the affected cars are safe to drive because pressing hard on the brake pedal when the ABS is activated will stop the vehicle.

Toyota has been criticized by the media and consumers for taking its time to issue this recall as the automaker had introduce a running production change on the new Prius built from January 2010.

The Japanese automaker said that it will begin mailing letters to Prius owners included in this recall next week and HS 250h owners within the next few weeks, to inform them when to bring their vehicles into a dealership.

According to the company, the software update will take approximately 40 minutes using standard test equipment in use at all authorized Toyota service centers.

The latest safety campaign for Toyota comes after a string of other recalls, mainly about the faulty accelerator pedals / killer mats, that concern 8.1 million vehicles worldwide since October of 2009.

European Honda CR-Z to Debut in Geneva: Gets 2+2 Seat Layout and LEDs, Averages 5.0 lt/100km or 47mpg

The European market Honda CR-Z hybrid coupe will have its premiere at next month's Geneva International Motor Show. Unlike the strictly two-seater North American-spec CR-Z that was unveiled at the Detroit Show in January, the European version features a 2+2 seating layout - though we gather that the two rear seats will be suitable only for children or extremely small adults at best.

The only other difference concerns the standard daytime running lights (DTRLs) with eight LEDs that bring out the lower line of the headlights and are exclusive to the European model.

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New Teaser Picture of Kia Ray Plug-in Hybrid Concept

Kia has published a second teaser shot of its latest concept car called Ray which will make its global debut at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show next week. The Ray was styled in the U.S. by the Kia Design Centre America with the company claiming that it will demonstrate the design direction that would be applied in the packaging of a plug-in hybrid vehicle.

The first teaser sketch also reveals that the Ray will be a four-door saloon with a swoopy roofline, but that's about all we have on the concept study for now.

Facelifted 2010 Toyota Auris: All The Details, Full-Hybrid Version Announced for July

While Toyota's European press department gave us only a pair of photos and no details whatsoever on the revised 2010 Auris pointing towards the Geneva Show for more information, the Japanese firm's UK arm announced the launch of facelifted model releasing pricing as well specifications.

Furthermore, Toyota revealed that the sales of the British-built full hybrid Auris HSD that shares its gasoline-electric drivetrain with the Prius Hybrid will commence in July. We expect to see the production version of the Auris HSD making its world premiere at the Geneva Show in March.

Toyota wants us to believe that Auris has been fully restyled on the outside, but fact is, we doubt that your average buyer will even notice the changes.

These include a new deep front bumper, reshaped headlamps, revised grille and bonnet profile with stronger crease lines plus newly styled 16- and 17-inch alloy wheels.

The revised tail lamp clusters, the new rear bumper with extended corner sections and the integrated turn indicators on the door mirrors complete the exterior makeover.

Inside, Toyota said (but did not show) that a soft-touch material has been introduced across the top of the instrument binnacle and around the glovebox, while the centre console has been revised with changes to the instrument design.

The new white illumination for the Optitron instrument dials and the new cloth upholstery designs round off the interior updates.

Toyota added that the it has also fine-tuned the Auris' suspension and steering systems to improve driver feedback and handling.

With the exception of the Auris HSD (Hybrid Synergy Drive) that will go on sale in July, the are no changes to the rest of the engine range that comprises a 1.33-litre petrol engine with Toyota Stop & Start technology, a 1.6 Valvematic petrol with manual or MultiMode transmission and 1.4 D-4D diesel, again with manual gearbox or Multimode.

In the UK, the revised Auris in three- and five-door body styles is on sale now with prices ranging from £14,463 to £16,495 - see detailed pricing in the list above.

2010 TOYOTA AURIS FACELIFT

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TOYOTA AURIS HSD HYBRID CONCEPT STUDY

Kia Ray Hybrid Sport Sedan Concept Teaser Leaked, Will Debut in Chicago

A teaser shot of what is said to be the Kia Ray concept car has made its way onto the interwebs. According to the folks over at Insideline that broke the story, the sporty-shaped sedan was penned at Kia's American design studio and it's supposed to hint at a possible design direction for a plug-in hybrid vehicle.

Unless Kia decides to share some info with us, we'll have to wait for the 2010 Chicago Auto Show that runs for the public from February 12 to 21 to find out more about the company's latest concept model.

Via: Insideline

2010 Toyota Auris Facelift gets Subtle Makeover and New Hybrid Version with Prius Drivetrain

When Toyota introduced the successor to the hatchback versions of the Corolla (the sedan variant kept the name) in Europe in 2006, the company's bosses decided to baptize the new car "Auris", not only due to its supposedly fresh and contemporary styling, but also because the name "Corolla" had become more synonymous with dull than with quality in the Old Continent.

Fast forward to 2010, and the Auris has yet to shake off its predecessor's bland-mobile reputation...

And while the subtle cosmetic makeover for the 2010 model year won't make the standard Auris any more interesting than before, the addition of a full hybrid version to the range is something that could very well capture the interest of European buyers.

Toyota's Spartan press release did not get into any details whatsoever, but the two official photos reveal that the 2010 Auris hatchback benefits from the same cosmetic changes as the JDM model that was introduced last October and almost the same styling upgrades as the Auris HSD Hybrid study that was presented at the 2009 Frankfurt Show.

On the outside, the 2010 model year Auris features a revised grille, reshaped front and rear bumpers, new headlamps, tail lights and alloy wheels plus a different bonnet design and new exterior mirrors with integrated turning signals.

We assume that the production Auris HSD (which stands for Hybrid Synergy Drive) will keep if not all, most of the exterior styling cues and aerodynamic tweaks such as the underbody panels of the concept study.

The Auris HSD's petrol-electric hyrbid drivetrain will be largely shared with the Prius meaning that the five-door hatchback can run on battery power alone in zero-emissions mode.

Full details and photos of both the standard and hybrid versions of the Auris are expected to be released closer to their official debut at the Geneva Salon in early March.

2010 TOYOTA AURIS FACELIFT

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TOYOTA AURIS HSD HYBRID CONCEPT STUDY