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Intel and Nissan collaborate on Infiniti's 2013 infotainment system, Atom inside

Zachary Lutz — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 20:28:00 EST

Intel is notorious for marking its territory on a wide array of consumer gear, but one piece of kit that's unlikely to sport that famous sticker is the infotainment system of Nissan's 2013 Infiniti lineup. Unveiled today at the New York International Auto Show, the in-vehicle computer represents a collaboration between Intel and Nissan and was showcased within the Infiniti LE concept vehicle. On the inside lurks an Atom CPU, which bucks the general trend toward ARM architecture in these systems. Both companies put their collective heads together to create cloud-based services for smartphone users such as video surveillance, vehicle control and monitoring. As another nice refinement, users will also be able to use their phone's NFC capabilities for keyless entry to the carriage -- no word on whether it can similarly activate the ignition. You'll find the full PR after the break.

Continue reading Intel and Nissan collaborate on Infiniti's 2013 infotainment system, Atom inside

Intel and Nissan collaborate on Infiniti's 2013 infotainment system, Atom inside originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 20:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tata announces Megapixel hybrid EV, alas, it's just a concept

Daniel Cooper — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 17:21:00 EST

The Geneva Motor Show means one thing: fantastic cars will be dangled in front of our faces, before being snatched away and being told that it'll never see the light of day, as it's "only a concept." The latest vehicle we'd purchase if they'd let us is Tata's Megapixel, a four-seater compact hybrid EV that promises a range of 560 miles (900km) on a single tank of fuel. A hub motor sits atop each of the four wheels, driven by a petrol-electric engine under the cabin, with a wireless inductive charging panel for topping up the batteries at home. It's designed for the city: with a turning circle of 180 degrees in a 2.8 meter space and sliding doors for easy entry. Inside, there's a rear-projected dashboard with a joystick controller (that reminds us of BMWs iDrive) and a smartphone dock for connectivity. Head on past the break to see the vehicle in action and wonder if it'll ever reach the market, like we're doing.

Gallery: Tata Megapixel gallery

Continue reading Tata announces Megapixel hybrid EV, alas, it's just a concept

Tata announces Megapixel hybrid EV, alas, it's just a concept originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 17:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rinspeed gives Smart Fortwo ED two extra wheels, more junk in the trunk

Michael Gorman — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:02:00 EST

Rinspeed is a Swiss speed shop that is perhaps best known for making rather outlandish concept cars, from glorified golf carts to Bond-inspired amphibious autos. And now the company has unveiled its latest creation, the Dock+Go, a "backpack" for your Smart Fortwo ED. Essentially, Rinspeed has modified an existing Fortwo EV so that it can connect an extra axle to its derriere, providing extra trunk space, a hot box for pizza delivery or even extra speakers and infotainment options. Not only that, but the automotive add-on also packs extra oomph to give your mini EV additional range with a built-in fuel cell, battery or ICE.

The Fortwo that the Dock+Go mates with has itself gotten a bunch of show-worthy interior upgrades as well. It's got a 12.1-inch in-dash monitor, infotainment system from Harman with Aha radio and gesture control, plus an incredibly safe smartphone cradle built into the steering wheel to give the Smart's cockpit a second screen. Because it's a concept, you won't see the Dock+Go on the streets anytime soon, but you can see plenty more pictures of it at the source below. Oh, and should customer demand be sufficient, Rinspeed's in talks with manufacturers to make it happen. What say you, dear readers, does a Fortwo EV with a fatter caboose appeal to you?

Rinspeed gives Smart Fortwo ED two extra wheels, more junk in the trunk originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen E-Bugster Concept is an electric bug that wants to go fast

Dante Cesa — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:49:00 EST

The new new Beetle might have gotten more macho in its latest incarnation, but that didn't stop Volkswagen from upping the ante with the E-Bugster Concept. Don't let those serious looks fool you, as its wielding a comparatively anemic electric drivetrain donated from the upcoming Blue-e-emotion Golf. That's 114 horses tasked with hauling a 695 pound lithium-ion derrière, which in its hatchback donor took a languid 11 seconds to hit 60MPH. It's got respectable range though, as it'll roam for nearly 100 miles before requiring a 120, 240 or 400V tether -- with the latter replenishing 80 percent of its battery in a scant 30 minutes. That kind of onboard choice we like, but next time lets withhold the visual drama unless we really mean business. Okay?

Volkswagen E-Bugster Concept is an electric bug that wants to go fast originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi Electric's EMIRAI concept goes back to the future, refuses to fly (video)

Joseph Volpe — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 15:13:00 EST

The Jetsons were a lie, people. If you want a flying car, glue a parachute to a Matchbox racer. Automotive companies like Mitsubishi Electric have a distinctly different idea about our auto future, one where we'll all be driving in a 1980s-by-way-of-2011 Tron roadster with seatback-embedded (glasses-free) 3D TVs and a big 'ol curved rear projection display. At least, that's the vision put forth by the company's EMIRAI concept, shown off at this year's Tokyo Motor Show. The demo vehicle's biggest innovation, supposedly on deck for the next decade and beyond, is its biometrically-sensitive interface, which can adjust the position of your seat based on current heart rate and facial temperature. There's also a driver side touch panel configured to recognize handwriting (Japanese, for now) and dynamically-changing buttons, mounted on the W-shaped "steering wheel," that rise and fall in correlation to the dashboard's UI. It's neat stuff, no doubt, but we'll let you go ahead and get excited at your own risk. Because until production models hit showroom floors, it's all still very much promises, promises. Check out the video after the break for a brief peek at the wheels of tomorrow.

Continue reading Mitsubishi Electric's EMIRAI concept goes back to the future, refuses to fly (video)

Mitsubishi Electric's EMIRAI concept goes back to the future, refuses to fly (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 10 Dec 2011 15:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Fun-Vii concept car envisions instantly customizable interior and exterior

Richard Lai — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 23:39:00 EST

Look, the reality is that you can't drive your car into a Pay 'n' Spray every 15 minutes or so à la Grand Theft Auto, but what if you can simply change the vehicle's skin at the tap of a button? Toyota certainly likes the sound of that and has thus come up with the funky-looking Fun-Vii concept car. What's more, even the interior can be changed as well, and similarly it can be used as a display space for navigation or even racing simulation (assuming the latter's disabled while actually driving, of course). This is all good and well, but unlike many other concept exhibits we've seen, Toyota's mockup couldn't seat people -- we suspect the "car" only used a back projection from within, so we couldn't get to see what it'd feel like to play a Tron-like game inside the "car." Nevertheless, we look forward to day when this idea becomes a reality -- here's looking at you, flexible OLED! Video after the break.

Gallery: Toyota Fun-Vii eyes-on

Continue reading Toyota Fun-Vii concept car envisions instantly customizable interior and exterior

Toyota Fun-Vii concept car envisions instantly customizable interior and exterior originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 23:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Daihatsu FC ShowCase concept: who doesn't want a 60-inch TV in a van?

Richard Lai — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:55:00 EST

Here's a funny one from the Tokyo Motor Show. Daihatsu's squarish concept EV van, dubbed the FC ShowCase, is basically a spacious four-seater packing plenty of goodies: a giant wing door, some blue lights on the wheels, an LED panel on the left skirt, side-view cameras instead of mirrors, a funky touch panel steering wheel, a small heads-up display and a 60-inch TV. And no, this isn't a mod from Pimp My Ride. According to one of the designers, the idea here is that the FC ShowCase acts as a mobile theater, which can keep travellers entertained while camping or fishing. With the seats folded down (except for the driver's seat, of course) on top of the 35kW solid polymer fuel cell stack, this vehicle also makes a great delivery van apparently, but don't expect FedEx to turn up at your door with Daihatsu's dream ride any time soon. Or ever. Video after the break.

Gallery: Daihatsu FC ShowCase hands-on

Continue reading Daihatsu FC ShowCase concept: who doesn't want a 60-inch TV in a van?

Daihatsu FC ShowCase concept: who doesn't want a 60-inch TV in a van? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Daihatsu Pico concept commuter EV hands-on

Richard Lai — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:35:00 EST

Using LEDs to display messages on the back of a car? Looks like we have yet another contender with the same idea, except this time all four sides get an LED panel each. The idea behind Daihatsu's Pico concept EV is that it can interact with surrounding pedestrians and drivers using messages with matching colors. For instance, the LED belt can issue a red warning on the back if a car is following too closely; or when driving past pedestrians in close proximity (think rascal scooters but with front and back seats), the belt can turn green and indicate that the car's limited to a safe top speed of 3.7mph.

Other than that, the Pico's very much just a cute little EV with a driving range of up to 31 miles (with a full two-hour charge), plus a top speed of 31mph. We also dig the touchscreen console inside the car, but with just the two LED bars acting as doors, we sure hope it'll withstand a bit of rain. Video after the break.

Gallery: Daihatsu Pico hands-on

Continue reading Daihatsu Pico concept commuter EV hands-on

Daihatsu Pico concept commuter EV hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan Pivo 3 extreme agility concept EV hands-on

Richard Lai — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:21:00 EST

Nope, there's nothing wrong with those wheels. As you may recall, this is Nissan's Pivo 3, the company's latest concept EV that provides extreme agility using its four oddly pivoted, individually powered wheels. While we couldn't see this three-seater make sharp U-turns and do automatic parking at the Tokyo Motor Show, our very own Zach Honig managed to get his finger and trouser grease all over it.

Behind those pop-out doors one of the most interesting features we saw was the subtle side-view cameras with accompanying screens, thus reducing the car's width. Also, it turns out the lone steering wheel handles all four wheels, meaning the driver won't have to sacrifice too much brain power over multiple controls. That said, we can imagine that even the most experienced drivers may find this car to be a tough animal to tame initially -- the lady in Nissan's earlier demo looked like she had to steer dramatically around sharp corners. But keep the car going straight and it'll accelerate up to 120km/h (75mph), while on a single charge it can go up to 100km (62 miles). Video after the break.

Gallery: Nissan Pivo 3 extreme agility concept EV hands-on

Continue reading Nissan Pivo 3 extreme agility concept EV hands-on

Nissan Pivo 3 extreme agility concept EV hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Suzuki's Q-concept micro car tries to out-smart the Smart

James Trew — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 22:07:00 EST

Inner-city cars have been getting smaller and smaller, but Suzuki's Q-concept micro car takes extreme spot-hunting to the next level. Thanks to its tandem seating configuration, the Q-concept is slim -- somewhere between a car and a motorbike -- bestowing it tighter turning angles, ideal for snaking betwixt those SUVs at Walmart. Being a concept, there are all sorts of teasing technical touches we'd love to see, such as what looks like a smartphone dock in the steering wheel, video screens instead of rear-view mirrors and, of course, gull-wing doors. It might not have the cyborg-ish charms of Audi's Urban Concept, but mercifully it's got some decent curves, unlike its cousin the not-so-concept electric Every van.

Continue reading Suzuki's Q-concept micro car tries to out-smart the Smart

Suzuki's Q-concept micro car tries to out-smart the Smart originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 13 Nov 2011 22:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda's Small Sports EV concept proves electric can be svelte, comes to Tokyo Motor Show next month

Dante Cesa — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:44:00 EST

Honda fans, hope you're down for some last-minute tickets to Japan, as the automaker plans to release not one, but seven (!) stunning concepts at the upcoming Tokyo Motor show. Ranging from plug-in hybrids to electric motorcycles, we're most stoked about the Small Sports EV -- a dashing two-seat roadster that reminds us stylistically of BMW's i8. Details are light, but Honda promises that it'll be fun to drive, yet also achieve "excellent environmental performance." Alongside it is the plug-in hybrid AC-X, which looks like an LED-ridden redux of the lease-only FCX. And finally, there's the Micro Commuter concept, which despite looking the least production-ready of the three, gets kudos for having a dedicated spot to load the accompanying Motor Compo EV motorcycle. Not much else to report on all seven this far out, but that doesn't mean you can't ogle at photos of these three and their motorcycle brethren at the links below.

Continue reading Honda's Small Sports EV concept proves electric can be svelte, comes to Tokyo Motor Show next month

Honda's Small Sports EV concept proves electric can be svelte, comes to Tokyo Motor Show next month originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Edison2's Very Light Car is now very electric, too

Amar Toor — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 09:40:00 EST

When we caught a glimpse of Edison2's Very Light Car earlier this year, we were told to expect an electric version of the X-Prize winning featherweight in the near future. Well, here it is. Known as the eVLC, this "supremely aerodynamic" concept car is powered by a 10-kWh battery pack and, believe it or not, can comfortably seat four passengers. The plug-in has yet to go through the EPA's official round of mileage testing, but Edison2 claims that the eVLC is far more fuel efficient than the Nissan Leaf and believes it could even receive the highest MPGe rating ever awarded. There's still no word on when this little critter could hit the market, but you can check out Autoblog Green's gallery (at the source link below) for a more extensive tour of what Edison2 calls the "inevitable future of the automobile."

Edison2's Very Light Car is now very electric, too originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Evos cloud-connected concept car unveiled at Frankfurt

Tim Stevens — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 14:48:00 EST

The 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show doesn't kick off until tomorrow, but already Ford's unveiled the tasty hunk of conceptual automotive design it teased us with a few weeks back. It's called the Evos, it's loaded with technology and, while it doesn't look much like any of the current autos you'll find down at the local Blue Oval dealer, it's actually said to be the precursor of a new model that's coming in just four months time. Join us after the break for more details.

Gallery: Ford Evos concept

Continue reading Ford Evos cloud-connected concept car unveiled at Frankfurt

Ford Evos cloud-connected concept car unveiled at Frankfurt originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 14:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Engadget previews Ferrari's future hypercars at the World Design Contest (video)

Tim Stevens — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 13:15:00 EST

Ferrari's been one of the most respected car manufacturers in the world since the 1940s, but it hasn't exactly gotten there by being bleeding-edge. In the early '60s, when rear-engined cars were sweeping the charts in Formula One, Il Commendatore -- Enzo Ferrari -- refused to take one racing, famously saying "the horse doesn't push the cart along with its nose." It would take many humiliating defeats before his company would finally put that horse where it belongs. Being an early adopter, obviously, was not a priority. It's only in the past few years, with cars like the Enzo and 458 Italia, that Ferrari has truly embraced modern ideas of whizz-bang tech to make their cars genuinely faster -- not just easier to drive.

That's just the beginning. Automotive technology is finally starting to accelerate the way personal computing devices have for the past few decades. New means of propulsion are combining with ever-greater integrated systems and it's easy to see this as leading us toward a generation of cars faster and still more efficient than anything we've yet seen on the roads. Ferrari calls this four-wheeled singularity the "hypercar," and to get an idea of just what that car of the future might look like it invited 50 teams of designers from major universities around the world to compete. Join us as we look at some of the best creations.

Gallery: Ferrari World Design Contest

Continue reading Engadget previews Ferrari's future hypercars at the World Design Contest (video)

Engadget previews Ferrari's future hypercars at the World Design Contest (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi announces A2 electric concept car, uses lasers to ensure safety of future humans

Lydia Leavitt — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 22:02:00 EST

Lasers make everything better, including (but not limited to): microphones, kidneys and Audi's electric A2 concept. This newest flight of fancy uses a laser diode as the rear fog lamp, which projects a red triangle onto the road to let other drivers know you're there. The German car-maker has tricked out the rest of the EV's lighting system as well by implementing matrix beam technology using LEDs and microreflectors -- giving it high resolution, non-glaring beams and intelligent tail lights that change in intensity based on weather conditions. Claiming other state-of-the-art features like gesture controls instead of keys, and brake lights that glow brighter the harder you press, it sounds like this would be a pretty sweet ride -- if it ever makes it to market. No word on the other, insignificant details (ya know, like what actually powers the thing) but there's plenty more about the car's lighting system in the PR after the break.

Continue reading Audi announces A2 electric concept car, uses lasers to ensure safety of future humans

Audi announces A2 electric concept car, uses lasers to ensure safety of future humans originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 22:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford's Evos concept is the cloud-connected hybrid EV of our future (video)

Dante Cesa — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 18:09:00 EST

Not ready for the future? Too bad, it's here -- well, at least in concept form. Debuting soon at Frankfurt's international auto show is Ford's Evos, a cloud-connected hybrid EV that serves as a preview of the kinds of smart and hyper-connected vehicles Dearborn eventually wants to build. Details on what powers it are scant, but we do know it'll rock the gasoline-electric drivetrain from the upcoming C-Max Energi. And when you've exhausted the combined 500 mile range, you can top up that lithium-ion pack by plugging in or wirelessly through inductive charging.

With gratuitous access to data you've slung into the cloud, the Evos is deeply intertwined with your daily routine. It'll change your alarm clock if your morning meeting is canceled, continue music playback from other devices where you've left off and even suggest alternative routes based on your schedule and past driving history. Oh and it'll monitor your heart rate too. Don't believe us? Proof of that and more reside in the video after the break, which'll hopefully tide you over til September -- when we get to see if it lives up to the hype in person.

Continue reading Ford's Evos concept is the cloud-connected hybrid EV of our future (video)

Ford's Evos concept is the cloud-connected hybrid EV of our future (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 18:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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OutRun AR project lets you game and drive at the same time, makes us drool

Amar Toor — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 09:42:00 EST

Cool game, or coolest game ever? That's the question we were asking ourselves when we first came across Garnet Hertz's augmented reality-based OutRun project -- a concept car that weds Sega's classic driving game with an electric golf cart, allowing players to navigate their way around real-life courses using only arcade consoles. Hertz, an informatics researcher at the University of California Irvine, has since brought his idea to fruition, after outfitting the system with cameras and customized software that can "look" in front of the car to automatically reproduce the route on the game cabin's screen. The map is displayed in the same 8-bit rendering you'd see on the original OutRun, with perspectives changing proportionally to shifts in steering. The cart maxes out at only 13 mph, though speed isn't really the idea; Hertz and his colleagues hope their technology can be used to develop game-based therapies for disabled users, or to create similarly AR-based wheelchairs. Scoot past the break to see a video of the car in action, and let your dreams converge.

[Thanks, Stagueve]

Continue reading OutRun AR project lets you game and drive at the same time, makes us drool

OutRun AR project lets you game and drive at the same time, makes us drool originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 09:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW unveils new i3 and revamped i8 concepts, we await our automotive future (video)

Dante Cesa — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 14:42:00 EST

BMW's been teasing us with its vision for electric motoroing for years, and today, folks, the trend continues. The German automaker has unveiled two concepts from its upcoming i sub-brand: the city-dwelling i3 and a rehashed version of its i8. This is the first time we've officially seen the smaller of the two, as the car formerly known as the Megacity had only been spied in an official render and during routine testing at the arctic circle. It'll haul four peeps with its 150km range (around 100 miles) and accelerate from 0-60mph in around 8 seconds. As for those with range anxiety, the German company will soothe such fears with an optional range-extending motor dubbed "REx." Either variant could land in your garage in 2013, where you'll be able top them up in 6 hours with a standard socket, or up to eighty percent in an hour if you're rocking a spiffy high capacity charger.

The i8, which you'll recall for its radical aerodynamic design and hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain, has received a bevy of aerodynamic tweaks and junked its oil burner, opting for a gasoline one instead. Engine swap aside, the sporty coupé apparently drinks only 2.7 liters per 100km -- 87 mpg (!) for yanks -- which is unreal in a car that'll accelerate to 62mph in 4.6 seconds. Sound too good to be true? We'll have to wait until 2014 to see if München can make good on those promises, but in the meantime feel free to peruse the galleries, videos, and PR after the break.

Gallery: BMW i Family

Continue reading BMW unveils new i3 and revamped i8 concepts, we await our automotive future (video)

BMW unveils new i3 and revamped i8 concepts, we await our automotive future (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 Jul 2011 14:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar will actually build million-dollar C-X75 hybrid supercar in 2013

Vlad Savov — Fri, 06 May 2011 09:04:00 EST

You know how we said that 780bhp electric pipe dream Jaguar had last year wasn't going to be anything more than a concept? Well, we were wrong. Sort of. You see, the British automaker has just announced its intention to produce a limited run of 250 C-X75 supercars in partnership with Formula 1 team Williams, however the retail model will eschew the craziest aspect of the original design -- the twin turbine engines at the back. Those will be replaced with a four-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine, which will aid the four electric motors (one attached to each wheel). Don't worry, though, this tweak has actually made the C-X75 accelerate even faster, as it's now rated to go from 0 to 60mph in under three seconds. 2013 is when the earliest production of this road-faring beast is expected to commence, with prices starting at £700,000 ($1.15 million), and there's even a glimmer of hope that a version with the gas turbines will also be built at some point down the line. Crazy, just crazy. Check the C-X75 out on video after the break, where Jay Leno gives you a tour around its dramatic design.

Continue reading Jaguar will actually build million-dollar C-X75 hybrid supercar in 2013

Jaguar will actually build million-dollar C-X75 hybrid supercar in 2013 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 May 2011 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan Leaf Nismo RC swaps basic comforts for a carbon fiber body and some racing good looks

Vlad Savov — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 07:55:00 EST

Electric vehicles may have that instant torque thing going for them, but they're still a bit behind when it comes to giving heart palpitations to those diehard petrolheads. Hoping to change that perception, Nissan is setting up to unveil a brand new concept vehicle, dubbed the Leaf Nismo RC (that stands for Racing Competition, not "radio-controlled"), which strips the one-size-fits-all Leaf down to its constituent elements. The drivetrain is still 100 percent electric, however it's now powering the rear wheels instead of the front, while things like the rear seats, trunk, audio system, carpeting, and navigation have been completely removed. A carbon fiber chassis helps the Nismo RC keep weight down to 2,068 pounds (938kg), equivalent to just 60 percent of the original Leaf's heft. Yes, the Leaf is now lighter! In performance terms, you're looking at a car that can hit 62mph within 6.85 seconds, max out the speedometer at 93mph, and last a terrifying 20 minutes under racing conditions. This prototype vehicle will debut at the upcoming New York Auto Show and will thereafter help Nissan research better aerodynamics and, presumably, slightly better energy efficiency.

Continue reading Nissan Leaf Nismo RC swaps basic comforts for a carbon fiber body and some racing good looks

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Mercedes-Benz debuts tablet-packing A-Class concept

Christopher Trout — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 00:45:00 EST

As fond as we are of the A-Class, it's never been the best looking Benz in the bunch, but with the introduction of the new A-Class concept, it looks like that could soon change. One of the car's designers describes it variously as sexy, expressive, and beautifully formed, and while we wouldn't go quite that far, we have to say it's not too shabby. The car sports some interesting looking LED headlights and an inverted mesh grill on the outside, and on the inside it's packing a rather futuristic display, complete with a dash-mounted tablet and what looks to be an iPhone protruding from the center console. Now, there's no guarantee that this thing will get the E-Cell treatment, or that all the bells and whistles will make it to production, but for now, it's shaping up to be a rather stylish upgrade. For more Mercedes-Benz eye candy, check out the gallery below.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Concept

Mercedes-Benz debuts tablet-packing A-Class concept originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 10 Apr 2011 00:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia Naimo concept EV debuts: 93mph, 124-mile range, and suicide doors

Michael Gorman — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 09:54:00 EST

Kia's really been cranking out the cute little concepts lately, and they unveiled another one today at the Seoul Motor Show. Dubbed the Naimo, this four suicide-door EV is trimmed to the nines with tech, including an "air wiper" -- a powerful air jet at the base of the windshield -- instead of regular squeegees, mini cameras in the A-pillar instead of sideview mirrors, and a transparent OLED instrument panel. Get up and go is provided by an 80kW motor and a 27 kWh Lithium ion polymer battery pack, a combo that hustles you up to 93mph and gets you 124 miles on a charge thanks to some fancy low-drag alloy dubs -- though we're pretty sure it can't do both at the same time. We like the looks of this slick little four-seater, but time will tell if the Naimo ever actually hits the streets. Check the gallery below, and press release after the break.

Gallery: Kia Naimo at Seoul Auto Show 2011

Continue reading Kia Naimo concept EV debuts: 93mph, 124-mile range, and suicide doors

Kia Naimo concept EV debuts: 93mph, 124-mile range, and suicide doors originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 09:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rinspeed BamBoo electric concept is world's largest HTC Flyer dock

Thomas Ricker — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 06:28:00 EST

Talk about your cross promotions. The Rinderknecht-built Rinspeed BamBoo concept electric car looks to be the stuff of a gadget nerd's dreams. Unfortunately, that dream resembles a dystopian nightmare envisioned by a Neal Stephenson novel whereby everything we own is sponsored, trivial, and slathered in corporate logos. But hey, it's just a concept, and production vehicles never look like the original idea so anything goes... and we mean anything. To start with, the breadbox-inspired dash features a Siemens VDO display with a docking station in the glovebox for the new HTC Flyer tablet. The BamBoo dash is flanked by flowery JBL GreenEdge speakers and the starter key is styled after a Swiss army knife. And if we're not mistaken, there's a webcam extended off a stalk from the center of the dash. An interesting piece of work right on down to the cluster of old school throw switches for the wipers, lights, hazards, etc. But that's just the cockpit.

The radiator grill has been replaced by an internet-connected "identiface," developed by Daimler subsidiary MBtech, whereby the occupant can display any number of messages to onlookers from Facebook or Twitter, for example, or even the radio station preset you're currently jamming. The inflatable rear seats are removable as is the inflatable waterproof roof developed by Tecnotex that doubles as a beach blanket. The whole kit is powered by a 54 kW electric motor capable of a 120km/h top speed and battery capable of pushing the sporty golf cart some 105 kilometers before requiring a recharge from an RWE intelligent charging station. Look for it to make its big reveal at the Geneva Motor Show. Until then, head over to Autoblog to feast on their gallery of images with a few choice shots added below.

Gallery: Rinspeed Bamboo

[Thanks, Tim]

Continue reading Rinspeed BamBoo electric concept is world's largest HTC Flyer dock

Rinspeed BamBoo electric concept is world's largest HTC Flyer dock originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 06:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan unveils sexy ESFLOW concept EV sports car

Michael Gorman — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 04:40:00 EST

Concept cars always promise the car of tomorrow, but they only get us hot and bothered for fantastical design elements that rarely make it to production due to trivial concerns like "cost" and "the laws of physics." Undaunted by these limitations, Nissan has rolled out a new futuristic EV called ESFLOW -- with a roofline inspired by modern Z cars and an elongated bonnet reminiscent of the original 240Z -- to titillate our inner gearhead. Scheduled for a Geneva Motor Show debut in early March, the coupe is powered by ~~children's dreams and whimsy~~ dual electric motors driving the rear wheels and can take residents of imagination land from 0-100kph (0-62mph for us Yanks) in less than five seconds. If the ESFLOW is where Nissan's going with its EV designs -- the Leaf isn't exactly a looker -- we're all for it, but don't expect to see it on the road anytime soon as it's only a concept after all. Vid's after the break.

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Nissan unveils sexy ESFLOW concept EV sports car originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 04:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen's XL1 concept plug-in diesel hybrid has 260MPG fuel efficiency, questionable aesthetics

Vlad Savov — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 23:09:00 EST

Steaming down the autobahn could be about to get a whole lot more efficient. Volkswagen has carted out its newly updated Super Efficient Vehicle concept, now dubbed the XL1, which -- after a great deal of fuzzy math, we're sure -- is rated at a 313MPG fuel efficiency and produces only 24g of CO2 per kilometer traveled. There's an electric motor and a TDI diesel engine making all the buzzing and roaring noises inside, while the overall body design is focused on making the car as light and as aerodynamic as possible. Volkswagen has achieved a 795kg curb weight by using carbon fiber, magnesium, ceramics, and aluminum to shave down any excess portliness from the XL1, while wind-tunnel testing and optimizations have resulted in a rather exemplary 0.186 drag coefficient. It's rare to see such attributes on anything outside the supercar realm, but then there's a reason why this PHEV is still only a concept. FOF.

Update: Oh bother. Turns out Volkswagen's mileage claim is based on Imperial gallons, which are 1.2 times the size of the American stuff, meaning that the XL1 actually measures in at 260MPG when viewed through US glasses. Now do you see why the rest of the world has gone metric?

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Volkswagen's XL1 concept plug-in diesel hybrid has 260MPG fuel efficiency, questionable aesthetics originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 23:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen's London Taxi Concept: smaller, prettier, more electric than the real thing

Vlad Savov — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 03:56:00 EST

London would do well to dispense with the Concept label right now and just turn these into its next fleet of people carriers. Volkswagen has unveiled the latest in a series of World Taxis it's doing, prettying up London's admittedly iconic black cabs with a sheen of new paint, an all-electric drive, and an infusion of tablet-based infotainment. Based on the Up! city car, the London Taxi Concept has an estimated range of 186 miles and takes an hour to go from zero to an 80 percent charge. It also has a grayscale version of the Union Jack emblazoned on its roof, guess that's just how VW rolls. Sadly, we doubt anyone will be in a hurry to heed our sage advice and start using this concept any time soon, particularly since it doesn't pass London's taxi regulations at present, but it's a harbinger of a future we'd like to see become real.

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Volkswagen's London Taxi Concept: smaller, prettier, more electric than the real thing originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 03:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Peugeot shows off tablet-equipped HR1 concept vehicle

Donald Melanson — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:56:00 EST

Yes, not even an auto show can escape a bit of tablet news these days. This one comes courtesy of Peugeot, which is showing off its new HR1 concept vehicle at the Paris Motor Show, and which, as you can see above, comes complete with what appears to be an Archos tablet of some sort. Details on it are otherwise a bit light, but the tablet does apparently dock with the car and connect to the in-dash system, which itself boasts a heads-up display and a movement recognition system that'll let you scroll though options (and attract passers-by) with a wave of your hand. As for the vehicle itself, it's a hybrid that promises 81 miles per gallon, and boasts a whole host of other impressive features, not the least of which are some electric scissor doors that will let you get into tight parking spots. Unfortunately, Peugeot also says it doesn't currently have any plans to actually bring the vehicle to market. Hit up the links below for a closer look.

Peugeot shows off tablet-equipped HR1 concept vehicle originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar C-X75 is the 780bhp electric supercar we've all been waiting for, likely to keep us waiting (video)

Vlad Savov — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 20:01:00 EST

Ouch! It really stings to see the curvaceous spectacles that car designers can come up with, only to then find out the resulting electric speedsters are either far too expensive or nowhere near becoming a reality. Latest in this group of four-wheeled objects of desire is Jaguar's C-X75, which roars from 0 to 60mph in 3.4 seconds, cranks out 780bhp courtesy of a quartet of electric motors and a pair of micro gas turbines, and reaches a screaming 205mph at its absolute zenith. You can go for 68 miles just on electric juice or 560 if you let the gasworks recharge the Li-ion battery pack on the go. So it's gorgeous inside and out, it comes with swan doors, high-res LCD screens and an aluminum body, and it has less chance of being on sale than a dodo sandwich. Yep, it's an electric supercar alright. See the C-X75 on video after the break.

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Kia's 'Pop' electric car concept makes our inner urbanite swoon

Darren Murph — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 21:22:00 EST

Kia has largely steered clear of the electric car battlegrounds, focusing instead on smaller, lower-cost options that get good enough gas mileage as-is. It ain't a bad tactic, but considering that even Rolls Royce is purportedly mulling an EV, the automaker was bound to cave to the peer pressure soon or later. During the upcoming Paris Motor Show, Kia is expected to formally introduce the oddity you see above, which is (for now) only known as the "Pop concept." The battery-powered whip will emit no emissions whatsoever, measures in at just three meters long and somehow finds enough room for three humans within. Details beyond that are scant (read: nonexistent), but you can head on over to Autoblog Green if you need a few more images to chew on.

Kia's 'Pop' electric car concept makes our inner urbanite swoon originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 21:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Renault DeZir recharges while you stare, not while you wait

Darren Murph — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 00:49:00 EST

Oh, sure -- Shelby's practically nonexistent Aero EV can recharge in around 10 minutes, but if you're hoping to find a similarly quick vehicle that's even close to your price range, you've probably come up empty so far. Thankfully, Renault has a mind to change that with the new DeZir. Slated to take the stage at this year's Paris Motor Show, the lascivious concept rolls with a mid-mounted electric engine capable of screaming a solid 100 miles before petering out. The good news here, though, is that the outfit's Quick Drop technology enables the battery packs to regain 80 percent of their charge in just 20 minutes using a 400V three-phase current, though a standard household plug will require a good night's rest (read: eight hours) to rejuvenate it fully. 'Course, only time will tell if this beaut will ever hit the production line, but we'd go ahead and brace yourself for it to look far tamer should that green light ever get lit.

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Fake car makes room for a fake ASIMO to be your fake driving companion

Paul Miller — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 12:39:00 EST

You know, we're realists, and we know deep down that cars in the future are going to drive themselves just fine without a humanoid robot to grab the controls and peer out of specially crafted front compartments. Even if a humanoid was doing the steering, he'd probably just jack into the car's full complement of cameras and sensors, merely using his CPU to plot a course from his comfy charging bay in the trunk. But we want to believe. Designer Derek Chik Kin Ng has come up with this Honda concept (one which we're guessing has no official collaboration with Honda) that packs a nice little front seat for your 8th gene ASIMO. The bot can hop out of the car and help you on your errands, make casual conversation as you drive, warn you of upcoming hazards, or take over controls when you're in the mood for some SpaceChess2000. Only thing he can't do? Actually exist.

Fake car makes room for a fake ASIMO to be your fake driving companion originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 12:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PU_PA EV concept is cute, light, and deadly

Joseph L. Flatley — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 16:09:00 EST

Of all the wacky EV concepts we've seen lately, this is certainly one of them! PU_PA EV is a car developed by Teijin Ltd, a Japanese textile manufacturer that among other things recently teamed up with Mazda to produce Biofront bio-plastic. Meant to highlight the firm's materials and technologies, the vehicle weighs less than half a ton (437kg, to be exact) and will shuttle you around at speeds of roughly 40 MPH for up to 60 miles on a single charge. Sadly, this bad boy isn't street legal, for a number of good reasons: the windows (made from a heat-absorbing polycarbonate resin) have half the density of glass and are, in the words of one technician, "especially shatter-y" (OK, we made that word up). Additionally, the lights aren't too terribly bright, and the thing isn't equipped with airbags. Hopefully, the company will soon be called upon to supply materials for other, much less deadly vehicles at some point in the near future.

PU_PA EV concept is cute, light, and deadly originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 16:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM's two-seater EN-V concept makes 'urban mobility' hip again

Darren Murph — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:43:00 EST

We'll confess -- the Segway did a lot of damage to urban mobility as a whole, but General Motors (of all companies) might have just mended a wound we thought un-mendable. Unveiling today in Shanghai, the two-seater EN-V concept is a play on last year's altogether riveting (albeit forgotten) P.U.M.A., and yes, it seems as if some of those design cues have worked their way into this one as well. The Electric Networked-Vehicle was engineered to "alleviate concerns surrounding traffic congestion, parking availability, air quality and affordability for tomorrow's cities," and they're also fully capable of transforming this place we call Earth into a next-generation Epcot. A trio of designs made their debut -- Jiao (Pride), Miao (Magic) and Xiao (Laugh) -- and we're told that twin electric motors and "dynamic stabilization technology" allow 'em to turn on a dime and operate autonomously (!) using integrated GPS. The Li-ion batteries can be juiced from a conventional wall outlet, and the expected range is around 40 kilometers on a single charge. Best of all? There's built in wireless of some sort, enabling your fellow EN-V owner-friends to keep track of your late-night escapades if you so allow. We know -- you'd buy one of each if these were available today, but mum's the word on when (or if) they'll ever hit the production line; meanwhile, expect something called a "Malibu" to remain in the product pipeline for the better part of next decade.

Gallery: GM EN-V urban mobility concept vehicle

GM's two-seater EN-V concept makes 'urban mobility' hip again originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche 918 Spyder concept is the most beautiful hybrid we've ever seen

Vlad Savov — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:58:00 EST

Um, we're sure there's something sensible to be said about this Porsche concept, but we're not altogether capable of coherent expression at present. We want to own one of these so badly, we don't even care if it has an engine. And boy does the 918 Spyder have an engine. A 3.4-liter V8 petrol burner is combined with electric motors to put out 500bhp, while featuring the mind-altering acceleration to go from a standing start to 62mph in just 3.2 seconds. Topping out at 198mph and offering a very respectable 78mpg fuel economy, this is pretty much the stuff dreams are made, which is quite naturally why you shouldn't expect to see it in any purchasable form any time soon. If you do care to see more of it, however, you can do so at the Geneva Motor Show this year or just past the break, the choice is yours.

[Thanks, Zach]

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Porsche 918 Spyder concept is the most beautiful hybrid we've ever seen originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz F800 Style teases us with fuel cells, aggressive new look

Vlad Savov — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:55:00 EST

Mercedes has just announced its latest "research vehicle," the F800 Style, and as concepts are wont to do, it intersperses some extremely ambitious goals with plenty of viable and forthcoming improvements. The two powertrain options touted by the company represent this best. On the one hand, there's a perfectly reasonable PHEV setup that will generate north of 400bhp combined grunt and offer an 18-mile range when abstaining from gas power. On the other, there's an electric drive with fuel cells system that will get you a spectacular 375-mile cruising range -- if only it'd make it to real products, which seems highly unlikely right now. All the same, as the company's premium sedan concept, the F800 Style represents the direction of Mercedes' future designs, both in its external styling and in the internal focus on becoming friendlier to the environment. We can find little reason to object to either. Check out a couple more pics after the break, then hit Autoblog for more details.

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Mercedes-Benz F800 Style teases us with fuel cells, aggressive new look originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda's P-NUT concept is big on puns, short on realism

Paul Miller — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:09:00 EST

We get it, Honda, you got some of your crack acronymists on the job and hobbled together Personal-Neo Urban Transport (P-NUT) to vaguely describe this new concept car. But the car itself? It's interesting, we'll give it that. The primary idea seems to be the single seat in front for the driver, with two rear seats in the leg-room optimized "flanking" positions. There's also a modular rear engine bay for working with a regular internal combustion engine, hybrid setup or pure electric power, along with a heads up display in the front windshield. It seems fun, and we like all the legroom, but we won't start building any locomotion dreams upon the thin, salty shell of P-NUT just yet. Video is after the break.

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Three-wheeled eRinGo car concept: no thanks

Laura June — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:55:00 EST

It's hard to hold the designers of concept cars accountable -- so few ever come close to seeing the light of day, and they are, after all -- concepts. That said, the eRinGo car is one design we seriously hope never comes to fruition. A two-seater that's capable of converting back and forth between one and three-wheeled driving, depending on the curves of the road ahead, the eRinGo looks like a half-crushed can of Heineken. Not a good thing, in our opinion. That said, we like the two steering wheel concept -- wherein the passenger on either side can take over driving duties -- great if your friends are the agreeable sort willing to hand over the keys at any moment. There isn't much more meat as to how this dude would work, but that's what your imagination is for, right? There's one more shot of this bad, bad boy after the break.

Continue reading Three-wheeled eRinGo car concept: no thanks

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Three-wheeled eRinGo car concept: no thanks originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen L1 concept is crazy efficient, could ship in 2013

Darren Murph — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 05:33:00 EST

Look, it's a well-known fact that the world is ending in either 2012 or when the Large Hadron Collider starts back up (whichever comes first). But, assuming neither of those scenarios actually cause planet Earth to fold in on itself, you should have some pretty swank Volkswagens to choose from in 2013. Just days after hearing that the highly-anticipated E-Up! concept would be landing in around four years, VW is now proclaiming that the L1 concept you see above could also hit production at the same time. What's odd, however, is that the automaker is already calling this the "most fuel-efficient automobile in the world," but at 170MPG, you'd think the suits at Chevy would have a thing or two to say about it. At least in theory, the hybrid TDI vehicle can cruise 100 kilometers on just 1.38 liters of diesel, but we'll wait until the EPA gets a go before buying in completely.

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Volkswagen L1 concept is crazy efficient, could ship in 2013 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 05:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus LF-Ch concept wants to bring Prius hybrid utility to sporty hatchbacks

Vlad Savov — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:48:00 EST

Feast your eyeballs on this little beauty. Lexus, Toyota's luxury arm, has stopped teasing and gone fully official with the LF-Ch concept you see before you, which is being billed as a "BMW 1 series, but hybrid." All we know so far is that it'll run on some version of the Hybrid Synergy Drive found in the Prius, with the concordant ability to be run exclusively in EV mode. Well okay, we also know that it's damn gorgeous and heading toward production next year, but the all-important price point remains a mystery. Look for the prototype to make its first appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Show coming up later this month.

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Lexus LF-Ch concept wants to bring Prius hybrid utility to sporty hatchbacks originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW's Vision EfficientDynamics concept won't look a tenth this wild when it hits the streets

Paul Miller — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 00:57:00 EST

We hate concept cars. Year after year we see new concept cars more fantastical and amazing than the last, and year after year we see cars hit the market that have had all the magic ripped out of them by safety regulations and market realities. The newly unveiled Vision EfficientDynamics car from BMW is mainly here to show us BMW's new diesel-based plug-in hybrid drive system. But it's also here to annoy us. Video is after the break.

Continue reading BMW's Vision EfficientDynamics concept won't look a tenth this wild when it hits the streets

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