Amazingly, the S-Class plug-in will reportedly be capable of speeds of up to 68 miles per hour in all electric mode.  However, drivers will be limited to a 20 mile radius in all electric mode.  If your commute only requires you to travel less than 20 miles to and from then it's possible to get infinite miles per gallon, provided you remember to plug the damn thing in at night.

Which brings me to my next point, the Mercedes plug-in hybrid is already being plagued by a low density battery, which translates into looonnnggg charge times.  Who would want to buy a hybrid that takes 2 days to charge?  One of a handful of hurdles keeping the S-Class in development and not being rolled out the manufacturers door.

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Mercedes S-Class Hybrid

The Green advertisement will focus on the all new S400 Hybrid.  Hoping to attract familiar viewers, the ad will be voiced by Jon Hamm, a Golden Globe winner from the TV series Mad Men.  It's called the 'Tree of Innovation' and it's designed to instill a sense of guilt in fat wallet consumers.

On a positive note, it does highlight the fact that Mercedes has been committed to testing and developing energy efficient vehicles.  You don't have to look far till you see the advancements they've made in clean diesel technology and now uber efficient hybrids.  "Engineering for a greener future", is the hook, which most consumer will bite.

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Mean Green Machine, Mercedes Environmental Campaign

Combined, the 2.0 liter motor and electric motor provide over 240 horsepower.  Impressive numbers, especially when you consider that the A8 will be available in v6 versions with similar horsepower and no hybrid power train.

Don't go rushing to your Audi dealers just yet, the Audi A8 should not be available until sometime in 2011.  By then I'm sure we will see plenty other luxury hybrids on the market, including those from Porsche and even Ferrari.  Depending on how deep your pockets are, the sky is the limit on horsepower and luxury in a green wrapper.

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Audi A8 Hybrid Reveal

The CT 200h will be the first and only full hybrid luxury compact on the market.  My guess is because there really isn't a market, at least in this economy.  Who needs a status symbol in the drive way when you can have something much nicer for half as much?

Toyota can keep their Lexus CT 200h.

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Lexus CT 200h Not For US Market

The 2011 Cayenne S Hybrid is a parallel hybrid, meaning it will use both it's gasoline engine or electric motors for power.  Depending on the load and demand the Cayenne S is capable of operating on electric or gasoline alone and a combination of the 2 when necessary.  The internal combustion engine side of the Cayenne hybrid remains pretty potent, with a V6 super charged to 333 horsepower.  The electric side of things is a completely different story, with some very misleading numbers.

Electric power can confuse age old wisdom about cars and how they operate.  Consider that the electric motor in the Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid only produces 52 horsepower, but is capable of up to 210 ft lb of torque.  This means for normal load the electric motor will get the wheels turning up to speed with it's impressive torque figures and keep its constant speed with the minimal horsepower.

According experts allowed to play with the 2011 Cayenne hybrid the V6 Hybrid version of the SUV does a convincing job of pretending it's got a V8 under the hood, sans sound.  So if the new Cayenne S proves to be successful, how long before we see the same technology introduced into it's other line up of performance vehicles?

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

2011 Porsche Cayenne Hybrid

Mitsubishi has now announced that they are attempting to bring the i-MiEV to the US market, a full 18 months ahead of schedule.  However, they do not intend for it to be competing on the same block that it is currently in the Asian market, meaning this little sled will be gas powered.  Sorry 15 mile commuters, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, if it makes it to the US early, will only be an electric hybrid and not a full electric car.

The implications of releasing the Mitsubishi i-MiEV gas vehicle in the US early is that it may be successful.  If it does become popular you can probably kiss the all electric version good bye, unless you are doing your own car importing.

Even by luxury golf cart standards the current offering of the i-MiEV in Japan is expensive, expect MSRP to be around $16,000.

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

i-MiEV Coming To US Gas Powered

Unlike other traditional Plug-In style electric cars, the 2010 Prius PHV will only have a limited distance of 12 miles to run on battery alone.  After reaching a distance of 12 miles the plug-in battery is depleted and the Prius returns to standard hybrid mode.  The hybrid mode of this PHV is similar to that of what's found in existing model Toyota Prius's.

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Plug-In Prius At Frankfurt Auto Show

Lexus has released a picture of what they think the future of luxury hybrids will be, with the LF-Ch concept.  View the pics below and chime in with your opinions.  I personally don't think anyone looking for expensive luxury would have any need for a smaller package.  But perhaps Lexus is hoping to flesh out a new niche, not yet attained by competing manufacturers.

Lexus LF-Ch Hybrid

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Lexus LF-Ch Hybrid Concept

There have been a number of people speculating about the all new hybrid coming from Lexus and it's relation to the wildly popular Toyota Prius.  Most of  the speculation claims that the Lexus HS 250h is as similar to the Toyota Prius as the Ford Ranger is to the Mazda pickup.  Thankfully for those in the market, this isn't true.

There is a single shared component between the HS 250h and Prius, which is the hybrid technology.  The name of  the system is the series/parallel and refers to the technology, not the actual components.  The series/parallel type hybrid means that the traditional engine component can drive the wheels directly and be disconnected from the drive train to allow the electric motor component to drive the wheels.  This type of system is used in the Prius, Ford Escape Hybrid, and soon Lexus HS 250h.

The rest of the HS 250h is completely different than the Prius.  Some of the main component differences is the 2.4 l engine, double wishbone suspension, and a ton of electronic creature comforts.  There will nothing to confuse onlookers as to what type of car it is, the Toyota or the Lexus.

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Is The Lexus HS 250h The Same As a Toyota Prius?

Fuel Efficient Sports Cars

Enthusiasts are already starting to demand a higher performance from their hybrid and ultra high efficienct cars.  Already there are some players in the market that are looking to push the envelope in regards to power in a hybrid and looks that really scream sports car.  Ultimately, and this is just my opinion, a hybrid car will only become truly popular when you don't look at it and automatically know it's a hybrid.

Fisker Karma has already started working on a sports car based on a plug-in type hybrid system.  Also most recently Rasser created a 100 mpg Hummer, that proves you can have the looks of a traditional car with the efficiency of a hybrid.  With advacements like this it begs the question of what the big boys will be bringing to the hybrid sport car market.

Toyota has debuted a prototype of what might develop into a full on hybrid sports car.  The FT-HS Concept is a short wheel base boxster inspired hybrid sports car.  Depending on who you believe, the FT-HS pictured below may be the launching point from reviving the Toyota Supra.  Yes, the next generation Toyota Supra may live on, as a hybrid sports car.

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Hybrid Sports Car