Honda was showing off their latest in go-kart technology at the Toyota Motor Show with the all new CRZ concept.  Of course it's a hybrid and it's biggest selling points are efficiency, but Honda is touting it as a hybrid sport vehicle.  Performance and enough efficiency to keep the hippies at bay?

As you can see from the CR-Z pictures below, it's a concept car still and I'm sure the glass ceiling w0n't make it to production.  Honda claims that the new CR-Z will be available in the US market by late 2010.  Will this be available to compete with Chevy's Volt?

Seems like 'All New' is the number one method used to increase sales in a recession, at least for automobile manufacturers like Ford.  The all new 2010 Taurus is no exception, marking yet another generation change for the popular sedan.  Ford is labeling it, "Americas Smartest Full Size Sedan."

Personally, I love it, everything about it.  The new redesign doesn't remind of the 4 door sedans elder and instead looks on par with the edgier luxury sedans on the market.  Also, it doesn't quite scream reworked 500, like the previous generation, rather an entire new concept for the Taurus.

Consider this, buyers will be able to put one of the 2010 Ford Taurus into their drive way for around $26,000.  A very attractive price point considering the complete revamping of the line and luxurious feel.

Lexus is counting on buyers going smaller and more efficient in the years to come.  And why not?  With the success of the US governments clunker program and other incentives why wouldn't someone buy a fuel efficient daily driver?

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

I've not been paying as close attention to the new 2010 Suzuki Kizashi as I should have.  These latest pics appear to put fears to rest, in regards to what a 4-Door luxury Suzuki could look like.

This is not a Suzuki laid out over a GM platform, this is a completely redesigned and revisioned 4-Door sedan from Suzuki.  Personally, I love the looks, and if they can add just the right amount of luxury they will have a serious contender.  According to industry analysts, like Edmunds.com, expect 4 cylinder and performance 6 cylinder options available.

Edmunds.com has also just announced that Suzuki may be working on a 2011 release of the Kizashi, in hybrid form.

Hard to believe, but on average Jaguar only sold about 65,000 vehicles per year.  This makes Jaguar a small company, but one dedicated to creating a unique vehicle, elite, with keys being hold by only an elite few.  However, some industry experts believe that Jaguar got away from it's roots in recent years, perhaps a reason why Ford sold them off last year.  Now, the company you used to love is now being run by an Indian company known as Tata. (not see you later. -ed)

There are some automobile journalists that have recently driven the all new 2010 Jaguar XFR and believe despite it's new ownership, this is Jaguar's return to it's roots.  The 2010 XFR is the answer to start selling more than 65,000 vehicles per year.

Without question the 2010 Jaguar XFR is a sexy beast.  It's an orgy of over 500 horsepower, 460 ft lbs of torque, mounted to a 6-speed automatic transmission.  Basically owners will be the fastest to their 8 o'clock Tee Time or basically fastest to wherever.  Enjoy the fine lines of the 2010 Jaguar XFR below and be sure to chime in on what your first impressions are.

Ferrari is in the process of developing an all new supercar, the Ferrari 599xx.  Like any other Ferrari it oozes sex appeal, smells like wet panties, and makes every man in the room's pants a little bit tighter.  Yes, mine included.

The Ferrari 599xx is being developed within Ferrari's own customer ranks, meaning with a small buy-in you could be testing this street demon.  According to industry analysts, for a few million dollars you could be playing with prototypes of the 599xx and contribute to it's development.

The track inspired Ferrari 599xx is lethal at a red line of 9000 rpms and over 700 horsepower courtesy of a v12.  This will be the fastest
Ferrari ever built and as it stands now IS the fastest.  Until final production we will hold judgement...and records.

Admittedly I'm a long time fan of Mercedes cars, even though they are out of my price range I've always had an attachment to their sleek stylings, especially any Mercedes Convertible.  In a word 'sexy' and in a description 'I'd like to find a moist spot on the car somewhere'.  But I'm not just talking about new Mercedes convertibles, I'm talking about aged classics with the drop top.

Below are some of my favorite Mercedes convertible pictures and what I aspire to purchase one day.

Mercedes Benz SL Class CONVERTIBLE SL320 CABRIOLET LOW MILES W RECORDS    US $9,995.00

Mercedes Benz CLK Class CLK350 17K MILES SPORT PACKAGE HEATED STS CONVERTIBLE 08    US $36,750.00

Mercedes Benz SL Class 280 SL HARDTOP CONVERTIBLE ROADSTER RESTORED RARE COLOR LK    US $42,950.00

The Mitsubishi Eclipse has been around for quite some time, actually first manufactured in 1990 and was built under 3 different names.  The Mitsubishi Eclipse, Eagle Talon, and Plymouth Laser were all the same with different brandings.  In addition to different labels we've also seen some great performance versions, even the first generation Eclipse had a turbo version, the Eclipse GS-T.

Here we are 18 years later and more than just the cosmetics have changed on this 4 cylinder, cult inducing, small size car.  Below is a stroll through memory lane with the Mitsubishi Eclipse and where it came from to where it's going.

Check out more information about the changes the Mitsubishi Eclipse has gone through over the years at Wikipedia.

Mitsubishi Eclipse on eBay

Mitsubishi Eclipse 2DR CONV SPY 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse GST Turbo Spyder Convertible    US $4,950.00

Mitsubishi Eclipse gs CUSTOM ECLIPSE Bodykit Rims Fast Turbo ready DSM    US $1,500.00

Mitsubishi Eclipse GST 1998 Mitsubshi Eclipse GST Turbo 5spd    US $2,075.00

Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX Turbo AWD 50K Lambo doors custom paint Leather EC    US $2,225.00

Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX 95 Eclipse GSX turbo talon converted to 99    US $4,500.00

Expect more of the same for the 09 BMW 7 Series, at least for the basics, it's in the engine options that it gets real exciting.  Not only will you 'reportedly' be able to get the BMW 7 Series in V8 and V12 trim, but also an alternative fuel option as well.  Generally speaking expect an Electric Hybrid type motor available in the 09 BMW.

Check out the 09 BMW 7 Series Spy Photos below:

Hyundai has announced that they will be releasing a Lithium-Ion Hybrid Elantra model by next year.  To me that says they will have this giant energizer bunny that seats 4 available by January 09.  The problem is that I've seen dates like this come and go and if released too early causes nothing but battery recalls.

Despite all the technology it's only expected to produce less than 40mpg.  Don't get me wrong, this is great, but guessing at what the price tag will be I could still buy a lot more gas by buying a cheaper car than what this thing could save me.  $4 per gallon hurts, but if buying a $10,000 less car means I can put gas in my existing car for a further 8 years, so be it.