Kia is trying its hand in the electric rat race, with a new hydrogen-powered electric vehicle built from a Mohave. Their previous prototype was based on the Sportage, but maybe this one even goes off-road. It is being showcased at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.
The 2010 Mercury Milan has been launched at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show, offering up a fresh new face to the unloved midsize sedan, along with new engines shared with the 2010 Ford Fusion.
The Toyota Prius has become a fashion icon around the world for those who want to appear environmentally-conscious. It was the world’s first mass-produced four-door hybrid, powered by a petrol engine mated to an electric engine that recharged itself through regenerative braking technology. The current generation of the Prius is most recognisable, and Toyota has chosen to keep its existing shape for the 2010 model, while updating some styling, tech and interior details.
Just when you thought Audi couldn’t do any worse, the VW-owned German manufacturer is now planning to release a subcompact hatchback called the Audi A1 Sportback. Currently only shown in concept form at the 2008 Paris Auto Show, the A1 wants to take aim at the Mini, but will most likely become known as an overpriced Yaris competitor.
The weirdly-named Cee’d is probably Kia’s best car right now. Even weirder is that Kia’s GCC dealers, in all their wisdom, chose to launch the Mohave as quickly as possibly here instead of the Cee’d. The hatchback has been selling elsewhere for a while now, and Kia has now developed a hybrid version, as is all the rage right now. It will be displayed at the 2008 Paris Auto Show.
Lotus, the company that pimps out their engineering expertise to the highest bidder, has done it again. They’ve handed over their Lotus Europa to Chrysler, and the result is the Dodge EV, a sports car that looks exactly like its Lotus counterpart, but comes with a hybrid-electric engine. Alongside the Dodge EV, Chrysler has also introduced near-production hybrid versions of the Jeep Wrangler and the Chrysler Grand Voyager.
Saab is going to show a soft-top version of an earlier concept car at the 2008 Paris Auto Show. Dubbed the Saab 9-X Air BioHybrid Concept, it offers a look as the future of Swedish car design.
Petrol-electric hybrid cars have caught on the West, thanks to high fuel prices. Mercedes-Benz has just revealed their first ever hybrid model, dubbed the S 400 BlueHYBRID.
To celebrate 100 years of General Motors as a company, the electric 2011 Chevrolet Volt was finally revealed. Though the technology under the skin is not ready yet, this will be how the production version of the car will look when it finally reaches showrooms.
Indian conglomerate Tata, makers of the controversial Nano and owners of two British marques, has introduced an all-electric version of their Indian-market Indica V2 hatchback. The kicker is that this Indica EV will be ready for production by 2009.