Mercedes is set to show off its future look at next month’s Detroit motor show with a concept that hints at its next design direction.

In an interview with AutoCar, Mercedes’ chief designer, Gordon Wagener, said “We want to elevate our design towards art and if any company can do it Mercedes can.” He added that the concept will be a “long and exaggerated” showpiece which is not intended to foreshadow any production model.

Wagener wouldn’t be drawn on exact details of the Detroit concept but admitted that it was a “pure design concept which is long and exaggerated” but with no firm clues to a specific production model.

Look for more information to be released when the concept is officially unveiled early next month.

Tokyo – TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announces the introduction of the “Prius Plug-in Hybrid”, a plug-in version of the third-generation “Prius” gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle, into key markets. Approximately 600 units will be introduced in Japan, the United States, and Europe over the first half of 2010, for use by governments and businesses.

In Japan, TMC will lease approximately 230 units to government ministries, local governments selected for the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s EV & PHV Towns program, corporations such, as electric power companies, and other entities. In the United States, approximately 150 units will be provided to government agencies, corporations, universities and research agencies for use in a demonstration program aimed at collecting driving data and spurring the development of battery-charging infrastructure. In Europe, TMC will lease approximately 200 units, with approximately 100 going to the City of Strasbourg, France. The Prius Plug-in Hybrid will also be introduced in the United Kingdom and Portugal, with the company also considering 10 other European countries, including Germany and the Netherlands, along with countries in other regions, such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The Prius Plug-in Hybrid can be charged using an external power source such as a household electric outlet, and is the first vehicle produced by TMC to be propelled by a lithium-ion battery. Further, due to the battery’s expanded capacity, the vehicle has an extended electric-vehicle driving range, enabling use as an electric vehicle (EV) for short distances, while for medium and long distances, after battery power depletes to a level no longer allowing EV driving mode, the vehicle functions as a conventional gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle (HV). Thus, use is not constrained by remaining battery power or availability of battery-charging infrastructure.

Furthermore, plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHVs), such as the Prius Plug-in Hybrid, are expected to achieve fuel efficiency superior to conventional gasoline-electric HVs, reduce consumption of fossil fuels, and reduce CO2 emissions and atmospheric pollution. Verifications and rules that gauge the performance of a PHV differ from region to region, but in Japan, the Prius Plug-in Hybrid has a cruising range in EV mode of approximately 23 km with a fully charged battery, and an average PHV fuel efficiency of 57km/L and CO2 emissions1 of 41 g/km under specified driving conditions combining driving performance both as an EV and as a HV. (Results are based on the JC08 Japanese test cycle2 and verified by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan.)

TMC believes that, to meet the diversification of energy sources, plug-in hybrid vehicles are a highly suitable environmentally considerate option. TMC is therefore actively encouraging market introduction and aiding understanding, and to promote the soonest widespread use of PHVs, TMC will analyze feedback regarding the Prius Plug-in Hybrid, with an aim to begin sales in the tens of thousands of units to the general public in two years.

TMC promotes the use of energy sources other than gasoline, such as electricity, to limit the consumption of fossil fuels and to reduce CO2 emissions. Thus, the company is accelerating the development of electricity-related technologies honed by experience gained from 12 years selling gasoline-electric HVs, the market introduction of the “RAV4 EV” SUV and the leasing of fuel-cell HVs.

1Includes only CO2 emissions generated during vehicle operation, not those generated in the production of electricity used to charge the vehicle’s battery.

2Newer Japanese test method than the preceding 10-15 test cycle that better approximates actual driving conditions, meaning that the fuel consumption rates tend to be slightly lower than those measured under the 10-15 test cycle. Fuel-consumption rates and cruising distances are values from specified test conditions. Average fuel consumption and cruising distances will vary markedly depending on such variables as driving conditions and driving methods, particularly, daily driving distance, the battery’s charge level and air-conditioner use.

Newly Developed Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle System
The Prius Plug-in Hybrid features the Toyota Hybrid System (THS) II Plug-in, based on the THS II hybrid system used for the Prius, with a new, battery-charging system to facilitate highly efficient charging of the vehicle’s lithium-ion battery from an external power source.

Use of electricity from an external source dramatically decreases gasoline consumption, with the vehicle measuring an average plug-in hybrid fuel efficiency of 57 km/l. In EV mode the vehicle has a cruising range of 23.4 km (under the JC08 Japanese test cycle) and top cruising speeds up to 100 km/h.

The vehicle comes in Light Blue Mica Metallic-exclusive to the Prius Plug-in Hybrid-while the side-view mirrors, door handles and trim around rear license plate is in high-gloss silver. This color combination creates a cutting-edge image befitting such a next-generation vehicle.

Displays for PHV-specific Information
Special selectable screens that display information for PHV operation have been added to the Prius-base car navigation system and the Eco-Drive Monitor. The screens display information to assist EV-mode driving (using battery power only), as well as provide an enjoyable way to check battery-charge level and resulting fuel consumption.

Source:Toyota

Dubai, UAE – December 15, 2009 – Kepler Motors, founded by World Speed Record Holder Russ Wicks, will unveil its groundbreaking MOTION supercar at the tenth annual Dubai International Motor Show, December 16-20. Infusing state-of-the-art automotive engineering and applied science materials with the latest advanced technologies, the MOTION redefines the paradigms of the supercar with unprecedented performance, style, exclusivity, safety and efficiency.

The MOTION sets a new standard with all-wheel drive Dual Powertrain Technology (DPT) which provides a combined 800 hp. Power comes from a 550 hp, modified Ford EcoBoost twin- turbo 3.5-liter V6 driving the rear wheels acting independently of a 250 hp electric motor driving the front wheels. This unique AWD system launches the MOTION to 60 mph under 2.5 seconds with a top speed over 200 mph.

“We’re delighted to host the worldwide debut of the Kepler Motors MOTION at the Dubai International Motor Show,” said Wicks. “The region has a passion for ultra high performance, limited edition supercars, and presents the ideal platform to showcase the advanced technology and innovative features of the MOTION.”

The MOTION is developed from the ground up by a team of hand-picked design engineers, aerodynamicists, product development, and manufacturing specialists and incorporates a number of leading edge technologies such as active suspension, active aerodynamics, launch control and programmable track assistant system.

Lightweight, powerful, balanced and efficient, the MOTION features extensive use of carbon fiber composite materials for its monocoque chassis and body. The light, strong and highly impact-resistant structure provides a two-seat cabin designed to accommodate drivers of above average size, in a stylish, sophisticated and aerodynamically efficient design.

The MOTION uses StopTech’s new Continuous Carbon Ceramic (C3) AeroRotors on all four wheels to ensure smooth, fade-free stopping power. Comprising silicon carbide ceramic material reinforced with long, continuous carbon fibers, the unique C3 brake rotor material offers greater mechanical durability and unique heat transfer capabilities when compared to competitive carbon-ceramic rotors.

As only 50 MOTIONs will ever be produced, ownership will go to a small, exclusive and elite group of individuals. Each vehicle will be hand assembled and deliveries will start in 2011.