Porsche Panamera Hybrid on its way

You’ve heard it well, the guys from Porsche AG declared in a recent conference that they will soon unveil the hybrid version ot their yet-to-be released Panamera sports sedan. They initial plan was to build a hybrid-powertrain version of the next generation Cayenne SUV in 2010, but it seems they will build these 2 models simultaneosly (the cars will sport the same full-hybrid system capable of running on its gas engine, solely via its electric motor, or a combination of the two).

Anyway, don’t be too excited about the Panamera Hybrid, cos you can buy it as late as 2013, but it will make its debut in 2009 with a non-hybrid drive. As we’ve heard from unofficial sources, it seems that Porsche is investing more than €1 billion in the development of the Panamera, which is a premium-class Sports Coupé with four seats and four doors. Porsche also promises that buying this hybrid car, you will see some minuses at the fuel bills. Compared to the conventionally powered Panamera, Porsche claims 30 percent better fuel economy. We’ll have to wait and see because we won’t belive it until we see it.

2008 Skoda Superb (Geneva Preview)

Although Skoda Superb 2008 will be unveiled for the first time at the Geneva show in March, we are going to present you some additional photos and details regarding this upcoming car.

The Volkswagen Passat platform based car, Skoda Superb, features direction-changing headlights, an innovating climate control system and it also sports automatic parking assist. If you compare this new model with the old one, you’ll see some difference : the new one grows with 35mm longer and 18mm wider but hunkers down 8mm lower. Oh the wheelbase also shrinks with 42mm. It has six engine options : three gasoline and three diesels, topping out with 260-hp 3.2 liter V6. Superb will have five or six-speed manual will come standard depending on which engine is chosen, but the Superb will also sport an available DSG twin-clutch transmission option.

Even if the new Superb isn’t so exciting, it seems Skoda managed to put together a surprisingly good package.

BMW aims high with its new X1

Scheduled for 2010,BMW’s new compact SUV,the X1,showed its face on public German roads,preaparing for the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show.

Based on the 1 Series,having the a Mini Crossman SUV platform and similar dimensions as the Ford Kuga and Toyota RAV4,the X1 wants to be a dream came true:a German car with a British soul.

But,with a price tag of 32.000 euros it looks like a bit of a nightmare.We’ll wait and see but it seems to be just another BMW:a great car for a lot of money.

Showing not so many design features,the new car may surprise us with a pre-production concept later this year.

Engines will most likely be borrowed from the 1 Series so a hybrid version is out of the question.

Corvette ZR1-another American monster

Another American wonder is set to show its face at the Detroit Motor Show:the Corvette ZR1.This monster is the Z06’s big brother and GM hasn’t yet given us any performance figures but we can estimate these things.First of all the engine:a supercharged 6.2 litre V8 fire breathing engine that delivers 611 HP and 807 Nm of torque.

The Z06 has only 505 HP and gets from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds with a top speed of 199 mph so we expect the ZR1 to be absolutely phenomenal and most likely breack the 210 mph barrier.

The new Vette will touch many hearts with its sporty design and agressive body.The 20-inch multi-spoke alloys are a treat to look at as well as the whole car.The suspension and gear box have also been revised in order to better stick all that power on the road.

We expect more details later this month during the Detroit Motor Show.