VW XL1 - 313mpg on sale this year?

	Volkswagen set out to create the ultimate eco-hybrid with their XL1. Low, long & lightweight with faired-in rear wheels and super skinny eco-tyres, this car is set to be made available on a lease-only basis and although full details aren't yet available Volkswagen expect to build between 50 & 5 thousand cars.
The XL1’s hybrid system comprises a 47-hp, 800-cc twin-cylinder TDI turbo-diesel engine, coupled with a 27-hp (20-kW) electric motor, and VW’s seven-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox. (DSG is programmed to only operate in automatic mode.) The diesel engine and the electric motor combine to deliver maximum torque of 103 lb-ft.
	This astonishingly compact combination is mounted transversely behind the passenger compartment and drives the rear wheels. A 5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a 2.6-gallon fuel tank are nestled between the power-train and passenger cell. Speaking of the passenger cell, the XL1 will be created using carbon-fibre reinforced plastic, giving it a super strong survival cell for this two-seater's occupants. Gull-wing doors give entry to the cabin, which is finished with the standard VW corporate 'look'............ i.e. black! Besides it's ultra-streamlined look, the little VW's awesome consumption figures boil down to light weight - just 795KG of - well - 'stuff' go into making a Volkswagen XL1 and lower weight means less energy needed to move it along - so less is more or something like that. No price as yet, but almost certainly the same analogy (less is more!) will apply! (suggestions centre around the $50,000 mark )

Porsche GT3R Hybrid - Flywheel Hybrid Racer

	The very first hybrid was a Porsche design. In 1898 Ferdinand Porsche developed - in conjunction with the Lohner carriage company - a series hybrid with 'in-wheel hub' electric motors, capable of being configured as front, rear or 4-wheel drive, this behemoth carried 1.8 tonnes of batteries and weighed a colossal 4 tonnes overall, a petrol engine was also carried on-board to recharge the batteries - nothing new under the sun then!.....
Ferdinand Porsche also took this massive vehicle racing...nothing new....yeah you get the picture! So to this delightful piece of modern day Porsche engineering, a 465BHP 4-litre flat 6 'boxer' engine, coupled with two electric motors driving the front
	wheels only and producing an extra 75KW (80BHP) each, this surge of electric power is available for 6-8 seconds after the flywheel system is charged. The Flywheel/generator developed by Williams Hybrid Power - a sister company to Frank Williams F1 team - stores kinetic energy produced under braking, cornering and acceleration by spinning at up to 36,000 RPM and is deployed at the exit of corners to aid acceleration. It obviously works fantastically well, as the Porsche was leading it's first 24 hour race comfortably until the 23rd hour when cruel luck denied the team a finish. Watch the video and feel this Porsche pull!

Lit Motors C1 - Gyro-Stabilised Premium Electric Commuter

 

	Being based in California, you'd think the roof would be an afterthought – but Lit Motors have designed their C1 super commuter to have the practicality and convenience of a car combined with the performance, lane manoeuverability and ease of parking associated with a motorcycle. The designers even claim it will stay upright in the event of a collision!
Performance is expected to be brisk when it goes on sale around 2014 with a sub 6 sec 0-60MPH time and top speed of over 100MPH. In-hub electric motors provide the propulsion and regenerative braking is a standard feature. Safety has been given a lot of thought, with the incredible twin gyroscope's ability to keep the C1 upright (see video) alongside cabin air bags, reinforced doors and seat belts.
	Connectivity & comfort have been given a lot of thought also, Lit describing their baby as a 'rolling smart phone' - the C1 will be offered with "full cloud/smart phone integration" , climate control (heat & A/C) a premiere sound system. A passenger can be carried for short distances, sitting in tandem with the driver. The Lit C1 should do around 200 miles on a charge and is expected to cost around $24,000 on it's launch, ($19,000 after incentives) with prices falling as production techniques improve.

Guigiaro Brivido - Exotic Hybrid prototype

	Legendary Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro has produced this drool-worthy concept from his Italdesign's Turin HQ. Called 'Brivido' - Italian for Thrill - This luxury 4-seater has been developed in conjunction with Italdesign parent company VW, who have supplied support for the electronics amongst other bits and pieces.
Crafted in a combination of aluminum and carbon, Brivido has been designed as a mile-eating GT car with sexy lines and a whole host of entertainment options for lucky passengers, including 3D cinema for rear passengers and an i-pad docking station which links up with the vehicles sat-nav or for use on the move by the front seat passenger! A 3 liter V6 provides the main thrust giving out 360HP with the electric motor - or motors (details are sketchy!) taking total output to 408BHP. Giugiaro claims a 5.8sec 0-60MPH dash, and 154g/km carbon emissions.  At the rear a small rising spoiler which activates at high speeds helps increase stability.
	Glass area has been given significant prominence in the  Brivido, extending to the large gull-wing doors, which offer both front and rear seat access. Door mirrors have been replaced by a pair of cameras that are deployed from the side of the bodywork when activated and transmit their images to monitors on either side of the steering column. A neat - though not entirely exclusive solution. Although this is a fully working prototype, production details are vague at the moment - but maybe - just maybe.......!