Ford’s Fusion Hybrid, which boasts a class leading fuel economy rating of 36/41 mpg (city/highway) will qualify for a $3,400 tax credit – the largest such tax credit the federal government has ever given out.The same tax credit will also apply to the Mercury Milan Hybrid.

Ford is excited about this incentive and hopes it is enough to win over buyers who might have considered the initial cost of Hybrid ownership to be too steep.

“Hybrids are an important part of our strategy to deliver the best or among the best fuel economy
with all of our new products, and the Fusion and Milan Hybrids have set the pace for the company,
as well as our competitors,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president of Global Product Development at Ford. “We’re glad to see our government help promote these advanced, clean fuel-efficient vehicles to the
consumer.”

Ford has made huge strides with its Fusion Hybrid, posting significantly better fuel economy numbers than any of the competition. Much of that has to do with the new technology Ford has developed for its second generation hybrid system. The system includes: a smaller and lighter nickel-metal hydride battery that provides 28 percent more power than the outgoing battery; a regenerative braking system; a new hybrid system that can operate on pure electric energy up to 47 mph and throttle control that reduces airflow on shutdowns and thereby reducing fuel needed on restarts.

In total the new Fusion Hybrid boasts 119 patents and the result is a car that can drive 700 miles on a tank.

If you want the full tax credit be aware that it is only available to those who purchase a car before March 31, 2009. As of April 1st only half of that credit will be available. The amount will be further reduced in the fourth quarter of 2009.

As for Ford’s other models, the 2009 Escape and Mariner Hybrid FWD models qualify for a $3,000 tax credit, with 4WD models receiving a $1,950 credit. Owners of previous model-year Escape and Mariner hybrid models may also qualify for varying credit amounts from $1,950 to $3,000.

Official release after the jump:

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After recently announcing that it will in fact kill-off the S2000, Honda has said that they will release a final “Ultimate Edition” version of the car. Unfortunately it won’t be all that “ultimate” and so far there are only plans to sell it in Europe.

The Ultimate Edition S2000 will receive a special “Grand Prix White” paint color (that Honda already offers) and come with red leather seats (which Honda already offers). It will also feature dark wheels and a numbered plaque. Honda says the white paint is in homage to a similar color used on its first Forumla 1 car back in 1964.

Talk about going out on a low note.

The car is expected to be unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show in March.

Honda S2000 Ultimate Edition:

[Source: LeftLaneNews]

Porsche has let the cat out of the bag, releasing images and details of the updated 2010 GT3 ahead of the Geneva Auto Show in March. A long list of improvements have been made to the track-ready street car including an increase of 20hp.

The engine’s new output totals 435hp thanks to an increase in displacement from 3.6 to 3.8-liters. The engine also receives Porsche’s VarioCam variable valve technology on both the intake and exhaust side. Porsche hasn’t release torque numbers but it has said that mid-range torque is up.

The result of this power-boost is a 0-62 mph time of 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 194 mph!

The design of the new GT3 is also updated with a new aerodynamic kit that increases downforce on both the front and rear of the car to more than double that of the outgoing model. Aesthetic changes include bi-xenon headlights, LED rear lights and modified air intakes and outlets.

Porsche has tuned the suspension to be stiffer than the outgoing model with higher spring rates and more rigid anti-rollbars. The car is also more user-friendly as Porsche has decided to offer the GT3 with an optional height-adjustable suspension. A driver would be able to raise the height of his car by as much as 1.2-inches to enter or exit parking garages or when driving on rough roads.

As the GT3 is known for its trackability, Porsche has outfitted this new model that will make it even more appealing. For starters, it will be offered with a new version of PSM (Porsche Stability Management) that will allow a driver to turn of Stability Control and Traction Control in different steps. Other performance improvements include larger and lighter brake disks (and the option of a special PCCB ceramic disk set. For racing applications Porsche will even offer the GT3 with single lug center-locking wheels.

The 2010 GT3 will go on sale in North American this fall and will be priced at $112,000 ($138,000 CDN).

2009 Porsche GT3:

Official release after the jump:

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Porsche certainly isn’t going to let a poor economy effect its long terms goals. Proof of that point is that the company is already out doing some sub-zero testing for the next generation (991) 911 – this just a few months after the mid-cycle facelifted 997 went on the marked.

The folks over at worldcarfans.com captured the 2011 models (Coupe and Cabriolet) in northern Sweden.

Little is known about the upcoming 998 model, however, you can be sure changes will be somewhat minimal as Porsche is a company that believes in the evolution (not revolution) of its products. It’s too early to speculate about engines or power ratings but we do expect the new model to be lighter than its predecessor.

What we do expect to see is a lighter vehicle.

[Source: WorldCarFans]

According to a report on AutoBlog, Saturn will not be producing any more Astra models in the near future. This might sound like a bad thing if you are looking for one of the sporty three-door or five-door hatchbacks, but it actually has a positive spin.

Because demand is so low right now and because there are so many left-over 2008 models, the company is just selling the ’08s through ’09.

Expecting the remainsder of 2009 to be as dark as the beginning Saturn has no plans to restart production until the 2010 model.

So if you are looking for an Astra, now’s the time to get a great deal on a new year old model. Not only are dealers offering 0 percent financing and cash back, but knowing how desperate dealerships are to get rid of the vehicles will certainly put the customer in the driver’s seat.

[Source: AutoBlog]

After experiencing a December sales slump of almost 50 percent compared to the same month a year before, the British government has announced that it will provide £2.3 billion (or $3.25 billion) for automakers in the UK.

The funds are intended to assist viable companies that are suffering because of the current global economic crisis. The loads would serve to provide those companies with short term credit to outlast the recession.

The $3.25 billion shot-in-the-arm by the UK government is the latest development in the worldwide auto sector bailout with the U.S. delivering $17.4 billion, Canada freeing up $3.29 billion and Sweden recently putting forth $3.4 billion.

[Source: AutomotiveNews]

Nissan has announced that as of April 1st it will begin closing its Detroit Design Studio (aka, Nissan Design America) as well as restructure its sales and marketing departments. What this will mean is the loss of 110 jobs. And that’s no April Fools Joke.

Only 10 of those jobs will be lost in the design department, however, as Nissan plans to integrate the Detroit (Farmington Hills) office into its San Diego facility. The Farmington Hills NDA building is itself a great piece of architectural design and will continue to stay in Nissan’s hands and will likely be used by those Nissan staff at the Nissan Technical Center in Farmington Hills.

The majority of the job losses will occur in the marketing department as Nissan moves to eliminate several regional sales offices (including Nissan Mid-Atlantic in Herndon, Va.; Nissan Northwest in Pleasanton, Calif.; Infiniti Central in Aurora, Ill.; and Infiniti South in Atlanta). The closures will see the current 11 regional offices be decreased to just 7 offices with 23 satellite offices.

Official release after the jump:

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According to a report from the regularly reliable folks at GMInsideNews.com, General Motors is holding off on bringing its Alpha platform to market. This is highly disappointing as the Alpha is a mid-sized rear-wheel drive platform that was expected to be the basis of an upcoming 3 Series fighter from Cadillac – much needed considering the CTS has grown to 5 Series proportions.

The apparent reason for the delay is, obviously, funding. The cash-strapped automaker simply doesn’t have the necessary funds to invest at the moment.

If there is any positive news out of this situation it is that the Alpha platform has not been canned but rather delayed. This may mean a genuine American-made 3 Series competitor won’t hit the market until 2014.
[Source: GMInsideNews.com]

We already told you about the BioFuel (or FlexFuel) model that Bentley hinted at at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. Now the British marque is calling it a supercar and says it will unveil the new vehicle at the Geneva Auto Show in March.

The company has also released this one picture.

A lot can be discerned from the one photo – namely, that the vehicle is likely to share the Continental GT platform and most of its body parts.

As for the engine, we expect it will be another twin-turbo W12 that makes close to 650hp and is capable of giving the new model a top speed of more than 210 mph. Bentley says it will be the most powerful and fastest production vehicle they have ever built.

In Detroit Bentley did announce plans for an all-new engine and while that is a possibility for this Bentley Supercar, it’s more likely that powerplant will arrive later in 2009.

For more information on Bentley and its commitment to renewable and sustainable fuels, visit www.BentleyFlexFuel.com

While every other automaker in the world seems to be pulling out of motorsports Aston Martin is getting more involved (and in a big way) announcing that it will take on none other than Audi in the LMP1 Class at the 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The cars will be based on the 2008 Charouz Racing System Lola and will be powered by the same production-based Aston Martin V12 engine that has rewarded the company with two consecutive GT1 titles in the GT1 Class with the DBR9.

Aston Martin will run two cars throughout the entire European Le Mans Series and have so far chosen all but one of the drivers. The pilots will be Jan Charouz (CZ), Tomas Enge (CZ), Stefan Mücke (DE), Darren Turner (GB) and Harold Primat (CH).

“Racing has been, and still is at the heart of Aston Martin,” says Aston’s CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez . “Our cars today are subtle, elegant and handcrafted but they still have the genes for competition. I am happy that we have found partners who, with their support, will enable us to compete at the highest level of endurance racing. We will put all our heart and skill behind this project to demonstrate the essence of Aston Martin: Power Beauty and Soul.”

Aston Chairman David Richards is optimistic but also realistic, commenting that, “we do not underestimate the task. While we have won the GT1 class for the last two years, competing against the proven speed and endurance of the diesel-powered cars with all their years of winning the prototype class, will be a massive undertaking. Nonetheless, I see this as a great opportunity to showcase the ingenuity of British engineering talent.”

Be sure to watch Aston Martin take on Audi at the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 13/14.

Official release after the jump:

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