Tacked on to the end of a larger press release about Porsche‘s hybrid and electric car development strategy is official confirmation from the German sports car maker that it will launch a Panama Hybrid. Set to go on sale in 2011, the Panamera S Hybrid is believed to use the same hybrid powertrain as found in the Cayenne S Hybrid, which is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 engine that is supercharged and mated to a 47-hp electric motor for a total of 380-hp and 427 ft-lbs of torque. Porsche claims the Cayenne S Hybrid can travel up to 40 mph on just electric power and can cruise on pure electric power at speeds of up to 97 mph.

Official release after the jump:

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When Ford execs announced that the company would revamp its lineup, switching from a product line consisting of mostly trucks to one where the majority of vehicles sold are cars, some wondered how this would be possible. Ford’s solution is to transform trucks into cars, or, more accurately, into crossovers. Using a car-based unibody platform rather than a truck frame allows for better on-road driving dynamics and often numerous other efficiency improvements. The usual down sides are reduced utility, like true off-road capability and towing capacity.

Based on the same architecture as the Taurus and Flex, the Explorer makes huge improvements in fuel economy, up 20 percent from last year’s model. This is due in part to a new EcoBoost 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that makes 237-hp at 5500 rpm and 250 ft-lbs of torque from 1700 to 4000 rpm. A V6 engine is also offered, with 3.5-liters of displacement and 290-hp with 255 ft-lbs of torque. Both engines get a 6-speed automatic transmission. V6 models also come with Ford’s new intelligent 4WD system with a terrain management system that allows the driver to use a simple console-mounted dial to choose between settings for snow, sand, mud and a normal mode. There’s also a hill descent mode. This should help pacify most potential buyers looking for SUV capability.

As for the other supposed drawback of a crossover, well, the V6-equipped Explorer is rated to tow 5,000 lbs. While that’s not that close to the 7,100-plus lbs. the old V8 Explorer was rated at, it’s 1,500 lbs more than the old V6 model.

As for interior room, there’s a three-row setup and while we’ve yet to sit in the new Explorer (later today), sized like the Flex third-row room should be adequate. And even with all seven-seats used, there’s still a solid amount of space for groceries – with a total of 80.7 cubic feet of space with 2nd and 3rd row seats down. The first two rows also gain head room over the previous model.

Along with the new EcoBoost motor, innovations on the new 2011 Explorer include a seatbelt airbag on the outboard second row seats. This system expands the size of the seatbelt in an accident while providing some added cushioning – particularly important for smaller second-row passengers (ie. your kids). Other safety features include Roll Stability Control, Curve Control (essentially a more potent form of stability control) and an emergency braking feature that will slow or even stop the car if an impact is deemed unavoidable. Another technology highlight is a cross-traffic alert system that uses the onboard radar system to look sideways to let you know if there’s oncoming traffic when pulling out of a tight parking spot. And let’s not forged Ford’s MyFord Touch driver interface system.

With impressive new sheetmetal that actually gives the 2011 Explorer a more truck-like appearance, there’s some worry that a third crossover (joining the Flex and Edge) in Ford’s lineup could hurt the existing models. That may be true, but Explorer sales are almost certain to return to record pres-recession and pre $4.00 a gallon levels. The reason? Simple, Ford has rejuvenated the Explorer. Most people who owned one didn’t need the truck capability and they’re sure to be impressed by the added on-road functionality of the new Explorer, not to mention the improved style, features and interior trim. As for those who do need more truck-like functionality, Ford’s intelligent 4WD system and impressive (for a crossover) tow rating should keep a significant number of truck-lovers (though not all) coming back.

GALLERY: 2011 Ford Explorer

Official release after the jump:

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The madness which is the X-Games are soon to be upon us and one of our favorite Formula Drift racers, Tanner Foust, will be back behind the wheel of the Rockstar Energy Drink Ford Fiesta. A rendering has recently been shown off on Tanner’s personal website of a wicked Ford Fiesta ready to do some Rally-battling.

This year Tanner Foust will be competing in the Super Rally and Rally events at X-Games 16 that kicks off July 29th. He was a former gold medalist in 2007 and looks poised to reclaim that crown this year. Along with his normal sponsors of Rockstar Energy Drink, AEM, Lucas Oil, Alpinestars and MSE, Tanner’s rally car will be competing on BFGoodrich tires and welcomes Etnies on board. Tanner Foust and teammate Brian Deegan are Etnies’ first rally drivers and boy do they know how to pick ‘em.

We’re looking forward to the X-Games kicking off and AutoGuide will be sure to deliver updates with the results!

[Source: TannerFoust.com]

Many auto enthusiasts collect memorabilia, whether it be model cars, old signs, license plates, coffee tables made from NASCAR tires or even scrap cars turned into couches. This kind of stuff is the perfect addition to those with a classic in their garage and gasoline in their veins. But how about wearing it? Well besides the obvious t-shirts and jackets, you can how have an auto inspired watch!

Equipe Watches now produces 15 different items with a Detroit automotive theme. Each of these watches even has their own appropriate name, ranging from Chassis, to Hemi to Octane. Features such as simulated tire straps, and faces that ape instrument clusters are just the finishing touches. One particular watch, the XXL (shown here) pays homage to the dashboard on big 1960s sleds like Imperials and Lincoln Continentals with a full width instrument panel and steering wheel. According to Equipe founder Jeff Freeman, “we wanted to introduce a watch collection that was authentically Detroit – one that pays homage to the great cars of yesterday and modern race cars of today.”

Along with a bunch of different styles, Equipe’s line of automotive watches are also designed to cater to different budgets as well, prices at post time ranged from $299 to $999.

[Source: Autoweek]

Back in May, we caught wind of Rogue Status’ Drift xB that they built. Initially we were a little skeptical that it would be more of a show car and street performer, rather than a competition-ready drift machine. Would it ever go sideways on a track? No one knew or could tell, so needless to say we’re surprised and pleasantly happy when this video surfaced.

Professional Formula Drift driver Patrick Morduant headed to Willow Springs in the RWD 2JZ-Powered Scion xB to really put it to the test. The car actually does pretty well and looks wicked going sideways around Horse Thief Mile and we’re loving every second of the video. What’s also interesting is that Patrick Morduant was the one putting it to the test and not one of the Scion-sponsored drivers such as Ken Gushi or Tanner Foust. Regardless, we’re sure it was just for fun and isn’t a sign of things to come. But hey, it would be interesting to see how it would hold up in real competition wouldn’t it?

[Source: WreckedMagazine]

Check out the Rogue Status Scion xB drift video after the jump:

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You know how hot your car seats get after a few hours in the sweltering heat. That not-so-cool feeling goes the same for your child’s car seat. But now you can beat the car seat heat with Mommy’s Helper Car Seat Sun Shade.

Not to be confused with the Rolling Stone’s song, this Mommy’s Helper keeps your child’s car seat an average of 26 degrees F cooler. It’s easy to use – just unwrap the Car Seat Sun Shade and stretch it over the child’s car seat, making sure you cover the whole seat with the shade. When it’s time to go, just stretch the sun shade back over car seat. When you’re not using it, the Mommy’s Helper Car Seat Sun Shade wraps up conveniently, thanks to its build-in elastic strap that secures it for storage between uses.

The Mommy’s Helper fits most car seats and it also protects car seats from heat and UV rays. You can buy one for $9.99 at Amazon.com.

[Source: Gadget Grid]

Pink is popping up everywhere lately – especially with high-end automobiles. Why you would spend so much money on a car and then paint it like a bottle of Pepto-Bismol is beyond us, but hey, it’s your money and if you’ve got it, you might as well spend it on making your ride look like the Barbie-mobile.

Take, for example, the Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce pictured above. It can pump out 670-hp from its 6.5-liter V12 engine, but outfitted in pink, it loses a lot of street cred. You might as well throw some Hello Kitty decals on the front hood – this fine automobile has been effectively neutered.

Worse still, there’s this Audi R8, which goes to show that you can drop $130,000 on a vehicle and still look pretty ridiculous behind the wheel. Poor car – it never stood a chance. And you know that all the other cars on the road are laughing at this garish R8 behind its back and won’t let it join in on any of their road racing games. We have to wonder… would anyone even bother stealing this pink abomination?

Let’s just hope these are wraps, because we have to think the decision making process here was about the same as tattooing your girlfriend’s name on your arm, when you’ve only been dating for a week.

[Source: Lamborghini and Audi from mbiz.com]

Most of the time, we hate when supercar owners block multiple parking spots, or park illegally just because they drive a car that’s worth more than most houses. We know a door ding can be a $10,000 repair on these cars, but people should still park them legally like everyone else.

Here, a visiting middle-eastern man, vacationing in London for the summer, learned that the hard way, when his matching, turquoise Lamborghini Murcielago SV and Koenigsegg CCXR got the boot – the parking boot that is.. A sad sight indeed, but we’ll make up for it with a little video of the Turquoise Koenigsegg in action! Video after the jump.

[Source: GTSpirit]

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Vivid Racing is the first to reveal Vorsteiner’s newest creation for the Porsche 997 Turbo, the VRT front bumper. With great success manufacturing some of the highest quality body components for Porsche, BMW, Lexus and more, it’s no surprise Vorsteiner has taken the liberty to take the 997 Turbo to even newer heights.

Now Vorsteiner already has a front bumper available for the Turbo, but it looks like they decided to draw up something slightly more aggressive for the 2007-2011 body. The new design is available in their DVWP or all carbon fiber. What we’re really digging about this front end is the lower front chin spoiler (in carbon fiber of course) that really just adds a sleeker look to the already low-profile Porsche design. The bumper also includes carbon fiber radiator ducts and an OEM GT3 hood grill. You also have a choice of an alternative aftermarket carbon fiber one from Vivid Racing.

We really liked Vorsteiner’s last 997 Turbo aero bits, but this new front end is incredible. From a company that was always best known for its BMW goodies, it seems like Porsche models are becoming the norm.

Hit the link below to see the old Vorsteiner design compared to the new one on Vivid’s site.

[Source: Vivid Racing]

To build hype for the upcoming Rally Finland, reigning WRC Champions Citroen have released ten of their best “big-air” photos from this year’s rallies in Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, and Sweden. Having attended a few rallies ourselves, we know a thing or two about getting big air in a car, and we like it. The photos show Citroen’s star driver, Sebastian Loeb, and others catching big air as they push their C4 Rally cars to the absolute limit.

Loeb said, of his massive, 85-meter jump in Turkey, “It was an incredible sensation as we were up in the air for several seconds. Not for a moment did we imagine that we would jump so far.”

Hit the jump (no pun intended) for all ten big-air shots.

[Source: World Car Fans]

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