The E300 BlueTEC Hybrid is set to be Europe’s first diesel hybrid when it goes on sale at the end of next year as a 2011. Powered by the E250 CDI’s 2.2-liter diesel with 204-hp, it gets an additional 15 kW (20-hp) electric motor and lithium-ion battery that assist in powering the car, charging up through a regenerative braking process. As a full-hybrid, the E300 BlueTEC Hybrid can also operate on just electric power  for short distances at speeds of up to 35 km/h (22 mph). The diesel engine also shuts off when slowing down at speeds below 80 km/h (50 mph) to reduce consumption.

Total output for the hybrid powertrain is rated at 224-hp and 428 ft-lbs of torque.

Mercedes will bring both a sedan and wagon (estate) version of the E300 BlueTEC Hybrid to market late in 2011.

GALLERY: Mercedes E300 BlueTEC Hybrid

For more on the E300 BlueTEC Hyrbid see the full press release after the jump:

Lotus has just teased us with a single image of a concept car that just has to be a concept, because it’s too good to be true. Based on the new Evora, it’s called the 414E Hybrid and makes 400-hp. But it’s better than that!

Lotus has designed the car to put the power down independently through the rear wheels, as a result each rear wheel is capable of 204-hp and 295 ft-lbs of torque. That’s enough to propel the Evora 414E Hybrid to 60 mph in just 4.0 seconds. Lotus has equipped this range-extender engine with a single gear transmission, but it has designed transmission software to create seven imaginary gears for ideal performance driving.

Now all this power comes from the Lotus-designed 47-hp, 1.2-liter 3-cylinder gasoline engine mated to two electric motors and a lithium-polymer battery pack. It works like the Chevy Volt, with only the electric motors powering the wheels, while the gasoline engine kicks in afterwards to deliver extended range. Lotus claims 35 miles of emissions free driving, while the gasoline engine allows for a total of 300 miles.

We’ll be sure to bring you more on the Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid with live coverage of the Geneva Auto Show starting March 1st.

Click here for AutoGuide’s live 2010 Geneva Auto Show coverage starting Monday, March 1st.

Official release after the jump:

Porsche has just released several photos and full specs on the new second-generation 2011 Cayenne SUV, ahead of its official launch at the Geneva Auto Show next week. We have to say the redesign is a big improvement, giving the capable SUV a more sporty crossover look in keeping with the trend these days. It does, however, retain full SUV capability (not that anyone will use it though).

The standard Cayenne is powered by a new 300-hp V6 with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while Cayenne S models get the same 4.8-liter V8 with power upped to 400-hp. Acceleration in the Cayenne S should be drastically improved thanks to an overall curb weight that has been reduced by 400 lbs. As for the Turbo, it makes 500-hp from a twin-turbo version of the 4.8-liter V8.

Also bowing for 2011 is a new Cayenne S Hybrid – the brand’s first production hybrid model. Like the pre-production model we tested recently, it gets a 3.o-liter V6 engine that 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.

Thanks to new technology and significantly reduced curb weights, call Cayenne models get improvements in fuel economy. Porsche hasn’t released fuel economy stats for the Hybrid Cayenne yet though.

The overall size of the new Cayenne has increased from the first-gen model, with a wheelbase that has been extended by 1.6-inches and a 1.9-inch longer overall length. Inside there’s plenty of Panamera-inspired updates.

We’ll be sure to bring you full details on the second-generation 2011 Cayenne at the SUV’s official debut next week at the Geneva Auto Show.

GALLERY: 2011 Porsche Cayenne

Official release and video of the 2011 Cayenne after the jump:

With the all-new 2011 Hyundai Sonata 4-cylinder now on sale with its best-in-class power and fuel economy, the Korean automaker will launch turbocharged and hybrid versions of its mid-size sedan at the New York Auto Show in late March. The Hybrid Blue Drive model is expected to use the new 2.4-liter GDI Theta II engine and a lithium polymer battery pack. As for the Turbo, it will be a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with direct-injection and make at least 250-hp according to Hyundai Motor America CEO John Krafcik.

AutoGuide will bring you live coverage of the 2010 New York Auto Show starting March 31st. In the mean time, read our glowing review of the 2011 Sonata here:

2011 Hyundai Sonata First Drive

According to AutoExpress, the automotive journalists equivalent to the National Enquirer, Honda is planning a CR-Z Type R model. While a host of modifications would be included, like larger brakes and a stiffer suspension, the real boost will apparently come under the hood.

Instead of the lackluster 122-hp hybrid setup, the CR-Z Type R will make 200 healthy horsepower. Surprisingly, this won’t come as the result of K20 (or better yet, a K24 swap) but due to a more powerful gasoline engine, as well as a larger electric motor. While the stock 1.5-liter 4-cylinder makes 102-hp, the new version will make 150-hp. The 20-hp electric motor will then be replaced by a more powerful 50-hp unit. The result will be a much-improved 0-60 mph time of roughly 6 seconds.

The car will even gain a fourth driving mode, known as Sport Plus, which will deliver maximum performance from the hybrid setup, while firming up the steering and throttle response.

AutoExpress claims the vehicle is being planned for next year’s Tokyo Auto Show with sales beginning in Japan in late 2011 as a 2012 model. We certainly hope this report is right, but knowing AutoExpress and the vehicles Honda has been rolling out lately, we won’t get our hopes up. Prove us wrong… please… prove us wrong.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Porsche has just released a short clip of its upcoming GT3 R Hybrid race car, that it plans to debut at the Geneva Auto Show next month. Based on the GT3 chassis, the race car is powered by a traditional 4.0-liter flat-six engine making 480-hp at the rear wheels. In addition, two electric motors power the front wheels, with 60 kW of power going to each axle. The driver will be able to call up this extra power on-demand, giving the GT3 R a temporary all-wheel drive setup as well. The power surge is expected to last between 6 and 8 seconds.

Power for the electric motors comes via a flywheel generator that operates as a regenerative braking system, powering-up the on-board battery under braking.

Porsche intends to compete with the GT3 R Hybrid at the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring race, which runs from May 15th to 16th.

We’ll bring you more on the GT3 R Hybrid with live coverage of the Geneva Auto Show starting March 2nd.

GALLERY: Porsche GT3 R Hybrid

Without the media-day crowds of bigger shows, the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto allows for some pretty-incredible access to important new vehicles – like Volkswagen’s New Compact Coupe NCC) Concept. There’s no new news about the NCC hybrid, which debuted six weeks ago at the Detroit Auto Show, using a 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder making 148-hp and 177 ft-lbs of torque along with a 27-hp electric motor. When combined with VW’s 7-speed DSG transmission, the NCC gets an impressive 45 mpg. Acceleration isn’t exactly impressive at 8.1 seconds to 60 mph.

At the Toronto show we were able to get a much closer look at this concept car, including a peak inside to look at its exquisitely tailored interior, large hybrid information screen and near-production package. That’s right, while the NCC might just be a concept it’s likely to be very similar to the coupe version of Volkswagen’s upcoming compact sedan. While VW has yet to even come close to confirming anything (heck, they barely admit they have a new compact car coming to replace the Jetta), its possible that the German automaker will deliver a hybrid version like the NCC as well as a high-performance model similar to the 265-hp Golf R.

In the mean time, browse through the gallery below, especially at the NCC’s incredible interior.

GALLERY: Volkswagen New Compact Coupe (NCC) Concept

Kia is working to infuse all of its vehicles with passion, even hybrids. Over the past year Kia launched the exciting Forte Koup, along with a related motorsports program and more recently it advertised during the SuperBowl for the first time with an edgy commercial featuring the all-new Sorento and a bucnh of life size toys – two of which made an appearance at the Chicago Auto Show. And so if Kia can make a mid-sized crossover seem fun, why not a hybrid?

Using Kia’s new Eco Dynamics philosophy, the company’s design team set out to make concept car that would reduce a person’s carbon footprint, while not being a carbon copy – hinting at the obvious fact that all hybrids tend to look the same. The result is the Ray plug-in hybrid concept. And as wild as it looks, Kia’s VP of Marketing Michael Sprague said it’s closer than you can imagine, announcing that later this year the automaker would deliver its first “alternative energy” production model. Sprague did not clarify if it would be a hybrid, but it will likely be a hybrid version of the Optima/Magentis model, following Hyundai’s release of the hybrid Sonata.

Kia didn’t release any info on the Ray, ignoring things like miles per gallon, recharging times and horsepower. Instead it focused on the Ray’s design with plenty of glass, light weight seats, solar panels on the roof, a full covered underbody and a rear spoiler than elongates at speed to recude drag on the vehicle thereby making it more efficient.

GALLERY: Kia Ray Plug-In Hybrid Concept

As expected, Toyota has announced a recall for the 2010 Prius hybrid, as well as the 2010 Lexus HS250h model. The recall affects 133,000 Prius models as well as 14,500 HS250 models so that the automaker can update the car’s ABS software. The recall does not affect previous generation Prius models or any other Toyota, Lexus or Scion models.

The recall comes after over 100 complaints were registered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), by Prius owners who commented on a loss of brakes (or at least brake feel) under braking on icy or bumpy roads. The fix has already been made on all models produced since late January.

Toyota has said it will begin mailing recall notification letters to owners next week, with HS250h owners receiving their letter a few weeks after that.

In addition to this recall, Toyota has issues a separate recall on 7,300 Camry 4-cylinder models built for the 2010 model year, due to a steering hose that may touch the front brake tube, leading to a brake fluid leak.

Toyota owners with questions can find detailed information about these recalls and Toyota’s other recalls at www.toyota.com/recall or can contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

For more Toyota recall news visit the AutoGuide Toyota Recall News Hub here

Official release after the jump:

Just as Toyota is facing a potential recall of its popular Prius hybrid for brake problems, Ford has today announced a recall of its own, affecting the Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan hybrid. The comparatively small recall affects 17,600 Fusion and Milan hybrids built on or before October 17, 2009.

Officially the move by Ford is a Technical Service Bulletin and not a full recall, as the brake issue is not a safety concern says Ford. The problem, says Ford, is due to a software glitch where the car’s regenerative braking (used to recharge the hybrid battery) does not engage or is late to engage, as a result there is a feeling of brake-pressure loss. The conventional brakes do still work fully, however, and so with full braking potential this is not a safety issue.

Only one complain has been recorded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but the TSB was announced after a Consumer Reports test driver experienced the brake delay.

[Source: Reuters]