While GM’s announcement of a new car based on the Camaro platform being shown at the Chicago Auto Show stole the spotlight in the automotive press, the Buick Regal eAssist represents a product far more relevant to the average consumer, even if it’s less glamorous.

With an eAssist hybrid system from the Buick Lacrosse, the Regal delivers excellent mileage for a mid-size sedan, returning 26 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. A 15 horsepower electric motor helps to assist during acceleration and also allows for regenerative braking, and a start/stop system.

On the aesthetic front, lightweight 17″ wheels, a 7-inch screen for keeping track of fuel economy and other data, as well as an eco model for the air conditioning all make an appearance only on the eAssist. While the Lacrosse eAssist will be positioned as an entry level trim within the range, the Regal variant will simply complement the other versions, including the Regal Turbo and Regal GS.

Gallery: Buick Regal eAssist

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General Motors will reportedly unveil a Buick Regal Hybrid at the Chicago Auto Show that uses similar eAssist technology seen on the its Lacrosse stablemate.

With the Lacrosse capable of returning 25 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway, a 25 percent boost in fuel economy. eAssist also provides an extra 15 horsepower and 79 lb-ft of torque to GM’s 182 horsepower and 172 lb-ft 2.4L 4-cylinder. While the Lacrosse has eAssist as standard, the Regal’s Hybrid model will likely be a flagship, along with the upcoming Regal GS for customers who want something a bit spicier.

[Source: Ward's Auto]

For more information on the Buick Regal, such as specifications, news, prices, safety information and more, please see http://www.regalforums.com/.

Announcing the launch of the Prius family of vehicles at the Detroit Auto Show, Toyota unveiled the new Prius v hybrid, as well as a new smaller Prius concept. Called the Prius c Concept, the vehicle is an obvious evolution of the FT-CH concept that debuted at the Detroit show just a year ago.

Designed as a stylish take on the Prius, Toyota is aiming this model at young urban singles who are interested in driving green, but who also want a vehicle that looks good.

No details about a drivetrain were provided, but Bob Carter, Toyota Division VP and General Manager did comment at the car’s reveal that it will get better fuel economy than the Prius – so look for something above 50-mpg. As more of an entry level model, it’s also slated to get a more attractive price.

We won’t have to wait too long for the production model either with Carter confirming that it will be in production in 2012.

GALLERY: Toyota Prius c Concept

GALLERY: Toyota Prius C Concept Debut

Although Toyota has been hyping their new Prius MPV for months, Ford‘s announcement of not one, but two hybrid minivans is sure to take the wind out of Toyota’s sails (no pun intended).

The C-Max Hybrid and Energi (Ford’s name for the plug-in variant) will be 5-seaters only, and use a lithium-ion battery pack, considered to be the next generation of hybrid battery technology. The car will also be built at Ford’s Wayne, Michigan plant, the first plant that will build electric and gasoline vehicles side by side.

The C-Max Energi will offer a number of interesting advantages; the ability to go 500 miles on a single tank of gas (the longest range for any plug-in), the chance to use HOV lanes with only a single occupant (in states such as California, where this is allowed) and fuel economy that bests the Fusion Hybrids 41/36 mpg rating. Ford also claims that the Energi will exceed the Fusion’s EV-only speed of 47 mph.

Visually, the Hybrid and Energi are distinguished by subtle fender badges, with the Energi’s charging port glowing upon connecting with a charging paddle. The Energi will be on sale in 2012, the same time as the Prius minivan. An interesting battle looks to be shaping up, with Ford’s newly resurgent lineup taking on the name in hybrids.

Gallery: Ford C-Max Hybrid and C-Max Energi

In a recent interview Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo let slip that the exotic Italian automaker’s Geneva Auto Show debut will be, “a very different new Ferrari.” He then went on to comment that the vehicle will showcase Ferrari’s ability to adapt with the world – suggesting that it will in fact be some sort of ‘green’ model.

While best known for building ultra-high performance V8 and V12 engines, more recently Ferrari has showcased several greener technologies. At this year’s Paris Auto Show we got our first glimpse at the California HELE (High Emotion Low Emission) model, which uses a start-stop system, new gearing shift points, a more efficient fuel pump, engine fan and a variable electronic air conditioning compressor that can cut the amount of power used by the system by 35 percent. In total, the California HELE is 23 percent more efficient than the standard model.

Nearly a year ago at the Geneva Auto Show, Ferrari unveiled its 599 HY-KERS prototype, using an F1-style brake regeneration system to deliver added power when required, but also help reduce emissions under normal driving.

No details of the Geneva Auto Show vehicle have been confirmed, but there’s a strong possibility it will be a concept version of the successor to the 612 Scaglietti, using a KERS-style hybrid setup.

[Source: Autosblog.fr]

Honda loyalists who long for a CR-Z with the hybrid internals removed and a K-Series engine swapped in have finally had their prayers answered by LHT Performance, a performance shop that was also one of the pioneers of the K-Series swap into the first generation Insight, which yielded an ultra light weight VTEC powered aluminum rocket.

What separates LHT’s K20 swap from other tuners is that all the vehicle’s electronics will work, including the power steering, ABS, stability control, cruise control and air conditioning units, which normally are lost due to wiring and ECU issues.

All we have right now is a short video of the car not doing anything exciting, but hopefully there will be more to come.

[Source: Autoblog]

It doesn’t take a genius to know that Honda‘s Odyssey is destined to be a brisk seller. As the undisputed king of the minivan segment, the Odyssey is still popular even with an onslaught of new competitors from Chrysler, Dodge, Kia and Toyota.

The rest of the lineup isn’t so hot. The Insight is being outsold by an 8-1 margin by its arch rival, the Toyota Prius, while the Crosstour’s projected 40,000 sales aren’t materializing, with the car selling closer to 20,000 units. The CR-Z also appears to have slowed after a promising start, although sports car sales are always dismal in the colder months.

Honda faces a predicament, since the rest of their lineup, like the Civic, Accord and CR-V are all fairly old, and due for replacement. But with only stagnant or unappealing products in the showroom, 2010 will be a dismal year for the big H. Hopefully the company can pull out of their nosedive, but their legendary maverick attitude (and accompanying arrogance that their way is the right way, market desires be damned) may see a number of lean years before their once faithful customers return.

[Source: Autoblog]

Mercedes-Benz has their E-Class diesel. BMW has an “Efficient Dynamics” system on their 5-Series. Now, Audi has countered with the ne plus ultra of green motoring – the luxury hybrid. Their 2012 A6 will get a hybrid variant sure to set fire to the hearts of wealthy/status-conscious green-minded folks everywhere (well, only on the coasts – we can’t see this flying in “real America” that votes Republican).

The A6 Hybrid is motivated by Audi’s familiar 2.0TFSI engine making 211 horsepower. Tacked on to that is a 45 horsepower electric motor that also puts out 156 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed automatic puts power exclusively to the front tires, as a means of saving precious pounds.

With the ability to hit up to 62 mph on electric power only, the A6 will feature a dashboard switch that allows it to run solely on electric power for about 2 miles, at speeds of under 40 mph. 60 mph should appear in 7.3 seconds, and 38 mpg combined is the expected fuel economy number.

[Source: Audi]

Honda is cutting the base price of its slow-selling Insight hybrid by $1,600, and offering a base model that retails for $18,950, putting it $4,610 below the cheapest Toyota Prius.

Honda achieved the price cut by removing features like Bluetooth connectivity and a GPS navigation system, while using cheaper seat fabric and a two speaker stereo system. The base Insight will still feature stability control, keyless entry, power windows, automatic climate control and a tilt steering wheel.

While the Prius sells around 115,000 units per year, the Insight sells a dismal 17,000.

[Source: Automotive News]

Are company cars destined to be a relic of the past? Probably not, but companies are begging to adopt a new kind of corporate vehicle, one that can be paid for by the hour and operated by Hertz or Zipcar, two of the biggest names in auto-sharing programs.

An article in the New York Times focuses on Hertz’s Connect by Hertz program, as well as Zipcar, which are seeing an increasing number of corporate clients. Employees can use the cars for anything from sales calls to grocery shopping, and the cost savings are substantial. One Boston area firm cut costs from $43,000 per employee to $6,500, just by switching from a livery car service to Zipcar.

At a cost of only $5 per hour to the employees, which includes parking, gas and insurance, car-sharing looks like a no brainer, even if the fleet is heavily skewed to the Toyota Prius and other less than exciting vehicles.

[Source: New York Times]