Lets face it, gas is getting expensive and fuel efficient cars are becoming more sought after by new car buyers. Is a hybrid vehicle the answer? Thanks to a new page at fueleconomy.gov, it will become easier to determine if a hybrid is the right choice for you.

The Hybrid Compare page at fueleconomy.gov shows your choice of hybrid vehicle and compares it to its non-hybrid counterpart. The site shows you the price differences between the two vehicles, as well as the variance in miles-per-gallon.

That’s not all, the page also allows you to input your commute, or annual estimated mileage, and you can even set the percentage of highway or city driving you encounter.

After filling out all the forms, the page will then show you how much money you will save by using a hybrid (if any at all) and how long it will take to recover the price difference between the hybrid and non-hybrid vehicle.

Its a pretty handy tool for budget-minded car buyers who are worried about spending the extra money on a hybrid. However the selection of vehicles seems pretty slim, and might be missing a few cars. It would also be interesting to see other alternative fuel comparisons, like for diesel cars.

[Source: fueleconomy.gov]

Coming off a very successful start to the year that already generated a 42.1 million euro profit, Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo is confirming a hybrid Enzo by the end of the year.

It might have seemed a stretch before that the Enzo could be a test baby for new technology, but it seems that’s exactly what’s happening. Ferrari already gave official confirmation that a hybrid drivetrain was coming this year, but this is the first official confirmation of such a system going into the next flagship, the successor to the famed Enzo.

“We have a complete new model range brimming with technological innovations, and which deliver significant reductions in fuel consumption and emissions, down by 30 per cent on average. At the end of the year, we’ll also be unveiling the new Enzo, a limited series model and our first ever hybrid car,” said di Montezemolo.

With rumors that the new Ferrari supercar will reach somewhere around 920 hp between its electric motors and V12 gas engine, there will be little else to compete. Even the Porsche 981 Spyder, which is said to slot in around the 700-hp mark, might struggle to compete.

So, this is exactly what we’re looking at: a car with the same V12 engine currently found in the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, but amped up with an electric motor to offer dizzying power. Does this look good enough to be Ferrari’s next spectacular supercar and successor to the Enzo? It certainly does.

The hybrid, all-wheel drive Audi R18 e-tron quattro race car sporting a diesel powerplant will make its race debut at Spa Francorchamps this weekend. 

The diesel hybrid prototype race car is the first of its kind, and the track will also be a first for Audi debuts as the German automaker has revealed its race cars at Le Mans in the past. Audi claims it has been working on the idea of a diesel hybrid quattro race car for quite some time now and is excited about how well it can perform on the track.

The race car is powered by a V6 TDI diesel powerplant that drives the rear axle while a flywheel-storage hybrid system powers the front. And unlike conventional all-wheel drive setups, there is no link between the front and rear wheels on the e-tron quattro race car.

In order to save weight, Audi opted to use a flywheel energy storage system rather than a battery. In addition, Audi felt that a battery-powered hybrid system would be too unreliable and too complicated for a race car.

For testing purposes, the flywheel hybrid system was actually mounted in an R8 GT model. Once development was complete, the system was adapted to work on its R18 race car.

“We started to think about the hybridization of a Le Mans sports car relatively soon after the first TDI successes,” said Audi Motorsport head Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “A concrete opportunity for this materialized when it became clear that the regulations would be permitting such an option.”

Sports cars have often set the bar in new automotive technology and trends. Things like dual-clutch transmissions and forced induction engines were practically engineered for the sole purpose of taking a sports car to the absolute edge of excitement and danger.

That fact is still true, but now sports cars are bringing a substantially more responsible attitude towards the automotive world. We’re starting to witness a new generation of sports cars that are better for the environment, safer to drive and much more practical than ever before. We’ve put together a list of what we think are the top 10 progressive sports cars that have debuted, or will be making their official launch soon enough.

Cadillac ELR

Originally called the Converj, the Cadillac plug-in hybrid sports car shows that environmentally responsible cars don’t have to have a compromised appearance. Powered by the same powertrain as the Chevy Volt, the ELR isn’t about making the most radical luxury sports car, but one that is affordable and good looking.

Demand for diesel-powered passenger cars is growing in the U.S., though it’s still a fraction of the market — a trend Bosch boss Peter Marks sees accelerating in the future.

Speaking at an Automotive Press Association event in Detroit, Marks predicted an increase of as much as 10 percent over the current three percent market share seen today by 2015. Furthermore, he sees automakers doubling the number of diesel models offered to U.S. consumers.

“Clean diesel allows drivers to have improved fuel economy and reduced emissions, while still having a car with power and performance,” Marks said.

While the cars are initially more expensive than a traditional gas version, Marks says better fuel economy could easily balance those costs in 14 months.

Hybrids, which have traditionally been more popular among Americans, also retain less value than clean diesels, which have a reputation for lasting into much higher milage.

With fuel prices pressing higher, people are looking for fuel-efficient transportation. Hybrids and diesels are both reasonable options, but Marks said he sees clean diesels achieving as much as 54 mpg, which could easily offset any advantages a hybrid currently has.

[Source: KBB]

Little will change on the surface of the 2013 Audi Q5, but that’s alright because it’s a handsome vehicle with three new engine options for the U.S. market.

GALLERY: 2013 Audi Q5

Many luxury auto buyers will tell you variety is one of the biggest factors in making a purchase. The 2013 Q5 caters to that desire by offering a triad of engines, two of which are newcomers. A 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder will still power the base version, but a new hybrid engine and supercharged 3.0-liter V6 will complete the upcoming line.

Across the board, the automaker will offer consumers improved fuel economy thanks to the brand’s eight-speed automatic, fuel start-stop technology, forced induction and direct injection in each powerplant.

The range-topping supercharged 3.0-liter V6 will replace Audi’s aging 3.2-liter V6, found on the 2012 model year. It will only offer two extra ponies with 272 hp, but the latest edition will feel punchier thanks to 295 lb-ft of torque — 52 more than the old engine.

There won’t be any extra torque to speak of in the entry-level 2.0-liter, but it does get a little stronger with 225 hp over last year’s 211 rating.

Finally, the fuel-efficient hybrid model also takes advantage of a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylidner engine with 211 hp from the gasoline engine and 54 hp from its electric motor. Together the hybrid Q5 is capable of 245 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque to outshine the base gas-burner. That said, it’s certain to be quite a bit pricier too.

Audi also claims the hybrid will get 34 mpg combined, although those numbers come from Audi instead of the EPA. Click below to see the new Q5 going off road.

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Bentley‘s controversial EXP 9 F SUV that debuted last month at the Geneva Auto Show is soldiering on despite overwhelmingly negative reception at its unveiling. 

More than a month later, the luxury automaker is revealing engine details including possibilities that might come as a surprise. As might be expected, a 4.0-liter V8 version is being discusses, as is a 6.0-liter V12 to top the range, but the shocker here is that Bentley says it is considering a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

All three engine options are tentative to date, but the two traditional Bentley powerhouses are likely to live into production. If the automaker decides to roll out the third variant it would represent an entirely new direction for the company: an SUV, and a hybrid — both items that would be newcomers in the British marque’s line.

According to the company, the efficiency-minded powertrain would be based around a V6. We know that the V12 would offer 600 hp and 500 hp from the V8, but estimated horsepower figures for the hybrid system were absent. While there’s a chance the world could see such an EXP 9 F built, it seems more likely that the company is using its ostentatious and the attention it garners to signal possible future options across the board.

With tightening average fuel economy numbers becoming a greater issue for automakers like Bentley that have historically relied on gas-guzzling powerplants, it might make sense to start thinking of alternatives. Then again, it may very well be considering a hybrid SUV for China, it’s largest market.

The automotive industry is a global business that is constantly evolving and growing, and we here at AutoGuide know it can be hard to keep up sometimes. So here is a summary of the top stories you may have missed this week:

 Electric Vehicles Save Money, Can Also Pollute Like Gas Cars: Study

A new study by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) sheds light on the carbon footprint, or lack thereof, that…

2015 Mustang to Get Fusion (Aston Martin) Styling Cues

Here are the facts: the Ford Mustang will continue into the future…

PA-12 Resin Shortage Helped by US Company

A solution might be in sight for automakers panicking over the PA-12 resin shortage…

Mercedes-Benz CSC Concept Revealed in Los Angeles- Video

A hot batch of photos and a detailed video of the Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupe (CSC) didn’t take long to surface…

Audi Buys Ducati for $1.12 Billion

While rumors have swirled around this business venture, it is now out that Audi has agreed to buy Italian motorcycle giant…

Audi A6 L and RS Q3 Concept set to Bow at Auto China

Audi will be giving us three world premieres on Monday at the Auto China car show in Beijing…

Lamborghini Urus SUV Pictures Leaked Ahead Of Beijing Debut

Last week the Lamborghini’s SUV, the Urus, leaked onto the web…

Fuel economy numbers are more important now than ever before, as gas prices continue to rise in North America.

Recently Dodge came under criticism for announcing its upcoming Dart compact will get 40 mpg combined.

An impressively high number, even a class-leading car like the Hyundai Elantra, which gets 40 mpg highway, only achieves an average of 33 mpg. While the exact fuel economy figures have yet to be released and a 40 mpg highway rating is still in sight, when the Dart (above) goes on sale later this year it most certainly will not get 40 mpg average; not in real world driving and not even on the window sticker.

Dodge wasn’t wrong. They’re not even entirely to blame. If fact, they were just using a different testing method to get their fuel economy numbers. Or to put it more accurately, they weren’t even doing the testing. So why would a different testing method be used? It’s a long and complex story, but the gist of it is that according to a government mandate, in order for Fiat to take control of Chrysler it needed achieve three goals, the final one being building a 40 mpg car on American soil. Being government related, that number is a CAFE number, not an EPA number. What’s the difference? Read on.

The one measure of fuel economy that we’re most accustomed to is provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These are found after testing a vehicle on a dynamometer and incorporating various ‘real-world’ conditions. We have another story detailing what goes on behind the EPA numbers, so if you want to know how and why the EPA tests cars for fuel economy be sure to check it out here.

But what Dodge and other car makers are talking about is the Corporate Average Fuel Economy, or CAFE numbers. CAFE is a politically driven regulation intended to improve the fuel economy of vehicles in the United States. Like the EPA number, it is expressed as miles per gallon and represents the fuel efficiency of a car manufacturer’s total cars made in the current year.

The reason CAFE numbers are important is because it helps rank the manufacturers in terms of fuel efficiency.

CAFE is a defined fuel economy standard for each year, and if a company falls below the standard, they must pay a fine. Currently, for every .1 mpg below the standard, a car manufacturer has to pay $5.50 multiplied by the number of cars manufactured.

Passenger cars and light trucks are classified by CAFE rules. Each category of vehicles has two sections. For passenger vehicles, cars with a “footprint” of 41 sq. ft. or smaller get a different CAFE standard than those that are 55 sq. ft. or bigger. For light trucks, vehicles with a footprint of 41 sq. ft. or smaller, get a different CAFE standard than those that are 75 sq. ft. or bigger. In fact, these rules are partly to blame for Ford’s decision to axe the smaller Ranger pickup. In between the two footprint ranges the CAFE targets are calculated by an average, comparing vehicle size to fuel economy.

These standards are set pretty aggressively. However, the manufacturers do get a break since mpg numbers for CAFE are based on an older version of the EPA test. New tests involving real user conditions are the main area where the EPA numbers and CAFE numbers differ. Since the EPA also tests cars for other factors, like a car being driven in cold weather, or with the AC on, they tend to have lower MPG numbers. It’s worth noting though, that the EPA test doesn’t actually put the car on the road, and makes some fuel optimizing technology untested, including start-stop systems that shut off the engine at stop signs or street lights.

However, if the automaker can prove that technologies like active grille shutters, start-stop systems, and active aerodynamics do work, credits can be issued to help an automaker meet the standard. Using technology like this can improve a manufacturer’s CAFE numbers by 3 mpg, or even more if there is data to back up the advantages of using this technology to improve fuel economy.

Additionally, there are bonuses for car companies that sell electric, plug-in hybrid and fuel cell vehicles. To encourage their sales the government will value each sale of an electric vehicle as two when calculating a fleet’s CAFE numbers. This helps boost numbers significantly, so car manufacturers can avoid the penalty of not meeting CAFE numbers.

CAFE standards will continue to be an important part of the car industry. For 2012, CAFE regulations for a small passenger vehicle is 36 mpg. In 10 years, it will be 53 mpg. By 2025, it will reach 61 mpg. It’s clear that the government is pushing better fuel economy numbers in an effort to rely less on costly and dirty gas.

Acura just announced pricing for its new ILX sedan, which will start at $25,900 and runs all the way to $34,400 for the highest-priced hybrid model. 

Ranging from a 2.0-liter inline four cylinder engine in the base model to the 2.4-liter powerplant sourced from the Honda Civic Si and topped out cost-wise with the 1.5-liter hybrid drivetrain, the ILX will go on sale at dealerships starting May 22.

As part of Acura’s effort to move away from previous mundane and near-indistinguishable models, the ILX is essentially a re-dressed Civic, albeit with a host of luxurious features that make it easy to forget those roots.

Drivers may opt for a luxury package that further differentiates the ILX from its Verano competitor with leather seats, seat heating, an eight-way adjustable drivers seat, upgraded sound system, 17-inch wheels and more. An optional $2,200 technology package (only available on the 2.0-liter model) adds a navigation system that takes advantage of real-time traffic updates to reroute around busy streets, real-time weather updates and more.

The higher end 2.4-liter model doesn’t provision for the technology package, but it is available on the hybrid as a $5,500 option.

Slotting in close to its slightly larger cousin, the TSX, Acura’s newest addition seems a little redundant, but that will likely change as coming iterations of the TSX move upmarket, leaving the entry-level ILX looking decidedly more attractive to young buyers.

GALLERY: 2013 Acura ILX

As the only minivan to boast a plug-in hybrid powertrain in combination with flex-fuel capability, Chrysler also revealed the specifications of its new plug-in Town & Country.

Each van offers a powertrain featuring Chrysler’s 3.6-liter flex-fuel V6 engine combined with an electric motor  to produce a total 290 hp. Energy for the electric motor is stored in a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery while a two-mode hybrid transmission transfers the power to the front wheels.

According to Chrysler, the batteries in the Town & Country are designed to recharge in 2-4 hours using a 220 volt “Level 2″ Charge cord, while a 110 volt “Level 1″ cord will take a longer eight to 15 hours. Ready for road trips, the plug-in hybrid Town & Country boasts a 700-mile range. Comparatively, the standard gasoline Town & Country ‘s range is only a little more than half that at 360 miles.

While Chrysler has not made any announcements about plug-in hybrid Town & Country production, we expect more details as the two-year trial runs its course.

When it was initially unveiled, the BMW i8 made a splash. Its striking design and interesting drivetrain piqued interest, but after a detail drought people seem to have forgotten about the Bimmer concept in favor of more tangible fodder. 

Nonetheless, it’s hard to believe that people won’t be instantly as hungry the second more information emerges. Most recently, former senior designer at BMW Design Works, Sonny Lim, tried his hand at rendering what the finished product might look like.

Normally, artist renderings aren’t credible, but Lim’s background means the illustrations might actually be worth paying attention to. In them, we see a shorter i8 that looks more like a possible production car.

In case you forgot, BMW’s futuristic coupe runs on a hybrid platform that shares work between an electric motor and a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine capable in tandem of 400 hp. Much like the upcoming Chevrolet Volt update, the driver will be able to choose between driving modes: pure electric, gasoline-only or a combination of both. At its best, the i8 is also said to propel itself from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds.

 GALLERY: BMW i8 renderings