Auto News 5

While it has long been associated with British Racing Green, Lotus seems to be turning a different shade of green these days. After showing us a number of biofuel and eco-friendly Exiges, the automaker teased this image of the Evora 414E, a series hybrid which will debut next week at the 2010 Geneva motor show.inline_mediumwraptextright28211980/green/news/1002_2010_lotus_evora_414e_hybrid_concept1002_01_z+2010_lotus_evora_414E_hybrid_concept+engine.jpgTrue

If there’s one synergy we can spot between the Chrysler and Lancia marques, it’s a love for tarted-up special-edition models. Chrysler rolled out a number of such vehicles (the 300 S6 and S8, to name a few) at the Detroit show, and it appears Lancia will do the same during the 2010 Geneva motor show.inline_mediumwraptextright26961422/features/news/1002_2010_lancia_ypsilon_elle_musa_audrey1002_03_z+2010_lancia_ypsilon_ELLE+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue

Even more stealthily than its sister division, Hyundai, Kia has been climbing the sales charts, growing some eight percent even in disastrous 2009. This year and next will see a major overhaul to Kia's product portfolio, which now spans eleven models.inline_mediumwraptextright32090592/features/news/1003_kias_product_portfolio_plans1003_01_z+2011_kia_+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue

This fall at the Paris auto show, we'll see the follow-up to the BMW X3. Its dimensions are very close to those of the first-generation X5, but its sheetmetal is adorned with a farewell selection of "flame surfaces" one can attribute only to recently departed chief designer Chris Bangle.

Inside, we're promised a major cabin upgrade. Look for an integrated, rather than pop-up, navigation screen, BMW's joystick transmission lever, and the latest iDrive controller. New options will include active steering, radar-based cruise control, a head-up display, night vision, and lane-departure warning. The cargo volume increases only marginally, from 55.1 to 56.5 cubic feet, but that's enough to keep rivals such as the Audi Q5 and the Mercedes-Benz GLK at bay. What about the X3's greatest current weakness, its subpar ride quality? Klaus Draeger, board member in charge of research and development, responds: "Although the new X3 is even more competent and rewarding to drive, we also made sure that the ride comfort is up to scratch. The revised suspension is more progressive, more responsive, and more compliant overall."inline_mediumwraptextright32091177/features/news/1003_new_bmw_x31003_07_z+bMW_x3+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue

We’ve already seen one teaser image of the Hyundai i-flow HED-7 concept, but the automaker released an image of the front of the show car as well.inline_mediumwraptextright26960915/green/news/1002_2010_hyundai_iflow_concept1002_01_z+2010_hyundai_i-flow_concept+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue

I was reprimanded within the first few seconds of driving this showroom-perfect 1990 Ferrari Testarossa. "I saw that. You shifted at six grand," said the man in the passenger seat. I gulped. I'm in trouble. "Next time don't let off before seven - let it go deep into the red. Oh, and keep the revs over 3000 at all times."inline_mediumwraptextright32192823/features/collectible_classic/1003_1984_1991_ferrari_testarossa1003_01_z+1990_ferrari_testarossa+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue

Go ahead Porsche purists, sigh once again. The controversial Cayenne soldiers on into a second generation thanks in large part to a successful worldwide sales campaign launched in 2002. As one might expect, the 2011 Porsche Cayenne improves on many of the outgoing's traits while getting a boost in fuel economy and in some cases, more power. And of course, the Cayenne lineup is even greener thanks to a new hybrid model.inline_mediumwraptextright26960753/features/news/1002_2011_porsche_cayenne2011-porsche-cayenne-turbo-front.jpgTrue