An “insider” at LLN has it on good authority that the oft-rumored Prius brand is, in their words, “a go.” According to their source, the goal of the spin-off is to create cheaper hybrid models that would command a marginal premium over their standard, hybrid-free counterparts.

The rumormill pot gets stirred a bit more with the claim that the 2010 Prius could achieve up to 80 mpg. Combine that with the rumblings about a Prius price cut and it’s starting to look like the Volt will have it’s work cut out for it. Informed speculation also says that the reworked Prius may be joined by an upscale five-door Prius model in the $28-30,000 range and that Toyota could be planning a four-door “Baby Prius” expected to sell in the mid-teens, utilizing a nickel metal hydride battery pack and coming to market in 2013.

[Source:Autoblog]

Over on AutoblogGreen, our man Sam has published a thorough breakdown of all the new powertrains announced for the 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan. There’s a new 2.5L four-cylinder with more power, a revised 3.0L V6 and Ford is making its 3.5L V6 available in these mid-size sedans for the first time, as well. But the most impressive may be the latest revision of Ford’s hybrid powertrain that will debut in the Fusion Hybrid and Milan Hybrid next year.

Based on the same system in the Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid, the latest version is smaller, lighter, more powerful and less expensive to produce. While it still employs nickel-metal hydride batteries, the number of cells has been reduced but the power output remains the same. The battery pack is now 30 percent smaller in volume than the Escape Hybrid’s pack and weighs 23 percent less, and this one doesn’t need its own AC system to stay cool. The main numbers that everyone wants to know is MPG. Ford expects its new hybrid sedans to achieve 38 mpg in the city, which is 5 mpg better than its most obvious competitor, the Toyota Camry Hybrid. Click here to read Sam’s explanation of what Ford did to improve its hybrid powertrain so much.

[Source:Autoblog]

The Chevy Cruze era has begun in South Korea, except the sedan will be badged as the Lacetti Premiere. General Motors partner Daewoo is producing the fuel efficient sedan for Korea, the first market to get one of GM’s most important future vehicles. The Cruze is the first truly global vehicle that the General will produce, with a keen eye on fuel economy and scalability. The Lacetti Premiere will come equipped with the same 1.6L powerplant with 140 hp as the rest of the world, meaning fuel economy is reported to approach 40 mpg on the highway. Europe won’t receive the Cruze until early 2009, with the U.S. getting the Bow Tie-branded sedan in 2010… at the earliest.

[Source:Autoblog]

Honda has taken the wraps off its redesigned 2009 Element after a number of leaked shots revealed the CUV’s new skin. Priced from $20,175 for a 2WD LX model to $25,185 for a 4WD EX with Honda’s Satellite-linked navigation, the new Element arrives looking much more grown up than its quirky predecessor. Retaining the same lunch box shape as before, the ‘09 Element gets a new front end with its own version of Honda’s new corporate grille that debuted on its bigger brother, the Pilot SUV. Whereas the first Element used matte black plastic fenders to get across its off-the-beaten-path personality, the new one is dressed in color keyed sheetmetal on all four sides. The rear end has also been tweaked with a redesigned lift gate and taillights.

The Element’s interior includes new color combos, titanium-look accents, new fabrics and revised switchgear, as well as a new convertible center console with a removable cooler. There’s also a new three-compartment overhead console available. Buyers can choose from three models: the base LX, up-level EX and sportier SC. All three are powered by Honda’s 2.4L inline-four engine with i-VTEC that produces 166 horsepower and 161 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy ranges from 18 city/23 highway for the SC and 20/25 for the LX and EX.

The new Element is certainly an improvement over the outgoing model, at least in the looks category, but functionally speaking it offers the same experience as the one before. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing considering the Element offers unique capabilities in a small, efficient package.

[Source: AutoBlog]

Thanks to an astute Autoblog tipster, we have our very first look at the upcoming redesigned 2010 Lexus RX ahead of its official unveiling at the LA Auto Show next month. As you can see in the gallery below, which show shots from what appears to be a Japanese brochure, the new RX will retain the same basic shape and styling cues as the current model, but has been gone over with some fine grit sandpaper to smooth out the rough edges. In traditional Lexus fashion, while the new RX may look similar to the old one, we’re absolutely certain every body panel is all new. The redesigned interior also features a seriously swoopy dash.

The new RX is also rumored to be larger than the current model with a longer wheelbase that may accommodate a third row of seating for the first time. We expect a revised version of the current model’s 3.5L V6 to be offered, probably with more power and better fuel economy, as well as a new version of the RX400h hybrid. Take a look at the sneak preview in the gallery below and let us know what you think in the comments.

[Source: AutoBlog]

Pontiac hopes to clear things up with a post on Pontiac blog regarding the future of its current products, namely the G8 and Solstice. It was just the other day that rumors of the brand’s two rear-wheel drive vehicles possible being canceled hit the interwebs, and we dutifully reported on the story as we always do. According to Pontiac, though, those rumors are nothing more than speculation and should not be taken as gospel unless you hear it from the horse’s (or Mr. Lutz’s) mouth, which we have not. Still, the rumor in question indicates that the G8 will live on at least another five years, assuming it continues to sell that long, but would not be replaced after that. This could still be the case. Likewise, the Solstice has not been canceled, but it’s replacement in GM’s lineup still seems unlikely given the low volume of sales the vehicle attracts. In short, nobody can predict the future, but sometimes the handwriting on the wall isn’t that tough to read.

[Source:Autoblog]

The Civic has been a pillar of the Honda lineup for decades, and high gas prices have made it even more important to the Japanese automaker’s success here in the U.S. Back in May and June, Honda couldn’t make enough Civics, but with the auto industry here in the States imploding, even Honda’s little money maker needs incentives. Right now, buyers with good credit can pick up a brand new 2008 or 2009 Civic with 1.9% financing for 36 months or 3.9% APR for up to 60 months. All models except the GX are included in the offer, even the Civic Hybrid.

If you’re not looking to buy a Civic, you can lease one for $1,999 down and $189 a month for 36 months. That’s $1,100 cheaper than the previous offer of $2,799 down and $199 a month. Honda says the incentive offers are necessary in part because of lowering gas prices, and the Japanese automaker wants to continue to see Civics fly off dealer lots to keep its new Indiana factory humming. Honda dealers are also happy about the Civic deals in light of Toyota’s 0% financing program on 11 vehicles, but they would like to see even more. Between 0% financing at Toyota and hefty discounts on 2009 Civics, we have all the evidence we need that U.S. auto market is completely screwed right now.

[Source:Autoblog]

The full-size SUV’s future is on shaky legs and now, reports have surfaced that General Motors has killed the next generation Tahoe and Yukon ‘utes, just weeks after announcing it would shutter its SUV plant in Janesville, Wisconsin. Of course, if that pair is buried, the Suburban and the Cadillac Escalade that use the same platform must also come to an end, at least in their current form.

Past reports indicate that the ultra-lux ride from Caddy will move to the Lambda platform for its next generation. The Tahukon pair had been slated for a redesign in 2011, and since that’s reportedly not going to happen, the duo’s future is definitely in question. GM will probably keep churning out the current version until it’s no longer profitable to do so.

These days, any story about the General would be incomplete without some mention of Chrysler, and this one’s no different. America’s number three automaker just announced just last week that it would be phasing out its full-sized ‘utes as well. Therefore, any possible merger of the two companies would carry on without a new large SUV platform at all. How the times have changed.

[Source:Autoblog]

The Lexus RX is one of the most successful luxury crossovers of the past decade, with sales doubling or even tripling that of its competition. Remarkably, the RX has achieved its considerable success without a major overhaul, but that will change when the next gen RX is unveiled this November in LA. Details on the new RX have been scarce to this point, but we can be sure that a hybrid version will continue to be available and that a plug-in version is a possibility.

The RX is also expected to grow by around five inches, just like its Highlander sibling, though Lexus will likely use the extra room to improve rear passenger leg room. We’ve seen spy shots showing more evolutionary styling changes, along with a few cues pulled from the LF-xh concept, with tweaks to the front and rear fascias and a curvier C-Pillar.

[Source:Autoblog]

Last month, Autoblog’s long-term fleet (AKA our daily drivers) grew by one when we picked up a thoroughly reworked, late-model German sedan. It’s a masterpiece of modern engineering, complete with the amenities our spouses have we’ve grown accustomed to (heated seats) and over $20,000 in modifications to the engine (new turbo, Inconel manifold), suspension (Ohlins) and brakes (Alcons, anyone?).

But there was a problem. It’s coated in our least favorite color: Brilliant Red. Thankfully, ABT Sportsline has an option that doesn’t involve a full re-spray.

The German tuning firm has partnered with the Kempten Company to create a “foil” for the A4, A7 and R8, which coats the Audis in a high-tech synthetic material that matches the weave of carbon fiber. Judging by the images ABT offered, the application of the “foil” is seamless, matching every crease and curve to the T.

While the idea of a faux-carbon fiber wrap for our rides reeks of poseur, we’re seriously considering a matte black treatment for our new purchase. If anyone knows of a firm based in the Bay Area to do the work, drop us a line in the comments. And if you know of anyone in Ohio, maybe we can persuade John to get his Alero coated in olive and black camouflage.

PRESS RELEASE

Noble and extravagant – Foil for A4, Q7 and R8

When ABT Sportsline starts something, you know it’s going to be worth seeing. That especially applies for the new vehicle full-foil, which the famous customiser from the Allgäu region now offers. After all, the high-tech synthetic material provides an additional individual touch and extremely exciting look. The complete vehicle bodywork is wrapped with extreme precision right through to the last corner or edge. The result is perfect right down to the finish of every single detail, and qualitatively there is no difference to a high-grade finish.

Wrapping with matt Carbon Film, which the Kempten Company offers for the models AS4, AS7 and the super sports car ABT R8, is especially exciting. Of course, the foil is also available for the standard Audi models A4, Q7 and R8. The matt Carbon Film is virtually indistinguishable from real carbon, i.e. the texture of the carbon-fibre synthetic material is exactly reproduced. “When the vehicle is fully wrapped in Carbon Film, it appears more aggressive and dynamic”, said Hans-Jürgen Abt, Managing Director of ABT Sportsline. After all, carbon is the extremely stable material that causes weight reduction in professional motor sport. Of course, ABT’s Carbon Film does not have this feature, but the extravagant wrapping is considerably less expensive.

ABT Sportsline has also developed a foil especially for the noble SUV AS7/Q7 that goes very well with the powerful vehicle: the customer can combine the foil in matt black with a colour like orange and green, thus emphasizing the side area and ensuring both an individual and elegant appearance for the AS7/Q7.

[Source:Autoblog]