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]