Lexus GS 350

The hybrid is powered by both a 3.5-liter engine and an electric motor, for a total system output of 340 hp. The 350 comes with a standard 6-speed transmission, but the 460 comes with eight ratios. The 450h is in a drivetrain class of its own, with an electronic continuously variable transmission. All three models can reach 60 mph from a standstill in just over 5 seconds.

The GS has a lot of high-tech goodies, such as the SmartAccess sensor system, which allows the car to be unlocked by touching the door handle or trunk, and then started with the push of a button. Holding the unlock button on the key fob as you approach the car rolls down all the windows. Available parking assist provides alerts to objects in the way and dynamic radar cruise control maintains a safe distance from the car in front while cruising on the highway.

Safety systems are state-of-the-art, too. Direct tire pressure monitoring, anti-lock brakes with brake assist, a 10-airbag setup, traction control and rain-sensing windshield wipers are standard. The Vehicle Dynamics Integrate Management system prevents a loss of traction using individual-wheel braking and throttle activation. On the 460, it works with the variable gear-ratio steering to maintain control. The available adaptive headlights that help drivers see around bends in the road are standard on the 450h. New this year on both 350 and 460 models is a standard brake override system. When the brake is applied, the system cuts engine power even if the accelerator pedal is also applied, allowing the car to be safely slowed and stopped.

Lexus IS 250

Lexus IS 250 Both engines come with variable valve timing for responsiveness as well as fuel efficiency-the Lexus IS 250 is quite economical with EPA ratings of up to 21 mpg city and 29 highway. While the Lexus IS 250 comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission, with a 6-speed automatic (and steering-wheel paddle-shifters) optional, all IS 350 models come with the automatic.

In all Lexus IS models, a double-wishbone suspension design in front and a multi-link rear setup help reduce weight and increase responsiveness. The suspension in the IS is tuned to be quite firm, yet there's enough give to maintain enough ride comfort for most.

The Lexus IS 250 has rather compact exterior proportions, which means that backseat space is tight for the tallest adults, especially in IS C convertibles. However it's quite comfortable in front. Leather upholstery is standard, with new black-metallic accents in the sedan and the IS sedan has a reasonably large trunk.

Facebook Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid

Porsche is celebrating a unique social media milestone with a custom 911 GT3 R Hybrid. The company recently surpassed 1 million fans on Facebook, and to mark the occasion, designers have churned out the hybrid 911 racer with the signatures of over 27,000 Porsche fans. The vehicle is set to be on display at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart for all to see.

The German automaker says that it chose the 911 GT3 R Hybrid for the Facebook celebration because Porsche believes that the car is the future of racing. The machine packs 480 horsepower from a 4.0-liter flat six-cylinder engine and two electric motors capable of 80 horsepower each. Unlike most hybrids, Porsche has opted to store the vehicle's energy in a flywheel accumulator that gets a boost during braking instead of a traditional battery pack. The technology recently proved itself as competition-capable during last year's 24 Hours of Nürburgring.

Saabs get BMW power

Saab and BMW have signed a deal that will see the German firm supply Saab with four-cylinder petrol engines. The agreement will see BMW build four-cylinder units, which feature stop-start, at its Hams Hall engine plant in the UK. Saab will use them in its new 9-1 supermini.

The contract was signed by BMW Sales and Marketing board member Ian Robertson and Saab boss, Jan΅ke Jonsson, in Trollhättan at Saab’s base in Sweden. Both companies have agreed not to disclose any financial or contract volume details.

“We are continuing to expand our powertrain system sales business worldwide as planned as part of our Strategy Number ONE. Today’s agreement marks another important milestone along this route,” explained Robertson.

“We are delighted to support Saab with our engine expertise. Our engines have a clear lead over the competition when it comes to fuel consumption, emissions and performance,” Robertson added.

Jonsson said, “It gives me great pleasure to confirm this exciting new relationship. BMW Group’s engines and their fuel savings innovations are widely regarded as a benchmark in the premium segment. We look forward to integrating this technology into our next-generation vehicles in a true Saab way.”

Mercedes, Ford, Chevrolet and Geely win awards

Last week's Beijing auto show was full of interesting designs--some which will eventually make it to the road, while others are shuttled off to a warehouse. The AutoWeek editors at the show found plenty to look at and debate over to decide which vehicles deserved our Editors' Choice awards for the show.

The 2010 AW Editors' Choice Award winners for the best of Beijing are:

BEST IN SHOW: Mercedes-Benz Shooting Break Concept

In much the same way that the Mercedes-Benz CLS rewrote the rules for sedan styling when it first appeared, the Shooting Break Concept will change the way we think about station wagons. Like the CLS, the Shooting Break is a four-door, but with the same kind of swoopy design that evokes a traditional two-door shooting brake. Given that the concept is penciled in for production as the wagon version of the next-gen CLS sedan that will debut at this fall's Paris motor show, we can't think of a car at Beijing that will leave a more lasting impression.

“The Shooting Break was a clear choice as Best in Show. The car is visually stunning,” executive editor Roger Hart said.

BEST CONCEPT: Ford Start

This little four-seater won't ever make it past concept form, but the cute-as-a-bug styling and three-cylinder turbo engine make it the kind of concept that's hard not to love. The car might not see the showroom, but Ford promises that the 1.0-liter turbocharged I3 engine is destined for use in future Ford small cars, where it is expected to deliver the same power as a 1.6-liter I4. That's the kind of concept we can wholeheartedly embrace.

“Great design for such a small car, and innovative use of Ford's EcoBoost technology with an I3 engine,” Hart said.

MOST SIGNIFICANT: Chevrolet MPV5

This Chevy people mover could have picked up our Best Concept award, but as a practical five-passenger small crossover powered by the same series hybrid plug-in electric powertrain as the Chevrolet Volt, it's far more significant than that. The packaging is right for China and beyond, and the powertrain is perfect for buyers looking for what ought to be one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the planet. The flexibility of the Volt powertrain to use diesel, gasoline or fuel-cell power, depending on the market, makes this latest version of the Volt likely a key player in the global transportation future.

“GM is banking a lot of its future on the Volt ... and despite the fact that a production Volt has yet to be delivered to a customer, it is logical to see them take the powertrain and platform and show it in another form,” Hart said.

MOST FUN: Geely Gleagle IG

Geely says IG stands for “Intelligent Geely,” but we think it packs more fun than brains. The little 2+2's gullwing doors give it a sense of joy that only a Chinese company that knows no boundaries can build into its cars. We get a chuckle from Geely's brochure proclaiming that the IG is the “Smart Family Walking-Instead tool” that features gullwing doors and a “front impersonating expression.” We'd like to think nothing was lost in that translation.

“This is clearly a China-only car, but with the gullwing doors and the car's size, it looks like a fun car to cruise around in,” Hart said.

Toyota Hybrid-X concept

Toyota Hybrid-X concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

When Toyota gets around to expanding its Prius line-up next year, the first model to benefit from the badge will be a compact MPV reportedly badged the Alpha. The small van will apparently be based on a stretched version of the current Prius platform, will add a third row of seats and should be the first production Toyota hybrid with a lithium ion battery pack. Toyota is currently testing a fleet of plug-in Prius hybrids with lithium batteries, but those aren't slated for production until 2012.

The seven-seat Alpha is expected to be about one foot longer than the current Prius hatchback, while a shorter, five-seat version of the Alpha that may look similar to the Hybrid-X concept from 2007 and could retain the nickel-metal hydride batteries of the current Prius to keep costs down. If all goes according to plan, expect the Prius Alpha to launch around March of next year.

Geneva Motor Show: Toyota Hybrid-X concept

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Fiat Tops Co2 Reduction Rankings For Third Year Running

SLOUGH, UNITED KINGDOM – March 9, 2010: Fiat has once again set new standards in cutting carbon dioxide emissions, after both the Fiat brand and Fiat Group posted Europe’s lowest volume weighted CO2 emissions, according to JATO, the world leader in automotive advisory and research services.

Fiat Automobiles logged a CO2 average of just 127.8 g/km, compared with 133.7 g/km in 2009’s results. This puts it ahead of Toyota(130.1 g/km), Peugeot (133.6 g/km), Renault (137.5 g/km), Citroen (137.9 g/km), Ford (140.0 g/km), Opel/Vauxhall (148.9 g/km), Volkswagen (150.4 g/km), Audi (160.9 g/km) and Mercedes (176.4 g/km).

Fiat also ranked first among the motor groups (131.0 g/km), ahead of Toyota, PSA, Renault and Hyundai.

The statistics show the average emissions figure for every vehicle Fiat sold in Europe in 2009, and also means that Fiat has beaten the European average target of 130 g/km five years ahead of its 2015 implementation.

This eco-friendly achievement is the result of a long-term Fiat strategy based on a two-pronged approach: implementing technological solutions aimed at containing consumption and emissions, and raising the awareness of motorists to spur a more responsible, eco-compatible use of their cars.

Unique engines, such as the new 900cc, 95 g/km Twin-Air two-cylinder and second-generation 1.3 MultiJet engines delivering power of up to 95hp, are part of that strategy. Raising awareness is the second part of the policy – implemented by Fiat’s eco:Drive the in-car software which analyses driver behaviour and suggests ways to improve it.

“These are important figures as they show not just the environmental impact of one or two of our cars, but the whole range,” says Andrew Humberstone, managing director, Fiat Group Automobiles UK and Ireland. "That means that every vehicle we sell is making its own contribution to emissions cutting and is playing its part in making Europe a cleaner place in which to live.”