European Car News

918 Spyder, Plug-in Hybrid due on our shores in 2013

Porsche has recently announced that it is indeed building the '918' super car and Porsche dealers are now taking orders for the cars. 

The 918 Spyder will be a plug-in hybrid, using a high-revving V8 with greater than 500 horse-power combined with a pair of electric motors that will develop at least 218 additional horsepower.  It has been claimed that the car will consume 3L of fuel for 100km of driving, but we will be waiting for the EPA figures to be announced close to the end of 2013. 

Construction of the cars is due to begin on September 18, 2013 at the Stuggart-Zuffenhausen plant.  The cars will arrive in North America towards the end of 2013.  Price is estimated to be a devastating $845k (not including shipping and handling).

2012 BMW 6-Series

In a seemingly backward order, BMW has just released its new third-gen 650i coupe roughly six months after unveiling their 6-series convertable. 

The new coupe will be available in a couple of versions, the 650i (capable of 4.9 second 0-100kmh times thanks to a 400 horse, 4.4L twin-turbo V8) and the 640i (with a 320 horse, 3.0L twin-turbo inline 6, which pushes the new coupe to 100kmh in a still brisk 5.7 seconds).  Unfortunatly North American buyers will only be able to purchase the 650i while European buyers will have the choice of either cars. 

The 650i is claimed to go on sale in the fall of 2011.  Prices are yet to be announced but are expected to be similar to the convertable version which is currently on sale for 89730 Canadian Dollars.

2011 Mercedes E300 BlueTEC Hybrid

Mercedes has recently unveiled their first ever hybrid diesel vehicle at the Geneva Motor Show.  With a 2.2-liter four-cylinder diesel engine (developing 204 horsepower), mated to a 20 horsepower electric motor, the E300 BlueTEC Hybrid only consumes (on average) 4.1L/100km.

Fuel consumption is on par with extremely efficient small cars, while the hybrid drive system easily outperforms current six-cylinder diesel models in terms of output and sheer driving enjoyment.  Even with all the driving characteristics of a full hybrid (purely electric driving, recuperation, stop/start function, boost effect, and for the first time, "sailing" and silent starting of the diesel engine by the HV electric motor) the E300 BlueTEC still provides that exceptional, hallmark Mercedes-Benz comfort. 

The new E-series hybrid is expected to be launched at the end of 2011 as production has already begun.