Delicious! The Peugeot RC Hymotion4 is the second mid-engined four-door concept developed by Peugeot since the curious-looking 908RC. Insiders reveal that the 408, as it’s likely to be called, is almost certain to come to market with a diesel-hybrid option.

Now this is what Peugeot needs in its stable!  A great looking, muscular and well-proportioned sports sedan. I want one, even though it’s French.

Take a look at the slideshow of the 50 Worst Cars dating back to 1899. It’s actually a pretty interesting look at the trial and errors from hundreds of years ago. Some of the “vehicles”  would probably be a hit today. I would pay to drive this George Jetson one in a heartbeat!

Mercedes could unveil this new mid-engined model sometime around 2010.

Yummmmy!

The long-range fuel efficiency of the hybrid model of 130 mpg at 55 mph (0.8 L/100 km at 90 km/h) would make it one of the most fuel-efficient cars in the world. A higher figure of just over 300 mpg is used for shorter (100 mile) trips, where the pre-charged batteries are able to run the hybrid vehicle for approximately the first 60 miles. The price is US$26 900 for the all-electric “Aptera Local” and US$29 900 for the plug-in hybrid “Aptera Everywhere“. For more photos.

Question From Nic: Hi there - in your opinion - whats the better ( more reliable car : Acura NSX or Lotus Elise ?
Nic

CarFinanceGuru: Nic, this is a tough choice! The Acura NSX had a 15 year production run from 1990 – 2005. The Lotus Elise came out in 1996 and is currently still in production. Now having been in both cars we’d choose the NSX. There is a bunch of information about the history of Acura NSX at Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_NSX and also the Lotus Elise http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_Elise.

The reasoning behind why we would think the Acura NSX is more reliable is due to Honda being the parent company of Acura. This is not to say that Lotus is a slouch in the reliability department but few people will argue that Honda is less reliable.

Check out this next generation NSX which is scheduled to come out in 2011.

Follow Up Comment:  Thank you. I ve been so curious to find out  about what you think .
I ll let you know .
Nicky

While those behind the wheels of fuel-sipping vehicles are likely driving stress free, other motorists are feeling the pinch. Forbes reviewed estimated annual fuel costs for vehicles in nine U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifications and used the highest annual estimates to compile their list. Here it goes…

Lamborghini Murcielago (MPG Rating: 8 city/13 highway)

Bugatti Veyron (MPG Rating: 8 city/14 highway)

Bentley Azure (MPG Rating: 9 city/15 highway)

Ferrari 612 Scaglietti (MPG Rating: 9 city/15 highway)

Maybach 57/62 (MPG Rating: 10 city/16 highway)

Bentley Continental GTC (MPG Rating: 10 city/ 17 highway)

Mercedes Benz G55 AMG (MPG Rating : 11 city/ 13 highway)

Mercedes Benz ML 63 AMG (MPG Rating:11 city/ 14 highway)

Jeep Grand Cherokee (MPG Rating: 11 city/ 14 highway)

Audi S4 Avant (MPG Rating: 13 city/ 20 highway)

Newest Abu Dhabi Creation

In Abu Dhabi, a G55 AMG owner trying to outdo his neighbor’s Porsche Cayenne Turbo, decided to swap in the 5.5L 720 hp supercharged V8 engine found on the SLR McLaren. The result is a SUV capable of doing 0-60 in 4.2 seconds.

A Word from ImportsGuy: While this is a crazy accomplishment, I think its pretty pointless to do. In the end its still an SUV so by putting this extra horsepower into it, its just begging for you to lose control of it, or for the owner to sit at a light burning rubber for hours.

2009 GT3 RS Cup S

With Porsche’s introduction of the GT3 RS, many thought this was their idea of a street-going race car. But now comes the GT3 RS Cup S, a true track monster. The Cup has pretty much the same 3.6 liter boxer engine that is used in the Carrera Cup championships and the Mobil 1 supercup. With 440hp at 8000 rpm and 317lb-ft torque at 7250 rpms this car is more than capable on the track. With 10.5 in. wide wheels in the front, 12in wide wheels in the back, and a rear spoiler taller than some kids, grip and downforce are not a problem. On the track is where this car will truly shine, as the suspension is more than likely way too stiff for daily driving. So for the car enthusiast looking for that weekend track car that will satisfy all his or her racing desires, the Cup S is perfect car for them. The only thing that may come in the way is the $362000 price tag, 2.5 times that of the GT3RS.

One of the Most Technologically Dense Cars: Lexus LS 600h L

The Lexus LS 600h L is the world’s first vehicle of any type to be powered by a “full hybrid” V8 powertrain. Full hybrid means the car can be powered by the gas engine only, the electric motor only, or both at the same time. Unlike its gasoline-only cousins, the LS 460 and LS 460 L(a beautiful car), both of which are rear-wheel-driven, the new hybrid limousine is an all-wheel-drive configuration. During normal driving conditions, power is split 40 percent front/60 percent rear. If the road becomes dicey, it is capable of a near 50/50 split.

An all-new dual-stage continuously variable transmission (CVT) with a sequential shift mode allows manual selection of eight different stages of acceleration response. It also features the selectable modes of the company’s conventional models: “power” and “snow” in addition to a “hybrid” mode.

When it rolls into showrooms, the LS 600h L will be one of the most technologically dense cars you can buy. There’s a power rear-ceiling-mounted 3.0 VGA 9-inch entertainment screen. Occupants’ body heat is measured with infrared sensors to adjust the cabin temperature while ceiling climate diffusers gently distributes air movement. The amply sized LS 600h L—provided it has the right options—parks itself. Pull up to a space, select reverse and the car steers automatically into the gap, using sensors and a rear-view camera. All the driver needs to do is modulate the brakes. And if all that isn’t enough for your luxury needs, this hybrid pleasure cruiser also includes a stunning 19-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, voice-activated hard disk drive (HDD) satellite navigation.  Very nice.

2008 January: Smart Cars Head For The U.S.

The French-built Smarts come rolling off container ships in January. The company says it has already received 30,000 preorders, each involving a $99 deposit. “Americans are begging for this car,” says Smart USA President David C. Schembri. To be more exact, it’s Americans living in cities along both coasts that seem most interested in getting a Smart, which starts at $12,000 and gets about 40 mpg. NEWSWEEK’s Tara Weingarten talked to Schembri about how a Smart might do in a run-in with an SUV, why Consumer Reports hated the Smart, and if Americans are too fat to fit in such a small car. Measurements of a Smart: 8.5 Ft long, 5.5 Ft wide.

What Happens If You Get Hit While Driving A Smart? The safety management system of the Smart is a safety cell, a reinforced steel cage that acts very much like a NASCAR roll cage. You’ll notice that you sit up high, eye-to-eye with other drivers, so this also allows crash energy to be absorbed underneath the car. And there are standard safety features that are usually found only in luxury automobiles, like the electronic stability program, four front airbags, including head and thorax protection, ABS brakes and something called electronic brake-force distribution that helps the car stop fast. This is a tough car,” claims Schembri.

With just two seats, it’s the perfect car for the friendless. And you don’t have to be nice and offer people rides.
Actually, it’s the perfect car for teenagers. What better car to buy for your teenager than one without a back seat? The latest research shows that the biggest reason teens get in accidents is because of distractions from backseat riders. This solves the problem. Hah!

As long as it stays in the city, I’m sure the Smart will do just fine.