Audi Confirms Q5 Hybrid (2011) and A7 Sports Sedan (2010)

Audi has published new details on its future product plans that include the introduction of several new vehicles such as brand's first full hybrid model based on the Q5. The Ingolstadt automaker said that by 2015, the brand will have enlarged its vehicle portfolio from currently 34 to 42 models.

In particular, 2010 will see Audi launching a series of new cars like the A1 premium supermini, the A7 based on the Sportback Concept, the new A8 limo and the R8 Spyder. Though no specific details were released, the automaker said that it will unveil the Q5 Hybrid at the end of 2010, with sales beginning in early 2011.

The German company said that it plans to devote around 5.9 billion euros or about 80 percent of its total investment in fixed assets through 2012, to new product development, further optimization of conventional drivelines and the development of electric and hybrid models.

"With our planned investments in new products and mobility concepts, for example electric propulsion, we are creating a basis for our company's future growth," said Axel Strotbek, Member of the Board of Management for Finance and Organization at AUDI AG.

Artist Creates Three-Door, Rear-Engined Subaru Impreza WRX

In the digital world of photoshop, the only limit is the imagination and talent of the person using the graphics editing program. This piece of work was created by the chaps over at Digimods and it shows a proposal for a three-door version of the latest Subaru Impreza WRX fitted with a rear-mounted engine. A wide bodykit with bulging fenders, new alloy wheels and a bevy of air scoops including one on the roof that supplies air to the engine complete the mods.

Tommy Kaira Spruces Up 2010 Toyota Prius Hybrid Photos Pictures Review

Just in time for next month's Tokyo Auto Salon 2010, Japanese tuning house Tommy Kaira has finalized its aero and performance offerings for the latest generation Toyota Prius hybrid. We've been following the development of Tommy Kaira's sports package since September when the company released a set computer enhanced images, but now we've got the real deal.

Exterior appointments come in the form of new alloy wheels in sizes 16- and 18-inches, and an aggressive aero kit with parts that are available in carbon fiber, painted in the same color as the car or in a matte black finish.

The bodykit includes a front spoiler, grille trim, decorative trim for the front bumper, side skirts, roof spoiler and a rear apron with an integrated diffuser that houses four tail pipes.

Tires and alloys aside, performance mods are limited to a new brake system, a sports suspension that brings the car a few centimeters closer to the ground and a sports exhaust syste

Other available upgrades include illuminated Toyota logos, a sports steering wheel, specific floor mats, and HID and LED lights

2010 Toyota Prius Hybrid

Mitsubishi Releases 2.0-liter Versions of New and Old Outlander in Japan

As a rule, when an automaker goes ahead and facelifts one of its vehicles, the previous version is expelled from the range. Apparently that's not the case with Mitsubishi and its Japanese domestic market Outlander. The company has just released two new variants of the compact crossover, one called Roadest that's based on the new model with the EVO snout featuring a sporty body kit, and the other on the pre-facelift model.

Both variants are fitted with a new entry-level 2.0-liter gasoline engine producing 148PS at 6,000 rpm and 20.1kgm of peak torque at 4,200 rpm.

The base Outlander 20E (pre-facelift body) is available with 2WD or AWD and is priced from 1,995,000 Yen, which comes to around US$21,800 or €15,100.

The Outlander Roadest 2.0 with the sporty aero parts, also offered with 2WD or AWD, starts from 2,475,900 Yen, or about US$27,100 / €18,800 at today's exchange rates.

GM Planning to Rebadge the 2010 SAAB 9-5 as a Buick in the America

The folks over at Saabsunited were quick to pick up an article from Swedish business daily Dagen Industri claiming that, according to an unnamed inside source, GM will re-badge the 2010 SAAB 9-5 sedan as a Buick in the USA and use some of the tech on a future flagship Opel sedan in Europe. The author of the fable story, Ian Wadenal, goes on to tell us how well the 9-5 would fit in Buick's range, sitting atop the new 2011 Regal a.k.a. the U.S-spec Opel Insignia.

You'll probably read the same story elsewhere, and if you're a car guy, you'll shake your head with stupefaction because Buick already has a similar-sized model in the States, the new LaCrosse that shares the same Epsilon II platform and possibly other hardware with the 9-5.

A more compact version of the Epsilon II is also used on the Opel Insignia - Buick Regal.

We're not saying that there's no place for a re-badged Saab 9-5 in GM's global portfolio, but we can't see it being done for Buick in the States (obvious why) nor for Cadillac and Opel (at least in their core markets) simply because both of these brands have spent money and time to create their own design language.

We're all in for saving SAAB and we respect the efforts of enthusiasts, but if anything else, some common sense is necessary when re-telling / reporting stories...