Toyota working on a MR2 hybrid sports car

This news just dropped in from Japan! According to Best Car Magazine, it appears that, besides the Toyota FT-86, the Japanese manufacturer is also working on a hybrid version of the MR-2 dubbed MR-S. According to the magazine, this new vehicle will be a direct competitor to the upcoming Honda CR-Z which is set to make its official debut in 2010, at the Detroit Auto Show. Looking at the rendering we can say that it looks much better than the CR-Z but this is just a rendering of a Japanese artist.

9ff Speed9 to make its debut at the Essen Motor Show

The exclusive Porsche vehicles tuner 9ff will display its latest project named 9ff Speed9 at the Essen Motor Show. Based on 2010 Porsche 997 Turbo, the new conversion is 9ff’s second independent complete vehicle. The development of the vehicle is said to follow the traditional design formula of the Porsche 356/1500S Speedster (1955), which includes shortened windscreen and emphatically level vehicle silhouette. The aero kit fitted on the refined Porsche 997 Turbo features a front apron, side skirts and rear apron. The Speed9’s Bi Turbo engine is able to generate up to 650 hp/478 kW and 890 Nm of torque due to the 9ff 650 VTG Turbochargers, ECU remap, sport air filter, 100cell sport metal catalytic converter, 9ff sport-exhaust system and exhaust manifolds. Continued after the jump!

BMW ActiveHybrid 7 to make its North American debut in LA

The BMW ActiveHybrid 7 is a car that stands out with the new standards it sets for performance and efficiency in the premium luxury class.
Based on the newest BMW 7 Series, the car is a symbiosis of an upgraded twin-turbo, High Precision Direct Injection, and V8 engine with a 3-phase synchronous electric motor that gives it a combined output of 455 hp and maximum torque of 515 lb-ft. Power is transmitted via an 8-speed automatic transmission with the electric motor positioned between the engine and the torque converter. A lithium-ion battery was developed specifically for the BMW ActiveHybrid 7. The interaction of these power sources maximizes the efficiency and dynamic performance of the vehicle. Continued after the jump!

Audi takes a 9.09% stake in Bayern Munich

For a cool 90 million euros ($135.8 million), Audi now owns a 9.09% stake in Bayern Munich, the richest and most successful soccer club in Germany. Audi didn’t just purchase a stake in the club out of the blue; it has been the exclusive car sponsor of the club since 2002.

Audi CEO Rupert Stadler said that aside from the direct financial participation, Audi also is planning to strengthen the global presence of both brands in the “form of grassroots development in globally organized soccer schools.” Bayern has a record number of domestic championships and in the international arena, it has won the European Cup four times. It has sole ownership of the Allianz Arena, which boasts a 69,000-capacity. Audi is headquartered in the Bavarian town of Ingolstadt north of Munich.

Nissan’s 2012 Olympic fleet would have averaged 60 g/km of CO2

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) defends its choice of BMW as its automotive partner for the games, saying that it best matched its average 120g/km emissions targets.

Still, detractors surmise that Nissan’s 2012 Olympic fleet would have averaged 60g/km of CO2, far lower than what the games’ organizers had required. According to a senior Nissan source, Nissan’s average emissions were the lowest of all the bidders. The source considers LOCOG’s decision to be a “backwards step” for the capital’s chances of creating an electric infrastructure. The source added that it doesn’t have a problem with BMW getting the contract but then, Nissan feels that LOCOG missed out on a chance to “kick-start a proper electric infrastructure in London.” Half of Renault-Nissan’s 4,000-strong fleet would have consisted of all-electric Nissan Leafs, which will go into production within a year.

BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept to step on American land in LA

The BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept car is conceived as a 2+2-seater with plug-in full-hybrid technology. This unique car illustrates that the BMW EfficientDynamics objectives are fully compatible when applied to a sports car.

The BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car’s performance is equivalent to that of a BMW M vehicle. What makes it even more amazing is its level of fuel efficiency and emission management that beat the current levels achieved by the latest small cars. BMW makes this possible by combining BMW ActiveHybrid components with an extremely economical combustion engine, and outstanding aerodynamic qualities. Continued after the jump!

2009 Essen Motor Show: Brabus B63 S breaks cover

Brabus unveiled today at the 2009 Essen Motor Show, its brand new B63 S, a new sports sedan based on the latest Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG.

For those who don’t know, the ”standard” E63 AMG comes with a 6.3-liter V8 engine capable to deliver 525 hp but the German tuner wasn’t satisfied by this number and added an extra 30 hp in order to obtain a total output of 555 hp and an impressive 650 Nm (464 to 479 lb-ft) at 5,400 rpm. With these numbers, the B63 S sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.3 seconds while the top speed is electronically limited to 320 km/h (200 mph). In order the transfer all the 555 hp on the road the German tuner offers a limited-slip differential with a locking rate of 40 percent for the E 63 AMG. Continued after the jump!