What you see above could help you to escape from big traffic jams in the future. It’s a plug-In hybrid flying car from Terrafugia, the makers of the Transition car-airplane. It will be called the TF-X and the team is currently conducting a feasibility study for the carplane (or whatever you want to call it).

Not many details are currently available for the TF-X, which will improve on the Transition’s basic design. Terrafugia is only saying that it’s a four seater, and will feature fly-by-wire controls and “the state-of-the-art in intelligent systems”. It will also be capable of Vertical Take-Off and Landing like a helicopter. And of course you can drive it like a car, although it’s expected to be more like an airplane than automobile.

The TF-X is not going to come out of its animated land anytime soon. The Transition itself is not expected to hit production this year. And of course you will need big pockets if you are planning to fly around in either of them. The Transition’s price tag is $279,000. That’s if they ever become a real product, which is a really big IF.

Check out the video below followed by a gallery showing computer-generated images of the TF-X.

[Source]

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It’s Aston Martin’s hundredth birthday this year. As part of their celebration the company’s new Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S will be creating history by becoming the first hydrogen-powered car to compete in an international race. The car is all set to compete in the ADAC Zurich 24 Hours at Nürburgring in the coming month.

Powered by a 6.0 liter V12, the vehicle is capable of running on gasoline, hydrogen, or a mix of both, and the company aims to run the car in pure H2 mode for a single lap of the Nordschleife, with only water being emitted by it.

According to Aston Martin, the Rapide S hits 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 190 mph. To ensure safety, the car is coming with ultra-high strength carbon fiber tanks. A total of 3.5 kg of hydrogen at a pressure of 350 bar will be stored in four hydrogen tanks. It is similar in appearance to its non-hybrid counterpart, but there is the Hybrid Hydrogen sticker on the windshield and ‘007’ on the doors.

The ADAC Zurich Nürburgring 24 Hours happens on May 19 and 20, where the new Rapide S will go against more than 150 cars on the 25 km circuit. The non-hydrogen Rapide S will hit Aston Martin showrooms in May, but the company currently has no plans to offer the hydrogen version commercially.

What do you think of hydrogen powered automobiles? Are they the future, or do think electric or another alternative source will eventually overtake traditional gasoline-based cars instead?

[Source]

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Remember that tablet/notebook cross which was shown off by Sony at CES earlier this year? The convertible concept tablet dubbed “Hybrid” looked interesting although there was no confirmation whether the company would work on the prototype for market launch. And now a new info suggests that Sony has plans for bringing out the QWERTY-equipped slider.

In case you were out cold during CES, Sony’s hybrid tablet is Windows powered and is suspected to feature Intel’s Clover Trail Atom chip. The device is also thought to be coming equipped with a stylus for the pen input.

A print advertisement for the device, which comes to us courtesy of Pocketnow, hints that Sony might be planning to launch the device under the Vaio U brand. Although a release date is not mentioned, the poster suggests that the device might arrive with some changes.

When compared to the prototype (see below), the device in the ad does not have a stylus holder at the front of the keyboard and it appears to have a larger bezel as well. It also looks a bit thicker. And it will be awesome if it runs Windows 8, if it’s coming that is.

We will let you know when more info arrives. In the meantime, you can take a peek at a few pictures of the Hybrid prototype here.

[Image Source]

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How does a 1.27 pound tablet/netbook hybrid running Android 4.0 ICS sound to you? That’s what you get with Lenovo’s new IdeaTab S2. The lightweight tablet features a 10-inch display and a user experience that Lenovo describes as “flawless”.

Official specifications are as follows:

Processor: Qualcomm 8x60A/8960 1.5 GHz Dual Krait processor

OS: Android Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0

• Display: 10.1″ 1280×800 IPS screen display
• Memory: 1GB LP-DDR2 memory
• Storage: 16GB/32GB/64GB storage; 64GB ssd
• Communication Standards: WLAN 802.11b/g/n , BT 2.1+EDR , GPS/AGPS connectivity, Integrated front (1.3M HD) & back (8M+AF+LED+flash) mounted webcam
• Connectors: 17pin Docking conn.( micro USB compatible ), micro SD, Micro HDMI ,SIM card (only for 3G), 3.5mm Audio Jack, optional keyboard dock
• Camera: Integrated front (1.3M HD) & back (5M+AF+LED+flash) mounted webcam
• Weight:1.27 pounds (580g)
• Dimensions: 8.69mm x 10.1”

Like the Asus Transformer Prime, it is a tablet that also has a very sophisticated docking station that gives users a netbook experience as well. The dock for the S2 features 2 USB ports, a flash card reader, and a secondary battery which Lenovo claims gives the device a total of 20 hours of battery life.

On paper at least the Asus Transformer Prime does have a bit more power under the hood, but with Android ICS and 3G, the Lenovo certainly holds its own.

Lenovo’s success with the IdeaTad S2 versus models like the Prime will end up boiling down to price point and what exactly a user is looking to get out of their tablet. Still, it’s nice to see more and more of these tablet hybrid technologies arriving to the market.

[ source ]

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Looks like Toyota is going around making friends with just about everyone in the automotive industry. We’ve already seen the beginnings of the FT-86 (Scion FR-S) co-developed with Subaru, as well as the partnership with Tesla Motors to do the RAV4 EV. And now, Toyota has shaken some hands in Detroit, and will be buddying up with Ford to develop a hybrid system.

A “preliminary agreement” was reached between the two automakers, and they have promised to work together to build a hybrid drive system primarily for pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. The goal is to have vehicles using the new tech on the road at some point during this decade. They’re also working together on internet-based services and in-car communications. Ford plans to triple its North American output of EVs and hybrids to more than 100,000 by 2013.

Ford knows trucks. Toyota knows hybrids. This partnership makes sense. It’ll also help Ford stay in line with the new CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) restrictions put in place by Obama, which will force automakers to reach 54.5 MPG by 2025. Trucks can’t really lose the power they need, but they do need to cut back on their fuel consumption. The blue oval had previously worked with Toyota, using Toyota tech in the 2004 Escape Hybrid.

Photo: Dimas Ardian/Bloomberg.

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Until we figure out how to effectively and safely use hydrogen to power all our vehicles, hybrids are going to be the popular option for those who want to be a little more environmentally friendly with their daily commutes. Green Lite Motors agrees and the clean tech company is using Autodesk Product Design Suite to envision what a proper commuter vehicle should be. It’s not every day we here about what software the EV guys are using to come up with their creations, so its nice to see Autodesk teaming up with smaller guys out there to show what can be done.

The concept calls for a three-wheeled hybrid vehicle. It’ll be officially classified as a motorcycle, but it’s probably closer to a Smart Car in scope. There’s seating for two, including a full roll cage, four-point harnesses, seat backs, and front airbags. The goal is to have this trike, which is powered by a hybrid gas engine and electric motor, achieve 100 miles on the gallon while still giving up to 250 miles (400 km) of range and a top speed of 85 mph (137 km/h).

That should be enough range and speed for the vast majority of commuters, including those who take the highway to get to work. The digital prototypes of the unnamed vehicle were made using Autodesk Inventor software, which is included as part of the Product Design Suite. But alas, it’s a digital prototype for now, so who knows when this green trike will see the light of day for cost- and environmentally-conscious commuters.

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It’s called the Toyota GRMN Sports Concept II and, based on its AWD system, I think it could be part of that partnership that Toyota forged with Subaru. I’m not sure how the GRMN (German?) factors into that, though, since both companies are Japanese. They say it stands for “GAZOO Racing tuned by Master of Nurburgring.” The Master of Nurburgring is the late Hiromu Naruse, head of GAZOO Racing and a former test driver for Toyota.

That said, there’s no boxer engine under the hood (maybe it has nothing to do with Subaru after all). Instead, they’ve opted for a 245bhp 3.5L V6 located centrally. That is dedicated to the rear wheels, while the front wheels are driven entirely by an electric motor. And yes, it’s a roadster. And yes, it looks very hot.

Now we have to ask: is this just a concept car or is the second coming of the Toyota MR-2/MR-S? It can’t be the new Supra, since the Lexus LF-A is more their supercar schtick.

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Okay, the honeymoon period for the Chevy Volt is wearing on thin, so we’re left asking General Motors what they have done for us lately. As they prepare to enter the Korean market, GM has come forth with the Chevy Mi-Ray concept at the Seoul Motor Show.

Yes, it’s just a concept for now, but the hybrid roadster could add some edge and sportiness to the company’s “green” line of vehicles. Personally, I’m not a big fan of having those chunky lines all over the place, but apparently this design is inspired by a modern jet plane.

Korean for “future”, the Mi-Ray is an open top roadster too, so I don’t really anticipate that it’ll make it to showrooms in quite this form. There aren’t too many mass produced cars without roofs. The rear wheels are driven by the 1.5L four-banger behind the driver, while the front wheels get their grunt from two front-mounted 15kW (20hp) electric motors.

Yes, you get carbon fiber, carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, scissor doors, LED headlights, retractable cameras in place of sideview mirrors, and other niceties, but I’m not sold on the Mi-Ray. I do appreciate how companies are trying to move away from “boring” with their hybrids and EVs though.

[Read]

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The Honda CR-Z is already supposed to make hybrids fun. It may not be a sports car, but it is a sporty car. The upgraded version from Mugen, however, could be a completely different story.

I’ve seen people who have Mugen’d up their Civics and Integras with a fair bit of success, so it’ll be really interesting to see what Mugen Euro (based out of Northampton) can do with the sporty little hybrid. The CR-Z MUGEN is based on a joint partnership between the tuning folk and Honda UK.

They plan on upgrading not only the 1.5L gas engine, but also the Honda IMA electric assist system, giving the hot hatch more power and torque. Tossing in some alterations ot the exhaust and induction, they also hope to achieve improved fuel economy and reduced emissions “during some conditions.”

Not surprisingly, Mugen is doing the styling aerodynamic thing with new bumpers, spoiler, carbon fiber hood… and probably some stickers too, along with new rims, suspension, and brakes.

It’s just a one-off project, but there’s nothing stopping you from pimping your own ride to face off against Toretto.

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Last month, the new BMW i-Series made its official debut on paper, but all we got were some concept sketches. Now, we get to see a (camouflaged) BMW i8 in action, rolling around on a snowy track.

Instead of just a few spy photos, we’ve managed to find three spy videos. The BMW i8, which you may have previously known as Vision EfficientDynamics, appears to be a two-door super coupe that will likely compete against the likes of an Audi R8 and other similar vehicles.

We’re told to expect 62MPG while still being able to do 0 to 62mph in 4.8 seconds. It’s kind of hard to tell what kind of performance this thing can really offer until they spin it around Nurburgring or, at the very least, the Top Gear Test Track with the tame racing driver. Under the hood is an 161-horsepower 1.5-liter 3-cylinder turbo DIESEL engine (will probably be switched to gasoline when it hits production) a hybrid synchronous motor on the front axle (80HP) and full electric motor on the rear axle (51HP), giving a combined 292HP total output.

From what I hear, though, this kind of Bavarian green performance isn’t going to come cheap: expect the price tag to start in the $240k range whenever this is ready to hit dealerships.

[BimmerPost]

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