Mercedes S400 BlueHybrid Concept Will Use Li-Ion Battery

Let’s take a moment of our time to take a look to a car which is not related and will not show up for the Geneva Motor Show. The reason why we present you this Mercedes-Benz is that the German automaker has developed a new hybrid system. The new S400 BlueHybrid will be powered by a 3.5-liter V6 petrol engine along with the 15kW electric engine.

The novelty consists of the fact that this hybrid will be the first to use lithium ion battery. Also the S400 BlueHybrid is the most economical sedan in NEDC (city and highway driving) by managing about 30 miles per gallon. This Hybrid Concept will be available as of 2009 with the ML450 two-mode hybrid system in the U.S. and Europe.

Italdesign Giugiaro Quaranta - ‘08 Geneva Preview

Finally we get something we want - Italdesign Giugiaro has released high-res pics of the Quaranta Concept just before Geneva Motor Show. We’ve been expecting this for a long time for the concept based on the 1968 Bizzarrini Manta Concept for its looks and on the Toyota Prius for its engine.

The Hybrid Synergy Drive completed with the 3.3-liter V6 engine produces 268 HP and 212 lb-ft of torque, enough to boost the Quaranta from 0 to 60 in just 4.05 seconds. Another design and tech cool characteristic is the solar power-generating roof. The design of the concept is simply astonishing and it will surely draw everybody’s attention at the upcoming auto show.

Check out the gallery below and follow the full press release after the jump.

LA Auto Show: Honda FCX Clarity unveiled

Honda has released the FCX fuel-cell hybrid concept in 2004 and it will now finally go on production, named the FCX Clarity. It has been unveiled at the LA Auto Show today and they state that it’s a zero-emissions, but it’s kinda hard to find stations for it and we are not sure yet if it features the GPS system that finds hydrogen fuel stations. Unfortunately, there will only be 100 Honda FCX Clarity models released for the ones that live near one of it’s three hydrogen fuel stations. So only southern California inhabitants will have the occasion to buy it.