JPMorgan Predicts One in Five Hybrids by 2020

JPMorgan is predicting a sharp rise in hybrid vehicles by 2020. By 2020, one in five cars sold in the US will be hybrid. That will fuel a worldwide market for hybrid parts which will rise from just over $3 billion last year to over $23 billion by 2020.

Demand will be pushed by stricter government restrictions in the US and Europe. JPMorgan believes 11.28 million hybrid vehicles will be sold in 2020. That will account for 13.3 percent of worldwide sales.

The other half of the demand will come from lowering costs. JPMorgan estimates hybrid system costs; including batteries, motors and computer hardware, will drop from $5,667 to $1,890 per unit by 2020.

Also, don't forget rising fuel costs, which is already seen to be a major force behind hybrid car sales.

Source: Nearly 20% of U.S. cars will be hybrids by 2020, forecast says - Automotive News, Study: Hybrids to make up one in five U.S. car sales by 2020 - [2010 Toyota Prius] - MotorAuthority - Car news, reviews, spy shots, and Global hybrid sales to top 11 million units by 2020

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Honda Fit Hybrid for 2010

The Nikkei is reporting (via GCC) that Honda will have a Fit Hybrid on the road in Japan in the fall of 2010. The new Fit will cost less than the Insight, which will make it the cheapest hybrid sold.

According to the Nikkei:

The company had initially planned to introduce the hybrid Fit in 2012, when the vehicle will be fully remodeled. Instead, it opted to develop the hybrid version based on the current subcompact and roll it out sooner to tap the anticipated market expansion.

The hybrid Fit is to be equipped with a 1.3-liter gasoline engine and the same type of hybrid system found in the Insight hybrid. It is expected to deliver a fuel mileage of more than 30km per liter [3.33 L/100km, 71 mpg US] which is similar to what the Insight hybrid offers.

This is big news for anyone who's excited by the renewed competition between Toyota and Honda. If Honda keeps 'lowering' the bar by introducing cheaper hybrid vehicles, Toyota is going to have to continue to follow suit.

It will make it harder for other automakers to break in and compete, though. With a decade of research and development into just their hybrid engines, Toyota and Honda can afford to cut the prices to compete with each other. Ford, GM and so on may not be able to do the same. They'll have to find some other way of making their own hybrids stand out... say the E-REV Chevy Volt way?

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2009 Ferrari 599XX Preview

2009 Ferrari 599XX


This outstanding car has the same transaxle layout and engine type which is based on the 599 GTB Fiorano, this prototype is an ultimate track car, the 2009 Ferrari 599XX. The 599XX is powered by a 700 horsepower at around 9,000 RPM redline and a faster shifting F1 gearbox. Characterized by a an innovative concept called the "High Performance Dynamic Concept", designed for a maximum performance.




Improved aerodynamics of the 2009 Ferrari 599XX results for a faster Ferrari around the track. The car boasts 280kg of downforce at 200 km per hour (around 630kg at 300 km per hour).

The price for the 2009 Ferrari 599XX is not yet specified at this time.

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2010 Aston Martin V12 Vantage

2010 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Pictures and Review

Said to be the most driver-focused sports car ever produced by Aston Martin, The Aston Martin V12 Vantage. The V12 Vantage was first unveiled in 2007 and was set for debut at 2008 Geneva Motor Show. This wonderful machine is powered by 6.0 liter V12 engine which makes 510 horsepower at 6,500 RPM and 420 pound-feet of torque at 5,750 RPM. It also claims a 0-60 time of 4.1 seconds and reaches a top speed of 190 MPH.

The V12 Vantage's engine features an enhancement that includes a by-pass engine air intake port that opens at 5,500 RPM, an enhanced induction system and redesigned air inlet ports which improves the airflow in the combustion chamber that makes the car performance even better. Inside the V12 Vantage, the interior front structure has been thoroughly upgraded to the suspension towers to house the larger engine, twin air intake system and the brake cooling system.

The Aston Martin V12 Vantage is expected to start with the deliveries during the third quarter of 2009. Pricing hasn't been announced yet and production will be limited at around 300 to 500 samples a year.

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2009 Porsche GT3 RSR Unleashed

The 2009 Porsche GT3 RSR

Porsche unleashed its latest model of its GT2-class race car, the 2009 Porsche GT3 RSR. With a new louvered hood as it's visual difference. The car's radiator ductwork has been redesigned for the racer's preferred air conditioning system. They also included a developed supply system for a consistently adaptable blink rate of its front lights. Which makes it easy to identify when car pits during night time. The GT3 is also equipped with a new air jack and a much easier accessed oil filler which has been relocated.

Now that comprises the visual part of the GT3. Lets go to a much better topic, the POWER. The 2009 Porsche GT3 RSR is equipped with a 450 horsepower at 7,800 RPM (compared to last year producing 465 horsepower at 8,000 RPM) with a displacement for the rear-mounted 6-cylinder from 3.8 up to 4.0 liters. Same with last year's GT, GT3 is also powered by a 317 lb-ft of torque at 7,250 RPM. Porsche said that the new GT3's torque curve is well-optimized than the past model for better driving. The 2009 Porsche GT3 RSR will cost you at around $493,392.

Technical Description Porsche GT3 RSR (2009)

Engine:
Water-cooled, six-cylinder boxer engine; four valves
per cylinder; dry sump lubrication; individual throttle
butterflies; fuel injection; air restrictors 2 x 29.5 mm.

Bore:
102.7 mm

Stroke:
80.4 mm

Capacity:
3,996 cc

Power output:
331 kW (450 bhp) at 7,800 rpm

Max. Torque:
430 Nm at 7,250 rpm

Max. revs:
9,400 rpm

Transmission:
Six-speed gearbox with sequential jaw-type shift;
oil/water heat exchanger; single-mass flywheel;
hydraulic disengagement lever; three-plate carbon-fibre
clutch; rear wheel drive; limited-slip differential 45/65%.

Body:
Monocoque body (basis GT3 RS) of hot-galvanised steel;
aerodynamically optimised front end with front spoiler;
aerodynamically optimised front underfloor; adjustable
rear wing; 90-litre safety fuel tank with fast filling function;
air jack; welded-in safety cage; bucket-type racing seat
(on driver's side only) with flame-resistant seat cover;
six-point seat belt adapted for use of the HANS
Head and Neck Support; electric fire-extinguishing system.

Suspension:

Front:
McPherson spring strut axle; Sachs four-way gas
pressure dampers; double coil springs (main and ancillary
spring); front axle arms adjustable for camber; adjustable
sword-type anti-roll bar on both sides; power steering.

Rear:
Multi-arm axle with rigidly mounted axle sub-frame;
Sachs four-way gas pressure dampers; double coil springs
(main and auxiliary spring); rear axle tie-bar reinforced
and infinitely adjustable; adjustable sword-type anti-roll
bar on both sides.

Complete suspension infinitely adjustable (height,
camber, track).

Brakes:
Brake system with balance bar control.

Front:
Single-piece six-piston aluminium fixed callipers;
inner-vented, 380 mm in diameter; racing brake pads.

Rear: Single-piece four-piston aluminium fixed callipers;
inner-vented, 355 mm in diameter; racing brake pads.

Wheels:

Front:
Three-piece BBS light-alloy wheels (11J x 18-34);
central bolt;

Rear:
Three-piece BBS light-alloy wheels (13J x 18-12.5);
central bolt.

Electrical System:
Motec display with integrated data recording; multi-function
display with integrated gearshift indicator; adjustable
traction control; battery: 12 volt, 50 Ah, 140 Ah alternator.

Weight:
Approx. 1,220 kg complying with A.C.O. regulations,
1,245 kg complying with FIA regulations.

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2010 Porsche Panamera Picture Updates

Two months ago, 2010 Porsche Panamera Teaser pics was posted and revealed here. To get you all updated with this new Porsche creation, here are some of the updated pictures of the Porsche Panamera.

Official production of the Porsche Panemera will start April next year and will make a world debut at Geneva Motor Show one month earlier. The Panemera will be a huge car that will have a size of almost 16.3 feet or 5 meters long, 6.3 feet or 2 meters wide and will weight for about 1,800 kilogram. Three engine choices will be available at launch – the base Panamera has a 3.6 liters V6 and 300 horsepower engine, the Panamera S has a 4.8 liters V8 and 405 horsepower engine, and lastly, the Panamera Turbo that has a 4.8 liters turbo model with about 500 horsepower.

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2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback at 2008 Paris Auto Show


An all new hot Ralliart flavor, here comes this year's Mitsubishi Lancer line, the all new 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback. The new Lancer Sportback looks more similar like the 5-Door Subaru Impreza models. This Lancer Sportback is powered by a 2.0L MIVEC turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 253 pound-feet of torque and 237 horsepower. Mitsubishi's all new Twin-Clutch SST Transmission will also come along with this Sportback model. The new Lancer Sportback is set on sale in Europe after its Paris debut which starts at $26,460.

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