1. Fisher Karma:
If you want to own a car that provides cushy pleasure and tons of sex appeal while leaving behind as little a carbon footprint as possible then you're in luck. The luxury hybrid market is expanding into all shapes and sizes offering opulent amenities on top of cutting-edge gas-electric technology that will reduce noxious emissions and deliver impressive fuel economy. As a follow-up to our descent show of the winners and losers among the current crop of luxury fuel-sippers we decided to take a look into the not-too-distant future at 10 upcoming high-heeled hybrids that will satisfy those who want to have their cake and eat it too.
If you want to own a car that provides cushy pleasure and tons of sex appeal while leaving behind as little a carbon footprint as possible then you're in luck. The luxury hybrid market is expanding into all shapes and sizes offering opulent amenities on top of cutting-edge gas-electric technology that will reduce noxious emissions and deliver impressive fuel economy. As a follow-up to our descent show of the winners and losers among the current crop of luxury fuel-sippers we decided to take a look into the not-too-distant future at 10 upcoming high-heeled hybrids that will satisfy those who want to have their cake and eat it too.
2. Infiniti M35h:
Nissan made its first foray into hybrids in 2007 with a gas-electric Altima and now is diving distant into the bosom of luxury with the Infiniti M35h sedan. While the Altima's hybrid technology is licensed from Toyota the M35h will be the first cable car to cable carry a hybrid system engineered in-house by Nissan. The rear-wheel drive M35h will pack a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline motor and its hybrid system will supposedly carry it in silent electric mode for longer distances than any other hybrid currently on the road. No word yet on pricing but the M35h will likely go on sale in the spring of 2011 for the 2012 model year.
3. Henrik Fisker
Henrik Fisker known for his high-end pattern work at BMW and Aston Martin founded Fisker Automotive in 2007 to create luxury plug-in hybrids. The company's first model the Karma will cost from a standard electrical socket and offer up to 50 miles of all-electric driving. When the battery runs low a gasoline engine will rev up to supplement its cost. For a 4-door the Karma is no slouch: It will sprint from zero to sixty mph in 5.8 seconds and have a peak speed of 125 mph. Fisker expects this "plug-xury" hybrid to be in full-scale production is scheduled for former 2011.
4. Porsche 918 Spyder
To the shock and amazement of Porsche fans everywhere the No utility carmaker recently announced that its ubersexy 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid supercar will become a reality and soon. The racetrack-inspired 2-seater garnered enough interest from potential buyers after its introduction at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show that Porsche decided to produce the car in limited quantities. With a midmounted 500-horsepower V8 gasoline engine and twin electric motors one on each axle the 918 is reported to brand the leap from zero to 60 mph in 3.two seconds. Though the exact availability present is unknown the 918 Spyder will be the most expensive production Porsche ever .
5. BMW 5 Series
Fans of Bavaria's best will soon have another loanblend option in the stable. As early as 2011 we could see the BMW 5 Series in loanblend form. This addition to the blue-and-white bloodline will join the burly ActiveHybrid X6 crossover and the statuesque 7 Series. The crossed 5 Series will carry a straight 6-cylinder engine and 8-speed transmission accompanied by an electric motor all of which will result in more than a 10 percent improvement in fuel economy according to BMW. And like many of the high-end hybrids on our listing the ActiveHybrid 5 Series will be able to go notably farther in electric-only mode than today's hybrids.
6. Mercedes S-Class
Mercedes-Benz has already shown its ability to play matchmaker between luxury and efficiency. The S400 carrying Benz's lithium-ion hybrid engineering is holding its own in the wild as is the ML450 hybrid though it's still lease-only. Mercedes has also partnered with Tesla Motors to fully electrify the pint-sized Smart as well as the breathtaking SLS AMG. But perhaps the boldest relocation is the high likelihood that Mercedes will push its hybrid technology all the way through the S-Class lineup. This will admit the S550 and S600 as well as the top-shelf AMG models. Precise detail remain nebulous at the moment but with Mercedes' aggressive investments in hybrids and battery electrics we're certain to see exciting things coming from the Benz.
7. VW Touareg
Later this year VW will turn loose a hybridized variant of its Touareg SUV. The all-wheel-drive Touareg will have a three.0-liter V6 supercharged engine tied to an 8-speed automatic pistol transmission; pumping out the electrons will be a 288-volt nickel-metal hydride battery. quickening of zero to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds means the hybrid Touareg outruns its nonhybrid V6 and TDI stable mates while getting twenty-one mpg city/25 mpg highway. We'll also see a hybrid Jetta union VW's lineup in 2012.
8. Lexus CT 200
The public first set eyes on Lexus' new dedicated hatchback hybrid at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. The CT 200h is a dense luxury 5-door with the tech-friendly flair we expect from a Lexus. Hitting the market in early 2011 the 200h will convey a refreshingly sensible 1.8-liter 4-cylinder VVT-i engine which will expected yield some impressive fuel economy when linked to its two electric motors and continuously variable transmission. While driving the CT 200h you will have your choice of four modes: EV Eco Normal and mutant.
9. Porsche Panamera S Hybird
Porsche built the world's first gas/electric hybrid more than a century ago but hasn't been concerned in the technology since. at present it has two in the works. The second "No Substitute" complex in this group is the Panamera and it will go into production in 2011 joining the already complexized Cayenne SUV. The Panamera carries the difference of being Porsche's best-seller in the U.mho. and the addition of an electric motor will probable add some satisfying performance to this sleek ride. But we won't know what to anticipate until we get our hands on it.
