By Christopher Tan

PORSCHE CAYENNE HYBRID DUE NEXT YEAR

Porsche has released more details of its Cayenne Hybrid.

The car is to be developed with Volkswagen and will have a parallel full-hybrid drive.

Drive power in the Cayenne S Hybrid will come primarily from a supercharged 3.0-litre 333bhp V6 with direct injection.

It interacts with a 38kW electric motor, which is used either as an additional source of power to boost the output of the petrol engine or as the sole drive unit operating on its own.

The Cayenne Hybrid will be able to cruise with the combustion engine switched off in the so-called sailing mode.

This saves fuel at speeds up to 138kmh, which current Japanese hybrids are not able to achieve.

The hybrid Porsche hits 100kmh in 6.8 seconds and is supposed to return 100km on 8 litres of petrol.

It is expected at showrooms next year.

ANOTHER GTI WANNABE

If you cannot beat the GTI, try a name change.

That is what Renault seems to have done by launching the Clio Renaultsport 200 Cup and Renaultsport 200 .

The cars are essentially what the Clio R27 was, although Renault claims they now have "F1-style frontal aerodynamics, new alloy wheels and rear diffuser".

Revised steering and suspension settings and improved low-end torque are also part of the package.

The carmaker has not decided whether to export the cars to Singapore.

ELECTRIC KANGOO ON THE WAY

Renault has unveiled the Kangoo be bop ZE (zero emission), a prototype electric vehicle.

The car features technology that will be found in Renault's upcoming electric vehicles that will reach showrooms in 2011.

The Kangoo be bop ZE has LED lights and has been reshaped and lowered for better aerodynamics.

It has a 44kw (60bhp) electric motor which revs to 12,000rpm and which is powered by a pack of lithium-ion batteries.

The batteries are expected to deliver 80 to 100 per cent of its original capacity for six years.

The car is also equipped with a brake energy recovery system which enables it to be charged while on the move.

Renault's affiliate Nissan Motor, meanwhile, is due to launch an electric model next year, starting with the United States and Japan.

A3 CABRIOLET ON THE RUNWAY

Audi presented a sneak preview of its A3 Cabriolet at the Audi Fashion Festival on Tuesday night.

The canvas-top goes head to head with BMW's 1-series convertible.

The version available here is a 1.8-litre sevenspeed priced at above $150,000.

This is the first year that the German carmaker is the lead sponsor of the fashion festival, which ends tomorrow at Ngee Ann City's Civic Plaza.

MORE EFFICIENT ENGINES IN THE WORKS

Even as alternative energy cars are being rolled out, significant improvements to the internal combustion engine are expected.

The Scuderi Group will soon unveil a prototype split-cycle engine, a low-emission and highly efficient engine.

The 1-litre naturally-aspirated petrol unit is expected to produce up to 80 per cent less toxins than a typical internal combustion engine.

A turbo version will be even more efficient.

Besides the Scuderi engine, two other new engines are on the way: a five-stroke concept engine and an ultra- clean four/two-stroke diesel engine.

They are by Finnish company Ilmor Engineering.

PORSCHE, VW TO FORM AUTO GIANT

Volkswagen and Porsche board members have proposed the setting up of an integrated car manufacturing group.

An umbrella company will be created to hold 10 brands: Porsche, Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Seat, Lamborghini, Bentley, Bugatti, Scania and Man (the final two being heavy vehicle makers).

Porsche owns 51 per cent of Volkswagen and is reportedly seeking to raise its stake to 75 per cent.

The future giant's main shareholders will include the German state of Lower Saxony, the Porsche family and the Piech family.

Volkswagen has said that it welcomes the move, which ensures the independence of each of the 10 brands.

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