Ferrari’s Future: Hybridized 599 Coming In 2015

Yes, we are aware that that is not the 599 you see above, but any opportunity to post the ridiculously good looking 458 Italia will be taken advantage of.

The 599 will be the model selected to get the hybrid treatment, but don’t expect it any time soon. 2015 is the projected release, and even that isn’t written in stone. The head of Ferrari Amedeo Felisa recently said of the 599 hybrid:

“The technology is not ready. The suppliers are not ready. Everything is underdevelopped. There is a lot of work to do. It’s not for tomorrow. We haven’t decided when (it will be introduced)”

While we are a bit disappointed in the 599 hybrid’s excessive delay, Felisa’s no-nonsense approach to being interviewed is appreciated. Just tell it like it is.

There are some people who aren’t so impressed at the idea of a hybridized Ferrari though. Ferrari’s are the epitome of performance not efficiency and any attempt to address the latter would likely compromise the former which is blasphomy in the Ferrari world. But the fact of the matter is, this new venture into efficiency is not an option for Ferrari, it’s a necessity or else its existence will fade away quicker than George W. Bush’s credibility.

But Ferarri has another trick up its sleeve.

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Oh Hi: 2011 Volkswagen Touareg

Very nice!

After saying that it would make its official debut about a month from now at the Geneva Auto Show, VW decided that we couldn’t wait that long and gave us a few pics to oggle.

The upgrades help it stay more in line with VW’s new three barred grille theme and tail lights get a similar family resemblance treatment as well. The sides are a lot more sculpted and eye-catching. The overall size remains the same. Although the previous generation’s design is now eight year’s old, we are still fans of the old version. This new Touareg is still agreeable though.

Apparently fuel efficiency was a big factor in the Touareg’s redesign. We criticized the current generation Touareg for being obese, which negatively affects fuel consumption. VW obviously read our review ( we like to tell ourselves that anyway) and took our advice of putting the Touareg on a diet. The 2011 version will lose 460 pounds.

Also helping out in the fuel efficiency department will be a hybrid model in addition to the great TDI engine (only making its debut for the 2010 year). The hybrid will be VW’s first ever and will have a 3.0 direct injected V6 matched to an eight speed automatic. Normally we’d make some smart ass comment about that being too many gears, but for the benefit of fuel efficiency, it actually makes sense. The Touareg Hybrid is expected to produce a combined rating of 8.3L/100 kms. The diesel is expected to be tweaked for efficiency as well and will get an expected 7.3L/100 kms.

More pics here

Spy Shots: 2011 Dodge Charger

If you go to canadatrader.com you can find many 2008-2009 Dodge Chargers for sale for $15,000. If you’ve ever driven a Charger, you know why – they’re not exactly good looking, the transmission isn’t responsive, the interior is laughably bad, the handling is dreadful as is fuel consumption.

For those of you that actually care about the Charger, here are a few spy shots of the 2011 version where Chrysler’s new V6 is expected to find its way under the hood along with a more sloping roofline, changes to the rear and front facia and an updated interior.

After the jump are two more pics for you if the first pic somehow didn’t induce a yawn…

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