Toyota HSD concept

The Yaris HSD, as presented in Geneva, previews Toyota's intentions of bringing Hybrid technology to the B-Segment, as well as Toyota's full hybrid roll out across all models in its range. Retaining the familiar Yaris outwardly appearance (and previewing the next generation Yaris) the HSD is interspersed with ‘Hybrid' cues, to intimate at the hybrid powertrain beneath the body. From the pearl white paint to the light blue hue that illuminates certain aspects, there is an underlying emphasis on the fact that this car is a hybrid.

Ready-to-race Ford Focus ST-R walk-around: Video

The folks at Ford released a video Christmas present this week featuring Ford Racing's Andy Vrenko hosting a complete walk-around of the company's latest turn-key race car, the Ford Focus ST-R. The latest spec racer is approved for competition in the Grand-Am ST, World Challenge TC and the Canadian Touring Car series (pending homologation approvals). The engine and transmission are production-based components from the street-legal Focus ST.

2014 Ram 1500 diesel in the works

Chrysler has announced that a diesel-powered Ram 1500 pickup is in the works. It's expected to hit dealer lots -- and presumably, America's family farms -- in the third quarter of 2013. Set to be released as a 2014 model year vehicle, the oil-burning 1500 will get a 3.0-liter V6 wearing Chrysler's new EcoDiesel branding.