Toyota tests chips that improve hybrid efficiency by 10 percent

Toyota announced on Tuesday that it has developed a new semiconductor, claiming it can boost fuel efficiency in hybrid cars by an impressive 10 percent. The semiconductors manage the flow of electricity through the power-control unit that connects the battery to an electric or hybrid car's motor and generator. The newly developed semiconductors are said to consume only a tenth of the energy of today's chips, while allowing the power-control unit to be 80 percent smaller.

Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, Day 2

Day two of the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction has ended, and our friends at Hagerty have the numbers for us. The top earner for the day was a resto-mod-style 1948 Chevrolet COE truck that sold for $97,900. After a two-year frame-off restoration, the COE got a rust-free California body applied to a late-model General Motors chassis.

Audi A3 hatch, Sportback and saloon (2012) sketches

Audi has released a batch of official design sketches revealing the new 2012 Audi A3. This is our first glimpse of the new A3 hatch, A3 Sportback and A3 saloon. There will be another A3 cabriolet, but no renderings have been issued yet.