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Mercedes Vision S500 Plug In Hybrid (2009)

By Ben Pulman First Official Pictures 11 September 2009 09:55 This is Mercedes’ latest Vision concept car, the S500 Plug-in Hybrid, and it will be unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show next week alongside an electric version of the company's new SLS supercar. Based on the current-gen but pre-facelift S-class the S500 Plug-in Hybrid achieves over 88mpg but only emits 74g/km, and the company claims the car demonstrates 'the future of Mercedes' modular set of hybrid systems.' All next-gen S-classes are expected to get stop/start technology as standard, while full hybrid and plug-in hybrids will also be offered. Merc is claiming that its S500 Plug-in Hybrid is the world’s first 'three-litre' limo, offering 88.3mpg (or 3.2l/100km), figures that shame the Lexus LS600h (30.4mpg), BMW’s 7 ActiveHybrid (29.1) and even the company’s own S400 Hybrid (35.8).

Concept Car of the Week: Autobianchi Runabout (1969)

The 850 was a very popular car for Fiat in the ‘60s, especially in its spider version with its cute design and compact proportions. When the time came to replace it, Fiat went back to Bertone, where chief designer Marcello Gandini was charged with designing its replacement. Not happy to simply recreate the 850, he began with a whole new layout by placing the engine directly in front of the rear axle for a mid-engined layout.

Infiniti EX35

The EX35 is a slightly smaller and more mainstream SUV than its FX bigger brother from which it takes its core 'coupe SUV' theme.  Despite the coupe design references, the vehicle is similar proportionally to the Lexus RX300 and BMW X3 which it will compete with in the US - and also in Europe when the Infiniti brand debuts next year.  Little different to the Infiniti EX concept shown in New York, the EX35 uses the core Infiniti graphic design signatures and soft form language but introduces a new flowing side feature line not seen on the Infiniti G37 Coupe launched a few months ago. Interesting technical innovations include the 'Around View Monitor' that uses four cameras to give a 'top-down view' of the outside of the car, and 'Scratch Shield' - a new self-healing clearcoat paint. Related Stories: Infiniti EX concept - New York Auto Show 2007 Infiniti G37 Coupe - New York Auto Show 2007