Audi to bring hybrid Q5 to U.S. in 2010

Audi will offer a hybrid version of its Q5 crossover in the United States starting in late 2010, says Wolfgang Hatz, head of powertrain development for the Volkswagen group. In an interview Sunday at the Detroit Auto Show , Hatz said Audi must offer a hybrid model to compete with rival vehicles that already offer the technology, such as the Lexus RX 400H. The BMW X6 will be offered as a hybrid late this year, and Mercedes plans to roll out a hybrid in each of its major models starting with the S400 hybrid this year.

NHTSA investigates Chevrolet Corvette headlamp failure

Federal U.S. safety officials have launched an investigation into potential headlamp failures on the sixth-generation Chevrolet Corvette. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received 30 consumer reports that both low beam headlights will shut off while driving at night, without warning.

E85 makes inroads on cost and availability

Three years ago, we embarked on a Midwest road trip in search of what was then the Holy Grail of fuel: E85. Our findings weren't too positive--there were far more E85-compatible vehicles on the road in 2006 (5 million) than there were E85 pumps to fuel them (about 700 out of some 200,000 fuel stations nationwide). In addition, those burning the mix of 15 percent gasoline and 85 percent ethanol were paying a pretty penny for their earth-friendly ways, losing about 15 percent in fuel economy while often paying the same price as for regular unleaded.