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The 2011 Volkswagen Touareg rolls out with a new hybrid powertrain

Volkswagen is banking on the fuel-saving properties of a new gasoline-electric hybrid drivetrain and what it describes as a wholesale improvement in quality levels to bolster North American sales of its second-generation Touareg. This new Touareg represents VW's first foray into the premium-hybrid-SUV market, which includes gasoline-electric entries from BMW, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and Cadillac, among others. Further competition will come from a similarly powered version of the new Porsche Cayenne, alongside which the new Touareg was developed.

Subaru Cross Sport Design and Viziv Evolution concepts at the Tokyo Motor Show 2013

Subaru showed two other concepts alongside the Levorg at the Tokyo Motor Show – both of which are interesting, neither of which came with very much information. The Subaru Viziv Evolution proposes a three-motor hybrid all-wheel drive system, similar to that under development by Honda, while the Subaru Cross Sport Design concept appears to be nothing less than a shooting brake estate version of the BRZ. Who says Audi is king of the hot estates?Please click the picture above to read more about the Subaru Cross Sport Design and Viziv Evolution concepts at the Tokyo Motor Show 2013

After a miss with the Sebring, Chrysler resets its upscale mission

With the 2011 200 sedan, due in December, the Chrysler brand is taking another shot at the vast mid-sized sedan market, a target it missed badly with the Sebring. The 200, derived from the Sebring, resets the brand mission: refined design, luxury touches inside, a quiet ride and responsive handling--at affordable prices. The approach will be shared by the reworked Chrysler Town & Country minivan, also due in December, and the reworked 2012 Chrysler 300 sedan, which arrives in March.