Tokyo '09: Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept 2.0 Turbo in the Flesh

Tokyo '09: Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept 2.0 Turbo in the Flesh

We won't take the rumors about the Hybrid Tourer Concept spawning a spiritual successor to the SVX for granted, but we will say that the gullwing-door prototype may hint at the design language of future Subaru models. Beneath the skin, the all-wheel-drive Hybrid Tourer concept uses a direct-injection 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four engine mated to a continuously variable transmission. This is combined with a pair of electric motors, one for each axle and a high-performance lithium battery.


Depending on the driving situation, the four-seater Hybrid Tourer can be moved by the 27HP electric motor at the rear, the boxer engine or a combination of the gasoline and electric motors.

Inside, the Subaru model gets four individual seats and flat floor along with the usual futuristic and far-from production dashboard design that is common on concept cars of this sort.

Tokyo '09: Honda Skydeck Concept for a Six-Passenger Hybrid MPV

Tokyo '09: Honda Skydeck Concept for a Six-Passenger Hybrid MPV

Joining the near-production CR-Z hybrid sports coupe and the EV-N electric mini car at Honda's Tokyo Motor Show stand will be the Skydeck, a futuristic-looking hybrid minivan that could be pointing to a production MPV in the near future. While Honda provided us with plenty of pictures of the Skydeck concept, the Japanese company did not disclose many details on the vehicle.

What we do know is that the Skydeck can seat six passengers in three rows of seats and that it makes use of Lamborghini-style scissor doors up front and more conventional sliding doors at the rear. Power is provided by a hybrid drivetrain while the system's batteries are mounted underneath the center console that runs along the two front seat rows.

Volkswagen's L1 Diesel-Electric Hybrid Concept Returns 170mpg!

Volkswagen's L1 Diesel-Electric Hybrid Concept Returns 170mpg!

The Frankfurt Motor Show marked the world debut of the new Volkswagen L1 Concept, a cigar-shaped diesel-electric hybrid that draws inspiration from Wolfsburg's original 1-litre concept car that was unveiled back in April 2002. Despite its name, the L1 actually burns a little over 1 lt at 1,38 liter of diesel for every 100 kilometers or about 170mpg US / 204.7mpg UK, while emitting just 39 g/km of CO2.

It may look weird, but the L1 is extremely aerodynamic featuring a co-efficient of drag figure of just 0.195 while the use of aluminium and carbon fibre materials in its construction results to a kerb weight of only 380kg or 830 pounds.

Measuring 3,813 mm in length, the L1 is about as long as a Polo, however at just 1,143 mm in height, it's as low as a Lamborghini Murcielago while its width, at just 1,200 mm, is narrower than any conventional car in the market today.

The concept model can seat two passengers in tandem, with the driver of course sitting up front. Both occupants enter the car through a side-hinging, electrically operated canopy.

Power is provided from a 0.8-liter diesel engine derived from the 1.6-litre TDI unit found in the new Golf BlueMotion and a 14-horsepower electric motor that engages either to take over from the diesel for short distances or to offer extra grunt when additional acceleration is required.

Volkswagen says that the L1 accelerates to 100km/h (62 mph) from rest in 14.3 seconds before reaching a maximum speed of 160km/h or 99 mph. Even though the L1 has a small 10-litre fuel tank, thanks to its extremely low fuel consumption, the driver can cover a distance (in theory always) of 725 kilometers or 450 miles between stops.

VW 1-Liter Concept - 2002

VW L1 Concept - 2009