HYBRID 261MPG

The Germans at Volkswagen plan to launch a Diesel-Electric Hybrid Concept called the XL1. The Volkswagen XL1 isn’t a completely fresh idea as the people’s car makers have been at it since 2002 when they launched the 1 litre.
Back then, the car wasn’t something realistic but the XL1 has grown to a point where it can take two people in comfort, and is basically similar to what we perceive as a normal car.
Where it isn’t normal is in the tech. Everything on this car that can be light, is to the extend where it’s as much as science allows it to. Thanks to, carbon fiber, magnesium, aluminium and some serious packaging (see offset passenger seat)the VW XL1 weighs in at just 795kg.
Given how it has a diesel hybrid powertrain and a drag coefficient of just 0.186 (to put that into perspective, the Bugatti Veyron has 0.36 at its best) the VW XL1 can achieve 261 mpg US.
That is not a misprint, 261 mpg on a US cycle can be achieved with this car. Right about now you’re thinking that this car is incredibly slow by all means. In actual fact it’s got just 800 ccs in its TDI two-cylinder common rail diesel engine so you only get 48 horsepower and if you add the electric power the total comes in at 75 but you’re missing one important point.

JPY75.73

The Bank of Japan will discuss additional monetary easing measures to control the impact of a rising yen on the economy when its policy board convenes for a meeting on Thursday, Japanese business daily Nikkei reported. The central bank will consider expanding its 50 trillion yen ($659.89 billion) asset-buying program by around 5 trillion yen to protect the domestic economy from market turbulence, the daily reported.  Additional measures include a possible purchase of longer-term government bonds, expanding the criteria for the program which currently covers those with two years or less to maturity, the paper said.
The yen briefly touched 75.73 against the dollar in New York trading on Tuesday.

VW POLO GTI

The Volkswagen Polo GTI is back. A powerful 132 kW / 180 PS comeback! This GTI lives up to its legendary name: Superior handling properties unified with uncompromising engine dynamics and a maximum of safety. The list of high-tech features runs through the new VW Polo GTI like a common theme. Take the engine: This Polo is powered by a new 1.4-litre TSI with petrol direct injection plus turbo- and supercharging. Textbook downsizing. Power is transferred to the front wheels via a 7-speed DSG, which is standard equipment. An electronic transverse differential lock (XDS) reduces the tendency to understeer and especially improves handling in quick driving through curves.
Equipped in this way, the Volkswagen Polo GTI - available in a three-door and a five-door version - is extremely agile and super efficient underway: Weighing 1,184 kg, the VW Polo GTI accelerates to 100 km/h in just 6.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 229 km/h. At the same time, it is the most fuel efficient and lowest emitting GTI of all times. Combined fuel consumption: just 6.0 litres per 100 kilometres. That is equivalent to CO2 emissions of just 139 g/km.

Toyota AQUA

Not due to officially be unveiled until the Tokyo Motor Show in December, the smallest of Toyota’s hybrids is only 157.3 inches long, 66.7 inches wide and 56.9 inches tall, with a wheelbase of just 100.4 inches.
Power comes courtesy of a 1.4-liter gasoline engine delivering 74 horsepower at 4,800 rpm, and an electric motor capable of producing 45 kilowatts.
Toyota’s brochure says that the C-segment hybrid achieves a fuel economy of 35.4 km/L on the JC08 test cycle, but the Japanese tests are notoriously more optimistic than the EPA’s fuel-cycle tests. Since the 2012 TOYOTA Aqua Hybrid is given a rating by Toyota that is 16 percent more than the official Japanese fuel-economy ratings for the 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS Hybrid, we’d expect an EPA rating of between 58 and 64 mpg.

2013 GS 450h

September 13 marked the world premiere of Lexus' most innovative hybrid technology yet at this year's prestigious Frankfurt Motor Show. Equipped with the second-generation Lexus Hybrid Drive system, the all-new GS 450h consumes less fuel, creates fewer emissions and provides you with more exhilarating performance than you ever expected.