Hybrid

Two hybrid tablet/notebooks are to join HP's 11.6-inch ENVY x2 to make a new x2 family. The SlateBook x2 is Android-based and has Nvidia's Tegra 4 mobile processor as its power house, while the larger, Intel-powered Split x2 will run Windows 8.  Read More

Although countless small companies have tried to commercially develop flying cars over the past several decades, we’re still not seeing Blade Runner-esque vehicles cruising over our rooftops ... yet. Terrafugia is one of the groups currently trying to change that situation – a fully-functioning prototype of its Transition fixed-wing “roadable airplane” is currently undergoing flight tests, and was recently cleared for civilian use by the US Federal Aviation Authority. It still requires a runway for take-off and landing, though, which kind of clashes with many peoples’ flying car fantasies. Well, today Terrafugia announced its plans for a hybrid-drive vertical-take-off-and-landing (VTOL) vehicle, known as the TF-X.  Read More

Einstein famously maintained that a cluttered desk is a sign of a brilliant mind. However, for many modern designers the desk is not just messy but is also jammed with a mandatory array of PCs, laptops, screens, tablets, and more. French designer Amir Labidi has developed a laptop concept dubbed the “LapTouch” for the creative community, with the specific aim of consolidating design functions and reducing desktop congestion.  Read More

After extensive testing of its kinetic flywheel technology, Volvo has announced that the system can boost fuel economy by 25 percent. The company is now looking at integrating the Flywheel KERS system into its production line.  Read More

After weeks of teasing by boutique Chinese/Italian auto designer Icona, the high performance, hyper-red Vulcano hybrid has finally been unveiled (in front of a snack bar) at the Shanghai Auto Show. Based on initial images and performance specs, the one-off GT seems to live up to its magma-inspired moniker.  Read More

Just when you thought you couldn’t fit one more SUV into the market, along comes Volkswagen with the new CrossBlue Coupé concept. With the unveiling of the Coupé (which isn’t really a coupe) at the Shanghai Show, VW clearly has its sights set on impressing the burgeoning Chinese market.  Read More

Making its debut at the Shanghai Auto Show, Porsche's new Panamera S E-Hybrid stood front and center, metaphorically at least, among its Panamera siblings: a now nine-strong lineup, refreshed for 2014. The Panamera S E-Hybrid differentiates itself from its predecessor, the plain 'ol Panamera S Hybrid, with a much-improved battery and electric motor. Performance-wise, the S E-Hybrid is no slouch, hitting 60 mph (97 km/h) from a standstill in 5.2 seconds, and nudging 167 mph (269 km/h) at top speed.  Read More

Attempts to combine the vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities of a helicopter with the high-speed flight and long range capabilities of a fixed-wing aircraft have been tackled in a number of different ways – from tiltrotor designs, such as the V-280 Valor and Project Zero, to fixed rotor aircraft that transition from vertical to horizontal flight, such as the SkyTote and Flexrotor. Australian company StopRotor Technology has taken a different approach with its Hybrid RotorWing design concept which features a main rotor that switches from fixed rotor to fixed wing in mid air.  Read More

The fourth global concept car developed by the Shanghai GM and Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) joint ventures, the Buick Riviera emulates the form of moving water. The concept designed for the 2013 Shanghai Auto Show is powered by a plug-in hybrid system that can be recharged wirelessly.  Read More