Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept revealed

The Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept will be at the Tokyo Motor Show The Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept has the usual flights of fancy, like double-length gullwing doors and a motorised dash that moves up and down to give thr driver the best view ahead. But if you ignore the obvious concept bits, the Tourer looks very close to a new Subaru model. Powered by a 2.0 litre turbo-charged Boxer engine, the Hybrid Tourer also gets a pair of electric motors and a CVT ‘box (shame on the CVT.

GM to double size of battery lab

General Motors says it will spend $8 million to double the size of its Global Battery Systems Lab, which the company claims is the largest and most technologically advanced automotive battery lab in the United States. GM says the expansion will speed up the development of hybrid and electric vehicles, such as the upcoming Chevrolet Volt, by improving on-site testing of battery cells and systems. When finished, the lab will be 30,000 square feet bigger than it is now, for a 63,000-square-foot total.

Chevrolet Corvette Z06 actually gets 650 bhp and 650 lb/ft of torque

The new Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible (pictured) gets 650 bhp The American are found of telling us there’s no substitute for cubic inches, but throw in a supercharger to the equation and numbers become even more appealing, and more linear than a turbo too. So the fact the 6.2 litre V8 under the bonnet of the new Corvette Z06 already manages 465 bhp in naturally aspirated guise, it wasn’t a stretch when the car world was expecting around 625 bhp when Chevrolet finally revealed the power for the Z06. But it’s more.