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Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid unveiled

Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid Volkswagen has revealed the VW Jetta Hybrid at the Detroit Auto Show, with a 1.4 litre turbo and electric motor promising 54mpg  and 168bhp. VW has revealed the Jetta Hybrid at the Detroit Motor Show which will, if nothing else, show the Americans that a small capacity – in thyis case a 1.4 litre TSI engine – can offer not just decent economy but also some reasonable performance. With the aid of a 20kW electric motor the Jetta Hybrid can muster 168bhp and scoot ro 60mph in around 9 seconds, but still offer 54mpg.

AutoWeek Fantasy Camp 2011: Pushing the limits in the best sports coupes under $50k

What did you spend your Saturday doing? If you were signed up for AutoWeek Fantasy Camp, you'd have climbed into the ten best sports coupes under $50,000 for a day of blasting around the Ford Dearborn Development Center. Participants started with a morning briefing covering safety regulations and track guidelines; after that, they cut loose on the track for 9/10ths driving with pros riding shotgun, full vehicle evaluations, plus conversations with Chip Foose and the folks from Meguiars and ZF.

Ford eyes dandelions as sustainable alternative to synthetic rubber

Ford, in conjunction with Ohio State University, is turning to the humble garden weed as sustainable resource, researching the dandelion's potential use as an alternative to synthetic rubber. While the automaker already makes considerable use of sustainable materials in its vehicles – such as soy foam seat cushions and straw-filled plastic for interior trim – this latest discovery opens up a wealth of new possibilities for automotive applications. According to research conducted by Ford, a milky-white substance that is found in certain dandelion roots can produce a sustainable rubber that could be used to create plastic parts for vehicle interiors.