2010 Lincoln MKZ Video

Hybrid Luxury Cars: A Comparison

With the current state of the American economy (and also increasingly the world economy) the, gas prices and other financial woes of consumers the luxury car market has shifted focus to fuel efficient, green luxury cars. But which one not only wins fuel efficiency but also design.

In the past luxury cars driven by the well healed have been gas guzzler's but that has changed in recent years.

Today we'll compare three high end luxury flagship cars: BMW 7-Series, Lexus LS600h, and the Mercedes S-Class

Lexus LS600h


It looks fantastic but how green is the LS600h?


2009 BMW 730d





Fuel efficiency? BMW answers with a 7-Series hybrid



Mercedes S-Class Hybrid



Lexus seems to be leading in the luxury hybrid market so far with Mercedes on it's heels and BMW trying to catch up.

This shift in technology and styling is one of the most important eras of automotive industry since the invention of the airbag and seatbelts. For automakers to stay afloat (especially GM and Ford) they will need to shift toward making green cars for their entire line of vehicles, possibly even branching out to other forms of fuel to stay competitive.

The era of the boxy, awkward Prius hybrid styling is becoming more stylish and appealing. With the growth of hybrid luxury cars such as the Lexus RX Hyrbid and 600h hybrids are becoming a necessity of every garage.

More next time.

2009 BMW X6

BMW added a new crossover to its lineup called the X6, though is the design too radical for the average BMW driver?

2009 Volvo XC60

The all new 2009 Volvo XC60 has made its debut, but does the design still appeal to Volvo drivers?

2009 BMW 7-Series Video

Here's the all new 7-series in action.

2009 Audi Q5 Review

Audi is competing with BMW's X3 and Mercedes' brand new GLK with it's new Q5. The new Audi Q5 is smaller than the Q7 but still visually linked to the Audi name with its signature grill.

The tailights meld into the body lines in typical Audi fashion and are also visually similar to the Q7. Overall the design is sporty enough to cater to younger drivers than that of the Q7 and stylish.


One of the most interesting design features of the new Q5 is the roof. Innovative sensors detect when the vehicle is carrying a heavy load. When it senses a heavy load the vehicle will lower itself to compensate for having a higher center of gravity.



Though, with Audi's advanced technical features can the Q5 win over BMW X3 or attract speculative GLK drivers?

Green SUV's: Design Editiorial

Green cars and hybrid cars are quickly gaining in popularity. With rising gas (petrol for reader's across the pond) prices people are looking for more fuel-efficient wheels.

SUV sales are declining and manufactures have to adapt to the change. GM has rolled out its line of green SUV's. It's almost difficult to tell these SUV's are more fuel-efficient than their gas-guzzling counterparts. The new hybrid Chevrolet Tahoe, Cadillac Escalade, and the new Chevrolet Silverado are now attempting to increase lack luster SUV sales.

Though, the design of these cars hasn't changed the perception of a hyrbid car evokes the image of the iconic Toyota Prius which makes it hard to believe for some that the 2009 Cadillac Escalade will be offered as a hybrid version.

When hyrbid cars debuted in the American market around 1999 the Honda Insight with its futuristic, oddly shaped car set the tone of what hybrids should look like- or at least a basic design other automakers could copy to get the emerging hybrid sales. The Toyota Prius was soon to follow and the second generation became the symbol of hybrids.

Though, the bulky shape and somewhat strange design of the current Prius kept some consumers from buying it. If there was a hybrid version of the Camry or Accord consumers would have bought it because it is familiar and the styling of the cars are conservative and familiar.

Recently, hybrids have become trendy with the release of the Lexus RX hybrid and the Ford Escape hybrid. Automakers caught on that hybrids were taking on a mass appeal and shifting in design from nerdy odd shape, little cars to family sized cars with smooth lines. Though, why didn't this design shift happen sooner?

Now American automakers that have been stubborn to produce change are suddenly offering hybrids to the changing auto market; big SUV's, small SUV's and pickup trucks. While the first hybrid SUV's look more conventional than their smaller hybrid cars did when they first hit the market will they be as fuel-efficient? Nonetheless it's a good start.