Peugeot is in no mood to hold back the details of the 3008 Hybrid4 and RCZ Hybrid4 until the Frankfurt Motor Show. But since it’s fun to leak details here they are. The new RCZ Hybrid4 will not be petrol/electric commuter, instead, it will be coupled with a turbo diesel motor. Diesel is more common in Europe and hence we can understand the unusual comparison.

The 3008 HYbrid4 Concept has a C02 rating of just 99g/km while the numbers for the RCZ HYbrid4 Concept give back 95g/km which is understandable for it is more performance oriented. Both hybrids will run on a parallel mechanism switching between the two facets depending on the situation. Also both systems can be used at the same time for maximum performance.

The Peugeot RCZ coupe is slated for a Frankfurt debut but Peugeot has made the details public before the upcoming motor show. The French twin-door option will be available in three engine choices. A 1.6-litre THP petrol turbo 156bhp with 240Nm torque will be the lowest option and it will be mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The second option will be a diesel variant — 2.0-litre HDi FAP with a 6-speed manual gearbox, that outputs 163bhp and 340Nm of torque. The range topping motor will be the 1.6-litre THP which produces 200bhp at 255Nm of torque and comes with an overboost function that will help it kick up 20Nm more. Consequently, this top model will pelt from 0 to 52mph in 7.6 seconds. Looks chic, eh?

The much craved for 2011 BMW X3 was recently spied on track at Nurburgring, with a heavy camouflage. The SUV was spotted doing some late development high speed testing at the testing. There isn’t much known about the X3 but it will surely be available on the roads sometime next year. The facelifted variant will be more muscular in design thanks to the aggressive looking air intakes. It will come with two petrol variants — a naturally aspirated 3.0L in-line six with 230hp and a 3.0L new twin-turbo in-line six capable of producing 300hp. The diesel option will include a 2.0L 177hp and a more powerful 3.0L that would churn 300hp. [via WCF]

The Porsche Panamera will soon be ready as a tuned model courtesy of the German Tuner Gemballa and the tuning will basically be a performance upgrade. Gemballa intends to call it the Mistrale as a reference to the cold northwest wind. A few flicks of the tuned model-to-be have surfaced and although a lot still remains known, there are a few changes which you can make out.

The changes to the face are in store with a new front bumper which will include a carbon fiber lip that will flow seamlessly into the front skirt. Stunning power upgrades are evident with the incorporation of large air intake slits to increase cooling of brakes and the engine. On the rear you will find additional touches that given the Panamera a sedans look. Other integrations include a quad stainless-steel sport exhaust and air-outlets added at the back.

BMW seems to be on a roll with its Active Hybrid editions as it as just unveiled the Hybrid version for the X6 and now there is also an Active edition ready for the BMW 7 Series. This edition will be unveiled at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show and is scheduled to go on sale in the US, next spring.

The Hybrid option looks to set new standards for performance and efficiency in the premium luxury class and this is to be achieved using a modified version of BMW’s 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine which is equipped with a 3-phase synchronous electric motor. As a result of this combination, this green beast produces 455hp 516 lb-ft of torque and this engine configuration is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 7 Series Hybrid clocks 4.8 seconds in the 0-60mph and manages a 15% increase in the efficiency as a consequence of these changes.

There wasn’t much known about the scheduled release of the Hyundai Equus in the US until a couple of weeks back, but today we learned that Hyundai has now officially confirmed the luxurious Equus sedan for a 2010 debut in the US. The sedan will be launched with a new christening especially for States and it will compete with the likes of Lexus, BMW and Mercedes. As per Hyundai’s American president and CEO, John Krafcik, the response for the car has been great ever since it was revealed at the New York Auto Show which is comparable to the response Genesis (the award winning sedan) first got from the experts and the dealers across the country.

The brochure for the 2010 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado or the Lexus GX has been leaked on the web and this reveals quite a bit about the sports-Ute. The latest version boasts of modernized stylizing which is depicted by an aggressive front bumper, sweptback headlights, and integrated LED turn signals on the mirrors. Talk about the overall design and it is still recognizable as a PRADO so there aren’t discreet changes in place.

The interior is something to talk about as it gets more luxurious with a symmetrical dash design. Even the steering wheel is multifunctional and to add to that are heated seats, keyless entry option and plenty of wooden trim. Power comes from a 4.6-liter V8 engine capable of churning 310 horses at 327 lb-ft of torque.

Hybrid commuters are sprouting from every corner of the globe which eventually is great for the otherwise depleting world. The latest name belonging to the category is the BMW X6 Active Hybrid which is powered by a 400 hp 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine in combination with two electric synchronous motors (rated at 91 hp and 86 hp).

As a consequence the X6 Active Hybrid has a combined maximum output of 480 hp with 575 lb-ft of torque. So despite being a hybrid it accelerates from 0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds while it can reach a top speed of 130mph (electronically limited). With the incorporation of the Hybrid powertrain, there is a 20% improvement in the average fuel consumption with the CO2 emissions rating at 231 grams per kilometer. At lower speeds only one of the motor comes into usage and it is only when more power is required, that the second motor starts the combustion engine. Other interesting features include an electronic power steering system, an Auto Start/Stop system, a modified suspension and a lightweight braking system. There is also a powerdome hood and 20-inch light-alloy Aero wheels. The sales for the car are expected later this year.