It’s a fact that every automaker is keen to jump on the green bandwagon these days. Same goes for Jaguar who have decided to render some hybrid commuters by 2013 or 2014.

There are no precise details available about the hybrid Jag, but experts believe that this Jaguar hybrid will be powered by a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine and a 35kW electric motor, both mated to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. From what we’re hearing, the Jaguar XJ will be the one that will break cover with this touted green set-up — and if Jaguar insiders are right, in the future this green set-up could find a place under every Jaguar’s hood minus the X-type.

[via carmagazine]

For those out of the know, the new Aston Martin One-77 is a limited edition supercar — only 77 units slated for production. As exclusive as it may sound, 10 of these scorching speedsters have been ordered by some crazy fanatic hailing from the middle-east. That is surely a whopping order as the guy is paying $17M for 10 units and the speculation is that each of these 10 cars will get a unique exterior color and cabin. The new Aston Martin One-77 features a 7.3-liter V12 engine capable of producing 700bhp, and can hit a top-speed of 355km/h.

That’s another reason why I hate being poor. Don’t you ?

Nissan may be doing all the green talking with models like the Leaf — which already sounds like a sales success, but they also have other impressive plan. The rumor mill is on the grind again and if the gossip hounds are to be believed, we might soon get to witness the Infiniti M in coupe and convertible versions.

There is no conclusive evidence suggesting the arrival of these two models but the word is that Nissan is considering expanding the M Lineup to compete with the likes of the E-Class (which I tested in Stuttgart last month — the coupe) and the 6-Series. It is most likely that the models will be based on the Essence Concept if Nissan does give its production a nod-ahead.

Ford dreamed of it for long and finally the blue oval has managed to get an amazing EPA rating of 40mpg on the highway. The car that did the trick for Ford is the 2011 Fiesta and the latest EPS numbers suggest that it gets 29mpg in the city as well. Compare those numbers with the Toyota Yaris (4mpg lesser) and the Honda Fit (5mpg lesser) and we easily have a class leading commuter in the Ford Fiesta 2011. The US version of the Fiesta is powered by a 120hp1.6-liter Duratec four-cylinder engine and it comes with either a manual five-speed or a six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission, the latter option being the one to fetch those EPA numbers. Expected to arrive at dealerships this summer, the 2011 Ford Fiesta will bear a price tag of $13,995.

Nissan’s all-electric commuter LEAF is eagerly awaited around the globe and the big news is that its pricing has been officially announced. Slated to compete against the likes of the Chevy Volt, this green commuter will start selling in the Europe by the end of this year. The Netherlands pricing has been fixed at €32,839 (including sales taxes) while the Portuguese and the Irish will pay €29,955 for it. The English will pay even lesser for this affordable electric automobile at £23,350. As per Nissan, the LEAF may look like some simple family car but it will be a surprise package once people start getting behind its wheel.

While the improving economy may have helped a few automakers around the globe to re-strengthen their workforce, it is Modena based Ferrari which is thinking about job-cuts albeit for a different reason. As per Ferrari, the reduction in engine orders from sister brand Maserati is what has forced Ferrari to take a step such as this. Where the total number of engines ordered by Maserati in 2008 was 9,000, the demand fell to about 4,500 last year and matters are expected to worsen from here. Ferrari employees are being offered bonuses in exchange of job cuts and around 120 office positions will be eliminated while 150 factory jobs will also be axed.

Don’t just start jumping with joy, for the Audi R8 based Spyder rendering isn’t an official one but an exemplary creation from designer Jon Sibal. Audi hasn’t let a word out regarding the possibility of an R8 GT based Spyder but this creation makes us think that Audi should probably give it a shot. Automakers do not really like the idea of producing a convertible version of their most extreme sports cars and this is why we assume that the aspired Spyder my never just arrive. Even if Audi decides to give the Spyder production a nod-ahead, it will have to be a limited production model which will obviously bear a heft price-tag.

[via jonsibal]

We’ve seen spy images of the 2011 Ford Explorer but this is the first time we get to witness the official teaser image of the SUV.

The first images also sports chief engineer Jim Holland and that pretty much explains the reason why the upcoming model draws inspiration from the Land Rovers.

As per Holland, the 2011 model is a modern interpretation of the Explorer but the spy images rendered a different story. What is a novelty (hailing again from the Rover domain) though is a terrain management system with a total of five settings. We expect to see the 2011 explorer possibly at the LA auto show in November.