2010 Geneva Auto Show: 7 Hybrids to Watch

Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid. Photo courtesy of Edmund's Inside Line

Well, look what we have here. While looking through all the cars that are going to officially unveiled at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show, we noticed that most of the big unveils were hybrids. We're not talking about a sneak peak at the 2012 Toyota Prius, or a Ford Fusion Hybrid Coupe. The hybrids being unveiled are either luxurious four-doors from nameplates like BMW and Mercedes-Benz, or super cars straight outta Stuttgart and Modena.

Most people think they're ridiculous for embracing what they see as the hybrid trend. Granted, driving a hybrid is about as much fun as listening to OJ Da Juiceman read Twilight, but if anyone can push the technology forward it's companies like Ferrari, Porsche, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. With that said, take a look at the seven hybrids debuting at the Geneva Auto Show that we're most excited about...

PEUGEOT SR1
• Are we wrong for calling this the most exciting Peugeot in years? We don't think so. It has a one-piece lightweight carbon-fiber body and four-wheel steering, as well as 313 hp from a 218 hp 1.6-liter turbodiesel motor paired with a 95-hp rear-mounted electric motor, putting down power to all four wheels. How's the gas mileage? According to Peugeot: 48 mpg. All while hitting 60 in 4.7 seconds.

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PORSCHE 918 SPYDER HYBRID
• Porsche is serious about their hybrid tech. Along with the 918 Spyder, they are also debuting the all-wheel drive Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid—a true race car version of their consumer racer. They claim the GT3 R Hybrid will be their test bed to develop hybrid tech to use in future race cars, like the one they're planning to run upon their return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. But the 918 is way cooler. The topless two seater not only looks amazing, but if Porsche is to be believed it's a monster on the road: The RS Spyder LMP2 racecar sourced V8 will put out over 500 hp, and will be connected to a 218 hp electric motor, making it hit 60 mph in around 3.2 seconds. Yeah, that makes it the fastest Porsche ever.

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FERRARI 599 HYBRID
• Ferrari wasn't going let Porsche take all the super car hybrid glory. Details are scarce on their converted 599, but reports are saying that it will have a V12 engine mated to a pair of electric motors. It'll also sport a kinetic-energy recovery system (KERS) like their F1 car had last season. We're not sure how keeping a V12 will help fuel economy at all, but hey, we're sure it'll be a blast to drive.

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LOTUS EVORA 414E HYBRID
• In our opinion, when it comes to fuel friendly sport cars, Lotus has the right idea. Light weight = less needed fuel. Taking it one step further the British marquee took their critic favorite, Lotus Evora and swapped out the Toyota V6 for a 47 hp 1.2-liter three-cylinder range extending gas engine and a pair of electric motors good for 408 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. They claim that on a single charge you can go 5 miles on a single charge and 300 miles as a hybrid. The only thing we don't like? The fake engine noises they're programming into the car.

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MERCEDES-BENZ F800
• Outside of the next gen styling that will lend itself to the next CLS, the coolest thing about the F800 is the mult-drive platform. The F800 being shown at Geneva will be powered by a 300 hp V6 and a 109 hp electric motor. However, MB claims that they could easily use the same platform for their F-Cell (fuel cell) technology. It's a pretty big deal for them. On top of that, the tech inside the F800 is on another level as well.
Distronic Plus Traffic Jam Assistant, a system that can steer itself at speeds of up to 25 mph. It's the beginning of the end, my friends.

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BMW CONCEPT 5 SERIES ACTIVEHYBRID
• BMW extends their ActiveHybrid line with the 5 Series offering. Underneath the regular body, there's a turbocharged straight-6 engine with a 40-kw electric motor.

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HYUNDAI I-FLOW
• Hyundai continues to step it up. Their hybrid compact concept sports a 1.7-liter turbodiesel is mated to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, an electric motor and a lithium-ion-polymer battery, as well as a drag coefficient of .25.

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