Porsche 911 GT3 R hybrid

Porsche to unveil hybrid 911 GT3 racing supercar at the Geneva motor show

Porsche is taking a hybrid version of its 911 supercar to the 2010 Geneva motor show. It’s no ordinary 911, either – it’s the GT3 R racing car, perhaps the last place you’d expect to find a green-pleasing powertrain.

Not that this one’s particularly green, of course. A 473bhp 4-litre flat-six engine powers the rear wheels, while two electric motors (each developing around 80bhp) power the front axle, effectively making this a four-wheel-drive GT3.

Those motors are powered by an electric flywheel generator, which is charged up by regenerative braking each time the driver slows. And rather than cutting in automatically during the drive (or indeed race) cycle, the electric power is made available KERS-style, as the racing driver requires it for a six to eight second boost.

The 911’s hybrid system is also intended to increase fuel efficiency. Ideal, really, as the car’s first big race with be May’s Nurburgring 24-hour race. And for Porsche, it really is about the taking part rather than the winning: racing the hybrid GT3 R will be ‘a ‘racing laboratory’ that will provide invaluable knowledge and insight on the subsequent use of hybrid technology in road-going Porsche sports car’.

A road-going hybrid version of the next 911, then? Certainly sounds like it…

Citroen DS High Rider concept (2010): first news

Here's the big Citroën news at the 2010 Geneva motor show: the new DS High Rider concept car, a thinly veiled version of the forthcoming DS4 due in early 2011.

It will be the second addition to the fledgling DS sub-brand of near-premium cars, following in the footsteps of the DS3. A three-door coupé, it's our first look at what is likely to replace the C4 hatchback range next year.

Citroën DS High Rider concept car: more details

This is a four-seater coupé that looks distinctly achievable for production. Even its panoramic windscreen is do-able – it's little different from the huge glasshouse on the latest C3 supermini.

The High Rider sits on appropriately chunky alloy wheels of 19in in diameter and stretches to 4260mm long. That golden paintwork contrasts with the unusual coated textile roof covering; don't expect any woolly threads on the production version due in 2011, however.

What drives the High Rider?

Surprise, surprise: the new Citroën concept car is yet another look at the PSA full diesel hybrid system. It mixes an HDI derv engine up front with an electrically powered rear axle – and means the High Rider can drive on full electric mode for short distances around town.

It also means that the PSA hybrids will be four-wheel drive. The first road cars will launch with this system in 2011.

Spyker shareholders approve Saab deal

Shareholders in Spyker Cars NV have approved the $74 million purchase of Swedish automaker Saab from General Motors Co., Chief Executive Victor Muller said on Friday.

The meeting, which was closed to the public, was convened to approve the deal forged two weeks ago.

Muller told reporters on a conference call that the combined company would seek listings on the London Stock Exchange and the Stockholm Stock Exchange, and delist from the Euronext Amsterdam exchange. He also vowed to reach profitability in 2012, although neither Saab or Spyker have made any money in the past decade.

Spyker's Muller has already secured the $50 million needed to close the deal with GM, with the remaining $24 million due in July.

In addition to the cash part of the deal, the new company will also have $326 million in redeemable preference shares issued to GM, $200 million in cash and a 400 million euro ($547 million) European Investment Bank (EIB) loan.

Saab produced just 20,791 cars last year as sales slumped to 39,903 from 94,751 in 2008, but aims to raise production to pre-crisis levels of about 100,000 to 125,000 within two years with the help of a new sales and distribution strategy.

EIB OKs 400 million euro loan to Saab

The European Investment Bank said on Friday it had authorized a 400 million euro ($546.9 million) loan to Saab, which is being bought by Dutch sports car maker Spyker Cars NV from U.S. parent General Motors Co.

"The EIB has confirmed the authorization to conclude the 400 million euro loan to SAAB Automobile AB ... and to conclude the guarantee agreement with the Swedish National Debt Office," the EIB said in a press release.