The evolution of  the Honda CR-Z hybrid sports car concept is taking a nice shape. We first saw the concept at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, and for 2009, Honda is bringing an almost-production-ready version to the Tokyo stage. (Honda still insists on calling it a concept when, obviously, this thing looks ready to roll out onto the streets.)

Details are slim right now, but expect to see Honda's Integrated Motor Assist technology under the hood, mated to a 1.5-liter four. And since Honda is trumpeting this as a sportier car than the Insight hatch, a six-speed manual transmission will be available. Sounds good, since the current Insight's driving dynamics are incredibly uninspiring. We're hoping the CR-Z will be more like a modern-day version of the original Insight that debuted in 1999.

Stay tuned for the full onslaught of details, but for now, scroll through our gallery above to see the Tokyo-bound CR-Z.

It seemed a bit strange when luxury marque Lincoln entered into the subcompact segment with the C Concept at this year's Detroit Auto Show, but now Lexus is throwing their hand into the ring in the form of the LF-Ch Concept. This hybrid five-door will officially debut to the world next week in Frankfurt and will make its North American debut later this year in Los Angeles.

The design of the LF-Ch may lead you to believe that it's an athletic little performer, but there's an honest-to-goodness hybrid powertrain under that hood. While Lexus hasn't released the exact details, only saying that this concept is "powered by the latest generation of Lexus Hybrid Drive technology. A drive mode-switch allows the driver to select between four modes: Normal, Eco, and EV plus a Sport mode that amplifies throttle response for the most enthusiastic drivers." Sounds like the new HS250h to us.

And even if it is just a funky new body on the HS drivetrain, that's okay with us. It's sharp, has a sleek interior, and we really hope it comes to production. The world could stand to have more small hybrids in the automotive fleet. Click through the post to read Lexus' full press release.

Immediately after the announcement of the 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 , BMW issued another press release announcing the 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid 7, which will also debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, and will be available in the U.S. in the spring of 2010.
 
The car is engineered with a high-precision, direct-injected, V-8 engine with a three-phase synchronous electric motor, eight-speed automatic transmission, and an enhanced version of Brake Energy Regeneration technology. Although these figures are not official, the ActiveHybrid 7 is expected to produce 455 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque and will do 0 to 60 miles per hour in 4.8 seconds, while giving approximately 15 percent better fuel economy than the BMW 750i.
 
The car is also fitted with Auto Start Stop which will maximize efficiency by avoiding engine idling when stopped; the climate control system in the BMW ActiveHybrid 7 is supplied with power directly from the high-voltage battery, thus ensuring that it will not switch off when the Auto Start Stop is in use. The ActiveHybrid 7 will come in two models, with standard nineteen-inch light-alloy rims in a ten-spoke Aero turbine wheel design, with runflat tires. The car will also come with a Tire Pressure Monitor which will warn the driver if the pressure in any tire ever drops more than 20 percent.
 
For more details about the new 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid 7 scroll down and read the press release.

BMW announced yesterday that the production version of the 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 will be on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show, in September, and coming to the U.S. by the end of this year.
 
The new X6 will increase driving dynamics and at the same time reduce fuel consumption. The drive system of the BMW ActiveHybrid X6 consists of a 400-horsepower, twin-turbocharged V-8 gasoline engine and two electric synchronous motors delivering 91 horsepower and 86 horsepower, respectively. Maximum system output is 480 horsepower, with peak torque of 575 pound-feet, making the BMW ActiveHybrid X6 the most powerful hybrid vehicle in the world, with acceleration from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 5.4 seconds and top speed of 130 mph (electronically limited).
 
The chassis of the car is based on the BMW X6 xDrive50i chassis. The two-mode active transmission is based on an Electric Continuously Variable Transmission (ECVT) operating in two separate modes. One mode is for stop-and-go driving and low speeds, and the second is for driving at higher speeds. This two-mode transmission combined with the high performance battery pack allows the car to run at low speeds only on the electric motor.
 
The car comes with Electronic Power Steering with integrated speed-related Servotronic steering assistance, windshield-mounted sensors that automatically control the light and the windshield wipers on demand, and a Head-Up Display on the windscreen, as well as the usual standard BMW fare. BMW has not said how much this car will cost but we are betting it’ll command a premium over the current X6 models.

 
For more details about the BMW ActiveHybrid X6 scroll down and read the press release.

General Motors announced, in a press release this morning that the new 2011 Buick Crossover will come with a plug-in hybrid system.

The unnamed Buick Crossover will be launched in late 2010 according to Tom Stephens, GM Vice Chairman of Product Development, and will have new plug-in hybrid technology. The new crossover will be powered by an Ecotec 2.4-liter, direct-injected four-cylinder engine, and is expected to give 30 miles per gallon on the highway. The Buick plug-in hybrid will use the same manganese-spinel based chemistry and polymer battery cells that are used in the Chevrolet Volt. In addition, the Buick plug-in hybrid's powertrain features two powerful electric motors, sophisticated electronic controls, and battery management systems.

To find out more about the up coming Buick hybrid crossover scroll down and read the press release.

Reading the comments on our Tesla drive, and about the Volt’s roughly $32,500 pricing (after subtracting the $7500 federal incentive), got me to thinking that we may misunderstand the Volt and other battery-powered cars. I haven’t driven the Volt, so only time will tell, but here’s the logic.

In complete contrast to the Roush 427R Ask It post that we just put up, we're also testing a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid down in the Austin, Texas fleet this week. Ford claims that this vehicle can achieve up to 41 miles per gallon in the city, and we'll be sure to report about our individual observations.

Head to our forum thread and post whatever questions or comments you have about the gasoline-electric Fusion. We'll do our best to respond as we tack more miles onto the odometer this week.

+ NextAutos Forums: Ask It: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

When we first drove the new-for-2009 Honda Fit last year, we asked Honda engineers if there would ever be a hybrid Fit in the near future. We were promptly told that this wouldn't happen, especially since Honda had big plans in the works for the new Insight, which actually shares a lot of its architecture with the Fit.

However, since Honda's main focus moving forward will be on hybrid technology and overall efficiency, new reports are cropping up about a potential gasoline-electric Fit as early as late 2010.

Motor Authority reports that while Honda hasn't given any gory details about the upcoming Fit Hybrid, the automaker has said that the car will cost about ¥1.5 million when it goes on sale -- that converts to approximately $15,800 in U.S. dollars.

+ Motor Authority: Report: Honda planning late 2010 launch for Hybrid Fit (Jazz)

We just received a pre-production 2010 Lexus RX450h into the Ann Arbor test fleet and will be spending one week with this gas/electric, technology-happy RX. Head over to our forum thread and post whatever questions you have about the RX450h and we'll do our best to respond as we get some more seat time in the car this week.

+ NextAutos Forums: Ask It: 2010 Lexus RX450h

The gas-electric hybrid version of Chevrolet’s popular Malibu sedan has cropped up for testing at our Austin, Texas office. Tom and crew will be driving and recording their impressions of the car all week, ready to answer and questions you might have in the process. Let us know what’s on your mind by clicking through the link to our Ask It Forums section, below.

+ NextAutos Forums: Ask It: 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid