It's no secret that BMW has been working hard at bringing forth production hybrids, and now, based on a statement from BMW Group's chairman of the board, Dr. Norbert Reithofer, it looks like gasoline-electric Bimmers may be hitting the streets sooner rather than later.

Reithofer says that both the BMW X6 and 7-Series ActiveHybrids will be in production-ready spec before the end of this year -- a sharp move, especially since Mercedes-Benz just released their hybrid ML- and S-Class cars. The 7-Series is expected to use a lithium-ion battery and a mild hybrid powertrain, while the X6 will use a new two-mode hybrid drivetrain which was developed in conjunction with Chrysler, General Motors, and Mercedes-Benz.

No word on when these new hybrids will hit showrooms, but stay tuned for more details. Click through the post to read Dr. Reithofer's complete statement.

We just received a Toyota Highlander Hybrid into the Austin test fleet. The car will be with us for a few more days, so we're offering up for this week's round of Ask It. Head over to the Highlander's forum thread and post any questions (or comments) that you may have about this gas/electric Toyota crossover. We'll do our best to respond and post driving impressions as we add more miles to the Toy's odometer.

+ NextAutos Forums: Ask It: 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Hyundai's next-generation CUVs should be good stuff, especially if this Nuvis Concept has any influence. An evolution of the Genesis design is present in this latest concept vehicle, though we're sure that the super-long Gullwing doors will never make it into a production car. (We wish!)

The interior of the Nuvis Concept is created for exactly four passengers, rather then a traditional five- or seven-passenger CUV design. Hyundai takes things one step further, too -- all of the interior materials are made from 100 percent recycled materials. Powering the Nuvis is the same BlueHybrid drivetrain system that Hyundai introduced in Los Angeles last year, so this may hint at future Tucson and Santa Fe hybrid vehicles in the future.

Hyundai's press release is available if you click through the post, and check out the Nuvis for yourself in the gallery above.

In addition to the top-dollar S400 Hybrid that Mercedes-Benz unveiled, they've also added this gasoline/electric powertrain to their SUV lineup in the ML450 Hybrid.

Just like the S-Class, the ML450 uses a 275-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine as the base powerplant, but when combined with the electric motor, total power can be as high as 335 horsepower and 381 pound-feet of torque -- very similar to that in the ML550 SUV. Fuel economy isn't anything stunning, but is still a nice boost from the rest of the gas-guzzling ML lineup: 21 miles per gallon in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.

Click through the post for all of the complete details.

We love it when automakers decide to unveil a new car, especially when they aren't doing it at the auto show currently taking place. We may be knee-deep in New York materials, but Mercedes-Benz went and pulled the trigger on the new 2010 S-Class; more specifically, the S600 and S400 Hybrid.

Both vehicles get some light exterior tweaks, including LED lights below the air intakes, bi-xenon headlamps, and a new grille. Inside, a revised Command system is housed inside a 6.5-inch color display, featuring navigation, Bluetooth, and the host of usual Benz appointments. Extra safety features like Lane Keeping Assist and Active Body Control are now standard. The S600 -- with its 6.0-liter, 510-horsepower V-12 -- joins the rest of the S-Class lineup, including the 382-horsepower S550, 518-horsepower S63 AMG, and 604-horsepower S65 AMG.

Obviously, the big story here is the 2010 S400 Hybrid -- the first mass production gas/electric hybrid from Mercedes-Benz. Under the hood is a 3.5-liter V-6 and seven-speed automatic. The stock engine puts out 275 horsepower on its own, but the electric drivetrain also works to create another 20 horsepower and 118 pound-feet of torque. Mercedes-Benz says that the S400 can achieve up to 29 miles per gallon (combined).

Both of these new vehicles, along with the rest of the S-Class, hit showrooms this August. We've got photos of the S400 Hybrid in the gallery above, but click here to see some additional shots of the S600. Click through the post to read the official press release, too.

With an argument to be made that the 2010 Prius is a better car overall than ever before, does it follow that it will find new takers among the ranks of conventional car drivers? Join the discussion about the new Prius in the NextAutos Forums thread by click through the link below.

+ NextAutos Forums: Will The New Prius Attract More Hybrid Converts?

It has become almost passé to criticize Toyota products for being rather soulless, yet utterly effective, to drive. Prius, especially in the ubiquity that it has earned in its last generation, has toiled famously under the “appliance” descriptor—serving up masses of consumers with a high-mileage, low-effort driving experience. And while enthusiast-minded detractors everywhere may take issue with the very notion, the good people at Toyota Motor Corporation are well aware of their cars’ snoozing reputation and are far more willing than one might expect to create a different identity for their brand.

Ford did an extensive overhaul on all three of their mid-size cars -- the Fusion, Milan, and MKZ. We've just received our first one of these into the test fleet, and it's a Mercury Milan Hybrid. Ford is really proud of their latest hybrid offerings, and with proposed fuel economy of up to 41 miles per gallon in the city, they have every right to boast.

Click on over to our Ask It forum and tell us what you want to know about the new gas/electric Mercury. We'll do our best to answer all of your questions during the Milan's week-long stay in our office and post other driving impressions about the vehicle, too.

+ NextAutos Forums: Ask It: 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid

The excitement behind the impending launch of the Chevrolet Volt won’t have to be limited to North America anymore—it’ll just have to be put off for one year. General Motors has shown off the European-flavored Volt, a restyled Opel version known as the Ampera.

The Euro versions (there will also be a right-hand-drive Vauxhall Ampera for Blighty) have all the same underpinnings as the revolutionary Chevy version, though some tweaks will have to be made to make the car compliant with Euro power grids. Have a closer look at the Ampera in our gallery above or scroll down to read the official press release. 

While the Geneva Motor Show is only part of the way through day one, the Infiniti Essence Concept is surely one of the more stunning vehicles that will be found on the show floor. While the idea of a gas/electric hybrid sports car which can produce nearly 600 horsepower may seem a bit far fetched for the current state of our economy, this Infiniti show car is indeed sleek, sexy, and would surely be a blast to drive if it was put into production.

Under the hood is a twin-turbocharged, direct-injection 3.7-liter V-6 which produces 434 horsepower. Additional power comes from a lithium-ion battery pack in the boot which pumps out an additional 158 horsepower, all of which runs through the Essence's rear wheels. Infiniti says that this should yield a combined fuel economy of 8 liters/100km (almost 30 U.S. miles per gallon).

The two-seat interior boasts a very driver-oriented cockpit, with all controls pointed directly towards the driver, only leaving a blank (yet luxurious) space for a passenger. Leather, alcantara, and hand-painted wood is found throughout the cabin, along with hand-stitched materials throughout.

Click through the post for Infiniti's official press release, and be sure to scroll through the gallery of images above to see the sexy Essence Concept in all of its glamour.