Spied: The new Volkswagen Fez

December 9, 2005 - By John LeBlanc

Must Introduce Electric Vehicle, NOW! Just trying to keep the doors open has caused Mitsubishi to miss the boat on the whole hybrid craze. But the battle-fatigued company has announced that it will unveil a hybrid sport compact at the 2006 Detroit show in January. The Concept-CT MIEV showcases in-wheel motors and high specific energy lithium-ion batteries as core technologies. Created by the Mitsubishi design studio based in Cypress, California, the Concept-CT uses outer rotor-type motors to drive all four the wheels and uses series-parallel hybrid propulsion.

Spied: The new Volkswagen Fez New VW grand frommage, Wolfgang Bernhard, wants "to offer different models with a single change of the sides and roof parts, without changing platforms.” According to the Automotive News, internally, the plan is called "Hut"-and no, not as in Pizza-but as in the German word for hat. Over the next 36 months, expect 10 new VW niche models based on variations of current platforms, including a Golf-based coupe called the Scirocco, due in 2008, and a Mercedes-Benz CLS four-door coupe clone based on the Passat to be in showrooms by 2009.

This just in: Import cars becoming popular; film at 11 Last Thursday, J.D. Power and Associates Study released a mastery of understatement hiding within the guise of a study. The respected auto industry analyst concluded new-vehicle buyers are more accepting of import brands these days. Really? Do you think so? Look for future J.D. Power studies exposing the health risks of smoking, the likelihood of the sky falling, and a wacky theory that the earth may actually be round.

I hear the lineups at the “It's an Expensive World, After All” ride are a bitch Looking for somewhere special to take the family where you all can proudly display your official Prancing Horse licensed Nomex overalls, eyeglasses, or Michael Schumacher sippy cups? You'll have to wait until 2008, but Ferrari has signed an agreement for the development of theme park to be built in the Arab emirate of Abu Dhabi. The park will feature a racetrack, rides, and attractions, a display of Ferrari history, and even driving instruction as well as hotels, shops, and residences.

Longhaired Freaky People Need Not Apply Last week, a conservative Christian group ended a plan to boycott Ford vehicles, according to a story at Forbes.com. Despite record losses and less-than-encouraging sales, the Ford Motor Co. said Tuesday that its luxury Jaguar and Land Rover brands are ending their advertising in gay publications. Its Volvo brand will continue to buy ads in gay publications. The Tupelo, Miss.-based American Family Association had criticized Ford for being too gay-friendly and cancelled a boycott of Ford vehicles that began in May.

- John LeBlanc, Publisher, www.straight-six.com

© National Post 2005. This article originally appeared in The National Post's Driving.