Roadside Reading : August 15th Edition

Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid to make debut at IAA
Toyota will use the upcoming IAA show in Frankfurt, Germany to present the new Prius Plug-In Hybrid, the latest addition to its green car portfolio. A revised battery pack offers greater range in full electric mode while reducing CO2 emissions by 50 percent. Pricing remains unknown and the first deliveries are scheduled for the end of 2012 or the start of 2013.

Tesla Model X: December launch
Tesla Motors President and CEO Elon Musk revealed that the Model X will hit the stage in mid-December. This electric SUV will become the third vehicle from the Silicon Valley-based automaker. Few details are available for now, but we know that Tesla plans to build 15,000 units starting in 2013. (more info GreenBeat)

Fiat: more 500 variants in the cards
If you rave about the Fiat 500 and its fashionably European character, you're in for more treats in the coming years. As early as 2012, a 160-horsepower Abarth model aimed at the MINI Cooper S should land in North America along with an electric version. Furthermore, a four-door, five-passenger 500 sporting a taller roofline is expected for 2013 after its world premiere at next year's Geneva Motor Show. (more info AutoWeek)

Missing in Frankfurt: Saab
As the Swedish automaker struggles to get back on track and even meet payroll, executives unsurprisingly decided to skip the IAA in Frankfurt. Saab prefers to invest its precious little dollars in production operations.


Two Lotus premieres in Pebble Beach
The Lotus Evora GTE Road Car Concept will make its first appearance Wednesday night in Pebble Beach. Motivated by a race-spec engine producing 420 horsepower and a sequential-type AMT gearbox, it will be accompanied by the Exige Matte Black Final Edition, a sinister-looking version of the Exige rated at 257 horsepower. Only 25 copies will be available worldwide.


_{*** Want to read more automotive news ? Visit our news section! ***}