The EOLAB concept is a response to a challenge set by the French government that asks the country’s automakers to build a regular production car capable of returning at least 117 mpg by the year 2020. Renault has exceeded the government’s requirements and designed a fully-functional car that is rated at 265 mpg in a mixed European cycle.

Power for the EOLAB comes from a gasoline-electric hybrid drivetrain made up of a 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine derived from the mill found in the Twingo and a compact electric motor. The SCe generates 75 horsepower and 70 lb-ft. of torque, while the electric motor uses power stored in a compact battery pack to produce 67 horsepower and 147 lb-ft. of torque. Both units send power to the drive wheels via a highly-compact three-speed clutchless transmission.

The EOLAB offers two driving modes called weekday and weekend, respectively. When weekday mode is selected, the car runs on electricity alone for up to 41 miles at speeds of up to 75 mph. The three-cylinder automatically kicks in if the battery runs low or if the car exceeds 75 mph. In weekend mode, the EOLAB operates like a standard plug-in hybrid by relying on both power sources to use as little fuel as possible.

Beyond the Engine Bay
The EOLAB weighs just 2,100 pounds – 880 pounds less than a similarly-sized Clio hatchback – thanks in part to the use of lightweight materials like magnesium, aluminum, Very Very High Elastic Limit (VVHEL) steel and thin glass. Designers avoided using carbon fiber in order to simplify the manufacturing process and keep costs in check.

Renault has also gone to great lengths to make the EOLAB as aerodynamic as possible. It features a narrow rear track, a low roofline and a host of active aerodynamic add-ons like an automatic spoiler. Additionally, the car is equipped with a variable air suspension that gradually lowers the ride height as speed increases in order to limit the amount of air that passes under it. Finally, the EOLAB packs innovative active wheels that are covered when the brakes don’t need to be cooled, such as when driving on the freeway, and uncovered as soon as the temperature rises.

Inside, the concept packs a height-adjustable instrument cluster and an 11-inch tablet-like touch screen that groups the car’s entertainment, connectivity and navigation functions. The tablet can be positioned either horizontally or vertically.

The EOLAB concept will not reach production as-is. However, many of the 100 technical innovations inaugurated by the concept are expected to trickle down to Renault’s production cars over the next decade or so.

What’s in a Name?
Renault explains the name EOLAB is a portemanteau that fuses the name Aeolous, the God of Wind in Greek mythology, and the word “laboratory.”

Live photos by Drew Johnson.

The company recently published a full set of details about the updated 2015 Cayenne SUV. Although not an all-new model, the 2015 Cayenne gets a revised look inside and out and two fuel-sipping additions to its engine lineup.

Borrowing technology from the Panamera S E-Hybrid, the new plug-in SUV replaces the existing Cayenne Hybrid. The drivetrain consists of a 333-horsepower 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine that works in conjunction with a 95-horsepower electric motor linked to a lithium-ion battery pack.

Together, the two power sources generate 416 horsepower and 435 lb-ft. of torque, enough to sprint from zero to 62 mph in 5.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 151 mph. Alternatively, the plug-in hybrid Cayenne can drive on electricity alone at speeds of up to 78 mph, but Porsche has not disclosed the SUV’s maximum driving range.

Porsche says the battery pack can be recharged while driving or by plugging the Cayenne into a regular household charger. Fuel economy figures will be published closer to the plug-in hybrid’s on-sale date.

As expected, the mid-range Cayenne S ditches its 4.8-liter V8 engine in favor of a brand new 3.6-liter V6 engine that develops 420 horsepower at 6,000 rpms – 20 more ponies than the outgoing eight-cylinder – and 406 lb-ft. of torque from 1,350 to 4,500 rpms. Linked to an eight-speed tiptronic gearbox, the Cayenne S is capable of reaching 62 mph from a stop in 5.2 seconds before topping out at 160 mph.

The visual updates are minor and largely limited to revamped headlights similar to the ones found on the smaller Macan, a new front bumper with integrated LED daytime running lights and a revised radiator grille. Out back, the Cayenne gains more squared-off tail lamps and an updated bumper.

Interior updates to the Cayenne are minor. The Cayenne gets a multi-function steering wheel inspired by the one found in the 918 Spyder and optional ventilated rear seats.

The compact model has spent the last year in Europe, Canada, Mexico and select Asian markets, but not in GM’s home market.

When it does arrive in the US, the Trax base model will fetch $20,995 (including freight). Packages will include LS, LT and LTZ, along with an all-wheel-drive configuration that adds $1,500 to any trim level.

GM’s 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine will serve as the standard powerplant, producing 138 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque. EPA fuel efficiency estimates are said to be 26 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway.

“Trax is positioned to be a strong competitor in the emerging small-SUV market, which is expected to grow more than 80 percent in the next few years,” says Chevrolet car marketing director Steve Majoros.

US buyers will get the first chance to pick up the Trax in January.

The Q80 Inspiration stretches nearly 200 inches long and 79 inches wide, dimensions that make it larger than the Q70 – Infiniti’s current flagship model – and slightly bigger all around than an Audi A7. It takes the form of a low-slung four-door sedan equipped with suicide rear doors, sculpted flanks and a large panoramic roof. The concept wears a muscular look that ushers in the design language that will influence all of the company’s upcoming cars over the coming years.

With room for up to four passengers, the Q80 Inspiration boasts a luxurious, futuristic cockpit equipped with a heads-up display, an Alcantara-upholstered three-spoke steering wheel and a fully configurable digital instrument cluster. A screen discreetly integrated in the center console runs the latest generation of Infiniti’s infotainment system, and high-resolution screens mounted in the front seatbacks ensure the passengers sitting in the back can stay connected on the go.

Power for the Q80 Inspiration comes from a gasoline-electric hybrid drivetrain made up of a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine and an electric motor. Together, the two power sources generate 550 horsepower while allowing the sedan to return up to 42 mpg in a mixed cycle. The driver can choose whether power is sent to the rear wheels or to all four wheels.

The Q80 inaugurates Infiniti’s autonomous driving technology. The company stresses the software is primarily designed to take over in situations like traffic jams or long freeway trips when driving can become a burden.

Infiniti has made it clear the Q80 Inspiration concept hints at what its upcoming range-topping sedan will look like. We wouldn’t be surprised to see a toned-down version of the concept reach showrooms in the next couple of years, and the autonomous technology is expected to trickle down to the company’s smaller models before the end of the decade.

Live images by Ronan Glon.

Borrowing Ducati’s V-Twin two-cylinder engine from the 1199 Superleggera, which produces 197 horsepower and revs to 11,000 rpm, the XL Sport promises to reach 62 mph from a standstill in 5.7 seconds before topping out at an impressive 168 mph.

Power is put to the rear axle via a step-down gear and a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission. Magnesium-alloy wheels are clad with 205/40 R18 rubber up front and 265/35 R18 tires on the back, while ceramic brakes help shave off speed in a hurry.

VW claims the XL has better aerodynamics than any other sports car, with a drag coefficient of 0.258 and a 1.7-sq-m frontal area. A light curb weight of just 1,962 lbs also contributes to the performance figures, thanks to a carbon-fiber monocoque chassis.

The suspension setup is inspired by dedicated race cars, with pullrod actuation for the front dampers and pushrods connected to the rear control arms.

VW promises to build 250 examples of the XL Sport, though a release date and price tag have not been announced. The model will be formally unveiled this week in Paris.

According to the EPA, an audit of submitted fuel economy figures turned up a discrepancy between the figures submitted by Mercedes-Benz at the time of EPA certification and those reached by the EPA in independent testing. Mercedes-Benz’s calculations failed to adequately account for “road-load,” which is the product of aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance.

The C300 4MATIV FFV was previously rated at 20 miles per gallon in the city. After the adjustment, that will reflect the EPA’s calculation of 19 mpg.

The PZEV model’s updates impact all three categories. City mileage will be re-rated from 20 mpg to 19; highway mileage will go from 29 mpg to 28; combined mileage will be revised down from 23 mpg to 22.

In a statement announcing the changes, Christopher Grundler, director of the EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality, said, “Even though the adjustments are small, it is important that our oversight system is producing the correct results because even one MPG matters to consumers.”

Other vehicles in the Mercedes-Benz lineup were also tested but found to be compliant.

While the coupe/fastback configuration is less radical than some other TT concepts that have been shown thus far in 2014, the concept is still a fairly significant departure from the small Audi’s traditional, two-door proportions. The TT Sportback stretches about 176 inches from bumper to bumper, meaning it is roughly the same length as a 2015 A3 Sedan and about 11 inches longer than two-door third-generation TT.

The TT Sportback is underpinned by Volkswagen’s modular MQB platform. The body and greenhouse share a lot with Audi’s A5 and A7 Sportback models, but the hood and fender lines are unmistakably TT. Where this would potentially fit into a U.S. model portfolio is anybody’s guess, as only the A7 is sold stateside (the A5 is sold here only in a two-door configuration).

The TT Sportback concept offers room for up to four passengers on individual seats upholstered with diamond-quilted leather. The dashboard is inspired by the wing of an airplane, and the concept features the same fully-configurable digital instrument cluster as the regular-production third-gen TT.

The Pontiac GTO ranked second on the list, followed by the Scion FR-S and the Toyota Supra. Notably, the Subaru Tribeca, Volkswagen Rabbit and Mercury Topaz — discontinued for two decades — can also be found in the top 10, while the Toyota Prius C sits at the bottom of the top 20.

The biggest surprises can arguably be found at the bottom of the list, where sports cars such as the Dodge Viper, Porsche Cayman and Honda S2000 sit alongside the Buick Encore, Toyota Tercel and Ford Econoline.

“It’s not about horsepower,” said Insurance.com managing editor Des Toups. “The Chevrolet Corvette, Dodge Viper and Nissan GT-R rank well below average for tickets even though they can easily double the highest speed limits. But those cars are also costly, so their buyers tend to be older and take fewer risks.”

The insurance service company analyzed more than a half million customer submissions during the first seven months of the year, ranking any vehicle for which more than 50 quotes were sought.

The new 4X4 utility model is said to maintain the same boxy form as the current G-Wagen, in stark contrast to the flowing curves of the GLA-Class crossover, unnamed sources have told Car Magazine.

Designers are allegedly working to blend the aesthetics of the G-Class with the driving dynamics of the GLA-Class, in a package that is sized closer to the B-Class. A front-wheel-drive package geared is expected to be offered for pavement, while a 4Matic edition is said to be built for off-road use and with a unique body kit.

Despite its smaller size, the model is expected to integrate three-row seating for seven passengers.

Engineers are allegedly developing the model on the next-generation MFA2 architecture, with power provided by three- or four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines. A range-topping GLB45 AMG package is expected to get a twin-turbo mill with 380 horsepower.

The GLB-Class models are expected to begin production within five years, though destination markets remain unclear.

The groups include VW’s own global works council and IG Metall (Industrial Union of Metalworkers), the largest independent metalworkers union in Germany. Both represent blue- and white-collar workers.

In a four-page letter of intent signed by officials from all three organizations, the partnership seeks to “obtain exclusive majority status and recognition of this by Volkswagen,” according to excerpts published by Reuters.

The strategy has been interpreted as a possible response to a move by anti-union groups, which recently announced plans to form their own union to prevent the UAW from gaining a majority at the plant.

UAW secretary-treasurer Gary Casteel claims his organization already has received signed support from a majority of the plant’s 1,500-strong workforce, however he declined to disclose an exact number.

The UAW has faced difficulty organizing the plant, amid sustained pressure from anti-union lobbyists. VW has voiced support for a German-style works council, but US law prohibits the company from establishing such a model without an independent union.