2011 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid SUV

The highly anticipated Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid SUV finally made it to market this year. And the initial reception is quite positive.

The 2011 VW Touareg Hybrid, like its gasoline-only and diesel counterparts, is part of a second generation of the Touareg line. As such, the SUV is lighter, quieter, and nicer (according to some reviewers) than previous Touareg models.

On the lighter side, Volkswagen shaved over 400 pounds off of the new Touareg Hybrid. This helps give the SUV more power and better fuel economy.  Read more...

Hybrid SUVs of the future will likely benefit from multi-million dollar research projects and technology being developed by the Department of Defense (DoD) today.

Significant funding is being dedicated to develop more efficient hybrid engines, high-strength composites to reduce body weight, better performing transmissions, and new batteries. All of which will go into heavy and large military vehicles to transport troops and carry out combat missions.

Much of the work is being done through the Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) and its National Automotive Center. TARDEC is the DoD’s leading laboratory for research and development of advanced military vehicle technologies. All told, more than $320 million is being spent for Army research on combat vehicle and automotive technologies.  Read more...