Zoomi Life

As promised, the CR-Z, the car Honda says is the world’s first series-production sports hybrid car from a major OEM, is in its 2009 incarnation and is the likely prototype to be what the 2010 production will look like. The new car is slated to go on sale in 2010 as a 2011 model.

Read More: Honda CR-Z Concept Hybrid Sports Car Slated For 2010 Production

We promised when we mentioned the debuts at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show that we’d get into more detail with some of them. Mitsubishi’s concept they’re calling the PX MiEV was one of those. This is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) styled as a crossover SUV/sedan.

Read More: The New Mitsubishi PX MiEV Plug-in Hybrid Concept SUV

Volkswagen introduced their L1 diesel hybrid car in Frankfurt last week. It appeared amidst fanfare, lots of lighting, and a group of dancers that appeared to be straight off the set of West Side Story or Lipstick. When I see that kind of pomp around a car, I immediately assume it’s a pile of crap being over-promoted to save some executive’s reputation. Sort of like the Chevy Volt.

Read More: VW’s 170mpg Diesel Hybrid Debuts With the Dancers From West Side Story

Kia Motors introduced three new hybrid models at the Frankfurt Motor Show last week. These are the Cee’d prototype, the Sorento prototype, and the Forte LPI Hybrid for Europe (it hit Korea in July). Kia also introduced their EcoDynamics sub-brand for their new hybrid line of vehicles.

Read More: Kia Introduces Three New Hybrids at Frankfurt Motor Show

If you’ve ever played a game from the 1990s whose graphics are all vector-based, then you’ll see exactly what the title above is talking about when you look at Hyundai’s new concept. That doesn’t mean it’s not cool, that’s just the first thing I thought of when I looked at it. The ix-Metro is a miniature crossover hybrid. Now in VGA!

Read More: Hyundai’s New ix-Metro Concept Looks Like a 1990s Video Game

The Karma from Fisker Automotive in Southern California has been much anticipated. Half family sedan, half sports car, this extended range hybrid has been one of our favorites here at Zoomilife for a long time. Lately, it’s been showing it’s abilities on the test track as it peels rubber towards its official release date.

Read More: Fisker Karma Flexes Its Muscles (video)

Once again, Paice, a technology company developing hybrid electric power trains, is suing Toyota for infringements on their patents. The claim is that Toyota is using Paice’s technology in their hybrids.

Read More: Toyota Getting Sued Over Hybrid Patent… Again

Honda has decided to release the upcoming Fit Hybrid in late 2010 instead of 2012. Due to the popularity of hybrids and the high sales enthusiasm for the Insight hybrid, Honda has decided to ramp up the release date for the Fit Hybrid by 18 months.

Read More: Honda Fit Hybrid to Release 18 Months Early (2010)

In 2006, Mazda first introduced the hybrid version of their popular Tribute SUV. Since then, they’ve come of age and are some very efficient machines. These aren’t the best hybrids on the road, of course, but until mainstream America decides to give up on SUVs altogether, these are some of the better ones, I think.

Read More: Mazda’s Tribute Hybrid SUV

As the hybrid war between Honda and Toyota commences, Honda has taken it up a notch by offering a sporty hybrid concept, the CRZ. Based on current CRZ design, the new 2011 version will have better body styling for minimizing drag as well as a higher-horsepower engine than the Insight.

Read More: 2011 Honda CRZ Hybrid Sports Car