Hybrid

Continental has updated its 48-volt hybrid technology, which can now support pure-electric driving up to 80km/h. The technology was previously in the realm of 'mild-hybrid' tech, capable of cutting fuel consumption by harvesting energy under braking and assisting the internal-combustion engine under heavy acceleration. It also opened the door for more sophisticated start/stop systems, and coasting with the engine turned off.

BMW will have 25 hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric models on sale by 2023, two years earlier than it initially planned. “We are moving up a gear in the transformation towards sustainable mobility, thereby making our company fit for the future," said Harald Kruger, chairman of the BMW board. "Over the past two years, we have consistently taken numerous decisions that we are now bringing to the roads. By 2021, we will have doubled our sales of electrified vehicles compared with 2019."

Toyota and Lexus Australia have put sales of various hybrid models on hold over an issue related to the regenerative braking system. “At this stage the Toyota vehicles affected are Camry, Corolla Hatch, RAV4 and Prius. For Lexus the models affected are Lexus ES and UX,” the company said in a statement. “Toyota has identified that brake-related parts may require inspection and has therefore ordered a sales stop of selected vehicles.”

Ferrari has published two official teasers for its upcoming hybrid V8 supercar, ahead of its launch on May 29, European time. The teasers provide clues to the design of the new model's front and rear ends, albeit in a typically cryptic fashion. Judging by the spy photos, Ferrari's first "mainstream" hybrid model – not a limited-run special like LaFerrari – will be a two-seat model possibly based on the F8 Tributo.

Ferrari's first 'mainstream' hybrid model will lob on May 31, and is expected to pump out a whopping 735kW of power thanks to three electric motors. That's according to the Ferrari Chat forum, which this week had an invitation to the hybrid's unveiling posted on one of its threads. Chatter on the forum suggests the 735kW car, which hasn't been named, will blend a V8 engine with three electric motors for performance that puts the 812 Superfast in the shade.