BMW is known for its sports sedans, and the BMW 3-Series is probably the best-known BMW. Sold in a variety of body styles (sedan, coupe, convertible, and wagon) and performance tuning levels, the 3-Series is routinely deemed one of the best-handling four-door cars in the world. There’s a wide array of gasoline straight-six engine and MORE

The German automaker known for its sports cars has already built three plug-in hybrids, beating Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz to launch that powertrain in the large luxury sedan and mid-size crossover segments. Among established luxury brands, Porsche may be among the best equipped to challenge Tesla Motors. MORE

A hand-built sports car, the evR-450 is developed on a race-proven aluminum monocoque chassis and powered by an all-electric AC driveline and lithium-ion battery pack and power electronics. MORE

The combustion engine sends its power to the front wheels via a six-speed Steptronic transmission and delivers up to 220N·m (162 lb-ft) of torque. It also serves as a generator under braking and on the overrun and uses brake energy recuperation to feed energy back into the 7.7 MORE

The Italian supercar maker Lamborghini has abandoned any plans to use a plug-in hybrid powertrain in its sports cars in the near future. But instead it’s doubling down on the technology, and looking to use it where it might be best appreciated by the market: in its upcoming Urus sport-utility vehicle. MORE

The BMW eDrive system’s electric motor has an output of 95 hp (70 kW) and offers maximum torque of 184 lb-ft (250 N·m), while the 4-cylinder TwinPower Turbo combustion engine with its 2.0-liter displacement generates 135 kW/184 hp and 320 N·m (236 lb-ft) of torque. MORE

It’s not the kind of thing you’d expect from the Crewe-based company, judging by its sporting heritage. A diesel? In a Bentley? However, fitting one i. Bentley Continental GT Bentayga MORE

Volvo has strengthened its DRIVe range by combining the DRIVe technologies with its sports-inspired R-DESIGN bodykit to offer C30, S40 and V50 models with low levels of emissions and the highest levels of visual appeal. The new DRIVe R-DESIGN models are available to order now with prices starting at £17,240 for the C30 while the S40 and V50 start at £19,095 and £20,595 respectively. The new C30, S40 and V50 1.6D MORE

Standard on AWD-equipped Limited gas and Adventure grade models, Dynamic Torque Vectoring All-Wheel Drive with Rear Driveline Disconnect can send 50% of engine torque to the rear wheels, plus distribute it to the left or right rear wheel for improved handling. MORE

The encapsulated WHP flywheel energy storage system that sits in the cockpit alongside the driver can store up to 700 kilojoules (KJ) of energy that it subsequently returns to the electrical machine—about 17% more than in 2014. —Jörg Zander, Audi Sport’s new Head of Engineering. MORE

The Porsche Cayenne offers the same iconic features as any of its sports cars. It is elegantly designed to reflect prestige and class. It competes easily with the BMW and Mercedes SUVs and is another member of the German automobile club. MORE

The original, rear-engined Fiat Cinquecento was launched in 1957 and it sported a fold-back fabric roof, manually operated of course. MORE

The Story In Brief As automakers gear up to satisfy a growing market for fuel-efficient hybrid electric vehicles, the next generation hybrid is already cruising city streets, and it can literally run on empty. MORE

BMW does very well with its sport utility vehicles in North America, which is why they''re made in South Carolina. And with hybrid crossovers and sport utilities coming thick and fast, today saw the official unveiling of the BMW Concept X5 eDrive at the Frankfurt Auto Show. The company had released details of the plug-in hybrid crossover concept MORE

Aston Martin will continue to manufacture all of its sports cars at its Gaydon headquarters in Warwickshire, England. Daimler AG and Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd. have signed an agreement for a significant technical partnership between Daimler, Mercedes-AMG GmbH, a 100% subsidiary and high-performance brand of German automotive corporation Daimler AG, and Aston Martin. MORE

While its sports coupes are more of a known entity, the i8 Concept shown in Frankfurt today may be the most radical coupe BMW has ever built. Its “stream flow” lines, characteristic of the new BMW ‘I’ sub-brand, include an adaptation of the BMW twin-kidney grille and extremely slim LED headlamps. MORE

Porsche already offers a hybrid variant of its sports SUV, the Cayenne, but it's more about stemming the car's massive thirst than it is a truly green vehicle. A plug-in hybrid version coinciding with a mid-cycle update around 2014 could offer a much more gas-sipping option, however. According to Motor Trend (via MotorAuthority), the Cayenne MORE

Just over six years after the company was formed, McLaren Automotive outlined its Track22 Business Plan, taking it through the next six years through to 2022. McLaren Automotive will continue to focus purely on the development of two-seater sports and supercars. At the heart of the Business Plan is a commitment to its industry-leading 20-25% of turnover invested in Research and Development for future products and technology. MORE