There will be a lot of changes coming out of  Wolfsburg in the next few years, as Volkswagen announced today that they will build a unique ten-speed dual-clutch transmission, plus a high-performance diesel engine and several electric plug-in hybrids. It’s Christmastime in Germany, apparently.

Plenty of automakers are currently developing ten-speed transmissions, but those are all automatics – Volkswagen will be the first to make a dual-clutch. Ten speeds is kind of a ridiculous number of gears to shift through manually, however, it does bring greater control and sportiness to a technology that inherently improves fuel economy. It’s a fascinating development because of how Volkswagen may choose to spread the transmission across their brand lineup. Soon, everything from a Jetta to the Audi A4 and Porsche Boxster may have ten-speed dual-clutches. More...

Nearly a year ago we spied what almost seemed more like a publicity stunt than car- testing—a near clone to the BMW i8 Frankfurt Motor Show Concept: Vision EfficientDynamics, playing in the snow in northern Sweden.

Stunning, but more “concept” than production.

Now, for the first time ever, we’ve got close up to the real thing! We caught a pre-production BMW i8 driving on a secret test track, and we were still able to snap a few photos before it went into a spy-proof garage.

In the words of our shooter in Europe:

“The machine you see will be the reigning monarch of the Bavarian automaker's new sub-brand i once it debuts.

“Based on the Vision EfficientDynamics concept that starred at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, the vehicle is said to pack 2+2 seating and a 0-100 km/h time in the 4.8- second range, along with a supercar price tag. Look to fork around 150,000 Euros when this beastie touches down.

“There's been some indication that BMW will forgo the thrifty diesel engine of the concept in favor of a turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline unit to work in coordination with a hybrid system. While that's bad news for diesel fans, the fact that BMW is gearing the platform toward gasoline means that this vehicle will more than likely be very powerful. With its lightweight structure and the plug-in hybrid, it will, nonetheless, remain a very fuel-efficient car.”

Photo: Brenda Priddy & Company

Last week Fisker provided media outlets with an extremely simple and not-too-revealing line-sketch of the NINA concept car: a plug-in hybrid model smaller than the Fisker Karma. Today we spotted the new Fisker Nina as it was being loaded onto a transporter heading to Manhattan for its debut at the 2012 New York Auto Show April April 6-15. 

Although we should have full details at the press preview days April 4-5, we already know that the Fisker Nina will be built in Wilmington, Delaware at the former GM/Solstice plant. We also know that Fisker has an agreement with BMW for a turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

Brenda Priddy & Company

UPDATE 4/4/12 - Fisker has officially announced today at the NY auto show the production model name of the Nina Concept Project car - Fisker Atlantic - and promises the car will definitely go into production in 2013.

Volvo, the Swedish automaker that’s now owned by a Chinese organization, hasn’t focused much on hybrid or electric cars. Now, the company is making a move in that direction. At Detroit’s North American International Auto Show, Volvo is unveiling a concept version of its XC60 crossover SUV––the Volvo XC60 Plug-In Hybrid Concept––with plug-in hybrid gasoline technology.

Volvo claims that its XC60 Concept is the first electrically-powered automobile that can be plugged into a conventional wall outlet without a special adapter. As described by Volvo, the XC60 Concept is a “pure electric” car, a thrifty hybrid, and “a powerful high-performance car all rolled into one.”

The ability to plug into any 110-volt electrical outlet makes this “a viable option at home or on the move,” Volvo asserts. Charging might take place just about anywhere, though some patience would be required. Charging at 110 volts takes a claimed 7.5 hours. Find a 220-volt outlet and the charge time for the lithium-ion battery pack dips to 3.5 hours.

Unlike current hybrid and electric cars, the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept lets the driver decide how to make the best use of available power. Three buttons on the center stack allow selection from three Modes: Pure, Hybrid, or Power. More...