Revealed ahead of its Paris show debut, the 9-X Air concept previews Saab’s upcoming 9-1 premium hatch that will rival the likes of the Audi A3, BMW 1-Series and Volvo C30. Equipped with a fabric top that automatically folds in three sections behind the rear seats, the 9-X Air is powered by a 200 HP 1.4-liter turbocharged engine that runs on E85 biofuel and is matted to a hybrid electric motor. Сlick here for more details and a high-res image gallery.

The not so top gear, Fifth Gear, has gotten their hands on the 2009 Volkswagen Scirocco giving us the first video test drive of the new addition to the V-Dub lineup.

The 2009 Volkswagen Scirocco is now available in Europe with an entry level 122-hp 1.4L TSI. Two other TSI versions are also available producing 160-hp and 200-hp respectively. A 140-hp turbo-diesel TDI versions will also be added next year averaging a fuel-economy of 44mpg. All come with a 6-speed manual gearbox or an optional 7-speed DSG transmission.

Tom here is driving the 200-hp 2.0L turbo.

As promised, we’re constantly updating our story on the freshly revealed Chevrolet Volt. Following our previous post that included initial details and specs as well as a high-resolution image gallery, we now bring exclusive video footage of the all-electric Volt in the real world. And just so you can get an idea of what the Volt is all about, according to GM’s preliminary specs, the 177-in / 4.404 mm long sedan is equipped with an electric drive unit that delivers the equivalent of 150HP and 273 lb-ft. (370 Nm) of instant torque, offering a top speed of 100mph or 160km/h.
The Volt uses electricity to move at all times and speeds. For trips up to 40 miles or 64 km, it is powered only by electricity stored in its 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery pack. When you’re on the move and the battery’s energy is depleted, a gasoline/E85-powered engine (GM hasn’t given out any specific details yet) kicks in providing electricity to power the electric drive unit and to simultaneously charge the battery.

The driver can also charge the Volt’s batteries by plugging it into a standard household 120v (8 hours) outlet or use 240v (3 hours). GM estimates that the cost for charging the batteries is about 80 cents (10 cents per kWh) for a full charge that will allow the driver to use the car for up to 40 miles.