Autoblog UK

The most important prize award for cars in Europe was instituted by the publisher Axel Springer in 1976, and has been awarded annually since then. On the 4th November, top managers from the car industry accepted awards for the model year 2009 at the Axel Springer Building in Berlin. Eight new models in total received a Golden Steering Wheel award. For the third time, a Green Steering Wheel prize was presented for the best eco car. Fiat and Ferrari president, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, received an honorary award.

The winners in the individual categories:

Small car class: VW Polo
Compact class: Vauxhall Astra
Medium class and above: Audi A5 Sportback
Luxury class: Porsche Panamera
Supercar: Mercedes SLS
MPV: Renault Scenic
Eco award: Toyota Prius and VW Blue Motion
Honorary prize: Luca Cordero di Montezemolo

At the IAA in Frankfurt, Honda were prominent by their absence. Now, at the Tokyo Motor Show, the Japanese carmaker seems determined to compensate in full. They have the biggest stand of all the exhibitors and have filled it up with an array of design studies that are brimful of new ideas, albeit eccentric in part. One of the design highlights of the show is bound to be the Honda Skydeck Concept. This futuristic, airily named family van is clearly a long way removed from being a production-ready vehicle, yet it arouses more than just passing interest. With its windscreen blending into a glass roof, driver and passengers have an impression of unconstrained freedom. The seating too has been designed with leisure in mind. The front doors open upwards and the rear doors slide backwards. In other words, they're doors, Jim, but not as we know them. There is no B-pillar to impede ingress. And if you prefer to sit in the third row, you can push the second bench under the front seat. Under the bonnet, a hybrid PLUS engine provides an eco-friendly drive.

At the Tokyo Motor Show (24th October - 4th November), Nissan will be showing off an unusual prototype that combines elements of a mini with those of a motorbike. According to Nissan, the model on display is just a design study. Having said that, though, future small cars from the manufacturer may be heading in this general direction. The dimensions and technology of the tandem could be the answer to some of the problems in congested urban environments. By seating the single passenger directly behind the driver, the designers have ensured that the Land Glider has a very narrow body. Special technology is used to enable the Land Glider to tilt at an angle of up to 17 degrees on corners. The roof is reminiscent of the cockpit on an aeroplane. The vehicle is powered by an electric motor located next to the rear axle and fed from lithium ion batteries.

Mazda will not only be bringing along some new engines plus a recently developed automatic gearbox to this year's Tokyo Motor Show (24th October - 4th November) but will also be showcasing their Kiyora compact concept. The new diesel engine from Mazda goes by the name of SKY-D and features (amongst other things) high-pressure piezo injectors and a two-stage turbocharger. Fuel efficiency has been boosted by 20 percent compared with Mazda's current 2.2-litre diesel engine. And at the same time, Tokyo will be seeing the Kiyora make its world debut. This metro-style concept has been designed for a felicitous combination of eco virtues with driving dynamics within the compact car segment. The technically advanced drivetrain components from the SKY concept together with lightweight construction materials reduce fuel consumption by the 1.3L engine to an amazing 91mpg (3.1 litres per 100km).

The e-tron shows where Audi are heading in terms of electric sports cars. The recipe is as follows: sports car design, huge wheels each with two electric motors plus front and rear axles coupled with modern lighting and energy technology. This two-seater delivers 313 horsepower and accelerates from 0 to 62mph in 4.8 seconds. The performance figures are by no means the only indicator of the well-thought-through strategy: the design aspects too show what the future holds. And for a virtual taste of this vision, you can try a simulated run on the Playstation 3 game 'Vertical Run' .

BMW will present a hybrid sports car at the forthcoming IAA in Frankfurt. It's known as a 'Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept Vehicle' and is a super-thrifty sports car. The futuristically styled 2+2 is crammed with fuel-saving technology and is said to do a whopping 74 miles to the gallon. At the heart of the BMW sits a hybrid power plant with two electric motors, combined with a 1.5 litre three cylinder diesel unit. The eco-racer puts down 356 hp and does 0-62 mph in only 4.8 seconds. Its top speed is electronically regulated to 155 mph.

Formula 1 fans have been well acquainted with the term 'Efficient Dynamics' for quite a while – as black letters on a white background on engine covers. After the recent announcement to withdraw from Formula 1, BMW will now invest more money in ground-breaking technologies for its production vehicles. (Photos: BMW Group)

Lexus - the luxury Toyota subsidiary - will be presenting this new model at the IAA in Frankfurt (September 17 - September 19.). So far, there has only been a computer sketch, but it shows how cool the 'Bonsai Lexus' is, being low with small narrow windows, a long bonnet and sharply-shaped headlights. The Lexus will probably be competing with the BMW X1 and the Audi A3. Under the bonnet there will probably be a hybrid drive, since Lexus are claiming that that this new model will feature a pioneering power pack.

The much heralded electrically powered Volt is intended to bring about an upturn in the fortunes of the insolvent General Motors corporation. With this low-emission family car, GM hope to set a fashion that will catch on both inside and outside the USA and also, of course, make pots of money. The sister model of the Opel Ampera is due to go on sale next year. It covers the first 40 miles (64km) of any trip purely on power supplied by a lithium ion battery. At this point, a 1.4-litre petrol engine kicks in to recharge the battery as the car drives along. General Motors have based the fuel consumption figures for the Volt on a method agreed with the American EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), according to which the Chevy Volt does 230 miles to the US gallon (3.785 litres) on the urban cycle.

On the outside, this electric prototype from Nissan looks fairly conventional. The surprises come when you enter the cabin of the Leaf. The basic concept was to bring an e-model onto the market that would suit the average budget. They haven't named their price yet, but it should be on a par with the cost of a standard compact car – minus battery. A pack with the requisite capacity will cost a prospective purchaser an additional five-figure sum. For this reason, the Japanese carmaker is hopeful of government subsidies in target markets.

There is no external clue to suggest that the Nissan Leaf is one of the first ever cars to have been designed specifically as electrically powered. This five-door vehicle looks just like any other in the compact class. According to the manufacturer's own research, the Leaf's 100-mile range is adequate for the needs of around 70 percent of all drivers on the planet. The initial plan is to construct the new model in Japan and the USA, with an option to expand production to Europe. Rollout for the Leaf is scheduled for the end of 2010.

The Tesla Roadster has just one disadvantage: it's too quiet. It has 6,831 lithium-ion cells under its bonnet to power a 248bhp electric motor. The result is beyond incredible: this roadster goes from 0 to 62mph in just 3.7 seconds.

TOP 10 roadsters: Cadillac XLR, Opel GT, Mercedes SL, Porsche Boxster