It’s that time of year where auto manufacturers jump the gun on Geneva and start showing their cards a little early. Porsche has introduced the Panamera S Hybrid today, its second hybrid production model.

The new Panamera uses the same hybrid system as the Cayenne S Hybrid: a 380-hp combination of a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine and a 47-hp electric motor. Porsche calls the car “the most efficient Porsche of all time” and claims that it will get about 34.5 mpg here in the States. The car can travel up to one mile by way of electric power alone, and can use the motor, engine or combination of both to power the wheels. The sprint to 60 mph comes in 5.7 seconds and top speed is 167 mph.

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What’s hotter than a 500-model, $375K supercar? A 500-model, $375K supercar pulling donuts around a supermodel in matching bikini. That’s one of many exhilarating things that you’ll see if you pop open the 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, which hit newsstands today.

Model Rianne Ten Haken looked her sexiest while a Lexus LFA ran smoking circles around her in an airport hangar. Not your usual rolling-in-the-sand SI Swimsuit shoot, but pretty damn sexy all the same.

Check out a little behind-the-scenes footage of the shoot in the video after the break. [via WCF]

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Infiniti’s Etherea concept will give the world a preview of a small, entry level model at the Geneva Motor Show. Infiniti has released several pictures of the car, giving us a full idea of what the future of Infiniti C-segment vehicles is all about.

The car borrows some design from the Essence concept of 2009 Geneva fame and aims to deliver “a new type of luxury for younger buyers.” Elements pulled from the Essence concept include the C pillar and the glass windshield/roof.

Infiniti has not detailed what lies under the hood, but media reports indicate that it will be the first Nissan vehicle to make good on a partnership with Daimler and will feature a turbocharged Mercedes engine. [via Automobile]

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Gumpert has an all-new, sophisticated supercar to show in Geneva and it’s revealing a card or two a little early. The German minds behind the Apollo released the first look at the new car today.

The Tornante was developed with the help of Italian firm Touring Superleggera. This is evidenced immediately by the more refined exterior when compared with the powerful but not necessarily attractive Apollo. Gumpert’s gotten some sexy.

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Lexus came out with the Nurburgring special edition package for the LFA nearly a year ago, but it is just now getting around to debuting it at an auto show. And not too surprisingly given all the other big cars that are debuting there, that show will be Geneva.

In case you forgot, the Nurburgring is a $70,000 (or $90,000 if you want it in matte black) add-on package for the LFA that adds 10 horses, a fixed rear spoiler, front splitter, alloy wheels with semi-slick tires and retuned suspension. The transmission is also recalibrated for quicker shifts. Only 50 will be offered. [via InsideLine]

BMW’s Vision EfficientDynamics from the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show was a big hit, and the company is in the process of developing a production model out of it. Before that happens, though, the VED will get a technologically advanced, bald, younger brother. This one is said to be purely concept, though.

Introduced today and on its way to a Geneva debut, the Vision ConnectedDrive is designed to show some new design elements as well as technological components. In my opinion, the concept is just as visually striking as the VED, what with its prominent grille; low, unframed windshield; sliding doors and lighted accents.

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Yeah, that’s right–De Tomaso. They’ve been gone for a while, but they’re back. Or at least they will be back once Geneva gets underway on March 1. A few teaser pictures of the company’s first car since being purchased by former Fiat exec Gianmario Rossignolo have hit the Web.

The new car is called the SLC (sport luxury car) for now, and is said to be a 4WD crossover. It will be gunning for the likes of the BMW 5-Series GT and will come with several engine options: a 550-hp V8, a 300-hp V6 and a 250-hp V6 diesel.

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VW made a big stir with its “The Force” Super Bowl commercial, earning near-universal recognition as the best commercial of the night. And there’s no reason for VW to just let that hype fade away without a fight. The German automaker promptly released a short clip of bloopers from the shoot. Hit the jump and watch the six-year-old actor make his voyage into history. [via AutoBlog]

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At the Geneva Motor Show, Nissan has a point to prove: electric vehicles won’t be limited to small, dull commuters. They’ll eventually be as hot and sporty as their gas-driven counterparts.

To drive that point home, Nissan will debut its ESFLOW concept. The concept puts a Leaf-derived powertrain consisting of two rear-mounted electric motors and lithium ion batteries inside an aluminum chassis. On top is a composite body keeping things light and limber.

Nissan didn’t get into too many specifics in terms of the powertrain, but did point out that it should be enough to power the car to 62 mph in under 5 seconds. Range is quoted just under 150 miles. Take the plunge for a couple additional pictures. [via WCF]

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