The Saab 9-X BioHybrid has been voted Specialty Concept Car of the Year by a panel of North American journalists. The concept is said to foreshadow the baby Saab 9-1X hatchback that is expected to debut in 2010.

The prize, which recognizes “the vehicles that are most likely to shape the future of the automobile industry,” was awarded Tuesday at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn. Jury member Arv Voss of Auto Impressions praised the Saab 9-X BioHybrid for blending “organic form with ecologically sound propulsion for both aesthetic and environmental appeal.”

The Saab concept — arguably one of the greenest concepts on the 2008 global auto show circuit — debuted earlier this year at the 2008 Geneva Auto Show.

The concept is powered by a 200-horsepower 1.4-liter BioPower turbo engine and “GM’s next-generation hybrid system,” the automaker said. Saab said the 9-X BioHybrid “explores the potential for using active aerodynamics to reduce drag — and fuel consumption — at cruising speeds.” Design cues include a roof spoiler that extends to lengthen the roof line and an underbody diffuser, which is deployed from the bottom of the rear bumper at speeds over 43 mph. The concept also features “turbine” wheels and minimal overhangs.

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A number of impressive cars were judged the winners of the annual Rockin’ Rods Spring Fling Custom Car Show that was presented last Saturday, sponsored by the Yerington Kiwanis Club.

The cars lined Main Street on a warm Saturday with the event culminating with the awards presentation that afternoon. Below is a list of the winners of the various classes of the car show.

Cash Prizes: Best Paint: #244 Ken & Chrissy Lassley of Yerington 1963 Impala; Best Interior: #235 Darrell & Suzanne Quibell of Yerington 1950 Mercury; Best Wheels & Tires: #252 Mike & Terry Dowd of Bishop 1955 Nomad; Best of Show: #205 Gene McCurdy of Mammoth Lakes 1932 Crown Victoria.

People’s Choice: #254 Ken & Pam Abbott of Bishop 1965 Cobra

A- Under Construction- 1st Place: #231 Oscar Munoz of Yerington 1937 Buick; 2nd Place: #226 Glenn Scott of Murphy’s 1965 Graham;

B- All Through 1954 Stock- 1st Place: #238 Denton Sonke of Yerington 1954 Mercury; 2nd Place: #230 Harry & Ann Smith of Yerington 1938 Ford

C- 1955-1963 Stock- 1st Place: #239 Anita Sonke of Yerington 1958 Impala; 2nd Place: #218 David & Billie Doty of Yerington 1959 Dodge

D- 1964-1973 Stock- 1st Place: #212 Greg Galway of Silver Springs 1967 Cougar; 2nd Place: #223 Jim Courtois of Bishop 1969 Camaro

F- All Through 1934 Modified- 1st Place: #232 Robert Cole of Yerington 1927 Dodge; 2nd Place: #257 Larry Payne of Fernley 1929 Dodge

G- 1935-1939 Modified- 1st Place: #217 Paul Kenney of Bishop 1937 Chevy; 2nd Place: #249 Ray Armstrong of Gardnerville 1939 Chevy

I- 1950-1959 Modified- 1st Place: #234 Chuck & Bobbie Hoeberg of Bishop 1953 Mercury; 2nd Place: #248 Andrew Warren of Gardnerville 1957 Olds

J- 1960-1973 Modified- 1st Place: #Gary Stoutenburg of Bishop 1962 Impala; 2nd Place: #243 Charles Birchum of Schurz 1966 Impala

L- Mustang/Camaro/Firebird- Stock- All Through 1973- 1st Place: #202 Richard Hartman of Gardnerville 1966 Mustang; 2nd Place: Alex Stevens of Yerington 1965 Mustang

M- Mustang/Camaro/Firebird- Modified- All Through 1973- 1st Place: #220 Robert McGovern of Yerington 1965 Mustang; 2nd Place: Robert Gemmel of Fernley 1965 Mustang

P- 1955-1957 Chevy Modified- 1st Place: #252 Mike & Terri Dowd of Bishop 1955 Nomad; 2nd Place: #203 Bruce Balaam of Yerington 1957 Nomad

Q- 1953-1973 Corvette- 1st Place: #206 Chuck Parsons of Bishop 1962 Corvette; 2nd Place: #241 Robert Edmondson of Pioneer 1968 Corvette

R- T-Birds 1955-1973- 1st Place: #229 Walt & Vickie Warren of Gardnerville 1960 T-bird; 2nd Place: #240 Milo Draper of Yerington 1956 T-bird

S- Trucks - All Through 1978 Stock- 1st Place: #258 D.J. Peri of Yerington 1978 Chevy K-10

T- Trucks - All Through 1945 Modified- 1st Place: #103 Bob & Bobbie Berry of Yerington 1933 Dodge

U- Trucks- 1946-1960 Modified- 1st Place: #236 Lori Giannotta of Yerington 1972 Chevy; 2nd Place: #213 Rodney Rundle of Sparks 1957 Chevy

V- Trucks- 1961-1978 Modified- 1st Place: #237 Bob Giannotta of Yerington 1956 Ford F100

W- Customs- All Through 1978- 1st Place: #235 Darrell & Suzanna Quibell of Yerington 1950 Mercury; 2nd Place: #216 Mike Vacariello of Dayton 1959 Chevy

X- Special Interest- 1st Place: #254 Ken & Pam Abbott of Bishop 1965 Cobra; 2nd Place: #210 Art Shipley of Yerington 1981 DeLorean

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The DUB Custom Auto Show and Concert did something new in 2008. The tour started its run in Detroit this year. It usually calls Los Angeles home for opening night but the event organizers decided to begin the car show in the Motor City to honor the home of automotive culture.

On March 29, Local car enthusiasts, urban media and other organizations brought their custom concept vehicles to Cobo Center to show them off to the public. Nick Cannon, who hosted the show, has a few custom cars himself, including a Bentley, said he loves Detroit and considers it a second home so he always keeps up with the car trends.

The best part of the hosting the DUB Show is going to all the cities, meeting fans and checking out what the locals have done with their cars, Cannon said.

Mike Ayoub from De-Tech Auto Collision in Southfield, Mich., had 13 custom cars on display and has been participating in the DUB Show for 3 years.

“It is important to showcase the cars since it gives the company a chance to show off their work and get potential customers because this is good advertisement,” he said.

There is no average cost when it comes to re-creating a vehicle because each one is customized to the owner’s criteria but you will need at least $40,000 to compete with cars at the DUB Show, Ayoub added.

The news trends for 2008 at the show were flip-flips, which is to paint alternates between two different colors, two tone paint and big rims.

Every participant was given an award to salute their creativity. Other awards were also given for SUV of the year, best old school car and best motorcycle of the show.

In addition to the local cars, there was also a concert where local rappers like Stretch Money, Tone Tone, Trick Trick and K-Deezy performed. The next stop on the DUB Show tour will be in Memphis, Tenn., on April 12 at the Cook Convention Center.

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Under the all-aluminum hood, is a 4.8 liter V8 engine from BMW that develops a stunning 367 bhp, does 0 - 100kmh in just 4.2 seconds and tops at 170 mph. This is supposed to be the first Morgan ever to feature an automatic transmission, a six-speed ZF gearbox.

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Mercedes-tuner BRABUS has put together a winning pair for the Geneva Motor Show. This time it’s a Mercedes SLR McLaren and a Smart Fortwo. The SLR McLaren gets a new white carbon fiber bodykit, 20-inch alloy wheels, special interior and an upgrade to the 5.5 Liter supercharged V8 that boots power to 650 hp and helps propel the roadster to a top speed of 211 mph. The matching Smart becomes the ULTIMATE 112, referring to the increase in power to 112 horsepower at 5,600 rpm. The Smart also gets a matching exterior treatment along with the lipstick-red BRABUS Mastik letaher interior and black Alcantara touches. Though sold separately, we think they’re a steal when purchased for the package price of $1,062,000. More pics and press release below.

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