Toyota Changing Hybrid Strategy; VW's Bernhard Reveals Revival Plans; Lexus Redefined With New IS 350; Spy Shots of VW Concept C and Jeep Compass; and Japan Growing Roots in the Big Three Backyard. This Week on TheCarConnection.com.

DETROIT, July 19 -- Who says hybrids are designed to save gasoline? True, Toyota's Prius may be a mileage miser, but the Japanese automaker and its Lexus luxury division are rethinking strategy and future gas-electric vehicles may put more emphasis on performance. Find out what's in store and why, in this week's issue of The Car Connection.

Sometimes you're hot, sometimes you're not. Now it's up to new Volkswagen brand boss Wolfgang Bernhard to fix things at the troubled German automaker. TheCarConnection reports on what Bernhard is planning.

Then get a first glimpse of VW's striking Concept C. TCC's spies have shots of the production version. You'll also get a look at Jeep's upcoming Compass SUV in this week's spy shots.

This week's reviews include the latest from Lexus. After spinning tires on the Willow Springs Raceway, TheCarConnection can comfortably report what IS is, IS 350, that is. Then take a tour in BMW's newest wagon, the 3-Series Touring.

Learn more about what the proposed U.S. energy bill will mean to American motorists in this week's issue.

And see why Japan is growing its roots deep in the backyard of the Big Three, with billions of dollars in new investments.

Shake-ups at NHTSA, Hertz sticking with Fords, don't miss this week's industry report, and in the world report, see why the Chinese are checking out MG Rover.

On the Web's newest and hottest auto blog TCConfidential, see why one of General Motors' sharpest critics is now one of its newest employees, and learn about those mysterious gremlins that can cause your car problems without any obvious explanation.

And see why TheCarConnection's award-winning Doug Flint recommends that when mechanics start talking trash, it's time to walk.

Don't miss this week's CAR-toon, only on TheCarConnection.com. Let OnSite Mechanic solve your service problems. Find Kelley Blue Book pricing and more -- on the Web's Automotive Authority, TheCarConnection.com .

Sign up for TCC's free newsletters, including award-winning Daily Edition. And check out TheCarConnection's new RSS feed. It's free -- and easy.

>