While last year seemed to be the year of big horsepower, 2009 is turning out to be the year of efficiency. Last year saw the Mercedes C63 AMG, the BMW M3, the Lexus IS-F, and Dodge’s muscle car, the Challenger SRT-8, all jump onto the scene, all packing big power-pumping V8s that suck fuel with little regard for the record-high prices that flashed across the station pumps when we filled up last summer.

More and more, the benefits of new technology have to be weighed against the costs to the consumer. In the recent past, the reasons to want a car were primarily styling, performance, luxury and intangibles like brand prestige. Those still exist, but now you can add fuel economy and environmental concerns like emissions, both as wants and needs.

Remember the days when the mere sight of a Lamborghini Diablo or Ferrari 308 was a memorable experience? Yes, the prestige of a Lamborghini, Ferrari or Porsche seems to dull when you begin to see each multiple times on a daily basis, being driven by people who don’t seem competent enough to tie their own shoelaces. However, there is a new breed of supercars working their way to the top. Italian builder Pagani, the rejuvenated marque of Bugatti and the unsuspecting Swedish builder Koenigsegg represent today what Porsche, Lamborghini and Ferrari were in the ‘60s. They are true low-production hand-built supercars that exude soul, character, cutting edge style and most importantly, unfathomable performance.

In the decade or so that hybrid vehicles have been on North American roads, the technology has become the accepted leader in alternative propulsion systems for passenger vehicles. If you want something more economical and environmentally-friendly than a gasoline-engined vehicle, your primary choices today are diesel and hybrid, with hydrogen, ethanol and natural gas in the background for various reasons.