The Chevrolet Volt is expected to be shown next week as part of General Motors’ centenary celebrations at its Detroit headquarters, but an advance copy of the photos to accompany the release has leaked into the open ahead of schedule. The photos, which clearly depict the car alongside several executives, show the car has taken a significant departure from the concept’s sharp creases, but as expected will share the same basic outline and proportions.

The future of hybrid and electric vehicles at Nissan was made clearer today in an announcement that revealed the company’s own hybrid drive system and plans for a future all-electric car. Nissan has been selling a hybrid version of its Altima sedan in several markets for the past two years but the core technology of the vehicle, the petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain, is based on technology borrowed from Toyota. A company executive has revealed that there will be no dedicated hybrid model to use the new powertrain, however.

A law suit filed by Mercedes-Benz against battery supplier Cobasys in the United States last week claims the company failed to deliver batteries as required under their contract. The supply holdup could now push back production or even result in the cancellation of the upcoming hybrid ML450 SUV (concept pictured), even though it’s not due to make its global debut until late in 2009.