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- Electric Avenue display comes to 2010 Detroit Auto Show
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Detroit Auto Show
While some of the automakers that skipped the 2009 Detroit Auto Show are apparently returning for 2010, there still won't be enough to fill up the basement. As a result, the EcoXperience exhibit will be back again for a second year. The landscaped track on the lower level of Cobo Hall will provide attendees the opportunity to try out a variety of electric drive vehicles.The last show featured the likes of the Mitsubishi iMiEv, Ford Escape PHEV, and GM's fuel cell Chevy Equinox.
Perhaps this year, Ford and Nissan will add the Focus and Leaf BEVs. In addition to the driving track downstairs, the main floor will have a 37,000-square-foot static exhibit featuring electric cars. The Electric Avenue display will have 20 different EVs from a variety of manufacturers.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]Electric Avenue display comes to 2010 Detroit Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Detroit 2010 Preview: good news for fans of the smelly basement forest
Filed under: Etc., Detroit Auto Show
NAIAS Ecoxperience - Click above for high-res image gallery
The Detroit Auto Show, known officially as the North American International Auto Show, is always the biggest car show of the year. In 2009, though, the event wasn't quite as busy or as populated as it's been in past years. The whole down economy thing - plus problems with the venue - played a role in the downsizing, but organizers of the 2010 event are starting to hint that the next show will be bigger and better than 2009.
The Detroit News is saying that some automakers that skipped the show in 2009 - Ferrari, Land Rover and Nissan - might return next year. There were 51 brands represented in 2009. On the green car front, the changes of note include a bigger and better EcoXperience (the smelly fake forest driving area in the basement) where alternative fueled vehicles could be taken for test drives; and the first appearance of Indian automaker Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, which is hoping to sell small trucks in the U.S. soon. Also, a private event held during the show and designed to showcase big ticket cars called the "Gallery" might double in size in 2010. Last year, two Maybachs, one Lamborghini and one Fisker vehicle were sold during the Gallery.
Photos copyright (C)2009 Sebastian Blanco / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Detroit News]Detroit 2010 Preview: good news for fans of the smelly basement forest originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - At Witz' End: Detroit Auto Show: Reality Check - Part II
Filed under: AutoblogGreen Exclusive, Detroit Auto Show, Green Daily, At Witz End
In my first column reality checking the Detroit Auto Show, some of you questioned my assertion that even Toyota's relatively high-volume hybrids are probably not profitable. Of course, Toyota has lowered the costs of its Hybrid Synergy Drive components over many years and hundreds of thousands of units. But I believe they're still too high for any Toyota Hybrid - even the Prius or the soon-to-come higher-priced Lexus HS 250h - to turn a profit.
I can't prove it - Toyota is not about to share its cost numbers with me or anyone else - but that's my opinion, and these are "opinion" columns. Yours may differ, and yours may be right. But I'll bet no one outside of Toyota knows for sure.
What most folks outside the industry don't see or comprehend are the enormous costs of designing, testing, developing and validating every one of the thousands of parts and pieces that go into every modern vehicle. Beyond the mostly expensive and relatively low-volume hybrid system components themselves are all the Prius' specific body, chassis, electrical and comfort and convenience parts and pieces, few of which are shared with other vehicles. The addition of the new Lexus HS 250h on the same architecture will help by raising the volumes of parts that are shared, but I doubt whether even that will turn a profit at its higher prices but much lower volumes.
Am I suggesting that Toyota is fibbing by claiming that Prius is profitable? It depends on how they calculate their costs. If they add up the costs of all those parts and pieces - including the still very expensive battery, EVT transmission, motors, wiring, control systems and more - and toss in the relatively minor cost of assembly, the total may indeed be less than the Prius' average selling price. But they would have to discount all those years and huge costs of design, testing, development and validation, which must be spread out ("amortized") over hundreds of thousands, even millions, of units. Their business plan has depended on long-term profitability from growing sales of higher-priced luxury hybrids and sales of the Synergy drive system to other OEMs, neither of which has fared as well as hoped.
What I don't understand is why Prius' profitability seems so important to some ABG readers. If each unit sold does make a buck, bully for them. If not, so what? Toyota's whole hybrid program is still a hugely profitable investment as one of the best-ever image-building efforts any automaker has ever carried out. Whatever they have spent on it through the years is worth far more than any amount of paid advertising they could have bought for similar money. What should be important to potential owners is whether any EV's or HEV's selling price is worth the long-term gas savings it offers, whatever its cost to its manufacturer.
That said, let's reality check some other electrically-powered vehicles showcased at this year's Detroit North American International Auto Show. Follow us after the jump.Continue reading At Witz' End: Detroit Auto Show: Reality Check - Part II
At Witz' End: Detroit Auto Show: Reality Check - Part II originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 11:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - At Witz' End: Detroit Auto Show: Reality Check - Part I
Filed under: AutoblogGreen Exclusive, Detroit Auto Show, Green Daily, At Witz End
This year's Detroit North American International Auto Show (aka NAIAS) was easily the greenest ever, greener even than the evergreen Los Angeles show two months earlier. Several automakers (most notably Nissan) were missing due to the weak economy, while others (Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz) were present but silent with no press conferences. That left room for the likes of Tesla, Fisker and a pair of Chinese makers to set up shop on the main floor and hype the media on their grand plans.
While a number of high-powered gas- and diesel-burning machines (mostly from Europe) shared the NAIAS spotlight, nearly everyone there showed current and future EVs and gas-electric hybrids (HEVs). Among these, which will actually happen; which might sell in serious numbers; which (if any) will succeed to the point of being profitable for their makers?
Let us speculate (after the jump).Continue reading At Witz' End: Detroit Auto Show: Reality Check - Part I
At Witz' End: Detroit Auto Show: Reality Check - Part I originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - BMW X6 ActiveHybrid to arrive by year's end
Filed under: Hybrid, BMW, Detroit Auto Show
Click above for gallery of photos of the 2010 BMW X6 ActiveHybrid
One of the vehicles we expected to see in Detroit somehow missed our radar. The not-so-green BMW X6 ActiveHybrid was previewed in COBO and we somehow missed it. Sure we've seen pics of this sports car/utility vehiclecrossoverhybrid before and we've also heard BMW promise that it will be available by the end of 2009, but this time they really seem to mean it.
After giving a walkaround of the BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid, BMW's Dr. Klaus Draeger gave some additional details about this upcoming hybrid hybrid. As we've told you before, the BMW Concept X6 ActiveHybrid is a two-mode hybrid, and uses BMW's 4.4L V8 gasoline engine along with its electric assistant. Going hybrid increases fuel economy on this most oddly shaped BMW by a decent 20 percent, but that still puts the X6's mileage at just about 15 mpg/city. BMW promises that both the 7-series and X6 hybrids will be on sale by the end of 2009. Well, it's better than nothing we guess.
[Source: AutoReview]BMW X6 ActiveHybrid to arrive by year's end originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 13:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Detroit 2009: E85-powered Mustang, the HP2g, gearing up for the Auto X Prize
Filed under: Ethanol, Green Culture, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, Detroit Auto Show, Green Daily, Automotive X-Prize
Click above for high-res gallery
Down in the basement (the smelly, smelly basement) of Cobo Hall at the Detroit Auto Show, we found Doug Pelmear and Jennifer Rodgers. They were sitting next to a car we didn't expect to see at the show, a 1987 Mustang. Why was the car there? Because Pelmear is still promoting his claim to get 110 mpge with the car and will be participating in the Progressive Automotive X Prize.
This Mustang is called the HP2g, and Pelmear told us that he and his team are gearing up for the business plan portion of the X Prize, specifically how they'd sell 10,000 units a year. The 110 mpge claim is also a bit difficult to nail down. Nowhere on the HP2g website or in the materials provided to us at the show is the number fullly explained; just that "Mileage performance verification by cross country road test in October/November, 2008." The best we can figure, as we noted when we wrote about this car before, is that Pelmear is only talking about the petroleum portion of the E85 fuel, and is somehow counting the ethanol as free energy. That may work for the headlines, but it won't win the AXP, which looks at all the energy that goes into the car. Still, Pelmear made it clear that he intends to win the popularity portion of the competition with his iconic ride. Good luck with that.
If you're in Detroit, the Mustang and all the other vehicles we talked about will be on display through the weekend. The show closes Sunday.Continue reading Detroit 2009: E85-powered Mustang, the HP2g, gearing up for the Auto X Prize
Detroit 2009: E85-powered Mustang, the HP2g, gearing up for the Auto X Prize originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Detroit 2009: Henrik Fisker talks about the future of the Karma, and a low-cost model
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, Detroit Auto Show, Green Daily, Fisker
Click above for high-res gallery of the Fisker Karma S
When we sat down with Henrik Fisker during the Detroit Auto Show, he acknowledged that many people didn't think his company would return for a second year. But, as we all saw, the company did return, and did so with a bang with the unveiling of the Karma S hardtop convertible. Braving the economic downturn and debuting a new model wasn't all that difficult, Fisker said, because the aluminum frame of the Fisker Karma is "so flexible, that we can develop a variant of the Karma for very low cost." This first variant, the Karma S, is scheduled for production in 2011. On the money side, Fisker said he never doubted that his company would be back because, "We had a very powerful and strong and displined business plan and we had some very, very sophisticated investors." Those investors include Kleiner Perkins and QIA, the Qatar Investment Authority.
So far, response to the Karma has been strong, with about 1,300 pre-orders already placed. The company should be up to full production - about 1,200 vehicles a month - in the middle of 2010, with 15,000 units planned for 2011.
You can listen to our chat (13 min, 6MB) and click past the jump for much more about the low-cost Fisker and the different trim levels of the Karma models.Detroit 2009: Henrik Fisker talks about the future of the Karma, and a low-cost model originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 20:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Detroit 2009: Automotive X Prize status report
Filed under: Etc., AutoblogGreen Exclusive, Detroit Auto Show, Automotive X-Prize
It wasn't all flashy new cars during the media days at the Detroit Auto Show last week. During our time in Cobo Hall, we sat down with Cristin Lindsay, senior director of the Progressive Auto X Prize, to talk about where the AXP is right now. For those keeping track, we are about half-way between the official kick-off at the New York Auto Show last year and the expected start of the stage races this fall. We know that the AXP is looking for more formal participation from the major automakers, but what about the faltering economy, the safety of entry vehicles and the timeline moving forward? Lindsay talked about all these things, but needed to step into the vagueness a bit when answering the question on what happens when.
I asked how the economic downturn is affecting the participating teams and the timeline for the rest of the AXP events. "That's a great question," she said, "and I think you're going to hear more from us about that in the coming months. There's no question that for our teams it is a challenging time to be raising money for building cars and we want to make sure we're listening to those concerns and making sure that our timeline is the best one. So, keep your ears out; we'll continue talking about how our events are going to come together, where they are going to take place, what the frequency is and you'll be hearing much more on that soon." My guess: the dates for those stage races will be pushed back a bit.
Listen to our talk below (10 min, 14 MB) and you'll find much more after the jump.Continue reading Detroit 2009: Automotive X Prize status report
Detroit 2009: Automotive X Prize status report originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 13:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Detroit 2009: College for Creative Studies students reimagine the car
Filed under: Etc., Green Culture, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, Detroit Auto Show, Green Daily
Click on the image above for a high-res gallery of the concept models
Vehicle models designed by students at the College For Creative Studies are on display at Cobo Hall as part of the Detroit Auto Show this year. Fanciful and outlandish, these models give an idea of what the automobile of the future could be like. That vehicle above, for example, is a redesigned Model T. Other examples of student creativity:
- A unique battery recharging station
- A Speed Racer-esqe Honda
- Something that looks like it should be pulled by a horse
Most of these flights of fancy have a green message, which shouldn't be a surprise. There's a biodiesel race car, for example. Check out a video after the break and you can see more futuristic vehicle ideas in the Design Challenge Motorsports 2025 from the LA Auto Show.Continue reading Detroit 2009: College for Creative Studies students reimagine the car
Detroit 2009: College for Creative Studies students reimagine the car originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Detroit 2009: Fuel cells, a "promising solution," come to Cobo Hall
Filed under: Hydrogen, Detroit Auto Show, Green Daily
Photo of a retro fuel cell vehicle by jurvetson. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.
Even though the SAE World Congress last year featured a seminar titled, "The Problems of Fuel Cell Commercialization," the SAE is putting a positive spin on fuel cells for the public at this year's Detroit Auto Show. Tomorrow, for example, the SAE International's A World In Motion program will kick off the Fuel Cell Challenge; in the press release announcement, SAE calls fuel cells a "promising solution." The challenge is meant to get middle-school kids across America to think about fuel cells; it's likely that we'll get more details after the press conference at 10 a.m. Wednesday. A World In Motion is a curriculum that explains physical science with "essential mathematic and scientific concepts and skills." More details after the jump.
[Source: SAE International]Continue reading Detroit 2009: Fuel cells, a "promising solution," come to Cobo Hall
Detroit 2009: Fuel cells, a "promising solution," come to Cobo Hall originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Most important vehicle of 2009 Detroit show? I pick the Focus EV mule
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Ford, Detroit Auto Show
Click the Focus EV "mule" for a high res gallery
There's been a lot of discussion in recent days about which debut was the most significant vehicle of this year's Detroit Auto Show. Most of the attention is, of course, paid to the new third-generation Toyota Prius or the Honda Insight. While both of these are important in their own way, I don't think either is the most important. The Prius is a natural evolution of the preceding car but doesn't really break any new ground. That's not to take anything away from it, but so far the car seems to be exactly what's expected of a Prius. Similarly, the biggest thing about the Insight is its expected price and it's excellent driving dynamics.
The most significant car I saw (and drove) was the Ford Focus EV mule. This is a preview of a battery electric car that Ford plans to sell in two years. Ford plans to sell the production car at retail and, although the company has not specified a price, they did indicate that volumes at least in the thousands are expected. In order to achieve that goal, the price (at least after tax breaks) will have to be reasonably affordable. The fact that Ford felt confident enough in the program to allow media to spend two days driving the vehicles in downtown Detroit, rather than at a test track, indicates there is something real here.
Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.Most important vehicle of 2009 Detroit show? I pick the Focus EV mule originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 19 Jan 2009 12:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Detroit 2009: AutoblogGreen readers pick this year's best car
Filed under: Etc., Green Culture, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, Detroit Auto Show, Green Daily
There are hundreds of vehicles on display at the Detroit Auto Show this year. Most of them were vehicles from past years, things we've all seen plenty of times. During our coverage of the new vehicles unveiled during the media preview days this past week, we hunted for everything that smelled even the slightest bit green or eco-friendly, then put together a list of 16 vehicles for you, our readers, to vote on. Voting closed on Friday and it is time to reveal the results. This is a very different list than the Top Ten that those of us who were at the show put together, and it's fun to note the differences. Some vehicles made both lists, sure, but not all, and nothihng ended up in the same position on both lists. The top vehicle is drastically different in the two lists, too. But enough of my rambling - check out the Readers' Top Ten here and see for yourself.
Detroit 2009: AutoblogGreen readers pick this year's best car originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 18 Jan 2009 19:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - VIDEO: Henrik Fisker talks about the Karma
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Detroit Auto Show, Fisker
Click above for high-res gallery of the Fisker Karma S
Following the unveiling of the production version of the Fisker Karma and the Karma Sunset concept, Henrik Fisker sat down to talk about the car company he has launched. We now have confirmation of some of the technical details such as the battery supplier which is Advanced Lithium Power. Fisker recently took an equity stake in ALP and has exclusive access to batteries from that company. Given the logistics of building the Karma in Finland with Valmet Automotive, profitability has two be a question. Fisker insists the company can build the Karma profitably at the $87,900 and venture capital funds like Kleiner Perkins would not have invested otherwise. Given some of the dubious internet start ups that these Silicon Valley money men have invested in, a profitable car company is no guarantee. Nonetheless, at least Fisker will have some revenue once they start delivering cars which is at lot more than can be said for many internet companies. Check out the video after the jump and the full article at Green Fuels Forecast.
[Source: Green Fuels Forecast]Continue reading VIDEO: Henrik Fisker talks about the Karma
VIDEO: Henrik Fisker talks about the Karma originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 18 Jan 2009 14:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Detroit 2009: more details on the smart ed's 2010 US introduction
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, SMART, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, Detroit Auto Show, Green Daily
Click above for a high-res gallery of the smart ed
The last time we talked to SmartUSA president David Schembri, the topic was all about the fortwo in the U.S., both electric drive and standard. During the hectic press preview days at this year's Detroit Auto Show, we found a few minutes to speak once again with Schembri, this time focusing on the big announcement that the smart ed will be coming to the U.S. in a little over a year.
Schembri said that SmartUSA will begin limited production in selected markets in the second half of 2010 and series production in 2012. The company does not have any target numbers to talk about yet, he said, adding that introducing this vehicle is meant more to introduce electric cars to Americans and to help get the infrastructure needed for widespread EVs put into place than to sell millions of units.
Schembri said that SmartUSA is not hearing detailed results of the smart ed testing that's currently taking place in Europe, but that what little he's heard has all been positive. He did correct something that we were told earlier, and that no formal testing will be done in the U.S. with the electric smart. Instead, everything will be gotten ready in Europe and just promoted and sold here.
One thing that Schembri revealed to us is that SmartUSA is working on a project to, on the first anniversary of each customer's smart fortwo purchase, be planting a tree in their name as part of a reforestation effort with American Forests. Details, like exactly which forest will be chosen, are still up in the air, but we should hear soon.
Listen to our talk (12 min., 16 MB):Detroit 2009: more details on the smart ed's 2010 US introduction originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - VIDEO: Designing the Chrysler 200C EV
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Chrysler, Detroit Auto Show, USA
Chrysler made quite a splash with its surprise unveiling last Sunday of their classy-looking 200C EV. The range-extended electric drive vehicle is capable of 40 gas-free miles and seemed a cut or two above most of their current line up - it also revealed that Chrysler still has some talented designers hidden away somewhere. In footage that the company has released onto the internets, we now have a chance to hear from some of those designers speak about their vision and the goals they tried to achieve in bringing this concept from paper to the spotlights of the Detroit Auto Show.
The video comes in three clips. The first features design vice-president Ralph Gilles and exterior designer Nick Malachowski talking about "value" and "falling in love" (with the car) interspersed with detail shots as well as rolling footage. The second clip discusses the inside with several folks involved with creating the somewhat futuristic interior, including Ryan Patrick Joyce, the lead designer, who also drops the L-word in describing the contents of each surface and line. If you prefer not to hear the artists blather on and on discuss their passion, feel free to skip ahead to the third video featuring pure 200C EV, inside and out. Hit the jump for all the love.
[Source: Chrysler]Continue reading VIDEO: Designing the Chrysler 200C EV
VIDEO: Designing the Chrysler 200C EV originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 16 Jan 2009 17:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Detroit 2009: Johnson Controls shows off re3 concept
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Detroit Auto Show
Click above for a gallery of the Johnson Controls re3 concept
Johnson Controls is a name familiar to many in the automotive world as a Tier 1 supplier of parts - usually interior bits like seats and electronic gadgetry - to automakers all over the world. In an effort to show off some of the company's latest bits and pieces, a complete concept car called the re3 has been created by the Wisconsin-based firm and debuted at the Detroit Auto Show. Like any proper concept these days, it covers its green bases, in this case featuring a plug-in hybrid powertrain complete with a lithium ion battery pack and eco-friendly renewable interior materials.
The stated goal of the re3 concept is to show what Johnson Controls is capable of offering its customers, which, in this case, are larger automakers and not consumers directly. Johnson Controls has a joint venture with Saft to produce vehicular battery packs and in the re3, a pack large enough to provide EV-only power in city environments is tucked in between the seats in the center tunnel. Want all the details? There's lots more after the break.
[Source: Johnson Controls]Continue reading Detroit 2009: Johnson Controls shows off re3 concept
Detroit 2009: Johnson Controls shows off re3 concept originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 08:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - ABG Quick Drive: Ford Focus EV mule [w/VIDEO]
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Ford, Detroit Auto Show, First Drive
Click the Focus EV "mule" for a high res gallery
As Ford was getting ready to make its big announcement this week in Detroit that it would build and sell a battery electric car beginning in 2011, I got a call asking if I'd like to come down and drive one of the development "mules." Being loathe to reject such opportunities, we immediately worked on squeezing it into the busy auto show schedule. Right after the Fisker press conference on Monday, I headed over to the Ford booth to get my ride.
A "mule" vehicle in automotive engineering parlance, is a non-representative vehicle fitted with a new powertrain or suspension components for testing purposes. In this case, Ford had a pair of current Focus sedans equipped with an electric drive train and lithium ion battery pack that was developed in partnership with Magna International. I spent some time chatting with chief engineer Greg Frenette and Magna rep Dick Devogelaere about the car and what we would see for production in two years time. The production model will be based on Ford's C-segment platform, meaning it will be Focus-sized. However, Ford has already said it will have several vehicles in the U.S. market off this platform, including an MPV like the European C-Max. Frenette would not say which body style would initially get the electric drive.
One item he would confirm was that there would be none of the whole leasing and taking back of the electric cars that other companies are still infamous for. The new EV will be sold outright to retail customers through Ford dealers beginning in 2011. Pricing is still undetermined. Check out the video after the jump and the full drive report on Green Fuels Forecast.
[Source: Green Fuels Forecast]
Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading ABG Quick Drive: Ford Focus EV mule [w/VIDEO]
ABG Quick Drive: Ford Focus EV mule [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Volt chief engineer still thinks hydrogen is the long term answer
Filed under: Hydrogen, GM, Detroit Auto Show
Volt chief powertrain engineer Nick Zielinski on the right
In recent years, Nick Zielinski has led the powertrain engineering teams on a number of GM advanced technology programs including the Chevy Equinox fuel cell vehicle and the Sequel concept. For the past two years, his focus has shifted to making the Chevrolet Volt a reality. The common thread through all of these recent efforts is electric drive. The difference is the source of the electricity. The Volt, of course, uses a lithium ion battery with an internal combustion range extender. Just because this configuration is coming to the road sooner doesn't mean that Zielinski has given up on his previous efforts.
Following the announcement of GM's battery manufacturing plans at the Detroit Auto Show on Monday, Zielinski spoke with MarketWatch about the program. Throughout all the financial turmoil of the last several months, development of the Volt has proceeded full speed ahead. Sources at suppliers to the program have also confirmed to ABG that Volt-related work is the only thing still moving for GM.
In spite of the current enthusiasm for extended range EVs from GM, Chrysler and Daimler, no one expects this architecture to remain dominant for the long term, including Zielinski. Just like Daimler officials did at the reveal of the Concept BlueZero, Zielinski believes that hydrogen will be the long term answer to energy storage and production in electric drive vehicles.
[Source: MarketWatch]Volt chief engineer still thinks hydrogen is the long term answer originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj, Audi Sportback win Eyes on Design Awards
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Audi, Cadillac, GM, Detroit Auto Show, Green Daily
Click image above for live shots of the Cadillac Converj Concept
The Cadillac Converj is currently winning the AutoblogGreen reader poll of the best car from the Detroit Auto Show (but only by two votes, the new Honda Insight is right behind). Seems like you all share tastes with the judges for this year's Eyes on Design Awards, which picked the Converj as one of tow top concept cars. The new Cadi-Volt shared its spot in the Design Excellence for a Concept Vehicle category with the Audi SportBack, while the Audi R8 5.2 FSI and the 2010 BMW Z4 both won Design Excellence for a Production Vehicle awards. The judges for this award included BMW design head Chris Bangle, Harley-Davidson chief styling officer Willy G. Davidson, and transportation design chair at the College for Creative Studies Larry Erickson. The Detroit Free Press says that Cadillac designers have been working on the Converj's looks since June. Not bad for six months of work, don't you think? You can still vote for your choice of the best car from the show; just click here. If you liked the Insight, your vote is especially valuable. There's a picture of the SportBack after the jump.
[Source: Autoblog]Continue reading Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj, Audi Sportback win Eyes on Design Awards
Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj, Audi Sportback win Eyes on Design Awards originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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- Rumormill: BMW working on 'green' M1 supercar to rival Audi R8
Filed under: Diesel, EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, BMW, Frankfurt Motor Show
BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
Will the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept that BMW debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show earlier this month spawn a production eco-friendly supercar from the German automaker? According to Auto Express, the answer is yes, and the U.K.-based publication is projecting that the new green M1 will be ready for sale in 2012.
Naturally, the heart of this rumor-spec supercar is a hybrid powertrain similar to the one shown off in Frankfurt. A turbocharged three-cylinder diesel engine displacing 1.5 liters would be used in conjunction with a pair of electric motors providing all-wheel drive capabilities. The run to 60 mph would theoretically take less than five seconds and top speed would reportedly be capped at 155 mph.
Other unique bits that were introduced on the Vision Concept that could potentially make it into production include active aerodynamic elements that allow for an excellent .22 coefficient of drag. An unknown source tells AE that the car's hybrid powertrain, dual clutch gearbox and aluminum-intensive chassis are all "ready for the road."
If there's any truth to this rumor, the new eco-friendly M1 successor would be marketed as a rival to the Audi R8 and would potentially hit the market with a price well north of $100,000. We'll see.
[Source: Auto Express]Rumormill: BMW working on 'green' M1 supercar to rival Audi R8 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Frankfurt 2009: Tesla plus Brabus equals Ultimate High Voltage
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, SMART, Tesla Motors, Frankfurt Motor Show, Green Daily
Brabus High Voltage - Click above for high-res image gallery
In addition to the Tailor Made concepts that Brabus trotted out for the Frankfurt Motor Show, the German tuning firm also showed off a new version of its electric Smart Fortwo called the Unlimited High Voltage. This new model is an updated version of the company's electric Smart ED concept and it features a lithium ion battery pack supplied by Tesla Motors, Daimler's electric vehicle partner.
A rear-mounted electric motor was also developed by Tesla and offers up 82 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque, which is sufficient to push the little electric runabout to 60 mph in under 10 seconds. Interesting touches include aerodynamic wheels with clear plexiglass covers and wider side skirts to improve airflow. Inside, white leather seats with yellow stitching join a console-mounted monitor that displays the remaining state of charge.
The single most intriguing bit of tech, though, would have to be the sound generator. This little unit will reportedly allow the diminutive electric machine to sound like a honkin' V8-powered racecar... should the owner feel so inclined, naturally. Check out the high-res image gallery below.
Frankfurt 2009: Tesla plus Brabus equals Ultimate High Voltage originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Reader's poll: Best in show Frankfurt 2009
Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show
The 2009 Frankfort Motor Show was truly significant for the number of low-carbon cars on display. There were over 50 electric and hybrid cars in the haus, with more than a couple dozen of them naked for the first time before the glare of public scrutiny. After gazing upon so many a fresh model, the difficult part has arrived; choosing a favorite. This is where you come in.
Check out the galleries below and choose an electric and a hybrid which, money being no object, you would most love to have take up residence in your driveway. Step 2, boogie past the break and vote for your favorite visions of automotive Venus-ness Step 3,ProfitRant and rave to your heart's content in the comment section.
Continue reading Reader's poll: Best in show Frankfurt 2009
Reader's poll: Best in show Frankfurt 2009 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 20 Sep 2009 18:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Frankfurt 2009: German goverment plugs in for EVs
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Legislation and Policy, Frankfurt Motor Show, Germany
Before the Frankfurt Motor Show brought us the latest models and concepts from automakers, it was opened by German Chancelor Angela Merkel. The inauguration speech by the Chancellor included describing her country's support for electric vehicles: Germany expects that there will be up to seven million EVs, including plug-ins, and about 18 million hybrid cars in 2020. These figures would account for a third of the expected cars on German roads at that time. Merkel's speech divided the expansion of EVs into three phases. The first one, from 2012 to 2014 would aim to get EV sales up to 30,000 cars per year, and would include €5,000 subvention or tax breaks from the German Federal Government, similar to 17 other European countries. During the second phase, from 2015 to 2018, the market would be mature enough to have about 100,000 sales per year, which would be incentived with about €2,000 and special measures such as parking rights and exclusive lanes. All of this leads to the third phase, in 2019 and 2020, where Merkel said she hopes for 250,000 sales per year.
[Source: Auto News]Frankfurt 2009: German goverment plugs in for EVs originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 18:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Frankfurt 2009: Electric Trabant nT concept
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Frankfurt Motor Show
New Trabant - Click above for high-res image gallery
True to its promise, Herpa Miniaturmodelle GmbH - a scale model car maker from Germany - brought a concept car to the Frankfurt Motor Show called the New Trabant. We applaud the effort, 'cause is couldn't have been cheap or easy. According to Herpa, the baby blue EV has a 64-horsepower electric motor that's capable of propelling the hatchback to speeds of up to 80 miles per hour (130 km/h) with a range of up to 155 miles (250 kilometers).
A lithium ion battery pack of unknown size sits in between the car's rear axle and transmission tunnel. Of course, all of the development work for this project will be extremely expensive, and if the company has any real hope of putting a car into production by 2012 (its own stated goal), a dedicated investor is needed. Good luck. Click past the break for the official press release.
[Source: Herpa Miniaturmodelle GmbH]
Continue reading Frankfurt 2009: Electric Trabant nT concept
Frankfurt 2009: Electric Trabant nT concept originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - REPORT: Mercedes-Benz plans to lease 100 hydrogen F-Cell cars in U.S.
Filed under: Hydrogen, Mercedes Benz, Frankfurt Motor Show, USA
Mercedes-Benz F-Cell - Click above for high-res image gallery
Mercedes-Benz officially introduced the world to its latest hydrogen fuel cell-powered car this week at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and it's wasting little time getting the F-Cell into limited-scale production. In this case, "limited-scale" means 200 vehicles, and Daimler R&D chief Thomas Weber tells Automotive News (sub. req'd) about half of those cars are headed to the United States to be leased by the public.
Naturally, those hundred F-Cell drivers are going to need a place to refuel their hydrogen cars, and there's currently a woeful lack of fueling stations here in the States. This being the case, it's not surprising that Mercedes-Benz plans to send the majority of its F-Cell hatchbacks to California, the state with the most widespread hydrogen infrastructure.
According to Mercedes-Benz, a three-minute refuel will allow its F-Cell to travel for 250 miles. Check out our live shots of the Mercedes-Benz F-Cell below.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]REPORT: Mercedes-Benz plans to lease 100 hydrogen F-Cell cars in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Frankfurt 2009: Volvo reveals battery-powered C30 [w/VIDEO]
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Volvo, Frankfurt Motor Show
Volvo C30 BEV prototype - click above for high res image gallery
We were already aware that Volvo has been working on a plug-in hybrid version of its compact C30 for some time with the intent of introducing a production model in 2012. In Frankfurt this week, Ford's Swedish outpost also showed off a full battery electric version of the hatchback. Volvo has apparently been testing several prototypes already this year. The 24 kWh lithium ion battery pack is installed in the center tunnel of the car. The electric motor and electronics remain in the standard engine compartment. Volvo claims the C30 BEV can go 93 miles on a full battery charge. The pack takes about 8 hours to charge from a 230 V 16 A outlet that is standard in Europe.
It's not clear if Volvo is collaborating with the Ford engineers working on the 2011 Focus-based BEV or following its own path. The C30 is built on the current European Focus platform. Volvo states that it will focus on PHEVs for the larger cars in its lineup, but hasn't decided whether to proceed with a production BEV.
[Source: Volvo]
Continue reading Frankfurt 2009: Volvo reveals battery-powered C30 [w/VIDEO]
Frankfurt 2009: Volvo reveals battery-powered C30 [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Frankfurt 2009: Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept needs a shorter name
Filed under: Hybrid, Toyota, Frankfurt Motor Show
Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
And now for your viewing pleasure, we bring you these live shots of the Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept (seriously, could Toyota have come up with a longer name?). Technically, the vehicle shown in our image gallery below is listed as a concept car, but every indication is that it's not all that different than what will be rolling out of the Burnaston factory in England sometime during the second half of 2010.
We wouldn't necessarily count on the dash-mounted solar panels that feature trays to recharge your electronics - though, how cool would that be? - but the rooftop cells may make it into production to help keep the cabin cool on sunny days as a similar system already is optional on the 2010 Prius. In any case, Toyota's 1.8-liter four cylinder and Hybrid Synergy Drive ought to ensure stellar fuel economy and carbon emissions of below 100 g/km - both important considerations across the pond where gas is especially pricey and taxes are high.
Hit the jump to reread the press release and refresh your memory on all the little concept-appropriate details.
Continue reading Frankfurt 2009: Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept needs a shorter name
Frankfurt 2009: Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept needs a shorter name originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Frankfurt 2009: Mercedes-Benz F-Cell rids the show floor of tailpipe emissions
Filed under: Hydrogen, Mercedes Benz, Frankfurt Motor Show
Mercedes-Benz F-Cell - Click above for high-res image gallery
As promised, Mercedes-Benz trotted its hydrogen fuel cell-powered F-Cell in front of the crowds at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and we were on hand to snap off a series of images. It's easy to spot the B-Class sheetmetal and underpinnings of the compact hatch, which goes to show how well the German automaker was able to integrate its space-age hydrogen drivetrain.
A 100 kW electric motor provides motive force to the front wheels, and MB claims the F-Cell will have similar performance to a 2.0 liter gas engine while returning the equivalent of 86.6 mpg on the European combined cycle. Mercedes has promised to begin leasing its new hydrogen-powered five-door hatchback in early 2010, and it's reportedly coming to America to fulfill all our zero-emission fantasies. Now, if we could just get that pesky hydrogen infrastructure problem sorted out...
Frankfurt 2009: Mercedes-Benz F-Cell rids the show floor of tailpipe emissions originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Frankfurt 2009: Renault goes Twizy (with Zoe and Fluence and Kangoo)
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in, Renault, Frankfurt Motor Show, Better Place
Renault Zero Emission line-up - Click for high-res image gallery
The more we see of Renault's all-electric line-up that is on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the more we want to hang out at company cocktail parties. Something delicious and potent must be on tap there. From the elegant and unexpected lines of the Zoe (above, note the recycle logo) to the buggy quirkiness of the Twizy, Renault is displaying some truly fun-looking electric cars here. Now if only these things were available to drive off the lot today, we'd really be getting somewhere. As we said yesterday when we got Renault's official pics, these cars demand a second look in high-res. Have at it in the gallery below. While you do, we'll hunt down more information on Renault's Quickdrop battery exchange station and what role Better Place has with the technology.
Photos copyright (C)2009 Jonathon Ramsey / Weblogs, Inc.
Frankfurt 2009: Renault goes Twizy (with Zoe and Fluence and Kangoo) originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Frankfurt 2009: Reva NXG looks ready to stomp, NXR is ready for order
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Frankfurt Motor Show
Reva NXG - Click above for high res image gallery
The REVA Electric Car Company announced the price of the REVA NXR - which starts at 9,995 euros for the lead acid version with leased batteries - in Frankfurt today and also took the wraps off of the NXG (above), the company's next electric vehicle that is due as a 2011 model.
The NXR (which stands for NeXr Reva, perhaps as a way to move away from some of the negative associations that the company's G-Wiz has) is scheduled to go into production early 2010 and has a top speed of 65 mph and can go 100 miles on a charge. Standard charging takes eight hours, but the car can accept a quick charge in 90 minutes. The hatch can seat four, Reva says, and comes with Reva's REVive remote emergency charge (i.e., a way for Reva to use the car's telematics to temporarily access more of the battery's capacity than is usually available). Reva's pricing structure for the NXR is flexible, with both purchase and lease options for the lead acid (called the NXR CIty) or lithium-ion batteries (NXT Intercity). Details are available after the jump.
As for the NXG (NeXt Generation), it steps up where the NXR stops with a 125 mile range, an 80 mph top speed and REVive. Pricing is expected to start at 23,000 euros. Interested customers can sign up at REVA's new website and put down a refundable 500 euro claim on either model today.
Photos copyright (C)2009 Jonny Lieberman / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: REVA Electric Car Company]Continue reading Frankfurt 2009: Reva NXG looks ready to stomp, NXR is ready for order
Frankfurt 2009: Reva NXG looks ready to stomp, NXR is ready for order originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Frankfurt 2009: Hyundai ix-Metro concept is all white by us
Filed under: Hybrid, Hyundai, Frankfurt Motor Show
Hyundai ix-Metro concept - Click above for high-res image galleryHyundai returned to Frankfurt a far bigger player than it was two years prior. The Korean company has leapt up the sales standings to become the world's fourth largest automaker, eclipsing such major players as Ford and Honda. And its product line has long since expanded from diminutive hatchbacks to include crossovers and luxury sedans. What better way, then, to mark its newfound stature than to unveil... a diminutive hatchback/crossover thing?
Of course, Hyundai also unveiled the new ix35 Tucson, but presented along side was the automaker's vision for a compact hybrid. Called the ix Metro, it may be about the same size as the Geo that once bore the same name, but packs more curves and creases into the same plot of real estate than a linen mill. Curiously, Hyundai hasn't provided any details on the electric component of the hybrid drivetrain, but the conventional side of the equation boasts direct injection, variable valve timing and a turbocharger in a tiny 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine, driving through a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. The interior looks like something straight out of Star Trek, but don't take our word for it, check it out for yourself in the gallery below.
Continue reading Frankfurt 2009: Hyundai ix-Metro concept is all white by us
Frankfurt 2009: Hyundai ix-Metro concept is all white by us originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Frankfurt 2009: Ford Focus ECOnetic gets down to 99 g/km of CO2
Filed under: Diesel, MPG, Ford, Frankfurt Motor Show
2010 Ford Focus ECOnetic - click above for high res image gallery
Ford has been offering a low CO2 ECOnetic version of the European Focus for over a year now, but a newly-refreshed version is being unveiled in Frankfurt this week. The main upgrade from the existing car is the addition of a new auto-start-stop system that helps drive down fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions from the already low 104 g/km to just 99 g/km. The consumption rate for diesel fuel is 61.8 mpg (U.S.) on the EU combined driving cycle. The Focus is the first Ford-badged car to get the start stop system which, like other auto start stop systems, can be disabled. The car's 109 hp 1.6-liter DuraTorq diesel is retained as is the diesel particulate filter.
The new Focus also keeps the ECOnetic aerodynamic tweaks including the smoother wheels, the low rolling resistance tires and the upshift indicator light. The existing model without the start stop system remains available as well.
[Source: Ford]
Continue reading Frankfurt 2009: Ford Focus ECOnetic gets down to 99 g/km of CO2
Frankfurt 2009: Ford Focus ECOnetic gets down to 99 g/km of CO2 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Frankfurt 2009: Citroen REVOLTe is... exactly that
Filed under: Hybrid, Citroen, Frankfurt Motor Show
Citroen REVOLTe - Click above for high-res image gallery
Between storming the Bastille and a national rejection of the Venus razor, the French certainly know the meaning of the word "revolt". Interesting, then, that Citroen knowingly used the word - albeit Francofied with a superfluous E for its hybrid electric drivetrain - for its latest concept car.
The REVOLTe concept is a throwback to the 2CV of yore, which celebrated its 60th anniversary last year. But while the Tata Nano might carry the flame of the bare-bones four-wheeled transport today, the REVOLTe simply borrows the basic shape of its forbearer and gives it a modern twist. That bit comes courtesy of an unspecified "small-capacity conventional combustion engine combined with an electric motor and a battery re-charging function." Measuring just twelve feet long, the REVOLTe seats three - one offset up front and two in the back - accessed by suicide doors. We could go on, but Citroen has waxed poetic enough in its press release after the jump, so we'll let them pontificate and have you skip straight to the photos below.
Continue reading Frankfurt 2009: Citroen REVOLTe is... exactly that
Frankfurt 2009: Citroen REVOLTe is... exactly that originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Frankfurt 2009: BMW ActiveHybrid X6 throws down
Filed under: Hybrid, Frankfurt Motor Show, Green Daily
BMW ActiveHybrid X6 - Click above for high-res image gallery
Your dilemma: you have a burning desire for a 5,000 pound, four-passenger truck that accelerates as fast as your Dodge Challenger, but you want to use as little gasoline as possible while doing so. BMW feels your pain, and they have a solution for you. Ladies and germs, meet the ActiveHybrid X6, BMW's first full-hybrid. Here's the great part: engine-wise you get both the 4.4-liter twin-turbo humdinger of a V8 and two electric motors for a total combined output of 485 hp and 575 lb-ft of torque. Just to refresh your memory, the X6 M, which our own Lavrinc called a "highrider GT-R," makes just 500 lb-ft (though 550 psycho horsepower).
Ah, but it's a hybrid. So it gets almost 24 mpg. Unlike the X6 M, which... doesn't. Unlike the ActiveHybrid 7 Series, which uses a lightweight, hella-pricey lithium-ion battery, the X6 makes do with a plain old nickel metal hydride power pack. But hey, it's already 2.5 tons, what's a couple of hundred more pounds? BMW also employs a bit of electronic black wizardry, that let's one motor act as a generator to gather up kinetic energy from the brakes (or simply coming off the throttle) to feed into the battery while the other electric motor keeps the car moving. Nifty, no doubt. Also, the ActiveHybrid X6 can travel up to 37 miles per hour in pure electric mode before that dirty ICE kicks on.
Like a lot of vehicles coming out of BMW these days, the X6 is a love it or hate it proposition. Admittedly, the Autoblog staff here at Frankfurt is split right down the middle. Forgetting about the haters, the pro-X6 side thinks that a torque-monster hybrid "Sports Activity Coupe" is just fine. Really, can you say no to 575 lb-ft of twist? All we really hate is the name.
Frankfurt 2009: BMW ActiveHybrid X6 throws down originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Frankfurt 2009: Renault's all-electric four-car attack includes Twizy, the quirkiest car of the IAA
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Renault, Frankfurt Motor Show
Renault Zero Emission line-up - Click for high-res image gallery
If nothing else, Renault knows how to make a ca-razy-looking concept car. At the Frankfurt Motor Show today, the company took the wraps off of the Twizy Z.E. (Zero Emission) as part of the four-car line-up of all-electric vehicles at the expo. We saw the top-down teaser last week, but the actual design of the open-air cabin is nothing we could have predicted. The flat lines at the bottom of the wheel covers are particularly mindbending. The other cars in the line-up are (left to right) the Fluence Z.E., the Kangoo Z.E. and the Zoe Z.E.
The Twizy Z.E. looks like a single-seat vehicle, but Renault is calling it a 1+1, so there's got to be a baby seat or something in there. Renault even describes the 2.3 meter-long car as "barely larger than a scooter." Underhood, the Twizy uses a 20 hp, 15 kW motor to reach a top speed of 47 mph. The Zoe Z.E. supermini has a 70 kW motor and a 100-mile range. But lots of cars have that; the Zoe also has a " personalisable avatar for driving information, mood lighting and futuristic 'hydrate, detox and active scent' climate control." So, take that, every car that doesn't. The Fluence and Kangoo we've seen before. To top it all off, Renault is calling their rapid battery exchange stations "Quickdrop,"and doesn't mention Better Place once in the initial press release. Hmmm. UPDATE: Actually, they do. It just escaped my notice. Apologies.
Find the press release after the jump. We expect to get more details and pictures of these vehicles at the day continues, but for now check out the design lines in the gallery - really worth it in high-res.
[Source: Renault]
Frankfurt 2009: Renault's all-electric four-car attack includes Twizy, the quirkiest car of the IAA originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Frankfurt 2009: all plugs and hybrids, no hydrogen
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hydrogen, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, Frankfurt Motor Show
Audi e-tron concept -- Click above for high-res image gallery
It's probable that, somewhere in the Frankfurt Messe this week, there are hydrogen-powered concept vehicles. From the headlines, though, it's clear that the world's automakers showing off their wares at the Frankfurt Motors Show are taking some time off from promoting the hydrogen fuel cell car and are putting all of their energy into the idea of a car with a plug. Even Audi, where an executive recently called electric cars "idiotic," made a big splash with their overwhelming e-tron concept. Perhaps we'll see more H2 cars when the auto show season moves back to the U.S., but for now, the lack of fuel cell concepts and the tiny scraps thrown to biofuels are really, really obvious. Just saying.
In any case, if you're headed to Frankfurt and want to print out a list of which plug-in and hybrid cars are where, you can get a PDF listing the cars from Drive Solar.
Frankfurt 2009: all plugs and hybrids, no hydrogen originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - REPORT: Tesla gets $82.5 million investment; delivers 700th Roadster
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Tesla Motors, Frankfurt Motor Show
Go to Frankfurt, get $82.5 million. That's sort of what happened to Tesla Motors, which is at the big auto show this week and received the "opportunistic" equity investment from a group led by Fjord Capital Partners. Tesla CEO Elon Musk said that his company was "not looking for money," but did not turn down the offer. FCM's slogan is "clean energy investments for a low carbon world." Bloomberg reports that the FCM money might be used for expanding Tesla's retail stores around the world. Earlier this year, Daimler invested in the electric car start-up.
Also in Frankfurt, Tesla delivered the 700th Roadster to 24-year-old German law student Lennart Hennig. The young man didn't just opt for the standard Roadster, either. Henning is now the proud owner of an electric blue Roadster Sport.
UPDATE: An earlier version of this post incorrectly stated the investment was from Fjord Capital Management.
[Source: Bloomberg]REPORT: Tesla gets $82.5 million investment; delivers 700th Roadster originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Frankfurt 2009: Mazda MX-5 Superlight makes us wonder how we'd spend our other two wishes
Filed under: Mazda, Frankfurt Motor Show, Lightweight
Mazda MX-5 Superlight concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
If you're one of the many enthusiasts out there oohing and ahhing over the pair of pre-production Mini concepts that debuted in Frankfurt today, know that the BMW division isn't the only one here with a tempting speedster on display. Amidst all the exciting and pivotal new vehicle debuts at the show, Mazda took the wraps off the MX-5 Superlight Version.
Unfortunately it's just a show car, and it's not the first time Mazda's toyed with the idea (and us in the process), but the Superlight goes to show what an inventive mind and a skilled hand or two can do with the iconic Mazda roadster. Characterized by its windshield-less shape, the Superlight also features an exquisitely crafted cockpit of brushed aluminum and saddle brown leather, aluminum and carbon-fiber rolls hoops with integrated brake LEDs, an aluminum rearview mirror mounted on the hood, a wider track, dropped suspension and upgraded brakes.
While the engine essentially carries over from the stock 1.8-liter, 126hp four, the Mazdaspeed intake and exhaust, coupled with the reduced 2,194-pound curb weight, bring the 0-60 run down to 8.9 seconds. Which may not sound like breakneck acceleration, but with the wind rushing at your face, we're guessing this junior Veritas is a real thrill ride. Check it out in the gallery below.
Frankfurt 2009: Mazda MX-5 Superlight makes us wonder how we'd spend our other two wishes originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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- Mitsubishi evolves Concept-cX into lower-impact Compact Crossover
Filed under: Diesel, Mitsubishi, Geneva Motor Show
Already getting ready for next spring's Geneva Motor Show, Mitsubishi has release a sketch of the all-new Compact Crossover that will be introduced soon in time to go on sale in Japan in February. While details are scarce, Mitsubishi says that the all-new on-road Compact Crossover will follow the i-MiEV and be "the Corporation's next game changer towards lower impact vehicles, in their format and/or in the innovative MMC proprietary technologies they will feature." From previous reports, this should mean a 1.8 liter clean turbodiesel engine with diesel particulate filter will power the production version.
We await further details, but it sounds like this evolution of the Concept-cX from the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show makes good on the company's promise to move Mitsubishi's line-up in the eco direction. Mitsubishi says it wants to get away from the SUV-centered focus that its had in the recent past and into being knows as "a manufacturer of environment-friendly passenger cars & crossovers." Guess they can get in line.
[Source: Mitsubishi]Continue reading Mitsubishi evolves Concept-cX into lower-impact Compact Crossover
Mitsubishi evolves Concept-cX into lower-impact Compact Crossover originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Dacia to introduce production version of Duster at 2010 Geneva show
Filed under: Diesel, Renault, Geneva Motor Show
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Dacia Duster concept
AutoCar is reporting that the Duster concept introduced by Dacia at the Geneva Motor Show a couple of weeks ago will hit the streets in 2010. The four-door compact crossover concept was powered by Renault's 1.5-liter 103 hp diesel engine for a claimed 44.4 mpg (U.S.). That engine is expected to be joined by a similarly powerful gas engine for launch. The styling will likely be toned down quite a bit from the concept, including discarding the rear hinged back doors. Given that Dacia is Renault's budget priced brand, the Duster will be probably be pretty affordable when it debuts at the 2010 Geneva Show.
[Source: AutoCar]Dacia to introduce production version of Duster at 2010 Geneva show originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 16 Mar 2009 08:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Geneva 2009: Infiniti Essence packs powerful, eco-friendly presence
Filed under: Hybrid, Infiniti, Nissan, Geneva Motor Show, Europe/EU, Japan
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Infiniti Essence Concept
One of the hands-down sexiest cars at this years edition of the Geneva Motor Show was touting some green credentials beneath its curvaceous metal skin. The Infiniti Essence concept, meant to signify the, well, essence of all that is Infiniti, celebrates the luxury marque's past and gives us hints of its future. At first glance, the styling appears to reflect European influences but we're assured that it's flow is inspired by Japanese calligraphy, its details from traditional Japanese items such as a hair pin used while a kimono is worn called the "kanzashi."
As impressive as the Essence looks, what's more important are the bits that power this hybrid. Yes, it's a hybrid, and the innovative system it incorporates will likely be impleted in an Infiniti next year. It borrows the 3D electric motor concept from the wheels of the bubblicious Nissan Pivo and places its 369 lb-ft of torque between the transmission and the 434 horses supplied by an efficient gas-powered, twin-turbo, direct-injection 3.7-liter DOHC V6. The result of all that tech is the ability to electrically glide between the traffic lights and, in theory at least, burn a modest 29.4 mpg while having 592 powerful horses underfoot and available if the "need" arises. This engineering exercise should translate quite nicely when transferred to a more prudent vehicle. Check out the sweet visuals in the galleries below, hit the jump for full press release and essential stats.
[Source: Autoblog / Infiniti]Continue reading Geneva 2009: Infiniti Essence packs powerful, eco-friendly presence
Geneva 2009: Infiniti Essence packs powerful, eco-friendly presence originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 08 Mar 2009 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Geneva 2009 = Honda Insight + ASIMO
Filed under: Hybrid, Honda, Geneva Motor Show
Click above for more of ASIMO with the Honda Insight
How do you emphasize that your new hybrid is perfect for robot drivers? By introducing it in Europe with the help of ASIMO. That was Honda's strategy in Geneva recently when the new Insight Hybrid made its European debut. ASIMO, known for conducting orchestras and falling down stairs, was on stage with the leader of Honda Insight's development team, Yasunari Seki, and posed for some pictures. ASIMO was then put to work doing 54 15-minute public performances over 13 days. For these shows, ASIMO showed off its "ability to run, climb stairs, give and receive objects and interact with people." As long as it stays on its feet, I'm sure it is mighty impressive.
[Source: Honda]Geneva 2009 = Honda Insight + ASIMO originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 07 Mar 2009 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Geneva 2009: Fiat unveils new Multiair engine line
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, MPG, Fiat, Geneva Motor Show
Fiat's not planning to give up its title as the lowest CO2-producing line in Europe any time soon. While diesel engines remain the best choice when carbon emissions are the main concern, the Italian automaker has invested plenty of research and development into its Multiair technology for gasoline powerplants. The latest engines using this tech were unveiled earlier this week at the Geneva Motor Show, as expected.
Nearly all automakers have some form of variable valve technology. Fiat's system is unique in that it uses an electro-hydraulic system to actuate the valves as opposed to the more common electro-mechanical setup. This relatively simple system can alter the timing of the valve's opening and closing in relation to how much power or efficiency is required at any specific moment.
Fiat claims its Multiair technology allows for a 10 percent improvement in horsepower, a 15 percent improvement in low-rpm torque and a 10 percent improvement in fuel efficiency and carbon emissions. Since the powerplant can be made smaller for a given power requirement, further gains are possible over a conventional engine. For a more detailed explanation of how all of this works, click past the break. Thanks for the tip, Jules!
[Source: Fiat]Continue reading Geneva 2009: Fiat unveils new Multiair engine line
Geneva 2009: Fiat unveils new Multiair engine line originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 07 Mar 2009 09:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Geneva 2009: Chevy Spark interior designer speaks [w/video]
Filed under: Chevrolet, Geneva Motor Show
Click above and scroll down to watch the video
The Chevrolet Spark was one of the first cars our Geneva team saw when they arrived in town to cover the show. We got some nice shots of the interior of the vehicle (see 1, 2, 3), but we've now got some more info on the thoughts that went into stretching the two-door Beat concept into the Spark thanks to a video interview with David Lyon, Chevrolet's executive director of interior design. Lyon says that the Spark's five-door style looks like the three-door concept, but is much more functional, and that the Spark heralds what he hopes will be Chevy's new domination of the mini-segment. You can watch the interview after the jump.
[Source: Newspress]Continue reading Geneva 2009: Chevy Spark interior designer speaks [w/video]
Geneva 2009: Chevy Spark interior designer speaks [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 06 Mar 2009 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Geneva 2009: Peugeot 908 HY, hybrid LMP1 racer
Filed under: Diesel, Hybrid, Peugeot, Geneva Motor Show, Racing
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Peugeot 908 HY
Prominently featured in the center of Peugeot's stand at the Geneva Motor Show this week was the 908 HY. This experimental prototype was first unveiled last September as a test-bed for the next generation of Peugeot's Le Mans racers. Based on the extremely fast 908 HDi LMP1 car, this one adds a hybrid electric drive to the mix. Peugeot hasn't committed to a race debut for the car yet, but 2010 seems a likely time frame. On the other hand, if the new Audi R15 TDI proves to be a big jump ahead of the 908, the hybrid could appear sooner.
Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.Geneva 2009: Peugeot 908 HY, hybrid LMP1 racer originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 06 Mar 2009 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Geneva 2009: Mitsubishi Global i MiEV prototype
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Mitsubishi, Geneva Motor Show, Europe/EU
Debuting at the 79th Geneva Motor Show alongside the Mitsubishi i MiEV Sport Air concept was an i MiEV prototype that may have been the most relevant electric car of the show. Although quite similar to the i MiEV design we've been showing you for the past couple years, this is the global version of the Japanese automaker's electric car. As expected, it has a wider stance than the original and the front and rear overhangs have been extended and should offer more protection for passengers as well as any errant (heaven forbid) pedestrians. Also, the steering wheel is on the side you would expect to find it in most parts of the planet, the left.
The company calls this i MiEV iteration the precursor to the car that will go on sale in Europe next year where it will carry the Mitsubishi badge as well as that of Peugeot. Although a timetable for American sales hasn't yet been announced, we expect that it will happen eventually and something very close to this slightly enlarged prototype will one day be available here. Hit the jump for the official Geneva unveiling of the i MiEVs and as well as a bonus video of the global version posing for the camera in a studio and its designer giving some of his thoughts (in Japanese).
[Source: Mitsubishi / YouTube]Continue reading Geneva 2009: Mitsubishi Global i MiEV prototype
Geneva 2009: Mitsubishi Global i MiEV prototype originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 05 Mar 2009 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Geneva 2009: NV200 may come to America with electric drive
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan, Geneva Motor Show
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Nissan NV200
Nissan is getting into the light commercial vehicle market in the U.S. next year with its new NV2500 and, possibly, with the NV200 that debuted in Geneva this week. The NV200 is a compact van based on Nissan's European B-segment platform used for the Micra. It can be configured as a seven-passenger van or a cargo van with up to 145 cubic feet of cargo room. In Europe, it's powered by gas or diesel engines of 1.5L or 1.6L capacities.
However, if we get the NV200 here there is a distinct possibility that it could come with electric drive. While we were running around in Switzerland, our good friend Mike Levine from PickupTrucks.com was at the NTEA work truck show in Chicago. There he caught up with Joe Castelli, Nissan's vice president of light commercial vehicles and fleet, and they discussed alternative drive possibilities. Castelli told Mike that, "dA hybrid or electric vehicle has to be considered for commercial vehicles."
Just as Ford has concluded with its upcoming Transit Connect EV, Castelli admits, "Electric vehicles aren't going to work if you're driving 300 miles a day on the road. But if I'm at a construction site all day or I'm a florist making lots of stops a quarter-mile apart than I can get away with an electric vehicle."
Given Nissan's major emphasis on electric vehicles in the coming years, it makes perfect sense to electrify a vehicle like the NV200. Packaging a battery under the flat load floor would be relatively straightforward and the short range duty cycle for commercial applications would play to the electric's strengths. Castelli even acknowledged that electric or hybrid drive is not out of the question for the larger NV2500.
[Source: PickupTrucks.com]
Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.Geneva 2009: NV200 may come to America with electric drive originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 05 Mar 2009 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Geneva 2009: Top ten diesels you can't get in America!
Filed under: Diesel, Geneva Motor Show
One of the first things you notice when you start wandering around the Geneva Motor Show is that virtually every major automaker offers diesel engines. Lots of them. Many of them are even in cars that we can get in the U.S. market but only with gasoline engines. As our regular readers know, I'm a fan of modern diesel engines. Being in Geneva gives me a chance to present, in no particular order, 10 examples of cars available in the U.S. (or available soon) that could really benefit from having a diesel option. All the mileage figures have been converted to U.S. mpg. No need to use glowplugs, let's just get started.Geneva 2009: Top ten diesels you can't get in America! originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 20:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Geneva 2009: Lotus touts efficiency of new 2010 Exige S
Filed under: Lotus, Geneva Motor Show
Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2010 Lotus Exige S
"The same technology that makes a lightweight car a high performer also makes it efficient - how many cars have performance figures of 0 - 100 km/h in 4.77 secs but produce only 199 g/km CO2?" That question was posed by Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive of Group Lotus plc, and he's got a point. As part of its ongoing quest to shave weight, Lotus has blessed us with what are undoubtedly the most efficient fossil fuel-burning sportscars the world has ever seen. Of course, Lotus vehicles have also proven rather adept at accepting EV conversions for this same reason.
For the 2010 model year, Lotus has upped the ante yet again by incrementally improving the aerodynamics of its Exige S, nudging up the fuel efficiency and lowering the carbon emissions in the process. A revised fascia lets more air in to cool the radiator and twin oil coolers and a new rear wing reduces drag and still puts down 42 kilograms (93 pounds) of downforce at 160 km/h (about 100 mph). Add it all up, and the new Exige S emits 199 g/km CO2 and achieves European Combined Cycle ratings of 8.5 litres/100 km (33.2 mpg). Read the full press release after the break.
[Source: Lotus]Continue reading Geneva 2009: Lotus touts efficiency of new 2010 Exige S
Geneva 2009: Lotus touts efficiency of new 2010 Exige S originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Geneva 2009: Ford's next Focus, the iosis Max now with EcoBoost!
Filed under: MPG, Ford, Geneva Motor Show
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Ford iosis Max Concept
Ford is preparing to make a major shift to smaller cars over the next few years, starting with the new Fiesta at the end of this year and the new European-based Focus next year. When that next-generation Focus lands in the U.S., it is expected to look a lot like the concept that Ford is showing in Geneva this week. The shape and styling details of the iosis Max give a preview of next years Focus five door hatch although the head-light clusters and doors will surely be more conventional. The sliding rear doors are unlikely to make it to production either.
What will make it through is the drivetrain. This is the third Ford concept this year (along with the Lincoln Concept C and Volvo S60 concepts in Detroit) powered by the new 1.6L EcoBoost four cylinder along with the PowerShift dual clutch transmission. With the automatic start stop system, this combination is expected to top 40 mpg with ease when it arrives.
Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading Geneva 2009: Ford's next Focus, the iosis Max now with EcoBoost!
Geneva 2009: Ford's next Focus, the iosis Max now with EcoBoost! originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Geneva 2009: Toyota iQ3 in Astral Black with new 1.33l engine
Filed under: MPG, Toyota, Geneva Motor Show
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Toyota iQ
The Toyota iQ has been doing the show (and museum) circuit for over a year now, but we've only seen the car in white. I mean, just look what happens in Google Image Search when you type in "Toyota iQ." Therefore, as excited as one might be about the new 1.33l Dual VVT-i engine that Toyota has announced for the new iQ3 (iQ cubed) version in Geneva, I'm just glad to see the car in another color.
The 1.33 iQ also gets Toyota's Optimal Drive (aka stop-start) technology, which can reduce fuel consumption up to three percent, if you drive smart. Right now, Toyota is talking about mpg numbers of 49 mpg (U.S.) on the European combined cycle and CO2 emissions of 113 grams per kilometer for the manual-drive iQ. The first production iQs went on sale in Japan last November. The 1.33-liter iQs will be available in the UK starting in late July. Oh, and you can get it in Pearl White, Astral Black (above) or Deep Amethyst.
[Source: Toyota]Continue reading Geneva 2009: Toyota iQ3 in Astral Black with new 1.33l engine
Geneva 2009: Toyota iQ3 in Astral Black with new 1.33l engine originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Geneva 2009: NLV Quant by Koenigsegg
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Geneva Motor Show
Click above for a high-res gallery of the NLV Quant by Koenigsegg
The cars created by Christian von Koenigsegg are not renowned for being environmentally friendly. The car unveiled by Koenigsegg today in Geneva is in many ways diametrically opposed to the CCX and its variants. Rather than burning fuel to produce prodigious quantities of horsepower, the Quant is designed to run silently on electrons. The Quant that was revealed on the show floor is a styling buck of a four passenger, gull-winged coupe with an electric motor driving each rear wheel. The combined output of the powertrain is expected to be 512 hp and 527 lb-ft of twist.
Koenigsegg has partnered with NLV Solar AG for the energy storage system of this electric coupe. As the name implies NLV's main line of business is solar panels and those have been incorporated into the hood and roof of the Quant. Christian von Koenigsegg and Nunzio La Vecchia of NLV acknowledged that the solar cells will only provide enough power for accessories such as the radio or ventilation and won't be able to do any significant battery charging. That battery system is the big unknown for the Quant. Learn more about that after the jump.
Live Photos Copyright (C)2009 Chris Paukert/Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading Geneva 2009: NLV Quant by Koenigsegg
Geneva 2009: NLV Quant by Koenigsegg originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 13:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Confirmed: Ferrari going hybrid
Filed under: Hybrid, Ferrari, Geneva Motor Show, Racing
Click above for gallery of the Ferrari 599XX
One of the stated reasons that automakers send prototype race cars around tracks at high rates of speed is to further the development of new technology for their road-going automobiles. There's no higher form of automotive motorsport than Formula 1, so it stands to reason that fuel-saving advancements like the kinetic energy recovery hybrid systems that F1 is currently in the midst of implementing will someday make it into production cars. According to Ferrari president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, the Italian automaker is in fact testing its KERS system in a prototype based on the 599 chassis.
There's some speculation that theDale Earnhardt edition599XX at the Geneva Motor Show may have some form of the KERS system installed, but that's not confirmed. With this technology, energy that would otherwise be lost to braking can be stored and reused the next time the vehicle accelerates, thereby boosting both performance and efficiency, and that's something we can all get behind.
[Source: Motor Authority]Confirmed: Ferrari going hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 12:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Geneva 2009: Ford Tourneo Connect BEV concept
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Ford, Geneva Motor Show
Click the Tourneo Connect BEV for a high res gallery
When Ford announced at last month's Chicago Auto show that it would collaborating with Smith Electric Vehicles to bring an electric version of the Transit connect van to the U.S. market in 2010, they didn't actually bring a sample along. Here in Geneva the automaker did have a vehicle much like the one we will get. The Tourneo BEV is the low roof passenger version of the Transit Connect but the important bits of this concept are what will appear in the TC EV. The wheels get drive torque supplied by an AC induction motor and the electrons are stored in a lithium iron phosphate battery pack. Dan Jenkins from Smith declined to reveal who the cell supplier is or will be. A similar Transit Connect EV will be sold by Smith in Europe beginning this fall.
Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading Geneva 2009: Ford Tourneo Connect BEV concept
Geneva 2009: Ford Tourneo Connect BEV concept originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Geneva 2009: Honda Accord Tourer Type-S
Filed under: Diesel, Acura, Honda, Geneva Motor Show
Click the Accord tourer for a high res gallery
The car pictured above represents some of my favorite features in a main-stream car: it's a wagon and it's a diesel. I'm also fully aware that I am in a distinct minority on both counts among drivers in the U.S. market. This is the new European-market Honda Accord Tourer Type-S. We get the sedan version in the U.S., badged as the Acura TSX. Personally, I prefer the wagon version because it retains the overall size and dynamic characteristics of a sedan while adding a huge dollop of utility when needed. It's also quite a handsome car. Rumor has it we'll see this body style appear as a new Honda CUV in the states this fall with the high-riding Outback treatment.
The wagon is not new to Europe but the new Type-S (also available as a sedan) is. The Type-S Accord gets a 178 hp version of Honda's new iDTEC 2.2L diesel four cylinder with a stiff 280 lb-ft of torque. The Type-S gets larger 18" wheels and bumper and sill extensions for a more aggressive look. Unfortunately, this is very likely the car we were supposed to get as a TSX this year. However, market conditions have forced Honda to indefinitely cancel those plans. What a shame.
Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading Geneva 2009: Honda Accord Tourer Type-S
Geneva 2009: Honda Accord Tourer Type-S originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Geneva 2009: Brabus smart ed revealed
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, SMART, Geneva Motor Show, Green Daily
Click above for a gallery of the Brabus smart ed
The Brabus Tesla Roadster is no longer the only electric car that the tuning company will make for you. In Geneva today, Daimler unveiled the Brabus smart ed. The tricked out door frame and interior are just two of the ways that Brabus has made this lime green smart ed their own. The car also offers LED daytime driving lights and a white soft top. Daimler makes a point of saying that the Brabus smart ed's "fine natural materials demonstrate harmony with the environment" but doesn't exactly explain how that works. There is harmony between the ed logo on the outside and on the headrests, though.
If you like the idea of Brabus tuning up a smart fortwo, but want a gasoline engine to go in it, Daimler's got you covered.
[Source: Daimler]Geneva 2009: Brabus smart ed revealed originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 15:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Geneva 2009: Frazer-Nash Namir by Giugiaro
Filed under: Hybrid, Geneva Motor Show
Click the Namir by Giugiaro for a high res gallery
Remember Frazer-Nas? The brand that was a famous British car maker long ago is still around, but it's no longer building cars. If you're at all familiar with the name Frazer-Nash, it probably isn't in the context of modern drivetrain technology like hybrid systems. In fact, hybrid drive systems is exactly what Frazer Nash is developing today and the company has collaborated with Italdesign Giugiaro to create a concept called the Namir.
Frazer Nash has developed a series hybrid drivetrain that uses an 814 cc rotary engine driving a generator. The generator charges a 400V lithium polymer battery pack that feeds electrons to a pair of electric motors at each axle with a cumulative output of 362 hp. The system is claimed to give the Namir a top speed of 187 mph, 0-62 mph acceleration in 3.5 seconds while still managing 91.7 mpg (U.S.)! Not too shabby.
Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.Geneva 2009: Frazer-Nash Namir by Giugiaro originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 13:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
Autoblog Green
Autoblog Green
- Honda designers talk about EV concepts from Tokyo
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Honda, Tokyo Motor Show
Honda EV-N Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
Honda made a pretty big splash at the Tokyo Motor Show a few weeks back by showing off a number of eco-friendly concepts, though many of them were decidedly short on actual details. The automaker finally seems ready to talk a bit about the EV-N, EV-Cub, EV-MONPAL and U3-X and how they fit into its vision for the future. According to the automaker:
Sounds all warm and fuzzy, no? We happen to be particularly fond of the cute-as-a-button EV-N and the EV-Cub, which takes Honda's original nonthreatening two-wheeler and readies it for duty in today's environmentally-conscious society. Click here for the full story from Honda.The EV-Cub is a nimble, approachable motorcycle that invites people to enjoy riding on a daily basis. EV-N is a cute but very promising car that suggests the possibility of true friendship between person and automobile. EV-Monpal is a helpful and friendly vehicle that assists people with special needs. The U3-X operates in harmony with people and suggests a future full of wonder. Designed to be enjoyable to ride, pleasant just to have around and easy to imagine in the scenes of one's life, these products create a picture of a future that's bright, and are kind both to people and to the environment.
[Source: Honda]Honda designers talk about EV concepts from Tokyo originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Tokyo 2009: Yamaha EC-f channels Xbox, blurs definitions
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, On Two Wheels, Tokyo Motor Show
Yamaha EC-f - Click above for high-res image gallery
It's certainly not a motorcycle, and we'd have a tough time convincing ourselves that it's a scooter, too. Regardless, we think the Yamaha EC-f, which is currently on display at the Tokyo Motor Show, sports a distinctive look and plenty of cool features. According to Yamaha, the lack of "exhaust parts" is what inspired its "bold" and "sculptural" design.
Sadly, there isn't much in the way of actual hard data about the conceptual electric scooter, other than the fact that it sports some sort of lithium ion battery pack and .6 kW (just under one horsepower) of power from its electric motor. So, a speed demon the EC-f is not - we'd guess it should be able to maintain moped-like velocities of about 30 miles per hour.
Take a look at our image gallery of live photos of the green and white Xbox-esque Yamaha EC-f in from Tokyo below. Also note just how much more sinister the EC-fs looks in its silver and black scheme. As much as we'd love to see something this interesting in production... well, don't count on it.
Photos copyright (C)2009 Chris Paukert / Weblogs, Inc.Tokyo 2009: Yamaha EC-f channels Xbox, blurs definitions originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Tokyo 2009: Toyota Prius claims Japan Car of the Year title
Filed under: Hybrid, Toyota, Tokyo Motor Show, Japan
Thirty years of the Japan Car of the Year - Click above for high-res image gallery
For the past 30 years, Japan has declared a car of the year, an award given to newly-released or redesigned vehicles released from November 1st of the previous year to October 1st of the current year. More than 60 jurors composed of Japanese journalists receive an allocation of votes, and the car with the most votes comes away with the crown.
This year, the Toyota Prius narrowly edged out the Honda Insight, continuing the recent trend of environmentally-friendly winners. Other notable winners included the new Volkswagen Golf, which was named the Import Car of the Year, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, which was declared to have the Most Advanced Technology. The Nissan Fairlady Z won the category of Most Fun, and finally the Subaru Legacy took top honors for Best Value.
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the award, the Tokyo Motor Show also organized a display of past winners, starting with the Mazda Familia 3-door Hatch Back in 1980-1981 and finishing with last year's winner, the Toyota IQ. We've included the winners from every year (some cars on display won alternate categories, like the Toyota Supra from 1993-1994) in the high-res gallery below.
Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.Tokyo 2009: Toyota Prius claims Japan Car of the Year title originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Tokyo 2009: Honda rolls out the EV-Cub, we pray for a production model
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Honda, On Two Wheels, Tokyo Motor Show
Honda EV-Cub Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
You meet the greenest people on a Honda. Well, maybe not quite yet... but the World's Largest Motorcycle Manufacturer has signaled its intent to usher in a new era of electrically-powered two-wheelers, and a modern-day Cub seems like an excellent way to do just that.
Honda is showing a conceptual electric Cub as we speak at the Tokyo Motor Show, but strangely isn't letting out very much information about the machine. We know there's an electric motor powering each wheel and some kind of battery pack sitting in between somewhere in the frame rails, but that's about it.
Regardless of how little we know about the EV-Cub, it's a concept we wholeheartedly approve of. We're big fans of the original gas-powered 50cc model, which has been known to return well over 200 miles per gallon in daily use, and a thoroughly modern drivetrain seems like a fitting way to inject some new life into the old Cub. See our high-res image gallery of live shots below.
Photos copyright (C)2009 Jonathon Ramsey / Weblogs, Inc.Tokyo 2009: Honda rolls out the EV-Cub, we pray for a production model originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Tokyo 2009: Toyota FT-EV II concept
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Toyota, Tokyo Motor Show
Toyota FT-EV II concept - click above for high-res image gallery
Toyota revealed their latest plug-in electric concept car here in Tokyo as the FT-EV II. This one is a followup to the iQ-based FT-EV that we saw in Detroit but appears to be a ground-up design that takes advantage of the electric drive architecture. The iQ is promoted as a 3+1 layout because the presence of the steering column and instrument cluster force the driver's seat to be further back limiting the already small rear seat behind it.
The new concept uses a complete fly-by-wire system with joystick-like controls that feature a steam-punk design motif. The result is wide open space in the front and the very thin shell seats result in decent room. The car also has sliding doors on both sides. It's not known if this concept represents a design direction for an urban BEV that Toyota will likely build to meet ZEV mandates in the next five years, but it would make sense to do a custom design.
Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.Tokyo 2009: Toyota FT-EV II concept originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Tokyo 2009: Suzuki Swift plug-in hybrid
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Suzuki, Tokyo Motor Show
Suzuki Swift PHEV - Click above for high-res image gallery
Beside the SX4 FCV on display at the Tokyo Motor Show, Suzuki is showing off a plug-in hybrid version of the Swift. The Swift PHEV concept pairs a 660 cc engine to a set of li-ion batteries that live between the front seats and send energy to a 54 kW motor that powers the front wheels. With Suzuki's strong place in the Japanese market - and considering all of the make and model badges that the Swift has worn over the years - seeing a plug-in powertrain in this little car could portend good things.
Photos copyright (C)2009 Jonathon Ramsey / Weblogs, Inc.
Tokyo 2009: Suzuki Swift plug-in hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Tokyo 2009: Suzuki SX4-FCV takes a break from testing
Filed under: Hydrogen, Suzuki, Tokyo Motor Show
Suzuki SX4 Fuel Cell Vehicle - Click above for high-res image gallery
The Suzuki SX4-FCV (Fuel-Cell Vehicle) isn't a new vehicle - they've been used for testing on Japanese streets since last year - but the colors and stickers on the model on display at the Tokyo Motor Show meant we needed to get some fresh pics to share with you. Under the new look, the SX4 FCV is the same as before, with an 80 kW hydrogen fuel cell stack from GM and a high-pressure 70 MPa (10,000 psi) hydrogen storage tank. The car reportedly can go up to 75 mph and has a 155-mile range using a 68 kW electric motor and a lightweight capacitor. The capacitor is used to not only regulate the flow of electrons to the wheels but also to retain energy collected from the regenerative brakes on the SX4 FCV. Suzuki says it wants to commercialize the technology someday, but for now is happy with the "ongoing development."
Photos copyright (C)2009 Jonathon Ramsey / Weblogs, Inc.Tokyo 2009: Suzuki SX4-FCV takes a break from testing originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Tokyo 2009: We sample Honda's quirky U3-X, stride management assist and bodyweight assist devices
Filed under: Transportation Alternatives, Honda, Tokyo Motor Show, First Drive
Jim Kenzie of the Toronto Star tries out the U3-X - click above for high res-image gallery
If there is one thing people love, it's personal mobility. After all, what other species regularly harness other creatures for the sole purpose of getting around. The auto industry is all about personal mobility. Since the dawn of the car in the late 19th century, it has been adopted world-wide as one of the preferred means of getting around.
Mobility, of course, is about a lot more than just driving. Just moving around is important and when people find themselves unable to move or having difficulty, It plays havoc with the psyche. As populations in many countries get older, reduced mobility is an increasing problem. A number of automakers are researching ways to expand mobility beyond the automobile and the result is projects like GM's Puma and Toyota's Winglet. Honda, too, is studying the problem and while we were in Japan for the Tokyo Motor Show, Honda took us to their R&D center to check out a few of their recent projects. Read on for a first hand account of what we saw.
Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
Tokyo 2009: We sample Honda's quirky U3-X, stride management assist and bodyweight assist devices originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Honda CEO: People will embrace fuel cells when they realize battery limits
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hydrogen, Honda, Tokyo Motor Show
Here at the Tokyo Motor Show, Honda introduced its first plug-in vehicle concept in many years in the shape of the EV-N. However, during the press conference, new CEO Takanobu Ito shared the main stage with only two cars, the FCX Clarity and the new CR-Z concept. The EV-N and a plug-in Cub scooter were off on a smaller side stage. During a Q&A session with media this evening, Ito explained the company's strategy on electric vehicles.
According to Ito, who assumed the top post at the company last June, hydrogen fuel cells are still the best long term strategy for vehicles. The only reason Honda is developing a plug-in vehicle right now is to meet California zero-emission vehicle mandates coming up in about five years. Because there appears to be little movement on establishing additional hydrogen filling stations in the U.S. right now, the company would be unable to meet the standards with a fuel cell vehicle. Thus a small urban commuter BEV is the best option for the short term.
Asked what it would take to get a hydrogen filling network going, especially with a current administration that is openly hostile, Ito responded "I wish I knew" but that hydrogen must be promoted to governments and "we must be patient." He went on to say that while batteries are evolving, he didn't believe they would ever get to a stage where their performance would be acceptable as the primary energy carrier. Instead he said that "people would become more aware of the limits of BEVs" and come back to hydrogen fuel cells.
[Source: Honda]Honda CEO: People will embrace fuel cells when they realize battery limits originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Tokyo 2009: Nissan Fuga hybrid arrives in Japan fall 2010, to U.S. in 2011
Filed under: Hybrid, Infiniti, Nissan, Tokyo Motor Show
2010 Nissan Fuga Hybrid - click above for high-res image gallery
After several years of selling small volumes of its Altima sedan using Toyota's hybrid drive system, Nissan is finally ready to roll out its first gas-electric model using technology developed in-house. The first model to be so equipped will be the new Fuga sedan, a car sold in North America as the Infiniti M.
Unlike the electronic CVT systems used by Toyota, Ford and General Motors, Nissan has opted to configure their system using a conventional automatic transmission - in this case, a seven-speed unit. The electric drive is provided by a single motor sandwiched between the engine and the transmission. A pair of electronically controlled clutches sit on either side of the motor allowing the engine or the engine/motor combination to be completely de-coupled from the transmission.
According to Nissan, the motor has an output of 50 kW (67 horsepower) and 270 Nm (200 pound-feet) of torque and the system is able to propel the Fuga/M electrically at speeds of up 62 mph. The engine is a 3.5-liter version of Nissan's renowned VQ V6 modified to run with an Atkinson cycle for greater efficiency.
Koichi Hayasaki, senior manager of Nissan's hybrid program tells us that the final numbers on the engine output as well as the net combined output won't be released until sometime in 2010. As is the way these days, energy storage needs are handled by a lithium ion battery pack using the same kind of modules that are going into the LEAF EV.
The Infiniti M hybrid is expected to arrive in the U.S. sometime in 2011 as a 2012 model.
Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.Tokyo 2009: Nissan Fuga hybrid arrives in Japan fall 2010, to U.S. in 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Tokyo 2009: Honda CR-Z coming to America next fall with six-speed manual!
Filed under: Hybrid, Honda, Tokyo Motor Show
Honda CR-Z concept 2009 - Click above for high-res image gallery
Honda fans of all sorts have cause to celebrate today with the reveal of the 2009 iteration of the CR-Z coupe. In typical Honda fashion, this CR-Z remains a concept in name and detail only. What you see here is essentially the production coupe that will go on sale in Japan next February and then arrive in North America in the Fall.
The cool scoop-like grille from the original 2007 concept has been largely carried over, with the biggest changes being a somewhat taller roof and a more upright windshield with blacked out A-pillars - concessions to the fact that real people will have to fit into the production car. On the exterior, the only elements likely to change once it hits the assembly line are the side mirrors, which will probably be a bit larger, along with the internals of the light clusters.
The good news for fans of the much-loved 1983-1991 Civic CR-X is that the CR-Z should have significantly better performance than the disappointing new Insight, a car that is geared more toward fuel economy than performance. In any case, the CR-Z coupe gets a bump in displacement up to 1.5-liter and - wait for it - a six-speed manual gearbox! This will be the first hybrid with a row-it-yourself six-speed.
Unfortunately, we probably won't hear any official numbers on the drivetrain's output or its mileage until closer to the Japanese launch, but color us excited - and you can share some of our joy by checking out the high-res image gallery below.
Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading Tokyo 2009: Honda CR-Z coming to America next fall with six-speed manual!
Tokyo 2009: Honda CR-Z coming to America next fall with six-speed manual! originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Tokyo 2009: Honda EV-N concept combines future drive with retro style
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Honda, Tokyo Motor Show
Honda EV-N concept - click above for high-res image gallery
Honda's new CEO, Takanobu Ito, started off his tenure at the head of the company today by unveiling a new plug-in battery electric concept. The EV-N showcar hides its futuristic electron pumping powertrain in a decidedly retro bodystyle thanks to a design reminiscent of the subcompact 600N of the Sixties.
Honda has yet to reveal much in the way of technical details about the diminutive hatch, but we do know it uses lithium-ion batteries and the electric motor drives the front wheels. The car can be started with a fob called the Loop that incorporates a display showing the battery pack's state of charge.
Not enough pint-size fun for you? Each of the EV-N's doors features a pocket that holds one of Honda's gyro controlled, omnidirectional U3-X unicycles.
Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.Tokyo 2009: Honda EV-N concept combines future drive with retro style originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Tokyo 2009: hybrid-only, Japan-only Toyota Sai unveiled
Filed under: Hybrid, Toyota, Tokyo Motor Show
As expected, Toyota has taken the wraps off of its new dedicated hybrid model, the Sai. The Sai medium-sized hybrid will only be sold in Japan, starting in early December (a bit later than expected). Toyota says that the Sai shows how committed the company is to expanding its hybrid technology. Compared to the Prius, the Sai is bigger, uses a larger engine (2.4 liters compared to 1.8) and costs more. The Sai will start at around $37,500, whereas the Prius base model is around $22,000 in Japan. The Sai also gets great fuel economy of about 54 mpg (U.S.) on the optimistic Japanese cycle.
While the Sai is a bit more in most regards than the Prius, it is a bit below another hybrid in the Toyota family. The Sai shares some structure and looks with the Lexus HS 250h, but costs less.
Toyota hopes to sell 3,000 Sai units per month. There's a video (in Japanese and Danish) after the jump. Stay tuned for more pictures from Tokyo. Thanks to Dan F. for the tip!
[Source: ABC News, JPtv]Tokyo 2009: hybrid-only, Japan-only Toyota Sai unveiled originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Tokyo 2009: Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV shows its more conventional face
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Mitsubishi, Tokyo Motor Show
Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV - Click above for high-res image gallery
Mitsubishi has put its plug-in hybrid Concept PX-MiEV crossover concept on a pedestal here at the Tokyo Motor Show, touting the CUV's "environmental and on-road performance," as well as its serial and parallel modes and wireless charging capabilities.
The crossover's design language represents another refinement for Mitsubishi, and although it's markedly less provocative than the newly re-shnozzed 2010 Outlander, it presents a pleasing collection of shapes and could point the way for a future iteration of the softroader. Inside is typical concept car fare for "linking man and car interactively" - which means it's far too cool for us to actually get on the road - but hey, where else are you going to find a cocochi interior with a yoke-style steering wheel?
The real story here is arguably the drivetrain, where Mitsu has combined a 1.6-liter gas engine and a hybrid system with lithium-ion batteries.
In any case, you can check out the PR info after the jump, and visuals in the gallery of high-res images below.
Photos copyright (C)2009 Jonathon Ramsey / Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading Tokyo 2009: Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV shows its more conventional face
Tokyo 2009: Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV shows its more conventional face originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Tokyo 2009: Nissan confirms three EVs for production, including Infiniti
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan, Tokyo Motor Show
Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn with Leaf EV - Click above for high-res image gallery
We're here at the Tokyo Motor Show, where CEO Carlos Ghosn has just confirmed that Nissan, Renault's Japanese alliance partner, will boast a lineup of at least three electric vehicles in the next few years - and a fourth vehicle is also possible. We already know about the Leaf hatchback (above) that was unveiled back in August. In addition, Nissan will build an electric version of the NV200 light commercial van that debuted at the Geneva Motor Show. For the first time, Ghosn also confirmed that Infiniti will get a compact four-passenger sedan powered only by batteries.
No other information was available on this car, but Ghosn did say that it would be unveiled in the near future. In all likelihood, the Infiniti will be based on the Leaf platform that is designed for purely electric drive. The fourth model that is being considered for production is the Land Glider concept that was shown publicly for the first time here this morning.
Tokyo 2009: Nissan confirms three EVs for production, including Infiniti originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - REPORT: Honda considering electric car launch in major markets, CEO says
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Honda, Tokyo Motor Show, Europe/EU, Japan, USA
Honda EV-N Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
Hybrids and fuel cells. That's where Honda seems to have put the vast majority of its engineering resources over the last decade or so, first with the two-seat Insight - the first hybrid sold here in the States, beating the much more successful Toyota Prius to market by a few months - and later the FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle. According to company CEO Takanobu Ito, though, a new wind may be blowing into a town near you, and it's electric.
While the Japanese automaker sees hydrogen as the real solution to our dependence on petroleum, the fact that it's taking so long for a real hydrogen infrastructure to be built up around the world means that Honda is considering launching a fully electric automobile in major markets in Europe, Japan and the United States. Whether or not it will look anything like the EV-N concept from the Tokyo Motor Show remains to be seen... but we're hoping.
[Source: Reuters]REPORT: Honda considering electric car launch in major markets, CEO says originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Tokyo Preview: Honda to show off all-electric Cub
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Honda, On Two Wheels, Tokyo Motor Show
Honda EV-Cub concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
Honda's little Cub motorbike has been nothing if not successful for the Japanese company, with literally tens of millions of the fuel-efficient small-bore machines have rolling out of Honda factories all around the world. Perhaps, then, it's time for Honda to refine the formula that turned the Cub into such a success story? And if so, what should power the next Cub?
We know that Honda is investigating electric motorcycle technology with plans to launch its first such machine before 2011, so it's not terribly surprising to see the motorcycle manufacturer showing off an electric version of the Cub at the Tokyo Motor Show.
Details are decidedly scarce, but it appears there may be electric hub motors powering both the front and rear wheels. Honda will also be showing off solar panels that are capable of charging the batteries of the electric vehicles on display.
[Source: Honda]Continue reading Tokyo Preview: Honda to show off all-electric Cub
Tokyo Preview: Honda to show off all-electric Cub originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - REPORT: Nissan Land Glider could come to the States as an Infiniti
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan, On Two Wheels, Tokyo Motor Show, Green Daily
Nissan Land Glider Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
Concept cars tend to push the boundaries of what is and isn't possible with a four-wheeled vehicle. Such is the case with the Nissan Land Glider, which is going on display this week at the Tokyo Motor Show. Usually, such far-out-there concepts make the auto show circuit before being abandoned somewhere in the corner of a dark, dingy warehouse, but perhaps not this one.
The machine is sort of a cross between a motorcycle and a car, with an enclosed cabin and four wheels along with a glass canopy and rider compartment that leans into turns for added stability - which is of utmost importance in a car that measures just 47-inches across.
According to Automotive News (sub. req'd), there are some inside the Japanese automaker that suggest the fully electric car could slot into the company's upmarket Infiniti lineup, possibly even making it to the United States. If that happens, the Land Glider may be a single-seater, as the concept's single rear passenger perch may not make it through safety testing.
We'd be pretty surprised to see a production Infiniti Land Glider that keeps the concept's unique layout, but it certainly wouldn't be the only strange-looking eco-friendly automobile to hit the market. We'll see.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]REPORT: Nissan Land Glider could come to the States as an Infiniti originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Rumormill: Mitsubishi considering plug-in powertrain for next Evolution?
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Mitsubishi, Tokyo Motor Show
Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV - Click above for high-res image gallery
The Mitsubishi PX-MiEV, which will get its official debut this week at the Tokyo Motor Show, may be a harbinger of exciting things to come if there's any truth at all to a report from Autocar indicating that the concept's unique hybrid powertrain may see production in the next-generation Evolution XI.
There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of evidence that this may be the case, other than the fact that the concept vehicle uses a similar all-wheel drive system as the current Evolution X. In any case, the PX-MiEV features an electric motor powering the rear wheels along with a hybridized engine and motor combination up front that can either power the front wheels or recharge the battery pack.
Plus, there's the obligatory plug that will allow the car to be charged off the grid, and a full battery pack would result in a 30-mile EV range. We're not so sure that this is the direction the Japanese automaker will take for its next performance halo car, but we'd certainly be interested to see the technology in action.
[Source: Autocar]Rumormill: Mitsubishi considering plug-in powertrain for next Evolution? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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