Autoblog Green http://green.autoblog.com Autoblog Green http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/green.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog Green http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: Lutz says next Chevy Impala to stay front-drive, gain hybrid variant]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/16/report-lutz-says-next-chevy-impala-to-stay-front-drive-gain-hy/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/16/report-lutz-says-next-chevy-impala-to-stay-front-drive-gain-hy/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/16/report-lutz-says-next-chevy-impala-to-stay-front-drive-gain-hy/#comments
2009 Chevrolet Caprice (Middle East) - Click above for high-res image gallery

Remember those AWESOME rumors about the rear-wheel drive Pontiac G8 living on as a Chevy Caprice? Not going to happen, though used Chevy cop cars will still be the hot Christmas item come 2017 or so. Inside Line's Ed Hellwig reports that after a sit down meeting with General Motors' Maximum Bob Lutz, not only won't there be a true successor to the 1994-1996 Impala SS, but the next Impala will remain front-wheel drive.

The new Impala will get bigger says IL, and add features - probably in an attempt to keep up with the hefty and tech-laden Ford Taurus. Lutz mentions that the new Impala will not only sport decent fuel economy, but also feature GM's hybrid technology. Whether or not this means a Chevy Volt style gas-electric powertrain or the General's next-generation belt-alternator mild hybrid system isn't clear. All we know is, once the few, still-lingering-on dealer-lots G8s are gone, they are gone baby, gone.



[Source: Straight Line Blog]

REPORT: Lutz says next Chevy Impala to stay front-drive, gain hybrid variant originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bob LutzBobLutzCapriceChevroletChevrolet CapriceChevrolet ImpalaChevroletCapriceChevroletImpalaChevyChevy CapriceChevy ImpalaChevyCapriceChevyImpalaImpalaMon, 16 Nov 2009 16:58:00 EST<![CDATA[SEMA 2009: Meet the world's most desirable Lexus RX450h by Branew]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/sema-2009-meet-the-worlds-most-desirable-lexus-rx450h-by-brane/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/sema-2009-meet-the-worlds-most-desirable-lexus-rx450h-by-brane/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/sema-2009-meet-the-worlds-most-desirable-lexus-rx450h-by-brane/#commentsFiled under: ,

Branew Lexus RX450h - click above image to view hi-res gallery

Let me be blunt: I don't like luxury crossovers. At all. It's a niche with no appeal to me whatsoever. Not a car, not a truck - just a fat sedan jacked up on stilts to woo trophy wives with fancy badges and reassure soccer mammas that their children are "safe." And the Lexus RX gets the sharp point of my spear of anger because it's basically responsible for the high-end CUV craze. Not a fan of hybrids, either. That said, I'm absolutely smitten with Branew's Lexus RX450h.

I think it's the stance, has to be. But there is just something very desirable - from an aesthetic standpoint. The big 24-inch wheels help tremendously, perching Branew's at just the right height. And the lower fascia helps the quite handsome - if not distinctive - OEM grill pop. And I know it's going to be a controversial opinion, but the koi fish on the hood totally work. In fact, I know a certain Subaru WRX that could use a koi or two. Anyhow, while I'd rather gargle nails than rock a luxo-CUV, if forced at gunpoint, Branew's RX450h would be my first (and only) choice.


SEMA 2009: Meet the world's most desirable Lexus RX450h by Branew originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BranewBranew LexusBranew Lexus RX450hBranewLexusBranewLexusRx450hLexuslexus RXLexus RX450hLexusRxLexusRx450hluxury crossoverluxury CUVLuxuryCrossoverLuxuryCuvRX450hSEMASEMA 2009SEMA ShowSema2009SemaShowFri, 06 Nov 2009 09:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Infiniti confirms production of 2012 M35 Hybrid]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/07/infiniti-confirms-production-of-2012-m35-hybrid/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/07/infiniti-confirms-production-of-2012-m35-hybrid/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/07/infiniti-confirms-production-of-2012-m35-hybrid/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2010 Nissan Fuga/Infiniti M35 Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

Looks like Infiniti is getting more serious about taking on Lexus. Back in August we saw the M get "virtually revealed" at Pebble Beach. We've also been following the tale of the upcoming JDM-only new Nissan Fuga, a car which is virtually identical to Infiniti's M. Then of course Inside Line dropped the M-bomb when they published pics of both the M56 and M37x after their secret pre-production test drive. Meaning we know there's going to be a 400+ hp 5.6-liter V8 M56, a VQ-engined M37 (with around 330 hp - as much or more than the V8 in the outgoing M45 makes) and M37x (x = AWD). There's also a diesel M aimed at Europe. But today we learn there is another.

Specifically, there will be a M35 Hybrid. This will be the first hybrid Infiniti and it's aimed squarely at the slow-selling Lexus GS400h. Infiniti claims that the hybrid parts will "add to" and not "take away from" the driving experience. As such, there's a Nissan-developed single motor and a twin clutch hooked up to the same output shaft as the engine. This should result in an uninterrupted power flow to the transmission no matter which mode the hybrid system is in. There's also a "laminated" lithium-ion battery that not only stores twice as much power as nickel-metal hydride units, but cools more quickly because of the "lamination." Look for the M35 Hybrid to hit dealers around this time next year as a 2012 model, and a full reveal of the car later this month at the Tokyo Motor Show. And now, where's the new Q?



[Source: Nissan]

Infiniti confirms production of 2012 M35 Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 Infiniti M2011 Infiniti M35 Hybrid2011InfinitiM2011InfinitiM35Hybrid2012 M35 Hybrid2012M35HybridFugaInfinitiInfiniti 2012 M35 HybridInfiniti HybridInfiniti MInfiniti M35infiniti m35 hybridInfiniti M37Infiniti M37xInfiniti M56Infiniti2012M35HybridInfinitiHybridInfinitiMInfinitiM35InfinitiM35HybridInfinitiM37InfinitiM37xInfinitiM56M35 HybridM35HybridM37M37xM56Nissan FugaNissanFugaWed, 07 Oct 2009 17:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Frankfurt 2009: BMW ActiveHybrid X6 throws down]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/16/frankfurt-2009-bmw-activehybrid-x6-throws-down/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/16/frankfurt-2009-bmw-activehybrid-x6-throws-down/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/16/frankfurt-2009-bmw-activehybrid-x6-throws-down/#commentsFiled under: , ,

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]]>ActiveHybridActiveHybrid X6ActivehybridX6BMW ActiveHybrid X6BmwActivehybridX6FrankfurtFrankfurt 2009Frankfurt Auto ShowFrankfurt Motor ShowFrankfurt2009FrankfurtAutoShowFrankfurtMotorShowX6X6 HybridX6HybridWed, 16 Sep 2009 08:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Frankfurt 2009: Lexus LF-Ch Concept hits, misses]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/15/frankfurt-2009-lexus-lf-ch-concept-hits-misses/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/15/frankfurt-2009-lexus-lf-ch-concept-hits-misses/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/15/frankfurt-2009-lexus-lf-ch-concept-hits-misses/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Lexus LF-Ch Concept - click above image for hi-res gallery

We spent over 40 minutes photographing the oddly named Lexus LF-Ch Concept and still aren't sure what we think of it. From certain angles it's brilliant - everything the Lincoln Concept C tried to be, but wasn't. Yet from other angles... the word 'deformity' comes to mind. As does the term 'puffer fish.' Designed to be a 1 Series competitor, the little Lexus luxury hybrid hatchback answers one very important question: what does Chris Bangle dream about after eating a few sheets of blotter acid? Again, there are parts we like and parts that might have been put on backwards. Full press release after the jump.



Continue reading Frankfurt 2009: Lexus LF-Ch Concept hits, misses

Frankfurt 2009: Lexus LF-Ch Concept hits, misses originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FrankfurtFrankfurt 2009Frankfurt Auto ShowFrankfurt Motor ShowFrankfurt2009FrankfurtAutoShowFrankfurtMotorShowHybridLexusLexus LF-ChLexus LF-Ch ConceptLexusLf-chLexusLf-chConceptlf-chLF-Ch ConceptLf-chConceptTue, 15 Sep 2009 17:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Frankfurt 2009: World Premiere of the Volkswagen E-Up! Concept]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/15/frankfurt-2009-world-premiere-of-the-volkswagen-e-up-concept/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/15/frankfurt-2009-world-premiere-of-the-volkswagen-e-up-concept/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/15/frankfurt-2009-world-premiere-of-the-volkswagen-e-up-concept/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Volkswagen E-Up! Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

While today might be the middle of September, 2009, Volkswagen is looking to the future. 2013 to be exact. That's when Chairman Martin Winterkorn says they'll be launching the E-Up!, an all-electric city specialist. The E-Up!'s killer app is the lightweight lithium-ion battery that kinda tips the scales at five hundred pounds. That might sound like a lot, but keep in mind that the Panasonic Metal Case Prismatic pack in the Prius weighs over 100 pounds and has a gasoline engine to boot. Not so with the E-Up! The whole teeny kit and kaboodle clocks in at a sprightly 2,387 pounds.

Volkswagen's already calling the E-Up! the Beetle of the 21st Century (no word from VW on how the current New Beetle feels about it), and based on their claim that 100 kilometers (62 miles) of driving can be had for just €2 (like five bucks) we see no reason to protest. Interestingly, the E-Up! is the smallest VW ever, so tiny in fact that it's a 3+1 seater. Because Volkswagen largely eliminated the E-Up's dashboard, the front passenger seat is about five inches forward of the driver's seat, increasing the leg room for that person seated directly behind the passenger. The person seated behind the driver, well, he's out of luck. But in a pinch you can carry around a fourth passenger.

There's a 1.4 square meter solar panel on the roof that adds power to the E-Up!'s electrical system. Not enough power? Flip down the solar cell covered sun visors and voila! -- you have 1.7-meters of solar power. That power in turn spins a electric motor that makes 155 lb-ft of torque at zero rpm. This can move the E-Up! from a standstill to 60 mph in just over eleven seconds. News flash: the E-Up! is not a Lamborghini. Still, if like Volkswagen is predicting, E-Up!s (or is that E-Ups!?) will spend most of their time in the city then who cares? Future E-Up! owners, we guess. Full details in the press release below the fold.




Continue reading Frankfurt 2009: World Premiere of the Volkswagen E-Up! Concept

Frankfurt 2009: World Premiere of the Volkswagen E-Up! Concept originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>E-UpE-Up ConceptE-upConceptFrankfurst Motor ShowFrankfurstMotorShowFrankfurtFrankfurt 2009Frankfurt Auto ShowFrankfurt2009FrankfurtAutoShowMartin WinterkornMartinWinterkornVolkswagenVolkswagen E-Up ConceptVolkswagenE-upConceptVWTue, 15 Sep 2009 12:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Study: GPS systems with real-time traffic can save drivers four days per year, cut emissions by 21%]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/08/28/study-gps-systems-with-real-time-traffic-can-save-drivers-four/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/08/28/study-gps-systems-with-real-time-traffic-can-save-drivers-four/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/08/28/study-gps-systems-with-real-time-traffic-can-save-drivers-four/#commentsFiled under: , ,



In Los Angeles, the 101/405 interchange is so congested that in 2002 it was determined that 27,144 hours per year were wasted trying to get from one freeway to the other. That's over 1,100 days. Per year. Not only does that number sound wildly low, but we guarantee it's gotten worse in the last seven years. Much worse. But according to a new study, GPS-systems with real-time traffic info can save American drivers four days a year of being mired in lousy traffic.

Now, we're taking this particular study with a grain of salt because it was sponsored by nav-system data-provider NAVTEQ. Still, even if it's only half true, we'll take our two days back. Here's what they did: The study looked at three types of drivers in a metro area (in this case the German cities of Düsseldorf and Münich), drivers with no navigation, drivers with static navigation and drivers with real-time traffic enabled navigation.

Not surprisingly, the third group of drivers spend 18 percent less time on their trips than the other two sets. Multiply those results out over a year and you save four days. Not only that, but it would lower the average driver's CO2 output by 21 percent. Of course, we're not sure how this would effect time spent stuck on interchanges like the aforementioned 101/405 where there's always traffic - no matter what - and there's really no other way to go. Full press release after the jump.

[Source: NAVTEQ | Photo by Scott Beale / Laughing Squid]

Continue reading Study: GPS systems with real-time traffic can save drivers four days per year, cut emissions by 21%

Study: GPS systems with real-time traffic can save drivers four days per year, cut emissions by 21% originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 28 Aug 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>NAVTEQreal-time trafficReal-timeTrafficTrafficFri, 28 Aug 2009 07:58:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Cash for Clunkers could be dead]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/07/31/report-cash-for-clunkers-could-be-dead-tonight/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/07/31/report-cash-for-clunkers-could-be-dead-tonight/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/07/31/report-cash-for-clunkers-could-be-dead-tonight/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Congress allocated close to $1 billion for the Cash for Clunkers program. That's billion with nine zeros. And all that money might be gone by midnight tonight. This, according to reports by both the Detroit Free Press and Edmunds AutoObserver. We learned earlier that the C4C program has proved to be much more successful than initially thought, with 22,782 consumers taking advantage of between $3,500 to $4,500 federal duckets for their old "clunkers" during the programs first five days. In fact, so many people are taking the feds up on the deal that dealers are worried they are going to lose track of all the trade-ins. The Department of Transportation (DOT) could announce the suspension of the program as soon as tonight. In fact, they could announce that all the money is gone and the program is over. We gotta wonder what John Maynard Keynes would make of all this.

UPDATE: As of 9:41PM EST Friday, the Detroit Free Press is reporting that White House administration officials alerted Congress this evening that the Cash for Clunkers would be suspended, though White House officials have denied the report. Confusion is running rampant at this point, but it seems that the $950 million allocated for reimbursement of passenger car and light truck rebates is all but gone and government officials will spend Friday figuring out how to find more money for the program and untangle the reimbursement process for dealers.

[Sources: FREEP, AutoObserver | Image Source: Theo Heimann/Getty]

REPORT: Cash for Clunkers could be dead originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 01:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3500 Voucher3500Voucher4500 Voucher4500VoucherbreakingC4CCar Allowance Rebate SystemCar BuyingCarAllowanceRebateSystemCarBuyingCARSCash 4 ClunkersCash for ClunkersCash4ClunkersCashForClunkersDealersDepartment of TransportationDepartmentOfTransportationDOTFri, 31 Jul 2009 01:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford "Smart Gauge" collects green leaves for good behavior w/VIDEO]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2008/10/29/ford-smart-gauge-collects-green-leaves-for-good-behavior/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/10/29/ford-smart-gauge-collects-green-leaves-for-good-behavior/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/10/29/ford-smart-gauge-collects-green-leaves-for-good-behavior/#commentsFiled under: ,



You drive like crap and you know it. Stop the burnouts, late braking and 100-mph freeway sprint and you just might make a tank of gas last longer than a day. Sure, automakers like Ford could spend a few million on lectures to teach car buyers a thing or two about better driving. But if you didn't get it in Driver's Ed, you're not likely to get it now. Instead, Ford's new Smart Gauge will teach better driving through rewards. Do a better job controlling your right foot, and Smart Guage adds a green leaf to a display next to the speedo. The better you do, the more leaves you get. Nancy Gioia, Ford's director of hybrid-vehicle programs, tells The Wall Street Journal, "You don't have to count the leaves. But if you're in a forest of leaves, you'll know you're doing well."

You can also grow your Virtual Dash Tree[TM] for a chance to defeat the boss monster on the final level and, if successful, Smart Gauge will reward drivers with Fordelicious Fruit[TM], which you can trade for Microsoft Points that can be used to pay for your Sync subscription. No. Not really.

Ford is expected to announce the Smart Gauge today and it will initially be available on the hybrid versions of 2010 Mercury Milans and Ford Fusions.

[Source: The Wall Street Journal]

Continue reading Ford "Smart Gauge" collects green leaves for good behavior w/VIDEO

Ford "Smart Gauge" collects green leaves for good behavior w/VIDEO originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fusion hybridFusionHybridgreenhybridhypermilingmilan hybridMilanHybridsmart gaugeSmartGaugeWed, 29 Oct 2008 08:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Road and Track tests battery-powered E-Ruf 911]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2008/10/21/battery-powered-e-ruf-911-tested-by-road-and-track/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/10/21/battery-powered-e-ruf-911-tested-by-road-and-track/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/10/21/battery-powered-e-ruf-911-tested-by-road-and-track/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the E-Ruf

We only heard about the latest modified Porsche from Ruf about a week and a half ago when the tuner unveiled its new E-Ruf via press release. Apparently we weren't the first to learn of the all-electric 911, as Road & Track has already driven it and just published its first impressions, including details about the car's inner workings that were previously unknown.

Unlike most Ruf Porsches, the E-Ruf hasn't had its internal combustion engine boosted to within an inch of its life. It doesn't even have an ICE. Instead, the staff in Germany have ripped out the boxer 6-cylinder, back seat and fuel tank. The back seat area and front trunk have been stuffed full of lithium-ion batteries and an electric motor's been bolted to the stock 6-speed gearbox. Turns out that the E-Ruf is very different from other high-profile EVs like the Tesla Roadster in some interesting ways, but you'll have to click through to Road and Track to find out exactly why and what it means for the future of EVs.

Gallery: E-Ruf electric 911


[Source: Road & Track]

Road and Track tests battery-powered E-Ruf 911 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e-rufelectric 911electric porscheelectric porsche 911Electric911ElectricPorscheElectricPorsche911erufrufTue, 21 Oct 2008 16:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda to debut Prius-fighter concept this Thursday]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2008/09/02/honda-to-debut-prius-fighter-concept-this-thursday/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/09/02/honda-to-debut-prius-fighter-concept-this-thursday/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/09/02/honda-to-debut-prius-fighter-concept-this-thursday/#commentsFiled under: , ,



If there's one vehicle that's leading the pack for "Car of the Future, Today," it's the Toyota Prius. The world's most popular hybrid will have it's own plug-in version sooner than expected, but the competition isn't waiting to try and take its hybrid crown. Honda's "Prius fighter" has been talked about for what seems like ages (spy shots here) and we're getting awfully close to seeing the real deal. We already know it'll look something like the fuel cell-driven FCX Clarity, but details beyond that are scarce. We had been told the reveal would happen at the Paris Motor Show next month, but word from Honda is that we'll now see it in just 48 hours when the concept version is revealed on Thursday, Sept. 4th. After that we can view the concept in person at the Paris show, and then the production version is expect to bow at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

Honda will begin selling the car early next year and word is that it will be affordable. While the official MSRP is still a long way off, Honda's UK environmental manager John Kingston told Just-Auto (sub. req'd) that it should not cost more than "traditional cars from rival manufacturers." Hybrid premium, what hybrid premium? On the technical front, the size of the car's revised Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system has been reduced and the lighter powerplant will help push up its MPG numbers. What those are remains a mystery, but Honda is expecting to sell around 200,000 of these puppies a year, with half of those being bought in the U.S. Sounds good, now can we just see the thing already?

[Source: Just-Auto via CarScoop]

Honda to debut Prius-fighter concept this Thursday originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredhondahonda prius fighterhonda-hybridhonda-priusHondaPriusFighterhybrid-priusprius-fighterTue, 02 Sep 2008 13:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Photoshop voodoo gives close-up view of production Chevy Volt]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2008/08/29/photoshop-voodoo-gives-close-up-view-of-production-chevy-volt/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/08/29/photoshop-voodoo-gives-close-up-view-of-production-chevy-volt/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/08/29/photoshop-voodoo-gives-close-up-view-of-production-chevy-volt/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above to view the production Volt gallery

Autoblog reader Michael C has a knack for seeing things we miss. In 2006, he noticed that an image of the yet-to-be-released 2008 Cadillac CTS covered in cloth could be easily manipulated in Photoshop to reveal the car's entire front end. GM recently gave us a similar peek of the production Chevy Volt on a segment that aired on ABC News, and Michael C has once again used Photoshop to give us a very clear view of the production Volt's front end.

Yesterday, of course, we got our fill of the production Chevy Volt when video of it on the set of Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen hit the web and a spy shot of the car's iPod-like interior surfaced. While screen grabs from that video showed us an overall view of the Volt from a distance, this is the first time we have an idea of what the car looks like from point blank range. The front end is ultra slippery, a far cry from the concept's unaerodynamic face, but the general look is similar. We're not too far off from GM's official reveal of the production Volt, which could happen as soon as the Paris Motor Show in October. Check out a higher-res version by clicking the pic above, along with all the images we've collected of the production Chevy Volt so far. Thanks for the pic, Michael!

Gallery: Leaked Spy Shots of Production Chevy Volt


Photoshop voodoo gives close-up view of production Chevy Volt originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevy voltChevyVoltproduction chevy voltProductionChevyVoltvoltvolt front endVoltFrontEndFri, 29 Aug 2008 12:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shot: Production interior of Chevy Volt (maybe)]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2008/08/28/spy-shot-chevy-volt-interior-maybe/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/08/28/spy-shot-chevy-volt-interior-maybe/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/08/28/spy-shot-chevy-volt-interior-maybe/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above to enlarge

General Motors continues to eek out teaser shots of the production Chevy Volt, but it appears that an image of the production interior has slipped through the Empire's net of control. All we have to go on for this image posted on the Motivemag.com forums is the image itself, which is part of a display panel at what appears to be a sneak preview of the vehicle for god knows who. What we see is a sleek, all-white center console with virtually no buttons. The controls appear to be touch sensitive instead, leaving the face of the console as smooth as a Frigidaire. Good luck installing an aftermarket stereo in this one. Completely flush air vents flank the console, which stands out in contrast to the black dash panel. On top of it all sits the information display, seen here showing the relationship between the "range extending" engine and lithium-ion batteries. What say you? We all know the production Volt isn't going to be as wild as the concept, but does this innovative center console meet your expectations? Also keep in mind that this might not be the real deal, but it seems to be from all appearances. Thanks for the tip, Brandon!

Gallery: Leaked Spy Shots of Production Chevy Volt


[Source: Motivemag.com]

Spy Shot: Production interior of Chevy Volt (maybe) originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingchevychevy voltChevyVoltproduction volt interiorProductionVoltInteriorvoltvolt interiorVoltInteriorThu, 28 Aug 2008 17:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Are hydraulic hybrids more efficient than electric hybrids?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/09/09/are-hydraulic-hybrids-more-efficient-than-electric-hybrids/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/09/09/are-hydraulic-hybrids-more-efficient-than-electric-hybrids/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/09/09/are-hydraulic-hybrids-more-efficient-than-electric-hybrids/#commentsFiled under: ,



"This new powertrain is more efficient than electric hybrid powertrains being used in such cars as Toyota Prius and Ford Escape" says James O'Brien owner of Hybra-Drive Systems. What is Hybra-drive? It's a regenerative braking system that uses pressurized fluid to store the braking energy. "We are not aware of anything else like it" says O'Brien. The Hybra-drive website says it "improves fuel economy by upwards of 60% and reduces emissions by upwards of 90% while maintaining a platform that costs the same, weighs the same, and has the same cargo capacity."

Hybra-Drive Systems' first big contract is with the Army. Hybra-Drive systems is converting a Hummer to use the hydraulic hybrid system. "TACOM heard we were working on it and they called us," O'Brien told the Monroe News. "The military seems to see value in what we're doing. ... The Army's main goal is giving the soldiers the ability to get out of harm's way quickly." There is also interest in the company from all over the world, from Canada to Taiwan.

"This design has high potential" writes Dr. Ram Chandran, associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Kettering. He says this system is in fact more efficient than electric regenerative breaking. O'Brien says it has other advantages over batteries like the lack of toxins. The fluid used in the system is biodegradable and made from plants. O'Brien thinks you could see this commercialized, in more traditional vehicles, within three years.

Related:
 [Source: Monroe News]

Are hydraulic hybrids more efficient than electric hybrids? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 09 Sep 2007 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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