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Xavier Navarro

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Nissan announces 2010 facelift for the Qashqai, includes low-CO2 version

by Xavier Navarro (RSS feed) on Dec 4th, 2009 at 10:58AM

Nissan has decided to update the successful European-model Qashqai for the next model year. We've come to expect aesthetic changes in these yearly revamps, like the LED daytime lights. The bigger news is the announcement of a Pure Drive version of the Qashqai, which refers to the Nissans' green label. The Pure Drive model uses the 106 hp version of the Renault-sourced 1.5 dCi diesel engine and also has the usual eco-tweaks like low-rolling resistance tires, improved aerodynamics and longer gear ratios. All these changes help the new Qashqai produce just 129 g/km of CO2, whereas the standard version produces 137. Prices are rumored to start at about €20,000, fairly reasonable for one of the best sellers in Europe.

[Source: Autoblog en español]

Tesla Brabus Green Package includes free electricity, at home and away

by Xavier Navarro (RSS feed) on Dec 3rd, 2009 at 11:02AM

Tesla Brabus Green Package - Click above for high-res image gallery

Brabus has launched a special edition of the Tesla Brabus Green Package which includes one free year of electricity. Mind you, the modifications to the Tesla in the Green Package are not related to the powertrain, but there is of course something that can be added besides cosmetic improvements. Brabus' solution? Team up with RWE utility to ensure that the car comes with a fast charging point to install in garage and a deal to get enough free electricity to charge the car for 30,000 km (roughly 20,000 miles). Moreover, the buyer is given a card that allows free charging for one year at any RWE charging station in Germany. Currently there are only 160 of these stations, but 500 are expected to be installed in Berlin and 400 in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia soon.

Gallery: BRABUS Tesla Roadster


[Source: Auto News]

Mainland Chinese automakers look to Taiwan for EV expertise

by Xavier Navarro (RSS feed) on Nov 26th, 2009 at 3:24PM



More electric car news from Taiwan. Two Chinese automakers are ready to develop and sell electric cars there. Chery, for instance, has announced the creation of an R&D center in the upcoming "Green Energy Intelligent Vehicle Innovation Park (EV Park)" in central Taiwan. This would give Chery access to Taiwan's EV technology. Geely Auto has announced sales in Taiwan of the electric version of the Panda model (pictured above) thanks to Yulon Motor Co, which would develop the EV with lithium-ion batteries. The model, to be ready for 2011, will be sold under Yulon Motor's Tobe brand.

[Source: Gasgoo and Gasgoo]

Chinese government sets ambitious battery production goals

by Xavier Navarro (RSS feed) on Nov 26th, 2009 at 12:02PM


2009 BYD F3DM - Click above for high-res image gallery

New regulations for the production of batteries, both nickel-hydrogen and lithium-ion, have been submitted to China's State Council, according to Wang Shulin, a National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC)'s expert. China's current production figures for batteries are expected to exceed 140,000 kWh (nickel) and 900,000 kWh (lithium) by the end of this year. These figures are expected to reach 360,000 kWh and 4 million kWh, respectively, for 2010. Bearing in mind that an average EV might use a 30 kWh battery (see some examples here), up to 150,000 EVs could be powered by these new packs. Still, the NDRC predicts there will be 100,000 electric cars by 2012 and 4 million in 2020.

Gallery: 2009 BYD F3DM plug-in hybrid


[Source: Gasgoo]

Renault-Nissan creates partnership for deploying EVs in China

by Xavier Navarro (RSS feed) on Nov 26th, 2009 at 8:46AM


2010 Nissan Leaf - Click above for high-res image gallery

The latest city to join the long list of more than 30 cities and governments that have signed an agreement with Renault-Nissan is Guangzhou, a large city formerly known as Canton. Nissan's partner in China, Dongfeng, will work with the municipality to have electric cars available to customers and to create a charging network for these vehicles to use. The first cars are expected to be delivered as soon as 2011. Nothing was mentioned as to which electric model would be produced for the local market, although it's almost guaranteed to be one of the electric concepts shown at Frankfurt or the Nissan Leaf.

Gallery: 2010 Nissan LEAF


[Source: Gasgoo]

Downsizing: businesses in Europe shifting to smaller rental cars

by Xavier Navarro (RSS feed) on Nov 25th, 2009 at 11:03AM


Audi A3 TDI – Click above for high-res image gallery

Most likely due to the current economic downturn, most business rentals are getting smaller. According to a new report by rent-a-car company Europcar of the latest rentals in 18 European countries, price is now a determining factor for businesses. Therefore, companies that used to rent relatively large sedans now stick to the "4-meter" category, including the Audi A3, Renault Mégane, and Volkswagen Golf. The reasons? A lower rental price, sure, but also better fuel economy. These cars are offered with small diesel engines that burn less fuel than larger cars. Downsizing this way becomes more important in France and Portugal, where the most rented cars for companies are even smaller cars, such as the Volkswagen Polo or the Fiat Grande Punto.

[Source: Europcar via Diariomotor]

Utrecht to start parking meter revolution with cell phones, GPS and green credentials

by Xavier Navarro (RSS feed) on Nov 25th, 2009 at 10:01AM



While paying for your parking meter using a cell phone is not a new thing, the Dutch city of Utrecht has announced a program that goes a step beyond. From April 1st 2010, citizens parking their cars in this city will need only a cell phone and their registration number connected to a nation-wide database. What's the database for? To download information into your GPS system to find the closest empty parking space to your destination, saving time and fuel, for one thing. For another, Utrecht has announced that the system could potentially be linked to the type of car, using your registration plate to determine how green your car is, and charge for your parking space accordingly. Of course, this system is not everybody's piece of cake as it will give the government information about the exact location of your car. On a similar note is the proposed electronic pay-as-you drive road tax that is also coming to the Netherlands.

[Source: Autonews.nl]

Lancia to create the new Ypsilon on the Fiat 500 Giardinera platform

by Xavier Navarro (RSS feed) on Nov 23rd, 2009 at 6:06PM



One of Lancia's achievements with the Y10, later called Ypsilon, was creating the urban chic supermini well before the new Minis or Smarts were on the road. Although not the most successful car in the segment, the Ypsilon has been a Lancia staple since its introduction in 1996. Since the current version is starting to look outdated, the Italian marque is planning to launch an updated based on the future Fiat 500 Giardinera, aka station wagon, that will use an enlarged platform from the current Fiat 500 / Ford Ka. This is a remarkable change, since the current Ypsilon is based on the Fiat Punto model. Expect all the engines installed in the Fiat 500 to appear under the Ypsilon's hood, including the upcoming 0.9 liter Multiair.

[Source: Auto Week]

UK to spend £30 million on EV Charging points

by Xavier Navarro (RSS feed) on Nov 20th, 2009 at 10:02AM



British Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis has announced that the UK will spend £30 million to install plug-in vehicle charging stations. The charge points will be built in at least three and as many as six "electric car cities and regions" across the UK, the forerunners of a national EV recharging grid. The plan is called Plugged-In Places and is accompanied by creation of the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV). The OLEV is a new goverment office in charge of coordinating policy and funding for low-carbon projects throughout the country. Full press release after the jump.

[Source: Department of Transport]

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Small piece of history: 1936 Mercedes 260D, the first successful diesel passenger car

by Xavier Navarro (RSS feed) on Nov 20th, 2009 at 8:01AM


1936 Mercedes 260D - Click on image for full high-resolution gallery

Rudolf Diesel filed the patent for his signature engine in 1893. However, its installation in a passenger car didn't occur until 1933, when Citroën installed a diesel engine into a Rosalie bay, although this car was never authorized to run on roads. Not until 1936, when Mercedes showed off the 260D, can we talk about the first successful diesel car on the road. Based on the 200 model, the 260 used a 2.4-liter I-4 engine named OM 138 mated to a Bosch mechanical injection pump. The ensemble allowed the car to produce 45hp of power at 3,200 rpm. Almost 2,000 units were built through 1940. The car initially has a 3-speed gearbox; and was upgraded with electric coil ignitors in 1938.

One of the diesel powerplant's main benefits – then as now – was reduced fuel consumption. The 260D burned 9 l/100 km (26 mpg U.S.) compared to 13 l/ 100 km (18 mpg U.S.) in the gasoline counterpart. Another bonus: at the time, diesel was half the price of gasoline, so the motorists saved a lot of cash at the pump.


Gallery: 1936 Mercedes 260 D


[Source: Mercedes-Benz via Diariomotor]

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