AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com AutoblogGreen http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry.<![CDATA[1967 Toyota 2000GT Solar Electric Vehicle]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/16/1967-toyota-2000gt-solar-electric-vehicle/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/16/1967-toyota-2000gt-solar-electric-vehicle/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/16/1967-toyota-2000gt-solar-electric-vehicle/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

1967 toyota 2000gt solar electric car detroit 2013

Q may have packed James Bond's cars with plenty of killer tech (get it?), but the 1967 Toyota 2000GT you see above has got it's own bad boy secrets. Well, if bad boys like zero-emission electric vehicles.

Weighing just 1,460 kilograms (3,218 pounds), this modified 2000GT is all-electric under the skin - and on the skin in some areas. A high-performance solar panel embedded into the hood and a transmission solar panel sits in place of the rear glass. These feed energy into to a 345-volt, 40-kWh lithium-ion battery which, in turn, powers a 120-kW electric motor. Together in the stylish 2000GT, this powertrain is good for a top speed of over 200 kilometers an hour (124 miles per hour).

The car is on display at the Detroit Auto Show this week, but we fist caught wind of it a year ago when a video popped up showing the work of Japan's Crazy Car Project. Since then, some powertrain components have been upgraded (it used to have a 35-kWh battery). You can see the original video of the car in action here.

1967 Toyota 2000GT Solar Electric Vehicle originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 16 Jan 2013 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1967 toyota 2000 gt200 gtelectric vehiclejames bondsolartoyotaWed, 16 Jan 2013 18:45:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20430075/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20430075/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/16/1967-toyota-2000gt-solar-electric-vehicle/20430075/article-detail.xml 20430075 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/1967-toyota-2000gt-solar-electric-car-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/1967-toyota-2000gt-solar-electric-car-628.jpg <![CDATA[Lexus IS 300h teases American audience in Detroit]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/15/lexus-is-300h-teases-american-audience-in-detroit/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/15/lexus-is-300h-teases-american-audience-in-detroit/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/15/lexus-is-300h-teases-american-audience-in-detroit/#commentsFiled under: , ,

lexus is 300h hybrid

Here's the key line from today's announcement about the 2014 Lexus IS300h, the hybrid version of the new IS: it will "be available in Europe, Japan,and select international markets." In other words, you can see it at the Detroit Auto Show, but you won't be able to buy it here.

William Kwong, public relations specialist for Lexus, told AutoblogGreen that it just wouldn't make sense to sell the IS300h to American. "Because the IS300h is an entry-level luxury hybrid and we already have two - the CT200h, a sporty type vehicle, and the ES300h, the entry level luxury - we kind of have that covered," he said. Since not all markets offer all models, there is still room for the IS300h - the first IS to have the Lexus Hybrid Drive - in some places.

Thanks in part to stricter CO2 regulations in Europe and Japan, Kwong said that when there is a hybrid and non-hybrid version of a Lexus model in those markets, the hybrid makes up around 80 percent of the sales. In the US, it's more like 15 percent. "The ES, RX and GS, it's usually 15 percent or less, so it didn't make good business sense to bring in a third entry-level hybrid, because it's almost in the CT territory," he said.

The IS300h will use a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle engine and is expected to go on sale in the middle of 2013. In some places, anyway.

Continue reading Lexus IS 300h teases American audience in Detroit

Lexus IS 300h teases American audience in Detroit originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 15 Jan 2013 18:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>300hdetroit 2013detroit auto showhybridisis 300his300hlexusTue, 15 Jan 2013 18:11:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20429943/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20429943/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/15/lexus-is-300h-teases-american-audience-in-detroit/20429943/article-detail.xml 20429943 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/2014-lexus-is-300h-detroit-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/2014-lexus-is-300h-detroit-628.jpg <![CDATA[2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class will be the world's most aerodynamic series production vehicle]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/15/2014-mercedes-benz-cla-class-will-be-the-worlds-most-aerodynami/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/15/2014-mercedes-benz-cla-class-will-be-the-worlds-most-aerodynami/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/15/2014-mercedes-benz-cla-class-will-be-the-worlds-most-aerodynami/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class - live in Detroit

It may not look it, but the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class is aerodynamic as all get out. How slippery is it? Well, the compact sedan has a drag coefficient of 0.23, which will make it the world's most aerodynamic series production car when it goes on sale in the US this September. By comparison, the most recent body update for the Toyota Prius cut the drag coefficient of that hybrid model to 0.25 from 0.26, while the 2013 Nissan Leaf electric vehicle has a 0.28 drag coefficient, down from 0.29 for the 2012 version. The Tesla Model S? 0.24.

The Mercedes CLA-Class was shown off at Detroit's Westin Book Cadillac Hotel before the start of the Detroit Auto Show, but won't see the light of day on the show floor. Instead, the model is officially being unveiled later this week in at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Berlin.

The CLA-Class will have a 1.8-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder that delivers 208 horsepower. The model is expected to be priced at about $30,000. You can read more about it here.

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class will be the world's most aerodynamic series production vehicle originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 15 Jan 2013 15:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aerodynamicscdclacla-classdetroitdetroit 2013detroit auto showdrag coefficientmercedes-benzTue, 15 Jan 2013 15:24:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20428775/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20428775/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/15/2014-mercedes-benz-cla-class-will-be-the-worlds-most-aerodynami/20428775/article-detail.xml 20428775 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/001-2014-mercedes-benz-cla628opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/001-2014-mercedes-benz-cla628opt.jpg <![CDATA[Bob Lutz-approved Via X-Truck offers 800 hp, 100 MPGe]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/15/bob-lutz-approved-via-x-truck-offers-800-hp-100-mpge/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/15/bob-lutz-approved-via-x-truck-offers-800-hp-100-mpge/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/15/bob-lutz-approved-via-x-truck-offers-800-hp-100-mpge/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

via motors x-truck detroit 2013

Give Bob Lutz a little bit of time and a big idea, and he will create for the world "the kind of vehicle I would like to own." That's what he called the X-Truck concept - from the Lutz-affiliated Via Motors - which debuted at the Detroit Auto Show. If you're thinking that the X-Truck (and Via's other offerings, the Presidential SUV and the VTRUX Van) looks a little like a Chevrolet vehicle, well, it certainly does. It's a converted 2013 Chevy Silverado, after all. The X-Truck, though, has been deeply modified inside and out. The truck now has a plug-in hybrid powertrain underneath while the outside was redesigned by Lutz and his team to look a little meaner and beefier while still offering the "fuel economy of a Prius." The changes include custom running boards, fender flares and modified wheels. It's also been raised five inches. A built-in iPad not only communicates information to the driver, but can also communicate with the service department to solve problems.

No official EPA numbers have been released, but Via says its vehicles will get "over 100 mpg in typical local daily driving." As Bob Lutz puts it, "Wouldn't it be great if someone built a truck that drives like the Volt?" It's got lots of power, too. The standard Via powertrain used by each of its vehicles includes a 402 horsepower electric motor. The X-Truck has two of them.

To supplement the 24-kWh, liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack, Via's vehicles use a gas engine as a generator. In the case of the X-Truck, that means a 5.3-liter V8 from GM. The previously planned V6 generator was scrapped, in part because of availability and in part because the V8 is actually more efficient in this situation because the V6 would have to be worked harder, George Prokos, the service/warranty manager of field operations at Via, told AutoblogGreen.

Via vehicles get around 35 miles of all-electric range.

Via vehicles get around 35 miles of all-electric range. When the battery is depleted to 20 percent state-of-charge, the generator kicks on to both provide traction and charge up the pack. When the battery is back up to 25 percent, the generator turns off. "The only way you can tell [the engine turns on or off] is by watching the iPad," Prokos said.

Via also talked a bit more about its relationships with Pacific Gas & Electric and Verizon, both of which are using Via vehicles in their fleets. PG&E said in a statement that the Via trucks and vans, which have an optional onboard inverter to provide 110- and 240-volt power, "offer PG&E the potential to provide mobile, on-site power to help manage electric outages and minimize disruptions for customers." Via and PG&E have been working together since 2008.

Prokos said the vehicles unveiled in Detroit point to a new consumer direction for the company, since both the X-Truck and the Presidential (a converted Suburban) might one day be sold to regular folks who desire a big PHEV. You know, like Bob Lutz. "As far as I know, no one else has a four-wheel drive, jacked-up plug-in truck," he said. "The idea is to give the consumer something a little different than the other extended-range vehicles that are out there."

Continue reading Bob Lutz-approved Via X-Truck offers 800 hp, 100 MPGe

Bob Lutz-approved Via X-Truck offers 800 hp, 100 MPGe originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 15 Jan 2013 11:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bob lutzchevroletelectric vehiclegeorge prokosplug-in hybridpresidentialsilveradosuburbanvia motorsvoltvtruxx-truckxtruckTue, 15 Jan 2013 11:47:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20429431/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20429431/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/15/bob-lutz-approved-via-x-truck-offers-800-hp-100-mpge/20429431/article-detail.xml 20429431 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/via-x-truck-detroit-2013-628b_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/via-x-truck-detroit-2013-628b.jpg <![CDATA[Tesla Model X makes auto show debut in Detroit]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/14/tesla-model-x-makes-auto-show-debut-in-detroit/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/14/tesla-model-x-makes-auto-show-debut-in-detroit/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/14/tesla-model-x-makes-auto-show-debut-in-detroit/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Tesla Model X Detroit 2013

Tesla isn't holding its Detroit Auto Show press conference until tomorrow, but there's a new Model X on the stand today. This one is white - and, in a nice touch, it's simply called "white" - and has an updated interior and new wheels. We doubt those wheels will ever make it to production, since they have carbon fiber spokes that are pure flair, not structural.

Inside, the surfaces, materials and colors are updated from the silver/gray model unveiled almost a year ago, with black and white featured in alternating fashion. The big touch screen in the dashboard is the same as in the Model S, but it "floats" (as you can see here) instead of being flush (see this). What we hadn't noticed before is the tight squeeze third-row occupants will feel on their knees (see this).

Tesla representatives told AutoblogGreen that this Model X is an updated design prototype, not even a beta version (the first beta is expected in 2014). That said, the minor evolution that we see here is getting closer to what the production model will look like.

Speaking of tomorrow's press conference, we were told it will mostly be a review of what Tesla accomplished in 2012, even though some of the numbers we're most interested in (i.e., sales) won't be revealed until February. Still, we did hear that the way pre-orders and production rates are going, Tesla is on track to sell 20,000 Model S vehicles in 2013. That's calendar year 2013, by the way, which for Tesla matches the Model Year. We like it when companies keep things simple.

Tesla Model X makes auto show debut in Detroit originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 14 Jan 2013 10:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>detroit 2013detroit 2013 auto showelectric vehicleevmodel xteslaMon, 14 Jan 2013 10:23:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20428096/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20428096/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/14/tesla-model-x-makes-auto-show-debut-in-detroit/20428096/article-detail.xml 20428096 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/tesla-model-x-detroit-2013-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/tesla-model-x-detroit-2013-628.jpg <![CDATA[Ferrari teases new "powerful road car ever," and it's a hybrid]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/10/09/ferrari-teases-new-powerful-road-car-ever-and-its-a-hybrid/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/10/09/ferrari-teases-new-powerful-road-car-ever-and-its-a-hybrid/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/10/09/ferrari-teases-new-powerful-road-car-ever-and-its-a-hybrid/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ferrari carbon fiber chassis

We doubt the developers of the Toyota Prius had this in mind, but we'll take it.

The Ferrari with the most power ever, which will be unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show next January, will indeed be a hybrid, Automotive News reports, citing people it declined to identify. The new model, which will replace the limited-edition Enzo, will pair a V12 with an electric motor that combined will deliver an ungodly 900 horsepower.

Ferrari has already said it's working on a carbon fiber chassis that will cut weight by 20 percent relative to the one used for the Enzo, which means the hybrid components will simply bring the new hybrid to the same weight as the Enzo. The automaker said at the Paris Motor Show last month that it would launch its first hybrid "in the near future," though didn't divulge details such as the timeframe or model name. Some reports have said the car will be called the F70. We'll just call it a beast, for now.

Ferrari in April hinted that a hybrid was forthcoming, saying that one of its models would have a "green factor" in order to help cut the company's fleetwide greenhouse gas emissions.

Ferrari teases new "powerful road car ever," and it's a hybrid originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 09 Oct 2012 14:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbon fiberenzof70ferrarihybridTue, 09 Oct 2012 14:53:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20344654/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20344654/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/09/ferrari-teases-new-powerful-road-car-ever-and-its-a-hybrid/20344654/article-detail.xml 20344654 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/ferrari_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/ferrari.jpg <![CDATA[Tesla in final stages of Model S prep; readying Supercharger network for road trips]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/24/tesla-in-final-stages-of-model-s-prep-readying-supercharger-net/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/24/tesla-in-final-stages-of-model-s-prep-readying-supercharger-net/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/24/tesla-in-final-stages-of-model-s-prep-readying-supercharger-net/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Tesla Motors has nothing but undeniable design hits in its two-vehicle portfolio. We know this is true because there has been very little written about how bad the Roadster and the Model S look. We're about to see if the company can make it three in a row when the wraps come off the Model X at a special event February 9 in Los Angeles. Getting our first visuals of that crossover will certainly be interesting, but it's really just a part of what Tesla is calling "The Year Of The Model S." The Model S, after all, heralds a new Tesla brand, so the Model X needs to "have the same design cues" while also expanding Tesla's lineup.

A lot of people would love a minivan but can't bring themselves to buy one, so they drive an SUV.

Those are the words of Tesla's vice president of communications, Ricardo Reyes, who told AutoblogGreen during the Detroit Auto Show that the Model X will be a true seven-seater that combines "the functionality of a minivan with a cool SUV/crossover package. A lot of people would love a minivan but can't bring themselves to buy one, so they drive an SUV." Tesla wants to offer an alternative to the traditional SUV bodystyle just as it offers an alternative electric powertrain. The move into utility vehicle territory, also marks the end of an era of sorts. The car that brought electric vehicles roaring back to life - Tesla's iconic Roadster - is about to go the way of the dodo.

Right now, Tesla's Fremont factory (the former NUMMI plant) is still building beta versions of the Model S as it gets ready for the first production versions. Because of this, Tesla is confident that Model S deliveries will start in the U.S. this summer as scheduled, and that means that Tesla will sell the last Roadsters here soon. Reyes told AutoblogGreen in an email:

From the beginning, the Roadster was conceived as a limited production vehicle. Our original agreement with Lotus was for a glider run of 2,400 vehicles. Due to continued demand, we increased production into 2012 for a total run of 2,500. We decided to continue offering Roadsters in the markets outside the United States where Model S deliveries start later. Model S deliveries are on schedule to begin in the United States in mid-2012. They will follow in Europe about six months later.

To date, the Roadster sold well over 2,000 units around the world, with "approximately half" sold in the U.S., but the car is about so much more than giving a few thousand wealthy people a thrilling, emissions-free car.

Continue reading Tesla in final stages of Model S prep; readying Supercharger network for road trips

Tesla in final stages of Model S prep; readying Supercharger network for road trips originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battery swapelectric vehicleelon muskmodel smodel xricardo reyesroadstersuperchargersupercharger networkteslatesla model stesla model xtesla roadsterTue, 24 Jan 2012 19:32:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20154746/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20154746/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/24/tesla-in-final-stages-of-model-s-prep-readying-supercharger-net/20154746/article-detail.xml 20154746 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/tesla-model-s-detroit-20121_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/tesla-model-s-detroit-20121.jpg <![CDATA[Nissan sells 10,000th Leaf in States, ready for next phase of EVs]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/19/nissan-sells-10-000th-leaf-in-states-ready-for-next-phase-of-ev/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/19/nissan-sells-10-000th-leaf-in-states-ready-for-next-phase-of-ev/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/19/nissan-sells-10-000th-leaf-in-states-ready-for-next-phase-of-ev/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Nissan e-NV200 Concept

At some point during the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, Nissan sold its 10,000th Leaf in America. Not bad for an all-electric car that has been on sale for just over a year and is not yet available in all 50 states (this landmark will be achieved by March, though). Brendan Jones, the Leaf's marketing and sales strategist for Nissan North America, was understandably enthusiastic: "From a Leaf perspective, 2011 was a great year and very positive for the company. [10,000 sales] is more EVs than have been sold in the United States - and 20,000 globally - than all the other OEMs combined throughout the world. So that's an outstanding achievement."

This enthusiasm embodies Nissan's public face about the Leaf and electric vehicles in general, a tone set by Nissan-Renault Alliance chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn. To follow up the Leaf, Nissan and Infiniti will introduce three more EVs in the coming years: the eNV200 van that was on display at the Detroit Auto Show, the Infiniti EV that will be shown in New York later this year and another vehicle. We've speculated about this fourth vehicle before, but thought it would make sense to ask Castelli and Nissan spokesman Mark Perry to give us more hints about what we'll be seeing next. Click past the jump to read more.

Continue reading Nissan sells 10,000th Leaf in States, ready for next phase of EVs

Nissan sells 10,000th Leaf in States, ready for next phase of EVs originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brendan jonesdetroit 2012detroit auto showelectric vehicleenv200joe castellileafmark perrynissannissan evpivoThu, 19 Jan 2012 19:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20149799/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20149799/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/19/nissan-sells-10-000th-leaf-in-states-ready-for-next-phase-of-ev/20149799/article-detail.xml 20149799 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/nissan-e-nv200-concept-detroit_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/nissan-e-nv200-concept-detroit.jpg <![CDATA[Smart GM Tracey Matura: we're the brand that asks "Why not?"]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/17/smart-gm-tracey-matura-were-the-brand-that-asks-why-not/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/17/smart-gm-tracey-matura-were-the-brand-that-asks-why-not/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/17/smart-gm-tracey-matura-were-the-brand-that-asks-why-not/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Smart For-Us Concept

The Smart booth at this year's Detroit Auto Show features more than the iconic Fortwo. There is the For-Us pick-up concept, of course, and the Smart e-bikes that we first saw in Paris in 2010. New Smart USA general manager Tracey Matura said that this is all intentional, because all these things allude to an important question that Smart is trying to ask in the new auto industry.

"I've had people ask me, 'Why a pick-up?' and my answer is, 'Why not?" Matura told AutoblogGreen. "That's kind of what Smart's about: why couldn't it be? It's the same thing with cars. Why do they all have to be big and long and everything else?"

It's the same thing with cars. Why do they all have to be big and long and everything else?

Matura is voicing the mentality that prompted her and Smart to launch the brand's first-ever national advertising campaign in the U.S. in September last year (a second commercial came at the end of October). The "Unbig" commercials came about after Smart's transition from the Penske Automotive Group to returning to the Mercedes-Benz USA fold. The Unbig campaign was a combination of Smart's internal beliefs about what the brand represents and outside agencies, with the core message being to rightsize your life. "The beautiful thing about the Smart is that, yes, it's a car, but it's more than a car. It's a lifestyle, it's a mindset, it's whatever you want it to be," she said. "The Smart makes a statement about the people who drive it."

Continue reading Smart GM Tracey Matura: we're the brand that asks "Why not?"

Smart GM Tracey Matura: we're the brand that asks "Why not?" originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>detroit 2012detroit auto showelectric vehiclesmart ebikesmart edsmart for ussmart fortwotracey maturaTue, 17 Jan 2012 17:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20150535/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20150535/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/17/smart-gm-tracey-matura-were-the-brand-that-asks-why-not/20150535/article-detail.xml 20150535 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/smart-for-us-detroit_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/smart-for-us-detroit.jpg <![CDATA[KSPG's range extender concept gives gas to EVs]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/17/kspgs-range-extender-concept-gives-gas-to-evs/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/17/kspgs-range-extender-concept-gives-gas-to-evs/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/17/kspgs-range-extender-concept-gives-gas-to-evs/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



KSPG is 100-year-old automotive supplier that could, if it wanted to, produce a complete engine. That's not the company's plan, though, since it doesn't want to compete against its many customers. Therefore, the range extender concept engine that KSPG had on display at the Detroit Auto Show is something a bit new and different, both for the company and for the industry. It is a complete engine, but not one designed to power a car on its own. Instead, it is ready to be dropped into someone's EV to provide a bit of petroleum assurance to combat this range anxiety thing we keep hearing about.

Designed to fit into a space about the size of a spare wheel well, the two-cylinder, four-stroke,
137-pound engine is a product of both KSPG and FEV. It is meant to turn an EV into a serial hybird, as the engine is only there to generate electric power. That's why it doesn't matter where you put it, and the small size gives designers and engineers plenty of flexibility. KSPG Automotive's Gerd Kleinert told AutoblogGreen that this is a solution for our time.

"We are convinced that this is a kind of bridge technology from the current combustion engine to electric drive," he said. "The biggest point in electric cars is still the battery. If somone offers a battery that is the szie of a 50-liter [13.2-gallon] gas tank with the same energy content with the same weight that you can recharge it in three minutes, everyone would drive electric." But those vehicles aren't here quite yet. "That's the reason we think there is a need for this bridge technology becuase it guarantees you you will get home, even if you run out of electricity. You only need a small battery, which drives the cost down." Because, if you take some of the cost out of the pack and put it into the KSPG range extender, you can still use your car as an EV most days and retain the ability to go on a road trip when you want to.

KSPG began working on the range-extender project about a year ago, Kleinert said, adding that after the engine's introduction at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2011 KSPG began talking to three potential customers about using this engine in their EVs. If that comes to pass, KSPG's production capacity could be 10,000 units a year, to start, Kleinert said. A full vehicle prototype is due in the summer of 2012 to try and generate more interest. Kleinert wouldn't say how much the engine would cost, just that it would be at "an acceptable price."

KSPG's range extender concept gives gas to EVs originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclegerd kleinertkspgplug-in hybridrange extenderTue, 17 Jan 2012 13:59:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20149182/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20149182/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/17/kspgs-range-extender-concept-gives-gas-to-evs/20149182/article-detail.xml 20149182 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/kspg-range-extender-concept_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/kspg-range-extender-concept.jpg <![CDATA[Via Motors introduces three plug-in hybrid work vehicles, starting with $79,000 truck]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/13/via-motors-introduces-plug-in-work-vehicles/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/13/via-motors-introduces-plug-in-work-vehicles/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/13/via-motors-introduces-plug-in-work-vehicles/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Via Motors Plug-In Hybrids

The big draw at the official launch of the Via Motors plug-in hybrid work vehicles - truck, SUV and van - during the Detroit Auto Show was, unsurprisingly, Bob Lutz. Sadly, Maximum Bob didn't unleash any instantly classic line about global warming but he did say that Via Motors is part of the upcoming "eREVolution" and that, "once you electrify, you will never go back."

Lutz and the rest of the Via crew are offering three converted GM models. The Extended-Range Electric VTrux - a converted Chevrolet Silverado - is going to be available first (pre-orders accepted now) and the SUV and van will be coming to fleets in the fourth quarter of 2012. Via says it's capable of making 2,700 units this year and could make around 20,000 in 2013. The cost will not be cheap. Nothing's set in stone yet, but the SUV (Suburban) may cost around $70,000 while the truck could be a bit more expensive: $79,000. The cost may come down a bit by the time private customers get a chance to buy any of these work vehicles in 2013.

And work is the main message here. Via's press conference highlighted the ability to plug in your tools at the work site (or something more fun if you're going tailgating). The power will come from a 24-kWh, liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack that connects to a 300-kW electric motor to move the wheels. When the battery runs dry - which should be after a "solid" 40 miles - a 150-kW generator driven by the gasoline engine will charge it back up. There is no physical connection between the engine and the wheels.

Currently, PG&E has a test fleet of two vehicles (both alpha builds) and will be getting beta models soon. The utility has ordered "hundreds," a Via representative told AutoblogGreen. Since Via expects to sell a lot of vehicles to the government, it needs these be considered an official OEM, and therefore the start-up is making sure the vehicles get both FMVSS and CARB certification.

Via Motors grew out of Raser Technologies, which gained attention by putting a plug-in hybrid into a Hummer H3. In other words, the connection between Via and GM runs deep. See a Via promotional video after the jump.

Continue reading Via Motors introduces three plug-in hybrid work vehicles, starting with $79,000 truck

Via Motors introduces three plug-in hybrid work vehicles, starting with $79,000 truck originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 07:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bob lutzconversion hybridsplug-in hybridvia motorsvia plug-in hybridsFri, 13 Jan 2012 07:54:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20146379/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20146379/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/13/via-motors-introduces-plug-in-work-vehicles/20146379/article-detail.xml 20146379 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/via-phev-detroit-line-up-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/via-phev-detroit-line-up-628.jpg <![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz says E-Class hybrid makes cool cars greener]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/12/mercedes-benz-e-class-hybrid-detroit-2012/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/12/mercedes-benz-e-class-hybrid-detroit-2012/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/12/mercedes-benz-e-class-hybrid-detroit-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Mercedes-Benz E-Class hybrid

In between debuting the Smart for-us and SL on the floor of the Detroit Auto Show today, Mercedes-Benz thought it right to bring out two brown cars that are actually green: diesel and gasoline flavors of the E-Class hybrid. In fact, the E300 diesel hybrid is so efficient that Mercedes calls it the "world's most economical luxury-class model." Unsurprisingly, the diesel will launch in Europe while the gas-powered E400 hybrid will arrive first in America and will later come to Japan, China and other countries. Pricing for the E-Class hybrids has not yet been announced, but Mercedes says the "extra cost involved here is only moderate."

As we learned during the slow-burning teaser month of December, the diesel-fueled BlueTec hybrid is expected to get 56 miles per gallon (on the European scale, so around 45 mpg in the U.S.) and the gas-electric E400 Hybrid will get 27 mpg (U.S.). The numbers for the E300 are based on the sedan (saloon) versions; it will also be available in estate (station wagon) form. The E-Class hybrids use a combination of lithium-ion batteries, start-stop, regenerative brakes and the ability to "sail" to save fuel. Sailing here means that, at speeds of up to 100 mph, the combustion engine can switch off while the electric motor keeps the car moving as long as the 0.8-kWh battery has enough power.

Since this is Mercedes, the cars also perform well: the E300 BlueTec offers 204 horsepower from the four-cylinder diesel powerplant and another 27 hp from the electric motor. The gas-powered E400 gives up 306 hp, plus the 27 hp. The E300 hybrid has a top speed of 150 miles per hour and goes 0-62 in in 7.5 seconds, while the E400 hybrid can hit 130 mph and does 0-60 in 6.7 seconds. Or, as Damiler's chairman of the board, Dieter Zetsche, put it this during the press conference in Detroit: Mercedes is "making green cars cooler and cool cars greener."

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz says E-Class hybrid makes cool cars greener

Mercedes-Benz says E-Class hybrid makes cool cars greener originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 mercedes-benz e-class hybriddetroitdetroit 2012detroit auto showdieter zetschee-classe-class hybride300e400mercedes hybridmercedes-benzThu, 12 Jan 2012 13:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20147403/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20147403/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/12/mercedes-benz-e-class-hybrid-detroit-2012/20147403/article-detail.xml 20147403 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/mbe-hybridsdetroit2012_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/mbe-hybridsdetroit2012.jpg <![CDATA[Tata eMO proves you don't need a hatch on a hatchback]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/11/tata-emo-proves-you-dont-need-a-hatch-on-a-hatchback/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/11/tata-emo-proves-you-dont-need-a-hatch-on-a-hatchback/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/11/tata-emo-proves-you-dont-need-a-hatch-on-a-hatchback/#commentsFiled under: , ,

tata emo electric car

Let's dial back a bit on the blanket statement that the Tata eMO will never be built. Speaking with representatives of Tata Technologies at the Detroit Auto Show today, it's clear that should the stars align in just the right manner, we might see something somewhat like the eMO on the road. Someday.

Tata Technologies' Kevin Fisher, the president of vehicle programs and development, said that the eMO is basically a "giant business card" meant to show off the company's capabilities. There are 15 patent in process thanks to the eMO, for example, to say nothing of the clever use of interior space by eliminating a pillar between the doors as well as any sort of rear opening. The rear seats push up close against the rear window, a move that really does make the eMO capable of holding four adults in relative comfort. Three things to note: First, the minimalist interior saves space by doing things like including only one center armrest. Second, to open the rear doors from outside the car, you need to reach in and around to get at the handle on the inside. There is no outside handle. Three, the low, sloping roof line does present a head-bumping hazard when exiting the eMO. Trust us on this one. The unusual frame shape is strong, though, Fisher said, adding that the eMO passed North American crash standards in Tata's computerized tests.

Still, Fisher told AutoblogGreen, if an OEM or someone with Tata Motors comes to him and asks to build the eMO or to use some of the technology the engineers used to create an electric car that Tata says can get over 100 miles from its 18.4-kWh battery pack while keeping a $20,000 price tag, Tata would be more than willing to help put the car into production.

For more on the eMO, read our previous post on the car, check out the technical details and have a look at the photo gallery of this tiny and impressive bit of electric engineering.

Continue reading Tata eMO proves you don't need a hatch on a hatchback

Tata eMO proves you don't need a hatch on a hatchback originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>detroitdetroit 2012detroit auto showelectric vehicletata electric cartata emotata technologiesWed, 11 Jan 2012 17:59:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20146395/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20146395/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/11/tata-emo-proves-you-dont-need-a-hatch-on-a-hatchback/20146395/article-detail.xml 20146395 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/tata-emo-detroit-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/tata-emo-detroit-628.jpg <![CDATA[Coda will offer cheaper electric Sedan with less range, now starts at $37,250]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/11/coda-will-offer-cheaper-electric-sedan-with-less-range-now-star/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/11/coda-will-offer-cheaper-electric-sedan-with-less-range-now-star/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/11/coda-will-offer-cheaper-electric-sedan-with-less-range-now-star/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Will electric-car buyers trade away 25 miles of driving range in exchange for $2,650?

That's what Coda Automotive is betting on. Los Angeles-based electric-vehicle maker said this week that, in addition to offering its standard Coda Sedan battery-electric vehicle, which has a 150-mile range, for $39,900, it will also sell a cheaper version with a 125-mile range for a base price of $37,250. Both versions, which qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit in addition to more incentives in some states, will start being sold to the American public next month.

Coda announced the less-expensive version as it unveiled its Sedan at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this week. The company is likely to start sales at the San Diego's Marvin K. Brown Auto Center, which also sells the Fisker Karma extended-range plug-in.

Coda was originally slated to debut the Sedan during the second quarter of 2010, but the launch has been repeatedly delayed because of quality concerns and management turnover. In November, the company cut the Sedan's base price by $5,000 and said it would offer a 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty on the car's battery in an effort to generate demand.

Coda opened its Los Angeles headquarters in November, about two months after it opened its Coda Experience Center consumer-information store and test-drive center in L.A.'s Century City district. Coda in September also said it raised $147 million in its fourth round of financing to bring its total to more than $300 million since the company's 2009 founding.

Continue reading Coda will offer cheaper electric Sedan with less range, now starts at $37,250

Coda will offer cheaper electric Sedan with less range, now starts at $37,250 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battery electric vehiclecodacoda automotivecoda sedandramaelectric vehiclelos angelesNorth American International Auto ShowpriceWed, 11 Jan 2012 11:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20145689/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20145689/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/11/coda-will-offer-cheaper-electric-sedan-with-less-range-now-star/20145689/article-detail.xml 20145689 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/coda_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/coda.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota Prius C brings hybrid economy to the masses for under $19,000]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/10/toyota-prius-c-detroit-auto-show-2012/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/10/toyota-prius-c-detroit-auto-show-2012/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/10/toyota-prius-c-detroit-auto-show-2012/#commentsFiled under: , ,



C is for Cookie. At least, that's what the baking industry lobbyist known as Cookie Monster would have us believe. At Toyota they have another idea, where C is not for Cookie, it's not for Car and it's not for Compact. In the latest addition to the Prius family, C is for City.

What you're looking at is a new, smaller hybrid from Toyota, which is eagerly growing the Prius range from one four-door to include the Prius V (for Versatility), the Prius plug-in hybrid and this, the Prius C. It's both smaller and more affordable than the existing Prius range, while delivering superlative fuel economy figures. In fact, with a 50-mpg combined rating, the Prius C claims the best economy of any car this side of a plug-in EV.

Motivation is provided by a 1.5-liter four that, together with the electric motor, delivers up to 99 horsepower at peak (compared to the Prius liftback's 134hp). It's also more nimble than its bigger brother, and more affordable: when the Prius C reaches showrooms in the spring, it will wear a sticker price under $19,000. In the meantime, you can check out our gallery of high-resolution images from the show floor above, the stock images below and jump into the press release for more details.

Continue reading Toyota Prius C brings hybrid economy to the masses for under $19,000

Toyota Prius C brings hybrid economy to the masses for under $19,000 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 detroit auto showdetroitdetroit auto shownaiasnorth american international auto showpriusprius ctoyotatoyota priustoyota prius cTue, 10 Jan 2012 15:30:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20145476/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20145476/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/10/toyota-prius-c-detroit-auto-show-2012/20145476/article-detail.xml 20145476 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/prius-c-1-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/prius-c-1-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota NS4 concept glimpses at Prius of the future]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/10/toyota-ns4-concept-detroit-2012/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/10/toyota-ns4-concept-detroit-2012/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/10/toyota-ns4-concept-detroit-2012/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Toyota can justifiably be proud of its position not only as one of the largest automakers in the world, but also the world leader in hybrid vehicles. In fact, the Japanese automaker claims that half of all hybrids sold are Toyotas. But it didn't get there by resting on its proverbial laurels, and it isn't going to maintain (let alone increase) its market share by doing so, either. That's where the concept car you see here comes in.

Taking position as something of a Prius of the future, the NS4 concept cuts a striking profile - certainly more striking than the current kamm-tailed Prius. But even though the technologies it encompasses are targeted to reach the market by around 2015, the show-car details - like that eminently dentable front beak - probably won't.

While Toyota works on all manner of electric and fuel cell powertrains, the NS4 packs a similar plug-in hybrid system as the current Prius PHEV. But the show car encompasses a slew of other technologies, like a smartphone-like interface to monitor and control everything from the air conditioning to the battery charge.

Toyota has also packed the NS4 with its latest pre-collision and blind-spot monitoring systems, adaptive headlights and four new types of glass - the one part of the car we probably take most for granted. Of course, this being a concept car, Toyota has also replaced the side mirrors with an around-view camera system, but laws being what they are for now, don't expect to see that in showrooms just yet.

There's plenty more technological details to digest in the press release after the jump, but for a closer look check out the high-res galleries of live shots from the show floor here in Detroit and the stock images from the automaker.

Continue reading Toyota NS4 concept glimpses at Prius of the future

Toyota NS4 concept glimpses at Prius of the future originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>detroitdetroit 2012detroit auto shownaiasnorth american international auto showns4plug-in hybridtoyotatoyota ns4toyota ns4 concepttoyota ns4 phevtoyota ns4 plug-in hybridtoyota ns4 plug-in hybrid conceptTue, 10 Jan 2012 11:15:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20145181/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20145181/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/10/toyota-ns4-concept-detroit-2012/20145181/article-detail.xml 20145181 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/toyota-ns4-concept-16-opt-1326208909_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/toyota-ns4-concept-16-opt-1326208909.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Honda Accord Coupe Concept previews redesign, hybrid returning]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/10/2013-honda-accord-coupe-concept-detroit-2012/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/10/2013-honda-accord-coupe-concept-detroit-2012/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/10/2013-honda-accord-coupe-concept-detroit-2012/#commentsFiled under: , ,



In true Honda fashion, we're once again presented with a "concept" car that's only a set of wheels and a de-Bedazzling away from being production-ready. What you're looking at here is the concept that previews the next-generation Accord that will be dropping later this year, ready to compete with a full slate of redesigned mid-size sedans.

Honda has once again taken a conservative approach to design, and while it's certainly handsome (except for those gaudy air intakes that flank both sides of the front fascia), we can't help but think that it already looks one or two generations old. (2009 Kia Optima, anyone?) We'll have to wait until we see the car in its production spec before making final judgments, but with sexy new mid-size offerings like the 2013 Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima, the Accord doesn't look to be gunning for shoppers who want a whole lot of style with their substance.

Substance, though, it definitely has. The base engine is a new Earth Dreams 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder with direct injection, putting 181 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque to the ground via a continuously variable transmission. Honda will continue to offer a V6 in the Accord - a dying trend in this segment - measuring 3.5 liters, mated to either a manual or automatic transmission, both with six gears.

The Accord Hybrid will use an all-new two-motor plug-in hybrid system with three drive modes - all-electric, gasoline-electric and "direct-drive."

What's really interesting, though, is that the 2013 model marks the return of the Accord Hybrid - a vehicle that died after the 2007 model year. This time, however, the Accord will use an all-new two-motor plug-in hybrid system with three drive modes - all-electric, gasoline-electric and "direct-drive" - with a 6-kWh lithium-ion battery and a 120-kilowatt electric motor mated to a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle inline four-cylinder engine. Honda says that the Accord Plug-In will have a pure electric range of 10-15 miles with a top speed of 62 miles per hour, and that recharging the battery will take less than four hours with a 120-volt charger, or less than 1.5 hours with a 240-volt setup. Not bad, Honda.

Naturally, Honda will pack the 2013 Accord with all of its latest safety technologies, including lane departure warning, forward collision warning, blind-spot detection and a multi-angle rear-view camera. We expect to see the production car debut in the not-too-distant future (New York Auto Show, perhaps?) with the 2013 model officially hitting dealerships this fall. The Accord Plug-In will arrive a little later, in winter. Hungry for more details? Click past the jump to read Honda's official press blast.

Continue reading 2013 Honda Accord Coupe Concept previews redesign, hybrid returning

2013 Honda Accord Coupe Concept previews redesign, hybrid returning originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 honda accord coupeaccordaccord coupeconceptcoupedetroitdetroit 2012detroit auto showhondaTue, 10 Jan 2012 10:29:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20145111/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20145111/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/10/2013-honda-accord-coupe-concept-detroit-2012/20145111/article-detail.xml 20145111 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/accordcoupeconceptstudio2012naias1b628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/accordcoupeconceptstudio2012naias1b628.jpg <![CDATA[2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 3 nav system uses altitude to optimize hybrid efficiency]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/10/2012-bmw-activehybrid-3-nav-system-uses-altitude-to-optimize-hyb/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/10/2012-bmw-activehybrid-3-nav-system-uses-altitude-to-optimize-hyb/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/10/2012-bmw-activehybrid-3-nav-system-uses-altitude-to-optimize-hyb/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 3

Somewhat lost in the fanfare of BMW introducing a hybrid version of its best-selling 3 Series at the Detroit Auto Show was a brief mention of its new navigation technology. The 2012 ActiveHybrid 3 will be the first hybrid to use its nav system to help predict the best time to use and recharge its battery. This will go well beyond currently available navigation technology that plots economical travel routes based on traffic and speed limits, also incorporating altitude, final destination and other real-time data to wring the most out of those electrons.

For example, suppose there's a big hill on your route. Since the 3 Series hybrid "knows" you will be descending, and thus afforded a good opportunity for recharging, it can drain more of the battery on the way up. BMW says it is still working on the system, but it will be included as a standard feature on the ActiveHybrid 3, and will eventually spread to the ActiveHybrid 5 and other hybrid models. While we don't have much in the way of details, the opportunity here seems pretty vast, effectively allowing the car to hypermile for you.

Continue reading 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 3 nav system uses altitude to optimize hybrid efficiency

2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 3 nav system uses altitude to optimize hybrid efficiency originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 bmw activehybrid 33 seriesactivehybrid 3altitudebmwdetroitdetroit 2012detroit auto shownav systemnavigationnavigation systemTue, 10 Jan 2012 10:02:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20144671/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20144671/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/10/2012-bmw-activehybrid-3-nav-system-uses-altitude-to-optimize-hyb/20144671/article-detail.xml 20144671 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/01-2012-bmw-acitvehybrid-3-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/01-2012-bmw-acitvehybrid-3-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Acura NSX Concept portends an efficient hybrid supercar]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/10/acura-nsx-concept-detroit-2012/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/10/acura-nsx-concept-detroit-2012/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/10/acura-nsx-concept-detroit-2012/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Acura NSX Concept

As any Acura diehard would be quick to tell you, a revival of the iconic NSX is long overdue. In true Honda fashion, the automaker decided that, if it was going to go to the trouble of producing a legitimate sportscar, it was going to take on the very best in the industry. Suffice it to say, the NSX delivered the goods.

We now have a new concept to drool over. While the last conceptual sportscar Acura showed off left NSX purists with a sour taste in their mouths - a V10 engine mounted up front was a far cry from the lightweight and high-revving mid-engine V6 of the original - we have a strong feeling that nobody is going to turn their noses up at this new NSX Concept.

Like its forebear, this latest take on the NSX promises to shed excess weight through the use of a high-tech platform made from the latest lightweight materials. Power, as with the original, will come from a V6 mounted behind the two occupants that sends its power to the rear wheels; except this time, it will be augmented by an electric motor.

Acura's latest SH-AWD incorporates one electric motor in a dual-clutch transmission, forming a hybrid setup. Additionally, two more motors can instantly send negative or positive torque to the front wheels during cornering for improved handling and efficiency, and the whole package can be tailored via software. Acura says the new all-wheel-drive system will provide "supercar acceleration while offering outstanding efficiency."

We're not so sure environmentalists are ready to accept the notion of an eco-friendly supercar, but it's clear Acura's parents at Honda are keen to keep emissions and fuel usage in check. "In this new era, even as we focus on the fun to drive spirit of the NSX, I think a supercar must respond positively to environmental responsibilities," says Takanobu Ito, president and CEO of Honda Motor Co.

Acura isn't saying how much horsepower its V6 engine and three electric motors will amount to, but we're not expecting outlandish figures. The automaker says it's aiming for an "extremely favorable power-to-weight ratio." We like the sound of that, and hope the production version, which is expected within the next three years, delivers on this laudable promise. Check out the complete press release after the break.

Continue reading Acura NSX Concept portends an efficient hybrid supercar

Acura NSX Concept portends an efficient hybrid supercar originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 07:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acuraacura nsxacura nsx conceptdetroitdetroit 2012detroit auto shownsxnsx conceptTue, 10 Jan 2012 07:51:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20144938/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20144938/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/10/acura-nsx-concept-detroit-2012/20144938/article-detail.xml 20144938 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/acura-nsx-concept-detroit_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/acura-nsx-concept-detroit.jpg <![CDATA[Volvo XC60 Plug In Hybrid shows where the company is headed]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/09/volvo-xc60-plug-in-hybrid-shows-where-the-company-is-headed/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/09/volvo-xc60-plug-in-hybrid-shows-where-the-company-is-headed/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/09/volvo-xc60-plug-in-hybrid-shows-where-the-company-is-headed/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Volvo XC60 Plug-In Hybrid

Volvo has made it a point to emphasize - surprise - the safety of its plug-in vehicles at recent auto shows. Today at the Detroit Auto Show, the Swedish automaker showed off the XC60 Plug-In Gasoline Hybrid Concept, a way to gauge American reaction to the idea of a plug-in CUV from Volvo. Why? Because this concept is headed to the U.S. and Chinese markets - in a different guise and with a lot of changes - "a couple of years." That means something like 2014-2015. Volvo's first PHEV here could be an XC60 model, or perhaps an S60, said Volvo CEO and President Stefan Jacoby. For now, Jacoby told AutoblogGreen, the XC60 shows the direction Volvo is going.

stefan jacobyHere are the numbers: a 35-mile all-electric range, a recharging time of just 3.5 hours from a 220V outlet (7.5 hours from a more common 110V). Volvo estimates U.S. fuel economy of 105 MPGe and 50 mpg when the battery runs dry. 0-60 is reached in 5.8 seconds on the way to a 130 mph top speed. Oh, and eight gears in an auto transmission.

Petroleum is burned in a four-cylinder, 2-liter, turbocharged direct-injected gasoline engine that has stop-start technology. This 280-horsepower powerplant moves the front wheels, and a 70-hp electric motor propels the back wheels (this is known as a through-the-road hybrid). The XC60 PHEV has a 12-kWh lithium-ion battery, but just 66 percent of that (8 kWh) is used. The driver can select three modes - Pure, Hybrid and Power - depending on which type of fuel economy and performance is desired. Details of this technology can be found after the jump and images of the XC60 test bed are available in our galleries.

Continue reading Volvo XC60 Plug In Hybrid shows where the company is headed

Volvo XC60 Plug In Hybrid shows where the company is headed originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>detroitdetroit 2012detroit auto showplug-in hybridstefan jacobyvolvo phevvolvo xc60xc60 phevMon, 09 Jan 2012 18:04:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20140118/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20140118/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/09/volvo-xc60-plug-in-hybrid-shows-where-the-company-is-headed/20140118/article-detail.xml 20140118 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/volvo-xc60-phev-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/volvo-xc60-phev-628.jpg -1 2