AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com AutoblogGreen http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 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[Is Kia considering a diesel for the U.S.?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/16/is-kia-considering-a-diesel-for-the-u-s/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/16/is-kia-considering-a-diesel-for-the-u-s/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/16/is-kia-considering-a-diesel-for-the-u-s/#commentsFiled under: ,

Kia logo

If we had a dollar for every time we read a headline that said, "[insert automaker here] considering a diesel for U.S. market," we'd have a pretty sizable stack of Washingtons. So why, then, is this story of particular interest?

After the website Efficient Automobile wrote about the possibility of Kia offering a diesel-powered Optima here in the United States, the automaker took things a step further, addressing this on its Facebook page. Kia's North American public relations team asks its loyal followers, "Would you drive a diesel?" And from what we can tell after a quick scan of the comments, there yeses certainly seem to outweigh the nos.

In Europe, the Optima is available with a 1.7-liter turbo-diesel four, good for 134 horsepower and 239 pound-feet of torque. The decidedly vague story from Efficient Automobile also states that the diesel Optima shares many of the visual upgrades that we have on the U.S.-spec Optima Hybrid, including a lowered ride height and special wheels.

It's worth mentioning that Kia's North American PR Facebook account is largely geared towards the U.S. media, and we have yet to meet a single member of the automotive press who wouldn't drive a diesel. But since Kia PR does not restrict its Facebook page, perhaps this is a small way for the automaker to gauge customer interest about the possibility of offering a diesel-powered car here in the United States. And to answer the question at hand, yes, Kia, we would.

Is Kia considering a diesel for the U.S.? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 16 May 2012 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dieselkiaoptimaWed, 16 May 2012 07:59:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20238598/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20238598/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/16/is-kia-considering-a-diesel-for-the-u-s/20238598/article-detail.xml 20238598 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/21kiafortekoupreview_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/21kiafortekoupreview.jpg <![CDATA[High-mpg Taylors drive a Volkswagen Passat 1,626 miles on one tank of fuel]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/08/volkswagen-jetta-goes-1-626-miles-on-one-tank-of-gas/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/08/volkswagen-jetta-goes-1-626-miles-on-one-tank-of-gas/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/08/volkswagen-jetta-goes-1-626-miles-on-one-tank-of-gas/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Watch out, Wayne Gerdes, there's a new hypermiling crew in town.

John and Helen Taylor - Volkswagen calls them "mileage experts" and "the world's most fuel efficient couple" - recently drove a stock 2012 Passat TDI SE all the way from Houston, TX to Sterling, VA without refueling. That's 1,626.1 miles from just 19.3 gallons. Bad with numbers? VW has done the math for you: it's 84.1 miles per gallon (we came up with 84.2, but who's counting?).

The three-day trip happened earlier this month, and it turns out that the Taylors are not new to the high mileage game. They have previously set the "48 Contiguous U.S. States Fuel Economy Guinness World Record." Still, the new Passat TDI record is impressive and it mimics some of the ways that Gerdes runs his hypermiling trips. As you can see in the gallery, the gas tank was filled to the brim with gas (see here) and there was a LOT of documentation going on during the trip. These sorts of things are important, since the Taylors often run workshops on driving efficiently and have, over the years, "collected more than 90 world fuel economy and vehicle-related records from drives around the globe." They run the website Fuel Academy.

*UPDATE: Yes, we've changed "gas" in the headline to "fuel."

Continue reading High-mpg Taylors drive a Volkswagen Passat 1,626 miles on one tank of fuel

High-mpg Taylors drive a Volkswagen Passat 1,626 miles on one tank of fuel originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 08 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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bmw 335d

BMW wants to take another look at over 24,000 diesel vehicles it's sold in the U.S. No, this isn't just to check out how they're holding up in the real world, it's to make sure the smoke coming out of the tailpipe is clean enough.

BMW is recalling a total of 24,340 vehicles from the 2009-2011 model years - roughly 2,740 2011 or 2012 X5 xDrive 50i and X6 xDrive 50i vehicles as well as 21,600 3-series diesels - because some parts of the emissions system (the DEF mixer, EGR valve and SCR catalyst) can incorrectly calculate the vehicle mileage. This can cause too many emissions to come out of the tailpipe, according to the California emission control rules. The recall will start May 9. Drivers should be on the lookout for letters after that date, a spokesman told Automotive News.

Just two months ago, BMW had to recall 1.3 million 5 Series and 6 Series vehicles from the 2003 to 2010 model years, 368,000 of them in the U.S.

BMW recalling 24,000 vehicles over emissions problem originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 04 May 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3 series335dbmwbmw recallcalifornia emissionsdiesel emissionsdiesel recallrecallx5x6xdriveFri, 04 May 2012 18:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20231462/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20231462/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/04/bmw-recalling-24-000-vehicles-over-emissions-problem/20231462/article-detail.xml 20231462 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/bmw-335d-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/bmw-335d-628.jpg <![CDATA[Prius Plug-in helps Toyota extend lead for April's alt-fuel sales]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/prius-plug-in-helps-toyota-extend-lead-for-aprils-alt-fuel-sale/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/prius-plug-in-helps-toyota-extend-lead-for-aprils-alt-fuel-sale/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/prius-plug-in-helps-toyota-extend-lead-for-aprils-alt-fuel-sale/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



"Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss."

The classic couplet from the Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again" applies to April's alt-fuel vehicle sales, as Toyota not only continued to dominate the hybrid market, but also shoved aside the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf in plug-in vehicle sales. Last month, Toyota sold 1,654 Prius Plug-in Hybrids. That total beat the 1,462 Volts sold and dominated the Leaf's 370 units sold in April.

The new Prius variant's popularity also helped Toyota easily continue its reign as the most popular seller of alt-fuel vehicles to the U.S. while helping push total alt-fuel sales far beyond year-earlier figures despite the fact that last month's 24 selling days were three fewer than the 27 selling days in April 2011.

Overall U.S. sales of hybrids, plug-in hybrids, battery-electric and diesel-powered vehicles jumped more than 50 percent from a year earlier to almost 50,000 vehicles, as Americans stepped up alt-fuel sales to cope with continually high gas prices.

Coming off its most successful single month of sales since its introduction to the U.S. in 2000, the Prius doubled its April sales from a year earlier. The "standard" Prius Liftback sales increased 26 percent from a year earlier, while the Prius C compact and Prius V wagon moved 4,006 and 3,847 units, respectively.

That success carried through to other Toyota-produced models, as non-Prius Toyota hybrids (i.e. the Camry and Highlander) tripled sales from a year earlier, likely because of the upgraded Toyota Camry Hybrid that debuted late last year. And Lexus hybrid sales were up 4.5 percent to 2,467 units. Overall, Toyota and Lexus hybrid sales doubled from a year earlier to 32,593 vehicles and, as usual, accounted for about two-thirds of the U.S. alt-fuel market.

Toyota and Lexus hybrids appeared to gain favor with U.S. consumers looking to save money amid gas prices that, until last month, had been rising all year. Regular gas prices jumped to about $3.90 a gallon in early April, up from about $3.35 at the beginning of the year, before tapering off to about $3.80 a gallon this week, according to AAA.

The effect of gas prices on sales of alt-fuel vehicles from other automakers ran the gamut. General Motors followed a monthly-record March for its Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in with 1,462 sales in April, almost triple year-earlier figures. Factoring in mild-hybrid models such as the Buick LaCrosse, Buick Regal and Chevy Malibu eAssist-powered vehicles, GM's alt-fuel sales jumped fivefold to 4,500 units.

Volkswagen, which hasn't jumped into the electric-drive market yet, boosted its clean diesel sales by 35 percent from a year earlier to 7,993 units. On a smaller scale, Porsche increased its hybrid sales by 22 percent from a year earlier to 130 vehicles, while the Mitsubishi i battery-electric moved 79 models, hitting its monthly U.S. record for the third straight month.

Not faring so well were Nissan, Honda and Ford. Nissan sold 370 Leafs in April, marking a 35-percent drop from a year earlier and a 36-percent decline from March.

Honda's Civic Hybrid sales jumped sixfold to 766 units, but that wasn't enough to offset a plunge in both CR-Z and Insight sales. Overall, Honda hybrid sales dropped 60 percent from a year earlier to 1,839 vehicles.

As for Ford, hybrid sales plunged 59 percent from a year earlier to 1,175 vehicles, as the automaker discontinued the Escape Hybrid and had sales declines for both the Fusion Hybrid and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. That said, Ford is on the verge of introducing its Focus Electric to the U.S., so things could get real interesting right quick.

Prius Plug-in helps Toyota extend lead for April's alt-fuel sales originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 03 May 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>april saleschevroletelectric vehiclefocus electricfordileafmitsubishinissanplug-in hybridpriusprius plug-intoyotavoltThu, 03 May 2012 18:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20229604/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20229604/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/03/prius-plug-in-helps-toyota-extend-lead-for-aprils-alt-fuel-sale/20229604/article-detail.xml 20229604 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/green-vehicle-sales-1332146386_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/green-vehicle-sales-1332146386.jpg <![CDATA[Nissan predicts Leaf sales jump, says diesels are unlikely]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/20/nissan-predicts-leaf-sales-jump-says-diesels-are-unlikely/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/20/nissan-predicts-leaf-sales-jump-says-diesels-are-unlikely/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/20/nissan-predicts-leaf-sales-jump-says-diesels-are-unlikely/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

nissan leaf

Don't count Nissan among automakers looking to crank up some new diesels anytime soon. Instead, the company will continue to push for plug-ins.

Nissan is expecting annual U.S. sales of its battery-electric Leaf to jump sixfold between 2011 and 2013 but is downplaying the possibility of selling a diesel-powered vehicle, Car and Driver said, citing company executives.

The Japanese automaker, which sold just under 9,700 Leafs last year, may more than double sales to 22,000 units this year and may surpass the 60,000-vehicle mark in 2013, according to Al Castignetti, a Nissan vice president and general manager. Nissan also said it was looking into plug-in hybrid-electric powertrains, but no specifics about timeframe or model were given.

As for diesels, Nissan once said (in 2007) that it would start selling a diesel-powered Maxima in 2010, but it is no longe likely to pursue that type of powertrain because of government restrictions and cost concerns, Pierre Loing, Nissan vice president for product strategy and planning told Car and Driver.

German automakers such as Volkswagen, Audi and Mercedes-Benz have relaunched diesel sales in the U.S. in recent years after decades of improving their performance in Europe. Meanwhile, General Motors said last year that it will introduce a diesel-powered Chevrolet Cruze to the U.S. next year. So far, Americans seem to be enjoying the option.

Nissan predicts Leaf sales jump, says diesels are unlikely originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dieseldiesel nissanelectric vehicleleafnissannissan leafnissan maximaplug-in hybridFri, 20 Apr 2012 19:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20219083/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20219083/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/20/nissan-predicts-leaf-sales-jump-says-diesels-are-unlikely/20219083/article-detail.xml 20219083 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/nissanleaf-1334808078_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/nissanleaf-1334808078.jpg <![CDATA[Mazda says CX-5 is the first to use all Skyactiv features]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/19/mazda-says-cx-5-is-the-first-to-use-all-skyactiv-features/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/19/mazda-says-cx-5-is-the-first-to-use-all-skyactiv-features/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/19/mazda-says-cx-5-is-the-first-to-use-all-skyactiv-features/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Mazda is pitching its CX-5 compact crossover as its first model to use all of its Skyactiv fuel-saving technologies, including fuel-saving improvements to its engine, transmission, body and chassis (details on all that here).

Mazda, which started selling the model in the U.S. last month, said the CX-5 gets as much as 51 miles per gallon combined - on the more lenient Japanese fuel-economy standards - in its front-wheel-drive, six-speed-manual-transmission version, and as much as 39 miles per gallon in its most fuel-efficient gas-powered version. Mazda is looking to sell 160,000 vehicles annually with Skyactiv components, including the CX-5, Mazda2, Mazda3 and Mazda6.

Mazda's looking to use its Skyactiv technology, which includes the use of high-tensile steel for cutting weight and better aerodynamics to reduce drag, to reverse global declining sales. The Japanese automaker last year produced 1.17 million vehicles, down 11 percent from 2010. Last year, Mazda said that it was looking to increase fleetwide fuel economy by about 30 percent over the next three years.

Mazda says the CX-5 has the best fuel economy of any SUV in North America and has launched a "Six Million Dollar Man" - themed ad campaign to get the word out in the U.S. Last month, Mazda started selling the compact crossover and launched an online configurator tool. The CX-5 starts at $21,490 (including a $795 destination charge) for the front-wheel-drive manual-transmission model, with the all-wheel-drive option adding about $2,600 more. The top-of-the-line CX-5 is priced at $29,090.

Continue reading Mazda says CX-5 is the first to use all Skyactiv features

Mazda says CX-5 is the first to use all Skyactiv features originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>compactcompact crossovercrossovercx-5fuel economymazdamazda cx-5miles per gallonmpgskyactivThu, 19 Apr 2012 15:53:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20217893/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20217893/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/19/mazda-says-cx-5-is-the-first-to-use-all-skyactiv-features/20217893/article-detail.xml 20217893 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/mazdacx5_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/mazdacx5.jpg <![CDATA[Diesel sales jump, we ask "how high"? (35 percent)]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/18/diesel-sales-jump-we-ask-how-high-35-percent/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/18/diesel-sales-jump-we-ask-how-high-35-percent/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/18/diesel-sales-jump-we-ask-how-high-35-percent/#commentsFiled under: ,

2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

It may come as a shock, but diesel cars are doing well outside of their traditional European home. The just-released Mazda CX-5 shows that diesels are selling beyond expectations in Japan, but the real story is that we might be seeing the start of a golden era for diesel-powered cars in the U.S. In fact, clean diesel sales were up 35 percent in the first quarter of 2012 over Q1 2011, a trend - and it is a trend, since diesel sales were up 27 percent in 2011 - that the Diesel Technology Forum (DTF) says is due to higher fuel prices pushing people into the efficient oil-burners.

Allen Schaeffer, DTF's executive director, said in a statement that, "I expect clean diesel auto sales to increase further as several new diesel cars are introduced in the U.S. market in the next year."

Right now, it's pretty much all Jetta TDI, all the time.

Once those other vehicles arrive, we'll see how the market shakes out. Right now, it's pretty much all Jetta TDI, all the time. A while back, we spoke with Lars Ullrich, the director of marketing and business excellence, diesel systems North America, for Robert Bosch LLC. He told us that diesel Jettas made up 44 percent of all diesels sold in the U.S. last year, which makes the Jetta sort of the Prius of diesels in America. Last year, Volkswagen had 58 percent of all diesel sales in the U.S.

Does this mean the Jetta TDI is "the" diesel in the U.S.? Ullrich said it depends on how you look at the numbers. About 60 percent of all Audi A3s sold in the U.S. in 2011, for example, were diesel, but the A3 sells in smaller numbers overall than the Jetta. When you have diesels available in high-volume models, he said, you end up selling a lot of diesels.

Diesel-powered passenger cars and medium-duty pick-ups had around three percent market share in the U.S. in 2011.

What does the big picture look like? Overall, diesel-powered passenger cars and medium-duty pick-ups had around three percent market share in the U.S. in 2011. That may not sound like a lot, but compare it to the hybrid market share, which has gone from 2.7 to 2.4 to 2.1 percent over the last three years, Ullrich said. Today, there are 25 clean diesel models available in the U.S. By 2014, that number will double, he said, which gives us an indication of where the market is moving. Echoing Schaeffer, Bosch's prediction is that the U.S. will see diesels grab 10 percent of the market by 2015.

While increasingly popular, diesels are not perfect. There are issues like the $32-a-gallon urea liquid, for example, and a fossil fuel is a fossil fuel. But it's clear that Americans are considering diesel more than they used to. The question is what happens when the diesel Chevrolet Cruze and Jeep Grand Cherokee arrive? Or more of Mazda's Skyactiv-D models? And, further down the line, when we see more merging of electric and diesel powertrains, where the diesel - perhaps renewable diesel - is burned in an efficient generator to generate electricity. That's when things get even more exciting.

High gas prices are helping plug-in vehicles and hybrids do quite well in the U.S., too. The Diesel Technology Forum says hybrid sales increased 37.2 percent while plug-in electrics jumped 323 percent. Overall, vehicle sales were up 13.4 percent. For more number-crunching details, see our monthly green car sales charts for January, February and March of 2012. The DTF has compiled a list of all the diesel-powered vehicles available in the U.S. here.

Continue reading Diesel sales jump, we ask "how high"? (35 percent)

Diesel sales jump, we ask "how high"? (35 percent) originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audi dieselcruze dieseldieseldiesel salesdiesel technology forumjeep dieseljetta tdilars ullrichmercedes-benz dieselvw dieselWed, 18 Apr 2012 15:54:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20161218/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20161218/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/18/diesel-sales-jump-we-ask-how-high-35-percent/20161218/article-detail.xml 20161218 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/2011-jetta-tdo-lt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/2011-jetta-tdo-lt.jpg <![CDATA[Volvo cuts European fleetwide emissions by 13% over past two years]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/15/volvo-cuts-european-fleetwide-emissions-by-13-over-past-two-yea/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/15/volvo-cuts-european-fleetwide-emissions-by-13-over-past-two-yea/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/15/volvo-cuts-european-fleetwide-emissions-by-13-over-past-two-yea/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Volvo said it has cut its European fleetwide emissions from its gas- and diesel-powered vehicles by 13 percent during the past few years and is looking to reduce emissions even further starting next year.

For the 2013 model year, the Swedish automaker will debut a five-cylinder 2.0-liter, 136-horsepower turbodiesel engine - called the D3 - for its S60, V60, XC60, V70 and S80 models. All but the automatic-transmission XC60 crossover will have start-stop functionality.

Additionally, Volvo will also introduce a 115-horsepower diesel engine - the D2 - that will have the same emissions with both an automatic and manual transmissions, which Volvo says is a first.

Volvo is looking to use a combination of diesel technology and electric-drive powertrains to meet progressively more stringent European greenhouse-gas emissions. The company said in 2010 that, for the eight years ending in 2014, it will have sunk more than $2 billion in research and development specifically towards boosting fuel economy and reducing emissions.

Last June, Volvo debuted a battery-electric prototype version of its C30 with a 93-mile single-charge range and estimated that about 250 would be built by the end of this year for leasing to European customers. Volvo, which isn't selling the car, is charging about $2,100 a month for lessees the EVs.

Continue reading Volvo cuts European fleetwide emissions by 13% over past two years

Volvo cuts European fleetwide emissions by 13% over past two years originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 15 Apr 2012 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>co2co2 emissionsdieselelectric vehicleghggreenhouse gasplug-in hybridturbodieselvolvoSun, 15 Apr 2012 09:04:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20214749/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20214749/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/15/volvo-cuts-european-fleetwide-emissions-by-13-over-past-two-yea/20214749/article-detail.xml 20214749 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/volvov60_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/volvov60.jpg <![CDATA[Diesel-powered Mazda CX-5s beating gas versions 3-1 in Japan]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/11/diesel-powered-mazda-cx-5s-beating-gas-versions-3-1-in-japan/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/11/diesel-powered-mazda-cx-5s-beating-gas-versions-3-1-in-japan/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/11/diesel-powered-mazda-cx-5s-beating-gas-versions-3-1-in-japan/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Most people who follow the auto industry know that diesels are popular in Europe - and more and more so in the U.S. - but it appears Mazda underestimated how many people in Japan want an oil burner. According to the Nikkei, Mazda expected to sell just 1,000 CX-5s a month in Japan, but it instead sold 8,000 in February, the first month the CUV was on sale there. Oh, and 73 percent of them were diesel-powered.

Even though Japan has strict emissions controls, the "not electric, not hybrid, not a drag to drive" Skyactiv-D technology is giving clean diesels a good name in hybrid-happy Japan. It's been a long road, with a multi-year break when no domestic automaker sold a diesel passenger vehicle in Japan, a drought that ended in 2008 when Nissan introduced the X-Trail 20GT SUV. The question is, where do diesel sales in Japan go from here?

Read our First Drive report of the U.S. version of the CX-5 here.

Diesel-powered Mazda CX-5s beating gas versions 3-1 in Japan originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cx-5cx-5 dieseldieseldiesel japandiesel salesjapanmazdamazda cx-5mazda dieselWed, 11 Apr 2012 16:08:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20213545/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20213545/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/11/diesel-powered-mazda-cx-5s-beating-gas-versions-3-1-in-japan/20213545/article-detail.xml 20213545 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/03-2013-mazda-cx-5-fd_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/03-2013-mazda-cx-5-fd.jpg <![CDATA[Green car wrap-up from the Big Apple]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/06/green-car-wrap-up-from-the-big-apple/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/06/green-car-wrap-up-from-the-big-apple/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/06/green-car-wrap-up-from-the-big-apple/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



There were only two marquee plug-in vehicles unveiled at the New York Auto Show this year, the Fisker Atlantic and the Infiniti LE (which stands for Luxury Electric, which the automaker says emphasizes that luxury comes first), and the Infinit's big calling card was that it doesn't need a plug. The Atlantic wasn't even on the show floor because Fisker wants to focus on selling the Karma - of which it brought three - and not make any hints or promises about when the Atlantic might go on sale.

Still, there was plenty of green to be seen, if you consider modest improvements in fuel economy - a stop-star system here, a vehicle that should come with a Mr. Fusion there (surprisingly, not the one that flies) - to fit that description. We do, because we know that fossil fuels aren't going away any time soon and so these are what green cars look like in 2012. With that, take one last look at the vehicles we saw for the first time this past week and wonder what's next.

Continue reading Green car wrap-up from the Big Apple

Green car wrap-up from the Big Apple originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclenew yorknew york 2012new york auto showplug-in hybridFri, 06 Apr 2012 18:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20210291/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20210291/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/06/green-car-wrap-up-from-the-big-apple/20210291/article-detail.xml 20210291 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/autoshowny628x308033012_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/autoshowny628x308033012.jpg <![CDATA[Monthly record sales for Prius, Volt help drive up March alt-fuel sales almost 40%]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/06/monthly-record-sales-for-prius-volt-help-drive-up-march-alt-fue/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/06/monthly-record-sales-for-prius-volt-help-drive-up-march-alt-fue/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/06/monthly-record-sales-for-prius-volt-help-drive-up-march-alt-fue/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Rising gas prices may not have lifted all alt-fuel vehicles last month, but they did a pretty good job for some of the higher profile models.

Overall, U.S. March sales of hybrids, extended-range plug-in hybrids, battery-electrics and diesels jumped about 40 percent from a year earlier as both the Toyota Prius hybrid and Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in set all-time monthly sales records. One possibility for the surge is that U.S. customers, beaten down by rising gas prices last year, are now willing to spend the extra money for more fuel-efficient, advanced-powertrain vehicles as gas prices continue to rise.

The sales surge was led, of course, by the Prius.

The sales surge was led, of course, by the Prius, which moved 28,711 vehicles, up 54 percent from a year earlier. Toyota, in fact, set an all-time U.S. monthly sales record for the Prius, which was introduced here in 2000. Fueling the increase was a combination of a broader range of models - the Prius C compact and Prius V wagon both debuted in the U.S. this year - and 2011 sales figures that were held down by supply constraints stemming from the earthquake and ensuing tsunami that struck Japan last March.

Meanwhile, sales of Toyota's non-Prius vehicles, including the Camry and Highlander, jumped 61 percent from a year earlier to 6,011 vehicles. And, while Toyota didn't break out Camry Hybrid sales, the Camry's overall sales jumped 35 percent from a year earlier to a March-record 42,567 vehicles, hinting that the updated Camry Hybrid that was introduced late last year has been well-received. Sales of hybrids under Toyota's Lexus luxury badge were up 5.8 percent.

As for the Volt, General Motors sold 2,289 units last month, more than triple the Volt's year-earlier sales and beating previous monthly record from December 2011 of 1,529 Volts. With such record sales, GM may shorten the five-week Volt shutdown that started March 19 by a week, and the automaker made good on former GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz's prediction last month that March would mark record sales for the model. In fact, when factoring in the estimated 2,500 Buick LaCrosses, Buick Regals and Chevrolet Malibus sold with the eAssist mild hybrid powertrains, GM sold almost 4,800 hybrids and plug-in hybrids in March. That's more than the hybrids sold by Ford and Honda combined.

While Nissan Leaf battery-electric vehicle sales weren't as gaudy, they still almost doubled from a year earlier to 579 units.

While Nissan Leaf battery-electric vehicle sales weren't as gaudy, they still almost doubled from a year earlier to 579 units, and were also up from 478 Leafs in February. Additionally, in the smaller victories department, Mitsubishi sold 52 of its i battery-electric vehicles, beating the previous monthly record in February of 44 vehicles, while sales of Porsche's Cayenne and Panamera Hybrids jumped a combined 46 percent from a year earlier to 167 vehicles.

Since late last year, the average price of regular gas has jumped almost another 60 cents a gallon and is approaching the $4 mark, according to AAA. Determining how much such gas prices drove up alt-fuel vehicle sales is tough to determine because makers of smaller-production hybrids such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz don't break out hybrid numbers, and Audi didn't break out diesel sales a year ago.

U.S. sales of hybrids, battery-electrics and diesels increased about 38 percent to more than 57,000 vehicles in March.

Still, with most of the alt-fuel market accounted for, U.S. sales of hybrids, battery-electrics and diesels increased about 38 percent to more than 57,000 vehicles in March, with the Prius, as usual, accounting for about half the market. Additionally, Volkswagen's diesel sales appeared to spike from the rising gas prices, jumping 44 percent from a year earlier to 8,452 units.

Toyota, GM, Nissan and VW's alt-fuel sales more than offset continually lagging hybrid sales from Ford and Honda. Ford sold 1,797 hybrids, down 45 percent from a year earlier, and Ford Fusion Hybrid sales dropped 31 percent from a year earlier. Ford Escape Hybrid sales plunged 86 percent.

Honda, who, like Toyota, suffered from supply constraints last year, fared even worse than Ford. Honda's hybrid sales were cut in half from March 2011. While Civic Hybrid sales actually doubled from a year earlier, CR-Z sales dropped 68 percent and sales of the Insight, which was designed to challenge the Prius for hybrid supremacy, plunged 63 percent. Overall, Honda sold 2,475 hybrids, down from 4,908 a year earlier.

See the details in our chart after the jump.

Continue reading Monthly record sales for Prius, Volt help drive up March alt-fuel sales almost 40%

Monthly record sales for Prius, Volt help drive up March alt-fuel sales almost 40% originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>by the numberschevroletdieseldiesel saleselectric vehiclegreen vehicle saleshybridhybrid salesleafmarchmonthly recordnissanplug-in hybridpriusrecordtoyotau.s. salesvoltFri, 06 Apr 2012 16:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20208964/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20208964/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/06/monthly-record-sales-for-prius-volt-help-drive-up-march-alt-fue/20208964/article-detail.xml 20208964 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/green-vehicle-sales-1332146386_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/green-vehicle-sales-1332146386.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Porsche Cayenne Diesel introduces North Americans to its oil-burning performance]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/04/2013-porsche-cayenne-new-york-2012/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/04/2013-porsche-cayenne-new-york-2012/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/04/2013-porsche-cayenne-new-york-2012/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2013 Porsche Cayenne Diesel live unveiling at New York Auto Show

North Americans are going to get their first taste of an oil-burning Porsche this September when the German automaker releases its 2013 Cayenne Diesel. Europeans have been enjoying the Cayenne Diesel since 2009 - it is one of the most popular engine choices for the SUV on the other side of the Pond - but its tailpipe emissions have kept it out of our grasp, until now.

The updated engine is a second-generation turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, rated at 240 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Mated to a standard eight-speed automatic transmission, the automaker says it will run to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 135 mph. The Cayenne Diesel is rated to tow a segment-leading 7,716 pounds and boasts a highway range of 740 miles thanks to its 28 mpg highway rating.

While Autoblog has enjoyed the European Cayenne Diesel extensively overseas (we have done 140-plus mph on the German Autobahn without breaking a sweat), North Americans are getting a new diesel-powered V6 that has been engineered to meet Tier 2 BIN5 emissions standards for our domestic marketplace - the engine utilizes a urea solution (diesel exhaust fluid, trademarked as AdBlue) to satisfy the EPA. (We expect the second-generation engine to find its way under the hood of the Volkswagen Touareg TDI in the very near future.)

Arriving later this year, the Cayenne Diesel will carry a base sticker price of $55,750, not including a $975 destination charge.

Continue reading 2013 Porsche Cayenne Diesel introduces North Americans to its oil-burning performance

2013 Porsche Cayenne Diesel introduces North Americans to its oil-burning performance originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 13:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 cayenne diesel2013 porsche cayenne dieselcayennecayenne dieseldieselnew yorknew york 2012new york auto showporsche dieselWed, 04 Apr 2012 13:53:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20208495/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20208495/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/04/2013-porsche-cayenne-new-york-2012/20208495/article-detail.xml 20208495 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/2013-porsche-cayenne-diesel-ny-1333546860_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/2013-porsche-cayenne-diesel-ny-1333546860.jpg <![CDATA[In deep with Volkswagen's 'most-of-the-above' alt-fuel strategy]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/03/in-deep-with-volkswagens-most-of-the-above-alt-fuel-strategy/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/03/in-deep-with-volkswagens-most-of-the-above-alt-fuel-strategy/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/03/in-deep-with-volkswagens-most-of-the-above-alt-fuel-strategy/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

VW steadily developing an interest in Das Plug-ins... and algae diesel



If there's one truth about alternative fuel plans espoused by most of the major automakers, it's that they like an "all of the above" approach. They'll try flex-fuel, offer you some plug-in cars, toy with diesels in the U.S. and work on hydrogen cars for a few years down the road. No one wants to "pick a winner," which is one reason why gas is still winning, but today's automakers are willing to see what alternatives are out there. Just as they've been doing for decades.

Volkswagen recently invited journalists to its Electronics Research Laboratory in Silicon Valley to show off some of these alternatives: the vehicles, powertrains and biofuel partnerships it's working on for a more fuel-efficient future. Taking note of the omission of a hydrogen program, what we saw in California proves that VW is ready to compete in a variety of ways, from the way it makes its cars to the way they move.

Let's start with some of VW's better sellers. We'll get to the cleaner, niche programs in a minute. VW's LEED Platinum-certified Chattanooga plant builds the Passat, and it will be capable of building 170,000 vehicles a year by the end of 2013 (this includes vehicles for export). The Passat is selling well - 8,189 were sold in February - and if you get the diesel-burning TDI Passat, you are rewarded with 43 miles per gallon (on the highway, says the EPA. Combined is 35 and you get 31 in the city). The gas-electric Jetta Hybrid is coming in late 2012 as a 2013 model. That car will use a 1.4 liter turbocharger engine with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, electric motor and lithium-ion battery to give an estimated 45 mpg (compare this to the TDI, which gets 42 mpg highway), and you can push the car up to 44 miles per hour in EV mode and go from 0-60 in less than nine seconds. It's logical to think that Volkswagen can expect good things from this car, since all-around Jetta sales were up 54.5 percent in 2011.

So, that's some of where VW stands today with its green vehicle work. To see what's next, scroll down.

Continue reading In deep with Volkswagen's 'most-of-the-above' alt-fuel strategy

In deep with Volkswagen's 'most-of-the-above' alt-fuel strategy originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 19:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amyrisbeetlee-golfelectric golfelectric vehiclegolfgolf evrenewable dieselsolazymetdivw dieselTue, 03 Apr 2012 19:41:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20199127/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20199127/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/03/in-deep-with-volkswagens-most-of-the-above-alt-fuel-strategy/20199127/article-detail.xml 20199127 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/e-golf-drive-17-628m_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/e-golf-drive-17-628m.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Porsche Cayenne Diesel offers monster torque, 28 MPG HWY]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/03/2013-porsche-cayenne-diesel-offers-monster-torque-28-mpg-hwy/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/03/2013-porsche-cayenne-diesel-offers-monster-torque-28-mpg-hwy/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/03/2013-porsche-cayenne-diesel-offers-monster-torque-28-mpg-hwy/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Porsche is getting in on the diesel craze with its first diesel-powered vehicle ever offered in the U.S. The 2013 Cayenne will be available with a turbo-diesel V6 option pumping out 240 horsepower, permanent all-wheel drive and a staggering 406 lb-ft of trailer-towing torque. That's enough power to propel the super-SUV to 60 in 7.2 seconds and 135 miles per hour on the track. That'll outrun your neighbor's base Cayenne by .2 seconds, but don't try to take on a Cayenne Turbo (0-60 in 4.4 seconds).

Porsche says the diesel's estimated fuel economy numbers are 20 city / 28 highway. The Volkswagen Touareg offers the same diesel engine but with 15 fewer horses and EPA estimates of 19/28 mpg. Bad news, however, for anyone who likes shifting their own gears. Looks like only the 8-speed Tiptronic will be available with the diesel.

While the least-expensive Cayenne will set you back at least $48,850, adding the diesel engine runs the base price up to $55,750. That's not too bad when you consider the platform-sharing Touareg TDI starts at just below $47k and runs all the way up to $59k for the Executive level VW.

Car spotters can ID the latest Cayenne variant by the "Diesel" badges behind the front wheel wells.

Check out the gallery above for more pics and scroll down for the official details from Porsche.

Continue reading 2013 Porsche Cayenne Diesel offers monster torque, 28 MPG HWY

2013 Porsche Cayenne Diesel offers monster torque, 28 MPG HWY originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 porsche cayenne dieselcayennecayenne dieseldieselnew yorknew york 2012new york auto showporschesuvTue, 03 Apr 2012 09:30:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20206723/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20206723/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/03/2013-porsche-cayenne-diesel-offers-monster-torque-28-mpg-hwy/20206723/article-detail.xml 20206723 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/01e2phantomgrafikpriol-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/01e2phantomgrafikpriol-opt.jpg <![CDATA[BMW delivers first 40 of 4,000 vehicles destined for London Olympics]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/28/bmw-delivers-first-40-of-4-000-vehicles-destined-for-london-olym/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/28/bmw-delivers-first-40-of-4-000-vehicles-destined-for-london-olym/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/28/bmw-delivers-first-40-of-4-000-vehicles-destined-for-london-olym/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

BMW 320d and 520d for London Olympics

We couldn't fault you if it came as no great surprise that BMW was the main automotive sponsor of this summer's Olympic games in London. The Bavarian automaker has, after all, done its homework to promote the partnership, launching special edition 1 and 3 Series, a pair of special edition Minis, a commercial using the new M5, and a video series profiling specific athletes, all to highlight the point. But the biggest way BMW will be participating in the event is with the massive fleet of vehicles it is providing to the organizers.

All in all, BMW will be furnishing the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralymic Games (LOCOG) with a whopping 4,000 vehicles. The fleet is made up of diesel, hybrid and electric cars (sound familiar?), plus motorcycles and bicycles. And because LOCOG has set a low CO2 target for the big event, each vehicle averages less than 120g of CO2 per kilometer.

The first 40 specially liveried vehicles, BMW announced, have now been delivered, including examples of the 520d and 320d. All the German automaker has left is multiply those a hundredfold and it'll be ready for the big games.

Continue reading BMW delivers first 40 of 4,000 vehicles destined for London Olympics

BMW delivers first 40 of 4,000 vehicles destined for London Olympics originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 11:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwlocoglondon 2012london olympicslondon organising committee of the olympic and paralympic gameslondon organising committee of the olympic gamesolympicsWed, 28 Mar 2012 11:49:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20202849/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20202849/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/28/bmw-delivers-first-40-of-4-000-vehicles-destined-for-london-olym/20202849/article-detail.xml 20202849 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/web-bmw-olympics_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/web-bmw-olympics.jpg <![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz diesel emissions fluid can cost up to $32 a gallon]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/27/mercedes-benz-diesel-emissions-fluid-can-cost-up-to-32-a-gallon/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/27/mercedes-benz-diesel-emissions-fluid-can-cost-up-to-32-a-gallon/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/27/mercedes-benz-diesel-emissions-fluid-can-cost-up-to-32-a-gallon/#commentsFiled under: ,



Mercedes-Benz dealers heavily marking up service products? You don't say.

Drivers of Benz's turbodiesel-powered ML350 BlueTEC 4Matic are obliged to periodically refill the vehicle's supply of diesel emissions fluid, which is made up of urea crystals in mineralized water and which is required to turn some of the SUV's exhaust from nitrogen oxides to nitrogen and water, according to The New York Times. Once those fluids run out, the SUV shuts down.

With that prospect in mind, some dealers are charging as much as $32 for a gallon for the fluid that's good for about 1,500 miles, according to the Times. So, with the SUV getting a combined 22 miles per gallon, that equates to an additional 47 cents for each gallon of diesel used. Most Benz buyers won't lose sleep over that, but it certainly offsets much of the $450 a year the EPA says diesel buyers save in refueling costs relative to the gas-powered version of the SUV.

The good news, according to the newspaper, is that stores such as Napa Auto Parts and AutoZone sell jugs of the fluid for about $5.20 a gallon, though a Mercedes-Benz spokeswoman said D.I.Y.-ers lose out on the dealers' flushing out of the system and risk the fluid crystallizing if it sits for two long. Whether that's worth the sixfold mark-up depends on the driver and his or her income-tax bracket.

Mercedes-Benz diesel emissions fluid can cost up to $32 a gallon originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 18:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blueteccrystalsdealersdiesel emissions fluidmarkupmercedes-benzml350ureaTue, 27 Mar 2012 18:04:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20202160/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20202160/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/27/mercedes-benz-diesel-emissions-fluid-can-cost-up-to-32-a-gallon/20202160/article-detail.xml 20202160 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/mbml350_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/mbml350.jpg <![CDATA[Groundbreaking pre-production Volkswagen XL1 caught testing on the ice]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/19/groundbreaking-pre-production-volkswagen-xl1-caught-testing-on-t/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/19/groundbreaking-pre-production-volkswagen-xl1-caught-testing-on-t/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/19/groundbreaking-pre-production-volkswagen-xl1-caught-testing-on-t/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Volkswagen XL1

Just over one year ago, we heard reports suggesting that Volkswagen would actually be building a production version of its Formula XL1 concept for limited consumption. And while the skeptics among us were quick to dismiss these reports with a resounding "yeah, right," this latest set of spy shots show that Volkswagen is indeed making progress on an honest-to-goodness road-going model of its 1.0-liter fuel economy warrior.

It's still unclear exactly what will power the production XL1, though the concept car featured a two-cylinder TDI diesel paired with an electric motor, lithium-ion battery pack and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. All in, this is said to be good for an astonishing 235 miles per gallon. It might look big and sleek, but the XL1 is about as long and wide as a Volkswagen Polo. It should be ultra-light, too - the concept version tipped the scales at just 1,753 pounds.

The XL1 might look sleek and sporty, but performance will be anything but. The latest reports state that the production car will be limited to a top speed of about 75 miles per hour, and that it'll take 32(!) seconds to shoot from a stand-still to 50 mph.

We'll keep our eyes peeled for future XL1 prototypes as development continues, but for now, scroll through our attached high-res image gallery to see the space-age VW for yourself.

Groundbreaking pre-production Volkswagen XL1 caught testing on the ice originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclespy photosspy picsspy shotsvolkswagenvwxl1Mon, 19 Mar 2012 08:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20195910/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20195910/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/19/groundbreaking-pre-production-volkswagen-xl1-caught-testing-on-t/20195910/article-detail.xml 20195910 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/01-volkswagen-xl1-spy-shots628opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/01-volkswagen-xl1-spy-shots628opt.jpg <![CDATA[2012 Hyundai i20 boasts sleek style, top-notch efficiency]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/08/2012-hyundai-i20-geneva-2012/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/08/2012-hyundai-i20-geneva-2012/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/08/2012-hyundai-i20-geneva-2012/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2012 Hyundai i20

Hyundai has unveiled what it calls the most environmentally friendly, conventional-engined vehicle sold on the planet - the all-new i20.

We called the first i20 "one sharply dressed econo car," and this new model gets a family-familiar hexagonal grille and swept-back, cat-eye headlights and fog lamps. Much of the car's profile and rear are carried over from last year's model with the exception of the tweaked taillights and some shiny new shoes.

The biggest news, however, is the fact that four engines will be on tap. On the greenest end of the scale is a 1.1-liter three-cylinder diesel. With about 74 hp, the little oil-burner generates only 84 g/km of CO2. That's pretty impressive considering the crazy-efficient 2012 Toyota Prius C breathes out about 110 g/km.

The downside? The i20 isn't available in the U.S. (Surprise, surprise.) Follow the jump for the full details in Hyundai's press blast.

Continue reading 2012 Hyundai i20 boasts sleek style, top-notch efficiency

2012 Hyundai i20 boasts sleek style, top-notch efficiency originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 hyundai i20genevageneva 2012geneva motor showhyundaii20Thu, 08 Mar 2012 14:02:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20188947/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20188947/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/08/2012-hyundai-i20-geneva-2012/20188947/article-detail.xml 20188947 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/2012-hyundai-i20-geneva-1331123100_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/2012-hyundai-i20-geneva-1331123100.jpg <![CDATA[Carbon Motors' $310 million DOE loan for police-car production rejected]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/08/carbon-motors-310-million-doe-loan-for-police-car-production-r/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/08/carbon-motors-310-million-doe-loan-for-police-car-production-r/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/08/carbon-motors-310-million-doe-loan-for-police-car-production-r/#commentsFiled under:



Carbon Motors, maker of the purpose-built E7 police car, won't receive the $310 million in U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) loans under the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing (ATVM) program that it applied for almost three years ago, and said that it's a victim of politics.

"We are outraged by the actions of the DOE and it is clear that this was a political decision in a highly-charged, election year environment," Carbon Motors William Santana Li said in a statement. The company added that it was "actively examining its strategic and financing alternatives."

Carbon Motors says its vehicles will save government entities money because they get better fuel economy and they're purpose-built, meaning that factory vehicles don't need to be retrofitted. Carbon Motors has said its diesel-powered cars may cut law-enforcement fuel use and greenhouse-gas emissions by as much as 40 percent, and that building such cars may create as many as 10,000 jobs. The car was to feature a BMW 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine.

The company says it's received about $200 million worth of financial commitments from private and public sources and has taken orders from more than 500 law-enforcement agencies for more than 20,000 cars.

Last December, the company sent an open letter urging the Obama Administration to push the DOE to approve the loan.

The federal loan process has vexed other automotive companies. Bright Automotive, which was to make extended-range plug-in utility vehicles, publicly pleaded with the government to process its application for a $400 million loan in January. Last month, that company went out of business.

Meanwhile, Fisker Automotive, maker of the extended-range plug-in sports sedan Karma, has been fielding questions about its future after the company in early February laid off workers. Fisker has received less than $200 million of the $529 million loan it was slated to get from the DOE.

Continue reading Carbon Motors' $310 million DOE loan for police-car production rejected

Carbon Motors' $310 million DOE loan for police-car production rejected originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atvmbmwcarbon motorsdieseldoe loanse7law enforcementloanloanspoliceu.s. department of energyThu, 08 Mar 2012 09:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20188641/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20188641/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/08/carbon-motors-310-million-doe-loan-for-police-car-production-r/20188641/article-detail.xml 20188641 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/carbon-motors-e7_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/carbon-motors-e7.jpg <![CDATA[Handsome Volkswagen Cross Coupé turns red, gains diesel plug-in tech]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/06/volkswagen-cross-coupe-phev-diesel-concept-geneva-2012/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/06/volkswagen-cross-coupe-phev-diesel-concept-geneva-2012/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/06/volkswagen-cross-coupe-phev-diesel-concept-geneva-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



While technically still a concept, Volkswagen has rolled out another version of its Cross Coupé that first debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show last November. The handsome compact crossover rides on VW's new transverse matrix architecture and it's smaller than you think, which means it should be rather entertaining to drive with this iteration's TDI diesel plug-in hybrid powertrain boasting a combined 302 horsepower.

Reaching 62 miles per hour in 6.5 seconds and pushing on to a top speed of 137 mph, the Cross Coupé seems to offer a solid amount of entertainment along with impressive thrift. On the European cycle, VW says this vehicle should be good for an impressive 130 miles per gallon equivalent, thanks in part to a pure electric range of 28 miles.

We weren't able to get inside the Cross Coupé concept this time, but if the Tokyo show star was any indication, this vehicle looks production ready - though perhaps without this showcar's exotic powertrain. Check it out in our full gallery and look in on the official press release after the jump.

Continue reading Handsome Volkswagen Cross Coupé turns red, gains diesel plug-in tech

Handsome Volkswagen Cross Coupé turns red, gains diesel plug-in tech originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cross coupecrosscoupegenevageneva 2012geneva motor showvolkswagenvolkswagen cross coupevwTue, 06 Mar 2012 08:45:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20186696/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20186696/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/06/volkswagen-cross-coupe-phev-diesel-concept-geneva-2012/20186696/article-detail.xml 20186696 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/volkswagen-cross-coupe-phev-628-1331027551_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/volkswagen-cross-coupe-phev-628-1331027551.jpg -1 2