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[Chevy engineer squeezes 900 miles from one tank in 2014 Cruze Diesel]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/chevy-engineer-squeezes-900-miles-one-tank-2014-cruze-diesel/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/chevy-engineer-squeezes-900-miles-one-tank-2014-cruze-diesel/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/chevy-engineer-squeezes-900-miles-one-tank-2014-cruze-diesel/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Chevrolet Cruze Diesel

Tessa Baughman didn't exactly set any speed records on a recent visit to her Arkansas family from Michigan, unless you factor in the time saved on not filling up a few times.

The energy engineer for the Chevy Cruze Diesel, interviewed in a short General Motors video (available below), said she was able to go 900 miles on a single tank during the first leg of the drive. The catch is that she drove "five below speed limit" the whole way down, but she certainly more than backed up the EPA's Cruze Diesel fuel-economy rating of 46 miles per gallon, the best of any non-hybrid vehicle. Heck, that's a well-north-of-50 mpg pace for the model, which comes equipped with low rolling-resistance tires, a six-speed automatic transmission, tire deflectors and other fuel-saving features.

Baughman went at a slightly brisker pace on the way back, i.e. with the flow of traffic, but was still able to wring 800 miles between fill-ups. We're guessing there were no speeding tickets involved, either.

Continue reading Chevy engineer squeezes 900 miles from one tank in 2014 Cruze Diesel

Chevy engineer squeezes 900 miles from one tank in 2014 Cruze Diesel originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 14 May 2013 07:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arkansaschevrolet cruzechevrolet cruze dieseldieselfull tankmpgtessa baughmanTue, 14 May 2013 07:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20567242/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20567242/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/14/chevy-engineer-squeezes-900-miles-one-tank-2014-cruze-diesel/20567242/article-detail.xml 20567242 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/cruzediesel-1368480064_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/cruzediesel-1368480064.jpg <![CDATA[GM 'thanked' by biodiesel groups for making the Cruze Diesel B20-ready]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/12/gm-thanked-by-biodiesel-groups-for-making-the-cruze-diesel-b20/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/12/gm-thanked-by-biodiesel-groups-for-making-the-cruze-diesel-b20/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/12/gm-thanked-by-biodiesel-groups-for-making-the-cruze-diesel-b20/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2014 chevy cruze

As if one of the world's largest automakers needed additional advertisement, General Motors now is getting big-time support from biodiesel advocates for being the first US automaker to have made one of its light-duty models be able to run on diesel with a 20 percent biodiesel mix, i.e. B20. The National Biodiesel Board calls GM "proactive and progressive" for making its 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel B20-ready. Biodiesel Magazine even goes so far as to instruct its readers to "tell GM thanks."

Marking a long-awaited return to diesel powertrains for its cars, GM said last month that the Chevy Cruze Diesel would get an EPA-rated 46 miles per gallon highway, the best of "any non-hybrid passenger car in America." GM says the car will be able to go as far as 700 miles on a tank. Another way to look at that number is up to 140 biodiesel miles per tank.

GM 'thanked' by biodiesel groups for making the Cruze Diesel B20-ready originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 12 May 2013 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biodieselchevroletchevycruzedieselgeneral motorsgmSun, 12 May 2013 09:15:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20564254/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20564254/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/12/gm-thanked-by-biodiesel-groups-for-making-the-cruze-diesel-b20/20564254/article-detail.xml 20564254 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2014-chevrolet-cruze-diesel-chicago_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2014-chevrolet-cruze-diesel-chicago.jpg <![CDATA[Diesel, hybrid sales rocket past overall US market growth rate]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/diesel-hybrid-sales-us-market/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/diesel-hybrid-sales-us-market/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/diesel-hybrid-sales-us-market/#commentsFiled under: , ,

vw jetta tdi logo

Hybrid sales have grown rapidly in the US during the past couple of years - well outpacing the overall automotive market - and it looks like diesel sales are beginning to follow that trajectory as well.

US hybrid light-duty vehicle registrations have jumped 34 percent from 2010 through the end of 2012 and diesel sales are up 24 percent to about 797,000 from about 641,000 two years earlier, diesel advocate Diesel Technology Forum says (citing a study conducted by R.L. Polk at the DLF's request). The important thing to note is that, during the same period, total vehicle registrations were up less than three percent, indicating that more consumers are turning to green vehicles in order to address rising gas prices. It will likely not surprise anyone that California, Massachusetts and New York had the fastest growth rates for diesel sales.

Check out the Diesel Technology Forum's press release below and you can more of the gory numerical details in the gallery below. We've been tracking all green vehicle sales in our monthly series as you can see in the March 2013 numbers, the latest available. Last year, Volkswagen boosted its clean-diesel sales by 32 percent to almost 82,000 vehicles, while Audi diesel sales held steady at about 7,200 units.

Continue reading Diesel, hybrid sales rocket past overall US market growth rate

Diesel, hybrid sales rocket past overall US market growth rate originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audidieselhybridsalestdivolkswagenMon, 29 Apr 2013 18:31:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20551841/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20551841/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/29/diesel-hybrid-sales-us-market/20551841/article-detail.xml 20551841 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-logo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-logo.jpg <![CDATA[GM's Opel may add electric side to diesel engines]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/15/gms-opel-may-add-electric-side-to-diesel-engines/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/15/gms-opel-may-add-electric-side-to-diesel-engines/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/15/gms-opel-may-add-electric-side-to-diesel-engines/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


General Motors' Opel division is confident that its slate of diesel engines will allow it to meet stricter European emissions standards set for 2020. As for the even stricter ones expected in 2025? Not so much.

Stop us if you've heard this before, but that's why Opel says it will consider adding hybrid-electric options to some of its diesel powertrains in the next few years, Automotive News says, citing an interview with General Motors executive Pierpaolo Antonioli. As it is, Opel is upgrading 80 percent of its engine inventory during the next three years to meet the fleetwide European requirements of a 130 grams per kilometer emissions limit for 2015. Opel's next engine to debut is a 1.6-liter diesel coming to the Zafira Tourer minivan later this year.

By going diesel-electric, Opel would be joining a number of automakers. Mitsubishi debuted a diesel-hybrid pickup truck concept at the Geneva Motor Show in February and Volvo started selling its V60 Plug-in Hybrid Diesel in November. Peugeot has been selling its diesel-hybrid 3008 HYbrid4 in Europe since 2011.

GM's Opel may add electric side to diesel engines originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 15 Apr 2013 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dieselelectricemissionseueuropeeuropean uniongeneral motorshybridopelplug-invauxhallMon, 15 Apr 2013 17:55:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20539339/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20539339/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/15/gms-opel-may-add-electric-side-to-diesel-engines/20539339/article-detail.xml 20539339 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/opel-logo-new_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/opel-logo-new.jpg <![CDATA[Audi ad under fire in UK for 'inaccurate representation' of MPG]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/08/audi-ad-under-fire-in-uk-for-inaccurate-representation-of-mpg/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/08/audi-ad-under-fire-in-uk-for-inaccurate-representation-of-mpg/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/08/audi-ad-under-fire-in-uk-for-inaccurate-representation-of-mpg/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2013 audi a3

The advertised vs. real-world mileage discrepancy that Americans are becoming very familiar with - see Hyundai/Kia and Ford - are not limited to our part of the world. Over in the UK, Audi is involved in what could be, in the words of The Guardian, a "landmark case" by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

The crux of the matter is whether or not car companies can say what the official government miles per gallon figures are without also saying that they "may not reflect real driving." In the ASA case, Audi admitted that the official numbers for the A3 1.6 TDI (68.9 mpg, on the lenient European cycle), "did not give an accurate representation of the actual fuel consumption which could be expected from any particular vehicle and were provided only to enable comparisons between different vehicles or models" but still wants to use them in ads because consumers are aware of this. The ASA says the not-so-accurate-representation is not, in fact, obvious to buyers, and therefore Audi needs to put up qualifying asterisks - otherwise it runs afoul of the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) Codes. If the case goes in favor of the ASA, all car ads in the UK would need to have these disclaimers.

Last year, the ASA took an ad for the Chevrolet Volt's sister vehicle, the Vauxhall Ampera, off the air because the driving range claim was found to be misleading.

Audi ad under fire in UK for 'inaccurate representation' of MPG originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 08 Apr 2013 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mon, 08 Apr 2013 15:55:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20533907/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20533907/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/08/audi-ad-under-fire-in-uk-for-inaccurate-representation-of-mpg/20533907/article-detail.xml 20533907 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2013-audi-a3_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2013-audi-a3.jpg <![CDATA[Shell Eco-marathon 2013: Notes from Day 1, will 2,545 mpg be beat?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/05/shell-eco-marathon-2013-day-1/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/05/shell-eco-marathon-2013-day-1/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/05/shell-eco-marathon-2013-day-1/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Shell Eco-marathon 2013 Americas: Day 1

The Shell Eco-marathon Americas 2013 kicked off in Houston, TX this morning with a twist on the usual: Ladies and gentlemen, start your fuel-efficient engines. The area around Discovery Green was buzzing with high school and college students, all here with one mission: go as far as possible on as little fuel as possible. Last year, the winning team in the internal combustion category got 2,564.8 miles per gallon. That's quite an increase since the first Eco-marathon back in 1939, when the winner of a bet between two Shell engineers managed to get 49.72 mpg.

But today wasn't for competition. Not yet. Instead, it was a day for getting ready, with teams passing safety inspections, taking test runs around the urban track (the event takes place downtown) and making lots of last-minute modifications. We saw hacksaws, drills and hammers all being used with abandon around the paddock. Seeing a group of high school students cheer when their car's brakes worked, for instance, is something we just don't see everyday. Tomorrow, the competition really gets started, but we could feel the tension building today.

There are over 120 teams fielding 140 different vehicles in this year's Eco-marathon. Most of them are powered by gasoline or batteries (62 and 43, respectively). The rest of the powertrains use diesel (11), hydrogen (11), 100-percent ethanol (8) of 100-percent Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (5). The 140 vehicles are divided into two categories, "prototype" and "urban concept." You can investigate all the teams at the Eco-marathon site here and stay tuned for more coverage throughout the weekend. If there's any team you'd like us to check out, let us know in the comments below. Oh, and there also some Shell promotional videos below.

Now, we'll be delving into the PR stunt vs. real-world value of the Shell Eco-marathon debate in future posts, but for now we cannot let this post go to press without a mention of the area's recent oil spill. It wasn't big, as far as oil spills go, but 50 barrels (2,100 gallons) of crude spilled from a Shell pipeline into the Vince Bayou, which connects to the Houston Ship Channel and the Gulf of Mexico this week. In Eco-marathon terms, that's a lot - enough fuel to move a vehicle like a bazillion miles.

Continue reading Shell Eco-marathon 2013: Notes from Day 1, will 2,545 mpg be beat?

Shell Eco-marathon 2013: Notes from Day 1, will 2,545 mpg be beat? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 05 Apr 2013 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>challengecollegeeco-marathonfuel economyhigh schoolmpgshellshell eco marathonFri, 05 Apr 2013 19:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20532279/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20532279/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/05/shell-eco-marathon-2013-day-1/20532279/article-detail.xml 20532279 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/shell-eco-marathon-start_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/shell-eco-marathon-start.jpg <![CDATA[Translogic visits Solazyme, finds algae diesel works well in VW Jetta TDI, navy ships]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/05/translogic-solazyme-algae-diesel-vw-jetta-tdi/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/05/translogic-solazyme-algae-diesel-vw-jetta-tdi/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/05/translogic-solazyme-algae-diesel-vw-jetta-tdi/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

vw jetta tdi solazyme diesel

As we learned when we visited last fall, Solazyme is doing some interesting things in its South San Francisco lab. Now, our friends over at Translogic put together a video showing the algae-derived diesel being used in a Volkswagen Passat TDI - as well as getting burned by the US Navy.

Translogic's Bradley Hasemeyer interviewed Graham Ellis, vice president at Solazyme, to understand the process at work here. When making the algae-derived diesel (it's not right to call it biodiesel), they start from sugarcane and take in a couple million tons into the front end of their plant. That sugar is then processed through fermentation. The algae sits there and eats, growing big and fat, becoming little round oil balls. The lab workers dry and extract the oil, which is then turned into diesel. It's a drop-in replacement - which means it works like regular diesel - and Ellis calls it a "fantastic premium material." You can watch the video below.

Solzyme provided algae jet fuel to United Airlines for a flight between Houston and Chicago.

Solzyme provided algae jet fuel to United Airlines for a flight between Houston and Chicago. It worked very well, Ellis said. The Navy has sponsored the company to produce its first biofuels. It was also tested at the Rim of the Pacific (Rimpac) Exercise last year, which is the world's largest international maritime warfare exercise. The Navy is going with a blend of 50/50 between Solazyme's fuel and regular fuels, but that number could go higher.

During a test drive, Hasemeyer heard more about what's been learned from the Volkswagen Passat TDI project. They've found it combusts much faster than running it on regular diesel and it produces less particulate matter, less soot and less C02.

Solazyme's primary plant in Peoria, IL, produces over 500,000 gallons of oil annually. The company also has a large plant in Brazil that's coming online soon. That plant will, conveniently located near sugarcane, will produce over 100,000 tons of oil a year.

Will algae-derived diesel take over the market? Ellis doesn't think so, saying the end result will likely be more of a "silver buckshot" than a silver bullet, meaning algae diesel could be one of a number of solutions.

Translogic visits Solazyme, finds algae diesel works well in VW Jetta TDI, navy ships originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>algaebiodieseldieseljet fuelpassatsolazymesugar canetdivolkswagenFri, 05 Apr 2013 14:02:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20530350/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20530350/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/05/translogic-solazyme-algae-diesel-vw-jetta-tdi/20530350/article-detail.xml 20530350 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/vw-jetta-tdi-solazyme-diesel-1365121472_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/vw-jetta-tdi-solazyme-diesel-1365121472.png <![CDATA[Diesel benefits shrink as gas engines get more fuel-efficient, torquier]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/02/diesel-benefits-shrink-gas-engines-fuel-efficient-torque/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/02/diesel-benefits-shrink-gas-engines-fuel-efficient-torque/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/02/diesel-benefits-shrink-gas-engines-fuel-efficient-torque/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Chevrolet Cruze Diesel

Could all of the work some automakers are doing to increase diesel engine adoption in the US be going up in a cloud of smoke? Maybe so, as torquier and more fuel-efficient gasoline engines and cheapening hybrid technology are cutting into what had been perceived as the advantages of diesel drivetrains, the Detroit News says.

While companies like General Motors and Chrysler have announced plans to add diesel models, Ford, Toyota and Hyundai are eschewing the technology for passenger cars. Hyundai CEO John Krafcik estimated that a diesel-powered car costs, on average, $5,000 more than a similar gas-powered car, while the price premium for hybrid-powered vehicles is about $1,500.

US diesel sales jumped 25 percent last year, but diesels still only account for 2.7 percent of the overall market.

Additionally, gas engines are being developed to deliver more torque at the low end, which provides one of diesels benefits without the drawback of (currently) about 36 cents more per gallon compared to regular unleaded. While US diesel-vehicle sales did jump 25 percent last year, they still only account for about 2.7 percent of new US cars, or slightly less than hybrids' market share, the newspaper says, citing Edmunds. Diesels account for about half of the new vehicles sold in Europe.

In February, General Motors unveiled the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel, which will be GM's first diesel passenger car in the US since the 1986 Chevrolet Chevette. The Cruze Diesel, which is turbocharged, will deliver 148 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque as well as 42 miles per gallon highway fuel economy.

Late last year, Germany's largest automakers, including Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, joined up for their "Clean Diesel. Clearly Better." campaign, which promoted diesels as a relatively inexpensive way to boost fuel economy and combat rising refueling prices. Last year, VW's clean-diesel sales jumped 32 percent from 2011 to almost 83,000 units, while diesel sales for Audi in the US were down 1.6 percent to 7,179 vehicles.

Diesel benefits shrink as gas engines get more fuel-efficient, torquier originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 02 Apr 2013 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dieselfuel efficiencygas enginegasolinempgtorqueTue, 02 Apr 2013 18:31:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20525919/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20525919/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/02/diesel-benefits-shrink-gas-engines-fuel-efficient-torque/20525919/article-detail.xml 20525919 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/cruzediesel_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/cruzediesel.jpg <![CDATA[VW hints hyper-efficient, 260-mpg XL1 could come to US, but only to show off]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/01/vw-hints-hyper-efficient-260-mpg-xl1-could-come-to-us/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/01/vw-hints-hyper-efficient-260-mpg-xl1-could-come-to-us/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/01/vw-hints-hyper-efficient-260-mpg-xl1-could-come-to-us/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Volkswagen XL1 - white - front three-quarter view

While the limited-production Volkswagen XL1 diesel-hybrid coupe is earmarked for Europe, a small number of the super-light vehicles may find their way to this side of the pond, Plug In Cars says, citing an interview with Volkswagen of America CEO Jonathan Browning.

As many as 20 of the projected 250 XL1s may be brought to the US for testing, though how VW would get around the fact that the car's haven't been safety-tested for American roads remains to be seen. We asked VW of America's manager of product and technology communications, Mark Gillies, who poured water on the idea of the XL1 being available in the US: "Not happening. Ever." Gillies did say some XL1 might come here as part of a publicity effort or test drive, but that's about it. Thus, the car won't be sold in America, but a few examples might be spotted here.

Weighing about 1,750 pounds - about 60 pounds less than a Smart ForTwo - the XL1 gets an astonishing 260 miles per gallon. That means that even with a fuel tank that holds just 2.64 gallons, the VW can go upwards towards 700 miles on a full tank of diesel. The car combines a 0.8-liter turbocharged two-cylinder diesel engine with a 27-horsepower electric motor. It's loud and proud of its efficiency numbers, as you can read in our recent first-drive review.

VW hints hyper-efficient, 260-mpg XL1 could come to US, but only to show off originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 01 Apr 2013 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dieseldiesel hybridhybridvolkswagenvwxl1Mon, 01 Apr 2013 15:30:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20524002/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20524002/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/01/vw-hints-hyper-efficient-260-mpg-xl1-could-come-to-us/20524002/article-detail.xml 20524002 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/vwxl1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/vwxl1.jpg <![CDATA[BMW 3-cylinder prototype engine sits pretty in 1 Series, will be better in i8 plug-in hybrid]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/27/bmw-3-cylinder-prototype-engine-1-series-i8-plug-in-hybrid/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/27/bmw-3-cylinder-prototype-engine-1-series-i8-plug-in-hybrid/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/27/bmw-3-cylinder-prototype-engine-1-series-i8-plug-in-hybrid/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

BMW 3-cylinder Prototype

The fact that the brand-new prototype three-cylinder, 1.5-liter gasoline engine from BMW finds itself in a 1 Series is almost accidental. Heidelinde Holzer, who works on powertrain predevelopment, powertrain functions and powertrain integration, told AutoblogGreen her team simply took the cars that were available. After all, when you're working on engines that are not destined to go into any vehicles in the near future - this has been a four-year project already - it's okay to test them in whatever mule you've got access to. The first production vehicle that will use the three-cylinder is the upcoming i8 plug-in hybrid, which isn't going to arrive until the first half of 2014. BMW didn't allow us to play around in one of those, so we had to make due with our 1 Series prototype test drives yesterday at BMW's Woodcliff Lake, NJ, headquarters.

Under a sky that alternated between bright and threatening-to-rain, two red 1 Series zipped around the BMW campus - we were not allowed to take them on public roads - between technical sessions about the engine, the upcoming four-cylinder 328d diesel and BMW's new suite of apps. According to what we saw, future Bimmers are going to get a lot more efficient and a whole lot more connected.

Continue reading BMW 3-cylinder prototype engine sits pretty in 1 Series, will be better in i8 plug-in hybrid

BMW 3-cylinder prototype engine sits pretty in 1 Series, will be better in i8 plug-in hybrid originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 27 Mar 2013 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>328dbmwbmw 3-cylinder prototypebmw 328d sedanbmw connected appecalllteWed, 27 Mar 2013 08:27:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20518740/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20518740/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/27/bmw-3-cylinder-prototype-engine-1-series-i8-plug-in-hybrid/20518740/article-detail.xml 20518740 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/bmw-3-cylinder-prototype-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/bmw-3-cylinder-prototype-628.jpg <![CDATA[Audi to offer diesel-powered A4 in US next year after all]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/13/audi-to-offer-diesel-powered-a4-in-us-next-year-after-all/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/13/audi-to-offer-diesel-powered-a4-in-us-next-year-after-all/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/13/audi-to-offer-diesel-powered-a4-in-us-next-year-after-all/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2013 Audi A4 - front three-quarter view

Stop us if you've heard this one before: Audi has confirmed plans to offer a clean-diesel version of its A4 sedan in the US. Yes, you're right, the same news came out almost exactly two years ago, but then things changed and the marque's last diesels-in-the-US update dropped the A4 from the list. Now, citing Audi of America President Scott Keogh, Automotive News reports the oil-burning A4 is back on the schedule for the US next year.

The automaker will include a 2.0-liter TDI option on the redesigned A4 when it arrives in 2014. Keogh told reporters that, "This deep in its life cycle, it didn't make any sense to do all that dramatic re-engineering and re-architecting of the car to basically only have a two-year selling period."

Audi, which now offers TDI versions of its A3 hatchback and Q7 SUV, said in November that it would add diesel versions of the A6, A7, A8 and Q5 models in the US. The A8 will start sales this spring, while the A6, A7 and Q5 diesels will debut at US dealerships this fall.

Last year, Audi sold 7,179 diesels in the US, down 1.6 percent from 2011.

Audi to offer diesel-powered A4 in US next year after all originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 13 Mar 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2015 audi a4a4audidieseltdiWed, 13 Mar 2013 13:30:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20499803/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20499803/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/13/audi-to-offer-diesel-powered-a4-in-us-next-year-after-all/20499803/article-detail.xml 20499803 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/audia4_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/audia4.jpg <![CDATA[Citing "public health," French minister calls for higher diesel taxes]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/04/citing-public-health-french-minister-calls-for-higher-diesel/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/04/citing-public-health-french-minister-calls-for-higher-diesel/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/04/citing-public-health-french-minister-calls-for-higher-diesel/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Audi clean-diesel vehicle

France's environment minister says diesel fuel, which powers about 80 percent of the country's light-duty vehicles, should be taxed at higher levels for the sake of public health, Bloomberg News reports.

Delphine Batho, in a radio interview, said the idea of increasing diesel taxes is a "public health issue," and it also happens that a higher rate would boost France's tax revenue by $11 billion a year. French diesel-fuel taxes are about 25 cents less a gallon than gasoline because diesel is used in farm vehicles and commercial trucks.

Earlier this year, Jacqueline McGlade, executive director of the European Union's European Environment Agency, said that the higher nitrogen dioxide emissions from diesels nullified much of the gains from the greater fuel efficiency. In fact, the European Commission has said that nitrogen dioxide, combined with other pollutants such as particulate matter, may cause more than 400,000 premature deaths in Europe annually. The World Health Organization released a report last year saying that diesel emissions are linked to cancer.

Still, diesel-fuel demand in France rose 7.5 percent last year, and about three quarters of the country's new cars were diesel-powered. European automakers have long promoted diesel as a way to push fuel fleetwide fuel efficiency upwards.

In fact, late last year, some of Europe's largest automakers, including BMW, Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler and Volkswagen, joined together to push for more clean-diesel sales in the US in a campaign called "Clean Diesel. Clearly Better." Diesels account for about three percent of light-duty vehicle sales in the US.

Citing "public health," French minister calls for higher diesel taxes originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 04 Mar 2013 09:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Delphine BathodieselfrancefrenchnitrogenpollutiontaxesMon, 04 Mar 2013 09:54:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20485405/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20485405/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/04/citing-public-health-french-minister-calls-for-higher-diesel/20485405/article-detail.xml 20485405 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/audidiesel-1355346600-1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/audidiesel-1355346600-1.jpg <![CDATA[Chicago Auto Show will recreate 1895 road rally with alt-fuel vehicles]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/14/chicago-auto-show-recreate-1895-road-rally-alt-fuel/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/14/chicago-auto-show-recreate-1895-road-rally-alt-fuel/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/14/chicago-auto-show-recreate-1895-road-rally-alt-fuel/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Duryea

The Chicago Auto Show is pitching an alt-fuel road rally that's likely to be far quicker than the one that inspired it more than a century ago.

On February 15, 13 vehicles ranging from the Tesla Model S all-electric to the Ford C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid to the Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in to the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid will challenge each other in a rally that will start at the city's McCormick Place and run about four hours.

The race is inspired by 1895's Chicago Times-Herald Motor Race, regarded as the first road rally in US history. That "race" featured six vehicles attempting the 50-mile round trip between Chicago and Evanston, IL. Just two of the six vehicles finished, with the winner - a Duryea, pictured - crossing the finish line in about nine hours, according to The Henry Ford Museum website.

For anyone keeping track, That Racing Channel recently staged a drag race with a Model S and a Volt. The Tesla finished a quarter mile almost five seconds (and at 20 miles per hour) faster than the Volt.

Rounding out the Chicago Rally are the Nissan Leaf all-electric; Fisker Karma extended-range plug-in; Tesla Roadster EV; Toyota's Prius and Prius C hybrids and Prius plug-in hybrid; a Volkswagen Passat TDI diesel; a Via Motors Silverado extended-range plug-in; and a Smith Electric Delivery Vehicle. Check out the press release below.

Continue reading Chicago Auto Show will recreate 1895 road rally with alt-fuel vehicles

Chicago Auto Show will recreate 1895 road rally with alt-fuel vehicles originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 14 Feb 2013 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The California Construction Trucking Association has filed a notice of appeal with the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. It's the latest in a two-year legal battle against the California Air Resource Board's heavy-duty, on-road truck and bus regulations. The CARB diesel engine regulation will force the replacement of most diesel-powered commercial motor vehicles that don't meet 2010 US Environmental Protection Agency standards in order to operate in the state.

The CCTA originally filed its court case against CARB's regulation in March 2011, stating that it pre-empted the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act, which prohibits rules affecting the price, routes or services of motor carriers. The association believes that the CARB diesel engine regulation is causing small-business truckers to bear the brunt of the operating costs to replace trucks that were originally built and certified to meet EPA emissions standards. Regulators and environmental groups claim that public grant funding is readily available to assist truckers in complying, but this is not true says the CCTA.

Recently, the US Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal from the American Trucking Associations on another Ninth Circuit federal court case. ATA filed a lawsuit on what it calls a "burdensome" requirement the Port of Los Angeles has put on fleets serving the court for its Clean Trucks Plan. The port's plan requires truck drivers to replace their beat-up, high pollution diesel rigs with much newer trucks that have particulate filters that trap harmful gasses.

A September 2011 ruling by the Ninth Circuit struck down the port's ban on owner-operators, but also ruled the port was allowed to require drayage operators to submit off-street parking plans, properly maintain their trucks, post placards on permitted trucks and demonstrate financial responsibility as part of the plan. ATA filed an appeal to the Supreme Court in December 2011 to challenge specific parts of the plan, saying they would lead to a patchwork of rules and regulations and was pleased that the Supreme Court will review the Ninth Circuit's decision.

Continue reading Trucking association files appeal in federal court on CARB regulation

Trucking association files appeal in federal court on CARB regulation originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 12 Feb 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appeals courtbig rigscarbclean trucksdieselepafederal courtninth circuitpost of los angelestruck driverstruckingTue, 12 Feb 2013 08:00:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20436555/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20436555/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/12/trucking-association-files-appeal-in-federal-court-on-carb-regul/20436555/article-detail.xml 20436555 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/heavy-duty-truck_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/heavy-duty-truck.jpg <![CDATA[Why GM's 2.0-liter diesel is cleaner in America's Cruze than it is in Europe]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/08/why-gms-2-0-liter-diesel-is-cleaner-in-americas-cruze-than-it/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/08/why-gms-2-0-liter-diesel-is-cleaner-in-americas-cruze-than-it/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/08/why-gms-2-0-liter-diesel-is-cleaner-in-americas-cruze-than-it/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Chevrolet Cruze 2.0 Turbo Diesel Engine

The 2014 Chevrolet Cruze will have three different engine options soon, including the new 2.0-liter diesel powerplant that is debuting here at the Chicago Auto Show. The other powertrain choices include the made-in-Toledo 1.4 turbo gas engine used in the Eco and upper trim models and the 1.8-liter gas engine (made in Toluca, Mexico; it is also built elsewhere for other vehicles). The diesel is made in Kaiserslautern, Germany. In short, this is an example of GM's global network, and the oil-burner is a long-term player in the game: the basic architecture of this engine has been sold since 1985. GM sold over a half-million diesel-powered cars around the world in the last year, including 33,000 Cruze diesels. In Europe, 40-percent of Cruze sales are diesel. The engine is currently used in a number of General Motors vehicles in Europe, including Zafira, Astra and Insignia models from Opel.

Well, almost. Mike Siegrist, chief engineer behind the US engine, tells AutoblogGreen that Chevrolet engineers in the US worked with GM's team in Torino, Italy to adapt the powerplant for GM's first US diesel passenger car since the 1986 Chevette. To do this, the team tinkered with four main aspects: emissions, diagnostics, environmental conditions (that is, how hot or cold it is outside) and altitude. Siegrist notes the US has higher paved roads - Mount Evans in Colorado, for example - than Europe does, and it also has stricter emissions regulations, all of which necessitated the changes.

Thus, the US Cruze TD has a new intake manifold and throttle body system and an increased capacity exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler that offers better NOx control, Siegrist said. A common rail piezo injection system running at 1,600 bar (the European engine runs at 2,000 bar) offers "really, really good fuel control," Siegrist says. To start in colder conditions, the US diesel engine has ceramic glow plugs while the Europeans get metal glow plugs. There is also an engine oil heater that can be plugged in if you're trying to start the Cruze in frostbite conditions.

With all of these changes, the US 2.0 turbodiesel engine actually ends up being cleaner than the European model. Siegrist wouldn't venture a guess as to how much cleaner, exactly, but he did say it meets the stricter US standards and that, "the margin's bigger than what you think." So, for all those times when we wished we could taste the forbidden fruit of a European powertrain, this is a chance for America to get the better - or at least cleaner - end of the bargain. Unfortunately, tuning for US emissions and fuel also means we get less power. The estimated power output of the 2.0-liter diesel in the US is 148 horsepower, but its European counterpart enjoys 163. The price of progress.

Why GM's 2.0-liter diesel is cleaner in America's Cruze than it is in Europe originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 08 Feb 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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V60 Plug-in Diesel Hybrid

Volvo will start selling the world's first plug-in diesel hybrid production vehicle in the UK later this year and is improving its Volvo On Call smartphone app specifically for buyers of the V60 PHEV wagon.

Volvo On Call is a free download, and includes goodies like remote door locking, vehicle-location devices (for those times when the parking lot is just too big for you to actually find your cars) and a fuel-economy tracker. Computerized driving logs, remote cabin-temperature control and a bunch of GPS location-type features will also be part of Volvo On Call.

The V60 Plug-in Diesel Hybrid will boast a2.4-liter turbodiesel engine delivering 215 horsepower plus a 70-horsepower electric motor that can power the car by itself for as far as 32 miles. No set price has been disclosed, though it's reportedly in the painful $81,000 range. Hey, at least the app is free.


Volvo plans to make about 1,000 units of the V60 PHEV for the 2013 model year and as many as another 6,000 for the following year. In September, Volvo announce that it ahd already sold out of its model-year 2013 batch. The Swedish automaker started production of the model late last year. Volvo's press release is available below.

Continue reading Volvo On Call smartphone app improved for V60 Plug-in Diesel Hybrid

Volvo On Call smartphone app improved for V60 Plug-in Diesel Hybrid originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 28 Jan 2013 16:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>on callplug-in diesel hybridsmartphone appv60volvoMon, 28 Jan 2013 16:44:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20439347/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20439347/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/28/volvo-on-call-smartphone-app-improved-v60-plug-in-diesel-hybrid/20439347/article-detail.xml 20439347 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/volvo-v60-diesel-hybrid-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/volvo-v60-diesel-hybrid-628.jpg <![CDATA[Scientists sound alarm on soot's effect on global warming]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/23/scientists-sound-alarm-on-soots-effect-on-global-warming/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/23/scientists-sound-alarm-on-soots-effect-on-global-warming/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/23/scientists-sound-alarm-on-soots-effect-on-global-warming/#commentsFiled under:

Diesel-burning big rigs

Well, this bit of news isn't going to make German automakers or truckmakers terribly happy. Following the connection between diesel fumes and cancer, scientists have found that the black particles created by burning fuels - i.e. black carbon or soot - do more to warm the earth than previously estimated, The New York Times reports, citing a study written by more than 30 scientists that was released this week.

In fact, the report, published in The Journal of Geophysical Research-Atmospheres, says black carbon contributes to global warming two to three times faster than what was previously estimated by the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 2007. Only carbon dioxide is a bigger factor than soot when it comes to global warming. For instance, the scientists factored in issues such as black carbon falling on a glacier. This causes the glacier to absorb heat faster, so, naturally, the ice melts quicker. Not good.

The black carbon under study here is created by factors ranging from forest fires to, yes, the operation of diesel engines. German automakers have been promoting diesel as a way to reduce emissions through so-called "clean diesel" engines that burn cleaner and get better fuel economy than their gas-burning counterparts. The scientists stress that research on the global-warming effects of soot is in its early stages, so stay tuned.

Scientists sound alarm on soot's effect on global warming originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 23 Jan 2013 08:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black carbondieselemissionsglobal warmingjournal of geophysical research-atmospheressootWed, 23 Jan 2013 08:04:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20433500/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20433500/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/23/scientists-sound-alarm-on-soots-effect-on-global-warming/20433500/article-detail.xml 20433500 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/diesel-big-rigs_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/diesel-big-rigs.jpg <![CDATA[EU: European countries must reduce diesel emissions]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/14/eu-european-countries-must-reduce-diesel-emissions/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/14/eu-european-countries-must-reduce-diesel-emissions/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/14/eu-european-countries-must-reduce-diesel-emissions/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

photographer with car exhaust

Europeans drive a lot of diesel-powered vehicles. This is intentional. Since diesel is inherently more efficient than gasoline, many European countries give tax advantages to diesel fuel. In response, automakers in Europe offer several small diesel vehicles with high-torque engines, offering high mileage and practicality. Now, after decades of diesel burning, the European Commission will be publishing legislative proposals to improve air quality in the second half of this year and EU officials are already saying that European Union nations have to reduce emissions from diesel vehicles.

"Diesel vehicles are more efficient, but they emit a higher level of nitrogen dioxide than regular vehicles" - Jacqueline McGlade

The new rules follow recent enactment of tougher vehicle emissions standards and will be joined by an introduction of stricter vehicle testing standards. Air pollution has become a more pressing issue in Europe now that cancer risk was linked to diesel vehicles in a study last year by the World Health Organization. "Diesel vehicles are more efficient, but they emit a higher level of nitrogen dioxide than regular vehicles," said Jacqueline McGlade, executive director of EU body the European Environment Agency.

The European Commission thinks that nitrogen dioxide, combined with other pollutants such as particulate matter, which are generated by smoke and vehicle emissions, cause about 420,000 early deaths in the EU each year. Along with the cancer risk, air pollution can cause lung and cardiovascular disease.

The British House of Parliament received information in 2011 on diesel cars producing 21 more times as many PM 10 (large size particulate matter) emissions in grams and more than twice the nitrogen oxides than gasoline per mile traveled. The European Environment Agency said that comparisons are tough to make, given that the newest diesel vehicles have very low emissions of particulate matter, but there are still a lot of the older diesel vehicles on the roads.

McGlade said there are a "whole entourage of effects" linked to air pollution including reduced crop yield, harmful implications for unborn babies and lost working days. An internal meeting of EU Commissioners took place January 9, including a preliminary debate on clean transport.

Diesel-engine vehicles are growing in popularity in the US market, promoted by German automakers and taken more seriously by companies like General Motors. While clean diesel and high-performance diesel engines are becoming more appealing to Americans, air pollution and public health issues from diesel- and gasoline-powered vehicles are being studied in this region, too.

EU: European countries must reduce diesel emissions originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>air pollutioncancerdieselemissionseueuropeeuropean commissioneuropean unionhealth hazardsMon, 14 Jan 2013 14:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20425325/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20425325/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/14/eu-european-countries-must-reduce-diesel-emissions/20425325/article-detail.xml 20425325 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/car-exhaust-photographer_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/car-exhaust-photographer.jpg <![CDATA[December alt-fuel sales solid with strong Ford C-Max, Nissan Leaf demand]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/07/december-2012-alt-fuel-vehicle-sales/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/07/december-2012-alt-fuel-vehicle-sales/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/07/december-2012-alt-fuel-vehicle-sales/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



December 2012 alt-fuel vehicle sales continued to trend well ahead of 2011 figures and pushed 2012's sales of hybrids, diesels and plug-ins past the half-million vehicle threshold. Plug-in vehicle sales totaled 6,769 units for December, which was more than twice as high as a year earlier and just 15 units shy of October's monthly record of 6,784. Last year's plug-in sales, which were just shy of the 50,000-unit threshold (not including lower volume cars like the Tesla Model S) were spurred by consistent demand for the Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug in and a late surge of sales for the Nissan Leaf battery-electric.

December sales marked a 45-percent increase from 2011.

US alt-fuel sales last month totaled 55,096 units, up from November's 46,216 vehicles. December sales marked a 45-percent increase from 2011 and represented last year's second-highest monthly total, behind March's 57,130 vehicles.

Among automakers, Ford showed the largest advances, more than tripling its December alt-fuel total from a year earlier to 8,124 vehicles and thus becoming the second-largest seller (behind Toyota) of hybrids and plug-ins in the US. The Ford C-Max Hybrid, which was introduced in September, continues to be the US automaker's largest alt-fuel seller, with 3,339 units sold last month. The Fusion Hybrid was close behind at 3,244 vehicles, or more than triple year-earlier numbers for that model. Ford's C-Max Energi Plug-in Hybrid sold 971 units, which was down almost 300 from November, while the Focus Electric sold a monthly-record 167 units.

Toyota remained the US alt-fuel leader, though year-over-year growth slowed from late 2011.

Toyota remained the US alt-fuel leader, though year-over-year growth slowed from late 2011, when the Japanese automaker was back up to speed after being hampered by the effects of the Japanese earthquake and resulting tsunami earlier that year. Toyota's 30,788 alt-fuel vehicles sold still marked a 33-percent jump from December 2011. The company sold 20,040 Prius hybrids, including 12,536 Liftback ("standard") hatchbacks, about 3,000 each of the Prius V and C wagon and compact variants and 1,361 Prius Plug-in Hybrids. The Camry Hybrid more than doubled its year-earlier total to 4,443 units, while the Avalon Hybrid moved 747 vehicles in its first month of sales. Toyota also sold 52 RAV4 electric vehicles, while its Lexus badge boosted December sales from a year earlier by 29 percent to 4,918 units.

The Chevrolet Volt sold 2,633 units, up 72 percent from 2011 and pushing its 2012 total to 23,461.

General Motors almost doubled its year-earlier alt-fuel sales with 5,430 vehicles sold last month. Most notably, the Chevrolet Volt moved 2,633 units - up 72 percent from a year earlier - which pushed its 2012 total to 23,461, three times what the car sold in 2011. GM's mild hybrid models like the Buick LaCrosse and Regal and the Chevrolet Malibu totaled about 2,400 units last month.

Nissan Leaf sales continued to improve in December, jumping 56 percent from a year earlier to 1,489 units. Such a jump allowed total-year Leaf sales to leapfrog 2011's numbers and reach 9,819 units.

Volkswagen diesel sales in December appeared to continue to be bolstered by high gas prices, rising 23 percent from a year earlier to 7,349 units. As for lower-volume alt-fuel brands, Porsche hybrid sales for December were up 13 percent from a year earlier to 130 units, while both December sales of Audi diesels and the Mitsubishi i battery-electric were little changed from December 2011.

Honda remained the only automaker truly struggling in the alt-fuel field.

Honda remained the only automaker truly struggling in the alt-fuel field, with December sales dropping 40 percent from a year earlier to 1,084 units. While Civic Hybrid sales were down slightly, demand for the CR-Z and Insight plunged.

For the year, US alt-fuel sales reached 540,181 vehicles, which marked a 63-percent surge from 2011. Plug-in vehicle sales totaled 49,962 units, almost three times as many as were sold in 2011. Toyota's 327,413 sales represented 61 percent of all US alt-fuel vehicle sales. The new Prius variants undoubtedly helped keep the Japanese automaker at the top of the list.

VW sold 82,981 diesels for the year, up 32 percent from 2011. GM followed up, more than quadrupling 2011 sales to 57,440 on rising demand for both the Volt and the company's mild hybrids. Ford's late year surge on its new C-Max variants allowed the automaker to report a 32-percent rise in 2012 alt-fuel sales to 35,719 units. Finally, Honda saw a 46 percent drop in 2012 alt-fuel sales to 16,208 units.

December alt-fuel sales solid with strong Ford C-Max, Nissan Leaf demand originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 07 Jan 2013 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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For anyone old enough to remember the '70s, the concept of a lowered van brings about images of groovy decals and Cheech & Chong, not fuel economy. But Ford Europe has other ideas.

The US automaker's Ford Fiesta "van" (OK, it's "car-derived" from a really small car) starts sales in Europe this month, and features some fuel economy figures far better suited for a Honda Civic than an Econoline.

Ford, which will start selling the model across the Pond this month, says its Fiesta Van variants all get at least 76.4 miles per gallon, per the slightly more optimistic European driving cycle, with the Fiesta ECOnetic topping out at 85.6 mpg. That version features stop-start technology, hardcore aerodynamics and, yes, a lowered suspension. Overall, the Fiesta Van will have two diesel variants and one petrol version, all in the 1.25-to-1.6-liter engine-size range.

The model also features a payload capacity of about 1,100 pounds and steel bulkhead, lest we forget that it's, well, a van. Check out Ford Europe's press release below.

Continue reading Europe's Ford Fiesta 'Van' gets 76 mpg

Europe's Ford Fiesta 'Van' gets 76 mpg originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 03 Jan 2013 18:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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