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[2012 Mercedes E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/07/30/2012-mercedes-e-300-bluetec-hybrid-quick-spin-review/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/07/30/2012-mercedes-e-300-bluetec-hybrid-quick-spin-review/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/07/30/2012-mercedes-e-300-bluetec-hybrid-quick-spin-review/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Leaping Past Others In The Premium Hybrid Chase

2012 Mercedes E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid

It is now clear that gas-electric hybrids, while constantly being refined, are simply never going to gobble up huge slices of any major car market. They are needed, sure, but consumers are already wanting to see what's next, what's even more efficient and more technologically advanced. All the new regular hybrids coming out these days don't really create much excitement since their technology is essentially identical to all of the other parallel hybrids already on sale. So, what is going to keep the hybrid passenger car fires burning brightly and market percentage numbers climbing?

Diesel hybrids. Maybe not in the United States for some length of time, but they are starting to arrive in Europe. PSA Peugeot-Citroën has, at last, started selling Peugeot models with the company's HYbrid4 diesel hybrid system and I've personally enjoyed driving them. Besides the enjoyment factor, the efficiency gains are real.

Now I've have a chance to drive this new Mercedes-Benz E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid, and my excitement is palpable because a big mainstream statement like this from a normally conservative Mercedes-Benz is something this movement has needed. Besides the smart thinking behind committing to this effort in general, Mercedes is launching its very cleanly engineered Modular Hybrid System that can now be plunked into nearly any of its models, much like Toyota-Lexus has been doing for years with its Hybrid Synergy Drive system.

Continue reading 2012 Mercedes E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid

2012 Mercedes E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 30 Jul 2012 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 mercedes-benz e300 bluetec hybridbluetecdieseldiesel hybride classe-classe-klassee300 bluetec hybridfeaturedmercedes-benzquick spinquickspinMon, 30 Jul 2012 13:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20289242/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20289242/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/30/2012-mercedes-e-300-bluetec-hybrid-quick-spin-review/20289242/article-detail.xml 20289242 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/2012-mercedes-benz-e300-blutec-qs_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/2012-mercedes-benz-e300-blutec-qs.jpg <![CDATA[2012 Scion iQ]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/06/19/2012-scion-iq/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/06/19/2012-scion-iq/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/06/19/2012-scion-iq/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Smarter

2012 Scion iQ

"Not so 'Smart' after all?" The older gentleman in the grocery store parking lot asked as I wheeled my loaded cart to the back of the 2012 Scion iQ.

On the contrary, sir. After he finished chuckling and drove away, I successfully loaded $150 worth of groceries into the iQ's cargo area, including a pallet of 24 water bottles. And upon returning to my loft, I effortlessly backed the little Scion underneath the awning that covers the entrance to my building, keeping myself out of the rain while unloading my goods.

Seems pretty smart to me.

But that's not the only reason why I like the iQ. Once you get past the novelty of its you-can-park-me-anywhere size, you aren't left with a completely miserable little machine. The Scion's list of good virtues doesn't consist of a single, solitary bullet point, and during my week with the tiniest Toyota, I was determined to see if the iQ was more than just a smarter Smart. There's a smattering of excellent subcompact offerings available to Americans these days. To say we could all do without the ForTwo is a no-brainer. The iQ, however, certainly has potential.

Continue reading 2012 Scion iQ

2012 Scion iQ originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 scion iqfeaturediqreviewreviewsscionscion iq reviewTue, 19 Jun 2012 11:58:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20261703/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20261703/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/19/2012-scion-iq/20261703/article-detail.xml 20261703 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/2012-scion-iq-review_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/2012-scion-iq-review.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/2013-chevrolet-malibu-eco-review/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/2013-chevrolet-malibu-eco-review/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/2013-chevrolet-malibu-eco-review/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Mild-Hybrid Malibu Proves Only Mildly Interesting

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

Don't judge a book by its cover. The sentiment certainly applies to cars as well, but doubly so. Years of driving and photographing new vehicles have taught us that you can't evaluate a new model - or even judge its styling - based on photos alone, no matter how good or bad the images or the sheetmetal might seem. And you can't really know anything until you get that car off the auto show stand and out in the wild, driving it on the street in its natural habitat.

We explain this because when we first spied the new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, we didn't think much of it: Mostly carryover front fascia, grafted-on Camaro taillights, Bangle butt. Move along, nothing to see here. But a funny thing happened when we got behind the wheel of the Malibu Eco for a week. We warmed up to it. We actually liked it.

Continue reading 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 07 May 2012 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 chevrolet malibu ecochevroletchevyfeaturedgeneral motorsgmmalibumalibu ecoreviewreviewsMon, 07 May 2012 13:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20232716/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20232716/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/07/2013-chevrolet-malibu-eco-review/20232716/article-detail.xml 20232716 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/2013-chevrolet-malibu-eco-review_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/2013-chevrolet-malibu-eco-review.jpg <![CDATA[2012 Toyota Prius V]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/09/2012-toyota-prius-v-review/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/09/2012-toyota-prius-v-review/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/09/2012-toyota-prius-v-review/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Life In The Commuter Lane

2012 Toyota Prius V

Form follows function, so it's easy to find one element of a vehicle that explains everything you need to know about it.

Look at the widened haunches of a 911 and you know there's serious hardware in the Porsche's rump. Check the elongated bed of an F-150 and its obvious the Ford should be roaming free on the ranch. Look at a Smart ForTwo... Actually, don't. It's for your own good.

So when I opened the door to the 2012 Toyota Prius V, a single feature stood out: the cupholder. Encircled in a chrome ring and mounted dead-center in the massive armrest, this lone receptacle was the defining feature of the interior. As it should be. The Prius is the commensurate commuter and the V variant's raised roof and enlarged hatch make it even more practical for Mommy and Daddy carpool duty. At least in theory.

Continue reading 2012 Toyota Prius V

2012 Toyota Prius V originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 09 Mar 2012 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 toyota prius vfeaturedpriusprius vreviewreviewstoyotaFri, 09 Mar 2012 19:26:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20190202/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20190202/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/09/2012-toyota-prius-v-review/20190202/article-detail.xml 20190202 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/2012-toyota-prius-v-review_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/2012-toyota-prius-v-review.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Lexus GS 450h [w/video]]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/30/2013-lexus-gs-450h-w-video/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/30/2013-lexus-gs-450h-w-video/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/30/2013-lexus-gs-450h-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Lexus' Best Compromise Yet



Ever since the Prius unexpectedly became the Xerox of hybrids and a greenie icon, Toyota has been trying to figure out how to apply the technology to its other models. Its results have been decidedly mixed, nowhere more so than with its luxury lineup. But with the 2013 Lexus GS 450h, Toyota thinks it has finally figured out what a hybrid luxury car should be.

From a sales perspective, the first-generation GS 450h was a disappointment. While we liked it quite a bit when we test-drove it a couple years ago, Lexus just hasn't been able to move the metal. Introduced to much fanfare in 2006 as a 2007 model, the GS was Lexus' second hybrid and the first rear-wheel-drive hybrid on the market. Lexus touted it as a performance sedan, even as Toyota was heavily marketing its hybrids as fuel sippers. Whether consumers were confused or not, they never took to the hybrid GS. Sales peaked at just below 1,800 in that first year and have gone down in each successive year. In 2010, Lexus sold barely 300 GS hybrids, roughly four percent of total GS sales, which were about 7,000.

The cognitive dissonance presented by Lexus hybrids has been an issue since the brand launched its first, the 2006 RX 400h SUV. Only marginally more powerful than the standard RX, its improvement in fuel economy was similarly slight at launch. The LS 600hL - the brand's halo car before the LFA sports car came along - is a six-figure, 20-mile-per-gallon hybrid marketed as having V12 performance with V8 fuel economy, the rough equivalent of ordering a Diet Coke with your Super Size Big Mac Extra Value Meal. The "Lexus Prius" HS 250h, with neither particularly good fuel economy (35 mpg combined) nor any sporting aspirations, has been a critical and sales disaster and is rumored to be on the chopping block. While Toyota's simple, "better mileage" definition of its hybrids is clear, Lexus has combined green machine and muscle car in varying doses, such that you never quite know what you'll be getting with a gas-electric Lexus.

Continue reading 2013 Lexus GS 450h [w/video]

2013 Lexus GS 450h [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 lexus gs 450hfeaturedfirst driveFirstDrivegsgs 450hgs hybridgs450hhybridlexuslexus gstoyotaFri, 30 Dec 2011 15:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20137973/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20137973/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/30/2013-lexus-gs-450h-w-video/20137973/article-detail.xml 20137973 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/03-2013-lexus-gs-45h-fd-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/03-2013-lexus-gs-45h-fd-opt.jpg <![CDATA[2012 Ford Edge Limited EcoBoost]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/28/2012-ford-edge-limited-ecoboost-review/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/28/2012-ford-edge-limited-ecoboost-review/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/28/2012-ford-edge-limited-ecoboost-review/#commentsFiled under: , ,

EcoBoost Finds Right Mix Of Power, Efficiency

2012 Ford Edge EcoBoost

The sport utility vehicle became an endangered species not long after fuel prices began to skyrocket. But while vehicle buyers changed their shopping habits, they didn't actually stray that far from the SUV formula. Many of today's hottest-selling vehicles are crossovers; essentially the same tall wagons as the SUV, but with a lighter unibody chassis.

Among other things, the CUV promised to deliver superior efficiency, and while some improvement has been evident, in many cases, the genre's fuel savings have failed to impress. A good case in point is the Ford Edge. When Ford's two-row CUV entered the market in 2007, it managed only 24 miles per gallon on the highway, and many buyers struggled to hit 20 mpg in mixed driving cycles. There were plenty of reasons for its unimpressive efficiency. Most crossovers remain substantially heavier than a comparable four-door sedan, and with plenty of frontal area, they don't exactly slice through the wind. But perhaps the biggest issue has been unevolved powertrains.

Ford thinks it has the answer to that problem in the form of its new EcoBoost 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Ford is using the compact, turbocharged mill in a variety of crossovers, including the 2012 Ford Edge, and we sampled a well-equipped Edge Limited to see how effective the Blue Oval's engine downsizing strategy is going.

Continue reading 2012 Ford Edge Limited EcoBoost

2012 Ford Edge Limited EcoBoost originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 28 Dec 2011 13:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 ford edge ecoboostecoboostedgeedge ecoboostfeaturedfordfuel economyreviewreviewsWed, 28 Dec 2011 13:53:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20136564/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20136564/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/28/2012-ford-edge-limited-ecoboost-review/20136564/article-detail.xml 20136564 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/2012-ford-edge-ecoboost-review_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/2012-ford-edge-ecoboost-review.jpg <![CDATA[2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/21/2012-chevrolet-cruze-eco-review/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/21/2012-chevrolet-cruze-eco-review/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/21/2012-chevrolet-cruze-eco-review/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Is 42 MPG The Ultimate Answer To The Ultimate Question?

2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco

On paper, it sounds like an enthusiast's dream. Start by trimming almost 100 pounds from the curb weight of the base Chevrolet Cruze. Then drop the optional turbocharged engine underhood, bolted to a six-speed manual transmission. Lower the suspension and mount some lightweight, forged alloy wheels. Finish it off by sticking a little spoiler on the decklid, along with a special badge.

Where do we sign up?

But the car we've described isn't the stuff of boy racer fantasies; it's not even a performance car at all. No, the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco is not meant to run circles around the competition on an autocross course as much as it is designed to pirouette its way around the Environmental Protection Agency's fuel economy test. It's the greenest machine to wear a Bowtie this side of the Volt, boasting a highway fuel economy of 42 miles per gallon. But that heady figure is accomplished without the benefit of any advanced hybrid powertrain technology. The Cruze Eco is an impressive package that proves GM's smarts and gives the company further green bragging rights. That said, we're not entirely sure it's the Cruze we'd park in our driveway.

Continue reading 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco

2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 chevrolet cruze eco2012 chevy cruze ecochevroletchevycruzecruze ecocruze eco reviewfeaturedgreenreviewreviewsWed, 21 Dec 2011 11:59:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20132927/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20132927/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/21/2012-chevrolet-cruze-eco-review/20132927/article-detail.xml 20132927 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/2012-chevrolet-cruze-eco-review_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/2012-chevrolet-cruze-eco-review.jpg <![CDATA[Review: 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid [w/video]]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/06/29/2011-kia-optima-hybrid-quick-spin-review/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/06/29/2011-kia-optima-hybrid-quick-spin-review/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/06/29/2011-kia-optima-hybrid-quick-spin-review/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A Feature-Packed Family Hauler That Sips

2011 Kia Optima Hybrid
2011 Kia Optima Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

Every time we read Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, we find something new. Adams was able to spin phrases that hit on multiple levels, and his work requires repeated attention to be enjoyed in full. We wouldn't be surprised if the folks at Kia have been reading a bit of Adams themselves, because their latest lineup has been commanding multiple looks.

With new models being churning out both here and abroad, Kia is offering a range of vehicles that hit consumer needs on multiple levels. The latest member of the family is the 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid, and it's looking to speak to the green-tinged car-shopping contingent. (Continue reading...)



Copyright 2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

Continue reading Review: 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid [w/video]

Review: 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 11:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 kia optima hybridfeaturedoptimaoptima hybridoptima hybrid reviewquick spinquickspinWed, 29 Jun 2011 11:51:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19978719/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19978719/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/06/29/2011-kia-optima-hybrid-quick-spin-review/19978719/article-detail.xml 19978719 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/2011-kia-optima-hybrid-qs_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/2011-kia-optima-hybrid-qs.jpg <![CDATA[Review: 2011 Think City]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/06/28/review-2011-think-city/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/06/28/review-2011-think-city/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/06/28/review-2011-think-city/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Bankruptcy Brings This EV's Range To Zero

2011 Think City
2011 Think City - Click above for high-res image gallery

We're all passionate about saving the world, but the amount of enthusiasm we each have is different for everybody. What's your passion level? Let's turn the question into a sliding scale; on one end sits, say, BP, while on the other end, we find Ed Begley Jr. It's a big scale. If you find yourself edging close to the Begley side of the spectrum, you're no doubt paying attention to the fresh crop of all-electric cars on the market.

Electric automaker Think hopes you've been paying attention.

At least, it did up until last week when the company filed for bankruptcy a second time. Clearly, attempting to bring a relatively affordable electric vehicle to the masses is difficult without federal funding (Tesla Motors) or the bank account of a major automotive manufacturer (Nissan Leaf). Think has been down this road before, and it's possible that a group of investors could arrive to save the day. But for the company to be successful, the cost of its car, called the City, would need to come down and marketing dollars would need to go up, both of which are easier said than done. Is Think's machine even worth saving? (Continue reading...)



Copyright 2011 Jeff Glucker / AOL

Continue reading Review: 2011 Think City

Review: 2011 Think City originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 think citycityelectric vehiclefeaturedquick spinquickspinthinkthink bankruptcythink citythink city reviewTue, 28 Jun 2011 19:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19978704/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19978704/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/06/28/review-2011-think-city/19978704/article-detail.xml 19978704 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/2011-think-city-ev-qs_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/2011-think-city-ev-qs.jpg <![CDATA[First Drive: 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/05/20/2012-porsche-panamera-s-hybrid-first-drive-review/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/05/20/2012-porsche-panamera-s-hybrid-first-drive-review/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/05/20/2012-porsche-panamera-s-hybrid-first-drive-review/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Green Speed

2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid
2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

I had been anticipating the pre-dawn run to the airport for a few days. Having spent the week with a Porsche Panamera Turbo, complete with the torque-boosting Sport Chrono pack (yes, that one), the blast to SFO was a fitting sendoff. It was also perfectly timed.

I was boarding a marathon flight to Austria for the global launch of the Panamera S Hybrid, and after seven days with the Turbo, I was smitten. And concerned.

While the 500 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque from the boosted V8 proved the old adage about absolute power corrupting absolutely, it was the completeness of the Panamera package that left me slack-jawed. When the Stuttgart brain-trust puts its mind to something, they do it right. Look no further than half a century of rear-engined evolution and the much-maligned, but incredibly capable Cayenne. Now add the Panamera to that list. Its sheetmetal might not suit your tastes, but Porsche managed to create the best driving luxury sedan on the market. But a hybrid? They'd better not screw this up. Continue reading...


Photos Copyright 2011 Damon Lavrinc / AOL

Continue reading First Drive: 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid

First Drive: 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 20 May 2011 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 porsche panamera s hybridfeaturedfirst driveFirstDrivehybridpanamerapanamera hybridpanamera s hybridporscheFri, 20 May 2011 14:58:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19946007/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19946007/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/05/20/2012-porsche-panamera-s-hybrid-first-drive-review/19946007/article-detail.xml 19946007 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/2012-porsche-panamera-s-hybrid_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/2012-porsche-panamera-s-hybrid.jpg <![CDATA[Review: 2011 Lexus CT 200h]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/04/28/2011-lexus-ct-200h-review-road-test/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/04/28/2011-lexus-ct-200h-review-road-test/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/04/28/2011-lexus-ct-200h-review-road-test/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Lexus Hatches A New Take On Responsible Performance

2011 Lexus CT 200h
2011 Lexus CT 200h - Click above for high-res image gallery

Armchair quarterbacks have been quick to charge Toyota with losing its engineering nerve, labeling it a brand content to churn out safe, middle-of-the-road milquetoast offerings for every segment in which it competes. Admittedly, this isn't the same company that once marketed a supercharged, mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive minivan shaped like a suppository, nor is it the same company that sold homologated rally specials alongside its workaday iron. But to say that there are no bold spirits in Toyota City just ain't so - just look at the bonkers LFA supercar, for goodness' sake.

But you needn't have a millionaire's bankbook to see that the Japanese automaker still has cheek to spare - just check out the 2011 Lexus CT 200h. Not only is Toyota's premium marque dipping its toes into America's compact luxury market - a segment that nobody but Mini has figured out how to make big dollars on - it's doing so with a hybrid, an expensive powertrain configuration that, Prius aside, only sells in marginal volumes.

Admittedly, Lexus has made no bones about the fact that it's squarely targeting Europe with the CT (a market where hatchbacks consistently do big business and "small premium" is not an oxymoron), but make no mistake, this is a brave bet. Lexus says it's gunning for 1,000 units a month - a small number in the grand scheme of things - but it's expecting the moon when compared to competitors like the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and Volvo C30, which typically sell in the hundreds per month. Yet this bold bet is showing early signs of paying off. Thanks in part to heavy advanced marketing, Lexus cleared its decks of over twice that many units in March - 2,199 - the CT's first month on sale.

Continue reading Review: 2011 Lexus CT 200h...



Photos copyright (C)2011 by Chris Paukert /AOL

Continue reading Review: 2011 Lexus CT 200h

Review: 2011 Lexus CT 200h originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 12:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 lexus ct 200hct 200hct200hfeaturedlexuslexus ctlexus hybridremote touchreviewreviewsThu, 28 Apr 2011 12:27:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19926615/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19926615/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/04/28/2011-lexus-ct-200h-review-road-test/19926615/article-detail.xml 19926615 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/2011-lexus-ct-200h-review_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/2011-lexus-ct-200h-review.jpg <![CDATA[Review: 2011 Chevrolet Volt]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/04/06/2011-chevrolet-volt-review-road-test/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/04/06/2011-chevrolet-volt-review-road-test/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/04/06/2011-chevrolet-volt-review-road-test/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Achieving Super MPGs In The Automotive Missing Link

2011 Chevrolet Volt
2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

There's something to be said for being at the right place at the right time. Had our primordial ancestors evolved legs and lungs while the entire globe was still awash in warm sea water, they would have gone belly up and we might have never made it to the top of the food chain. At this point in history, our entire species can thank generations of ancestors for not being squished, drowned, beaten, eaten or stabbed before cranking out offspring that would further the human race. One misstep to the left could have been all it took to eradicate entire lines of Homo sapiens progress.

Those same laws of luck and fortune dictate which automotive traits will survive into the future and which will be left to be bookmarks of curiosity in the mechanical fossil record. General Motors knows this all too well. The company infamously birthed the EV1 in the mid-'90s only to find that its high costs of development meant the short-range electric couldn't keep its head above water in a sea of relatively cheap fuel prices. At the time, there just wasn't any land in sight for the electric movement.

What a difference 15 years make. Thanks to the trailblazing efforts of the hybrid fleet, more and more Americans now associate efficiency with electric power, and General Motors has given rise to what could possibly be the perfect evolutionary species to bridge the gap between hybrid and full-electric motivation - the 2011 Chevrolet Volt.

Continue reading Review: 2011 Chevrolet Volt...



Photos copyright (C)2011 Zach Bowman / AOL

Continue reading Review: 2011 Chevrolet Volt

Review: 2011 Chevrolet Volt originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 chevrolet voltchevroletelectric vehiclefeaturedplug-in hybridreviewreviewsvoltWed, 06 Apr 2011 14:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19904921/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19904921/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/04/06/2011-chevrolet-volt-review-road-test/19904921/article-detail.xml 19904921 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/2011-chevrolet-volt-review_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/2011-chevrolet-volt-review.jpg <![CDATA[First Drive: 2011 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2010/10/15/2011-volkswagen-touareg-hybrid-first-drive-review/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/10/15/2011-volkswagen-touareg-hybrid-first-drive-review/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/10/15/2011-volkswagen-touareg-hybrid-first-drive-review/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A Porsche Cayenne Hybrid For The People

2011 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid
2011 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

Fuel economy is a funny thing. In Europe, better efficiency has always boiled down to two simple concepts: diesel fuel and turbos. But like the 35-year-old who won't drink tequila because of a bad experience in college, American buyers' stomachs start turning whenever manufacturers talk about oil-burners - clean or otherwise. That's a problem for carmakers like Volkswagen. You see, the company can build an arsenal of clean diesel vehicles that have no problem turning out excellent fuel-economy numbers without the weight, complexity or burden of lugging around a partially electric drivetrain, but that doesn't mean Americans will buy them. Nope. On this side of the pond, fuel efficiency translates into just one word: hybrid.

And that's exactly why Volkswagen has taken to electrifying its beefy 2011 Touareg, the very first production hybrid in the company's history. Volkswagen has made no secret of the fact that it plans to be the world's number one automaker, and that part of its plan for global domination involves broadening its appeal in the still-juicy American market. If you were wondering exactly what that meant for the company's lineup on our side of the world, wonder no more. We're living in the future, and it's a place stocked with a blazingly-quick, fully capable and quasi-efficient SUV from Germany with love.

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Photos copyright (C)2010 Zach Bowman / AOL

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid

First Drive: 2011 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20112011 touareg2011 volkswagen touareg hybridhybridtouaregtouareg hybridvolkswagenvolkswagen touareg hybridFri, 15 Oct 2010 14:58:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19675166/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19675166/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2010/10/15/2011-volkswagen-touareg-hybrid-first-drive-review/19675166/article-detail.xml 19675166 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/2011vwtouareghybridfd01opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/2011vwtouareghybridfd01opt.jpg <![CDATA[First Drive: 2011 Lexus CT 200h]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2010/10/13/2011-lexus-ct-200h-first-drive-review-road-test/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/10/13/2011-lexus-ct-200h-first-drive-review-road-test/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/10/13/2011-lexus-ct-200h-first-drive-review-road-test/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Lexus Tries To Build A Better European Luxury Hatchback

2011 Lexus CT 200h
2011 Lexus CT 200h - Click above for high-res image gallery

"Stealing" seems a touch harsh, so let's go with "uninformed borrowing" instead. After all, Lexus did hand me the keys to a U.S.-spec CT 200h hybrid, along with a vetted and approved route book through Northern France, but I had different plans. I was on a mini-mission.

You see, the wife doesn't ask much when I travel abroad. A phone call or two a day, keep hydrated and avoid the brothels. A simple list. But when she caught wind I'd be in France for the Paris Motor Show, she requested one thing: macaroons. Specifically, the meringue confections from Paris' world-famous Ladurée.

So with a willing driving partner and the sat-nav set to a location a few blocks from the Arc de Triomphe, we headed south to snag some pastries and give Lexus' hybrid hatch a thorough testing in its natural (read: European) environment.

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Photos copyright (C)2010 Damon Lavrinc / AOL

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Lexus CT 200h

First Drive: 2011 Lexus CT 200h originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ct 200hfeaturedfirst drivelexuslexus ct 200hWed, 13 Oct 2010 19:58:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19672449/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19672449/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2010/10/13/2011-lexus-ct-200h-first-drive-review-road-test/19672449/article-detail.xml 19672449 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/2011lexusct200hfd01opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/2011lexusct200hfd01opt.jpg <![CDATA[Review: 2010 Mitsubishi i-MiEV (JDM)]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2010/09/29/2010-mitsubishi-i-miev-review-road-test/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/09/29/2010-mitsubishi-i-miev-review-road-test/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/09/29/2010-mitsubishi-i-miev-review-road-test/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A Bubbly EV For The Road Ahead

2010 Mitsubishi i-MiEV (JDM)
2010 Mitsubishi i-MiEV (JDM) - Click above for high-res image gallery

There's an interesting realization that occurs when you drive an electric car. After all, EVs act just like normal vehicles powered by an internal combustion engine, they're just a bit quieter and you can't drive for great distances at a time. But as you travel along in an EV, you pass by gas station after gas station and it finally sets in - your car has rendered the fuel pump obsolete. Gas stations to EV owners are nothing more than places to buy cheap coffee and cigarettes.

As we work to further saturate our automotive landscape with efficient, eco-friendly misers, a few automakers think they've found the answer for how to best disguise the EV setup in a car that won't stick out like a sore thumb. The Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf take on the shapes of a sedan and a hatchback with very minor touches to let other drivers know that something special lies under the hood. Mitsubishi and its forthcoming i-MiEV, however, blows that all out of the water. Driving this car on the road is like parking a Bugatti Veyron on a used car lot - it gets a lot of attention.

The i-MiEV, which is based on the Mitsubishi i kei car (we still aren't very fond of the name), has been sold in Japan since mid-2009 and Europe is slated to get the bubbly EV later this year. As for North America, it's expected that we'll get the i-MiEV in the Fall of 2011, though it will be slightly updated from the Japanese-spec model you see here. We recently had the opportunity to spend a week with a JDM-spec i-MiEV to see what daily life with the EV is like. Is Mitsubishi's pint-sized electric car ready for the United States?

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Photos copyright (C)2010 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

Continue reading Review: 2010 Mitsubishi i-MiEV (JDM)

Review: 2010 Mitsubishi i-MiEV (JDM) originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 mitsubishi i-mievfeaturedi-mievimievmitsubishimitsubishi i-mievreviewreviewsWed, 29 Sep 2010 14:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19654045/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19654045/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2010/09/29/2010-mitsubishi-i-miev-review-road-test/19654045/article-detail.xml 19654045 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/mitsubishiimiev---01opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/mitsubishiimiev---01opt.jpg <![CDATA[First Drive: 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2010/09/08/2011-lincoln-mkz-hybrid-first-drive-road-test-review/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/09/08/2011-lincoln-mkz-hybrid-first-drive-road-test-review/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/09/08/2011-lincoln-mkz-hybrid-first-drive-road-test-review/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Shows other luxury hybrids how it's done

2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

On the whole, luxury manufacturers just can't seem to figure out what to do with hybrid drivetrains. Sure, there's some vague notion of improved fuel economy, but for every fuel-sipping Lexus HS250h, there's a 455-horsepower, 26-mpg BMW ActiveHybrid 750i to balance the scales. Part of the problem is that fuel economy and luxury traditionally play as well together as 50 Cent and KC and the Sunshine Band. High-end autos are synonymous with power, weight and cabins large enough to comfortably raise a middle-class family, while their miserly counterparts tend to be tinny contraptions with the driving dynamics of low-rent washing machines.

But that doesn't mean there aren't automakers trying to meld the two. One of the big buzz phrases making its way around automotive circles right now is "The 'And' Car." That is, a vehicle capable of being all things to all people through the miracle of technology. Lincoln believes it's come up with just such a creation in the 2011 MKZ Hybrid - a sedan that bests the fuel economy of the competition by a wide margin and provides all of the luxury amenities buyers demand. The question is, have they pulled it off? (this post continues after the jump)



Photos copyright (C)2010 Zach Bowman / AOL

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

First Drive: 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 20:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 Lincoln MKZ hybridfirst driveFirstDrivelincolnmkzmkz hybridWed, 08 Sep 2010 20:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19626173/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19626173/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2010/09/08/2011-lincoln-mkz-hybrid-first-drive-road-test-review/19626173/article-detail.xml 19626173 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/lead1mkzhybridfd2011_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/lead1mkzhybridfd2011.jpg <![CDATA[Review: 2011 Honda CR-Z]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2010/09/02/2011-honda-cr-z-review-road-test/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/09/02/2011-honda-cr-z-review-road-test/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/09/02/2011-honda-cr-z-review-road-test/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Take off your rose-colored glasses, CRX fans

2011 Honda CR-Z
2011 Honda CR-Z - Click above for high-res image gallery

Okay, so the 2011 Honda CR-Z isn't exactly the modern-day CRX redux that we were all hoping for. Mildly upsetting, yes, but perhaps this disappointment tarnished our initial impression of this newest hybrid offering from Honda. We still have many questions about its form and function, but need to accept the fact that times have changed, Honda's product strategies have been realigned to the times and the CRX shall remain a modern classic - especially the Si. Besides, this little two-seat hybrid isn't really all that bad. Really.

What we have here is an inherently good vehicle that doesn't make a whole lot of sense. It only has two seats and its EPA fuel economy numbers are underwhelming. A Ford Fiesta, for example, is more functional, less expensive and gets nearly the same combined fuel economy - at least compared to a manual-equipped CR-Z like our tester.

But don't write off the CR-Z completely. It may be a tough sell when looked at from a big picture perspective, but on its own, it's a pretty good little whip. Follow the jump to find out why.



Photos copyright (C)2010 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

Continue reading Review: 2011 Honda CR-Z

Review: 2011 Honda CR-Z originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 honda cr-zcr-zfeaturedhondareviewreviewsThu, 02 Sep 2010 07:58:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19617814/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19617814/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2010/09/02/2011-honda-cr-z-review-road-test/19617814/article-detail.xml 19617814 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/08/hondacrz2011---01opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/08/hondacrz2011---01opt.jpg <![CDATA[Review: 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL350 Bluetec lives large, treads lightly]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2010/08/03/2010-mercedes-benz-gl350-bluetec-review-road-test/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/08/03/2010-mercedes-benz-gl350-bluetec-review-road-test/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/08/03/2010-mercedes-benz-gl350-bluetec-review-road-test/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2010 Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTEC - Click above for high-res image gallery

Drop the term "Big Benz" in conversation and most people assume you're talking about the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. While the full-size flagship sedan has - deservedly - earned that moniker over the years, when it comes to sheer size and volume, the GL-Class is truly Benz' behemoth. But don't take that as a negative. The GL350 Bluetec, the automaker's diesel-powered variant of its seven-passenger full-size sport utility vehicle, has plenty going for it. Under the hood is a torque-laden, fuel-efficient diesel, and after a week pulling family duty, we emerged impressed. Find out why after the jump.



Photos copyright (C)2010 Michael Harley / AOL

Continue reading Review: 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL350 Bluetec lives large, treads lightly

Review: 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL350 Bluetec lives large, treads lightly originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 Mercedes-Benz2010 Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC2010 Mercedes-Benz diesel2010 mercedes-benz gl2010 Mercedes-Benz GL3502010 Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTEC2010Mercedes-benz2010Mercedes-benzBluetec2010Mercedes-benzDiesel2010Mercedes-benzGl2010Mercedes-benzGl3502010Mercedes-benzGl350BluetecAudi Q7AudiQ7BlueTECBMW X5BmwX5Cadillac Escaladecadillac escalade hybridCadillacEscaladeCadillacEscaladeHybridDieselfeaturedglgl 350GL classGL-Class dieselGl-classDieselGL-klasseGl350GlClassLincoln NavigatorLincolnNavigatorMercedes Dieselmercedes-benzMercedes-Benz DieselMercedes-Benz GL-ClassMercedes-benzDieselMercedes-benzGl-classMercedesDieselQX56reviewreviewsTue, 03 Aug 2010 19:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19579454/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19579454/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2010/08/03/2010-mercedes-benz-gl350-bluetec-review-road-test/19579454/article-detail.xml 19579454 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/08/lead1mbgl350btreview2010_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/08/lead1mbgl350btreview2010.jpg <![CDATA[Review: Lexus GS450h uses electrons for fun]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2010/02/26/lexus-gs450h-review/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/02/26/lexus-gs450h-review/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/02/26/lexus-gs450h-review/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Lexus GS450h - Click above for high-res image gallery

The love affair with batteries begins as a child. By the time your fifth Christmas rolls around, the moment you unwrap an electronic gadget your mind is already processing the thought, "Santa better have brought batteries..." Not only does that relationship continue as an adult, but what was once a simple tryst - "Mom, I need batteries for my Coleco Football" - has turned into a full-on romance (with every associated frustration) of our beloved battery-powered gizmos.

Like, for instance, the Lexus GS450h. One of the sleepiest of sleeper sedans, its batteries aren't responsible for keeping it running, only for supplementing the power of its 3.5-liter V6. And while hybrids have generally left us tepid, after a week with the Lexus, we're almost ready to ask automakers for another Christmas gift: Put batteries in everything, and do it just like this.



Photos by Michael Harley / Copyright (C)2009 Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Review: Lexus GS450h uses electrons for fun

Review: Lexus GS450h uses electrons for fun originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gsgs450hlexuslexus gs450hLexusGs450hreviewreviewsFri, 26 Feb 2010 13:32:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19375329/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19375329/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2010/02/26/lexus-gs450h-review/19375329/article-detail.xml 19375329 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/lead1lexusgs450hreview_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/lead1lexusgs450hreview.jpg <![CDATA[Review: 2010 Lexus RX450h is the pinnacle of autonomous fuel-sippers]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2010/01/05/2010-lexus-rx450h-review/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/01/05/2010-lexus-rx450h-review/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/01/05/2010-lexus-rx450h-review/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2010 Lexus RX 450h - Click above for high-res image gallery

With a slew of sensors and CPUs, the 2010 Lexus RX450h can pretty much drive itself. Want to go somewhere? Sit down in the driver's seat, use the Remote Touch device (a.k.a. "mouse") to tell the crossover where you want to go, and follow the easy-as-store-bought-pie instructions to your destination. Whether or not this is a good thing depends on how badly you want to feel like you're in control of your commute. For those concerned about fuel economy and comfort, the almost-autonomous nature of the RX450h is nice, but certainly doesn't offer a tremendous amount of ability to control how much fuel you burn moving down the street. As it turns out, this is a feature, not a bug. Find out why after the jump.



Photos by Sebastian Blanco / Copyright (C)2009 Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Review: 2010 Lexus RX450h is the pinnacle of autonomous fuel-sippers

Review: 2010 Lexus RX450h is the pinnacle of autonomous fuel-sippers originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 lexus rx450h2010LexusRx450hfeaturedlexuslexus rx450hLexusRx450hreviewreviewsrxrx350rx450hTue, 05 Jan 2010 19:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19303856/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19303856/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2010/01/05/2010-lexus-rx450h-review/19303856/article-detail.xml 19303856 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/lead1_lexusrx450hreview_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/lead1_lexusrx450hreview.jpg -1 2