AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com AutoblogGreen http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry.<![CDATA[BYU wins SAE 'Formula Hybrid' competition]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/20/byu-wins-sae-formula-hybrid-competition/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/20/byu-wins-sae-formula-hybrid-competition/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/20/byu-wins-sae-formula-hybrid-competition/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

byu sae formula hybrid

We can't say we've ever seen a Toyota Prius rip through a slalom course like this, either.

A team of engineering students from Brigham Young University won the 2012 Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Formula Hybrid competition at New Hampshire Motor Speedway after finishing second last year.

BYU's "Hybrid Blue" used its 100-horsepower, 450-foot-pounds-of-torque hybrid powertrain to win the competition's acceleration, endurance and autocross heats. BYU, which has been competing in the annual event since 2009, beat out teams from 40 other universities. BYU has released a video of the winning car, which you can see below.

Hybrid Blue, which runs on a combination of E85 (gasoline with an 85 percent ethanol blend) and electricity, had 75 percent of its electric charge remaining after a 14-mile endurance run. The students boosted the car's performance by cutting the car's length by more than a foot and reducing its weight by 80 pounds.

Continue reading BYU wins SAE 'Formula Hybrid' competition

BYU wins SAE 'Formula Hybrid' competition originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 20 May 2012 08:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Brigham Young UniversitybyuFormula Hybridhybridnew hampshiresaeSociety of Automotive ENgineersSun, 20 May 2012 08:33:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20240226/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20240226/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/20/byu-wins-sae-formula-hybrid-competition/20240226/article-detail.xml 20240226 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/byuracecarhybrid_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/byuracecarhybrid.jpg <![CDATA[University of Michigan hopes to set new 3,300-mpg record in SAE Challenge [w/video]]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/17/university-of-michigan-hopes-to-set-new-3-300-mpg-record-in-sae/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/17/university-of-michigan-hopes-to-set-new-3-300-mpg-record-in-sae/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/17/university-of-michigan-hopes-to-set-new-3-300-mpg-record-in-sae/#commentsFiled under: , ,

University of Michigan Supermileage Team

The University of Michigan has had one of the preeminent solar car teams in the world for more than two decades, but a new group of students is looking to make its own mark in the world of green engineering. The school will be fielding its first entry in the annual SAE Supermileage competition this year.

If you think a bunch of newbs would launch their effort somewhat low-key, you probably aren't from Michigan or familiar with the Wolverine Way. Michigan has set its goal at nothing short of the North American record of bettering 3,169 miles per gallon with its single-cylinder, Briggs & Stratton lawnmower engine. The expectation is that the Michigan car will hit 3,300 mpg.

The Supermileage competition has been held since 1980, requiring students to design and build extremely lightweight, single-seat vehicles. The competition itself involves circling the Eaton Corporation Proving Grounds test track. Last year, 27 teams competed, with Quebec's Universite de Sherbrooke dominating the competition, recording 2,158 mpg, over 500 mpg more than its cross-province rival, Universite' Laval.

The 2012 Supermileage competition is scheduled for June 7-8 in Marshall, MI. Scroll down to read the press release and watch Michigan's promotional video.

Continue reading University of Michigan hopes to set new 3,300-mpg record in SAE Challenge [w/video]

University of Michigan hopes to set new 3,300-mpg record in SAE Challenge [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 17 May 2012 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fuel economyhypermilingmichigansae supermileage competitionsupermileageuniversite de sherbrookeuniversite lavaluniversity of michiganThu, 17 May 2012 11:55:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20239976/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20239976/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/17/university-of-michigan-hopes-to-set-new-3-300-mpg-record-in-sae/20239976/article-detail.xml 20239976 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/michigan-supermileage-team-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/michigan-supermileage-team-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Why your next car may not come with a CD player]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/14/why-your-next-car-may-not-come-with-a-cd-player/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/14/why-your-next-car-may-not-come-with-a-cd-player/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/14/why-your-next-car-may-not-come-with-a-cd-player/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Michael Arbaugh, chief designer of Ford interiors, describes center console space as "oceanfront property" - already fully populated, with more tenants trying to move in every year. Speaking to the Automotive Press Association in Detroit, Arbaugh said one tenant he'd like to evict is the CD player because it's dead weight for audio Luddites.

Ok, so he didn't say that exactly. But Arbaugh believes they're out of fashion with people under 30, and that growing lack of interest means they occupy space that could be better employed. They also add weight that has to be countered somewhere else in the march to meet CAFE regulations, an endeavor with nearly aerospace tolerances anymore.

The CD-less car is just talk at the moment but there's no doubt it's coming. More and more computers are being sold without optical drives, and as it goes in the tech world so it shall go in the car-tech world. If we could just get carmakers to properly integrate connections for other PMPs that can play lossless codes and don't mutilate the music, then we wouldn't mind at all - especially since weight savings is one of the best ways to improve fuel efficiency.

Why your next car may not come with a CD player originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 14 May 2012 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cd playerfordinteriorinterior designlight weighttechnologyweight reductionMon, 14 May 2012 09:59:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20237320/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20237320/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/14/why-your-next-car-may-not-come-with-a-cd-player/20237320/article-detail.xml 20237320 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/nocdplayer_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/nocdplayer.jpg <![CDATA[America's obesity problem equals a billion gallons of gas per year]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/01/americas-obesity-problem-equals-a-billion-gallons-of-gas-per-ye/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/01/americas-obesity-problem-equals-a-billion-gallons-of-gas-per-ye/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/01/americas-obesity-problem-equals-a-billion-gallons-of-gas-per-ye/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Driving While Eating

Newsflash: Americans are fat. And no, we're not just big boned. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions over the past couple decades, and as a result diabetes, heart disease and just about every other health issue are on the rise.

The Atlantic reports that the amount of fuel we're using is on the rise as well, as heavy occupants need more fuel to get from Point A to *insert drive-thru joke here*. A 2006 study shows that Americans weigh so much more than they did in 1960 that we're using up almost an additional billion gallons of petrol every year.

That's about $4 billion a year at today's gas prices, and nearly one percent of overall fuel usage. And that was back in 2006 - as we continue to plump up, the dollars continue to pile up. Inside Line reports that each pound we gain as a population adds up to another $39 million. It's too bad we can't get stop/start tech for our appetites.

Regular readers might remember a similar story about the 2006 study that claimed the U.S. is using an extra 153 million gallons a year. That was an estimate based on actual fuel deliveries. The new number, 938 million gallons, comes from engineer Sheldon Jacobson of the University of Illinois. However you look at the numbers, the point is our waistlines impact the bottom line.

America's obesity problem equals a billion gallons of gas per year originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 01 May 2012 20:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fatfuel usegasheavy americansobeseobesityoverweightpetrolTue, 01 May 2012 20:06:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20228259/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20228259/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/01/americas-obesity-problem-equals-a-billion-gallons-of-gas-per-ye/20228259/article-detail.xml 20228259 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/driving-while-eating_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/driving-while-eating.jpg <![CDATA[Ford, Dow Chemical partner on carbon fiber composites, hope to shed up to 750 pounds]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/13/ford-dow-chemical-partner-on-carbon-fiber-composites-hope-to-s/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/13/ford-dow-chemical-partner-on-carbon-fiber-composites-hope-to-s/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/13/ford-dow-chemical-partner-on-carbon-fiber-composites-hope-to-s/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Vaughn Gittin Jr.'s carbon fiber RTR-C Mustang from SEMA 2009

Ford is getting religion when it comes to light-weighting its vehicles. The company has entered into a new partnership with Dow Chemical to develop carbon fiber that can be manufactured at affordable prices for high-volume applications. That, of course, is the holy grail of weight reduction, which is why other manufacturers like BMW and General Motors are also partnering with suppliers to try and achieve the same ends.

Now before you get too excited about the carbon-fiber Mustang in the photos, understand that it was just a limited-production car shown at SEMA in 2009, and it carried a price tag of $135,000. That's the problem with carbon fiber parts - they are expensive because they are much more difficult to manufacture in volume than steel.

But if Ford and other carmakers are going to achieve the sorts of fuel economy improvements required by new regulations, they're going to have to either scale carbon fiber or dramatically shrink the size of most vehicles. Ford says it's targeting a 750-pound weight reduction per vehicle by the end of the decade.

Scroll down to read the full press release.

Continue reading Ford, Dow Chemical partner on carbon fiber composites, hope to shed up to 750 pounds

Ford, Dow Chemical partner on carbon fiber composites, hope to shed up to 750 pounds originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbon fiberdowdow chemicalfordford carbon fiberlight weightlightweightFri, 13 Apr 2012 09:59:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20215024/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20215024/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/13/ford-dow-chemical-partner-on-carbon-fiber-composites-hope-to-s/20215024/article-detail.xml 20215024 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/carbor-fiber-mustang-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/carbor-fiber-mustang-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Terrafugia Transition gets 35 mpg highway, 20 mpg flyway [w/video]]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/05/terrafugia-transition-gets-35-mpg-highway-20-mpg-flyway-w-vide/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/05/terrafugia-transition-gets-35-mpg-highway-20-mpg-flyway-w-vide/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/05/terrafugia-transition-gets-35-mpg-highway-20-mpg-flyway-w-vide/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The Terrafugia Transition stands out from all the other vehicles on display at the New York Auto Show, not because it's the prettiest, or even the fastest. It is neither. It is, however, the only piece of road-going machinery in the Jacob Javits Center sporting a propeller and a pair of wings. And that's because it flies.

Yes, it looks like the dream of the practical flying car is finally coming true. Ok, maybe it's more of a plane you can drive home from the airfield, but still. If you can pony up $279,000 and don't mind waiting a year while the company fulfills its 100-strong order book obligations, you, too, can commute George Jetson style.

Of course, the horizontally opposed 100-horsepower Rotax 912S engine that spins both the push propeller and the rear wheels won't sound like his cartoon bubble car, but it's tried, tested and true. It also uses the fuel of today - premium unleaded, please - and returns an impressive 35 miles per gallon on the highway, 20 mpg (5 gallons per hour at cruising speed) in the flyway.

The Transition returns those kind of numbers, in part, because of its light weight. Empty, the aluminum, titanium and carbon fiber construction weigh in at a svelte 970 lbs. Its road-going mileage is further enhanced because it's limited to a top speed of 65 miles per hour. Still, it gets bonus points for being the only vehicle we know that lists both airbags and a parachute as standard safety equipment.

Hit the jump for a full video inspection from our buds over at Engadget, along with Terrafugia footage of the production prototype in both driving and flying action, accompanied by the official press release from that event.

Continue reading Terrafugia Transition gets 35 mpg highway, 20 mpg flyway [w/video]

Terrafugia Transition gets 35 mpg highway, 20 mpg flyway [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 18:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 new york auto showflying carnew yorknew york auto shownew york auto show 2012roadable aircraftterrafugiaterrafugia transitionThu, 05 Apr 2012 18:04:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20208745/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20208745/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/05/terrafugia-transition-gets-35-mpg-highway-20-mpg-flyway-w-vide/20208745/article-detail.xml 20208745 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/terrafugia-transition-prod-proto-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/terrafugia-transition-prod-proto-628.jpg <![CDATA[Renault could sell low-speed Twizy; Nissan considering Leaf battery leases]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/31/renault-could-sell-low-speed-twizy-nissan-considering-leaf-batt/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/31/renault-could-sell-low-speed-twizy-nissan-considering-leaf-batt/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/31/renault-could-sell-low-speed-twizy-nissan-considering-leaf-batt/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



If anyone wondered what right-hand-drive donuts in a really light electric-vehicle looked like, we all may soon find out.

Renault may launch a low-speed version of its battery-electric Twizy in the UK next year in an effort to capitalize on a law allowing for unlicensed drivers for some smaller vehicles, according to UK's Autocar.

The EV, called the Twizy 45, would be able to be legally driven by unlicensed drivers who are at least 16 years old if the EV is limited to a top speed of 28 miles per hour (that's 45 kph and gives the car its name) and weighs no more than 350 kilograms (770 pounds), or about half the weight of a Smart ForTwo, Autocar reported, citing Andy Heiron, who runs Renault UK's electric-vehicle operations. The EV may cost about £6,200 ($9,900), though a teenager may have to pay another two-thirds of that total during the first year in the form of insurance premiums.

Renault and sister company Nissan have invested a reported $5 billion developing lines of electric vehicles for both companies, including the Nissan Leaf. Nissan's only sold about 600 Leafs in the UK since the model's launch there last spring, Heiron told Autocar, adding that Nissan is considering allowing Leaf buyers to lease the car's battery instead of buying it in order to cut the cost of the car.

The Twizy got some additional attention earlier this week by being included in the new "Plug Into The Positive Energy" exhibit at the L'Atelier Renault stage on Paris's Champs Elysées, where the EV is moved around vertically as part of a so-called "dance routine." Renault this month started selling three variations of the Twizy, with the lowest-price Urban starting at £6,690 ($10,702 U.S. at today's exchange rates) and the top-of-the-line Technic priced at £7,400 ($11,838).

Renault could sell low-speed Twizy; Nissan considering Leaf battery leases originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 31 Mar 2012 17:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volumes have been written about how much obesity costs the U.S. in terms of healthcare costs. Now, the government is looking for ways for cars to shed some pounds as well.

The U.S. Department of Energy will provide $14.2 million in funding towards projects that develop materials to cut vehicle weight, which can help boost overall fuel economy and cut greenhouse-gas emissions.

President Barack Obama said Thursday that the government is looking to speed up the development of materials such as carbon-fiber composites, high-strength steel and aluminum that can be used for vehicle bodies. For instance, use of high-strength steel for certain components may be 25 percent lighter than conventional steel, while carbon-fiber use may cut the weight of certain components in half. Overall, a 10-percent reduction in vehicle weight may boost fuel economy by as much as eight percent.

Of the $14.2 million, $8.2 million will be made available for the 2012 fiscal year, while the rest will be available for fiscal 2013. Companies have through May 7 to send in applications for the funding.

Along with furthering powertrain electrification and other alt-fuel drivetrains, lightweighting is seen as a way to help automakers meet the progressively more stringent fuel-economy standards proposed by the U.S. Last year, the Obama Administration proposed a Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard of 54.5 miles per gallon for 2025. That's equal to a real world average of about 40 mpg. Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) said it would invest as much as $10 million for the development of battery-electric trucks, forklifts and other cargo vehicles in a further attempt to cut petroleum use by the domestic transportation industry.

Continue reading Feds will provide $14.2 million for lightweighting efforts

Feds will provide $14.2 million for lightweighting efforts originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 25 Mar 2012 08:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aluminumbarack obamacarbon fiberdepartment of energyobama administrationsteelSun, 25 Mar 2012 08:53:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20199453/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20199453/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/25/feds-will-provide-14-2-million-for-lightweighting-efforts/20199453/article-detail.xml 20199453 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/carbonfiber_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/carbonfiber.jpg <![CDATA[Future Fuel Economy Mandates, Part III: Chrysler]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/24/future-fuel-economy-mandates-part-iii-chrysler/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/24/future-fuel-economy-mandates-part-iii-chrysler/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/24/future-fuel-economy-mandates-part-iii-chrysler/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Fiat 500 C

As regular readers know, I set out this year to interview as many Detroit automaker executives as I could at the Detroit and Chicago auto shows to get their takes on meeting future fuel economy standards. And these reports are generating a lot of comments.

For example, "Nick" responded to my Ford interviews: "I don't get how 'electrifying global platforms' is any good. They're essentially taking cars that were 100% engineered with ICE in mind, and 'adapting' them into EVs. Not an optimal solution, to say the least. You end up with a car that looks exactly like its ICE counterpart, costs $15k more, is heavy and has poor range. Tesla is a billion miles ahead of these clowns."

Nick is right that electrified conventional vehicles will be somewhat heavier and less efficient than dedicated-platform cars, but Ford has chosen the former path for its early EVs because the latter is hugely expensive. Ford (and virtually all others) believe that potential EV buyers will be willing to sacrifice some range for much more affordable prices.

The idea that designing, developing and building unique, dedicated-platform EVs instead of electrifying conventional ones would result in lower costs is completely wrong. And I'm wondering what credentials justify Nick's calling Ford's incredibly hard-working, capable and dedicated engineers "clowns." And why he thinks, "Tesla is a billion miles ahead" of them. Really? How many dedicated-platform EVs has Tesla sold?

That said, let's start our Chrysler CAFE interviews at the very top with Chrysler (and parent company Fiat) CEO Sergio Marchionne. "If you ask GM and Ford," he said, "we all have the same types of technology, and we all carry the same burden in terms of the sizes of vehicles we are manufacturing. The 50-plus miles per gallon by 2025 cannot be achieved by just redesigning established combustion technologies. We know that some type of hybrid solution needs to be implemented, and if we don't make [sufficient] changes in combustion engines, hybrids will become the mainstay in the United States. At that point, economies of scale will drive down cost. They will never be equivalent, but they will come down. But if you think we're going to get there without passing on additional costs to the consumer, I've got news for you: we will have to.

Continue reading Future Fuel Economy Mandates, Part III: Chrysler

Future Fuel Economy Mandates, Part III: Chrysler originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chryslerdodgedodge mpgfiatfiat 500fiat 500 evmpgsergio marchionnesrtFri, 24 Feb 2012 16:04:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20179146/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20179146/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/24/future-fuel-economy-mandates-part-iii-chrysler/20179146/article-detail.xml 20179146 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/fiat-500-c-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/fiat-500-c-628.jpg <![CDATA[Mindset E-Motion re-emerges with doubly-dense battery claim]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/09/mindset-e-motion-re-emerges-with-doubly-dense-battery-claim/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/09/mindset-e-motion-re-emerges-with-doubly-dense-battery-claim/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/09/mindset-e-motion-re-emerges-with-doubly-dense-battery-claim/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Mindset E-Motion on a road in Switzerland

Remember the Mindset E-Motion? When last we had news of this Murat Günak creation, the folks behind it (Spirt Avert AG, now known as Mindset Holding AG) were seeking 152 million development dollars at a time when many of the world's major economies were sitting on their posteriors, looking up at the cliff from which they'd fallen. Well, the effort survived that turmoil and recently re-emerged boasting a battery tech that claims an energy density that's twice that used in other electric vehicles.

Developed by inventor Jörg Hempel and commercialized under the name H-Tech, the technology uses conventional lithium ion cells that have been pre-conditioned and charged using a newly developed method. The 52-kWh pack currently being tested in the Mindset prototype is said to weigh only 200 kg (440.9 lbs) while extending the vehicle's range by 75 percent. By way of comparison, the pack in the Tesla Roadster is 56 kWhs and weighs 441.9 kg (990 lbs). As you can see, that's an extraordinary improvement.

As Carl Sagan was wont to say, however, "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence" and so it's in this spirit we await more news of the company's testing, as well as independent verification. So far, the pack has undergone an assessment on the road, but will be evaluated further in the lab for "consistency over multiple charge/discharge cycles."

According to the company's website, production of all-electric and range-extended versions had been planned for early 2012. That timeline appears somewhat optimistic in light of the Mindset's current stage of development and the fact that Xenatech, its strategic manufacturing partner, recently declared bankruptcy. Hit the jump to read the official press release for yourself.

Continue reading Mindset E-Motion re-emerges with doubly-dense battery claim

Mindset E-Motion re-emerges with doubly-dense battery claim originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battery breakthroughbattery technologyh-techJörg Hempeljorg hempellithium ion batteriesmindsetmindset e-motionmindset holdingswitzerlandThu, 09 Feb 2012 13:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20165643/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20165643/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/09/mindset-e-motion-re-emerges-with-doubly-dense-battery-claim/20165643/article-detail.xml 20165643 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/mindeset-e-motion-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/mindeset-e-motion-628.jpg <![CDATA[MIT: U.S. could have much better MPG, but our cars got fat]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/05/mit-u-s-could-have-much-better-mpg-but-our-cars-got-fat/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/05/mit-u-s-could-have-much-better-mpg-but-our-cars-got-fat/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/05/mit-u-s-could-have-much-better-mpg-but-our-cars-got-fat/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Americans have gained weight over the last thirty years, and not just around the midsection. American garages and driveways have also put on pounds as cars have become larger and more powerful. A new study from MIT says that, if not for the increase in vehicle weight, we could already be exceeding vehicle mileage targets still years away.

Since 1980, gas mileage is up by 15 percent, an improvement of only about half a percent a year. However, the weight of vehicles has gone up by 26 percent at the same time. Not only that, but horsepower over the period is up by an astounding 107 percent. While safety improvements are often fingered as the cause of rising vehicle weight, the contribution of these systems is minor. The truth is that we're just driving cars that are significantly larger, and far more powerful, than Americans did a generation ago.

According to MIT economist Christopher Knittel, the increase in fuel economy could have been four times as great - fully 60 percent - if we had not gone toward bigger cars with beefier engines. Automakers have actually made terrific improvements in engine efficiency, but those gains have gone to moving more weight and delivering more power. If Americans today were driving cars of similar weight and performance to those we had in 1980, we would have a national fuel economy average closer to 37 mpg instead of the 23-mpg average that we currently do.

What's the solution? Knittel has doubts about the ability of the CAFE standards to deliver sufficient change, and instead calls for a gas tax. The full press article from MIT is after the break.

Continue reading MIT: U.S. could have much better MPG, but our cars got fat

MIT: U.S. could have much better MPG, but our cars got fat originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christopher knittelefficiencymitmpgvehicle weightweightThu, 05 Jan 2012 16:36:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20140618/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20140618/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/05/mit-u-s-could-have-much-better-mpg-but-our-cars-got-fat/20140618/article-detail.xml 20140618 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/escalade_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/escalade.jpg <![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz developing E Superlight as its new carbon fiber halo sedan]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/04/mercedes-benz-developing-e-superlight-as-its-new-carbon-fiber-ha/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/04/mercedes-benz-developing-e-superlight-as-its-new-carbon-fiber-ha/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/04/mercedes-benz-developing-e-superlight-as-its-new-carbon-fiber-ha/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Automakers need halo cars. They bring people into the showroom and demonstrate just what their engineers can do. Typically those range-topping vehicles come in the form of sports cars - think Audi R8, Dodge Viper, Lexus LFA et al - but Mercedes-Benz is reportedly taking another direction. That's because these exotic supercars tend to sell in small numbers (almost by definition), while - for Mercedes-Benz - mid-size luxury sedans like the E-Class sell in much bigger numbers. As such, the Silver Star automaker is planning on making its next halo car a four-door sedan (of sorts).

A couple months ago, we brought you initial word of Daimler's plans to make a super-lightweight, carbon-fiber E-Class, and now further details have found their way into the bloggosphere. Dubbed the E Superlight, the sedan is tipped to share its footprint with the E-Class, its size with the CLS and its price with the S-Class. For that, buyers would get a state-of-the-art sedan made from carbon fiber sitting at the very cutting edge of what Stuttgart's finest are capable of achieving.

That's right, the E Superlight isn't a mere concept car: reports from overseas indicate that Daimler is actually planning on building it, with production earmarked to begin in 2015 and to come fully online by 2017. A hydrogen fuel cell is expected to provide the motivation at least in the beginning, but more conventional powertrains are also said to be in the mix. Once it's made its point, Mercedes can lift the halo back where it usually sits, atop the replacement for the current SLS AMG supercar.

Mercedes-Benz developing E Superlight as its new carbon fiber halo sedan originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e superlighte-classmercedes-benzmercedes-benz e superlightmercedes-benz e-classWed, 04 Jan 2012 14:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20140250/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20140250/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/04/mercedes-benz-developing-e-superlight-as-its-new-carbon-fiber-ha/20140250/article-detail.xml 20140250 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/e-class-frame_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/e-class-frame.jpg <![CDATA[Auto applications sought for new advanced metal that's 100x lighter than Styrofoam [w/video]]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/01/auto-applications-sought-for-new-advanced-metal-thats-100x-ligh/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/01/auto-applications-sought-for-new-advanced-metal-thats-100x-ligh/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/01/auto-applications-sought-for-new-advanced-metal-thats-100x-ligh/#commentsFiled under: ,

HRL Microlattice

Automakers are being pinched to increase safety and improve fuel efficiency, but those two goals often work against each other. That could change thanks to a material that is 99.99-percent air.

Ward's Automotive reports that the California Institute of Technology, HRL Laboratories and the University of California-Irvine have combined to develop a micro-lattice material that is said to be 100 times lighter than Styrofoam and strong like steel. We'd call this material paper-thin, but the truth is even more impressive: the material is comprised of tiny woven tubes that are 1,000 times thinner than a human hair.

The U.S. Department of Defense is obviously interested in this material for top-secret projects like next-generation aircraft, but the micro-lattice is also of great interest to the auto industry. The material could greatly reduce weight and drag, which would in turn significantly increase efficiency. At the same time, the material can reportedly almost completely recover after stress of up to 50 percent and has impressive energy absorbing characteristics. That means the material could also be a safety asset, which is good news for automakers and consumers.

Cal Tech Professor Julia Greer adds that the material could ultimately replace any non heavy-steel component that isn't already light in weight. A material with less air would reportedly be the next step in the evolution of lightweight metals, and the scientists are working on a nano-lattice that can do just that.

We don't know much about these micro and nano materials, but we're guessing it will be a while before the materials are inexpensive enough for automotive applications. But if the U.S. government and airplane manufactures can jump aboard and bring down the manufacturing costs, we could see this type of material helping automakers achieve those 50+ mile per gallon fuel economy standards. For more information and a demonstration of the micro-lattice's properties, check out the videos after the jump.

Continue reading Auto applications sought for new advanced metal that's 100x lighter than Styrofoam [w/video]

Auto applications sought for new advanced metal that's 100x lighter than Styrofoam [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 01 Jan 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cal techcalifornia institute of technologydepartment of defenseefficiencyfuel economyhrl laboratorieslatticelightweightmaterialmicro latticestyrofoamvideoSun, 01 Jan 2012 08:30:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20138133/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20138133/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/01/auto-applications-sought-for-new-advanced-metal-thats-100x-ligh/20138133/article-detail.xml 20138133 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/hrl-microlattice_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/hrl-microlattice.jpg <![CDATA[Honda's lightweighting efforts include welding panels to frames]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/30/hondas-lightweighting-efforts-include-welding-panels-to-frames/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/30/hondas-lightweighting-efforts-include-welding-panels-to-frames/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/30/hondas-lightweighting-efforts-include-welding-panels-to-frames/#commentsFiled under: ,



Honda N Box
Honda Motor Co. is looking to cut weight from its vehicles by changing its manufacturing methods to reduce the number of bolts and reinforcement materials, Reuters reported, citing the Japanese newspaper Nikkei.

The Japanese automaker will start welding exterior panels to the vehicle frames instead of assembling the vehicle's side, ceiling and other panels individually, according to the wire service. Honda is using the new method for its N Box mini-vehicle (pictured), which debuted in Japan earlier this month, and will expand the practice to all models within the next few years. The practice cut the N Box's weight by about 10 percent as well as reduced manufacturing costs.

Honda is among many automakers trying to cut vehicle weight as a way to reduce fuel economy in order to conform to more stringent greenhouse-gas emissions standards both in the U.S. and overseas. By making its cars lighter, Honda's also trying to speed up its entry to emerging markets, Reuters said.

Honda's model-year 2010 U.S. vehicles achieved a fleetwide 25.6 miles per gallon combined, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. That was second-best to Hyundai among the 14 largest U.S. vehicle makers. It's also 3.1 mpg better than the overall average, so any increase just puts competitors further behind.

Honda's lightweighting efforts include welding panels to frames originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fuel economyhondahonda n boxjapanlightweightingmanufacturingFri, 30 Dec 2011 14:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20137772/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20137772/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/30/hondas-lightweighting-efforts-include-welding-panels-to-frames/20137772/article-detail.xml 20137772 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/hondanbox_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/hondanbox.jpg <![CDATA[Extra passenger pounds can cancel out vehicle lightweighting efforts]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/28/extra-passenger-pounds-can-cancel-out-vehicle-lightweighting-eff/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/28/extra-passenger-pounds-can-cancel-out-vehicle-lightweighting-eff/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/28/extra-passenger-pounds-can-cancel-out-vehicle-lightweighting-eff/#commentsFiled under: ,

Ford Focus

Americans, on average, have gained enough weight during the past 40 years to cancel out automakers' vehicle-lightweighting efforts such as using lighter components or removing spare tire, reflecting an additional challenge automakers face to meet progressively more strict fuel-economy and greenhouse-gas emissions standards. The information comes from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in a recent Automotive News report.

The average adult U.S. male weighs almost 195 pounds, up 28.4 pounds from what an average adult male weighed in 1960, while the average female adult weight has risen 24.5 pounds over the same time period, Automotive News said, citing the CDC. The weight gained by the average male is about the same as a typical tire found on a Ford Mustang and almost cancels out the 30 pounds Ford was able to cut from the 2012 Focus by using a new, six-speed Powershift automatic transmission instead of the old Focus gearbox.

The combined weight gained by the average American male and female can cut average fuel economy by as much as one percent, which could translate to an additional 153 million gallons of gas burned in the U.S. over the course of a year.

Either way, such additional passenger weight offsets some of the advances automakers have made in fuel efficiency in recent years. Last year was the fifth consecutive model year that U.S. fleetwide fuel economy increased, reflecting both more hybrid-electric vehicle sales and improved powertrain technologies. The average 2010 model year car across all makes got 22.5 miles per gallon, up slightly from the 22.4 average for the 2009 model year and about 17 percent higher than the 2004 model year average, the EPA said last November.

Extra passenger pounds can cancel out vehicle lightweighting efforts originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 28 Dec 2011 19:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Center for Disease Controlford focusford mustangfuel economygas mileagelightweightingobesityweightweight gainWed, 28 Dec 2011 19:50:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20136603/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20136603/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/28/extra-passenger-pounds-can-cancel-out-vehicle-lightweighting-eff/20136603/article-detail.xml 20136603 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/fordfocus-1325105123_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/fordfocus-1325105123.jpg <![CDATA[GM gets serious about widespread use of carbon fiber]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/09/gm-gets-serious-about-widespread-use-of-carbon-fiber/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/09/gm-gets-serious-about-widespread-use-of-carbon-fiber/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/09/gm-gets-serious-about-widespread-use-of-carbon-fiber/#commentsFiled under: ,

General Motors Carbon Fiber

General Motors has announced a partnership with a leading carbon fiber producer in an effort to research the possibility of widespread use of the material in its vehicles. Teijin Limited has pioneered a new manufacturing process for carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic that allows for cycle times of under one minute. Typically, creating carbon fiber parts from molds requires the use of slow-setting resin that simply takes too long to be practical for use on a large scale. As part of the tie-up with GM, Teijin will set up a new technical center in the northern United States to support development.

Carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastics have the benefit of being up to 10 times stronger than conventional steel while offering one quarter of the weight. Of course, carbon fiber can also come with a suitably steep price tag, though Teijin's techniques will likely help curb costs significantly. As manufacturers continue to push for ever more efficient vehicles, ditching the weight will become increasingly important. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading GM gets serious about widespread use of carbon fiber

GM gets serious about widespread use of carbon fiber originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbon fibercarbon fiber reinforced plasticscfrpgeneral motorsgmteijin limitedFri, 09 Dec 2011 13:58:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20124665/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20124665/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/09/gm-gets-serious-about-widespread-use-of-carbon-fiber/20124665/article-detail.xml 20124665 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/gm-carbon-fiber-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/gm-carbon-fiber-628.jpg <![CDATA[Epic EV to supply Electric DeLorean with composite bodies]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/07/epic-ev-to-supply-electric-delorean-with-composite-bodies/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/07/epic-ev-to-supply-electric-delorean-with-composite-bodies/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/07/epic-ev-to-supply-electric-delorean-with-composite-bodies/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Chassis of Electric DeLorean done in composite material by Epic EV.

The arrangement that has Epic EV supplying the drivetrain for the DMC Electric DeLorean has apparently been working out so well that the two companies have decided to tap yet another of Epic's areas of expertise: composites.

Weight management is an important aspect of electric vehicle design and it was realized that DMC could shave 200 pounds off their retro-futuristic product by replacing the old-school fiberglass material that makes up the main part of the chassis with a modern lightweight resin-infused composite. Not only that, but the new stuff is much stronger, which gives the Electric DeLorean better roof crush and side impact protection.

Epic, of course, has been using composites in its boats for some time and CEO Chris Anthony learned much about using it in automotive applications while creating the now-dead Aptera (sniff). While we look forward to seeing more of the modern Electric DeLorean in action, we also can't help wonder whether Epic might go back to the future with an Aptera-like design.

Continue reading Epic EV to supply Electric DeLorean with composite bodies

Epic EV to supply Electric DeLorean with composite bodies originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 07 Dec 2011 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chris anthonycompositecompositesdeloreanDeLorean Motor Companydmcelectric deloreanelectric vehicleepic evWed, 07 Dec 2011 07:58:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20120689/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20120689/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/07/epic-ev-to-supply-electric-delorean-with-composite-bodies/20120689/article-detail.xml 20120689 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/epic-delorean-composite-chassis-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/epic-delorean-composite-chassis-628.jpg <![CDATA[Belumbury presents its DANY city car at the Milan International Motorcycle Show]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/14/belumbury-presents-its-dany-city-car-at-the-milan-international/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/14/belumbury-presents-its-dany-city-car-at-the-milan-international/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/14/belumbury-presents-its-dany-city-car-at-the-milan-international/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The Belumbury DANY, a two-door city car with room for four on display

While one might imagine that the Milan International Motorcycle Show (EICMA) is strictly a two-wheeled affair, it's become apparent that's not necessarily the case. The proof? Meet DANY, a two-door city car with seating for four, by Belumbury.

The new Italian company decided that having the chance to have its debut product seen by the 500,000 people that attend EICMA was too great an opportunity to pass up, despite a potentially excessive number of wheels. Developed in conjunction with the Università di Camerino, DANY comes in both electric and gasoline-powered flavors.

Both are of steel tube construction with plastic bodies with lots of thought given to safety and sustainability. Both have 4-wheel disc brakes, MacPherson struts suspension and are rear-wheel-drive with a turning radius of 8.4 meters (27.6 foot).

The electric version is powered by a 10 kW (13.41 horsepower) AC motor motor capable of 140 Nm (103 lb ft) of torque. The juice is stored in a 16.3-kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery pack and is said to offer 112 miles of range in Eco mode - 90 miles in "Race" mode. Top speed is listed as just 96 km/h (59.3 miles per hour), allowing it to be categorized as a Quadricycle in Europe.

The gas-powered version uses a two-cylinder engine with a half-liter of displacement that makes 15 kW (20.12 horsepower) and 36.5 Nm (37 pound feet) of torque. All that power - yes, all of it - is sent to the wheels via a CVT (continuously variable transmission). Gasoline consumption is said to be a reasonable 26 km/l (61.16 mpg), while the top speed is slightly less than the electric variant at 90 km/h (55.92 mph).

There's no word yet on when the Rome-based production will start or the size of the price tag. When the DANY does go on sale, it's likely that distribution will be limited to Europe. Hit the jump to see this smartly-designed Italian in action in its promotional video.

Continue reading Belumbury presents its DANY city car at the Milan International Motorcycle Show

Belumbury presents its DANY city car at the Milan International Motorcycle Show originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 14 Nov 2011 19:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>belumburybelumbury danycity cardanyeicmaelectric vehicleuniversità di camerinoMon, 14 Nov 2011 19:35:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20105449/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20105449/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/14/belumbury-presents-its-dany-city-car-at-the-milan-international/20105449/article-detail.xml 20105449 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/belumbury-dany_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/belumbury-dany.jpg <![CDATA[Phoenix Roadster weaves bamboo into biodegradable vehicle]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/04/phoenix-roadster-weaves-bamboo-into-biodegradable-vehicle/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/04/phoenix-roadster-weaves-bamboo-into-biodegradable-vehicle/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/04/phoenix-roadster-weaves-bamboo-into-biodegradable-vehicle/#commentsFiled under: ,



Bamboo offers plenty of advantages over traditional manufacturing materials. Besides being a fast-growing plant that can be produced in a range of environments, bamboo can be impressively strong and rigid. Filipino designer Kenneth Cobonpue and German product designer Albercht Birkner have teamed up to create a new concept that aims to explore the possibilities of bamboo in modern vehicle manufacturing. The Phoenix Bamboo Car is hewn from bamboo, steel and nylon, and it took the concept's workers 10 days to complete the vehicle's assembly.

The shell is woven to maintain the appearance of a leaf, and the designers say that the average life span of the project is projected to be around five years. That may seem short, but the designers say that the time period is approximately how long current car owners keep a vehicle.

The project does seem to have some details to sort out, however. We shudder to think of the overall environmental product impact of out-right replacing a vehicle every five years instead of allowing it to soldier on in the used market, and there are certainly safety concerns to be weighed as well. Still, the Phoenix Bamboo Car is a beautiful design, and we certainly wouldn't mind seeing manufacturers use a higher volume of renewable materials in their products.

Phoenix Roadster weaves bamboo into biodegradable vehicle originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 04 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bamboobamboo carpheonix bamboophoenixphoenix bamboo carrenewablerenewable materialsFri, 04 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20097798/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20097798/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/04/phoenix-roadster-weaves-bamboo-into-biodegradable-vehicle/20097798/article-detail.xml 20097798 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/phoenix-concept-car-3-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/phoenix-concept-car-3-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Scion sets 2012 iQ sales target at up to 2,000/month]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/02/scion-sets-2012-iq-sales-target-at-up-to-2-000-month/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/02/scion-sets-2012-iq-sales-target-at-up-to-2-000-month/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/02/scion-sets-2012-iq-sales-target-at-up-to-2-000-month/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2012 Scion iQ

According to Ward's Auto, Scion is confident enough in its upcoming iQ minicar that a U.S. sales target of 1,000 to 2,000 units per month has been set. While that may not sound like much, remember that the iQ will have a staggered rollout across the U.S., beginning with the West Coast this Fall, moving to the southern states in January and then the East Coast and Midwest after that. Following the full national roll-out, an all-electric iQ will arrive in late 2012, though will only be available to fleets and car sharing services.

Also keep in the mind that the bar for minicars has been set low by the slow-selling and not-very-well-received Smart fortwo, which sold only 5,927 units in 2010. Even if it only hit its low end target of 1,000 units per month, the iQ would still be crushing the fortwo.

These targets come from Scion vice president Jack Hollis, who Ward's reports as saying that Scion will be relying on the iQ's premium equipment list to do in the U.S. what the fortwo hasn't: sell. Hollis cites the iQ's 11 airbags, including an industry-first rear-window airbag, and infotainment tech like standard Bluetooth and HD Radio, as the big draws.

With a base price of $15,995 including destination, the iQ can hardly be called inexpensive for its size, but its combination of being more fun to drive than a fortwo, decent fuel economy (37 miles per gallon combined) and a funky look means that urbanites who value the smallest footprint possible may finally have a choice they can live with.

Scion sets 2012 iQ sales target at up to 2,000/month originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric iqiqiq salesminicarscionscion iqscion iq electricscion iq salesWed, 02 Nov 2011 09:58:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20090888/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20090888/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/02/scion-sets-2012-iq-sales-target-at-up-to-2-000-month/20090888/article-detail.xml 20090888 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/2012-scion-iq-fd_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/2012-scion-iq-fd.jpg -1 2