While Mitsubishi didn't unveil any new vehicles at the LA Auto Show today, company president Osamu Masuko did announce the latest step in MMC's plan to bring plug-in vehicles to North America. The vehicle – well, one of them – is an all-electric i-MiEV plastered with Best Buy's Geek Squad logo. The electronics giant will start using them in January (after they're shown off at CES) at some Geek Squad locations in California. Details have not yet been totally worked out, but the Geek EVs will start with a fleet of four vehicles and will then expand and rotate to other stores over the course of three years. Most likely, the i-MiEVs will be doled out in pairs and the probable early cities where these vehicles will make house calls include Chicago, New York, Portland, and San Francisco.

Best Buy plans to use the i-MiEVs just like any other fleet car, with the exception that they will be right-hand drive. Best Buy's Senior Vice President of emerging business, Rick Rommel, told AutoblogGreen that the idea is to learn, "How these will fit into a Geek's daily life." The plug-in vehicle tests with Geek Squad is unrelated to how select West Coast Best Buy stores are selling electric bikes. That said, Rommel admits that the key thing is that Best Buy likes to conduct new experiments, and these EVs fit into that general concept.

Also making the stand in LA is the PX-MiEV, Mitsubishi's plug-in hybrid that was unveiled in Tokyo. Like what you see? A version of this model will likely be available in the U.S. in 2013. While you're waiting, you can check out our high-res galleries below and Mitsu president Masuko's speech after the jump.




Live photos copyright ©2009 Sebastian Blanco / Weblogs, Inc.

Read more →

What do you do with some 700,000 recently clunked cars? Send them to scrap heaps, naturally. According to the initial set of rules drafted when Cash for Clunkers was first launched, all those vehicles need to be processed properly, which includes removing most (if not all) of the good usable parts from each vehicle before sending the remaining hulk through crush and melt-down machines.

That's all well and good, except that these recycling yards were only allotted six months to make all those cars go away. Not surprisingly, that's not likely to happen, leading the American Recyclers Association to request another six months to do the duty. Considering that nearly three times as many cars were junked than initially planned, that doesn't seem unreasonable.

On Friday, November 27, the U.S. Transportation Department submitted a proposal to extend the recyclers an additional three months. Why not go the full 12 months, as requested? Apparently, the federal agency believes that extending the deadline that far would heighten the risk of fraud. In other words, clunked cars could end up back on the highway, even though the vehicles in question all had their engines killed in spectacular fashion.

Michael Wilson, executive vice president of the American Recyclers Association agrees, saying, "While we were seeking additional time, we understand there are some other factors involved. We believe this is a good compromise, one that will help the vast majority of our members in processing these vehicles."

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd | Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images]

Although it sat out the inaugural TTXGP race this summer past (hey, they were busy making a bunch of new models, what do you want from them already?) Zero Motorcycles has announced they will enter the 2010 fray starting with the first race weekend at Infineon May 14-16. The bike that the California company will run is said to take its design cues from the Zero S (pictured above) and use the same Z-Force powertrain technology along with a new Z-Force Air Induction system that will help cool the motor.

As with many companies involved in motorsport, Zero hopes to use the competitive series to help drive its product innovation. They hint that the new cooling setup, for instance, will provide for higher performance on up-coming production models. The company is also lining up some strategic partners for the effort and expects to make some announcements shortly. While Zero Motorcycles has recently shown itself to be a potent competitor off-road, when the green flag finally starts waving next year they can expect to face a tough field, including a pair of entries from last year's winning Agni Motors team as well as machines from Brammo, MotoCzysz, Mission Motors, Electric Motorsport, and newcomers Swigz,com Racing (and others). Hit the jump for both the official press release and a bit of bonus clip of TTXGP founder Azhar Hussain trying out the Zero S last summer.


[Source: Zero Motorcycles]

Read more →

Turns out, Honda's P-NUT is not some sort of twist on the UX-3 unicycle thing we saw in Japan recently. Instead, the concept vehicle is a three-seat thing enclosed in lots of glass and angular shapes. Honda says the P-NUT is ready for one of three possible powertrains: an efficient gas engine, a gas-electric hybrid, or a pure electric set-p. There's not a whole lot of room for any of these powerplants in a traditional set-up because the driver's leg room extends almost all the way into the front of the concept. Good thing the power source is intended to be mounted in the rear.

Let's be clear, this is a pure concept car. There are no side mirrors (but there is a back-up camera). Bumpers? Bah, Honda barely put headlights on this thing. Still, the Honda 'Personal-Neo Urban Transport' could make for a pretty sweet ride through a city, with lots of sightlines for the three inhabitants (a driver in the front middle, two passengers arranged behind and to either side) to see out of. The P-NUT does succeed in Honda's stated goal to get the most space out of a small footprint, and we wouldn't mind some sort of production version BEV someday. Chances are, though, that this is the last we'll ever see of it.




Live photos copyright ©2009 Sebastian Blanco / Weblogs, Inc.

Read more →

There's no doubt that the single biggest reason to choose a hybrid vehicle is to decrease fuel consumption, and that's true regardless of what class of vehicle you are considering. From the largest hulking SUVs to the smallest little Insight, hybrid purchasers are hoping to save big time money on their fuel bills. So, just how much is it possible to reasonably expect to save?

The answer lies in the word "reasonably." There are some that just want to drive their cars the same way as they always have and be rewarded with good efficiency. Others, sometimes known as hypermilers, are willing to go to extremes to minimize fuel consumption. So, the question is: Just how low can you go?

How about 85 mpg from a new Lexus HS 250h? That's the figure that Clark Heideger from Lexus Magazine managed to coax from Lexus' new luxury fuel sipper. But don't expect that result to be easily repeatable. As Heideger himself says, "My tests were about as scientific as an episode of Scooby Doo." Still, if you want to know how he did it, click here for the whole story. Thanks for the tip, Renan!



[Source: Lexus Magazine]

The 2011 Ford Fiesta may have been the big B-segment reveal last night, but Mazda has finally decided to bring its own compact runabout to North America, and it's based on the same architecture as it Blue Oval sibling. Originally launched in Europe, Japan, and Australia a couple of years ago, the Mazda2 was very well-received by media and consumers alike, a warm reception that probably helped make the case for the Japanese automaker to bring it over to the United States. That time has arrived, and the Mazda2 will be available in North America as a 2011 model.

Although Mazda revealed what the North American spec version will look like, it's still holding back additional information, including engine specifications, interior details, and pricing. We'll get more details soon, but in the meantime, check the full release after the jump and our live pics from the floor below.



Live photos copyright ©2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

Read more →

Volkswagen has just taken the cover off an all-new concept called the Up! Lite, a sinister looking diesel hybrid that gets (according to VW) 70 mpg combined. As in both City and Highway. Impressive, even if that only ends up being 90 percent accurate. In fact, should Volkswagen decide to green light the unfortunately named Up! Lite, it would be the most fuel efficient and environmentally friendly four seat vehicle on the planet. Again, if the Up! Lite comes to fruition, we'll all be impressed. Interestingly, this concept isn't the most fuel efficient and environmentally friendly car on earth is because another Volkswagen -- the L1 from Frankfurt – is. But it only seats two.

Ready for the good parts? The aptly titled Up! Lite barely tips the scales at 1,530 pounds. There are Honda Goldwings flirting with that weight class. This svelteness is achieved via a mix of aluminum, lightweight steel and carbon fiber. For instance, the roof is made entirely from the expensive weave. And those amazing wheels consist of ten carbon-fiber spokes and an aluminum fairing. Nifty, no? The tiny, stylized winglettes replace conventional rearview mirrors and contain cameras instead of reflective glass. The same holds true for the interior mounted mirror, as has been replaced by a camera.

Up front, there's an active air dam that opens up as needed. The extra cooling will help out the TDI hybrid drive lifted from the two-seater L1. This 800cc powerplant transmits power to the wheels using a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox. Even though the diesel engine is teeny, when coupled to the electric motor, the Up! Lite can reach 100 mph and hit 60 mph in 12 seconds. Not fast by any means, but good enough – especially for an ultra-high mileage vehicle. And it can haul stuff, too – including humans. Unlike the Up! Concept we saw in Frankfurt, the Up! Lite seats four people, and with the rear seats folded, it can haul 30 cubic feet of stuff. Not bad at all.

Overall, we're pretty impressed by the looks and promise of the Up! Lite. In our estimation, there's absolutely nothing wrong with blending a Honda CRX with a Volvo C30. Will the Up! Lite ever make it to production? Who knows. VW claims the first Up!s(?) will go on sale in 2011. We get the sense that any future decision will be based on how the two-door Up! does. But we get the feeling the Up! Lite might give the people more of what they want. Official press release after the jump.



[Source:Volkswagen]

Read more →

At the official introduction of the new Hyundai Sonata today at the LA Auto Show, Hyundai Motor America CEO John Krafcik confirmed some additional details that were not in the initial press release. When the 2011 Sonata goes on sale next month the only powertrain option will be the new 198 hp direct injected 2.4-liter four cylinder. Hyundai has opted to forgo a V6, making it unique in the mid-sized sedan segment. When we got a recent preview of the Sonata it certainly appeared that there was enough room in the engine compartment for a V6.

Some of that space will be occupied by new hardware, but it doesn't include more cylinders. Instead, Krafcik told the audience that a turbocharged version of the DI four-cylinder will join the lineup later this year. No information was given about power output but we would guess it will be in the 260-270 hp range, making it comparable to the V6s used in Camrys, Accords and Fusions. If it reaches that level, it would be well above the expected 230 hp output of the 2.0-liter EcoBoost four that is coming from Ford later this year.

The other powertrain for the Sonata will be the company's first U.S.-market hybrid. The hybrid system was first shown a year ago here in LA. That system will also be based around the DI engine and will be the first production automotive application of a lithium polymer battery.


[Source: Hyundai]

While Americans get their first official taste of the U.S.-market Ford Fiesta, Europeans can feast their eyes on an even-more frugal Focus Econetic model that will go on sale early next year. With start-stop, regenerative brakes and an Eco Mode system, the new Focus gets 62 MPG (U.S.) on the European scale and emits just 99 grams of CO₂ per kilometer. The Focus marks the first time Ford of Europe has put start-stop into a production vehicle. That Eco Mode system? It's a driver information display that shows how efficiently the driver is cruising down the road. It's not as fancy as the Fusion hybrid's leaf display, but it does come standard in the Focus Econetic.

Another eco feature on the Focus is Low Tension FEAD (Front End Accessory Drive), which is a new alternator bracket that lowers the tension on the front end accessory drive belt without resulting in common negative effects of a looser belt like increased wear and noise. Stuff like this is going to keep ICEs in the running for the foreseeable future. More details after the jump.


[Source: Ford]

Read more →

During Bob Lutz's keynote speech kicking off the LA Auto Show this morning, he announced that GM would bring a fleet of 100 Chevy Volts to California in late 2010. GM will partner with Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), the Sacremento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) for this real-world test that is intended to help figure out what sort of charging network is needed in an area to help automakers introduce plug-in cars. Over 500 charging stations will be installed as part of the program. "This program will determine the best methods to accommodate an expanding fleet of electric vehicles from all OEMs," Lutz said. "This extended real-world study will allow us to make electric vehicles as good as they can be for our customers."

The U.S. DOE is providing a matching grant worth over $30 million for this program, and will get user data for their money. OnStar will provide feedback on how the Volts are used to GM, and GM will relay this data to the DOE. This program does not mean that the first Volts will be used only for fleets. The first customer deliveries are still scheduled to happen at around the same time. We'll have a more complete report on Lutz's speech up soon.

Our travel and lodging for this media event were paid for by the Auto Alliance.