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Spy shots: Higher performance MINI diesels spotted testing

by Sam Abuelsamid (RSS feed) on Nov 27th, 2009 at 7:50AM

MINI is apparently not satisfied with the performance levels of its high mileage MINI D so it's working on something a bit more spritely. The current MINI D is not especially quick right off the line, with a 0-60 time of around 10 seconds from its 108 hp 1.6-liter engine but it does accelerate rapidly once underway. To speed things up a bit, the boffins at MINI HQ have been squirreled away in their garage fitting the 2.0-liter diesel from parent company BMW into the iconic small car.

That's not a trivial task since all the BMWs that use the engine are rear drive with a longitudinal engine mounting. The MINI, of course, is front drive with a transverse layout. The first version with the BMW engine is expected to use the 150 hp single turbo engine from the 118d but something equivalent to a John Cooper Works model could sport the 204 hp twin turbo unit we loved so much in the 123d.

The faster model could sprint to 60 mph in under 7 seconds and still get 40+ mpg. BMW has acknowledged that it plans to bring its four cylinder diesel to the U.S. market and MINI has also said it would love to sell the MINI D here. We say, bring it on.

[Source: AutoCar]

Happy Thanksgiving! Autoblog is grateful for...

by John Neff (RSS feed) on Nov 26th, 2009 at 6:58PM

Click above to find out what the Autoblog team is thankful for


[Photo: Road Fun | CC 2.0]

Mainland Chinese automakers look to Taiwan for EV expertise

by Xavier Navarro (RSS feed) on Nov 26th, 2009 at 3:24PM



More electric car news from Taiwan. Two Chinese automakers are ready to develop and sell electric cars there. Chery, for instance, has announced the creation of an R&D center in the upcoming "Green Energy Intelligent Vehicle Innovation Park (EV Park)" in central Taiwan. This would give Chery access to Taiwan's EV technology. Geely Auto has announced sales in Taiwan of the electric version of the Panda model (pictured above) thanks to Yulon Motor Co, which would develop the EV with lithium-ion batteries. The model, to be ready for 2011, will be sold under Yulon Motor's Tobe brand.

[Source: Gasgoo and Gasgoo]

Chinese government sets ambitious battery production goals

by Xavier Navarro (RSS feed) on Nov 26th, 2009 at 12:02PM


2009 BYD F3DM - Click above for high-res image gallery

New regulations for the production of batteries, both nickel-hydrogen and lithium-ion, have been submitted to China's State Council, according to Wang Shulin, a National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC)'s expert. China's current production figures for batteries are expected to exceed 140,000 kWh (nickel) and 900,000 kWh (lithium) by the end of this year. These figures are expected to reach 360,000 kWh and 4 million kWh, respectively, for 2010. Bearing in mind that an average EV might use a 30 kWh battery (see some examples here), up to 150,000 EVs could be powered by these new packs. Still, the NDRC predicts there will be 100,000 electric cars by 2012 and 4 million in 2020.

Gallery: 2009 BYD F3DM plug-in hybrid


[Source: Gasgoo]

Renault-Nissan creates partnership for deploying EVs in China

by Xavier Navarro (RSS feed) on Nov 26th, 2009 at 8:46AM


2010 Nissan Leaf - Click above for high-res image gallery

The latest city to join the long list of more than 30 cities and governments that have signed an agreement with Renault-Nissan is Guangzhou, a large city formerly known as Canton. Nissan's partner in China, Dongfeng, will work with the municipality to have electric cars available to customers and to create a charging network for these vehicles to use. The first cars are expected to be delivered as soon as 2011. Nothing was mentioned as to which electric model would be produced for the local market, although it's almost guaranteed to be one of the electric concepts shown at Frankfurt or the Nissan Leaf.

Gallery: 2010 Nissan LEAF


[Source: Gasgoo]

Something to be thankful for: getting off of gas might reduce road rage

by Sebastian Blanco (RSS feed) on Nov 25th, 2009 at 7:58PM



Turns out, getting off of gasoline might save more than parts of the environment. According to a study published in BMC Physiology, rats exposed to unleaded gasoline fumes for 30 minutes a day for six weeks "exhibited an increase in lipid peroxidation and a decrease in AChE and superoxide dismutase activities." What does that mean? The rats got mad and had "a higher tendency towards aggressive behaviour as a consequence to gasoline inhalation." Basically, gasoline vapors can piss us off.

The study was conducted by Amal Kinawy of Cairo University, who says that the results might be applicable to humans help cause road rage. It'll take a long time to eliminate all gas-powered vehicles from the road, but doesn't the fight between hydrogen and pure electric seem slightly less important considering the benefits of reducing gasoline usage in general?

[Source: BMC Physiology via Wired]
Photo by david drexler. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.

Electric Smart Fortwo gets shot in Berlin

by Sebastian Blanco (RSS feed) on Nov 25th, 2009 at 7:05PM

The next-generation Smart Ed, which just started production in France this week, is out and about on the streets of Berlin being filmed for some sort of promotional video, we think. Treehugger spotted the little all-electric city car zipping around the famous Siegessäule (victory column) landmark with a lens pointed at it. Berlin is home to other electric vehicles, including the Mini E and the first-gen Smart Ed.

In other Smart news, the Visionaire 57 plug-in calendar is now available. Designed to promote the Smart Ed, the calendar is limited to 4,000 copies and sells for $295.

[Source: Treehugger]


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iQ not unusual enough for you? Toyota will decorate it for free

by Sebastian Blanco (RSS feed) on Nov 25th, 2009 at 6:01PM

Toyota iQ – Click above to enlarge

There's no doubt that the Toyota iQ gets noticed. The unusual car – like the Smart Fortwo – stands out in traffic while the frugal 1.0-litre VVT-i model emits only 99 grams of CO2 per km. How can you make the city runabout stand out even more? By plastering your company's name all over the sides, of course. For a limited time, business iQ buyers in the UK can take advantage of a new deal from Toyota and Motor Mode UK to cover the door panels plastered in whatever graphics they want. For more coverage (as pictured above), shelling out a bit of cash is required.

[Source: Toyota]

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Ricardo and Williams team on KinerStor flywheel hybrid demonstration

by Sam Abuelsamid (RSS feed) on Nov 25th, 2009 at 4:57PM



In the run up to the 2009 Formula One season, most of the teams developed hybrid kinetic energy recovery systems (KERS) as an optional way to get a power boost. While most of the systems ultimately were not raced because the extra power was not enough to overcome the weight penalty, there were some interesting lessons learned. Most of the systems were of the well known battery electric hybrid variety.

The Williams F1 team, however, developed a novel flywheel-electric system with a flywheel tied to a motor-generator. The flywheel is the energy storage system rather than electro-chemical battery. The race team has formed a subsidiary called Williams Hybrid Power to try and commercialize the system. Williams has now formed a consortium with Ricardo, Torotrac, Land Rover and several other companies for a demonstration project to evaluate its system as well as a flywheel magnetic system from Ricardo in commercial applications. The goal is to develop an on-the-road system for under £1000 ($2,000). The new KinerStor demonstration project is partially funded by the UK government through the technology strategy board.

[Source: Williams Hybrid Power]

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Venturi to send electric Berlingo First on Shanghai to Paris record-setting roadtrip

by Domenick Yoney (RSS feed) on Nov 25th, 2009 at 4:03PM



Venturi and PSA Peugeot Citroën teamed up to build an electric version of the Berlingo a while back and, as they move to finally commercialize the vehicle early next year, they are sending a special version out on a little Shanghai to Paris roadtrip. The 8,326 mile (13,400 km) course was chosen as a homage to André Citroën, who completed the reverse route back in 1932. Last weekend, Venturi presented its car and team to Prince Albert II of Monaco, whose Foundation is one of the trip sponsors and whose personal collection is home to a Citroën Kégresse that completed the original "Croisiere Jaune" (Yellow Cruise).

As well as demonstrating the reliability and energy effectiveness of the platform, the voyage is also being seen as a record-setting attempt of the longest distance traveled in a production electric vehicle. The Berlingo First is not exactly "spec" though as its Zebra (NaNiCl) battery can store 70.5 kWh. That's three times as much juice as the ones currently being tested by La Poste, France's national mail service. The bolstered battery is expected to get the small van 220 to 250 miles (350 to 400 Km) on a charge and is said to be able to charge to 80 percent of its capacity in 5 hours with 200V / 16 amp service. From when it leaves the Pavilion of Monaco at the Shanghai China 2010 Expo until it arrives it Paris around the end of July, the expedition will be filmed for our eventual viewing pleasure. With the passage of time and the development of infrastructure and technology, this junket is bound to be vastly different from the original, a short bonus clip of which awaits you after the break. Thanks to EV31 for the tip!


[Source: Venturi]

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