Autoblog Green http://green.autoblog.com Autoblog Green http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/green.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog Green http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Chevy Spark gets driven in Europe, could use some more spark]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/05/chevy-spark-gets-driven-in-europe-could-use-some-more-spark/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/05/chevy-spark-gets-driven-in-europe-could-use-some-more-spark/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/05/chevy-spark-gets-driven-in-europe-could-use-some-more-spark/#commentsFiled under:

2010 Chevrolet Spark - click above for high-res image gallery

The new Chevy Spark could be the smallest model ever offered by General Motors in North America if the company follows through with plans to bring it here in 2011. Given the continuing upheavals at the tubes, and the questions about the micro-car segment in the U.S., this one is anything but certain. Nonetheless, the Spark is now on sale in other parts of the world and the folks at the UK's Channel 4 recently had the opportunity to drive it.

The Europeans get two four-cylinder engine options in the Spark, a 67 hp 1.0-liter or an 80 hp 1.2-liter. The larger engine takes 12.1 seconds to hit 62 mph while the smaller unit takes 15.5 seconds. Neither is especially refined in doing so, and they struggle climbing grades at highway speeds. They are rated at 49.0 and 46.1 mpg (U.S.) on the EU combined cycle, good but not outstanding especially given the sluggish thrust. A diesel or battery version would probably be a better choice for the city car. It sounds like the ride and handling could use some more tweaking as well.

Gallery: 2010 Chevy Spark


[Source: Channel 4]

Chevy Spark gets driven in Europe, could use some more spark originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 18:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletChevrolet SparkChevroletSparkchevychevy sparkChevySparkSat, 05 Dec 2009 18:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Don't you dare: French parents criticize Renault for naming new electric car Zoé]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/05/dont-you-dare-french-parents-criticize-renault-for-naming-new/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/05/dont-you-dare-french-parents-criticize-renault-for-naming-new/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/05/dont-you-dare-french-parents-criticize-renault-for-naming-new/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Renault Zoe Z.E. concept - click above for high-res image gallery

Naming a car, even a concept car, is a process fraught with difficulty. Renault, for example, it taking flak for using the common (in France) female name Zoé for one of their new electric vehicle concepts. There are a few names that apply to both people and vehicles - Dakota and Sierra spring to mind - but this one has struck a nerve.

Sébastien Mortreux is leading an online petition drive asking Renault to change the Zoé's name to something a little less human. Guardidan columnist Zoe Williams (wonder why she got the assignment?) writes that Morteux's petition begins: "Our daughters have a beautiful first name that must not be associated with a car, so let us unite to bring pressure on a multinational which is going to destroy this pretty name for our children." Williams continues:
A Renault spokesman, Valerian David, replied to all the criticism with this: "It is a name that evokes values of femininity, of youth, a playful spirit and vivacity." I mean, even if that's true (I'm working tirelessly in the opposite direction), it is a signal of how shameless this manufacturer is to look its flesh-and-blood customers in the eye and say: "All those attractive traits of yours, all the things that make you you and make you alive, those things that people will recall with a tear during your funeral oration ... we're going to attach them to this prosaic heap of metal.
That's just one brilliant graph. We recommend her entire article.


[Source: Daily Mail, Guardian via Wired]

Don't you dare: French parents criticize Renault for naming new electric car Zoé originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 14:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>renault zoe conceptrenault zoe z.e.Renault Zoe ZERenaultZoeConceptRenaultZoeZ.e.RenaultZoeZezoe conceptzoe zeZoeConceptZoeZeSat, 05 Dec 2009 14:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Governors' Biofuels Coalition wants E15 waiver decision sooner rather than later]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/05/governors-biofuels-coalition-wants-e15-waiver-decision-sooner-r/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/05/governors-biofuels-coalition-wants-e15-waiver-decision-sooner-r/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/05/governors-biofuels-coalition-wants-e15-waiver-decision-sooner-r/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The big news in ethanol circles is the current debate over whether or not to raise the amount of the biofuel in the national gasoline supply from a maximum of 10 percent to 15. The EPA recently decided that December 1st deadline to make a decision wasn't set in stone and so pushed a decision back to June. The Automakers Alliance said it was a good idea to allow for more testing, but the Governors' Biofuels Coalition released a statement that not only expect and want the EPA to allow the blend increase but also want that decision to come quickly. Since 2005, the GBC has been calling for higher blends, all the way up to E20. That number is unlikely, given the all the problems that are being discovered using E15 on vehicles that were not designed with that fuel in mind. The GBC is also in favor of blend pumps, which would allow the customer to select the precise amount of biofuel being added to their gasoline at time of purchase.

[Source: Governors' Biofuels Coalition]

Continue reading Governors' Biofuels Coalition wants E15 waiver decision sooner rather than later

Governors' Biofuels Coalition wants E15 waiver decision sooner rather than later originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 11:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blender pumpsBlenderPumpse10e15ethanolgbagovernors biofuel coalitionGovernorsBiofuelCoalitionSat, 05 Dec 2009 11:51:00 EST<![CDATA[LA 2009: Audi e-tron hits the street]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/05/la-2009-audi-e-tron-hits-the-street/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/05/la-2009-audi-e-tron-hits-the-street/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/05/la-2009-audi-e-tron-hits-the-street/#commentsFiled under: , ,



While we were spending our time inside the LA Convention Center this week ogling the orange Audi e-tron, Autospies' Agent 001 wandered outside and snapped some pics of the red version of this powerful all-electric sports car on a nearby street. While the car itself is nothing new, this does give us some idea of what to expect when a production version e-tron arrives, supposedly sometime in 2012. The 3319 lb-ft of torque (well...) don't get to show off while the car is stationary, but at least it's clear this car can attract attention, even near a show filled with new and unusual vehicles. See more shots over at Autospies.

[Source: www.AutoSpies.com]

LA 2009: Audi e-tron hits the street originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 09:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiaudi etronAudiEtronetronla 2009La2009Sat, 05 Dec 2009 09:18:00 EST<![CDATA[LA 2009: CMT-380 packs microturbine, li-ion battery into a matte black package]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/la-2009-cmt-380-packs-microturbine-li-ion-battery-into-a-matte/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/la-2009-cmt-380-packs-microturbine-li-ion-battery-into-a-matte/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/la-2009-cmt-380-packs-microturbine-li-ion-battery-into-a-matte/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Capstone Turbine CMT-380 - click above for high-res image gallery

The CMT-380 was the surprise basement find of the LA Auto Show. After working on the car for four years, inventor Richard Hilleman was the man of the hour as he fielded questions about his unusual microturbine-lithium-ion hybrid powertrain fitted to a GTM Supercar kit body.

Hilleman has owned an electric vehicle - a converted Porsche 550 Spyder - for at 15 years and has constantly upgraded it. The EV used to have just 30 hp with lead acids but now uses lithium ferrous batteries and has 200 hp. The 100-mile range hasn't changed, though, and so he knew it was time to build a hybrid. He decided on Capstone's diesel microturbines as the range extender. He knew he could rely on them - they've been used in buses for years - but there was still the challenge of fitting the unit into a car like this. Hilleman built the CMT-380 just for himself, but Capstone is happy to show it off as a proof of concept vehicle. It would be too pricey to put into mass production (Hilleman estimated he put in about $375,000 hours of work), but it's not impossible that a high-end, expensive, limited production run could be made some day.

Right now, Hilleman is really happy with his creation. He especially loves the sound of the vehicle. Three feet to the side of the car, the microturbine puts out about 87 dB, but in the cabin, it's nearly silent. California law might require him to add a muffler, but it's already quiet enough without one. He's got a solution for that problem, should he need it.

Hilleman hasn't had a lot of time to actually drive the car - he just finished it last week - but he now has a EV hybrid that he can drive from the Bay Area to Las Vegas, just like he wanted. Check out the car in all its matte glory in the gallery below and listen to Hilleman talk about the journey to create the CMT-380 after the jump.

Gallery: LA 2009: CMT-380


Live photos copyright (C)2009 Sebastian Blanco / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading LA 2009: CMT-380 packs microturbine, li-ion battery into a matte black package

LA 2009: CMT-380 packs microturbine, li-ion battery into a matte black package originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CapstoneTurbinecmt-380la 2009La2009los angeles auto showLosAngelesAutoShowMicroTurbinemicroturbine range extenderMicroturbineRangeExtenderrichard hillemanRichardHillemanFri, 04 Dec 2009 19:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Alain Prost and son team up for first all-electric ice-racing series]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/alain-prost-and-son-team-up-for-first-all-electric-ice-racing-se/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/alain-prost-and-son-team-up-for-first-all-electric-ice-racing-se/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/alain-prost-and-son-team-up-for-first-all-electric-ice-racing-se/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The Trophée Andros kicks off its 21st season of ice-racing this weekend at Val Thorens in the French Alps featuring its first all-electric series, the appropriately-named Trophée Andros Electrique. You may remember they've been trying out battery-powered vehicles the past couple years, but this time the effort begins in earnest with 8 cars, built by accomplished motorsport constructor Exagon Engineering, taking their place on the starting grid. Although they look similar to the two machines run last year, this new batch of buggies is much improved. The dual motors have been replaced with a single 90 kW (120 hp) unit, the transmissions and electronic controls have been upgraded and the nickel-metal halide (NiMH) batteries have been swapped out for lithium ion cells from Saft. The result is a vehicle, officially dubbed the AC 03 Evo2, with real race car performance capable of completing 17 hard laps on a 2.5 km (1.55 miles) track.

It's not just the cars that are the stars in this inaugural campaign as four-time Formula One champion Alain Prost will take time from his conventionally-powered Dacia Duster duties to team up with his son Nicolas. "Le Professeur" and his offspring will face stiff competition from the car's developer Franck Lagorce, who has also gripped the wheel of a Formula One car, as well as a field of drivers with experience in Le Mans and other high-profile series. The campaign runs until the 30th of January and includes 7 challenging tracks. We'll be keeping an eye on how things develop but you can get a brief preview of the sights and sounds in the (French) video after the break.

[Source: Trophée Andros]


Continue reading Alain Prost and son team up for first all-electric ice-racing series

Alain Prost and son team up for first all-electric ice-racing series originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alain ProstAlainProstelectric car racingelectric vehicle racingElectricCarRacingElectricVehicleRacingice-racingTrophée AndrosTrophée Andros ElectriqueTrophéeAndrosTrophéeAndrosElectriqueFri, 04 Dec 2009 18:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: BMW testing hydrogen hybrid 1 Series?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/spy-shots-bmw-testing-hydrogen-hybrid-1-series/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/spy-shots-bmw-testing-hydrogen-hybrid-1-series/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/spy-shots-bmw-testing-hydrogen-hybrid-1-series/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Is BMW working on a new hydrogen-fueled hybrid automobile? Judging by this series of spy photos from Bimmerpost, the answer may very well be yes. A close look at the side glass shows a sticker that reads "Hybrid Test Vehicle." So, that answers the question about whether or not it's a hybrid... but what about the hydrogen?

According to the spy shooter, these shots were taken at a hydrogen fueling station and those hoses exiting the 1 Series hatchback's fuel filler door to indeed appear to lead to that large gas canister on the ground. We don't have any other information on the car and none of this can be verified, but it's got our interest piqued.

Of course, BMW has already put hydrogen-powered cars on the road, and the German automaker's first hybrid vehicles are the ActiveHybrid X6 and ActiveHybrid 7, and those models are just about ready to hit the market. As a side note, this car looks kinda familiar, no? Thanks for the tip, Billie!

[Source: Bimmerpost]

Spy Shots: BMW testing hydrogen hybrid 1 Series? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmw hybrid 1bmw hydrogenbmw hydrogen hybrid 1BmwHybrid1BmwHydrogenBmwHydrogenHybrid1hybrid 1 seriesHybrid1SerieshydrogenFri, 04 Dec 2009 16:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Et tu, Clarkson? <i>Top Gear</i> names Toyota Prius its "City Car of the Year"]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/e-tu-clarkson-top-gear-names-prius-the-city-car-of-the-year/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/e-tu-clarkson-top-gear-names-prius-the-city-car-of-the-year/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/e-tu-clarkson-top-gear-names-prius-the-city-car-of-the-year/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Jeremy Clarkson seems to hate anything that greens up or in any other way adds an eco label to his cars - and some environmentalists don't exactly appreciate the television host either - so it's with some amusement that we learn that the Top Gear team has named the Toyota Prius the "City Car of the Year." Turns out, the Prius really can appeal to almost everyone.

Clarkson was not specifically quoted in the Prius praise piece - remember, this is the guy who called Honda's Insight "Biblically terrible" and pretended to run out of energy in a Tesla Roadster - but his mates said the 2010 Prius gets "awesome numbers" of 60 mpg (U.S. gallons, as measured on the UK scale) and emits just 89 grams of C02 per km. And all this from "a proper family five-door hatch." BBC Top Gear Editor Conor McNicholas even called the third-gen model "something quite ground-breaking."


Gallery: 2010 Toyota Prius


[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Et tu, Clarkson? Top Gear names Toyota Prius its "City Car of the Year"

Et tu, Clarkson? Top Gear names Toyota Prius its "City Car of the Year" originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Jeremy Clarksonjeremy clarkson priusJeremyClarksonJeremyClarksonPriusprius top gearPriusTopGeartoyota priustoyota prius hybridToyotaPriusToyotaPriusHybridFri, 04 Dec 2009 16:03:00 EST<![CDATA[LA 2009: Faurecia ready to clean and trim up next-gen vehicles]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/la-2009-faurecia-ready-to-clean-and-trim-up-next-gen-vehicles/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/la-2009-faurecia-ready-to-clean-and-trim-up-next-gen-vehicles/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/la-2009-faurecia-ready-to-clean-and-trim-up-next-gen-vehicles/#commentsFiled under: ,


Faurecia's eco-friendly technologies - Click above for high-res image gallery

How cool can a driver's seat headrest be? How about cool enough to charge your iPod while you drive? Or maybe the real cool feature is that a new, thinner headrest could, along with other lightweight interior parts from Faurecia, could shave 130 pounds off of a vehicle's weight. That is, if Faurecia's technologies are implemented in full by the target date of 2020.

Faurecia displayed some of its "clean" technologies at the LA Auto Show this week, including a lightweight and very thin seat (above, introduced earlier this year), a premium wood fiber called ligneos, and the aforementioned thin headrests. One way Faurecia makes the items smaller and lighter is by using biomaterials and natural fibers in the ligneos, ligneco, and lignolight products. In thin headrest prototype, the design drawing show that the back could have a light, coat hanger or iPod charger installed. While these sorts of things aren't being used in production vehicles yet, Faurecia says that "16 of the 20 most fuel efficient vehicles on the world market" already make significant use of the company's products.


Gallery: LA 2009: Faurecia Booth

Continue reading LA 2009: Faurecia ready to clean and trim up next-gen vehicles

LA 2009: Faurecia ready to clean and trim up next-gen vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FaureciaFaurecia Interior SystemsFaureciaInteriorSystemsla 2009la auto showLA Auto Show 2009La2009LaAutoShowLaAutoShow2009los angeles 2009los angeles auto showLosAngeles2009LosAngelesAutoShowFri, 04 Dec 2009 14:55:00 EST<![CDATA[LA 2009: The plug-in Prius makes its North American debut]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/la-2009-the-plug-in-prius-makes-its-north-american-debut/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/la-2009-the-plug-in-prius-makes-its-north-american-debut/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/la-2009-the-plug-in-prius-makes-its-north-american-debut/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota rather unceremoniously parked their plug-in Prius at its North American market debut during the LA Auto Show, while their new Sienna minivan got a royal welcome at its coming out party. At a show that saw the production-ish Chevrolet Volt appearing in public for the first time, it might have seemed likely that Toyota would have made a bigger deal of this model, but we just sort of stumbled upon it while checking out the LFA.

The company did issue a press release, which you can read in its entirety after the jump. They announced that a global demonstration program will start this month in Japan and that the first batch of 500 Lithium-Ion batteries for those vehicles is moving down the assembly line as we speak. The 2010 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid (PHV) uses Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive package but adds their first generation lithium-ion battery so it can go all-electric further and faster than the regular hybrid. The electric-only range is just 13 miles but the Prius PHV will be able to run all the way up to 60 mph in electric-only mode.

Beyond that it reverts to regular hybrid mode with the gas engine and electric motor trading off depending on load and demand. The gas engine is important on this Prius PHV and cars like the Volt because it lessens the "range anxiety" drivers might feel in a pure electric -- that uneasiness that comes from thinking you could be stranded when the batteries run down.

Japan and Europe split the first batch of 350 vehicles, but early next year the next 150 are coming Stateside. These first PHV vehicles will serve as a test program for real world driving needs, kind of like the MINI E program going on right now. Toyota already announced that Boulder, Colorado is going to be the first community to get some of these plug-in hybrids. That's one way to see how cold temps affect battery performance. You can read the rest of the presser after the jump and there's a gallery available by clicking any image below.



[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading LA 2009: The plug-in Prius makes its North American debut

LA 2009: The plug-in Prius makes its North American debut originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>la 2009la auto showLA Auto Show 2009LA ShowLa2009LaAutoShowLaAutoShow2009LaShowplug inplug in hybridplug in priusplug-inplug-in hybridplug-in-hybridPlug-inHybridpluginPlugInHybridPlugInPriuspluginstoyota priustoyota prius hybridtoyota prius plug intoyota prius plug in hybridToyota Prius plug-inToyota Prius PluginToyotaPriusToyotaPriusHybridToyotaPriusPlug-inToyotaPriusPlugInToyotaPriusPlugInHybridFri, 04 Dec 2009 13:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Five EVs, one hydrogen car, one PHEV named as finalists for 2010 Green Car Vision Award]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/five-evs-one-hydrogen-car-one-phev-named-as-finalists-for-2010/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/five-evs-one-hydrogen-car-one-phev-named-as-finalists-for-2010/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/five-evs-one-hydrogen-car-one-phev-named-as-finalists-for-2010/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Audi A3 TDI - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Audi A3 TDI was named Green Car Journal's 2010 Green Car of the Year yesterday, and the magazine is already looking ahead to next month, when the Green Car Vision Award will be announced at the Washington Auto Show at the end of January. The five finalists for this award, given to cars that aren't available yet but show a lot of eco-promise, include the Nissan Leaf, Coda Automotive's electric sedan, the Ford Focus BEV, the Mercedes-Benz F-Cell and Toyota's plug-in Prius.

That's a pretty good selection, considering that some other suitable candidates were named as finalists last year, when the winner was the Chevy Volt (the others were: Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Honda FCX Clarity, Fisker Karma and MINI E). Looking over the list this year, what's is your pick for top dog? I'll go for the Leaf, but the Focus is an awful close second.

View Poll



[Source: Green Car Journal]

Continue reading Five EVs, one hydrogen car, one PHEV named as finalists for 2010 Green Car Vision Award

Five EVs, one hydrogen car, one PHEV named as finalists for 2010 Green Car Vision Award originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Green Car Journalgreen car of the yearGreen Car Vision Awardgreen visionGreenCarJournalGreenCarOfTheYearGreenCarVisionAwardGreenVisionRon CoganRonCoganFri, 04 Dec 2009 13:02:00 EST<![CDATA[ABC News: Prius one of Top 10 Innovations of the Decade]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/abc-news-prius-one-of-top-10-innovations-of-the-decade/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/abc-news-prius-one-of-top-10-innovations-of-the-decade/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/abc-news-prius-one-of-top-10-innovations-of-the-decade/#commentsFiled under: , ,


2010 Toyota Prius - Click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota didn't exactly invent the hybrid automobile, but the Japanese automaker certainly can be credited with popularizing. Exhibit A? The Prius hatchback. Ever since its U.S. introduction in 2000, the fuel-sipper has come to symbolize the environmental movement and has kickstarted an entire genre. Though it has competition, primarily from Honda and Ford, nobody comes close to the million-plus hybrids that Toyota has sold.

Is that enough to qualify the Prius as one of the Top 10 Innovations of the Decade? According to ABC News, the answer is yes. Joining the Prius on that list are such inventions as GPS navigation, text messaging and the launch of user-generated internet content sites like Wikipedia and YouTube. Oh, and not to mention the public offering of a little search engine known as Google. To see the rest of the list, click here.


Gallery: 2010 Toyota Prius


[Source: ABC News via Prius Chat]

ABC News: Prius one of Top 10 Innovations of the Decade originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>priustop innovationstop innovations of the decadeTopInnovationsTopInnovationsOfTheDecadetoyotatoyota priusToyotaPriusFri, 04 Dec 2009 11:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Nissan announces 2010 facelift for the Qashqai, includes low-CO<sub>2</sub> version]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/nissan-announces-2010-facelift-for-the-qashqai-includes-low-co/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/nissan-announces-2010-facelift-for-the-qashqai-includes-low-co/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/nissan-announces-2010-facelift-for-the-qashqai-includes-low-co/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Nissan has decided to update the successful European-model Qashqai for the next model year. We've come to expect aesthetic changes in these yearly revamps, like the LED daytime lights. The bigger news is the announcement of a Pure Drive version of the Qashqai, which refers to the Nissans' green label. The Pure Drive model uses the 106 hp version of the Renault-sourced 1.5 dCi diesel engine and also has the usual eco-tweaks like low-rolling resistance tires, improved aerodynamics and longer gear ratios. All these changes help the new Qashqai produce just 129 g/km of CO2, whereas the standard version produces 137. Prices are rumored to start at about €20,000, fairly reasonable for one of the best sellers in Europe.

[Source: Autoblog en español]

Nissan announces 2010 facelift for the Qashqai, includes low-CO2 version originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>129 g co2129GCo2nissan pure drivenissan qashqaiNissan Qashqai pure driveNissanPureDriveNissanQashqaiNissanQashqaiPureDrivepure drivePureDriveFri, 04 Dec 2009 10:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Fisker: VP Biden not the reason we chose Delaware]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/fisker-vp-biden-not-the-reason-we-chose-delaware/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/fisker-vp-biden-not-the-reason-we-chose-delaware/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/fisker-vp-biden-not-the-reason-we-chose-delaware/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Fisker Karma - Click above for high-res image gallery

What does Joe Biden have to do with Fisker Automotive? On the surface, the answer would seem to be nothing at all.. or at least it did until the Vice President himself revealed the startup automaker's plans to introduce a new series of electric vehicles under the Project Nina banner. Not only that, Fisker just so happens to have decided to build cars in Biden's home state of Delaware. Coincidence?

According to Fisker spokesman Russel Datz, coincidence is exactly what it is. There were a number of good reasons to choose the former GM plant in Wilmington, Deleware, and the fact that it's Biden's home state is not one of them. First, the plant is relatively new and hasn't been shuttered for a long period of time, meaning that it's in good shape.

Second, the plant is about the size Fisker was looking for. Further, the plant is already set up to install GM's 2.0-liter Ecotec engine, which is what will be installed in the Karma sedan and convertible. Moving along, GM had recently upgraded the plant's paint shop, leading to the quality kind of paint jobs that Fisker is looking for. Finally, the plant has easy access to shipping lanes and a UAW workforce that will require very little training.


Gallery: Fisker Karma


[Source: The Car Connection]

Fisker: VP Biden not the reason we chose Delaware originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bidenbiden fiskerBidenFiskerfiskerfisker delawarefisker karmafisker ninaFiskerDelawareFiskerKarmaFiskerNinajoe bidenJoeBidenFri, 04 Dec 2009 10:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford accepting applications for Fiesta Movement 2]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/ford-accepting-applications-for-fiesta-movement-2/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/ford-accepting-applications-for-fiesta-movement-2/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/ford-accepting-applications-for-fiesta-movement-2/#commentsFiled under: ,

2011 Ford Fiesta - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford finally unveiled the U.S. version of its B-Segment Fiesta yesterday at the LA Auto Show, and thanks to some clever marketing, the Blue Oval's newest small car is already well-known to prospective buyers. Ford's ingenious "Fiesta Movement" marketing initiative, which put 100 Euro-spec subcompacts in the hands of socially advanced "agents," resulted in over six million YouTube views, 740,000 Flickr views and 3.7 million Twitter impressions. All that traffic has apparently resulted in a 60-percent vehicle recognition score in Ford's survey findings - a number that would be good for a vehicle that has already been on the market a few years.

The first Fiesta Movement was created to get the Fiesta in front of the car-buying public while engaging in customer-driven dialog. Connie Fontaine, Ford brand content and alliances manager, says that wave two will focus on "driving unparalleled consideration." In other words, Ford wants customers to be excited to buy a new Fiesta. Given the fact that Ford generated 80,000 "hand-raisers" with Fiesta Movement number one, another group of Fiesta agents probably isn't a bad idea.

Ford is looking now for 20 teams of agents to participate in getting the word out about its new small car. Interested parties can apply via video on fiestamovement.com between now and January 31. Round two begins in mid-February. Winning contestants will need to be "socially vibrant" and "in-tune with the latest happenings in their neighborhood." Winners will be chosen based on public reaction to their video presentations... though it probably wouldn't hurt to look young and Millenialish. Hit the jump to check out Ford's official press release.



[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford accepting applications for Fiesta Movement 2

Ford accepting applications for Fiesta Movement 2 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 ford fiesta2011FordFiestafiestafiesta movementfiesta movement marketing campaignFiestaMovementFiestaMovementMarketingCampaignfordFord FiestaFordFiestaus spec fiestaUsSpecFiestaFri, 04 Dec 2009 08:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Audi twists e-tron 3319 lb-ft torque rating]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/audi-twists-e-tron-3319-lb-ft-torque-rating/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/audi-twists-e-tron-3319-lb-ft-torque-rating/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/audi-twists-e-tron-3319-lb-ft-torque-rating/#commentsFiled under: ,

Audi e-tron concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

When introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, Audi boasted its all-electric e-tron was fitted with four electric motors producing "230 kW (313 hp) and 4,500 Nm (3,319.03 lb-ft) of torque." While the e-tron's styling may have raised a few eyebrows, we were notably moved by the quoted torque figure - especially when we considered that the twin-turbocharged Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG, one of the most powerful vehicles on the road, makes 738 lb-ft in comparison. We were stupefied by the number, and it set off more than a few debates among our group, but Audi made no attempt to clarify...

The team at Automobile Magazine, initially duped like everyone else, has recognized that Audi was quoting torque measured at the wheels, not at the output shaft - the industry standard. Measuring torque at the wheels takes the multiplication effect of the transmission and final drive gears into account. The resulting figures are generally ten-fold of what they would be at the crank (meaning cars like a 3.6-liter Chevrolet Malibu packs a similar 3,115 lb-ft of torque). Audi's e-tron torque figures are not exactly dishonest, but they are using a completely different evaluation without making mention of it in the press release. Long story short, Automobile estimates the e-tron makes about 252 lb-ft of torque. That is a bit less than the Tesla Roadster's 273 lb-ft.




[Source: Automobile]

Audi twists e-tron 3319 lb-ft torque rating originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 08:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Audiaudi conceptaudi etron conceptaudi torqueAudiConceptAudiEtronConceptAudiTorquee-tronetronetron torqueEtronTorqueoutput shaftOutputShafttorquewheel torqueWheelTorqueFri, 04 Dec 2009 08:08:00 EST<![CDATA[LA 2009: Mitsubishi <i>will</i> bring an EV to U.S. in 2011, but it might not be the i-MiEV]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/la-2009-mitsubishi-will-bring-an-ev-to-u-s-in-2011-but/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/la-2009-mitsubishi-will-bring-an-ev-to-u-s-in-2011-but/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/la-2009-mitsubishi-will-bring-an-ev-to-u-s-in-2011-but/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Mitsubishi i-MiEV - click above for high-res image gallery

Here's a line from Mitsubishi's press release dated April 9, 2009:
Ending months of heightening speculation, Mitsubishi Motors North America President and CEO Shinichi Kurihara confirmed the i MiEV (Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle) is being developed for sale in world markets, including the United States.
Reading that, doesn't it seem that Mitsubishi is saying that the i-MiEV will be for sale in the U.S. someday? That's what we thought. Turns out, that's not exactly what Mitsubishi confirmed eight months ago, according to David Patterson, Mitsubishi R&D of America's chief engineer of mobile emissions, regulatory affairs and certification. When we took a spin in an i-MiEV with Patterson today, he said that he wishes Mitsubishi would confirm that the i-MiEV would someday go on sale in the U.S., and he's been pushing the company to just say it already. "What we announced in New York was that we would bring an electric vehicle to the United States. That's the announcement that I was able to convince them to make," he said.

Granted, in his speech yesterday, Masuko simply said that an electric vehicle would come to the U.S., and didn't say which model it would be."I think President [Osamu] Masuko wanted to make that [i-MiEV] announcement yesterday," Patterson said, but he believes that the company hasn't decided which electric vehicle they will sell here. At the very least, Patterson is confident that whatever vehicle we get, it'll be cool. "Trust me, it gets better than this [the i-MiEV]," he said.

Gallery: LA 2009: Mitsubishi i-MiEV


Live photos copyright (C)2009 Sebastian Blanco / Weblogs, Inc.

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

LA 2009: Mitsubishi will bring an EV to U.S. in 2011, but it might not be the i-MiEV originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>i-mievi-miev north americai-miev usI-mievNorthAmericaI-mievUsimievMitsubishi i Mievmitsubishi imievMitsubishiIMievThu, 03 Dec 2009 19:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford: New remote start option will reduce harmful emissions by up to 75%]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/ford-new-remote-start-option-will-reduce-harmful-emissions-by-u/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/ford-new-remote-start-option-will-reduce-harmful-emissions-by-u/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/ford-new-remote-start-option-will-reduce-harmful-emissions-by-u/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Good news, Ford fans: The Blue Oval is finally stepping into the 21st Century by adding remote start and heated steering wheels to its line of cars and trucks. The remote start option will make its first appearance on the 2011 F-Series Super Duty pickup truck while the heated tiller will initially see the light of day in the 2011 Lincoln MKX.

Following those two launches, the automaker promises that both items will infiltrate the rest of its Ford, Lincoln and Mercury lineups in a jiffy. While it's been possible to have an aftermarket remote start system installed on any new car or truck for quite some time (including a dealer-installed option from Ford), JD Power reports that 90 percent of all purchasers would prefer a factory option, which makes perfect sense to us... especially since Ford's system will be integrated with the heating and cooling systems to bring the cabin to a comfortable temperature regardless of the weather outside.

Ford predicts that the remote start system will help the vehicle's exhaust catalyst heat up more quickly, thereby reducing hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 75 percent. Further, the automaker suggests that a heated steering wheel will increase dexterity in the fingers and hands and reduce the need to wear gloves while driving in the winter. Want to know more? Use those nice and toasty digits to hit the jump for the press release.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford: New remote start option will reduce harmful emissions by up to 75%

Ford: New remote start option will reduce harmful emissions by up to 75% originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fordford heated steering wheelford remote startFordHeatedSteeringWheelFordRemoteStartheated steering wheelHeatedSteeringWheellincolnlincoln heated steering wheellincoln remote startLincolnHeatedSteeringWheelLincolnRemoteStartmercurymercury heated steering wheelmercury remote startMercuryHeatedSteeringWheelMercuryRemoteStartremote startRemoteStartThu, 03 Dec 2009 18:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Renault EVs to be available for test drives during Copenhagen climate conference]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/renault-evs-to-be-available-for-test-drives-during-copenhagen-cl/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/renault-evs-to-be-available-for-test-drives-during-copenhagen-cl/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/renault-evs-to-be-available-for-test-drives-during-copenhagen-cl/#commentsFiled under: ,

Renault Fluence ZE Concept - click above for high-res image gallery

When attendees get to the big climate change conference in Copenhagen next week, they will have an opportunity to sample some of Renault's upcoming fleet of electric vehicles. A sampling of the Fluence ZE sedans and Kangoo Express ZE MPV's will be on hand at the conference and available for test drives. Anyone who wants to drive the battery-powered vehicles will have to set up an appointment to do so. The Fluence sedan will go on sale in Israel, Denmark and parts of Europe starting in the first half of 2011 with a roll out to other markets over time. The Kangoo ZE will be available at the same time in Europe. Renault and its alliance partner Nissan are sticking to a projection that BEVs will account for 10 percent of sales by the end of the next decade. Renault and Nissan are certainly pushing hard to get volume with eight models planned in the next several years and manufacturing in Europe, Japan and the U.S.

Gallery: Renault Fluence ZE concept


Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Renault Twizy, Zoe, Kangoo and Fluence EVs


[Source: Renault]

Renault EVs to be available for test drives during Copenhagen climate conference originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CopenhagancopenhagenCopenhagenClimateChangeConferenceCopenhagenDenmarkrenaultrenault fluencerenault fluence evRenault Fluence Z.E.Renault Fluence ZERenault Fluence Zero EmissionRenault Fluence Zero EmissionsRenault Fluence Zero Emissions Conceptrenault kangoRenault KangooRenault Kangoo be bop Z.E.Renault Kangoo ZERenault Kangoo ZE ConceptRenaultFluenceRenaultFluenceEvRenaultFluenceZ.e.RenaultFluenceZeRenaultFluenceZeroEmissionRenaultFluenceZeroEmissionsRenaultFluenceZeroEmissionsConceptRenaultKangoRenaultKangooRenaultKangooBeBopZ.e.RenaultKangooZeRenaultKangooZeConceptThu, 03 Dec 2009 17:22:00 EST<![CDATA[EV Cup electric car racing series to light up tires in 2011]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/ev-cup-electric-car-racing-series-to-light-up-tires-in-2011/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/ev-cup-electric-car-racing-series-to-light-up-tires-in-2011/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/ev-cup-electric-car-racing-series-to-light-up-tires-in-2011/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



If you've been impatiently waiting to watch electric cars rip racetrack asphalt asunder, an end to your suffering may be in sight. A new racing series branded EV Cup has just been launched in London with plans to bring 3 separate classes of cars to a half-dozen tracks around Europe beginning in 2011. City and Sports EV series would consist of mono-maker grids using production vehicles, though they would receive some race prep in the way of stripped-out cabins and juiced-up powertrains. The Prototype EV division is more of a no-holds-barred time-trial-style constructor vs constructor affair with no weight or power restrictions and front, rear or all-wheel-drive configurations accepted.

The organization already has automakers lining up to get involved. According to the EV Cup website Th!nk would provide the first field in the City EV category (with the more-appropriately-named than ever Th!nk City), while both Ginetta and the Lightning Car Company are eying a Sports EV series. Meanwhile in the Prototype EV division, the GreenGT team is registered and ready to rumble, so to speak, with their single-seat racer they say can hit 60 mph in under 4 seconds on the way up to its top speed of 170 mph. While they might only get down to official checkered-flag business in over a year from now, we expect to see the EV Cup crew making promotional appearances with vehicles in Europe and America in 2010. Holding out a promise of high-profile brand exposure and racing-environment tech development potential, the opportunity should present a seductive proposition for many in the electric vehicle space. Hit the jump for both the official press release plus bonus video of the GreenGT car hitting 124 mph in a recent run on an airstrip in the Swiss Alps.

[Source: EV Cup]

Continue reading EV Cup electric car racing series to light up tires in 2011

EV Cup electric car racing series to light up tires in 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EEVRC LtdEevrcLtdelectric car racingElectricCarRacingEV CupEvCupGinettaGreenGTLightning Car CompanyLightningCarCompanyThnkThu, 03 Dec 2009 16:27:00 EST