Sports Cars Review

GMC Yukon Hybrid

2012-01-24T14:00:00.001-08:00

By Larry E. Hall

The GMC Yukon Hybrid – and its counterpart the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid –were the first vehicles to utilize the advanced two-mode hybrid powertrain developed jointly by General Motors, BMW and the then DaimlerChrysler. This full-size SUV launched a new breed of larger vehicles that are significantly greener than their gas-powered versions.

Available with either two- or four-wheel drive, there are two trim levels available. The base Yukon Hybrid has a starting price of $51,610 for the 2WD model; $54,420 for the 4WD. The lavishly appointed Yukon Denali Hybrid 2WD starts at $58,925; the 4WD at $61,770. Other than an updated touch-screen navigation radio that includes a USB port and the ability to record broadcast audio, there are no changes to the Yukon Hybrid for model year 2012.

Powertrain

The core of the Tahoe Hybrid’s powertrain is GM’s 6-liter Vortec V8 with cylinder deactivation technology. In other words, this engine can shut down four of its eight cylinders when the additional power is not needed. That saves fuel. Beyond the engine, there’s a 300-volt battery that hides below the second-row seats. The vehicle’s two electric motors are housed within the transmission.

In order to keep the vehicle running at peak efficiency, this hybrid system is able to run in one of two separate modes – hence the name “two-mode hybrid.” For low-speed, low-impact driving, the powertrain works just like other hybrids; it stops the gasoline engine whenever possible so that it may draw power from one or both of the electric motors. The second mode is mostly for highway driving, at which time one or both electric motors can run concurrently along with the V8 engine in order to provide a power boost. The two-mode transmission is the key to the whole system, which attempts to keep the engine running at the optimum rpm for low fuel consumption. Essentially, it manages a balancing act between the engine and the electric motors. It is also responsible for making the transitions between the two modes practically seamless.

All of this technology results in a 25-percent improvement in overall fuel economy over the Yukon hybrid’s gas-powered counterpart. More impressive is a 40-percent improvement in city driving. Both the Yukon Hybrid two- and four-wheel drive models have an EPA rating of 20 city/23 highway/21 combined as compared to the conventional Yukon’s 14/18/16 with the 6.2-liter V8. Unbelievably, this huge SUV’s city fuel economy is 3 mpg better than a Honda Accord coupe with V6 engine and manual transmission.

Despite its focus on fuel-efficiency, the Yukon Hybrid still delivers all the power and capability needed from a full-size SUV. It boasts 332 horsepower, and can tow up to 6,200 pounds. Its four-wheel drive system is comparable to most trail-rated pickup trucks, allowing the Tahoe Hybrid to drive off-road or through difficult road conditions with excellent traction and stability.

Exterior And Interior

The GMC Yukon Hybrid is a very handsome vehicle, with pleasing proportions and a minimum of unnecessary adornment. Slight exterior changes make the hybrid version more aerodynamic compared with the conventional Yukon. A redesigned bumper eliminates the regular Yukon’s fog lights for some corpulent bodywork and two small openings. The grille has horizontal slats instead of a single-piece design.

Inside, the design is straightforward with leather seats that are large, supportive and conducive to long road trips. Materials and craftsmanship are top notch and the list of standard features is quite long including: tri-zone automatic climate control; 12-way power adjustable, heated front bucket seats; Bose sound system; CD/MP3 player; Bluetooth connectivity; navigation system; and power-adjustable pedals. Stepping up to the Yukon Denali Hybrid adds GM’s Magnetic Ride Control, a power liftgate, steering wheel mounted audio controls, heated second row seats and side blind-zone alert.

The Yukon Denali Hybrid features an opulent interior, but it will cost you.

Behind the 50/50-split third-row seats is a meager 16.3 cubic feet of cargo space. This opens up to 60.3 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded, but they don’t fold flat like some other SUVs. To achieve a flat cargo surface, the third row seats need to be removed, and they each weigh 50 pounds.

Driving Impressions

From a stop, the electric drive can power the Yukon up to about 30 mph and some practice with the accelerator pedal can keep the big SUV under electric power for a couple of miles or so before the gas engine takes over. The transition from electric to gas power is silky smooth and once underway the ride comfort is exceptionally good for a vehicle this size. Steering feel is on the mark, and while body roll is present during an aggressive turn, it’s less than you would expect from a three-ton vehicle.

I’m impressed with the cylinder deactivation as a tool for increasing fuel economy. With a little practice, the big V8 can be coaxed into operating on four cylinders at around 40 mph, and can do so for several miles. On the Interstate it’s not difficult to maintain four-cylinder operation at 70 mph.

The Hybrid SUV For You?

If you are dead set on buying a full-size hybrid SUV there are only three choices, the GMC Yukon Hybrid and its corporate siblings, the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid. Chevy’s Tahoe Hybrid is only a few hundreds less but its styling is more pedestrian than the Yukon’s and the base model isn’t as well appointed. On the other end, the Escalade Hybrid is more tech heavy and more luxurious, however, it’s 10 to 20 grand more than the Yukon.

What the Yukon Hybrid offers is plenty of capability for work-related endeavors, hefty towing capabilities and an abundance of space and amenities for large families, even up to eight. Oh, then there’s also that 20 city/23 highway/21 combined fuel economy numbers.

Prices are Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) at time of publication and do not include destination charges, taxes or licensing.

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Qatar Special Edition

2012-01-24T09:30:00.001-08:00

W16 / 7.993 cc / 1.001 PS / 922 lb/ft (1.250 Nm) @ 2.200 - 5.500 / quad-turbo / 4WD / 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h): 2,7 s / Vmax: 253 mph (407 km/h)

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Survey Suggests Massive Potential Hybrid Market

2012-01-24T08:00:00.001-08:00

Published January 24, 2012

By Jeff Cobb

2012 Toyota Prius c.

While ongoing CAFE hearings discuss mandating eco-friendly and efficient vehicles, a survey by Deloitte says perhaps an even more powerful force in their favor is also in play.

This would be “Generation Y” consumers – those aged 19-31, alternately known as "Millennials."

This demographic is the largest since the baby boomers and reportedly has a preference for hybrids and in-vehicle connectivity.

Of respondents to the Deloitte survey, 59 percent of respondents want an electrified vehicle.
Of Gen Y respondents, 57 percent said they were interested in hybrids, only 2 percent were interested in battery electric vehicles, and 37 percent wanted traditional combustion-powertrain vehicles.

If this portrayal is accurate, it means a profound push toward more gas-electric vehicles by a purchasing constituency numbered at 80-million strong.

What’s more, these are younger aged buyers who are forming these preferences. This means their sensibilities stand to influence – and challenge – the automotive market for decades to come.

“When millenials are ready to buy a vehicle, they consider nearly twice as many vehicles as baby boomers,” said Mark Fields, head of Ford Motor Co.'s Americas unit to Automotive News. “This is a generation of consumers that has to be reckoned with.”

Whether EVs would do well with this crowd at this juncture is in doubt. The number one reason in favor of electrified vehicles was improved fuel economy with no perceived downside.

According to Craig Giffi, automotive practice leader for Deloitte which conducted the survey, respondents were concerned for the environment, but did not want to be inconvenienced with contending with plugging in, he said.

Smart phones on wheels

Joe Vitale, global automotive sector leader for Deloitte's parent company, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Ltd., said Gen Y consumers would spend more than $3,000 for in-vehicle connectivity.

What features would be worth spending that extra money for? Fifty-nine percent said the most important was in-dash technology, with nearly 75 percent asking for touch screens.

Observers note that automakers have been shown they have an opportunity to capitalize on these preferences, as 77 percent of respondents said they would like to buy more accessories and upgrades on an ongoing basis.

Somewhat Ironic Trend

The U.S. Department of Transportation has for the past few years held “summits” to discuss the “epidemic” of distracted driving.

In short, multitasking behind the wheel has been shown to be a threat or lethal.

The Gen Y respondents to the Deloitte survey are mindful of this reality. They still want a load of in-dash bells and whistles, but also want tech to improve their chances of not having the experience end badly – and are willing to pay up to $2,000 per car extra for it.

A desirable bundle of safety features for these connected hybrids includes collision-avoidance systems, blind-spot detection, and sleep-alert systems.

"It's almost as if they're saying 'I'm going to be distracted, so I want the car to give me protection from myself,'" Giffi said. "The safety technology they want is the next generation of accident-avoidance technology."

The survey included 250 Gen Y consumers from China, 300 from Western Europe, ad 1,500 from the U.S. and is considered a statistically significant data sampling of where today’s Millennials place their priorities.

Automotive News, press release

Study Suggests Massive Potential Hybrid Market

2012-01-24T06:30:00.001-08:00

Published January 24, 2012

By Jeff Cobb

2012 Toyota Prius c.

While ongoing CAFE hearings discuss mandating eco-friendly and efficient vehicles, a study by Deloitte says perhaps an even more powerful force in their favor is also in play.

This would be “Generation Y” consumers – those aged 19-31, alternately known as "Millennials."

This demographic is the largest since the baby boomers and reportedly has a preference for hybrids and in-vehicle connectivity.

If this portrayal is accurate, it means a profound push toward more gas-electric vehicles by a purchasing constituency numbered at 80-million strong.

What’s more, these are younger aged buyers who are forming these preferences. This means their sensibilities stand to influence – and challenge – the automotive market for decades to come.

Whether EVs would do well with this crowd at this juncture is in doubt. The number one reason in favor of electrified vehicles was improved fuel economy with no perceived downside.

Smart phones on wheels

Joe Vitale, global automotive sector leader for Deloitte's parent company, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Ltd., said Gen Y consumers would spend more than $3,000 for in-vehicle connectivity.

What features would be worth spending that extra money for? Fifty-nine percent said the most important was in-dash technology, with nearly 75 percent asking for touch screens.

Somewhat Ironic Trend

The U.S. Department of Transportation has for the past few years held “summits” to discuss the “epidemic” of distracted driving.

In short, multitasking behind the wheel has been shown to be a threat or lethal.

A desirable bundle of safety features for these connected hybrids includes collision-avoidance systems, blind-spot detection, and sleep-alert systems.

Automotive News, press release

Honda Delivers First Fit EV to City of Torrance, California

2012-01-23T17:00:00.001-08:00

Published January 23, 2012

The first of Honda's electric hatchbacks has officially been delivered to the city of Torrance, California. Honda delivered a single Fit EV to the city of Torrance on Friday as the first step in the Honda Electric Vehicle Demonstration Program, a prelude to the "retail market launch" of the Fit EV to customers (actually, only to lessees) in California and Oregon starting this summer.

Steve Center, vice-president of the Environmental Business Development Office at American Honda, described the Fit EV hand-off, stating:

"This is an exciting day as we take another important step toward Honda's comprehensive vision for reducing CO2 emissions while at the same time advancing our relationship with the city of Torrance... With Honda's extensive experience and the real-world feedback from the city of Torrance, we will be even more prepared for the further customer adoption of electric vehicles."

Honda unveiled the production-spec 2013 Fit EV at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show and announced it will lease the 76-mile-range electric hatchback to US customers in the summer of 2012. Unfortunately, Honda has no intention to outright sell the car to the general public.

At some later point, the city of Torrance will receive a Honda plug-in hybrid for testing and demonstration purposes. The carmaker's current plug-in hybrid drivetrain is designed to be fit to a mid-size sedan platform, with a range of 10-15 miles and a top speed of 62 mph in electric mode.

California has been a fertile testing ground for Honda's advanced vehicle technologies, in part because its zero emissions mandate forces carmakers to sell a minimum number of qualifying vehicles there each year. In 2008, Honda began leasing its FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle to select California customers, including Hollywood stars like Jamie Lee Curtis and her husband, director Christopher Guest. No word yet on whether the Fit EV has picked up any celebrity drivers of its own.

BMW ActiveE enrollment process now open in test markets

2012-01-23T15:30:00.001-08:00

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Some Chevy dealers rejecting further Volt allocations

2012-01-23T11:00:00.001-08:00

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Ford F100 "The Gold Chariot" Custom Pick-up by Rick Erickson

2012-01-23T10:00:00.001-08:00

No technical specification available

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Scosche debuts accessory that blocks all cell phone use in cars

2012-01-22T14:00:00.001-08:00

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Venchurs Vehicle Systems shows off Xplore truck line

2012-01-22T11:00:00.001-08:00

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Hummer H3 Wooden Wagon Wheels

2012-01-22T09:30:00.001-08:00

S5 / 3.653 cc / 244 PS / 242 ft/lb (328 Nm) @ 4.600 / AWD / 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h): 11,5 s / Vmax: 99 mph (160 km/h)

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Porsche 911 (997) Speedster

2012-01-21T09:30:00.001-08:00

B6 / 3.800 cc / 408 PS / 310 lb/ft (420 Nm) @ 4.200 / 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h): 4,2 s / Vmax: 190 mph (306 km/h) / Limited edition (356 cars)

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House Committee to Hold Chevy Volt Safety Hearing on January 25

2012-01-21T00:30:00.001-08:00

Published January 20, 2012

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will hold a formal hearing to discuss and to investigate the potential fire risks associated with the extensively damaged Chevrolet Volts. Darrell Issa, R-CA, chairman of the committee, told members of the House that the hearing—titled "Volt Vehicle Fire: What did NHTSA know and when did they know it?”—will be held on January 25.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator David Strickland claims that the White House was informed of the first crash-test related Chevy Volt fire in September, 2011. White House officials say they didn't request that the NHTSA keep the information under wraps, but it wasn't until Bloomberg News broke the story in November when the NHTSA decided to publicly disclose its findings.

In late November, the NHTSA opened a formal defect investigation in the Chevy Volt. In January, General Motors detailed modifications designed to prevent the Volt from catching fire following a severe impact.

Republicans have, time and again, asked General Motors and the NHTSA to answer questions regarding the delayed disclosure of possible fires in crash-tested Volts. Ali Ahmad, a spokesman for Issa, stated last Friday that the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will demand that the NHTSA turn over all records related to the safety of the Volt:

"NHTSA has stalled on responding to the committee's inquiry for six weeks and inexplicably refused to provide any documents. The committee expects full compliance with its request and will consider compulsory methods if NHTSA does not immediately change its position."

General Motors CEO Dan Akerson has agreed to deliver his first testimony before Congress since taking over the company, and will be joined by NHTSA administrator Strickland.

Barrett-Jackson 2012: Galpin Widebody Mustang nets $160,000 for charity

2012-01-20T20:00:00.001-08:00

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SMS Supercars unveils 620 Camaro, auctions first example for charity at Barrett-Jackson

2012-01-20T16:00:00.001-08:00

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2013 Lexus LX 570 price increased to $81,805*

2012-01-20T07:30:00.001-08:00

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Perana Z-One by Zagato

2012-01-20T05:30:00.003-08:00

V12 / 7.291 cc / 525 PS / 555 lb/ft (750 Nm) @ 4.000 / 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h): 4,8 s / Vmax: 155 mph (250 km/h)

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Roush announces new performance product line for the Ford F-150

2012-01-20T05:30:00.001-08:00

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TrueCar polishing edges off business model to comply with state regulations

2012-01-19T16:30:00.001-08:00

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GM retakes global sales crown with over 9M units shifted in 2011

2012-01-19T15:00:00.001-08:00

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An early look at 2012 shows a radically new auto industry

2012-01-19T13:30:00.001-08:00

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CAFE Hearings Focus Opposing Viewpoints

2012-01-19T10:00:00.001-08:00

Published January 19, 2012

By Jeff Cobb

In Detroit on Tuesday some strong arguments were heard either in support of or against the proposed 2017-2025 Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards and the auto industry is split on the issue.

The hearing will be followed by two more this month, and these are required by federal government regulators prior to finalizing fuel economy standards by the National Highway Transportation Safety Agency later this year that would mandate a fleet average of 54.5 miles per gallon (about 40 mpg on sticker) by 2025.

The proposed rules are poised to amend standards already set to rise to 37.5 mpg by 2016, and among automakers who’ve spoken in favor of stricter rule include General Motors, Toyota and Hyundai, while others are against, including Volkswagen and Daimler.

GM’s Vice President-Sustainability and Global Regulatory Affairs, Mike Robinson, told Wards Auto that GM would be open to accelerating the pace of fuel-economy improvement if substantial technological advancements are made in coming years.

“If there are breakthroughs in technology that exceed what the assumptions are, it works both ways,” Robinson said.

Presenting an opposing view, Don Chambers, chairman of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA) government relations committee said government projections of the actual cost of forcing fuel savings technologies into place are way low.

According to an NADA study to be released in February, the real costs will be higher by as much as 60 percent, which work out to new vehicle sticker prices rising by as much as $5,000, Chalmers said.

Or sliced another way, he contended that new CAFE rules will jack up monthly payments by $60 to $70 or more, and as others have said, this will result in unsold vehicles.
"I want to sell more fuel-efficient cars," Chalmers said. "If the customer can't get financing, it makes no difference."

The NADA represents 16,000 new-vehicle dealers who operate 32,500 franchises, and indeed several speakers spoke as representatives for larger sized organizations.

This would also include the United Auto Workers Union which has come out on the side of environmentalists and is in favor of the proposed CAFE rules.

UAW President Bob King said Tuesday that he is convinced the new standards will promote new technologies and thus help to create new American jobs.

“The proposed rules are sensible, achievable, and needed,” King said, adding “the incremental increase in the price of a vehicle will covered by the money consumers will save by using less fuel,” said King, who added the UAW not only wants clean factories, it also wanted clean lakes.

According to the Detroit Bureau, King has previously said the UAW needs to reestablish ties to various groups in the environmental movement to improve its place in American society.

“They are good for the auto industry and its workers, good for the broader economy, good for the environment and good for our national security,” said King. “The drive to bring innovative fuel-saving technologies to market is transforming the auto industry in the United States and creating good jobs from the research lab to the factory floor.”

And among those who have spoken directly from the environmental movement, Larry Schweiger, CEO of the National Wildlife Federation was quoted as touting the benefits of the federal enforcement of green goals that is the CAFE standard.

“With these rules in place, there’s a much smaller chance you’ll see ugly pictures of beautiful birds covered in petroleum,” said Schweiger. “We’ll reduce greenhouse gas pollution by 2 billion tons, and cut our consumption of oil by 3.4 million barrels a day. That will reduce the need for risky drilling in fragile habitats,” Schweiger said.

Whether this is the case or not, Daimler AG and Volkswagen – which already sell some of the most fuel-efficient vehicles in the U.S. – won’t back the CAFE proposal because there’s no incentive for diesel-fueled vehicles.

And for his part, the head of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, Mitch Bainwol, said at the end of the day, consumer buying habits will ultimately decide whether automakers can actually meet the CAFE rules.

Bainwol proposed a thorough mid-term review of the CAFE policy to see if the rules actually relate to fuel price trends, technological advances and consumer buying habits.

“Looking into the future, consumer purchasing patterns will be the biggest unknown,” he said, adding that in the past CAFE has had a hit-or-miss track record, and looking at past lessons could help portray a clearer picture of what’s to come.

Attempting to Legislate Enlightened Practices

Two more hearings are scheduled: one on January 19 in Philadelphia, another on January 24 in San Francisco.

The federal initiative mirrors goals being set in Europe to regulate greenhouse gases and mandate wiser fuel usage habits.

So what do you think of this? Are mandates that will lead to top-down research and development of green vehicles a good idea or not?

The auto and its supporting industries want to sell cars. The government, environmentalists and others who side with them are mindful of diminishing petroleum supplies and pollution.

Issues that will affect energy security, the trade deficit, technological competitiveness, whether money is made or lost, and more are being decided.

Is the government’s approach the best that it could be? Is it being overbearing and meddling where it ought to let free market forces decide? Or is the truth somewhere in between?

Audi R8 V10 quattro Spyder (chrome)

2012-01-19T08:30:00.001-08:00

V10 / 5.208 cc / 525 PS / 391 ft/lb (530 Nm) @ 6.500 / quattro AWD / 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h): 4,1 s / Vmax: 194 mph (313 km/h)

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Ferrari FF converted to run on bio-ethanol packs 875 hp

2012-01-19T07:00:00.001-08:00

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Veilside bets on Black with Mercedes SL body kit

2012-01-19T05:30:00.001-08:00

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Kia Shows Off Naimo Electric Concept

2012-01-18T19:00:00.001-08:00

Published January 18, 2012

The Kia Naimo Concept.

Last week, Kia Motors brought its 5-door, 4-seat Naimo electric sedan concept to the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The car is the Korean automaker's third electric vehicle to debut in roughly a year―the other two being the already-released Kia Ray EV and the Kia Pop concept, which was revealed at the Paris Motor Show in 2010. According to the Kia, the electric Naimo Concept "explores the possibility of introducing a zero-emissions, five-door, four-seater city car" in the near future.

Power for the Naimo comes from an electric motor with a maximum output of 107 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. The highway-capable Naimo has a listed top speed of 93 miles per hour and its 27-kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack supposedly provides up to 124 miles of range. The Naimo is quick-charge capable―charging in 5.5 hours under normal conditions―and is described as a fully working prototype representing Kia’s vision for the future.

At the show, Michael Sprague, Kia's vice-president of marketing and communications, detailed that vision:

"Where the Naimo EV concept looks into the future of zero-emissions vehicles from Kia, the Ray EV is the first realization for the brand and represents exciting new possibilities for the future in the North American market."

Kia's parent company, Hyundai, was reported recently to be planning a $15.5 billion investment into both brands' research and development programs, with a large portion of that money headed to hybrid and electric vehicle development.

Introduced in December, 2011, the Kia Ray became Korea's first mass-produced electric vehicle. The car has an 86-mile range, is powered by a 67 horsepower, 50-kilowatt electric motor, and carries a top speed of 81 miles per hour. Kia spokesman James Hope told the NYTimes.com Wheels Blog that Kia has "no plans at the moment to import the Ray into North America," he added that "the industry is changing rapidly, so anything is possible."

More people interested in buying a Saab after bankruptcy

2012-01-18T15:00:00.001-08:00

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Honda Insight

2012-01-18T14:30:00.001-08:00

By Larry E. Hall

When the current generation Honda Insight was introduced in March 2009 as a 2010 model it was hailed as a “Toyota Prius fighter.” Making the best use of the most cost-effective Honda hybrid technology, the Insight was touted as a 40-mpg-plus compact car for less than $20,000 – a figure designed to undercut the least expensive Prius by about $2,000. But Toyota countered with a lower priced Prius. With around $1,500 difference in price, combined with the Prius’s 51 mpg city and 48 highway versus the Insight’s 40 city/43 highway, the projected Insight sales of 70,000 per year didn’t happen.

Last year, to be more competitive and jump-start the sluggish sales, Honda added a new entry level Insight hybrid model to its 2011 lineup. Named simply the Honda Insight, the $18,200 price gave it a walloping $4,610 price advantage over the base Toyota Prius II. (Toyota relegated the Prius I for fleet sales only.) The result? The same as the previous year – Honda’s little hatchback hybrid never came close its yearly sales goal. In fact, since its March 2009 introduction Insight sales have tallied only 57,083 units.

For 2012 It’s Try, Try Again

Like the little hybrid that could, Honda’s 2012 carries over with updates in hopes of increasing sales. The company has given the car minor changes to the exterior styling, interior and a slight increase in fuel economy. Traditionally, these changes – what the industry calls a refresh – come after a vehicle has been on sale for three or four years, but the Insight’s situation called for faster action.

The sub-model designation nomenclature, however, is still the same as it was in 2011. The lineup begins with the base Insight starting at $18,350, a $150 increase over 2011. Next is the LX with a $225 price bump to $20,125. The top EX trim starts at $21,815, $325 more than the 2011 model. There’s also the EX with Navigation, which is priced at $23,540, a $275 increase. Of note, the 2012 Insight’s price increases are relatively small compared to the 2012 Toyota Prius’s $480 to $1,045 jump.

Under The Hood

Increasing the fuel economy of an existing vehicle is not an easy task, particularly one that is already one of the most fuel-efficient available. But that’s what Honda accomplished on the 2012 Insight, with some tweaks under the hood plus an exterior nip and tuck. This latest edition posts EPA mpg numbers of 41 city/44 highway and 42 combined; a one-mpg increase in each category.

The design tweaks start with a change to the aerodynamic shape of the engine bay underbody cover. Next, minor revisions to the engine and transmission cut friction to reduce fuel consumption.

The Insight continues with the hybrid system that Honda calls Integrated Motor Assist (IMA). It’s an apt name since the electric motor assists the gasoline engine rather than working in tandem with it. The assist occurs when passing or climbing hills and in certain situations, namely low-speed driving, it can even move the car on its own, though the engine always turns.

The Insight’s IMA system is comprised of a 1.3-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor paired with a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. The gas engine generates 88 horsepower and 88 pound-feet of torque, while the electric motor chips in 13 horses and 58 pound feet. Due to varying torque peaks, the maximum combined output is 98 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque. Power is directed to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which provides infinite ratios to keep the engine operating within its most efficient range.

On the upscale EX model, Honda offers paddle shifters mounted behind the steering wheel that give the driver the experience of a seven-speed gearbox. A CVT doesn’t actually have gears, so the system uses electronics to direct the transmission to up- or downshift in specific ways when a driver hits a paddle.

Exterior

For the Insight’s design, Honda uses a shape that’s coming to define hybrid and electric vehicles: a four-door hatchback with a smooth front and a high, abrupt tail. You can add the Insight to a list of similarly shaped cars that begins with the Toyota Prius and includes the plug-in Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle as well.

The nip and tucks of the exterior include a new grille design that introduces a thin, blue accent bar, blue light surrounds inside the headlamp casings and a restyled front bumper. The rear bumper is also redesigned with diffusers added to smooth airflow while the aerodynamic strakes forward of the front wheels have been extended. These two changes, along with the engine bay’s underbody cover, reduce the drag coefficient by two percent, helping to improve highway fuel mileage.

The low nose, swept-back windshield, and long, gently arched roof let onlookers know that the Insight is a gas-electric car. That’s a message that is important to many hybrid buyers.

Interior

Despite the small platform, the Insight feels spacious, airy, and somewhat futuristic. Like the Honda Civic, there’s plenty of forward space and a clean, multi-level dash. Standard tilt/telescoping steering wheel and manual height-adjustable driver’s seat assures a comfortable driving position.

In response to owner input, for 2012 the center-console beverage holders have been reshaped to accommodate larger drinks and the front armrest (not available on the base model) is more supportive. The available navigation system now includes a rearview camera and a 16-GB flash memory system replaces the 4.7-GB DVD-based system used on the prior model.

In back, changes to the rear headliner shape and deeper sculpting of the rear seat cushion result in 0.6 inches more headroom. (Hey, every 10th of an inch helps.) The 15.9 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear seats is sufficient – maybe not for a family of four, but certainly for a couple taking a road trip. When more carrying room is required, the 60/40-split fold seats can open up to a fairly generous 31.5 cubic feet.

Driver Controls And Feedback, For Max MPG

The electronics in the control system let Honda offer what it calls the Eco Assist system, which tells the driver how economically he or she is driving by changing the background color of the speedometer. Green means good, blue means you’re a lead-foot. There’s an ECON mode that enhances fuel economy further by resetting the control logic, so the car accelerates more slowly and backs off the gas engine quicker.

The dashboard Eco Guide accumulates data on driving patterns, so hypermiling drivers can analyze their history to improve driving strategies. Honda even shows up to five green leaves in the display – similar to graphics in the Ford Fusion Hybrid – to reward drivers who display the most economical behavior over time. Wilted leaves means more practice is required for driving economically.

On The Road

The Insight can feel labored when accelerating rapidly off the line or overtaking fast-moving traffic. In ordinary driving conditions, however, the powertrain absolves itself well enough and the car is stable on the highway. Our take is the Insight’s handling leans toward its cousin, the Honda Fit – which is to say, it is fairly nimble and responsive. Steering feel is good and contributes to a generally rewarding drive. The ride is firm and reasonably well damped but the suspension’s tuning makes known even the smallest road imperfections.

Cabin noise intrusion has been an issue with the Insight since day one. The low-rolling resistant tires have been singled out as the major noisemaker – as they are with all hybrids – and a bit of buzziness from the engine during periods of stronger acceleration is another contributor. Interior noise sees improvement for 2012, thanks to thicker noise-insulation materials and additional insulation panels in the cargo area.

Bottom Line

If you are a prospective hybrid car buyer, there’s no question that the price of the 2012 Insight will get your attention, plus until the Prius c arrives, it has the highest fuel economy rating of any vehicle under $20,000. Additionally, even the entry-level Insight is well equipped with standard features that include: automatic climate control; remote keyless entry; power windows, door locks and outside mirrors; tilt-and-telescoping steering column; manual driver’s seat height adjustment; AM/FM/CD audio system with two speakers; auxiliary audio input; and unique seating fabric.

And when it comes to standard safety features, the Insight has all the biggies: front, side and curtain air bags; front active head restraints; four-wheel anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution; and electronic stability and traction control.

The 2012 Insight has lots of compelling reasons to place it on or near the top of hybrid shopping lists. But, it will soon be overshadowed by the 2012 Prius c when it arrives in March. Slightly smaller than the Insight, Toyota says the Prius c will start under $19,000 with an estimated mileage rating of 53 city/46 highway and a combined 50 mpg.

If fuel economy and price are important criteria in the new car purchase, there are a host of gasoline-powered alternatives with fuel-economy ratings in the mid 30-mpg range in city driving and an even 40 on the highway. That’s within sniffing distance of the Insight at lower prices. Might be worth checking out the Ford Fiesta, Chevrolet Cruze, Hyundai Accent or Mazda3 before committing to an Insight.

Still, the Insight has something the others don’t have – it’s a Honda.

Prices are Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) at time of publication and do not include destination charges, taxes or licensing.

UAW President Bob King pumped about new CAFE standards

2012-01-18T13:30:00.001-08:00

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Average age of car is record-setting 10.8 years old [w/poll]

2012-01-18T12:00:00.001-08:00

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Ruf stretches Porsche Panamera for China

2012-01-18T08:30:00.001-08:00

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Toyota unveils 2013 NS4 Plug-In Hybrid Concept

2012-01-17T20:30:00.001-08:00

Published January 17, 2012

By Jeff Cobb

Last week at the Detroit Auto Show, Toyota showed the world the rest of its Prius-transcending NS4 plug-in hybrid concept.

Leading up to this unveiling, Toyota had maximized its PR value by showing teaser photos while offering details just as scant as selected close-ups shots of a headlight or other design aspects.

So here it is – a new hybrid that Toyota says will be positioned separate from the Prius family, possibly the beginning of a new lineup of green cars beginning a few years from now.

Details are still limited, but Toyota says it hopes to launch this technology in a car very similar to the 2013 concept by 2015 – with some technologies trickling sooner into other Toyotas.

The vehicle is built around a next-generation hybrid drivetrain, and includes several new safety technologies, and these are the features that will also find their way onto other models in the near future.

This video is courtesy of our sister publication, AutoGuide, and explains a little bit more for this first look at a car Toyota has yet to finalize for production, after which no doubt full details will be revealed.

Abarth 695 shines in Tokyo with full chrome job [w/video]

2012-01-17T14:30:00.001-08:00

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IBM Lithium-Air Battery Project Looks Promising

2012-01-17T11:30:00.001-08:00

Published January 17, 2012

By Jeff Cobb

Would you believe that eight years from now lithium-air batteries – with energy density nearly equal to gasoline and able to provide five times today’s average EV range – could relegate combustion engines to history?

You’ll believe it when you see it, you say? Well, high hopes have been hyped before, so we can’t say we blame you, but this story making the rounds is based on research by no less than well-regarded IBM researchers on two continents.

"We now have one which looks very promising," said IBM physicist Winfried Wilcke about an electrolyte material that could lead to a working lithium-air battery prototype by 2013.

Wilcke works at IBM's Almaden laboratories in San Jose, Calif., and he and Alessandro Curioni at IBM's Zurich lab in Switzerland used a Blue Gene supercomputer to find an alternative electrolyte for the present close-but-no-cigar lithium-air battery.

But let’s back up a minute: What is lithium air, you ask?

According to New Scientist.com which broke the brief story, lithium-air batteries differ from lithium-ion batteries by using carbon for their positive electrode instead of metal oxides.

The carbon is lighter and reacts with oxygen in the surrounding air to produce electrical current. While their energy density is through the roof, li-air battery cells have proven chemically unstable, thus shortening lifespan when repeated recharging is attempted, so that rules them out at this point.

To attack the problem Wilcke used a form of mass spectrometry to analyze the lithium-air cells’ underlying electrochemistry. In doing so, he discovered that beyond reacting with the carbon electrode, oxygen was also reacting with the electrolytic solvent (that carries the lithium ions between the electrodes).

So, the aforementioned supercomputer was used to run extremely detailed reaction models to find more viable electrolytes. This scientific detective work included a form of atomistic modelling down to the quantum mechanics of the components, said Curioni.

After all this high-tech sleuthing, the researchers reportedly have a material they think could work. They won't reveal what the electrolyte is but say that several research prototypes have already been demonstrated adding to their positive outlook.

Perhaps the news is also credible because it is coming from IBM, and not a super capacitor maker named EEstor, or some other company with no known track record.

In any event, if they can get a prototype to work, it would solve a major obstacle with lithium-air batteries, said Phil Bartlett, head of electrochemistry at the University of Southampton, UK.

Other practical issues to overcome before lithium air is given the commercial green light would include coping with moist air, Bartlett said. Moisture could make for a hazard the pundits at Fox News wished they could have pinned on the Volt’s LG Chem cells.

"Lithium in water spontaneously catches fire," Bartlett said.

And we all know fire is not a good thing, right?

So, you ask, what do we really have?

At this point, we have positive reported results from reputable research scientists who think they are onto the right trail.

But what do you think? We’ve already anticipated the usual skepticism and jaded responses, but aside from that, what is a realistic attitude to take?

Lancia Aurelia B52 PF200 by Pininfarina

2012-01-17T08:30:00.001-08:00

V6 / 1.754 cc / 57 PS / 58 ft/lb (78 Nm) @ 2.500

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Higher prices, more controls slow auto sales in China

2012-01-17T06:00:00.001-08:00

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Fisker Again Recalls Karma, This Time for a Software Glitch

2012-01-17T05:30:00.001-08:00

Published January 16, 2012

Fisker Automotive has again halted sales of its plug-in Karma and recalled those out on the road in order to fix a software glitch that has caused random check-engine lights and erratic navigation and entertainment system issues. This marks the second time in two months that Fisker has recalled the Karma for a potential defect. The previous recall involved fixing a battery-pack related issue that could have potentially led to electrical shorts.

Founder Henrik Fisker, has promised that he will personally contact each Karma owner to apologize for the glitch and any inconvenience that it has caused.

The software update reportedly comes after a couple of Karma owners reported a series of electronic issues, with at least one Karma owner filing a formal complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Fisker spokesman Roger Ormisher confirmed that sales of the Karma have been halted temporarily while the automaker updates the vehicle's software. "It's a fairly normal practice," Ormisher stated. "If you have an issue with supplied software, you put a stop on the sale until it's sorted."

As for Henrik Fisker personally contacting Karma owners, Ormisher stated "Fisker is going to make sure the customers are happy and they can communicate with him."

Ormisher also said that Fisker remains on track to meet the late-2012 production target for its next offering, Project Nina, which will be manufactured at a revamped former General Motors facility in Delaware. Early sales of Project Nina are scheduled to begin by mid-2013.

Citroën CX 25 GTI Turbo 2

2012-01-16T08:30:00.001-08:00

S4 / 2.500 cc / 168 PS / 217 lb/ft (294 Nm) @ 3.250 / turbo / 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h): 7,8 s / Vmax: 139 mph (223 km/h)

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Ferrari branding expands again, now includes headphones

2012-01-15T07:30:00.001-08:00

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Ford 1932 "Xtreme Thunder" by Steve Barton (904 cui = 14.814 cc!!!)

2012-01-15T07:00:00.001-08:00

V8 (Schubeck 904) / 904 cui = 14.814 cc / 1.200 PS / 1.200 ft/lb (1.627 Nm) / engine: Joe Schubeck / chassis: Boyd Coddington / paint: Charley Hutton / interior: Armondo's Rod & Custom / project manager: Jordan Quintal

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Corvette ZR1-powered Chevrolet Silverado has us feeling sleepy

2012-01-14T14:30:00.001-08:00

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Bugatti Type 41 Royale Coupe Napoleon

2012-01-14T10:00:00.001-08:00

S8 / 12.763 cc / 300 PS / Vmax: 100 mph (160 km/h)

The first Bugatti Royale (of 6+1) has a serial 8-cylinder engine with 12.763 cc displacement (1.595 cc each!), 14 l engine oil and 48 l cooling water. The engine itself has a length of 55 inch (140 cm) and consumes 40 l gasoline on every 100 km from the 190 l tank. The maximum output is 300 PS at 3.000 rpm and with the help of the 3-speed transmission the 3.000+ kg car can reach 100 mph (160 km/h).

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Ford Escape Hybrid

2012-01-13T11:30:00.003-08:00

By Larry E. Hall

Finally, after just more than a decade, Ford is bringing out an all-new Escape compact sport utility vehicle, or perhaps we should say, crossover utility vehicle. Since its debut as a 2001 model, the Escape has retained the same shape and overall size with just basic exterior and interior refreshes. In fact, the biggest news about the Escape over the past 10-plus years was the introduction in 2004 of the Escape Hybrid as a 2005 model. It was not only Ford’s first hybrid vehicle, it was the world’s first hybrid SUV.

When the new Escape arrives in late spring it will have shed its boxy, dated SUV look, replaced with today’s trendy jelly-bean crossover styling – joining those inflated family wagons slightly insecure about their place in the automotive pecking order.

Inspired by the European Ford Kuga, the new Escape is a giant leap forward but will leave something behind – a hybrid variant. That’s right, Ford will no longer offer an Escape Hybrid.

Why drop the hybrid powertrain after all these years? Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president of global product development, said that Ford’s EcoBoost four-cylinder engines would offer fuel economy that “approaches the existing hybrid.” He added that the automaker reasoned that an Escape with a higher mpg rating would not be necessary to attract buyers.

The more compelling reason is Ford is placing its hybrid bets on the upcoming C-Max models. The C-Max Hybrid and C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid are dedicated models developed to compete with the expanding Toyota Prius lineup. Kuzak said the C-Max is a multi-activity vehicle that provides nearly the same functionality as the Escape while delivering better fuel economy. C-Max will go on sale in the second half of 2012.

Unmentioned by Kuzak, but perhaps another reason, is the Escape Hybrid hasn’t been selling. After peaking in 2007 with 20,961 units sold, the little hybrid SUV’s sales have declined to 11,183 at the end of 2011.

Since the Escape Hybrid is a lame duck – production ends in March – there are no changes for the 2012 model year. Two trim levels of Escape Hybrid are offered, Base and Limited. The base two-wheel drive has a manufacturer suggested retail price of $30,570; the four-wheel drive is $32,320. The Limited trim 2WD starts at $33,080 and the 4WD at $34,830.

Under The Hood

The Escape’s hybrid powertrain begins with a 155-horsepower 2.5-liter lean-burning, Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine that shares motivational tasks with a 94-horsepower permanent magnet motor. A planetary gear set transmits the blended output to an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT) that directs the power to the front wheels.

Differences in the torque curves of the gas engine and electric motor means that the system’s output is 177 horsepower, a more than adequate amount of power for a compact SUV. Ford doesn’t publish torque numbers for the electric motor, but the four-cylinder engine produces 136 pound-feet.

As a “full” hybrid system, the Escape Hybrid is able to operate under pure-electric power only, gasoline power only, or a combination of the two. The system makes all the decisions: when to engage motor, engine, or both. Assuming the 330-volt nickel-metal-hydride battery pack is in a charged state, it is easy to drive up to a speed of 44 mph on electric power. It does take a light foot, but not to the point of holding up normal traffic. Typically, the little hybrid SUV can start, stop and cruise at 44 mph for around two miles before the gas engine kicks in to automatically replenish the batteries. Exceed that speed or distance, or accelerate at a faster rate, and the transition to gasoline power is virtually seamless.

The Escape Hybrid also saves gas by automatically shutting off the engine when coming to a stop, and keeping it off at a standstill while it runs accessories on battery power. The engine fires up again when the accelerator is touched.

Exterior and Interior

The 2012 Escape Hybrid has classic proportions and adheres to the “Ford Tough” look that is found on the brand’s pickup truck line. For many buyers, this is what an SUV should look like and what virtually all of them did before an era of curvaceous crossovers.

Up front, the hood features a unique “reverse crease” design that draws the eye to the power center of the vehicle – a deliberate and crafty design method intended to put emphasis on performance. The front fascia has headlamps that sweep up toward the front corners, and flank an upright grille. Design cues include large front and rear fender flares, and the backside is typical old-school SUV squared-off design with a two-piece tailgate.

There’s nothing particularly special about the Escape Hybrid’s interior design, though all gauges are easy to read and switches have a substantial feel. The tachometer has a green zone below the zero to indicate when the vehicle is driving on electric power. An additional gauge indicates whether the electric motor is charging the batteries or assisting the gasoline engine. Both are helpful for altering driving habits in the quest for optimum fuel economy

In terms of functionality, the front seats are comfortable for even large adults, but some reviewers think the seats are too tall, giving a feeling of hovering above the controls. The rear seat has ample room for three, but it lacks adjustments for reclining and sliding back/forth. There’s a respectable 30.9 cubic feet of cargo room; folding the second-row seats brings the total to 66 cubic feet. Unlike the regular Escape, which has a storage well under the cargo floor, there’s no such area here because the space is taken by the hybrid’s high-voltage battery pack.

High-Tech Gizmos Galore

The Escape Hybrid may have a throwback exterior and is dated inside, but few crossovers of any vintage can match its assemblage of gadgets and features. These include electric power steering, which improves fuel economy by eliminating a hydraulic system’s draw on the engine. It also makes possible a couple of slick features.

The optional Active Park Assist can measure an appropriate parallel parking space and then employs the electric steering to back the Escape into the space while the driver – hands off the wheel – controls the speed with the brake. That’s a pretty neat trick, but more important and useful is the electric steering makes possible Ford’s Pull-Drift Compensation. This feature pares driver fatigue and increases steering control by automatically compensating for drift-triggering factors such as severely crowned roads or strong crosswinds.

Standard is the Ford/Microsoft Sync infotainment. The basic Sync setup can deliver turn-by-turn directions and other information through the audio system. Mated with the optional voice-activated, hard-drive navigation system, Sync expands to incorporate Bluetooth and streaming audio, iPod USB interface, and more detailed mapping and information services. Available as well is “MyKey,” a system that allows owners to limit a vehicle’s top speed and audio volume – a big plus for parents. Other available add-ons include a remote-start function, rear DVD entertainment system, backup proximity alarm, and a rearview camera.

On the safety side, the Escape Hybrid includes Roll Stability as part of the stability control system. It is the only system with a sensor that can detect the start of a rollover and act to stop it.

On The Road

Interestingly, when introduced, the Escape was one of the first crossover SUVs. It combined a four-door body shell with a front-wheel-drive, car-type chassis borrowed from the Mazda 6 to form a single, unibody structure. It was space-efficient, lightweight and among the first SUVs with an all-independent suspension. This gives the Escape Hybrid car-like qualities.

Like Toyota’s RAV4 and Honda’s CR-V, the Escape Hybrid has fairly stiff suspension, but the ride is quiet and smooth, with good absorption of bumps. Body roll is present but not excessive. The electric power steering provides a high degree of assist, which means it doesn’t take a lot of effort to turn the steering wheel. Steering is precise, with minimal play in the wheel.

The hybrid powertrain delivers acceptable acceleration that gives it enough oomph to get up to highway speeds safely. According to Ford, the system delivers zero-to-60 mph acceleration equivalent to that of a 240-horsepower V-6.

Should You Buy A Lame Duck 2012 Escape Hybrid?

The Ford Escape Hybrid is hands down the most efficient crossover SUVs on the market. That, by itself, is one of the weightiest claims a vehicle can make these days, given the popularity of these vehicles, combined with the need for more economical solutions to the upward price trend of gasoline. To that end, the front-drive version has a federal fuel economy rating of 34 city/31 highway and a combined 32 mpg. The all-wheel drive model offers 30/27/29.

At $30,570, the base Escape Hybrid commands a nearly $6,000 premium over its gasoline-powered Escape counterpart. This makes it one of the most expensive compact SUVs, although it’s more affordable than most hybrid SUVs. Compared to the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the Lexus RX 400h Hybrid, it is significantly less expensive – but still well equipped.

However, being a lame duck vehicle has its advantages. As Ford clears out inventories of the 2012 Escape Hybrids that opens the door for striking a can’t-miss deal via generous manufacturer incentives and deep dealer discounts.

If dated SUV styling isn’t your thing, you could wait until summer for the C-Max Hybrid to arrive. It should be priced about the same as the Escape Hybrid and offer better fuel economy. The downside is, the interior space is a bit smaller and it’s unknown if AWD will be offered.

Hybrid bragging rights not important to you? Models like the RAV4 and CR-V do grant combined fuel mileage in the high 20s – both of these vehicles, in particular, are known to have better build quality and more refinement for less money.

But in the hybrid SUV market, there’s no denying that the Escape Hybrid has an edge over its competitors with better fuel economy and price.

Prices are Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) at time of publication and do not include destination charges, taxes or licensing.

Ford takes top honors in Polk Automotive Loyalty Awards

2012-01-13T11:30:00.001-08:00

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Nash Airflyte Rambler

2012-01-13T10:00:00.003-08:00

S6 / 3.207 cc / 112 PS / 155 ft/lb (210 Nm) @ 2.000

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Classic Toyota 2000GT turned into solar-powered EV

2012-01-13T10:00:00.001-08:00

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Nissan March Nismo concept debuts at Tokyo Auto Salon [w/video]

2012-01-13T08:30:00.001-08:00

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Mercedes-Benz G Full Size Pick-up by Wolf

2012-01-12T17:30:00.001-08:00

V8 / 4.966 cc / 296 PS / 336 lb/ft (456 Nm) @ 3.500 / Vmax: 80 - 130 mph (130 - 210 km/h)

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Ford GT designer takes his creation to artful zenith

2012-01-12T12:00:00.001-08:00

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Buick Super Eight Custom "Sonny"

2012-01-12T08:30:00.003-08:00

No technical specification available

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BMW to launch toned-down line of M Performance Automobiles

2012-01-12T08:30:00.001-08:00

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Toyota Reveals 2012 Prius C

2012-01-11T20:30:00.001-08:00

Published January 11, 2012

By Jeff Cobb

2012 Prius c.

As anticipated, Toyota debuted the Prius c subcompact at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this week to “complete the Prius family” when it becomes available in March.

Pricing will start at “under $19,000,” and it offers an EPA estimated mileage rating of 53 mpg in the city – which Toyota says is the “highest rated city fuel economy of any vehicle without a plug.” Highway mileage is 46 mpg, and the combined rating is 50 mpg,

For those of you who don’t already know, Toyota says the “c” means “city” and younger drivers are expected to make up a sizable portion of buyers for one of the four grades of standard equipment the urban-oriented car will be offered with.

As you can see by the charts, it is just over 19 inches shorter overall than the generation 3 Prius Liftback, wheelbase is six inches shorter, and curb weight is 542 pounds less.

As such, it has a horsepower to curb weight ratio of 1:25.25 compared to the regular Prius’ ratio of 1:22.7, so it may not out accelerate the Liftback, but its selling price could save $5,000 or so, and its fuel economy will save a bit more at the pump also.

Like the Hybrid Synergy Drive used also in its family members, the c has three drive modes: Normal, Eco, and EV for short-range, lower speed electric driving.

By locating the 144-volt nickel-metal hydride battery pack and fuel tank below the rear seat, Toyota says the Prius c offers 104 cubic feet of interior volume (87.4 cu. ft. passenger volume, 17.1 cu. ft. cargo volume).

The car rides on MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam rear axle and will be available with 15- or 16-inch wheels. Models equipped with 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels have a faster steering ratio (2.28 turns lock to lock) to enhance steering response.

The vehicle offers a coefficient of drag of 0.28, and while unmistakably a Prius, Toyota mentions its wider lower body provides an “athletic stance” with sculpted rear flares.

Toyota promises a broad selection of available convenience and advanced in-car electronics features, including a standard 3.5-in. full color TFT multi-information display, three audio systems to choose from, hands-free phone capability, USB port with iPod® connectivity, and available Display Audio system with Navigation and Entune™ with 6.1-inch touchscreen.

For safety, the car has nine airbags and Toyota’s standard Star Safety System™, which includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), and Smart Stop Technology (SST).

Available paint colors include three new ones – Habanero, Moonglow, and Summer Rain Metallic – as well as Blue Streak Metallic, Absolutely Red, Black Sand Pearl, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Classic Silver Metallic, and Super White.

Along with the Prius Liftback and Prius v, the Prius c will also be joined early this year by the
Plug-in Hybrid to round out one happy growing family.

Mopar to go full boat with 150 Dodge Dart accessories

2012-01-11T13:30:00.001-08:00

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U.S. diesel auto sales up 27% in 2011 while hybrid share shrinks

2012-01-11T11:30:00.001-08:00

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2012 Fiat 500 Abarth priced from $22,000*

2012-01-11T10:00:00.001-08:00

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Volkswagen E-Bugster

2012-01-11T08:30:00.001-08:00

Electric / 116 PS / range: 110 miles (180 km) / 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h): 10,9 s

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Rolls-Royce records highest annual sales in 107-year history

2012-01-11T07:00:00.001-08:00

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How to be one of the first 86 owners of the Scion FR-S

2012-01-10T16:00:00.001-08:00

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Ford Unveils 2013 Fusion, Hybrid and Energi

2012-01-10T13:00:00.001-08:00

Published January 10, 2012

By Jeff Cobb

2013 Fusion.

Yesterday Ford revealed its high-mileage, mid-sized 2013 Fusion, Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Energi at the ongoing North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Economy for the hybrid model is said to be 47 mpg city, 44 mpg highway, beating out the 2012 Camry Hybrid’s 43/39 EPA mpg numbers.

And if that is not enough, the plug-in Energi model is promised to reach 100 MPGe or higher, topping the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf.

For power, the hybrid relies on a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine (down from the former 2.5 liter) plus electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack, delivering 185 horsepower – down about 15 horsepower from the competition.

2013 Fusion Energi.

Ford says the vehicle can travel as fast as 62 mph (100 kph) on electric only power assuming a moderate cadence. Pressing the accelerator harder, in typical hybrid fashion, will employ gasoline power.

The Fusion Energi is not expected to get 25-50 miles of all-electric range a la Volt, and in question is exactly how far its range will be on battery power alone.

The vehicles feature Aston Martinesque styling from Ford’s Evos concept first seen at the
Frankfurt Auto Show in September, and most spectators are saying the Fusion line is visually a winner as well.

The company intends to launch Hybrid and a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated EcoBoost version this fall, with the Energi plug-in following about five months later.

The Fusion will offer a significant selection of standard and optional features. Included is an updated and reportedly more user friendly version of MyFordTouch and Sync.

Safety wise, the vehicles offer eight airbags, including two front knee bags. Also, there is SOS post-crash alert, and as an option is a lane-keeping aid, blind spot information system and active park assist.

Ford CEO Alan Mulally said the company will triple its EcoBoost engine production capacity in North America over the year. Mulally also said the company will release the Mondeo version of the Fusion later this year in Europe (probably in Geneva), and also in Asia later this year.

Ford is banking heavily that these vehicles’ class-leading efficiency and styling will enable this world platform to sell in high volume much like the Ford Taurus was able to when launched over two decades ago.

Source (sister publication): AutoGuide

Shelby celebrates 50 years with Anniversary Edition Mustangs

2012-01-10T11:30:00.001-08:00

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Bentley Contiental GTC (2012)

2012-01-10T08:30:00.001-08:00

V8 / 3.999 cc / 507 PS / 487 ft/lb (660 Nm) @ 1.700 / twin turbo / AWD / 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h): 5,0 s / Vmax: 187 mph (301 km/h)

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Acura NSX Hybrid Concept Revealed in Detroit

2012-01-10T07:00:00.001-08:00

Published January 10, 2012

By Jeff Cobb

Unveiled at the ongoing Detroit Auto Show, the Acura NSX Sport Hybrid Concept has been said by Honda to be slated for Ohio production within the next three years.

As you might guess, an all-wheel-drive supercar like this is not aimed at dethroning the Prius.
Instead, it intends to provide balanced high performance with enough environmental consciousness to not turn buyers away in this decade’s greening marketplace.

“In this new era, even as we focus on the fun to drive spirit of the NSX, I think a supercar must respond positively to environmental responsibilities,” said Honda’s President and CEO Takanobu Ito.

A responsible supercar Honda style in this case relies on Acura's hybrid super handling all wheel drive (SH-AWD) system. The powertrain utilizes two independent electric motors turning the front wheels combined with a direct-injected, mid-mounted, V6 VTEC engine and dual clutch transmission. This two electric motors generate positive or negative torque as needed to the front wheels during cornering.

Honda said the namesake vehicle has lost weight since its predecessor went out of production in the middle of last decade. The reduced mass is attributed to Acura’s race-inspired philosophy with reliance on lightweight materials to produce a well-balanced power-to-weight ratio.

Styling-wise, the new NSX Hybrid is definitely a supercar; close to the ground, aggressive and purposeful looking. Sharp angles and a low-profile, swept-back look leave no ambiguity as to whether the car means business.

This top-of-the-range vehicle’s appearance is also said to signal a more bullish stance toward the market ahead by the conservative company, which diverted earlier plans for an NSX redux during the Wall Street meltdown a few years ago.

That it is hybrid of some sort fits with the thinking of other high-performance automakers whose creations will sneak through tame emissions tests while still letting the horses come out to play when desired.

Source: AutoGuide

Ferrari 330 GT Shooting Brake by Vignale

2012-01-10T02:30:00.001-08:00

V12 / 3.967 cc / 305 PS / 288 lb/ft (390 Nm) @ 5.000 / 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h): 6,3 s / 0 - 100 mph (160 km/h): 15,5 s / Vmax: 152 mph (245 km/h)

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December 2011 Dashboard: Sales Still Climbing

2012-01-09T17:30:00.003-08:00

Published January 9, 2012

Note: This month's dashboard was delayed due to lack of data availability until today.

The HybridCars.com monthly sales dashboard is a collaboration of HybridCars.com and Baum & Associates, a Michigan-based market research firm focusing on automotive issues including the hybrid and electric vehicle market.

Hybrid sales for December 2011 were at their highest since March, which was the last month before the Japanese earthquake/tsunami affected product availability.

Prius volumes in December were also at their highest since March – augmented in that now Toyota is including new members of the Prius family under a single category – and were also higher than all other months since August 2009.

The availability of the larger Prius v and the forthcoming Prius c will certainly lead to higher volumes.

Chevrolet's extended-range Volt missed its year-one sales target of 10,000 cars, with 7,671 actual sales following heavy publicity from a federal battery pack investigation that was quickly settled.

Hybrid sales for the last quarter of 2011 exceeded the comparable level in 2010 by almost 5 percent. Even with the availability issues for much of the year, hybrid sales were only 2 percent shy of 2010.

Beyond the Prius, other major hybrids include the Hyundai Sonata, Honda Insight, and Lexus CT200h, two of which are new in 2011.

Note: We were not able to get info for the Kia Optima, and the Hyundai Sonata data we got was assumed at 20 percent (which we reduced with a semi-educated guess to 11 percent).

Plug in vehicles achieved their best month ever (by a significant margin), which indicates that limited availability has been the primary factor in sales since December of 2010.

The percentage changes for the electric for comparisons to 12-10 and YTD 10 and 11 look excessively tremendous – but while they are correct, don’t place much stock in them as sales started at a very low level in December 2010.

Note also that the Mitsubishi i battery electric car has been included this month.

While we believe the concern over the safety of the Volt has been overwrought, consumers seem to agree as sales in December reflected greater availability rather than safety concerns.

LEAF sales met expectations for 2011, but need to increase in the new year to meet Nissan's goals.

The yen/dollar relationship will complicate this effort, but the importance of the vehicle suggests that Nissan will take a financial hit in order to increase sales. Of course, volumes for 2013 are expected to be much higher given the launch of production in Tennessee.

Diesel volumes showed growth in 2011 with the VW Jetta leading the pack and performing well for the year. Mercedes showed strong volumes across a number of models, as did VW/Audi.

December 2011 Hybrid Car Sales Numbers

Hybrids sold in the U.S. (December 2011): 31,100
Hybrid Take-Rate: 2.51 percent

U.S. hybrid sales for December 2011

Model	Units	vs. last month	vs. November 2010	CYTD	vs. CYTD 2010
Toyota Prius	17,004	11.8%	8.7%	136,463	-3.2%
Lexus CT 200h	2,259	28.4%	n/a	14,381	n/a
Hyundai Sonata	1,907	10.7%	n/a	19,672	n/a
Toyota Camry	1,797	146.2%	46.0%	9,241	-36.6%
Lexus RX400/450h	1,233	32.9%	-19.7%	10,723	-29.0%
Ford Escape	1,080	-4.5%	23.1%	10,089	-9.8%
Buick LaCrosse	982	44.4%	n/a	1,801	n/a
Ford Fusion	888	-10.6%	-40.3%	11,286	-45.8%
Honda Insight	690	-7.9%	-57.8%	15,549	-25.8%
Honda Civic	565	12.3%	-37.6%	4,703	-35.9%
Honda CR-Z	564	84.9%	-35.6%	11,330	115.9%
Toy. Highlander	563	74.8%	-40.7%	4,549	-39.0%
Linc. MKZ Hybrid	434	-8.6%	2.4%	5,739	381.5%
Lexus HS 250h	2274	32.4%	-75.6%	2,864	-73.1%
Chevy Silverado	195	427.0%	71.1%	1,001	-46.5%
Porsche Cayenne	89	-36.4%	-56.8%	1,571	356.7%
Buick Regal	86	n/a	n/a	123	n/a
Cad. Escalade	79	163.3%	-39.7%	819	-32.3%
BMW Hybrid 7	51	104.0%	104.0%	338	234.7%
Infiniti M35h	46	39.4%	n/a	324	n/a
GMC Yukon Hybrid	49	133.3%	-59.5%	598	-51.0%
Chevy Tahoe	40	42.9%	-68.0%	519	-63.6%
Mercedes S400HV	37	94.7%	-11.9%	309	-67.6%
Mazda Tribute	36	0%	-25.0%	484	-26.1%
Altima	34	-38.2%	-94.4%	3,236	-51.8%
Lexus GS450h	33	50.0%	10.0%	282	-7.5%
VW Touareg Hybrid	29	38.1%	38.1%	390	1,757.1%
Porsche Panamera S	26	n/a	n/a	52	n/a
GMC Sierra	10	25.0%	-77.3%	164	-68.6%
Lexus LS600hL	9	80.0%	-47.1%	84	-34.9%
BMW X6	3	-400.0%	-50	43	-82.7%
Chevy Malibu Hybrid	0	n/a	-100.0%	24	-94.0%
Mercedes ML450	0	n/a	-100.0%	1	-99.9%
All hybrids	31,100	19.1%	8.7%	268,807	-2.2%
All vehicles	1,238,939	24.9%	8.7%	12,734,356	10.2%

December 2011 Plug-in Electric Car Sales Numbers

Plug-in cars sold in the U.S. (December 2011):2,741
Plug-in Take-Rate:0.22%

U.S. plug-in electric sales for December 2011

Model	Units	vs. last month	vs. November 2010	CYTD	vs. CYTD 2010
Chevrolet Volt	1,529	34.2%	369.0%	7,671	2,253.1%
Nissan LEAF	954	42.0%	4,921.1%	9,674	50,815.8%
Smart ED	182	80.2%	5,966.7%	388	12,833.3%
Mitsubishi i	76	1,800.0%	n/a	80	n/a
All plug-in cars	2,741	56.0%	n/a	17,813	n/a
All vehicles	1,238,939	24.9%	8.7%	12,734,356	10.2%

December 2011 Clean Diesel Car Sales Numbers

Clean Diesels sold in the U.S. (December 2011):9,658
Diesel Take-Rate:0.78%

U.S. clean diesel sales for December 2011

Model	Units	vs. last month	vs. November 2010	CYTD	vs. CYTD 2010
VW Jetta	3,528	7.3%	-16.8%	51,530	15.5%
BMW X5	1,120	46.0%	39.7%	7,378	-6.9%
Passat	1,078	13.4%	n/a	4,032	n/a
Volkswagen Golf	799	17.0%	7.4%	9,768	69.0%
Mercedes ML320	768	-7.2%	86.4%	5,020	81.5%
VW Touareg	591	27.4%	1,455.3%	3,633	152.1%
Mercedes GL320	573	-40.2%	81.9%	5,782	65.2%
BMW 335d	340	10.7%	-20.0%	3,583	-5.8%
Audi A3	329	22.3%	25.6%	3,611	3.9%
Audi Q7	242	11.5%	-49.2%	3,654	5.4%
Mercedes E320	187	-11.0%	-40.8%	2,767	195.0%
Mercedes S350	79	18.8%	n/a	240	n/a
Mercedes R320	24	71.4%	-11.1%	474	34.3%
Jeep Gr Cherokee	-	n/a	-100.0%	152	-91.0%
All clean diesels	9,658	4.1%	16.2%	101,624	27.4%
All vehicles	1,238,939	24.9%	8.7%	12,734,356	10.2%

Mopar gives Chrysler 200 a kick in the ass with Super S kit

2012-01-09T17:30:00.001-08:00

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Dodge Charger Redline pops its top with Mopar juice

2012-01-09T10:00:00.001-08:00

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Ferrari 330 GT Vignale Shooting Brake

2012-01-09T08:30:00.003-08:00

V12 / 3.967 cc / 305 PS / 288 lb/ft (390 Nm) @ 5.000 / 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h): 6,3 s / 0 - 100 mph (160 km/h): 15,5 s / Vmax: 152 mph (245 km/h)

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2013 BMW M5 to get six-speed manual as no-cost option

2012-01-09T08:30:00.001-08:00

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Oldsmobile Toronado "Half-and-Half" by Precision Restorations - 2

2012-01-08T17:30:00.001-08:00

V8 / 6.970 cc / 390 PS / 475 ft/lb (644 Nm) @ 3.200 / 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h): 8,0 s / Vmax: 130 mph (209 km/h)

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Mercedes-Benz (W124) E60 AMG

2012-01-08T08:30:00.001-08:00

V8 / 5.956 cc / 380 PS / 347 lb/ft (470 Nm) @ 3.900 / 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h): 5,4 s / Vmax: 155 mph (250 km/h)

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Did BMW and Mercedes engage in a game of sales chicken?

2012-01-07T15:30:00.001-08:00

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GM Reinforces Volt Battery as Customer Service Gesture

2012-01-07T12:00:00.001-08:00

Published January 7, 2012

By Jeff Cobb

On Thursday GM announced it had engineered an expedient but effective solution to post-crash-test battery fires reported by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, and will ask Chevrolet Volt drivers to return to their dealers for the one-day reinforcing procedure.

Despite ongoing distortions of facts by critics including one Fox News pundit who suggested the vehicle might “blow up,” federal authorities have repeated that the Volt is safe and GM says its voluntary measure is intended to keep showing why the Volt is rated #1 in customer satisfaction.

According to Mary Barra, GM’s senior VP of global product development, the fire's cause following a 20-mph side-impact into a pole involved rupturing the battery’s coolant lines that led to short circuiting.

“Testing and analysis revealed the fire was the result of a minor intrusion from a portion of the vehicle into a side section of the battery pack,” Barra said on Chevrolet VoltAge.com. “The intrusion resulted in a small coolant leak inside the battery, approximately 50 ml (one-quarter of a cup) of fluid.”

Igniting another Volt battery in repeated side-impact tests was not at first an easy task, and it wasn't until December that two crash tested stand-alone batteries showed how it's done. Once that was understood, GM scrambled to put out the fire of public perception as fast as it could.

And to be sure, Barra confirmed GM quickly completed development and validation of its remedial measures, “thereby eliminating the chance for a post-crash electrical fire for this test condition.”

She then described the procedure GM dealers will offer Volt owners in its “Customer Satisfaction Program” beginning in February – it's not a recall, thus not being done with federal oversight, and – the hope is – with less perceived stigma.

“First, we’re going to strengthen an existing portion of the vehicle’s safety structure that protects the battery pack in the event of a severe side collision,” Barra said. “The enhancements add to the robustness in protecting the battery and its coolant lines in the event of a severe side crash.”

Additional enhancements to the battery coolant system, include:

• Installing a sensor in the battery coolant system reservoir to monitor coolant levels.

• Adding a tamper resistant bracket to the top of the battery coolant reservoir to help prevent potential coolant overfill.

“These enhancements and modifications will address the concerns raised by the severe crash tests,” Barra said. “There are no changes to the Volt battery pack or cell chemistry as a result of these actions. We have tested the Volt’s battery system for more than 285,000 hours, or 25 years, of operation. We’re as confident as ever that the cell design is among the safest on the market.”

The company added that the Volt is a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and has earned other safety awards from key third-party organizations.

Although no fires like those created by NHTSA have been reported by Volt drivers, Barra said GM is now “choosing to go the extra mile to ensure our customers’ peace of mind.”

When the Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant reopens Jan. 23, these same updates will be baked into all new Volts, GM said.

An exaggerated issue

The Volt – which actually got started as a concept during the Bush administration – has been widely believed to be perhaps the most singled-out automotive political whipping boy by opponents to the Obama administration, General Motors, electrified vehicles or all the above.

Although no electric cars have yet caught fire on the road, and last year alone over 200,000 internally combusted vehicles were involved in fires, the Volt has received outsized attention as a representative of plug-in electrified vehicles which some have noted the Obama administration has since embraced.

Actually, the Volt has broad appeal for those interested in not just the environment, but also national security, energy security, and in short, it represents a first step toward solving issues important to all political sensibilities, but perceptions at the moment are what they are.

The immediate “concerns” NHTSA raised leading to an investigation opened last month involved the threat of a battery fire starting hours or days after a Volt has already been totaled in a collision.

NHTSA has never suggested an EV battery could explode on impact, nor has it been able to get one to even easily catch fire after repeatedly crashing them.

The remedial engineering involving a few pounds of extra steel in critical places to protect the Volt's battery pack in a severe accident were done by GM not because NHTSA said it had to, but GM said it really wants to prove it is offering a viable and safe technology.

It has thus been observed GM jumped through the hoops it has in response to fears and concerns more than actual quantifiable dangers.

Just mentioning the threat of "fire" over and over again has had this effect in today’s political and social climate about a new technology many in the mainstream do not fully understand.

Last month the media focused on GM’s initial efforts to assuage people’s fears including offering a loaner car while NHTSA's investigation was carried out, and even offering to buy back Volts if asked to by worried owners.

Being under the public microscope as it is, GM has been careful how it presents itself, but it has conceded what it has done has from a defensive position, and the biased and polemical sociopolitical environment it is striving against is becoming apparent.

Even normally conservative automotive publications have observed the complications that plug-in cars have had to contend with.

For example, WardsAuto has commented on the politicized nature of things. And worse than an attack on a car, company or administration, it sees the Volt’s batterygate issue as part of a broader cultural problem adversely affecting American competitiveness.

In short, Wards contends U.S. innovation is being killed off by factional and divisive interests who brand a certain creation as belonging to their opponents, as an excerpt following shows:

Actually, dying is too kind a word. Innovation is being murdered in America. … Nowhere is this clearer than in the case of the Chevy Volt. It is the most innovative vehicle to come out of Detroit in a generation, yet Republicans are trying to kill it and Democrats and environmentalists are not digging into their own pockets to show it the support they say it deserves”.

At this point perceptions are believed to be more an outcome of either deliberate or inadvertent fear mongering.

Speaking of which, some have also alleged GM's offer of loaners, buybacks and now this fix have been made because secretly it knew there were bigger technical issues to cover itself against, but GM Spokesman Rob Peterson said this is not the case.

The big-enough issue is the same as it ever was – redeeming the post-bankruptcy GM’s name from the bad rap it got in some quarters over the years, and proving the Volt is viable.

“People's impressions of General Motors go back years and it will take time and it will take deeds – not necessarily words – to prove that having satisfied customers is what we’re out to achieve,” Peterson said.

He noted that the latest Consumer Reports' 93-percent rating for the Volt makes it number one in owner satisfaction and exceeds even a runner up from Porsche costing twice as much.

The Volt has also accrued a sizable list of awards, but did miss a goal of 10,000 U.S. sales this year in part because of repeated attempts to bring it down.

Throughout its inaugural year critics threw what they could on the Volt, the media responded to the story du jour/em> in predictable fashion, but one by one perceived issues were shown to be exaggerated and their "news cycle" died a natural death.

As for this latest issue, observers note that GM needs to put it behind it, restore any lost confidence in its halo car and nascent market, and prepare to sell as many as 60,000 more Volts worldwide this year.

Now that the Volt is available in all 50 states, and being exported to Canada and to Europe as the Volt and Opel/Vauxhall Ampera sister vehicle, this year will be more telling how “ready for prime time” the Volt actually is.

Jaguar XJ S/C by Startech

2012-01-07T07:30:00.001-08:00

V8 / 5.000 cc / 470 PS / 424 ft/lb (575 Nm) @ 2.500 - 5.500 / supercharger / 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h): 5,2 s / Vmax: 155 mph (250 km/h)

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Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept to Debut at Detroit Auto Show

2012-01-06T19:30:00.001-08:00

Published January 6, 2012

Volvo will use the 2012 Detroit Auto Show to debut its XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept, a version of the automaker's crossover fitted with an advanced gas-electric powertrain. Additionally, Volvo has officially confirmed that it will soon launch a production plug-in hybrid vehicle in the US.

The XC60 plug-in crossover combines a 280-horsepower, four-cylinder gasoline engine with a 70-hp, 148 pound-feet of torque electric motor. The turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline engine powers the XC60's front wheel, while the electric motor spins the rear wheels. An integrated starter motor/generator (ISG) located between the engine and transmission delivers an extra 45 hp during acceleration. The ISG also charges the battery during braking. Electricity is stored in a 12-kWh lithium-ion battery pack located beneath the vehicle's rear cargo area. Volvo says that the XC60 plug-in can travel on electric power only for up to 35 miles.

On the performance front, Volvo claims that the powerful XC60 can sprint from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 5.8 seconds, can hit a top speed of 130 mph and boasts a towing capacity of 3,300 pounds.

In terms of efficiency, Volvo states that the XC60 plug-in achieves more than 100 miles per gallon equivalent on Europe's combined cycle and the automaker claims that CO2 emissions check in at less than 53 grams per kilometer. Total range is listed at up to 600 miles and recharge times are between 3.5 to 7.5 hours depending on the amperage of the power source used to charge the plug-in crossover.

The XC60 is, as of right now, only a concept, says Volvo chief executive officer Stefan Jacoby, stressing that the automaker has not confirmed which Volvo vehicle will be the first to be sold with a plug-in setup here in the US. “A world-class plug-in hybrid will reach our American showrooms in a couple of years," states Jacoby. "However, it is too early to say which model will be the first to feature the solution."

Oldsmobile Toronado "Half-and-Half" by Precision Restorations - 1

2012-01-06T09:00:00.001-08:00

V8 / 6.970 cc / 390 PS / 475 ft/lb (644 Nm) @ 3.200 / 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h): 8,0 s / Vmax: 130 mph (209 km/h)

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State regulators turn up the heat on TrueCar

2012-01-06T07:30:00.001-08:00

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These are your top 10 worst-selling vehicles of 2011

2012-01-05T18:00:00.001-08:00

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Fox Marketing developing 400-hp Nissan Juke S

2012-01-05T16:30:00.001-08:00

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These are your top 10 best-selling vehicles for 2011

2012-01-05T12:00:00.001-08:00

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Hyundai Sonata

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Honda Civic

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Terrafugia Transition

2012-01-05T09:00:00.003-08:00

Rotax 912S opposed-4 / 100 PS / Range: 460 mi (740 km) / Vmax: 115 mph (185 km/h) on road: 90 mph (145 km/h)

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2011: Onward and Upward Edition [UPDATE]

2012-01-05T09:00:00.001-08:00

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Toyota Offers More NS4 Plug-In Hints

2012-01-04T17:30:00.001-08:00

Published January 4, 2012

By Jeff Cobb

Toyota has been playing the media game well, first by distributing a teaser photo last month of the headlight from its mysterious NS4 plug-in hybrid concept, and now by making sure every outlet gets a copy of a teaser video.

So for your uninformed viewing pleasure, we present all that the maker of the Prius family is willing to divulge until next week’s beginning of the Detroit Auto Show where the veil will finally be thrown aside.

Whether the NS4 will slot in as the athlete in the Prius family, or sport some other form of next-gen Toyo technology will be one of the questions inquiring minds want to know.

If it does have Prius DNA, maybe it will make use of the Plug-in Hybrid’s 1.8-liter engine, 80-horsepower motor and 4.4-kwh lithium-ion battery pack supplying as much as 15 miles of all electric motivation.

The official photo shows its eyes will have blue in them with LED accents, make use of accident-avoiding “Adaptive Driving Beam” technology, and its interior will also be laden with high-tech features.

If you are interested as the company's marketers intend you to be, stay tuned. Toyota will make sure to fill us all in real soon.

2011: Onward and Upward Edition

2012-01-04T16:30:00.001-08:00

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BMW Alpina B6 S Cabriolet

2012-01-04T09:30:00.001-08:00

V8 / 4.395 cc / 530 PS / 535 lb/ft (725 Nm) @ 3.500 / 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h): 4,5 s / Vmax: 186 mph (300 km/h)

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Autoblog Podcast #263

2012-01-03T15:30:00.001-08:00

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Honda Fit tops Japanese-dominated Consumer Reports best new car values

2012-01-03T14:00:00.001-08:00

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House Bill Proposes Repeal of Plug-In Vehicle Tax Credit

2012-01-03T09:30:00.003-08:00

Published January 3, 2012

By Jeff Cobb

Earlier this month when U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly’s office was asked how he would accomplish his proposal to end the plug-in vehicle tax credit, his press secretary answered merely that he is “keeping his legislative options open.”

Well, as things have turned out, the Republican congressman's legislative option now has a name – H.R. 3768. The Dec. 30 bill proposes elimination of the $7,500 tax credit for buyers of all plug-in vehicles.

"This is not to say I don't support the development of electric cars," Kelly said in a December Op-Ed for USA Today. "I do, but not at taxpayer expense."

If you have previously noted the congressman – also a reportedly disgruntled GM dealer from Pennsylvania, north of Pittsburgh – you might have read he fired one of his employees at his Chevy dealership for consenting to bring in a Volt. Since then his dealership dropped out of the Volt program it had initially been a part of, and he is effectively trying to remove Volt sales incentives from every other Chevy dealer in the country as well.

Evidence of this has come from his using the Volt as a negative example in speaking before his congressional peers, and seeking other mainstream media avenues to make his strong views.

Kelly has been an ardent critic of some of GM’s initiatives, particularly after he was nearly forced to close his family’s Cadillac dealership during GM’s bankruptcy restructuring.

His bill, as reported yesterday by The Hill, is an answer to what he says is “lack of mainstream demand” for the Volt and other electric cars.

"The misuse of taxpayer dollars to promote the electric vehicle is emblematic of the Obama administration's overall misunderstanding, and ultimate manipulation, of the free market principles that undergird our economy," he said. "President Obama has become the 'Venture Capitalist in Chief,' gambling hard-earned taxpayer dollars in green projects and industries that are more politically than performance driven."

Kelly has also been pursuing answers from GM as to why it did not disclose the federal government's side-impact crash test fire in June, and has complained that only the upper crust are really taking advantage of the tax credit at the mainstream’s expense.

Kelly said the tax credit is "largely going to the affluent few who can actually afford to buy an electric car, which costs anywhere between $40,000 [Chevy Volt] to $97,000 [Fisker's Karma]."

Priming the plug-in pump yet needed

It has never been a secret that high-income households have been among the first to adopt GM's Voltec car.

The nuances involved in an automaker's launching disruptive technology in this economic and political climate have been many, and advocates have contended the whole picture is not nearly as cut-and-dried as critics like Kelly have asserted.

GM's plan to roll the vehicle out has been conservative, initially starting in only seven states. The company did accelerate roll out to all 50 U.S. states this year, and intends to produce 45,000 for the U.S. market this calendar year and 60,000 worldwide.

The Volt had to overcome several public relations hurdles in 2011 including criticism allegedly intended to obfuscate its benefits.

These extra smoke screens could not have helped considering a poll this year showed many mainstream buyers have not absorbed the necessary understanding to make informed decisions about plug-in or hybrid vehicles.

In short, it has been said more time will be required to prime the pump, mainstream acceptance is not expected at this stage, and incentives are a good way to ease the way toward more people opening their eyes to the value the Volt and all other plug-in vehicles actually present.

While some Volt enthusiasts advise against pitching the $39,995-plus MSRP Volt for its cost-benefit value, Kiplinger was able to demonstrate that within five years it could nearly pay back a $19,000 difference when compared to a Chevy Cruze.

Kiplinger''s analysis did factor in the $7,500 federal credit which those in favor of setting the stage to improve America's energy security have said is necessary and valid.

We shall see – perhaps as soon as a month or two – whether Kelly's efforts to end it gain traction.

There's little doubt that plug-in vehicle advocates will perceive it as short sighted, and somewhat concerning, as it's unclear at this stage whether the threat could indeed be carried out.

Yesterday we asked GM's Director of Policy and Washington Communications, Greg Martin, and he said Kelly does have the industry's attention.

"It's going to be a matter we're all going to watch closely. Every major automaker has a planned offering coming soon," Martin said. "So I think the tax credit could help accelerate the pace of these advanced-tech vehicles that collectively lessen our dependence on imported oil and also lessen the nation's environmental impact from fossil fuels."

Ford Custom "Hired Gun" 1946

2012-01-03T09:30:00.001-08:00

No technical specification available

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Fisker Looks to Raise $300 Million, Officially Recalls 239 Karmas

2012-01-03T05:00:00.001-08:00

Published January 2, 2012

Last year ended on a mixed note for Fisker Automotive. While the company's first creation, the Fisker Karma, won several awards for its ground-breaking technology and styling, it was forced to recall the first 239 delivered units of the car due to fire concerns last month. Fisker and the NHTSA determined that incorrectly positioned hose clamps could potentially create an electrical short, leading to a fire. The flaw is relatively minor, caused no injuries or damage and was caught early in the car's initial production run.

Then came word that Fisker was looking to gather $300 million in its latest round fund raising, a jump from the automaker's original target of $150 million according to a document filed with the US Securities & Exchange Commission. “In the current market situation, we thought it prudent to continue this policy and raise money that was potentially available,” the company said in a statement. The carmaker has apparently raised $133 million in its latest round of funding and has secured over $1 billion in private and government funding since its inception.

The decision to go after more money is significant because Fisker is still at least one model away from profitability, and will likely rely on the success of its next offering, the more affordably-positioned Project Nina sedan to establish itself as a true success story in the plug-in car market.

Fisker officially launched its plug-in hybrid Karma in October after numerous delays. The Karma is now shipping to dealerships across the US in limited numbers and Fisker has finally logged some actual sales of its plug-in hybrid sedan. Fisker chief executive officer, Henrik Fisker, told Bloomberg last November that the automaker would begin preparing for its initial public offering once deliveries of the Karma commenced.

Morgan 4/4 75th Anniversary Edition

2012-01-02T09:30:00.001-08:00

S4 / 1.999 cc / 145 PS / 140 ft/lb (187 Nm) @ 4.250 / 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h): 7,2 s / Vmax: 118 mph (189 km/h)

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Mercedes-Benz S63 L AMG (designo Mauritiusblue)

2012-01-01T14:30:00.001-08:00

V8 / 6.208 cc / 525 PS / 465 lb/ft (630 Nm) @ 5.200 / 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h): 4,6 s / Vmax: 155 mph (250 km/h)

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Vilner classes up the Mercedes-Benz Vito

2012-01-01T09:30:00.001-08:00

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Liberty Walk shows us how Japan does Lamborghini customs

2011-12-31T18:00:00.001-08:00

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Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce

2011-12-31T08:30:00.001-08:00

V12 / 6.496 cc / 670 PS / 487 lb/ft (660 Nm) @ 6.500 / AWD / 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h): 3,2 s / 0 - 100 mph (160 km/h): 7,2 s / Vmax: 213 mph (342 km/h)

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What will happen to automakers if the Euro zone implodes?

2011-12-30T16:30:00.001-08:00

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Toyota Prius Liftback

2011-12-30T15:00:00.001-08:00

By Larry E. Hall

Say adieu to the Prius as a stand-alone vehicle name. Beginning with the 2012 model year, the car which has become a synonym for hybrid in the American lexicon will have a new name, the Toyota Prius Liftback.

Why is this? Because the Prius sub brand is growing. The larger Prius v is already on sale, and joining the Prius family in 2012 will be the Prius Plug-in Hybrid and the subcompact Prius c.

When it arrives in dealer showrooms in January, the Prius Liftback will have more than just a new name. Toyota has given its hybrid star a mild exterior refresh, newly styled 15-inch wheel covers, other enhancements and a small bump up in pricing. The 2012 model will continue with four trim levels – Two, Three, Four and Five – and seven configurations. The Prius Liftback One trim is available only to fleets.

Exterior

Up front, a revised front bumper with an enlarged lower grille gives the 2012 Liftback a more energetic, almost muscular face. The bumper also incorporates LED daytime running lights (DRLs) and a close look reveals new clear lens headlamps with a revised LED lamp arrangement. On the backside, slightly restyled taillights include LED lights.

These minor exterior changes haven’t altered the distinct space-age shape of the Prius; a deliberate effort by Toyota to maintain the Prius’ essential and iconic appearance. Its large, diamond-cut headlamps and snub-nose front-end are the starting point for the Prius’ quasi-flying saucer appearance. The angled hood seamlessly flows into the windshield, then to a flowing roofline that is sleek and low. Short overhangs and a chopped rear section finish off the hybrid’s futuristic hatchback character.

Of course, beauty is subjective, so the Prius continues to receive mixed reviews on its appearance. There are many who think the Prius looks gimmicky, if not entirely ugly. But for many hybrid owners, the distinctive look of the Prius sends a message which declares that we must take steps to reduce our voracious thirst for oil – with all its negative consequences in terms of the environment and geopolitics. For this camp, the Prius is like a middle-finger-on-wheels aimed at Suburbans, Expeditions, and the like.

Interior

Prius’ cabin design is as futuristic as its exterior styling and hits all the marks for comfort space and high quality materials. The past success of the Toyota Prius has been its ability to combine great fuel efficiency and utter practicality.

Five adults can fit comfortably, with a generous 21.4 cubic feet of cargo room left over in back. The 60/40 split rear seats also can be folded flat, creating a surprisingly large cargo space for groceries, strollers, large boxes, gardening supplies or what have you – all at the same time. The hatchback opening is large, but the load floor itself is rather high, so lifting heavy objects aboard isn’t as convenient as it might be.

Short and tall drivers should feel equally comfortable behind the wheel. The back seat is roomy, providing a little more legroom than the Civic Hybrid – and a lot more head, leg and shoulder room than found in the Honda Insight. The Honda hybrids are cheaper by a few thousand dollars.

Bells and Whistles

When introduced in 2010, this third-generation Prius had loads of gizmos – including Touch Tracer Display, high-tech energy monitor, and a moon roof with solar powered ventilation and remote air conditioning. For 2012, Toyota throws even more technology at the Liftback.

It starts with the optional Head Up Display (HUD), a feature long associated with General Motors’ Corvette and former Pontiac brands. The device projects information like speed, hybrid efficiency and navigation details onto the windshield just below the driver’s line of sight. Controls allow adjustments for brightness and position of the projected HUD image. HUD technology is touted as a big step toward reducing driver distraction of glancing at increasingly complex console displays and increasing automotive safety.

2012 Liftback buyers can also be treated to the optional Entune infotainment system – Toyota’s answer to Ford’s SYNC system. Connect a smart phone via Bluetooth or a USB cable and Entune’s features are then operated using the vehicle’s controls or, for some services, by voice recognition. Mobile apps for Entune include Bing, iHeartRadio, MovieTickets.com, OpenTable, and Pandora. Entune data services include a fuel price guide, sports scores, stocks, traffic and weather.

Other high-tech goodies include an optional radar system using advanced millimeter waves that enables “Lane Keep Assist” to help the driver stay safely within the lane, while the “Pre-Collision System” retracts seatbelts and applies the brakes in certain conditions when a crash is unavoidable. Intelligent parking offers settings to help guide the Prius into parking spaces. A backup monitor, which provides a view of rear obstacles when reverse is engaged, is available with an optional voice-activated navigation system.

Under The Hood

The 2012 Prius Liftback powertrain and mechanical features are unchanged. Prius uses Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive System, which allows it to travel at around-town speeds on electric power alone. Sensors decide when to employ gasoline engine power or a combination of gas and electric propulsion: the goal is to efficiently balance fuel economy and acceleration.

The gas engine is a 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle, four-cylinder engine producing 98 horsepower at 5,200 rpm. Together with its electric motor, the hybrid system generates a combined 134 net horsepower. Prius uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which acts like an automatic transmission but employs infinite ratios rather than preset gearing.

The hybrid system uses the engine and regenerative braking to recharge the nickel-metal hydride battery pack; there’s no plug-in capability. With the batteries sufficiently charged, the stop-start system can further save gas by automatically shutting off the engine and restarting it while the car is stopped.

The Prius Liftback is the only vehicle available today to offer 50 miles per gallon in combined city/highway driving, a distinction it will give up in a few months. Toyota has stated the compact Prius c will exceed the Liftback’s fuel mileage although it has not provided specific numbers.

On The Road

The Prius Liftback isn’t the quickest, fastest, best handling or quietest car you can buy. But, if fuel economy and overall comfort are at the top your list, the Prius is difficult to beat.

Handling balance is nose heavy and the electric power steering has a numb, disassociated feel. Both are impediments to competent cornering; even straight-line tracking seems compromised by the steering’s artificial feel. Enthusiast-minded drivers will turn their noses up at these characteristics but as an urban commuter family car, it offers an acceptable drive. On the plus side, engine start-stop is unobtrusive and the overall ride quality is good.

For sharper handling and a sporty demeanor, Toyota offers a dealer-installed PLUS Performance accessory package. The TRD (Toyota Racing Development) engineered package starts with a seven-piece aerodynamic ground effects kit that delivers an aggressive and lower-profile stance. The custom body kit is aerodynamically designed and engineered to reduce the vehicle’s coefficient of drag, maintaining its fuel efficiency.

Seventeen-inch forged alloy wheels reduce the unsprung weight. The wheels are fitted with low profile 215/45R17 tires and have a custom offset, which increases track width yet maintains the car’s low rolling resistance. Toyota says the track-tuned lowering springs lower the vehicle 1.1 inches in the front and 1.3 inches in the rear to enhance steering response and improve cornering ability. A tuned rear sway bar helps reduce body lean for flatter cornering.

If you’re looking for a quiet ride, the Prius Liftback might disappoint. Noise intrusion created by the 15-inch low-rolling resistant tires is quite noticeable. This isn’t an issue isolated to the Prius. Honda’s Insight and Civic Hybrid also exhibit high noise levels caused by low-rolling resistant tires.

Some Prius drivers complain that the hatchback design limits the visibility through the rear window. They refer to this drawback as the “Prius blind spot.” Hatchback visibility makes some people crazy and is a non-issue for others. Take a test drive to see what you think.

Modest Price Increases

For 2012, Toyota bumped up the Prius Liftback’s suggested retail price by an average of 3.2 percent. The least expensive Prius Two has a base price of $24,000, a $480 increase. It includes keyless entry, cruise control, a new 6.1-inch touch screen multi-information display and Touch Tracer controls. The Prius Three, the most popular 2011 model, starts at $25,565, up $1,045. It adds the Entune audio system, navigation, backup camera display, and Smart Key.

The Prius Four with leather trim, heated front seats and auto-dimming mirror adds JBL GreenEdge speakers and an eight-channel JBL amplifier. Its suggested price of $28,235 is a $915 increase. The most expensive Prius Five, which includes light-emitting diode (LED) headlamps, foglamps, and 17-inch alloy wheels starts at $29,805 – up $1,015. Additional options for most trim levels include navigation and an advanced technology package.

The 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid challenges the Prius on refinement, and according to some reviewers, offers a better driving experience. It is more expensive at $28,700 but is a midsize car with lots of interior room.

Honda’s Insight hybrid is priced considerably less than the Prius: $18,350 to $23,540 fully loaded. While it is a noticeably better handling car, it’s smaller and doesn’t get the fuel mileage of the Prius.

Then there’s the all-new 2012 Camry Hybrid. Yes, at $25,900 to $27,400 it costs more and it has a lower fuel economy rating but, believe or not, it’s fun to drive, is spacious and offers some of the high-tech features found on the Prius.

What none of these competitors have, however, is the middle-finger-on-wheels image.

Prices are Manufacture Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) at time of writing and do not include destination charges, taxes or licensing..

Lancia Flaminia Zagato Serie 1

2011-12-30T09:30:00.001-08:00

V6 / 2.458 cc / 142 PS / 150 ft/lb (203 Nm) @ 3.600 / Vmax: 124 mph (200 km/h)

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Yo-Auto Promises First Russian Hybrid in 2012

2011-12-29T13:30:00.001-08:00

Published December 29, 2011

By Jeff Cobb

This week Russian automaker Yo-Auto said it would begin offering Russia its first hybrid car by December 2012.

The company caught attention at the Frankfurt auto show when it showed an avant-garde model with sliding doors (see video below) as one of the unique vehicles to be offered by billionaire company founder, Mikhail Prokhorov, 46.

Yo-Auto has said for its first models, it would like to sell “peoples’ cars” for under $10,000 each.

It is now accepting pre-orders for the vehicles which have the option to run on CNG or petrol, and either two- or four-wheel drive.

Other features Yo-Auto promises to equip as standard include:

• Multifunctional steering wheel

• Touchscreen control panel

• Climate control

• GPS navigation system

• Automatic ICE start/stop

• Remote diagnostics

• Audio amplifier output

• Optional rear view camera

• Optional road sings module recognition

• Multimedia system with "extended ё-functionality," internet access, audio or video playback from external USB storage devices, hands-free phone system.

Yo-Auto has also been racing a hybrid car using a rotary vane engine that works on petrol and natural gas and is linked to a pair of electric motors. This "Yo-Mobile" uses a super-capacitor instead of a lithium-ion battery pack.

While more details have yet to come forth about its inexpensive production car, the company’s site also shows a light commercial truck and a passenger crossover utility vehicle, says it has major plans, and explained some of its philosophy as follows:

At various times, different countries have produced people’s cars. The main features of such vehicles were related to mass production and price.

Why then do we call ё-mobile vehicles people’s cars? Hundreds of Russian inventors, qualified engineers, and common, self-educated people were involved in the development of the ё-mobile’s design. More than 3,000 design solutions were received by our company in less than a year, and among them we have discovered profound applications that facilitate production technology. Therefore, everything is dedicated to achieving the best, most-affordable consumer properties.

In general, the ё-mobile concept refuses to consider any inefficient solutions.

“We have also created a database of breakthrough developments for the future development of the ё-mobile and other products,” the company continues. “If you have ideas that can be implemented in the ё-mobile’s design, please send them to: ginzbourg@yo-auto.ru”

So Yo-Auto's designs involve collaboration writ large, and the company itself is actually a joint venture between truck manufacturer Yarovit Motors and Prokhorov’s Onexim Group located near St. Petersburg, Russia.

Prokhorov also owns the New Jersey Nets basketball team and has announced his intention to run for the Russian presidency in 2012 against current Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

He made his $18 billion or so in metals and banking, was ranked by Forbes as third richest person in Russia, 32nd richest in the world, and one of his personal modes of transportation is a 202-foot yacht that he reportedly charters out for $325,000 per week.

With regards to his political aspirations, Prokhorov recently said on Russian TV, “If I become president, I won’t be able to party anymore,” and, “If the country says it’s necessary, I’ll marry.”

In 2007 he was detained for several days by French police on charges of "pimping" while vacationing with friends and eight women believed to be prostitutes.

Meanwhile, as a member of the one-tenth of one percent, he says he is willing to be just as sober as he attempts to put many of his countrymen belonging to the 99 percent into his company’s innovative, frugal, but well-equipped green automobiles.

"I have a very strong team and a highly-skilled and professional staff and all the projects I announced in business will be implemented in full," he said.

Yo-Auto's annual production capacity is estimated at 45,000 cars. Intentions are to double this after a second stage of the plant is built.

Source

BMW 640i Gran Coupe

2011-12-29T09:00:00.001-08:00

S6 / 2.979 cc / 320 PS / 332 ft/lb (450 Nm) @ 1.300 - 4.500 / twin turbo / 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h): 5,4 s / Vmax: 155 mph (250 km/h)

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Threat of Rare Earths Shortages to Hybrids and EVs Remains Unclear

2011-12-29T00:30:00.001-08:00

Published December 28, 2011

According to a recently-released Department of Energy report (PDF), several clean energy technologies—including electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid vehicles—are at risk due to the “critical risk” posed by short-term supply disruptions in the rare earth elements market. The DOE's newly release report, titled "2011 Critical Materials Strategy," outlines several components, including five rare earth metals, that it says will face severe supply challenges in the years that lie ahead.

According to the report, five rare earth metals—dysprosium, terbium, europium, neodymium and yttrium—were found to be in critically low supply in the short term (2012–2015.) These rare earth metals are typically found in magnets used in today's wind turbines, electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Supply of other elements, including cerium, indium, lanthanum and tellurium—were found to be near-critical in the short and medium term (2015–2025.)

But lately, the market seems to disagree. Shares of the world's leading rare earths mining companies have plummeted in recent months as demand for the minerals has failed to meet even half of Chinese export quotas. Since China currently dominates international production of rare earth metals, the inability of those quotas to keep up with forecasted demand has long been seen as a threat to hybrid and electric vehicles, whose batteries and motors become more costly as rare earth prices rise.

According to the DOE, the future success of clean, advanced automobiles relies on the availability of several of these rare earth metals and elements. Therefore, it's thought to be essential that supply issues are solved before plug-in vehicle production hits massive levels.

But the importance of minerals like neodymium and lanthanum to producing hybrid and electric vehicles is complicated and often overstated. Tesla's electric vehicles are virtually rare-earth-free, and Toyota is developing motors for its hybrids that eschew the minerals in favor of inductive magnetism. It possible to produce hybrid and electric vehicles without rare earths, but since many major automakers like Toyota have longstanding contracts with spelling out fixed prices for the minerals, it simply hasn't been necessary yet.

Is the department of energy wrong in worrying about short-term disruptions in the rare-earths supply chain creating headaches for some hybrid and electric vehicle makers? Probably not, but in the long term, electric-drive vehicles should be just fine regardless of Chinese export quotas.