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MINI executives talk about the MINI E
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, MINI, LA Auto Show
Over at the MINI micro-site (is that redundant?) MINISpace the editors have posted an interview with Dr. Wolfgang Armbrecht, Senior Vice President Brand Management MINI, and Ulrich Kranz, Head of Project i about the company’s new electric car. The MINI E will be officially unveiled next Wednesday morning in Los Angeles, although we’ll be getting full technical low-down a day earlier. Armbrecht and Kranz don’t actually reveal a whole lot about the battery-powered two seater that we didn’t already know, but if you haven’t been paying attention, it’s a good way to catch up. The MINI E is basically a beta test for BMW engineers to learn more about how lithium ion-powered plug-in cars perform in real world conditions. In a relatively unusual move, people in the warm climes of the west coast don’t get an exclusive on this one. Customers in the New York/New Jersey area will be able to try out the MINI E in the cold as well. We’ll be interested to see how it fares.
Gallery: MINI E
[Source: MINISpace]
MINI executives talk about the MINI E originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Tags: bmw
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AutoblogGreen for 11.12.08
Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green
OK, confession time. How long have you wanted a flying car? Me, ever since I could build one out of Legos. Now, the dream of millions will get tested in a London to Timbuktu expedition in January.
- Biofueled Skycar 2009 Expedition plans to drive/fly from London to Timbuktu
- KTM X-Bow will take part in the Race of Champions
- Prius Team releases teasers 5 and 6 - Shifter! Digital gauge!
- Tesla Roadster will get a post-crash analysis
- Kia Motors has plans for hybrids, EVs and fuel cells in the coming years
- Electric Motorcycle Company Partners with Action Sports Guru Chris Karol
- Ford Fusion hybrid to pace final NASCAR race of the season
- Al Gore plan to solve economic, energy and warming crises would boost electric cars
- Toyota creates third-gen Prius mini-site
- SEAT might have a hybrid car soon
- VIDEO: PML F-150 w/in-wheel motors test driven
- VIDEO: Tazzari Zero prototype gets driven like it’s stolen
- BMW officially announces new 335d and X5 XDrive35d diesels
- Rendered speculation: 2010 Lexus HS250h, 2011 Toyota Camry hybrid
- How ’bout this? Biodiesel company rejects $1m grant
- UPS orders a dozen Modec electric vans for UK and German fleets
AutoblogGreen for 11.12.08 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 06:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Tags: fuel cell, lexus, toyota, bmw, prius
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2009 Hybrid Cars – A Brief Buying Guide
The calendar may continue to read 2008 for another six or seven weeks, but in the world of new cars, the models we’re looking at are sporting the number 2009 – and even 2010 - in front of their names. While gas prices have decreased dramatically since the summer, fuel economy and the need to move away from a dependency on oil are still foremost in our brains. This, then, is a look at the Hybrids of 2009.
Introducing: Plug-In Hybrids
Plug-ins may not be practical for most of us, but if most of your driving needs involve short commutes on surface streets, or quick runs to the grocery store, they’re worth considering. These companies are new, and their futures are still nebulous, but they’re a fair representation of where such technology is heading.
Fisker Karma – Starting Price $80,000
With a top speed of 125 mph, and the ability to accelerate from 0-60 mph in under six seconds, this four-door plug-in isn’t just a hybrid, but a premium sports sedan. The first Karmas are expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Phoenix Motorcars SUT - Starting Price $45,000
This car has a bare-bones body (meaning engine-free) supplied by Korea’s fourth-largest carmaker, Ssangyong, which is then fitted with a 100kW electric motor system, that includes generators, controllers, high-performance motors, and rechargeable batteries, to give us a truck that offers 120 horsepower, acceleration from 0-60 in under ten seconds, a top speed of 95mph, and a payload capacity of 1,000 pounds.
VentureOne – Price Not Yet Set
Considered a motorcycle under California law, this enclosed three-wheel vehicle won’t see actual streets until early 2010, but it’s so exciting, we had to include it. It’s got room for two, gets 100 miles/gallon, and has a hybrid powertrain that is powerful enough to allow towing of a motorcycle trailer. Venture Vehicles, which makes the Venture One, says they plan to price it to be “comparable to a compact car.”
Updated Versions of Familiar Faces
Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid - $26,225
The engine has been improved on this version, so it actually gets 4mpg better than the standard-engine Malibu. (The previous model was only 2 mpg better than standard. This one clocks in at 26 city/34 highway. It also comes with many standard Chevy features, like six airbags, and the StabiliTrack electronic stability control system (which includes traction control).
Ford Escape Hybrid / Mercury Mariner Hybrid - Starting Price $29,305 / $22,310
These are built on the same platform, but with different branding and different features. The 2009 Ford gets a new 2.5-liter engine that increases horsepower from 155 to 177, and it also sports a braking system that’s been refined to allow better traction and stability control, and also reduced noise and vibrations. It’s also got a 110-volt AC Power outlet as a standard feature. The Mariner, on the other hand, now comes with the Sync voice-activated music and phone system as a standard offering.
Honda Civic Hybrid - Starting Price $23,550
All the Civics are a bit sportier for the 2009 model year, including the hybrid, which now has three upsized air intakes, and a more angular grille and front bumper. Inside, there are optional leather-trimmed seats (the front ones are even heated) and heated side mirrors, as well as a USB audio interface and a navigation system that supports Bluetooth. Estimated mpg: 45. In limited markets the Honda Civic GX, which runs on natural gas, is available as well.
Toyota Prius – Price Not Yet Listed
It won’t even be unveiled until the Detroit Auto Show in January, but the initial news about the third-generation Prius is that it will be larger and more powerful, with a 1.8-liter, 160 horsepower engine, and a body that is three or four inches longer and an inch wider than the current version. Rumor also has it that despite the increased size, a re-engineered powertrain and a weight that matches the current model will allow fuel economy in excess of 50 mpg.
Upcoming Hybrid Models
In addition to the updated models listed above, you can also expect some new hybrids to roll off the conveyor belts in the near future. They include:
Chevrolet Silverado Two-Mode Hybrid – No Price Listed
Chevy says it’s taken 90 years for them to develop this truck: a full-sized pickup that operates in two modes. Though production was supposed to begin late this year, market conditions may delay it a bit. Still, it will be worth the wait, because this truck can operate in all-electric mode, all-gas mode, or in a combination of the two (making it, in a sense, a three-mode Hybrid). It’s also got technology to cut the number of cylinders in use down to four, when conditions warrant lower power.
Ford Fusion Hybrid / Mercury Milan Hybrid – No Price Listed
Hybrid versions of the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan are rumored for the 2009 calendar year, if not the model year, but neither car is mentioned on the Ford Motor Company website. Those in the know claim that both cars will have 2.5-liter, 200hp engines, with the entire Fusion lineup to have a complete refresh at the same time, and that the hybrid drivetrain to be used will be based on the Ford Escape’s model.
Lexus Hybrid GS 09 & LS 09 – Starting Price $55,800 / $105,885
As recently as September, these two hybrids were still rumored, not real, and expected to be revealed in Detroit in January. Information about them is still a bit vague, but they appear on the Lexus website.
The GS is a rear-wheel drive vehicle which comes with a 3.5-liter, 340 hp V6 engine and can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds, while the more expensive LS is an all-wheel drive car with a 5.0-liter, 438 horsepower hybrid V8.
Saturn GreenLine Aura and Vue - Starting Price $26,685 / $28,625
For 2009, Saturn’s GreenLine hybrids include the Aura, a sedan which gets an estimated 34 mpg in the city, and the much anticipated two-mode Vue. The current Vue is a mild-hybrid vehicle that uses stop-start technology, which shuts down the gasoline engine when the car is idling, producing fuel economy numbers that are generally about 25% better than those of its non-hybrid counterparts. The new Vue, however, will offer a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, and is expected to get a combined fuel economy in the high-20’s or low 30’s. Saturns website estimates it at 32 mpg in the city.
New hybrids are being developed continually, and new vehicles may be added to existing line-ups as the year progresses. Already, both BMW and Mercedes are showing hybrids in the European markets, and the Mercedes hybrid may make it to North America by late 2009.
When considering the purchase of any of these cars, be certain to weigh everything from cost of car insurance, to your daily driving needs, and remember that in some cases, you may have to learn new driving techniques.
Tags: honda, toyota, bmw, volt, audi
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BMW officially announces new 335d and X5 XDrive35d diesels
Filed under: Diesel, BMW
BMW just concluded a webcast press conference announcing details on the new 335d and X5 xDrive35d diesels that are going on sale shortly. These will be the first BMW diesels on the US market since the 524td of the mid-eighties. Like the new diesels from Mercedes-Benz and Audi and Volkswagen (apart from the Jetta), these will use a particulate filter and a urea injection system to clean up the soot and NOx emissions. The output numbers are unchanged from last January when the cars were first announced. The dual turbocharged 3.0L inline six cylinder is rated 265 hp and 425 lb-ft of torque. Both vehicles are only available with an automatic transmission. When asked why, Tom Baloga VP Engineering explained that this engine isn’t available with a manual transmission in Europe either because BMW hasn’t developed a gearbox with sufficient torque capacity.
The urea tanks hold 5.5 gallons of fluid which should be enough to last about 15,000 miles. The urea will be replenished at the regular 10,000 mile service intervals which BMW provides free of charge (at least any additional charge on top of the price of the car) for the first four years or 50,000 miles. At the pump, the 335d will be rated at 23/36 mpg city/highway with a range of about 560 miles. The X5’s 22 gallon tank should take it at least 585 miles on its 19/26 mpg ratings. The 335d will be priced at $44,725, less a $900 federal tax credit, while the X5 will consume $52,025 from your bank account. The feds will send back $1,550 to help pave the way. We’ll be driving the 335d next week and we’ll let you know what we think.
Gallery: 2009 BMW 335d Advanced Diesel
[Source: BMW]
BMW officially announces new 335d and X5 XDrive35d diesels originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Tags: bmw, audi, mercedes
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Auto Alliance president talks about the president and changes in Washington
Filed under: AutoblogGreen Q & A, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, Legislation and Policy, USA
Following the big change that swept through American politics on Nov. 4, there has been a lot of celebration in a lot of places. Over at the Auto Allliance, the association made up of BMW Group, Chrysler LLC, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz USA, Mitsubishi Motors, Porsche, Toyota and Volkswagen, president and CEO Dave McCurdy was spending at least some time thinking about what sorts of opportunities and challenges the Obama Administration and a more Democratic Congress will bring to the automakers. AutoblogGreen spoke with him briefly about these issues while he was running around Washington.
ABG: Which parts of Obama’s energy policy are most in line with what the Auto Alliance’s goals? Where do you see the Alliance disagreeing with the Administration?
McCurdy: President Elect Obama recognizes the importance of the auto industry to the national economy. We look forward to working with his administration to ensure that the auto auto industry is on the leading edge of the new green energy economy.
ABG: Which parts of McCain’s energy/auto plans do you think President Obama should consider adopting?
McCurdy: To help enhance our energy security and reduce our dependence on foreign oil we need to take steps to diversify and expand our alternative fuels infrastructure.
Interview continues after the break.
Continue reading Auto Alliance president talks about the other president and changes in Washington
Auto Alliance president talks about the other president and changes in Washington originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Tags: bmw, mercedes, toyota, mazda, ford
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Auto Alliance president talks about the president and changes in Washington
Filed under: AutoblogGreen Q & A, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, Legislation and Policy, USA
Following the big change that swept through American politics on Nov. 4, there has been a lot of celebration in a lot of places. Over at the Auto Allliance, the association made up of BMW Group, Chrysler LLC, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz USA, Mitsubishi Motors, Porsche, Toyota and Volkswagen, president and CEO Dave McCurdy was spending at least some time thinking about what sorts of opportunities and challenges the Obama Administration and a more Democratic Congress will bring to the automakers. AutoblogGreen spoke with him briefly about these issues while he was running around Washington.
ABG: Which parts of Obama’s energy policy are most in line with what the Auto Alliance’s goals? Where do you see the Alliance disagreeing with the Administration?
McCurdy: President Elect Obama recognizes the importance of the auto industry to the national economy. We look forward to working with his administration to ensure that the auto auto industry is on the leading edge of the new green energy economy.
ABG: Which parts of McCain’s energy/auto plans do you think President Obama should consider adopting?
McCurdy: To help enhance our energy security and reduce our dependence on foreign oil we need to take steps to diversify and expand our alternative fuels infrastructure.
Interview continues after the break.
Continue reading Auto Alliance president talks about the other president and changes in Washington
Auto Alliance president talks about the other president and changes in Washington originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Tags: ford, mazda, bmw, toyota, mercedes
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Auto Alliance president talks about the president and changes in Washington
Filed under: AutoblogGreen Q & A, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, Legislation and Policy, USA
Following the big change that swept through American politics on Nov. 4, there has been a lot of celebration in a lot of places. Over at the Auto Allliance, the association made up of BMW Group, Chrysler LLC, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz USA, Mitsubishi Motors, Porsche, Toyota and Volkswagen, president and CEO Dave McCurdy was spending at least some time thinking about what sorts of opportunities and challenges the Obama Administration and a more Democratic Congress will bring to the automakers. AutoblogGreen spoke with him briefly about these issues while he was running around Washington.
ABG: Which parts of Obama’s energy policy are most in line with what the Auto Alliance’s goals? Where do you see the Alliance disagreeing with the Administration?
McCurdy: President Elect Obama recognizes the importance of the auto industry to the national economy. We look forward to working with his administration to ensure that the auto auto industry is on the leading edge of the new green energy economy.
ABG: Which parts of McCain’s energy/auto plans do you think President Obama should consider adopting?
McCurdy: To help enhance our energy security and reduce our dependence on foreign oil we need to take steps to diversify and expand our alternative fuels infrastructure.
Interview continues after the break.
Continue reading Auto Alliance president talks about the other president and changes in Washington
Auto Alliance president talks about the other president and changes in Washington originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Tags: mercedes, bmw, ford, toyota, mazda
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Hyundai to offer 8 speed automatic in Genesis
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, Hyundai
As the need for fuel efficiency and the desire for power continue on unabated, automakers are looking for more ways to increase the performance of their powertrains. Many times, we focus in on the engine as it holds the most promise for huge efficiency gains. There’s more to eking out the best mileage possible, though, including making transmission adjustments. Mercedes-Benz has moved forward with seven gear ratios and Lexus has upped the ante with an eight-speed unit. BMW looks ready to follow as it introduces new eight-speeders of its own. Now, it sounds like Hyundai will be the third manufacturer to roll out transmissions with double the number of ratios that some transmissions still on the market employ. As more gearing options are included, the car’s assorted computers can choose the most appropriate option to get the desired performance while retaining as much efficiency as possible. We’d expect the new tranny to see its first application in the Genesis sedan in 2010.
[Source: Green Car Advisor]
Hyundai to offer 8 speed automatic in Genesis originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Tags: mercedes, bmw, lexus
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Mercedes-Benz to add 2.2L diesel to next gen SLK roadster
Filed under: Diesel, Mercedes Benz
While most other automakers have been backing away from plans to introduce new diesel engines to the U.S. market in recent months, the big German makers - VW-Audi, BMW and Mercedes Benz - seem fully committed to oil burners. That’s probably because the modern diesels provide the performance levels needed to maintain the premium image those brands have cultivated for themselves while at the same time providing the levels of fuel efficiency that are needed to meet current and upcoming fuel efficiency standards. With that in mind, Mercedes Benz appears set to drop a diesel engine into the SLK roadster when the next redesign appears in early 2010. The recently-introduced 2.2L four will likely provide power for the SLK250. In dual turbo form, the engine generates 204 hp and a massive 369 lb-ft of torque which is plenty for the little SLK. The C250 sedan that just launched in Europe with the same engine gets a combined rating of 45.3 mpg (U.S.) and should be able to achieve real world mileage in the upper 30s with ease.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
Mercedes-Benz to add 2.2L diesel to next gen SLK roadster originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Tags: audi, mercedes, bmw
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MINI E will cost $850/month for one-year lease
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, BMW, MINI, LA Auto Show
For those of you hoping to snap up one first electrically powered MINIs, we have what may be bad news. The price of the MINI E keeps creeping upward. The other day, Automotive News reported that the battery-powered prototypes were going to cost over $500 for the lease. Today however, another site that we aren’t familiar with, Luxvelocity, is reporting that it will priced at $850 per month for a one year lease. We’ve contacted BMW and MINI for a comment but have yet to hear anything back. It’s unlikely that we will be hearing anything either since the car will debuting at the LA Auto Show in less than two weeks.
The Luxvelocity article does state that BMW will still be losing money on the cars at that price since they are hand-built prototypes. Given the value of these 500 cars, it should be no surprise that BMW would also require lessees to have a lockable garage to park the car in and install the wall charger. If you live in an apartment you’re out of luck for now. We’ll let you know if we hear anything new. Thanks to J for the tip!
Update: It’s been confirmed by MINI USA spokesperson Nathalie Bauters that the price will in fact be $850/month.
Gallery: MINI E
[Source: Luxvelocity]
MINI E will reportedly cost $850/month for one-year lease originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Tags: bmw
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