Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[KTM concepts could point the way forward for Austrian brand]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/06/ktm-concepts-could-point-the-way-forward-for-austrian-brand/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/06/ktm-concepts-could-point-the-way-forward-for-austrian-brand/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/06/ktm-concepts-could-point-the-way-forward-for-austrian-brand/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click above for a gallery of the six KTM concept vehicles

KTM, the Austrian purveyor of both two- and four-wheeled motoring lust, has made it clear that it's a force to be reckoned with as it branches out into other enthusiast markets with such ridiculously awesome products as the X-Bow roadster and its RC8 superbike. Two things that remain a constant feature through all of the firm's recent products are the orange, black and white color pallette and its angular design language. These features, along with KTM's race-ready heritage, makes conceptual vehicle design for the company extremely interesting and proof comes in the form of six concepts designed by industrial design students at FH JOANNEUM University.

This is an instance where pictures speak louder than words, but we've copied the designer's stated vision for each machine with captions in our gallery below. Each of these concepts was designed in conjunction with KTM, so they may offer an early glimpse into what's coming from the company. In a word: awesome. We'll take one of each. Thanks for the tip, Marc!

Gallery: FH JOANNEUM KTM concepts


[Source: FH JOANNEUM University]

KTM concepts could point the way forward for Austrian brand originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ktmktm conceptsKtmConceptsTue, 06 Jan 2009 19:28:00 EST<![CDATA[CES 2009 preview: Panasonic connects your electric car to your house]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/06/ces-2009-preview-panasonic-connects-your-electric-car-to-your-h/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/06/ces-2009-preview-panasonic-connects-your-electric-car-to-your-h/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/06/ces-2009-preview-panasonic-connects-your-electric-car-to-your-h/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Panasonic first showed off its HD-PLC system at CES in 2004 and, being car nuts, we totally ignored it. Other than letting all our gadgets talk to each other over a house's electrical lines, it did nothing for what we drive.

Now, Panasonic is announcing the ability of its PLC system to also communicate with that electric car charging in your garage. Officially, Panasonic is touting the technology in the name of security. The company claims that electric car owners can view video from an in-car camera to make sure their EV is charging safe and sound, while keeping tabs on the charging status of their cars from inside their home.

Unofficially, The Earth Times speculates that the system could also transfer music to the car's stereo, along with sending travel routes and movies to the in-car entertainment system. The setup could also include a command to adjust the seats for individual drivers.

HD-PLC Magazine says Panasonic's PLC has the potential to make electric cars lighter, replacing looms of wiring with a smaller, simpler, PLC-linked wiring system. We'll have to wait until Panasonic's press conference this week at CES for the official announcement.

[Source: The Earth Times]

CES 2009 preview: Panasonic connects your electric car to your house originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric carelectric car rechargingElectricCarElectricCarRecharginghd-plcpanasonicpanasonic hd-plcPanasonicHd-plcpower line communicationPowerLineCommunicationTue, 06 Jan 2009 18:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Vegetarian radials? Defatted soy eyed as tire filler substitute]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/06/vegetarian-radials-defatted-soy-eyed-as-tire-filler-substitute/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/06/vegetarian-radials-defatted-soy-eyed-as-tire-filler-substitute/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/06/vegetarian-radials-defatted-soy-eyed-as-tire-filler-substitute/#commentsFiled under:

There's more that one way to green a car, and many of the most interesting technological advancements don't involve powering an internal combustion engine. Consider that much of the fabric, plastic and rubber that goes into a car's construction is derived from petroleum, and you see why alternatives are becoming increasingly attractive. Automakers have taken up corn-based plastics and soy-based seat foam, and now the latest greenery comes by way of defatted soy flour. The latter is an organic substance that's being considered as a replacement for the petroleum-based "carbon black" rubber particles that are currently specified in the vast majority of tires.

The technology has a long way to go before we could be driving on soybeans, and there are likely issues involving using a possible feedstock as a petroleum replacement (again) that will need to be worked out. Still, as pressure builds to abandon the use of petroleum in as many ways as possible, advancements are likely to become a bigger part of our day-to-day transportation needs.

[Source: DairyHerd.com]

Vegetarian radials? Defatted soy eyed as tire filler substitute originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eco tiresEcoTiresgreengreen rubbergreen tiresGreenRubberGreenTiresrubbersoysoy rubbersoy tiressoyasoybean rubbersoybean tiresSoybeanRubbersoybeansSoybeanTiresSoyRubberSoyTiresTue, 06 Jan 2009 13:59:00 EST<![CDATA[MINI E: An American sellout?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/06/mini-e-sold-out-in-america/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/06/mini-e-sold-out-in-america/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/06/mini-e-sold-out-in-america/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the MINI E's unveiling

Is the new MINI E sold out? If by "rented through," yes, it looks like you may have missed your opportunity to be a beta tester for BMW's new electric Cooper.

BMW is leasing around 500 of the diminutive hatchbacks at a cost of $850-a-month (including insurance) for one year in the New York/New Jersey metro area as well as Southern California, and according to a new Bloomberg News story, applicants for the program have outnumbered the cars by more than a 4-to-1 ratio, though there is always the possibility that not all of the cars have been doled out yet.

If you're still pondering how you might be able to muscle your way to the front of the queue, be prepared for some changes from your everyday motoring routine. For one, the MINI E's range is limited to 120 miles, at which point you'll have to plug the car into the 220-volt outlet you've had installed in your garage. If you're stuck away from home, you can plug the MINI E into a 110-volt wall outlet, but be prepared to wait-a charge takes about 26 hours (versus around three for the 220-volt outlet). Beyond that, expect for MINI to require you to keep track of your driving experience with a diary and various online surveys.

Despite all of the various hoops to jump through, we're not at all surprised to learn that the opportunity to noiselessly motor about in a zero-emissions Cooper has charmed more than 2000 lease applicants. Given the brand's fanatical (and generally well-heeled) following, we're almost surprised that the number isn't higher. So don't feel bad if you applied for a MINI E of your very own, only to get turned down. Besides, there's always the PML MINI QED...


[Bloomberg News]

MINI E: An American sellout? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>110-volt220-voltBMWelectric carElectricCarEVhybridMini CooperMini EMiniCooperMiniEpure electricPureElectricTeslazero-emissionsTue, 06 Jan 2009 10:27:00 EST<![CDATA[AutoblogGreen for 01.06.09]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/06/autobloggreen-for-01-06-09/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/06/autobloggreen-for-01-06-09/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/06/autobloggreen-for-01-06-09/#commentsFiled under: ,


click to visit AutoblogGreen

Ahh, the Internet. Source of many leaks and copious amounts of sales information. The tubes also bring us news of electric cars cruising for Obama while diesels do the Dakar Rally. Indeed, internet, what would we do all day without thee?

AutoblogGreen for 01.06.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Leakage: Euro-spec 2009 Honda Insight]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/leakage-euro-spec-2009-honda-insight/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/leakage-euro-spec-2009-honda-insight/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/leakage-euro-spec-2009-honda-insight/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for a gallery of the Euro-spec 2009 Honda Insight

We're still six days away from the official unveiling of the 2009 Honda Insight at the Detroit Auto Show, but the crew at Carscoop just couldn't wait to release images of the European-spec hybrid ahead of its debut.

The Euro model shown here won't differ too much from the U.S. version, but the stylistic differences between the production version and its conceptual predecessor are obvious at first glance. As we've seen before, the front fascia carries over largely unchanged, although the technorific LED headlamps, deeply recessed fog lamps/air intakes and gaudy brightwork are all left on the designer's desk. The side mirrors have grown in proportion to the door handles, and the C-pillar is noticeably thicker than the concept that bowed in Paris. The rear has also been smoothed over, with the Prius-esque (or is that CRX-inspired?) hatch losing a bit of glass, along with the contoured cut-out for the license plate, which is now mounted lower on the bumper, with a prominent "H" badge floating on a body-colored panel.

Although the interior hasn't been revealed in full, we get a brief glimpse of the central-mounted tach, "eco" gauges and second tier speedo, which benefits from a backlight that transitions from green to blue when the driver mashes the accelerator and unleashes the full fury of the small-displacement engine through the CVT gearbox.

Sales will begin in the U.S. and abroad this spring, with a starting price rumored to hover around $20,000.

Gallery: 2009 Honda Insight (Euro)


[Source: Carscoop]

Leakage: Euro-spec 2009 Honda Insight originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20092009 honda insight2009HondaInsightdetriotdetroit auto showDetroitAutoShowhondainsightnaiasMon, 05 Jan 2009 19:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Audi R8 V10 will be all LED, all the time]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/audi-r8-v10-will-be-all-led-all-the-time/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/audi-r8-v10-will-be-all-led-all-the-time/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/audi-r8-v10-will-be-all-led-all-the-time/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Audi R8 V10

The Audi R8 claimed a number of world firsts - that is, walking away with magazine awards and journalists' hearts the world over. The Audi R8 V10 is about to claim a world first in technology: it will be the first car to offer high and low beam LED headlights as standard equipment. (Note: The 2009 Cadillac Escalade Platinum was the first vehicle in the world to offer all-LED headlamps.) You can buy the package as an option on the regular R8, so it's only fitting that the bigger and more expensive beast gets more tricks.

Audi trumpets the inclusion as an energy-saving measure - LEDs use a quarter of the energy of halogen headlights, and that number will only get better as LEDs evolve. You probably never thought you could know so much about LEDs, but there's an exhaustive press release after the jump, and for dessert, a high-res gallery of photos below.

Gallery: 2010 Audi R8 V10


[Source: AutoblogGreen]

Continue reading Audi R8 V10 will be all LED, all the time

Audi R8 V10 will be all LED, all the time originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiaudi r8audi r8 v10AudiR8AudiR8V10greenheadlightsledled headlightsLedHeadlightsr8r8 v10R8V10safetytechtechnologyMon, 05 Jan 2009 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Splinter Update: Students making progress on wooden supercar ]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/splinter-update-students-making-progress-on-wooden-supercar/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/splinter-update-students-making-progress-on-wooden-supercar/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/splinter-update-students-making-progress-on-wooden-supercar/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for new high-res renderings of the Splinter Wooden Supercar

The world's greenest supercar project is progressing nicely. The last time we checked in with Joe Harmon and his team of woodsmen craftsmen from North Carolina State University, the all-wooden car's hand-laid bodywork had been mated with the chassis, which was awaiting installation of the twin-supercharged, 32-valve Cadillac-sourced V8 engine and six-speed rear-mounted transaxle from a modern Chevrolet Corvette. Those 600 ponies will be funneled to the rear wheels, which have center hubs made from pressed and laminated wood, naturally. Even the transverse leaf springs are made from orange osage wood.

Work on the project has slowed so Harmon and his colleagues can finish school, but the Splinter continues to garner attention having appeared in a flattering piece published by Automobile Magazine. While we wait for Team Splinter to graduate and finish the car once and for all, take a look at these new high-res renderings of the arts and crafts supercar.

The Splinter is one of those rare projects that's truly inspiring, and Harmon seeks to prove that wood is anything but an outdated material with no place - outside the dashes of expensive luxury cars, of course - in modern automobiles. Point taken.

Gallery: Splinter Wooden Supercar


[Sources: Joe Harmon Design, Automobile Magazine]

Splinter Update: Students making progress on wooden supercar originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>joe harmonjoe harmon designJoeHarmonJoeHarmonDesignsplinter wooden supercarSplinterWoodenSupercarwooden carwooden carswooden supercarWoodenCarWoodenCarsWoodenSupercarMon, 05 Jan 2009 12:29:00 EST<![CDATA[AutoblogGreen for 01.05.09]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/autobloggreen-for-01-05-09/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/autobloggreen-for-01-05-09/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/autobloggreen-for-01-05-09/#commentsFiled under: ,


click to visit AutoblogGreen

Past, present and future. That's one way to look at the three vehicles in the above image. First, we have an all-electric 1982 Ford Escort Exp, followed by the new Audi R8 V10 with its all-LED lighting. Lastly, and there's a reason this is drawing-only, we have the fanciful TriTrack concept. Which would you rather drive?


More headlines after the jump.

Continue reading AutoblogGreen for 01.05.09

AutoblogGreen for 01.05.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 06:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mon, 05 Jan 2009 06:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Oklahoma Dreamin': Mustang-lovin' corn-grower chases record with ethanol]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/04/oklahoma-dreamin-mustang-lovin-corn-grower-chases-record-with/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/04/oklahoma-dreamin-mustang-lovin-corn-grower-chases-record-with/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/04/oklahoma-dreamin-mustang-lovin-corn-grower-chases-record-with/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Brent Hajek loves racing cars and corn. The Oklahoma corn farmer is also the proprietor of a race car museum, and has managed to combine his two passions in an effort to set a new land speed record.

The idea came out of the record Ford set with a Mustang Mach 1 some 40 years ago. Hajek wanted to commemorate the event by returning to Bonneville, and even got the original record driver's son to pilot his modified S197 Mustang. The idea really gained steam - and support from FoMoCo - when Hajek and co. decided to go for the record using E85 bio-ethanol. They set a top speed of 252.78 mph, which will be a new record if and when they manage to replicate it so it can be etched into the books. In the meantime, Hajek is convinced the initiative will pave the way for Ford to produce an E85-powered Mustang straight from the factory, which may be the corniest Mustang dream we've heard yet. Follow the jump to watch the video.

[Source: NewsOK via AutoblogGreen]

Continue reading Oklahoma Dreamin': Mustang-lovin' corn-grower chases record with ethanol

Oklahoma Dreamin': Mustang-lovin' corn-grower chases record with ethanol originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonnevillebonneville ethanolBonnevilleEthanole85e85 mustangE85Mustangethanolethanol mustangEthanolMustangoklahomaoklahoma ethanolOklahomaEthanolSun, 04 Jan 2009 20:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Oregon considers taxing mileage, not gas]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/04/oregon-considers-taxing-mileage-not-gas/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/04/oregon-considers-taxing-mileage-not-gas/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/04/oregon-considers-taxing-mileage-not-gas/#commentsFiled under: ,

Oregon ran a pilot program in 2006 and 2007 that fitted 300 cars with GPS receivers, which kept track of the cars' mileage. The receivers also kept records of when the cars were on the road, noting whether they traveled during rush hour or not. When the drivers went to several specially-equipped gas stations, they paid a mileage tax based on how far they had driven and when they drove, rush hour being more expensive than the wee hours.

Taxing mileage -- as opposed to trying to raise fuel taxes -- is an idea that's not only raising eyebrows, it's also raising interest. Seven other states are reported to be interested in finding a publicly-palatable way to tax mileage. A panel in North Carolina even recommended that drivers be charged a quarter-cent-per-mile for their year's driving. In such a scenario, after 15,000 miles you'd owe the state $37.50.

Naturally, the hurdles are many and it will be years before we see anything like this happening -- but beware: it's gone beyond "Let's think about it" to "Let's look into this." States envision working with manufacturers to get the standardized mileage-reporting technology installed in cars. In addition to the substantial privacy issues that would raised by such a move, there's a question of whether a flat mileage tax would blunt the move to energy-efficient vehicles -- the gent in the Prius might not be happy about paying the same as the gent in the F-250 Super Duty.

[Source: Yahoo!]

Oregon considers taxing mileage, not gas originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 04 Jan 2009 10:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>diesel taxDieselTaxfuel taxFuelTaxgas taxGasTaxgovernmentmileage taxMileageTaxtaxtaxesSun, 04 Jan 2009 10:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Road commission calls for gas tax hike]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/03/road-commission-calls-for-gas-tax-hike/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/03/road-commission-calls-for-gas-tax-hike/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/03/road-commission-calls-for-gas-tax-hike/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

A gas tax is about more than putting liquid into your tank and subtracting a higher amount from your bank account. A gas tax is -- just like CAFE and hybrids and $25 billion set aside to finance fuel efficient technologies -- about reworking and redefining our entire system of private transportation. And since that system is most certainly going to redefined, it is no surprise that the National Commission on Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing has recommended a jump in the federal fuel tax.

Congress created the commission to examine the federal taxes on fuel -- currently 18.4 cents for gas and 24 cents for diesel -- and the commission came back with the same results as everyone else: people are driving less, and driving more fuel efficient cars, and that has killed revenue for transportation infrastructure. One member of the commission said, "I'm not excited about a gas tax increase, but the reality is our current gas tax doesn't pay for upkeep of the system we have now. We can either let the roads go to hell or we can pay more." If the roads go to hell, though, guess what? We're going to pay more, but that money will go to service departments and auto parts stores.

The proposed solution is to make the gasoline fuel tax 24.4 cents, and the diesel tax between 36 and 39 cents. That would begin to make up for the $105 billion difference between actual revenues and the money needed to upkeep our roads and highways. It is conceivable that a higher gas tax could also encourage people to buy those high-mileage vehicles the government keeps commanding Detroit to make. But before that happens, it will probably just make a lot of people anguished and angry.

[Source: CNBC]

Road commission calls for gas tax hike originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 03 Jan 2009 15:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>congressdiesel taxDieselTaxetcfederal gas taxfederal taxFederalGasTaxFederalTaxfuel taxFuelTaxgas taxGasTaxgovernmentgreenlifestylestudytaxesSat, 03 Jan 2009 15:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Zambonis benched in favor of electric IceCats]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/03/zambonis-benched-in-favor-of-electric-icecats/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/03/zambonis-benched-in-favor-of-electric-icecats/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/03/zambonis-benched-in-favor-of-electric-icecats/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above for gallery of the IceCat in action

Growing up in Canada, every kid knows what the Zamboni is. But for the poor, deprived children of warmer climes, we'll fill you in. It's not a lunch meat or a pastry you'd find in Little Italy, but the ice resurfacing machine you see put-putting around the rink before, after and in the middle of hockey games. Created by Frank Zamboni in 1949, the company's pretty much had a monopoly on the market ever since. But the times, as Bob Dylan sang from the penalty box, they are a-changin'.

Toronto, Canada's largest city, is slowly phasing out their Zambonis in favor of Finnish-made IceCats (pictured above). So is the National Hockey League. And the reason is carbon monoxide: while the Zambonis run on propane or natural gas, the IceCats are all-electric. In an indoor arena, that can make all the difference: it's no big surprise to read that a study in the American Journal of Public Health determined that replacing carbon-emitting resurfacing machines with electric ones would reduce the concentration of nitrogen dioxide in indoor arenas by 87%, except to wonder where the other thirteen percent is coming from (flatulent spectators?). At a whopping $160,000 apiece - twice the price of a new Zamboni when many skating rinks already have their own - the IceCats aren't cheap (there are only four in all of Canada), but with carbon emissions on everybody's minds, Zamboni may get beaten to by the Finnish line.

Gallery: IceCat Ice Resurfacing Machines


[Source: Wired]

Zambonis benched in favor of electric IceCats originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 03 Jan 2009 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric ice resurfacerElectricIceResurfacerice catice resurfacerIceCatIceResurfacerzamboniSat, 03 Jan 2009 09:02:00 EST<![CDATA[2009 Kia cee'd gets Intelligent Stop & Go]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/02/2009-kia-ceed-gets-intelligent-stop-and-go/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/02/2009-kia-ceed-gets-intelligent-stop-and-go/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/02/2009-kia-ceed-gets-intelligent-stop-and-go/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Kia cee'd

Stop/start technology is like a trial membership for hybrids: it lets drivers in on the fuel savings and lower carbon emissions without forcing them to become a card-carrying member of the hybrid brigade. Kia is will be offering buyers just such an opportunity by introducing ISG, or Idle, Stop, and Go (also called Intelligent Stop & Go) on the new cee'd.

The ISG will be available on the 1.4- and 1.6-liter gasoline-engined c'eeds, and unlike other stop/start technology, this ISG shuts the engine down not only when the car is stopped, but when it's moving less than four mph. To engage the ISG while the car is moving, the driver puts the car in neutral and depresses the clutch, the engine is shut down, and he or she will be rewarded with 15% better fuel economy in the urban cycle.

The frugal-ized cee'd also benefits from a lighter five-speed gearbox and low-rolling-resistance tires as standard fitment. Later in 2009, the 1.6-liter diesel c'eed will be offered with ISG technology.

Gallery: Kia c'eed


[Source: Kia World]

2009 Kia cee'd gets Intelligent Stop & Go originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceedeconomygreenhatchbackshybridisgkiakia ceedKiaCeedstop startStopStarttechFri, 02 Jan 2009 17:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Keeping Drivers at Bay: San Francisco mulls congestion charge]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/02/keeping-drivers-at-bay-san-francisco-considers-congestion-charg/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/02/keeping-drivers-at-bay-san-francisco-considers-congestion-charg/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/02/keeping-drivers-at-bay-san-francisco-considers-congestion-charg/#commentsFiled under: ,

Boris Johnson for Mayor of... San Francisco? Our favorite municipal chief executive may be taking his time in dismantling the congestion charge in London, but his services may soon be needed in the City by the Bay, as local bureaucrats there contemplate instituting a new charge for motorists wishing to enter - or leave - the city's downtown core.

Driving in San Francisco is already quite an ordeal, and it's listed as the second most congested city in the United States. Motorists already have to pay tolls to cross the bridge and exorbitant parking fees, but the new initiative in the notoriously environmentally-friendly haven in Northern California (a similar initiative to that which failed in New York), could achieve its purpose of deterring motorists from driving downtown altogether. Mayor Gavin Newson is in favor of the plan - which would involve charging cars $3 on the way in as well as on the way out - as is County Transportation Authority director Jose Luis Mosovich, who likens Hurricane Katrina, the economic crisis, global warming, and yes, even terrorism to the city's burgeoning traffic crisis.

[Source: Los Angeles Times | Photo: Panoramio]

Keeping Drivers at Bay: San Francisco mulls congestion charge originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Boris JohnsonBorisJohnsoncongestioncongestion chargecongestion tollCongestionChargeCongestionTollgavin newsonGavinNewsonLuis MosovichLuisMosovichsan franciscosan francisco congestion chargesan francisco congestion tollSanFranciscoSanFranciscoCongestionChargeSanFranciscoCongestionTollFri, 02 Jan 2009 14:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Look out Fisker and Tesla! Lotus to jump into EV game!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/02/look-out-fisker-and-tesla-lotus-to-jump-into-ev-game/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/02/look-out-fisker-and-tesla-lotus-to-jump-into-ev-game/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/02/look-out-fisker-and-tesla-lotus-to-jump-into-ev-game/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Lotus is looking to challenge one of clients by building an electric sports car of its own. CEO Michael Kimberly told the Financial Times that the sports car maker and engineering powerhouse will soon launch extended-range battery-powered vehicle. The high performance model could appear as a concept as soon as the Geneva Motor Show in March, and like the Chevy Volt and Fisker Karma, Lotus will use an internal combustion engine to supplement the range of a battery which will provide primary propulsion.

Kimberly hasn't indicated what kind of vehicle layout would be used, but the new Evora sports car would seem a likely candidate with a battery taking the space of the small +2 rear seats. Another possibility could be a revival of the APX crossover concept from a couple of years back. California's Zap had hoped to use that platform for the basis of its own Zap-X, but nothing has been heard about that project for some time.

The other unknown is what, if any impact, this might have on Lotus' relationship with Tesla Motors. Lotus helped Tesla develop its Roadster and builds the rolling chassis for it. It's possible that Tesla could end up supplying motors or other powertrain bits to Lotus to help offset some of the cost of paying Lotus for its work.

[Source: Financial Times]

Look out Fisker and Tesla! Lotus to jump into EV game! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Twelve years ago, Toyota started selling a car that was bought by those considered avant-garde, on the fringe. It was called the Prius. Now Toyota is looking to "turn around its struggling business with a futuristic ecological car," and the company is supposedly working on plans for a solar-powered car. We'll ignore, for a moment, that a company with $18 billion in cash and experiencing its first annual operational loss in 70 years is now called a "struggling business." The noteworthy news is that while other automakers are trying to get their hybrid acts together, Toyota is down the road working on a car powered solely by le soleil.

There is little in the way of hard information at this point. The Japanese newspaper Nikkei disclosed the development, saying that the car would have solar cells, and that it would also be charged by solar cells on homes. Also according to Nikkei, the solar cells on the car will be as powerful as those on the house, capable of generating 2-5 kilowatts.

Toyota has talked publicly about a solar panel option on the next Prius, but that was called "a symbolic gesture" by an insider. Privateers have also done their part contributing to the idea of a Prius augmented by solar power, largely with mixed results. Nevertheless, Toyota has a keen partner in the venture: Panasonic. The giant consumer electronics maker that makes Prius batteries is in the midst of buying Sanyo, the world's 7th-largest solar cell maker. Nevertheless, solar cell technology isn't advanced enough to create a mass-market solar car, which is why reports claim it will be years before such a vehicle is on the market. As one Japanese solar energy expert said, "Even if you laid solar panels out on the entire roof of a house, you only generate enough energy to run two hairdryers." Hat-tip: Jarrett

[Source: Yahoo!]

Toyota developing solar powered car? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternativegreenhatchbackhybridpriussolarsolar carSolarCartechtechnologytoyotaFri, 02 Jan 2009 10:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Autogas Chevrolet Matiz Concept = LPG for the masses]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/02/autogas-chevrolet-matiz-concept-lpg-for-the-masses/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/02/autogas-chevrolet-matiz-concept-lpg-for-the-masses/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/02/autogas-chevrolet-matiz-concept-lpg-for-the-masses/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the fahgmitgas Matiz LPG Concept

Thanks to a company called fahrmitgas ("go with gas", get it?), our European readers will soon be able to cut their fuel costs to the low, low price of €3 (about $4.20 USD) for every 100 km of driving. Of course, they'll need need to be driving a converted Chevrolet (nee, Daewoo) Matiz converted to LPG, but on the other hand... that's just €3 to go 100 kilometers.

The fahrmitgas Matiz LPG Concept has been put through a suite of bench-tested enhancements in order to be so frugal. Since fahrmitgas is a supplier to Chevrolet, it has intimate knowledge of the Matiz's systems. After installation of the LPG unit and some engine tuning for mid-range power, the company added stop/start, lowered the car a whopping 30 mm, and fitted it with ultra low rolling resistance Hankook Optima 4S tires. A shift light on the center console helps the driver get the most of from his or her LPG.

A liter of gas in Germany is about €1 (@ $1.40 USD), meaning 3 liters/100 km for the LPG Matiz, instead of 5.2 liters/100 km for the petrol Matiz. fahmitgas is looking at a production run, but no timetable or prices have been announced. In the meantime, check out the press release after the jump and the high-res gallery of photos below.

Gallery: Fahrmitgas Matiz LPG Concept


[Source: Fahrmitgas]

Continue reading Autogas Chevrolet Matiz Concept = LPG for the masses

Autogas Chevrolet Matiz Concept = LPG for the masses originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aftermarketalternativeautogaschevrolet matizChevroletMatizdaewoo matizDaewooMatizeurofahrmitgasfuel economyFuelEconomygas mileageGasMileagegreenlpgmatizsubcompacttunerFri, 02 Jan 2009 09:01:00 EST<![CDATA[AutoblogGreen for 01.02.09]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/02/autobloggreen-for-01-02-09/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/02/autobloggreen-for-01-02-09/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/02/autobloggreen-for-01-02-09/#commentsFiled under: ,


click to visit AutoblogGreen

Everything old is new again, whether we're talking about this 1967 electric vehicle or the new biodiesel Bentleys for the Queen. As we ring in the New Year, it looks like we may need to update our vocabulary and think about the $600 million American spend each day on gasoline. Happy New Year!


AutoblogGreen for 01.02.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 06:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fri, 02 Jan 2009 06:06:00 EST<![CDATA[From Royal Blue to Green: the Queen retrofits her Bentleys to run on bio-fuel]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/31/from-royal-blue-to-green-the-queen-retrofits-her-bentleys-to-ru/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/31/from-royal-blue-to-green-the-queen-retrofits-her-bentleys-to-ru/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/31/from-royal-blue-to-green-the-queen-retrofits-her-bentleys-to-ru/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above to view the Bentley State Limousine in our hi-res gallery

Britain's royal family may not have the power to legislate any new initiatives, green or otherwise, but the heads of state still wield influence over public opinion and have taken up the cause of environmentally-conscious motoring. Following the lead of her son and heir Charles, the Prince of Wales - who had his Aston Martin converted to run on old wine and his Range Rover, Jaguar and Audi to run on discarded cooking oil - Queen Elizabeth II is having her bespoke Bentley limos converted to run on bio-fuels.

The Bentley State Limousine is based on the Arnage, but custom-crafted in-house by the company's Mulliner coachbuilding division. Only two were ever made, at a reported cost of over $14 million a piece, one of which was presented as a gift to Her Majesty upon her Golden Jubilee in 2002, while the second was commissioned by the crown as a back-up. The four-ton armored vehicles, continuously maintained by Bentley, are powered by the company's perennial 6.75-liter V8 producing 400 horsepower, and will be converted to run on bio-fuel. Bentley says the royal family are big supporters of Crewe's initiative to switch to bio-fuels, as Bentley aims to offer all its models with flex-fuel capacity by 2012.

Gallery: 2002 Bentley State Limousine


[Source: The Daily Mail via Luxist]

From Royal Blue to Green: the Queen retrofits her Bentleys to run on bio-fuel originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bentleybentley bio fuelbentley flex fuelbentley state limousineBentleyBioFuelBentleyFlexFuelBentleyStateLimousinebio fuelbio-fuelBioFuelflex fuelflex-fuelFlexFuelqueenqueen elizabeth bio fuelqueen elizabeth iiQueenElizabethBioFuelQueenElizabethIithe queenTheQueenWed, 31 Dec 2008 18:58:00 EST