Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Gas 2.0

Gas 2.0

Porsche Video Shows 918 Spyder Hybrid Concept in Action

Posted: 02 Mar 2010 12:52 PM PST

What is Porsche doing to me? I had just gotten over my teenage-like, eco-speed-lust with the 918 Spyder hybrid from yesterday’s announcement, and now Porsche has to go and release a video showing it actually driving? It’s not right. A man can only take so much.

As if just seeing pictures of a car that can get 78 mpg yet get from 0-60 mph in 3 seconds wasn’t enough.

(more…)

Ferrari Finally Unveils HY-KERS 599 Hybrid Concept

Posted: 02 Mar 2010 12:17 PM PST

We’ve been hearing rumors and speculation regarding a Ferrari hybrid for months now. But the Geneva Auto Show opens tomorrow, and the media has had access since Monday, meaning Ferrari finally had to lift the veil on its much-touted hybrid concept.

Called the HY-KERS concept, it is in most basic terms a Ferrari 599 with an electric motor powered by a Kinetic Energy Recovery System, or KERS. This concept will serve as a basis for a road-going Ferrari hybrid which should be on sale in the next three to five years.

(more…)

Lexus Hints that CT 200h Will See Simultaneous Global Launch, Including US

Posted: 02 Mar 2010 12:12 PM PST

Last week I brought you word of the impending release of an all new dedicated Lexus hybrid at the end of this year, the CT 200h. Although Lexus has previously said the car will get a “global launch,” it has been unclear whether that “global” will include the US.

Our friends over at AutoblogGreen are reporting that their “men on the scene” in Geneva have adamant and convincing words from Lexus executives that “the United States and Japan will receive the CT 200h, even if it was developed as a euro-centric model.”

(more…)

Cadillac Converj Killed?

Posted: 02 Mar 2010 11:31 AM PST

As I’ve said before, the Volt is without a doubt the most important car in GM’s future lineup–with the ability to do wonders for the General’s tarnished image. GM executives have even said they don’t expect to turn much, if any, of a profit in the first generation of the Volt. Hence the Cadillac Converj, a coupe concept based on the Volt that could be sold upmarket, helping recoup some of that lost profit potential.

But the Converj has reportedly been killed, despite near universal praise for its bold looks and Voltec technology. Apparently all the extra equipment Cadillac buyers have come to expect would have halved the Converj’s all-electric range.

(more…)

Toyota Auris Hybrid Hatchback to Get 61.9 MPG

Posted: 02 Mar 2010 11:19 AM PST

At the Geneva Auto Show, Toyota is full steam ahead on the launch of its upcoming Auris Hybrid–a for-European-eyes-only hatchback based on the Corolla platform. In addition to the hybrid, the new Auris is available in straight up gasoline and diesel versions. The car represents the company’s first attempt at a compact hybrid, and it’s a rather impressive one at that.

(more…)

German Car Sales Plunge: Cash For Clunkers To Blame?

Posted: 02 Mar 2010 10:45 AM PST

The jury is still out on Cash for Clunkers here in the US, though new car sales seem to have improved in the past months.

But in Germany. where a similar cash for clunkers program began one year ago, car sales plunged off of the proverbial cliff, posting almost a 30% decline last month compared to February of 2009. And analysts are predicting that 2010 new car sales could drop as much as 30% for the entire year, compared with 2009.

This news does not bode well for the German auto industry, but will the same apply here? Did Cash for Clunkers really rob from future sales? Or did it help kickstart our economy?

(more…)

Opel Ampera To Make Cross-European Excursion

Posted: 02 Mar 2010 10:37 AM PST

As a sister car to the Chevy Volt, the Opel Ampera has its work cut out for it. Europe already has lots of fuel-efficient cars and many European companies are planning to roll out their own electric or hybrid vehicles soon. So GM has to drum up a lot of attention for the Ampera.

What is the best way to get attention for an upcoming car? Why, drive it across country and blog about it, of course.

(more…)

GM May Not Release Volt Early After All

Posted: 02 Mar 2010 10:30 AM PST

A lot is riding on GM’s Volt. While General Motors is now a sleeker, streamlined version of itself, devoid of a lot of dead weight, the automotive heavyweight still has a lot to prove to the average consumer. The General was not long ago known for its gas guzzling SUVs; now it is trying to remake its image as something more well-rounded. While Chevy has performance on lockdown with the Camaro and Corvette, the Volt is the all important Ying to the performance Yang.

So when Ed Whitacre took over as GM’s CEO, he thought it important to get the Volt on the road and in the hands of consumers as soon as possible. But rushing a car this important is never a good thing, especially a car this important.

(more…)

Avis Europe To Add Electric Cars From Renault To Rental Fleet

Posted: 02 Mar 2010 09:02 AM PST

Truth be told, I’ve never had a rental car experience. But for frequent flyers, tourists, and those who just don’t own cars, rental cars offer a bit of personal mobility for a price. Avis is one of the largest rental car companies in the world with operations in North and South America, Australia, and many other places. It has also licensed the Avis name to Avis Europe, which recently announced it would be partnering with Renault to provide its rental car customers with electric vehicle options. Will this transition eventually come our way?

(more…)
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)