Gas 2.0

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• Audi Diesels Dominate 24 Hours of Le Mans
• 250 Second Generation Smart EV’s Coming Stateside
• Hybrid Power Approved For 2011 Le Mans

Audi Diesels Dominate 24 Hours of Le Mans Posted: 13 Jun 2010 10:12 AM PDT I missed almost the entire 24 Hours of Le Mans race this weekend, unfortunately. But from all the reviews I’ve read, it was one hell of a battle, mostly between Peugeot and Audi diesel cars. Peugeot was the heavy favorite to win, especially after nabbing the four top qualifying positions last week and setting a blistering pace. The Audi diesels were close behind, qualifying 5-6-7. Qualifying isn’t racing though, and when the race finished Sunday morning, there were no Peugeots left on the field, but plenty of Audis, with the German marque securing a 1-2-3 podium finish in the LMP1 class. (more…)

250 Second Generation Smart EV’s Coming Stateside Posted: 13 Jun 2010 10:09 AM PDT Smart was a car company that started out with such promise. In many ways, it was a minimalist car; bare bones transportation for two people and a suitcase or two. But, as far as compact cars go, it wasn’t cheap, starting at about $17,000 (what do you expect from a Mercedes-owned brand?) It is safe, but not particulary frugal on fuel… and as I hear tell, the automatic transmission sucks. As a result, sales have been plummeting. What can save Smart? Many consumers have been clamoring for an electric version of the Smart ForTwo, and for a select few, their wishes have been answered. 250 Smart EV’s are coming stateside… but will it be enough to to pull the brand out of its death spiral? (more…)

Hybrid Power Approved For 2011 Le Mans Posted: 13 Jun 2010 10:06 AM PDT If you’re a world-class racing fan, there was only one race you should’ve beeen watching this weekend; the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It is for many the pinnacle of automotive competition, pitting man and machine against each other as the absolute limits of both are tested. Not the kind of place one expects to see say, a hybrid car. And yet, for the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Automobile Club de L’Ouest (ACO), the governing body of the race,  has approved hybrid-powered cars. So should we expect to see a field of Toyota Prius’s making the 24 hour march? (more…)

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