Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Gas 2.0

Gas 2.0

Honda Announces Fit EV Concept, Production for 2012

Posted: 17 Nov 2010 05:22 PM PST

Remember how Honda was going to announce an electric vehicle at the L.A. Auto Show? Well they did. It is an EV version of the Fit, and while still a concept, Honda says production will begin in 2012.

The Honda Fit EV looks a whole lot like the regular Honda Fit, and that is neither a good nor bad thing. Put a regular Fit and an electric Fit next to each other, and you probably couldn't tell the difference, save for a few interior additions like a battery gauge. Like the CR-Z, it gets three driving modes; Econ, Normal, and Sport. While Econ gives you more range, Sport gives more performance comparable to that of a 2.0 liter engine (i.e. not much!)

Under the hood though, the Fit EV is all electric. It uses the same motor found in the FCX Clairty fuel cell vehicle, and it has a supposed range of 100 miles and a top speed of 90 mph. Hmm, I wonder who their main competitor might be?

While still a concept, Honda seems sure they will be building the Fit EV by late 2012. In the next two years though, they should be able to get that range up to at least 150 miles.

While I was still hoping for an electric sports couple, the Fit EV makes plenty of sense too. Still, it would have been nice to see Honda be a bit more…bold.

Source: Honda

Chris DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to Hemis. You can follow his slow descent into madness at Sublime Burnout.

Cadillac Unveils Urban Luxury Concept

Posted: 17 Nov 2010 01:29 PM PST

The L.A. Auto Show opens to the public this Friday, but manufacturers are giving everybody a taste of what to expect with some well-placed press releases. The latest tidbit comes from Cadillac, introducing their cute Urban Luxury Concept car.

It looks as though a Mini Cooper ran into the back of a Cadillac SRX, and the Urban Luxury Concept (ULC for short) is the result. Designed as a small city car of the luxury-obsessed, the ULC is laden with luxury accruements like touchscreen computers and projected screens that replace traditional manual gauges. A touchscreen at the driver’s right hand operates most of the ULC’s features, which sounds pretty futuristic.

Power comes from a tiny 1.0 liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine that GM says can deliver 56 mpg in the city and 65 mpg on the highway. A start-stop system, eAssist similar to what was introduced on the 2012 Buick LaCrosse, and brake energy recovery system all contribute to the awesome gas mileage.

Will the ULC concept every hit the road? I'm thinking not, but on the same token, there increasingly appears to be a market for upscale small cars. Just look at the success of the Mini Cooper and the Fiat 500 (at least in Europe). Could a tiny Cadillac survive here in America?

Source: GM

Chris DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to Hemis. You can follow his slow descent into madness atSublime Burnout.

Fiat 500 Priced at $15,500 for U.S.

Posted: 17 Nov 2010 12:06 PM PST

1983 is the year Fiat pulled out of the U.S. market, many speculating it would never return. Well Fiat is coming back…in a little way. Next year the much ballyhooed Fiat 500 goes on sale here, and is priced at a wallet-friendly $15,500.

That is the base price of course, and if you're one of those people who have to tick off every option, well, the price can balloon to over $25,000. If you opt for the base model (called the "500 Pop"), you get a 5-speed manual transmission, 110 horsepower 1.4 liter MultiAir engine, and an impressive list of standard features. Seven airbags, standard, air conditioning, standard, halogen headlamps, standard. Not too shabby.

The 500 Sport model bumps the price up to $17,500 but adds a Bose sound system, 16" aluminum wheels, and a sportier look from the rear spoiler to the fog lights. Finally there is the 500 Lounge, starting at $19,500 and adding a fixed glass roof, Blue & Me hands free communication, and other luxury features.

I like it. My dad even likes it. Head on over to Fiat’s online configuarator and see if you can’t make a 500 you might like too.

Source: Fiat

Chris DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to Hemis. You can follow his slow descent into madness atSublime Burnout.

Ford to Launch Electric Focus in 19 Markets Next Year

Posted: 17 Nov 2010 08:46 AM PST

2010 may be the year of the Chevy Volt, but 2011 will be the year of the electric car. The Nissan Leaf has garnered a lion's share of the attention so far, but Ford is planning to launch its electric Focus next year in 19 markets.

Ford has been playing its cards close to its chest when it comes to electric vehicles, and they have been less-than-optimistic about the future of pure electric cars. That said, they are still throwing their hat into the ring with an electric Focus. Just as GM and Nissan are launching their next-generation vehicles, the Volt and Leaf, in select markets, Ford will do the same.

The Ford Focus electric will go on sale late next year in the following markets; Atlanta; Houston and Austin, Texas; Boston; Chicago; Denver; Detroit; Los Angeles; San Francisco; San Diego; New York; Orlando; Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz.; Portland, Ore.; Raleigh-Durham, N.C.; Richmond, Va.; Seattle; and Washington.
That is a pretty even spread, north, south, east and west, and it is nice to see Ford isn't favoring warm climates where electric vehicles would perform better, though they did choose these markets because of hybrid vehicle buying trends.

Ford hopes the electric Focus will have a range of at least 100 miles on battery power alone, which should be followed by a battery-electric Transit Connect work van. Ford has even launched a website with information on electric vehicles. No word on cost, but if Ford wants to compete, they’ll have to price the electric Focus in the $25,000 to $35,000 range.

Source: Automotive News

Chris DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to Hemis. You can follow his slow descent into madness atSublime Burnout.
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