Friday, February 4, 2011

Gas 2.0

Gas 2.0

GM Launches LPG Chevrolet Beat in India

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 03:59 PM PST

With over a billion people (and growing), India may one day have a thirst for oil rivaling even the U.S. Chevrolet is offering Indian consumers another choice though, a propane-powered Chevrolet Beat microcar.

You may recognize the Beat name from a pre-bankruptcy GM concept. This itsy bitsy automobile, actually a rebadged Daewoo, is already available in gasoline form, and a diesel version is on its way. The Beat is the debut of GM’s new 1.2 liter “Smartech” dual-fuel engine; the LPG package for the Beat comes from GM. The Advanced Multipoint Sequential LPG Technology is unlike the venturi-type LPG conversions that many alt-fuel vehicles use. This system eliminates many of the problems from older LPG systems like power loss, backfires, and a jerky response (this may be something unique to India, I cannot say, but the few LPG vehicles I've driven experienced none of these issues.)

This isn’t the first we’ve heard of the Beat; it was once slated to come to America, and there’s rumored to be a diesel and electric version in the works. The LPG Beat gets 13.29 kmpl (about 30 mpg U.S.) on propane, the best in its class in India. And get this; it also still has all the equipment to run on petrol, so if there aren't any nearby LPG stations, you can still fill the Beat up with gasoline. The LPG Beat comes with a 35,000 Rupee (about $766) premium.

Source: India Auto Blog

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

Ford GT Supercar to Return as Hybrid?

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 10:01 AM PST

Porsche is doing it. So is Ferrari. It seems like all the supercar makers are going green these days. Ford has its own plans for hybrids, including the possible return of the Ford GT supercar…as a hybrid.

For those who don't know, the Ford GT was a short-lived homage to the original GT40 race cars that trounced Ferrari (and everyone else) in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Ford GT, with a price tag of $150,000, featured a mid-mounted supercharged 5.4 liter V8 engine making 550 horsepower and awful, awful gas mileage. But the Blue Oval is trying to remake itself as a leader in green cars and technology. So how can they consider bringing back the Ford GT?

It's easy, ladies and gentlemen. Make the new Ford GT a super-fast hybrid. According to AutoExpress, the current plans call for a hybrid-electric vehicle that ditches the "retro" styling of the last GT for something more futuristic. A gas engine (perhaps a new version of the EcoBoost?) will drive the rear wheels, while the front wheels will be driven by electric motors. At a touch of a button, the electric motors can provide a horsepower boost, up to 600hp, or even drive the car a limited distance on zero-emissions electricity. A light, possibly aluminum body should keep weight under or around the 3,000 pound mark, and Ford has already mentioned bringing Start-Stop technology to its vehicles as well. Can a a Ford supercar manage to get 30 mpg with 600 horsepower?

Make no mistake though, this is going to be a performance car, through and through. There's no reason hybrids have to be boring though, and hopefully the next-gen Ford GT sticks around a while to serve as a platform for showcasing the latest and greatest vehicles Ford has to offer.

Source: AutoExpress

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

60 mpg Seat Commercial Hatch – Just What US Businesses Need?

Posted: 03 Feb 2011 06:43 PM PST

This little worker is Seat’s new Ibiza SC commercial car, which was developed specifically by Seat to cater to small businesses, couriers, restaurants, and anyone else who uses their car for work.

Maybe it’s just me, but I think it’s brilliant.

Power for the Ibiza SC comes from a 1.2 L turbocharged diesel that produces just over 70 hp and peak torque just off idle, allowing the Ibiza and its 32 cubic feet of cargo to scoot around town every bit as quickly as traditional commercial cargo van – sipping just 1 gallon of diesel for every 60 miles (!) of cargo-hauling.

32 cubic feet, by the way, looks like this …

… plenty of room for computers, pizzas, auto parts, and maybe a few bicycle frames, if the shop owner is creative enough.  Heck, I can think of a few dog groomers that would go nuts for one of these.  What’s more, the Ibiza’s sheetmetal “windows” help keep security relatively high, as well – I can’t stop coming up with reasons to love this thing!

I am seriously considering writing a letter to Volkswagen (which, incidentally, owns Seat) which reads something like “You send now!”  I’m pretty sure one of you can do better, though, so if anyone wants to draft something up I’m willing to take a petition over to the Volkswagen booth at net week’s Chicago Auto Show and put it in front of as many PR and marketing people I can find.

Leave suggestions in the comments!

Source:  Seat, via Motorpasion.
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