Thursday, March 3, 2011

Gas 2.0

Gas 2.0

“Still Alive” Saab Brings Sexy PhoeniX Hybrid Concept to Geneva

Posted: 03 Mar 2011 04:00 PM PST

Swedish car maker Saab was the unlikely survivor of "old" GM and the nerdy auto builder is strutting into 2011 with style. At the Geneva Auto Show Saab showed off the "PhoeniX" all-wheel drive, 47 MPG hybrid.

The aptly-named PhoeniX is supposed to herald the rebirth of Saab, now under the stewardship of Dutch car maker Spyker. It embraces Saab's history as a jet maker with sleek lines and an "aeromotional" design influence that makes the PhoeniX look an aluminum teardrop that is ready to take off.

Under the hood is a small-but-powerful 1.6 liter turbocharged engine with 200 horsepower on tap that also includes fuel saving features like engine start/stop and a fuel cutoff. The petrol engine drives the front wheels, while a 34 horsepower electric motor powers the real wheels, thus giving this hybrid all-wheel drive, plus supposed gas mileage of 47 mpg (likely calculated using the European standard.) It is of course a concept, and if such a vehicle came to market it wouldn't look nearly as outlandish. While the styling is awesome-yet-out-there, the drivetrain certainly sounds realistic, and if they could carry over the basic shape and aggressive styling cues, I'd certainly give Saab another look.

One of my favorite cars of all time was the Saab 900 Turbo, "Born From Jets" as my friend's father (a Saab engineer) used to say, and my 1998 model was sleek, fast, and well equipped for the price I got it. Leather seats with heat warmers, the interesting center console ignition, and turbocharged engine were all perks of my little Saab. That and it saved my life (twice.)

I'm happy that Saab got a second chance, and with cars like this, do you think they'll be able to survive the first half of the 21st century?

Source: Saab

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.

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Los Angeles Approves Plan for Almost 1,700 Miles of Bike Paths

Posted: 03 Mar 2011 10:53 AM PST

I'm obsessed with cars, but lately I'm looking at the bicycle as a better way to get around, at least for short trips. The folks of Los Angeles agree, approving a plan for 1,680 miles of bike path.

The Los Angeles City Council has approved a plan to add 1,302 miles of bike path to the 378 currently laid, over the next 35 years. The plan will add about 200 miles per-year as well as direct money towards advertising and safety campaigns. I don't know how California drivers can deal with that kind of congestion on a daily basis. I know that if I had to deal with it, I'd turn in my license, get a helmet, and pray that this plan actually goes through.

Knowing L.A. though, they'll go from car congestion to bike congestion. At least there won't be all that wasted gas and putrid emissions. The smog sucks in the City of Angels. The money is coming from Measure R, a 2008 tax sales tax to support transportation projects in the county. The city has seen a 50% increase in biking over the past eight years, so the interest is there. Of course, there are plenty of electric motorcycles on the market these days, and with L.A.'s lane splitting laws, it makes getting around a bit easier.

Any residents of L.A. want to chime in on this plan?

Source: Los Angeles Times | L.A. Bike Plan

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.

Fiat Zagato 500 Coupe is One Hot Little Number

Posted: 03 Mar 2011 06:00 AM PST

I’m a sucker for sexy Italians and slick technology, and this petite Fiat 500 concept coupe by Zagato has both in spades.

On the “sexy Italian” side, the tiny 500 coupe has been given a sloping roofline and a more sporting stance, courtesy of Zagato’s 17″ chrome-arrow wheels.  The car also features Zagato’s signature “double-bubble” roof, allowing just enough headroom for a proper racing helmet – in other words:  when you’re in the mood to hit the track, the little Fiat (like past Zagato specials) is ready … which is definitely sexy.

On the “slick technology” side of the equation, the Fiat 500 Zagato coupe is powered by a 105 hp “TwinAir” 2-cylinder engine – making it the first vehicle to receive the ultra-efficient, high output (124 hp per liter), ultra-clean version of the new engine.

Source: Fiat, via the Autoblog.

Full press release below.

The concept “500 Coupé Zagato” makes its debut in Geneva

The “500 Coupé Zagato” – the concept created by one of the most famous automotive design names in the world, with the collaboration of the Fiat Group Automobiles’ Centro Stile – makes its debut at the 2011 Geneva International Motor Show.

Presented at the Fiat stand, the prototype stands out for its sinuous yet decidedly sporty and contemporary contours, inspired by the namesake predecessor built in the 1950 by the famous Italian bodyworker on the chassis of the 500. Yet while Zagato had then completely revamped the exterior style of the basic model, today the designers emphasised the silhouette of the Fiat 500, already similar to a coupé, giving it an even more aggressive appeal. In addition, the unique shape of the roof features the characteristic “double hump”, the true emblem of Zagato, teaming the lowering of the car with retaining excellent interior comfort.

Like many historic custom-built cars, the concept car affords the classic “2+2 seater” formula, retaining the compact dimensions of the basic model: indeed, it is 355 centimetres long, 163 cm wide and 149 cm high, with a 230 centimetre wheelbase. So it is a compact car which “conceals” under the bonnet the revolutionary TwinAir 105 HP engine which maximizes the “fun to drive” of this car, while ensuring, consistently with the downsizing philosophy, excellent performance levels against a considerable reduction in fuel consumption and emission levels. To achieve this objective, the engine features a specific “turbomatching” (engine-turbocharger coupling).

The 105 HP TwinAir engine, which has never been used on any of the Group’s models yet, is therefore the ideal engine to be installed in compact sized sporty cars, as demonstrated by the high torque delivered (155 Nm at 2,500 rpm) and the absolute world record in terms of absolute power (105 HP at 5,500 rpm). In addition, at 124 HP/litre, this engine is also one of the world leaders in specific power. All while ensuring reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions unrivalled in this category: 95 g/km.

Designed mainly for a young and dynamic male target, the “500 Coupé Zagato” also accommodates the needs of a female target owing to the painstaking pursuit of stylistic solutions resulting from the most interesting trends on colours and materials. For instance, the prototype livery is Pop Yellow, a specific three-layer bodypaint colour tending towards white which emphasises the vehicle contour while giving it a pop image, full of energy and brimming with personality.

The same styling effect can be found in the interiors, specifically the seats, inspired by the traditional sporty “diamond” seats and high-tech fabric teamed with yellow chamois leather and the black natural leather of the surrounds which give it a young, contemporary look. The decidedly sporty appearance can also be found on the steering wheel – also covered in leather with contrasting stitching the same colour as the yellow chamois leather grips – and on the dashboard surround, matching the exterior colour, which was treated in burnished “eco-chrome” to give it a more aggressive appeal. Lastly, another typical feature of coupé vehicles is the lining of the roof panel with dark high-tech fabric embellished by a transparent single-filament yarn that gives it a delicate shine.

In perfect synch with its sporty personality, the “500 Coupé Zagato” features burnished chrome exterior elements, 17″ “chrome shadow” wheels with a brand new double spoked shape and synthetic inserts (made of APP-TECH), 205/40 R17 tyres and 4 perforated brake discs.

A car of enormous appeal, this prototype is consistent with Fiat’s history and mission: to make cars distinguished by an original style, advanced technology made accessible to all and intelligent solutions that simplify and improve life on-board. An example? Just like the basic model, the “500 Coupé Zagato” also features “my-port”, the practical multimedia port installed on the dashboard allowing the driver to link up to the world via a latest generation smartphone enabled to access the Internet and satellite navigation.
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