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| Posted: 12 Dec 2012 01:20 AM PST  Apps per l'automobilista: iMulte Per la rubrica Apps per l'automobilista di questa settimana, abbiamo scelto iMulte, un'utilissima applicazione gratuita per iPhone che ci aiuta nell'iter burocratico per la[...] |
| Posted: 12 Dec 2012 01:20 AM PST  Bespioneert jouw werkgever je met een black box? Grip op je personeel, voor sommige werkgevers is het heel belangrijk. Daarom schijnen leasewaggies en andere zakelijke voitures de laatste jaren in toenemende mate met een GPS-tracker uitgerust te worden. Bovenstaande is de conclusie van het blaadje dat het meest door niet-leaserijders wordt gelezen, de Spits. Uiteraard is de belangenvereniging (VAVDZ) not amused, en pleit [...]verwante verhalenBelgië gaat eindelijk de wegen renoverenAudi RS6 Avant laat zich spotten en horenIedereen betaalt tol voor BlankenburgtunnelRolls-Royce Silver Shadow doet uit de hoogteBMW: het meestgezochte automerk van 2012 |
| Posted: 12 Dec 2012 12:35 AM PST  Honda nos hace pensar en el retorno del S2000 Filed under: Honda, Descapotables, Deportivos Suehiro Hasshi es el jefe de I+D de Honda. Durante la presentación del Civic diésel de nueva generación a medios británcos tuvo tiempo de charlar con los amigos de PistonHeads, que dispuestos a exprimirle toda la información posible, le preguntaron sobre el retorno del S2000. Hasshi contestó abiertamente que los pilares deportivos de la marca siempre han sido el Beat, el Civic Type R, el S2000 y el NSX. Hasshi añadió entonces: el Beat está confirmado, el Type R está confirmado, y el NSX también lo está. Parece lógico pensar, añadió, que el S2000 también resucitará. Vamos, más claro, el agua. Si Suehiro lo ve tan probable, ¿quiénes somos nosotros para discutírselo?Gallery: Honda S2000 Ultimate Edition Share TweetHonda nos hace pensar en el retorno del S2000 originally appeared on Autoblog Español on Wed, 12 Dec 2012 03:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 12 Dec 2012 12:35 AM PST  BMW: het meestgezochte automerk van 2012 December, lijstjesmaand. Zoals elk jaar komt Google met een Zeitgeist-lijst, die de meest gezochte termen op teh int0rnets van dit jaar weergeven. Fanboys, haal de BMW-vlaggetjes maar uit de kast, want het merk blijft onverminderd populair! Allereerst, even to the point, de top 10: 1. BMW 2. Ford 3. Opel 4. Audi 5. Peugeot 6. [...]verwante verhalenGehandboeide arrestant steelt politieautoBelgië gaat eindelijk de wegen renoverenAudi RS6 Avant laat zich spotten en horenIedereen betaalt tol voor BlankenburgtunnelRolls-Royce Silver Shadow doet uit de hoogte |
| Posted: 11 Dec 2012 11:48 PM PST  Porsche: nuovo video sulla 911 GT3 Cup brightcove.createExperiences(); Nuovo filmato ufficiale Porsche dedicato alla Porsche 911 GT3 Cup 2013. La sportiva tedesca, mossa da un sei cilindri da 3.8 litri, capace di 460 cavalli,[...] |
| Posted: 11 Dec 2012 11:48 PM PST  Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow doet uit de hoogte Aleen de naam Rolls-Royce heeft al iets exclusiefs, dus een beetje dedain is een gemiddelde eigenaar niet vreemd. Ook niet als je de meest geproduceerde Rolls ooit, de Silver Shadow bezit. Of wilde de Arabische eigenaar gewoon heel graag een Rolls-SUV, en is dit een tussenoplossing? Joost mag het weten, maar een projectje als dit [...]verwante verhalenGespot: spierwitte Jaguar XKR-SGehandboeide arrestant steelt politieautoBelgië gaat eindelijk de wegen renoverenAudi RS6 Avant laat zich spotten en horenIedereen betaalt tol voor Blankenburgtunnel |
| Posted: 11 Dec 2012 11:04 PM PST  Fisker: il nuovo partner entro la fine del 2013 "Ci stiamo concentrando per rendere Tesla un'azienda profittevole a lungo termine. La storia delle piccole imprese che sopravvivono nel mondo automobilistico non è certo stellare". Per questo[...] |
| Posted: 11 Dec 2012 11:04 PM PST  Ventas noviembre 2012: Alemania Filed under: Industria Durante el pasado mes de noviembre las matriculaciones de vehículos nuevos en Alemania cayeron en un 3,5% en comparación con el mismo mes del año anterior, alcanzando un volumen total de 259.846 unidades vendidas. Por marcas las más destacadas fueron:SUBEN SEAT +54,8% Subaru +50,4% Jaguar +38,1% BAJAN Lancia -62,9% Suzuki -35,4% Citroën -28,0% El reparto de las ventas durante noviembre resulta llamativo pues se han igualado las compras por combustible. Los clientes optaron por motores de gasolina en un 49,6% mientras que los diésel se conformaron con el 49,0%. El resto se reparte entre híbridos (0,7%) y combustibles alternativos (0,7%).Continue reading Ventas noviembre 2012: AlemaniaVentas noviembre 2012: Alemania originally appeared on Autoblog Español on Wed, 12 Dec 2012 01:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 11 Dec 2012 05:34 PM PST  Study: Energy outlook looks bad for biofuels, fuel prices and electric vehicles Filed under: Biodiesel, Ethanol, EV/Plug-in, Flex-Fuel, Green Culture, Legislation and Policy, Natural Gas When the US Energy Information Administration released its annual energy outlook pre-release earlier this month, biofuels industry publication Biofuels Digest was hit with six press releases from the biofuels community in the space of two hours. The final version of the EIA's energy outlook through 2040 won't come out until the spring, but the 16-page preview was enough to set off an avalanche of biofuel industry outcry. The EIA's Annual Energy Outlook 2013 projection is less optimistic about the ability of advanced biofuels to take a larger share of the liquid fuels market. For the 2013 forecast, biomass use is expected to reach 4.2 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu) in 2035, compared to 5.4 quadrillion Btu listed in the 2012 AEO report. Still, the longer-term trend is up. The 2013 report thinks that we will reach 4.9 quadrillion Btu in 2040, up from 2011's prediction of 2.7 quadrillion Btu. But why did the forecast drop so far from the 2012 report to the new version? According to the EIA's energy outlook, "The increases are much smaller than those in AEO2012, however, as a result of diminished FFV [flex fuel vehicle] penetration, a smaller motor gasoline pool for blending ethanol, and reduced production of cellulosic biofuels." The EIA thinks gasoline prices will jump 25 percent - diesel by 37 percent - in 2011 dollar terms. While biofuel use is expected to be lower than initially anticipated, the AEO 2013 is bullish about growth in other facets of energy production - solar and wind are expected to go up; light crude oil and natural gas are expected to go way up. Sales of FFVs in 2035 are expected to drop to about half what they were in the previous report - 1.3 million, or less than half the 2.9 million FFV sales expected in the 2012 report. There's bad news in the report for consumers - the EIA thinks gasoline prices will jump 25 percent - diesel by 37 percent - in 2011 dollar terms. If you add in 2.5 percent annual inflation, that will come out to $8.62 per gallon for gasoline and $9.86 for diesel. The cause of this increase is expected to be rising crude oil prices. Battery electric vehicles also had their numbers diminished - 119,000 units sold in 2035, down 65 percent from the expected numbers in the 2012 report. The EV sales decline is expected to be offset by increased sales of hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, a full 20 percent higher than they were in the 2012 report.Continue reading Energy outlook looks bad for biofuels, fuel prices and electric vehiclesEnergy outlook looks bad for biofuels, fuel prices and electric vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 11 Dec 2012 20:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 11 Dec 2012 05:34 PM PST  Video: Syrian rebels show off their inner A-Team with homemade tank Filed under: Videos, Military, Middle East, Design/Style Going up against an organized military must be quite a challenge, but Syrian rebels have used a little ingenuity to give themselves a fighting chance in the country's civil war. Judging by the fact that the uprising has lasted for more than a year now, the fighters definitely have skills in weapons and military tactics, but some of the rebels have displayed a different sort of skill by busting out their torches and welders to create this homemade tank. Looking like something you'd see on an old episode of The A-Team, this armored assault vehicle started life as some sort of diesel truck and was converted to its current state using a lot of steel and a big gun. The occupants, engine and tires are all protected by thick metal, and the vehicle uses four cameras (including a gunner camera that can be zoomed in by what appears to be a Playstation controller) and a rear-facing camera to help the driver pilot the massive vehicle. We don't know how well this vehicle performs when in action, but we're sure Hannibal, Face, Murdock and B.A. Baracus would all be proud of the effort. Scroll down to see the tank in action, courtesy of a video posted by Russia Today on YouTube, including running over a helpless pile of branches.Syrian rebels show off their inner A-Team with homemade tank originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Dec 2012 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 11 Dec 2012 05:34 PM PST  Report: Australian police urge motorists to stay away from Apple Maps [w/video] Filed under: Etc., Safety, Technology, Australia Apple Maps is the beautiful but flawed pile of poo that just keeps on steaming. Not long after it appeared in the company's latest operating system, people noticed that it had a habit of showing destinations in the wrong locations, like a museum located underwater, or refusing to show locations at all, like the town of Stratford-Upon-Avon and most of a few world metropolises. The CEO apologized once, was met with hilarious rejoinders, then apologized again and recommended other map solutions, and the guy in charge of Apple Maps was shown the door, which Apple was indeed able to find. None of that has apparently helped drivers looking for the town of Mildura, in Victoria, Australia however. Apple Maps still places the hamlet in the middle of the Murray-Sunset National Park, about 44 miles southwest of its actual location. The displaced location map issue has reportedly left six drivers lost or stranded in the national park for up to 24 hours without food or water, in temperatures that can reach up to 115 degrees in the Outback with no phone reception. Six people have had to be rescued in the past two months, and now Mildura police have issued a statement calling the situation "a life threatening issue," urging caution when using Apple Maps. Check out the Newsdesk video below for more details, and be very, very careful when you go in search of Mildura.Continue reading Australian police urge motorists to stay away from Apple Maps [w/video]Australian police urge motorists to stay away from Apple Maps [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Dec 2012 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 11 Dec 2012 05:34 PM PST  Ford C-Max Energi gains access to New York HOV lanes Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Ford, Legislation and Policy When car owners brag about buying a plug-in electric vehicle, it's not unusual to hear them mention high occupancy vehicle (HOV) carpool lane stickers as one of the key perks. Thus, it wasn't surprising to see Ford issue a press release saying New York car buyers can now get carpool lane stickers for the all-new Ford C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Cars with these stickers have access to a 40-mile stretch of the Long Island Expressway, a major artery into New York City for single-occupied commuter cars. Studies show New Yorkers spend more time driving to and from work than commuters anywhere else in the country, Ford said. New York's Clean Pass program recently ruled that the C-Max Energi qualifies for the HOV stickers as it meets state standards for reduced greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption. HOV stickers have been popular in California for a few years and are starting be offered to vehicle registrants in New York and other states. The perk can use some promotion, since consumers have to spend more on a plug-in car than they would on several other new vehicle options. To qualify for the Clean Pass sticker, the C-MAX Energi had to meet the California Air Resource Board standard as a super ultra-low emission vehicle (SULEV), and can also be certified by the US Environmental Protection Agency to offer fuel economy of at least 45 mpg on the highway. Ford stresses that the C-Max Energi not only meets the CARB standard but also offers EPA-estimated miles per gallon equivalent of 100 combined, with 108 MPGe city and 92 MPGe highway; it also comes with a total range of 620 miles and an electric-only range of up to 21 miles. Perhaps this bit of good news will distract consumers at a time when EPA is investigating whether Ford is fudging the figures on the mileage capacity for its 2013 C-Max and Fusion standard hybrids. The EPA isn't including the plug-in hybrid Energi versions of these models in its investigation, but the trustworthiness and reliability of all Ford's claims could be called to question by car shoppers.Continue reading Ford C-Max Energi gains access to New York HOV lanesFord C-Max Energi gains access to New York HOV lanes originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 11 Dec 2012 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 11 Dec 2012 05:34 PM PST  Exclusive: Is there hope for affordable lead-acid EV batteries? Filed under: EV/Plug-in, GM, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, At Witz EndWhy Not Improve The Cheap Chemistry? When General Motors launched its pioneering two-seat EV1 in 1997, its batteries were "advanced" lead acid (PbA). That means they were big, heavy, had low energy density and a limited life. But it was the best available chemistry at the time. That first EV1's T-shaped pack of 27 PbA modules weighed nearly 1200 pounds and stored the energy equivalent of a half-gallon of gas. The fact that you could coax 50-70 miles of (warm-weather, flat-road) range out of that tiny amount of on-board energy was a testament to the extreme efficiency of that car. Then, by working hard with Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) developer Ovonic Battery Co., GM was able to offer an optional NiMH pack for the '99 EV1. Roughly the same size and weight as the PbA pack, it required the addition of a cooling system and was much more expensive, but it approximately doubled on-board energy. So, 1999 model year NiMH EV1 drivers could leave home with the equivalent of an entire gallon of gas in their "tank" and drive 100-plus miles. But lithium-polymer, the next generation battery technology that was supposed to make BEVs much more affordable and practical, never came close to matching expectations. And it wasn't long before PbA's low energy and NiMH's much higher cost put an end to California's ridiculous EV sales mandate - and all the major automakers' production pure EV programs - for a while.Continue reading Is there hope for affordable lead-acid EV batteries?Is there hope for affordable lead-acid EV batteries? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 11:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 11 Dec 2012 05:34 PM PST  Report: A123 winning bid from China's Wanxiang prompts concern in Congress Filed under: Government/Legal, TechnologyThe Detroit News reports that China's Wanxiang Group Corporation will acquire almost all of bankrupt A123 Systems Inc. for $256 million. The deal includes all of the American battery manufacturer's grid and commercial business assets as well as the company's facilities in Michigan, Massachusetts and Missouri. Meanwhile, Woodridge, Illinois-based Navitas Systems will purchase all of A123 Systems' government contracts for $2.25 million. Previously, Johnson Controls was a leading bidder for the bankrupt EV battery manufacturer, but that company withdrew its bids from the bankruptcy auction after declining to match Wanxiang's highest bid. But the final sale will be subject to approval by the bankruptcy court handling the case in Delaware, and some members of Congress have reportedly raised concerns over the sale. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Michigan, said he was concerned about Wanxiang taking over A123 Systems because of the battery maker's close ties with the US Defense Department. Huizenga has been quoted as saying, "I am concerned about the government of China having access to sensitive technologies being used by our military forces." This isn't the first time we've heard those rumblings. Back in August, several US automotive executives said Wanxiang's purchase of A123 Systems could put industry trade secrets at risk, including cutting-edge lithium-ion battery technology. Likewise, November saw US senators John Thune, R-South Dakota, and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, raise concerns over the Chinese company's interest in the bankrupt battery maker.A123 winning bid from China's Wanxiang prompts concern in Congress originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 11 Dec 2012 05:34 PM PST  Report: EPA to investigate Ford C-Max, Fusion fuel economy Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Government/Legal, Hatchback, Ford The Environmental Protection Agency has said it "will look at the report and data" from Consumer Reports indicating that the 2013 Ford C-Max and Fusion hybrids don't come close to achieving their fuel economy estimates of 47 miles per gallon. In CR testing, the C-Max Hybrid averaged 37 mpg; the Fusion Hybrid averaged 39. CR reports that the 10-mpg difference recorded with the C-Max represents "the largest discrepancy between our overall-mpg results and the estimates published by the EPA that we've seen among any current models." For reference, the Toyota Prius came up six mpg short of EPA estimates under CR's testing. So, what happens if the EPA finds a discrepancy in Ford's mileage claims? According to The Detroit News, automakers may face civil penalties over misstated claims. Just a few weeks back, Hyundai and Kia were found to have overstated mileage estimates for 1.1 million vehicles sold in the US and Canada, prompting the automaker to compensate owners for their now-reduced mileage figures. Lawsuits, reductions in consumer confidence and even inquiries from politicians are also potential problems in the pipeline. It's too early to suggest such drastic measures will be taken by Ford, especially since "a hybrid vehicle is going to be far more variable than a conventional vehicle" when it comes to observed fuel mileage, according to Linc Wehrly, director of light-duty vehicle center compliance division at the EPA's Ann Arbor laboratory. Ford, for its part, issued the following statement to Consumer Reports: "Early C-Max Hybrid and Fusion Hybrid customers praise the vehicles and report a range of fuel economy figures, including some reports above 47 mpg. This reinforces the fact that driving styles, driving conditions and other factors can cause mileage to vary."EPA to investigate Ford C-Max, Fusion fuel economy originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 11 Dec 2012 05:34 PM PST  Official: Toyota claims green progress in 2012 environmental report Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Green Culture, Hybrid, Toyota, North AmericaThe world's biggest maker of hybrid vehicles said its energy consumption per vehicle is down 15 percent during the past decade while greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle fell seven percent since 2008. These are just two of the details Toyota announced in its release of the latest North American Environmental report. The company said it reached or exceeded many of its eco-friendly goals and trumpeted the 2012 debuts of the Prius C compact and Prius Plug-in as well as the RAV4 electric, and added that 10 of its factories had zero landfill waste. The better news for Toyota is that it's apparently fully recovered from the effects of last year's Japanese earthquake and tsunami, which hindered vehicle supply for much of 2011. Year-to-date, Toyota's alt-fuel sales in the US have almost doubled compared to 2011 numbers to almost 300,000 vehicles. Check out Toyota's press release below for more on the new environmental report.Continue reading Toyota claims green progress in 2012 environmental reportToyota claims green progress in 2012 environmental report originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 08 Dec 2012 08:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 11 Dec 2012 05:14 PM PST  Spy Shots: BMW i8 prototype gives us clearest view yet of its form Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, BMW, Luxury The BMW i8 is still dashing through the snow on its way to a 2013 debut, and getting more revealing as it does so. The outline of the kidney grille has opened up a bit, and the outline of a Hoffmeister kink has been placed at the rear of the side windows. The door handles appear to have moved off the doors themselves to a spot behind the door shutline. It's too early to tell definitively, but the new door handle location and the lack of the once-plain gap at the A-pillar lead us to believe that the butterfly openings are gone for good. The plug-in hybrid i8 is expected to pair a 1.5-liter three-cylinder driving the rear wheels with an electric motor driving the front, the combined output predicted at 393 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Assuming its weight really does come in at 3,125 pounds, it will have a 20-mile all-electric range, a top speed of 156 miles per hour, and get from zero to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds. Check it out in the high-res gallery of spy shots above.BMW i8 prototype gives us clearest view yet of its form originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Dec 2012 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 11 Dec 2012 05:14 PM PST  Report: Coda Automotive undergoes "massive layoffs" *UPDATE Filed under: Sedan, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Earnings/Financials, ElectricPlug In Cars is reporting that there have been "massive layoffs" at California electric vehicle startup Coda Automotive. Apparently, more than 50 employees, "including a substantial part of its sales and marketing staff," were let go according to an anonymous source. The source said the situation was a "real mess," and that, "They just cut everybody they possibly could." That things have come to this is perhaps not exactly a surprise. Sales have been slow - not even 100 units of the company's $37,250 all-electric sedan have been sold since it went on sale in March, then there was a safety recall and reviews haven't been kind. Last week, the vehicle scored just two stars in frontal crash tests from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. We have reached out to Coda to confirm Plug In Cars' report, but have yet to hear back.*UPDATE: Coda sent us this statement, from Forrest Beanum, SVP of Government Relations & External Affairs: CODA has released approximately 50 employees or 15% of our workforce across all functions to streamline our operations and right-size the Company. The Company is taking this action to better position our business going forward. We remain committed to the continued development and distribution of our products. The quality and safety of our products is of paramount importance. CODA vehicles meet all applicable U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and achieved an overall 4-star rating in National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) testing. Coda Automotive undergoes "massive layoffs" *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Dec 2012 16:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 11 Dec 2012 05:13 PM PST  Report: A123 loses $116 million US grant remainder due to Wanxiang acquisition Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Manufacturing/Plants, Legislation and Policy, China, USA Bankrupt lithium-ion battery maker A123 Systems may have gained a new owner, but will lose a lot of money in the pending sale to China-based Wanxiang Group, Reuters reports, citing an unidentified US Energy Department official. Specifically, A123, which filed for bankruptcy in October, will forgo about $116 million of the original $249 million grant. Wanxiang Group, which offered $256.6 million for A123, outbid Johnson Controls and didn't expect to receive the remainder of the grant funds, the wire service said. A123 declined to comment. Some members of Congress have expressed concern that an A123 sale to a Chinese company creates the potential for US technology secrets to be passed on to China. Johnson Controls, along with Japan's NEC, bid about $251 million for A123. The Wanxiang Group acquisition would include A123's factories in Massachusetts, Michigan and Missouri. It is subject to approval from the Delaware bankruptcy court.A123 loses $116 million US grant remainder due to Wanxiang acquisition originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 11 Dec 2012 13:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 11 Dec 2012 05:12 PM PST  Report: Jaguar C-X75 production run canceled Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Jaguar "We feel we could make the car work, but looking at the global austerity measures in place now, it seems the wrong time to launch an 800,000-pound to 1 million-pound supercar." Those words are from Jaguar Global Brand Director Adrian Hallmark, and as true as they may be, it still stings a little bit. After all, we've been looking forward to the Jaguar C-X75 ever since word came from Jolly Olde that it was green-lit for a short production run. Some of the cool bits and pieces the world will now be without: a powerful but relatively miserly 1.6-liter turbocharged and supercharged four-cylinder engine, two electric motors driving all four wheels and a carbon fiber chassis developed by Williams F1. Sigh. All is not lost, however. According to Autocar, Jaguar says five working prototypes will be completed, and as many as three of those will be sold at auction, though we don't know if they will be legal for street use. Jaguar will also be able to carry 60 percent of the C-X75's weight-saving and hybrid powertrain technology in future products. And, lest we forget, those wealthy individuals holding out for a ridiculously fast and stupendously expensive hybrid supercar can always plunk down some cash for the Porsche 918...Jaguar C-X75 production run canceled originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Dec 2012 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 11 Dec 2012 05:10 PM PST  Official: Lighter, better battery for small electric vehicles is SmartBatt's goal Filed under: Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in, Hybrid A European consortium known as SmartBatt believes that something critical and essential is missing for pure electric vehicle technology - battery packs that aren't heavy and bulky. Therefore, SmarBatt's objective is to develop an innovative, multifunctional, light and safe energy storage system smartly integrated into electric cars. SmartBatt is made up of nine partners from five countries - corporations in manufacturing and technology along with research organizations, including Volkswagen, the Ricardo engineering and consulting company, the SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden, the Austrian Institute of Technology and the Vehicle Safety Institute. Reducing CO2 emissions and slowing down climate change by supporting EVs and "green" electricity are commitments that have been made by the participating countries. The team says that it's dedicated to bringing experience and skill sets to cover all aspects of developing advanced battery technologies - vehicle competence, electrics, electronics, batteries, lightweight design, engineering, materials, safety, testing and validation. Whew. Results will be distributed through a project website, papers and training sessions, as well as face-to-face workshops and meetings with OEMs. The group is working on battery pack design and optimization processes that could deliver a 20-kilowatt hour, 200- to 400-volt pack with a 15-percent reduction in weight compared to current systems and that can deliver a continuous power rating of 36 kw. The consortium says that its concept exceeds the capacity target by more than 10 percent, providing a total of 22.92 kwh of energy storage. A prototype of the battery pack designed for the SmartBatt project was displayed at the European Electric Vehicle Congress that ended November 22. Like all of the other advanced battery technology projects, it will take a few years for these outcomes to enter the mainstream. But the test results are impressive and having a major engineering company like Ricardo engaged in the process could move it forward faster.Continue reading Lighter, better battery for small electric vehicles is SmartBatt's goalLighter, better battery for small electric vehicles is SmartBatt's goal originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 11 Dec 2012 08:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 11 Dec 2012 05:09 PM PST  Official: Tesla Model S 60-kWh gets 95 MPGe, 208 mile range according to EPA Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Tesla Motors Spend a princely sum on a top-of-the-line Tesla Model S, which has an 85-kWh battery pack, and you can get an EPA-certified 265 miles on a full charge. If you opt for the lower-cost (and delayed) 60-kWh version, the EPA has now calculated you'll get 208 miles. This works out to 95 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) combined, 94 in the city and 97 on the highway with the 60-kWh pack. The EPA has multiple ways of expressing this number, including: 35 kWhs to go 100 miles. Or an Annual "Fuel" Cost ("Based on 45% highway, 55% city driving, 15,000 annual miles and current fuel prices") of $650. Or that it costs $1.05 to drive 25 miles. To compare, the 85-kWh version gets 89 MPGe (combined), 88 (city) and 90 (highway), which means the 60-kWh Model S is about six to seven percent more efficient, points out tipster Mike I. He writes that the lower mass of the smaller battery pack probably accounts for the difference, and we suspect he's right, because what else could it be? As always, your mileage may vary. Speaking of YMMV, here's what you can do with a fully charged, 85-kWh Model S and a light foot: 423.5 miles. That's how far a father-sun duo in Florida managed to go in a Model S recently, according to Green Car Reports and congratulated by Elon Musk. Back in May, Tesla started talking about giving a prize to whoever could drive a Model S over 400 miles on a single charge. Challenge accepted and accomplished, Tesla. Now, what's the prize?Tesla Model S 60-kWh gets 95 MPGe, 208 mile range according to EPA originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 11 Dec 2012 05:08 PM PST  Official: Green Car Journal wants to Kickstart 20th anniversary edition [w/video] Filed under: Etc., Green CultureThe unsurprising fact is, print is more expensive than publishing news online. But when Green Car Journal got started in 1992, Ron Cogan couldn't have envisioned publishing a blog about green cars - the Internet as we know it didn't exist back then. After starting at a time when it took good money to get up and running, Cogan and his team have been putting out a printed magazine for 20 years, and they hope to celebrate with a special 20th anniversary issue early next year. And they'll be doing it in the most newfangled way possible: crowdfunding. Cogan and his Green Car Institute are running a Kickstarter project (video below) to try and raise funds for the 20th anniversary issue that Cogan says will be something special and "much more than quick soundibites." He says the magazine will feature a combination of long-form journalism, opinion articles, technical presentations and "perspectives from the nation's top environmental groups and efficiency organizations." To put this all together - as we said - costs good money, and it's apparently going to be difficult. After 10 days of an active KS campaign, GCJ has just three pledges totaling $67. The target? $45,000.Continue reading Green Car Journal wants to Kickstart 20th anniversary edition [w/video]Green Car Journal wants to Kickstart 20th anniversary edition [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 18:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 11 Dec 2012 05:07 PM PST  Video: Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo gets its driving debut Filed under: Concept Cars, Performance, Wagon, Technology, Videos, Hatchback, Porsche, Design/Style, Luxury We've been fans of the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo Concept ever since we first laid eyes on it at the Paris Motor Show back in September. And just when we finally managed to get that sensational rump out of our minds, Porsche has gone and released a video of the sexy beast in action. The video also features the German automaker's general manager of advanced design style, Mitja Borkert, as well as Porsche Design Studio chief Michael Mauer. The two speak on the themes of the Sport Turismo, namely "form follows function." They also state the obvious; that the Panamera Sport Turismo is instantly recognizable as a Porsche yet simultaneously different from any other Stuttgart stormer before it. Also discussed is the 335-horsepower, supercharged V6 powerplant, working in unison with a 95-horsepower electric motor in a parallel hybrid setup. Porsche states that the Sport Turismo has a 30-km (18.6 mile) pure-electric range. We are also treated to various shots of the futuristic instrument cluster and center control console. The former consists of a large TFT screen with video side view monitors, while the latter is a combination of touch-capacitive and touchscreen controls. While visually stunning, the important mission statement of this vehicle is perhaps best summed up by Mauer, "This Sport Turismo Concept is as well, showing that there is no contradiction between sportiness and functionality." Though wowed by the driving footage in the video below, Mauer's statement evokes a combination that we can get behind - especially when the resulting concept car solves the production Panamera hatchback's unfortunate rear end so beautifully.Continue reading Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo gets its driving debutPorsche Panamera Sport Turismo gets its driving debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 11 Dec 2012 05:07 PM PST  Official: Car2go comes to Seattle; now operating in eight North American cities Filed under: Transportation Alternatives, SMART, Daimler Car2go North America is continuing to roll out across the US, this time in Seattle, with a network of 330 Smart Fortwo cars available for shared use 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Registration for membership is open now here.Car2go, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Daimler, bases its carsharing concept on technologies that allow an entire community to use and share cars collaboratively. Members can just swipe a card on any available vehicle - even without having previously made a reservation - then drive the car as long as they choose to, and drop it off somewhere in the local "Home Area," making it instantly ready for the next member to use. Seattle will make the 18th global city to see introduction of Car2go's services. The cost? 38 cents a minute. For a limited time, all new members who use the promotion code SOUND will receive 30 free minutes of driving time and, for now, the one-time $35 membership fee is being waived. The Seattle venture is a little bit different than the San Diego Car2go project, which just celebrated a year in operation. San Diego offers an all-electric carsharing fleet, which is getting a lot of interest in the market. The Seattle operation is offering traditional (if that word applies at all) non-electric Smart Fortwo mini-cars.Continue reading Car2go comes to Seattle; now operating in eight North American citiesCar2go comes to Seattle; now operating in eight North American cities originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 13:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 11 Dec 2012 05:05 PM PST  Official: Rinspeed to unveil Micromax space pod EV concept in Geneva Filed under: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show, Specialty, Design/Style, Electric, MISC Switzerland's Rinspeed does its thing every year at the Geneva Motor Show, annually revealing another left-field solution for urban motoring. In 2010, it was the Fiat-500-esque UC?, 2011 saw the debut of the otherworldly BamBoo, and 2012 brought with it the Smart ForTwo-centric Dock+Go. In 2013, it will be the Micromax, which looks like it could be one of the individual cars in an amusement park people-hauler. Billed as a revolution in short-distance transport and similar to the Ligier VIPA show at the 2011 Challenge Bibendum, the purpose of the all-electric Micromax appears to be a cross between Daimler's Car2Go program and an airport shuttle - an app-based way to gather a few more people who are going the same way. The same length as a Mini but more than seven feet tall, the Micromax has three upright seats for adults and one for a baby, plus room for a stroller or a cart. Enjoying yourself on the way to your stop won't be an issue with "unlimited connectivity," a coffeemaker and a refrigerator included in the vehicle plans. We don't ever expect to see one on the roads, but we will look forward to seeing it in Switzerland next year. You can check out a couple of angles for yourself in the gallery, and get more info in the bubbly press release below.Continue reading Rinspeed to unveil Micromax space pod EV concept in GenevaRinspeed to unveil Micromax space pod EV concept in Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 11 Dec 2012 05:03 PM PST  Report: How Washington state is giving up leadership position in EV race Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Legislation and Policy, USA What's up with the state of Washington's commitment to electric vehicles? It's a place where you can find fast charging stations and coffeehouses galore, but the state has backed away from offering incentives and requirements for zero emission vehicles according to Green Car Reports. Oregon, and a few other states, has adopted California's zero-emission vehicle regulations. Implementing ZEV requirements has brought new plug-in electric vehicles to these states first, so that automakers may meet demand for what's been called "compliance cars." The District of Columbia and the states of Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont and New Mexico are set to adopt their own ZEV mandates. Washington has taken on the California Air Resources Board's emissions rules, but left out the ZEV requirements. This means that consumers living in Washington have less EV choices at their local dealerships, since automakers are rolling out their new ZEV offerings fist to states with compliance mandates. Automakers assert that they're not controlled by ZEV mandates, but they do tend to launch new EVs in compliance states. Residents of California and Oregon get to check out the new products long before neighbors to the north in Washington, such as the Honda Fit EV, Fiat 500E and Toyota RAV4 EV. Chevrolet asserts that its upcoming Spark EV isn't being built as a compliance car, but it is initially only being delivered to a few select states, so you do the math. Fiat admits it is going to lose money on every 500E sold, so the project is more of an investment in meeting compliance rules than bringing EVs to many consumers.How Washington state is giving up leadership position in EV race originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 09 Dec 2012 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 11 Dec 2012 05:02 PM PST  Official: Protean's In-wheel motors named Car And Driver's "Most Promising Technology" Filed under: Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in, Green Culture Protean Electric has received noteworthy praise for its unique in-wheel electric drive propulsion system. Car and Driver named it one of the 10 Most Promising Technologies for 2013. This ranking accompanies the publication's 10 Best Cars Celebration, which has existed for more than three decades in the world's largest auto enthusiast magazine.Car and Driver's technical director, Don Sherman, sees a lot of potential in Protean's in-wheel and wheel-hub motors for upcoming electric and hybrid vehicles. "Integrating the propulsion system with the wheel hubs will enable designers and engineers to achieve major gains in packaging efficiency, fuel economy and, potentially, performance," he said in the statement you can find below. Protean says that its in-wheel electric drive offers several unique features, including fuel economy improvements up to 30 percent depending on battery size; the highest torque density of any of today's leading electric propulsion systems; and superior regenerative braking capabilities, allowing up to 85 percent of the available kinetic energy to be recovered during braking. Aside from Michelin's ActiveWheels, there isn't much else like Protean's technology out there. Also, Protean is now referring to the technology as in-wheel electric drive instead of how it used to be identified, in-wheel motors. Electric vehicles are typically powered by a motor fueled with electricity stored in an onboard battery. Protean's technology is considered an electric drive, as well, but it's generating power within each of the wheels. You can read more about in-wheel motors here. The amount of power produced for each vehicle varies by how many wheels receive Protean in-wheel units. Some vehicles, such as hybrids, may just have two of the wheels installed with Protean motors, while some could have four. Protean's in-wheel electric drive system has the capacity to deliver up to 80 kW (110 horsepower), but the electronics are inside the wheel. It is taking a while to catch on. Protean Electric has demonstration models out there now, including a Ford F-150 pickup, Volvo C30, Vaxhaull Vivaro cargo van, Guangzhou Automobile Company Trumpchi, and Brabus full electric and hybrid vehicles, based on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. As for finished versions available at dealerships, that's yet to be announced. The company did find investors earlier this year - $84 million worth. At that time, Protean set up a cost-effective production facility in Liyang, China that can handle a modest amount of volume. As for now, winning recognition from Car and Driver is a positive development.Continue reading Protean's In-wheel motors named Car And Driver's "Most Promising Technology"Protean's In-wheel motors named Car And Driver's "Most Promising Technology" originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 09 Dec 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 11 Dec 2012 05:02 PM PST  Official: All-electric Coda Sedan gets crashed, earns just two stars in frontal test [w/videos] Filed under: Sedan, Safety, Videos, Electric, MISC The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration tested the 2012 Coda electric sedan, and here is the good news about the results: the Coda scored five stars for the side crash and rollover tests, and four stars overall. What kept it from a five-star overall score is the bad news: a two-star result for its frontal impact test. NHTSA issued a recall for the 2012 Coda over its side and window airbags, so there are two Codas listed in the test results - a pre-recall sedan that got no rating for the side impact test and no overall rating, and the post-recall sedan that was rated in every category. To be even more precise on that frontal impact rating, the male crash dummy driver was left with a two-star score, the female crash dummy passenger got four stars. Judging from the videos, the frontal impact doesn't look like a two-star catastrophe, but NHTSA knows better than us and all of the deceleration and injury details are in these reports if you want to know everything. If you just want to watch, however, videos of the crash tests can be found just below. Continue reading All-electric Coda Sedan gets crashed, earns just two stars in frontal test [w/videos]All-electric Coda Sedan gets crashed, earns just two stars in frontal test [w/videos] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 08 Dec 2012 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 11 Dec 2012 05:01 PM PST  Video: Does this Exxon Hates Your Children ad cross the line? [w/poll] Filed under: Etc., USA, Videos Our moms always told us that you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. Sometimes, however, if you take that vinegar and mix it with a bit of olive oil and then drizzle it over some thickly-sliced ripe tomatoes adorned with rings of sweet Vidalia onions, and then sprinkle all that with a few pinches of crushed pepper and sea salt, well, you've got yourself a pretty tasty salad. We raise this culinary quandary to ask this: Is it ever okay to say horribly nasty things about people - or, in this case, a company, which is made of people - to make a good point?Oil Change International has just released a satirical ad called "Exxon Hates your Children" and is seeking donations to have it broadcast on television. The video make the argument that oil conglomerate Exxon couldn't care less about the welfare of (your) children because it is dedicated to making short-term profits in the face of the long-term climate catastrophe that its products have been linked to. The graphics that accompany the ad bolsters the child-hating claim with graphics that connote the association of asthma with air pollution. Is it all too much or is there just enough seasoning in there to make the message palatable? Can this kind of gut-punch negative ad produce positive results? Of course, it's not likely that the people who run oil companies really hate your children but, at the same time, the health of the planet - and everyone who lives there - is a serious issue. So, what to do? Should individuals support this kind of activism, or are there better, more constructive, alternatives?Scroll down to watch the ad for yourself and answer the poll that follows. If you have your own ideas about a more productive approach to the problem, feel free to drop some knowledge in Comments.Continue reading Does this Exxon Hates Your Children ad cross the line? [w/poll]Does this Exxon Hates Your Children ad cross the line? [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 07 Dec 2012 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
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