New car models

Scion iQ: Toyota First All Electric Vehicle

noreply@blogger.com (chatz) — Tue, 5 Jul 2011 08:09:00 -0700

In 2012, you will be able to witness the Toyota Scion iQ EV microcar that was shown in Geneva earlier this year. Scion iQ EV is prepared to be the first all-electric vehicle from Toyota that will hit U.S market. On U.S test cycle, Think City claiming 99 miles (159km), LEAF claiming a range of 73 miles (117 km), i-MIEV claiming 85 miles (137 km), while Scion iQ is estimated at 50 miles (80km).

Toyota also prepares the launch for the Prius plug-in electric hybrid and RAV4 EV in 2012. Positioned to be a city car, Toyota Scion iQ EV is meant to be lighter, safer and electric efficient vehicle.
Toyota is now researching for bio-fuels and next-generation materials for the new Prius v and Camry by 2015. The new Entune multimedia system for both new Prius and Camry is designed to be compatible with most smartphones in the market.

No info about pricing and availability yet.

Range Rover Ultimate Edition SUV

noreply@blogger.com (chatz) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 04:09:00 -0800

Latest Luxurious series of SUV released by Range Rover is Autobiography. Designed with aluminium tray tables and a drinks cooler at the back side, passengers will enjoy either the 4.4-liter V8 turbodiesel or 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine.

Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition also comes with four individual buckets in its first-class cabin. On the rear passengers seats, you will find iPads dock that attached on the rear side of the front seats.

No info on pricing yet, guess it would be unveiled during Geneva Motor Show.

via :autoblog.com

ESFLOW: Nissan Electric Sports Car, First Public Appearance In Geneva Motor Show

noreply@blogger.com (chatz) — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 23:42:00 -0800

Nissan is going to show its latest production-ready electric sports car – ESFLOW to the public in Geneva Motor Show that will be held from 3rd ~ 31st March this year.

Nissan will use Geneva Motor Show event to make a debut about electric sports car that are designed based on technology pioneered in the production of Nissan LEAF EV. Nissan ESFLOW is a two-seater sports car with two electric motors on each of the rear wheel. Nissan claims ESFLOW sports car is capable to hit 100km/h in under five seconds and run 240kms between powerpoints.

ESFLOW’s is designed for the optimum positions of power train and batteries for optimum performance and car handling, adapting to zero emission vehicle without any internal combustion engine.

Incorporating aluminium chassis and composite body, Nissan ESFLOW’s pose a light weight body, offering a high waistline afforded by the ESFLOW’s classic sports car proportions allowing strong, yet unobtrusive roll bars inside the structure behind the seats.

For the lithium-ion battery packs, ESFLOW has placed it along the axis of the front and rear wheels. Giving centralized weight of the car, and thus its rotation point, close to the driver’s hips. The left and right wheels are controlled by independe motors for optimized torque to ensure optimum vehicle stability and control as well as optimum energy efficiency.

Another point is the headlights, which have been replaced with minute rear view cameras at the base of its A-pillars on ESFLOW.
ESFLOW’s front lights do protect a secret of their own however: flip out charging points built in to the air ducts beneath.

[ Source: Gizmag ; Nissan USA ]

Japanese ‘Tesla’ Prototype For Asia Tommykaira ZZ-EV Sport

noreply@blogger.com (chatz) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 09:15:00 -0800

In western countries, Tesla is something associated with green, zero emission driving. Last month, Japan’s Greenlord Motors have introduced their own version of ‘Tesla’ prototype for Asian market, dubbed Tommykaira ZZ-EV Sport.

he Tommykaira ZZ-EV Sport prototype features a lightweight fiber-reinforced polymer body weighing 1,400 pounds, two-seater, DC150V electric engine with Lithium Polymer batteries and is going for sale by this coming June.

No info on pricing and global availability yet.

en.akihabaranews.com

Nissan Leaf EVs: Target For 25,000 Units Production By 2012

noreply@blogger.com (chatz) — Tue, 8 Feb 2011 09:31:00 -0800

How prospective would electric vehicles market in near future? Based on recent progress of Nissan Leaf EV production planning, Nissan’s Tokyo plant will likely to expand its production to reach 3,000 cars output per month starting March this year, meanwhile Nissan’s Tennessee plant will commence production by 2012 and the Sunderland plant in England is scheduled to kick start in 2013.

Will Nissan reach its pledge for 25,000 Leaf EVs on the roads by 2012? Hopefully other EV manufacturers are catching up their schedules too!

Greener roads for Greener planet?!

[ Source: CNET Green Tech ; Nissan USA ]

BMW's visions for future mobility look as ridiculous as they are impractical

noreply@blogger.com (chatz) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 09:28:00 -0800

Turns out we were way off on this whole car of tomorrow business. According to BMW the car of tomorrow is a form-fitting suit with unflattering horizontal lines and ball-bearing shoes. Or, maybe it's a kind of bat winged jacket that attaches to a collapsible scooter... thing. That one's called Flymag, pictured above, which converts into a backpack and apparently makes you FOF when you sit on it. These concepts and more are courtesy of FDI, the International Design School in Barcelona, and are on display through the end of this month at Rambla de Catalunya. Go see them now before they're relegated to the annals of yesterday's crazy visions for tomorrow.

via : DVICE.com

BMW working on electric 5-series sedan for China, we still can't get a diesel

noreply@blogger.com (chatz) — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 09:06:00 -0800

Surely it'll come elsewhere eventually, but for now an electric version of BMW's generously proportioned 5-series sedan looks destined exclusively for China. As part of the company's partnership with Brilliance China Automotive, BMW Brilliance Automotive is planning to create a pure EV 5-series and to show it off this year -- at some point. No further details are known about the car, though we're quite sure why this is happening. EVs are becoming more and more popular there as China struggles to shrug off a massive foreign oil dependency and BMW saw a similarly massive 87 percent jump in growth of its sales in China in 2010. So, there's your motive, but we'll still have to wait a bit for the rest of the details.

via :green.autoblog.com

Audi Auto Union Type C e-tron study puts your pow-pow-Power Wheels to shame

noreply@blogger.com (chatz) — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 08:40:00 -0800

Top speed of 18mph, and a range of 15 miles? Charges in only two hours? No, this isn't the future of transportation we're talking about here, it's a toy. A toy from Audi, of all places. The company has created this electric-powered and half-scale recreation of an Auto Union Type C, grand prix racer of the late 1930s, and done it in e-tron guise, applying the moniker from its grown-up line of EVs, like the luscious e-tron Spyder. This one's intended for kids of all ages

so long as they're shorter than 5'11'' -- and it will be on display at the International Toy Fair in Nuremberg. At this point there's no mention of a plan to produce it nor a price if Audi did, but surely it's one of those "if you have to ask" things -- that body is entirely made of carbon fiber, and that stuff doesn't come cheap.

ElectricCarsReport.com

Audi Auto Union Type C e-tron study puts your pow-pow-Power Wheels to shame

Mitsubishi i-MiEV Taking Over Europe?

noreply@blogger.com (chatz) — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 07:25:00 -0800

Today, Mitsubishi announced that it plans to bring the Euro-spec i-MiEV to 15 European countries. As you know, production started last fall, and Mitsubishi is trying to make it out faster than the Volt or Leaf; and with the Leaf’s recent productions problems and Volt’s low December sales, it may not be too hard.

In addition to the initial 15 countries, there have been requests from the other Europeans, such as Finland, Serbia, Turkey, and Slovenia.

When the US gets hold of the little Jellybean, expect it to be priced around $30,000, and that would be before the tax credit.

The i-MiEV is going to be great for people in small – large cities, where parking is tight and often limited. The i-MiEV will fall under the EV priority category that many cities are implementing into parking spots that include charging stations. Quick charging on the little Mitsubishi will take only 30 min from 0-80% with a specific quick charging station. Max speed is 80 mph and max range is 80 miles.

Toyota looks set to launch two new Prius models in Detroit, one's a mystery

noreply@blogger.com (chatz) — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 01:21:00 -0800

It's a sure-fire bet that Toyota will unveil its upright Prius MPV at the North American International Auto Show in a couple of weeks, a rather more roomy and practical version of the hybrid that really started it all. And, of course, the plug-in model we tested in October will be surely rocking the floor. Now we're hearing that another as of yet unreleased Prius will be on display, simply referred to as a "Prius concept vehicle." Concept cars of course range from the mundane to the insane, and knowing Toyota we're guessing this one will fall squarely into the former category. Just the same we're hoping for a tire-shredding, slalom-eating, RWD hybrid Prius Supra model. We'll be there in Detroit when the unveil happens and we'll be sure to bring some tissues to wipe away our tears of disappointment.

via :Green.Autoblog.com

Reva's text-to-recharge electric car rolls to a standstill the US

noreply@blogger.com (chatz) — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 01:11:00 -0800

Remember the electric car with the ingenious hook of a reserve battery that can only be accessed in the case of an emergency by texting or calling the car's manufacturer? Well, it appears that the project is having a bit of trouble getting off the ground in the US, though it shockingly doesn't have anything to do with that flagship feature. As the story goes, upstart Bannon Automotive signed a deal with the car's manufacturer, India-based Reva Electric Car Company, that gave it the exclusive license to manufacture and sell the car in the US, but Bannon is now alleging that Reva broke its agreements and says it's been left with no choice but to take legal action. Ill-conceived feature aside, the stakes in the lawsuit are fairly high, as Bannon Automotive was actually formed with the sole intention of bringing the Reva electric car to the US, and it had hoped to bring as many as 250 jobs to Onondaga County, New York.

via ; Syracuse.com

Nissan’s Electric Vehicles: New Models At Tokyo Auto Salon 2011 – January 14th~16th Next Year

noreply@blogger.com (chatz) — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 01:53:00 -0800

Searching for great green automotive for the next two years? Folks at Nissan have been thinking about the shape for future EVs, and has released several new models that might catch your attention. More info on the latest EV models during the Tokyo Auto Salon 2011, which will be held from January 14-16, 2011 at Makuhari Messe, Japan.

The first one is Nissan LEAF Aero Style Concept that designed with aero body kit using a new bumper and flat black and white wheels for sportier outlook.

Second model is the mini-crossover Nissan JUKE Sporty Package Concept, which will be equipped with exterior accessories designed for European and North American markets including chrome parts and 17-inch allow wheels.

Third model is Nissan Elgrand Rider Premium Concept, designed by Autech, a subsidiary of Pro tuner, offering outlook approaching Toyota’s Alphard.

No info on pricing and availability yet.

via ; Autoblog.com

Fisker’s hybrid car Karma increases price to $95,900

noreply@blogger.com (chatz) — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 01:37:00 -0800

Everyone does their little bit for the environment. Fisker Automotive too are doing their two-bits with their electric-drive car; the now $95,900 (baseline price) eco-friendly automobile, Karma. Originally announced in 2007, while the company’s first plug-in hybrid has still not reached production, its price has seen a considerable jump from the initial announced price of $80,000. Speaking of the car, its aesthetics and eco-friendly features does promise to put Karma in a league of its own. The Fisker Karma will be a four-door plug-in hybrid capable of doing 50 miles of all-electric driving and then further hundreds of miles with the help of a gas engine.

Mass production is expected to begin in February 2011. Clichéd, but any more delays and we’re going to have to question its Karma after all!

[Engadget.com]

Tucson ix: Hyundai Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle – Join The Party!

noreply@blogger.com (chatz) — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 08:37:00 -0800

Hyundai’s third generation of fuel cell electric vehicle is Tucson ix. You might have been asking what is the difference between fuel cell EV and conventional EV? Conventional EV requires longer time span to fully recharge the EVs, while fuel cell EVs, take shorter time to accomplish the charging process.

Hyundai’s third generation Tucson ix Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) will allow the EV’s the SUV users to travel up to 650km or about 404miles after a single charge using the 100-kW fuel cell system and two hydrogen storage tanks (700 bar or 10152.64 psi). Hyundai claims the third generation is 76 percent more energy efficient compare to the second-generation Tucson FCEV, which only manage to reach 230 miles or about 370 km after a single charge.

Moreover, the third generation of Hyundai’s Tucson ix Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) could lso start at below minus condition, as low as minus 13°F (-25°C).

The third generation of Tucson ix FCEV has similar maximum speed to the second generation, reaching 100 mph (160 km/h), but boasting up to 15 percent of increment in fuel efficiency (72.9MPG or about 31km/liter). That was achieved through the modularization of bulky components in the fuel cell system, including the balance of plant (BOP), fuel cell stack, inverter and voltage junction box.

Hyundai is planning for mass production of the Tucson ix Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) by 2015, you should expect to see more news about Hyundai Tucson ix Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle testing starting next year.

via; worldwide.hyundai.com

Porsche will reveal new mid-engine sports car in LA

noreply@blogger.com (chatz) — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 08:44:00 -0800

Porsche has officially announced its plans to reveal a "mid-engined sports car" next week at the Los Angeles Auto Show, in addition to showing off its latest crop of 911 models – the GTS and Speedster. It might sound vague, but we're placing bets that the German automaker's big reveal is the much-rumored Cayman Clubsport, a sort of "hardtop Boxster Spyder."

According to earlier reports, the Cayman CS will be motivated by the automaker's 3.4-liter flat-six, with power expected to be around 333 horsepower. Much like its Boxster kin, the Clubsport's main objective will be lightness, with sources saying that anywhere from 162 to 184 pounds will be shed from the stock Cayman S body. This means things like fabric door pulls, aluminum body components and lightweight alloy wheels will be on hand, keeping the Clubsport focused on being a nimble, spirited track day queen.

We'll have the official word live from Los Angeles next week, so stay tuned. To read all of the elusive details, follow the jump for Porsche's press release.

[Source: Porsche]

Videos: First look at Audi Q5 Hybrid ahead of LA debut

noreply@blogger.com (chatz) — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 08:35:00 -0800

Audi has big plans for this year's LA Auto Show. The company plans to unveil an all-new hybrid version of its Q5, and a couple of videos of the machine have already made their way onto the internet. From what we can tell, power comes courtesy of a 208 horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine coupled to a 44 horsepower electric motor. All told, the set up is good for 354 pound-feet of torque.

Those are stout numbers by any measure, but the really impressive bit comes from the fact that the vehicle can whisk along on full-electric power for up to 1.9 miles, all while cracking off a 0-60 mph run in a little over seven seconds. Keep your peepers peeled for more information as we move closer to the LA show

[Source: World Car Fans]

Three colors available for U.S.-spec Fiat 500

noreply@blogger.com (chatz) — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 08:20:00 -0800

Next week's Los Angeles Auto Show marks the official debut of the America-bound Fiat 500, and we'd be liars if we said we weren't immensely excited for the pint-sized hatch's arrival here on our shores.

Fiat has now posted on its Facebook page the three colors available for the first batch of 500s, called Prima Edizione, slated for consumption here in the United States. Rosso (red), Bianco (white) and Grigio (grey) will all be on hand for the first round of Fiat customers, and we're eager to see the rest of the color choices that will come our way shortly thereafter.

All three colors are indeed flattering on the too-cute 500, though we're rather partial to the deep hue of Rosso or the understated Grigio. Of course, there's nothing wrong with the Bianco that we've come to love from afar all these years. See all three for yourself in the gallery, below.

[Source: Fiat USA Facebook]

First photos of U.S.-spec Mitsubishi i-MiEV revealed ahead of LA debut

noreply@blogger.com (chatz) — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 08:20:00 -0800

We first saw sketches of what Mitsubishi's i-MiEV might look like when it arrives in the United States, and now we have the first official images a week before the car's public debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Sure, the production-ready i-MiEV you see here loses many of the aggressive-looking elements of the preview sketch, but Mitsubishi has indeed followed through on its promise to offer more robust dimensions and an upgraded interior.

The U.S.-spec i-MiEV is 11.2 inches longer, 4.3 inches wider and 0.2 inches taller than the JDM version. We're glad that Mitsubishi has added a lot of length and width while only minimally increasing height, since that should beef up the rather narrow i-MiEV's stance here on American roads. Inside, the interior looks substantially more comfortable, with a two-tone color scheme and a redesigned center stack, encompassing updated audio and HVAC controls.

Mitsubishi is still targeting an on-sale date near the end of 2011 for the all-electric i-MiEV, with prices coming in below $30,000 (before government rebates). Hit the jump for Mitsubishi's official press blast.

U.S.-spec 2012 Mazda5 coming to LA Auto Show

noreply@blogger.com (chatz) — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 08:17:00 -0800

We first saw the next-generation Mazda5 when it debuted in Geneva earlier this year, but now Mazda has confirmed that the version destined for the United States will be revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this month. Badged as a 2012 model, the U.S.-spec Mazda5 won't differ all that much from its European kin in terms of appearance. A good thing, since the mini-minivan benefits from a healthy does of Mazda's swoopy Nagare design language.

Unsurprisingly, the 2012 Mazda5 will be powered by the same 157-horsepower, 2.5-liter inline-four that we enjoy in the Mazda3 and Mazda6. Happily, Mazda will still be offering the 5 with a manual transmission in addition to the standard automatic, making it more attractive to those of us who prefer the engagement that row-it-yourself gearboxes have to offer. Multi-configurable seating for six is available inside with the usual list of standard and optional features.

In addition to the new 5, Mazda will be bringing its Shinari concept that we had the chance to check out a few months back. It previews the next generation of Mazda styling language and we're eager to get up close and personal with it once again at the LA show. Follow the jump for Mazda's official press release.

BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics approved for production

noreply@blogger.com (chatz) — Thu, 4 Nov 2010 00:18:00 -0700

According to the folks who follow all things BMW, the automaker's Vision Efficient Dynamics (VED) concept has been given the greenlight and a few details on the green machine have come along for the ride.

The VED's will reportedly carry either the i1 or i100 name, and that moniker will be placed on a chassis made of carbon fiber and powered first by either by a gas hybrid or fully electric motor. About a month ago it was rumored the coupe would first be available with the drivetrain from the ActiveHybrid 5 Concept, which itself was derived from the ActiveHybrid 7 Series. That option would be good for 300 horsepower thanks to a TwinPower turbo paired with a 40 kW electric motor and running through an eight-speed transmission.

The ultimate hybrid variant, however, would be a 1.5-liter, three-cylinder motor with 181 horsepower, paired to two electric motors each putting out 93 ponies. Output would be channled through a double-clutch transmission, and while the hybrid is supposed to be all-wheel drive, a rear-wheel drive model is supposedly planned as well – perhaps the sole electric version.

All that juice in a carbon fiber body shouldn't disappoint, and predicted numbers are a 0-to-62 mph run of four seconds, 58 miles per gallon, yet a lower-than-expected 250-mile range. The price for all that green when it appears in 2013: from €125,000 to €175,000 ($174,145 to $243,817 U.S. at today's rates). Which is why we suppose it makes (rumored) sense that BMW would only plan on building "30,000 units within five years."

Nissan dishes out specs* for the 2011 Leaf

noreply@blogger.com (chatz) — Tue, 2 Nov 2010 23:30:00 -0700

Speculation surrounding the on-road abilities, battery size, curb weight and other trivial aspects of the 2011 Nissan Leaf should dwindle down soon now that Nissan of Europe has officially released a complete spec sheet for its battery-powered vehicle. Rather than linger on discussing info contained within the automaker's absurdly long press release, we'll move straight to the numbers.

* Battery capacity: Yep, it's still listed at 24 kWh.
* Curb weight: A rather svelte 3,366 pounds dispels rumors suggesting that Leaf would tip the scales at 3,500 to 3,900 pounds.
* Max. engine power: 107 horsepower available from 2,730 to 9,800 rpm (max. rpm listed at 10,390)
* Max. torque: 206.5 pound-feet available from 0-2,730 rpm
* Acceleration run from 0-62 miles per hour: 11.9* seconds
* Top speed: 89* miles per hour

Obviously, those asterisks found on the last two specs require a bit of explaining. Nissan's official wording reads like this:

*- Data is subject to certification by the relevant authorities and may therefore be subject to change.

But, as we've reported before, Nissan's official numbers for both the 0-60 mph run and the Leaf's top speed have been bested on many a test drive. There's a slew of additional specs, including stuff like the Leaf's turning circle, its coefficient of drag and much more to be found in Nissan's full spec sheet posted at the bottom of the automaker's lengthy release, which you'll find after the jump.

Source: Nissan

The Soon Turn Three Wheels – Battery Powered Motorcycle With Gyroscopes

noreply@blogger.com (chatz) — Tue, 2 Nov 2010 22:44:00 -0700

Uno electric motorcycle is designed by Ben Gulak, a Canadian studying Mechanical Engineering at Harvard University. The Uno motorcycle have two parallel wheels with a side by side configuration that resembles the outlook of a unicycle.

The difference to a unicycle are an angle iron, batteries, gyroscopes, and wheelchair motors. Gulak has also added appealing color to make the Uno motorcycle looks more attractive than a segway plus a motorized wheel-chair. Weighing approximately 120lbs, the wheelchair motors will let users to ride the Uno motorcycle up to 2.5 hours long.

The surprising part there is no actual controls apart from its handle bars and Uno motorcycle depends largely on the rider’s ability keep his or her weight at the balance point.

Newer version of Uno motorcycle that Ben Gulak is now working on, however, has three wheels. When it reaches 15mph (24km/h), the middle wheel moves to the front, while the outer two move to the back and squeeze together.

First unveiled at the Toronto Spring Motorcycle Show in 2008, Uno Motorcycle also awarded a Top 10 Prize on Popular Science’s list of Invention Awards also in 2008.

Volvo’s Hydrogen Fuel Cell: Join The Waves?

noreply@blogger.com (chatz) — Mon, 1 Nov 2010 19:30:00 -0700

A pleasant moment to read the news about what Volvo has been pushing in the past couple of months! The new Hydrogen Fuel Cell is somehow a silent agreement with the rest of the market that, the era of fossil fuel has come to an end, and green vehicle system is the ultimate answer for future means of transportation for our planet.

However, unlike those battery powered EVs, Volvo and a Sweden base company – Powercell, is now developing a new range of hybrid cars that combine the new hydrogen fuel cell technology would enjoy significant boost up of additional mileage by up to 155 miles or approximately another extra 250km!

And surprisingly the system seems to have similarities with Honda FCX Clarity‘s hybrid hydrogen EV system.

The new hydrogen fuel cells technology appears to be a liquid fuel petrol that will be used to create hydrogren gas to further being convert into energy to power the car. The hydrogen fuel cell will at the end generate green electricity without emitting any carbon oxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx) and other harmful particles to human being. The core materials are small amount of carbon dioxide, electricity and water.

Volvo and Powercell, in their second phase of the project, is aiming to produce two test cars based on the current C30 DRIVe Electric that will be ready for testing in everyday traffic by 2012.