Domenick Yoney
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2011 Hyundai Sonata debuts with style, four-cylinder only and less weight
2011 Ford Fiesta for America revealed, hits 40 mpg-
BREAKING: Mitsubishi Colt is coming to America
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LA 2009: Third-Gen 2011 Toyota Sienna is a rock star
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LA 2009: Mazda unveils North American spec Mazda2 for 2011
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Green:
LA 2009: Honda's P-NUT cracked open for all to see
Officially Official: Aptera production pushed back to 2010
by Domenick Yoney on Nov 19th, 2009 at 7:58AM 
If anybody is still wondering whether Aptera, despite the recent commotion, will deliver one of their flightless wonders by Christmas, they can officially cease speculating. They're not, and the release date has now been pushed back to some undefined time in 2010. Hopefully, the delay won't be a full year as it was the last time they announced delivery postponement. According to the company, fundraising efforts didn't keep pace with vehicle development, so they're taking measures to slow the cash burn. One of those unfortunate actions involved laying off an unspecified number of employees, though one of them, co-founder Steve Fambro, has said he will resume his role next year. Addressing the situation he said:
Sounds reasonable to us, and it's no doubt reassuring forRight now my advanced work is a lower priority for Aptera. We've got to be wholly focused on funding and getting the first 2e on the road. Paul's leadership and (chief engineer) Tom Reichenbach's talent have led to changes in the vehicle that are spot-on. They've made the vehicle safer, it's better handling and more comfortable. Once we get through this stage, we'll begin mass producing the 2e – the most aerodynamic and efficient vehicle in the world.
[Source: Aptera Motors]
VIDEO: Jay Leno does the electric Tango
Jay Leno drives Commuter Cars' Tango - click above to watch the video after the jump
Jay Leno likes him some electric Tango. No, not the new dance craze all the kids are
Watching the clip, you can tell that Leno really likes it, especially from behind the wheel. He reports it doesn't feel like a small car inside and really only looks weird from the outside. He likes that it's unique and finds the fact you can lane split with it to be hilarious. However, the real reason he states "It makes you smile..." has less to do with the Tango's width as it does with the fact that "it goes like stink," a point which he happily reiterates.
Despite its turn-of-speed, one of the Tango's biggest shortcoming is its 40 mile range at highway speeds. The car's heavy lead acid batteries are great for keeping it upright around hard corners, but you can't expect to go too far with yesteryear's technology. During their pre-drive talk, Commuter Cars' Woodbury revealed that the company is finally about to put lithium battery pack in a test car, and he expects for it to go up to 200 miles. All of which strikes us as a much more reasonable number if he ever expects to bring skinny back. Hit the jump for video of a little Tango in Jay's Garage.
Gallery: AltCar 2009: Tango EV
[Source: Jay Leno's Garage]
Top Gear
REPORT: Electric Chevy Spark to get its fire from... Reva?
2010 Chevy Spark - Click above for high-res image gallery
Reva, the little electric car company from India whose product has withstood ridicule from the likes of automotive entertainer Jeremy Clarkson, seems to be working very hard of late to turn those jeers into cheers. Not only will it be showing off two new models with fancy telematic systems and a "wireless charging" setup in Frankfurt next week, but news now comes it may be supplying GM India with the drivetrain components necessary to electrify the Chevy Spark. According to The Economic Times, if the Detroit headquarters gives the green light, the sub-continent subsidiary will enter into a joint venture with Reva Electric Car Company in what would be the first such deal for The General since those pesky bankruptcy problems.
If the deal does go ahead, we hope GM will use the 2010 version of the Spark rather than the current incredibly mediocre-looking re-badged Daewoo Matiz version. Looks count, and it would be embarrassing if the global Goliath racked up lower sales numbers than the David with which it had partnered. However it works out for GM, the agreement would be a boon to Reva, adding revenue and perhaps even allowing it to say arrivederci to their Rodney Dangerfield reputation. Thanks to Aviv for the tip!
Gallery: 2010 Chevy Spark
[Source: The Economic Times]
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Ford Motor Company
Driving Skills for Life
Ford hosted another Driving Skills for Life driving camp in Washington D.C. just before a two-day summit created by the U.S. Department of Transportation on the topic of distracted driving. The connection of the two is a natural.
REPORT: Eberhard suddenly drops lawsuit against Tesla
by Domenick Yoney on Aug 20th, 2009 at 5:40PM
The civil lawsuit filed by Tesla co-founder Martin Eberhard against Tesla Motors and its CEO Elon Musk has been suddenly dropped. It was just a few short weeks ago that Eberhard won something of a victory in an opening skirmish of what had threatened to be a long campaign when a judge slapped down Tesla's anti-SLAPP motion.
While it's probable that a settlement framework of some sort was agreed upon, no details of any such arrangement between the two parties have been released. Eberhard's council, Yosef Peretz, has only been willing to say that more information may be disclosed sometime toward the end of September. Tesla Motors declined to give AutoblogGreen any comment on the lawsuit at this time.
The suspension of hostilities comes at a good time for Tesla, having recently been given a large ATVMP loan that should help them get their promising Model S in production and become an automaker in earnest. For his part, Martin is also keeping busy and has just started sales of his own Tesla Roadster-specific mobile charger, the Roadster Foundry Mobile Connector. Let's just hope these two stay busy and keep bringing the world green transportation innovation.
Gallery: Tesla Model S
[Source: Silicone Valley / San Jose Business Journal via Tesla Motors Club]
Zero Motorcycles launches a dual sport electric [w/VIDEO]
Zero DS - Click above for high-res image gallery
Those who've savored the sweet supermoto styling of the Zero S street bike and wished there was something similar designed to handle that psycho shortcut you've long dreamed of taking, your machine has arrived. Zero Motorcycles has introduce the all-electric Zero DS, with tougher tires and more aggressive suspension, the dual sport is ready to tear up both street and trail and – with that big round headlight up front – look good doing it. While it lacks a bit of the top end (55 mph) and range (50 miles) of its street sibling, it makes up for it with more grunt and greater riding possibilities. It charges its 4 kWh battery in the same sub-four hour time as the S.
The price tag on this latest addition to the Zero range is $9,950, but they are quick to point out that the recently-passed 10% federal tax credit takes $1,000 off the price to start. On top of that, and nicely illustrated here, individual states have their own incentive programs in place or on the way. What's next for the Scotts Valley California company? Well, they have promised a super speed motorcycle with a full fairing sometime this year but we'll worry about that after we get our grubby little hands on this monster. Hit the jump for the official press release along with a video showing how the new DS gets things done.
Gallery: Zero Motorcycles Zero DS
[Source: Zero Motorcycles]
Shelby SuperCars working on hybrid motorhome
by Domenick Yoney on Jul 24th, 2009 at 7:28PM 
Shelby SuperCars Ultimate Aero - Click above for a high-res image gallery
Shelby SuperCars, creators of the Utimate Aero (above), infamously announced last Summer that it would begin building the world's fastest electric car, the Ultimate Aero EV. The company said the EV supercar would be unleashed sometime this summer at an American racetrack in a show of fast laps and fast charging. While that's yet to happen, SSC's Green division has announced plans to put the heart of its electric powertrain inside a hybrid motor-home.
A recent agreement with Jones & Sons Chassis will see the All-Electric Scalable Powertrain (AESP) installed into a serial hybrid recreational vehicle platform with a 150-mile all-electric range. The REERV (range-extended electric recreational vehicle) will supposedly be able to achieve a total range of 500 miles and be capable of refilling its battery overnight on the 220V, 50 amp service typically found at campgrounds.
Although no time frame was given for the project, an earlier release from SSC Green states, ambitiously, that they hope to supply over a quarter of the drivetrains needed to reach Obama's 2015 million plug-in car goal. The 260,000 AESP's would be be built at its manufacturing plant if the $30 million Department of Energy's Electric Drive Vehicle Battery and Component Manufacturing Initiative grant to fund their expansion plan comes through. Check out both press releases after the break.
Gallery: 2009 SSC Ultimate Aero
[Source: Shelby SuperCars]
Elle Macpherson gets topless at Fiat 500C launch [w/VIDEO]
Fiat 500C with Elle Macpherson - Click above for high-res image gallery
Fiat held a glitzy launch for the convertible version of its super hot supermini at the Whisky Mist in London the other night and swimsuit supermodel Elle Macpherson was the first in the UK to go topless, getting her very own 500C. We're told the Australian-born model and actress received the keys to the latest iteration of the Italian-built model outside her Notting Hill home and was soon overheard telling a friend how cool and sexy she thought it was. Of course, Elle knows all about cool and sexy Fiat 500s, having previously owned the original hard top version.
Other convertible-celebrating celebrities up in da club with Edoardo Agnelli, the nephew of Fiat's co-founder, included Tesla Roadster buyer and Black-Eyed Peas guy will.I.am and Sugababes' Amelle. Feel free to check out the gallery below of Elle's famous friends posing with her new ride. Americans lusting after a topless model for themselves may have to wait until 2011 before they are able to satisfy their desire. Hit the jump for a couple bonus vids of the 500C in action and the official UK launch press release.
Gallery: Fiat 500C UK launch
[Source: MS&L London]
VIDEO: Franz von Holzhausen talks about the 2011 Tesla Model S
2011 Tesla Model S - Click above for a high-res image gallery
The crew from On Cars had a chance to spend some quality time with the Tesla Model S and some of the key people bringing this sweet sedan to fruition. In the first of three videos (the other two haven't been released yet), not only are we treated to some gorgeous shots of the Model S, inside and out, but also have the chance to listen to designer Franz von Holzhausen talk at length about the object of our fastback desire. If you've been paying attention to every detail released about the all-electric so far, there might not be a lot of new material for you here, though interestingly, the Model S does get the year 2011 attached to it. That seems a little soon seeing as a factory hasn't been built or acquired yet, but we digress.
Even if you do happen to know every bit of Model S minutiae, it is nice to hear the passion and excitement Franz has for the project as he talks with ardor about proportion and aerodynamics. You can see why Tesla chief, Elon Musk hired him on in the first place. But enough jabbering, hit the jump and check it out for yourself.
Gallery: Tesla Model S
Gallery: Tesla Model S: LIVE REVEAL
[Source: On Cars]
Volvo announces diesel plug-in hybrid for 2012 [w/video]
by Domenick Yoney on Jun 1st, 2009 at 4:55PM 
Volvo plug-in hybrid - click above for a hi-res gallery
Volvo and Vattenfall have just made an announcement that should hurry the Swedish car maker along the hybrid highway. The two companies have partnered to develop a plug-in diesel hybrid that is expected to begin series production in 2012 with the first three demonstration vehicles to be completed this summer. Volvo, of course, will supply the cars, while the energy giant will bring charging units and the actual carbon-free electricity to the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) equation. Other hybrids being baked by the Ford-owned brand include a "micro-hybrid" for 2011 as well as the ReCharge concept.
Technologically, this PHEV is quite interesting. It will use 71% of its 11.3 kWh pack of lithium ion batteries to power the back wheels for about 30 miles (50 km). After that, the diesel engine takes over and will then drive the front wheels. The charging time for the battery is about five hours through a household type outlet and the car, which will use the body of the Volvo V70, will feature regenerative braking. Hit the jump for the official press release as well as a video outlining the program.
Gallery: Volvo and Vattenfall Plug-in hybrid
VIDEO: Top Gear Australia electric car build-off, Aussie rules style
Click above to watch video after the jump
While they might lack the comedic punch of their seasoned British co-frères, the presenters at Top Gear Australia don't seem to have any electric car "issues". Indeed, in a recent episode they even held their own battery-powered build-off. Presenters Warren Brown and Steve Pizzati each took a car of their choosing, stripped out all the combustive components and inserted a rough and (mostly) ready electric drivetrain, before meeting up on a racetrack to compete for bragging rights.
Realizing that a decent electric vehicle shouldn't be too heavy, Pizzati decided to go with the featherweight Suzuki MightyBoy while his competitor settled on that great Australian classic, the HZ Holden Kingswood. This hulking station wagon weighs in somewhere between the QEII and the state of New Hampshire. While we won't tell you which conversion won straight out, we will throw out the hint that the triumphant strains of "Football meat pies kangaroos electric cars" could be heard coming from the passenger compartment of the conquering contestant. Follow the jump for the segment in two parts – as well as a bonus video of a very nice MightyBoy conversion.
[Source: YouTube]
Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy
VIDEO: Lexus LFA illicitly investigated by fanboy in secret warehouse
LA Preview: 2011 Ford Fiesta for America revealed, hits 40 mpg
LA 2009: 2011 Hyundai Sonata debuts with style, four-cylinder only and less weight
LA 2009: Third-Gen 2011 Toyota Sienna is a rock star
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Autoblog Podcast #155: 'Twas the night before LA...
Chris, Dan, and Editor Paukert go over some LA Preview action and quietly whoop it up on the podcast.
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