Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[First Drive: 2013 Nissan Leaf [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/2013-nissan-leaf-review-first-drive-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/2013-nissan-leaf-review-first-drive-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/2013-nissan-leaf-review-first-drive-video/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It



Look at the 2013 Nissan Leaf - even one parked next to a 2012 model - and you'll be hard-pressed to spot the differences. Changes and updates have been made, but you have to know the details to tell. It's sort of like listening to a hipster tell you why Interpol and The National have completely different sounds.

Nissan says it didn't reinvent the Leaf because what the company has created is working. Over 25,000 Leafs have been sold in the US - 62,000 around the world - since the car went on sale in late 2010. That may not sound like a lot, but it's heads and shoulders above any other all-electric car available anywhere. The car has its detractors - boy, does it ever - but Nissan knows it's hard to argue with real-world success.

We recently spent a few hours driving the new Leaf - an SL-trim version, optioned out to $36,910 - around the hills of central Tennessee after a visit to Nissan's new 475,000 square-foot battery plant. What we learned there provided a lot of hints about the company's electric future. Nissan may be leading today, but company head Carlos Ghosn has made huge, multi-billion-dollar bets on zero-emission technology and the rest of the world has been very slow to prove him right.

Continue reading 2013 Nissan Leaf [w/video]

2013 Nissan Leaf [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 May 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 leaf2013 nissan leaffeaturedfirst driveFirstDrivenissannissan leafThu, 16 May 2013 11:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Tesla Model S has secret menu that shows possible upcoming features]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/07/tesla-model-s-secret-menu-shows-possible-upcoming-features/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/07/tesla-model-s-secret-menu-shows-possible-upcoming-features/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/07/tesla-model-s-secret-menu-shows-possible-upcoming-features/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

tesla model s hidden menu

The Telsa Model S may have won just about every automotive award it could last year, but that doesn't mean it's a perfect vehicle. Far from it. Drivers have been asking when the already high-tech vehicle will get somewhat normal features, like adaptive cruise control or blind spot detection. Well, a new video of menus hidden within the giant touch screen in the Model S shows that those two features might be coming soon, along with a lane departure warning. When these options might arrive is anyone's guess, but the video (see it below) shows that the software is at least in the prototype stage. In any case, unless Tesla has installed a bunch of sensors and not told anyone about them, turning these features on will require more than just a software update.

The hidden menu also shows some as-of-yet-unannounced apps in the car's software: an image viewer, a sketch pad, a scheduler/calendar and various test apps.

The way you access these menus, apparently, is by holding down the Tesla logo on the main menu for a few seconds and then entering an access code. We don't know this password and we also don't recommend fooling around in there, since it looks like you might be able to muck things up, but good. We have enough trouble rooting our phones and we're not sure we'd like to take the risk with an $70,000+ electric vehicle. But if someone else wants to do so and post a video online, then we're happy to watch.

Continue reading Tesla Model S has secret menu that shows possible upcoming features

Tesla Model S has secret menu that shows possible upcoming features originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 May 2013 10:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adaptive cruise controlblind spotdiagnosticselectric vehiclehidden menulane departureteslatesla model sTue, 07 May 2013 10:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Shanghai: Detroit Electric, Geely announce strategic partnership for electric vehicles]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/25/detroit-electric-geely-ec7-ev-electric-vehicles/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/25/detroit-electric-geely-ec7-ev-electric-vehicles/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/25/detroit-electric-geely-ec7-ev-electric-vehicles/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Emgrand EC7-EV live at 2013 Shanghai Motor Show

Detroit Electric Technology emblem The revived Detroit Electric company will be partnering with China's Geely, but the mission is not to cooperate on bringing the all-electric Tesla Roadster-like SP:01 to market. Instead, Detroit Electric and Geely will co-develop more normal passenger vehicles from Geely's Emgrand brand, starting with the EC7 pictured above. The two companies will also work on "related electric drive systems." The announcement was made at the Shanghai Motor Show today.

Geely and Detroit Electric have been working quietly for three years on feasibility studies and a joint development program that finally selected the EC7. All of the vehicles that emerge from the strategic partnership will be sold in China, and the first model, which will be called the EC7-EV and come in two range flavors (100 and 160 miles) is due in 2014. The EC7-EV will apparently have a top speed of over 124 miles per hour. The companies are bold enough to put out sales predictions already, saying they expect 3,000 to be sold in the first year and 30,000 in the first three years.

Detroit Electric is in the midst of an aggressive launch phase, with plans to already start building the SP:01 in Michigan in August. To refresh your memory, the SP:01 scoots on up to 62 miles per hour in just 3.7 seconds on the way up to a top speed of 155 mph. The powertrain includes a 37-kWh lithium-polymer battery and an air-cooled, asynchronous AC electric motor that puts out 201 horsepower and 166 pound-feet of torque. The range (as calculated on the New European Driving Cycle) is 180 miles - we figure that means about 150 miles using US tests.

Continue reading Detroit Electric, Geely announce strategic partnership for electric vehicles

Detroit Electric, Geely announce strategic partnership for electric vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 shanghai motor showdetroit electricemgrandemgrand ec7emgrand ec7-evevgeelyshanghai motor showsp:01Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[First Drive: 2013 Fiat 500e]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/15/2013-fiat-500e-first-drive-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/15/2013-fiat-500e-first-drive-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/15/2013-fiat-500e-first-drive-review/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Cinquecento's Electrifying One-Price Strategy Is A Gas



America's electric vehicle segment is getting crowded, but sales remain tiny compared to the overall market. Listening to EV pitchmen, a key phrase heard over and over is "no compromises." This particular EV, the seller says, offers all* the things you want in a car, without the gasoline and without compromises. That asterisk thing? Well, sure, the electric vehicle paradigm requires you rethink the "one car that does everything" mentality, but once that's out of the way, there are no compromises here. No siree.

Of course, all EVs require compromises - but the truth is that every car forces owners to make compromises. Big SUVs don't always fit into parking spaces and suck down fuel. Subcompacts can't hold a gaggle of children and dogs. High-performance sports cars compromise wallets. Once you wrap your head around the idea that choosing electric is an option just like vehicle size or color - where no one choice is right for everybody, even if it's perfect for some - the 2014 Fiat 500e, going on sale this summer, asks a simple question: when you're driving in a city, why would you drive anything except an EV?

Fiat has been making the 500e at its Toluca, Mexico plant since early December, but it isn't busy building a million so that just anyone can own one. In fact, the automaker is going out of its way to make sure you don't buy a 500e if it's not right for you. The official website will soon have a "compatibility matching service" that will use information you feed it to determine if you're an EV candidate (we're guessing a short commute, an understanding of new technology and a place to charge at home will be the key factors). If the system doesn't think you're EV-ready, it'll propose a different 500 for you. Nice, huh?

So, does the 500e actually offer pure electric mobility without compromises? Yes and no. Mostly yes, and it's a fun yes.

Continue reading 2013 Fiat 500e

2013 Fiat 500e originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 fiat 500efeaturedfiatfiat 500fiat 500efirst driveFirstDriveMon, 15 Apr 2013 11:58:00 EST<![CDATA[New York: 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid finally adds gas-electric option to the brand [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/28/2014-subaru-xv-crosstrek-hybrid-video-new-york/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/28/2014-subaru-xv-crosstrek-hybrid-video-new-york/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/28/2014-subaru-xv-crosstrek-hybrid-video-new-york/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid - front three-quarter view, live on 2013 New York Auto Show stand

For a company that does a pretty great job of tying its vehicles to the environment - or, better said, to people who like to actually get out into the environment - Subaru hasn't exactly been a leader in green vehicle production. In fact, it's 2013 and the company is finally releasing its first-ever production hybrid, the XV Crosstrek Hybrid. Tom Doll, Subaru's executive vice president, admitted as much at the unveiling today at the New York Auto Show: "We at Subaru were not the first to market with a hybrid, but we sure made sure we did it right."

That may be, but for now the automaker doesn't want to tell us all the details of how right it is. We do know that the powertrain takes Subaru's 2.0-liter boxer engine and adds in a 13.4-horsepower electric motor and continuously variable transmission. All-wheel drive will be, of course, standard, and Subaru promises the XV Crosstrek Hybrid will offer the "same utility and versatility as the gasoline model," including 8.7 inches of ground clearance. The hybrid does weigh 300 pounds more, though, which required a re-engineered chassis.

The motor can move the lifted Impreza in all-electric mode up to 25 miles an hour (distance not specified). Subaru isn't talking precise fuel economy numbers, either, just that it will be the "most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive crossover in America" and will unsurprisingly have start-stop functionality. We do hear, though, that the hybrid will get around 10-percent better fuel economy than the standard gas-only XV Crosstrek. The most efficient version of that car, the one with the CVT, gets 25 miles per gallon in the city, 33 highway and 28 combined. Whatever this hybrid XV Crosstrek gets, we expect Subaru'll sell a million in Portlandia. For more, scroll down to watch an official video and read the press release.

Continue reading 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid finally adds gas-electric option to the brand [w/video]

2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid finally adds gas-electric option to the brand [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Mar 2013 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 new york auto show2014 subaru xv crosstrek2014 subaru xv crosstrek hybridnew yorknew york auto showsubarusubaru imprezasubaru xvsubaru xv crosstreksubaru xv crosstrek hybridvideoThu, 28 Mar 2013 17:31:00 EST<![CDATA[New York: 2014 BMW 328d ready to burn oil in just four cylinders]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/28/2014-bmw-328d-new-york-2013/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/28/2014-bmw-328d-new-york-2013/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/28/2014-bmw-328d-new-york-2013/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2014 BMW 328d

Despite showing off the new 328d sedan in New Jersey yesterday, BMW though it only fair to bring the first four-cylinder diesel it will ever sell in the US to the New York Auto Show today as well. Unfortunately, the company remains vague about pertinent details like fuel economy and price, but we did hear again that the oil-burner will be capable of getting 45 miles per gallon on the highway. BMW's Oliver Ganser told AutoblogGreen, "We do not want to give out" the city or combined mpg ratings quite yet, but The New York Times got someone to estimate a fuel economy of mid-30s in the city.

The two-liter TwinPower turbocharged and direct injected engine and eight-speed automatic transmission (sorry, no manual will be available) put out 180 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque and should get the 328d up to 60 miles per hour in just over seven seconds. As we noted earlier, the 328d will be available with every option and trim level - like all-wheel drive - that other 3 Series models have in the US (transmission excepted) and should start at under $40,000 when it goes on sale this fall.

Officially, the 328d will be able to accept biodiesel blends up to B5 (or, just maybe B7), which is standard diesel with five (seven) percent biofuel. Read more about that and other aspects of the 328d here.

Continue reading 2014 BMW 328d ready to burn oil in just four cylinders

2014 BMW 328d ready to burn oil in just four cylinders originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Mar 2013 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 new york auto showbmwbmw 3 seriesbmw 328d sedanfour-cylindernew yorknew york auto showThu, 28 Mar 2013 09:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: 2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive is headed for US]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/27/2014-mercedes-benz-b-class-electric-drive-new-york/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/27/2014-mercedes-benz-b-class-electric-drive-new-york/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/27/2014-mercedes-benz-b-class-electric-drive-new-york/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive

Despite the fact that Daimler's press release doesn't mention this company by name, we have to assume that the 28-kWh lithium-ion battery in the upcoming 2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive comes from Tesla Motors. What Daimler is being much more clear about is that the B-Class EV is coming to the US earlier than you might expect, in early 2014. The car has a range of "around 115 miles" and is being unveiled today at the New York Auto Show.

Last year, there was a hint that the electrified small Mercedes-Benz would have a range extender, but the information released today is all electric, all the time. We've got mention of "completely emission-free driving" and "electric driving at the premium level." With a motor that offers up 134 horsepower and 228 pound-feet of torque, the B-Class Electric Drive (we like the naming convention here, just like the Smart ED) can scoot from zero to 60 miles an hour in "less than ten seconds." The top speed has been limited to 100 miles an hour, "in the interests of operating range." Even if Tesla is providing the battery here, there is no Supercharging in sight: the recharge time for 60 miles worth of range is two hours from a 240-volt, Level 2 charger.

While B-Class models with liquid-fuel powertrains are available in other markets, the car will only be sold as an EV in the US and will also be available in Europe. The Smart Fortwo Electric Drive hits these shores May 1.

Continue reading 2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive is headed for US

2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive is headed for US originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 new york auto showdaimlerelectric carelectric vehiclemercedesmercedes b-classmercedes b-class electric drivemercedes-benz b-classnew yorknew york auto showWed, 27 Mar 2013 17:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Geneva: Exagon Motors golden-orange Furtive-eGT looks different outside, stays the same inside]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/07/exagon-motors-furtive-egt-geneva-2013/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/07/exagon-motors-furtive-egt-geneva-2013/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/07/exagon-motors-furtive-egt-geneva-2013/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The previous version of the Exagon Motors Furtive-eGT was a subtle - in color, not design - silver. At the Geneva Motor Show this week, Exagon took the wraps off a beautiful copper version of the carbon fiber and honeycomb body. We're not quite sure why the wrap was necessary, since the car was also shown off at the Paris Motor Show last fall, but that doesn't change the fact that it's an electric looker with a 53-kWh lithium-ion battery pack (not 57-kWh as was previously suggested).

Thanks to two liquid-cooled Siemens electric motors that put out 402 horsepower between 5,000 and 10,000 rpm, the Furtive-eGT has a limited top speed of 250 kilometers per hour (155 miles per hour) and can go from 0-100 kph (62 mph) in a scant 3.5 seconds. Despite this performance, the orange EV has a range between 360 kilometers (224 miles) on the urban cycle (as tested using the ECE15 standard) and 310 km (193 miles) on the combined cycle (NEDC standard).

That substantial range can be refilled (from 30 percent to 80 percent) using an undisclosed fast charge method in 32 minutes. Exagon is also claiming the batteries in the four-seat EV will retain "more than 80 percent" minimum capacity after 3,000 charging cycles (which should take around 10 years). And if you don't trust those new-fangled battery things, the Furtive-eGT has an optional range extender to recharge the batteries (not drive the wheels). Adding liquid combustibles puts the car's fuel economy at something like 69 or 76 mpg (depending on test cycle).

The base vehicle will start at 448,451 Swiss Francs, which is about $477,103 US. If you've got that kind of dough, you can order now and take delivery before the end of the year.

Continue reading Exagon Motors golden-orange Furtive-eGT looks different outside, stays the same inside

Exagon Motors golden-orange Furtive-eGT looks different outside, stays the same inside originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Mar 2013 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>egtelectric vehicleexagonfurtivefurtive e-gtgenevageneva 2013geneva motor showThu, 07 Mar 2013 11:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Geneva: Belumbury Dany and Lallo Concept are every bit as zany as they sound]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/06/belumbury-dany-Lallo-concept-geneva-2013/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/06/belumbury-dany-Lallo-concept-geneva-2013/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/06/belumbury-dany-Lallo-concept-geneva-2013/#commentsFiled under: ,

Belumbury Lallo: Geneva 2013

Ask the representatives at the Belumbury booth at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show and they won't tell you how much the Dany quadricycle - available in both electric and gasoline versions - actually costs. Instead, they say that if you option the heck out of this little car, you won't spend any more than 30,000 euros. Think of it as an ending price.

Each Dany is made in Italy - Belumbury is based in Rome - and made specifically for each customer, with seat materials, body colors and stereo options all up for debate. The idea, the same secretive Belumbury rep told us, is to attract affluent customers who are looking for something entirely customizable. Or, at least, customers who are interested not so much in getting a full-fledged car, but a four-wheeled motorcycle (effectively) that only requires an A1 driver's license in Europe. That's the kind that 16-year-olds can get (17 in the UK), two years before a "normal" driver's license is available. This designation comes with restrictions, namely that both the electric and gasoline Dany models can only go 90 kilometers an hour (56 miles per hour). The Lallo concept (inset), designed for going-to-the-beach duty, doesn't even have doors.

Despite these factors, Belumbury has sold around 100 Dany vehicles in the year since it went on sale, we were told. The Dany was introduced in 2011 at the Milan International Motorcycle Show, fitting with the quadricycle's non-car roots. Powered by a 16.3-kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery and a 10-kW AC motor, the EV can drive for 150 kilometers (93 miles) at "urban speed" and over 180 km (112 miles) at "extraurban speed" and in Eco Mode. With the gas model, the Dany gets 61 miles per gallon on the European test cycle.

Belumbury Dany and Lallo Concept are every bit as zany as they sound originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Mar 2013 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>belumburydanyelectric vehicleevgenevageneva 2013geneva motor showlalloquadricycleWed, 06 Mar 2013 20:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Geneva: Mitsubishi debuts Concept CA-MiEV, a new suburban EV with a 186-mile range]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/05/mitsubishi-concept-ca-miev-geneva-2013/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/05/mitsubishi-concept-ca-miev-geneva-2013/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/05/mitsubishi-concept-ca-miev-geneva-2013/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Mitsubishi is stretching the electric jellybean. For years, the i-MiEV was regular presence at Mitsubishi's auto show booths around the world, and the car rightfully earned its nickname because of its rounded shape. Today, at the Geneva Motor Show, Mitsubishi finally unveiled a version of the i-MiEV that looks much more more at home among the alternative-powertrain car fleet of the near future.

But there's more being elongated here than just the shape. The official range of the standard i (as the i-MiEV is known in the US) is 62 miles. The Concept CA-MiEV - where the CA stands for Compact and Advanced - is supposed to be able to go 300 kilometers (186 miles) from a 28-kWh lithium-ion battery and lightweight 80-kW motor/inverter/charger unit. This is kind of astonishing, given the range estimates of other compact and midsize EVs on the market today - most are in the 80-100-mile range. Of course, the specific test used to get the 186-mile result matters, too, since the regular i received 98 miles on the LA4 driving cycle range. The US-i has a 16-kWh pack.

The increased distance means that Mitsubishi is talking about the Concept CA-MiEV as the "suburban EV," with enough range for "about one week of driving for an average European driver." If you need more, Mitsubishi hints that the flat battery pack leaves room for a range-extender. Add in convenience features like WiTricity wireless charging and the ability for the car to send an emergency email if it's stolen, and you've got the commuting vehicle of the future. With a coefficient of drag of just 0.26 and boomerang lights, of course.

Mitsubishi is saying the CA-MiEV is "not planned for production," and is instead a showcase for "the various technologies MMC intends to introduce mid- to long-term across its range of global vehicles." That means, perhaps, some of the goodies here could make their way to rebadged, updated versions of the Peugeot iOn and Citroën C-Zero models, both based on the i-MiEV. Check out our gallery of the CA-MiEV and read more in the press release below.

Continue reading Mitsubishi debuts Concept CA-MiEV, a new suburban EV with a 186-mile range

Mitsubishi debuts Concept CA-MiEV, a new suburban EV with a 186-mile range originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Mar 2013 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ca-mievconcept ca-mievgenevageneva 2013geneva motor showmitsubishiTue, 05 Mar 2013 11:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Toyota sizzle reel gives better look at i-Road Geneva concept]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/26/toyota-sizzle-reel-gives-better-look-at-i-road-geneva-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/26/toyota-sizzle-reel-gives-better-look-at-i-road-geneva-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/26/toyota-sizzle-reel-gives-better-look-at-i-road-geneva-concept/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Toyota i-road tandem vehicle concept - teaser video screencap

Toyota is taking the tiny tandem Tango to Tron town. In a teaser video for the new i-Road, debuting at the Geneva Motor Show next week, we catch a light-bike-like glimpse of Toyota's quirky tandem-seat concept. We still don't know much about the vehicle itself, but the video does flash the words "fun, compact, emissions-free," which suggests this is an electric ride. Then comes the apparent tagline: "i Roll, i Rock i Road." An indication that the tilting image we see in the video isn't just a special effect, perhaps? We'll have to wait until we get to Switzerland next week to find out. Until then, you can watch the video below.

In more earthly reveals, Toyota will also show off its hotly anticipate FT-86 Open sports car concept and Auris Touring Sports wagon on its Geneva show stand.

Continue reading Toyota sizzle reel gives better look at i-Road Geneva concept

Toyota sizzle reel gives better look at i-Road Geneva concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Feb 2013 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>genevageneva 2013geneva motor show 2013i-roadtandem cartoyotaTue, 26 Feb 2013 16:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: Mercedes AMG and Cigarette Racing debut 2,220-HP electric motor boat]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/14/mercedes-amg-and-cigarette-racing-debut-2-220-hp-electric-motor/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/14/mercedes-amg-and-cigarette-racing-debut-2-220-hp-electric-motor/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/14/mercedes-amg-and-cigarette-racing-debut-2-220-hp-electric-motor/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Cigarette AMG Electric Drive Concept

Take the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell, stretch it and take off the wheels then make it float and you've basically got the just-unveiled Cigarette AMG Electric Drive Concept. Powered by an all-electric powertrain that offers 2,200 horsepower and 2,213 pound-feet of torque (and uses "numerous components" taken from the not-quite-as-yellow SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive), the sleek concept is being called the "world's most powerful electric drive powerboat." What that means is a top speed of over 100 miles per hour from four 60-kWh lithium-ion batteries and two banks of six liquid-cooled, permanent-magnet synchronous electric motors. And the 240 kWh of total energy should provide plenty of juice out on the water.

Launched (but not literally) at the Miami International Boat Show today, the Cigarette AMG Electric Drive Concept is the result of a partnership between Mercedes-AMG and Cigarette Racing. The boat is 38 feet long (much longer than the 15-foot SLS) and is plastered with AMG branding on the sides and top of the bow above the matte chrome yellow paint (officially called AMG Electricbeam mango). Two 220-kW chargers can refill the batteries, dockside, in about seven hours.

The idea of a powerful electric boat is nothing new (Henrik Fisker talked about a plug-in hybrid watercraft late last year), but this is the first time we've seen Mercedes put its EV technology on the water. Anyone who's afraid of driving an EV in the rain should take note. Check out the complete press release below.

Continue reading Mercedes AMG and Cigarette Racing debut 2,220-HP electric motor boat

Mercedes AMG and Cigarette Racing debut 2,220-HP electric motor boat originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Feb 2013 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amgcigarettecigarette amgcigarette amg electric driveelectric boatmercedes amgmercedes-benzspeedboatThu, 14 Feb 2013 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Coda Automotive undergoes "massive layoffs" *UPDATE]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/11/coda-automotive-undergoes-massive-layoffs/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/11/coda-automotive-undergoes-massive-layoffs/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/11/coda-automotive-undergoes-massive-layoffs/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Coda Sedan charging

Plug 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]]>2012 coda sedanbreakingcodacoda automotivecoda sedanelectric vehiclelayoffsTue, 11 Dec 2012 16:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Los Angeles: Ford Fusion wins 2013 Green Car Of The Year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/29/ford-fusion-wins-2013-green-car-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/29/ford-fusion-wins-2013-green-car-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/29/ford-fusion-wins-2013-green-car-of-the-year/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



After three years that saw a diesel, a plug-in and a natural gas vehicle win Green Car Journal's Green Car of the Year award, the Ford Fusion won the title this year at the start of the second day of the LA Auto Show. The Fusion was nominated in part because it has a variety of powertrain options: hybrid, plug-in hybrid and an EcoBoost gas engine.

The other 2013 finalists included the Dodge Dart Aero, Ford C-Max, Mazda CX-5 Skyactiv and Toyota Prius C. For what it's worth, the C-Max won the informal Autoblog/AutoblogGreen poll for 2013 with 31.5 percent of the vote. The official votes were tallied by a panel of judges of "the nation's top environmental leaders," car freaks like Jay Leno and the GCJ staff. GCJ's Ron Cogan said the winner was chose by majority vote.

Cogan also said that the award (and his magazine) have never been about vehicles that eke out mileage gains by stripping away the joy of driving. The method by which the five finalists are chosen is somewhat shrouded in mystery, but the Tesla Model S was left off the list due to its high price and the current unavailability of the base model. He said:

The Tesla Model S offers everything, by all reports. What it doesn't offer are things that are crucial to the Green Car Of The Year program, which are different than Motor Trend's Car of the Year or Yahoo Autos. We deal specifically in cars you can buy and buy now and vehicles that are affordable enough that you can buy them. We deal in vehicles that are available in significant enough numbers so you actually have quantifiable emissions reductions and oil displacement. It doesn't have to be a mass produced car in the sense that it's one of the best-selling cars, but it does have to be available. And, right now, the Tesla Model S, as good as it is, is the Signature Series at $95,000 to $105,000. That's not accessible. And the base model is not being delivered.

Last year, the Green Car of the Year winner was the Honda Civic Natural Gas. Previous winners include the Chevrolet Volt (2011), the Audi A3 TDI (2010), the Volkswagen Jetta TDI (2009) and the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid (2008).

Continue reading Ford Fusion wins 2013 Green Car Of The Year

Ford Fusion wins 2013 Green Car Of The Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Nov 2012 14:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 la auto showfordfusiongreen car of the yearlala auto showThu, 29 Nov 2012 14:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Quick Spin: 2014 Ford Fiesta 1.0-liter EcoBoost]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/27/2014-ford-fiesta-1-0-liter-ecoboost/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/27/2014-ford-fiesta-1-0-liter-ecoboost/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/27/2014-ford-fiesta-1-0-liter-ecoboost/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ford Fiesta 1.0-liter EcoBoost

There's an analogy to diesel engines hiding in the new Ford Fiesta with the 1.0-liter EcoBoost powerplant. There's still a segment of the population that has bad memories of diesel engines, and that makes it harder for Audi or Volkswagen to sell their new clean diesels in the US today. Not impossible, but more of a challenge than it needs to be. In the same way, ask any car geek if they've had good experiences with three-cylinder engines, and the response is likely to be a flashback to a bad ride in a Geo Metro.

But, if no one were to tell you that the new Fiesta 1.0-liter EcoBoost is rocking three cylinders, you'd probably be hard pressed to notice. The engine has already found a home in the Ford Focus (read our Quick Spin) and, after driving about 100 miles around Los Angeles and the Malibu hills in a Euro-spec Fiesta equipped with one, we can safely say that this is a solid B-segment car - one that happens to get over 40 miles per gallon (city) without a hybrid powertrain. Here's what we learned about the car and Ford's plans to bring it to the US.

Driving Notes
  • The Fiesta with a 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine is already on sale in Europe, and will come to the US in about a year, in late 2013. There will be a few little changes (the Econetic badges will be replaced with the EcoBoost wording that we have here) and what we think is a big one. Specifically, auto start-stop, which is available on the European model, will not be an option for Americans. The reason, we were told, is that B-segment customers are extremely price sensitive, and spending a few hundred extra bucks on this technology - which the EPA tests still don't quite understand - is something Ford doesn't expect them to do. There is still a chance this will change, though.
  • Still, at an estimated 40+ mpg, this flavor of the Fiesta will likely be the "most fuel-efficient, non-hybrid vehicle sold in North America." The current high-mileage Fiesta SFE model gets 40 on the highway (and 33 combined, 29 city). Ford is not talking about combined or city mpg estimates for the new Fiesta just yet.
  • It bears repeating that you do not feel that this is a shaky three-cylinder engine. The power - 123 horses - is there when you want it, with plenty of low-end torque. Some people on our drive were bothered by noise from the high-speed turbocharger that spins up to 248,000 rpm "almost instantaneously," but this is not enough to detract many points from the overall package.
  • Also, since a three-cylinder engine is inherently imbalanced, Ford optimized the engine mounts and made other adjustments to decouple engine shaking forces for "extreme smoothness." It worked.
  • For shorter people, the low placement of the side mirrors, especially on the passenger side, might be a problem. I'm about 5'9", and it was fine, but my co-pilot on this drive was a few inches shorter and she could not easily use the mirrors. They do sit awfully low, as you can see here.
  • Going around tight corners, the Fiesta 1.0-liter EcoBoost feels a heckuva lot better than the Honda Fit in the same situation, but we found it roughly the same as the new Chevrolet Spark, two vehicles it will compete against for frugal-minded city drivers.
  • Some of the other ways the new Fiesta will try to set itself apart is the big "40+ mpg!" sign that's sure to be emblazoned all over the dealership, the connectivity of Sync and MyFordTouch (with a new, 6.5-inch touch screen) and Sony HD radio.
  • Jim Farley, executive vice president of global marketing, sales, service and Lincoln, said the new Fiesta is part of Ford's new high-mpg line-up, making fuel economy a reason to buy a Ford. It used to be, he said, "when people thought fuel economy, they did not think of Ford. We have made a tremendous amount of progress in the last few years of changing that perception."
Put all this together and you've got a compelling "smaller is better" package that we need more details on to properly assess (price is a big one). For years, people have been asking for the Euro-spec Fiesta in the US. Well, we're going to get it, start-stop excluded.

Continue reading 2014 Ford Fiesta 1.0-liter EcoBoost

2014 Ford Fiesta 1.0-liter EcoBoost originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Nov 2012 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 ford fiestaecoboostfiestafordquick spinquickspinthree-cylinderTue, 27 Nov 2012 18:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: Lincoln MKZ Hybrid rated at 45 mpg, below 47-mpg Fusion Hybrid]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/16/lincoln-mkz-hybrid-rated-at-45-mpg-below-47-mpg-fusion-hybrid/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/16/lincoln-mkz-hybrid-rated-at-45-mpg-below-47-mpg-fusion-hybrid/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/16/lincoln-mkz-hybrid-rated-at-45-mpg-below-47-mpg-fusion-hybrid/#commentsFiled under: ,

2013 Lincoln MKZ

Just how important are all the luxury touches of a Lincoln compared to a Ford? They'd better be worth a two-miles-per-gallon penalty, since that's what buyers will be hit with if they choose the MKZ Hybrid over the 47-mpg Fusion Hybrid. Ford announced today that the MKZ Hybrid has been certified by the EPA to get 45 mpg in the city, 45 mpg on the highway and 45 mpg combined.

Granted, 45 mpg does put the MKZ into the top-of-its-class fuel economy range, beating the Lexus ES Hybrid by five mpg combined and delivering "more miles per gallon than any luxury vehicle in America." The MKZ Hybrid is also available for the same price as the non-hybrid model. The more efficient 2.0-liter, four-cylinder automatic MKZ gets 26 combined mpg, 22 in the city and 33 on the highway. The MKZ Hybrid will go on sale later this year and the press release is available below.

Continue reading Lincoln MKZ Hybrid rated at 45 mpg, below 47-mpg Fusion Hybrid

Lincoln MKZ Hybrid rated at 45 mpg, below 47-mpg Fusion Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Oct 2012 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 lincoln mkz hybrid2013 lincoln mkz hybrid mpgford fusion hybridmkz mpgmpgTue, 16 Oct 2012 08:29:00 EST<![CDATA[First Drive: 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/03/2014-honda-accord-plug-in-hybrid-first-drive-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/03/2014-honda-accord-plug-in-hybrid-first-drive-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/03/2014-honda-accord-plug-in-hybrid-first-drive-review/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Accord Gets Friendly With A Volt-esque Powertrain

2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid

After 30 years, Honda is trying to teach the old Accord new tricks, and they're of the plug-in variety.

We've been teased by various prototypes at auto shows and in spy shots, but Honda will finally start selling the 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid in January 2013. Part of the overhauled ninth-generation Accord lineup, which will also include four-cylinder and V6 models and a non-plug-in hybrid (completely different than the first-gen Accord Hybrid that was sold from MY 2005-2007) later in 2013, this PHEV is a slightly confounding creature. Everything works well, the car behaves exactly how you'd expect an Accord plug-in to work and the included LaneWatch display is incredibly well done, but there is more going on under the hood than will make sense to the average driver. It took a small cluster of green car journalists 15 minutes of back and forth with Yasuyuki Sando, the Accord PHEV's chief engineer, to finally figure out what the different drive options are for this car. But more about that in a bit.

The last few years have not given Americans a lot of confidence that Honda still knows how to make an engaging gas-electric vehicle. The CR-Z and Insight struggle for proficiency and don't inspire. Now, with the 2013 Accord, the challenge is clear: increase the efficiency level of Honda's incredibly popular mass-market sedan to meet today's regulatory and consumer demand, and don't make it boring. Based on an afternoon cruising the hills and highways of Southern California, it's clear Honda has met this challenge with a lot of newfangled technology hidden away in a largely normal-looking vehicle.

Continue reading 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid

2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 honda accord plug-in hybridaccordaccord phevaccord plug-in hybridfeaturedfirst driveFirstDrivehondaplug-in hybridWed, 03 Oct 2012 11:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Teased: Toyota bugs out, previews Smart INSECT connected EV concept]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/28/toyota-bugs-out-previews-smart-insect-connected-ev-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/28/toyota-bugs-out-previews-smart-insect-connected-ev-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/28/toyota-bugs-out-previews-smart-insect-connected-ev-concept/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Toyota Smart INSECT rendering - official

Like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly, the Toyota COMS electric vehicle is becoming the Smart INSECT. Unrelated to Daimler's Smart brand, the INSECT (yes, it's an acronym, one that stands for "Information Network Social Electric City Transporter") is a one-seat electric vehicle that is designed to be connected to its driver and the world. The gullwinged INSECT uses "motion sensors, voice recognition and behavior prediction" to make the driver feel tied to the wheels, as well as to his or her home via the online Toyota Smart Center. The doors can open based on "the movement of the driver's hand." The car can also identify faces and "authenticate a driver registered with the vehicle when he or she approaches." This thing should have antennae.

Toyota will first display the INSECT at CEATEC JAPAN 2012 next week (think: Japan's version of our Consumer Electronics Show). Earlier reports hinted that Toyota's then-unnamed small EV would cost around $12,500, but Toyota did not talk about an MSRP in the teaser release issued today. You can find it below.

Continue reading Toyota bugs out, previews Smart INSECT connected EV concept

Toyota bugs out, previews Smart INSECT connected EV concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Sep 2012 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceatecceatec 2012comsconnected vehiclegullwingsmart insecttoyota comstoyota evtoyota insecttoyota smart insectFri, 28 Sep 2012 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: 'King of Lemon Laws' lawyer successful with Fisker Karma in Wisconsin [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/26/fisker-karma-lemon-law-wisconsin-justin-bieber-video-megna/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/26/fisker-karma-lemon-law-wisconsin-justin-bieber-video-megna/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/26/fisker-karma-lemon-law-wisconsin-justin-bieber-video-megna/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Fisker Karma gets lemon law'd with lawyer Vince Megna and cardboard cutout of Justin Bieber

Vince Megna certainly has a way with words. In one five-and-a-half minute video, he calls the Fisker Karma a "modern-day Ford electric Pinto." He also says, "This is a beautiful car. It's just too bad it catches on fire." Would we expect anything less florid from the man who calls himself the King of Lemon Laws?

Megna was referring to two cases of the Karma being involved in fires, one in California and one in Texas. The reason Megna is concerned is because he was bringing a Karma to a dealership for his unnamed client in Wisconsin, who apparently needed to keep his vehicle in the shop for 120 days during his first seven months of ownership. That's well above the 30-day threshold set by Wisconsin's lemon law. Megna says Fisker refunded his client the $103,000 that the car cost, even though he wouldn't agree to Fisker's request to keep his complaints quiet. It was the first lemon law buy-back for a Karma, Megna says, adding that he doesn't think it will be the last. We've contacted Fisker about Megna's claims, but have yet to hear back.

But what's Justin Bieber - or a cardboard cutout of His Bieberness - doing in the image above? Well, Megna has a bit of Michael Moore in him, and he went to a Fisker dealer to ask if the Karma is safe for celebrities like Bieber to drive (the teenage phenom has - had? - a custom chrome Karma in his garage). Thoughtfully, Megna brought along his video camera to record his visit. And a Bieber t-shirt-wearing paralegal with her mouth taped shut. You can see the comedic results below.

Continue reading 'King of Lemon Laws' lawyer successful with Fisker Karma in Wisconsin [w/video]

'King of Lemon Laws' lawyer successful with Fisker Karma in Wisconsin [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Sep 2012 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 fisker karmabieberfiskerkarmaking of lemon lawslemon lawvideovince megnaWed, 26 Sep 2012 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Toyota kills plans for widespread iQ EV sales after misreading demand and battery tech]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/24/toyota-kills-plans-for-widespread-iq-ev-sales-after-misreading-d/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/24/toyota-kills-plans-for-widespread-iq-ev-sales-after-misreading-d/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/24/toyota-kills-plans-for-widespread-iq-ev-sales-after-misreading-d/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Toyota iQ EV plugged in

2012 was supposed to be the year the all-electric version of the Toyota/Scion iQ made a splash. Instead, it appears that while it remains technically true that the iQ EV will launch this year, it will be a much, much smaller splash than previously anticipated. According to Reuters, the iQ will have an "extremely limited release."

That's a kind way to say that the 100 iQ EVs that Reuters says Toyota will now sell in the U.S. and Japan is a much smaller figure than was anticipated. The writing has been on the wall for a while. All the way back in 2009, Toyota hinted that the EV, which can only go 50 miles on a charge, might be destined for car-sharing services, and in 2011, a Toyota spokesperson confirmed the iQ EV would be a "low-volume vehicle."

Now, the official Toyota line (see below) is that:

Toyota has seen that many customers are not yet willing to compromise on range, and they don't like the time needed to re-charge the batteries. Moreover, the infrastructure for recharging has not become as widespread as originally anticipated.

So, even though Toyota is ready with the iQ EV, we believe a plug-in hybrid solution offers a better way than pure electric for most customer needs in the short- to medium-term, and that is where we will concentrate our commercial activities.

Toyota vice chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada tells Reuters, "The current capabilities of electric vehicles do not meet society's needs, whether it may be the distance the cars can run, or the costs, or how it takes a long time to charge."

Compare this attitude to the one displayed by Daimler, which today has hundreds of Smart Electric Drive vehicles functioning as car-sharing rides through its Car2go program in places like San Diego, CA and Austin, TX. Toyota will still move forward with the launch of the RAV4 EV, and expects to sell around 2,600 of them in the next three years.

Continue reading Toyota kills plans for widespread iQ EV sales after misreading demand and battery tech

Toyota kills plans for widespread iQ EV sales after misreading demand and battery tech originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Sep 2012 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 scion iqelectric vehicleft-eviqiq evsciontoyotatoyota evtoyota iq evMon, 24 Sep 2012 13:31:00 EST