Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Mazda MX-5 will get lighter, maybe alternative powertrain]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/09/mazda-looking-to-alternative-powertrains-for-mx-5/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/09/mazda-looking-to-alternative-powertrains-for-mx-5/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/09/mazda-looking-to-alternative-powertrains-for-mx-5/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the Mazda MX-5

The Mazda MX-5 is one of the world's best handling cars under $25,000, and as much as we Americans want more power and size to turn the Japanese roadster into a proper pony car, that's probably not going to happen. Increased fuel economy and CO2 reductions will force the MX-5 into the same situation as larger vehicles. It has to get more efficient and lighter to stay competitive. MX-5 program manager Takao Kijima told Drive that Mazda is looking at alternative powertrains for its little roadster, but the Zoom Zoom specialists are also looking to drop 10% of the car's weight.

One way to improve efficiency is with diesel technology. Diesels can be 30% more efficient than petrol powerplants, but beefier diesel parts means that total displacement must be smaller than the current engine's 2.0 liters. Another idea is a hybrid, which, like the diesel, would provide instant torque that would also add weight to a vehicle that's just about to go on a diet. Kijima also stated that any MX-5 would absolutely have to have 50/50 weight distribution, meaning that a hybrid with its heavy batteries would by tricky, but not impossible. For our money, we'll take a 10% lighter Miata with a smaller turbocharged, direct-inject gas engine with ethanol injections.

Gallery: 2009 Mazda MX-5


[Source: Drive]

Mazda MX-5 will get lighter, maybe alternative powertrain originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternative powertrainsAlternativePowertrainsdieselMazda MiataMazda MX-5MazdaMiataMazdaMx-5Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Jim Press: Every Chrysler to have alternative option]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/02/jim-press-every-chrysler-to-have-alternative-option/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/02/jim-press-every-chrysler-to-have-alternative-option/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/02/jim-press-every-chrysler-to-have-alternative-option/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Cerberus has opened up the corporate wallet, and Chrysler is spending the cash to infuse their lineup with alternative powertrains. New Chrysler product boss Jim Press told the Detroit News that diesels, hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and diesel-hybrids are among the technologies "in the mix," and that every vehicle will eventually have an alternative to the gasoline combustion engine. Full electric and hybrid-only models are also on the table, as Chrysler looks to shift away from the heavy, fuel thirsty body on frame SUVs that dominate the automaker's current lineup. Press didn't give any dates when we can expect all these alternatives to hit a dealer near you, but we do know the two-mode hybrid Durango will start the green parade in 2009.

With the bold statement by Mr. Press and Chrysler's project "ENVI," the Pentistar sounds serious about putting metal into motion using oil burners and electricity. With the Auburn Hills-based automaker behind all other major automakers in the hybrid race, it seems that Chrysler's pro green stance couldn't have come soon enough.

[Source: Detroit News]

Jim Press: Every Chrysler to have alternative option originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Oct 2007 08:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternative powertrainsAlternativePowertrainsCerberusChryslerdieselgreenhybridTue, 02 Oct 2007 08:35:00 EST