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[LA 2009: Audi A3 TDI named 2010 Green Car of the Year in diesel repeat]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/2010-audi-a3-tdi-green-car-of-the-year-los-angeles-2009/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/2010-audi-a3-tdi-green-car-of-the-year-los-angeles-2009/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/2010-audi-a3-tdi-green-car-of-the-year-los-angeles-2009/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Audi A3 TDI - Click above for high-res image gallery

At the LA Auto Show this morning, the Audi A3 TDI was crowned the 2010 Green Car of the Year, wresting the title away from last year's winner, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI. Even though three hybrids made this year's list of finalists, the A3's win marks the second year in a row that a TDI diesel car took top honors in the Green Car Journal competition.

The judges selection kind of meshes with AutoblogGreen readers, who overwhelmingly picked the VW Golf TDI from the list of five finalists. The other contenders were the Honda Insight, the Mercury Milan Hybrid (we still don't get why this car beat out the better-selling and nearly identical Ford Fusion Hybrid) and the Toyota Prius.

Each year, Green Car Journal picks the five finalists and then hands over selection duties to celebrity jurors (Jay Leno, Carroll Shelby, and the Sierra Club's Carl Pope, to name a few). During the award ceremony, Green Car Journal editor Ron Cogan said that the five finalists are notable because they are all mainstream vehicles that are available today. They exist because that's what the market is asking for. Whaddya think? Is the A3 TDI this year's rightful Green Car of the Year?


Gallery: Audi A3 TDI - 2010 Green Car of the Year


[Source: Green Car Journal]

Continue reading LA 2009: Audi A3 TDI named 2010 Green Car of the Year in diesel repeat

LA 2009: Audi A3 TDI named 2010 Green Car of the Year in diesel repeat originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 la auto show2009LaAutoShow2010 audi A32010 Audi a3 tdi2010AudiA32010AudiA3Tdia3a3 tdiA3Tdiaudiaudi a3audi a3 tdiaudi dieselAudiA3AudiA3TdiAudiDieseldieselgreen cargreen car journalgreen car of the yearGreenCarGreenCarJournalGreenCarOfTheYearla 2009la auto showla showla2009LaAutoShowLaShowlos angeleslos angeles 2009LosAngelesLosAngeles2009tdiThu, 03 Dec 2009 18:41:00 EST<![CDATA[STUDY: 88% of Americans believe hybrid leadership is crucial to U.S. - Do you? [w/POLL]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/13/study-88-of-americans-believe-hybrid-leadership-is-crucial-to/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/13/study-88-of-americans-believe-hybrid-leadership-is-crucial-to/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/13/study-88-of-americans-believe-hybrid-leadership-is-crucial-to/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



We Americans want hybrid leadership. We want to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Trouble is, most of us aren't willing to pay for it. Johnson Controls surveyed 2309 adults on all matters hybrid, and it found that 84% of Americans believe the government should support the advancement of hybrid technology and fully 88% believe hybrid leadership is crucial to America's future. But the devil is in the details, and few things bring out the worst in people more than money.

The survey asked whether car buyers would expect to pay more, less, or about the same amount as a comparable gasoline-powered vehicle. 23% of the adults surveyed said they were willing to pay more for a hybrid, while 35% would only purchase a car with battery assistance if it cost the same as a comparable non-hybrid. 33% actually think they should pay less for a hybrid than a conventional vehicle. And the other 11%? They wouldn't purchase a hybrid at any price. Click through to the jump for more on the study, the official press release, and the chance to participate in our poll.

[Source: Johnson Controls]

Continue reading STUDY: 88% of Americans believe hybrid leadership is crucial to U.S. - Do you? [w/POLL]

STUDY: 88% of Americans believe hybrid leadership is crucial to U.S. - Do you? [w/POLL] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 May 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>emissionsgas-electricgreen carGreenCarhybridjohnson controlsJohnsonControlspriussurveyWed, 13 May 2009 12:29:00 EST<![CDATA[NADA picks America's top five cleanest conventional gas autos]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/07/nada-picks-americas-top-five-cleanest-conventional-gas-autos/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/07/nada-picks-americas-top-five-cleanest-conventional-gas-autos/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/07/nada-picks-americas-top-five-cleanest-conventional-gas-autos/#commentsFiled under: , ,



With Earth Day coming up on April 22nd, it's inevitable that automotive conversations will take on a green tinge. While hybrids are an obvious hot topic, it's not the only way to tread lightly on Mother Nature. NADAGuides.com have named what they think are the top five cleanest conventional vehicles, basing the scores on a combination of greenhouse gas emissions, pollution levels and fuel economy. Surprisingly or not, the list is primarily comprised of domestic vehicles. The press release is posted after the jump, and hit the gallery to see the results in order.

Continue reading NADA picks America's top five cleanest conventional gas autos

NADA picks America's top five cleanest conventional gas autos originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Apr 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>green cargreen car listgreen carsGreenCarGreenCarListGreenCarsnada car listnada green car listNadaCarListNadaGreenCarListnadaguidesnadaguides.comTue, 07 Apr 2009 16:01:00 EST<![CDATA[P1-E electric sportscar planned by ex-McLaren designer]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/23/p1-e-electric-sportscar-planned-by-ex-mclaren-designer/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/23/p1-e-electric-sportscar-planned-by-ex-mclaren-designer/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/23/p1-e-electric-sportscar-planned-by-ex-mclaren-designer/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above to enlarge the JJAD P1-E

Remember the P1 project from ex-McLaren F1 designer Jim Dowle? Just about a year ago, JJAD, Dowle's design firm, announced plans to build an inexpensive sportscar that was supposed to be a Lotus Exige challenger. Why mess with something that's already so well established? Instead, Dowle has charted a new, greener course and will now use an electric drivetrain for his upcoming gullwing-doored sportscar, now named the P1-E.

Being green doesn't often come cheap, and adding a lithium-ion battery pack and dual electric motors powering all four wheels has raised the expected price to £55,000, or about $75,000 USD. That sum would theoretically undercut the Tesla Roadster, and Dowle is claiming a run to 60 mph in just 2.9 seconds with a range of 230 miles to boot. Working prototypes are scheduled for 2009, after which some additional funding will likely be necessary. Stay tuned.

[Source: JJAD]

Continue reading P1-E electric sportscar planned by ex-McLaren designer

P1-E electric sportscar planned by ex-McLaren designer originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Electric carelectric sports carelectric sportscarElectricCarElectricSportsCarEVGreen CarGreenCarjim dowleJimDowlejjadjjad p1-eJjadP1-eMcLarenFri, 23 Jan 2009 14:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Make your car greener with Grass on the Dash]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/26/make-your-car-greener-with-grass-on-the-dash/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/26/make-your-car-greener-with-grass-on-the-dash/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/26/make-your-car-greener-with-grass-on-the-dash/#commentsFiled under: ,

Year after year there are hucksters trying to sell miracle devices that reduce your fuel consumption. They're almost always proven to be complete shams. But now you can truly make your car greener for less than the cost of a tank of gas.

Pot your favorite flora in the Grass on the Dash planter and offset some of that carbon belched out by your gas-guzzler. If you're driving something particularly bad at conserving fuel, we suggest getting several. The GOTD's suction cup mount will stick to any glass surface, so make use of the windshield, side windows, sunroof, etc. The more greenery growing in your G-Wagon, the less guilt you'll have about the melting icecaps.

Or better yet, grow your own crops to offset the cost of gas! As far as we known there's no law against growing most cash crops in your car. We suggest several pots of corn that you can convert into ethanol.

[Source: Grass on the Dash]

Thanks for the tip, Ryan!

Make your car greener with Grass on the Dash originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Nov 2007 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>automotive planterAutomotivePlantercar plantsCarPlantsgrass on the dashGrassOnTheDashgreen carGreenCarplants in the carPlantsInTheCarMon, 26 Nov 2007 13:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Nissan goes 180 degrees to develop own hybrid technology]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/05/nissan-goes-180-degrees-to-develop-own-hybrid-technology/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/05/nissan-goes-180-degrees-to-develop-own-hybrid-technology/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/05/nissan-goes-180-degrees-to-develop-own-hybrid-technology/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Nissan, like the German automakers, initially was hesitant to develop hybrid vehicles. But seeing Toyota's and Honda's success in the fast-growing segment, Japan's second largest automaker tentatively took steps to the 'green' side by licensing parts from Toyota for the upcoming hybrid Altima which is to debut later this year.

Now it looks like Nissan is further embracing the trend. According to Bloomberg, Nissan is now developing its own battery, inverter and motor for its future vehicles. Mitsuhiko Yamashita, executive vice president of Nissan, states the new components will provide nearly double the output of today's current hybrid technology. However, states Bloomberg, the technology will not available until 2009 at the earliest.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Nissan goes 180 degrees to develop own hybrid technology originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Apr 2006 14:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Altimabatteriesbatterygreen cargreen car technologyGreenCarGreenCarTechnologyhybridhybrid synergy drivehybridsHybridSynergyDrivelicensingNissanpriusToyotavehicle partsWed, 05 Apr 2006 14:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Camry Hybrid pricing announced: undercuts Accord Hybrid by $5K*]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/28/camry-hybrid-pricing-announced-undercuts-accord-hybrid-by-5k/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/28/camry-hybrid-pricing-announced-undercuts-accord-hybrid-by-5k/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/28/camry-hybrid-pricing-announced-undercuts-accord-hybrid-by-5k/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Though Toyota has yet to issue an official press release on the subject, Dale Jewett in an Automotive News piece has revealed that the 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid will start at $26,480 when it reaches dealers in May. That price is around $5,000 less than a Honda Accord Hybrid sans a nav system, which has a sticker of $31,540.

While the Accord Hybrid is somewhat of a hot-rod in its own right with a V6/electric hybrid drivetrain that puts out a combined 253 hp, the Camry Hybrid goes all green with a high-tech 2.4L four-cylinder making 187 hp in concert with its electric aid. At the Camry Hybrid's launch Toyota claimed the green machine would be capable of returning 43 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway.

The base price for the Camry Hybrid will include an uplevel stereo, cruise, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, power driver's seat and automatic climate control. For a basis of comparison, the smaller yet more frugal Prius lists at $22,305 on Toyota's website.

*All prices quotes include manufacturer's charge for delivery, processing and handling.

[Source: Automotive News]

Camry Hybrid pricing announced: undercuts Accord Hybrid by $5K* originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Mar 2006 08:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>green carGreenCarHonda Accord HybridHondaAccordHybridhybridHybridsToyota Camry HybridToyota PriusToyotaCamryHybridToyotaPriusTue, 28 Mar 2006 08:35:00 EST