Hybrid


Buick Regal likely to be launch platform for next GM hybrid system

Last night, General Motors publicly unveiled the 2011 Buick Regal that goes on sale in North America in the first half of next year. The Regal will be Buick's new mid-sized sedan entry and is essentially just a re-grilled version of the Opel Insignia that went on sale in Europe last year. The North American Regal will be built at the Oshawa Ontario assembly plant in Canada beginning in calendar 2011 and will only be offered with a choice of direct-injected four-cylinder engines. However, the Regal is actually slated to go on sale in calendar ... Read more →

NHTSA study indicates hybrids have higher pedestrian crash rates Jeremy Korzeniewski

A recent study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration finds that hybrid vehicles are more likely to be involved in accidents with pedestrians and bicyclists under certain scenarios. ...

Ferrari reportedly confirms all-wheel drive hybrid system Jeremy Korzeniewski

It's long been suspected that Ferrari was hard at work developing a hybrid powertrain for its line of supercars and grand touring machines, especially since a series of patents were unearthed ...

GM awarded DOE money to research Shape Memory Alloy heat engines Chris Shunk

General Motors has been awarded $2.7 million by the Department of Energy to create a working prototype engine using Shape Memory Alloys (SMA). The idea is for the prototype to use SMA tech to ...

Stealing Current: LoJack goes no-power for hybrids Jonathon Ramsey

LoJack systems draw their power from your car or your motorcycle's (or laptop's) battery to send their signal. With a traditional vehicle, this generally isn't a problem as the draw is small and ...

REPORT: Honda plans a return to larger hybrids 18 days ago on Autoblog

To put it mildly, sales of the Honda Accord Hybrid never quite set the world on fire. Regardless, Japan's second largest automaker is reportedly hard at work developing its proprietary Integrated Motor Assist hybrid platform so that it can once again be used to power larger vehicles like the ...

Tokyo 2009: 2010 Toyota Sai hybrid looks suspiciously familiar 23 days ago on Autoblog

Toyota has rolled out its new Sai hybrid here at the Tokyo Motor Show, and if it looks familiar, that's because you've probably seen something very similar wearing "Lexus" and "HS250h" badges. The overall aesthetic of the Sai is very similar to that of its premium sibling, but it features ...

Tokyo 2009: Subaru Hybrid Tourer concept previews Fuji Heavy's new design language 24 days ago on Autoblog

The Subaru Hybrid Tourer is sharp-nosed and an all-out sharp piece of car. The car's flat floor hides two electric motors, one aft that powers the car in low-speed acceleration and assists with acceleration, and one up front connected to a direct-injection turbocharged gas engine. The Tourer is ...

Tokyo 2009: Honda CR-Z coming to America next fall with six-speed manual! 24 days ago on Autoblog

Honda fans of all sorts have cause to celebrate today with the reveal of the 2009 iteration of the CR-Z coupe. In typical Honda fashion, this CR-Z remains a concept in name and detail only. What you see here is essentially the production coupe that will go on sale in Japan next February and then ...

Tokyo 2009: Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV shows its more conventional face 24 days ago on Autoblog

Mitsubishi has put its plug-in hybrid Concept PX-MiEV crossover concept on a pedestal here at the Tokyo Motor Show, touting the CUV's "environmental and on-road performance," as well as its serial and parallel modes and wireless charging capabilities. The crossover's design language ...

REPORT: Honda likely to build Fit in the U.S. 26 days ago on Autoblog

What goes up, must come down. And in this situation, Japan's yen has gone up when compared to our dollar -- about eight percent since August. And with the yen's rise in value, the profitability of low margin cars like the Honda Fit goes down. Built in Japan, with the yen up, the strong-selling ...

REPORT: Mitsubishi Evo XI could get plug-in tech in 2013 26 days ago on Autoblog

The Mitsubishi PX-MiEV, scheduled for an official debut at the Tokyo Motor Show later this week, is jam packed with the best technology Mitsubishi has to offer. It's a series hybrid. It's a parallel hybrid. It has a 30 mile EV range. It will reportedly net 140 MPG. It has the same AWD system as ...

Coming Soon: Downloadable ringtones for your silent electric car? 29 days ago on Autoblog

Like to download new ringtones for your phone so that you don't sound like everybody else in the world that opts for the free cell phones from their chosen service provider? The same kind of thing is reportedly in the works for future electric cars. We've been hearing for the last few years that ...

BMW gets back into the leaning trike thing with SIMPLE concept [w/VIDEO] 1 month ago on Autoblog

BMW has been rumored as of late to be pursuing everything from a so-called "0 Series" range of cars to a revival of its Isetta microcar brand, but the Bavarian automaker remains essentially mum on plans to diversify into the microcar market. Stoking the fires, however, is the new Simple concept, ...

Looking for $10k off on a Lexus or Caddy? High-priced hybrids reportedly getting hefty incentives 1 month ago on Autoblog

Surprise! Lexus and its parent company, Toyota, are apparently finding that it's not as easy selling $106,000 hybrids as it is for $25,000. The Lexus LS 600h L is certainly an excellent piece of automotive engineering, delivering gobs of horsepower and torque with at least a modicum of ...

REPORT: Mazda looking to raise $1.1B to catch up in hybrid race 1 month ago on Autoblog

According to a report from Reuters, Mazda plans to raise up to $1.1 billion (95.9 billion yen) by issuing 315.2 million new shares and selling 96.8 million treasury shares. The resulting funds are to be reinvested in the company, mainly for research and development into hybrids and other ...

REPORT: EPA planning to address outlandish fuel economy claims of electric cars 1 month ago on Autoblog

The EPA is aware that range-extended electric vehicles can game the current fuel economy test to deliver mileage estimates way up in the stratosphere. It makes for impressive advertising, like General Motors' touting of the Chevrolet Volt's estimated 230 mpg, but the EPA wants to give a more ...

Spy Shots: Citroen C-Cactus leaked 1 month ago on Autoblog

Images assumed to be the final take on the Citroen C-Cactus have found their way online, and there is a whole lotta ugly going on up front. When we heard Citroen was actually going to make a production car based on the concept we wrote "let's just hope they don't keep too much of the melted-candle ...

Debate rages over whether to extend HOV-lane exemptions for hybrids in CA 1 month ago on Autoblog

Besides the potential feeling of environmental superiority, one of the great benefits to having a hybrid in California has been the availability of a magic little sticker set for a vehicle's rear bumper and fender. The "Access OK" tags have allowed its possessors to cruise in the carpool lanes ...

REPORT: GM willing to investigate hybrid tech, low-rolling resistance tires if Corvette's survival depends on it 1 month ago on Autoblog

Is GM really considering a hybrid Corvette? Tom Stephens, GM's vice chairman of global product development, says it's a possibility. However, Stephens' comments are based on the new CAFE standards -- 35.5 mpg by 2016 -- and would only happen if the Corvette's livelihood depends on fitting a hybrid ...

Frankfurt 2009: 2010 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid can't get any greener 1 month ago on Autoblog

One day, children will be taken to a Museum of Momentous Moments, and there among artist's impressions of the missing link and the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs will be an example of the first Toyota Prius. The placard next to it will declare that it is the car that turned green... ...

REPORT: Toyota to use Prius badge on all hybrids? 1 month ago on Autoblog

Lets do some word association. We'll start with the word "hybrid." We're guessing most of you thought of the Prius -- understandable considering Toyota's dual-powered hatch defined the gas-electric market and accounts for the majority of the segment's sales. The next words are "Synergy Drive." ...

Mercedes-Benz now shipping the S400 Hybrid to US dealers 1 month ago on Autoblog

Mercedes-Benz has apparently begun shipping the new S400 BlueHybrid sedan to its US dealer network, as one of our readers spotted one and grabbed a photo of the window sticker. The S400 is Mercedes' first production hybrid vehicle and utilizes the mild hybrid system it developed in conjunction ...

Frankfurt 2009: Marussia B2 breaks cover, B1 Hybrid shown in new colors 1 month ago on Autoblog

When we hear the phrase "Russian Supercar" we initially think of either a turbocharged tank or something made from wallpaper, powered by fictional hubris yet somehow still finished in mirrored chrome. Any of which would come with his and hers full length mink coats. However, the two Marussia ...

Frankfurt 2009: Hyundai ix-Metro concept is all white by us 1 month ago on Autoblog

Hyundai returned to Frankfurt a far bigger player than it was two years prior. The Korean company has leapt up the sales standings to become the world's fourth largest automaker, eclipsing such major players as Ford and Honda. And its product line has long since expanded from diminutive ...

Frankfurt 2009: BMW 7 Series Active Hybrid runs (almost) silent, runs deep 1 month ago on Autoblog

BMW isn't taking any chances with its reputation for dynamics with the 7 Series Active Hybrid. To its 449-hp and 479-lb-ft 4.4-liter twin turbo V8 heart it adds a 60-pound, 35-cell lithium-ion battery in the boot. The battery doesn't take too much away from the trunk since it replaces the ...

Frankfurt 2009: Mercedes-Benz S500 Vision Plug-in Hybrid broods quietly 1 month ago on Autoblog

Mercedes is working to complete the circle, combining the frugality of its smallest A- and B-Class offerings with the luxury of its S-Class offerings. For the U.S. the S400 Hybrid began the earnest trek down that road, followed by the announcement of the four-cylinder S-Class, and at Frankfurt, ...

Frankfurt 2009: Lexus LF-Ch Concept hits, misses 2 months ago on Autoblog

We spent over 40 minutes photographing the oddly named Lexus LF-Ch Concept and still aren't sure what we think of it. From certain angles it's brilliant – everything the Lincoln Concept C tried to be, but wasn't. Yet from other angles... the word 'deformity' comes to mind. As does the term ...

Frankfurt 2009: BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept is mean German green 2 months ago on Autoblog

BMW hosted a lengthy press conference during which cars zoomed all around its raised track, and at the end the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept silently took the stage. It's a glass-topped Hot Wheels with two engines, a deep dish seventies-looking steering wheel and matching contoured wheels. ...

Spy Shots: Marussia B2, is that you? 2 months ago on Autoblog

Marussia released two teasers of its new car, the not-so imaginatively-named B2, last week. What the company neglected to do before that was cover up its cars while they were being transported through Moscow. Someone took pictures of them, apparently not even knowing what they were (the blue one ...

Introducing the next eco supercar: the Steenstra Styletto 2 months ago on Autoblog

Watch out Tesla – there's another California-based zero-emissions sports car company in the works: Steenstra GCM. Founded by designer and auto industry consultant Cornelis Steenstra, the Styletto isn't just about creating a guilt-free car, but one meant to compete with the Ferraris and ...

Marussia, Russia's first supercar headed for international debut at Frankfurt 2 months ago on Autoblog

The hybrid Marussia B1 was unveiled last year, and can now be ordered for €100,000 (about $146,000 USD) while it is being prepared for serial production. Two of them will be on display at next week's the Frankfurt Motor Show alongside the company's latest car, the Marussia B2, being teased ...

From the Clutches of the Grave: Saturn Vue 2-Mode Hybrid rated at 27/30 mpg by EPA 2 months ago on Autoblog

While perusing the EPA's fuel economy listings, one of our readers stumbled across a vehicle that we didn't even know had been rated. The 2-Mode Hybrid version of the Saturn Vue had initially been scheduled to go into production in November of 2008. However, as General Motors careened toward ...

Ford boosts production (slightly) of F-150, Escape 2 months ago on Autoblog

Two of Ford's vehicles are moving well enough that the automaker is adding production to its plants in Missouri and Michigan. Ford says its F-150 and Ford Escape are looking to earn their highest sales of the year in August, with the F-Series truck line looking good for its first year-on-year ...

Going for Gold: Toyota dealers reportedly price gouging on 2010 Prius 2 months ago on Autoblog

The last time we heard about gouging on the Toyota Prius was, oh, just last summer when gas prices put the frugal flyer at the top of shopping lists. Things were so bad then that used Priuses were going for more than new models because dealers couldn't keep the fresh stuff in stock. ...

China pondering hoarding precious metals used in hybrids and EVs by banning exportation? 2 months ago on Autoblog

Ever hear of neodymium? How about dysprosium or yttrium? Thulium or lutetium? These are just some of the metals that China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is considering either banning the exportation of, or at least severely limiting the amount that it will let leave the ...

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Autoblog Podcast #152: Paukert Enhanced!

Chris Paukert joins the usual crew of Chris, Sam, and Dan, summarily classing up the joint.

 
 

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