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[Freightliner debuts RunSmart Predictive Cruise Control]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/22/freightliner-debuts-runsmart-predictive-cruise-control/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/22/freightliner-debuts-runsmart-predictive-cruise-control/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/22/freightliner-debuts-runsmart-predictive-cruise-control/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The next step in cruise control comes courtesy of Freightliner semis and GPS data company NAVTEQ. Freightliner broadened communication between the cruise control and map data: the GPS transmits information on the road ahead up to a mile, and then the cruise control computes the best speed at which to cover the distance with the greatest fuel efficiency.

It's called RunSmart Predictive Cruise, and it employs slope data from the NAVTEQ system that has been collected on 200,000 miles of the most used truck routes. While RunSmart is looking for peak efficiency, it won't sacrifice speed; the system remains within 6% of the set speed. It's an available option on Freightliner's Detroit Diesel DD15-equipped Cascadia model with the 72-inch raised roof.

[Source: Daimler]

Freightliner debuts RunSmart Predictive Cruise Control originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 Mar 2009 13:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above for a high-res gallery of the Nissan NV200

Nissan recently announced that it would officially debut its new NV200 MPV next week at the Geneva Motor Show, and today we've been blessed with a new set of official images and a few more details to share. Three different styles will be offered, including a passenger van, a cargo van and, sitting somewhere in between, a combi.

Based on Nissan's B Platform shared with the Cube, Micra and various Renaults and Dacias, the NV200 is driven by the front wheels and offers the buyer a choice of either a 1.6-liter gasoline engine with 108 horsepower, or a 1.5-liter diesel engine with 86 hp and, more importantly, nearly 150 lb-ft of torque. Unlike most vans that feature removable seats, the NV200's second row of seats will fold forward against the front seatbacks and the rearmost row will split and fold to either side.

When all the seats are properly stowed, the NV200 will accept 4.1 cubic meters (145 cubic feet) of whatever it is you need to carry. For comparison purposes, the Ford Transit Connect offers about 3.5 cubic meters (124 cubic feet), though a proper comparison will need to be made after the NV's actually go on sale. Expect the NV200 to hit the Japanese market before summer, followed by a European introduction this fall. Other markets will follow, but there's no word yet if the new MPV will make it to the U.S. Make sure to check out the gallery below and the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Nissan NV200


[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading Geneva Preview: First official pics and details of Nissan NV200 van

Geneva Preview: First official pics and details of Nissan NV200 van originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>commercial truckcommercial vanCommercialTruckCommercialVangeneva 2009geneva motor showGeneva2009GenevaMotorShownissannissan minivannissan mpvnissan nv200nissan nv200 vannissan vanNissanMinivanNissanMpvNissanNv200NissanNv200VanNissanVanvanTue, 24 Feb 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[No Dummies: CPR instructor, others win custom Ford Transit Connect vans]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/10/no-dummy-cpr-instructor-others-win-custom-ford-transit-connect/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/10/no-dummy-cpr-instructor-others-win-custom-ford-transit-connect/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/10/no-dummy-cpr-instructor-others-win-custom-ford-transit-connect/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for a high-res image gallery of the Ford Transit Connect

Ford is bringing its Transit Connect van to the US this summer with hopes of generating sales to businesses that need 143 cubic feet of cargo space and wouldn't mind car-like fuel economy. To drum up some interest in the Euro-sourced vans, the Blue Oval has just given away five of them to small business owners. One of the winners is a CPR instructor in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Jerry Buffman had been lugging her dummies around in a 2001 Toyota Sienna, but needed more space. Buffman travels to locations with her bags full of CPR equipment and practice dummies, and the soon to be released Transit should make lugging all of her props a bit easier.

To showcase the Transit Connect's flexibility, Ford also gave away the mini cargo vans to a kayak company, a cleaner, a dog care business, and a pet and baby safety company. Ford is looking to introduce the production version of the Transit Connect at the Chicago Auto Show in February, with sales beginning this summer.

Gallery: Ford Transit Connect


[Source: MLIVE]

No Dummies: CPR instructor, others win custom Ford Transit Connect vans originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 10 Jan 2009 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Blue OvalBlueOvalChicago Auto ShowChicagoAutoShowcommercial truckcommercial vanCommercialTruckCommercialVancontestford cargo vanFordCargoVantransit connectTransitConnectSat, 10 Jan 2009 08:58:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Big truck... go fast... up hill]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/11/video-big-truck-go-fast-up-hill/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/11/video-big-truck-go-fast-up-hill/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/11/video-big-truck-go-fast-up-hill/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above to view video after the jump

For as clean and green and Earth-loving as the Europeans are, they sure do some dirty things... like throw a sooty-exhaust-belching racing semi around hairpin turns with loads of opposite lock - up an impossibly green mountain - just for a hillclimb. But hey, trucks and racing aren't illegal yet, so we say flog 'em while ya got 'em. Check out the video of Markus Boesiger, 2007's Truck Racing Champion, and his dashing diesel after the jump.

[Source: StreetFire]

Continue reading VIDEO: Big truck... go fast... up hill

VIDEO: Big truck... go fast... up hill originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 11 Oct 2008 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>commercial truckCommercialTruckeuropehillclimbracing truckRacingTrucksemitruckvideoSat, 11 Oct 2008 16:58:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Ford Transit Connect to be sold in U.S.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/02/report-ford-transit-connect-to-be-sold-in-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/02/report-ford-transit-connect-to-be-sold-in-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/02/report-ford-transit-connect-to-be-sold-in-u-s/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Perhaps taking a note from DaimlerChrysler's playbook, Ford will reportedly be importing a version of the Ford Transit Connect commercial vehicle to be sold in the United States. DaimlerChrysler began selling the Sprinter commercial van in the U.S. around 2004, and has enjoyed success selling it to large corporations that need workhorse fleet vehicles with large, enclosed cargo spaces. The Turkish news website Sabah is reporting that the Transit Connect destined for our shores will be built in Turkey at Ford's Kocaeli facilities until production of the commercial van begins in the U.S. around 2009.

More info after jump.

Thanks for the tip, Igor!

[Source: Sabah]

Continue reading REPORT: Ford Transit Connect to be sold in U.S.

REPORT: Ford Transit Connect to be sold in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Jan 2007 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>commercial truckcommercial vehicleCommercialTruckCommercialVehicletransittransit connectTransitConnectTue, 02 Jan 2007 16:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Vauxhall freights in reworked Vivaro]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/05/vauxhall-freights-in-reworked-vivaro/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/05/vauxhall-freights-in-reworked-vivaro/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/05/vauxhall-freights-in-reworked-vivaro/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We're by no means experts on European commercial vehicles, but it would seem that White Van Men on the continent are about to be inundated with new product choices, while their Stateside counterparts continue to make due largely by choosing between a Dodge/Freightliner Sprinter, Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana, or Ford's jurassic Econoline. In just the past month or so, we've seen a fresh-faced Volkswagen Crafter and Fiat's new Ducato (along with its Citroen Jumper and Peugeot Boxer twins), and now Vauxhall is set to market a revamped Vivaro.

The Vauxhauler receives an exterior once-over, keeping its distinctive bubble roofline, but adding new light fixtures front and rear and a new V-shaped grille.

Inside, upholstery and trim materials have been upgraded, with faux metal trim and chrome-ringed gauges, and a new range of infotainment options available.

Later in 2006, buyers will have their choice of a revamped engine range as well, including a pair of new 2.0-liter common rail turbodiesels or a tidied-up 2.5-liter CDTi, all yoked to six-speed manual gearboxes.

[Source: Transport News Network]

Vauxhall freights in reworked Vivaro originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jun 2006 20:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Chevrolet ExpressChevroletExpressChevy ExpressChevyExpresscommercial truckcommercial vanCommercialTruckCommercialVancrafterDodge SprinterDodgeSprinterEconolineFreightliner SprinterFreightlinerSprinterVanVauxhallvivaroVolkswagen crafterVolkswagenCrafterVW CrafterVwCrafterwhite van manWhiteVanManMon, 05 Jun 2006 20:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Fiat debuts Ducato "Truckster" concept]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/26/fiat-debuts-ducato-truckster-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/26/fiat-debuts-ducato-truckster-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/26/fiat-debuts-ducato-truckster-concept/#commentsFiled under: ,



Fiat's Light Commercial Vehicles Division is showing off its brand new Ducato at the Madrid Motor Show today, and to celebrate the launch of the new version the Fiat Style Center has created the "Truckster" show van.

With a style described as "modern and exuberant," the Truckster would certainly stand out in a crowd of tuner vehicles, if only because of its size - over 21 feet in length and 8+ feet high, the winged Truckster is not a vehicle for introverts.

The concept of "sporting performance applied to a commercial vehicle" is manifest in the huge rear-mounted biplane wing, the side pipes, and those must-have sponsor decals adorning the rear quarter. Other features include hydraulic gullwing doors, LED headlights, and a sporty interior treatment. The Truckster rolls on massive 28-inch wheels.

We'll see if we can get our hard-working Madrid Auto Show team to grab some live shots - in the meantime, enjoy the designers' sketches after the jump.

[Source: Fiat]

Continue reading Fiat debuts Ducato "Truckster" concept

Fiat debuts Ducato "Truckster" concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 May 2006 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>commercial truckCommercialTruckducatofiatmadrid auto showmadrid motor showtrucksterwhite van manWhiteVanManFri, 26 May 2006 09:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Your next utility emergency could be handled by a hybrid truck]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/12/your-next-utility-emergency-could-be-handled-by-a-hybrid-truck/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/12/your-next-utility-emergency-could-be-handled-by-a-hybrid-truck/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/12/your-next-utility-emergency-could-be-handled-by-a-hybrid-truck/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A variety of segments in the heavy-truck industry could be well suited to hybrid drivetrains, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is showing off a couple different types at its Hybrid Vehicle expo.

TXU was showing off its recently purchased hybrid-electric utility bucket trucks, developed by International and Eaton. The hybrid version is said to add approximately $30,000 to the $140K base price of the truck, and we're not sufficiently familiar with the economics of operating such a vehicle to say whether or not that investment will pay off (International has claimed a 30% improvement in fuel economy). Given the 20-year average service life of such a truck, though, there is plenty of opportunity for hybrids to demonstrate an economic advantage.

Peterbilt also teamed up with Eaton to show off a hydraulically-boosted garbage hauler. In this case, ignore the potential fuel savings for just a moment - we'd be happy if the truck could silently move from house to house at 5AM, instead of waking us with a roaring engine and shrieking brakes. In all seriousness, it's hard to imagine an application that's better suited to a hybrid drivetrain, and we're excited to see such a vehicle getting some attention.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Your next utility emergency could be handled by a hybrid truck originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 May 2006 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Truckmaker Volvo AB announced earlier today that it has purchased a 13-percent interest in the Nissan Diesel Company from Nissan Motor Company. The $195 million dollar stake boosts the Swedish company's profile in Asia, with the option to buy Nissan Motor's remaining 6-percent stake within the next four years.

Today's news is particularly interesting given that the company revealed designs on improving its North American commercial truck business this past January.

[Source: Reuters]

Commercial appeal: Volvo seen buying stake in Nissan (the truckmakers, ya'll) originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Mar 2006 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Commercial truckCommercialTruckNissantruckmakerVolvoTue, 21 Mar 2006 09:00:00 EST