Autoblog

2012 Peugeot 508 RXH diesel hybrid to debut at Frankfurt Motor Show

Autoblog Staff — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Hybrid, Wagon, Crossover, Peugeot, Electric, Diesel

2012 Peugeot 508 RXH - Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2012 Peugeot 508 RXH diesel-electric hybrid has been officially revealed ahead of its world debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Featuring all-wheel drive via Peugeot's HYbrid4 technology, the 508 RXH comes packing the automaker's 2.0-liter HDi diesel engine with a 28-kilowatt (38-horsepower) electric motor. This system, identical to the one found in Peugeot's 3008 Hybrid4, makes the 508 RXH a so-called "through-the-road" hybrid vehicle. Combined, the diesel-electric hybrid drive unit delivers up to 147 kW (200 horsepower) and cranks out 332 pound-feet of torque.

The 508 RXH can operate in electric-only mode, though Peugeot has not revealed the vehicle's "zero-emissions" range. The French automaker say the 508 RXH consumes less than 4.2 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers (56 miles per gallon U.S.) in the combined cycle and emits 109 g/km of CO2.

The 508 RXH will go on sale in spring of 2012. Peugeot says it will extend its HYbrid4 technology to additional vehicles in the near future. Learn more in the official press release after the jump.

Continue reading 2012 Peugeot 508 RXH diesel hybrid to debut at Frankfurt Motor Show

2012 Peugeot 508 RXH diesel hybrid to debut at Frankfurt Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jul 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autocar: Next Subaru STI to go diesel, rival Mitsubishi Evo going hybrid

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 09:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Performance, Hatchback, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Rumormill, Diesel

2010 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Special Edition - Click above for high-res image gallery

Rumblings about a diesel-powered Subaru WRX STI first surfaced more than two years ago, and now they're back. The realities of meeting CO2 emissions limits in Europe and elsewhere may have increased the likelihood of a high-performance diesel Subaru, and an oil-burning STI would probably generate at least 200 horsepower and well over 300 pound-feet of torque, suggests Autocar. According to the UK rumor-traffickers, gasoline engines will almost certainly remain in the mix, albeit with reduced displacement. A new engine based on the 1.5-liter boxer in the base Impreza could offer suitable power if mixed with other technologies like direct injection. Even if Subaru does indeed develop a diesel STI, there's no guarantee that such a model would ever make it to North America.

Of course, the WRX doesn't live in a vacuum. Its longtime rival, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo may also ditch the spark plugs and also add a hybrid system. Earlier plans for a gas hybrid were reportedly canceled in favor of the diesel. The plan is to retain the Evo's sophisticated all-wheel-drive for acceleration to 60 mph in under five seconds and CO2 emissions below 200 grams per kilometer. Thanks to everyone for the tips!

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Special Edition

[Source: Autocar, Autocar]

Autocar: Next Subaru STI to go diesel, rival Mitsubishi Evo going hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Jun 2010 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Next Range Rover detailed, huge weight loss, 33 mpg!

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 17:42:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, SUV, Land Rover, Diesel, Luxury

It's no secret that in recent years Land Rover has been itching to reduce the mass of its products. Even before Ford sold the brand to Tata it had been working on a variety of lighter weight concepts. It looks like the next generation Range Rover will be the first benefactor of those efforts when it debuts in 2012.

The new flagship SUV is expected to cast a similar shadow to the current model, but the roof won't be nearly as tall. This should significantly reduce the frontal area and create less overall aerodynamic drag. Mass will be reduced by using a riveted aluminum chassis with the same type of construction as the Jaguar XJ. Land Rover is apparently targeting a cut of 450 kilograms (992 pounds), with composite materials in the body panels helping to achieve that goal.

The 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 now available in the Jaguar XF and XJ should bring CO2 emissions down from the the current 300+ grams / kilometer to under 200 g/km along with fuel economy of 33 mpg (U.S.) A diesel-hybrid is also expected in the lineup a couple of years after launch.

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Next Range Rover detailed, huge weight loss, 33 mpg! originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 17:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes outlines its "Road to the Future"

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:02:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Technology, Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz has laid out a long Road to the Future, detailing its efforts to create "fuel-efficient and environmentally-sustainable premium automobiles without the need to forgo the characteristic brand features." That's fancy talk for having your German chocolate cake and eating it, too.

The three areas on which the tri-pointed star wants to focus are fitting vehicles with the latest internal combustion engine technology, including smaller engines, gasoline direct injection, turbocharging, and BlueTEC; improving vehicle aerodynamics, weight, and energy management (BlueEFFICIENCY); adding more "hybrid" technologies like start/stop functions and a fully-electric-capable 2-mode hybrid drive; and creating zero-emissions vehicles.

Mercedes wants diesels as clean as gas engines, gas engines as efficient as diesels, diesel hybrids, lighter cars, better gas mileage, leprechauns, unicorns, and rainbows for everyone. Well, not those last three, but you get the picture. To understand the full sweep of Mercedes' efforts, follow the jump for the full press release.

[Source: eGM Car Tech]

Continue reading Mercedes outlines its "Road to the Future"

Mercedes outlines its "Road to the Future" originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW diesel-hybrid is DOA

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Volkswagen

Click above for a high-res gallery of the VW Golf TDI concept

The word came down yesterday from Auto Motor und Sport that the Volkswagen TDI hybrid Golf concept that debuted in Geneva wouldn't make the transition to production. According to the print edition of the German rag (translation courtesy of TTAC), the "forward-looking diesel-hybrid is already a thing of the past." That came as a surprise considering how well the concept was received and rumblings we heard from VW's people on the floor that the 69-mpg (European cycle) Golf was destined for the road. We shot off an email to a Volkswagen exec here in the States who responded by saying that, "It was just a concept. No plans to produce were announced." Too bad. Guess we'll have to make due with the gasoline-hybrid Golf that's due out in the next few years.

Gallery: VW Golf TDI Hybrid

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport via TTAC]

VW diesel-hybrid is DOA originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva '08 Preview: Mercedes Vision GLK BlueTec Diesel Hybrid concept gets 40mpg

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Geneva Motor Show, Green, Crossover, Mercedes-Benz

Click above for a high-res gallery of the MB GLK Hybrid

When Mercedes-Benz premiered the new GLK compact SUV at the Detroit Auto Show in January, the styling struck most people as at best awkward. With the outward appearance of the full-size GL shrunk down to an Escape-sized vehicle, it still looks like a reject for a Chrysler Sebring crossover. Regardless of what you think of the exterior body work, the latest edition of the GLK that Mercedes is showing in concept form at Geneva next week seems to be capable of pretty serious mileage for an SUV/CUV. The Vision GLK BlueTec Hybrid is another in the series of models using the new mild hybrid system Mercedes is developing with BMW. In this case, Mercedes has combined it with the 2.2L four cylinder diesel for a total output of 224 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. That's enough to move the GLK to 62 mph in 7.3 sec while getting 40 mpg (US). On the outside, the shell is covered in the same AluBeam paint that was on the anniversary edition AMG CL65 shown in New York last year, which looks absolutely stunning. The production version of the GLK debuts this summer and the mild hybrid system should start appearing in production BMWs and Benzes in 2009.

Gallery: Geneva '08: Mercedes-Benz Vision GLK BlueTec Hybrid

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Geneva '08 Preview: Mercedes Vision GLK BlueTec Diesel Hybrid concept gets 40mpg

Geneva '08 Preview: Mercedes Vision GLK BlueTec Diesel Hybrid concept gets 40mpg originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Feb 2008 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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