Autoblog

Not Done Yet: Hummer H3, H3T get biofuel capability, new colors for 2010

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:20:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Truck, Hummer, Electric

2010 Hummer H3 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Can a Hummer be green? The brand that most obviously represents American excess in the minds of environmentalists - though Hummer's vehicles aren't actually worse than any other large SUV - has seemingly been fighting off its negative stigma since shortly after the introduction of the larger-than-life H2. Part of the brand's hopeful transformation includes giving each model a flex-fuel variant, and the latest application of that principle is seen on the 2010 H3 and H3T.

Interestingly, the engine that gets the E85 capability is the largest and most powerful option: the 5.3-liter V8 as fitted to the top-level Alpha series - not the slightly more fuel efficient inline-five. In any case, anyone who ticks the V8 box on the options list will be blessed with 300 horsepower, 320 lb-ft of torque and the ability to pump ethanol into the tank if he or she should so desire.

Not green enough for you? Baby steps, people... Hummer CEO James Taylor (no, not that James Taylor) promises bigger eco steps in the near future, saying, "This is just the first step in Hummer's evolution to offer responsible, yet highly capable all-terrain vehicles. Future models will be lighter, more efficient and will continue to offer the best blend of off-road capability and on-road performance."

In related news, the 2010 Hummer H3 and H3T will be offered with three new premium exterior colors for 2010: Red Rock Metallic, Silver Stone Metallic, and Canyon Metallic. Huh, no green? Each of the three new hues can be seen in our photo gallery below, and you can view the official press release after the jump. Enjoy!

Gallery: 2010 Hummer H3 and H3T

[Source: Hummer]

Continue reading Not Done Yet: Hummer H3, H3T get biofuel capability, new colors for 2010

Not Done Yet: Hummer H3, H3T get biofuel capability, new colors for 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Geneva 2009: Bentley takes a tipple, Continental SuperSports goes FFV

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 04:24:00 EST

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Supercars, Bentley

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2010 Bentley Continental Supersports

Bentley claims that the new Continental Supersports is the fastest, most powerful production Bentley ever produced. But beyond raw power and speed, CEO Franz-Josef Paefgen said it was the beginning of a new era for Bentley. Paefgen declared that when this recession ends outstanding cars will be needed to lead the way. To that end the Continental Supersports program shaved 242 pounds off the big coupe, removed the back seat and bumped up the output to 621 hp. That's enough to push this big coupe to 204 mph top end and while passing through 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds.

The really big news is the addition of flex-fuel capability to the twin-turbo W12. Paefgen claims that fueling the Supersports on E85 can reduce well-to-wheel CO2 emissions by up to 70%. Of course that figure would be commensurate with using cellulosic ethanol which is currently available... no where. Paefgen announced that between now and 2012 all Bentley's will get flex-fuel capability and in that year an all new powertrain will be introduced. Paefgen did acknowledge that E85 capability is simply a stepping stone to future technologies like plug-in hybrids start to make a dent over the next decade.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Bentley Continental Supersports

Gallery: Bentley Continental Supersports

Continue reading Geneva 2009: Bentley takes a tipple, Continental SuperSports goes FFV

Geneva 2009: Bentley takes a tipple, Continental SuperSports goes FFV originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 04:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

From Royal Blue to Green: the Queen retrofits her Bentleys to run on bio-fuel

Noah Joseph — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Government/Legal, Green, Bentley, Celebrities

Click above to view the Bentley State Limousine in our hi-res gallery

Britain's royal family may not have the power to legislate any new initiatives, green or otherwise, but the heads of state still wield influence over public opinion and have taken up the cause of environmentally-conscious motoring. Following the lead of her son and heir Charles, the Prince of Wales - who had his Aston Martin converted to run on old wine and his Range Rover, Jaguar and Audi to run on discarded cooking oil - Queen Elizabeth II is having her bespoke Bentley limos converted to run on bio-fuels.

The Bentley State Limousine is based on the Arnage, but custom-crafted in-house by the company's Mulliner coachbuilding division. Only two were ever made, at a reported cost of over $14 million a piece, one of which was presented as a gift to Her Majesty upon her Golden Jubilee in 2002, while the second was commissioned by the crown as a back-up. The four-ton armored vehicles, continuously maintained by Bentley, are powered by the company's perennial 6.75-liter V8 producing 400 horsepower, and will be converted to run on bio-fuel. Bentley says the royal family are big supporters of Crewe's initiative to switch to bio-fuels, as Bentley aims to offer all its models with flex-fuel capacity by 2012.

Gallery: 2002 Bentley State Limousine

[Source: The Daily Mail via Luxist]

From Royal Blue to Green: the Queen retrofits her Bentleys to run on bio-fuel originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ford gives 88-MPG flex-fuel, plug-in Escape Hybrid to Department of Energy

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, SUV, Government/Legal, Green, Ford

The Blue Oval has gifted the U.S. Department of Energy a one-of-a-kind vehicle: a plug-in Escape Hybrid that can run on E85, has a 30-mile range on pure electric power at up to 40 mph, and gets 88 mpg in the city and 50 mpg on the highway. Yes, you read that correctly. But you might want to read it again.

The Escape uses a 4-cylinder engine assisted by a 10kW lithium-ion battery pack made by Johnson Controls/Saft. In pure electric mode, the battery pack runs until it is 70-percent depleted, and then the gasoline engine kicks in. The vehicle's emissions are estimated to be 60-percent less than that of a traditional gas vehicle, and that could climb all the way to 90-percent less if the car used cellulosic ethanol.

This is one of 20 vehicles that Ford is giving to government and research bodies in order to help push the growth and penetration of hybrid vehicles. Mark Fields, Ford's president of the Americas, said "There's no silver bullet solution, so we're pursuing multiple technology paths - recognizing that commercial viability is an essential component for success." And we say hear hear, well done, and it's about time...

[Source: Ford via GM Inside News]

Ford gives 88-MPG flex-fuel, plug-in Escape Hybrid to Department of Energy originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Jun 2008 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

2009 HUMMER H2 and H2 SUT will be E85 compatible

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 16:03:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Etc., Hummer

In Dallas, a businessman has spent half a million dollars to install nine pumps that dispense E85, E10, and biodiesel. The catch: the businessman is a HUMMER dealer, and the pumps are next to his dealership. The station is called Classic Clean Fuels, and it is intended to make a statement for next year's H2 and H2 SUT, which will be the first production models to be Flex-fuel capable.

You won't need to drive a HUMMER to get E85 at the station. The pumps are open to the public, a first for a dealer-owned gas station. By 2010, GM has said all HUMMERs will be biofuel-capable. GM plans to market 15 Flexfuel models next year, but only one percent of the country's service stations sell E85. GM is using that as an opportunity to open the public's (and dealers') minds to putting alternative fuel stations in alternative places.

Said GM's Larry Burns, "Down the road we may even want to consider hydrogen dispensers at dealerships."

[Source: Auto News, sub req'd]

2009 HUMMER H2 and H2 SUT will be E85 compatible originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 30 Mar 2008 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

The US according to Lutz: ethanol, yes, diesels, not so much

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 19:33:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Green, Technology, GM

In the fuel economy and future tech debate, the hybrid vs. diesel vs. hydrogen fuel cells vs. smaller cars and smaller engines always provokes a fair bit of discussion among Autoblog commentators. At this point, no one yet knows what's going to win since nobody knows how the volatile mix of products, timelines, prices, regulations, legislation, state standards, and gas prices will ultimately pan out. Bob Lutz's prediction is that diesels, at least as far as the US is concerned, won't be much of a factor.

His reasoning is simple: "I think customers are going to say, 'Wait a minute. At equal fuel prices I'm paying $4,000 more for this." Unlike many countries in Europe, the US offers no incentive for people to buy diesels. In the States the price of a diesel vehicle is often more than $1,000 higher than that of a gasoline-engined car, and diesel fuel is just as expensive as gas (throughout California and other states, it's slightly more expensive than premium unleaded). In that case, Lutz's opinion is that just about all the customer will glean from an oilburner is a higher car payment.

Lutz sees diesel uptake in the US hovering at about eight-percent. The technology he sees as winning the day: ethanol. It's clean, it's easy to integrate into the refueling infrastructure, and it "doesn't require a change in consumer behavior." (Except for the people in emerging markets who've seen the price of corn skyrocket.) For another take on the fuel economy battle, according to Kelly Blue Book, 40-percent of US new car shoppers think hybrids are the future, with just 17-percent citing flex-fuel.

[Source: The Car Connection]

The US according to Lutz: ethanol, yes, diesels, not so much originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jan 2008 19:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

AutoblogGreen reviews the Dodge Avenger

Alex Nunez — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 16:34:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Sedan, Green, Dodge

If you're interested on getting an Autoblog Garage-style take on the new Dodge Avenger, head over to AutoblogGreen, where Sam Abuelsamid reviews the medium-sized Charger doppelganger after spending a few days with one of the sedans in SXT trim. Why AutoblogGreen? Well, Sam ran the car on E85 once the partial tank of gasoline it was delivered with ran out, so in addition to a review of the car in general, he weighs in on that aspect as well. Check out the full review here.

[Source: AutoblogGreen]

AutoblogGreen reviews the Dodge Avenger originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Aug 2007 16:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Detroit Auto Show: Ford officially debuts TwinForce TT-V6

Eric Bryant — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 11:41:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Green, Technology, Ford

Touted as a means to give V8-like horsepower with V6 fuel economy, the TwinForce V6 at this year's Detroit Auto Show stands as one of Ford's biggest announcements so far. Started with the Duratec 35 as a foundation, the engine's combination of turbocharging and direct injection yields a claimed 415 HP and 400 ft-lb of torque - more than enough to smoke any naturally-aspirated V8 currently offered by the Blue Oval here in the United States.

The engine also offers flex-fuel capabilities, with operation possible on either premium gasoline or E85. Ford also claims 15% better fuel economy than a 6.0L V8 of similar performance, so the tire-smoking can commence with reduced guilt. There's no word yet as to whether the new motor can take advantage of the superior knock resistance of ethanol to provide a horsepower bump, but this seems like an ideal platform on which to roll out such a feature. The horsepower junkies among us might also want to consider that an injector sized to flow enough E85 for 400+ HP will probably support at least 600 HP on gasoline, so the aftermarket should have a field day with turning up the wick on the TwinForce.

What do you say - should Ford put this thing into a Mustang, stuff a bulletproof drivetrain behind it, and continue in the V8-terrorizing tradition of the Buick GN and Toyota Supra? Just the thought of such a monster sends chills up our spine.

Click past the jump for the full press release and a general overview of the plumbing; meanwhile, we'll try to snap some live shots of the motor on the show floor.

Check out all the debuts and galleries from the Detroit Auto Show here.

Continue reading Detroit Auto Show: Ford officially debuts TwinForce TT-V6

Detroit Auto Show: Ford officially debuts TwinForce TT-V6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 07 Jan 2007 11:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Brazil's flex-fuel vehicle market share drops - to "only" 76 percent

Stuart Waterman — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 16:05:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Hybrid

May new vehicle sales in Brazil were up 25 percent year-over-year, but the market share of flex-fuel vehicles fell for the second month in a row, to a mere 76.3 percent of the total.

The sale of flex-fuel cars fell a fraction of a percent as ethanol prices rose, but the next sugar cane harvest is underway and ethanol prices fell 11 percent in May, which is expected to boost flex-fuel vehicle sales going forward.

Not only do flex-fuel vehicles claim the lion's share of Brazil's new car market today, but the country's national automaker's association fully expects FFVs to account for 100 percent of Brazil's new car sales in the not-too-distant future.

Volkswagen apparently got the memo - earlier this week the automaker said it had ended production of gasoline-only cars and will now produce only flex-fuel models in Brazil.

Brazil produces ethanol fuel from sugar cane at roughly half the cost of U.S. ethanol. U.S. producers are protected by a hefty 54 cents-a-gallon tariff on imported ethanol.

[Sources: Reuters, Bloomberg]

Brazil's flex-fuel vehicle market share drops - to "only" 76 percent originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Jun 2006 16:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Robert Redford wants you to Kick the Oil Habit

Eric Bryant — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 17:05:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Green

The Center for American Progress, which bills itself as a nonpartisan organization (we'll let our readers form their own opinion), has kicked off a campaign to Kick the Oil Habit. Academy Award winner Robert Redford was given a spot on CNN.com's front page to speak his mind about the project, which is certainly an unusual opportunity.

The first step to kicking this habit, according to Redford and the CAP, is to encourage oil companies to increase the availability of E85 and flexible-fuel vehicles (FFVs). The goal is to double the number of E85 pumps in the next year, and to make E85 available at half of the nation's gas stations in this decade. After that, things get a bit fuzzier, with calls to "launch new challenges to our elected leaders".

Certainly, we look forward to the successful deployment of alternatives to oil, and hopefully the campaign can generate some concrete proposals. At this time, however, there doesn't yet appear to be much to this push, except an effort to promote the so-called "carbohydrate economy".

[Source: CNN.com]

Robert Redford wants you to Kick the Oil Habit originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Jun 2006 17:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Toyota hybrid production could hit 1 million units within next decade

Stuart Waterman — Fri, 26 May 2006 16:03:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Toyota

As automakers blitz Washington with their answers to the U.S. dependency on increasingly expensive foreign oil, it was Toyota's turn to step up to the plate Wednesday. Speaking to the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee, Toyota's advanced technology manager, William Reinert, focused on his company's hybrid solution, saying its annual production of hybrids could pass the one million mark within the next decade.

While Toyota is far from alone in its development of hybrid vehicle technology, according to Reuters, it would appear to be far ahead of its U.S. competitors, who are instead focusing on alternative fuels (notably ethanol) as their near-term 'silver bullet,' while they play catch-up with hybrid technologies.

Of course, Reuters points out, the problem with the flex-fuel alternative is the necessary, massive build-out of an ethanol infrastructure before the fuel can have a significant impact on America's energy situation. Building flex-fuel-capable vehicles is not the problem - growing, refining and distributing the fuel is, and in the mean time, Toyota continues to refine its hybrids, focusing on improving production efficiency and lowering costs.

[Source: Reuters]

Toyota hybrid production could hit 1 million units within next decade originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 May 2006 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

PSA: Don't use E85 if your vehicle wasn't designed for it

Eric Bryant — Tue, 23 May 2006 18:04:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Hybrid, Government/Legal, Green

The likelihood of accidentally using E85 in a vehicle designed only to run on straight gasoline is pretty damn small, considering the difficulty of even intentionally encountering an E85 pump. Regardless, a group of automakers and petroleum industry officials are reminding consumers that fuels containing blends of ethanol over 10% (E10) are only for "flex-fuel" vehicles. Additionally, consumers are being warned that modifying standard vehicles to use higher blends of ethanol is not recommended. The corrosive effects of ethanol can cause damage to standard fuel system over time, and making the necessary changes to the engine management system calibration will almost certainly run afoul of the EPA and its myriad regulations concerning emissions compliance.

For those wondering if your vehicle is certified to run on E85, check the owner's manual, or go to the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition's list of flex-fuel vehicles.

[Source: AP]

PSA: Don't use E85 if your vehicle wasn't designed for it originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 May 2006 18:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Detroit automakers pledge support for "25x25" Initiative

Stuart Waterman — Sat, 20 May 2006 11:59:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Hybrid, Green, Chrysler, Ford, GM

As reported earlier, the CEOs of the Big Three met with Congressional leaders Thursday, pledging their support for U.S. energy security through advanced technology initiatives and alternative fuels.

Tom LaSorda, Bill Ford and Rick Wagoner (right) told Congress that they support the "25x25" Initiative, an effort to get 25 percent of U.S. transportation energy needs met by renewable fuels by 2025. The Initiative is led by the Energy Future Coalition, with support from agriculture and forestry groups.

The U.S. automakers say they're doing their part with the production of flexible fuel vehicles, but said that fuel availability is a major obstacle to meeting the 2025 target. With only about 600 retail outlets currently carrying E-85 , the automakers say the figure will need to climb to the 34,000-50,000 to support the increased production of E-85-capable vehicles.

[Source: General Motors]

Detroit automakers pledge support for "25x25" Initiative originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 May 2006 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

2007 Dodge Durango official pics and deets

John Neff — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 12:27:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Dodge, Misc. Auto Shows

Dodge unveiled its refreshened Durango for 2007 yesterday at the Dallas Auto Show with the announcement that in 2008 the company will be producing the Durango HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle). The HEV version of Dodge's big brute ute will feature the company's lauded 5.7L HEMI V8 mated to a two-mode hybrid system. The pair will achieve up to a 25-percent increase in fuel economy. Also of note is the availability of Dodge's Multi-displacement System (MDS) that can power down the HEMI V8's cylinders at will to save fuel and a new E85-compatible 4.7L flex-fuel V8.

As for the Durango's new design, it's restricted to a new grille, front and rear fascias and an optional set of dubs (read: 20-inch wheels). The inside is augmented with available second-row bucket seats for the first time.

Catch all of Dodge's official pics and the company's press release after the jump.

[Source: Dodge]

Continue reading 2007 Dodge Durango official pics and deets

2007 Dodge Durango official pics and deets originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Apr 2006 12:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

UK gets its first bioethanol E85 pump

Stuart Waterman — Thu, 16 Mar 2006 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid

Just in time for the first deliveries of Saab's 9-5 BioPower flex-fuel car, supermarket chain Morrisons opened the UK's very first E85 pump Wednesday. Pump 1 will open in Norwich, followed by four other sites in eastern England.

The Harvest BioEthanol E85 fuel will be priced about 2 pence per liter below gasoline. In many parts of the U.S., E85 costs as much or more than gasoline, as demand for ethanol exceeds supply.

Morrisons is also one of the UK's leading retailers of LPG auto fuel, with more than 45 outlets.

[Sources: Reuters, Morrisons]

UK gets its first bioethanol E85 pump originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Mar 2006 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments