Autoblog

Click the Lotus 2-Eleven for a high-res gallery

Last March at the Geneva Motor Show, Lotus announced a new track car based on the Elise called the 2-Eleven. The stripped-down 1,474-pound 2-Eleven reduces the already spartan Elise to its bare essentials. Any semblance of a roof has been stripped away while the supercharged Toyota 1.8L puts out 252hp. The aerodynamics have been modified to maximize downforce, and sixty miles per hour comes up from a standstill in 3.9 seconds. Alas, the US has no single vehicle type certification rules like those in England that allow lights to be added so the car can be driven on the street. For those in the US who want a wicked-fast toy for track days, start pulling the coins out of your sofa cushions because the 2-Eleven will run you $78,000 when it becomes available next year.

[Source: Lotus]

Porsche has been trotting out its prototype Cayenne Hybrid in Europe for much of this year, but yesterday in Los Angeles we got our first look at it on U.S. soil. Porsche management board member Dr. Wolfgang Duerheimer told us about the Cayenne Hybrid, which will go into production toward the end of this decade. In many respects, the parallel hybrid system is fairly conventional with a nickel metal hydride battery pack, although the packaging is fairly unique as the motor's mounted with the rear differential. From a performance perspective, Porsche is aiming for a 30% efficiency improvement on the EU combined cycle with a rating of at least 26 mpg (US). What really sets Porsche's hybrid system apart, though, is the ability to shut off the engine when cruising at speeds up to 75 MPH. The Cayenne can potentially cruise the autobahn on battery power alone for several miles if conditions allow for it. Other hybrid systems only allow EV mode up to about 30 mph. It will be interesting to see how well this works in the real world, and whether or not a light right foot will allow you to accelerate up to 75 MPH on battery power alone.

[Source: Porsche]

Surprise, Surprise! Founder of Green Car Journal Ron Cogan announced that the third annual Green Car of the Year Award would go to the big GM Hybrid SUV for its innovation in demonstrating that a vehicle with lots of people and cargo hauling capability could still offer fuel economy equivalent to that of a much smaller four-cylinder sedan. Of the five nominees that include the Saturn Aura Green Line, Chevy Malibu Hybrid, Nissan Altima Hybrid and Mazda Tribute Hybrid, GM's Two-Mode Hybrid system is clearly the most innovative.

[Source: AutoblogGreen]

Click the FCX Clarity for a high res gallery

Two years after unveiling the fuel cell-powered FCX concept at the Tokyo Motor Show, Honda today revealed the production version of the car that will be available next summer, along with a name and a price. The car now known as the FCX Clarity will be available to retail customers starting in mid-2008 for a three year lease. The $600/month price tag will include all maintenance and collision insurance. Unlike GM's Project Driveway program, Honda made it clear that engineers won't be following these cars around. People will be able to come into a Honda dealer, sign the papers and drive away. At least if they live in southern California. Initially, the cars will only be available to customers in areas where hydrogen filling stations are available. The production version remains true to the concept with the only real change being the nose, which has been stretched a few inches to provide for some crush space. The range on a full tank of hydrogen compressed to 5,000 psi remains at 270 miles and the vertical flow fuel cell can start at temperatures down to -22F

[Source: Honda]