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[Buick Regal likely to be launch platform for next GM hybrid system]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/buick-regal-likely-to-be-launch-platform-for-next-gm-hybrid-syst/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/buick-regal-likely-to-be-launch-platform-for-next-gm-hybrid-syst/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/buick-regal-likely-to-be-launch-platform-for-next-gm-hybrid-syst/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2011 Buick Regal - Click above for high-res image gallery

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 2010, and some are suggesting that the sedan will be sourced from Germany for 12 to 15 months.

The base engine will be the 2.4-liter normally aspirated unit that debuted earlier this year in the Chevrolet Equinox, among other models. With a six-speed automatic transmission, the Regal should hit 30+ mpg on the highway. The optional unit will be a 220-hp version of the 2.0-liter turbo, but that powertrain likely won't come on-line right away.

Earlier this year, documents were leaked that listed the Oshawa plant as building a new mid-size hybrid sedan in 2011. It looks like the Regal will be that car with GM's new second generation mild hybrid system that was announced in 2008. The new system uses a more powerful motor/generator and a lithium ion battery. According to Ward's Auto World, the Regal could also get GM's plug-in two mode hybrid system, but that likely won't appear before late 2011 at the earliest.


Gallery: 2011 Buick Regal


[Sources: Ward's Auto World - sub req'd | GM-Volt.com]

Buick Regal likely to be launch platform for next GM hybrid system originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011BuickBuick Regalbuick regal hybridBuickRegalBuickRegalHybridhybridmild hybridMildHybridplug inplug in hybridplug-inplug-in hybridplug-in-hybridplug-in-hybridsPlug-inHybridpluginPlugInHybridpluginsregalregal hybridRegalHybridFri, 13 Nov 2009 18:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Daimler's Car2Go program coming to Austin, Texas this fall]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/02/daimlers-car2go-program-coming-to-austin-texas-this-fall/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/02/daimlers-car2go-program-coming-to-austin-texas-this-fall/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/02/daimlers-car2go-program-coming-to-austin-texas-this-fall/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Last October we advised you not to hold your breath for Daimler's Car2Go program to come to America. You can breathe again. If you live in Austin, Texas you'll be able to rent a mild hybrid Smart ForTwo by the minute this fall. Austin was chosen because of its university population and its concern for the environment.

Car2Go makes its fleet available on-demand, with a clear price structure, and you can keep the car as long as you wish. Those in the program access the vehicles by swiping a tag on their driver's licenses over a card reader on the car. As with the pilot program in Ulm, Germany the service will start in Austin with an initial fleet, expected to consist of around 200 Smarts that will be available to city employees first and then expand to public use at the conclusion of a trial period.

Gallery: smart fortwo in Texas and Germany


[Source: Canadian Driver]

Daimler's Car2Go program coming to Austin, Texas this fall originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>austinaustin texasAustinTexascar2gocoupedaimlereconomyhatchbacklifestylemild hybridMildHybridrental carrental carsRentalCarRentalCarsrentalssmartsmart fortwoSmartFortwotexasThu, 02 Apr 2009 08:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Saturn drops Green Line name from hybrids]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/11/saturn-drops-green-line-name-from-hybrids/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/11/saturn-drops-green-line-name-from-hybrids/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/11/saturn-drops-green-line-name-from-hybrids/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The Saturn Green Line is no longer. In its stead, the planetary brand's hybrid models will simply be known as hybrids. We think this is a good idea considering that the word 'hybrid' is much more readily associated with saving gas than the Green Line moniker. According to Mike Morrissey, a Saturn spokesman, "It was simply a practical matter. As we expand our hybrid lineup, the names were getting a bit long. It's hard to write a short sentence about the Saturn Vue Green Line 2-Mode Hybrid." Amen to that. Though the Green Line name will disappear, the performance version of Saturn's models will retain their Red Line badges.

Saturn's current green line of hybrids includes two models, the Aura and the Vue, both equipped with the so-called "mild hybrid" system that is not capable of moving the vehicle under electric power alone. Next year, a version of the Vue utility vehicle will be offered with a system derived from what is currently available in the Tahoe and Yukon full-sizers known as the 2-Mode. That model will be a full hybrid and should return much better mileage than the current Vue hybrid, which is rated at 25 mpg in the city and 32 on the highway.

[Source: Kicking Tires]

Saturn drops Green Line name from hybrids originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2-modeaura green lineAuraGreenLinemild hybridMildHybridsaturnsaturn aurasaturn aura hybridsaturn vuesaturn vue hybridSaturnAuraSaturnAuraHybridSaturnVueSaturnVueHybridvue green lineVueGreenLineWed, 11 Jun 2008 14:29:00 EST<![CDATA[General Motors plans to purchase Cobasys outright]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/05/general-motors-plans-to-purchase-cobasys-outright/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/05/general-motors-plans-to-purchase-cobasys-outright/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/05/general-motors-plans-to-purchase-cobasys-outright/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Shortly after reports of leaky batteries coming from Cobasys, which greatly slowed the production of GM's mild hybrid vehicles, such as the Saturn Vue and Aura hybrids and Chevy Malibu hybrid, comes a report from Automotive News which suggests that General Motors may just purchase the troubled battery maker outright. That's one way to manage the problem, wouldn't you say? Though GM would own 100-percent of Cobasys, some sort of partnership is said to be in the works, though that other entity remains unknown. Before this announcement, Chevron and Energy Conversion Devices, co-owners of the battery supplier, had been fighting over ownership of the company.

What effect this news may have on GM's future hybrid plans remains unknown. Currently, Cobasys supplies nickel metal hydride batteries to the General. The upcoming Chevy Volt will use the newer lithium ion batteries. Still, General Motors recently showed off a new version of its mild hybrid technology, and therefore may have extended plans for future batteries from Cobasys.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

General Motors plans to purchase Cobasys outright originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Jun 2008 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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As much as General Motors would like to sell more hybrids, we'd imagine it would be pretty tough to do so without having the batteries on hand. It turns out that since December of last year, GM has had to recall some nine-thousand battery packs produced by its supplier, Cobasys, which were due for installation in mild hybrid versions of the Chevrolet Malibu, Saturn Vue and Saturn Aura. The culprit was reportedly an internal leak in the pack which caused the entire unit to be inoperable. This setback hurts even more in the face of record gasoline prices and the resultant record sales of hybrid vehicles.

Chevrolet plans to begin production of the 2009 Malibu hybrid on June 23. Cobasys says that it has resolved the leaky battery problem and that current units are shipping without defects. Unfortunately, some damage has already been done, especially for the Saturn brand, as sales of the hybrid version of the Vue have gone down from 2,683 units by this time last year to just 326 units thus far this year to go along with just 69 retail sales of the Aura hybrid.

[Source: Detroit News]

Doh! Battery leakage hurts GM hybrid production originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Jun 2008 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aura hybridAuraHybridcobasysgm hybridGmHybridmalibu hybridMalibuHybridmild hybridMildHybridvue hybridVueHybridTue, 03 Jun 2008 08:28:00 EST<![CDATA[GM planning Astra hybrid]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/03/gm-planning-astra-hybrid/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/03/gm-planning-astra-hybrid/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/03/gm-planning-astra-hybrid/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


GM has a huge hit in the current generation Opel Astra, and the General is well into the development of a replacement for the compact hatch too keep the good times a-rollin. The next-generation Astra will likely be made in multiple locations for markets like the US and it will be one of 13 global products to ride on an updated Delta platform. If the Opel E-Flex concept ever hits production, it may not be alone. A GM engineer told Automobilwoche that the next Opel Astra will also employ hybrid technology, which would give the small car Prius-like mileage. Saab may also be getting a small hybrid from the same platform, with the US market a near definite.

The US is just getting the Saturn version of the Astra this fall, and we in the States will get the newer version of the Opel's little hit, too. The success of the Euro Astra makes its Saturn twin the best small car effort GM has made in years, and North America's largest automaker will likely pull out all the stops to make sure the hatchback hits its target. Since the newest Saturn hasn't even launched yet, it's premature for GM to announce hybrids on the next-generation architecture. We're hoping battery power is part of the general's North American plans, but since the US is much more receptive to hybrids than Europe, the green powerplant makes too much sense not to duplicate here in the States.

[Source: Automotive News (sub. req'd)]

GM planning Astra hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Oct 2007 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>General MotorsGeneralMotorsHybridMild HybridMildHybridOpel AstraOpelAstraSaabSaturn Astra HybridSaturnAstraHybridWed, 03 Oct 2007 10:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Buick may get its first hybrid... in China]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/17/buick-getting-its-first-hybrid-in-china/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/17/buick-getting-its-first-hybrid-in-china/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/17/buick-getting-its-first-hybrid-in-china/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


click above image to view more pics of the Buick LaCrosse sold in China

By now, many people are of the opinion that the best Buicks in the world are sold in China. The new Zeta-based, rear-wheel drive Park Avenue just introduced for the Chinese market would do wonders for the brand in North America, while the front-wheel drive LaCrosse sold there wears a much classier design than our own. According to the folks at Winding Road, who spent some time with the GM China crew at the Shanghai Auto Show, a hybrid version of the LaCrosse is also on its way to Chinese customers. The hybrid LaCrosse will likely use the Belt-Alternator Starter system used by GM's mild hybrids in the U.S. While not as frugal with the fuel as a full-on hybrid, the BAS system is less complex and less expensive. We don't expect the LaCrosse sold in North America, or any Buick sold in North America for that matter, to feature a hybrid drivetrain anytime soon.

[Source: Winding Road]

Gallery: Buick LaCrosse (China)

Buick may get its first hybrid... in China originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Apr 2007 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BAS hybridBasHybridbelt-alternator starterBelt-alternatorStarterbuick lacrosseBuickLacrossechina buick lacrosseChinaBuickLacrossechinese buick lacrosseChineseBuickLacrossehybridlacrossemild hybridMildHybridTue, 17 Apr 2007 12:28:00 EST<![CDATA[DaimlerChrysler and BMW to develop mild hybrid system]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/01/daimlerchrysler-and-bmw-to-develop-mild-hybrid-system/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/01/daimlerchrysler-and-bmw-to-develop-mild-hybrid-system/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/01/daimlerchrysler-and-bmw-to-develop-mild-hybrid-system/#commentsFiled under: ,



DaimlerChrysler and BMW are already cooperating with General Motors on developing the well-documented two-mode full hybrid system for a variety of vehicles scheduled to go into production starting early 2008. The Chevy Tahoe/GMC Yukon and Dodge Dakota Durango will be the first recipients. Today the two Germans in the trio announced plans to work together on a mild hybrid system to be used in rear-wheel drive luxury cars from Stuttgart and Munich. The system is expected to go into production in about three years. It sounds like the technology will probably be used as more of a performance enhancer that doesn't degrade efficiency.

The press release can be found after the jump.

[Source: DaimlerChrysler]

Continue reading DaimlerChrysler and BMW to develop mild hybrid system

DaimlerChrysler and BMW to develop mild hybrid system originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Mar 2007 19:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>joint developmentJointDevelopmentmild hybridMildHybridThu, 01 Mar 2007 19:35:00 EST<![CDATA[LA Auto Show: Aura toeing the Green Line]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/29/la-auto-show-aura-towing-the-green-line/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/29/la-auto-show-aura-towing-the-green-line/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/29/la-auto-show-aura-towing-the-green-line/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


UPDATE: Gallery of live shots added after jump


After being on sale for a year, the Saturn Aura is getting its green wings. The Aura Green Line is the first of four hybrids that General Motors will release in 2007, another of which includes the 2008 Saturn Vue Green Line. Like that vehicle, the Aura Green Line features a mild hybrid system that, while not boosting MPGs as high as a Toyota Prius, manages to keep the premium for being green lower than a traditional hybrid. The vehicle's base price, in fact, will begin below $23,000. Saturn designers also chose to keep the Aura Green Line's styling low key, with the only indication you're driving a green machine being the "Hybrid" badge on the back and the assist/charge gauge on the dash.

Follow the jump for more info and pics of the Aura Green Line, as well as GM's full press release.

Continue reading LA Auto Show: Aura toeing the Green Line

LA Auto Show: Aura toeing the Green Line originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Nov 2006 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AuraAura Green LineAuraGreenLineGreen LineGreenLinehybridmild hybridMildHybridVueVue Green LineVueGreenLineWed, 29 Nov 2006 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercedes S-Class hybrid coming in 2008]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/17/mercedes-s-class-hybrid-coming-in-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/17/mercedes-s-class-hybrid-coming-in-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/17/mercedes-s-class-hybrid-coming-in-2008/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

DaimlerChrysler is reportedly preparing a hybrid version of its S-Class luxury sedan for sale in 2008. Likely spurred on by Lexus introducing the LS600h L at the 2006 New York auto show, Mercedes plans to offer a slightly different set up than its Japanese competitor. Whereas the LS600h L is a full hybrid pairing a 4.3L V8 with a pair of electric motors (it's named the LS600h L because Lexus claims the engine's power is equivalent to that of a 6.0-liter V12), the Mercedes-Benz S-Class hybrid will likely be a mild hybrid. Both the Direct Hybrid and Bluetec Hybrid concepts shown at the 2005 Frankfurt motor were mild hybrids, meaning the electric motors only assist the engine, though the former paired its electric motor with a 3.5-liter gasoline engine and the latter used the 3.0-liter Bluetec diesel.

Furthermore, Mercedes will introduce the S-Class hybrid in the U.S. and Japan first, mainly because diesels are the powerplant of choice in Europe for those looking for high mileage.

[Source: Autoblog.nl]

Mercedes S-Class hybrid coming in 2008 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Jul 2006 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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