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[GM's Lauckner wishes for bigger incentives to get drivers out of gas-powered vehicles]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/gms-lauckner-wishes-for-bigger-incentives-to-get-drivers-out-of/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/gms-lauckner-wishes-for-bigger-incentives-to-get-drivers-out-of/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/gms-lauckner-wishes-for-bigger-incentives-to-get-drivers-out-of/#commentsFiled under: , ,

At this point, it's no secret that the Chevy Volt and other plug-in vehicles are not going to come cheap. About the least pricey full-speed electric vehicle may very well be the Nissan Leaf, which after incentives may be in the $27-28,000 range before the extra cost of leasing the battery. While the operational costs of these cars should be substantially less than any internal combustion vehicle, customers rarely think that far ahead when signing up for a car loan. That's especially true when gas remains well under $3 a gallon here in the US.

Speaking at the Business of Plugging In Conference in Dearborn, Michigan this week, GM's VP of Global Program Management told the audience that incentives will need to be increased for plug-in vehicles to start gaining a real foothold in the US market.

Although GM won't announce pricing until its launch a year from now, most observers expect the Volt to run about $40,000. With a $7,500 federal tax credit, it will still be well over $30,000, which is very expensive for a compact car. Unless gas prices get significantly higher or incentives are increased, most buyers are unlikely to find this or other plug-ins to be a good economic proposition.

[Source: Detroit News]

GM's Lauckner wishes for bigger incentives to get drivers out of gas-powered vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 chevy volt2011ChevyVoltchevy voltChevyVoltJon LaucknerJonLaucknerplug in hybridplug-inplug-in hybridplug-in-hybridplug-in-hybridsPlug-inHybridpluginPlugInHybridpluginstax incentivetax incentivesTaxIncentiveTaxIncentivesWed, 21 Oct 2009 17:41:00 EST<![CDATA[BREAKING: GM cancels Buick crossover before birth, will add PHEV drivetrain to another vehicle]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/19/breaking-gm-cancels-buick-crossover-will-add-phev-drivetrain-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/19/breaking-gm-cancels-buick-crossover-will-add-phev-drivetrain-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/19/breaking-gm-cancels-buick-crossover-will-add-phev-drivetrain-t/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Surprising news comes by way of General Motors today as the automaker has already canceled its recently announced Buick crossover, which in reality was little more than an ex-Saturn Vue emblazoned with Buick's trademark chrome waterfall grille. And therein lies the rub. As confirmed to Autoblog by Michelle Bunker, Manager of Buick Communications, initial feedback from the media, employees and dealerships regarding the upcoming vehicle was almost universally negative, as the product just didn't seem to fit with the direction the automaker said it was taking the Buick brand. As a result, GM has apparently canceled the program.

Thankfully, though, the Vue's plug-in hybrid powertrain, which we sampled in 2-mode hybrid prototype, will reportedly be transferred to another vehicle and will hit the market with no delay from the previously announced 2011 sale date. While some might say (and with good reason) that GM should have known the Vue didn't belong in Buick showrooms in the first place, the automaker cites this quick action as evidence that things really are changing at New GM, and it's hard to argue with that assessment - there's little doubt it would have taken countless meetings leading to numerous delays to make such a decision just a few months back.

In any case, GM promises to discuss the replacement for the PHEV in the very near future. Watch this space for more.


Gallery: First Drive: Saturn VUE 2 Mode Hybrid


[Source: General Motors]

BREAKING: GM cancels Buick crossover before birth, will add PHEV drivetrain to another vehicle originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingbreaking newsbreakingnewsbuickbuick canceledbuick crossoverbuick crossover plug in hybridbuick phevbuick phev canceledBuickCanceledBuickCrossoverBuickCrossoverPlugInHybridBuickPhevBuickPhevCanceledgm phevGmPhevgreenphev crossoverPhevCrossoverplug-inplug-in buickplug-in hybridplug-in-hybridPlug-inBuickPlug-inHybridWed, 19 Aug 2009 12:40:00 EST<![CDATA[GM rebuts Carnegie Mellon Chevrolet Volt slight]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/04/gm-rebuts-carnegie-mellon-chevrolet-volt-slight/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/04/gm-rebuts-carnegie-mellon-chevrolet-volt-slight/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/04/gm-rebuts-carnegie-mellon-chevrolet-volt-slight/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2011 Chevy Volt

Time to get out the popcorn and sit back for a good argument. Remember Carnegie Mellon's recent study on the merits of plug-in hybrids like the Chevy Volt? According to the University, a PHEV with a 3kWh battery pack would provide the best compromise between price, performance and environmental benefits by allowing for an electric-only range of around 7 miles. The Volt will use a 16kWh lithium ion battery pack and be able to travel 40 miles on electricity before its gas engine kicks in to keep the party moving. If General Motors' calculations are correct, nearly 80% of all American drivers could drive the Volt to work and back without ever using a drop of gasoline, recharging every night using off-peak electricity from the grid.

In response to CMU's report, Jon Lauckner, GM's Vice President Global Program Management, has published a post on GM's Fastlane Blog offering a few good reasons why CMU's data may be skewed. For starters, GM says the cost of its battery pack is quite a bit less than CMU is estimating. Plus, the Volt will be eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit due to its high energy storage capacity that the study fails to recognize.

According to Lauckner, GM is not about to make the mistake of delaying the introduction of plug-in hybrid vehicles after missing the boat on conventional hybrids a few years back, and we agree that they should definitely move ahead with the car's introduction. The idea of offering smaller capacity packs for drivers who don't often drive 40 miles in a day, though, could have merit. We'll see how it all plays out in late 2010 when the Volt is scheduled to go on sale.


Gallery: 2011 Chevy Volt


[Source: GM Fastlane]

GM rebuts Carnegie Mellon Chevrolet Volt slight originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BYD, which stands for Build Your Dreams, is a Chinese company with huge ambition to become the world's largest automaker. If there's any chance of making that monumental task a reality, the company will need some amazing products, a stage to present them to the world and a little luck. At least one of those requirements has been met, as BYD is set to capitalize on Nissan's absence at the Detroit Auto Show in January by placing its products right on the main floor with all the rest of the major automakers. BYD's working on the product problem too, having just released its first plug-in hybrid, called the F3DM, in its home market ealier this month. If that weren't enough, the automaker reportedly plans to release two more all-electric models in 2009, with the goal of bring its products to the crucial American and European markets in 2011.

All of these impressive developments have been made possible with the help of a $230 million investment from Warren Buffet. Much like the upcoming Chevy Volt, the BYD F3DM and F6DM sedans and the E6 van rely on an electric motor and an on-board battery pack to provide motive force for the first 60 miles, after which a normal gasoline-powered engine kicks in to keep the party going. Needless to say, we'll keep an eye out for the budding Chinese automaker next month in Detroit.

Gallery: Detroit 2008: BYD's F6 DM plug-in hybrid


[Source: Gas2.0]

Report: BYD plans two more electric cars in 2009 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bydbyd autobyd e6byd f3dmbyd f6byd f6dmbydautoBydE6BydF3dmBydF6BydF6dmdetroit 2009detroit auto showDetroit2009DetroitAutoShowplug inplug in hybridplug in hybridsplug-inplug-in hybridplug-in-hybridplug-in-hybridsPlug-inHybridPlugInPlugInHybridPlugInHybridsMon, 29 Dec 2008 09:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumormill: Fisker planning four hybrid models]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/29/rumormill-fisker-planning-four-hybrid-models/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/29/rumormill-fisker-planning-four-hybrid-models/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/29/rumormill-fisker-planning-four-hybrid-models/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the Fisker Karma

Fisker Automotive is going to have its work cut out for it when it comes to meeting its self-imposed deadline of bring the Karma sedan to market by the fourth-quarter of 2009. To complicate matters even further, the automaker is now rumored to be working on three more plug-in hybrids. That would represent a truly serious undertaking for such a small automaker. To ease matters slightly, all four models would use the same basic underpinnings -- including the most important piece of all, the lithium ion battery and its assorted bits. Fisker has recruited Quantum Technologies, a company which has seen success building vehicles for the military, for help in creating the drivetrain for its electric vehicles. Reportedly on the drawing board are a coupe, a convertible and an SUV, all of which should go a long way towards meeting Fisker's goal of selling 15,000 vehicles a year by 2011.

Gallery: Fisker Karma


[Source: Channel 4]

Rumormill: Fisker planning four hybrid models originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fiskerfisker automotivefisker karmaFiskerAutomotiveFiskerKarmaphevplug-inplug-in hybridplug-in-hybridplug-in-hybridsPlug-inHybridFri, 29 Aug 2008 17:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Detroit 2008: Saturn shows off Vue hybrids, plug optional]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/14/detroit-2008-saturn-shows-off-vue-hybrids-plug-optional/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/14/detroit-2008-saturn-shows-off-vue-hybrids-plug-optional/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/14/detroit-2008-saturn-shows-off-vue-hybrids-plug-optional/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Update: Video of the live reveal of the Vue plug-in hybrid is available after the jump.

click above for more high-res images of the Vue hybrids

Saturn showed off the second and third hybrid versions of the Saturn Vue today at the Detroit Auto Show, both of which use GM's two-mode hybrid technology just like the big Tahoe and Yukon hybrids. For the smaller Vue, however, the entire system has been repackaged for a front-wheel-drive application. Where versions 2 and 3 differ is the battery technology. Version 2 comes late this year using the more common nickel-metal hydride type battery packs in combination with the General's direct-injected 3.6L V-6 to give a reported 50% boost in fuel economy. Version 3 comes late 2009 at the earliest and swaps the nickel battery for a lithium-ion unit. Those batteries will come with a plug that allows the owner to get a full grid charge in about 4-5 hours. That's enough juice to run around at city speeds for about 10 miles without starting the engine. If they meet their Job 1 target, GM will likely be the first manufacturer to put a plug-in hybrid into production.

[Source: General Motors]

Gallery: Detroit 2008: Saturn Vue Green Line Plug-In Hybrid


Gallery: Detroit 2008: Saturn Vue Two-Modes

Continue reading Detroit 2008: Saturn shows off Vue hybrids, plug optional

Detroit 2008: Saturn shows off Vue hybrids, plug optional originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>detroit-2008plug-in-hybridsaturn-vue-two-mode-hybridMon, 14 Jan 2008 16:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Detroit 2008 Preview: GM goes mean and green! Schizophrenia rules!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/14/detroit-2008-preview-gm-goes-mean-and-green-schizophrenia-rule/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/14/detroit-2008-preview-gm-goes-mean-and-green-schizophrenia-rule/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/14/detroit-2008-preview-gm-goes-mean-and-green-schizophrenia-rule/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



We briefly interrupt coverage of the LA Auto Show for a moment to bring you a preview of what General Motors has planned for the '08 Detroit Auto Show. At dinner with a group of bloggers last night, GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz spilled the beans. GM is going for a full personality split in January with their fastest cars ever and some of their most environmentally friendly. The long-awaited Corvette ZR1 will finally drop alongside the new Cadillac CTS-V. On the other side of the coin, Saturn will show the next three generations of green in the shape of the Two-Mode Hybrid Vue, the plug-in version of the Two-Mode Vue and a Saturn-badged version of the Opel Flextreme that debuted at the Frankfurt show in September. Let the mind games begin!

[Source: Bob Lutz]

Detroit 2008 Preview: GM goes mean and green! Schizophrenia rules! originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Nov 2007 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bob-lutzcadillac-cts-vcorvette-zr1plug-in-hybridWed, 14 Nov 2007 16:55:00 EST