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[Frankfurt Preview: More on Toyota's new lithium-ion Plug-in Prius]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/10/frankfurt-preview-more-on-toyotas-new-lithium-ion-plug-in-priu/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/10/frankfurt-preview-more-on-toyotas-new-lithium-ion-plug-in-priu/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/10/frankfurt-preview-more-on-toyotas-new-lithium-ion-plug-in-priu/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Toyota Prius PHEV - Click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota's new generation plug-in hybrid Prius will be shown for the first time next week at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and now we've got some new images and details. As expected, the PHEV Prius will be equipped with a lithium-ion battery pack. The hybrid synergy drive system has been upgraded for the PHEV allowing the Prius to operate in EV mode at speeds up to 62 mph for up to 12.5 miles. The car can apparently accelerate all the way from a standing start in EV mode, although it's not clear how quick it will be. While doing this, the Prius apparently emits about 60 g/km of carbon dioxide. The range and emissions estimates are all based on the EU driving cycle, so the numbers should be a bit more realistic than the absurd Japanese 10/15 cycle.

The battery capacity has not been announced yet, but it can be fully charged from a 230 V supply in just over 1.5 hours. Toyota plans to build 500 of these lithium-batteried Priuses starting late this year for leasing to fleets in Japan, the United States and Europe. Retail customers won't get their turn until about 2012.


Gallery: Toyota Prius PHEV concept

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[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Frankfurt Preview: More on Toyota's new lithium-ion Plug-in Prius

Frankfurt Preview: More on Toyota's new lithium-ion Plug-in Prius originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>falsefrankfurtfrankfurt 2009frankfurt auto showfrankfurt motor showfrankfurt2009FrankfurtAutoShowFrankfurtMotorShowplug inplug-inplug-in hybridPlug-inHybridpluginpluginspriusprius hybridprius phevPriusHybridPriusPhevtoyotatoyota priustoyota prius hybridtoyota prius phevtoyota prius plug intoyota prius plug in hybridToyotaPriusToyotaPriusHybridToyotaPriusPhevToyotaPriusPlugInToyotaPriusPlugInHybridThu, 10 Sep 2009 16:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota launches plug-in Prius hybrid in UK]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/10/toyota-launches-plug-in-prius-hybrid-in-uk/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/10/toyota-launches-plug-in-prius-hybrid-in-uk/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/10/toyota-launches-plug-in-prius-hybrid-in-uk/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the plug-in Prius

Toyota has been testing plug-in versions of its Prius hybrid sedan on public roads in Japan for quite some time and the models have made it Stateside for testing, as well. Now Toyota has begun testing its PHEV in the U.K. Along with EDF Energy, the Japanese automotive giant and undisputed hybrid development leader plans to run the plug-in Prius on public roadways for at least a year, starting today. As the car, with its very unfortunate paint job, is driven by EDF employees as part of the energy company's fleet of vehicles, both its capabilities and the cost savings to run the PHEV will be recorded and hopefully provide some sort of useful data to Toyota. Seriously guys, enough teasing. The real question is when Toyota will find enough reason to actually start offering the plug-in Prius for sale.

Gallery: PHEV Prius in the U.K.


[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Toyota launches plug-in Prius hybrid in UK

Toyota launches plug-in Prius hybrid in UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>edf energyEdfEnergyphevphev priusPhevPriusplug in priusplug-inplug-in hybridplug-in priusPlug-inHybridPlug-inPriusPlugInPriuspluginsWed, 10 Sep 2008 16:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford's Mark Fields calls plug-in hybrids a "national priority"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/12/fords-mark-fields-calls-plug-in-hybrids-a-national-priority/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/12/fords-mark-fields-calls-plug-in-hybrids-a-national-priority/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/12/fords-mark-fields-calls-plug-in-hybrids-a-national-priority/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

In these days of nearly nonexistent profits for every one of Detroit's Big Three automakers, R&D funds must be allocated very carefully. In contrast, Japanese manufacturers such as Toyota and Honda have been earning profits on a yearly basis. Not long ago, a mild spat arose regarding whether or not the Japanese government helped fund the development of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive. Even if they didn't do it in the past, Ford's President of the Americas Mark Fields indicated that they are doing it now at a conference held today in Washington, D.C. by Brookings and Google.org titled Plug-In Electric Vehicles 2008: What Role for Washington?

Fields called on the U.S. government to step up to the plate, mentioning tax breaks and incentives as one option to aid consumers who'd like to purchase these ultimately expensive vehicles one day. On the manufacturing side, Fields suggests that plug-in hybrids should be a "national priority", with Washington needing to allocate funds for research and development. Another area singled out is a domestic supply of batteries, since most of the units used in today's hybrids are being manufactured overseas.

It should be noted that General Motors already has a head start towards PHEVs with its upcoming Chevy Volt. As far as we're aware, the development costs for this vehicle and its batteries has been moving forward without direct assistance from the government. Feel free to read Field's entire speech after the break.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford's Mark Fields calls plug-in hybrids a "national priority"

Ford's Mark Fields calls plug-in hybrids a "national priority" originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesfordford hybridFordHybridhybrid batteriesHybridBatteriesphevplug inplug-inplug-in hybridPlug-inHybridpluginpluginsThu, 12 Jun 2008 08:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Next-gen Prius coming in January with more power, efficiency]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/29/next-gen-prius-coming-in-january-with-more-power-efficiency/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/29/next-gen-prius-coming-in-january-with-more-power-efficiency/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/29/next-gen-prius-coming-in-january-with-more-power-efficiency/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The current Prius is baked from a refined recipe that results in a roomy, practical and efficient vehicle lurking under an eco-statement exterior, or at least we thought so. Five years on, it's still the most popular way to conspicuously consume under the guise of saving the planet. Toyota hasn't been resting on the success of its green badge of targeted consumerism, so we're going to see a new Prius at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in January, according to Toyota President Watanabe. The 3rd-generation Prius will grow in size, and engine displacement will be bumped to 1.8 liters to increase performance. Despite the increase in size and sprightliness, weight will reportedly hold steady. Further changes are in store after the launch, with plug-in and Li-Ion updates to come.

The nameplate will also move beyond a single model and become a sub-brand during the reign of Prius the III. More body styles are coming, and if you think the Prius is a roachy-looking thing, the concept hints Toyota has given us are possibly even weirder. The sub-1,000 pound 1/X might offer a glimpse at another type of Prius, though more realistically, the sad-eyed Hybrid X vannish concept suggests the way things are headed without the ridiculous pronunciation of its featherweight companion. If things go according to Toyota's plan for world domination, the Prius will become one of the pillars upon which the marque is built, next to the Corolla and Camry institutions.

Gallery: Review: 2007 Toyota Prius Touring


[Source: Auto Observer]

Next-gen Prius coming in January with more power, efficiency originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 detroit2009 toyota prius2009Detroit2009ToyotaPriusbreakingdetroit auto showDetroitAutoShowli-ionli-ion hybridsli-ion priusli-ionbatteryLi-ionHybridsLi-ionPriuslithium ionlithium ion batterylithium ion priusLithiumIonLithiumIonBatteryLithiumIonPriusnew priusnew toyota priusNewPriusNewToyotaPriusnorth american inter...NorthAmericanInter...plug inplug in priusplug-inplug-in hybridplug-inhybridPlugInPlugInPriuspluginstoyota priusToyotaPriusTue, 29 Apr 2008 11:29:00 EST