Autoblog

Paris Preview: Subaru debuts boxer diesel Forester and Impreza

John Neff — 2008-09-05T10:59:00+00:00

Filed under: Euro, Green, Paris Motor Show, Crossovers/CUVs, Hatchbacks, Subaru

Click above for gallery of Subaru's newest diesel-powered models

Subaru debuted its new 2.0L diesel boxer engine earlier this year in the Legacy and Outback, and soon it will also be offered in the Forester and Impreza, though only in Europe. These two latest models to feature the unique horizontally opposed oil-burning engines will debut at the Paris Motor Show next month. The Forester 2.0D will offer 147 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque while returning 44.8 combined mpg in the European cycle, which is class-leading for a small CUV over there, while the Impreza 2.0D offers 148 hp and 258 lb-ft (fuel economy for the Impreza 2.0D was not released for some reason). The diesel Forester will hit showrooms later this month while Euro shoppers will have to wait until January for the diesel Impreza. While we certainly hope Subaru is tweaking its 2.0L diesel boxer engine to meet emissions standards in all 50 U.S. states, we haven't heard one word about it.

Gallery: Subaru Forester 2.0D and Impreza 2.0D

[Source: Subaru]

Continue reading Paris Preview: Subaru debuts boxer diesel Forester and Impreza

Permalink | Email this | Comments

AutoblogGreen for 09.05.08

Sebastian Blanco — 2008-09-05T06:05:00+00:00

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green

click to visit AutoblogGreen

The upcoming Paris Motor Show is going to show us some very nice green rides. To wit: the new Honda Insight, aka Prius-fighter (alternate name: the Prius-lookalike), the Mazda Kiyora concept and the Hyundai i20 i-blue. What's your top pick from the City of Lights?

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

GM: Production Chevy Volt will be unveiled this month

John Neff — 2008-09-04T14:29:00+00:00

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Chevrolet, GM

Click above to view gallery of the production Chevy Volt

Excitement around the production version of the Chevy Volt is reaching a fever pitch. Last week we brought you spy video and images of what appeared to be a production Volt on the set of Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen, and while General Motors has since revealed that what we saw was not necessarily the series hybrid's final form (and that it was actually a rebodied, gas-powered Malibu), it nonetheless proved that the Volt's design is nearing the end of its gestation. Today GM revealed to Automotive News that the production Volt will, in fact, be unveiled this month as part of the automaker's 100-year anniversary celebration. The main events for the celebration are Monday, Sept. 15th and Tuesday, Sept. 16th, so we expect the car to be unveiled on one of those two days.

Ford Motor Company celebrated its centennial in 2003 and used the occasion to debut an equally exciting yet very different vehicle: the Ford GT. Fast forward five years and the hottest vehicle on everyone's mind is not a supercar, but a series hybrid. Times have certainly changed.

Gallery: Production Chevy Volt

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

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Rumormill: BMW considering four-cylinder 3-series for U.S.

Chris Shunk — 2008-09-04T11:58:00+00:00

Filed under: Coupes, Sedans/Saloons, Euro, Green, BMW, Rumormill

Four-cylinder BMWs are commonplace in Europe, but here in the States you can't buy anything Bavarian with less than six pistons. Inside Line is reporting that the German automaker may change that by adding the direct-injected 2.0L four-pot from Europe to the 3-Series. The 170-hp engine powers the 320i and 120i across the pond. The models are well-received there, and for good reason, too. The ultra-efficient powerplant averages over 38 mpg in the European combined test cycle while still providing the razor-sharp handling that is BMW's trademark.

BMW project director Oliver Friedmann said that a four-cylinder petrol Bimmer would have a "desirable effect" here in the U.S., but didn't commit any concrete plans for a U.S. four-banger. He did say that the U.S. probably isn't ready for a diesel four-cylinder, but we beg to differ. Our friends at AutoblogGreen had a blast in the twin-turbo 123d and managed 37 mpg while thoroughly testing the oil-burner's limits. We think the petrol 2.0L would be well received as well. While four-cylinder luxury cars were taboo just a few years ago, high fuel prices have given Americans plenty of motivation to welcome a 2.0L Bimmer with open arms.

[Source: Inside Line]

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Paris Preview: Officially Official, Honda's new hybrid is the Insight!

Sam Abuelsamid — 2008-09-04T10:36:00+00:00

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Hatchbacks, Honda, Paris Motorcycle Show

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Honda Insight Concept

Honda is reviving an old name for its new Global Hybrid that goes on sale next spring by calling it the Insight. The new five-door hatchback "Prius-Killer" will be the most direct competitor yet for Toyota's iconic hybrid. Learning from the lesson that hybrid buyers apparently prefer their cars to be recognizable as such rather than being derivatives of existing models, Honda has modeled the new Insight after its low volume FCX Clarity fuel cell car and will be debuting it as a concept at the Paris Motor Show next month before it goes on sale as the least expensive hybrid in the world in 2009. Recent comments by Honda have hinted at a price starting at $18,500 for the Insight, which goes on sale 10 years after the original. Unlike the tiny two-seater that had limited appeal and utility, this new one is expected to appeal to a much wider audience. Honda is planning for worldwide sales of 200,000 units a year with 100,000 going to the U.S. market.

Gallery: Paris 08: Honda Insight Concept

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading Paris Preview: Officially Official, Honda's new hybrid is the Insight!

Permalink | Email this | Comments

AutoblogGreen for 09.04.08

Sebastian Blanco — 2008-09-04T05:59:00+00:00

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green

click to visit AutoblogGreen

Well, here's a good chance to get a few people riled up: bicyclists in the UK say that Range Rover drivers are the worst. Now, if you don't feel offended, then see if you made the list of the drivers who came in close to the top (BMW lovers, we're looking at you). Over in China, BYD has decided that the new F0 should be sold cheaply. So cheaply, in fact, that the company will only make $146 in profit on each car. Ouch.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Toyota throws hat into all-electric ring

Chris Shunk — 2008-09-03T18:59:00+00:00

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Toyota

Toyota is the undisputed leader in the hybrid space, and the Japanese automaker is looking to expand its kingdom by adding an all-electric vehicle to the mix. While there are few details available, Toyota has said the EV would likely be an urban city-type vehicle that will be available in the "early 2010s". Hopefully it will be more accommodating than Toyota's last attempt at an EV: the eCom (above), which used the innards of the RAV4 EV to achieve a top speed of 62 mph and a range of just 60 miles. Toyota's new EV, however, will be preceded in 2009 by the arrival of the brand's first plug-in Prius hybrid.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

It's electrifying! Chrysler to show dealers three EVs with production in mind

Jeremy Korzeniewski — 2008-09-03T12:31:00+00:00

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Chrysler, LLC.

Click above for more hi-res images of the Dodge Zeo concept

While everyone is aware of what GM, Honda and Toyota have been up to when it comes to fuel-saving technology, Chrysler has been playing it close to the chest. The Auburn Hills-based automaker, however, will show its dealers three new all-electric cars at the end of this month that are said to be production capable. Jim Press, the Chrysler exec who came from rival and current hybrid-leader Toyota, added that Chrysler's future platforms were being designed with electrification in mind and that is still has access to technology from its previous owner, Daimler.

Like General Motors, Chrysler seems convinced that its EVs need to have plug-in capability. The goal, says Press, is 300 miles of range. To make that a reality, a very good set of batteries will be necessary - likely lithium-ions - and Press assures us that his company is working with multiple suppliers. Will any of the production-ready models be anything like the concepts shown off last year in Detroit? We'll see.

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

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Rumormill: Toyota working on hybrid iQ

Chris Shunk — 2008-09-03T07:58:00+00:00

Filed under: Economy, Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Toyota

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Toyota iQ.

While we're clamoring for small, efficient transportation, Europe is already awash with micro cars, diesels, and hatchbacks. When Toyota designed and engineered the tiny iQ, it had to go smaller and greener than the competition, so the little four-seater is only about 1.5 feet longer than a Smart fortwo. AutoExpress is reporting that Toyota is prepared to take iQ to the next level of green, with a plug-in hybrid version of the micro mini. Plug-in technology would reportedly be shared with the next generation Prius, save for an engine that goes from 1.0L to a displacement of only 500 cc. Chargeable batteries will enable the iQ to travel 15 miles or more without a drop of CO2-spewing combustion, and the smaller engine would stay stingy when it does come to life. While the iQ is probably still a little too small for large scale US consumption, we're sure the vehicle would have quite the cult following if it could pull off fuel economy in the 100 mpg range. If gas decides to travel back north of the $4 mark, though, even a clown car would be acceptable Stateside.

Gallery: 2009 Toyota iQ

[Source: AutoExpress]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

AutoblogGreen for 09.03.08

Sebastian Blanco — 2008-09-03T05:53:00+00:00

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green

click to visit AutoblogGreen

Are the Chevy Volt's batteries like diamonds? According to GM's Bob Lutz, the answer seems to be yes. For Zipcar, all the people saying "yes" to car sharing doesn't necessarily mean profits are rolling in. But what about that huge Hummer? Well, it's quite the bummer.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ford developing next-gen, ethanol-boosted engines under Bobcat codename

Jeremy Korzeniewski — 2008-09-02T17:28:00+00:00

Filed under: Green, Tech, Ford

Ford has yet to release its first EcoBoost engines but is reportedly already hard at work on the technology's next phase. Rumors indicate that the new engine technology is codenamed Bobcat and uses small amounts of ethanol injection to improve power and reduce emissions. Ethanol carries a very high octane rating, which allows an engine to be tuned for more power. An engine with ethanol injection can run a much higher compression ratio along with a small turbocharger as the ethanol would be injected directly into the engine's combustion chamber, thereby eliminating precompression, which is more commonly referred to as knock and can be extremely hazardous to your engine's health. The alcohol injection would be performed on an entirely different fuel injection system as the gasoline, complete with its own fuel tank. It would have to be closely metered, but should only need refilled once every few months since the amount used would be so small.

Early estimates put the new Bobcat engine tech at about a $1,100 price premium over a standard gasoline engine, but the turbocharging and gasoline direct injection that makes up EcoBoost accounts for $700 of that charge. While that may seem like a steep amount, consider that many truck buyers opt for high-power diesel engines that carry premiums of $5,000 or more.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Honda to debut Prius-fighter concept this Thursday

Sebastian Blanco — 2008-09-02T13:29:00+00:00

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Honda

If there's one vehicle that's leading the pack for "Car of the Future, Today," it's the Toyota Prius. The world's most popular hybrid will have it's own plug-in version sooner than expected, but the competition isn't waiting to try and take its hybrid crown. Honda's "Prius fighter" has been talked about for what seems like ages (spy shots here) and we're getting awfully close to seeing the real deal. We already know it'll look something like the fuel cell-driven FCX Clarity, but details beyond that are scarce. We had been told the reveal would happen at the Paris Motor Show next month, but word from Honda is that we'll now see it in just 48 hours when the concept version is revealed on Thursday, Sept. 4th. After that we can view the concept in person at the Paris show, and then the production version is expect to bow at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

Honda will begin selling the car early next year and word is that it will be affordable. While the official MSRP is still a long way off, Honda's UK environmental manager John Kingston told Just-Auto (sub. req'd) that it should not cost more than "traditional cars from rival manufacturers." Hybrid premium, what hybrid premium? On the technical front, the size of the car's revised Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system has been reduced and the lighter powerplant will help push up its MPG numbers. What those are remains a mystery, but Honda is expecting to sell around 200,000 of these puppies a year, with half of those being bought in the U.S. Sounds good, now can we just see the thing already?

[Source: Just-Auto via CarScoop]

Permalink | Email this | Comments

BMW slashes V8 engine production in favor of fours

Jonathon Ramsey — 2008-09-02T09:01:00+00:00

Filed under: Green, Plants/Manufacturing, BMW

The new BMW 7-Series has just stepped out from behind the curtain, and it's taken the stage to a house only half full. Demand for BMW's big engines has dropped so low that the house of the roundel says it can make enough 8-bangers to satisfy the world's demand using just one shift for four days.

A member of BMW's supervisory board put it plainly: "We are producing the wrong engines here." Even the sixes, the center of BMW's engine constellation, are being taken out of production in Munich to be replaced by those with two fewer cylinders in 2011. When the phase-out is complete, the company will be able to build 560,000 4-cylinders per annum. Care for a BMW 716i, anyone?

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

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

AutoblogGreen for 09.02.08

Sebastian Blanco — 2008-09-02T06:56:00+00:00

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green

click to visit AutoblogGreen

Don't we all wish this were true.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

VW and its dealers butting heads over Jetta TDI?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — 2008-09-01T16:57:00+00:00

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, Wagons/Estates, Green, Marketing/Advertising, Volkswagen

We recently received a note from an anonymous source indicating that there's a mildly strained relationship between VW and some of its dealers. The source of the consternation seems to be the highly anticipated Jetta TDI, which was just recently released in the U.S. market. Apparently, Volkswagen of America has gotten complaints that some dealers are adding a significant markup on the new and desirable model -- a big problem for many automakers when a new model makes its initial introduction. The dealers are eager to make some money on the new cars while VW is concerned that customers may just look elsewhere because they feel they're being treated unfairly. What's more, some VW dealers may not be all that excited by the new model as there aren't that many available quite yet.

This is a situation that's frustrating for the dealers, VW and, most importantly, prospective customers. Volkswagen promises that the situation will improve, and we hope it does. If the clean diesel engine is truly capable of returning the kind of fuel mileage that VW says it can, the Jetta TDI sedan and Sportwagen may indeed offer an ideal alternative to gasoline-sipping hybrids, that is, if customers can put up with the buying process.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

AutoblogGreen for 09.01.08

Sebastian Blanco — 2008-09-01T06:09:00+00:00

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green

click to visit AutoblogGreen

Yes, there is news about the world's cheapest car, the Tata Nano. Yes, it looks like we will have plug-in Priuses earlier than expected. Yes, the Miles XS500 got some good news. But really, the only thing we'd like you to focus on is this: electric landspeeder.

More headlines after the break.

Continue reading AutoblogGreen for 09.01.08

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Rumormill: Fisker planning four hybrid models

Jeremy Korzeniewski — 2008-08-29T17:58:00+00:00

Filed under: Convertibles, Coupes, Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, SUVs, Green, Rumormill

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]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Pontiac most likely for second Volt

Chris Shunk — 2008-08-29T15:29:00+00:00

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Chevrolet, GM, Pontiac

Click above for gallery of production pics of Chevy Volt

When the Chevy Volt goes on sale in late 2010, it may be joined shortly thereafter by other GM-branded series hybrids using the eFlex architecture. But after the General's bread-and-butter bow-tie division, which brands make the most sense to get their own Volt? We've already seen a Cadillac with underlying eFlex technology, and GM's luxury arm could charge higher prices to offset the cost of the expensive powertrain. After Cadillac, Saturn might be a good bet considering we've already seen an eFlex-based Saturn-branded FlexStream concept.

Susan Docherty, GM's North American vice president of Buick, Pontiac and GMC, thinks GM's driving excitement team is a natural fit for a Volt-like hybrid. Her reason is that the Pontiac brand can attract a younger crowd that readily accepts new technology and cutting-edge design. We're not so sure. If Pontiac is supposed to build excitement, how does that jive with a heavy battery pack in a car that's engineered to save fuel rather than go fast? Then again, nothing says instant torque quite like an electric vehicle. Dealers who bought into building combined Buick, Pontiac and GMC stores will want at least one vehicle in their showrooms based on the eFlex architecture, though, and Pontiac makes more sense than Buick or GMC.

Gallery: Production Chevy Volt

[Source: Popular Mechanics]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Photoshop voodoo gives close-up view of Chevy Volt

Jeremy Korzeniewski — 2008-08-29T12:29:00+00:00

Filed under: Spy Photos, Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Chevrolet, GM

Click above to enlarge and view production Volt gallery

Autoblog reader Michael C has a knack for seeing things we miss. In 2006, he noticed that an image of Bob Lutz lifting the veil on one corner of the yet-to-be-released 2008 Cadillac CTS could be easily manipulated in Photoshop to reveal the car's entire front end. GM recently gave us a similar peek of the production Chevy Volt on a segment that aired on ABC News, and Michael C has once again used Photoshop to give us a very clear view of the production Volt's front end.

Yesterday, of course, we got our fill of the production Chevy Volt when video of it on the set of Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen hit the web and a spy shot of the car's iPod-like interior surfaced. While screen grabs from that video showed us an overall view of the Volt from a distance, this is the first time we have an idea of what the car looks like from point blank range. The front end is ultra slippery, a far cry from the concept's unaerodynamic face, but the general look is similar. We're not too far off from GM's official reveal of the production Volt, which could happen as soon as the Paris Motor Show in October. Check out a higher-res version by clicking the pic above, along with all the images we've collected of the production Chevy Volt so far. Thanks for the pic, Michael!

Gallery: Production Chevy Volt

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Maximum Bob: No plug-in hybrid race between GM, Toyota

Chris Shunk — 2008-08-29T11:03:00+00:00

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green, GM, Toyota

The attention of the hybrid technology universe has been focused firmly on two vehicles: the Chevy Volt and the plug-in Prius. On the surface, these two vehicles are primed to be big-time competitors in the battle for mpg-conscious buyers. Not so, says the king of quote, Maximum Bob Lutz. According to Mr. Lutz, the two vehicles are very technologically different. Toyota also says that a plug-in Prius will be in production in 2009, a full year ahead of the Volt. Lutz hypothesizes that the Prius plug-ins will be available only to select fleets and not in large scale production, and the GM Vice Chairman says that the Volt will be available as part of a large test fleet in late 2009, as well.

We agree that the Volt and Prius are technologically different, but we're pretty sure the two vehicles will be competing for the same buyers. After all, Americans are calling for more fuel efficient vehicles and don't care if one's a plug-in parallel hybrid that runs on nickel-metal hydride batteries and the other is a series hybrid with lithium-ion batteries and a "range extender". They just care about whichever one can go further on a drop of fuel.

[Source: Detroit News]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments