Autoblog

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Chevrolet Volt concept.

One of the many things General Motors boasted about when it unveiled the Volt concept at the Detroit Auto Show in 2007 was its 600-mile range. This was achieved partially by the battery pack, which could sustain a (theoretical) charge allowing the Volt to run for 40 miles without reverting to the gasoline engine/generator, as well as a 12-gallon fuel tank. According to Kicking Tires, GM has shrunk the size of the tank by an unknown quantity and the result is a reduction in range from 600 to 400 miles – or 360 miles without the aid of auxiliary (read: grid-provided) power.

The General maintains that since most owners don't travel more than 40 miles in one day, it wasn't necessary to fit the Volt with a larger tank. That reduction in capacity will save some weight, but what will it cost in public perception? The hype surrounding GM's supposed savior and game-changer are based on two figures: range and cost. If GM can deliver on both counts, they might have a hit on their hands. If not, the Volt will be DOA the day it hits dealers.


[Source: KickingTires]

Just how important is the Chevy Volt for ailing General Motors? Obviously, that's a rhetorical as GM is making it out to be the second coming of the horseless carriage. The money being invested into the latest battery technology and the sophisticated platform which carries it proves that the General is placing massive wager on plug-in electric cars. And you can bet that it will be hyping the Hell out of them too. We already reported on the fact that the Volt will be a centerpiece of General Motor's upcoming Centennial celebration, and now we hear that the production Volt could join GM's other upcoming gas-saver, the Chevy Beat, by making an appearance in the highly anticipated Transformers sequel.

Die-hard Camaro fans have been anxiously awaiting its formal introduction since it strutted its stuff in concept form in the first installment of Transformers. Thankfully for Volt aficionados, along with just about anyone else looking to save a few bucks on their fuel bills, we shouldn't need to wait nearly as long after its big-screen debut for a shot at driving off the showroom floor in a shiny new electric car, assuming the Volt actually arrives on schedule for its 2010 launch.

[Source: Reuters]

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 BMW 335d.

KPG's crack team has caught the U.S.-spec BMW 335d undergoing testing ahead of its official launch in the States later this year, and according to the shooters, the introduction of the 335d will coincide with the launch of the revised 3-series. Don't expect much from the facelift, as the new 3 will only receive a new front bumper and some tweaks to the headlamps. However, the interior will benefit from the new iDrive interface recently revealed on the 2009 7-series.

The 335d is expected to lose a few ponies when it makes the trek across the Atlantic, so power figures are estimated at 265 hp and 425 lb.-ft. of torque. That kind of twist is nothing to sneeze at, allowing the 335d to hit 60 in around 6.2 seconds and could make a compelling case for gasoline purists to make the transition to oil burning efficiency. Fuel consumption is expected to be 23 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the open road.

Naturally, BMW will be launching a new campaign when it introduces the 335d to the U.S. market for the first time, so expect to see ads touting BMW's "Advance Diesel with BluePerformance," – with the "Blue" referring to the urea solution that reduces NO2 emissions.


[Source: KGP]

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Ooooh, a real Prius with a solar panel. Too sweet. And a paper Mitsubishi i MiEV? Double sweet. And we get to see the production version of the Chevy Volt soon? Sweet yet again. More sweetness available at AutoblogGreen.

• Next-gen Prius to get solar panel to drive accessories
• In the AutoblogGreen garage: paper Mitsubishi i MiEV
• Honda VFR conversion to electric power now complete
• Hungry for fuel cell news? Fuel Cell Insider arrives
• Production Volt could be the guest of honor at GM Centennial party!
• Ford UK pinning a lot on new Econetic models, including the Fiesta
• George Clooney still doing the Tango
• Updated Citroën C4 gets eco tires and new, cleaner engines
• Opus deals with oil grief
• Mercedes expanding its natural gas vehicle line up
• Europe's SUV market also downsizing
• Is Tesla using Dodge Magnum body shells for White Star mules?
• Ouch! World Bank says biofuels responsible for 75% rise in food prices
• Renault will bring start-stop to all European models by 2010
• DOE's alternative fuel national locator map now available
• smart fortwo turns ten

Sales of General Motors' one time cash cow, full-size trucks, are declining faster than the value of the US dollar, but with a birthday coming, GM still wants something to celebrate. This September, the world's largest automaker will be celebrating its centennial under a financial pall unlike any it has faced since its early days under Billy Durant. The car that GM management hopes will represent a new beginning is the Chevrolet Volt, which has been locked in for production for November 2010 and the shape of the production car has reportedly been finalized. The Volt team is apparently planning to unveil the definitive Volt shape as the star of the big party this September.

Early powertrain development mules have been running for several months now and GM insiders claim the lithium ion battery packs are exceeding performance expectations so far. The big question at this point seems to be cost. With everyone focused on GM's cash burn rate, the company is hoping that showing the production version of the extended range electric vehicle will divert attention to something positive. However, without some serious cost reduction of the battery and some hefty tax breaks from the government, the Volt may just end up making things even worse. GM desperately needs the Volt to be successful, but with the current financial situation, one has to wonder how long they will be able to build Volts at a loss?

[Source: Reuters]

Mainstream automakers are faced with the reality of improving the efficiency and cleanliness of everyday vehicles, but companies like Porsche and Lamborghini say drastic change would effect the underlying character of their products. Ferrari apparently doesn't feel the same way, as the exotic automaker has pledged to cut emissions 40 percent by 2012. Like most other automakers, Ferrari plans on tackling its emissions problems on several fronts. It will improve the efficiency of its current powertrains, add new engines, possibly including a turbocharged V6, and bring a hybrid to market that could incorporate Ferrari's Kinetic Energy Recycling System (KERS) employed on its F1 cars, which uses a CVT connected to a flywheel that stores energy under braking. Prancing stallion president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo told a German newspaper that the hybrid Ferrari would be available around 2015. If anybody can make a hybrid supercar that is entertaining, efficient, exotic, and extremely fast, we're betting on the guys and gals over at Ferrari.

[Source: AFP]

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Toyota Hybrid X concept.

The Nikkei business daily in Japan is reporting that the next generation Prius – due out next year as a 2010 model – will supposedly be fitted with solar panels to power a variety of electrical accessories, including the air conditioning. The source informed Nikkei that the solar panels, which would be a first on a production vehicle offered by a major automaker, would be equipped on "high-end" versions of the Prius. There was no mention of what kind of premium Toyota will charge for the solar-equipped Prius, but it confirms earlier reports that ToMoCo plans to expand its lineup of hybrid models.

[Source: Reuters]

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$4 gallons of gas are making people look to the future and the past for relief. The future holds things like Mitusbishi's iMiEV and Ferrari hybrids. The past includes driving the horse to work and Greenpeace's SmiLE car. The far out future includes flying turtles and the elimination of all hydrogen. Just kidding. Maybe.

• Charging a Tesla roadster from household outlet could take 30 hours!
• Ford's capless filling system could be a problem as fuel thefts rise
• 200 mph solar-powered flying turtle
• Greenpeace's SmiLE Project proved 70mpg was possible in 1995
• Ferrari boss commits to hybrid road cars by 2015
• Lower speed limit movement spreading as John Warner jumps aboard
• Mitsubishi launches iMiEV micro-site
• Piaggio builds the Pope a rickshaw
• Washington dentists need just one horsepower each

More headlines after the jump.

What's the best way to pay for gas these days? Trading gas for sex? Opting for Chrysler's "Let's Refuel America" plan? Wait for GM to bring the Chevy Beat to the U.S.? Or perhaps just steal it. Yes, these are all options that made the pages of AutoblogGreen yesterday - some a little more sensible than others, of course.

• How bad do you need it? Gas for sex deal goes awry in Kentucky
• At Witz' End - Gas Prices - What To Do, What To Do?
• No brainer of the day! GM to bring Chevy Beat to US market
• Gas-siphoning HUMMER leads police on high-speed chase
• Michigan governor proposes reducing speed limit to save gas
• Sensible AAA recomments not trying "dangerous fuel-saving techniques"
• Long Beach study shows gas/hybrid buses get lower mileage than diesel
• Tata Nano production to start this fall, greener variants coming
• EPIC calls for some unity on the ethanol issue, darnit
• VIDEO: Top Gear looks at alternative fuels in 1990
• Environmentally conscious drivers sticking with biodiesel even at higher prices
• Chrysler thinks "Let's Refuel America" gas lock plan just wasn't offered long enough
• Man falls in love with his Xingyue enclosed scooter
• UNICA says 4th of July is the right time to end ethanol tariffs
• Volvo pinning hopes on small cars, diesels
• 2009 BMW 7-series leaks, possible hybrid coming in a year
• Daimler sets up sustainability board
• Fox Business wants you to keep your trucks
• Dealership can't sell trucks, sells scooters instead
• Gordon Murray's Type-25 city car gets fleshed out

click above image for high-res gallery of the Volvo C30 Efficiency

In the wake of rapidly diminishing sales of large and not-particularly fuel efficient cars, Volvo is doing what only seems rational: introducing smaller vehicles with more fuel efficient engines. The company reportedly has plans to introduce three new diesel powered vehicles by the fall. We are unclear on where Volvo intends to target with its little green men cars besides emerging markets such as China and Russia, but we'd love to see some more stylish and fuel efficient options in the U.S. It's too early to speculate on what vehicles Volvo is referring to, but that's never stopped us before. The C30 is currently the Swedish automakers smallest vehicle and at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show, Volvo showed off its C30 Efficiency concept. We'd say that the timing certainly appears right for a production version of just such a machine. After all, who wouldn't appreciate the 52.26 miles per gallon from its 105 horsepower 1.6L turbodiesel engine?


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