Edison2, E-Tracer and Wave II take top honors. |
First scenes from the new movie premiere in Iceland. |
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| unveils limited production A-Class E-Cell electric vehicle Only 500 will be made. |
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has dropped the curtain on its latest electrical wonder, the A-Class E-Cell. The vehicle is scheduled for a limited production run of just 500 units, with lucky lessees in Germany, France and The Netherlands expected to receive the majority of them. Unfortunately, a company spokesman that the A-Class E-Cell will not show up on U.S. soil. This Europe-only offering showcases Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to electric drive technology and will be produced at the company’s Rastatt plant in Germany.
The four-door, five-passenger, minivanish-looking E-Cell is based on the company’s standard A-Class hatchback. The electric goodies include a 70kW (peak output, 95 horsepower) motor that churns out a rather remarkable 214 pound-feet of torque and twin lithium-ion batteries that supposedly provide up to 124 miles of range between charges. Top speed is a highway-capable 93 miles per hour. Speaking of that electric motor and powerful battery pack, Mercedes-Benz has the following to say:
This makes the A‑Class E‑Cell an outstandingly assured and dynamic performer on the road, taking just 5.5 seconds to accelerate from zero to 60 km/h.
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class E-Cell is set to debut at the Paris Motor Show at the end of the month, but you can to discover a whole lot more about it right now.
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[Source: Daimler]
One massive sticking point with electric cars is the lack of standards when it comes to plugging in the vehicle. In the 90s, the EV1 didn’t use the same kind of plug as the , and that meant electric vehicle charging stations had to keep multiple adapters on hand if they wanted to service to multiple machinery.
If there’s any hope that EVs will take off in popularity over the next few decades, some standardization is in order. To that end, German manufacturers , , Daimler ( and ), and have banded together banded together in support of a modular connector system for electric vehicle charging.
The consortium’s connector system has been submitted for standardization under the designation IEC 62196-2 Type 2 for single- and three-phase charging with alternating current, and a DC extension is currently under development. If all goes according to plan, this new plug system will be ready for use by 2013.
It’s important to note that there are other plug designs and standards in the works as well, most notably the IEC 62196-2 Type 1 (which is favored by Japanese automakers and is the same as the ). In other words, there could be one standard plug in Japan and the States, and another one in Europe. Sounds familiar, no?
Not surprisingly, the SAE has issued something of a response to this new development from Germany, highlighting that its plug and receptacle are ready to go and available now. . Thanks for the tip, Roy!
[Source: Audi]
Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to meet the winners of the 2010 Progressive Insurance Automotive X-Prize. But before we get to declaring the victors, let’s take one last look at the finalists:
Mainstream Class
Alternative Class – Tandem
Alternative Class – Side-by-Side
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Want to see the actual winners (besides the two that are rather obvious, of course)? Click .
| Toyota Prius should be cheapest PHEV in U.S. Once 2012 rolls around. |
: Fisker will show off first “factory-built” Karma plug-in hybrid More to come, as always. |
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| Volt Surprise, she likes it. |
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is taking it slow, but the upstart automaker hopes that an attractive lady will take your mind off of until the starts later this month. Why Paris? Because that’s where the first “factory-built Karma” will be displayed in public for the first time. Also in Paris, Fisker representatives will give details, “about the expansion of its prestigious global importer network” that will help the company reach its target of 100,000 vehicles a year.
CEO Henrik Fisker said in a statement that:
We had a chance to change the premium vehicle segment with a new kind of vehicle and a new brand that appeal to consumers who are passionate about the environment, and who wish to drive a beautiful car that reflects their desire to lead a lifestyle of responsible luxury. We are very excited to be introducing the first factory-built Karma luxury plug-in hybrid in Paris, a city known for inspiring its own passions.
Here’s one more interesting tidbit from the release: “The Fisker Karma … can achieve an annual average economy of 2.4L/100 km (100 mpg) and emissions of just 83g/km.” An annual miles per gallon rating seems like an odd addition, but considering the venue, it might be necessary to stoke the flames of consumer interest.
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[Source: Fisker]
: Fisker will show off first “factory-built” Karma plug-in hybrid
At yesterday’s dealer conference, the Pentastar people publicly revealed new or updated products from , , and . But there was more on stage than just a facelifted Town & Country and a federalized .
Towards the end of his remarks, Chrysler Group and Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne pulled a Steve Jobs-style “one more thing,” and onto the stage rolled the 2012 . According to our sources, the design was all-new, complete with an aggressive greenhouse and fresh, angular sheetmetal.
Chrysler has already confirmed that in two years’ time, but showing it off this early is a clear indication that work is well underway. There’s still some debate about what powertrain will be fitted to the thoroughly updated Viper, but early reports indicate that the same 8.4-liter V10 could carry on, possibly with the inclusion of Fiat’s MultiAir technology to reduce emissions and boost output over 700 horsepower. An entry-level V8 option is a possibility, and there’s little doubt that Dodge is tapping engineers to advise on everything from handling to steering and stability control systems.
Another supposed cameo at the event was a Jeep pickup, similar to the , however, we’ve yet to confirm its attendance or any serious production plans. But for the time being, we’re content with the knowledge that Dodge’s next supercar is in the wings and we’ll being seeing it in person within the next several months.
UPDATE: More details from the
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What’s in a name? Maybe not as much as there is in an engine, but given its misfortunes so far this season, the F1 team is on the verge of changing both.
One of three new entries on the grid, Lotus has – like HRT and Virgin – failed to score a single championship point so far this season. Some of the races it has failed to start, others it has failed to finish, but of those completed, Lotus has yet to place better than 13th. That’s still better than either HRT or Virgin could manage, but Lotus is determined to do better next year, and to that end is making a couple of changes.
Despite a three-year contract with Cosworth – the engine supplier also powering the aforementioned other newcomers as well as Williams – the first of the changes will have Lotus switching to Renault motivation for next season. Notwithstanding some noteworthy reliability issues, Renault-powered cars (including front-runners Red Bull) have fared far better than those employing Cosworth engines.
The other big change may seem less substantive, but was probably just as complicated to orchestrate. Dropping the Lotus Racing moniker currently in use, the team is set to switch to the Team Lotus name for next season. What’s the difference, you ask? Team Lotus was the name used during the (previous) team’s heyday, when the likes of Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Stirling Moss, Emerson Fittipaldi, Mario Andretti, Nigel Mansell, Ayrton Senna and Nelson Piquet drove the iconic green-and-yellow (and even more iconic black-and-gold) cars to 79 checkered flags and seven world championships. The name belonged in the interim to David Hunt, brother of the late world champion James Hunt, but has now been acquired by the Malaysian outfits backing the new Lotus team.
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[Source: Autosport () ()]
When conceived the electric powertrain for the , the 40-mile electric driving range was specified so that most drivers would rarely, if ever, have to use any liquid fuel. Components like the battery were then sized to match the performance and range specifications. However, the whole point of incorporating the range extending engine was so the Volt could keep going without the driver having to continuously monitor the battery level, even though GM once told us that the Volt .
Regardless, leaving the same gasoline in a tank for months or even years creates a new set of problems. One reason is there’s no such thing as pure gasoline. What’s sold at the pump is a blend of numerous hydrocarbon compounds like octane, heptane and other additives that lubricate valves and fuel injectors, along with a range of assorted chemicals. Many of these compounds will eventually evaporate, reducing the performance of the fuel and could possibly lead to engine damage.
To address this, the Volt has a completely sealed and pressurized fuel tank. Pressurizing the tank helps minimize evaporation from the liquid fuel, forcing it to stay in liquid form. Before the fuel filler can be opened to gas up the Volt, the tank has to be depressurized, which takes a few seconds after pressing the release button. The engine management system also monitors the time between when the engine runs and will periodically prompt the driver to run past the 40-mile electric range before recharging. If the driver doesn’t force the Volt to run on gas, the system will eventually start the engine to consume some of the aging fuel and circulate the fluids within the engine. Once this maintenance mode is complete, the engine shuts down until it’s needed again or enough time has passed. GM hasn’t revealed what the time intervals are, but with right around the corner, we’ll find out soon enough.
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[Source: ]
has shared plans with its fans (all 370,702 of them, making the automaker even more popular than ) to bring its latest electric concept to the . Sporting the colors and insignia of the all-electric , a trio of drawings reveal a scooter with a Vespa-esque rear end following up a somewhat less successful fascia. The Mini-style mirrors are a nice touch while the turn signals remind of the , which almost saves the design from its bland headlight, but still seems significantly superior to . Perhaps it will look better when we see it in the metal. Maybe even better than .
More interesting than its aesthetics are hints at the mechanicals. It looks like – and feel free to correct us in if you think differently – that both the front and rear wheels contain motors. This arrangement could also foretell some regenerative braking, though the extra engineering might add too significantly to the price tag should the scooter ever make it to a retail outlet near you (we said outlet, get it?). Also of interest is that little box that would be located between your shins if you were astride the little beastie facing what we hope is a Mini-style speedometer. Radio? GPS? ? We’ll let you know in a few weeks.
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[Source: Mini via ]
There’s a lot of allure surrounding all-electric . We’ve seen prototypes and collected from different auto shows. Our comrades at even had the chance to in the R8-based electric rocket. But until now we haven’t thought much about Audi’s choice of nomenclature for its torque-tastic supercar, and according to Green Car Reports, Audi may have fudged this one… slightly.
Étron, in French, is apparently not a word that signifies electric power, sex appeal or innovation. It is, in fact, a word that’s closely associated with the less-than-glamorous act of excretion. If you hit up any one of the numerous , you’ll learn that étron has some pretty… crappy synonyms, which include words like “caca,” “excrement,” “dung” and “feces.” Unfortunately, Audi may have inadvertently named its entire lineup of EVs after a bodily function that’s seldom associated with spectacular vehicles. That is, unless the automaker intended that we translate e-tron as, “the Audi that’s as fast as, well, you know.”
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Photos Copyright (C)2010 / AOL
[Source: ]
| Prius gets 83 mpg over 3,450 miles More miles and more miles per gallon. |
Not secretive, exactly, but less open – maybe. |
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| ’s auto population will exceed 200M by 2020; causing “serious environmental issues” Where will the road lead? |
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| unveils i10-based BlueOn electric vehicle in South Korea One to watch. |
Awwww. |
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| : Nissan teases Townpod electric vehicle concept for “the masses” Is this a new model for the Leaf platform? |
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has codenamed its latest suite of driver convenience aids “Magic,” and the automaker will soon introduce a Magic Carpet Magic Body Control suspension technology and a Magic Sky Control roof tech. Sadly, there are no wizards nor Tinkerbells involved in any of this, just a whole bunch of electro-hydraulic and magnetorheological engineering.
Magic Body Control is the next generation of Active Body Control. Created with the help of ZF, the system of bushings atop the strut towers neutralizes wheel and body movements at two different frequencies. Daimler’s testing indicates that MBC reduces 80 percent of unsavory suspension reverberations. It will show up on the and CL-Class in 2013.
Magic Sky Control will be seen as soon as next year on the new . Working like photochromatic sunglasses that get darker in the sun, a magnetorheological glass offers a range of opacity from “near totally clear” to “dark blue.” It doesn’t alter the form of the roof and can be applied to any window, so expect to see this new development work its way through Mercedes-Benz’s lineup. This technology could be used around a car’s entire greenhouse and perhaps obviate the need for sun visors.
[Source: ]
As the Paris Motor Show draws closer, automakers are sending out the usual raft of teaser shots. The pictures never reveal much but they definitely get people talking. The image you see above? It’s a glimpse at the zero-emissions, electric concept vehicle called the Nissan Townpod EV.
has this to say about the Townpod:
It is designed to offer zero-emissions mobility to a future generation of home-based, innovative entrepreneurs who are creative and tech-savvy. It is more than just a car and it’s more than just a van – it heralds a new-era of flexible, stylish vehicles that will bring electric-vehicle mobility to the masses.
So, is it an electric city-car for the techie on the go? Will the Townpod EV be a mobile blogging lair for those both green and lazy? Honestly, we have no clue. It’s not easy to figure out what something looks like from an image that resembles the eye of an Autobot. For now, we’ll just have to let our imaginations run wild.
We do love staring at concept vehicles until our contact lenses dry out, and the Nissan Townpod EV is sure to be no exception. Stay tuned for updates from the Paris Motor Show, and to read Nissan’s official press release.
[Source: Nissan]
Sorry, purists, but even the mighty Prancing Horse isn’t immune to the need to increase fuel economy. According to Autoweek, Ferrari Chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo has confirmed that the successor to the Enzo throne will come equipped with a hybrid drivetrain. According to Montezemolo, the electrified supercar will borrow heavily from the company’s 599 HY-KERS concept that debuted at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. That vehicle used hybrid tech derived from the kinetic energy recovery system that Ferrari experimented with on its F1 vehicles.
Previously, Ferrari has said that the incorporation of a battery pack and an electric motor would allow the company to continue to offer high-cylinder-count engines while offsetting fuel consumption and emissions. The company has also made it clear that it intends to begin moving toward smaller models to further reduce weight.
The news came as Montezemolo announced that he has no intention of moving from his post at Ferrari to greener pastures in the Italian government. The chairman said that he fully intends to stay at the company long enough to help craft the vehicles in the next product cycle, each of which will follow in the footsteps of the Enzo successor.
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[Source: ]
Yesterday we brought you . Today, more images have hit the web, proving this is more than a BMW 6 Series with skinny tires and a missing tailpipe. The car may be wearing 6 Series skin from the a-pillar back, but the front is a different animal. It appears to be similar to the face found on the concept vehicle.
There are a lot of ways these “spy shots” can be perceived. The above image and the certainly led us to believe this car is utilizing a new EfficientDynamics powertrain. This would mean the above mash-up mobile is powered by a 1.5-liter inline three-cylinder diesel as well as a pair of electric motors set on the axles.
A viral campaign complete with dark photographs of a mysterious vehicle? It must be auto show season! The Paris Motor Show is right around the corner and we hope someone will be ready to spill their precision-engineered beans.
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[Source: , ]
Mark your calendars, dust off your driving shoes, practice your electric car speak and get ready to pilot the world’s first mass-produced, battery-powered family vehicle of the modern age. The is headed your way and are coming to an area near you.
Drive Electric Tour, sponsored by the 100 percent electric Leaf, kicks off on October 1st and the company has revealed tour dates, locations and has provided a nifty button on which allows you to schedule a test drive of its new EV. The Drive Electric Tour kicks off with a stop at the in Santa Monica, CA, and for the first leg of the tour, the Leaf will travel along our nation’s west coast. By December, the Leaf will make its way across the southern portion of the U.S., eventually concluding in Nashville, TN near the end of March. Tour dates and locations are posted on the site. Hit up the site, schedule your drive and patiently wait for your chance to pilot the “game-changing” Nissan Leaf. Hat tip to Michael!
[Source: ]
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