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Test driving an electric car at an automaker’s media event is one thing. Taking one home and living with it is a completely different experience. Nissan just loaned me a Leaf for several days and I came away with a new appreciation for the potential pitfalls and rewards of owning an EV.

First off, I really liked the Leaf. It’s a nice, comfortable car with more than adequate power, it’s unbelievably quiet and offers a decent driving range. In fact, it’s been a long time since I was this excited to bring a test car home. But it wasn’t always a shiny, smiley, happy experience.

Let me state unequivocally: if you can only recharge from a 110-volt outlet, the Leaf is not for you. Not if you have a hefty commute and only own one car, that is.

Continue reading…

John McElroy is host of the TV program “Autoline Detroit” and daily web video “Autoline Daily”. Every week he brings his unique insights as a Detroit insider to Autoblog readers.

Continue reading 2011 Nissan Leaf: Pros and Cons of living with an electric car

2011 Nissan Leaf: Pros and Cons of living with an electric car

Judging by what we’ve seen on the web, driving through Iraq is a few notches tougher than dealing with Southern California during rush hour. It appears to be the old “Anything Goes” method when moving from Point A to Point B. Iraqi authorities are looking to change that by introducing a licensing system that aims to instruct drivers on correct procedures while hoping to also cut down the madness seen on the roads around the nation.

According to an AFP report, the number of cars on the Iraq’s streets has doubled since Saddam Hussein’s regime collapsed. Prior to the 2003 US.. invasion, there were 1.25 million registered vehicles, and now an additional 1.5 million have been imported into the country. With that many new vehicles hitting the road, authorities are working to implement a system to ensure that motorists understand how to legally operate their own vehicle.

Since the program was launched on October 21, some 8,000 drivers licenses have been issued. As the officials get more familiar with the procedures and computer systems, that pace is expected to pick up. The ultimate goal is that in just two years time every driver on the road will be one carrying a legal license to do so.

[Source: AFP via Yahoo! Image: AFP/Getty]

Report: Most in Iraq drive without licenses as gov’t. works to institute new permits

We’ve heard plenty of speculation about Lamborghini’s upcoming Murciélago replacement, the LP700-4, and now a leaked dealer order guide gives us a glimpse of exactly what we can expect from the new flagship Raging Bull.

The LP700-4 (or Aventador, or Jota, as it’s been known) is powered by a 6.5-liter V12 with 690 horsepower and 509 pound-feet of torque on tap, routed to the ground via all-wheel drive. Lamborghini’s new seven-speed independent shifting rod (ISR, read about it here) transmission is fitted to the new supercar, and the automaker is claiming super-quick shift times of just 50 milliseconds. That, combined with a dry weight of only 3,472 pounds, means that the LP700-4 will sprint to 62 miles per hour in just 2.9 seconds. That, friends, is fast.

In the leaked dealer order guide, which you can see for yourself in our high-res image gallery, Lamborghini details out the whole host of standard and optional equipment for the new LP700-4. New colors like Grigio Estoque and Arancio Argos are available for the exterior, and many different color choices can be had for the Sportivo interior, with or without Alcantara. Of course, high-tech goodies like sat-nav, iPod and USB connectivity and Bluetooth are standard fare, not to mention a giant heaping of street cred.

[Source: TeamSpeed]

Lamborghini LP700-4 order guide promises 690 hp, 0-62 in 2.9 seconds

Don’t worry folks… this one is fully licensed, so expect no unwanted lawsuits. What you see before you is said to be one example of three Shelby Mustang GT500KR golf carts produced, and this one happens to be Numero Uno. This particular electric transportation device is modeled after the 2008 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500KR, which is itself an homage to the 1968 original, and it can be yours if the price is right.

Of the three produced, this is the only one with a more powerful engine capable of pushing the golf cart to 60 miles per hour. According to the sell,er it was created for Amy Bolan, former president of Shelby Automobiles. The stitching on the driver’s seat reads “Mustang Amy” and the seller advises keeping it that way to preserve the “collector’s value.” However, they will stitch something else in that spot if desired.

The auction listing states that this GT500KR golf cart cost more than $50,000 to build. Currently there are 18 bids, with the top dollar offering sitting $9,900 and an unmet reserve. There’s not much time left on this auction, so interested golfers buyers are advised to bid soon.

[Source: eBay Motors]

eBay Find of the Day: 2008 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500KR (golf cart)

The Mission R cut a seductive silhouette in a teaser shot from Mission Motors that presaged its arrival. Now, with its public debut scheduled for later today at the Long Beach International Motorcycle Show, the lights have come up and the bike is rather awe-inspiring. As we take it in details, from its front Brembo brakes to its rear single-sided swingarm, we are indeed smitten.

Newly developed MissionEVT components have been intelligently integrated into a compact James Parker-conceived chassis, then dressed in a design of grace and aggression by Tim Prentice of Motonium. The result is an electric race bike that’s smaller than a typical 600cc MotoGP machine, yet it holds a massive 14.4 kWh battery beneath its carbon fiber skin. You might not guess this creature weighs a significant 545 pounds (247.2 kg), and though we’ve yet to see it dance through the esses, we’re hoping its movements will conceal this fact as well.

To push the package along, the liquid-cooled AC motor pumps out 141 horses with 115 pound-feet of twist on tap from 0 to 6500 RPM. Top speed hasn’t been determined yet (it will only visit the track sometime after the calender flips to 2011), but the company expects it will easily see 160 miles per hour.

We will have the opportunity to see how the Mission R compares with its peers later in the new year when it competes in the TTXGP North American Championship. The factory team has a lot to prove after sitting out the 2010 season, but this certainly looks promising. The official press release and complete specifications await past the break.

[Source: Mission Motors]

Continue reading Mission Motors reveals race-ready Mission R

Mission Motors reveals race-ready Mission R

The Detroit Three’s 267,000 hourly retirees will soon receive a COLA (cost of living allowance) of $700 each to cover the cost of inflation; an annual tradition that arrives in time for the holiday season. The 72,000 surviving spouses will also be rewarded with up to $455 to help with rising costs.

That’s a lot of people receiving quite the sum of checks, and someone has to foot the bill. General Motors has to sign the most signatures with a bill that Automotive News says approaches $200 million. Ford will pay $70 million and Chrysler will pay $35 million. While retirees will no doubt relish their stipend, active employees will receive no such allowance. The United Auto Workers eliminated their cost of living increase as part of concessions made during 2007 and 2009 contract negotiations.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Report: Detroit automakers paying $305M to UAW retirees for inflation bonus

When General Motors decided to auction off the first available production Chevrolet Volt to benefit the Detroit Public Schools Foundation, it probably envisioned someone with deep pockets and a strong connection to the Bowtie brand coming through with the winning bid. Well, when the dust settled and the auctioned Volt sold for $225,000 to bidder ChargeOn, it became clear that someone willing to dish out nearly a quarter of a million dollars had won Chevy’s plug-in. But who is ChargeOn?

The man that bid under the screen name of ChargeOn is none other than Rick Hendrick, a longtime Chevrolet dealer and owner of Hendrick Motorsports, the American racing juggernaut established back in 1984. It turns out that Hendrick, an avid car collector, just had to have a Volt to add to his collection and felt compelled to aid the Detroit Public Schools. After winning the auctioned Volt, Hendrick stated:

This was an opportunity to own a piece of history while giving back to the community. I have been a Chevrolet dealer for more than 30 years, and the Volt is one of the most exciting and important new cars since we opened our first dealership in 1976.

Our congrats go out to Mr. Hendrick for winning the auction and, more importantly, for supporting a good cause. Click past the jump to learn more in the official press release. Thanks to all for the tips!

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Rick Hendrick wins first retail Chevy Volt for $225,000

Rick Hendrick wins first retail Chevy Volt for $225,000

Amp Electric Vehicles continues its quest to stand on the shoulders of industry giants with proven track records. In this latest round of hirings, Amp has once again chosen to bolster its staff with top auto execs as it eyes increased production and sales of its vehicles. As Amp president Steve Burns told us in the past:

We’ve been kind of non-automotive. What we’ve been doing is layering in a lot of automotive executives. A lot of 30-year executives have been coming in because they’re available. There was a lot of brain drain.

This time around, Amp has chosen to appoint James Taylor as its new vice chairman and chief executive officer (CEO). Taylor’s extensive experience in the automotive industry includes heading up the Cadillac and Hummer divisions while working with General Motors. In addition, Amp selected Joseph Paresi as chairman of the board. In the past, Paresi held positions such as director of technology at Lockheed Martin and executive vice president of L-1 Identity Solutions.

Just in case you’re wondering, Amp Founder and current CEO Steve Burns is not leaving the company. Burns will become Amp’s president and focus his attention on fulfilling current orders and signing deals with new customers.

[Source: Amp Holdings]

Continue reading Change of Heart: Former Hummer boss Taylor to head Amp EV startup

Change of Heart: Former Hummer boss Taylor to head Amp EV startup

When Chinese automaker BYD’s E6 electric crossover hit the stage at the Detroit Auto Show in January, the ambitious automaker announced that the vehicle’s production schedule was on track and that U.S. deliveries would get underway by the end of the year. Well, plans frequently change and BYD’s dreams of delivering the E6 to American buyers by the end of 2010 isn’t going to happen. Even though the E6 has been delayed, there appears to be some indication that the automaker could launch the electric crossover in the U.S. in 2011.

The Wall Street Journal prodded Stella Li, BYD’s senior vice president and head of U.S. operations, for info on the E6’s delay and reports that:

The holdup was caused by BYD’s efforts to make the car roomier, especially its rear-seat area that was cramped thanks to a beefy battery pack that needs to be stored under the seat.

Li provided the WSJ with an updated launch schedule, telling the news outlet that 50 E6 electric cars – all destined for fleet duty – should hit U.S. turf sometime in 2011. Furthermore, Li declared that private buyers interested in the E6 will get a crack at owning one in 2012. We’re not going to take bets that BYD’s plans won’t get derailed again.

[Source: Wall Street Journal]

BYD bringing electric E6 to U.S. in 2010 2011?

	A visit to Think City’s electric car U.S. production plant in Eklhard, Indiana Who’s ready for an EV madeo. in the U.S.?		First Nissan Leaf owner sums up his drive time Choice quote: “Yesterday evening I left all the other cars way behind when accelerating from a stop light.”
	Electric Honda Fit hits the streets That was fasat.	Other news: Fisker partners with China Grand Automotive Group for sales in China First Think City electric vehicles delivered to Indiana for state park duty Reva-i model will sell in India for equivalent of $6,785 U.S.

AutoblogGreen for 12.17.10

So many sports cars, so little time. If only someone would organize them into one succinct chart, categorizing them according to common properties and laying them out in an authoritative graph. Wait, Car and Driver is someone, right?

The geeks over at C/D have created a pseudo-scientific chart modeled on Mendeleev’s periodic table of elements. C/D’s Periodic Table of Sports Cars covers everything from the Mazda Miata to the Bentley Speed Six, and just about everything in between. Best of all, they’ve made it available in a downloadable PDF you can print out and hang in your locker, garage, bedroom… wherever. It’s science! Take a look over the layout and let ‘em know what they got right and what they missed.

[Source: Car and Driver]

The Periodic Table of Sports Cars according to Car and Driver

The crew from Top Gear US are jumping over to the set of another certified car nut’s show. Jay Leno will play host to Tanner Foust, Rutledge Wood and Adam Ferrara tonight at 11:35 pm on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. While cars will no doubt be a central point of the discussion, we’re curious to see what Jay has to say about the show. Last time he spoke about it, Leno predicted it would suck.

Top Gear US hosts sit down with Jay Leno tonight

BMW is set to change the way we think about supercars with its Vision EfficientDynamics concept. This swoopy economical machine is estimated to produce around 328 horsepower from its three-cylinder diesel hybrid powertrain, and fuel economy is claimed to be a lofty 62.5 miles per gallon.

While speaking to Inside Line recently, the automaker’s sales and marketing director, Ian Robertson, announced that the car will cost roughly €150,000, or about $200,000 USD when it goes on sale. That’s indeed a pretty penny, but it’s put into perspective when you consider that Mercedes-Benz’s upcoming efficient supercar, the SLS E-Cell, is rumored to cost around $250,000.

No official timeframe has been given as to when we’ll see the debut of the production-ready EfficientDynamics supercar, but Inside Line states that BMW is sponsoring the 2012 London Olympics, so we should look for the car to debut at that time. It’s indeed a vast change from the eight-, ten- and twelve-cylinder hotties that currently make up the supercar segment, but with the changing times putting a larger emphasis on efficiency, BMW’s end result should still be pretty sweet.

[Source: Inside Line]

Report: BMW’s next supercar coming in 2013 for $200,000

Even for those who didn’t know him during his glory days, Chuck Jordan was a familiar face on the auto show circuit. Slowed only a bit by a stroke, he was still present at a surprising number of the major shows, squeezed in with the assorted reporters, photographers and videographers, paying close attention to – and offering his perceptions on – the latest and greatest the industry could roll out.

I last saw Chuck Jordan earlier this year, not long before his death last week at the age of 83. The silver-white hair had thinned and the face was a bit gaunt, but he was still the trim and dapper silver fox I first met shortly before he assumed the design helm at General Motors. As only the fourth global styling chief in GM’s history, Jordan was a powerful man – too much so, contended his critics – one whose simple whim could transform or even kill an entire product program.

In his early years, the young designer earned kudos for stand-out efforts like the 1958 Corvette and, most notoriously, the ‘59 Cadillac Eldorado, with its over-the-top tailfins – which Jordan likened to “letting the tiger out of the cage.” He was a critical force in the golden era of GM design, when the maker’s striking approach to styling helped it capture more than half of the overall U.S. new car market.

By the time he assumed the title of vice president of the General Motors Design Staff, on October 6, 1986, however, GM was already in a steep decline. And the company Jordan left six years later was at best a hobbled giant. Today, looking back, it’s disheartening to realize how few truly significant products made it through his lavishly-furnished office at the General Motors Technical Center.

Continued reading…

Paul A. Eisenstein is Publisher of TheDetroitBureau.com, and a 30-year veteran of the automotive beat. His editorials bring his unique perspective and deep understanding of the auto world to Autoblog readers on a regular basis.

Continue reading Farewell Chuck Jordan

Farewell Chuck Jordan

The third installment in the DiRT video game series is beginning to tantalize us with more teasers. This time around, the Codemasters team put together a clip showing off the game’s Gymkhana mode. It’s essentially a virtual version of Ken Block ruining the tires on his Ford Fiesta in typically spectacular fashion.

The video shows the Fiesta running through a Gymkhana course called the DC Compound. It features donut sections, obstacles to slide around or under and even a jump to take the hoonage to the skies. The game is scheduled to come out sometime in 2011 and will be available for the Xbox, PS3 and PC systems.

For now, all we can do is watch and wait – so grab the e-brake and slide across the jump.

[Source: Youtube]

Continue reading Video: DiRT 3 trailer debuts Block’s Gymkhana mode

Video: DiRT 3 trailer debuts Block’s Gymkhana mode

The Speed Channel is approaching the 15th anniversary of its original air date and apparently its going to get much more aggressive with its content in the coming years. Right now, Speed has 20 new shows in development and six of those are ready to show up in your DVR in 2011.

We know that Adam Carolla is working on a show that would be an automotive version of The Best Damn Sports Show Period. Other items in the works include a series of specials with Jay Leno, a reality series based on Gran Turismo 5 (produced in cooperation with Sony and Nissan) and a Gymkhana program to be helmed by The Fast and the Furious Producer/DIrector Adam Cohen.

Those represent part of the growing projects currently under development. These six new shows are ready to by slotted into the lineup (titles subject to change):

-Car Warriors: Think Joes vs Pros but for car construction. A team of average folks square off against all-star builders and their work will be judged by George Barris, Jimmy Shine and Mad Mike Martin.

-American Truckers: Rob Mariani talks about iconic rigs, amazing routes and unique cargo tales. Kind of a niche audience here but the “iconic rigs” could be interesting.

-Car Science: The producers of Sports Science and Fight Science have turned their attention to automobiles.

-Speedmakers: Surprisingly not a Breaking Bad rip-off, but an examination of anything that makes speed possible. The show will examine the Daytona International Speedway, go behind the scenes at Aston Martin and will generally focus on engineering feats designed to maximize speed.

-Ticket to Ride with Dan Neil: Pulitzer-prize winner Dan Neil turns his column into a television show. If Speed lets him handle the writing, this one could prove quite interesting.

-The 10: This one is for the NASCAR fans. The 10 will highlight the best that NASCAR has served up over the years with topics such as Most Bizarre Finishes, All-Time Races, Throw-downs and Closest Calls.

[Source: Speed]

Continue reading Speed details new shows with Adam Carolla and Dan Neil

Speed details new shows with Adam Carolla and Dan Neil

There’s no point, to paraphrase the old adage, in closing the door after the horses have already left the stable. The same could be said of Prancing Horses – the red variety that hail from Maranello, specifically. So after the first image of Ferrari’s latest sports racer leaked out a few days ago, the Italian automaker and racing team have now released a quartet of additional shots.

The successor to the F430 GT2, the new 458 GTC will take on all comers in sports and endurance racing series around the world – most of them with the name “Le Mans” in the title. The new challenger is currently undergoing track testing at the hands of former FIA GT class champion and two-time Le Mans class winner Jaime Melo over the course of the winter in advance of its scheduled debut at the Sebring 12 Hours race in the American Le Mans Series. So stay tuned, and in the meantime, check out the images in the gallery below and the press release after the jump.

[Source: Ferrari]

Continue reading Ferrari lets the new 458 GTC stretch its legs in the snow

Ferrari lets the new 458 GTC stretch its legs in the snow

With dozens of automakers churning out hundreds of different models on a continuous basis, the automotive industry has the potential for being downright chaotic. What saves it from such an eventuality is a measure of order: cars categorized into groups, segments, markets and bodystyles. That, and a certain measure of chronology.

You see, when an automaker is about to introduce a new vehicle – whether production-ready or conceptual – they typically (though not necessarily) do so at a major auto show. But before they pull the tarp off the car on the show floor, they often release some photos and details to let us know what to expect.

BMW, however, played by different rules when it came to the new 6 Series. The Bavarian automaker released images and info on its new convertible around the time of the Los Angeles Auto Show, but didn’t unveil the car there. Instead, it’ll be doing that at next month’s Detroit Auto Show. There, we’ll have our first chance to see the new model (along with the new X3, the revised 1 Series coupe and convertible and the new 1 Series M Coupe) up close and personal for the first time, after mulling over that first batch of shots and specs for the past month or so. And just to keep things hoppin’, Munich has dropped a new batch of photos of the 2012 droptop, which we’ve placed in an embiggened gallery below for your viewing pleasure.

Here in the States, the first of the new generation Sixers we’ll see will be the 650i Convertible, with a turbocharged V8 giving 400 horsepower. Backed by either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed auto, the four-seat convertible figures to be a compelling performer.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading 2012 BMW 6 Series Convertible drops its top (again) ahead of Detroit debut

2012 BMW 6 Series Convertible drops its top (again) ahead of Detroit debut

BMW recently pulled the wraps off of its hot new 1 Series M Coupe, but this new addition to the automaker’s least expensive range isn’t the only changes on tap for the 2012 model year. Both the coupe and convertible versions of the 128i and 135i receive modest upgrades for 2012, including very, very slight styling updates and a new powertrain for the 135i.

Up front, 1 Series cars equipped with Xenon headlamps (optional on 128i, standard on 135i) receive a new horizontal LED eyebrow to complement the corona running lamps. Out back, newly tweaked taillamps use LED running lamps similar to those on the rest of the BMW product line. The 1 Series also gets a tweaked M Sport package that includes an aero kit (standard on the 135i), increased top speed limiter and more sporting suspension geometry. Additionally, M Sport cars are fitted with sport seats and M-branded interior trim components.

Much like its older brother, the 3 Series, the 135i is now powered by BMW’s N55 3.0-liter inline-six which uses a single twin-scroll turbocharger to produce 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. In addition to the standard row-it-yourself six-speed transmission, the 135i can now be had with BMW’s seven-speed DCT that first debuted in the Z4 roadster. Fitting this new engine means that the 135i Coupe can run to 60 miles per hour in five seconds flat with DCT and 5.1 seconds with the manual (add 0.3 seconds to those respective times for the droptop 135i). The base 128i continues to use the naturally aspirated 3.0-liter mill found in the outgoing model, rated at 230 hp and 200 lb-ft and paired with six-speed manual or Steptronic transmissions.

Pricing for the 2012 1 Series will be revealed closer to the car’s on-sale date in the Spring of 2011, and we wouldn’t expect the current base price of $29,450 for the 128i and $36,350 for the 135i to change much. Follow the jump for BMW’s exhaustive press release that details the full host of changes.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading Officially Official: 2012 BMW 1 Series coupe and convertible take a bow

Officially Official: 2012 BMW 1 Series coupe and convertible take a bow

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa pushed his “Clean Truck Program” as a way to improve the air quality in and around the Port of Los Angeles. And while a cleaner air is in everyone’s best interest, a Los Angeles Times report suggests that it could be truckers who are left holding the short end of the stick. Semi drivers have been encouraged to replace their beat-up, high pollution diesel rigs for much newer trucks with particulate filters that trap harmful gasses before they ever reach the atmosphere.

But while the new trucks are most definitely cleaner, they’re also far more expensive; often costing over $100,000 each. Truckers are leasing the vehicles from the trucking companies for over $1,000 per month, and they also have to spring for fuel and insurance and maintenance costs are said to have risen. Some drivers say that they have been driven to sleep in their rigs at night to save time and increase earning, and even after that after paying for the bills, wages can be as low as $7 per hour.

Trucking companies say that the drivers aren’t faring nearly as poorly as advertised, and they counter that the Clean Truck Program’s real aim was to unionize the drivers. According to the LAT, that was actually supposed to be part of the plan, as Mayor Villaraigosa intended for truckers to give up on being independent contractors in favor of becoming employees of the trucking company. Teamsters President James P. Hoffa justifies unionizing the employees, adding that the drivers are “slaves” to their rigs. Meanwhile, the trucking companies have taken the government to court in an effort keep the the city from forcing the companies to hire on the workers with benefits including health care. The industry promises to continue to fight hiring the thousands of port workers even if the case needs to go to the Supreme Court.

We’re not experts on government law or unionization, but it sounds suspiciously like the city of Los Angeles chose to draft and enforce new trucking laws without working closely enough with the companies that would end up footing the bill. The good news is that the air in L.A. appears to be a bit clearer, but the bad news is that the truckers appear to be the ones making the sacrifices.

[Source: Los Angeles Times Image: Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty]

Report: Truckers upset over LA ‘clean rig’ legislation ready to take fight to Supreme Court