Chrevrolet Volt's Innovative GPS System

There are some new  features in the new Chevy Volt. For instance, what seems to be a GPS system at first sight, actually can also tell the driver how far he is from home. This is especially helpful in an electric car that is, it usually charges at home. It is a plug-in electric computer which can calculate how much time the car can use the gas engine to charge the on-board battery pack, providing a real fuel economy.

Honda OSM (Open Study Model)

Honda's low-emission sportscar study model has been revealed at the British International Motor Show, at ExCel, London.

The lightweight roadster design study is a concept showing Honda's core engineering principals, designing stylish and exciting cars that are also environmentally responsible.

Named the OSM (for Open Study Model), the two-seater joins the confirmed-for-production CR-Z sports hybrid and FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel cell car on the Honda stand at the show.

Read more about it here ---> Tuning News

Mercedes-Benz S400 Blue Hybrid Revealed

Mercedes-Benz has taken the wraps off of its first hybrid passenger car, the S400 BlueHYBRID. Based on the S350, this mild hybrid pairs an electric motor/generator and the first lithium-ion battery in a production car with a specially tuned version of the company's 3.5L V6 driving the wheels through a 7-speed automatic transmission.

The V6 produces 279 horsepower and can be aided by the electric motor during acceleration with an additional 20 horsepower and 88 lb-ft of torque, giving the drivetrain a combined torque output of 285 lb-ft and what MB calls an electric "boost" effect. Like most hybrids, the S400 features a start-stop function and regenerative braking, but since Mercedes didn't want any interior or trunk space sacrificed for batteries, the S400's special li-ion battery was made small enough to be placed under the hood with the engine. The only evidence you're driving a hybrid while behind the wheel is a special display embedded in the gauge cluster that shows where the energy is flowing at any particular moment. The net result of all this technology is a very large car that sips fuel at the rate of 7.9 liters per 100 kilometers, or what would be around 29 mpg in the U.S. The M-B S400 BlueHYBRID will be available in Europe next summer, and we expect to see it offered elsewhere, including the U.S., not long after.

Source: Autoblog

Toyota Prius vs. Chevrolet Volt

General Motors ends its first century this month. And, you'll have heard, it ain't in very good shape in the US.

So here's the car on which it's betting its second century. The Volt, on sale in 2010 is a hybrid, but not as we know it. They're calling it the extended-range electric vehicle. There is an engine, a new 1.4-litre petrol four, mounted at the front as per usual. But, unlike the Toyota or Honda hybrids, it never drives the wheels directly. In future years, that engine could be replaced by a fuel cell.

In fact, the Volt is designed to give up to 40 miles on battery power alone, with full 150bhp performance available. This, says GM after lots of study, is enough for the habitual daily mileage of 80 percent of American drivers - 12,000 miles a year at 40 miles a day, six days a week. So they'll get home at night and plug in to cheap household electricity, getting that 40 miles for 50p at US mains prices. They might go weeks or months never needing the engine.

When it does spark up, the engine simply charges up the battery - although only partially, as GM wants the car always to arrive at its destination in a depleted state so you can use the mains to re-charge. Even with the engine cycling to keep the batteries at constant charge, the Volt will do about 60mpg.

Disappointed that this doesn't look have the electric-Camaro looks of the Volt show car? Come on, it's better than a Prius. The shape has morphed from show to production to make space for four adults, and the corners had to be rounded off because every scintilla of drag kocked back the electric range.

It's only a four-seater because the upper body tapers backwards to cut drag, and because there's a big battery box running along the car like an overgrown tranmission tunnel. The lithium ion pack weighs 180kg, taking the whole Volt to 1800kg.

By 2012 or so, there will be a Vauxhall/Opel version for Europe with unique styling. The Volt uses the platform of the next Astra, which gives you an idea of its size. And because they had to develop all sorts of power and weight-saving features for the Volt, like climate control and power assists, the Astra will be a better car because of it.

I've met a lot of Volt engineers and they're absolute fanatics. I wish them well. A lot of them worked on the original EV1. Who killed the electric car? If it was GM, then we desperately need it to be GM who brings it back.

Source: Top Gear

BMW's Electric Car

BMW is coming out with it's own future electric car, it will comply with Californian regulations, which say that by 2012 a fuel cell or battery-powered vehicle must have a range of over 200 miles.

The car might look like this in the picture, "It’ll be a car with a completely new look, with two engines available. One will be a very efficient combustion engine and the other will be a purely electric model,” announce company CEO Norbert Reithofer told the German weekly newspaper Die Zeit.

The Scorpion is a Hydrogen/Gasoline Mix Supercar

Meet the Texan answer to the $150 oil barrel

Genius and madness often seem to share the same shoes, but rarely with such gleeful abandon as they do here, in the RNNM Scorpion.The brainchild of Ronn Maxwell, Chief Executive Officer of Ronn Motor Company, no less - a Texas outfit that simultaneously deserves a slap and a biscuit for its blind optimism. The Scorpion is a hydrogen/gasoline mix supercar that generates its hydrogen on demand by fracturing molecules from a small onboard water tank.

'A Texas outfit that simultaneously deserves a slap and a biscuit for its blind optimism'

If that wasn't complicated enough, it then mixes it with petrol at a ratio of about one to three, achieving the not terribly impressive fuel figure of around 40mpg.
There are no official performance figures given yet, but order books are open, apparently, and the first customer cars are - time to get out another biscuit here - going to be ready by the autumn.

Source: Top Gear

Diesel rush begins: VW Jetta TDI Officialy Out

Lovers of both fuel mileage and torque can finally rest easy, Volkswagen of America is now officially selling its 50-State-approved, clean diesel engine in either the Jetta sedan for $21,990 or Jetta SportWagen wrappers for $23,590. Equipped with the six-speed DSG transmission, both Jetta gets an EPA rating of 29 miles per gallon in the city and 40 on the highway. We expect to see better real-world numbers, though we're a bit wary of VW's advertising its alternate rating of 38/44 -- a number that is impossible to compare with anything else currently available. In any case, the $2,000 premium for the TDI engine will be lessened somewhat by the Fed's $1,300 tax credit which applies to either TDI model. Look for an early test of the oil-burner on these pages shortly.

Source: Volkswagen

GM Shrinks Volt's Gas Tank

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 battery 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.

The 2008 Mercedes Benz C300

Engineered specifically for performance driving, the newly designed C300 Sport Sedan embodies seven years of automotive thinking. Now more aggressive than ever, its dramatic 17-inch 7-twin-spoke wheels and new athletic profile are just the beginning.

Restyling runs the full length and breadth of the vehicle — even to its underside, where superior aerodynamics work hand in hand with the new AGILITY CONTROL sport suspension that automatically senses and adjusts to different road conditions and driving styles.

An AMG front intake seizes air — and attention — as it channels brake-cooling wind to the wheels. The Mercedes-Benz star is positioned front and center.

Inside, dual-zone climate control and an 8-speaker radio/CD/MP3 sound system are models of easy-to-use simplicity. The multimedia interface, comprised of one central controller and a five-inch color display, can be hidden when not in use.

Source: MB USA

Hybrid/Diesel Land Rover LRX

THIS is the first picture of the new “baby” Land Rover.
The car-like LRX blends the looks of a 4x4 with a coupé.

And it will be the “green” new face of Land Rover - exploding the myth of 4x4s as gas eating monsters.

It's diesel/hybrid engine will slash CO2 emissions and return 40 mpg when the car goes on sale in 2010.

Land Rover managing director Phil Popham says the LRX is described as a cross-coupé this gives “a powerful message” that the firm is serious about environment friendly vehicles.

He said “It’s a way of affirming the brand’s responsible approach."

The car, features lightweight materials, it is 5.9 ins shorter than the Freelander and 8.1 ins lower. Butstill a full four seater with wood and leather trim.

Sun Motoring Editor Ken Gibson said “It’s sensational and extends the brand into a new segment.”

Source: The Sun

2007 Lotus Exige S

If you want a cheap, fuel efficient, fast, sports, exotic car you have found it. The Lotus Exige also mistaken by Lotus Elise starts at $56,000 and has an inline 4. The car is very light making it extremely quick and easy to handle. You don't have to worry getting left behind because you will be in the front because the Lamborghini's and Ferrari's will be at the gas stations. This is perfect car for the beginner car collector of exotic sports cars.

Engine
Power bhp: 218
Torque lb-ft: 159
Red Line at RPM: 8000
Type: Inline-4 Supercharged

Performance
Acceleration 0-60 mph: 4.1 Seconds
Fuel Economy: 23 City, 29 Highway
Top Speed: 148 mph

Base Price: 2007 Lotus Exige S - $56,990