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Toyota Prius c Gets Tuner Treatment: 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon
If you’re looking to make 53 mpg look a little cooler then Toyota in-house tuning division Modelista has you covered. The style-oriented arm of Toyota has just announced a new lineup of accessories for the Prius c, which is sold as the Aqua in Japan. Already looking like a slightly-cooler Yaris, the Prius c gets…
IBM Develops Next Generation Lithium-Air Electric Battery
Electric powered vehicles have long faced challenges in battery cell packaging and the difficulties of maximizing range optimizing weight and placement. In the past, nickel-metal hydride cells failed to store enough energy to propel an EV any more than 100 miles and required a lengthy recharge after the battery depletes. Lithium-ion (Li-ion) does improve the…
Consumers Do Not Find Hybrids Appealing
For the last number of years, automakers have been pushing gas-electric products at auto shows across the world. However, according to researcher LMC Automotive, hybrid sales in the United States have slowed last year to 2.2 percent compared to 2.4 percent in 2010. Mike Jackson, chief executive of auto retail chain AutoNation Inc., said that…
NHTSA Closes Honda Accord Hybrid, Kia Sorento Investigations
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that investigations of the Honda Accord Hybrid and the Kia Sorento have both ended. The NHTSA first looked into Accord Hybrid models after initial investigations linked unintended acceleration to a fatal accident. After a thorough investigation, the agency found no evidence of defect within the Accord Hybrid. No…
US Diesel Sales Surge as Hybrid’s Fall in 2011
US diesel sales rose 27.4-percent in 2011 while hybrid sales dropped 2.2-percent, numbers that reflect a changing automotive climate in America and fly in the face of conventional stereotypes about diesel cars. But thanks to offerings from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and the Volkswagen Group, diesel-powered passenger vehicle sales are on the rise in America. The 2.2-percent…
U.S. Auto-safety Regulators Pleased By GM’s Cooperation in Volt Recall
Recently, Chevrolet Volt fire hazards resulting from compromised battery cells have been under particular scrutiny by the NHTSA. Addressing the issue, GM has been informing Volt owners to bring their vehicles back to dealerships where steel plates will be fitted to increase protection surrounding the Volt’s lithium-ion batteries. At an interview yesterday during the 2012 Detroit Auto…
Toyota Prius c Video – First Look: 2012 Detroit Auto Show
Expanding the Prius range of vehicles to four, the new “c” model is the smallest and most affordable Prius yet. Toyota also promises it will be the most fun to drive and it will get an even higher fuel economy rating than the standard Prius with 53 mpg combined. Unveiled this week at the North…
2013 Acura ILX First Look – Video: 2012 Detroit Auto Show
With a new flagship supercar planned in the NSX Concept, Acura also unveiled a new entry-level model at the Detroit Auto Show this week. Called the ILX, it’s based on the new Honda Civic platform, but significantly modified. It also gets some distinct bodywork and three unique engine choices, including a hybrid option – the…
Mercedes E400 Hybrid is Built for America: 2012 Detroit Auto Show
Rated at 302 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, Mercedes says the E400 Hybrid should deliver approximately 24 miles per gallon in city driving and 31 mpg on the open road.
Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid Video – First Look: 2012 Detroit Auto Show
It should come as little surprise that Volkswagen has unveiled a new Jetta Hybrid at the Detroit Auto Show. After all, the Jetta itself was designed to appeal more to American tastes and something Americans increasingly love are hybrids. Powered by an all-new hybrid engine and getting an incredibly high fuel economy rating, watch the…
Lexus LF-LC Concept Video – First Look: 2012 Detroit Auto Show
Easily one of the stars of this year’s Detroit Auto Show, and arguably the best looking, the Lexus LF-LC hybrid coupe concept is a bold look at the future styling direction of the brand, while also hinting at a new model. With styling cues from the new GS and the LFA supercar, there’s plenty of…
2013 Prius C Gets 53-MPG, Priced Under $19,000: 2012 Detroit Auto Show
Toyota is updating its Prius family once again with the production version Prius C. The C stands for city, because this version of the Prius is smaller, lighter and more fuel efficient than its classic predecessor. The 2013 Prius C will be powered by a 1.5L four cylinder engine which produces 73 hp as well…
2013 Honda Accord Coupe Concept Looks Very Familiar: 2012 Detroit Auto Show
No one will accuse Honda of breaking the mold with the new Accord Coupe concept, revealed today at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Then again, consistency is part of the Honda plan and has earned the company an excellent reputation. On hand for the car’s debut, American Honda Motor Co. Executive VP…
Acura NSX Concept Video – First Look: 2012 Detroit Auto Show
The star of the Detroit Auto Show, Acura has put itself back on the map by unveiling a concept car that will inspire the next NSX. Looking undeniably like an exotic, it’s actually quite a small machine – an indication of just how serious Acura is about keeping it light weight. For more details on…
2013 Acura ILX Sedan Doesn’t Look Like a Honda Civic: 2012 Detroit Auto Show
Acura‘s new ILX sedan, based on the Honda Civic sedan, officially features Acura’s first hybrid system and has made its debut at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. The 2013 Acura ILX will become the automaker’s new anchor in a strategy to capture entry-level luxury buyers. Acura’s target market with the ILX are intelligent, young professionals….
Acura NSX Concept Gets Mid-Engine V6 Hybrid SH-AWD: 2012 Detroit Auto Show
Acura is bringing a dead legend back to life with the unveiling of their NSX concept at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. The all new super car has lost some weight thanks to lightweight build materials and Acura’s race inspired philosophy of a well balanced power to weight ratio. The new NSX will be powered…
Lexus LF-LC is “A Sign of Something Big”: 2012 Detroit Auto Show
Probably the coolest aspect of all, is the glass roof, which features a cantilevered pillar and glass meeting glass, a design aspect you’d more often find on trendy coffee tables, yet it actually works quite well.
VW Jetta Hybrid is Like a German Prius: 2012 Detroit Auto Show
Helping that cause, is the first seven-speed transmission installed in a Hybrid, in this case a Dual-Clutch unit.
2013 Ford Fusion Revealed with “Game Changing” Fuel Economy: 2012 Detroit Auto Show
In a press conference that clearly targeted the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, Ford said consumers “expect more” than what its Japanese rivals have been offering and have, in response, developed the all new 2013 Fusion sedan. The car was unveiled today at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. With a fresh new…
2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid Gets 45-MPG Combined: 2012 Detroit Auto Show
No surprises here, but details on Volkswagen‘s new Jetta Hybrid has been revealed ahead of its official debut at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. Powered by a 1.4L turbocharged engine with 150-hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, the hybrid is combined with a 36-hp electric motor giving it a total output around 170-hp. Volkswagen is…
2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid Gets Best-in-Class 47/44 MPG: 2012 Detroit Auto Show
Setting a new industry benchmark, Ford will unveil its new Fusion and Fusion Hybrid today at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. What might just be the best looking mid-size sedan on offer, Ford’s hybrid model also offers class-leading fuel economy with an incredible 47-mpg city and 44-mpg highway rating. Those numbers best…
Chevy Volt’s First Year of Sales Trump Those of Original Prius
The Chevrolet Volt ended the last month of 2011 with its best month of sales to date. Having sold 1,529 Volts in December, GM ended its full year of Volt sales at a total of 7,671 units for 2011. While this figure is significantly lower than its 10,000 sales goal, Fox News noted that the…
Lexus LF-LC Photos Revealed [Again]: Detroit Auto Show Preview
It’s quite possibly the most exciting debut of this year’s Detroit Auto Show and after a few teaser images, followed by the release of two photos yesterday, we can now share the Lexus LF-LC concept from its many stunning angles. The 2+2 luxury coupe will be powered by a hybrid drivetrain, though it’s not clear…
BMW Smartphone App Previews Future i Electric Cars
Marking a new era for BMW, the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car and BMW i3 electric city car were first unveiled as concepts last year. Set for release in 2013, BMW will also launch a new complementing smartphone app that promises new levels of technological sophistication. Previewed at the BMW i Facebook fan page,…
