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Internal Combusion Engine’s Days Are Numbered Says Mercedes CEO
The future of green motoring is far closer than you might think. At least it is if you’re a believe of Mercedes-Benz CEO Dieter Zetsche. In a recent interview with Motor Trend, the former TV personality for Chrysler (when under Daimler’s ownership) Dr. Z says that, “We see another one or two decades of dominance…
2012 Car of the Year Candidates Chosen
It’s that time of the year again as Car of the Year begins the laborious task of whittling down new Car of the Year contenders for 2012. A total of 59 journalists, representing automotive authorities across 23 European countries, have been recruited for the task of choosing top car. The number of journalists to represent…
Kia to Focus on Electric Cars, Hyundai to Develop Hybrids as Part of New Green Car Plan
Only until recently did Kia find its groove and really start to deliver a lineup of attractive cars. However, Hyundai‘s vision for Kia’s future has something different in store. Rumors have suggested that Hyundai-Kia Automotive group may be performing an unprecedented hedge to have Kia carry a solely electric vehicle green model range while Hyundai…
Infiniti M35h Sets Guinness World Record for the Fastest Hybrid
Infiniti already claims the new M35h is the world’s quickest hybrid with a 0-62 mph time of 5.5 seconds. Now the Japanese luxury automaker can add one more performance credential to the car’s list: the Guinness World Record for the fastest hybrid. The certification was given after auto journalist Tim Pollard of CAR Magazine piloted…
BMW X6 ActiveHybrid Axed
The BMW X6 is a niche market vehicle, and its sales numbers in North America have reflected its limited appeal. Now one of its variants (perhaps the ultimate niche market version) is getting the axe. We are talking about the X6 ActiveHybrid. Originally launched at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show, the X6 ActiveHybrid has two…
Porsche GT3 R Hybrid Crosses Finish Line First, But Doesn’t Win at Laguna Seca ALMS Race
Porsche‘s updated GT3 R Hybrid made its North American debut this weekend at the American Le Mans Series race at Laguna Seca and the folks at Porsche couldn’t be happier. Well, that’s not exactly true. They’d be a lot happier if the car had been racing for points. Driven by Porsche works drivers Romain Dumas…
Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Priced from $32,760
Toyota has finally released pricing for the all-new Prius Plug-in Hybrid, setting the retail rate at $32,760 – a roughly $8,000 premium over the conventional model. At $32,760, Prius Plug-in provides more standard features like heated front seats, Entune, LED daytime running lights, an enhance keyless entry system as well as a remote start air…
Volkswagen Up! Concepts Brighten Up the Frankfurt Auto Show
Volkswagen made a cannonball of a splash at the Frankfurt Auto Show with a premiere of six new and exciting variations of the Up! that may join to form a small car family. Make no mistake, not only is the exclamation mark a part of the car’s name, Volkswagen’s new microcar line-up exudes excitement.
2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Rated at 87-MPGe, 49-MPG
After debuting the car earlier this week at the Frankfurt Auto Show, Toyota has now released official details on the new Prius Plug-in Hybrid including expected fuel economy numbers. While it’s not quite up to the much-hyped Chevy Volt, the Prius PHEV will feature, “more affordable pricing than pure electric or range-extender type vehicles,” says…
Hybrids to Capture 20 Percent Market Share by 2020 Says Toyota
With the unveiling of the production version of the Prius Plug-in Hybrid in Frankfurt, Toyota still believes the mainstream adoption of hybrid vehicles is still in its early stages. Speaking to Automotive News, Toyota engineering VP Takeshi Uchiyamada commented that the Japanese auto giant expects hybrid sales to account for 20 percent of all vehicles…
2012 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid to Bow at Detroit Auto Show in January
When it was unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show back in 2010 the Volkswagen New Compact Coupe looked to point the way towards several new models for the German automaker: both a Jetta Coupe and a Jetta Hybrid. Now it appears as though only one of those two cars has been given the green light,…
BMW i3, i8 Headed to Dealers Starting in 2013: 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show [Video]
Making their world premiere at the Frankfurt Auto Show, the BMW i3 and i8 may just be concepts, but point to a major push by the German automaker into the realm of electrified vehicles. In fact, BMW is so serious that its working towards an entire range of “i” branded alternative vehicles, sporting both electric…
Chevrolet Miray Concept is Like a Korean Batmobile: Frankfurt Auto Show 2011
When I first laid eyes on the Chevrolet Miray concept, I thought: this is what the Batmobile would look like if it was small, silver, and Korean. A product of GM Korea, the Miray (Korean for “future” first debuted at the Seoul Motor Show earlier this year but made its European debut at the Frankfurt…
Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Gets 112-MPG Rating: 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show
After showing it in concept form almost as many times as the FT-86, Toyota has finally unveiled the production version of its Prius Plug-in Hybrid at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Called “the world’s most sophisticated hybrid electric powertrain” by Toyota Europe boss Didier Leroy, the company is claiming an incredible 112-mpg rating for the car….
Jaguar C-X16 Concept Sizzles on Stage: 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show [video]
Jaguar claims the C-x16 concept can accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in just 4.4 seconds, will reach a top speed of 186 mph and thanks to a virtual 50:50 front/rear weight distribution (the Hybrid battery pack is mounted behind the seats) reportedly delivers superb cornering ability.
Ford Evos Concept Heralds A Bold New Styling Direction: 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show
Ford‘s designs have come a long way over the last decade, with practically their entire lineup looking sharp and attractive – but the Ford Evos Concept has just managed to move the bar substantially higher. Revealed at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Evos looks like something that would have a V12 under the…
Ford Evos Concept, First Look the Future of Ford Design: 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show [video]
Unveiled today at the Frankfurt Auto Show, Ford‘s Evos concept is more than just a hybrid Aston Martin clone. Beautiful, yes, but it’s also a look at the future of where Ford’s SYNC technology could go, as well as some new “smart” methods of maximizing fuel economy. It is, after all, a hybrid. Power the…
Lexus GS450h: Frankfurt Motor Show 2011
Other features of the new GS450h; include specific headlamp treatment with the high/low beam LED headlights and turn signals aligned in a single row; plus an energy saving air conditioning system shared with other GS models that includes S-Flow and ‘nanoe’ technologies, the latter designed to ‘clean’ the air onboard when the system is turned...
2013 Lexus GS 450h Unveiled At Frankfurt Motor Show, Fuel Economy Up 30 Percent
Lexus is introducing a world’s first with their 2013 GS 450h, boasting the first premium performance sedan to be equipped with a V6 Atkinson cycle gas engine and two-motor hybrid system in a front engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicle. The hybrid version of the 2013 GS made its official debut at Frankfurt Motor Show packing 338-hp with…
Brabus Hybrid Makes World Debut At 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show
Despite the added weight of the electric motors and the car’s Lithium-Ion battery pack, the Brabus Hybrid still boasts decent performance. According to the company, it’s able to sprint from 60 to 120 km (37 to 74 mph) in 5.6 seconds, decent statistics for a relatively heavy mid-size sedan.
EV Drivers Lose Range Anxiety After Three Months
The promises of energy independence and benefits to the environment have always contended with the range limitation concerns inherent of all electric vehicles. As automakers produce electric vehicles while city infrastructures have yet to provide proper availability of charging stations, skeptics question its practicality. But how have the believers, those who purchased EVs, felt? According…
Brahms Plug-In Hybrid Hearse: A Car To Die For
If you’re a die-hard environmentalist, then you’re going to love the Brahms Plug-in Hybrid Hearse. You can rest in peace knowing that even in death you did your part to help save the planet. Brahms Electric Vehicles, a UK engineering firm, is looking for buyers for its new line of electric plug-in hybrid hearses. Traditional…
Jaguar C-X16 Concept is a Porsche Rival With Hybrid Tech [Frankfurt Preview]
Revealed ahead of the Frankfurt Auto Show, the new Jaguar C-X16 concept moves Jaguar one big step close to becoming a credible threat to the Germans, giving the first look at a volume sports car. There may be some similarities to Jag’s grand touring XK, but the C-X16 is a smaller two-seater. In fact, it’s…
‘Mean Green’ Volvo Hybrid Transport Truck Drag Races a Ferrari [Video]
Can a Volvo transport truck beat a Ferrari in a drag race? Not unbelievable enough for you? Then let’s make the Volvo a hybrid too. OK, so this Volvo isn’t exactly capable of hauling any loads down the Motorväg, but it still makes for an exciting comparo… or at least it did until we found…
