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Detroit 2009: next-gen 2010 Toyota Prius

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 12:14:00 +0000

Filed under: Hybrid , Toyota , Detroit Auto Show , Green Daily Click above for high-res gallery of the 2010 Toyota Prius The 2010 Prius debuted today in Detroit and, well, it’s a new Prius. But it’s also a little bit more in a lot of little ways. First, if all you care about is mileage, the number you need to know is a combined rating of 50 mpg, based on Toyota’s own internal testing. That bump in MPGs (up from 46 in the current model) comes from a larger and more powerful 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle, four-cylinder engine. That may sound counterintuitive, but Toyota’s press release (pasted after the jump) is prepared for that, and says that the higher torque means lower rpm on the highway. And the highway is where hybrids don’t exactly shine. The new Prius has three driving modes: Eco, EV-Drive and Power. The EV Drive isn’t anything new – if you have a Japanese Prius. A first for the U.S., the Eco mode allows battery-only operation “at low speeds for about a mile, if conditions permit.” This is still the nickel-metal battery pack, after all. The other modes should be fairly obvious, with Eco providing the best mileage and the Power giving the car a “sportier feel.” When you’re not cruising down the road, an optional solar-powered moonroof over the rear seats can keep the hybrid from getting too hot when the car is parked in the sun. The electric fan circulates fresh air into the car before you get in and, if that’s not enough coolness for you, a remote starter can turn on the air conditioning. Toyota says this is the world’s first A/C that can operate on battery alone. How cool is the sun? The design team made the redesigned Prius just a little bit slipperier through the air. By moving the B-pillar back a bit and tweaking things here and there (check out the new rear spoiler), the 2010 Prius has a coefficient of drag (Cd) value to 0.25 (the current model has 0.26). There’s tons more information after the break. Gallery: Detroit 2009: 2010 Toyota Prius Gallery: 2010 Toyota Prius Continue reading Detroit 2009: next-gen 2010 Toyota Prius Detroit 2009: next-gen 2010 Toyota Prius originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 12 Jan 2009 13:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

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Detroit 2009: next-gen 2010 Toyota Prius

Detroit 2009: One last 2010 Prius teaser

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 09:59:00 +0000

Filed under: Hybrid , Toyota , Detroit Auto Show , Green Daily The Toyota press conference to unveil the brand new third-generation Prius will start in about half an hour. So, while we still can, let’s build up the anticipation a bit with one last teaser image. I know you’ve been enjoying all the random switches and features we’ve been teased with thus far, so this time we’re showing you nothing. Well, nothing but the covered car. In a little bit, we’ll show you everything that takes place, including info on the ” ecological plastics ” we’ve heard about, on the Riverview Ballroom stage. Of course, this will onle be new to you if you’ve missed all the leaked photos of the 2010 Prius . There’s talk this could be the unofficial “car of the show” this year. Whaddya think? Detroit 2009: One last 2010 Prius teaser originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 12 Jan 2009 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

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Detroit 2009: One last 2010 Prius teaser

BREAKING: Detroit 2009 – GM building Volt battery packs with LG Chem cells

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 09:19:00 +0000

Filed under: EV/Plug-in , Hybrid , GM , Detroit Auto Show After showing off its latest cars and concepts yesterday at the Detroit Auto Show , General Motors reserved its second press conference today for battery news. As has been rumored for months, South Korea’s LG Chem has been selected to supply the lithium-ion cells that will power the Chevy Volt. However, LG Chem and its U.S. subsidiary will not be supplying full packs to GM. Instead, GM has decided to keep the pack production in-house along with the battery management systems and all the power electronics. The automaker will be building a pack assembly facility here in Michigan, with LG Chem only supplying the cells. GM is currently working on finalizing the site selection and working with local and state officials on the approvals. The site of the factory is expected to be announced soon with site preparation starting early this year. Tooling of the factory should be completed by early 2010 with production starting soon afterward. GM also announced a new partnership with the University of Michigan to create the Advanced Battery Coalition for Drivetrains (ABCD). ABCD will focus on researching batteries and integration issues with a specific focus on vehicle applications. Press release after the jump. [Source: General Motors] Continue reading BREAKING: Detroit 2009 – GM building Volt battery packs with LG Chem cells BREAKING: Detroit 2009 – GM building Volt battery packs with LG Chem cells originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 12 Jan 2009 10:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

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BREAKING: Detroit 2009 – GM building Volt battery packs with LG Chem cells

Pierce Brosnan cruising in a Hydrogen 7 to Golden Globes

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 08:37:00 +0000

Filed under: Etc. , Hydrogen , Green Daily After Mamma Mia! and being James Bond, what else is there to do but let BMW loan you the dual-fuel Hydrogen 7 to go to the 66th Golden Globe Awards tonight. That must’ve been what Pierce Brosnan was thinking, as he (pictured above with his wife, Keely Shaye Smith) will be one of many celebs headed to the red carpet in a luxury ride; this one just happens to be capable of “zero-emission” miles. Hilary Swank , Kristen Davis , Brad Pitt and others have previously taken the H7 for a spin. We’re busy with the news coming from Detroit , but we still have a question about what’s happening in LA: what kind of alt-fuel car will we see the most of tonight? Teslas? Other EVs? Hydrogen-powered? Diesels ? Anyone want to make any sort of predictions on this topic? [Source: Ecorazzi ] Pierce Brosnan cruising in a Hydrogen 7 to Golden Globes originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 12 Jan 2009 09:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

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Pierce Brosnan cruising in a Hydrogen 7 to Golden Globes

Detroit 2009: Lexus HS250h live reveal

Sun, 11 Jan 2009 15:01:00 +0000

Filed under: Hybrid , Lexus , Detroit Auto Show , Green Daily Click above for a gallery of the Lexus HS250h Enough with the renderings and spy photos , let’s move to the big stage. Lexus took the wraps off of the 2010 HS 250h, its first dedicated hybrid – indeed, “the world’s first dedicated luxury hybrid,” as the press release says – this morning in Detroit, just in time for the brand’s 20th anniversary. This is the fourth Lexus hybrid model and is about as close as we’ll ever get to a “Lexus Prius.” The new HS 250h uses a 2.4-liter Atkinson-cycle 187 hp engine with variable valve timing and a exhaust heat recovery system for improved efficiency. All this makes the HS 250h the most fuel-efficient Lexus yet; even the LED headlights save a little bit of power. Lexus officials talked up the sedan’s 0.27 drag coefficient (Cd), made possible with front and rear spoilers (and a rear under spoiler) and many other aerodynamic tweaks. The HS 250h also uses some bio-plastic throughout the interior, something that Lexus says will result in a 20 percent drop in lifecycle CO 2 emissions. Not a concept vehicle, the HS 250h will be in dealerships this summer. Pricing TBA. There’s a short video after the jump. Gallery: Detroit 2009: Lexus HS 250h on the stand Live Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sebastian Blanco / Weblogs, Inc. Continue reading Detroit 2009: Lexus HS250h live reveal Detroit 2009: Lexus HS250h live reveal originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

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Detroit 2009: Lexus HS250h live reveal