tests 2-wheelers for the first time since ’81
Auto Blog: On Two Wheels Click above for a gallery of the Vespa S 150 In the wake of record high gas prices last summer, sales of scooters and small-bore motorcycles shot through the roof as consumers who were unable to unload their gas-guzzlers looked for any possible way to save a few bucks on their commuting needs. In order to serve this new segment of the market properly, Consumer Reports announced that it would study the market and look into new testing procedures for 2-wheelers, which the popular magazine stopped testing way back in 1981. As promised, the first in what we hope will be a series of tests will be included in CR’s March ’09 edition and will also be available to online subscribers tomorrow. The subjects for this installment include popular small displacement machines, including the Vespa LX, which took top honors in the smallest 50cc class and tied with the Kymco People in the 150cc class, and the Kawasaki Ninja 250 , which won a victory over the Honda Rebel in the larger 250cc class. Testing procedures included a new 5.2 mile testing route that included multiple stops and starts along with a full battery of acceleration, handling and braking tests. Fuel economy scores were also calculated and factored into the overall results. Click past the break for the full press release. Gallery: Vespa S150 [Source: Consumer Reports] Continue reading Consumer Reports tests 2-wheelers for the first time since ’81 Consumer Reports tests 2-wheelers for the first time since ’81 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green
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tests 2-wheelers for the first time since ’81
Volkswagen to launch Touareg BlueMotion hybrid in 2010
Auto Blog: Hybrid , Volkswagen Click the Touareg hybrid for a high-res gallery Come 2010, Volkswagen is planning to launch its first high-volumu mainstream hybrid model, the new Touareg BlueMotion Hybrid. Like General Motors and Chrysler, VW is applying hybrid technology to one of its thirstiest vehicles, allowing it to get substantially better fuel efficiency while maintaining its SUV capabilities. The Touareg hybrid starts off with the new 333 hp supercharged 3.0L TSI V6 from the recently-announced Audi S4. A 38 kW electric motor is sandwiched between the engine and the all-new 8-speed automatic transmission. This modular parallel hybrid system is capable of operating in electric boost, electric only and regenerative braking modes. When the nickel metal hydride battery has sufficient charge, the total output from the powertrain is 374 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, enough to push the Touareg to 62 mph in 6.8 seconds. Electric drive is available at speeds up to 30 mph and a clutch disengages the engine from the transmission when the throttle is released, reducing drag. In the production model, the clutch disengagement can happen at speeds up to 100 mph. VW claims the hybrid delivers a 25 percent overall boost in fuel efficiency, with a combined rating of 26.1 mpg (U.S.), slightly better than the 25.3 mpg (U.S.) achieved by the 3.0L TDI Touareg on the same European test cycle. VW claims the hybrid can also tow up to 7,700 lbs, easily beating the 6,000 lb-capacity of the Chevy Tahoe hybrid. Gallery: Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid [Source: Volkswagen] Continue reading Volkswagen to launch Touareg BlueMotion hybrid in 2010 Volkswagen to launch Touareg BlueMotion hybrid in 2010 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green
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Volkswagen to launch Touareg BlueMotion hybrid in 2010
Michelin signs on as title sponsor of ALMS Green Challenge
Auto Blog: MPG , Racing The American Le Mans Series launched its Green Challenge last fall at the Petit Le Mans race at Road Atlanta. For 2009, ALMS is making it a season-long fixture. Today in Washington, D.C., ALMS CEO Scott Atherton announced that the French tire maker Michelin has signed on as a title sponsor of the Green Challenge. Participants in ALMS races will be evaluated on a formula that factors in fuel consumption and performance to produce a score based on which car extracts the most from the energy it uses. At each of the 2009 races, the tire maker will award the Michelin Green X Challenge award to the prototype and GT teams that get the best green scores. At the end of the season, the EPA, DOE and Society of Automotive Engineers will present the overall Green Challenge awards to the manufacturers with the best series-long performance. [Source: American Le Mans Series ] Michelin signs on as title sponsor of ALMS Green Challenge originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 16:16:00 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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Michelin signs on as title sponsor of ALMS Green Challenge
On again, off again Audi Q5 Hybrid is apparently back on again for 2010
Auto Blog: Hybrid , Audi Click the Audi Q5 for a high res gallery Audi’s Q5 hybrid program has apparently been revived again with a production launch coming as soon as late next year. In a change from the usual pattern, this one is expected to launch in the U.S. market before the rest of the world gets it. Aside from Japan, the U.S. has shown a greater appetite than anywhere else for hybrids and we will determine if the European market gets a taste as well. Audi powertrain development boss Wolfgang Hatz told Automotive News Europe that the Q5 hybrid is needed to compete with the likes of the Lexus RX450h and the upcoming BMW X6 hybrid. In spite of the decision to proceed with the Q5 Hybrid for the U.S. market, Audi still believes that diesel is the best path for its vehicles. For the vehicles that Audi is producing, diesel is a more cost effective solution, especially considering the expected sales volumes. According to Hatz, it costs Audi about 50 percent more to develop a diesel powertrain compared to a conventional gas system. A hybrid powertrain costs 3-4 times as much to develop. If the demand for hybrids begins to significantly increase, the business case could change, but for now, Audi’s focus will remain on TDI. Gallery: 2010 Audi Q5 [Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd ] On again, off again Audi Q5 Hybrid is apparently back on again for 2010 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 15:23:00 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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On again, off again Audi Q5 Hybrid is apparently back on again for 2010
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