Car Blog Green » detroit auto show

At Witz’ End: Detroit Auto Show: Reality Check – Part I

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 11:02:00 +0000

Auto Blog: AutoblogGreen Exclusive , Detroit Auto Show , Green Daily , At Witz End This year’s Detroit North American International Auto Show (aka NAIAS) was easily the greenest ever, greener even than the evergreen Los Angeles show two months earlier. Several automakers (most notably Nissan) were missing due to the weak economy, while others (Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz) were present but silent with no press conferences. That left room for the likes of Tesla, Fisker and a pair of Chinese makers to set up shop on the main floor and hype the media on their grand plans. While a number of high-powered gas- and diesel-burning machines (mostly from Europe) shared the NAIAS spotlight, nearly everyone there showed current and future EVs and gas-electric hybrids (HEVs). Among these, which will actually happen; which might sell in serious numbers; which (if any) will succeed to the point of being profitable for their makers? Let us speculate (after the jump). Continue reading At Witz’ End: Detroit Auto Show: Reality Check – Part I At Witz’ End: Detroit Auto Show: Reality Check – Part I originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

See more here:
At Witz’ End: Detroit Auto Show: Reality Check – Part I

Detroit 2009: AutoblogGreen readers pick this year’s best car

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 18:46:00 +0000

Auto Blog: Etc. , Green Culture , AutoblogGreen Exclusive , Detroit Auto Show , Green Daily There are hundreds of vehicles on display at the Detroit Auto Show this year. Most of them were vehicles from past years, things we’ve all seen plenty of times. During our coverage of the new vehicles unveiled during the media preview days this past week, we hunted for everything that smelled even the slightest bit green or eco-friendly, then put together a list of 16 vehicles for you, our readers, to vote on. Voting closed on Friday and it is time to reveal the results. This is a very different list than the Top Ten that those of us who were at the show put together , and it’s fun to note the differences. Some vehicles made both lists, sure, but not all, and nothihng ended up in the same position on both lists. The top vehicle is drastically different in the two lists, too. But enough of my rambling – check out the Readers’ Top Ten here and see for yourself. Detroit 2009: AutoblogGreen readers pick this year’s best car originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 18 Jan 2009 19:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

The rest is here:
Detroit 2009: AutoblogGreen readers pick this year’s best car

VIDEO: Henrik Fisker talks about the Karma

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 13:51:00 +0000

Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Hybrid , Detroit Auto Show , Fisker Click above for high-res gallery of the Fisker Karma S Following the unveiling of the production version of the Fisker Karma and the Karma Sunset concept, Henrik Fisker sat down to talk about the car company he has launched. We now have confirmation of some of the technical details such as the battery supplier which is Advanced Lithium Power. Fisker recently took an equity stake in ALP and has exclusive access to batteries from that company. Given the logistics of building the Karma in Finland with Valmet Automotive, profitability has two be a question. Fisker insists the company can build the Karma profitably at the $87,900 and venture capital funds like Kleiner Perkins would not have invested otherwise. Given some of the dubious internet start ups that these Silicon Valley money men have invested in, a profitable car company is no guarantee. Nonetheless, at least Fisker will have some revenue once they start delivering cars which is at lot more than can be said for many internet companies. Check out the video after the jump and the full article at Green Fuels Forecast . Gallery: Detroit 2009: Fisker Karma S [Source: Green Fuels Forecast ] Continue reading VIDEO: Henrik Fisker talks about the Karma VIDEO: Henrik Fisker talks about the Karma originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 18 Jan 2009 14:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

Car Blog Greenmore from the original source:
VIDEO: Henrik Fisker talks about the Karma

VIDEO: Designing the Chrysler 200C EV

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:26:00 +0000

Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Hybrid , Chrysler , Detroit Auto Show , USA Chrysler made quite a splash with its surprise unveiling last Sunday of their classy-looking 200C EV. The range-extended electric drive vehicle is capable of 40 gas-free miles and seemed a cut or two above most of their current line up – it also revealed that Chrysler still has some talented designers hidden away somewhere. In footage that the company has released onto the internets, we now have a chance to hear from some of those designers speak about their vision and the goals they tried to achieve in bringing this concept from paper to the spotlights of the Detroit Auto Show . The video comes in three clips. The first features design vice-president Ralph Gilles and exterior designer Nick Malachowski talking about “value” and “falling in love” (with the car) interspersed with detail shots as well as rolling footage. The second clip discusses the inside with several folks involved with creating the somewhat futuristic interior, including Ryan Patrick Joyce, the lead designer, who also drops the L-word in describing the contents of each surface and line. If you prefer not to hear the artists blather on and on discuss their passion, feel free to skip ahead to the third video featuring pure 200C EV, inside and out. Hit the jump for all the love. Gallery: Detroit 2009: 200C EV Concept Gallery: Chrysler 200C Concept [Source: Chrysler ] Continue reading VIDEO: Designing the Chrysler 200C EV VIDEO: Designing the Chrysler 200C EV originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 16 Jan 2009 17:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

Continued here:
VIDEO: Designing the Chrysler 200C EV

Detroit 2009: Johnson Controls shows off re3 concept

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 07:48:00 +0000

Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Detroit Auto Show Click above for a gallery of the Johnson Controls re3 concept Johnson Controls is a name familiar to many in the automotive world as a Tier 1 supplier of parts – usually interior bits like seats and electronic gadgetry – to automakers all over the world. In an effort to show off some of the company’s latest bits and pieces, a complete concept car called the re3 has been created by the Wisconsin-based firm and debuted at the Detroit Auto Show . Like any proper concept these days, it covers its green bases, in this case featuring a plug-in hybrid powertrain complete with a lithium ion battery pack and eco-friendly renewable interior materials. The stated goal of the re3 concept is to show what Johnson Controls is capable of offering its customers, which, in this case, are larger automakers and not consumers directly. Johnson Controls has a joint venture with Saft to produce vehicular battery packs and in the re3, a pack large enough to provide EV-only power in city environments is tucked in between the seats in the center tunnel. Want all the details? There’s lots more after the break. Gallery: Johnson Controls re3 concept [Source: Johnson Controls] Continue reading Detroit 2009: Johnson Controls shows off re3 concept Detroit 2009: Johnson Controls shows off re3 concept originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 08:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

See more here:
Detroit 2009: Johnson Controls shows off re3 concept

ABG Quick Drive: Ford Focus EV mule [w/VIDEO]

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:05:00 +0000

Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Ford , Detroit Auto Show , First Drive Click the Focus EV “mule” for a high res gallery As Ford was getting ready to make its big announcement this week in Detroit that it would build and sell a battery electric car beginning in 2011 , I got a call asking if I’d like to come down and drive one of the development “mules.” Being loathe to reject such opportunities, we immediately worked on squeezing it into the busy auto show schedule. Right after the Fisker press conference on Monday, I headed over to the Ford booth to get my ride. A “mule” vehicle in automotive engineering parlance, is a non-representative vehicle fitted with a new powertrain or suspension components for testing purposes. In this case, Ford had a pair of current Focus sedans equipped with an electric drive train and lithium ion battery pack that was developed in partnership with Magna International. I spent some time chatting with chief engineer Greg Frenette and Magna rep Dick Devogelaere about the car and what we would see for production in two years time. The production model will be based on Ford’s C-segment platform, meaning it will be Focus-sized. However, Ford has already said it will have several vehicles in the U.S. market off this platform, including an MPV like the European C-Max. Frenette would not say which body style would initially get the electric drive. One item he would confirm was that there would be none of the whole leasing and taking back of the electric cars that other companies are still infamous for. The new EV will be sold outright to retail customers through Ford dealers beginning in 2011. Pricing is still undetermined. Check out the video after the jump and the full drive report on Green Fuels Forecast. Gallery: ABG Quick Drive: Ford Focus EV mule [Source: Green Fuels Forecast ] Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc. Continue reading ABG Quick Drive: Ford Focus EV mule [w/VIDEO] ABG Quick Drive: Ford Focus EV mule [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

Original post:
ABG Quick Drive: Ford Focus EV mule [w/VIDEO]

Detroit 2009: Top ten green cars of the show

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 19:01:00 +0000

Auto Blog: Diesel , EV/Plug-in , Hybrid , Detroit Auto Show After three days of running around Cobo Hall snapping photos, asking questions and banging out posts, it’s time for a review of what we thought were the top green cars of the show. The financial meltdown of the last few months meant that a number of automakers took a pass on this year’s show. For those that did show up, efficiency was a big part of the story. The Dodge Circuit EV pictured above probably has the best chance of being Chrysler’s first production in EV if the company is still doing business as an independant automaker. Unfortunately it didn’t quite make the top ten list. to find out which cars did make the list, click here . Live Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc. Detroit 2009: Top ten green cars of the show originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

Car Blog Greenmore from the original source:
Detroit 2009: Top ten green cars of the show

Detroit 2009: Tesla CEO drops a few more hints on the Model S

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:01:00 +0000

Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Tesla Motors , Detroit Auto Show During his keynote speech to the Society of Automotive Analysts Outlook conference in Detroit this morning, Tesla CEO Elon Musk also dropped a few hints about the Model S. Most of the work on the Model S is on hold until Tesla gets its house in better financial shape, but some continues. During the cutbacks last fall, Musk cut the expenditures on Model S from 30 percent of the company’s resources to 10 percent. However, powertrain development is still moving ahead and Musk indicated that if the engineering team is satisfied with the car’s performance they will likely unveil it at a special event in late February. As we knew before, Tesla will be offering the Model S with several battery options starting with a 150-mile range pack at the $57,500 base price. The top option will be a pack using cells with a more advanced chemistry that offers a 300-mile range. Tesla is also developing fast swap battery packs. The removal and installation of the Roadster pack is about an 8 hour operation. This may or may not be part of the standard Model S feature set. Tesla has also developed a fast charger that can top up the battery in 45 minutes. One option being considered is to offer pack rentals for Model S owners planning a longer road trip. They would be able to temporarily get a 300-mile pack installed that would facilitate longer trips. One other tidbit is that Tesla Roadster customers will have priority to snag a postion in line once Tesla begins to accept orders on the Model S. We’ll have more soon. [Source: Elon Musk] Detroit 2009: Tesla CEO drops a few more hints on the Model S originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

Here is the original:
Detroit 2009: Tesla CEO drops a few more hints on the Model S

Detroit 2009: A3 TDI coming to US Audi dealers late this year

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 06:50:00 +0000

Filed under: Diesel , Audi , Detroit Auto Show Click the A3 TDI for a high res gallery With the Q7 TDI showing up at US Audi dealerships in the next few weeks, Audi has revealed the next step in its North American diesel onslaught. The A3 TDI has been rumored to come to America since last fall’s Audi Mileage Marathon, and now we know this is indeed happening. The A3 is based on the same platform as the VW Golf and Jetta and will be using the same 2.0L four cylinder diesel as the recently-introduced Jetta. That means it gets 140 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque and real world mileage should be in the neighborhood of 40 mpg. During the marathon, the A3s were regularly topping 50 mpg. Want to test one out yourself? You can, once the A3 TDI arrives stateside late this year. Gallery: Detroit 2009: Audi A3 TDI [Source: Audi] Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc. Continue reading Detroit 2009: A3 TDI coming to US Audi dealers late this year Detroit 2009: A3 TDI coming to US Audi dealers late this year originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 12 Jan 2009 07:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

More here:
Detroit 2009: A3 TDI coming to US Audi dealers late this year

Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj [w/VIDEO]

Sun, 11 Jan 2009 14:03:00 +0000

Filed under: EV/Plug-in , Hybrid , Cadillac , GM , Detroit Auto Show , Green Daily Click image above for live shots of the Cadillac Converj Concept Cadillac just took the wraps off a new concept based on the Chevy Volt’s “Voltec” drivetrain (that’s a new moniker, by the way). The angular coupe is called the Converj and it is drop-dead gorgeous. With styling that is instantly recognizable as Cadillac, Bob Lutz told us at the press conference that the car was designed to be aesthetically pleasing on its own. It’s just a great shape that holds great promise. Lutz and Co. referred to the Converj as the “CADILLAC OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES” and even if that sounds trite, it could well bring Cadillac back to the top of the luxury car heap, with a solid foundation of SRX and CTS below it. Like the Chevrolet Volt , GM says the Converj will be able to travel up to 40 miles on electricity alone, and it will have a small helper motor to help drivers avoid “range anxiety.” That’s the term for the fear of running out of charge when you’re still miles away from your final destination. As Lutz pointed out, you can’t run down to the gas station for a 5-gallon can of electricity. There’s a lengthy press release after the jump with plenty of stats. All we can say is that we’d love to hear that that the Converj is going into production tomorrow, but the reality of GM’s current financial situation probably means they won’t be able to make any firm commitments for awhile. Hit the jump to view video of the live unveiling. Gallery: Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips, Frank Filipponio / Weblogs, Inc. Continue reading Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj [w/VIDEO] Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

View original here:
Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj [w/VIDEO]