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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

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VIDEO: Henrik Fisker talks about the Karma

BYD may license Fe batteries to other automakers

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 12:04:00 +0000

Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , European Union , Japan , China , USA , BYD Click above for high-res image gallery of BYD’s PHEVs BYD , the Chinese car and battery company who are now at the Detroit Auto Show with their “Dual mode” hybrids and e6 all-electric MPV (above) have made it known that they may be willing to license their inexpensive battery tech to other automakers. Indeed, they have already been fielding inquiries from Japanese, European and American firms. They say their “Fe battery,” thought to be a lithium iron phosphate ( LiFePO 4 ) formulation, costs less than half of what typical lithium ion batteries cost, and are safer and longer lasting. Their downside is that they can not hold as much energy and can add greatly to the weight of an electric vehicle. The BYD e6, for example, needs 1323 lbs of “Fe battery” to achieve its 249-mile range whereas the Tesla Roadster power pack weighs in at about 900 lbs. Despite that shortcoming we think this may be a decent solution for the right sort of vehicle and expect someone might take them up on it. Gallery: Detroit 2009: BYD F6DM and F3DM Gallery: Beijing 2008: BYD e6 [Source: Reuters UK ] BYD may license Fe batteries to other automakers originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 18 Jan 2009 13:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

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Detroit 2009: 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

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Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj, Audi Sportback win Eyes on Design Awards

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 13:32:00 +0000

Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Hybrid , Audi , Cadillac , GM , Detroit Auto Show , Green Daily Click image above for live shots of the Cadillac Converj Concept The Cadillac Converj is currently winning the AutoblogGreen reader poll of the best car from the Detroit Auto Show (but only by two votes, the new Honda Insight is right behind). Seems like you all share tastes with the judges for this year’s Eyes on Design Awards, which picked the Converj as one of tow top concept cars. The new Cadi-Volt shared its spot in the Design Excellence for a Concept Vehicle category with the Audi SportBack , while the Audi R8 5.2 FSI and the 2010 BMW Z4 both won Design Excellence for a Production Vehicle awards. The judges for this award included BMW design head Chris Bangle, Harley-Davidson chief styling officer Willy G. Davidson, and transportation design chair at the College for Creative Studies Larry Erickson. The Detroit Free Press says that Cadillac designers have been working on the Converj’s looks since June. Not bad for six months of work, don’t you think? You can still vote for your choice of the best car from the show; just click here . If you liked the Insight, your vote is especially valuable. There’s a picture of the SportBack after the jump. Gallery: Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj [Source: Autoblog ] Continue reading Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj, Audi Sportback win Eyes on Design Awards Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj, Audi Sportback win Eyes on Design Awards originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 14:32:00 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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EVA Track T800: a 2WD, biodiesel-powered adventure motorcycle

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 12:44:00 +0000

Auto Blog: Biodiesel , On Two Wheels , European Union Adventure-style motorcycles are hot right now, and we can see why. The idea of traveling far and wide on a two-wheeler that’s capable of traversing whatever comes its way is an intriguing proposition, and one made even more so by such machines like the genre-defining BMW R 1200 GS. The recipe seems pretty simple: take one torque-rich and fuel efficient engine; attach it to a frame with relaxed geometry and add rugged suspenders, tires and lots of cargo carrying capacity. Presto! You’ve got an adventure tourer. Simple, right? Here’s a twist, though: replace the gas engine for one that runs on diesel. Brilliant! A Dutch company known as EVA has been working on a new diesel-powered adventure tourer for the last few years, and the machines are reportedly ready for sales in Europe. A 54-horsepower oil-burner that’s capable of running on biofuels is a great start, and the standard CVT transmission and optional two-wheel drive are icing on the cake. Fuel mileage of 100 miles per gallon at a steady 55 mph is the result, and a six gallon tank means that range will never be a problem. Click past the break for a short movie. Gallery: EVA Track diesel motorcycle [Source: EVA via Motorcycle Daily ] Continue reading EVA Track T800: a 2WD, biodiesel-powered adventure motorcycle EVA Track T800: a 2WD, biodiesel-powered adventure motorcycle originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 13:44:00 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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EVA Track T800: a 2WD, biodiesel-powered adventure motorcycle

Detroit 2009: the ugliest Tesla Roadster you’ve ever seen

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 08:36:00 +0000

Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Tesla Motors , Detroit Auto Show There is a Tesla Roadster in the Tesla Motor booth at the Detroit Auto Show this year, but you’ve all seen that car a gazillion times by now. And, since it’ll be awful hard to beat those gorgeous pics of the orange model , we decided to skip the shiny red model on display here. Instead, our green eyes were drawn to the powertrain chassis sitting on the display stand, the one thing we didn’t mention in the flurry of Tesla posts yesterday. While we’ve discussed the Roadster’s powertrain system in the past, we haven’t seen this building block before. Ergo a gallery. The only difference between the powertrain on the stand and the one that’s in the cars – aside from the labels so you know what’s what – is that the battery box in the powertrain example is empty. Tesla decided it didn’t make much sense to ship a few hundred pounds of cells to Detroit for no real good reason. This year’s Detroit Auto Show was the first that Tesla Motors has officially entered. They’ve displayed vehicles in partnership with other companies in the past, but this is the only time they’ve come to a show on their own. It was a last-minute decision – they only made the call three weeks ago – and was in part determined by the low, low booth prices at this year’s NAIAS. Gallery: Detroit 2009: Tesla powertrain Detroit 2009: the ugliest Tesla Roadster you’ve ever seen originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 09:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

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Detroit 2009: 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

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Detroit 2009: Michigan EcoXperience turns Cobo Hall into surrealsville [w/VIDEO]

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:51:00 +0000

Auto Blog: Etc. , AutoblogGreen Exclusive , Detroit Auto Show Click above for a photo tour of the Ecoxperience There is a special smell coming up from the basement of Cobo Hall. We’re not sure which combination of chemicals and fakery makes up the distinctive odor, but we know that it’s the fault of the ” Michigan EcoXperience ,” aka the forest in the basement. To spare you the wrinkled nose hairs – and as a service to those of you not able to come to Detroit – we headed down and got not just pictures but also a video of what it’s like to drive among the trees and yet be inside a basement at the same time. Surreal doesn’t begin to describe it. There are real Michigan maple, pine and birch trees and flowering tulips and orchids down there, all decorating a track where various zero-emission and alt-fuel cars drive in endless loops. Yes, we’re serious. Check out video after the jump. Enjoy. Gallery: Detroit 2009: EcoXperience Continue reading Detroit 2009: Michigan EcoXperience turns Cobo Hall into surrealsville [w/VIDEO] Detroit 2009: Michigan EcoXperience turns Cobo Hall into surrealsville [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

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Detroit 2009: BYD’s plug-in hybrids, the F3DM and F6DM

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:24:00 +0000

Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Hybrid , Detroit Auto Show , China , BYD Click above for high-res gallery of the BYD F3DM Apparently, ” unveiled ” was the wrong word. BYD’s F3DM plug-in hybrid has been on sale in China for a few weeks and here in Detroit it was just sitting quietly on the stand on the main floor . No press conference, no attractive ladies standing around ; just the car. In this case, a car might be all it takes. The F3DM Dual Mode is a PHEV that uses a 1.0-liter gasoline engine with an electric motor to offer 168-horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Using a Fe battery pack that gets a quick charge of half the battery pack in ten minutes, BYD says that the F3DM will go over 60 miles on battery power alone. That’s astonishing, especially for about $20,000 (US). The company thinks it’ll be astonishing enough to create sales of about 10,000 units next year. That number should increase dramatically when the car goes on sale in the U.S. and Europe in 2011 . The F6DM was on the stand nearby, and you can Car Blog Greenmore about that after the jump. Gallery: Detroit 2009: BYD F6DM and F3DM Continue reading Detroit 2009: BYD’s plug-in hybrids, the F3DM and F6DM Detroit 2009: BYD’s plug-in hybrids, the F3DM and F6DM originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

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Detroit 2009: All Fords to eventually get auto start stop

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 11:35:00 +0000

Auto Blog: MPG , Ford , Detroit Auto Show Automatic start-stop systems are becoming increasingly common in Europe where many non-hybrid cars are equipped with the relatively inexpensive systems that shut down the engine to prevent idling. However, here in the US, only hybrids have that capability. At an event with some Ford executives during Detroit Auto Show , Barb Samardzich, VP of Global Powertrain engineering stated that over the next several years all Ford vehicles will get the auto-stop capability. Currently, only the Escape, Mariner, Fusion, and Milan hybrids have it here. Over in Europe, the non-hybrid start/stop is being added to cars like the new Ka . The simple systems are being implemented in Europe first because of the prevalence of manual transmissions. With a manual, it can be assumed that a driver will put the car in first gear to restart. On cars with automatic transmissions – which comprise 95 percent of the U.S. market – an electro hydraulic pump must be added to shift the transmission back to first gear before restarting. That capability will be added to all models in the coming years but we will likely get our first taste of auto auto start-stop when PowerShift dual clutch transmissions begin arriving next year. Gallery: Detroit 2009: Lincoln Concept C [Source: Ford] Detroit 2009: All Fords to eventually get auto start stop originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

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Detroit 2009: All Fords to eventually get auto start stop