Car Blog Green » detroitautoshow

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: What’s the best of the show?

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:43:00 +0000

Filed under: AutoblogGreen Exclusive , Detroit Auto Show , Green Daily The reveals are done, a lot of journalists and car reps are headed home, and you’ve (hopefully) had time to digest the cars and information we’ve been introduced to. This means, naturally, that it’s time to try and figure out which cars won and which ones were just too lame/crazy/unrealistic for you to take seriously. We’ve set up a poll for you to vote for your favorite. If you need a refresher on any of these, click past the jump for galleries and links to the posts about all of these winners (or losers). Go ahead and name your choice for worst car of the show in theCar Blog Green. View Poll Continue reading Detroit 2009: What’s the best of the show? Detroit 2009: What’s the best of the show? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 12 Jan 2009 20:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

See the original post here:
Detroit 2009: What’s the best of the show?

Detroit 2009: Audi introduces 39 mpg Sportback concept [w/VIDEO]

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:11:00 +0000

Filed under: Diesel , Audi , Detroit Auto Show click the Sportback concept for a high res gallery of what to expect from the A7 Audi took the wraps off a new concept in Detroit that presages the upcoming A7 coupe/sedan that will be joining the lineup in the next year or so. The Sportback concept is a low slung four door in the manner of cars like the Mercedes CLS and is sized similarly to the existing A6 sedan. Besides the updated Audi styling that includes LED lighting everywhere, the concept is powered by 3.0L V6 TDI diesel. This is the same engine going into the Q7 TDI that will be appearing in US Audi showrooms in the next few weeks. The concept pairs the TDI V6 with the same 7-speed S-Tronic dual clutch transmission used in the new S4 sedan as well as an automatic start-stop system. Even in this fairly large car, the powertrain delivers a combined 39 mpg and CO 2 emissions of just 156 g/km. Hit the jump for the press release and a 20-second video walk-around of the Audi Sportback concept. Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc. Continue reading Detroit 2009: Audi introduces 39 mpg Sportback concept [w/VIDEO] Detroit 2009: Audi introduces 39 mpg Sportback concept [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 12 Jan 2009 16:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

Car Blog Greenthe rest here:
Detroit 2009: Audi introduces 39 mpg Sportback concept [w/VIDEO]

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: Volkswagen Concept BlueSport roadster live

Sun, 11 Jan 2009 16:03:00 +0000

Filed under: Diesel , Volkswagen , Detroit Auto Show Click above for a live gallery of the Volkswagen Concept BlueSport Volkswagen’s Concept BlueSport should go a long way towards making the term “diesel performance” a household name. While it might seem to be an oxymoron to some, seeing it at the Detroit Auto Show , we can tell you that if it reaches production, everyone will be a believer. While officially just a concept for now (and the interior is a dead giveaway this isn’t production-ready), the two-door roadster sports a 2.0-liter turbodiesel four mounted amidships. It puts out 180 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque and pushes just 2,600 pounds via a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Expect a 0-60 of 6.2 seconds and a top speed of 140, all while returning about 35 mpg on the European cycle and upwards of 62 mpg in “Eco” mode. The BlueSport might look a lot like an Audi TT with a Scirocco nose, but unlike its corporate sibling, the mid-engine layout provides a 45:55 front-to-rear weight distribution. It’s also a tidy package at just over 13 feet in length, with a 96-inch wheelbase, a front track of 58.5 inches and a rear track of 60 inches. So it’s about the same size as the TT, but in reverse. In person it seems much smaller than the Audi and reminds us of the Porsche Boxster more than anything, which isn’t a bad thing. Stylist Walter da Silva explained his design inspiration in great detail for the assembled masses, unfortunately he did it in Italian, without subtitles, so we have no idea what he said. We did understand what Volkswagen Chairman Martin Winterkorn said, and that was that VW is officially committed to growth with cars that will continue to offer maximum excitement with minimum consumption, and the BlueSport is a perfect example of that philosophy. We say build it and bring it, ASAP. Hit the jump for all the details in the pres release. Gallery: Detroit 2009: Volkswagen Concept BlueSport live Live photos copyright (C)2009 Frank Filipponio / Weblogs, Inc. Continue reading Detroit 2009: Volkswagen Concept BlueSport roadster live Detroit 2009: Volkswagen Concept BlueSport roadster live originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

Car Blog Greenthe original here:
Detroit 2009: Volkswagen Concept BlueSport roadster live

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]

Detroit 2009: Mercedes Benz unveils the concept BlueZero

admin — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 21:59:00 +0000

Filed under: EV/Plug-in , Hybrid , Hydrogen , Mercedes Benz , Detroit Auto Show Click above for high-res image gallery of the concept BlueZero At an off-site reception held tonight ahead of tomorrow’s opening of the Detroit Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz showed off its new Concept BlueZero. The car is both an example of clean technology and a preview of the styling for the next generation Mercedes B-Class. Like the current A and B class models, this concept uses a sandwich floor design and adds a modular powertrain system. The car is envisioned with three powertrain options depending on the range requirements. The BlueZero E-Cell uses a 35 kWh lithium ion battery pack to provide a 120-mile range, while the BlueZero F-Cell variant gets a 90 kW hydrogen fuel cell for a 240-mile range. The efficiency of the fuel cell version is rated at the equivalent of 81 mpg (US). The third flavor is the E-Cell Plus and adds a 67-hp three-cylinder engine from the Smart ForTwo mounted in the rear between the sandwich floor layers where the spare tire would normally go. The ER-EV variant cuts the battery size in half as well as the electric-only range. The range extender, however, bumps the total range to 360 miles. Mercedes also announced that it will begin low-volume series production of the fuel cell B-Class later this year and follow that with low volume series production of a battery electric vehicle in 2010. Gallery: Detroit 2009: Mercedes Benz Concept BlueZero Gallery: Mercedes benz Concept BlueZero [Source: Mercedes-Benz] Live Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc. Continue reading Detroit 2009: Mercedes Benz unveils the concept BlueZero Detroit 2009: Mercedes Benz unveils the concept BlueZero originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 10 Jan 2009 22:59:00 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: Mercedes Benz unveils the concept BlueZero