Mitsubishi shifts future focus to eco-friendly auto development
Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Hybrid , Mitsubishi Click above to view a high-res gallery of the Mitsubishi i MiEV For an automaker such as Mitsubishi , which makes most of its profits from the sales of four-wheel drive SUVs, times are especially tough. Market realities have forced the Japanese automaker to reprioritize its research and development spending; anything without a decidedly green tint has got to go. Taking the place of large gas-guzzling SUVs will be plug-in hybrids, small cars and fully-electric machinery. Unfortunately, such sweeping changes will take until 2013 to really take effect, so don’t expect to see Mitsubishi drop SUVs and large cars entirely from its lineup any time soon. Instead, the automaker seems likely to add fuel-saving features to its existing models as quickly as possible. Mitsubishi’s first foray into electric vehicles will be the production version of the i MiEV , which should be ready for sale in Japan and various European countries in 2010. Sales in the United States should begin in 2011. Gallery: Mitsubishi i MiEV – LIVE [Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd] Mitsubishi shifts future focus to eco-friendly auto development originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green
Car Blog Greenmore:
Mitsubishi shifts future focus to eco-friendly auto development
Posted in Auto Green, Hybrids | 
a-top-speed, a-walk-around, electric mitsubishi, entry, green-daily, plug in, plug-inhybrid, pontiac-fiero | 
Leave a commenttests 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
Here is the original post:
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
See original here:
Volkswagen to launch Touareg BlueMotion hybrid in 2010
Get Approved!
Recent Comments