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New Ford Fiesta SportVan on sale in UK; diesel gets 56 mpg

admin — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 13:35:00 +0000

Click above for a high res gallery of Ford Fiesta SportVan Sleeker and smaller than a Transit Connect but also serving as a fuel-saving delivery vehicle that can carry up to 515 kg (1,135 lbs) worth of stuff, the new Ford Fiesta SportVan is now on sale in the UK. With a diesel powerplant that gives off CO 2 emissions of just 110 g/km, the SportVan will cost you £10,780. The new diesel SportVan also, well, sports 56 mpg (U.S.) on the combined cycle. Opt for the petrol versions and you’ll get 41 mpg (U.S.) and 133 g/kkm of CO 2 , starting at £9,025. What’s different about the SportVan from the standard Fiesta? As you can see in the image above and in the gallery below, the rear side windows are swapped out for solid panels that match the body color. Rear seats are similarly made more functional by removing them, turning the back into a 1,000 cubic liter cargo space with a standard half-height composite bulkhead and DIN-compliant tie-down hooks. More details are available after the jump. An earlier version of the Fiesta SportVan has been a part of the small delivery van market in Europe since 2006 . Gallery: Ford Fiesta SportVan [Source: Ford] Continue reading New Ford Fiesta SportVan on sale in UK; diesel gets 56 mpg Auto Blog: Diesel , Ford , UK New Ford Fiesta SportVan on sale in UK; diesel gets 56 mpg originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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New Ford Fiesta SportVan on sale in UK; diesel gets 56 mpg

Rendered Speculation: Return of the Smart ForFour?

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 12:48:00 +0000

Earlier this decade, Smart decided to expand it’s lineup with the addition of aroadster based on the original two-seat city car and a four-door, four-seat model. The ForFour was based on a front-engine, front drive Mitsubishi platform rather than the rear engine ForTwo architecture. AutoExpress is reporting that Smart may be getting ready to introduce a new four-seat variant, this time based on a stretched version of the existing model. The so-called ForTwo + 2 would be meant to compete more directly with the numerous small city cars coming from Toyota, Volkswagen, Audi and others in the next couple of years. Unlike most of the others, the ForTwo +2 would feature rear hinged back doors to ease access to the second row. The new model probably won’t hit the market until 2012, but will almost certainly include an electric version along with the usual gas and diesel versions. [Source: AutoExpress ] Auto Blog: Diesel , EV/Plug-in , SMART Rendered Speculation: Return of the Smart ForFour? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 12:48:00 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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Rendered Speculation: Return of the Smart ForFour?

Michigan governor supports change in gas tax for roads

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 11:17:00 +0000

As if Michigan doesn’t have enough problems, the state’s roads are generally acknowledged to be the among the worst, if not the worst in the United States . Even Governor Jennifer Granholm this week admitted that the pavement in Michigan is “the pits.” There are of course numerous reasons for that, including the weather (freeze thaw cycles), excessively heavy 82-ton truck weight limits and outright poor construction techniques. Another contributing factor is lack of funds. The state currently has a fixed, 19 cent per gallon tax on gasoline and 15 cents on gallons of diesel. These funds are used primarily for road construction. Unfortunately, when fuel prices climb, the tax revenues don’t, even though the cost of building roads and bridges is going up. Granholm last week supported a new fuel tax system that would be changed to a percentage rate. One of the byproducts of Michigan’s poor roads is that it discourages the use of smaller cars since they are more susceptible to damage. Changing to a new tax system would potentially raise revenues for road building, as well as encourage the use of more efficient vehicles. Of course a widescale move to EVs will mean yet another change in the road funding process, but that’s another story. [Source: Mlive.com ] Auto Blog: Legislation and Policy Michigan governor supports change in gas tax for roads originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 11:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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Michigan governor supports change in gas tax for roads

Electric Aircraft Symposium will take-off April 24

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 10:28:00 +0000

If you have a strong interest in electric vehicles taking flight (in both the metaphoric and non-metaphoric senses) than you may want to attend the upcoming Electric Aircraft Symposium on April 24th at the Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos, California . The impressive line up of speakers features such notables as Dr. Yi Cui of nanowire battery breakthrough fame and will touch on subjects ranging from climate science to the proposed Aviation Green Prize (an Automotive X-Prize type competition). Though your electric vehicle interests may be oriented more toward the surface-based variety, the same concerns about energy and efficiency exist in the airborne sort too, perhaps to an even greater extent. The expertise on-hand may be quite valuable. Speaking of value, if you register before the 15th of April you can save $60 and pay only $245 for the full day affair which includes snack breaks and a networking lunch and dinner. Click here for the list of speakers that have been confirmed so far. [Source: CAFE Foundation ] Electric Aircraft Symposium will take-off April 24 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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Electric Aircraft Symposium will take-off April 24

Get your Geld ready: Germany issues final draft on CO2-based taxes

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 09:42:00 +0000

Changing the road tax legislation in Germany wasn’t an easy thing to do. This tax is managed at the state level, but a nationwide modification will be enforced now that the German federal government has decided to give €9 billion in compensation to the states. The new road tax, like similar legislation in other European countries, is aimed at stimulating motorists to drive fuel-efficient cars. Here’s how the new tax works, starting July 1st: First, there’s a base tax based on displacement: €2 per each 100 cubic centimeters if it’s a gasoline car or €9.5 if it’s a diesel car. Additional taxes are based on CO 2 : for each gram over 120 that your car emits per kilometer, your tax will be increased by €2. That CO 2 limit will drop to 110 grams in 2012 and, from 2014 onwards, it will be 95 grams. So, for example, the new Toyota IQ 1.33 , which emits 113 gm/km. The 1.3-liter gas engine will be taxed at 13 * 2 = €26 and the number will stay the same until 2012. At that time, its owner will be charged an extra €6 additional (€32 in total) because 113-110 = 3 grams at €2 each. Then, in 2014, the tax will be even higher: 113-95 = 18 grams, at €2 each, €36 additional (€62 total). I’ll let you do the math with a Porsche Cayenne S. [Source: Auto News ] Photo by ckroberts61 under CCL 2.0 Auto Blog: Legislation and Policy , Germany Get your Geld ready: Germany issues final draft on CO 2 -based taxes originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 09:42:00 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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Get your Geld ready: Germany issues final draft on CO2-based taxes

California may drop CO2 waiver request if national standard implemented

Sun, 08 Mar 2009 16:35:00 +0000

California Air Resource Board chairwoman Mary Nichols told an EPA hearing last week that the state would consider withdrawing its request for a waiver allowing it to regulate carbon dioxide. Before that happens though a national standard needs to be put in place. If such a standard were established it would make automakers much happier . Currently, 13 other states have adopted the proposed California mandate. The problem is that the California rule establishes average CO 2 emissions requirements for an automaker’s entire fleet, much like CAFE does for fuel economy. With CAFE, the entire sales volume for an automaker is averaged across the country. If CO 2 is regulated at the state level, even though each state has the same standard, automakers have different sales mixes in different states. An average would have to be calculated for the sales in each state. In states more where a greater number of larger, heavier emitting vehicles are sold, automakers may have difficulty meeting the averages while sales in other states where more smaller cars are sold could not be used to offset those. However, establishing a national standard that California and other states would agree to won’t be easy. The current California mandate would essentially require 44 mpg by 2016, a number that would be difficult to achieve unless fuel prices are also substantially higher than they are now. [Source: Detroit News ] Auto Blog: Legislation and Policy California may drop CO 2 waiver request if national standard implemented originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 08 Mar 2009 16:35:00 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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California may drop CO2 waiver request if national standard implemented

Geneva 2009: Infiniti Essence packs powerful, eco-friendly presence

Sun, 08 Mar 2009 13:50:00 +0000

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Infiniti Essence Concept One of the hands-down sexiest cars at this years edition of the Geneva Motor Show was touting some green credentials beneath its curvaceous metal skin. The Infiniti Essence concept, meant to signify the, well, essence of all that is Infiniti , celebrates the luxury marque’s past and gives us hints of its future. At first glance, the styling appears to reflect European influences but we’re assured that it’s flow is inspired by Japanese calligraphy, its details from traditional Japanese items such as a hair pin used while a kimono is worn called the “kanzashi.” As impressive as the Essence looks, what’s more important are the bits that power this hybrid. Yes, it’s a hybrid, and the innovative system it incorporates will likely be impleted in an Infiniti next year . It borrows the 3D electric motor concept from the wheels of the bubblicious Nissan Pivo and places its 369 lb-ft of torque between the transmission and the 434 horses supplied by an efficient gas-powered, twin-turbo, direct-injection 3.7-liter DOHC V6. The result of all that tech is the ability to electrically glide between the traffic lights and, in theory at least, burn a modest 29.4 mpg while having 592 powerful horses underfoot and available if the “need” arises. This engineering exercise should translate quite nicely when transferred to a more prudent vehicle. Check out the sweet visuals in the galleries below, hit the jump for full press release and essential stats. Gallery: Geneva 2009: Infiniti Essence Gallery: Infiniti Essence Concept [Source: Autoblog / Infiniti ] Continue reading Geneva 2009: Infiniti Essence packs powerful, eco-friendly presence Auto Blog: Hybrid , Infiniti , Nissan , Geneva Motor Show , Europe/EU , Japan Geneva 2009: Infiniti Essence packs powerful, eco-friendly presence originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 08 Mar 2009 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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Geneva 2009: Infiniti Essence packs powerful, eco-friendly presence

Zero S electric supermoto to be unveiled in April

Sun, 08 Mar 2009 11:31:00 +0000

Zero Motorcycles , makers of electric off-road motorcycles, is planning to release its first street-legal machine next month. Speaking on Fox Car Report Live , company founder Neal Saiki let out a few intriguing details about the company’s new Zero S electric supermoto bike , including the fact that it will sport 3kWhs of battery capacity. That’s a whopping 50 percent more than the lithium ion unit that the firm uses in its Zero X dirtbike. Of course, batteries are heavy, so it’s not surprising to hear that the S model will outweigh its off-road sibling by about 50 pounds. Performance should be impressive, with Saiki quoting a 0-60 time of around 4 seconds and a top speed of around 70 miles per hour. Those figures, along with the bike’s added mass, should make the new Zero S fully highway capable. Expect a starting price of $9,950 before any federal incentives are applied. Gallery: AltCar 2008: Zero X electric dirtbike [Source: Hell For Leather ] Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , On Two Wheels Zero S electric supermoto to be unveiled in April originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 08 Mar 2009 11:31:00 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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Zero S electric supermoto to be unveiled in April

Tesla Model S teaser image #3 (is it even a teaser?)

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:14:00 +0000

Well, we just wouldn’t be AutoblogGreen if we didn’t obsess over every little detail over at Tesla Motors, right? From the good to the bad and the in between , we like to know what’s going on with the company that brought electric car lust to the amsses. Today we got our invite to the March 26 unveiling of the Model S sedan , and it included the teaser image you see above. Sadly, the new pic tells us absolutely nothing more about the car, but at least we know the graphic designers have been keeping busy. 20 more days until we get to see the whole thing. Until then, we can go back and look at the first two teasers ( here and here ) and wait. [Source: Tesla] Auto Blog: Etc. , EV/Plug-in , Tesla Motors , Green Daily Tesla Model S teaser image #3 (is it even a teaser?) originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 06 Mar 2009 17:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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Tesla Model S teaser image #3 (is it even a teaser?)

Sportier BlueMotion models coming from VW?

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 14:47:00 +0000

Click above for a gallery of the Volkswagen Bluesport While the primary goal of Volkswagen’s numerous BlueMotion models is to reduce fuel consumption and therefore carbon emissions, the German automaker apparently recognizes that not all drivers are willing to accept sluggish acceleration to go along with their reduced diesel bills. This is why the VeeDub introduced its BlueSport Roadster concept at the last Detroit Auto Show . That sporty model was able to provide plenty of performance from its 2.0L turbocharged diesel engine to go along with its miserly fuel mileage figures of 35 mpg on the European Combined Cycle and 62 mpg while in Eco Mode. Reports from the U.K.’s evo magazine indicate that VW is hard at work on a production version of the BlueSport concept for 2011. Before that model hits the market, the moniker may be applied to a performance-minded diesel version of the European Scirocco and possibly an oil-burning GTI hatchback as well. Gallery: Detroit 2009: Volkswagen Concept BlueSport [Source: evo ] Auto Blog: Diesel , Volkswagen Sportier BlueMotion models coming from VW? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:47:00 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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Sportier BlueMotion models coming from VW?