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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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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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Tokyo Preview: Mitsubishi plans to debut plug-in hybrid concept

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:16:00 +0000

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Mitsubishi Concept-cX Back in 2007, Mitsubishi showed off a new vehicle called the Concept cX at the Frankfurt Motor Show . At the time, the small crossover was powered by Mitsu’s latest clean diesel technology. A small 1.8-liter diesel engine featuring a variable geometry turbocharger was mated to a dual clutch SST transmission and the all-wheel-drive system lifted from the latest Lancer Evolution. Sounds pretty cool, right? Perhaps the Japanese automaker has something even better up its sleeve. According to Autocar , Mitsubishi will introduce a new concept vehicle at the Tokyo Motor Show in October that will be based on the Concept cX design but feature plug-in hybrid technology. Called the Concept zC, the new PHEV will reportedly have styling inspired by the firm’s Racing Lancer with a hatchback bodystyle and raised ground clearance and will use the GS platform from the Lancer and Outlander. Should this new concept make it to production, it’ll take at least three years to get here. [Source: Autocar ] Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Hybrid , Mitsubishi , Tokyo Motor Show Tokyo Preview: Mitsubishi plans to debut plug-in hybrid concept originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:16:00 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 soon require smog checks for motorcycles

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 16:30:00 +0000

Back on February 26th, California State Senator Fran Pavley introduced legislation that would “amend Section 44011 of, and to add Section 44012.5 to, the Health and Safety Code, relating to air pollution.” All right, what’s that mean? Basically, this legislation would require motorcycle owners in California to get smog checks for their motorcycles once every two years. The law would cover all motorcycles model year 2000 or newer and, if passed, would go into effect on January 1st, 2012. As of today, motorcycles are exempt from smog checks in California. As with other motorcycles in that state, all motorcycles with current registration as road vehicles would need to be checked by the Department of Consumer Affairs and any transfer of ownership would also require an updated certificate of compliance. A majority vote will be required to pass this new legislation into law, which could take place any time after March 28th. See the complete bill at this link . [Source: California Legislature via The Kneeslider | Photo: steven.buss ] Auto Blog: Legislation and Policy , On Two Wheels , Green Daily , USA California may soon require smog checks for motorcycles originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:30:00 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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Toyota’s most unusual eco-car concepts come from its "Revolution" Manager

admin — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 09:53:00 +0000

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Hi-CT There’s a reason that outlandish but environmentally-friendly Toyota concept cars like the Hi-CT plug-in hybrid truck (above), the RIN and the 1/X exist: Tetsuya Kaida. HybridCars has a profile of Kaida in a new post where we find out that, it Kaida gets his way, these crazy auto show-only vehicles will one day be upstaged by the seaweed car. Kaida, the manager of Toyota’s “Business Revolution Corporate Value Project” gets to play with “car design, global lifestyle trends, Japanese ancient art and culture, fantasy and nature,” in HybridCars’ words. Aside from the seaweed car (which Kaida likes becuase Japan is surrounded by the ocean), Kaida talked about a plant-based version of the 1/X during the recent Melbourne International Motor Show. If his dream comes true, it might take the 1/X about 15 years to get to dealerships, he said. The fundmantal idea behind all of these concepts, Kaida said, is harmony, and described his designs as “the Way of the Car, much like a tea ceremony or flower arrangement.” This is not a guy who dreams small. Gallery: Tokyo Motor Show: Toyota Hi-CT [Source: HybridCars ] Auto Blog: Etc. , Toyota , Green Daily Toyota’s most unusual eco-car concepts come from its “Revolution” Manager originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 01 Mar 2009 10:53:00 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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Toyota: Market wants hybrids, not sportscars

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 06:58:00 +0000

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2010 Toyota Prius If the automaker’s presence at the last couple of Auto Shows (see Detroit , Chicago ) wasn’t enough to clue us in, Toyota Division General Manager Bob Carter has spelled out the Japanese giant’s future product portfolio to Automotive News , saying, “Personally, I would love to have a sporty car, but it is pretty clear what the market is looking for right now.” So, just what is it that the market is looking for? Carter answers, “high-quality, fuel-efficient, low-impact-environment products.” Expect to see plenty of hybrids in the coming years from Toyota, kicked off later this year with the introduction of the 2010 Prius hybrid . A bit further down the line, Toyota says it will dive into fully electric vehicles . Looking beyond the electrification of Toyota’s line for a moment, we remember that the diminutive iQ is also on the horizon. We’ve also heard rumblings of an investment into cellulosic ethanol , though nothing definitive on that front has yet been announced, and the automaker has also continued to pledge its support for hydrogen . Gallery: 2010 Toyota Prius [Source: Automotive News - sub. req.] Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Hybrid , Toyota Toyota: Market wants hybrids, not sportscars originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 07:58:00 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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Subaru adds racing stripes to frugal Justy

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 10:16:00 +0000

Click above to enlarge Note to Subaru UK: a set of racing stripes does not a sporty car make. In any case, here we are with a new Subaru Justy 1.0 Twin Cam Special Edition that features what the Japanese automaker charitably refers to as “viper stripes.” Right. Also included in the package are a new set of dual exhaust tips, a roof-mounted rear spoiler, a leather-wrapped alloy shift knob and rear privacy glass. The good news to buyers interested in efficiency is that none of these changes alter the standard Justy’s excellent fuel mileage or emissions rating. In the UK, the Justy 1.0 is rated at 64.2 miles per gallon on the Extra Urban cycle, which equates to a meaningless 53 mpg in U.S. gallons, and CO 2 emissions of just 118 grams per kilometer. Want one? Better contact your local dealer soon and be willing to shell out an extra £690. Subaru only plans to build 100 of the SEs, 50 in black and 50 in red. [Source: Subaru] Continue reading Subaru adds racing stripes to frugal Justy Auto Blog: MPG , Subaru , UK Subaru adds racing stripes to frugal Justy originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 11:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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Honda sells its 300,000th hybrid, plans CR-Z for 2010

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 11:48:00 +0000

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Honda CR-Z concept Honda has a long history with hybrid vehicles, selling its first fuel-saver, the Insight, way back in 1999 and beating Toyota’s Prius to the American market by a couple of years in the process. Since then, the Japanese automaker has managed to move over 300,000 hybrid cars, a milestone that was achieved at the end of January. In total, just over 17,000 Insights were sold over that car’s short lifespan. Since then, Honda has added over 28,000 Accord Hybrids and over 255,000 Civic Hybrids to that figure. Somehow, we have a feeling that it will take Honda much less time to hit its next 300K, with sales of its latest Insight hybrid reportedly off to a very strong start and launch dates for the European and U.S. versions right around the corner. In 2010, Honda plans to bolster its hybrid line further with a vehicle based on the CR-Z concept that was first seen back in 2007. This new vehicle will harken back to the old two-seat CRX and provide an aggressive, sporty alternative to the more practical 2009 Insight. Gallery: CR-Z hybrid concept [Source: Honda] Continue reading Honda sells its 300,000th hybrid, plans CR-Z for 2010 Auto Blog: Hybrid , Honda Honda sells its 300,000th hybrid, plans CR-Z for 2010 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 19 Feb 2009 12:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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NYPD goes green with Nissan Altima Hybrids

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:06:00 +0000

According to the New York Post , the New York Police Department will soon begin a pilot program that would replace 40 of the city’s police cruisers with Nissan Altima Hybrids . The initial investment in the gas-saving and pollution-reducing scheme is a hefty $1.1 million. As it stands, 18 units have been set up as fully marked patrol cars and 20 as unmarked cars. Two more are playing spy games disguised as yellow taxicabs. If these cars work out well as police units, plenty of fuel will be saved. The current fleet, which consists mainly of large, rear-wheel drive, full frame Crown Vics and slightly smaller Impalas, averages between 16 and 18 mpg in the city. The Altimas are expected to get 35 mpg. Given the shaky state of the U.S. domestic car industry, we wonder what kind of backlash there might be for using the Japanese cars, though they are assembled in Smyrna, TN. We know that police officers have proven an attachment to the old-tech cruisers that they currently use, and we’d be a little surprised if Ford isn’t at least considering outfitting its new Fusion Hybrid for crime fighting. Thanks for the tip, Mike ! [Source: New York Post | Photo: Chris McSweeney ] Auto Blog: Hybrid , MPG , Nissan , Legislation and Policy , Green Daily , USA NYPD goes green with Nissan Altima Hybrids originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 17:06:00 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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Geneva Preview: Details on Rinspeed iChange concept filter out

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 15:20:00 +0000

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Rinspeed iChange Last month, we learned that Rinspeed would be debuting another of its crazy concept vehicles at the Geneva Motor Show , now a few more details about the Swiss-designed vehicle, along with a ton of new images, are making the rounds. Concept cars from Rinspeed are always a bit wacky, and this one doesn’t disappoint with a body that shape-shifts in order to seat the required number of occupants (up to 3) so that it’s always as aerodynamically adept as possible. Besides the real-life Transformer shell, the iChange concept features a fully electric drivetrain, including a 150-kilowatt (204 horsepower) motor that’s hooked up to a six-speed gearbox cribbed from a Subaru WRX. There are two different lithium ion battery options (one each for short-range or long-range driving) that can offer enough juice to accelerate to 60 miles per hour in about 4 seconds. Top speed is listed at 137 mph. Other eco-friendly features include a navigation system that tailors the route for fuel savings, spun wool interior and roof-mounted solar panels that help charge the batteries on sunny days. Lastly, a heater that runs on electricity for short trips and E85 liquid fuel for long trips has been fitted for climate control. See the comically long press release after the break. Gallery: Geneva Preview: Rinspeed iChance concept [Source: Rinspeed] Continue reading Geneva Preview: Details on Rinspeed iChange concept filter out Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Solar , Geneva Motor Show Geneva Preview: Details on Rinspeed iChange concept filter out originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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