| AutoblogGreen |
| Put this feed on your website |
| Description: |
AutoblogGreen |
| Format: |
RSS 2.0 |
| Url: |
http://feeds.feedburner.com/Autobloggreen |
| |
| Latest headlines |
AutoblogGreen
|
LA 2008: smart madness bring you butterfly door fortwos
Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:57:00 EST
Filed under: MPG, SMART, LA Auto Show, Green Daily
see more smart madness by clicking above
One reason there are so many versions of the smart fortwo (see: Batsmart, the smart ed, the edit10n) is that the tiny cars were designed to be modular. SoCal's Smart Madness takes this to the reasonable limit and offers new body panels, rims, accessories, and upgrade parts galore. In fact, Smart Madness' Rachel Mills (business development and marketing) told AutoblogGreen that Smart Madness that the company has the larest collection of rims available for the fortwo and are the largest smart parts and accessory dealer in the US. Smart Madness brought a pair of tricked out fortwos to the LA Auto Show and we've got the picture to prove it. Pretty amazing considering smarts have only been sold in America for a year.Gallery: LA 2008: smart madness boothPhotos Copyright (C)2008 Sebastian Blanco / Weblogs, Inc.LA 2008: smart madness bring you butterfly door fortwos originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
|
Brammo to get batteries from Valence for Enertia electric motorcycle
Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:02:00 EST
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, On Two Wheels
Click above for more high-res shots of the Brammo Enertia
Brammo Motorsports recently got a $10 million infusion of cash through its first set of investors, and now the hopeful maker of electric motorcycles has gotten past another important milestone by officially sourcing its super important batteries. The lithium phosphate units will come from Valence, a company that creates large-format lithium batteries under the Epoch label. These batteries will be able to propel the 280-pound Enertia motorcycle to speeds of over 50 miles per hour with a range of about 45 miles per 3-hour charge. The Brammo Enertia electric motorcycle is slated to launch this year, though the end of it is coming up pretty quickly these days. There should be two versions of the Enertia available, the cheaper of which will run about $11,995. For those who simply must have the best, the Carbon Limited models, featuring various carbon fiber bits and pieces, naturally, plus a stylish leather seat will go for $14,995. What's it like to ride one? Like this.Gallery: Brammo Enertia[Source: Valence]Continue reading Brammo to get batteries from Valence for Enertia electric motorcycleBrammo to get batteries from Valence for Enertia electric motorcycle originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
|
Live in luxury and drive electric: Monaco to have nationwide EV charging network
Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:09:00 EST
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan, Renault, European UnionOK, I admit that the term "nationwide" in the headline is a bit grandiose-sounding. After all, the Principality of Monaco is a really small country (just 1.95 km² or 0.76 sq mi). This is like the Vatican being "the first country to fully offset CO2 emissions."In any case, it seems that Monegasques are going to have plenty of charging stations to plug in their Teslas, or I should say Renault-Nissans, because the Franco-Japanese alliance has signed yet another agreement to create the EV-supporting infrastructure. Monaco already had a few charging stations since the '90s, but this agreement's target is to attract residents and companies to participate in the Alliance's zero emission mobility program by purchasing and utilizing EVs. And not only that: Monaco wants to be the place to celebrate EV marketing activities. [Source: Renault]Live in luxury and drive electric: Monaco to have nationwide EV charging network originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
|
Better Place to setup shop in San Francisco Bay area
Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:25:00 EST
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Legislation and PolicyThis week in San Francisco, Better Place founder Shai Agassi and the mayors of San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland announced the launch of an electric vehicle charging system in the Bay Area. An investment of $1 billion will be needed to install a network of public charging stations throughout the region. The process of planning the system and applying for permits is expected to start early in 2009. However, its not entirely clear who is putting up all that money for the system. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has promised tax breaks to encourage sales of electric vehicles. One thing that is clear from all of this is that the limitations of electric vehicles will require a significant infrastructure to support wide-spread use. Given what is happening with the economy right now, the goal of having this infrastructure in place throughout the region by 2012 may not be realistic. [Source: Earth2Tech]Better Place to setup shop in San Francisco Bay area originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
|
Chevy's Volt mules have moved to Cruze mode; Lutz drives one
Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:39:00 EST
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Chevrolet, GMLast spring, when General Motors starting track testing its first E-Flex powertrain "mule" prototypes, the cars were based on previous-generation Chevrolet Malibu body shells, the Mali-Volts. The engineering team has now moved on to the next generation of its development cars. The latest batch of testers are now using Chevy Cruze bodies, which is appropriate since both the Cruze and Volt share the same Global Compact Architecture (that is the next-gen Delta platform). In many respects, Volt is a Cruze with the ER-EV powertrain and different styling. I spoke with Denise Grey and Tony Posawatz of GM in Los Angeles the other day about progress and there are a number of E-Flex Cruzes now running at Milford. Some of these vehicles will be heading North soon to do cold weather development. In the meantime Bob Lutz has had a chance to drive Cruze based car and talks about it at the Fastlane blog.[Source: GM FastLane]Chevy's Volt mules have moved to Cruze mode; Lutz drives one originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
|
Fisker Karma to use GM's 2.0-liter turbo'd four
Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:53:00 EST
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, GM, Fisker
Click above for more shots of the Fisker Karma
Those who were miffed at General Motors for eschewing its initial plans to launch the Chevy Volt with a small 1.0L turbocharged three cylinder engine are probably not going to like this piece of news, but Fisker Automotive has finally settled on an internal combustion engine to recharge the Karma's on-board lithium ion batteries. It's a big one, with a full 2.0-liters of displacement and direct injection, oh... and a turbocharger for good measure. While it is definitely debatable whether or not the Karma really needs 260 horses and an equal torque figure to spin its generator (which we'll leave up to you in the comments... don't let us down), it's not really as bad as it may seem. The Ecotec line of engines from GM are solid pieces of machinery, and the more power that the engine and generator are sending to the battery pack, the quicker the whole shebang will be recharged. It's an aluminum engine too, so the weight isn't as bad as it could have been, and it's fairly fuel efficient with its direct injection as well. So, while we'd love to see the Karma get an exotic, lightweight powerplant, the 2.0L DI Ecotec and its 260 horsepower is, in all actuality, a pretty efficient package when one considers its hefty power-to-weight ratio. Discuss.Gallery: Fisker Karma Official Pics[Source: Fisker Automotive]Continue reading Fisker Karma to use GM's 2.0-liter turbo'd fourFisker Karma to use GM's 2.0-liter turbo'd four originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
|
Ford launches micro-site for 2011 US Fiesta
Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:54:00 EST
Filed under: FordWe're still a bit more than a year away from getting Ford's new Fiesta here in North America but the company has launched a micro-site for its new small car. There are downloadable images of the Fiesta and some details of the equipment that will be included on the American version. While Europeans have a variety of engine choices, it appears that we in the states will only get a 1.6L four cylinder with variable valve timing. The Fiesta will be the first US-market Ford with the PowerShift dual clutch transmission. Ford promises to keep the European-tuned suspension when the car arrives here. Production should start just over a year from now with an on-sale date early in 2010. Those interested in getting updates can sign up at the site or just keep reading ABG.[Source: Ford]Ford launches micro-site for 2011 US Fiesta originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
|
LA 2008: HH2 display is downstairs, folks
Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:05:00 EST
Filed under: Hydrogen, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, LA Auto ShowThe tireless promoters of the HH2 hydrogen system are in the basement of the LA Convention Center this week, not too far from the Intimate EV. Four vehicles, only one that was actually outfitted with the HH2 materials, are sitting in the tuner hall awaiting visitors. If you go, you'll be full in the mix of information and told that the system costs just $500 and can be installed in any vehicle built after 1960 (and even some previous cars). There are also clip art posters of the Twin-H Hydrogen Power device. In fact, visiting the booth is kind of like looking at the company's website. A lot of all caps, a few typos, and plenty of claims of incredible benefits from putting a little water into a box under your hood. We won't repeat ourselves in full, but will say again that these systems don't work. Instead of visiting, it's perhaps a bit safer to check out the claims in our gallery below. Gallery: LA 2008: HH2 boothLA 2008: HH2 display is downstairs, folks originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
|
Ford Fusion Hybrid to start $27,270, 39 mpg city!
Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:23:00 EST
Filed under: Hybrid, MPG, FordAfter debuting the 2010 Fusion at the LA Auto Show this week, Ford has just launched a new micro-site for the Fusion that finally includes pricing information. The base Fusion S starts at $19,270 with the four cylinder engine and 6-speed manual gearbox. The new Fusion Hybrid however, is nearly 42 percent more, starting at $27,290, a price point that includes the SmartGauge instrument cluster, satellite radio, 17" wheels and electronic stability control. For comparison, the Camry Hybrid is $26,150, but that doesn't include $450 for the upgraded audio with satellite radio. It also doesn't include anything quite like the SmartGauge which buyers will have put their own value on. Where the Fusion really jumps ahead of the Camry is fuel economy. The Ford's city fuel economy will now be at least 39 mpg, 6 mpg more than the Toyota. The Fusions should be on sale early in the new year.[Source: Ford]Gallery: 2010 Mercury Milan hybrid on the standGallery: 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid on the standMilan live photos copyright (C)2008 Jonathon Ramsey / Weblogs, Inc.Fusion live photos copyright (C)2008 Michael Harley / Weblogs, Inc.Ford Fusion Hybrid to start $27,270, 39 mpg city! originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
|
2009 Vespa S 50 gets a new more powerful 50cc engine
Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:47:00 EST
Filed under: MPG, On Two Wheels, Green Daily, USA
Click above for more high-res shots of the new Vespa S 50
Vespa has been building stylish, metal-bodied scooters since the late 1940s and has quite a number of small displacement engines under its stylish Italian belt, so it knows how to make a good powerplant. Although the little scooters are still probably best recognized for their buzzy little two-stroke units, all Vespas have been powered by much cleaner four-strokers since 2001, and Piaggio has been refining these units all the while. The latest edition of the Vespa line, the sporty S model, has just been bestowed with a new version of the SOHC four valve single cylinder engine that reportedly makes more power and uses less gasoline than before. Vespa claims that its new 50cc Vespa S makes a little over 4 horsepower, is quicker than any other scooter on the market with a similarly-sized powerplant, can hit 39 miles per hour right out of the box and will manage somewhere between 70 and 80 miles per gallon of gas. Get yours now for $3,199.Gallery: 2009 Vespa S 50[Source: Vespa]Continue reading 2009 Vespa S 50 gets a new more powerful 50cc engine2009 Vespa S 50 gets a new more powerful 50cc engine originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
|
|