Hybrids
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Whoa, wait, what? A $225,000 2011 Chevrolet Volt? It's true: the first production example of the extended-range EV was up for auction to benefit charity, and it managed to go for the princely sum at the close of bidding today. While that's a nice gesture, we'd rather have a Ferrari. That's a mighty leap, from a hybrid/electric/series/EV/whatevermajig to an Italian supercar, you say? You're right, it is. But that's how our minds work--and here's why: the Ferrari would be cheaper (or at least similarly priced) to buy and it would, in the long run, be greener for the environment. Surely, now...
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Range Rover Evoque Won’t Get Hybrid TechLand Rover has reportedly ruled out launching a hybrid version of its new Evoque crossover, despite the automaker previewing the vehicle in concept form equipped with a supplementary electric motor. You may recall that the original LRX concept that previewed the new Evoque was fitted with Land...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Video: Building The 2011 Lexus CT 200hLexus has consistently rated at the top of studies for vehicle quality over the past several years, which is not surprising considering that one of the marque’s main slogans is “The Pursuit of Perfection”. Here’s an inside look at Lexus’ Kyushu plant in Japan where the...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Video: See The Chevrolet Volt Built In Under Two MinutesAhh, the beauty of time-lapse video. The technology allows us to see the construction of the new 2011 Chevrolet Volt, from beginning to end, in less than two minutes, from when the first few pieces of metal and welded together to the point where the cars are driven off the production line. The...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
2012 Audi A6 PreviewThe new 2012 Audi A6 has been revealed in all its glory, showcasing a design that’s now become quite familiar as the new sedan is essentially a smaller version of its A8 sibling. However, there are a few unique elements to keep things interesting and as with any Audi, much of the excitement...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Video: BMW Engineer Juergen Greil Talks About The Vision EfficientDynamicsIn the latest episode of the BMW Unscripted series we have one of the automaker’s top engineers, Juergen Greil, giving insight into the development process and the general feeling towards the Vision EfficientDynamics green supercar concept, a vehicle that’s due for sale in 2013. Hearing...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
As fans of everything fast and mid-engined, we're always anxious to hear news of the revival of the Honda/Acura NSX. Sure, the last V-10 version of the NSX abandoned the mid-engine configuration for a frontally-located mill, but the big power and impressive performance were still tantalizing. Now rumors have re-emerged that the NSX will get a V-6 hybrid powertrain and be built on a modified Accord platform. But we're still doubtful. Why? Because the details in the new report from Motor Trend track almost identically with a 16-month-old report from 7Tune. Because 7Tune, while definitely hooked...
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Video: Infiniti's Kyle Bazemore Talks M HybridNissan and its Infiniti luxury division may have been late to the table when it comes to hybrids but neither brand is shying away from launching a new generation of gasoline-electric vehicles. Infiniti has fired the latest round in the battle for hybrid supremacy with the unveiling of a new hybrid...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
2010 Los Angeles Auto Show: 2010 Nissan Ellure Concept Live PhotosDespite the growing popularity of crossovers and hatchbacks the compact sedan is here to stay, well, according to Nissan it is. At this week’s 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show Nissan rolled out a new concept previewing the design of its future sedan models and from what we can tell it’s going...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
2011 Chevrolet Volt Snags Green Car Of The Year Title In LAThough we pegged the 2012 Nissan Leaf as our winner for the best green car out there, the 2011 Chevrolet Volt has been named the 2011 Green Car of the Year at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show today. The Green Car of the Year award is a title awarded by the Green Car Journal at the Los Angeles event...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
2010 Los Angeles Auto Show: 2011 Kia Optima HybridThe new Sonata Hybrid has been getting most of the limelight in the Hyundai-Kia family but Kia has a few bright spots in the pipeline that will certainly be making their mark when it comes to production time. Just this month we saw a concept version of a potential Kia Forte hybrid vehicle and now...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
New eAssist Mild-Hybrid Technology Debuting On 2012 Buick LaCrosseThe new Buick Lacrosse and Regal have made waves with their attractive design and overall build quality since their arrival in showrooms, but soon they’ll also be recognized for stellar fuel economy. General Motors is bringing back its mild hybrid technology next year, beginning with the 2012...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Fisker has announced today that its Karma plug-in hybrid luxury sedan will be on display at next week’s 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show and in doing so has made a not so subtle jab at GM by describing its car as the “first and only true electric vehicle with extended range”. You may recall that GM received a ton of flak for revealing that the electric motor in its upcoming Chevrolet Volt also momentarily drives the wheels when it’s more efficient to do so. The Fisker Karma on display will be the same one that we saw back at the 2010 Paris Motor Show in late September. It is...
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Audi Opens New Development Center For Hybrid And Electric VehiclesThe era of mainstream electric vehicles is nearly upon us. Next month first deliveries of the Nissan Leaf will officially start and soon after the Chevrolet Volt range-extended electric vehicle will be in showrooms. The major luxury automakers are a step behind but even they are focused on...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
New Details On Ferrari Hybrid 4WD SystemFerrari has been working on a proprietary part-time four-wheel drive system designed for both its mid- and front-engined models for the past several years. Christened the “Insertable 4x4”, not much has been seen or heard about the system for some time but now a mysterious Ferrari...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Video: 2012 Audi Q5 Hybrid First LookThe Audi Q5 crossover tends to get lost in the X3/GLK/SRX hubbub, but it's a contender not to be overlooked. Especially so now that it's coming with a hybrid drivetrain pairing a 2.0-liter TFSI engine with a 44-horsepower electric motor. This video gives us our first look at the vehicle, due for...
Nelson Ireson -
Video: First Working Prototype Of BMW’s New Plug-In Hybrid Sports CarDespite BMW not having built a true supercar for 30 years since its original, limited-edition M1 model, we have reported on a number of occasions that the automaker is trying to reinvent its performance image with a new 'green' sports car combining the best elements of two very important concept...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
2010 SEMA: Kia Forte Hybrid ConceptProving that a compact hybrid sedan can be anything but boring, the Kia Forte Hybrid Concept demonstrates styling options for those looking for an alternative to a mundane hybrid ride. Created by Kinetic Motorsports, the Hybrid Concept combines a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine fueled by liquefied...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Lexus is bringing a six-pack of hotted-up hybrids to SEMA, and this video gives us a behind-the-scenes high-definition look at the cars that are now sitting on the show floor. We'll have more photos and info as the day rolls on, but for now, whet your hybrid whistle with this early look. Pay special attention starting around 1:15 for some pretty cool race-inspired modifications. [YouTube via TheLexusEnthusiast]
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2011 Volkswagen Touareg Priced From $44,450Volkswagen’s second-generation Touareg SUV is coming onto the market later this year with a sleek new body, more upscale appearance and a range of fuel efficient engines including a hybrid for the first time. But with styling and luxury amenities that are more Audi than Volkswagen, it’s...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Porsche Looking To Slot New Model Between 911 and 918 Spyder?Porsche is already planning a hybrid for every model range, and the 918 Spyder makes us hopeful that it'll be done in a manner that's not only green, but exciting as well. That makes the reports out of Europe this week that Porsche is considering a model between the 911 and 918 Spyder supercar all...
Nelson Ireson -
Spy Shots: 2012 Range Rover Evoque Five-DoorDynamically designed and arrestingly attractive, the 2012 Range Rover Evoque has won much praise on the auto show circuit and though the crossover is already headed to production, so far only the three-door version has been officially revealed. However, a leaked image of a five-door Evoque recently...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
BMW To Develop New Front-Wheel Drive Hybrids With PSA Peugeot CitroenUntil now, BMW’s hybrid technology has only been applied in its upper range models like the 5- and 7-Series ActiveHybrid sedans and the X6 crossover, the latter of which is billed as the world’s most powerful hybrid vehicle. However, the automaker’s future generation of hybrids...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Despite Rumors, Audi Q5 Hybrid Won't Be At 2010 Los Angeles Auto ShowAudi confirmed last December that it would eventually launch a new hybrid version of its Q5 SUV but since then we haven’t heard anything on the upcoming fuel miser apart from it having an early 2011 launch date. During that time however, Audi has unveiled the A8 Hybrid and a range of...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran