Hybrids
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The Pebble Beach Concours was the Karma's coming out party, and the vehicle got to stretch its legs at the legendary Laguna Seca circuit.
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2009 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
It's the most anticipated weekend in the classic-car world, and Motor Authority is on the glitzy scene in Pebble Beach to bring you nonstop coverage of this weekend's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. It's unrivaled in its depth and breadth--and in the stunning displays of truly classic cars. From...
Martin Padgett -
2011 Chevrolet Volt Expects 230mpg EPA City Rating
The fuel-sipping extended range EV gets even better numbers than most expected.
Nelson Ireson -
Report: Lexus to tackle 1-series in Europe with new hatchback
Lexus is unlikely to launch a sub-$30,000 model in the U.S. but that doesn’t mean it won’t develop a new entry-level model for other markets. One possibility is Europe, where small cars like BMW’s 1-series and the Audi A3 sell in substantial numbers, and according to a new report...
Alex Kaufmann -
Video: BMW’s new sub-brand to revive Isetta name?
For the older European readers out there, the mention of the words BMW Isetta probably conjures up nostalgic images of little, egg-shaped cars trundling around the city, with styling that looked possibly as cheerful and non-threatening as a car could ever get. Built in the 1950s and ‘60s, the...
Alex Kaufmann -
BMW rules out fourth brand, favors new "sub-brand"
Since the release of its official strategy in September of 2007, media sources around the world have been speculating that BMW was looking at either launching its own new brand or acquiring one to help expansion. BMW already has a foothold in the luxury and ultra-luxury segments with its BMW and...
Alex Kaufmann -
It wasn't long ago that supercar manufacturers were scoffing at the idea of introducing hybrid variants of their models, but with Porsche and even the usually traditionalist Ferrari hard at work on their own respective hybrid drivetrains, it wasn't going to be long before other supercar manufacturers cottoned on to the idea - including Lamborghini. Speaking with Automobilwoche, Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann said that he could easily imagine Lamborghini models adopting a small electric motor in conjunction with gasoline power - in other words, a mild hybrid that should help the...
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Lutz confirms Chevrolet Orlando may get Volt hybrid technology
General Motors has confirmed that it will bring a production version of last year’s Chevrolet Orlando concept vehicle to the United States in 2011, reversing an earlier decision to only sell the vehicle overseas. Now it looks like GM is also considering using its Volt plug-in hybrid...
James Martinez -
BMW picks Bosch and Samsung JV as Project i battery supplier
BMW's foray into the world of hybrids is expected to begin at some point this year with the release of a hybrid variant of the 7-series flagship and eventually the X5 and X6 SUVs as well. While development for those cars is mostly complete, BMW is preparing its next-generation of hybrids and...
Alex Kaufmann -
Miley Cyrus Parks Toyota Prius In Handicapped Space, Gets Milkshake
Like many of Hollywood's Very Very Very Famous People, Miley Cyrus drives a Toyota Prius. At least some of the time, since we don't know if she's hiding a Paris-Hilton-style Bentley Continental GT in her garage. But as shown on Hollywood.tv in March, the "Hannah Montana" starlet has clearly parked...
John Voelcker -
BMW 7-Series and X6 hybrids destined for Frankfurt Motor Show
Earlier this year we brought you news of BMW's entry into the hybrid market, with the suspected debut of a 7-Series equipped with the automaker’s ActiveHybrid system coming at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Now, BMW has officially confirmed the news, and also revealed that the 2007 ActiveHybrid X6...
Alex Kaufmann -
Aptera releases teaser sketch for 2e interior
In March of last year, Aptera announced it had done all the development necessary to head to production, and that all it needed was to move into acquiring the right equipment and workforce to do so. Soon after the company revealed that a new infusion of $24 million in cash had been acquired, and...
James Martinez -
Toyota has some bold plans for its hybrid lineup in Europe. The auto giant will reportedly launch a new entry-level, dedicated hybrid Lexus hatchback in Europe next year and now it’s claimed Toyota will also start production of another hybrid model in France. While the Lexus version will be aimed at upmarket consumers and designed to rival cars like the BMW 1-series and Audi A3, the European-produced hybrid will be much more affordable and could be based on the compact Yaris. The information comes from Japan’s Asahi newspaper, which also reports that Toyota will launch this...
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Mercedes-Benz to offer 58 BlueEfficiency models by end of 2009
Green isn't always green - sometimes it's blue. Or at least that's what Mercedes-Benz wants us to think when we think of efficient, environment-friendlier motoring. And to help back up Mercedes' claim to being one of the cleanest luxury carmakers, it has announced it will have 58 BlueEfficiency...
Alex Kaufmann -
Report: Lexus planning hybrid IS for Europe instead of HS 250h
Lexus has confirmed that its all-new HS 250h dedicated hybrid won’t go on sale in Europe because its carbon-dioxide emissions are already close to the similarly sized IS 220d diesel sedan. In its place, however, an IS-based hybrid could be in the works. News of the IS hybrid, which originates...
Alex Kaufmann -
Report: Mazda in talks with Toyota over hybrid technology
Back at April’s New York Auto Show Mazda CEO Takashi Yamanouchi confirmed that his company would have hybrid and electric powertrains in its lineup by 2015, but until now it was thought that Mazda would rely on its own in-house developed technology. A new report, however, indicates that Mazda...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Ford details powertrain plans through 2010
The EcoBoost four-cylinder made news today with its impressive 240hp output from a small 2.0L displacement, raising hopes for enthusiasts everywhere that the engine might see use in a small and sporty hatch or sedan - or possibly even an SVO-type Mustang. But that's not the only thing Ford has in...
Ralph Hanson -
Dodge exec: Circuit EV headed for production
Chrysler intends to launch its first all-electric model by next year according to a recent interview with Lou Rhodes, Chrysler's ENVI division president, and unlike its rivals, the now-Fiat-aligned carmaker is planning a high-performance sports model as its entry into the burgeoning segment...
Alex Kaufmann -
Last year Honda - or more specifically, Acura - confirmed the NSX replacement would be on its way by 2010 as a 2011 model. Since then the global car market has fallen through the floor, and Honda had canceled the NSX replacement, but the car could still make its target debut date. A report emerging today says it may arrive with the name 'Super Hybrid Sports'. Talk of canning the V10-powered NSX-replacement project may have been overblown, with Honda instead simply shifting gears to a greener approach, reports 7Tune. Instead of a 550hp, 5.5L V10, the new car could get a 3.5L V6 and the hybrid...
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Lexus prices the 2010 HS 250h dedicated luxury hybrid
Already selling strongly in Japan in pre-order sales, Lexus today announced U.S. pricing for the 2010 HS 250h dedicated luxury sedan. Starting at a mere $34,200, the hybrid is firmly positioned at the entry-level sector of the luxury sedan market. The carmaker hopes to hit 25,000 sales in the HS...
Nelson Ireson -
Honda president says no need for RWD sedans
Front-wheel drive cars, no matter how well-engineered, are always a compromise when it comes to being fast. They do enjoy some advantages in terms of packaging and efficiency, however, and Honda's new president Takanobu Ito is firmly behind the continued absence of RWD cars in the company's lineup...
Nelson Ireson -
Report: BMW, Daimler to end hybrid partnership
BMW and Daimler have been working more and more closely together over the past several years, especially since the need to share costs and improve bottom lines has become so sharp in 2009. But despite ongoing partnerships for vehicle safety technology, the hybrid partnership that spawned the...
Ralph Hanson -
Report: GM working on new dedicated hybrid
General Motors' engineers are quick to point out that the 2011 Chevrolet Volt isn't a hybrid at all - it's powered only by electricity, with the combustion engine serving only to extend its range. But according to a new report, GM does have plans for a dedicated, high-efficiency hybrid to one-up...
Nelson Ireson -
Lexus HS 250h tops 1,500 pre-orders in Japan
Though it has already been ruled out for Europe where diesel is king, the 2010 Lexus HS 250h dedicated hybrid sedan is planned for the U.S. If early sales reports out of Japan are any indication, the HS should prove a bigger hit than some might have predicted. Over 1,500 buyers have placed orders...
Kenneth Hall