Hybrid News

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Detroit Auto Show, Fisker

Something new from Fisker? Color us intrigued, especially after taking a gander at the lone teaser shot that’s been released. We already know that the production version of the Karma plug-in hybrid sedan will be debuting at the Detroit Auto Show, and now word comes that the budding automaker will have something else on hand to display called the Sunset. At this point, details are sketchy at best, but we’re hoping that this is another extended-range electric-vehicle like its slightly older sibling. Could Fisker be having twins?

One possible hint that the Sunset may use a similar drivetrain is that the exhaust tips exit just behind the front wheels, just like they do on the Karma. We also don’t see a B pillar behind the driver’s seat, so we are left wondering if this could be a convertible. If so, the Sunset name would seem rather appropriate, don’t you think?

[Source: Fisker]

Fisker set to debut new Sunset concept in Detroit originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Detroit Auto Show, Fisker

Something new from Fisker? Color us intrigued, especially after taking a gander at the lone teaser shot that’s been released. We already know that the production version of the Karma plug-in hybrid sedan will be debuting at the Detroit Auto Show, and now word comes that the budding automaker will have something else on hand to display called the Sunset. At this point, details are sketchy at best, but we’re hoping that this is another extended-range electric-vehicle like its slightly older sibling. Could Fisker be having twins?

One possible hint that the Sunset may use a similar drivetrain is that the exhaust tips exit just behind the front wheels, just like they do on the Karma. We also don’t see a B pillar behind the driver’s seat, so we are left wondering if this could be a convertible. If so, the Sunset name would seem rather appropriate, don’t you think?

UPDATE: Fisker sent us the following information about the Sunset: Similar architecture; identical powertrain to Karma. Looks phenomenal. It will blow your top! Also, official name of car is Fisker Karma S. S does stand for Sunset, but we’re going with Karma S nomenclature.

[Source: Fisker]

Fisker set to debut new Karma S “Sunset” concept in Detroit originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Filed under: Hybrid, Lexus, Detroit Auto Show, Spy Shots

We’re anxiously awaiting the debut of the Lexus HS250h dedicated hybrid model at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show, but we can at least tide ourselves over with a few spy shots of the sedan being tested in all of its camo’d glory. As we can clearly see, this is not a hatchback like the Prius - which Lexus is also expected to get a version of - but a sedan, complete with the trunk out back that most Americans seem to prefer. We′re still unclear on exactly what will power the new sedan, though a version of the Camry Hybrid’s 2.4L four-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine and hybrid system seems a distinct possibility. Alternatively, an enlarged version of the new Prius’ powerplant could be used.

A Toyota version of the HS250h is also expected that will likely use the same powerplant but get fewer luxury goods to go along with its lower price. Expect a nickel metal hydride battery pack and fuel mileage in the 40s.

[Source: Left Lane News]

Detroit Preview: Lexus HS250h spied testing originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Filed under: Hybrid, Lexus, Detroit Auto Show, Green Daily

The relationship between Lexus and its hybrid-only line has been speculated about for some time. The high-end Toyota brand has now confirmed that the HS250h, the first dedicated hybrid Lexus model, will be shown at the Detroit Auto Show in concept form. We’ve seen a rendering (above) of what this vehicle might look like, but we’ll most likely have to wait until the Lexus press conference to see the real deal. The Lexus website is nothing but a tease at this point.

As for when the HS250h might hit sales floors, Paul Tan says it’ll be in North American showrooms in about a year. The car should have a 2.4 liter four-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine and probably the same hybrid setup as the Toyota Camry hybrid. Car and Driver estimates the HS250h will get somewhere around 40 mpg.

[Source: Car and Driver, Paul Tan]

Detroit Preview: new Lexus dedicated hybrid, the HS250h originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 27 Dec 2008 18:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original post by Sebastian Blanco

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, SMART, Detroit Auto Show

We know that smart sold over 20,000 units of the fortwo in the US this year, so it’s proven to be a popular car for its market. In LA last month, we saw the new Brabus edition and now we can get our own pics of an electric smart fortwo when the doors to the Detroit Auto Show open in about two weeks. The details of this vehicle, which debuted in second-generation form at the Paris Motor Show, will likely be exactly the same, but 150 miles from a full charge of the lithium-ion battery pack isn’t something we need to see changed right away. We can only assume the number will increase once on-street testing of the electric fortwo - which is happening now - is finished.

[Source: NAIAS via Green Car Congress]

Continue reading smart ed coming to Detroit 2009

smart ed coming to Detroit 2009 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 27 Dec 2008 13:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original post by Sebastian Blanco

Filed under: Hybrid, Toyota, Detroit Auto Show

The Detroit introduction of the 2010 Toyota Prius is just around the corner, but that hasn′t stopped Toyota from releasing a new set of teaser images ahead of the main event, scheduled to take place just 19 days from now. First up is a door handle that looks like it may have a sensor on it, possibly as part of the keyless entry system. Next up is an illuminated “Toyota” logo that we’re guessing could indeed light up with the headlamps.

Perhaps the two most interesting new shots are of the engine bay, for obvious reasons, and the front headlight. There was some debate on whether the previously-released shots of the third-gen Prius were legit since they clearly showed two different headlight configurations. Our guess is that the design team was still making detail choices on the new hybrid, and it appears now that the slightly more radical of the two lamp configuration was the ultimate winner.

[Source: Carscoop]

Toyota unleashes new set of Prius teasers originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Toyota, Detroit Auto Show

Turns out there will be at least one more surprise in store at Cobo Hall. Here’s what we now know about the vehicles that Toyota is bringing to the Detroit Auto Show next month:

• the 2010 Prius
• a brand new battery electric vehicle

I wish we could tell you more about that BEV, but the entirety of the press release is as follows (it’s so short there′s no need to throw it after the jump):

TORRANCE, Calif., Dec. 22 — Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. will display a battery electric vehicle concept at the 2009 North American International Auto Show. This display marks the world debut of this concept vehicle.

I’m pretty sure this is what they call a tease. This could be something along the lines of a Nissan Pivo or maybe an NEV or maybe even a true highway-speed electric car. Got any ideas?

[Source: Toyota]

Surprise! Toyota will bring a battery-powered concept vehicle to NAIAS originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original post by Sebastian Blanco

Filed under: MPG, Chevrolet, Detroit Auto Show

If General Motors is still with us for the 2010 model year, the Chevrolet Equinox will be getting a thorough makeover particularly in the engine compartment. The new Equinox gets an all-new look in keeping with other recent Chevrolets including the obligatory dual-port grille. Dimensionally, the Equinox keeps the same 112.5 inch wheelbase and body measurements are all within an inch of the current model. On the inside, the dash gets a dual cockpit look similar to the Malibu and Traverse as well as all the usual electronic bits now found in new cars such as BlueTooth, USB audio input and rear view camera.

The best stuff, though, is underhood where a new direct injected version of the 2.4L EcoTec four replaces the ancient 3.4L V6. Mileage with the four cylinder/6-speed automatic combo goes from 17/24 mpg to an estimated 21/30 mpg. A new 3.0L direct injected V6 replaces the port injected 3.6L formerly offered in the Sport. The V6 improves mileage from 17/24 mpg to 18/25 mpg. All versions of the new Equinox get electric power steering and six speed automatic transmissions for 2010.

When we previewed the new Equinox at GM′s Tech Center this week, no officials would officially comment on the hybrid question, other than to say additional hybrids are coming and the two-mode system in the Saturn Vue would fit in this vehicle. Odds are we will see either a next generation mild hybrid or two-mode hybrid in the Equinox sooner rather than later.

[Source: Chevrolet]

Continue reading 2010 Chevrolet Equinox; direct injected with 30 mpg!

2010 Chevrolet Equinox direct injected with 30 mpg! originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 21 Dec 2008 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original post by Sam Abuelsamid

Filed under: Diesel, Detroit Auto Show

The 2009 Green Car of the Year, the Jetta TDI, could also be named the 2009 North American Car of the Year. After winning the top honor in LA a month ago, the Jetta TDI joins the Ford Flex and the Hyundai Genesis as finalists for the NACOTY award that will be handed out at the start of the Detroit Auto Show next month. The diesel love extends to the North American Truck of the Year, where the finalists are: the Dodge Ram, the Ford F-150 and the Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTEC. While the 50 judges will be picking from a long list of characteristics (read ‘em after the jump), you can choose your favorite for whatever reason you want. So:

View Poll

View Poll

If you chose “none of the above,” please let us know what your choice is in the comments.

[Source: NAIAS]

Continue reading Jetta TDI, Benz ML320 BlueTEC finalists for 2009 North American Car/Truck of the Year

Jetta TDI, Benz ML320 BlueTEC finalists for 2009 North American Car/Truck of the Year originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 19 Dec 2008 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original post by Sebastian Blanco

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Cadillac, Detroit Auto Show

General Motors could be working on a new Cadillac-branded Volt concept that would debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January. Last year in Detroit, the automaker set the precedent for a range-extended Caddy when it rolled out the Provoq concept, which featured a E-Flex drivetrain layout similar to the Volt but used a hydrogen fuel cell in lieu of the sedan’s gasoline engine. Could another such concept be ready for display next month? We all know that the prospect of using hydrogen as an energy carrier isn’t exactly right around the corner, so using a biofuel-powered engine would seem to make the most sense from a production standpoint, and GM could very well use the Delta platform for an uplevel E-Flex from Cadillac to help defray its cost.

Another reason it might make sense to spread the Volt technology to the Cadillac range is that consumers are willing to pay more for the Wreath and Crest than for the golden Bowtie. Therefore, dropping the E-Flex platform - including its expensive lithium ion battery pack - into a Caddy makes sound financial sense. We’ll know for sure in January.

[Source: Autoweek]

Cadillac Volt rumors resurface headed to Detroit? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Filed under: Hydrogen, Honda, LA Auto Show

digg_url =
‘http://digg.com/autos/A_Honda_surprise_FC_Sport_is_beautiful_hydrogen_powered’;
In an age when there are fewer and fewer surprises at auto shows as embargoes get broken and information leaks out early, Honda pulled off a big surprise at the LA Auto Show this morning. After showing the year old CR-Z concept and the Insight hybrid concept that debuted at the Paris show, product planning manager Dan Bonawitz unveiled a brand new concept. The FC Sport was created to show off the packaging flexibility that is possible with hydrogen fuel cells. Using the V-Flow fuel cell stack and electric drivetrain from the FCX Clarity, the FC Sport is a three-seat sports car. The stack and drive system are moved to the back of the car for a mid-ship arrangement. The seating arrangement is similar to that of the McLaren F1 supercar of the ’90s with the driver front and center and the two passengers set back on either side. For now the car is strictly a non-functional styling concept but such concepts from Honda don′t usually stay that way for long.

[Source: Honda]
Photos Copyright (C)2008 Sam Abuelsamid and Sebastian Blanco / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading LA 2008: Honda pulls a surprise with FC Sport concept

LA 2008: Honda pulls a surprise with FC Sport concept originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original post by Sam Abuelsamid

Filed under: Hydrogen, Volkswagen, LA Auto Show, China

Shanghai VW, is bringing a hydrogen fuel cell-powered version of the Passat Lingyu to the LA Auto Show. The Shanghai Securities News, via Gasgoo, says this is the first China-made “new-energy car model” from VW to make an appearance at an auto show. It’s also the first-ever hydrogen Passat. The fuel cell Passat Lingyu (just rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it?) can go a reported 300 kilometers (186 miles) on a full charge and has a top speed of 150 km/h (about 93 mph) on the latest fuel cell system from SAIC (Shanghai VW′s parent) and its partners. SAIC is also behind the fuel cell Chevrolet Equinox that was used at the Beijing Olympics. Supposedly, Shanghai VW wants the hydrogen Passat Lingyu in mass production by 2010. We’ll find out more this week.

[Source: Gasgoo via Green Car Congress]

LA Preview: hydrogen fuel cell Passat Lingyu originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original post by Sebastian Blanco

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, Austin Alt Car Expo

As I said earlier, the panels at the Austin Alt Car expo were heavily focused on plug-in vehicles. The last discussion on Friday continued the trend and was called “Future Prospects for Plug-in Hybrids″ and the participants acknowledged that their presentations were treading over some of the same ground that earlier panelists had covered. Still, Mark Duvall of EPRI and Susan Zielinski of CARSS did add a few new tidbits to the discussion and if you’re a PHEV fanatic, you’ll find something in the write-up and audio included after the break that’ll be of interest.

Continue reading Austin Alt Car: Future Prospects for Plug-in Hybrids

Austin Alt Car: Future Prospects for Plug-in Hybrids originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original post by Sebastian Blanco

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, Green Daily, Austin Alt Car Expo

When was the last time you talked to your electric power company? I mean, really sat down and had a good chat about when they should send you power and when they shouldn’t? Have you told them when you’d like to have the air conditioner shut off and let the home warm up because no one will be home? If you haven’t had this talk with your utility, you’re not alone. Not by a long shot. In fact, figuring out how to get customers to even start having this kind of communication is a huge challenge for the thousands of utilities across the U.S. and this challenge was the topic of the seminar titled Utility Issues & Opportunities at the recent Austin Alt Car expo.

The panel dealt with vehicle-to-grid and vehicle-to-home transmission and distribution issues and featured Southern California Edison’s Ed Kjaer, Austin Energy’s Mark Kapner and EPRI’s Arindam Maitra. Find out how these three people and their organizations are getting ready to get you and your car to talk to the grid on a regular basis by following us after the jump.

Continue reading Austin Alt Car: PHEV opportunities and challenges for utilities

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Original post by Sebastian Blanco

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, Legislation and Policy, Austin Alt Car Expo

The overwhelming theme of the discussion panels at the Austin Alt Car expo last weekend was plug-in vehicles. From questions of infrastructure to the vehicles themselves to the grid load, the weekend served as a crash course in the state of the PHEV industry. Throughout this weekend, then, I’ll be posting write-ups from the panels and audio recordings of what was said. If you’ve ever wanted to have PHEV lessons yourself, now’s your chance.

We’ll start with the technical panel on infrastructure. This event featured Steve Hauser, from Gridpoint, David Kaplan, who’s worked with Microsoft and other tech companies as well as Gridpoint and V2Green (V2Green is partnering with Austin Energy on the smart grid test), and Richard Lowernthal of Coulomb Technologies. Follow us past the jump for the details.

Continue reading Austin Alt Car: obscene amount of information on the smart grid and plug-in vehicles

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Original post by Sebastian Blanco