Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid to reach 20 units by 2009

After delivering its first Ford Escape plug-in hybrid at the Anaheim Convention Center in California, Ford yesterday announced that it has teamed with Johnson Controls-Saft for a 20-vehicle test...



Related posts:



Related posts:



Read More!

SNL Sketch Takes On Not-So-Big Three Congressional Hearing [Carpocalypse Now]

Saturday Night Live took on the not-so-Big Three's congressional testimony and "jetpooling" incident in this weekend's "cold open," and unfortunately fell into the trap of shamelessly mocking tired stereotypes. Which is sad, because we'd watched SNL take on a new level of relevancy as of late thanks to the uber-adorable Tina Fey and an election season devoid of real political commentary. That's not to say watching Will Forte as Rick Wagoner, Darrell Hammond as Bob "The Builder" Nardelli and Jason Sudeikis as Alan Mulally isn't funny, but hearing about quality issues on the upcoming Ford Fiesta and a Cadillac XLR-V is a bit ol' and busted if you ask us. Now quality issues on a Chrysler 300C? That's comedic genius. But hackneyed and tired jokes aside, we were more concerned with further evidence the automakers have done the world's worst job of getting their message out.


For example, when we heard Casey Wilson as NY Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Clueless) explaining to the auto chiefs Congress mandated 200 MPG cars and in doing so they've "done their part." The joke on cluelessly ineffective CAFE over-reaching was met with absolute silence. Contrast that with a moment later when Hammond, as Nardelli, responds to the question "What is Chrysler doing to make more fuel efficient cars?" with "I don't know." The joke's greeted with massive laughter. Here's a tip for GM, Ford and Chrysler — when you become a bigger punchline than Congress, you know you've done a piss-poor job at message management. Just sayin'... [SNL via Crooks and Liars]



Related posts:



Related posts:



Read More!

What Car Are You Waiting to Buy Used?


And at what price? I’m waiting for Magnum R/Ts to dip under $10k…



Related posts:



Related posts:



Read More!

Audi kills plans for Q5 hybrid

Filed under: , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Audi Q5

A few short months after announcing that it would be killing off the Q7 hybrid SUV, Audi has decided that its smaller brother, the Q5, doesn't really need the fuel-saving option either. The German automaker cites the safety of its nickel metal hydride battery packs, but we're not completely sold on that being the real concern, especially considering the hundreds of thousands of Toyota Prius hybrids (among others, of course) already roaming the world's busiest highways with nary a problem. If not safety, then why cancel the project? Pricing is likely the biggest factor holding Audi's hybrids back, along with Audi's large investment in turbo diesels and the growing use of lightweight materials in its line, especially the use of aluminum in its chassis structures. Adding the cost of hybrid technology to these already expensive programs may seem cost prohibitive. Oh yeah, and gas is getting cheap again.


[Source: Autocar]

Audi kills plans for Q5 hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read |  |  | 


Related posts:



Related posts:



Read More!

Jalopnik Invades The Guangzhou International Auto Show [Guangzhou International Auto Show]

Though we've given you a week of in-depth LA Auto Show coverage we couldn't just let a major auto show pass without keeping you, our treasured readership, up-to-date with the latest news. That's why we've all jumped on the company jet and charted a course for the Guangzhou International Auto Show, which is where we're reporting from now. You might be thinking to yourself "it's 2 am in China, how could they possibly be putting on a show?" or "didn't that already happen this week?" or "how could you have possibly gotten Gawker to charter a private jet and send you all the way to China to cover a show that isn't even the biggest auto show in China?" All we can say to that is "shhhhhhhhh." Don't worry your pretty little head about the details. Just sit back and enjoy the ride by following the Guangzhou International Auto Show tag.



Related posts:



Related posts:



Read More!

Ultra Light Electric Roadster from Evisol brings ThoRR to the Streets

…But a rather quiet “God of Thunder” ThoRR has become (comic book reference… could not resist).

EvisolThoRR-3.jpg picture by willfusion

Evisol is yet another Scandinavian company that is looking to provide EV solutions to the growing problem of global high fuel costs. Unlike like the Norwegian company TH!NK that is bringing cost effective budget rides to North America this Fall, the Netherlands based Evisol is dishing out a bit more wind-in-the-face fun with their all electric ThoRR roadster.

Inspired in design by the Lotus 7 roadster chassis the ThoRR roadster is what a primitive roadster is all about, except it derives its motive power from electric motors fueled by lithium batteries and not V8 engines fed on gasoline. The electric powered motors give the ThoRR a rather ominous, erie quiet as it propels down the road (as evidenced in the video that follows).

We use the term primitive because the ThoRR roadster does not have any of the refined attributes of cars today. The concept behind the ThoRR roadster is simplicity, but it is best described on the website itself:   “This concept stands for high performance through simplicity and light weight. Because of the absence of ABS, power assisted braking, power assisted steering, any form of sound absorption, even a roof and a windshield, only the basics of a car remain.” [ThoRR.eu]

That simplicity holds true when you look at the weight of the car and its maximum power output. (more…)



Related posts:



Related posts:



Read More!

What Old People Do For Fun

I can just picture my Mom and Dad pulling this prank on some back country road in Wyoming. And it would probably work too.



Related posts:



Related posts:



Read More!

Proton to drop Lotus, dozens inquiring about sale

It seems like Malaysian company Proton has no problems dropping Lotus like a bad habit. Reportedly the company has been having some serious inquires to purchase the British sports car...



Related posts:



Related posts:



Read More!

New York 2008 Preview: Suzuki Concept Kizashi 3 Debuts

suzuki_kizashi_concept_3.jpg
Suzuki has announced today that the automaker is going to unveil the Concept Kizashi 3 at the New York Auto Show later this month.



Related posts:



Related posts:



Read More!

2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible Revealed [2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible]

The 2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible will add the style of a hard top convertible to the venerable G-Series line. The new drop-top Infiniti is essentially an Infiniti G37 coupe with a folding lid, meaning that it'll get the same powerful 3.7-liter V6, good for 325 HP. In S trim the G37 will also get the same sport tuned steering and larger brakes. Both models have the choice of either a six-speed manual transmission or a paddle-controlled 7-speed gearbox. We like the looks of the regular G37 and the convertible is just as sharp. If the regular G37 convertible isn't special enough for you, 200 "premier editions" will be sold through the Bloomingdale's Holiday Catalog and features a few minor visual tweaks. Either way, we like it at least 3,000 times more than the Lexus SC430. Full details in the press release below.



Check out more on the Infiniti G37 Convertible from CarandDriver.com

ALL-NEW 2009 INFINITI G CONVERTIBLE MAKES ITS
WORLD DEBUT AT THE LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW

First-ever Infiniti G Convertible Set For Spring 2009 Launch in North America
LOS ANGELES (Nov. 19, 2008) – Infiniti today unveiled the latest expression of its “Inspired Performance,” the all-new 2009 Infiniti G Convertible, at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show. The first-ever Infiniti G Convertible builds upon the performance legacy of the Infiniti G line, with the liberation only a convertible with the top down can provide. It is scheduled to go on sale at Infiniti dealers in North America in the spring of 2009, followed later in other Infiniti markets around the world.

“Designed to rejuvenate the spirit, the G Convertible adds an open-air soundtrack to the G’s legendary driving exhilaration,” said Brian Carolin, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing, speaking before automotive media at the vehicle’s world debut. “This new G has dual beauty – it looks as good with the top up or down – along with a beautiful, leather-appointed interior that is meant to be experienced wide-open.”

The new G Convertible offers a three-piece folding steel top and a special convertible-focused interior, which features a unique Bose® Open Air Sound System that dynamically changes equalization based on outside noise, vehicle speed, and top position, and an adaptive climate control system that adjusts fan speed in accordance to top position and vehicle speed.

Every 2009 G Convertible comes equipped with an advanced 3.7-liter V6 rated at 325 horsepower. The engine is backed by a choice of an electronically controlled 7-speed automatic transmission with available magnesium paddle shifters or a responsive close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission.

Technology features include standard RearView Monitor and an available touch-screen Infiniti Navigation system with XM NavTraffic® Real-Time Traffic information with 9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive, Pre-Crash Seat Belts, Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) with Preview Braking and Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS).

The G Convertible is offered in two models: the G37 Convertible and the G37S Convertible Sport 6MT, which adds sport-tuned steering and larger sport brakes, along with 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and W-rated performance tires.

Also available is a special, limited production G Convertible Premier Edition, offered exclusively through the Bloomingdale’s Holiday Catalog. With only 200 being built, the Premier Edition features a custom Monaco Red Leather leather-appointed interior, handcrafted red-tone Maple Wood trim, Midnight Black front grille and 9-spoke 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and tires. Pre-orders for the Premier Edition are being taken now for delivery in 2009.

The Infiniti display at the Los Angeles Auto Show also showcases the complete line of 2009 Infiniti vehicles, including the all-new Infiniti G37x Coupe with intelligent all-wheel drive, the new G37 Sedan with a 328-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 and a new, more powerful M35 rear-wheel drive sedan.

[Source: Infiniti]



Related posts:



Related posts:



Read More!

Hyundai HED-5 i-Mode Concept Green-Lit For Production And America [Hyundai HED-5]

Hyundai debuted their efficient Hyundai HED-5 "i-Mode" concept today at the LA Auto Show, a clear sign the Korean automaker is hoping to get in on the green trend in time for gas prices to shoot up again. The HED-5 has been green-lit for American distribution at an uncertain future date. When it does arrive it will feature Hyundai's lightweight 2.0-liter Theta turbocharged, direct-injection four-cylinder engine. The 2.0T Theta, similar to the Theta engine found in the upcoming Hyundai Genesis Coupe, will be capable of 286 HP with highway mileage in excess of 30 miles-per-gallon. This new crossover was highly influenced by the Hyundai I-Blue concept, which debuted earlier this year. Details from Hyundai in the press release below.

OTHER ASPECTS OF HYUNDAI BLUE DRIVE – WEIGHT EFFICIENCY, TURBO GDI, OPTIMIZED BLUE MODELS, AND FUEL CELL ELECTRIC VEHICLES

HED-5 i-Mode Concept Vehicle
At the Geneva International Motor Show, Hyundai introduced the revolutionary HED-5 “i-Mode” concept car. Today, Hyundai Motor America is announcing that a production version of this compact, spacious, weight-efficient four-cylinder crossover has been green lighted for the U.S., with timing to be announced at a later date.
Turbocharged Gasoline Direct Injection Technology
The HED-5 concept was shown with an advanced 2.0-liter Theta turbocharged gasoline direct injection (GDI) four-cylinder engine capable of developing as much as 286 horsepower, and delivering more than 30 highway miles per gallon. This engine will appear in various Hyundai models in the future.
By injecting the fuel directly inside the cylinder in a small, precise amount, combustion is improved resulting in higher fuel efficiency and lower exhaust emissions. The performance and response of the engine also improves thanks to intake charge cooling. When direct injection is combined with turbo charging, customers enjoy even better performance and fewer trips to the gas station. Four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline direction injection engines can be 15 – 20 percent more fuel efficient than V6 engines without compromising performance.



Related posts:



Related posts:



Read More!

Video of the Week: Gixxer Kart Versus Hayabusa


We’re on a bit of a go-kart kick today as we spent yesterday reviving and thrashing a Craigslist find 5hp kart for a family member. That little devil was a hoot to terrorize the neighborhood with and frankly, we’re now trolling seriously for either a kart chassis or mini-bike chassis to plunk the 8hp motor we have in our basement onto. That would give us a fun toy, not an insane death machine like the dudes in this video. A 750cc Suzuki GSX-R motorcycle engine on a go-kart chassis is crazy beyond our league.

Sure, right now you’re saying, “I’d drive it!” That’s all well and good but stuff happens toute quick on a normal racing kart. Not much warning when the ends feel like swapping. You’re “I’d drive it!” sentiment may be replaced with an, “Oh fiddlesticks!” When your tukus is careening backwards toward the guard rail or the woods. This thing and these guys are nuts. We love ‘em and we’d be keen to check it out in person. Just not in the drivers’ seat. A man’s got to know his limitations.



Related posts:



Related posts:



Read More!