2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid Arrives in Canada
January 7, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
The entire Fusion line-up is overhauled for 2010, with new styling, better-quality materials, and new and more fuel-efficient engines, six-speed automatic transmissions, and a Sport model with a 3.5-litre V6 under the hood. But the big news is the Fusion Hybrid, which company officials said will be the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan on the market when it reaches showrooms in Canada.
It uses a version of the new system found in the Escape Hybrid, and is now entirely Ford’s technology (save for a battery purchased from Sanyo), with over 100 patents pending on the Fusion’s system alone. It uses a 2.5-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine with Atkinson cycle; the cycle produces better fuel efficiency, while the resulting power loss is compensated by the hybrid system’s electric motor. The nickel metal hydride (NiMH) storage battery is 23 per cent lighter than that in Ford’s original hybrid system, while providing 28 per cent more power. The system produces 155 horsepower and 136 lb-ft of torque. Read more
Hybrid Sales Drop 42.7% in December
January 6, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Reported sales of hybrids in the US dropped 42.7% in December 2008 year-on-year to 17,698 units—the lowest December figure since 2004, when there were only four hybrid models on the market. Overall light-duty vehicle sales in the US dropped 35.5% in the month. For the full year, total reported hybrid sales dropped 10% to 313,781 units, while total light duty vehicle sales were down 18%.
The hybrid percentage share of new vehicles sold dropped to just below 2% (1.97%) in December. For the year, hybrids held a 2.4% share of the new vehicle market. Read more
2010 Toyota Prius Hybrid Teaser Video
January 5, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
The next-generation Prius hybrid is scheduled to make its world debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January, however new images of the car, plus this latest teaser video, showing up-close details of the interior and exterior of the new hybrid from Toyota.
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X6 Hybrid Release Pushed Forward to Summer of 2009
January 5, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
The X6 ActiveHybrid has since been spotted testing in prototype form on both sides of the Atlantic and the latest spy images reveal a near-production ready version of the upcoming model. Now new details have emerged on the release date, which appears to have been moved up to mid-2009.
The X6 ActiveHybrid’s release was originally slated for 2010, but a new report from Automobilwoche reveals that BMW is now planning to release the vehicle for sale in mid-2009. Pricing information is still unknown, but expect it to be more expensive than the standard X6, which starts at $66,200 for the V8-powered xDrive50i. Read more
$4B in Bridge Loans Given to GM and Chrysler
January 5, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
GM and Chrysler have each received $4 billion in federal bridge loans.
GM received its first tranche of $4 billion from the Federal Government on 31 December. Chrysler received its $4 billion on 2 January. Read more
Electric Porsche 911 Faster 0-60 than Regular 911
January 4, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
A Florida based company is specialising in converting Porsches to electric power with very little loss in performance, any varying ranges depending on the weight of batteries you are willing to put up with. The company also specializes in making their electric Porsche’s resemble other cars, such as Lamborghini’s and even iconic Porsche racing cars, such as the 962 with over 2,600lb-ft (3,500Nm) of torque.
The company is EvPorsche, and it hopes to compete against companies like Tesla that are already producing their own electric sports cars, as well as Lotus, which is developing one. Read more
Stop-Start Tata Nano is Very Cheap
January 4, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Tata is said to be working on a more eco-friendly version of the Nano microcar that will feature stop/start technology and is referring to the machine as a micro hybrid. Stretching the term ‘hybrid’ aside, the technology from Bosch is expected to reduce fuel consumption and improve emissions by up to to 10 percent for an extra few hundred dollars.
A few hundred may not sound like much but it will be a significant increase to the $2,500 price tag, and Tata is worried that the new micro hybrid drivetrain will add too much cost to the car. Tata is also expected to launch diesel and electric versions of the Nano.
Is Tesla Slashing Roadster Price to $60,000?
January 4, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
According to the UK’s Times online Tesla is slashing the Roadster price to only $60,000! Here is that point from the original article:
The company is ramping up production of its 125mph Lotus Elise-inspired Roadster while slashing the price to $60,000 (£41,000).
If true, this is a pretty spectacular drop in price and is sure to send shockwaves around the electric car industry.
I think it’s more likely that Elon Musk was referring to the Model S and was mis-quoted.
Electric Sports Car Planned by Lotus
January 2, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Lotus, the sports-car manufacturer, plans to enter the burgeoning field of battery-powered cars with a high-performance electric vehicle.
Lotus may show a Volt-like car, with a fuel-based “range extender” to back up its battery, in concept form at the Geneva motor show in March. The car’s range extender would allow it to drive 300 to 400 miles on a single tank of petrol, Mr Kimberley, Lotus CEO said. It “will become one of the showcases for the world of what you can do with electric vehicle technology”. Read more
Japanese Convenience Store to Provide Electric Cars for Customers
January 2, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Japanese convenience store chain operator Lawson Inc. plans to add 150 Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric vehicles to its fleet in the summer of 2009. The company intends to add as many as 1,600 i-MiEVs eventually, according to the report in the Nikkei.
Before the full-scale introduction in the summer, the company plans to begin using a single i-MiEV in the Tokyo metropolitan area on January 12 to evaluate its ease of use and effectiveness in reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Read more
