Ford Launching Electric Transit Connect in 2010
February 9, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
The first product in Ford’s new electric vehicle plan will be a battery electric-powered version of the Transit Connect commercial vehicle. Ford is collaborating with Smith Electric Vehicles to bring the electric Transit Connect to market in North America in 2010. Read more
Electric Scooter Conversion
January 23, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
When we talked about the engine in the beautiful Wooden Vespa scooter featured in the previous post, we talked about idea of a kit to convert them from buzzy little wasps-in-a-can to swishy electraglideness.
Wouldn’t that be a great way to salvage a perfectly good vehicles that could otherwise offer reasonable transportation solutions.
It turns out that there’s already at least one company that’s doing just that with a conversion kit. Included in the parts bin are a new swingarm, electric hub-motor, 300 Amp Alltrax controller kit and a new rear brake cylinder. The motor provides 3000 watts of power on 60 volts, allowing for speeds of over 35 miles per hour. Read more
Peugeot to Launch All-Wheel Drive Hybrid Crossover
January 15, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Peugeot Introduces the 3008 Crossover; which will be their test platform for HYbrid4 Technology in 2011.
The 3008 Crossover will be the platform for the first production car with the HYmotion4 all-wheel drive technology, as unveiled on the Prologue HYbrid4 concept car at the Paris Motor Show in 2008.
The Prologue HYbrid4 concept and the production 3008 are front-engined. The HYmotion4 technology uses a “through-the-road” design to provide hybrid all-wheel drive. The motor is mounted in either the rear or front of the vehicle, which then dictates if vehicle is front- or rear-engined. Read more
Gorgeous Electric Car Unveiled by Cadillac at Detroit Show
January 11, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
The Voltec-equipped, extended range electric Cadillac Converj Concept has been unveiled at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.
Based on the Chevy Volt’s “Voltec” drivetrain, which used to be called E-Flex, the coupe is drop-dead gorgeous. Bob Lutz told the press conference that the car was designed to be aesthetically pleasing on its own, while being instantly recognizable as Cadillac. Lutz referred to the Converj as the “Cadillac of Electric Vehicles” well yes, and it could well bring Cadillac to the top of the luxury electric car heap. Read more
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
Audi Announces All Electric City Car
October 8, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
Image Credit - Volkswagen
Audi has said that it plans to launch a small electric city car, which will be based on the VW Up! concept (artists rendering above).
Audi management board member, Peter Schwarzenbauer, speaking at last weeks Paris Motor Show, said, “we will offer a pure electric car.” He also said that the electric Audi “will not be based on the A1,” the firm’s entry into the premium supermini class. Read more
