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Archive for the ‘hybrid cars’ Category
Hybrid cars take a sales hit in August; drops 40% from last year’s numbers
September 7th, 2010 | Author: topspeed.com
The sample size isn’t big enough to cause worry across the board, but if the sales figures for hybrid cars this August are an indication of things to come, then the long thought of the hybrid invasion could be held off for the time being.
As a result of stable fuel prices recently – that’s a good thing, though – overall sales for hybrid vehicles nosedived by 40% in August compared to the same time frame a year ago with the segment’s undisputed heavyweight, the Toyota Prius, seeing its sales figures plummet 37.5% compared to its August 2009 figures. Even its month-by-month numbers took a dip by 16.3% from sales figures in July 2010.
While it’s easy to point out the steep drop in sales of hybrid cars in the past month as a sign of the times, it’s also worth pointing out that last year’s numbers shot off the charts mostly because of the US government implementing the Cash for Clunkers program, resulting in an unprecedented number of hybrids being scooped up by customers.
Ultimately, the slowing down of hybrid sales this summer is being attributed to the low prices at the pumps. Whether hybrids rebound or continue their downward turn is a matter based on how fuel prices perform in the next coming months, but there’s no doubt in anybody’s mind that all of us would strongly prefer stable – and cheap – fuel prices, even at the cost of declining sales for hybrid cars.
Hybrid cars take a sales hit in August; drops 40% from last year’s numbers originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 7 September 2010 23:00 EST.
Ferrari to unveil "green" California in Paris?
September 7th, 2010 | Author: topspeed.com
There are rumblings within the auto industry that Ferrari may have a surprise vehicle that the company is planning to unveil at the upcoming Paris Motor Show.
A report coming out of OmniAuto has suggested that a “green” Ferrari California could be headed to Paris to make its world debut. Nothing has been made official yet, but the word is that, contrary to the ‘green’ tag it’s being described in, the car isn’t being classified as a hybrid. The description used for this vehicle claims it to be something along the lines of a sports car that will come with a number of features similar to the Vettura Laboratorio HY-KERS concept that was unveiled earlier this year.
There’s no denying that a ‘green’ approach is something that Ferrari has long spurned on, but even Ferrari President Luca di Montezomolo has admitted that due to the implementation of stricter government standards, the Italian-based company is beginning to adhere to the new regulations by improving fuel efficiency by 30% while, at the same time, cutting down on emissions by 40%.
With these new regulation requirements on the back of everybody’s mind these days, the idea of seeing a “green” Ferrari out on the streets has turned from highly improbable to a distinct possibility.
Ferrari to unveil "green" California in Paris? originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 7 September 2010 12:00 EST.
Next Ferrari 612 Scaglietti confirmed; it will go hybrid
September 1st, 2010 | Author: topspeed.com
Ferrari boss, Luca di Montezemolo, already informed us all of Ferrari’s intentions to go hybrid with the next Enzo, 599, and Scaglietti back in June during an interview with British magazine, Auto Express. And while, at the time, details were a little sketchy on what type of combination engine the Scaglietti would receive, things can be seen a lot clearer today.
The successor for the current 612 Scaglietti will be unveiled in March 2011 at the Geneva Motor Show and will come with a twelve-cylinder front engine that delivers a total of 550 HP with a 100-HP electric motor at the rear. The result will be a fuel consumption reduction of 35%.
On the exterior, the next 612 will be heavily inspired by the 458 Italia and the Vettura Laboratorio HY-KERS. The sports car will get a strong front, curved hood, and wider wheelbase. The Vettura Laboratorio concept combined a V12 engine with an 100 HP electric engine and a dual-clutch 7-speed F1 transmission.
Sales will begin in the summer of 2011, and prices are expected to be in the 300,000 euro area.
Next Ferrari 612 Scaglietti confirmed; it will go hybrid originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 1 September 2010 16:00 EST.
Infiniti wants more hybrid models
August 25th, 2010 | Author: topspeed.com
The M35 Hybrid is not the only hybrid model Infiniti will offer to its customers. Automotive News reports that three months before unveiling its first hybrid vehicle at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Infiniti is already contemplating other models that could use the hybrid powertrain.
This hybrid powertrain is actually the first system made by Nissan themselves. Before anything can be said, there are hybrid Altimas in the States, but those powertrains are created by Toyota. Ben Poore, vice president of Infiniti promises that this new hybrid system will deliver “V-6 power at four-cylinder fuel economy levels” and Larry Dominque, Nissan North America’s vice president of product planning, claims that the new hybrid system was designed to fit all of Infiniti’s rear-wheel-drive models.
The M35 Hybrid is powered by a gas/electric power train system that combines a naturally aspirated 3.5 Liter V6 and an efficient electric motor. The electric motor acts as both a propulsion unit, boosting the V6 with a “power assist” mode when the pedal is pushed to the metal and also as a generator to power the vehicle’s accessories and improve the engine’s efficiency. It should be arriving in showrooms in the second quarter of 2011.
Infiniti wants more hybrid models originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 25 August 2010 10:00 EST.
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Video: Fisker Karma commercial
August 24th, 2010 | Author: topspeed.com
Who would have ever believed that hybrid cars could end up getting such cool commercials? We can tell you that, a few years ago, no one thought it would be possible. Yet, here we are, and we got a sweet commercial to show you from Fisker Automotive. This sexy and sultry commercial is the company’s way of saying that hybrid models can be fun to drive cars and this steamy commercial for the Karma plug-in hybrid sedan is “designed to get you hot!” At least this is what the commercial says!
The Fisker Karma is a plug-in hybrid that uses a lithium-ion battery pack to power two 200+ hp electric motors for about 50 miles. Once the juice runs out of the batteries, a GM-sourced 2.0-liter gas engine making 260 hp generates the electricity needed to power the sedan. Fisker says the Karma makes the 0 to 60 mph sprint in less than 6 seconds and can hit a top speed of more than 125 mph. The sedan is priced at $87,900.
Video: Fisker Karma commercial originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 24 August 2010 09:00 EST.
Video: Jay Leno gets introduced to the Porsche 918 Spyder
August 19th, 2010 | Author: topspeed.com
Sometimes, it’s not too hard to imagine what it must feel like to be walking in Jay Leno’s shoes. Don’t deny it; you’ve wondered the very same thing too.
Jay’s love for everything four wheels has been well-documented, and over the years our collective envy of the man has grown with each new sports car he takes for a spin. And the best part about being Jay Leno is that auto brands – from the start-up to the high-end – have all come knocking at his garage and bringing their new prized babies for the comedian to have a look at. Seriously, who wouldn’t want people from Ferrari or Porsche asking you how their car looks and performs?
In this episode of Jay Leno’s garage, no less than Michael Mauer, the head designer of Porsche, paid Leno a visit with the Porsche 918 Spyder Concept in tow. Leno and Mauer proceed to go about the musings of the Porsche hybrid sports car and while taking us on a mini tour around the car people fell in love with earlier this year. Trust us, it’s a video worth watching multiple times. And if you’re wondering, yes, Leno can probably afford one of these sports cars. As for the rest of us, well, the chances aren’t as peachy.
Video: Jay Leno gets introduced to the Porsche 918 Spyder originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 19 August 2010 12:00 EST.
Video: Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid makes driving debut
August 16th, 2010 | Author: topspeed.com
During this past weekend the Porsche 918 Spyder made its appearance at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. However, a few days before that the car made its driving debut on a closed road in Monterey California. Behind the wheel was Porsche AG Design Chief Michael Mauer.
The 918 Spyder is powered by a V8 engine delivering more than 500 hp and three electric motors with overall output of 218hp. The engine emits just 70 grams CO2 per kilometer and has a fuel consumption of just 3.0 liters/100 kilometers (94 mpg imp). Despite this, the car’s performances are impressive. The sprint from 0 to 60 mph is made in just under 3.2 seconds while top speed goes to 198 mph. The most impressive performance number for the Porsche would have to be its lap time on the Nordschleife of Nürburgring of less than 7:30 minutes. This is faster than even the Porsche Carrera GT.
Video: Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid makes driving debut originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 16 August 2010 11:00 EST.
Fresh new photos of the Porsche 918 Spyder
August 13th, 2010 | Author: topspeed.com
We may not have been able to attend the Pebble Beach Concours, but, thankfully, TeamSpeed was. And, not only did they attend, but they already have some pictures that are worth splattering all over the place; pictures of the Porsche 918 Spyder as it is shown off at a private Porsche event.
There’s no way Porsche can hold this car back from the production line. Well, okay, there is one way. It’s rumored that the prototype Spyder took five months and $20 million to build! That may be a small kink in Porsche’s plans that will hopefully be fixed.
The production 918 Spyder will feature a complete carbon fiber shell as did the concept, but will have an aluminum front end to comply with U.S. safety standards. On the inside, the Porsche already has a beautiful touchscreen center console and camera rear view mirrors.
The Porsche 918 Spyder is powered by a V8 engine delivering more than 500 hp and three electric motors with an overall output of 218hp. The engine emits just 70 grams CO2 per kilometer and has a fuel consumption of just 3.0 liters/100 kilometers (94 mpg imp). It can make the 0 to 60 mph sprint in just under 3.2 seconds while its top speed goes to 198 mph. The Spyder can also produce a lap time on the Nordschleife of Nürburgring seven minutes and 20 seconds, which is faster than even the Porsche Carrera GT.
Check out the photos for the Porsche 918 Spyder that are hot off the press!
Fresh new photos of the Porsche 918 Spyder originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 13 August 2010 17:00 EST.
Porsche celebrates 60 years at the 2010 Monterey Classic Car Weekend
August 6th, 2010 | Author: topspeed.com
Porsche, Porsche, Porsche. That’s all we have been hearing lately and we couldn’t be more excited about it. Some might consider Porsche’s trip down the hybrid lane as a bit of a betrayal against its sporting roots, but we see it as a natural progression that every automaker, no matter how sporting, will need to make eventually. And Porsche is very proud of their achievements as they will showcase their three rockin’ hybrids during the Monterey Peninsula Automotive Week from August 9-15th, 2010.
The Porsche 911 GT3 Hybrid, the Porsche Spyder concept, and the Porsche Cayenne Hybrid will all be on display sometime during the maniacal stream of events taking place during this automotive week. The Porsche 911 GT3 Hybrid will be on display at the Porsche Zentrum on August 12-15th, 2010. The Porsche Zentrum is a specially-built facility open to visitors and is located on the compounds of the Pebble Beach Lodge. The 911 GT3 Hybrid will also be on display at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on Saturday, August 14th with another appearance on Sunday, August 15th at the Pebble Beach Concours. The 911 will be joined at the Pebble Beach Concours by the Porsche Spyder Concept which will be the highlight of the weekend as it makes its first North American debut. However, the three hybrids will not be the only ones on display.
As part of Porsche’s 60 years in the automotive business, Porsche will be bringing a collection of its classic and contemporary models to be displayed throughout the week. The Quail Lodge will be the temporary home of a few rare Porsche models such as a 1955 and 1958 356 Speedster, a 1960 356 B Carrera, 2000 GS Carrera GT, and a 1962 356 Carrera 2 Cabrio. Newer Porsche models will also be on hand for consumer test drives during this beauty packed weekend.
Porsche celebrates 60 years at the 2010 Monterey Classic Car Weekend originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 6 August 2010 14:00 EST.
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Fortune Motorsports releases teaser of SEMA-bound 2011 Honda CR-Z
August 4th, 2010 | Author: topspeed.com
Check out the sexy lady lifting up her skirt to show some leg! The 2011 SEMA Auto Show in Las Vegas isn’t until November, but we’re already getting news on what cars are expected to make an appearance.
One of the first to book its ticket at the annual tuning show will be Fortune Motorsports who will bring a tuned-up Honda CR-Z Hybrid that they produced in collaboration with the people from the Tjin Edition Roadshow. In addition to that, Fortune Motorsports will also team up with a number of esteemed auto companies to work on the CR-Z Hybrid in time for its showing at SEMA in November. Among the brands that will take part in the building of the tuned-up hybrid hatchback include ADV.1 Wheels, Falken Tires, Air Lift, Status Racing, JD Motorsports, STACK, Trent’s Trick Upholstery, MagnaFlow, Webasto, Ignited HID’s, Shinzo Media, Light WurkZ, StreetGlow, Wraptivo, and Royal Purple.
What’s more, we’re even going to receive full documentation of the entire proceedings, which will be documented by Fortune Motorsports. So keep tuning in – no pun intended – on any further updates on this SEMA-bound Honda CR-Z Hybrid. If for nothing else, it should be interesting to see how Fortune Motorsports and all its partners will re-build the car from the ground up.
Fortune Motorsports releases teaser of SEMA-bound 2011 Honda CR-Z originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 4 August 2010 19:00 EST.
New details on the 2012 Porsche Panamera Hybrid
July 29th, 2010 | Author: topspeed.com
Not much is known about the 2012 Porsche Panamera Hybrid so any information we can get is fine by us. And seeing since the 25,000th Panamera just rolled off the Leipzig plant in Germany today, it’s nice to know that the Hybrid version is not getting forgotten. What we hear about the future hybrid is that it will share the same engine as the Cayenne S Hybrid. This means the green Panamera will be loaded with a 3.0L supercharged V6 engine that will produce 333hp. This will be combined with an electric motor that will develop 47hp. Together these two components will allow the Panamera Hybrid to deliver 380hp and 427lb.-ft. of torque at 1,000rpm. If fuel economy matches the Cayenne S Hybrid as well then the Panamera will be looking at 34.4mpg.
The price for the 2012 Porsche Panamera Hybrid is not yet known and, unfortunately, neither is the sales date, but we’ll get back with more information as soon as we uncover it.
New details on the 2012 Porsche Panamera Hybrid originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 29 July 2010 19:00 EST.
Porsche uses electric Boxsters to further hybrid research
July 26th, 2010 | Author: topspeed.com
Porsche is delving deeper into its electric research with the help of three electric models based off of the Porsche Boxster. Their goal is to combine greater efficiency with even lower fuel consumption and emissions to further development their hybrid concepts such as the 918 Spyder, the 911 GT3 R Hybrid, and the new Cayenne S Hybrid. The Cayenne is the first of these hybrid models to run on electric power alone.
Porsche hopes that by testing these three electric Boxsters, they will be able to receive further information on the electric drive components and battery systems for future all-electric vehicles including the Panamera S Hybrid which they hope will enter the market early next year. For right now, there are no production models in sight, but it won’t stay that way for long. Michael Macht, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Porsche AG, says, “We will definitely be offering an electric sports car in future. But such a concept only makes sense if it offers product qualities typical of a Porsche.”
So are more electric Porsches in our near future? Let us know what you think.
Hit the jump to see details on each of these electric vehicles in the press release.
Porsche uses electric Boxsters to further hybrid research originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 26 July 2010 20:00 EST.
Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid to compete at Petit Le Mans
July 21st, 2010 | Author: topspeed.com
Porsche announced today that the 911 GT3 R Hybrid will be at the ‘Petit Le Mans’ at Road Atlanta on October 2. The car will have to travel a distance of 1,000 miles or a maximum of ten hours to complete the race. The Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid will not be eligible for points, as hybrid technology is not yet included in the GT regulations.
“After the 911 GT3 R Hybrid’s fantastic performance at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, we are now eager to gain more experience with the hybrid technology on a variety of race tracks,” says Hartmut Kristen, Head of Porsche Motorsport. “At the same time, we would like to show fans and customers in our most important markets how our ‘race lab’ performs under racing conditions,” adds Kristen.
Porsche also plans to race the 911 GT3 R Hybrid on November 7th at the season final of the new Le Mans International Cup, the six hour race in Zhuhai, China.
The GT3 R is powered by a hybrid drive that combines a 480 HP 4.0 Liter flat six engine with two electric motors developing 60 kW each as well as an electrical flywheel power generator fitted in the cockpit next to the driver. This unit is used to deliver energy to the electric motors and is charged whenever the driver applies the brakes, with the two electric motors reversing their function on the front axle and acting themselves as generators when not providing four wheel drive traction.
Press release after the jump.
Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid to compete at Petit Le Mans originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 21 July 2010 20:00 EST.
Honda Updates Insight In Europe
July 19th, 2010 | Author: topspeed.com
The European Honda Insight is getting a makeover inside and out. Honda has announced that it will update the suspension and the interior trim of the hybrid. These minor changes come after it has been on sale for just 18 months.
Many have complained about the Insight’s poor handling and ride, so Honda will adjust the recoil rate of the springs, as well as the rear camber angles. The Japanese automaker says that these changes will help the ride quality of the hybrid hatchback.
Inside the car, the interior materials and color selections have been updated to give it a better feel and look. Some of the plastics have been changed and the seat trim colors have been updated. Having spent a week driving the Insight, we feel these changes are much needed.
There are new chrome accents around the air vents and the EX model will come with leather and a satnav system.
We hope to see these changes come to North America, but we have no official word yet.
Honda Updates Insight In Europe originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 19 July 2010 16:00 EST.
Citroen Survolt and Metropolis might go into production
July 15th, 2010 | Author: topspeed.com
After Citroen announced that the GTbyCitroen will not make it to production, the French company is now focusing on a production version for the Survolt and the Metropolis concepts. In an interview with AutoCar PSA design boss Jean-Pierre Ploué said: “We cannot afford to let the likes of Audi, Mercedes and BMW forge into Citroën’s heartland supermini territory without fighting back and pushing into theirs. Selling large luxury cars in Europe is not easy at the moment, but I believe Citroën has a great deal more to bring to the market.”
The Survolt is an electric sports car that sprints from 0 to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds and can hit a top speed of 162 mph.
The Citroen Metropolis is a big luxury sedan with a wheelbase bigger than both the Audi A8 or Mercedes S-Class. It is powered by a hybrid drivetrain that combines a 2.0-liter V6 engine with an output of 272bhp and 277lb ft and an electric motor that develops from 55bhp to 95bhp.
Saying that we are excited to see these two cars make it into production is kind of an understatement. Electric cars are the future and the fact that these two vehicles are super sleek and sexy is an absolute bonus.
Citroen Survolt and Metropolis might go into production originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 15 July 2010 23:00 EST.
Nissan thinking of alternative powertrains for future GT-R models
July 12th, 2010 | Author: topspeed.com
Could it be that a day would come where Godzilla will be shackled all in the name of fuel economy and efficiency? Well, if you’re to believe Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn and his commitment to bringing in electronic vehicles, then we shouldn’t be surprised at the prospect of seeing a Nissan GT-R outfitted with an alternative powertrain down the road.
Putting the shackles on a car like the Nissan GT-R isn’t exactly what we’d call good news, but given the precedent set by other car brands to build electric/hybrid variants of their supercars, then seeing a hybrid GT-R down the road doesn’t mean that the Japanese buzzsaw is losing its sting.
On the contrary, Kazutoshi Mizuno, the GT-R’s chief engineer, said that the only way for the GT-R to remain a relevant sports car is to adapt to the changing landscape of the industry as far as future emissions and fuel economy standards are concerned.
Nissan has yet to make a final decision on what powertrain will come in future versions of the GT-R, but you can definitely expect changes to be done soon. Not because Godzilla is losing some steam, but regulations may force it into changing its approach, even just a little.
Nissan thinking of alternative powertrains for future GT-R models originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 12 July 2010 11:00 EST.
Infiniti M hybrid aimed for double mileage
July 7th, 2010 | Author: topspeed.com
Infiniti’s new M35 Hybrid is about to go on sale and it seems that Nissan is pretty confident about their new hybrid system. The company expects the new model to deliver nearly double the mileage of the gasoline-engine version.
“Typically, carmakers say the fuel economy improvement on their cars using a ’strong’ or ’full’ hybrid system is roughly 30 percent, while for ’mild’ hybrids (like Honda’s), it’s 15 percent,” said Koichi Hayasaki, chief engineer of Nissan’s rear-wheel-drive hybrid system. “We’re aiming for an improvement of 60 to 90 percent,” meaning the future M hybrid will have the same fuel economy of a compact car.”
The M35 Hybrid is powered by a gas/electric power train system that combines a naturally aspirated 3.5 Liter V6 and an efficient electric motor. The electric motor acts as both a propulsion unit, boosting the V6 with a “power assist” mode when the pedal is pushed to the metal and also as a generator to power the vehicle’s accessories and improve the engine’s efficiency. However, the combination of electrically charged wound wires and powerful magnets is not the only item that charges the hybrid’s next generation Lithium ion battery pack, but it is also recharged by the luxury sedans deceleration and braking.
Infiniti M hybrid aimed for double mileage originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 7 July 2010 21:00 EST.
Toyota works on new sporty hybrids
July 7th, 2010 | Author: topspeed.com
Prius will not be the only hybrid model in Toyota’s line-up for very long. The company will use its petrol-electric hybrid system into a series a new model in an attempt to have a hybrid in every range by 2020. Considering the Toyota Prius was one of the first and one of the most popular hybrids to come out, we hope that Toyota will leave behind the ridiculous lie-ridden foul play they have been accompanied with lately to make some excellent hybrids.
The hybrid system to accompany this onslaught of vehicles includes a new 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle, four-cylinder engine that delivers 98 hp and a peak torque of 105 lbs-ft. The new system allows it to run on engine alone, battery alone, or a combination of both.
Gerald Killman said in an interview with AutoCar: “Our hybrid technology is adaptable. There is flexibility in the application of our hybrid system; we don’t want to develop a new one when we can give ours more character.”
The future plans also include a sporty hybrid that will compete with the Honda CR-Z. And this future model was previewed by the FT-CH concept unveiled at the Detroit show in January. The concept was a preview of Toyota’s stated strategy to offer a wider variety of conventional hybrid choices to its customers, as it begins to introduce plug-in hybrids (PHVs) and battery electrics (BEVs) in model year 2012, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCHVs) in 2015 in global markets.
Toyota works on new sporty hybrids originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 7 July 2010 20:00 EST.
