Archive for ‘hybrid’

Cadillac XTS full-size luxury concept at NAIAS

Cadillac unveiled the XTS Platinum Concept at the 2010 North American International Auto Show, suggesting a new paradigm for the luxury sedan of the future. The concept showcases Cadillac’s emerging top-of-the-line Platinum series of models, emphasizing new expressions of luxury and technological features, including a plug-in hybrid propulsion system. Continue reading »

Volkswagen Jetta Coupe concept at NAIAS

For Volkswagen this marks the beginning of an action-packed year, in which more new models will be introduced than ever before in the company’s history. Number 1 on the spectacular list of new products for calendar year 2010 is an entirely new design, a coupe with a hybrid drive that is extremely fast and yet futuristic in its fuel economy. Positioned between Europe’s bestselling sports car, the Scirocco, and the internationally successful CC, its name is the New Compact Coupe. Site of its world premiere is in Detroit, at the North American International Auto Show. Continue reading »

2011 Honda CR-Z hybrid debuts at NAIAS

The all-new 2011 Honda CR-Z sport hybrid coupe has made its U.S. production debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Continue reading »

2011 Honda CR-Z brochure leaked

The Honda CR-X of the 1980s was a Civic-based hatchback-liftback-coupe combo that catapulted Honda’s status among the sport-compact crowd, even if it was rather humble on the spec sheet. Honda has already announced the revival of the car as the CR-Z hybrid, with a concept version already shown at recent auto shows. The brochure for the production version has been leaked. Continue reading »

Ford Fusion Hybrid sales going strong

Ford Motor Company’s hybrid vehicle sales have risen 73% this year in sharp contrast to a 14% decline in hybrid sales across the industry. The fuel economy and durability of hybrid versions of Ford Fusion and Escape, Mercury Milan and Mariner also are winning over large numbers of conquest customers, many of whom are previous import owners. Through September, Ford has sold 26,016 hybrid vehicles, up 73% versus the same period in 2008, according to figures from Autodata Inc. Continue reading »

2010 Toyota Prius body kit by Tommy Kaira

Without tuning anything on the powertrain of the 2010 Toyota Prius, Japanese tuning firm Tommi Kaira has unveiled its dressed-up version of the third-generation iconic hybrid. Continue reading »

BMW Vision EfficientDynamics diesel hybrid concept

The BMW Vision concept car is the latest in a string of “EfficientDynamics” ideas by the German automaker. Conceived as a 2+2-seater with plug-in full-hybrid technology, this concept car combines the performance of a BMW M vehicle with a standard of fuel efficiency and emission management that exceeds even the current levels achieved by the latest small cars. This result is made possible by the combination of BMW ActiveHybrid components with an economical combustion engine and good aerodynamic qualities. Continue reading »

Peugeot RCZ to debut at Frankfurt Motor Show

Two years after displaying the 308 RCZ concept car at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, Peugeot will present the production Peugeot RCZ coupé at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. Also debuting alongside the RCZ are the RCZ hybrid concept, the 3008 hybrid concept, the all-new 5008 minivan, and low-emission versions of existing models, namely the 207 ‘99g’, 107 ‘106g’, 308 ‘120g’, 407 ‘129g’ and 3008 ‘130g.’ Continue reading »

Honda Insight and Toyota Prius IIHS crash tests

The U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety have crash-tested the new Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight, and both have earned the group’s coveted “Top Safety Pick” award. That means each of the vehicles managed to score the agency’s highest rating of good in front, side, and rear tests and are equipped with electronic stability control, standard on the Prius and optional on the Insight. Continue reading »

2010 BMW 7-Series ActiveHybrid debuts

BMW has debuted the production hybrid version of the BMW 7-Series. To be shown at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show in September, the 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid 7, as well as the 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6, will go on sale in early 2010. Continue reading »

Saturn Vue becomes Buick plug-in hybrid crossover

The mid-size Vue crossover will become a Buick in 2011, and a plug-in hybrid will be part of the program. The Two-mode hybrid system that was originally scheduled to launch in the Vue last November will be installed in the Buick-badged version along with an 8 kWh lithium ion battery pack. The pack will use the same LG Chem cells going into the Volt and, as originally planned, the PHEV will be paired with the direct injected 3.6L V6. Continue reading at ModernOffroader.com »

Toyota Highlander fuel-cell hybrid gets 431-mile range

Toyota has announced the results of a recent collaborative fuel cell hybrid vehicle range and fuel economy field evaluation. The Toyota Highlander Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle – Advanced (FCHV-adv) achieved an estimated range of 431 miles on a single full tank of compressed hydrogen gas, and an average fuel economy of 68.3 miles/kg (approximate mpg equivalent) during a day-long trip down the southern California coast. Continue reading at ModernOffroader.com »

Velozzi SOLO plug-in hybrid EV announced

A new company called Velozzi has released the first image of its future “green” crossover model. Dubbed the SOLO, it is designed to be “the most environmentally efficient, lightweight, luxurious, and attractive car of today.” The plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle aims to reach production by 2012. Continue reading at ModernOffroader.com »

2010 Lexus HS 250h hybrid U.S. prices released

Lexus today announced the U.S. pricing for their new Prius-based HS 250h hybrid, which has the best combined EPA mpg rating of any luxury-branded vehicle in the United States. Continue reading »

Kia Forte LPI Hybrid debuts in home market

Kia Motors unveiled its first commercialized hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), the Forte Liquid Petroleum Injection (LPI) Hybrid in South Korea. Continue reading »

McLaren planning hybrid supercars

A rejuvenated McLaren Automotive is apparently planning to integrate hybrid technology on its future supercars. Continue reading »

Hyundai Elantra Hybrid LPI Avante in Korea

Korean automaker Hyundai is now open to pre-launch orders for its Elantra LPI Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV). The HEV is their first hybrid vehicle for consumers. Continue reading »

Plug-in Toyota Prius conversion by PICC

Plug In Conversions Corporation, better known as PICC, has completed a software upgrade to its plug-in conversion kit that will now allow all-electric mode driving at speeds of up to 70 mph in their converted Prius offering. Continue reading »

Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid coming by 2010

Toyota’s 3rd-generation Prius, already a huge hit in Japan, is enough for the company to ramp up production of the hybrid to pre-recession levels. Now the automaker plans to lease a plug-in version to corporate and municipal customers in Japan by the end of 2009. Continue reading »

Ford Fusion Hybrid holds record for most patents

A patent analyst firm called The Patent Board found that Ford had the most number of significant technology patents, and most of them were implemented in the new 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Continue reading »

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