BMW EfficientDynamics hybrid sports car

The BMW Group officially introduced the concept of environmentally clean sports car EfficientDynamics, which the public will be presented in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show. As stated in a press release, the car combines the dynamics of the "charged" version of the BMW M-and high fuel efficiency of hybrids.

A prototype of BMW EfficientDynamics in landing formula 2 +2 is built on an aluminum chassis and most of his body is created from a special polycarbonate glass, which automatically darken in bright sunlight. The car is equipped with a hybrid power plant consisting of a three-cylinder 163-strong turbodiesel capacity of 1.5 liters, which works in tandem with robotized transmission with dual-clutch, and two electric motors - one for each axis. This capacity is located in the front 80-strong motor, if necessary, can for 30 seconds to increase to 112 horsepower, or 10 seconds - up to 139 horsepower. The total capacity of the powerplant makes 356 horsepower and maximum torque of 800 Nm.


In these BMW, from zero to "hundreds" of a concept sports car can accelerate in 4.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 250 kilometers per hour, limited to that point electronics. Average fuel consumption of cars is equal to 3.76 liters per hundred kilometers, and the level of emissions CO2 - 99 grams per kilometer. Cruising prototype BMW EfficientDynamics when moving in pure electric is 50 kilometers, connecting the diesel increases to 690 kilometers.


As detailed in the company of BMW, the distribution of energy, time to connect motors and other components of the work of the power plant is calculated computer, which through the data with navigation systems, automatic stop and start the engine is able to "predict" situation on the road in front of the car. In accordance with this system prepares the necessary systems to work and accumulates and redistributes the energy to their work.

Charge lithium-polymer battery power pack from ordinary household outlet with 220 volts will take 2,5 hours, and at a voltage of 380 volts only 44 minutes. In addition, the car is equipped with a system of energy recovery during braking.

As previously reported, the serial version of the sports car BMW EfficientDynamics will be the end of 2012 and will be released a limited series.

BMW EfficientDynamics hybrid sports car

The BMW Group officially introduced the concept of environmentally clean sports car EfficientDynamics, which the public will be presented in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show. As stated in a press release, the car combines the dynamics of the "charged" version of the BMW M-and high fuel efficiency of hybrids.

A prototype of BMW EfficientDynamics in landing formula 2 +2 is built on an aluminum chassis and most of his body is created from a special polycarbonate glass, which automatically darken in bright sunlight. The car is equipped with a hybrid power plant consisting of a three-cylinder 163-strong turbodiesel capacity of 1.5 liters, which works in tandem with robotized transmission with dual-clutch, and two electric motors - one for each axis. This capacity is located in the front 80-strong motor, if necessary, can for 30 seconds to increase to 112 horsepower, or 10 seconds - up to 139 horsepower. The total capacity of the powerplant makes 356 horsepower and maximum torque of 800 Nm.


In these BMW, from zero to "hundreds" of a concept sports car can accelerate in 4.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 250 kilometers per hour, limited to that point electronics. Average fuel consumption of cars is equal to 3.76 liters per hundred kilometers, and the level of emissions CO2 - 99 grams per kilometer. Cruising prototype BMW EfficientDynamics when moving in pure electric is 50 kilometers, connecting the diesel increases to 690 kilometers.


As detailed in the company of BMW, the distribution of energy, time to connect motors and other components of the work of the power plant is calculated computer, which through the data with navigation systems, automatic stop and start the engine is able to "predict" situation on the road in front of the car. In accordance with this system prepares the necessary systems to work and accumulates and redistributes the energy to their work.

Charge lithium-polymer battery power pack from ordinary household outlet with 220 volts will take 2,5 hours, and at a voltage of 380 volts only 44 minutes. In addition, the car is equipped with a system of energy recovery during braking.

As previously reported, the serial version of the sports car BMW EfficientDynamics will be the end of 2012 and will be released a limited series.

Toyota New Lexus Hybrid (HS250h) Offers 6-Month Worth Orders

Toyota Motor Corp launched its first dedicated hybrid model under the premium Lexus brand on Tuesday, saying it had received orders worth six months of targeted sales in Japan.

The launch of the HS250h sedan marks the latest push by the world's biggest automaker to drive fuel-sipping hybrids into the mainstream as governments around the world tighten emissions and fuel economy regulations while offering consumers incentives to purchase less-polluting cars.

Toyota expects to sell an average 500 units a month in Japan of the HS250h, which does not have the unique design characteristics of instantly recognizable Prius hybrid, but like the Prius is only available as a gasoline-electric model.

"Thanks to the green-car tax and a hybrid boom fanned by the Prius in Japan, we've already gotten 3,000 orders," Senior Managing Director Toshio Furutani said at the launch.

The model will be sold in the United States and Canada from September, Toyota said. Until the end of 2009, Toyota plans to produce about 3,000 units a month.

Furutani said hybrids had become a major driver for the Lexus brand, which has struggled to sell in Japan since its domestic launch in 2005.

In the first six months of 2009, Lexus sales plunged 38 percent from the year-earlier period to 9,293 units. About 30 percent of those were a hybrid, a Toyota spokesman said.

The HS250h, powered by a 2.5-liter engine, starts at 3.95 million yen ($42,460) in Japan, making it the cheapest model in the Lexus line-up and eligible for a maximum 267,000 yen ($2,870) in "eco-car" tax breaks.

The HS250h has listed mileage in Japan of 23.0 km/liter, comparable to a Vitz subcompact.

HYBRID PRODUCTION IN EUROPE?

Toyota has a goal of selling at least 1 million hybrid vehicles a year within the next few years and has said it would offer the hybrid option on all of its models by around 2020.

Days after taking the helm at the company founded by his grandfather, President Akio Toyoda said last month that Toyota would shift its focus in the diesel-heavy European market to hybrid vehicles as part of a new effort to use its resources more selectively.

Japanese industry daily Nikkan Jidosha Shimbun said Toyota has decided to produce a gasoline-electric version of its Auris hatchback at its British factory around 2012, in what would mark its first locally produced hybrid car in Europe.

A spokeswoman said Toyota could not comment on future product plans.

The Auris, part of the popular Corolla series, was Toyota's third-best-selling model in Europe during the first five months of this year after the Yaris and Aygo subcompact models.

Toyota builds most of its hybrid vehicles in Japan, but also produces a small number of Prius cars in China and the Camry hybrid in Kentucky.

It is scheduled to begin production of the Camry hybrid in Thailand later this month, and in Australia next year. The Prius is also planned for production at a new Mississippi plant but has been delayed due to the economic crisis.

($1=93.02 Yen)

Toyota New Lexus Hybrid (HS250h) Offers 6-Month Worth Orders

Toyota Motor Corp launched its first dedicated hybrid model under the premium Lexus brand on Tuesday, saying it had received orders worth six months of targeted sales in Japan.

The launch of the HS250h sedan marks the latest push by the world's biggest automaker to drive fuel-sipping hybrids into the mainstream as governments around the world tighten emissions and fuel economy regulations while offering consumers incentives to purchase less-polluting cars.

Toyota expects to sell an average 500 units a month in Japan of the HS250h, which does not have the unique design characteristics of instantly recognizable Prius hybrid, but like the Prius is only available as a gasoline-electric model.

"Thanks to the green-car tax and a hybrid boom fanned by the Prius in Japan, we've already gotten 3,000 orders," Senior Managing Director Toshio Furutani said at the launch.

The model will be sold in the United States and Canada from September, Toyota said. Until the end of 2009, Toyota plans to produce about 3,000 units a month.

Furutani said hybrids had become a major driver for the Lexus brand, which has struggled to sell in Japan since its domestic launch in 2005.

In the first six months of 2009, Lexus sales plunged 38 percent from the year-earlier period to 9,293 units. About 30 percent of those were a hybrid, a Toyota spokesman said.

The HS250h, powered by a 2.5-liter engine, starts at 3.95 million yen ($42,460) in Japan, making it the cheapest model in the Lexus line-up and eligible for a maximum 267,000 yen ($2,870) in "eco-car" tax breaks.

The HS250h has listed mileage in Japan of 23.0 km/liter, comparable to a Vitz subcompact.

HYBRID PRODUCTION IN EUROPE?

Toyota has a goal of selling at least 1 million hybrid vehicles a year within the next few years and has said it would offer the hybrid option on all of its models by around 2020.

Days after taking the helm at the company founded by his grandfather, President Akio Toyoda said last month that Toyota would shift its focus in the diesel-heavy European market to hybrid vehicles as part of a new effort to use its resources more selectively.

Japanese industry daily Nikkan Jidosha Shimbun said Toyota has decided to produce a gasoline-electric version of its Auris hatchback at its British factory around 2012, in what would mark its first locally produced hybrid car in Europe.

A spokeswoman said Toyota could not comment on future product plans.

The Auris, part of the popular Corolla series, was Toyota's third-best-selling model in Europe during the first five months of this year after the Yaris and Aygo subcompact models.

Toyota builds most of its hybrid vehicles in Japan, but also produces a small number of Prius cars in China and the Camry hybrid in Kentucky.

It is scheduled to begin production of the Camry hybrid in Thailand later this month, and in Australia next year. The Prius is also planned for production at a new Mississippi plant but has been delayed due to the economic crisis.

($1=93.02 Yen)

2010 Mercedes GL 350 BlueTEC SUV Preview

Highlights of the 2010 model year facelift includes the addition of more fuel-efficient engines and slightly revised styling.

Mercedes Benz has some big plans for next week’s New York Auto Show, with no less than three world debuts planned, as well as the as the U.S. debuts of the 2010 model year E-Class Sedan and Coupe.

The three world debuts include the unveiling of the all-new E63 AMG performance saloon, the production version of 2007’s ML450 Hybrid concept and the 2010 model year facelift for the GL-Class SUV.


On display will be the renamed GL350 BlueTEC diesel and GL450 petrol model, both of which will feature a restyled grille, new bumpers, wheels and new lights with LED accents.

The GL350 BlueTEC replaces the current GL350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and is claimed to offer 20-30% better fuel economy than the comparable petrol model.

The seven-seat SUV also boasts an impressive cruising range – up to 600 miles at highway speeds.

The interior should also receive a number of trim and specification updates, including the addition of Mercedes’ Elegance and Avantgarde trim levels.

2010 Mercedes GL 350 BlueTEC SUV Preview

Highlights of the 2010 model year facelift includes the addition of more fuel-efficient engines and slightly revised styling.

Mercedes Benz has some big plans for next week’s New York Auto Show, with no less than three world debuts planned, as well as the as the U.S. debuts of the 2010 model year E-Class Sedan and Coupe.

The three world debuts include the unveiling of the all-new E63 AMG performance saloon, the production version of 2007’s ML450 Hybrid concept and the 2010 model year facelift for the GL-Class SUV.


On display will be the renamed GL350 BlueTEC diesel and GL450 petrol model, both of which will feature a restyled grille, new bumpers, wheels and new lights with LED accents.

The GL350 BlueTEC replaces the current GL350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and is claimed to offer 20-30% better fuel economy than the comparable petrol model.

The seven-seat SUV also boasts an impressive cruising range – up to 600 miles at highway speeds.

The interior should also receive a number of trim and specification updates, including the addition of Mercedes’ Elegance and Avantgarde trim levels.

2010 Chevrolet Volt Price Depend on Gas Price

Volt price will depend on gas price, GM says.

Although the conference call was supposed to be all about the progress on designing batteries for the Chevrolet Volt, the issue of the car's price loomed large in observer's minds.

With a potential asking price that's risen from an estimated $30,000 (U.S.) to a loftier $40,000 for the compact four-seater, Bob Kruse, executive director of the program, gave no specifics on its estimated MSRP, but said the price will depend in part on the cost of gas.

"We're not wishing for higher petroleum costs, but the economic viability of what we're doing only gets greater with higher fuel prices," he said. The plan to launch the car in November, 2010, is on schedule. "$1.50 gallon gas is not helping our business case."

The average price of regular gas in the United States was actually $1.96 a gallon earlier this week, according to American government figures.


GM is not sure what the price of the Volt will be, Kruse said, nor has the company established whether it will lease the battery separately from the vehicle itself, as Nissan plans to do with its all-electric vehicle, which is to go on limited sale next year.

"Part of the price will be dependent on fuel costs at the time, which will impact the value equation the Volt provides."

The focus of the update was on the progress of the lithium-ion battery design — as GM has said, once the battery is ready, the Volt will be ready.

It is the advanced battery technology that allows the Volt to promise up to 64 km (40 miles) of electric-only driving; the small internal combustion engine works only to recharge the batteries, instead of stranding the driver, as would have occurred with GM's ill-fated EV1 all-electric vehicle at the end of its range.









"As we've seen with computers, the technology has progressed to the point where they have morphed from large desktop models, down to the size of your Blackberry," said Denise Gray, director of battery systems engineering, while confirming that design work on generations two and three of the Voltec system is happening alongside the production Volt.

"We're looking for the same types of advancements (and cost reductions) in our electronics."

In a Q&A session afterwards with various media, one astute questioner asked at what temperature those promised 64 kilometres of electric-only driving were verified. Turns out, it was the figure achieved in the normal city cycle testing, said Kruse, which is done at 20 degrees Celsius.

So if your winter commute involves regular sub-zero starts and highway driving, the question isn't whether its electric range will decrease, but by how much?















GM was obviously very sensitive about the fact that the battery cells for the first-generation Volt will come from South Korea, courtesy of LG Chem, especially when it is receiving extra money from both state and federal U.S. governments to produce environmentally advanced vehicles in and around Detroit, on top of the federal bailout money it has and will receive to keep it afloat.

The first batch of pre-production prototypes will be produced later this summer, about 80 of them, soon after the world's largest auto battery facility will open near Detroit, said GM.

Overhyped Nano on sale in India

In yet another media-frenzy-generating launch event, Tata Motor officials confirmed that orders will begin being taken in April in India for the Nano, whose super-low starting price of around $2,900 has media outlets around the world breathlessly reporting on the debut of the "world's cheapest car."

Except it's not the world's cheapest car, it's the world's cheapest new car.

Option it up with various luxuries like a right-side rear view mirror, heating and air conditioning, and a cup holder, and that price moves to 172,360 Indian rupees, according to figures available at tatanano.com, or the equivalent of $4,152.

Still, offering any new vehicle at such a low price is a remarkable achievement, even if the lack of airbags and emissions controls would not allow the Nano as is to be sold in most developed markets, and certainly not in regulation-heavy North America.










"The Nano represents the spirit of breaking conventional barriers," said Tata Motors chairman Ratan Tata. "It will provide safe, affordable, four-wheel transportation to families who till now have not been able to own a car." Or at least a new car.

The Nano offers a 35-hp. two-cylinder engine, coupled to a four-speed manual transmission, with a top speed of 105 km/h, for a published estimate of 33 seconds for the small four-seat hatchback to reach 100 km/h.

Plans are in the works to sell an upgraded version of this car to parts of Europe by 2011, the company said; it would a larger 90-hp, three-cylinder engine, available five-speed automatic, dual airbags, ABS and stability control, with a target starting price still under $5,000 (U.S.).

"Driven mainly by the change in demand that we see elsewhere in the world, we suddenly felt we had a product that could be of considerable interest as a low-cost product in western Europe, eastern Europe, the U.K. and even the U.S.," Tata told Reuters at this week's event.










Women's Car of the Year award launched

Female automotive journalists are a relative rarity in this business, but a group of 10 women auto writers from around the world will launch the first Women's Car of the Year award.

The initial group includes two journalists from Canada, as well as India, South Africa, the U.K., Australia and Europe.

"Most awards are chosen by a huge majority of men who tend to view cars differently to women," said Sandy Myhre, the New Zealand-based journalist who initiated the award.

"This award reflects changing times when you consider that today women make the final decision in as much as 85 per cent of all cars sold," according to Myhre.

After noticing that the 2007 World Car of the Year award's 43-member jury of international auto journalists did not contain one woman, Myhre helped organize a Women's COTY program in New Zealand last year, an award which went to the Volkswagen Passat BlueMotion (diesel) wagon.

"Newton-metres [or lb-ft] of torque weren't even considered, but we did look at drivability and sexiness," for those awards, as well as its carbon footprint, family friendliness, value, and, "of course," the range of colours, said Myhre.
Infiniti M to become brand's first hybrid

Playing some serious catch-up to arch-rival Lexus, Infiniti plans to start selling its own hybrid designs in North America next year, starting with its mid-size M sedans, Japan's Nikkei business daily reports.


While the Altima now offers a hybrid option, the hybrid uses leased Toyota hybrid technology, while Nissan, Japan's third-largest auto maker, struggles to come out with its own hybrid designs to rival those of Toyota and Honda.



Other luxury players are starting to jump into the hybrid market as well, with BMW and Mercedes-Benz both planning hybrid SUVs for North America and Europe this year, as well as the Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHybrid that will compete with Lexus' top-line LS600hl.

2010 Chevrolet Volt Price Depend on Gas Price

Volt price will depend on gas price, GM says.

Although the conference call was supposed to be all about the progress on designing batteries for the Chevrolet Volt, the issue of the car's price loomed large in observer's minds.

With a potential asking price that's risen from an estimated $30,000 (U.S.) to a loftier $40,000 for the compact four-seater, Bob Kruse, executive director of the program, gave no specifics on its estimated MSRP, but said the price will depend in part on the cost of gas.

"We're not wishing for higher petroleum costs, but the economic viability of what we're doing only gets greater with higher fuel prices," he said. The plan to launch the car in November, 2010, is on schedule. "$1.50 gallon gas is not helping our business case."

The average price of regular gas in the United States was actually $1.96 a gallon earlier this week, according to American government figures.


GM is not sure what the price of the Volt will be, Kruse said, nor has the company established whether it will lease the battery separately from the vehicle itself, as Nissan plans to do with its all-electric vehicle, which is to go on limited sale next year.

"Part of the price will be dependent on fuel costs at the time, which will impact the value equation the Volt provides."

The focus of the update was on the progress of the lithium-ion battery design — as GM has said, once the battery is ready, the Volt will be ready.

It is the advanced battery technology that allows the Volt to promise up to 64 km (40 miles) of electric-only driving; the small internal combustion engine works only to recharge the batteries, instead of stranding the driver, as would have occurred with GM's ill-fated EV1 all-electric vehicle at the end of its range.









"As we've seen with computers, the technology has progressed to the point where they have morphed from large desktop models, down to the size of your Blackberry," said Denise Gray, director of battery systems engineering, while confirming that design work on generations two and three of the Voltec system is happening alongside the production Volt.

"We're looking for the same types of advancements (and cost reductions) in our electronics."

In a Q&A session afterwards with various media, one astute questioner asked at what temperature those promised 64 kilometres of electric-only driving were verified. Turns out, it was the figure achieved in the normal city cycle testing, said Kruse, which is done at 20 degrees Celsius.

So if your winter commute involves regular sub-zero starts and highway driving, the question isn't whether its electric range will decrease, but by how much?















GM was obviously very sensitive about the fact that the battery cells for the first-generation Volt will come from South Korea, courtesy of LG Chem, especially when it is receiving extra money from both state and federal U.S. governments to produce environmentally advanced vehicles in and around Detroit, on top of the federal bailout money it has and will receive to keep it afloat.

The first batch of pre-production prototypes will be produced later this summer, about 80 of them, soon after the world's largest auto battery facility will open near Detroit, said GM.

Overhyped Nano on sale in India

In yet another media-frenzy-generating launch event, Tata Motor officials confirmed that orders will begin being taken in April in India for the Nano, whose super-low starting price of around $2,900 has media outlets around the world breathlessly reporting on the debut of the "world's cheapest car."

Except it's not the world's cheapest car, it's the world's cheapest new car.

Option it up with various luxuries like a right-side rear view mirror, heating and air conditioning, and a cup holder, and that price moves to 172,360 Indian rupees, according to figures available at tatanano.com, or the equivalent of $4,152.

Still, offering any new vehicle at such a low price is a remarkable achievement, even if the lack of airbags and emissions controls would not allow the Nano as is to be sold in most developed markets, and certainly not in regulation-heavy North America.










"The Nano represents the spirit of breaking conventional barriers," said Tata Motors chairman Ratan Tata. "It will provide safe, affordable, four-wheel transportation to families who till now have not been able to own a car." Or at least a new car.

The Nano offers a 35-hp. two-cylinder engine, coupled to a four-speed manual transmission, with a top speed of 105 km/h, for a published estimate of 33 seconds for the small four-seat hatchback to reach 100 km/h.

Plans are in the works to sell an upgraded version of this car to parts of Europe by 2011, the company said; it would a larger 90-hp, three-cylinder engine, available five-speed automatic, dual airbags, ABS and stability control, with a target starting price still under $5,000 (U.S.).

"Driven mainly by the change in demand that we see elsewhere in the world, we suddenly felt we had a product that could be of considerable interest as a low-cost product in western Europe, eastern Europe, the U.K. and even the U.S.," Tata told Reuters at this week's event.










Women's Car of the Year award launched

Female automotive journalists are a relative rarity in this business, but a group of 10 women auto writers from around the world will launch the first Women's Car of the Year award.

The initial group includes two journalists from Canada, as well as India, South Africa, the U.K., Australia and Europe.

"Most awards are chosen by a huge majority of men who tend to view cars differently to women," said Sandy Myhre, the New Zealand-based journalist who initiated the award.

"This award reflects changing times when you consider that today women make the final decision in as much as 85 per cent of all cars sold," according to Myhre.

After noticing that the 2007 World Car of the Year award's 43-member jury of international auto journalists did not contain one woman, Myhre helped organize a Women's COTY program in New Zealand last year, an award which went to the Volkswagen Passat BlueMotion (diesel) wagon.

"Newton-metres [or lb-ft] of torque weren't even considered, but we did look at drivability and sexiness," for those awards, as well as its carbon footprint, family friendliness, value, and, "of course," the range of colours, said Myhre.
Infiniti M to become brand's first hybrid

Playing some serious catch-up to arch-rival Lexus, Infiniti plans to start selling its own hybrid designs in North America next year, starting with its mid-size M sedans, Japan's Nikkei business daily reports.


While the Altima now offers a hybrid option, the hybrid uses leased Toyota hybrid technology, while Nissan, Japan's third-largest auto maker, struggles to come out with its own hybrid designs to rival those of Toyota and Honda.



Other luxury players are starting to jump into the hybrid market as well, with BMW and Mercedes-Benz both planning hybrid SUVs for North America and Europe this year, as well as the Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHybrid that will compete with Lexus' top-line LS600hl.