Electric Car Blogging

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, Green, Paris Motor Show, BMW

With the arrival of the BMW 7 Series ActiveHybrid, which will make its initial debut at the Paris Motor Show, both BMW and Mercedes-Benz are set to enter the luxury hybrid market that has so far only seen action in the form of the Lexus LS600h. Although BMW was one of the brands that helped develop the sophisticated Two-Mode hybrid system that’s currently being used in the full-size ‘utes from both GM and Chrysler, the Bavarian automaker has chosen instead to equip its 7 Series with the same mild hybrid architecture that it helped to develop and is used by cross-country rival Daimler. Like the S400 BlueHYBRID, a 120-volt lithium ion battery will be kept underhood along with a small helper motor that’s hooked up to the engine, in the case of the BMW, a twin-turbocharged, direct injected 4.4-liter V8. Expect well over 400-horsepower from the gas/electric combo along with combined fuel mileage in the low 20’s.

[Source: AutoblogGreen]

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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Paris Motor Show

Click above for hi-res gallery of the Pininfarina Sintesi

Italian carrozzeria Pininfarina and French battery manufacturer Bollore have been hard at work developing a new plug-in electric car to bring to market, and reports now indicate that their joint venture will be unveiled next week at the Paris motor show.

Rather than designing the vehicle - which could borrow some themes from the Sintesi concept unveiled this past March at the Geneva Motor Show - for an established automaker, as Pininfarina has done for decades, the new electric car will be sold under their own name. The source of power in the new green creation will be a bank of lithium metal polymer batteries, and is the result of a 150 million euro joint venture between the two firms. It is expected to become available in Europe, Japan and even here in the good old US of A by late 2010, starting with an initial run of 2000 vehicles. In 2011, that number is targeted to increase to 8000 units, 11,000 in 2012 and 15,000 in subsequent years. Those are some ambitious but reasonably staggered targets for the upstart initiative, and we’ll be on hand next week to bring you the latest from its unveiling.

[Source: Automotive News Europe - subs. req'd]

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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, Green, Videos, Chevrolet, GM

GM celebrated its 100th anniversary by unleashing the production 2011 Chevy Volt to the world. It was a great way to show that the General is working hard on innovative transportation to kick off its next 100 years, but we’re still two years and a month away from being able to actually buy a Volt. Until that time, we’re forced to gather intelligence as it becomes available without being able to get behind the wheel.

Thanks to the Volt-o-files over at GM-Volt.com, we now know what the Volt looks like when it’s traveling on the open road. The video after the jump shows the Volt strolling around GM’s closed course proving grounds in Milford, Michigan. The two-minute clip reveals very little of the Volt’s capabilities because it’s chugging along at a leisurely pace, and the Coldplay soundtrack hides the Volt’s audio, which should be limited to rolling tires and an electric motor. You do, however, get to see the Volt on the road, as well as some functional views of the Volt’s interior. Hey, we’ll take what we can get.

[Source: Autoblog Green]

Continue reading VIDEO: 2011 Chevy Volt being driven!

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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Trucks/Pickups, Green, Toyota

Despite the fact that its full-sized truck competitors from Ford, General Motors and Dodge will all offer new small-displacement diesel engines within the next year or so, Toyota has reportedly canceled plans for a similar powertrain for its Tundra. Instead of dumping money into the stalled full-size market, the automaker has reportedly contacted key suppliers for quotes on systems for its radical A-BAT concept truck from the Detroit Auto Show. Powertrain choices for the trucklet would include a traditional four-cylinder option along with a hybrid drivetrain, possibly sourced from the Camry hybrid. If it went into production, the A-BAT would join the lonely Ford Ranger in the small pickup market and would use a uni-body platform in lieu of a full frame, which is standard fare on most other trucks. Then again, it may never be given the green-light for production at all.

[Sources: PickupTrucks.com, Automotive News - sub. req'd]

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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green

• VIDEO: Production Chevy Volt on the road!
• Motor Trend jumps on the demand side of the fuel efficiency push
• Spy Shots: MINI EV may be making its debut at LA Auto Show
• Male enhancement gets downsized with Smart
• Chrysler to show new ER-EV to dealers over video conference next week
• Car and Driver: Hold off on that used Geo Metro purchase
• Paris Preview: Duracar Quicc DiVa to officially launch
• Got no gas? Use E85 to escape the hurricane
• GM product shuffle continues, U.S. to miss out on Orlando, might get Beat
• Harley-Davidson trike getting closer to production?
• Honolulu police going hybrid for six-month test
• Zap sells 7,000 worth of electric vehicles in August
• Hypo-miling redux: Toyota Prius vs Volkswagen Jetta TDI
• VIDEO: Jay Leno gets the Zero X in his garage

More headlines after the jump.

Continue reading AutoblogGreen for 09.22.08

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