Unguzzle

Preview: Fisker to Debut Karma S "Sunset" Concept

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 09:48:08 -0600

We already know that Fisker will be unveiling the production version of its Karma sport sedan at the Detroit Auto Show, but now there's proof that another concept will be making its way to the Detroit stage: the Karma S, or Sunset. (Sources at AutoblogGreen say that while the S stands for Sunset, Karma S will be the official name.)

Fisker says that the Karma S will have similar architecture with the production Karma sedan and that the two cars will share the same powertrain. Aside from this little bit of information and a very cropped teaser shot, no other details were released about the Sunset, so we'll have to wait until its Detroit Show debut. Speculation suggests that this could be a coupe or convertible variant of the Karma sedan, since the vehicle seems to lack a B-pillar in this photo. As always, we'll keep you posted with more details once they arise.

+ AutoblogGreen: Fisker set to debut new Karma S "Sunset" concept in Detroit

Video: Blue Man Group And The 2010 Toyota Prius

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 08:34:09 -0600

The Detroit Auto Show is right around the corner, and in addition to its all-electric city car, Toyota will be unveiling the next-generation 2010 Prius. In this latest teaser video, the infamous Blue Man Group checks out the latest Prius, though we'll have to wait until next month to get up close and personal, ourselves.

+ YouTube: 2010 Toyota Prius

Take That, Camry! Ford Fusion Hybrid Rated At 41/36 MPG by EPA

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 09:39:06 -0600

Toyota must be in shambles. Not only have they just reported their first annual loss in ages, but the Ford Fusion Hybrid now bests the Camry Hybrid in fuel efficiency, making the Fusion America's most fuel-efficient mid-sized car.

EPA testing has shown that the Fusion Hybrid can achieve 41 miles per gallon in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, besting the Camry by 8 mpg and 2 mpg respectively. In fact, the Fusion gets 1 more mpg in the city than the smaller Honda Civic Hybrid. The Fusion Hybrid can travel over 700 miles on a single tank of gas and can travel up to 45 miles per hour solely on electric assist.

Click through the post for Ford's official press release.

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 23, 2008 – The all-new Ford Fusion Hybrid is now officially America’s most fuel efficient mid-size car with a certified 41 mpg rating in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, topping the Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway.

“The new Ford Fusion Hybrid not only significantly exceeds the competition but also embodies Ford’s 100 percent commitment to fuel efficiency leadership, quality, innovation and advanced technology,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “The Ford team set the bar high – to develop America’s most fuel efficient mid-size sedan – and that’s what they delivered.”

The 2010 Ford Fusion’s final fuel economy certification was completed this week at Ford’s testing laboratories in Allen Park, Mich., and the vehicle will carry an EPA label of 41 mpg for city driving and 36 mpg on the highway when it goes on sale this spring. The Fusion Hybrid, which beats even the much smaller Honda Civic hybrid by 1 mpg in city driving, can travel more than 700 miles on a single tank of gas.

To deliver the class leading fuel economy performance, Ford’s engineers spent the past three years developing in-house the vehicle’s next-generation hybrid propulsion system. It allows the Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrid to travel up to 47 miles per hour in pure electric mode, faster than the Toyota Camry and all other hybrids currently on the road. In addition, the system’s Advanced Intake Variable Cam Timing allows the Fusion and Milan hybrids to more seamlessly transition from gas to electric mode and vice-versa.

“The Fusion Hybrid’s ability to run at a much higher speed in electric mode allows drivers to maximize fuel efficiently in many driving situations,” said Praveen Cherian, Fusion Hybrid program leader. “For example, this would allow drivers to travel around their subdivision and parking areas in all-electric mode.”

Fusion’s advanced hybrid system features:

* Smaller, lighter nickel-metal hydride battery, which produces 20 percent more power than Ford’s previous hybrid system. The battery’s improved chemistry allows it to be run at a higher temperature and cooled using cabin air.
* New 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine (155 horsepower / 136 lb.-ft. of torque), which is mated to an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission.
* Enhanced electronic throttle control, which reduces airflow on shutdowns, reducing fueling needs on restarts.
* Smart climate control system, which monitors cabin temperature and only runs the gas engine as needed to heat the cabin. It also includes an electric air conditioning compressor to further minimize engine use.
* Regenerative brake system, which captures the energy normally lost through friction in braking and stores it. Nearly 94 percent energy recovery is achieved by delivering full regenerative braking, which means only 6 percent of braking is through traditional friction brakes

SmartGauge Teaches Eco-Driving
The new Fusion Hybrid literally teaches drivers how to make the most out of their vehicle, thanks to Ford’s SmartGauge with EcoGuide. SmartGauge is a unique instrument cluster that helps coach drivers on how to optimize the performance of their hybrid.

SmartGauge with EcoGuide features two, high-resolution, full-color liquid crystal display screens on either side of the vehicle’s speedometer. The screens can be configured to show different levels of driver information, including fuel and battery power levels, and average and instant miles-per-gallon.

When set in tutorial mode, the instrument panel “grows” leaves and vines on-screen to reward fuel-efficient driving. The more leaves and vines that appear, the more efficient the driving behavior is and the more fuel is being saved. In some recent tests, automotive journalists have reported exceeding 50 mpg with the Fusion Hybrid.

The Ford Fusion Hybrid also is distinct on the outside with Ford’s “road and leaf” badges on both sides and the rear, unique 17-inch, eight-spoke wheels, and a unique engine cover. On the inside, Fusion Hybrid features eco-friendly seat fabric made from post-industrial 100 percent recycled materials and a standard 110-volt power outlet.

Fusion Gasoline Model Also a Fuel Leader
In addition to the hybrid, Fusion will be offered with three fuel-efficient gasoline engines – the Duratec 2.5-liter I-4 and enhanced 3.0-liter flex-fuel V-6 and 3.5-liter V-6 Duratec engines. Fusions equipped with the 2.5-liter I-4 engine are expected to deliver at least 3 mpg better on the highway than the Honda Accord and 2 mpg better than the Toyota Camry. The new Fusion will be building off the strong quality reputation of the current model, which has gained important third-party accolades, and will offer class-exclusive features, including Ford SYNC™, SIRIUS® TravelLink™, BLIS™ (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross Traffic Alert and Sony-branded audio.

In addition to the Fusion, several other Ford vehicles are fuel-economy standouts on the road today. They include:

* The Ford Focus with 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and manual transmission delivers 35 mpg on the highway, 5 mpg better than the Toyota Corolla’s 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and 2 mpg better than the Honda Fit’s 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, both also with manual transmissions.
* The all-new 2009 Ford F-150 – which just recently was named Motor Trend magazine’s Truck of the Year – achieves 3 mpg more than the Toyota Tundra pickup on the highway and 1 mpg better in the city with its 4.6-liter V-8 engine, compared to Toyota’s 4.7-liter V-8. The F-150’s larger 5.4-liter V-8 achieves 2 mpg better on the highway than the Tundra’s larger engine.
* The 2009 Ford Escape with new 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine achieves 28 mpg on the highway, the same as Toyota’s RAV4 and 1 mpg better than the Honda CR-V, both with 4-cylinder engines, too.
* The Ford Expedition achieves 20 mpg on the highway, beating Toyota Sequoia’s 4.7-liter V-8 engine by 3 mpg and its 5.7-liter V-8 by 1 mpg.

Russia’s EMM Working on Marussia Hybrid Sports Car

Hardy Shen — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 09:40:51 -0600

Nikolai Fomenko, a noted Russian celebrity and racecar driver, has just launched his own sports car company called EMM.

The company's first project will be the rather stunning Marussia sports car, which features an environmentally friendly hybrid drivetrain. On top of that, Fomenko hopes that the company will produce a completely electric car, possibly something similar to the Tesla, later on. For now though, hybrid technology is a lot more viable.

Russian media is reporting that the car will have a 3.5-liter Nissan engine, possibly from the existing 350Z, churning out around 240 horsepower on the entry model, and 298 hp on the premium version. Though this power output may not seem very supercaresque, the car will also use its electric motor at the back to boost its power. Adding in a feather-light curb weight of about 2000 pounds means that the car should be able to hit 60 miles per hour in around 5 seconds.

Apart from its drivetrain, other details on the Marussia are scarce. There are details on the interior however, as the car will have a 4G Yota network, which uses WiMax technology and will be able to wirelessly transfer 10mbps of data to ensure high-speed internet access. The Marussia will also feature three LCD screens in the car, a Bluetooth telephone system, and three cameras. One of these cameras will monitor the car in a “black box” manner for insurance companies.

+ Motor Authority: Marussia sports car born out of Russia

2009 International Car Of The Year Nominees Announced

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:23:47 -0600

Each year, a jury of well-seasoned automotive personnel give out the International Car of the Year awards in a big ceremony to kick off the North American International Auto Show festivities. This year will be no different, and the final nominees have officially been announced. The Dodge Challenger, Ford Flex, and Nissan GT-R will do battle for the International Car of the Year title, while the Dodge Ram 1500, Ford F-150, and Subaru Forester duke it out for the International Truck of the Year honors.

In addition, the jury will be presenting their first-ever Earth, Wind & Power awards, showcasing cars that help to reduce global warming and promote a cleaner environment. For this new award, the BMW 335d, Volkswagen Jetta TDI, and Jetta SportWagen TDI are the nominees for Car of the Year, and the BMW X5 35d, Ford Escape Hybrid, and Mercedes-Benz ML320 Bluetec are in the runnings for Truck of the Year.

Which cars will reign supreme? We'll have to wait until the official awards ceremony set to take place on January 10 at Detroit's MGM Grand casino. In the meantime, click through the above gallery to see all of the nominees and stay tuned for the winners.

+ ICOTY

2008's Ten Most Fuel-Efficient Vehicles

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:56:56 -0600

If there was one positive factor about 2008's energy crisis, it's that it forced consumers to put more weight on fuel economy when making car-buying decisions. And while we may have moved away from $4-per-gallon gasoline, fuel efficiency still places high on the "must have" list for a lot of new car shoppers. Now that we know how easily these price hikes can happen, it's better to be safe than sorry, right?

We've seen major manufacturers expanding their ranges of hybrid offerings, and for the first time, clean diesels are starting to make their way onto American soil, proving that you don't have to sacrifice performance for the sake of fuel consumption. Scroll through the gallery above to see out list of the ten most fuel efficient cars for 2009.

Note: This information is based off of the 2009 FuelEconomy.gov listing.

Report: BMW Considering Z2 Roadster, Hybrid?

Seyth Miersma — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:56:23 -0600

While it’s well known that BMW’s new Z4 roadster is well down the development path at this point, new rumors indicate that the German automaker may also be contemplating a smaller, 1-Series-derived convertible called the Z2 (speculative rendering above).

Such a Z2 would most likely eschew the 1-Series’ straight-six lineup for a four-cylinder engine, with a hybrid drivetrain reportedly also in the mix of possibilities. Any hybrid system would probably of the “mild” variety, taking tech from the 7-Series hybrid that’s due out this summer. The system uses a small electric motor positioned between the engine and transmission, directing power from a lithium-ion battery.

The Z2 would seem to offer a fine mix of top-down BMW driving dynamics, great fuel economy across the engine range, and the kind of packaging that has made the Z range a huge hit for the company.

+ AutoblogGreen: BMW may build hybrid Z2 compact roadster

Ford Announces Pricing for 2010 Fusion Models

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:14:30 -0600

Just a few days after Ford debuted the all-new 2010 Fusion, official pricing has been released. The Fusion can be had in five different model trims: S, SE, SEL, Sport, and Hybrid, with a choice of four- or six-cylinder engines and manual or automatic transmissions, depending on the model.

The base Fusion S rings in at an MSRP of $19,270 while the top-dollar Fusion Hybrid can be priced from $27,200. Rounding out the middle of the range we have the SE at $20,545, SEL at $23,975, and Sport at $25,825.

Click through the post to see a more detailed list of some of the features found on each model.

FUSION S -- $19,270

- 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with six-speed manual transmission
- Sixteen-inch aluminum wheels
- Four-wheel ABS
- Electronic stability control
- Cloth seats with manual adjustment
- Power windows, locks, and mirrors

FUSION SE -- $20,545

- 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with six-speed manual transmission
- Seventeen-inch alloy wheels with silver paint
- Six-way power driver's seat with manual lumbar
- Side curtain airbags
- Optional 3.0-lier V-6 and Ford Sync

FUSION SEL -- $23,975

- 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with six-speed automatic transmission
- Sirius satellite radio
- Ford Sync
- Seven-color ambient lighting system
- Seventeen-inch machined aluminum wheels
- Leather-trimmed, heated seats
- Automatic on/off headlamps
- Eight-way power driver's seat
- Six-way power passenger seat
- Optional: 3.0-liter V-6, AWD, reverse sensing system, navigation, Moon and Tune package

FUSION SPORT -- $25,825

- 3.5-liter V-6 engine with six-speed SelectShift transmission
- Sync and Sirius satellite radio
- Red, blue, or black accented leather seats
- Eighteen-inch premium aluminum wheels
- Chrome trim
- Decklid spoiler
- Optional: AWD, electronics package, reverse sensing system, navigation, Moon and Tune package, Driver Vision package

FUSION HYBRID -- $27,270

- 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine
- E-CVT automatic transmission
- Regenerative braking
- Dual-LCD instrument cluster
- Eco-friendly cloth seats
- Seventeen-inch aluminum wheels
- Reverse sensing system
- Optional: leather/heated seats, navigation, Driver Vision package, Moon and Tune package

Spy Shots: Near Production BMW X6 Active Hybrid Spotted

Seyth Miersma — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:47:24 -0600

We just caught some images of BMW’s X6 Active Hybrid mule, captured in a trim that seems to be very near a completed product. Though the mule seen here differs only slightly in appearance from the standard X6, the game is given away by the rather bulgy lump on the hood of the vehicle—ostensibly needed to contain some of the new hybrid-style running gear.

The hybrid X6 will be a full, two-mode affair as previewed by the X6 Hybrid SUV concept at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, and will make use of two electric motors powered by nickel metal hydride batteries. The configuration is said to deliver 20 percent better fuel economy, in part because it offers a fully electrically powered mode.

The production car is likely to make its world debut at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in January. Scroll down below to read the spy photographer’s own notes.

BMW are in the final stages of testing with the X6 Active Hybrid. The X6 Active Hybrid will come with a Two-Mode-Hybrid-Concept, meaning two electric engines and a big nickel metal hydride battery. With this technology BMW is reporting to save about 20 percent of fuel and it’s even possible to drive the car fully electric.

The visual changes are very small; you really need to be a BMW fan to notice the differences but here is a tip, check out the bulge on the engine hood.

First introduced as an X6 Hybrid SUV Concept at the Frankfurt Car Show in 2007, the finished X6 Active Hybrid is expected to be unveiled at the Detroit Car Show in January 2009.

Report: Chinese BYD to Sell Plug-In Hybrid in U.S. by 2010

Seyth Miersma — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:01:59 -0500

At last year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Chinese automaker BYD surprised industry pundits by bringing an advanced concept for a dual mode hybrid to its stand. Now the battery specialist (BYD’s parent company is also one of the world’s biggest suppliers of rechargeable batteries) claims to be moving the game on even further, saying that it will bring a plug-in hybrid vehicle to the U.S. market by 2010.

BYD chairman Wang Chuanfu has said that the new hybrid, which is most likely to come in the form of the F3 sedan pictured above, will be able to travel up to around 68 miles on electric power alone.

In addition to its previous hybrid concept experience, the plug-in plans are also being greatly bolstered by an alleged investment of $230 million from rich guy Warren Buffet, which should go a long ways towards developing the safety features needed for U.S. regulations. BYD is reportedly getting help with the safety standards via “third-party consulting and engineering companies.”

Despite the fact that BYD doesn’t currently sell any hybrid in its home market, the company has lofty sales goals for the plug-in already—hoping to make the car available not only in the U.S. and China, but eventually in Europe as well.

+ Motor Authority: China's BYD to sell plug-in hybrid in U.S. by 2010

Hybrid Prices Predicted to Decrease to Over Next Decade

Hardy Shen — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 08:42:21 -0500

One of the largest hurdles yet to be overcome by the average hybrid car is the inherent high cost of its gasoline-electric powertrain. The average hybrid will set the manufacturer back around $6000 more than a car with a conventional powertrain. However, this difference could be brought down to just $2000 within the next ten years.

Just about every automaker out there is developing a next generation hybrid vehicle. General Motors recently unveiled its new Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid, and Toyota already released photos of its next-generation Prius. Honda, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Nissan are also getting into the mix with hybrids of their own design.

In a recent Bloomberg report, the potential drop in hybrid costs is said to be primarily due to technological improvements, economies of scale due to rising production numbers, and a greater amount of experience with the technology.

Considering the recent jump in demand for hybrids, pressure for the vehicles will surely increase in the future from possible higher gasoline prices and more arduous emissions standards. This demand rise is expected to be over 16 times its current level or around 10 million hybrids by 2018. JP Morgan Chase and Co. analysts predict that sales of hybrid vehicles will increase to 10.2% of the overall market. The U.S. is anticipated to see the largest growth after 2013, with Europe and China not too far behind.

+ Motor Authority: Hybrid costs expected to drop by two-thirds over next decade

Revealed! Meet the 2010 Toyota Prius

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 10:01:37 -0500

Looks like the boys over at Jalopnik have uncovered what look to be the first shots of the 2010 Toyota Prius. These images first appeared on PriusChat, and when the Jalops showed some Toyota PR people these images, they confirmed that this is, in fact, the next-gen Prius.

No word on any other details at this time, but look for the car to be officially unveiled at the North American International Auto Show this January in Detroit. In the mean time, head over to Jalopnik to see some other photos.

+ Jalopnik: This IS The New Toyota Prius

Lexus Shows Second LF-Xh Crossover Concept in Paris

Seyth Miersma — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 11:05:45 -0500

Sure, you may remember the Lexus LF-Xh hybrid crossover concept from last year’s Tokyo Motor Show but if you’re anything like the wild concept car mavens at Lexus, you’ve probably been wondering how good it might look clad entirely in flat black.

We tease, but Lexus did reprise the LF-Xh for the Paris crowd, and the car which the automaker promises will foreshadow the replacement vehicle for the current RX looked pretty hot in its new duds. Under the hood the Prince of Darkness Lexus still offers the same combination of electric motors and V-6 power that it did in Japan. Have a further look at the concept in our gallery above.

Honda Adds A Touch of Glam for Insight Debut in Paris

Seyth Miersma — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:49:41 -0500

Honda Insight Concept Arrives in Paris

Honda debuted its new Insight hybrid concept today, and while we were happy to find that the car looked less like Toyota’s Prius in person than it had in photos, it is a bit disheartening to think that many of the elements that strongly set the two apart will likely be gone when Honda brings the car to market. The radical multi-element lights and slick allow wheels are likely to fall into the concept car dustbin of history, leaving the future Insight just a bit less desirable than its fancy concept forbearer when it makes it to dealers sometime next year.

We’ve got live images of Honda’s ultra-important and ultra-frugal Insight concept in our gallery above, and the full scoop from the company about the car in the press release below.

HONDA GIVES AN INSIGHT INTO THE FUTURE OF HYBRIDS

Honda has always intended Hybrid vehicles to be a bridge to a hydrogen powered future, the potential of which has already been demonstrated by the FCX Clarity. The Insight Concept has clear stylistic links to the world's first production fuel cell car, with both vehicles' forms shaped to maximise the efficiency of their respective drivetrains.

The Insight Concept is the stylistic inspiration for the production version which will go on sale in 2009. From this unique position in the marketplace, Insight will open hybrid technology to a new generation of customers.

The 1.3 litre Insight is powered by Honda's acclaimed IMA system, which has been extensively modified to reduce its cost and weight. With careful engineering of key components and refinement of manufacturing processes, the cost of the hybrid system has been significantly reduced. This ensures that Insight can be sold at a very competitive price without compromising ability, quality, environmental performance or profitability.

The Insight will benefit from a significant cost reduction in Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) components resulting in the most affordable hybrid vehicle to date. This dedicated hybrid vehicle will be offered as a 5-door hatchback with seating for five passengers and built on a newly developed platform. Engineers have mounted the compact control unit and battery beneath the boot space to give the Insight both a low centre of gravity and the practicality of a conventionally powered hatchback.

This reduction in cost has not been brought about by compromising the quality of the Insight, instead the Japanese manufacturer has tasked its engineers with finding more intelligent cost reduction solutions.

Insight will utilise various technologies, including a function to assist more fuel efficient driving giving customers a further improvement in real world fuel consumption. Along with the Civic Hybrid, the new vehicle will be produced at Honda's Suzuka factory in Japan which recently has expanded hybrid motor production line.

CO2 emissions and fuel economy are targeted to be at a similar level to the existing Civic Hybrid, giving drivers a flexible and highly practical lower environmental impact car. At its expected price point, Insight will have a unique combination of passenger space, luggage capacity, emissions and economy.

"The original Honda Insight launched in 1999 was the pioneer of hybrid technology in Europe and remains an iconic symbol of Honda's environmental innovation," said Takeo Fukui, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. CEO. "This new Insight will also break new ground by providing an affordable hybrid to an expanded number of customers craving great fuel economy and great value."

The Insight will form the first part of Honda's new hybrid strategy, which will see a further dedicated hybrid model, derived from the CR-Z show car and a hybrid version of the Jazz. The strategy will make hybrids both more accessible and more appealing to a range of customer types.

The Insight Concept is the culmination of two decades of hybrid petrol electric hybrid research and development. The Insight production vehicle will go on sale in Europe, Japan and North America during the first half of 2009.

Gallery: Chevrolet Volt - Live Shots and Impressions

Chris Paukert — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 10:42:36 -0500

We’ve just returned from the belly of the Renaissance Center in Detroit, where General Motors celebrated its centennial with the unveiling of its keystone future product, the Chevrolet Volt.

This is the first time that the Volt has been seen in production form, save the few photos that were inadvertently leaked to the internet in the last week or so. In the flesh, the Volt is much more rounded and friendly in its appearance than the concept Volt that first got GM’s plug-in hybrid ball rolling in 2007. Part of that shift towards a more conservative appearance is undoubtedly out of a desire to attract more customers, but the production-ready Volt is also a much more aerodynamic shape, a factor that’s particularly critical for a car that prioritizes fuel economy.

Despite being slipperier, there are still plenty of details to catch the eye—the unusual mirrors, for instance, or the faux grille (metal on this example, but undoubtedly plastic on actual line-production cars). There’s also the thorny issue of the indented band of black trim that surrounds the greenhouse and disguises the rather shallow side glass. We think it looks gimmicky and is likely to be very color-sensitive.

As previously stated, GM says that the Volt will be capable of running 40 miles on battery power alone, and be capable of 100 miles-per-hour. If it can negotiate various piles of red tape (namely, managing to procure government incentives), the five-door will be built at GM's Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant and carry a 2011 model year designation.

All-in, the Volt manages to look forward-thinking and Chevrolet familial. The key, of course, will be how it looks against a landscape of new hybrids from other automakers when it finally comes to market in a couple of years.

Click here for a gallery of stock shots and GM's official press release

First Production Chevy Volt Photos Leak Out

Seyth Miersma — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:37:08 -0500

The Car Connection has gotten its hands on some production images of the Chevrolet Volt, and many of those individuals responsible for it, just about a week ahead of the planned General Motors reveal in Detroit.

While all of the photos show the Volt at least a little bit obscured by executives and designers, we can clearly see the final product that has been such a long time in the making. Early impressions are that of a neatly detailed, yet altogether less sexy vehicle than its concept car starting place. The production Volt seems a little too tall, and a little too narrow, with a faux-grille that is entirely too plastic. Still, we’ll reserve our full critique until we get a chance to see the car in person next week, when many more details will no doubt be revealed as well.

+ The Car Connection: 2011 Chevrolet Volt: First Production Photos

Report: GM Will Reveal Production Volt this Month in Detroit

Seyth Miersma — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:12:10 -0500

New reports indicate that General Motors is planning to reveal the production version of its Chevrolet Volt (something like the car spied in the photo gallery above) in conjunction with plans for its 100-year anniversary celebrations later this month. A GM source was reported as saying that, “The rumors that a production version of the Volt will show up at the celebrations are true.”

The source went on to say that it will be the actual production version of the car, and not the concept, which will be on display for the anniversary festivities. The big event will be taking place at GM’s Detroit headquarters, and not at the Paris Auto Show as had previously been speculated.

GM’s anniversary is celebrated on the 16th of September but no word has come through as to the official date for the Volt launch yet.

+ Automotive News: GM plans to show production Volt this month

Honda Insight Concept Revealed Before Paris Auto Show

Seyth Miersma — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 09:40:16 -0500

Honda has revealed the first official image of its next generation Insight Concept, set to be revealed in full force at this year’s Paris Auto Show in just about a month.

The Honda concept shares some styling cues with the FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle, though it’s hard to overlook its obvious resemblance to the Toyota Prius as well. Like the Prius, the Insight concept will offer the versatility of a five-door hatchback configuration, and gain the aerodynamic benefits of the reduced front end profile. Despite its visual similarity, Honda claims that the Insight will be priced “significantly below hybrids available today,” when the car debuts in the U.S. market next spring.

The Insight will go on sale with rather huge expectations from its parent company, which says that it expects to sell on the order of 200,000 examples worldwide, and more than 100,000 units in the U.S. alone. Those hybrid sales will also be boosted with the launch of a smaller, sportier model based on the CR-Z concept, after the Insight is revealed.

09/04/2008 - TORRANCE, Calif. -

Honda will reveal a concept version of its new small hybrid vehicle, to be named Insight, at the 2008 Paris International Auto Show, October 2, the company announced today. The new Insight Concept shares styling cues with the Honda FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle and will provide an early look at the highly-anticipated five-passenger hybrid vehicle.

Going on sale in the U.S. next spring, the all-new purpose-built Insight will come to market at a price significantly below hybrids available today. From this unique position in the marketplace, the Insight will advance the affordability and accessibility of hybrid technology to a new generation of buyers.

"The original Honda Insight pioneered hybrid technology in the U.S. and remains a symbol of Honda's commitment to innovative technology and fuel efficiency," said Takeo Fukui, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. CEO. "This new Insight will break new ground as an affordable hybrid within the reach of customers who want great fuel economy and great value."
The Insight Concept defines a new stage in the evolution of hybrid technology by utilizing a more cost-efficient version of Honda's Integrated Motor Assist™ (IMA™) hybrid technology, resulting in a new level of affordability for hybrid customers worldwide. Evoking the innovative styling cues first seen in the FCX Clarity, the Insight Concept is designed with a low center of gravity and a generous five-passenger cabin, offering the kind of driving pleasure and roomy interior that customers have come to expect from Honda. While the Insight Concept's aerodynamic design clearly identifies its fuel efficient purpose, its five-door access and folding rear seats speak to functionality that is designed to meet the needs of customers with an active lifestyle. The Insight Concept is a small, fuel efficient hybrid car that delivers big style and functionality with a healthy dose of fun.

Honda achieved a significant cost reduction in Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) components which should make Insight the most affordable hybrid vehicle to date. The production Insight will be offered as a five-door, five-passenger hatchback. Numerous technologies, including a function to assist customers in achieving more fuel efficient driving habits, will be applied to achieve a further improvement in real world fuel efficiency. With its affordable price, the new hybrid vehicle will represent the best value in its segment. Along with the Civic Hybrid, the new vehicle will be produced at an expanded hybrid vehicle production line at the Suzuka factory in Japan.

The Insight is expected to have annual global sales of 200,000 units per year - approximately 100,000 in North America. Following the launch of the new Insight, Honda also plans to introduce another unique sporty hybrid vehicle based on the CR-Z, first shown at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. All together, Honda's global sales of hybrids should increase to approximately 500,000 units a year, or more than 10 percent of its total worldwide annual automobile sales.

The original Honda Insight was introduced in December 1999 as America's first gas-electric hybrid car. The first vehicle to break the 70-mpg fuel economy barrier, Insight was designed from the ground up to demonstrate the ultimate potential for fuel-economy in a two-seater subcompact automobile.

A leader in the development of cleaner, more fuel-efficient mobility products, Honda introduced the first low-emission gasoline vehicles; America's first gas-electric hybrid car and the world's first EPA-certified hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, the FCX. In 2007, Honda was named "greenest automaker" by the Union of Concerned Scientists for the fourth straight time.

For more information and downloadable high-resolution images of the Insight Concept and other Honda vehicles, including the Civic Hybrid, please visit www.hondanews.com. Consumer information is available at www.honda.com.

Hyundai to Launch Sonata Hybrid in 2010

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:26:05 -0500

Hyundai's first entry into the gasoline-electric hybrid segment is scheduled to arrive on U.S. shores within the next two years via the Sonata sedan. Prototypes should to be hitting the road around November and this Sonata Hybrid is said to feature cutting-edge lithium-ion battery technology, but will not be plug-in rechargeable.

Vice president for product development John Krafcik says that the Sonata Hybrid should be launched sometime within the 2010 calendar year. This hybrid will, no doubt, go head-to-head against gasoline-electric mid-size offerings from Toyota, Chevrolet, and Nissan.

+ Automotive News: Hyundai plans to launch hybrid Sonata in 2010

Chevy Volt Revealed, Just A Little

Seyth Miersma — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:37:41 -0500

General Motors has released a new set of Chevrolet Volt images today, showing engineers and artisans hard at work crafting the production version of the hybrid. These pictures don’t exactly tell the whole story of what the car will look like, but they do give us more of an insight into the car’s front grille treatment and, hold your breath, rear badging.

The best shot depicts the Volt’s high-tech front lighting, which seems to incorporate some kind of blue LED fog lamps at the extreme corners of the car. Most of the photos though, depict the building of a full size clay model of the car, as well as safety glass-bedecked workers making thoughtful faces and important gestures over the Volt’s all-important powertrain. Strong stuff.

Take a peek at Volt’s production form in the gallery above.