Engadget

Fisker leak shows Atlantic production delayed to mid-2014, 0-60 in 6.5 seconds

Jon Fingas — Sun, 20 May 2012 09:06:00 EST

Our hopes of taking the Fisker Atlantic for a spin next year just got dampened considerably: a big document leak has revealed that the more reasonably-priced alternative to the Karma won't be rolling off the production lines en masse until mid-2014, a year later than we'd expected. Thanks in part to a factory overhaul, the only Atlantics rolling on their hybrid-powered wheels in mid-2013 will be prototypes. On the upside, we've learned more about the car itself, including a fairly brisk 0-60 time of 6.5 seconds courtesy of a 300HP-equivalent motor. Green drivers who thought that the promised lower price would put it into entry-level luxury will nonetheless get a reality check with that $50,000 to $60,000 target, even if it's still a big savings over the six-digit Karma. There's still a huge amount of leeway for things to change, but with our compatriots at Autoblog having confirmed that the documents were real and "highly confidential," they may be a sign that the Tesla Model S will have free rein in the green luxury sedan world for a good year or more.

Fisker leak shows Atlantic production delayed to mid-2014, 0-60 in 6.5 seconds originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 May 2012 09:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Porsche 918 Spyder prototype returns to the road with polished black and white shell

Zach Honig — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:02:00 EST

It may not be the first time Porsche's 918 plug-in hybrid has had a chance to flex its 770 horse power for the camera, but when we last saw the ~~pricey~~ insanely expensive speed demon strut its stuff on record, it certainly didn't look like this. The freakish prototype has emerged as a beautiful, high-performance vision of efficiency, blasting its way past 100 kilometers of terrain for every three liters of petrol (78 miles/gallon). The $845,000 machine pairs a combustion engine with electric motors to achieve that consumption rating, and sports a carbon-fiber reinforced-plastic monocoque (self-supporting) shell, rear-axle steering and that unique upward-venting exhausted system that you may have noticed in the shot above. The 918 Spyder is slated for its initial production run beginning in September of 2013, with the first models making their way to US customers late next year. It's time to start saving -- just a few thousand blog posts to go.

Gallery: Porsche 918 Spyder

Continue reading Porsche 918 Spyder prototype returns to the road with polished black and white shell

Porsche 918 Spyder prototype returns to the road with polished black and white shell originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 May 2012 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ferrari chairman reveals hybrid Enzo will come this year

James Trew — Sun, 13 May 2012 11:07:00 EST

We've seen both the fast, and the furious, when it comes to hybrid cars -- but we've yet to see a battery-packing Ferrari roll out of concept, and onto the forecourt. Well, according to Luca di Montezemolo -- the firm's chairman -- we'll finally be able to strike the latter off the list as soon as this year. A limited special edition Enzo was announced at the tail end of the supercar manufacturer's recent financial report. No further details at this time, but the optimistic among you might want to start getting trade-in quotes on that Prius now. Catch the full report is after the break.

Continue reading Ferrari chairman reveals hybrid Enzo will come this year

Ferrari chairman reveals hybrid Enzo will come this year originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 13 May 2012 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Fisker Atlantic EVer unveiled in New York, we go eyes-on

Tim Stevens — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:08:00 EST

Fisker's Karma series-hybrid electric vehicle hasn't exactly been receiving a lot of great press lately, but the company didn't let the process of swapping out 640 battery packs dampen the launch of that car's smaller sibling, the Atlantic. This long-expected (and recently spied) auto is a shortened, slightly smaller car that is said to be priced at a "much lower price point" than its predecessor. But, like the bigger Karma (and the even larger Surf), there's an on-board motor that burns gas to generate more electricity to extend that range -- but sadly nobody's saying by how far.

In this case it's a four-cylinder BMW-sourced engine providing that extra range, exhaust peeking out just behind the front-left wheel. A four-banger doesn't sound all that impressive in a car like this, but remember it's only tasked with spinning a generator. Moving the sedan (and its healthy complement of batteries) will be an undisclosed electric powertrain. Sadly no details are being given tonight for performance or cost, but we're told it'll set you back about as much as an Audi A5. Could that mean a $40,000 starting price? That'd be less than half the cost of the $102,000 Karma, and potentially quite a revolution. Needless to say we can't wait to find out.

We weren't able to peek in the trunk, but we're told the new engine provides more space for your junk than the Karma's current arrangement. The car is said to match the A5 in terms of cargo space, which is certainly nothing to sneeze about. Now mind, this is just a concept and things are liable to change on the long road from here to production, but Fisker isn't known for tweaking much along the way. Suffice to say, this should be very close to the car that hits dealerships... eventually.

Gallery: Fisker Atlantic eyes-on

Fisker Atlantic EVer unveiled in New York, we go eyes-on originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Toyota demos Prius' proximity notification system, touts 'futuristic' purr (video)

Amar Toor — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 07:29:00 EST

Silence may be a virtue under most circumstances, but not when you're driving around a leafy, residential neighborhood in your Toyota Prius. That's why the manufacturer came out with its very own vehicle proximity notification system last year -- a "futuristic," underhood noisemaker designed to alert pedestrians and the visually impaired to the plug-in's presence. Now, Toyota has offered more details on its safety system, in a freshly released demo video starring the 2012 Prius V. The car's artificial engine noise, as the company explains, only kicks in at speeds below 15 miles per hour, allowing it to broadcast its audible heads-up across parking lots or other low-speed zones. The sound itself, meanwhile, emanates from external speakers and consists of a blend of high and low frequencies that won't be by muffled by background noise or physical obstacles. The vehicle's pitch shift technology also enables the tone to rise in pitch as the car speeds up and to fall as it slows down, giving others an idea of how fast it's approaching. Accelerate past the break to see the full video for yourself, while John Kerry nods in silent approval.

Continue reading Toyota demos Prius' proximity notification system, touts 'futuristic' purr (video)

Toyota demos Prius' proximity notification system, touts 'futuristic' purr (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 07:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ford Evos cloud-connected concept car unveiled at Frankfurt

Tim Stevens — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 14:48:00 EST

The 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show doesn't kick off until tomorrow, but already Ford's unveiled the tasty hunk of conceptual automotive design it teased us with a few weeks back. It's called the Evos, it's loaded with technology and, while it doesn't look much like any of the current autos you'll find down at the local Blue Oval dealer, it's actually said to be the precursor of a new model that's coming in just four months time. Join us after the break for more details.

Gallery: Ford Evos concept

Continue reading Ford Evos cloud-connected concept car unveiled at Frankfurt

Ford Evos cloud-connected concept car unveiled at Frankfurt originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 14:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemelo doesn't believe in electric cars, Santa Claus (video)

Tim Stevens — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:37:00 EST

As saucy as some of them may be, today's electric car is definitely a novelty. Still, it's not too hard to imagine a future where the majority of autos run on electrons -- whether they're pushed from batteries or hydrogen fuel cells. Not everybody's down with that idea, and one of those EV detractors is the incredibly suave Ferrari president Luca di Montezemelo. We recently had a chance to chat briefly with the man who said -- in no unequivocal terms -- that there is no electric Ferrari coming:

You will never see a Ferrari electric because I don't believe in electric cars, because I don't think they represent an important step forward for pollution or CO2 or the environment. But, we are working very, very hard on the hybrid Ferrari. This should be the future, and I hope in a couple of years you can see it.

So what's next for the brand of the prancing horse? A hybrid, of course, which we're guessing will be more Porsche 918 than Toyota Prius. Still, ruling out EVs in the future seems perhaps a bit... restricting, but keep in mind Luca did say this was only his policy.

Continue reading Ferrari president Luca di Montezemelo doesn't believe in electric cars, Santa Claus (video)

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemelo doesn't believe in electric cars, Santa Claus (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

2012 plug-in Prius to include selectable EV mode, full battery regeneration

Zach Honig — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 17:02:00 EST

We already know to expect Toyota's Entune infotainment system in the dash of the 2012 Prius, but the hybrid's monster EV batteries will be powering much more than a touchscreen and apps. According to ConsumerSearch, next year's plug-in vehicle will include two new features aimed at improving the car's electric-only range for local driving, especially when your commute also includes a trip down the freeway. The first improvement comes in the form of an EV mode button, allowing you to turn off EV for highway driving, which tends to drain those batts faster than a Thunderbolt in Hotspot mode. The Prius will also offer full battery regeneration, so power-off activities like braking and driving downhill will restore the hybrid's EV-only range -- especially helpful if you live in a hilly area or tend to make frequent stops. Both new features should have a fairly significant impact on efficiency, so you'll soon be able to drive further in the city without tapping a single drop of crude.

2012 plug-in Prius to include selectable EV mode, full battery regeneration originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Jun 2011 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Geely McCar comes with an electric scooter for people who hate walking

Dana Wollman — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:37:00 EST

Find the use of your legs inconvenient? Behold the Geely McCar, an ultra compact, two-door car that still manages to tuck an electric scooter in the back. Geely, the Chinese company that now owns Volvo, is hoping you'll use it for everything from golfing to navigating urban sprawl to traversing the Mall of America parking lot (and then escorting yourself to the Cinnabon once you're inside). The car itself comes in two versions: an all-electric one with a 12kWh battery that claims up to 93 miles on a charge, and a hybrid iteration that promises up to 31 miles on just electric power and 373 on a mix of gas and electricity. The scooter, meanwhile, can last up to 18 miles -- and be swapped out for a wheelchair for people with disabilities. Since debuting at the Shanghai Auto Show, there's been no word on whether the McCar will ship stateside, why this arrangement beats packing your own scooter -- or how much McDonald's loathes that name.

Geely McCar comes with an electric scooter for people who hate walking originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Veritas RSIII Roadster Hybrid melds plug-in tech with 600HP

Tim Stevens — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 18:32:00 EST

It isn't exactly the hottest hybrid we've ever seen, Porsche's ludicrous 918 RSR still takes that crown, but the Veritas RSIII Roadster Hybrid is certainly no wheezy commuter. It's a tiny, open-topped racer that features a 507HP V10 from BMW that's been paired with a 105kW motor to spin the front wheels. It's much the same arrangement of the Porsche, again relying on a KERS flywheel to generate electricity that's stored in a Li-ion battery pack, which can also be charged separately. The car can actually limp around for up to 31 miles powered by just that front motor, but when both sources of thrust are called upon the sled gets to 62MPH in 3.1 seconds, as fast as a 911 Turbo S, and it'll keep on going until the speedo hits 205 -- or the car hits something immovable. No word on price or availability, but there is a version with a roof coming this summer, and a fully-electric model due in 2013.

Veritas RSIII Roadster Hybrid melds plug-in tech with 600HP originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Toyota unveils its Global Vision, pledges 10 new electrified cars by 2015

Tim Stevens — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 08:28:00 EST

Toyota's getting serious with this plural Prius stuff. If you still don't buy that Prii is the correct term you'd better hurry up and get over it, as the company just announced its "Toyota Global Vision," including a plan to launch 10 more hybrid vehicles by 2015. Surely that counts the new models unveiled in Detroit, the taller Prius V and the funkier Prius C, but it remains to be seen exactly what else the company will use to build up those numbers. Toyota also says that more fuel cell and fully electric cars are coming, along with numerous "genuinely exciting models," so maybe if we're really good over the next four years one of those Prii will actually be fun to drive.

Toyota unveils its Global Vision, pledges 10 new electrified cars by 2015 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

BMW and PSA Peugeot Citroen partner for future hybrid tech, put that Great War thing behind them

Tim Stevens — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 20:03:00 EST

The last century saw no shortage of disputes between the French and the Germans, but in this century everything's going to be totally cool. BMW and PSA Peugeot Citroën, the company that quite naturally owns the Peugeot and Citroën marques, have come to form a partnership focused on the creation of advanced hybrid systems. The name for this new partnership? BMW Peugeot Citroën Electrification, quite naturally. The fruit of this holy union will be better battery packs, generators, and electronics that will not only help the manufacturers that have joined together here, but will also be sold to other manufacturers who need a little help from their friends. We'll have to wait a little while before we see any results, though: actual components aren't expected to hit the road until 2014 at the earliest -- coincidently about 100 years since things got awfully testy at Alsace-Lorraine.

Continue reading BMW and PSA Peugeot Citroen partner for future hybrid tech, put that Great War thing behind them

BMW and PSA Peugeot Citroen partner for future hybrid tech, put that Great War thing behind them originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 20:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

2011 Chevrolet Volt: constructed from start to finish in two mind-melting minutes (video)

Darren Murph — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 21:50:00 EST

It took half a score to actually get real, but did you know that it takes but two minutes to construct a 2011 Chevrolet Volt? Okay, we lied -- one minute, fifty-five seconds. Hit play below to enter what Kenny Loggins would describe as "The Danger Zone."

Continue reading 2011 Chevrolet Volt: constructed from start to finish in two mind-melting minutes (video)

2011 Chevrolet Volt: constructed from start to finish in two mind-melting minutes (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 21:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

2011 Chevy Volt gets stickered: 93MPG on battery, 37MPG on gasoline

Darren Murph — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 02:50:00 EST

The poster child for the electric car has just received its official EPA sticker, merely days after Nissan's Leaf received its own. The Volt has been found to have a 93MPG equivalent when running purely on batteries, while one could expect an average of 37MPG when using petrol alone. According to the EPA, the Volt will only be capable of cruising 35 miles on a full charge (here's hoping you've got a socket at your workplace, right?), but the overall range of 379 miles ain't too shabby for a car of this size. The good news here is that this sticker will enable General Motors to finally get these automobiles onto showroom floors, but the bad news is pretty obvious: 93 definitely isn't 230.

Continue reading 2011 Chevy Volt gets stickered: 93MPG on battery, 37MPG on gasoline

2011 Chevy Volt gets stickered: 93MPG on battery, 37MPG on gasoline originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Nov 2010 02:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tesla, Nissan, and GM working today to find uses for tomorrow's used EV batteries

Tim Stevens — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 15:51:00 EST

The single-biggest cost of an electric or hybrid car today? Batteries, of course. A full set of cells is around half the cost of many such vehicles, and that they'll likely need replacing in 10 years means we'll soon have a huge number of formerly very expensive and still very toxic entities lying about. So, many companies that produce cars containing the things are taking this opportunity to hypothesize what to do with them when you're through. They could, of course, be stripped down and recycled, but after a decade they should still offer around half of their capacity, enough to buffer the power generated in a home solar array or wind turbine. In other words: reuse is the name of the game, with SolarCity and Tesla partnering to see if the former can make use of the latter's depleted batteries. GM (creator of the Chevrolet Volt) and Nissan (grower of the Leaf) have recently established similar partnerships with various energy and electrics firms, meaning that today's greenest cars could continue their enviro-friendly ways in the future -- even as their shells rust away in the scrap heap.

Tesla, Nissan, and GM working today to find uses for tomorrow's used EV batteries originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 15:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Honda will bring plug-in hybrids, full EVs to United States in 2012

Sean Hollister — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:54:00 EST

Though they probably won't look anything like Honda's adorable EV-N, the Japanese automaker's got some new technological vehicles up its sleeves -- in a speech today, Honda CEO Takanobu Ito formally announced plans to produce a plug-in hybrid competitor for Toyota's flashy new PHEV Prius by 2012, which rumor has it will sport an estimated fuel economy (when it's using fuel, we assume) of roughly around 140 miles per gallon. Better still, a completely battery-powered electrical vehicle will also go on sale by 2012, and you won't have to fly to Japan to try them out, as they're slated for the States as well. Hydrogen fuel cells are apparently still Honda's long-term solution, though the FCX Clarity received only a passing mention. In the short term, Honda's still circling the wagons around part-gasoline systems like the Civic (which will receive a Li-ion battery pack) and the Fit Hybrid, destined for Japan this fall.

Honda will bring plug-in hybrids, full EVs to United States in 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget test drives the Chevy Volt (video)

Tim Stevens — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 12:15:00 EST

For a car that's been as eagerly anticipated and hyped as the Chevrolet Volt, seeing it in person is not exactly an awe-inspiring experience. In fact if you don't look twice it's very easy to mistake it for Chevy's Cruze, an eco-friendly (though decidedly traditionally powered) small car. The Volt is, of course, a little more special -- a car with both electric and internal-combustion engines on-board. That's not a particularly rare thing in this age of the Prius, but Chevrolet is being very clear: the Volt is an electric car, not a hybrid, and if you read on after the break we'll tell you exactly why -- and what it's like to drive one.

Gallery: Chevy Volt test drive

Continue reading Engadget test drives the Chevy Volt (video)

Engadget test drives the Chevy Volt (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Porsche 918 Spyder concept is the most beautiful hybrid we've ever seen

Vlad Savov — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:58:00 EST

Um, we're sure there's something sensible to be said about this Porsche concept, but we're not altogether capable of coherent expression at present. We want to own one of these so badly, we don't even care if it has an engine. And boy does the 918 Spyder have an engine. A 3.4-liter V8 petrol burner is combined with electric motors to put out 500bhp, while featuring the mind-altering acceleration to go from a standing start to 62mph in just 3.2 seconds. Topping out at 198mph and offering a very respectable 78mpg fuel economy, this is pretty much the stuff dreams are made, which is quite naturally why you shouldn't expect to see it in any purchasable form any time soon. If you do care to see more of it, however, you can do so at the Geneva Motor Show this year or just past the break, the choice is yours.

[Thanks, Zach]

Continue reading Porsche 918 Spyder concept is the most beautiful hybrid we've ever seen

Porsche 918 Spyder concept is the most beautiful hybrid we've ever seen originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Researchers say new material could let cars be powered by their bodywork

Donald Melanson — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:12:00 EST

It likely won't be ready for your next vehicle purchase, but some researchers from Imperial College London say that this rather modest-looking piece of material could eventually do nothing short of change of the way that cars are powered. The material itself is still a bit of a mystery, as you might expect, but it's apparently able to store and discharge electrical energy, and (here's the real kicker) is strong and light enough to be used for a car's bodywork -- essentially making the car itself one giant battery. That would obviously open up a whole host of possibilities, including being used to complement traditional batteries for even longer runtimes, or being used on its own to make smaller and lighter vehicles. The applications also wouldn't necessarily be limited to cars, and the researchers specifically mention cellphones as another area that could see smaller and lighter (or longer-lasting) devices if the material is used. Let's get on that, shall we? Video demonstration after the break.

[Thanks, Clinton C]

Continue reading Researchers say new material could let cars be powered by their bodywork

Researchers say new material could let cars be powered by their bodywork originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Kepler Motion brings 800bhp using dual-engine hybrid magic

Vlad Savov — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 05:48:00 EST

Since we're already on the topic of fairy dust, how about a new all-wheel drive supercar that can purportedly thrust you from nought to sixty in 2.5 seconds? New startup Kepler Motors is about to unveil its first vehicle and its ambition is nothing short of staggering. Employing a 550bhp Ford Ecoboost petrol engine to drive the rear wheels and a 250bhp electric motor for the front pair, this machine also comes with a carbon fiber chassis and carbon ceramic brakes to really make the theoretical numbers look ridiculous. Of course, it's still only a concept for the Dubai International Motor Show, but production plans are already set for 2011. You'll just have to make sure to be among the 50 richest people interested in owning one, because that'll be the entire production run.

Kepler Motion brings 800bhp using dual-engine hybrid magic originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 05:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Capstone's CMT-380 hybrid supercar does 150MPH with batteries and a jet engine

Darren Murph — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:02:00 EST

Step aside, Tesla -- we've just spotted the hottest Earth-lovin' supercar since the Lightning GT. Shown off to wide-mouthed onlookers at the LA Auto Show this month, the Capstone CMT-380 prototype is an automotive beast unlike anything we've ever seen. Rather than mixing batteries and a conventional engine, this whip combines the former with a diesel / biodiesel-powered microturbine, which is -- for all intents and purposes -- a jet engine. Reportedly, the car can reach 60MPH from a standstill in just 3.9 seconds, hit 150MPH before being cut off by the electronic limiter, cruise 80 miles on battery power alone and drive from Idaho Falls to Spokane on just a single tank of fuel. It's being bruited about that the company is considering flipping this bad boy into the production line, but with an estimated asking price north of $200,000, there's sufficient evidence to think that the volume here would remain relatively low. Hit up Autoblog Green's gallery of shots from the show floor below, but only if you love peering at high-resolution images of stealthy, sexy things.

Capstone's CMT-380 hybrid supercar does 150MPH with batteries and a jet engine originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Volkswagen L1 concept is crazy efficient, could ship in 2013

Darren Murph — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 05:33:00 EST

Look, it's a well-known fact that the world is ending in either 2012 or when the Large Hadron Collider starts back up (whichever comes first). But, assuming neither of those scenarios actually cause planet Earth to fold in on itself, you should have some pretty swank Volkswagens to choose from in 2013. Just days after hearing that the highly-anticipated E-Up! concept would be landing in around four years, VW is now proclaiming that the L1 concept you see above could also hit production at the same time. What's odd, however, is that the automaker is already calling this the "most fuel-efficient automobile in the world," but at 170MPG, you'd think the suits at Chevy would have a thing or two to say about it. At least in theory, the hybrid TDI vehicle can cruise 100 kilometers on just 1.38 liters of diesel, but we'll wait until the EPA gets a go before buying in completely.

Filed under: Transportation

Volkswagen L1 concept is crazy efficient, could ship in 2013 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 05:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Mercedes-Benz Vision S 500: it's the plug-in hybrid for old people

Darren Murph — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 09:36:00 EST

Look, you won't find a bigger bunch of fans of the C63 than this here crew, but man, that massive "plug-in hybrid" logo might as well say "70+ aged drivers only, please." For everyone not interested in scooping up a Tesla Roadster, Chevy Volt or some other eco-friendly whip that they can't afford, there's the Mercedes-Benz Vision S 500. Made official this week during the run-up to the impending Frankfurt auto show, the 3.5-liter PHEV aims to grab the eyes of those who value class, comfort and luxury, and while this whole "gas mileage" thing is still very much in the air with this type of vehicle, early estimates peg the MPG rating at around 70. M-B has gifted the car with an 18-mile electric range, but most everything else is being veiled in secrecy until the full reveal next week.

Filed under: Transportation

Mercedes-Benz Vision S 500: it's the plug-in hybrid for old people originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 12 Sep 2009 09:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Lexus LF-Ch concept wants to bring Prius hybrid utility to sporty hatchbacks

Vlad Savov — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:48:00 EST

Feast your eyeballs on this little beauty. Lexus, Toyota's luxury arm, has stopped teasing and gone fully official with the LF-Ch concept you see before you, which is being billed as a "BMW 1 series, but hybrid." All we know so far is that it'll run on some version of the Hybrid Synergy Drive found in the Prius, with the concordant ability to be run exclusively in EV mode. Well okay, we also know that it's damn gorgeous and heading toward production next year, but the all-important price point remains a mystery. Look for the prototype to make its first appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Show coming up later this month.

Filed under: Transportation

Lexus LF-Ch concept wants to bring Prius hybrid utility to sporty hatchbacks originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Touch Tracer Display gives 2010 Prius speedometer a new look

Darren Murph — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 10:23:00 EST

Not like you didn't already know everything there was to know about the 2010 Prius, but in all seriousness, here's a snippet we'll bet you weren't aware of. Autoblog has pointed out that Toyota's next-generation hybrid will sport an all new Touch Tracer Display that will enable steering wheel commands to appear atop the speedometer whenever a button is pushed. The upside? Rather than glancing down at your wheel (and thus, away from oncoming traffic), you'll be able to see the options while keeping your head up and eyes on the road. Naturally, we'd expect this little innovation to spread far and wide across Toyota's fleet in the not-too-distant future.

Filed under: Displays, Transportation

Touch Tracer Display gives 2010 Prius speedometer a new look originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 10:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Video: Honda Insight's Eco Assist nags like a backseat hippie

Thomas Ricker — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 08:42:00 EST

Honda's new 5-passenger "Insight" hybrid just went on sale in Japan. The ¥1,890,000 (about $20,750) hatchback's 1.3l i-VTEC engine with Integrated Motor Assist features Honda's new Ecological Assist system that helps correct your wasteful driving habits. Eco Assist features an ECON mode (via dashboard button) that adjusts the engine output to conserve energy and increases regenerative recharging during deceleration. It also features Guidance and Scoring modes that adjust the background color of the speedometer and presents more (or less) leaves on the ~~dashboard~~ multi-information display to reflect your current level of fuel efficiency. The idea is simple: as your driving "improves" both your bank account and the environment will benefit. The Insight is expected to make its way to your local amber waves of grain or purple mountain majesty dealership in April, Europe in March. Skip ahead to 1:40 in the video posted after the break for the full Eco Assist rundown.

Continue reading Video: Honda Insight's Eco Assist nags like a backseat hippie

Filed under: Transportation

Video: Honda Insight's Eco Assist nags like a backseat hippie originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Feb 2009 08:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Lotus powersliding into the hybrid car market

Tim Stevens — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 21:18:00 EST

If you want to make a car handle -- and handle well -- you call Lotus. Just ask Tesla; without the help of the gearheads in Hethel, the US's hottest electric vehicle would probably still be just a concept. Perhaps dissatisfied with the relatively minimal PR love it's been receiving from the Tesla relationship, Lotus has announced plans to develop its own battery-powered car. However, unlike the all-electric Roadster, this new offering will include a Volt-like supplementary fuel-burning engine to add a bit more range and, one would figure, rather a lot more mass. That's not exactly good news for those who worship the Lotus mantra of "to add speed, add lightness," but at this point we don't have any idea about what the thing will weigh, cost, or indeed look like. If all goes according to plan we should get some answers when those international automotive powerhouses who are still alive bum a ride to the Geneva Auto Show in March.

[Via Autoblog]

Filed under: Transportation

Lotus powersliding into the hybrid car market originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 21:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Mindset Six50 solar electric concept is light, green, and a bit homely

Joshua Fruhlinger — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:22:00 EST

As the big auto manufacturers scramble to come up with fuel-efficient alternatives for us gas addicts, smaller companies are swooping in with both concepts and production models. In the latter category, we have Mindset AG with the solar electric Six50 concept you see here. The 2+2 seater is designed to weigh just 1,764 pounds and measures about 13 feet long with a slab of solar panels over its haunches. Designer Mura Güntak expects the Six50 to run just about 62 miles per charge (although an optional generator can be added to extend this), do 0-60 in 7 seconds, and plans to roll out 10,000 of these bad boys by 2009 at the cost of $78,000 each.

[Via Inhabitat]

Filed under: Transportation

Mindset Six50 solar electric concept is light, green, and a bit homely originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Next-gen Toyota Prius: bigger, stronger, more Prius-like than ever before

Joshua Topolsky — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:35:00 EST

We already know that Toyota has an eye to the future with the Prius, likely switching up the batteries and adding a plug-in option, but now we've got a little more news on what shape the next generation fuel-saver will take. According to Auto Observer, the new model (said to be showing up at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show) will sport a larger, 1.8 liter engine, a ten percent increase in fuel efficiency, and will undergo a fairly noticeable redesign (though we doubt it will end up looking like the concept car above). Pundits say the new Prius will be larger, may be available in a wagon version, and there are suspicions that Toyota will grow the brand and include a compact version of the hybrid as well. One thing's for sure: with an increase in production of 60 percent for the next iteration, the eco-friendly car is sticking around.

[Via AutoblogGreen]

Filed under: Transportation

Next-gen Toyota Prius: bigger, stronger, more Prius-like than ever before originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tesla defies its roots, plans gas-electric car for 2009

Darren Murph — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 00:50:00 EST

We're not exactly sure what to make of this one -- the auto maker created to show up gas guzzlers and prove that electric whips could indeed prove viable in a society helplessly addicted to gasoline is apparently gearing up to turn a blind eye to its original mantra. According to a report over at CNET, the firm is planning to unveil not one, but two editions of its forthcoming Whitestar sedan. Although one will indeed cruise sans fuel, the other will be a gas-electric REV (range extended vehicle), purportedly designed to entice buyers who would typically be concerned about the range (or the lack thereof) of a purely electric vehicle. So, let's get this straight -- rather than holding true to its original rallying cry, Tesla's deciding to just a build a car that it knows will actually sell. Right-o.

Filed under: Transportation

Tesla defies its roots, plans gas-electric car for 2009 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Feb 2008 00:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Toyota details research plans for plug-in Prius, won't lease batteries

Darren Murph — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 16:21:00 EST

Earlier this year, we got word that Toyota was likely to test the waters with a plug-in version of its oh-so-trendy Prius, and now the auto maker has stepped forward and doled out a laundry list of details about the plan. Reportedly, the outfit will be delivering a single "modified Prius" to the University of California, Berkeley and University of California, Irvine for a three-year study designed to "speed up development of plug-in versions of the hybrid." The Golden Bears will be focusing on consumer behavior / lifestyles, while the Anteaters will research technical issues, such as how much juice will be sucked from the power grid when thousands of drivers plug-in their rides for the evening. On another interesting note, Toyota also mentioned that it had "no intention of leasing more expensive batteries for next-generation hybrids separate from the vehicle," which contrasts the view of several competitors (like GM) who are least mulling the idea. Unfortunately, we've no idea if the still-elusive plug-in Prius will land before / after the Volt, but we're sure folks at Toyota won't sit idly while Chevy cashes in for too long.

Filed under: Transportation

Toyota details research plans for plug-in Prius, won't lease batteries originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 11 Nov 2007 16:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Fiat's tri-powered Multipla Multi-eco

Donald Melanson — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 13:58:00 EST

Dual-powered cars aren't quite as unique as they used to be, but a vehicle that's able to run on three different power sources should be enough to perk up anyone's energy-saving, cost-cutting ears, even if just a little bit. At least that's what Fiat hopes will be your reaction to its latest concept car / tongue-twister, the Multipla Multi-eco. In addition to running on plain-old gasoline, it'll get you where you want to go on either methane or E85 bioethanol. The methane gets a fuel tank of its own, but the car's ECU is able to sort out the gas and bioethanol itself, letting you use any combination of them. This being a concept vehicle, however, you won't exactly be able to get behind the wheel of one anytime soon. However, Fiat is making a slight variation commercially available in the form of the Panda Panda, which lacks the E85 bioethanol option but still lets you run on your choice of methane or gasoline.

[Via Autoblog]

Filed under: Transportation

Fiat's tri-powered Multipla Multi-eco originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Sep 2006 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments