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Lexus LF-CC Concept shows the future of touchscreen interiors
We're boots on the ground at the 2012 Paris Auto Show and Lexus is one of the first auto makers to roll out its concept hardware for the show. The company had a few machines to unveil, but the highlight is definitely the curvaceous LF-CC. It is, alas, just a concept that is intended more to show the future design direction of the company than give a clue into an actual production model to come, but more interesting is the clues this is hinting about both interior design and electrification on the powertrain front. Join us after the break for more details -- and more pictures.%Gallery-166707%
Cadillac Converj hits production as ELR, escapes concept purgatory
If you're not already familiar with the story of the Cadillac Converj, take this quick primer: the Converj is the Chevy Volt's luxurious, canceled cousin. The up-and-coming concept suffered an early death shortly after its debut at the 2009 Detroit auto show. Now it's back, returning to development under the name Cadillac ELR. The new electric caddy is said to feature an updated version of the Voltec powertrain, complete with a Chevy Volt-like range-extending generator. Detroit promises that pricing and availability will be released "later," but you can cruise past the break right now for some extra classy PR.
Leaf sales outpacing the Volt, winning the fight for American garage space
According to Automobile, Nissan is winning the race to put the most electric cars in American driveways, selling 3,875 Leafs in the first six months of 2011, while Chevy only managed to put 2,754 Volt keys in the hands of consumers. This is despite Nissan suffering a month long manufacturing setback following the tsunami that struck in March. Chevy has had its own delays, having closed the Volt plant five weeks ago for upgrades that will allow it to pump out more vehicles. Lets not forget though, the Leaf starts at about $8,000 less than its American made competitor and, when it comes to weaning us off gas and putting us behind the wheel of tech-packed cars -- there's no shame in being number two. Perhaps GM will have better luck with that cheaper, shorter range version it's been contemplating.
American Prius V to get old-school batteries, Japanese version to get fancy Li-ion ones
We'd rather see a more interesting Prius before we see a bigger one, but it's the bigger one that comes first. The taller Prius V that was unveiled in Detroit is said to begin hitting Japanese showrooms next month, priced at ¥3 million (about $37,000) and packing an all-new Li-ion battery in the floor. This is different than the nickel metal hydride pack found in the current Prius, a smaller and lighter design that leaves room for a third row of seats. When the car hits the US, though, we'll get a bigger set of cells like the one in the current Prius, meaning the American version won't have those seats in the back. Irritating? A little, but the version we'll be getting will also be available in Japan, where it will sell for almost $10,000 less than the Li-ion version. For ten grand in savings we'd probably skip the rear seats too.
GM looking to offer lower-cost, shorter-range Volt?
We've certainly had some complaints about the Chevrolet Volt, including mediocre highway mileage, but far and away it's that $41,000 MSRP keeping it from being a real contender for mass adoption. Now we're hearing rumors that GM is thinking about down-sizing the car's batteries in an attempt to drop that price as well. The battery pack is far and away the most expensive single component in the car and the thought is that a reduction of the pure EV range to just 20 miles (down from its current 30 - 50) could have a whopping $10,000 reduction in cost. That would mean buyers would dip into the gas tank a little sooner but be a lighter on their bank accounts -- at least in the beginning.
2012 Chevy Volt could be eligible for an extra $5,000 off in California
If you live in California you're blessed with a lot of things, including weather patterns that seem to get stuck in a rut an awful lot. Another treat you'll find is an additional $5,000 rebate on cars that are rated AT-PZEV -- that's Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle, those having very low emissions and hybrid-like technology. The 2011 Chevrolet Volt failed to score that rating because its batteries are not rated for 10 years and 150,000 miles, part of the AT-PZEV rules, but GM is apparently looking to fix that next year with a version of the Volt that will qualify. It's unclear whether all Volts will be upgraded or whether it'll be an option -- and if an option how much that will cost -- but a total of $12,500 in rebates on the Volt would certainly make that $41,000 MSRP a lot more palatable.
GM CEO Dan Akerson wants next-gen Chevy Volt to be $7,500 cheaper, we do too
We like the idea of the Chevy Volt, but at a starting price of $40,280 it's a bit of a tough sell -- even considering the $7,500 tax break you'll get for being on the cutting edge. GM CEO Dan Akerson agrees, according to GM-Volt.com giving his designers the task of cutting $7,500 out of the car's cost by the time its next generation appears at dealers. Assuming our federal tax credit still exists that would push the out the door figure for the car down to around $25,000, about the same as the Nissan Leaf and into the budgets of far more Americans than it currently targets. We're not sure exactly what corners will be cut to make this happen, but we're hoping they don't try to make the wheels any thinner.
Zipcar adds the plug-in Prius PHEV to its fleet, probably not changing name to Zapcar
Would you like a plug-in Prius, the sort that we spent a few days with last year, back when the seasons were changing and there was only a hint of this killer winter to come? Well, too bad, because you still can't buy them. But Zipcar can, apparently, adding eight of the things to its fleet, and they're available now in Boston, San Francisco, and Portland, Oregon. Given the company has 8,000 total cars available your chances of securing one of these particular Priuses (Prii?) is slim, but if you score, know that they charge in just three hours on a 110 outlet, and half that if you're wired for 220, so no fancy-pants charging station is required for use.
Chevrolet rolling out Volt nationwide by end of year, everybody gets a plug-in
Sick of waiting for your Leaf? Maybe you'll have more luck finding a Volt. Sure, it's not a pure EV, or even a pure series hybrid, but it is going to be a lot easier to find in the near future. Chevrolet has confirmed that the car will be going nationwide by the end of the year, expanding from its current availability in just a few states -- the crimson ones above. By the third quarter it will hit the great Pacific Northwest and the muggy Southeast, and then toward the end of the year it'll fill in the bits in the middle and warm the hearts and garages of Americans all the way up in Maine and Alaska. So, who's buying?
Toyota puts Prius C on a pedestal, we go back for more
Sorry, we can't help ourselves. You see, we like the Prius. A lot. But it's just so... well... boring. Not the Prius C. It's just a Concept, but it's a Curvy one, a Cute one, and a downright Catch. Call us anytime. Toyota. You have our number. %Gallery-113924%
Chevy Volt named North American Car of the Year
Electric? Hybrid? Series? Parallel? Who cares? The Chevrolet Volt, the very car that helped us flee a soggy and cold Washington D.C. last year, was just named North American Car of the Year at the North American International Auto Show by an independent panel of judges representing major media outlets. It bested other finalists, the Nissan Leaf and the Hyundai Sonata. The Volt has won despite scoring low marks in the swimsuit portion of the competition, but in its acceptance speech the Volt thanked all the little people and indicated it would spend the next 12 months working toward world peace and alternative drivetrain configurations for all.
Toyota looks set to launch two new Prius models in Detroit, one's a mystery
It's a sure-fire bet that Toyota will unveil its upright Prius MPV at the North American International Auto Show in a couple of weeks, a rather more roomy and practical version of the hybrid that really started it all. And, of course, the plug-in model we tested in October will be surely rocking the floor. Now we're hearing that another as of yet unreleased Prius will be on display, simply referred to as a "Prius concept vehicle." Concept cars of course range from the mundane to the insane, and knowing Toyota we're guessing this one will fall squarely into the former category. Just the same we're hoping for a tire-shredding, slalom-eating, RWD hybrid Prius Supra model. We'll be there in Detroit when the unveil happens and we'll be sure to bring some tissues to wipe away our tears of disappointment.
Chevy Volt preview: escape from DC in today's car of tomorrow
Okay, we're no Snake Plissken, but let's just say that DC has become something of an interesting town lately, with mock-left and faux-right wing pundits holding giant rallies, political candidates being accused of witchcraft, and various other signs of the apocalypse happening every day. We were glad to make it out with both eyes and we were glad to be doing so in the car of the future that's finally a part of the present: Chevrolet's $41,000 Volt. It's actually (honestly) in proper production now, being delivered to select dealers soon, one of those production models given to us to drive from our great nation's capital to the cultural capital of the world: New York City. We easily managed it on a single tank of gas, but what kind of mileage did we get? You'll just have to read on to find out. %Gallery-106832%
