While the Toyota Prius has long been the automotive ambassador of the green movement, Pike Research conducted a Cost of Driving test to find out whether the all new 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in can trump the Chevrolet Volt. According to its findings, by first establishing the price for every gallon of gas at $3.50 and...
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Fisker Automotive has finally been given EPA certification and as a result can start officially selling cars. The U.S.-based builder of luxurious yet green vehicles has received a 52 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) rating for its Karma sedan. With a 32 mile electric-only range, the Karma’s gasoline only rating is a less impressive 20-mpg....
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The Honda Insight, boasting the highest fuel economy of any new vehicle under $20,000, gets a mid-life model update for 2012. Exterior wise, the Insight receives a more distinctive grill design with a thin, blue accent bar to highlight its high-tech identity. Aerodynamic enhancements include a smother underbody cover and an addition of air diffusers...
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Chevrolet’s decision to offer a diesel-powered Cruze compact in the U.S. is a sign that GM is testing the waters to see how American’s react to the gasoline alternative. Chrysler, says company CEO Sergio Marchionne, has much more ambitious goals for the often-criticized fuel. Starting with the 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Chrysler Group will...
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As rumored, Toyota’s upcoming Prius c model doesn’t look all that much like the concept car. Too bad. A leaked dealer brochure from Japan has revealed exactly what the newest member of the Prius family will look like (at least in Japan), not to mention what sort of powertrain it will receive. Compared to the...
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A public disagreement between Volkswagen and Suzuki in early September left the Japanese automaker wanting to end its partnership, but that might not happen. In a news release Monday, the company said it “will retain its stake in Suzuki Motor Corp. unchanged.” Suzuki requested its shares be returned in light of what representatives say are...
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The Honda CR-Z was always intended to be a car with a split personality. When docile, the hybrid system allows the CR-Z to reach 39-mpg. Then, if prodded, the sporty hybrid promises to deliver sports car levels of driving excitement. However, in its current state, the CR-Z has been more Dr. Jekyll than Mr. Hyde....
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Expected to arrive some time next year, the successor to the Ferrari Enzo could make use of hybrid technology admits company CEO Amedeo Felisa. Speaking at the launch of the new 458 Spider, Felisa admitted as much and even confirmed that Ferrari is currently testing prototype hybrids. While still a stretch at this point, Ferrari...
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Spy photos taken at the set of the upcoming Avengers movie is providing us with a glimpse of a future Acura sports car, driven by Robert Downey Junior who plays Iron Man, Tony Stark. According to AutoExpress, this vehicle points the way for the future NSX successor. Honda‘s previous plans to develop a new front...
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If you’re eagerly awaiting a more family friendly Volt, or a more luxurious and sporty one, you’ll have to be patient. According to Nick Reilly, the head of GM Europe, the automaker isn’t planning to release any Volt spin-offs until 2015. The reason for the date is that that’s when the current Volt’s life-cycle is...
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The walls of BMW headquarters whispered rumors of a BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid model, according to Autobild. If a 3 series hybrid is in the works, expect technologies from the big brother ActiveHybrid 7 series to be mated to BMW’s staple straight six engine. A compact electric motor will provide the hybrid with an additional...
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Subaru is preparing to launch its first every hybrid model in 2013 with an on sale date the next year. Set to be an electrified version of the Legacy sedan at the car’s unveiling, when it arrives in the U.S. the hybrid powertrain could be under the hood of a different vehicle. While the Legacy...
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The future of green motoring is far closer than you might think. At least it is if you’re a believe of Mercedes-Benz CEO Dieter Zetsche. In a recent interview with Motor Trend, the former TV personality for Chrysler (when under Daimler’s ownership) Dr. Z says that, “We see another one or two decades of dominance...
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It’s that time of the year again as Car of the Year begins the laborious task of whittling down new Car of the Year contenders for 2012. A total of 59 journalists, representing automotive authorities across 23 European countries, have been recruited for the task of choosing top car. The number of journalists to represent...
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The BMW X6 is a niche market vehicle, and its sales numbers in North America have reflected its limited appeal. Now one of its variants (perhaps the ultimate niche market version) is getting the axe. We are talking about the X6 ActiveHybrid. Originally launched at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show, the X6 ActiveHybrid has two...
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After debuting the car earlier this week at the Frankfurt Auto Show, Toyota has now released official details on the new Prius Plug-in Hybrid including expected fuel economy numbers. While it’s not quite up to the much-hyped Chevy Volt, the Prius PHEV will feature, “more affordable pricing than pure electric or range-extender type vehicles,” says...
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Making their world premiere at the Frankfurt Auto Show, the BMW i3 and i8 may just be concepts, but point to a major push by the German automaker into the realm of electrified vehicles. In fact, BMW is so serious that its working towards an entire range of “i” branded alternative vehicles, sporting both electric...
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Jaguar claims the C-x16 concept can accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in just 4.4 seconds, will reach a top speed of 186 mph and thanks to a virtual 50:50 front/rear weight distribution (the Hybrid battery pack is mounted behind the seats) reportedly delivers superb cornering ability.
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Unveiled today at the Frankfurt Auto Show, Ford‘s Evos concept is more than just a hybrid Aston Martin clone. Beautiful, yes, but it’s also a look at the future of where Ford’s SYNC technology could go, as well as some new “smart” methods of maximizing fuel economy. It is, after all, a hybrid. Power the...
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After years of hype (and delays), Fisker finally delivered its first shipment of production models to customers this Summer. The next obvious step would be a concept, followed by several more years of teasers and production hickups. Not so, says CEO Henrik Fisker, unveiling the new Surf model at the Frankfurt Auto Show today. A...
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Revealed ahead of the Frankfurt Auto Show, the new Jaguar C-X16 concept moves Jaguar one big step close to becoming a credible threat to the Germans, giving the first look at a volume sports car. There may be some similarities to Jag’s grand touring XK, but the C-X16 is a smaller two-seater. In fact, it’s...
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Can a Volvo transport truck beat a Ferrari in a drag race? Not unbelievable enough for you? Then let’s make the Volvo a hybrid too. OK, so this Volvo isn’t exactly capable of hauling any loads down the Motorväg, but it still makes for an exciting comparo… or at least it did until we found...
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With an almost Aston Martin look and feel about it, Ford has unveiled the Evos concept ahead of its official debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month. Dripping with sex appeal, Ford global product boss Derrick Kuzak says the car was created to show the three key elements of the automaker’s One Ford global...
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When a car meets its expected sales target it’s not normally worth reporting, but considering the flop that was the HS250h (not to mention slumping brand sales in general), Lexus seems on track to meet and even exceed its goal with the new CT200h. According to the latest figures the CT200h was the third best...
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