Drives: Zenn Electric
Written By: Winding Road Staff
Filed Under: All News, Economy Cars, Electric, Environmental/Green, Winding Road Magazine road tests May 12th, 2008 1:30 PM 3 Comments
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Section: Alternative Propulsion
WR Fleet: 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
Written By: Winding Road Staff
Filed Under: Chevrolet, General Motors, Hybrids, Sedans, Winding Road Fleet Blog May 9th, 2008 4:12 PM 20 Comments
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Now that GM has given a hybrid powertrain to the new-for-2008 Malibu, Chevrolet’s mid-size runner has a lot more to bring to the table and offers a real stiff competition for the Toyota Camry. We like the Malibu’s styling and interior refinement, but after a week in our test fleet, we’re having doubts about the Chevrolet competing with the likes of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive.
Click through the jump for our full driving impressions and click the images below to open a gallery.
Cadillac’s Jim Taylor Tells of Ethanol Hybrid Chopper Coming to L.A. Auto Show
Written By: Seyth Miersma
Filed Under: All News, Biofuels, Cadillac, Concept Cars, Hybrids, L.A. Auto Show, Motorcycles/Bicycles May 6th, 2008 12:00 PM 19 Comments
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Detroit’s own D Business magazine featured a recent interview and photo session with Cadillac boss Jim Taylor, in which the executive talks about the CTS Coupe that debuted at the Detroit Auto Show this year, as well as a pair of very interesting theme motorcycles.
A motorcycle enthusiast himself, Taylor commissioned the Cadillac chopper in the photo above from Great American Chopper of Clawson, Michigan. More interesting still is a second bike that’s still in the works, which will feature a hybrid engine capable of running on ethanol or in a pure electric mode.
The hybrid Cadillac bike is being built by V20 Consulting of New York City, and has been tasked with displaying “GM’s strength in science and technology.” The bike is purported to be capable of a 0 to 60 sprint of 4.5 seconds, and should be unveiled for the public at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show.
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
eBay Auction of the Day: 1997 Solectria EV (Geo Metro Style)
Written By: Seyth Miersma
Filed Under: Aftermarket/Tuners, All News, Alternative Propulsion, Electric, Online Auction Finds May 1st, 2008 5:00 PM 2 Comments
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While most of us (at least the group with access to about $975) could easily pick up a nicely kept up version of the much-abused Geo Metro, only 500 lucky souls will ever have a chance to pilot an example fettled by the Solectria Corporation.
Chosen by Solectria because General Motors had engineless examples ready to go, this Metro has never been sullied with the sweet smells of internal combustion. And though the unassuming EV has covered a healthy 16,000-plus miles in its life to date, the car seems to be in remarkable condition from stem to stern.
While interest in high mpg or alternative fuel cars like this EV Metro is certainly on the rise in today’s world, we still think that the seller may be overestimating the appeal of this particular car. With a starting price of $10,000, we’re guessing that the EV will price out those looking for simple electric transportation, and turn off those who might be interested in making some kind of lifestyle statement.
+ eBay Motors: 1997 Other Makes Solectria Force
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Electric Uno Motorbike Could Offer Greener Commute
Written By: Seyth Miersma
Filed Under: All News, Electric, Environmental/Green, Motorcycles/Bicycles May 1st, 2008 11:00 AM 11 Comments
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A young Canadian inventor named Ben Gulak has created an innovative new electric motorbike that takes some of the lessons learned from the Segway device, but implements them in a much cooler package.
The bike, called the Uno, looks from its profile like a strange powered unicycle but actually employs two wheels side-by-side. Riders lean forward to accelerate; a feature famously used by the Segway, and can hit a top speed of 25 mph in its current configuration. The Uno also makes use of a set of gyros to enhance ease of balance, and the wheels are independently operated making turning much more precise.
(Click through the jump to read on or on the thumbnails below to launch a gallery of Uno images.)
Green Soul, Blue Sky: The Prius Convertible
Written By: Seyth Miersma
Filed Under: Aftermarket/Tuners, All News, Convertibles, Environmental/Green, Hybrids, Toyota April 30th, 2008 9:00 AM 22 Comments
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Our old friends at Newport Convertible Engineering are at it again, with yet another one-off drop-top that has people remarking, “It was only a matter of time.”
The popularity of the Toyota Prius Hybrid may dictate at least a few of these bespoke offerings, but the beauty of the final product certainly doesn’t. Through no fault really of either Toyota or NCE (we’re putting the blame squarely on the shoulders of the customer that ordered this up), the Prius makes a rather grisly translation to a soft top, with an intrusive roll-hoop that looks as if it were salvaged from a PT Cruiser convertible. Likewise, the remaining window frames look, to put it charitably, odd.
Still for those who want the iconic hybrid and the wind in their hair, NCE has got your jam.
+ Newport Convertible Engineering
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Miami Vice Diesel Edition: Audi R8 TDI Le Mans
Written By: Winding Road Staff
Filed Under: All News, Audi, Concept Cars, Diesel, Future Vehicles, Winding Road Features April 28th, 2008 11:00 AM 4 Comments
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We celebrate spring break driving the Audi R8 TDI Le Mans. Will they build it? Can the South Beach mob stop looking at itself long enough to care?
Report: BMW Diesels on Sale in U.S. by Mid-October
Written By: Seyth Miersma
Filed Under: All News, BMW, Car Buying/Consumer Info., Diesel, Future Vehicles April 22nd, 2008 2:00 PM 10 Comments
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BMW gave show goers a glimpse of its future diesel range for the U.S. when it unveiled the X5 xDrive35d and 335d at this year’s Detroit Auto Show, but didn’t pin down a date for American launch.
That error is being rectified by a new rumor floating around the internets recently, which makes the claim that the Bimmer diesels will be headed our way sometime around mid-October of this year. BMW officials will only cop to a fall launch of the derv-burners, though they wouldn’t go so far as to deny the rumors either.
Whether it’s earlier or later than the October rumor, we think that the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six diesel, good for a solid 425 pound-feet of torque, will be well worth the wait.
+ Autoblog: Rumormill: BMW diesels on sale in the U.S. mid-October
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
New Th!nk City EV to Launch in U.S.
Written By: Seyth Miersma
Filed Under: All News, Alternative Propulsion, Electric, Environmental/Green, Future Vehicles April 21st, 2008 2:00 PM 7 Comments
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Norway-based electric vehicle maker Th!nk Global has announced today that it will be returning to the U.S. with its City car. The company made its first go at success under the Ford umbrella, but sluggish sales caused The Blue Oval to dump the brand back in 2003.
Th!nk CEO Jan-Olaf Willums is expected to present the new version of the City car that failed for Ford, during an upcoming environmental conference.
Three American companies are already heavily invested in the Th!nk’s return to the States, thanks in no small part to the resurgence in interest for small, alternative power vehicles. A123 Systems Inc. of Watertown, Massachusetts and EnerDel Inc. of Indianapolis, Indiana provide batteries for the European version of the car, and General Electric has contributed more than $4 million to Th!nk Global.
+ Automotive News: Th!nk will launch U.S. business (subscription required)
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Ultra Modern Muscle: All-Electric Shelby Cobra and Mustang to Debut this Weekend
Written By: Seyth Miersma
Filed Under: All News, Alternative Propulsion, Electric, Environmental/Green, Future Vehicles, Sports/GTs April 18th, 2008 1:00 PM 7 Comments
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While American muscle cars may not seem like the most obvious destination for all-electric powertrains, the allure of the green movement seems to be pulling in new representatives by the day. Two cases of this, set to appear at the 34th Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach this weekend, are the Tjaarda EVX Mustang and the HST Shelby Cobra EVX.
The pair of EVs will take part in the GP’s “Green Power Prix-View,” and hope to show that electric need not mean slow. Each car packs a 300 horsepower electric motor with lithium ion phosphate battery packs by K2 Energy Solutions. The motors are said to create 1,000 pound-feet of torque at zero rpm, race from 0 to 60 in less than four seconds, and have an effective range of 100 miles between charges. The nouveau Shelby Cobra will top out at a stirring 150 mph, while the Mustang will make it to 120 mph.
While the environmental and performance cases may be compelling, the price of the EV muscle cars is decidedly less so. Asking price for the Tjaarda Mustang is around $80,000 and you’ll spend $125,000 on the Shelby.
+ Edmunds Inside Line: Zap!: HST Shelby Cobra EVX and Tjaarda EVX Mustang Set for Debut
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Mahindra Announces Diesel Hybrid Scorpio SUV
Written By: Seyth Miersma
Filed Under: All News, Diesel, Future Vehicles, Hybrids, India, Sport Utility Vehicles April 17th, 2008 4:00 PM 2 Comments
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Indian automaker Mahindra & Mahindra announced that it would be offering a diesel-electric hybrid version of its Scorpio SUV for Indian and Asian markets in 2009.
The powertrain was developed in conjunction with engine specialist FEV and is comprised of a 2.2-liter four-cylinder mated to an electric motor and a six-speed automatic transmission. The combined forces of the diesel and electric motors will make 154 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque. A nickel metal hydride battery pack will be used for energy storage. No economy figures for the new hybrid have been announced as yet.
Mahindra & Mahindra distributor Global Vehicles USA claim that the engine will be available in the Scorpio and Appalachian pickup when those vehicles go on sale in North America in 2010. Until then, check out the standard Scorpio in our gallery below.
+ Edmunds Inside Line: Mahindra Unveils Scorpio Diesel Hybrid
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Battle Electric: Tesla Sues Fisker Over Alleged Trade Secret Misappropriation
Written By: Seyth Miersma
Filed Under: All News, Alternative Propulsion, Design, Electric, Government/Legal, Hybrids April 16th, 2008 10:00 AM 11 Comments
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Electric sports car builder Tesla Motors is suing designer Henrik Fisker (pictured) and Bernhard Koehler of Fisker Coachbuild, for fraud, misappropriation of trade secrets, and breach of contract.
Tesla hired Fisker, who had worked for the likes of BMW and Aston Martin, during 2007 to work on the interior and body styling of its upcoming electric sedan called WhiteStar. The company is making the claim that despite paying Fisker almost $800,000 for the work, the designer purposely held back his best efforts, and helped to push back the launch date of the WhiteStar by six-months to 2010.
(Have a look at the offending piece of evidence, the Fisker Karma, in our gallery below or click through the jump to read on.)
Nissan Confirms Upcoming G37 Convertible, 'Mini SUV' 
Ford Readies 2009 Focus Coupe for American Idol Reveal
Ford Planning to Revive F-100?
Ferrari California Revealed!
Lamborghini Picks L.A. for U.S. Headquarters
