Showing posts with label Hybrids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hybrids. Show all posts

Friday, June 29, 2012

Déjà Vu: NHTSA Asks Toyota to Recall Lexus RX Over Floor that May Trap the Gas Pedal


The unintended acceleration problems continue to persist and haunt Toyota as federal safety regulators said on Friday that they have asked the company to recall around 154,000 Lexus RX SUVs from the 2010 model year after discovering a potential issue with the driver's floor mat that could lead to the accelerator pedal being entrapped. Read more »

New Jaguar XJ_e Plug-in Hybrid Study Returns up to 73.4mpg US or 3.2lt/100km


Jaguar chose the Goodwood Festival of Speed that runs from June 28 to July 1 for the world premiere of a new technology study based on the XJ limousine.

The new XJ_e was created to exhibit Jaguar-Land Rover's (JLR) capabilities and future plans as in theory, the concept's plug-in hybrid drivetrain can be used in most of the group's models. The study follows other hybrid research demonstrators from JLR including the Limo Green and Range_e vehicles.

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Monday, June 25, 2012

Toyota Reveals Engine Specs for 2013 Avalon, Includes 265HP V6 and 200HP Hybrid


When Toyota pulled the wraps off the all-new 2013 Avalon sedan at the New York Auto Show this past April, it shared many general details about the fourth-generation model but didn't say a word about the powertrain options.

Now, the time has come for Toyota to disclose that the new Avalon will arrive in dealerships later this year with a choice of two engines, a regular V6 gasoline unit and for the first time in the model's history, a fuel-efficient hybrid system.

We'll start with the Avalon Hybrid, which borrows its powertrain from the Toyota Camry Hybrid and Lexus ES 300h and as such, links a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine to a 244.8-volt nickel-metal hydride battery pack and a pair of electric motor/generators within the transaxle.

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Thursday, June 21, 2012

Peugeot Launches Diesel-Electric Hybrid4 Version of 508 Sedan in Europe


Peugeot's diesel-electric HYbrid4 technology is now available with a third body style in the 508's range as after the crossover and station wagon models, the moniker has now been applied to the sedan variant.

Like its two other siblings, the 508 Hybrid4 makes use of a 2.0-litre HDi diesel engine delivering 161hp (163PS) that powers the front wheels and a 36hp (37PS) electric motor driving the rear wheels.

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Monday, June 18, 2012

Feds Expand Investigation of Toyota Models Over Fire Risk to 1.4 Million Vehicles


The U.S. government has added approximately 570,000 vehicles to an ongoing probe of a power window master switch located on the driver's door on certain Toyota models that could pose a fire risk, increasing the total number of vehicles investigated to a little over 1.4 million units.

In addition to the 830,000 Toyota Camry sedans, Camry Solara coupes and cabriolets and RAV4 SUVs from the 2007 model year, the probe now includes the 2007-2009MY Camry and Camry Hybrid, RAV4 and Yaris vehicles built from around September 2006 through August 2008, as well as all MY 2008 Highlander Hybrid vehicles.

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Mitsubishi to Unveil New Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV in Paris


Following the world premiere of the gasoline- and diesel-powered versions of the all-new Outlander at the Geneva Motor Show this past March, Mitsubishi today announced that it will roll out a Plug-in Hybrid EV model of its crossover at the forthcoming 2012 Paris Motor Show this September.

The new Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV (or PHEV) will share its architecture with the soon-to-be-launched Outlander’s Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) versions.

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Sunday, June 17, 2012

Audi Dominates 24 Hours of Le Man Taking 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th Spots with Diesel-Hybrid R18 e-tron


For the second consecutive year and 11th time in the last 13 years, Audi nabbed the chequered flag at the famed Le Mans 24 hours endurance race with drivers Marcel Fässler (CH), André Lotterer (D) and Benoît Tréluyer (F) behind the wheel of the R18 e-tron quattro.

Audi's win at the Sarthe circuit was of particular importance as it was a first for a diesel-hybrid car. In 2011, Audi had won the top spot with a diesel model.

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Thursday, June 14, 2012

Infiniti to Debut Running Emerg-E Prototype and Bentley a Surprise Model at the Goodwood Festival


It might not be a show in the traditional sense, but that isn't stopping carmakers from debuting new models at the upcoming Goodwood Festival of Speed, taking place in Britain from June 28 to July 1.

Today we learn that Infiniti will perform the world premiere of the first running prototype of the UK-designed and built range-extender supercar concept, the Emerg-E, which premiered in static form at this year's Geneva Motor Show in March.

In fact, the Emerg-E will do more than show up as it will participate in the famed Goodwood hill climb alongside other cars including the Renault Alpine A110-50 Concept.

"The Festival of Speed crowds will be seeing EMERG-E in action for the first time ever, even before many of Infiniti's top executives have seen it," commented Jerry Hardcastle, Infiniti Global Chief Marketability Engineer.

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BMW Says i8 Plug-in Hybrid Coupe to Cost 'More than €100,000'


We're still a good two years away from the market launch of the most anticipated model of BMW's new i sub-brand, the i8 Coupe, but the Bavarian automaker has already outlined a pricing strategy for the plug-in hybrid.

Speaking to reporters at the grand opening of the i sub-brand’s first sales outlet worldwide on London’s Park Lane, BMW global sales chief Ian Robertson said that the hybrid sports car will sell for "more than €100,000 (about US$125,400 or £80,600)" - apparently in Europe, according to a report from Bloomberg News.

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Tuesday, June 12, 2012

BMW's New 1.5-liter Three-Cylinder Petrol Engine for i8 to be Built in Britain


During the SMMT 2012 International Automotive Summit in London on Tuesday, the BMW Group announced that its brand new 3-cylinder petrol engines for the upcoming i8 plug-in hybrid sports coupe will be produced exclusively at the firm's UK engine plant at Hams Hall, near Birmingham. Read more »

Thursday, June 7, 2012

2013 Chevrolet Volt get Slightly Improved Pure Electric Driving Range


The introduction of the 2013 model year Chevrolet Volt brings an increase in the car's pure-electric driving range by three miles (4.8 km) for a total of 38 miles (61.1 km), compared to the 2012 model's 35 mile EV range.

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Friday, June 1, 2012

Consumer Reports Doesn't Recommend New Toyota Prius C Hybrid


Toyota’s least-expensive hybrid model, the $18,950 (excluding a $760 delivery and processing fee) 2013 Prius C, is the latest car to be tested by Consumer Reports magazine.

Unfortunately for Toyota, the product-testing magazine asserted that the Prius C is not good enough to be recommended.

"This subcompact hatchback, which is related to the lackluster Toyota Yaris, suffers from a stiff ride, very noisy cabin, slow acceleration, and cheap-looking interior trim," said Consumer Reports.

Read more »

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Toyota and Lexus Cumulative Hybrid Sales Since 1997 Top 4 Million Vehicles


As of April 30, the Toyota and Lexus brands have both sold more than 4 million hybrid vehicles around the world since the market launch of Toyota's first hybrid model in Japan, the Coaster Hybrid EV in August 1997, followed by the Prius in December of the same year.

Global sales of the Prius began in Europe, North America and other regions in 2000, with the second-generation of the model landing in showrooms in 2003. The Japanese automaker then expanded the use of its hybrid system on other models such as minivans, SUVs, rear-wheel-drive sedans and compact hatchbacks.

Read more »

Toyota and Lexus Cumulative Hybrid Sales Since 1997 Top 4 Million Vehicles


As of April 30, the Toyota and Lexus brands have both sold more than 4 million hybrid vehicles around the world since the market launch of Toyota's first hybrid model in Japan, the Coaster Hybrid EV in August 1997, followed by the Prius in December of the same year.

Global sales of the Prius began in Europe, North America and other regions in 2000, with the second-generation of the model landing in showrooms in 2003. The Japanese automaker then expanded the use of its hybrid system on other models such as minivans, SUVs, rear-wheel-drive sedans and compact hatchbacks.

Read more »

Monday, May 21, 2012

Spy Shots: New Range Rover Strips Down to the Metal


These are by far our best pictures yet of the all-new, fourth generation Range Rover, as our spies managed to snag a prototype model without all the plastic cladding of the previous test cars.

Even though Land Rover engineers have covered select parts of the body with black and white decals that look like they came straight out of the Matrix, these new images afford us a clear view of the upcoming premium SUV's shape.

Read more »

Spy Shots: New Range Rover Strips Down to the Metal


These are by far our best pictures yet of the all-new, fourth generation Range Rover, as our spies managed to snag a prototype model without all the plastic cladding of the previous test cars.

Even though Land Rover engineers have covered select parts of the body with black and white decals that look like they came straight out of the Matrix, these new images afford us a clear view of the upcoming premium SUV's shape.

Read more »

SPIED: 2014 Acura MDX Crossover, May Get New RLX's Hybrid Powertrain


Our man with the long lens snapped a prototype of the next Acura MDX crossover testing on public roads near the Nürburgring racetrack in Germany.

The mid-size crossover model was heavily camouflaged but a close look at the front end of the vehicle reveals Acura's revised five-point grille with the beaked chrome upper part and twin chrome slats underneath.

While most styling details of the third generation MDX remain hidden, it appears that like the 2013 RDX, it too will feature a more mature / less exciting exterior design, with several elements borrowed from the RLX and ILX sedans.

The current model, which has been on the market since 2006 having received a mild nip and tuck in late 2009, is available with a 300hp 3.5-liter VTEC V6 engine linked to a 6-speed automatic transmission and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive.

Read more »

SPIED: 2014 Acura MDX Crossover, May Get New RLX's Hybrid Powertrain


Our man with the long lens snapped a prototype of the next Acura MDX crossover testing on public roads near the Nürburgring racetrack in Germany.

The mid-size crossover model was heavily camouflaged but a close look at the front end of the vehicle reveals Acura's revised five-point grille with the beaked chrome upper part and twin chrome slats underneath.

While most styling details of the third generation MDX remain hidden, it appears that like the 2013 RDX, it too will feature a more mature / less exciting exterior design, with several elements borrowed from the RLX and ILX sedans.

The current model, which has been on the market since 2006 having received a mild nip and tuck in late 2009, is available with a 300hp 3.5-liter VTEC V6 engine linked to a 6-speed automatic transmission and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive.

Read more »

Refreshed Lexus RX 450h Priced from £44,495 in Britain


The global rollout of the facelifted Lexus RX crossover continues with the launch of the RX 450h in the UK. The hybrid model is on sale now with on-the-road prices ranging from £44,495 to £55,495.

The revamped RX 450h is offered in four trim levels including the base SE, the Luxury, the newly introduced F Sport and the Premier.

Read more »

Refreshed Lexus RX 450h Priced from £44,495 in Britain


The global rollout of the facelifted Lexus RX crossover continues with the launch of the RX 450h in the UK. The hybrid model is on sale now with on-the-road prices ranging from £44,495 to £55,495.

The revamped RX 450h is offered in four trim levels including the base SE, the Luxury, the newly introduced F Sport and the Premier.

Read more »