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Volvo introduces CO2-tracking Commute Greener mobile app

by Sebastian Blanco (RSS feed) on Nov 29th, 2009 at 12:20PM


Got a little OCD in you (and, yes, we understand if you think that should be CDO so it's in alphabetical order) and want to track your CO2 emissions while traveling around? Volvo's got you covered with a new mobile phone (i.e., iPhone) app/website called Commute Greener. The idea is that you tell the app or website how far you're going on a particular mode of transportation and it will tell you what your CO2 emissions will be for that trip. By switching the modes, the app recalculates the emissions, letting you figure out the cleanest/best way to get to where you're going. By the sound of it, the app is currently only geared to specific emissions in Volvo's home town: Gothenburg, Sweden, but we assume it's easy enough to apply the results to your own commute and green it up a bit.

[Source: Volvo]


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AC Schnitzer gives BMW 1 Series diesel the police package treatment

by Sam Abuelsamid (RSS feed) on Nov 29th, 2009 at 9:04AM

AC Schnitzer BMW 123d police package - click above for high-res image gallery

It's nothing new to see high performance vehicles like Porsche 911s being used for autobahn pursuit in Germany. The gang at AC Schnitzer have just unwrapped (or perhaps wrapped is the better term given the side graphics) a new police car concept based on the 123d. As one of Autoblog's resident diesel fans, the 123d has long been one of this blogger's favorites. The compact package combined with the tasty twin turbo 2.0-liter four cylinder diesel putting out 204 hp scores mid-6 second 0-60 times with 40 mpg efficiency.

Schnitzer, since it is their job, couldn't leave well enough alone and has boosted the engine further to 241 hp and 354 pound-feet. They've also applied an array of their special visual bits including a front splitter, rear spoiler, bigger wheels and Hankook tires. The body has been dropped 30 mm which should help compensate a bit for the extra drag of the light bar on the roof. Inside, racing seats and carbon fiber trim are accompanied by a new cover for the iDrive knob that matches the design of the wheels.

We'll pass on the light bar and the graphics but would be happy to take the rest of the car, thank you.

Gallery: AC Schnitzer BMW 123d police package

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Speak No Evil: Latest Aptera newsletter stays mum about company turmoil

by Sebastian Blanco (RSS feed) on Nov 28th, 2009 at 6:09PM

Aptera 2e final design rendering - Click above to enlarge

Aptera Motors has been in the news recently because there's been a lot of trouble behind the scenes, with company founder Steve Fambro being let go and the vehicle being pushed back to 2010. The latest company email newsletter is out and it mentions three items:
  1. An Aptera 2e that was on display at the Reliant Football Stadium in Houston, Texas for the Texan/Titans game five days ago.
  2. That the company is resubmitting its application to the DOE, now that three-wheelers can be considered.
  3. Some information on "Aptera's Beach Body" and the evolution of the 2-series composite body.
Can you see what's missing? The official website, too, doesn't mention the trouble. We can understand that the company doesn't want to spend all of its communication bandwidth on problems it is having, but to not acknowledge them in any way gives off a bad feeling. Combine this with what we've heard (but haven't proved) about the Aptera website's RSS news feed being recoded to reduce the number of stories that show up about the troubles, and it's not exactly looking transparent over at there. Here's hoping for a bit more sunlight. Thanks to Richard H. for the tip!

[Source: Aptera]

High price for a hybrid: Lexus sets MSRP for LS 600h at $108,800

by Sebastian Blanco (RSS feed) on Nov 28th, 2009 at 3:10PM




2010 Lexus LS 600h - Click above for high-res image gallery

Lexus' LS 600h may look modest on the outside, but the 2010 version of the hybrid sedan will set you back a cool $108,000, plus an $875 delivery fee, when it arrives at dealerships soon. The flagship LS line was given a mid-cycle refresh earlier this year and the hybrid version was upgraded with the same ECO mode that boost efficiency and can also be found on the 2010 Prius for a quarter of the price. Read more about the LS 600h's updates here.

In addition, Lexus has announced "MSRP adjustments" to most of its models. The price of the GS 450h went up $900, for example. See the complete list after the jump.
[Source: Lexus]




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Frank Weber takes over product planning at Opel

by Sam Abuelsamid (RSS feed) on Nov 28th, 2009 at 12:12PM

For the past two and a half years, readers here at ABG have come to know Frank Weber as the leader of the team working to transform the Chevrolet Volt from a wild-eyed concept to viable production car. Weber was the Global Chief Engineer for electric vehicles at GM during his time working in the U.S. A couple of weeks ago, GM announced that Weber would return to Germany to take a high level position at Opel. This, of course, was when Opel was still set to be sold to Magna International.

Now that the sale is not happening, GM has finally announced what Weber's new position will be the new head of Corporate and Product Planning for Opel and Vauxhall. Back in Rüsselsheim, Weber will oversee the creation of the next of European GM products following on from the new Insignia and Astra.

[Source: General Motors]

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Vectrix lives again, has lithium future

by Domenick Yoney (RSS feed) on Nov 28th, 2009 at 9:06AM


Vectrix VX-1 - Click above for high-res image gallery

It appears that Vectrix has just about sorted itself out and could soon officially declare itself out of bankruptcy and on the straight and narrow lithium-lined path. According to a press release we found reproduced on the V is for Voltage forum (but could not find on the websites of the companies involved) GoldPeak Batteries has scooped up "New Vectrix" and changed its name to back to its original Vectrix Corporation. The new owners had a partial stake in the company previously and were, indeed, the supplier of their nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery. If things proceed as hoped, the new company should have a bright, lithium-powered future.

If you haven't figured it out yet (dude, you're slow!), the Vectrixes of the future will come will a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePo4) battery that should improve range and eliminate some of the problems buyers have had with the original chemistry. There have been reports of problems balancing voltages within the cells and shortened range and battery life due to operation in high ambient temperatures. Not only will the new machines be packing lithium power but the company hopes to offer an upgrade kit for existing bikes. Product lineup plans for 2010 have also been clarified with the VX-1 getting something of a makeover and two smaller models in the works. Like their larger sibling, the new runabouts will also have lithium batteries and be the electric equivalents of a 50 cc and 150 cc scooter. We now await the official announcement from Vectrix and will also seek to learn whether there is any truth to a rumor about a possible TTXGP appearance from the re-born company. Purported press release after the break.


Gallery: Vectrix Electric Scooter


[Source: V is For Voltage]

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Report: Revived Toyota MR2 hybrid could challenge Honda CR-Z

by Sam Abuelsamid (RSS feed) on Nov 27th, 2009 at 6:36PM


Honda may not have the hybrid sports coupe market to itself for long if a report out of Japan has any merit. One of Japan's top car magazines, Best Car, is reporting that Toyota is planning to bring forth a hybrid sports car in the near future as a direct challenger to the new Honda. Unlike the front wheel drive Honda, the renderings produced by the magazine indicate that the sporting hybrid would be mid-engined like the now discontinued MR2.

Such a layout would would imply the likelihood of a significantly higher performance level than what we expect from the CR-Z, although Honda has yet to say just what to expect from its coupe. A hybrid sportster like this would might also be a good first non-plug application for new lithium ion batteries. If such a car does become a reality from Toyota, it would certainly be in line with Akio Toyoda's stated intent of getting more passion into his namesake brand. It would also make an interesting counterpoint to the upcoming FT-86 being developed with Subaru. Who said hybrids had to be boring?

[Source: Best Car via CarScoop]

Mazda2 to be basis of electric vehicle test fleet

by Sam Abuelsamid (RSS feed) on Nov 27th, 2009 at 4:13PM


2010 Mazda2 (Thailand-spec) - Click above for high-res image gallery

Until now, Mazda's most notable alternative fuel programs have been the hydrogen-powered Wankel rotaries currently being used in an RX-8 test fleet. The "Zoom-Zoom" automaker has acknowledged plans to build new hybrid-powered vehicles in the coming years, but to date has avoided the battery electric vehicle arena.

That is about to change thanks to a newly-announced partnership with Itochu Corporation and Tsukuba City. Mazda and Itochu will convert three Demios (known as the Mazda2 outside of Japan) to plug-in battery power. Besides just testing the electric drives, the program will also test car sharing services using the EVs as well as using renewable energy to charge the vehicles. The program will also evaluate battery reuse programs that put used EV energy systems into use in fixed applications. The test program will launch in March 2010.

Gallery: 2010 Mazda2 (Thailand)


Gallery: 2007 Mazda2


[Source: Mazda]

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VIDEO: Watch live as ABG goes for a first drive in the Chevy Volt this Sunday!

by Sam Abuelsamid (RSS feed) on Nov 27th, 2009 at 2:12PM FeaturedFirst Drive

Chevy Volts on 1,200 mile drive - Click above for high-res image gallery

Here at ABG, we've been tracking the progress of the Chevrolet Volt since before the concept debuted in January 2007. Along the way we've spent plenty of time with various members of the Volt team and last spring we were among the first to drive the Cruze-based powertrain development mule. Later in August, we got take a ride in one of the pre-production prototypes with global chief engineer Frank Weber. As we head into next week's Los Angeles Auto Show, GM has crossed another threshold by allowing selected members of the media actually drive the IVER prototypes with the range extender mode enabled. We will get our own chance to drive on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. PST and we'll be doing some live streaming of the event thanks to Ustream and our snazzy new Droid phone. Join us on Sunday and ride along. Watch my twitter feed @samabuelsamid for updates on what's happening.

Gallery: Chevrolet Volt 65% drive

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VIDEO: Wet Liberal rants about Top Gear, electric cars and hydrogen

by Domenick Yoney (RSS feed) on Nov 27th, 2009 at 11:07AM


Wet Liberal rants - Click above to watch the video after the break

Most of the time, Robert Llewellyn is a seemingly well-adjusted comedic actor with a concern for environmental issues who currently hosts a web-based show called Carpool, where he drives about in a hybrid or electric car whilst talking with a very interesting person. Occasionally though, the pressures of life bear down on him and to remove certain issues from off his chest, he becomes the "Wet Liberal" (defined by Llewellyn a someone who "inhabits the flippy floppy central area" between the political left and right, where he reckons most people actually reside) and speaks his truth directly to the camera sans car and sans guest.

This latest episode begins with the disclosure that he has been given a car. Well, several cars apparently, but the most recent and pertinent one being an i MiEV which Mitsubishi has agreed to let him have for a year, ostensibly for the purposes of an upcoming project. (Dear Mitsubishi, We are anxiously awaiting an i MiEV for an extended stay in the AutoblogGreen Garage. Specifically, the garage of our southeastern branch office. In left-hand-drive please.) From there, the soliloquy turns to the latest electric-car edition of Top Gear which, naturally, leads to a discussion of hydrogen and why its promotion as the fuel of the future is an oil company ploy. While we can't speak to veracity of all his claims, we can recommend sitting back for nine and a half minutes of the Wet Liberal amusement that awaits you after the jump.


[Source: YouTube via Tesla Motors Club]

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