Hybrid
First Look: 2013 BMW ActiveHybrid 5
BMW brought the upcoming ActiveHybrid 5 to the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show, giving us a glimpse of the future fuel-economy champion of the 5-Series range. When it hits US shores this March, the ActiveHybrid 5 will make use of the 3.0-liter turbocharged six from the 535i, along with an electric drivetrain and an eight-speed automatic.
Tokyo 2011: Volkswagen Cross Coupe Concept
Volkswagen has debuted its Cross Coupe concept at the Tokyo Motor Show. The compact, four-door, all-wheel-drive SUV features plug-in hybrid technology. Powered by two electric motors and a direct-injection gasoline engine, it offers up to 25 miles of pure electric range.
First Look: 2012 Toyota Prius C
Toyota has taken the wraps off of the smallest member of the Prius family, the Prius c. Set to make its official debut at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the c is expected to net 50 miles per gallon in city driving.
First Look: 2013 Lexus GS450h
Lexus has taken the wraps off the next-generation GS, with the unveiling of the GS450h. Based rather heavily on the LF-Gh Concept from last year’s New York Auto Show, the GS450h features an exterior that’s best described as an evolution of the current GS.
Driven: 2012 Toyota Camry
For Toyota, it doesn’t get any more important. The Camry has been America’s best selling car for the past nine years (and 13 of the last 14), and Toyota expects almost 50 percent of 2012 Camry buyers to have been previous owners, so there is an expectation of what the car will deliver. The question is, will it deliver?
Caddy Gets A Volt: Production Cadillac ELR Announced
Drawing inspiration from its Converj concept car (pictured), Cadillac has announced that it will be moving forward on a production version of a range-extended electric vehicle dubbed the ELR.
Driven: 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid
We recently drove the new Honda Civic lineup, and came away with a basic sense of what the car was like and how it had evolved. That trip, however, covered the whole Civic range, and with a limited amount of time, we had to focus mostly on a couple specific models, while giving the Hybrid only a cursory appraisal. Luckily, we managed to get the 2012 Civic Hybrid in at our Michigan office for some extended time in the vehicle.
Quick Drive: 2011 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid
The M-B has a very slight efficiency advantage over the Bimmer and the Lexus, and a very significant price advantage. MSRP (with destination) is just under $92K for the Benz, about $103K for the BMW, and a huge $113K for the Lexus. Both of the competitors have V-8 engines, meaning they absolutely destroy the S400, and its V-6, in terms of power.
Driven: 2011 Lexus CT200h Premium
This is a more significant car than many may realize. Based on our consumer interviews, the CT200h captures the attention of many people actually in the market because it combines some features largely missing from the market so far. This, we think, is a car that every major OEM needs to study.
New York 2011: Suzuki Kizashi EcoCharge Concept
It turns out that the Suziki Kizashi attack on the New York Auto Show is a two-pronged one. In addition to showing off its bold (and hopefully close to production) Apex turbo concept car, the company would also like to interest you in its conceptual hybrid—the Kizashi EcoCharge.
New York Preview: Lexus LF-Gh Hybrid Concept
Ahead of its debut in New York later this month, Lexus has indulged us with photos and details of the LF-Gh hybrid concept sedan. The concept gives us a preview of the future of Lexus design, as well as showcases the brand’s commitment to hybrid technology.
Porsche Prices, Begins Taking Orders For 918 Spyder
Porsche has announced pricing for 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid supercar, and has opened it up to preorder. Base MSRP is $845,000. Buyers also have the exclusive option to purchase a limited edition Porsche 911 Turbo S Edition 918.
Driven: 2011 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid
Readers of Editorial Director Tom Martin’s monthly column should be familiar with the concept of greenformance. The idea is that a vehicle can be ecologically friendly, while still being an involving, driver-oriented experience. Generally speaking, 5100-pound SUVs don’t really fit that description. Volkswagen’s latest Touareg could be set to challenge that a bit, but does the oil-burning TDI version offer a better alternative for a greenformance SUV?
First Look: Campagna Motors V13R
Campagna Motors, makers of the T-Rex reverse trike (two wheels in front, one in the rear), has announced its newest offering, the V13R reverse trike.
Driven: 2012 Fisker Karma
Soon after this hotly anticipated first drive of the 2012 Fisker Karma at the infield handling circuit of California Speedway, we met up with Fisker Automotive principals Henrik Fisker and Bernhard Koehler on the floor at the recent Geneva Motor Show. They had various overseas publications opened to articles of their car strewn across a couple of back office coffee tables at their stand.
First Look: 2012 Honda Civic
Honda has unveiled the production versions of the new Civic lineup, and it offers more economy, more power, and more options.
First Look: 2011 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid
Today, Porsche released details and some images about the newest and most efficient addition to its hybrid lineup, the 2011 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid.
Driven: 2012 Toyota Prius PHV
In reality, the Prius PHV differs mechanically and dynamically only slightly from the third-generation car that it’s based on. The biggest mechanical change centers around the battery pack, with the single nickel metal hydride battery being replaced by an advanced lithium-ion batteries.
First Look: 2012 Audi A6 Hybrid
Audi has given us a glimpse at its new offering into the market of hybrid vehicles, the new A6 hybrid. We gave you a first look at the new 2012 A6 last month and now we have the full specifications for what to expect when the new version drops later this year.
Detroit 2011: Ford Electrifies Detroit Crowd With EV And Hybrid Models
Ford made a big leap forward at the North American International Auto Show by debuting a hybrid and a plug-in version of its upcoming C-Max, as well as an all-electric 2011 Focus. All three vehicles have been confirmed for production alongside their conventional counterparts at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan.
Ford Adding Start-Stop Tech Across Range
Start-stop technology isn’t exactly new. The ability to seamlessly shut off the engine when at a stop, and then kick-start it back to life once the brake is released has been a standard feature on hybrids and B-segment European cars for sometime. The tech has not, however, made the jump to larger, conventional vehicles. That all looks to change, with Ford announcing that the fuel-saving system will be appearing in its fleet of cars, crossovers, and SUVs within the next few years.
Categories
Most Popular
