Autoblog Green

Tokyo Preview: Honda EV-N concept is retro-adorable, has unicycle storage

Alex Nunez — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:02:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Honda, Tokyo Motor Show, Green Daily

Honda EV-N Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

When the curtain rises on the Tokyo Motor Show next month, Honda's green-themed display will include what it calls the HELLO! Zone, a showcase for electric vehicles. Why "HELLO! Zone"? Well, we have no idea, other than it reminds us of a certain feline and that the Japanese clearly have a thing for all-caps names and exclamation points. In the HELLO! Zone, showgoers can say, uh, "hello" to the excruciatingly neat, relentlessly cute EV-N concept. It's a retro-styled battery-powered car with a face of a pug puppy crossed with a Trabant and nifty concept-y features like swappable seat fabrics, a solar roof, and a "communications system" embedded in the black front fascia. Most importantly, however, the EV-N's passenger door contains one of those bizarrely kickass UX-3 super gyroscopic robot unicycles, which pretty much makes the EV-N the coolest electric car of all time. We think. Anyhow, when Honda unveils an ASIMO that can both drive the EV-N and then self-deploy on the UX-3, it's time to go hide under your beds, because that'll be the signal that their robot army is ready for world domination. But we digress. Check out the high-res pics of the EV-N in the gallery below.

[Source: Honda]

Tokyo Preview: Honda EV-N concept is retro-adorable, has unicycle storage originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva Preview: Bentley to reveal biofuel supercar

Alex Nunez — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:18:00 EST

Filed under: Flex-Fuel, Bentley, Geneva Motor Show

Click above for a high-res image of Bentley's new biofuel supercar

When the curtain rises on the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, Bentley will take a large share of the spotlight with the vehicle you see above. It has no name yet, and no technical specifics have been released, but what Bentley has revealed is that this will be the marque's fastest, most powerful production car yet, and that it'll run on biofuel. Visually, the grilles all have a blackout treatment, and sizable vertical intakes occupy the front bumper's outer edges. The hood also sports a pair of vents, presumably to help extract engine heat.

Given that the 600-horsepower/553-lb-ft Continental GT Speed currently owns the "most powerful production Bentley" title, look for more extreme ratings on this new, obviously Continental-based monster. As for the biofuel half of the equation, we expect to see an ethanol-drinking version of the twin-turbocharged 12-cylinder that propels the rest of the Continental range. In any case, a new Bentley's coming, and it's fixin' to open up a plus-sized can of whoop-ass. We'll learn more closer to the Geneva festivities.

[Source: Bentley]

Geneva Preview: Bentley to reveal biofuel supercar originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2009: Ford ready to electrify the masses with EV car in 2012 [w/VIDEO]

Alex Nunez — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 13:21:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Ford, Detroit Auto Show, Green Daily

Ford is betting that efficiency will be paramount in the long term. The new Fusion Hybrid? That's the tip of the iceberg. Today in Cobo Arena, the Ford execu-quartet of product chief Derrick Kuzak, CEO Alan Mulally, President of the Americas Mark Fields, and Bill Ford presented the green roadmap that the Blue Oval plans to follow into the future.

EcoBoost was the lead-in, with Kuzak driving onstage in the EcoBoosted Ford Flex, whicih bumps out 350 horsepower while delivering fuel economy to the normally-aspirated V6. This, you knew. He then went on to announce that by 2013, EcoBoost engines will be available in 90% of Ford nameplates. That announcement was followed by another, which stated that the company's fuel-stingy inline-4 will ultimately be offered in every car and crossover in the product lineup.

Then Bill Ford segued into the the Blue Oval's new EV strategy, and stuff got even more interesting... Follow the jump to find out about Ford's electrification plans.

Continue reading Detroit 2009: Ford ready to electrify the masses with EV car in 2012 [w/VIDEO]

Detroit 2009: Ford ready to electrify the masses with EV car in 2012 [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 13:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit Preview: 2010 Chevy Spark beats a path to the web

Alex Nunez — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 20:45:00 EST

Filed under: Chevrolet, Detroit Auto Show

As the hours wind down before the 2009 Detroit Auto Show finally kicks off in the morning, more vehicles are leaking through the manufacturers' embargo nets. The latest addition to the list is the 2010 Chevy Spark, teased earlier this week on Today by GM design honcho Ed Welburn. Spark is the production version of the Chevy Beat concept that made its debut alongside the Trax and Groove at New York two years ago. Beat was the winner of a public poll to see which of the three microcar concepts would make it to production. We also know that Beat/Spark's going to get some time in the limelight as a character in this summer's Transformers sequel.

The itsy-bitsy new "world car" has grown a second set of doors in production trim, but otherwise, its styling remains remarkably true to the Beat show car. Roof rails hint at real-world practicality, and the fact that GM is choosing Detroit to unveil it suggests that maybe, just maybe, we'll see it here after all. We'll know more as the show gets officially underway, but we can say one thing: it's more interesting than the car it's set to replace in other markets. We'll have plenty more when we see it up close.

[Source: WCF via CarSpyShots]

Detroit Preview: 2010 Chevy Spark beats a path to the web originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 10 Jan 2009 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2008: Toyota Camry CNG Hybrid Concept gets early reveal

Alex Nunez — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 01:36:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Toyota, LA Auto Show, Natural Gas

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Camry CNG Hybrid

All that's missing is an airbrushed portrait of T. Boone Pickens on the hood. Of what, you ask? Of the Toyota Camry CNG Hybrid concept, which explores the idea of combining Hybrid Synergy Drive with natural gas power. It debuts this week at the Los Angeles Auto Show, and is easily identifiable thanks to its grille-free schnoz. With a pair of tanks stowed in the trunk's spare tire well (the car rolls on run-flats), the CNG-fueled Camry Hybrid reportedly has a range of "more than 250 miles" according to the Open Road Blog. Upsides? Compressed natural gas burns cleaner, emitting fewer particulate emissions than gasoline, and even with the lower pump prices we're currently experiencing, CNG is still a little cheaper per gallon.

The tradeoffs? CNG must be stored in cylindrical containers, so Toyota (or any other automaker, for that matter) loses the flexibility of being able to shape the fuel tank to best suit a car's packaging. CNG's also less dense than gas, which means less overall power than a comparable, conventionally-powered car. And then there's that infrastructure bugaboo that seems to always pops up when discussing otherwise nifty-sounding green fuel ideas (think ethanol and hydrogen): a dearth of filling stations for the fuel in question. Toyota says there are only around 1,000 CNG pumps in the country, and most of them aren't publicly accessible anyway. Hence, they have no plans to produce a car like this anytime resembling "soon" -- it's basically just eye candy for green-conscious showgoers.

Gallery: Toyota Camry CNG Hybrid Concept

[Sources: Toyota, WCF]

LA 2008: Toyota Camry CNG Hybrid Concept gets early reveal originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 01:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2009 Saturn Vue 2 Mode Hybrid

Alex Nunez — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Saturn, First Drive

Click above to view high-res gallery of the Saturn VUE 2 Mode Hybrid

We attended the New York-area "GM Collection" event this week, which is basically an opportunity for journalists to drive a variety of 2009 models up at Bear Mountain, an hour or so outside Manhattan. What we didn't know going in was that GM would bring along three production-spec examples of the '09 Saturn Vue 2 Mode Hybrid, and that this would be the first opportunity to take the new gas-electric 'ute for a spin. Bear in mind that this impression is based on about 25 minutes of shared time with the car (we buddied up with Jalopnik's Wes Siler). The official full-dog-and-pony-show media launch event is set to take place in December, and we'll be on hand for that as well. For now though, follow the jump to see some initial impressions of the new Saturn hybrid.

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Saturn VUE 2 Mode Hybrid

Continue reading First Drive: 2009 Saturn Vue 2 Mode Hybrid

First Drive: 2009 Saturn Vue 2 Mode Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch out for Sand People: Electric Landspeeder replica

Alex Nunez — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:44:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., EV/Plug-in, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle)

Click above for more photos of Daniel Deutsch's landspeeder

If NEVs were this awesome, there'd be one in every garage. Daniel Deutsch is a 20-year veteran builder for the entertainment industry. In addition to a perfect R2-D2, he's created this full-scale, fully-functional replica of Luke Skywalker's battered XP-34 landspeeder. Okay -- it's not perfect; Daniel hasn't invented repulsorlift technology in his garage -- yet. As a stopgap measure, Deutsch's speeder is electric-powered, with a 25 mph top speed and a "several mile" range off a single charge. This? Awesome. Your neighbor's GEM? Lame.

[Source: Daniel Deutsch via AutoFiends]

Watch out for Sand People: Electric Landspeeder replica originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics aplenty: 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid

Alex Nunez — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 15:44:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Honda

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid

Last week, Honda officially revealed photos of the 2009 Honda Civic range (which is now on the company website, too), which received a mild facelift as part of its mid-cycle enhancement. As was hinted in the spy shots that came out a short time ago, the grille has been reshaped to fit in with the rest of Honda's vehicle range, the front bumper now incorporates a tri-opening look, and out back, the taillamp lenses are slightly more detailed than before. A chrome strip now spans the area between them on the trunklid as well.

The Civic Hybrid soldiers on with its uniquely-styled wheels and gets standard stability control for 2009. As you can see in the gallery below, leather seating is also now available, along with Bluetooth connectivity and a USB interface for portable media players. The 1.3L four with IMA is unchanged and is rated at the same 40 mpg city/45 mpg highway as last year's car. Overall, yes, the car's changed, but only very slightly. Meanwhile, everyone waits with bated breath for the official unveiling of the big H's hybrid-only Prius fighter.

Gallery: 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid

[Source: Honda]

Pics aplenty: 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 24 Aug 2008 15:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan hits the N�rburgring...in the X-Trail FCV

Alex Nunez — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hydrogen, Nissan

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the X-Trail FCV on the Nürburgring

What's this? A Nissan-at-the-Nürburgring story that doesn't involve the mighty GT-R? Well, knock us over with a feather. We're accustomed by now of hearing about the GT-R's Nordschleife heroics, so when we saw a Nissan release touting a time of 11 minutes, 58 seconds, we thought, "Huh?" Then we saw that the vehicle recording the time was none other than the new X-Trail FCV. The 11:58 run is a record for a fuel cell vehicle on the graffitti-strewn Green Hell. Of course, it's also the only time a FCV has tackled the legendary circuit, so let's not go all crazy with the champagne just yet. Driver Frank Eickholt says that if the track had been dry, he likely would have recorded a substantially faster time -- perhaps by as much as 40 seconds. In any case, Honda, you now have a target to beat with your FCX Clarity. And GM, you're out on the 'Ring enough as is -- get Heinricy into a Fuel Cell Equinox and see what he can wring out of it. After all, it's not a real record until there's a little competition!

Gallery: Nissan X-Trail FCV at the Nurburgring

[Source: Nissan]

Nissan hits the N�rburgring...in the X-Trail FCV originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Phoenix Motorcars SUV

Alex Nunez — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 12:07:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Phoenix, Spy Shots

Click above image to enlarge

Blogger extraordinaire Mickey Kaus recently spied the above SUV innocuously parked in Santa Monica and sent us the photos, wondering if we had any clue what it is. As luck would have it, we do. The truck is a SsangYong Actyon SUV, but it's also more than that. You see the Actyon, in both SUT and SUV body styles, is the basis for Phoenix Motorcars' electric SUT and SUV, which are scheduled to arrive in the U.S. in 2010. The white example Mickey snagged had been de-badged, which lends it an air of mystery, but we know SsangYong's not coming to the U.S. market.

As our esteemed colleague Sam Abuelsamid points out, Phoenix is based in Ontario, CA so it's basically a lock that this is one of their EV development mules. Using the SsangYong trucks as the basis for their electric utility vehicles has two distinct benefits for Phoenix. First, they offer proven, practical and usable packaging that'll work fine in the real world. Second, their front-end styling is bizarre enough that the unwritten rule which states that EVs have to look weird will surely be upheld. Obviously, those Tesla guys, with their sexy-spiffy Roadster, didn't get that memo.

You can check Mickey out every day at Kausfiles, and, on occassion, at Bloggingheads.tv as well. Thanks for the photos!

[Source: Mickey Kaus]

Spy Shots: Phoenix Motorcars SUV originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 20 Jul 2008 12:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Painting Your Car Green May Eliminate Bird Poo

Alex Nunez — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:35:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

A new study conducted by a Zurich insurance company gives new meaning to the benefits of owning a green car. In a survey that examined the color of vehicles to frequency of bird droppings, results showed that owners of green cars were less likely to find bird poo stains (86%) compared to owners of silver cars (92%).

While those numbers may seem relatively trivial, consider this: the overall costs of repairing the damage caused by bird droppings is nearly £57 million/a year.

The study also found that only twenty percent of drivers remove "bird lime" immediately, while a third choose to wait until their next car wash.

Painting Your Car Green May Eliminate Bird Poo originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Honda Civic Hybrid facelift

Alex Nunez — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:03:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Honda, Spy Shots

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the facelifted Civic Hybrid

It looks like Honda's giving the Civic Hybrid a little bit more of an edge in the form of a mild facelift. Up front, the fascia is new, with a three-opening lower intake and a new grille that's shaped like the one you'll find on the Accord and FCX Clarity. A walk to the back of the car reveals what seems to be a new trim piece connecting the taillamps, which are very mildly updated with more ronounced reverse lights. Beyond that, the car looks unchanged. For example, the wheels and profile are identical to the cars on the road right now. It'll be interesting to see whether the appearance updates are exclusive to the hybrid to give it some differentiation, or if they'll make their way to the other Civics as well.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Honda Civic Hybrid facelift

[Source: KGP Photography]

Spy Shots: Honda Civic Hybrid facelift originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Honda's hybrid-only Prius fighter!

Alex Nunez — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:21:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Honda, Spy Shots

Click above for a high-res gallery of the new Honda Hybrid

Honda has acknowledged that not having an instantly-recognizable hybrid-only model since the demise of the Insight (still modern-looking today) has taken a toll. While the company offers the Civic Hybrid, that car lacks the green cachet that Toyota has very successfully cultivated with the Prius. So, Honda made no secret that a new hybrid-exclusive model was coming, and wouldn't you know -- it's very reminiscent of the Prius!

The spies at KGP snagged the car out testing, but there's no denying that its teardrop shape brings Toyota's car to mind. We assume this is the result of Honda going for the most aerodynamic shape possible, which resulted in a profile that can't help but be similar to the Prius. A look at the FCX Clarity shows that Honda's new weapon shares much with its big brother, too. In front, the grille slats solidly carry the family resemblance forward from the new fuel-cell car, and when the new hybrid is ultimately shown without the cladding and cover-ups, we have a feeling that it'll look a bit like a downsized Clarity. The Toyota Prius is a major success story, and Honda wants a piece of that action. You know the saying: if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. And so, it appears, they are.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Honda Hybrid-only model

[Source: KGP Photography]

Spy Shots: Honda's hybrid-only Prius fighter! originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brown goes green in NYC: Full-sized UPS EV truck

Alex Nunez — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:02:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in

Click image for photo gallery of the UPS EV van

Last weekend, reader Andrew Grin accompanied a friend on one of the NY-area Tesla Roadster test drives that were being held (his friend has a Roadster reserved). Following the experience with the EV sports car, Andrew and his buddies spotted a somewhat peculiar UPS truck parked across the street from the garage where the Tesla was dropped off. The big delivery truck had "Zero Emission Electric Vehicle" emblazoned on its side panels. A walk to the front also showed a blank spot where the radiator grille would normally reside. They quizzed the truck's driver, who told them that it's one of two of its kind in New York City, and that it has a 15-mile range. The photos below come courtesy of Andrew, who happened to have his camera on hand to capture the Tesla drive. Turns out, he caught another interesting EV with it as well. Thanks, Andrew!

Gallery: UPS EV delivery van in NYC

[Source & Photos: Andrew Grin]

Brown goes green in NYC: Full-sized UPS EV truck originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vanpool usage rises with gas prices

Alex Nunez — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:04:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Green Culture, Transportation Alternatives

As high fuel prices make it more expensive for people to run their cars, services that specialize in replacing those cars, full-time or part-time, are seeing their businesses grow along with the pump price. Earlier, we told you about Zipcar's improved performance of late, and now we can tell you that at least one Vanpool service is also reaping the benefits of a public fed up with expensive gas. VPSI, Inc. of Troy, MI runs vanpools in the U.S. and the Netherlands and told the Detroit Free Press that it's on pace to add 1,100 new vans to its fleet before this year is out. That fleet is already 15% larger than it was at this time last year, and there's no sign of things slowing down, as people look for ways to save a few bucks on their daily commute. Customers pay, on average, around $100/month plus gas to participate in one of VPSI's pools. The company certainly has staying power. It was formed after the 1970s oil crunch and has stayed afloat ever since, surviving a few ownership changes along the way. Once again, people are changing their habits in response to oil prices, and VPSI's ready to give them a ride, just as it has been for the last 30 years or so.

[Source: Freep]

Vanpool usage rises with gas prices originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A human-powered Ferrari for under 200 bucks

Alex Nunez — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:15:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Green Culture, Ferrari

Click above for photo gallery

Well, what did you expect, an F430 Scuderia? In fairness, you'll get around the city or your college campus a lot easier with this. It's the Ferrari skateboard, available from the Ferrari Store, where you can buy everything short of hemorrhoid medicine emblazoned with the iconic prancing horse. The grip tape on the topside is broken up by the Ferrari logo, while a peek at the deck's underside reveals a red primary theme with Italian national colors and the horse badge accenting things. Want one? Shell out around $170 bucks, and you can have your very own Ferrari -- perhaps the greenest one ever -- four wheels and all. Only this one wont bankrupt you at the gas pump. Thanks to Alex T. for the tip!

Gallery: Ferrari Skateboard

[Source: Ferrari Store]

A human-powered Ferrari for under 200 bucks originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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High gas prices a bonanza for Zipcar

Alex Nunez — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 07:17:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Green Culture, Transportation Alternatives, North America

High gas prices have us all feeling the pinch ($65 bucks last night for me), and as you're all well aware, many folks are changing their driving style, the amount of driving they do, or, in some cases, saying good-bye to their cars or trucks entirely. One beneficiary of people's changes of heart is Zipcar. The car-sharing service announced this week that its average monthly signups are triple what they were a year ago, with 40% of its new members citing fuel prices as the reason they've decided to join. Services like Zipcar allow people to use cars by the hour or by the day, and the vehicles are generally situated in urban areas where car ownership can be inconvenient, expensive, or, in many cases, both.

According to Zipcar (their announcement is pasted after the jump), members who opted to participate in the company's latest survey are saving as much as $600 per month by choosing the service instead of owning a car of their own. Figure in a car payment, insurance, gas budget, and garage/parking costs, and that number gets believable in a hurry, especially for someplace like Manhattan. The company also says that its members are more likely to also use public transportation as they settle into their car-free (or "car-reduced", so to speak) lifestyles, and that the environmental benefits of the service are myriad. If any readers are current Zipcar users or patrons of a similar car-share service, we'd like to know your experiences and hear how well (or badly) it has worked out for you in the comments below.

[Source: Zipcar | Photo: akseabird]

Continue reading High gas prices a bonanza for Zipcar

High gas prices a bonanza for Zipcar originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 11 Jul 2008 07:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Book 'em: Mitsubishi i MiEV dons police uniform

Alex Nunez — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:18:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Mitsubishi

Click above image to enlarge

The fuzz in Japan's Kanagawa Prefecture are getting a new ride, and while it's certainly not going to come out as the victor in a high-speed pursuit, it should handle lighter duties just fine. The car, as you can see above, is a Mitsubishi i MiEV, and the delivery of the unit to the police department for testing appears to mark the first such use of an i MiEV by a Japanese organization other than a power company. Kanagawa Five-O will evaluate the car through March of 2009, and Mitsubishi will regularly collect test data for further analysis. Now, what would be really awesome is if you could divert power from the battery to a set of integrated tasers. They may be superfluous, though, as criminals will likely just surrender to the car's cuteness.

[Source: Mitsubishi]

Book 'em: Mitsubishi i MiEV dons police uniform originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Yaris 5-door rolls into U.S. for '09

Alex Nunez — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:17:00 EST

Filed under: Toyota

Click above image for a gallery of the 5-door Yaris

How do you know gas prices are high? Well, for one thing, your wallet feels a whole lot lighter after you fill up your car. Another indicator is that Toyota is adding a second Yaris liftback to its U.S. lineup. So much for the red-white-and-blue being averse to hatches. For the '09 model year, we're finally getting the 5-door Yaris hatch, which has been available in other markets, including Canada, since the current car arrived in 2005. The 5-door is basically the same size as the three-door, but the added points of entry make for a more usable overall package, especially if you're going to be using the back seats often. Parents, for one, should be pleased with the new offering. Other changes made to the Yaris range for '09 include the addition of standard front side and rear curtain airbags and the addition of optional cruise control for the Liftback. Toyota hasn't announced pricing yet, but it should be in line with what it already asks for the 3- and 4-door cars. Photos of the U.S. market car haven't been released yet, but the enclosed gallery of the UK-market version show you just about all you need to know. Just mentally flip that steering wheel over to the other side.

Gallery: Toyota Yaris 5-door Liftback (UK Version)

[Source: Toyota]

Toyota Yaris 5-door rolls into U.S. for '09 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Suzuki cleared to test SX4-FCV in Japan

Alex Nunez — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Hydrogen, Suzuki

Click image to enlarge

The new Subaru Stella plug-in isn't the only Japanese green car making its debut next month at the G8 conference in Hokkaido. Suzuki's in the game as well with a new hydrogen fuel cell version of its SX4 crossover, the SX4-FCV. Fitted with a fuel cell supplied by GM, and a 70 MPa (10,000 psi) storage tank for the H₂, the SX4-FCV has a maximum operating range of 250 kilometers and a top speed of 120 km/h (around 75 mph). Power output from the fuel cell is rated at 80 kW, while the motor delivers 68 kW. Road testing has been approved by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and transport, and will commence soon.

[Source: Suzuki]

Suzuki cleared to test SX4-FCV in Japan originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 28 Jun 2008 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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