Although the first two generations of BMW's revival of the Mini brand have been sales sensations and are nothing if not fun to drive, the Bavarian company's true engineering merit has always been with rear-wheel drive vehicles. So, it isn't at all surprising that the huge sporting automaker from Germany is looking to co-develop its next front-wheel drive Mini platform with Fiat. Though it could be argued that the Fiat 500 is a direct shot across the bow of the retro-style Mini Cooper, the money savings from platform sharing was apparently just too much to resist for the two automakers.

Fiat certainly has a long history of producing fine small cars, and its current Punto and Panda-based 500 have received rather good reviews from the European motoring press. What's more, BMW has always used engines developed in cooperation with other manufacturers for the Mini. Still, it seems odd that the two marque's would go at each other with vehicles built off the same underpinnings. We'll just need to wait and see how well the two vehicles are differentiated from one another.

[Source: Reuters]

The British International Motor Show will be the backdrop for the latest Honda reveal; a lightweight, low CO₂ sports car concept called the OSM. The acronym stands for Open Model Study and speculation runs rife that it somehow related to the upcoming CR-Z hybrid coupe slated for 2009 production. Drivetrain details were not released so it is unknown if it is envisioned as another hybrid, though it will probably have some type of internal combustion engine as it is referred to as "low CO₂" and not "CO₂ free." Company spokesperson, Steve Kirk, did say it wasn't meant as a replacement for the rear wheel drive S2000.

The convertible was penned at the company's German R&D center in Offenbach and, if the concept goes from clay to metal and eventually makes it to showrooms, Honda has hopes it will further boost their "green image". Though it still early days, judging by the drawing, the OSM should be true to its apparent homophone, "awesome."

[Source: Automotive News Europe {sub-req'd}]

While we've featured many alternatively-powered cars on AutoblogGreen, this may be the first one that is fueled by the imagination. If you've been perusing the iMiEV microsite we told you about the other day you may have noticed a paper craft section. It's a special place that fans of the Mitsubishi iMiEV (other Mitsu models are also there) can go to and download a PDF file containing a magical pattern that was conjured up by Akira Mizorogi. This can then be printed out, cut out, folded and glued to become a mini version of the micro electric car. Although the cutting may be achieved with scissors, an exacto knife and cutting mat is recommended. Small, childlike fingers and a grandparent's patience may also come in handy.

Because of the inexpensive properties of paper automobiles, we were able to get our hands on three of these little beauties, instead of the usual single model, to put through their paces. The cars were pretty much identical with each having unlimited amounts of power and speed. A few runs through the cones revealed handling that was superb as long as you kept a gentle grip. One car had a little better fit and finish which was chalked up to assembly by a different team. We expect the electric versions to be more uniform and also more silent, since the vehicles we had were for some reason equipped with some sort of sound effects device that reproduced the noises of a gas-powered car.

The trio were driven across varying terrain including a redwood forest (pictured above), a grassy savanna, as well as the usual concrete and asphalt. A word of caution. It's a dangerous world out there for paper cars so beware of puddles and large furry beasts who might mistake your iMiEV for a mouse. Check out the gallery of our paper iMiEV adventures below. Many thanks to Yanquetino for the tip!


[Source: Mitsubishi]

In the past year, Italian high performance icon Ferrari has increasingly showed signs of succumbing to the pressures of the modern world of transportation. At the Detroit Auto Show in January, the Ferrari displayed what was labeled as an E85-fueled F430 Spyder and last year showed a mock up of a lightweight concept dubbed MilleChile. Speaking to German newspaper Welt am Sonntag Ferrari president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo once again proclaimed the company's commitment to reducing carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption.

Montezemolo declared that a road-going hybrid Ferrari would be on the market by 2015 and the company intended to reduce CO₂ emissions by 40 percent by 2012. Bringing technology from race programs to the road is nothing new for Ferrari. This is a company that truly lives the motto "Racing improves the breed." From advanced variable intake systems to automated manual transmissions, Ferrari road cars feed the Formula One program with cash and feed off the advancements. The latest is the kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) being developed for the F1 cars. KERS is a regenerative braking system and it's not known is if Ferrari is planning to use a flywheel-based system or electrical energy storage. Either, way Montezemolo has committed to maintaining the character of Ferrari while making the cars cleaner at the same time.


[Source: AFP via Sydney Morning Herald]

Since first hearing that ex-McLaren F1 supercar designer Gordon Murray had left the famous racing company to create his own design house and that its first product was to be a revolutionary city car, we've been anxiously awaiting more details to come to the surface. Lucky for us, they just have. Murray promises that his low-cost car will cut emissions in half and be cheap to purchase and manufacturer. In fact, twenty-percent fewer parts are said to be necessary for the assembly of the vehicle. So far, no real details on what will power the vehicle are available.

We do know that Caparo, makers of the extremely impressive T1 supercar, are heavily involved in the project. This leads us to believe that some major use of composites is in order as carbon fiber is a specialty of Caparo. Murray has no plans to actually produce the vehicle; instead he will sell the plans to other automakers for them to offer to the public. Interestingly, Murray also claims that shipping expenses will also be reduced as the vehicle can be flat packed Ikea-style.

[Source: Autocar]

BMW is certainly no fan of the new corporate average fuel economy regulations and for the most part the new fifth generation 7-series debuting this fall is a big middle finger salute to the whole premise. Nonetheless, BMW is incorporating some technology to help the fuel efficiency of its flagship. The Munich carmaker is using aluminum for much of the suspension to help reign in the mass. The 7 is also expected to eventually get either the Two-Mode or mild hybrid systems that it has in development. So far the only vehicle that BMW has committed to equipping with the Two-Mode is the X6. The 7's main competitor, the Mercedes S-class, is getting the mild hybrid system that the two companies have co-developed.

At launch however, American customers are likely to only have one engine choice, the 4.4L twin-turbo V-8 that recently debuted in the X6. Elsewhere, drivers will also have the option of six cylinder gas and diesel engines. BMW has yet to announce any diesel plans beyond the 335d and X5 that are coming this fall. Both sixes are already used in other U.S. BMW models so they could easily be added to the 7. Given the new CAFE rules, it seems likely that the hybrid and six cylinder models will come to the U.S. sooner rather than later.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

An enterprising man in New York has managed to build an electric motorcycle which he's referring to as the Battery Box. This term comes from the design of the frame, which is just large enough to house the battery components and is built from aluminum for minimal weight. The batteries are a lithium polymer chemistry and offer 48 volts with 40 amp hours of power. Based on the voltage, we assume that the two electric motors are DC. One motor is hub mounted at the rear and provides 6kW of power while an additional, smaller 3kW motor adds some additional acceleration when called upon.

Front forks from an Italian moped contribute to the Battery Box Motorcycle's light weight. The builder claims that this bike represents his first design and a second, more refined machine will be offered for sale for an expected price of $8,000. Check out the video after the break for some more information. Thanks for the tip, Mark!

[Source: Battery Box Motorcycle]

Click above for more shots of the VW One-Liter concept

It has been so long since anything has been heard about Volkswagen's so-called one-liter car that we nearly forgot the concept had existed. It turns out that VeeDub has been quietly working away somewhere deep in Germany perfecting the design. Originally intended for a launch around 2012, rumors now indicate that the vehicle may indeed be ready by 2010. To refresh your memory, the vehicle gets its moniker due to its goal of achieving one liter of fuel consumption per 100 kilometers. The concept vehicle, with its single cylinder engine, was apparently capable of doing a bit better than that, as it was rated at a mind blowing 282 miles per gallon, or about .83 liters per 100 kilometers.

The production version of the carbon fiber vehicle may get a twin cylinder diesel engine along with a possible hybrid drive of some sort. For maximum compactness, the vehicle features the driver in the center of the car with one passenger sitting behind in a cockpit-like arrangement. No word as of yet on price, but it seems that VW is hoping that the government can step in to reduce the cost for purchasers.

[Source: Car Magazine Online]

Click above to view the Ferrari Millechili in our hi-res gallery

While some could rightly wonder what in the world a Ferrari supercar could do to be green, the fact that the Italian manufacturer of super high performance prancing horses cars is interested in cleaning up its act at all probably deserves a measure of commendation. After all, historic rivals Porsche and Lamborghini have proven to be rather stubborn when it comes to changing their ways.

Remember the Ferrari MilleChile concept we showed you last year? Current rumors predict that a vehicle using many of the ideas originally introduced on that cardboard cut-out will make it to production. Green aspects such as direct injection for the rumored V10 engine and lightweight carbon-fiber construction seem likely. Of course, those two aspects would have a desirable effect on performance as well, so we're sure there is more than just green ambitions at play with these rumors.

[Source: Car and Driver via Autoblog]

Topia Corp. has been showing off their lightweight electric car at the booth of Marubeni Information Systems Co Ltd at the 19th Design Engineering & Manufacturing Solutions Expo (DMS). Ok, maybe "car" is a little strong. This little one seater looks to have much more in common with that enclosed mobility scooter from Australia, the Rainrider. In any case, don't look for the "HUVO" to be having its way with streets or sidewalks near you any time soon. Its purpose seems to be to showcase the ability of its creators to design and build prototypes quickly using the lightest of materials and the geekiest of technologies and, at that, we think it succeeds where others fail.

Consider that this ovoid wonder weighs only 150kg (330 lbs) despite its high-tensile steel plate frame. According to Topia president and CEO, Hideki Sasaki, "If a vehicle of the same size as HUVO is made with existing technologies, it would weigh about 300kg (660 lbs)". They accomplish this feat by using aluminum alloys, carbon fiber reinforced plastic, and ABS resin. The windshield is polycarbonate instead of glass. The actual building techniques are also impressive. The company designed and built its own press molds and utilized equipment ranging from lasers to a rapid prototyping system. The only thing lacking in this concept is the concept of "sexy".

[Source: Tech-On via Engadget]

Mazda has declared that by the middle of the decade they will have replaced their entire powertrain lineup and cut fuel consumption by 30 percent. On the powertrain side, engines will be upgraded across the board including a new direct injected wankel rotary. In 2009, a new Smart Idle Stop system will debut that restarts the engine using the direct injection system instead of the starter. Fuel will be sprayed directly into the cylinder and ignited to get the pistons moving. New gas engines will get direct injection and Mazda will add new clean diesels to the lineup worldwide as well as continuing to develop hydrogen-fueled engines.

Ford's Japanese affiliate intends to continue down the path begun with last years new Mazda2 and the new 6 this year by reducing the weight of new models. The trend of recent decades to higher powered engines has led to a cascading effect of increased mass to support the power. Mazda intends to reverse the process. From 2011, Mazda wants to cut at least 220lbs from new models.

[Source: Mazda]

Click above for more shots of the Saint Thomas EV

BMW once came up with the idea to enclose a scooter and add some safety equipment to it. Crash tests showed surprisingly favorable results, but the idea never seemed to catch on and the C1 is no longer for sale. The fact that it already proved unsuccessful on the commercial market once hasn't stopped others from considering the idea. One such group is the Saint Thomas Academy in Mendota Heights, Minnesota. A group of students at this high school has created an enclosed electric motorcycle which uses sixty volts worth of lithium phosphate batteries powering a Briggs and Stratton ETEK pancake-style permanent magnet electric motor.

The current configuration is said to be good for a top speed of sixty miles per hour and a range of forty miles. The chassis is constructed from chromoly tubing. The body is made from a carbon fiber and Kevlar composite and should therefore prove very strong. The full seat even features a seatbelt. We are not certain that anything quite like this will ever be available for purchase again, but its good to see it in concept form at least.


[Source: The Kneeslider]

Hungary is not generally known as a hotbed of automotive development, although Audi does have a factory there that builds many of its engines. A new prototype vehicle from the former Soviet block state, though, provides a very interesting look at some possible future transportation.

The Antro Solo combines some of the best ideas from legendary race car designers like Colin Chapman and Gordon Murray with concepts from solar racers, mopeds and Priuses. Living up to Chapman's mantra of "adding lightness" the Solo weighs a mere 600 lbs thanks to a composite construction. Clever packaging with two passenger seats on either side of a central driver's throne a la Murray's Mclaren F1 are blended with diesel-electric hybrid powertrain. The battery gets some range extension from roof top solar cells and pedals for the passengers. Antro is targeting an $18,000 sticker and 117mpg city/157mpg highway specs. With those kinds of numbers, this could be an X-Prize winner. Unfortunately, the carbon fiber body alone is likely to cost more than $18k and, at 600lbs, passing any kinds of safety standards anywhere in the world is going to be nearly impossible.

[Source: AutoFiends]

click the Toyota iQ for high res gallery

With the rather healthy sales numbers currently being posted by the smart fortwo in the U.S., Toyota seems very excited about the prospect of offering its iQ here. Still, the tiny car will be launched first in Japan, followed by Europe at the beginning of next year. High gas prices seem likely to sway Toyota to consider the diminutive machine for America, though. According to chief engineer Hiroki Nakajima, Toyota's iQ could be a bit higher than smart's, as the Japanese model will feature two extra seats and should post better fuel economy numbers. Like the smart, though, it will be priced more in line with the current crop of small cars and is not meant to undercut them in price. Instead, the iQ is to offer a premium driving experience.

In Europe, the iQ will be offered with a 1.4 liter diesel engine. If the model ever makes it over here, count on either the 1.0 or 1.3 liter gasoline engine underhood. If that does indeed happen, will we ever get tired of making ridiculous puns about the iQ and smart names? Nah.


[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

As we reported the other day, Chrysler is working as hard as possible to get its gas-guzzling fleet more in line with consumer desires. These days, that means fuel efficiency, so it comes as little surprise that Dodge is renewing its efforts to get the Hornet small car up and running. Up until this point, it had been assumed that the Chrysler joint venture with Chinese automaker Chery would produce the Hornet, but it seems that the Chinese company may not be quite ready for prime time. Instead, Chrysler's recent tie-up with Nissan is now expected to result in the new Dodge vehicle.

Chrysler still has plans to introduce a budget line of vehicles with its Chinese counterpart. Dodge's upcoming Hornet, though, will not be an entry level model at all. The Hornet is expected to compete with upper level small cars such as the Mini, which has seen excellent sales as of late due to its fuel efficiency.

[Source: Automotive News Europe - sub. req'd]