Autoblog Green

Ecos Motors Harbinger debuts in Vegas, now taking orders

Domenick Yoney — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:51:00 EST

Electric Cars of Springfield (ECOS), taking full advantage of an invitation from duPont Registry, brought their recently constructed all-electric supercar to SEMA 2009. The bright orange Harbinger[TM] (photo above), with its Lamborghini-looks drew lots of attention with the likes of Diggity Dave stopping by for an extended chat. Its open scissor-door seemed to lure passing show professionals who used the two-seater as an impromptu posing podium (photo right).

Besides being a head-turner, the car also acted as a platform for a product from another Missouri company. EVInstruments had their customizable MiMod[TM]EV monitoring system with its touchscreen installed in the craft ready to provide potential drivers with GPS, stereo and wireless internet as well as real-time info on things like battery condition and power consumption.

Built on a German‐engineered aluminum frame and suspension system of undetermined origin, the Harbinger uses an 11" Netgain DC motor to get its bad self up to 60 mph in about 5 seconds before heading off to the electronically-imposed limit of 117 mph. Lurking beneath the composite body lies 30 kWh of lithium ion batteries said to be worth up to 150 miles of range. The social media-friendly (Facebook/Twitter) company hopes its beast will bewitch buyers into parting with $89,995 and is now accepting reservations for a limited production scheduled to start in February. ECOS got its start last year doing radical frame-off VW Beetle restoration conversions and sells electric-car components for the do-it-yourselfer. While all that might sound like enough to keep the young company busy, their website also has mention of another vehicle they hope to build next year. The ECOS Fun is a little Jeep-inspired affair that promises highway speeds and hundred-mile range for $24,995. Hit the jump for video of a little Harbinger-in-Vegas action.

[Source: ECOS Motors]

Continue reading Ecos Motors Harbinger debuts in Vegas, now taking orders

Ecos Motors Harbinger debuts in Vegas, now taking orders originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2009: eVARO plug-in hybrid three-wheeler debuts, returns

Sebastian Blanco — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, SEMA Show, Green Daily

eVaro - Click above for high-res image gallery

If the eVaro from Future Vehicles Technologies pictured above looks familiar, then perhaps you've been following the development of the Alé. A reddish orange Alé, developed by FVT when it still stood for FuelVapor Technologies, was on display at SEMA in 2006. The more things change...

Making its "debut" at SEMA this year, the eVaro was decked out as a golden squid. Then, as now, the car is one of the contenders for the Progressive Automotive X Prize on display at SEMA this year. Over the years, FVT has increased the car's estimated MPG rating from 92 mpg using a pure gasoline engine to 275 mpg (at certain speeds) by shifting the focus from performance to efficiency. FVT added a plug-in hybrid powertrain to the car, which can now go up to 90 miles on battery power alone. The eVaro is still plenty fast, with a 0-60 time under 5 seconds. Even with all of these great numbers, we're still not sure there is a market for 10,000 of these a year, something the Automotive X-Prize is looking for. Nonetheless, we've got to hand it to FVT for their stick-to-itiveness and name-changing ability. Why did they choose eVARO? Because it means "electric vehicle with advanced regenerative braking onboard," of course.

Photos copyright (C)2009 Frank Filipponio / Weblogs, Inc.

SEMA 2009: eVARO plug-in hybrid three-wheeler debuts, returns originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2009: Meet the world's most desirable Lexus RX450h by Branew

AutoblogGreen Staff — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:08:00 EST

Filed under: Lexus, SEMA Show

Branew Lexus RX450h - click above image to view hi-res gallery

Let me be blunt: I don't like luxury crossovers. At all. It's a niche with no appeal to me whatsoever. Not a car, not a truck - just a fat sedan jacked up on stilts to woo trophy wives with fancy badges and reassure soccer mammas that their children are "safe." And the Lexus RX gets the sharp point of my spear of anger because it's basically responsible for the high-end CUV craze. Not a fan of hybrids, either. That said, I'm absolutely smitten with Branew's Lexus RX450h.

I think it's the stance, has to be. But there is just something very desirable - from an aesthetic standpoint. The big 24-inch wheels help tremendously, perching Branew's at just the right height. And the lower fascia helps the quite handsome - if not distinctive - OEM grill pop. And I know it's going to be a controversial opinion, but the koi fish on the hood totally work. In fact, I know a certain Subaru WRX that could use a koi or two. Anyhow, while I'd rather gargle nails than rock a luxo-CUV, if forced at gunpoint, Branew's RX450h would be my first (and only) choice.

SEMA 2009: Meet the world's most desirable Lexus RX450h by Branew originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2009: Progressive Automotive X-Prize Contenders

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: SEMA Show, Automotive X-Prize

EVI Wave2 Progressive Automotive X-Prize contender - Click above for high-res image gallery

For us polar ice cap haters, we generally think of the competitors in this kind of thing as a bunch of ultra-light, tofu-fueled playthings for liberals who care more about the planet than they do about the people who have to drive one of these rolling chicanes. Sometimes, we'll admit to being wrong.

While Sinclairs and Peels, Tatas and Smarts have forever shaped the way some people think of our recurring push towards greener motoring, the aim of this challenge is to bring ultra-efficiency to vehicles you could really use in the real world. Cars that provide room for you and your stuff and your mate. Cars that don't have to worry about keeping out of everyone else's way while merging into traffic or climbing hills. Cars that look more like a family sedan than a landspeed bicycle. Judging by the competitors we saw at SEMA, we'd say they have a little ways to go yet, but most of the vehicles that were on display sure looked fun. If they're frugal too, so much the better.

Unfortunately, for every Team Hydrophi Ford 500 Phi Ride and Global-E G1 in the group, there was still a Tango or Zap Alias, cars that might be great to drive and efficient, but only seem to reinforce the stereotypes. The ones we really liked were the examples that blended the two needs in a tasteful way. Cars like the EVI Wave 2 (above) and the Aptera 2e are a hoot. Competitors like the Amp'd Sky and Smart EVX seem like solid choices, but the cars they're based on might not be practical for everyone either. Same goes for the Carbon Zero roadster and the T-Rex-derived Optamotive Surge. The one that really captured our attention the most though, was the Future Vehicle Technologies eVARO (its the gold car between the Tango and Smart). We covered this squid-like tandom when it was first announced a couple of years ago. Until they come to market, check out our gallery and the press release announcing the 43 finalists for the prize.

Photos copyright (C)2009 Frank Filipponio / Weblogs, Inc.

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SEMA 2009: Progressive Automotive X-Prize Contenders originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2009: Wicked Chevelle isn't as fuelish as it seems

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Diesel, Chevrolet, SEMA Show, Green Daily

1970 Duramax Chevrolet Chevelle custom - Click above for high-res image gallery

The clean exterior of this 1970 Chevelle hides a wicked little secret. If you take a look at the photo above, you'll see what we mean. The bundle of plumbing you see spilling out of the engine bay tells only part of the story. That's no overworked Chevy small block in there, it's a Duramax diesel that has been pushed to new heights via an outrageous custom twin-turbo setup. The stripped-out interior and racing slicks out back show the true purpose of this ride. It was built by Mike Racke and made Popular Hot Rodding's Top Ten Builds this year. We couldn't agree more.

Photos copyright (C)2009 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.

SEMA 2009: Wicked Chevelle isn't as fuelish as it seems originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2009: Mavizen introduces 130-mph TTX02 electric racebike

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:04:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, SEMA Show, On Two Wheels, Racing

Mavizen TTX02 - Click above to enlarge

Right on schedule, Mavizen has released its TTX02 electric motorcycle at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Well, if you listen to Azhar Hussain, TTXGP founder and the entrepreneur behind this racebike, the TTX02 is a "laptop on wheels." How so? For starters, each machine is fitted with an dash-mounted computer that runs on Linux, comes with its own dedicated IP address, on-board web server and connectivity to wireless networks.

While all of that consumer electronics gadgetry is cool, it's the platform of the TTX02 that interests us the most. As rumored, it definitely appears that the TTX02 is based on the chassis of KTM's highly acclaimed RC8 superbike, which means it's a proven platform that's capable of solid handling and high speeds... good thing, as it's reportedly capable of hitting 130 miles per hour.

Twin Agni 95 electric motors push out a total of nearly 100 peak horsepower along with what's surely an admirable torque figure that peaks right off the bat at just about zero RPM. Three lithium ion battery packs will be made available with up to 11 kWh of power, which is reportedly capable of tackling all 38 miles of the TTXGP Isle of Man course. Pricing is not yet announced, but Hussain suggests a competitive machine can be had for around $40,000. Hit the jump to watch a couple videos of the bike's launch at SEMA.

Gallery: Mavizen TTX02 Electric Racebike

[Source: Asphalt and Rubber]

Continue reading SEMA 2009: Mavizen introduces 130-mph TTX02 electric racebike

SEMA 2009: Mavizen introduces 130-mph TTX02 electric racebike originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2009: Local Motors Rally Fighter touches down in Vegas

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:02:00 EST

Filed under: Diesel, SEMA Show

2010 Local motors Rally Fighter - Click above for high-res image gallery

It looks like the open source model can work for building new cars after all. We finally managed to track down the Local Motors Rally Fighter here at SEMA, and it is even more awesome in person than in pics. The interior on this pre-production car obviously still needs some work, but the rest is really impressive. Looking like some crazy mashup of a fighter plane and a SCORE rally truck, we hope this is the vehicle Mel Gibson picks to replace the last of the V8 Interceptors in Mad Max 4.

We spent some time around the vehicle, soaking in all of the details, listening to the reactions of passers-by, and talking to the folks from Local. The passion of the principles is obvious and it's clear that the vehicle has been well thought-out. While much of the Rally Fighter is unique, they weren't bashful about borrowing off-the-rack parts where they knew good ones already existed - Ford F-150 uprights that have been proven at Baja, a Mercedes bumper support system, Fox off-road shocks, a healthy but frugal BMW diesel from the 335d, and the list goes on and on.

Local Motors CEO, Jay Rogers, also pointed out some of the fighter plane styling cues that made it into the final Sangho Kim design. We especially like the cockpit-like greenhouse and the P-51 Mustang-inspired underbody flaring. Jay says the company has already taken 34 orders and that customers will be able to help build their cars by June of next year.

That's right, you get to spend some time with the Local Motors gang, either at their current home in Massachusetts, or at a future facility in Phoenix. They'll spend two weeks with you teaching you how to build your own Rally Fighter, never assuming too much of the owners. We like to think of it as a type of Habitat for Humanity for car people where you put some sweat equity into your new property. We look forward to getting behind the wheel of this beast soon, heck, we'd love to build one ourselves, but until then you can read the press release and view the gallery below.

Photos copyright (C)2009 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading SEMA 2009: Local Motors Rally Fighter touches down in Vegas

SEMA 2009: Local Motors Rally Fighter touches down in Vegas originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2009: Ford EcoBoost '34 Hot Rod rocks a V6 in style

Drew Phillips — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Ford, SEMA Show

1934 Ford EcoBoost Hot Rod - Click above for high-res image gallery

Putting modern engines into new cars isn't anything new, but this '34 3-window coupe in the Ford display isn't like anything we've ever seen before. Detroit Street Rods has wedged the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 underneath the hood, making it the first rear-drive application for the twin-turbocharged engine. Packing 400 horsepower and 400 lb-ft torque, this little coupe has the potential to surprise quite a few people at stoplights.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the car is how the engine is packaged. The dual Honeywell turbochargers have been moved to the front of the motor among various aluminum tubing routing air and exhaust gases, and a single, large exhaust cone exits above the front fender on each side of the car. It's not a rumbling V8, but it looks just as good and is just as fast too. You can read more details about the car in the press release after the jump, or check out our high-res gallery below.

Continue reading SEMA 2009: Ford EcoBoost '34 Hot Rod rocks a V6 in style

SEMA 2009: Ford EcoBoost '34 Hot Rod rocks a V6 in style originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Roush engineering building propane-powered Mustang drag racers

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:50:00 EST

Filed under: Ford, SEMA Show, Racing

Jack Roush is involved in a variety of enterprises, several of which involve building very fast Ford powered vehicles. His Roush Engineering business also does a lot of prototype build and development work for its client companies. Most recently, Roush has been building propane-fueled conversions of Ford F-150 pickup trucks that are especially useful to fleet customers.

The latest project from the racing legend is a new drag racing Mustang fueled by propane. The new car is one of two being prepared for NMRA competition in 2010 using Mustang body shells. The first car that is being unveiled this week at the SEMA show is based on a 2005 Mustang. The second car, which will debut in February, uses a new 2010 body. The Roush crew has adapted the propane fuel kit from the F-150 and combined it with an aluminum block 5.4-liter V8 based on the Ford GT engine. Roush has switched the formerly supercharged engine to be normally aspirated and bumped the compression ratio to 12.5:1 to take advantage of the 106 octane rating of propane. The new propane engines should produce over 600 hp. The propane-fueled F-150 produces an average of almost one-fifth less greenhouse gases and NOx than a similar gasoline engine.

[Source: Roush]

Continue reading Roush engineering building propane-powered Mustang drag racers

Roush engineering building propane-powered Mustang drag racers originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Auto X Prize wins $5.5 million from DOE for its own prize-giving contest

Sebastian Blanco — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:03:00 EST

Filed under: SEMA Show, Automotive X-Prize

While the Automotive X Prize's raison d'être is to give out money to the best high-mileage vehicles and business plans in the $10 million contest, as the saying goes, it takes money to give out money. To that end, the AXP announced today that it has received $5.5 million from the U.S. Department of Energy. The funding is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and is intended to "to support the X PRIZE Foundation's work to inspire a new generation of energy efficient vehicles" through technical assistance and outreach efforts. President Obama has a plan called "Strategy for American Innovation" that asks federal agencies "to increase their use of prizes as a tool for promoting technological advances." This announcement seems like a perfect fit for that plan. To be clear, the AXP's $10 million prize purse is still being offered by Progressive Casualty Insurance.

In other AXP news, 12 team vehicles will be on display at SEMA this week. We'll try to track some of them down while we're in town.

[Source: EERE]

Auto X Prize wins $5.5 million from DOE for its own prize-giving contest originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vroom for everyone: Local Motors unveiling crowdsourced Rally Fighter at SEMA

Sebastian Blanco — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:06:00 EST

Filed under: Diesel, SEMA Show

Local Motors Rally Fighter - Click above for high-res image gallery

The wild things have left the movie theaters and are headed to SEMA. Case in point, the Rally Fighter. Coming from Local Motors, which dipped into the collective wisdom of the Internet (not sure if wisdom is the right word there, but whatever) to crowdsource the design and specifications of their first vehicle. Intended to be an eco-minded Baja-like daily driver, the Rally Fighter uses a BMW 335d engine to achieve 36 mpg on the highway, or 30 mpg when off-road. Why is decent fuel economy important? Local Motors' CEO Jay Rogers fought in the Iraq war as a Marine and "saw the oil problem with his own eyes," according to Local Motors PR.

The Rally Fighter is scheduled to leave Wareham, Massachusetts today in order to make it to SEMA for its unveiling on November 3. For more on Local Motors' microfactory and crowdsourcing processes, check out a video of Rogers after the jump. You don't often hear an automotive CEO compare his company to Build-A-Bear, but you can in this case.

Gallery: Local Motors Rally Fighter

[Source: Local Motors]

Continue reading Vroom for everyone: Local Motors unveiling crowdsourced Rally Fighter at SEMA

Vroom for everyone: Local Motors unveiling crowdsourced Rally Fighter at SEMA originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA Preview: Mavizen TTX02 electric motorcycle to be unveiled in Vegas

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, SEMA Show, On Two Wheels, Racing

According to the official TTXGP blog, the long-awaited TTX02 electric racebike will be unveiled November 3rd at the giant SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Based on the race-winning Agni X01 electric motorcycle with a frame sourced from an unknown "leading motorcycle manufacturer," the team behind the effort claims it will be the world's first production electric supersport bike bred for racing.

Details on the feature are scarce, but the Mavizen TTX02 is also said to come equipped with a dedicated IP address that will have connectivity to a network of some sort. We're not entirely sure what that connection will allow or what benefits it will offer, but it sounds interesting.

You'll also be happy to hear that the TTX02 will soon be featured in a new music video from 20-year-old UK pop star Jodie Aysha. The video will be for the song "Pozer" and will air in mid December on MTV. We're sure you're just as excited about this as we are.

[Source: TTXGP]

SEMA Preview: Mavizen TTX02 electric motorcycle to be unveiled in Vegas originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RENNTECH's GLK 350 Spec.R Pike's Peak rally racer wins SEMA build-off

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 08:47:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Mercedes Benz, SEMA Show, Racing

Click above for more shots of the RENNTech Pikes Peak hybrid GLK

Remember the hybrid Mercedes-Benz GLK that longtime MB tuner RENNTECH was working up at SEMA? The vehicle was being made as part of a company-sponsored build-off and was going against some stiff competition from BRABUS and some not-quite-as-stiff competition from Legendary Motor Cars and the Urban Whip from Boulevard Customs. Thankfully, the RENNTECH hybrid - our favorite by a very large margin - managed to snag the top spot. In the end, it was clear that the GLK 350 Spec.R Pike's Peak rally racer was the most sophisticated machine of the four. An electric motor running on 72 volts provides 26kW (about 40 lb-ft of torque) of added electrical assistance to the car's 3.5L V6 engine. The entire machine, with all of its various spoilers, wings and flares, will race up the slope at Pikes Peak in an attempt to prove it was worthy of its recent win. Stay tuned.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: RENNTech Mercedes GLK Pikes Place hybrid

[Source: RENNTECH]

Continue reading RENNTECH's GLK 350 Spec.R Pike's Peak rally racer wins SEMA build-off

RENNTECH's GLK 350 Spec.R Pike's Peak rally racer wins SEMA build-off originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 05 Dec 2008 08:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: PML F-150 w/in-wheel motors test driven

Sebastian Blanco — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:35:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Ford, SEMA Show

Click for a gallery of the Hi-Pa F-150

Want to see the PML F-150 Hi-Pa cruising down the street? This all-electric truck that puts out a combined total of 600 hp and 2,000 lb-ft of torque from its four in-wheel motors made its debut at SEMA last week and, on top of the test drive video, we've got an on-the-floor introduction to the truck YouTube goodie after the jump. PML worked with DST Industries and Ford to take out the V8 powertrain and put in the motors and a 40 kWh lithium ion battery pack. While the first video just shows the truck on the road without any narration, the second is a full-on interview with
PML's Peter (no last name given) and shows off the new instrument cluster, the wheel motors and all the rest. Thanks for the tip, Paul!

Gallery: PML Hi-Pa F-150

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: PML F-150 w/in-wheel motors test driven

VIDEO: PML F-150 w/in-wheel motors test driven originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: Making Green Cool Zone trucks

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:49:00 EST

Filed under: Biodiesel, Diesel, Ethanol, Flex-Fuel, Vegetable Oil, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, SEMA Show

Click above for high-res gallery of Making Green Cool Zone trucks from SEMA

We are so used to huge trucks with outlandish paint jobs at SEMA, that we barely noticed these monstrosities in one corner of the upper level of the South Hall. But then we spotted the "Making Green Cool Zone" banner hanging over them and decided to take a closer look. Along with the dozen or so cars and bikes on display there were some seriously non-green-looking trucks. Their carbon footprints might be small, but godalmighty were they huge.

There was an enormous 2006 Chevy Dually done up by eXtreme-Biodiesel to showcase their 4-hour, 40-gallon portable Extreme Green Machines that make biodiesel just about anywhere they want to. The truck itself gets 25 mpg, which might not seem too impressive until you read that the turbodiesel engine pumps out 1,000 hp and 1,200 ft. lbs. of torque.

Dino Fuel Alternatives (DFA) was also on hand with not one, but two veggie oil trucks. They had a Vegistroke Ford, which we already know is one fast truck, having won the Thundertruck drags with a time of 15.81 seconds, but they also claim it gets 144 mpg. DFA's Vegistroke system has been available for any PowerStroke motor, but the company just finished its new VegiRam system for the Cummins diesel engine also. It was displayed in a VegiRam Dodge dually painted up like a NASCAR Craftsman truck series competitor.

Johnathan Goodwin had another super-efficient Hummer in Vegas, this one an H1 model with E85, Biodiesel, and water boy stickers on it. We already told you about the other Hummer H1 at SEMA that has been converted by Zero South with tracks to do a South Pole run next year. Right now it's a rolling education center with video screens facing in so passengers can see project presentations. Wild Gator Racing brought out a specially-prepped E85 Chevy Silverado that looked trail-ready.

Then we saw our favorite vehicle of the day, Baby. It's an old Japanese fire truck that was converted to run on natural oils and has become an ambassador for alternative fuels and environmental issues as it made its way around the world. Baby was featured in the award-winning documentary Oil + Water, and is now on the Kavu Elements Nature Propelled educational tour. Besides being able to run on just about any kind of oil, Baby also uses vehicle motion, sun, wind and water to store and use energy so the team can run off the grid when parked. The whole thing opens up too, with sleeping areas and a stage for movie showings, concerts and presentations. Very, very cool. See it in the gallery below (of just click here).

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Green trucks

SEMA 2008: Making Green Cool Zone trucks originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: Making Green Cool Zone bikes and products

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Hydrogen, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, SEMA Show, On Two Wheels

Click above for high-res gallery of Making Green Cool Zone bikes from SEMA

SEMA surprised us a bit this year with its "Making Green Cool Zone." On display were a dozen or so cars and trucks, along with a few bikes that all had some green angle. In some cases the vehicles were modified production vehicles that had been given an aftermarket treatment to increase economy, in others they were high-mileage vehicles that had simply been spiffed up, still others were unique vehicles created with green living at their hearts.

The bikes and other products in the booth included the Brammo Enertia Electric Motorcycle that we drove back at EVS23. It was at SEMA to help promote the upcoming TTXGP, the world's first clean emission Grand Prix that will run around the Isle of Man June 12, 2009.

We also saw the Derby City Customs hybrid Kawasaki, that they claim will run with onboard-sourced hydrogen injection to improve mileage. ElectroJet was also on hand, showing off its small engine fuel injection system. The EFI system was fitted to a small Chinese motorcycle engine, which the company chose to highlight the terrible pollution in China and a way the country can increase the cleanliness of the 20 million bikes they make every year.

Among the dozens of green products we saw in the display cases, we noticed that 3M was demonstrating their new lead-free wheel weight system for tire and wheel shops. It is a roll of composite material that can be cut to length for each application. Not only is there no lead going into the equation, but individual weight inventories will be eliminated and shops can just stock a single roll of material, which can be cut with a scissors or cutter. Pretty cool.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Green bikes and products

SEMA 2008: Making Green Cool Zone bikes and products originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 10 Nov 2008 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: Making Green Cool Zone cars

Frank Filipponio — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 20:05:00 EST

Filed under: Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Toyota, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, SEMA Show

Click above for high-res gallery of Making Green Cool Zone cars from SEMA

There were a lot of crazy, over-the-top and outrageous vehicles at SEMA again this year. Some of those vehicles were boosted, blinged, airbrushed and lifted to within an inch of their lives. Crazy lift kits, fat tires, superchargers and turbos, horsepower levels of 400, 650, 750 and even well above 1,000 were splashed across their banners for all to see. And this was just in the show's "Making Green Cool Zone." It was filled with cars, trucks, motorcycles and products aimed at proving green can be fun.

The cars in particular were a great example of that theory. We saw the "Mean Green" '68 Camaro built by OPM Customs that is set to challenge a land speed record powered by E98. The car is made of recycled and recyclable materials wherever possible and should be able to crack 225 mph. Right next to it was the LK Motorsports "Green Rod," a '33 Ford hot rod powered by a GEOD assisted Ford Racing 4.6L DOHC crate motor. The Green Energy On Demand system comes from Assisted Energy and consists of a small, self-contained hydrogen-on-demand unit. Even producing 400+ HP, the car can return better than 30 mpg.

On the other side of the trucks we spotted an old favorite, the HP2g Mustang, a Progressive Automotive X Prize contender that produces 400 HP as well, but can return up to 110 MPGe. If you happen to be more of a Bow-Tie fan, there was the "Bio Rocket," a biodiesel '65 Impala built by Galpin Auto Sports and unveiled by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on a special Earth Day episode of "Pimp My Ride." Corvette fans had their choice of a 750-hp C6 Corvette with the innovative rear-mounted STS Turbo setup, or the soon-to-be-defunct ALMS GT1-winning C6.R Vette that races on cellulosic E85.

There were also a trio of Priuses, including a wild "Zimbra" custom by Batmobile and Batsmart creator George Barris. Like the Barris Prius, the VIP Auto Salon one on display was more about improving the looks and performance of the Prius than about increasing economy, per se, but the M.i.O +81 prECiOus wheel upgrades promised lighter weight and improved handling and efficiency over the OEM units. The last Prius was the Hymotion model that promised optimized performance and 100+ MPGe thanks to its A123 Systems L5 Nanophosphate Lithium Ion plug-in conversion hybrid powerpack.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Green car gallery

SEMA 2008: Making Green Cool Zone cars originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 09 Nov 2008 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: biodiesel Hummer snowmobile update

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 10:21:00 EST

Filed under: Biodiesel, Etc., SEMA Show

Click above for high-res gallery of this attention grabber

That unholy marriage of a Hummer and a snowmobile turns out to be an Antarctic vehicle by Zero South. This biodiesel-powered truck thing has tracks instead of wheels, and is set to be piloted by the likes of Apollo astronaut Buzz Aldrin and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak in a South Pole expedition in 2009 called Drive Around the World. Seriously. The whole thing is going to be filmed in 3-D by Chris Paine, the man behind the documentary, "Who Killed the Electric Car?" The vehicle runs on B99 and can do 35 mph but they will be restricted to just 15 mph on the run. The plan has actually been modified recently and it is said Jay Leno will be helping to install a VW diesel four-cylinder engine to act as a generator for four electric motors powering each track cluster. We can hardly wait.

Check out the gallery to judge for yourself.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Hummer snowmobile

SEMA 2008: biodiesel Hummer snowmobile update originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 10:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: Next Batmobile to be a smart?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:01:00 EST

Filed under: SMART, SEMA Show, Green Daily

Click above for high-res gallery of the Batsmart from SEMA

Hey, times are tough, even if you're Bruce Wayne. The downturn of the economy makes fighting crime an even more expensive nocturnal hobby than it was before. Plus, burning all of that jet fuel for past versions of the Batmobile is a real environmental bummer. For these reasons and more, we're pretty fond of the new Batsmart. There's only room for one Batdriver and one sidekick, so if any bad guys or evil henchmen are caught (or Catwomen need a ride home), Robin is just going to have to walk home to the Batcave. That's all right on account of all the gasoline saved in the process, right?

In all seriousness, this Batsmart was recently spotted - where else? - at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas and will actually be made available to the public in very limited quantities. We're especially fond of the air intake for the rear-engine that's made to look like the business end of a jet turbine.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Batsmart

SEMA 2008: Next Batmobile to be a smart? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: Mercedes shows off RENNTech Pikes Peak hybrid GLK

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:35:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Mercedes Benz, SEMA Show

Click above for more shots of the RENNTech Pikes Peak hybrid GLK

This year's festivities in Las Vegas mark the first year that Mercedes-Benz has participated at the SEMA Show, and it has done so in grand style with four separate GLK concepts. The one we're most interested in is the RENNTech Pikes Peak concept, which uses a novel new mild hybrid system that has been designed by the longtime tuning company. According to RENNTech, all the hardware is in place for the electric motor to provide 26kW of power (about 40 lb-ft of torque) to the GLK's 3.5-liter engine. The system is still in development and the GLK is scheduled to get a new set of nimh batteries that will allow for regenerative braking and an acceleration boost function. The software is tunable via an SD card interface.

RENNTech will actually race this new hybrid up Pikes Peak in the exhibition class once its lead-acid Optima batteries are replaced and put its wide body kit and various splitters and spoilers to good use. The RENNTech Pikes Place hybrid GLK is one of four GLK concepts that MB is showing off in Sin City. Of course, it's our favorite. If you want to vote for the hybrid as your favorite too, click here. We've pasted a full spec sheet after the break.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: RENNTech Mercedes GLK Pikes Place hybrid

Continue reading SEMA 2008: Mercedes shows off RENNTech Pikes Peak hybrid GLK

SEMA 2008: Mercedes shows off RENNTech Pikes Peak hybrid GLK originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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