Protoscar Unveils the LAMPO2

Posted by: Auto Buff  /  Category: Eco-friendly Cars, Hybrids

Protoscar LAMPO2

Protoscar has announced the availability of an upgraded version of its LAMPO concept with the release of the LAMPO2 electric car. This new car features an aerodynamic body, rear wheel covers and innovative interiors highlighted by advanced digital panels. This new model can accelerate from 0 to 100KPH.

Finally, it carries an improved Lithium-ion battery which allows the vehicle to travel at a distance of 124 miles.

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Panasonic to Supply Batteries to Tesla

Posted by: Auto Buff  /  Category: Car News, Eco-friendly Cars, Hybrids, Motoring, Motoring News

Panasonic to Supply Batteries for Tesla

It is no secret that Tesla is aiming to make a mark in the world of electric vehicles but it may need some help along the way. And to make it work and achieve those goals, Tesla has reportedly tapped Panasonic to aid them in developing next-generation battery packs for their electric vehicle line.

With the new partnership, both parties are hoping that the result will be beneficial to both their causes. And if there is one issue that may have to be addressed, this has to be the speed factor which is an area that many electric vehicles will have to resolve soon.

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Search for Your Green Car Online

Posted by: robert  /  Category: Eco-friendly Cars, Hybrids

So you think gasoline guzzling cars are not really your thing and want to try out “green” cars? Don’t know where to get one or don’t have enough money to buy a brand new one? Well, if you want to buy or try out second hand green cars, then head over to Carlocate.com. There, you’ll be able to search for the green car you want for the budget you have. You have the option to search for brand new or used vehicles:

  • Hybrid
  • fuel efficient
  • Diesel
  • flexible fuel cars

“More and more, consumers are interested in buying vehicles with better fuel economy and lower emissions,” said Nicole Case, general manager for CarLocate.com. “But being eco-friendly is more than looking at hybrids. Wading through all the information to find those cars isn’t always easy. That’s why we’ve created the Green Search option for both new and used cars. Now, we’ve made it quick and easy for car shoppers to find vehicles on our site that are more environmentally friendly. This is just one more way we’re building our search function to cut the clutter and take consumers to search results that more exactly fit the cars they want to buy.”

Both new and used cars are guaranteed to have passed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) standards of 23.1 miles per gallon, and an EPA air pollution score of six or above. It’s a great idea to spread and increase more green cars on the roads and hopefully other businesses, both online and offline, to follow suit what Carlocate.com has done.

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Tags: fuel economy, fuel efficient vehicles, hybrid car, hybrid cars, hybrid engine, hybrid engines, more fuel efficient vehicles

Car and Driver’s Top 10 Cars for 2010

Posted by: robert  /  Category: BMW, Honda, Hybrids, Motoring, Motoring News, Volkswagen

Where have all the quality and safety in American cars gone to? It seems that overseas manufactured cars and automotive vehicles seems to be the one that’s taking a look at quality and safety more than it is over here. No wonder our automotive industry is down in the gutters. This is further proven after Car and Driver Magazine just listed down the 10 best cars of 2010: and it’s no surprise that only two of the top ten belong to American car manufacturers.

Following are the 2010 Car and Driver 10Best winners (in alphabetical order), followed by the number of times each model has made the list:

  • 2010 Audi S4 (2)
  • 2010 BMW 3-series / M3 (19)
  • 2010 Cadillac CTS / CTS-V (2)
  • 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid (1)
  • 2010 Honda Accord (24)
  • 2010 Honda Fit (3)
  • 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata (11)
  • 2010 Mazda 3 / Mazdaspeed 3 (3)
  • 2010 Porsche Boxster / Cayman (3)
  • 2010 Volkswagen GTI (7)

The list is not in a ranked order. A panel of 18 Car and Driver editors determined the winners by rating them on a scale of 1-100 with a focus on functional performance, driving satisfaction and value. Vehicles considered for the award must be available in the United States by January 2009 and priced below the cap of $80,000, or 2.5 times the average transaction price as of summer 2009. Winners from the previous year are re-nominated if they are still available under the price cap.

Hopefully this is a wake up call to American car manufacturers to do their best to produce quality cars that will attract not only local buyers but foreign ones as well.

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Tags: car owners, cars, Ford, fuel economy, hybrid engines, quality style, safety feature, Volkswagen

General Motors Develops Two-Mode Hybrid Powertrain

Posted by: Auto Buff  /  Category: Car News, General Motors, Hybrids

Image_2009_GMC_Yukon_HybridThe MathWorks today announced that General Motors Company (GM) has developed its Two-Mode Hybrid powertrain control system using Model-Based Design. By using math and simulation-based tools from The MathWorks, GM designed the powertrain prototype within 9 months, shaving 24 months off the expected development time. The complex control system is currently in production in the GMC Sierra Hybrid, GMC Yukon Hybrid, Chevy Tahoe Hybrid, Chevy Silverado Hybrid, and Cadillac Escalade Hybrid vehicles.

The Two-Mode Hybrid powertrain is part of GM’s diverse hybrid and electric vehicle program, with multiple propulsion technologies designed to meet global driving patterns and needs. Created to optimize fuel efficiency in both city and highway driving, the Two-Mode Hybrid powertrain combines a conventional engine with two 60-kW electric motors integrated into an automatic transmission, and it integrates with new components such as battery and power electronics.

By adopting Model-Based Design, where the development process centers around a system model, GM engineers increase time savings. Also, by verifying the control system before hardware prototyping and by using production code generated from the controller models, GM has rolled out production vehicles featuring the hybrid powertrain within four years of starting the control system design process. The ability to reuse design information has helped the global development teams foster more efficient communication and reduced response time, eliminating integration issues.

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2010 Nissan Leaf Unveiled

Posted by: Auto Buff  /  Category: Hybrids, Nissan

2010 Nissan LeafNissan Motor Co., Ltd. today unveiled Nissan LEAF, the world’s first affordable, zero-emission car. Designed specifically for a lithium-ion battery-powered chassis, Nissan LEAF is a medium-size hatchback that comfortably seats five adults and has a range of more than 160km (100 miles) to satisfy real-world consumer requirements.

Slated for launch in late 2010 in Japan, the United States, and Europe, Nissan LEAF ushers in a new era of mobility – the zero-emission era. The car is the embodiment of Nissan’s radical, transformative vision for the future and the culmination of decades of investment and research.

Key characteristics of the LEAF include:

  1. Zero-emission power train and platform
  2. Affordable pricing
  3. Distinctive design
  4. Real-world range autonomy – 160km (100 miles)
  5. Connected Mobility: Advanced intelligent transportation (IT) system

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Tags: autonomy, chassis, culmination, decades, distinctive design, embodiment, intelligent transportation, launch, lithium, lithium ion battery, medium size, new era, Nissan, nissan motor, nissan motor co, nissan motor co ltd, power train, real world, transformative vision, zero emission

Team Honda, Toyota and Nissan Open First Carbon Neutral Dealerships in Georgia

Posted by: Auto Buff  /  Category: Car News, Hybrids, Nissan, Toyota

Team Honda, Toyota and Nissan AutoNation stores in Lithia Springs offset their Carbon Footprint. Team Honda, Team Toyota and Team Nissan of Lithia Springs, Georgia, already had an extensive recycling program in place for their used tires and oil when they decided to take the next step and offset their carbon footprint, becoming the first carbon neutral dealerships in Georgia.

“We found out that energy use was 90 percent of our carbon footprint” said the Controller of Team Honda, Toyota and Nissan, Clarence Ratcliffe. “It’s our job to make sure our dealerships run efficiently. Saving energy and natural resources have the benefit of helping the environment. Our customers were so impressed with our waiting room recycling unit that they’ve asked us where they can buy one too. We also reduced waste by giving each employee DCI Thermal Porcelain Cups, which eliminated the need for Styrofoam.”

All AutoNation dealerships, Team’s parent company, make it easy for car buyers to shop for more fuel-efficient vehicles with its E-Vehicle program. The program identifies cars and trucks that produce at least 28 miles per gallon or deliver 10 percent better fuel efficiency than average for their class. AutoNation also singles out what they call “F-vehicles” with a yellow leaf logo; these are cars and trucks that use flex-fuel technology.

“The three dealerships are taking responsibility for their carbon emissions,” said Verus Carbon Neutral’s Eric Taub, whose company measured the footprint and provided the offsets. “Seems especially appropriate when you offer hybrids that get anywhere from 35 to over 50 miles per gallon,” adds Taub. “Bottom line, they are trying to lower their electricity use but are still dependent on the grid. Until the local utilities employ more renewable energy, 50 mpg cars and offset projects help to reduce emissions.”

Team Honda, Toyota and Nissan decided to use a Georgia forestry project, managed by Valley Wood Timber, to offset their carbon footprint. The project is actively managed to sequester CO2 in a sustainable manner that protects over 60,000 acres of forest habitat. Proceeds support the Humane Society. Additionally, Team Lithia Springs also promotes Georgia Beautification license plate tags.

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Tags: autonation, better fuel efficiency, carbon emissions, eric taub, forestry project, fuel efficient vehicles, fuel technology, georgia forestry, helping the environment, honda team, leaf logo, lithia springs georgia, miles per gallon, more fuel efficient vehicles, porcelain cups, team honda, team nissan of lithia springs, team toyota, wood timber, yellow leaf

Best Cars for Campus Cruising

Posted by: Auto Buff  /  Category: Car News, Honda, Hybrids, Hyundai, Motoring, Toyota

High School seniors across the country have long since moved their graduation tassels from right to left. And before they start buying mini-fridges and extra-long bedsheets for their dorm rooms, prospective undergraduates need an affordable, safe and mpg-friendly ride that will leave Mom and Dad stress-free during trips to and from school.

AutoWeek editors pick their list of top cars in which to send a kid off to college. The list includes:

  • 2009 Hyundai Elantra Sedan
  • 2009 Honda Civic
  • 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer
  • 2009 Ford Escape
  • 2010 Toyota Prius Hybrid
  • 2010 Kia Soul
  • 2009 Dodge Caliber SE
  • 2009 Ford Focus
  • 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt Sedan
  • Used cars will do the trick

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Tags: autoweek, bedsheets, best cars, chevrolet cobalt, dodge caliber, dorm rooms, elantra, ford escape, graduation tassels, high school seniors, honda civic, hyundai elantra, mini fridges, mitsubishi lancer, mom and dad, prius, prospective undergraduates, toyota prius

CT&T Announces Plans for U.S. Electric Vehicle Production

Posted by: Auto Buff  /  Category: Car News, Hybrids

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July 1st 2009, CT&T Company which is a global leader in electric and battery vehicle technology announced that starting from the fourth quarter of 2009, the company expects to begin selling c-Zone utility EVs for commercial and government applications as well the e-Zone City Drive EVs. Vehicles will range in price from $8,000 US dollars to $16,000 fully equipped. That is as announced by CT&T United, the U.S. subsidiary of CT&T Korea, Ltd.

Furthermore, CT&T said that they are not only going to launch c-Zone utility EVs, but also Mid-speed Electric Vehicles, High-speed Electric Vehicles, Utility Electric Vehicles, as well as batteries in the Lead Acid, Advanced Lead Acid, Lithium Polymer and Lithium Ion categories for domestic and export markets. “We are accelerating our plans to become a major investor in zero emissions vehicle technologies in the U.S.,” said Lee. “CT&T has become a category leader because of our advanced technology, plus we offer a solution to the primary barrier to consumer adoption of electric vehicles by offering EVs at affordable prices.”

CT&T is an acknowledged global leader in Electric Vehicles and EV technologies with manufacturing facilities currently in South Korea and China with several U.S. facilities targeted to begin production by the end of 2009. One of the few fully integrated vehicle, motor and battery producers in the world, the Company produces and markets City Drive, Mid-speed, High-speed, and Utility electric vehicles under the CT&T brand. Young Gi Lee, a former executive of Hyundai Motor Corporation, founded the CT&T in 2002 with a vision of bringing zero emissions transportation options to companies and individuals.

Tags: hybrid car, hybrid cars, hybrid engine, hybrid engines

Car of the Month: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Posted by: Auto Buff  /  Category: Car News, Ford, Hybrids

The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid in Black

The first day of the month always starts with an award for the previous month, and Car Chute chose The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid as Our Car for the Month. It’s introduction was early and even before we really see the ‘Most Fuel Efficient Mid-Size Car in America’, it already set a scene by receiving an honor as NADAguides.com’s Car of the Month, too.

Wondering what is being offered by this stylish wonderful hybrid car? Continue reading…

Many hybrid cars have futuristic models to suit its technology. However, have you ever asked yourself: Are you ready to ride a car with that odd style? Well, the good news is Ford had been thinking about that, and The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid is able to provide an exceptional fuel economy without sacrificing style.

The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid is supported with a combination of 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gas engine, electric motor and nickel-metal hydride batteries. Advanced regenerative braking recovers up to 94 percent of the energy lost during braking, feeding power back into the battery. The whole system allows the Fusion to run at up to 47 miles per hour in pure electric mode.

What makeCar Chute proud is that The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid has many ‘green’ features such as Ford’s SmartGauge with EcoGuide. This system displays dozens of statistics including instant fuel economy, battery charge status, vehicle power mode and accessory power consumption that make it both easy and entertaining for the driver to maximize fuel economy.

Are you ready to ride your 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid car as fast as 41mpg in the city? Purchase your own starting at $27,270 and welcome your eco-friendly life!

Tags: accessory power, battery charge, cars, chute, cylinder gas, electric mode, Ford, ford fusion, fuel economy, hybrid car, hybrid cars, hybrid engines, lifestyle, liter, metal hydride batteries, mid size car, miles per hour, nadaguides, nickel metal hydride, odd style, power consumption, power mode, quality style, regenerative braking