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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative , SUVs , Green , GM , 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: Saturn VUE 2 Mode Hybrid All Photos...
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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative , Sedans/Saloons , SUVs , Green , Mercedes-Benz , Volkswagen We knew last month that the Jetta TDI was qualified for the tax credit . Now, word is out that all of the new-generation clean diesels for Volkswagen (TDI) and Mercedes-Benz (Bluetec) will be joining the elite handful of vehicles that qualify for a federal alternative-powertrain tax credit. Formerly reserved for just hybrid vehicles, the diesels have been designated as advanced lean-burn-technology vehicles that meet the Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit standards of the IRS. The credits vary based on the vehicle. In the case of Mercedes, the ML320 qualifies for $900 while the GL320 is good for $1,800. If diesel still isn't your thing, the IRS has also qualified several Ford hybrids as eligible too. Of those, the highest credit (a sweet $3,000) goes to those consumers who take home an Escape or Mariner two-wheel drive hybrid crossover. [Source: Automotive News , subs. req'd] Permalink |...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , SUVs , Green , Volkswagen Click above for a high-res gallery of the Tiguan HyMotion Volkswagen has shown off its Tiguan HyMotion Fuel Cell Concept for the first time in California. Technically a hydrogen-electric hybrid, the five-passenger SUV based on the Volkswagen Tiguan features a hydrogen fuel cell system for primary motivation and an electric motor for assistance (the electric motor pulls power from a 6.8 Ampere-hour lithium-ion battery that is recharged by recuperating braking energy). The VW hybrid generates 107 horsepower on hydrogen alone. When the electric motor kicks-in, the total output increases to 134 horsepower. According to VW, that is enough power to push the Tiguan HyMotion to 60 mph in about 14 seconds and a top speed is 93 mph. While the performance is less-than-stellar, you have to remember that the Tiguan HyMotion produces zero tailpipe emissions. Yes, the only thing coming out of the pipe is clean water vapor. It's a concept, however...
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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative , Sedans/Saloons , SUVs , Government/Legal , Green , Jaguar , Land Rover With the cash-infusion that Jaguar and Land Rover are getting from their recent acquisition by Tata Motors, hybrid vehicle development for the two brands is now underway. Indeed, production hybrid vehicles are expected within the next five years. A three-liter liter diesel six cylinder engine, an enlarged version of the current 2.7 liter, and a new five-liter direct injected V8 will be used for these planned hybrids. While JLR knows it wants a hybrid, the exact system for development is still under debate. Mercedes plans to use a new transmission from supplier ZF for its upcoming S-Class, and Jaguar is said to be considering this unit as well. According to Autocar , another option for Land Rover is known internally as the 'Electric Rear Axle Drive' electric motor. Both Jaguar and Land Rover have recently received government funding for the development of eco-friendly technologies...
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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative , SUVs , Green , Plants/Manufacturing , Chrysler Last month, a major announcement was made regarding an effort between Nissan and Chrysler to share products. Specifically, Nissan will build a small car for Chrysler and receive a large truck in return. It seems as if the Pentastar brand could use some more help when it comes to offering the types of vehicles that the public wants as quickly as possible. To that end, Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli says, "If we can have similar arrangements ... and it makes financial sense and supports our dealer network relative to what customers are telling them they want, we're going to go do it." What customers want is fuel efficient vehicles, something which Chrysler is not exactly well positioned with at the moment. In related news, Nardelli also mentions that Chrysler sees hybrids and electric cars as the most viable options moving forward to reduce emissions and fuel consumption. The first hybrid vehicles from...
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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative , SUVs , Green , Audi While premium hybrid SUVs haven't proven their worth in the U.S. market yet, automakers will have a good fix on whether or not offering a gasoline-electric hybrid 'ute is good business sense in the coming years. Audi has apparently already made the call, and after studying the business case and watching the U.S. dollar tank, it's decided that the Q7 hybrid SUV is not bound for U.S. shores. "It was a very hard car to make the numbers work," according to Johan de Nysschen, Audi's brand head in the U.S. "We will not do the hybrid Q7 as a conventional product offering," de Nysschen continued, saying only that a few hybrid Q7s will make the trek across the pond and find their way into the hands of "commercial" entities. However, all is not lost for a fuel-sipping version of Audi's land yacht, with the eminent arrival of the diesel Q7 in the next year or so, the SUV will spearhead Audi's...
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Filed under: LA Auto Show , SUVs , Green , Porsche Click image for photo gallery As was the case last year, the upcoming LA Auto Show will have a decidedly "green" tinge to it as automakers use the California setting to tout the alt-fuel offerings that they're both selling now and have under development. Porsche (now that it has removed Detroit from its calendar) calls LA its most important showcase, and will bring the Cayenne Hybrid along for all to see. Due by the end of the decade, the Cayenne uses a parallel hybrid system that will help the SUV achieve fuel economy of at least 26 US MPG. This, while retaining its off-road capabilities and and a towing capacity of 7,000 pounds, according to an earlier announcement by the automaker. Joining the Cayenne Hybrid on the stand will be Lohner-Porsche electric vehicle, which first made its debut at the 1900 World's Fair. Yep, they did in-wheel electric motors way back then, too. AutoblogGreen has more on Porsche's vintage...
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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative , SUVs , Chevrolet , GM , GMC Hybrid vehicles still don't make much sense for automakers. The cost of the technology is more than what consumers are willing to pay and in many cases the fuel-saving benefits can be achieved with a simple diesel motor (at least in Europe). Because of this, coming up with the right sticker price can be a major stumbling block. Price it too high and no one will want to buy your hybrid, but discount it too much and money will be lost on every model sold. GM got into a spot of bother recently when alleged prices for its new full-size hybrids SUVs were released on its website last month. The problem was that the listed prices "were too low" according to GM spokesman Terry Rhadigan. The Chevy Tahoe 4-Door two-wheel drive hybrid was listed at $47,915 and the four-wheel drive was listed at $50,720. The GMC Yukon two-wheel drive hybrid came in at $48,370. The 'correct' prices are scheduled to be announced next...
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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative , SUVs , Green , Cadillac Embargo breaking has become another phenomenon that's equal parts corporate ignorance and now, just journalistic necessity. Farago over at The Truth About Cars has officially made it his mission to bust open any automaker-imposed embargo he finds, and his opening salvo is to publish a pic of the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid. While we agree with Farago that our first duty is to serve the readers, we could think of bigger bombs to drop than this vehicle. Regardless, the nitty-gritty of the "fuel-efficient" 'Slade involves mating the 6.0-liter V8 to a host of energy-saving technologies. To begin with, the engine features Active Fuel Management and a "late-intake valve closing" system, which, when partnered with a new electrically variable transmission with start/stop tech, regenerative breaking, a 300-volt nickel-metal hydride storage system, a 42-volt variable-assist power steering setup, an electrically-driven 300-volt air-con unit,...
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Filed under: SUVs , Euro , Green , Audi , Porsche , Volkswagen Audi's first diesel and hybrid powertrains in the US will be launched in the Q7 next year. The power units will likely trickle down to other vehicles in Audi's range, but they're not yet offering...
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Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show , SUVs , Green , Crossovers/CUVs , Mercedes Benz Yet another pending debut has sprung up on the interwebs, and (surprise!) it's one more vehicle to give credence to Frankfurt's green-theme. The Mercedes-Benz ML 450 Hybrid...
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Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show , SUVs , Porsche A number of reports surfaced today, beginning with a post over at Autoblog.nl (no relation) that asserts Porsche will be unveiling a new model into the Cayenne lineup designed to fit in between the S and...
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