Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Could U.S. become net exporter of gasoline?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/28/could-u-s-become-net-exporter-of-gasoline/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/28/could-u-s-become-net-exporter-of-gasoline/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/28/could-u-s-become-net-exporter-of-gasoline/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A number of factors are conspiring to create a situation that recently would have been unthinkable: the United States as a supplier of gasoline to world markets. According to Booz & Company, those factors are the rise of biofuels in the West, the introduction of plug-in electric and other alternative fuel vehicles, and the growth of the really cheap car, like the Tata Nano.

The United States imports oil to feed its gasoline habit, but the U.S. has refining capacity that developing nations cannot match. The U.S. is also lowering its reliance on traditional gasoline due to the price, states' mandates on switching to biofuels, and the dawn of mass market alternative fuel vehicles. This adds up to the United States importing oil, and then selling it to nations like India and China to feed their larger appetites for gasoline.

In the middle of all of this are the refineries, who made predictions for today's business plans two decades ago. Sure, no one is crying for them -- they need extra pages to include the zeros on their profit statements -- but they have to start figuring out who's going to need which products and how they are going to deliver them. And, by refining company standards, they need to do it quickly, which is a method of operation they aren't well versed in.

[Source: Green Car Congress via Kicking Tires; Photo CC 2.0 - National Archives]

 

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]]>alternative fuelalternative fuelsAlternativeFuelAlternativeFuelsgasgasolineoilrefineriesrefining2008-08-28T17:32:00+00:00<![CDATA[Rumormill: Mazda testing Chevy Volt competitor]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/28/rumormill-mazda-testing-volt-competitor/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/28/rumormill-mazda-testing-volt-competitor/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/28/rumormill-mazda-testing-volt-competitor/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The Chevy Volt is unique in that its engine is really just a generator that produces electricity for the batteries, which then power an electric motor that turns the front wheels for propulsion. While the Volt powertrain is pretty spectacular, it may not be unique for long. British car site AutoCar is reporting that Mazda is not only interested in a similar setup for a future plug-in hybrid, but it already has a working prototype on the road. Mazda engineers told AutoCar that a battery pack charged by a rotary engine is already being used in a Mazda5 mule, and that management is encouraged by the early results but wants to see battery costs go down before proceeding.

If Mazda is working on a series hybrid like the Chevy Volt, that means its owner, Ford, would have direct access to the same technology. We do, however, find it odd that Mazda would use a rotary engine in this setup. While the Wankel engine is very compact and light, it's not very efficient and sucks oil, at least in the RX-8. When it comes to plug-in hybrids, though, we're with AutoblogGreen in saying the more the merrier.

Gallery: Production Chevy Volt


[Source: AutoCar]

 

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]]>chevy voltChevyVoltelectric carElectricCarhybridlithium ion battery packLithiumIonBatteryPackmazda2008-08-28T16:31:00+00:00<![CDATA[Spy Shot: Production interior of Chevy Volt (maybe)]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/28/spy-shot-chevy-volt-interior-maybe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/28/spy-shot-chevy-volt-interior-maybe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/28/spy-shot-chevy-volt-interior-maybe/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above to enlarge

General Motors continues to eek out teaser shots of the production Chevy Volt, but it appears that an image of the production interior has slipped through the Empire's net of control. All we have to go on for this image posted on the Motivemag.com forums is the image itself, which is part of a display panel at what appears to be a sneak preview of the vehicle for god knows who. What we see is a sleek, all-white center console with virtually no buttons. The controls appear to be touch sensitive instead, leaving the face of the console as smooth as a Frigidaire. Good luck installing an aftermarket stereo in this one. Completely flush air vents flank the console, which stands out in contrast to the black dash panel. On top of it all sits the information display, seen here showing the relationship between the "range extending" engine and lithium-ion batteries. What say you? We all know the production Volt isn't going to be as wild as the concept, but does this innovative center console meet your expectations? Also keep in mind that this might not be the real deal, but it seems to be from all appearances. Thanks for the tip, Brandon!

Gallery: Production Chevy Volt


[Source: Motivemag.com]

 

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]]>breakingchevychevy voltChevyVoltproduction volt interiorProductionVoltInteriorvoltvolt interiorVoltInterior2008-08-28T15:21:00+00:00<![CDATA[AutoblogGreen for 08.28.08]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/28/autobloggreen-for-08-28-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/28/autobloggreen-for-08-28-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/28/autobloggreen-for-08-28-08/#commentsFiled under: ,


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If you've ever wanted to drive coast-to-coast in an electric car, you're not alone. Hopefully you can make the trip in a slightly less expensive manner, though, as $150,000 is a bit much for that car. Speaking of pricey, is the Viper too much these days? If you think so, take a look at the new Fiesta. Sane, practical, frugal. Would you get one?

 

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]]>2008-08-28T06:02:00+00:00<![CDATA[AutoblogGreen for 08.27.08]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/autobloggreen-for-08-27-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/autobloggreen-for-08-27-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/autobloggreen-for-08-27-08/#commentsFiled under: ,


Promise people the sky and you're sure to get some attention. That's what the folks at FOSH automotive did and then turned around and suckered people into reading a pro-McCain, anti-abortion rant that, frankly, is pretty distasteful. Good thing we're going to remember just how low some people will stoop.

On the brighter side of things, we can at least dream of a Jaguar hybrid and a VW Polo in the U.S. while we wait for Daryl Hannah on the Daily Show. Really cleans the palette, doesn't it?

 

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]]>2008-08-27T05:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[Milking a Bull: Automakers eek out extra fuel economy on older models]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/milking-a-bull-automakers-eeking-out-extra-fuel-economy-on-olde/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/milking-a-bull-automakers-eeking-out-extra-fuel-economy-on-olde/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/milking-a-bull-automakers-eeking-out-extra-fuel-economy-on-olde/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Conspiracy theorists have long insisted that automakers could push their vehicles to achieve better fuel economy, and as it turns out, they were right. Of course, it isn't as easy as flipping a magic MPG switch, but automakers are making incremental gains on vehicles even between redesigns. Techniques like changing gear ratios, lowering revs at highway speed and using lower rolling resistance tires are helping drive up efficiency a few percentage points at a time.

For example, the 2009 Cobalt XFE (above) achieves 37 mpg on the highway compared to 36 mpg for the 2008 model with minimal aero and mechanical changes. Ford made similar changes to the 2009 Escape, enabling the Blue Oval's smallest crossover to hit 28 mpg in 2WD four-banger guise. Honda achieved similar incremental improvements when it introduced cylinder deactivation on the 2008 Odyssey. Chrysler will show 1 mpg improvement on the 2009 Avenger and Sebring four-cylinder model, which will bring the Pentastar's midsize sedans to 31 mpg.

Continue reading Milking a Bull: Automakers eek out extra fuel economy on older models

 

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]]>cobalt xfeCobaltXfecruzeford escapeFordEscapefuel efficiencyFuelEfficiency2008-08-26T14:28:00+00:00<![CDATA[Rumormill: Cadillac to get its own Volt?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/rumormill-cadillac-to-get-its-own-volt/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/rumormill-cadillac-to-get-its-own-volt/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/rumormill-cadillac-to-get-its-own-volt/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

With enormous V8 land-yachts and even bigger Escalades rolling down America's boulevards, Cadillac doesn't have the most environmentally friendly of images. But that's a perception that the premium GM division is working hard to combat. After unveiling the Escalade two-mode hybrid, reports have begun to surface that Cadillac is considering a four-cylinder model for the American market like the Saab-based BLS it offers in Europe.

New emerging reports now suggest that Cadillac might get its own version of the highly-anticipated Volt plug-in hybrid from its sister-company Chevrolet. No telling at this point if the Cadillac version would be based on the Volt, transplant the Volt's powertrain into an existing Cadillac model, or breed an entirely new Caddy - or for that matter if there's any substance to the rumors - but sources suggest a higher sticker price than the Volt's anticipated $40k.

[Source: Automotive News (subs. req'd) via AutoblogGreen]

 

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]]>cadillaccadillac hybridcadillac voltCadillacHybridCadillacVoltchevrolet voltChevroletVoltchevy voltChevyVoltvolt2008-08-26T12:59:00+00:00<![CDATA[AutoblogGreen for 08.26.08]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/autobloggreen-for-08-26-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/autobloggreen-for-08-26-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/autobloggreen-for-08-26-08/#commentsFiled under: ,


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Design. It's certainly a cornerstone of the auto industry. And as cars get cleaner from a fuel/emissions perspective, the look often does, too. What should we make of the Hinterland 1 concept car, then? I think there might be clone troopers inside, while the exterior - and interior - of the new Ed Hardy(R) Smart is also a place where design runs wild. That should delight more than a few people. As for the design of the rumored Cadillac "Volt", well, we'll just have to wait and see.

 

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]]>2008-08-26T02:39:00+00:00<![CDATA[Cadillac considering four-cylinder sedan for 2010]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/25/cadillac-considering-four-cylinder-sedan-for-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/25/cadillac-considering-four-cylinder-sedan-for-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/25/cadillac-considering-four-cylinder-sedan-for-2010/#commentsFiled under: ,



There are some old-timers out there who think Cadillacs should have big fins and V8 engines who aren't going to like this one bit. Emerging reports suggest that the General's luxury division may launch a four-cylinder model for the American market by 2011.

The new model would be positioned below the CTS and possibly include a turbocharger, as well as the potential for an optional V6. Cadillac already has a small four-cylinder model for sale in Europe, the BLS, which is based on sister company Saab's 9-3. But the BLS hasn't taken Europe by storm and Cadillac is still reportedly contemplating whether to port over the same name for the American model. While the successor to the Northstar V8 was canceled, and with a replacement for the STS and DTS reportedly on hold, Cadillac's general manager Jim Taylor wonders if Americans are ready for the idea of a four-cylinder Caddy. Rightfully so? The specter of the Cavalier-based Cimarron (see above) still looms large and we highly doubt Cadillac's clients are actually asking for a four-cylinder. While it's prudent for the Wreath and Crest brand to consider new models like this, we'd suggest taking a pass, guys and gals.

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

 

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]]>cadillaccadillac fourcadillac four cylindercadillac inline fourcadillac turbo fourCadillacFourCadillacFourCylinderCadillacInlineFourCadillacTurboFourfour cylinderFourCylinder2008-08-25T09:56:00+00:00<![CDATA[No Audi R8 competitor coming from BMW]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/25/no-audi-r8-competitor-coming-from-bmw/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/25/no-audi-r8-competitor-coming-from-bmw/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/25/no-audi-r8-competitor-coming-from-bmw/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click for a hi-res gallery of the BMW M1 Hommage

It's a sign of the times. After having rolled out the delectable M1 Hommage concept (pictured above), one BMW board member says that the Bavarian automaker has no intention of producing a supercar to compete with the likes of the Audi R8. Instead, BMW will focus on green technologies.

The news comes straight from Klaus Draeger, the board member at the helm of the EfficientDymanics initiative. While Audi continues to produce more powerful and more desirable versions of the R8, Mercedes prepares entirely new supercars and Porsche continues to do what Porsche has always done, the company that once hailed itself as the producers of the "Ultimate Driving Machine" is more concerned with hybrids than sportscars.

Gallery: BMW M1 Hommage


[Source: AutoTelegraaf via AutoblogGreen]

 

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]]>audi r8 competitorAudiR8Competitorbmwbmw audi r8bmw m1bmw m1 homagebmw m1 hommageBmwAudiR8BmwM1BmwM1HomageBmwM1Hommage2008-08-25T08:28:00+00:00<![CDATA[AutoblogGreen for 08.25.08]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/25/autobloggreen-for-08-25-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/25/autobloggreen-for-08-25-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/25/autobloggreen-for-08-25-08/#commentsFiled under: ,


click to visit AutoblogGreen

Need a peek into the future? AutoblogGreen's got some spy shots of the interior of the next-gen Prius and the new Opel Meriva. Honda has also let loose images of the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid, so that should keep you satisfied for a while, no? At the very least, it's something to look at until Jeremy Clarkson tackles the Tesla Roadster.


More headlines after the jump.

Continue reading AutoblogGreen for 08.25.08

 

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]]>2008-08-25T05:57:00+00:00<![CDATA[Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/24/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/24/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/24/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/#commentsFiled under: , ,

THE DOWN SIDE TO LITHIUM BATTERIES

John McElroyUh-oh. In the pell-mell race to develop lithium-ion batteries for plug-ins, EV's and hybrids, has any automaker taken a hard look at where all that lithium is going to come from? Guess what? Not only are global lithium supplies pretty tight, prices are about to skyrocket.

Today, the United States imports almost all of its lithium. We get most of it from Chile, then Argentina, and a little bit from Canada and Zimbabwe. The only producer in America is actually a German company, Metallgesellschaft, which has a mine in Nevada. Yet, even though we import most of our lithium, the United States is the world's largest processor of the material.

John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit". Every week he brings his unique insights as an auto industry insider to Autoblog readers. Follow the jump to continue reading this week's editorial.

Continue reading Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy

 

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]]>autolineautoline detroitautoline on autoblogautoline-detroitautolinedetroitAutolineOnAutoblogjohn mcelroyjohn mcelroy autoblogJohnMcelroyJohnMcelroyAutoblog2008-08-24T12:31:00+00:00<![CDATA[The most obnoxiously tuned Toyota Prius... Ever]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/the-most-obnoxiously-tuned-toyota-prius-ever/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/the-most-obnoxiously-tuned-toyota-prius-ever/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/the-most-obnoxiously-tuned-toyota-prius-ever/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Click above to view video after the jump

We truly do appreciate the custom-car scene, in all of its various guises. There is, however, a problem with the custom Prius you see above and in the video embedded after the break. Generally speaking, the goal of modifying a car is to either A) make it go faster or B) make it look better.

When Classe Gustafson, Elvis Häggbom and Kenny Kyrk from Sweden had finished spending $184,000 customizing a Toyota Prius, they had accomplished neither. This Prius-trocity, which was modified for a television show, is anything but subtle. It lost two doors during its transformation from mild-mannered hybrid eco-mobile to whacked out sport compact that just happens to get good fuel economy, though it did get scissor-style portals that are nearly impossible to open in the process. And it also gained a huge honkin' stereo and the body-kit from a Volvo SUV. The over-the-top paint-job is the final touch. The Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain, however, went untouched save for the obligatory fart-can exhaust. Nice.

[Source: Wired]

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]]>Classe GustafsonClasseGustafsoncustom priusCustomPriusElvis HggbomKenny Kyrkmodified priusModifiedPriussweden2008-08-22T19:57:00+00:00<![CDATA[No diesels for Bentley]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/no-diesels-for-bentley/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/no-diesels-for-bentley/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/no-diesels-for-bentley/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Bentley Brooklands

Bentleys and buckets of torque go hand-in-hand. Therefore, it might make some sense for the German-owned British luxury marque to consider one of the VW Group's big, powerful turbodiesels for one of its upcoming models. Not so fast, says Bentley. It has specifically polled its customer base -- made up mostly of Americans and Asians -- to determine if there's any interest in an oil-burning Bentley. Apparently, there isn't. Instead, the luxo-barge company will focus on biofuels in an effort to lower the fuel consumption and emissions of a numbers of its models. As a matter of fact, the first flex-fuel engine from the Flying B is expected to debut in 2009 and Franz-Josef Paefgen, Bentley's Chief Executive, says that all of its models will be capable of running on biofuels by 2012 as part of its plan to go British Racing green.

[Source: Autocar]

 

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]]>bentleybentley arnagebentley azurebentley azure tdibentley brooklandsbentley continentalbentley continental gtbentley continental gt speedbentley continental gtcBentleyArnageBentleyAzureBentleyAzureTdiBentleyBrooklandsBentleyContinentalBentleyContinentalGtBentleyContinentalGtcBentleyContinentalGtSpeeddieseldiesel bentleyDieselBentley2008-08-22T19:01:00+00:00<![CDATA[Lead wheel weights meet their demise in California]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/lead-wheel-weights-meet-their-demise-in-california/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/lead-wheel-weights-meet-their-demise-in-california/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/lead-wheel-weights-meet-their-demise-in-california/#commentsFiled under:

Environmentally-friendly California is putting an end to lead balancing weights on wheels and tires. The heavy metal neurotoxin is polluting the state's ground water supplies, according to the Center for Environmental Health. The group claims that more than 500,000 pounds of lead weights are inadvertently flung off wheels each year, making it the state's leading cause of environmental lead contamination. Under a court settlement approved this week, Chrysler and the three largest lead weight wheel manufacturers will all phase out lead in wheel weights by the end of 2009. While California is taking the initiative in this country, we are still years behind the European Union, which banned lead weights in 2005. With lead on the chopping block, future wheel weights will be made from either steel or zinc alloy. Those metal weights are larger and more expensive to produce than lead, but much safer for Mother Earth.

[Source: Business Week]

 

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]]>balancingbannedenvironmentalenvironmentalismenvironmentally friendlyEnvironmentallyFriendlyleadmagnesiumreplacedweightWheel weightsWheelWeights2008-08-22T18:27:00+00:00<![CDATA[Tesla Roadster to appear on Top Gear?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/tesla-roadster-to-appear-on-top-gear/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/tesla-roadster-to-appear-on-top-gear/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/tesla-roadster-to-appear-on-top-gear/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson has had nothing but bad luck when it comes to testing electric cars. Maybe the problem is that he's never gotten his hands on the right one. Reports are coming in from across the pond that the popular television series has recently procured a Tesla Roadster for Mr. Clarkson to wedge his rather large and surly self into. We have a feeling that Jeremy will like this car -- its performance, after all, rivals that of many gas-powered cars we consider super. Plus, it has British roots, and anybody who has ever watched the show knows that this fact earns brownie points from the three-man crew.

When will the test take place? That's a good question. Our compatriots over at AutoblogGreen have contacted Daryl Siry, head PR man at the Silicon Valley EV company, who told us that no specific date has been set. He did assure us, however, that a test will definitely take place. When it does, we sure hope that it goes better than the last electric vehicle test. Seriously, it could hardly go worse.

Gallery: First Drive: Tesla Roadster


[Source: The Independent via AutoblogGreen]

 

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]]>jeremy clarksonJeremyClarksontop geartop gear teslaTopGearTopGearTesla2008-08-22T12:29:00+00:00<![CDATA[BMW Sauber discovers cause of KERS shock]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/bmw-sauber-discovers-cause-of-kers-shock/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/bmw-sauber-discovers-cause-of-kers-shock/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/bmw-sauber-discovers-cause-of-kers-shock/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

According to Team BMW Sauber, it has "concluded their investigations into the KERS incident at Jerez." Incident? You mean that time when one of your mechanics was literally thrown to the ground after doing nothing more than touching your car? Right, that one. If you are truly interested in reading all of the techno-babble regarding why the experimental KERS hybrid system reached out and touched someone, click past the break for the details. Here are the highlights: It was an accident. The KERS control unit malfunctioned. Nobody was seriously hurt and nobody was ever in any real danger (Dr Evil: Riiight...). Christian Klein, the driver, was insulated from any shocks due to his race suit and gloves.

BMW Sauber has apparently fixed the problem and feels confident that it will be ready to continue testing in the Autumn. Recently, the BMW team voted in favor of running the KERS hybrid system for next year's race season, so it'll have to be ready to go sooner rather than later.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW Sauber discovers cause of KERS shock

 

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]]>bmw sauberBmwSauberflywheelformula 1formula oneFormula1FormulaOnekerskers shockKersShockkinetic energykinetic energy recov...kinetic energy recovery systemKineticEnergyKineticEnergyRecov...KineticEnergyRecoverySystem2008-08-22T11:29:00+00:00<![CDATA[AutoblogGreen for 08.22.08]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/autobloggreen-for-08-22-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/autobloggreen-for-08-22-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/autobloggreen-for-08-22-08/#commentsFiled under: ,


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As much as we like to think about the latest eco-friendly technologies in our cars over at AutoblogGreen, we understand that they don't come cheap. All that battery power in the Prius means it's frugal, but is a Yaris cheaper to own? And how high does gas have to get for us to celebrate our staycations? But hope may be on the horizon: this is apparently going to be the cheapest hybrid in the world. Like it?

 

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]]>2008-08-22T06:04:00+00:00<![CDATA[AutoblogGreen for 08.21.08]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/autobloggreen-for-08-21-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/autobloggreen-for-08-21-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/autobloggreen-for-08-21-08/#commentsFiled under: ,


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AutoblogGreen discovered two unusual cross-country trips yesterday. In one, called WillieRun, the drivers plan to use just one* tank of biodiesel to go from NYC to LA. The other will see a wood-burning Dodge truck go there and back again. These trips both take place next month. What are you doing in September?

 

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]]>2008-08-21T05:51:00+00:00<![CDATA[Trident diesel sports car not vaporware, still sounds too good to be true]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/20/trident-diesel-sports-car-not-vaporware-still-sounds-too-good-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/20/trident-diesel-sports-car-not-vaporware-still-sounds-too-good-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/20/trident-diesel-sports-car-not-vaporware-still-sounds-too-good-t/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for more images of the Trident Iceni

If the name 'Trident' has visions of Maseratis and vintage Triumphs dancing through your head, you are in for a big surprise. When we first looked at the Trident Iceni, it was powered by a 375-hp GM turbo diesel V8 mounted up front and producing 520 lb-ft of torque. After a year or two of development, it's even better according to its makers, with the latest version of the venerable Duramax diesel tweaked to offer 550 horsepower at 3,800 rpm along with an arm-wrenching 950 lb-ft at just 1,800 rpm. Trident claims the Duramax can slingshot the Iceni to 60 mph in well under four seconds and on up to a top speed easily surpassing 200 miles per hour. According to the British company, its modified GM/Isuzu engine is capable of running on any blend of biodiesel without voiding the warranty and returns 68.9 miles per gallon (or 57 mpg in U.S. gallons) at a steady 70 miles per hour. Is this the guilt-free supercar for the eco-conscious speed freak?

With an elaborate chassis folded from stainless steel and a composite body, the Iceni will not rot away. The rear-mounted 8-speed automatic transmission also allows for wide gearing, which is fortunate since the diesel engine isn't going to be a revver. The company is currently looking for funding and hopes to offer the Iceni for about £75,000 out the door. So far, Trident has mentioned no plans to send its wares across the pond to the U.S. Pity us poor Americans.

Gallery: Trident Iceni


[Source: Trident Performance Vehicles]

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]]>biodieselbiodiesel supercarBiodieselSupercardiesel supercarDieselSupercartrident icenitrident performance vehiclesTridentIceniTridentPerformanceVehicles2008-08-20T15:58:00+00:00