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Archive for December 15th, 2009
New Toyota hybrid concept debuting at NAIAS (updated)
Author: admin
Toyota’s new ultra-cheap hybrid?Toyota has announced that it will debut a new hybrid concept at the Detroit Auto Show that is expected to go into production within the next two years. Unfortunately, few other details are available, but this is supposedly a teaser shot of the new dedicated hybrid.
For years now Toyota has considered a number of Prius-based derivatives, including both smaller and larger versions. Likewise, since Honda announced its CR-Z sports hybrid, Toyota has also indicated that it has plans for a sporty hybrid as well.
If this picture is accurate, however, then it appears that Toyota will offer its smallest hybrid yet, which could potentially push pricing well under $20,000.
While there is a lot of hype in the press today about Toyota’s plug-in hybrid plans, this vehicle might offer significantly more sales potential. Ultimately, if Toyota is going to achieve its goal of 30 percent hybrid sales by 2020, cheaper hybrid cars will be critical.
Plug-in Prius in about 2 years
Author: admin
Still basically on trackToyota will sell a plug-in version of the Toyota Prius in about 2 years. According to Toyota, the plug-in version will be affordable, and the automaker hopes to sell several tens of thousands of these plug-in hybrids.
The new plug-in Prius will offer about 12 – 14 miles of EV range, dependent upon road conditions before needing to utilize its gasoline engine. In contrast, GM’s Chevy Volt will offer about 40 miles of EV range, dependent upon driving conditions.
However, the Prius will come with a cheaper price tag than the Volt. Still, initially, the Volt will qualify for a larger federal tax credit – at least the first 200,000 Volts – so pricing might be closer than real world costs thanks to the credits.
Audi A1: The next big thing!
Author: adminVolkswagen: Mapping out the future of Porsche
Author: adminBreaking: Schumacher is confirmed for Mercedes-Benz
Author: admin
German newspapers are reporting the Schumacher has apparently agreed to a deal worth only 3.5 million Euros to drive for Mercedes-Benz next year.
The amount doesn’t sound right to me, but hey, we’ll definitely know in the next few weeks how much he signed for. The good news for Formula one is that its most winningest driver of all time is back on the starting grid.
Lets just hope he can still cut it.
You have to say that when you have to pronounce 14 syllables to indicate what car you’re talking about that the name needs a bit of trimming. BMW thinks that the new Z4 needs just that to describe how awesome its car is.
So then this is the BMW Z4 sDrive 35is. Count them people – 14 syllables. The newest Z4 gets the awesome 335i engine and is mated to a 7speed dual clutch transmission. Performance is up there with the quickest BMW has to offer with the 100km/h mark flying by in 4.8s onto a limited top speed of – you guessed it – 250km/h.
The car will go on sale toward the end of the first quarter of 2010 and pricing is yet to be announced.
Fifth Gear – Citroen C3 Review
Author: adminThe Citroen C3 offers a funky, viable alternative to many other superminis out there. The Fifth Gear review presented here by Graham from the office is great and offers something that maybe Top Gear hasn’t for a while – some genuine, real world advice. I’d be surprised if we don’t see more cars with the sliding/panoramic roof in future, on bigger and smaller cars alike.
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