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Archive for December 18th, 2009
Only 17 percent of consumers might pay extra to plug-in
Author: admin
Forever a niche vehicle at best?Haven’t had time to fully read the latest plug-in hybrid report by Pike Research, but I just finished CNET’s review. Overall, the report suggests that only 17 percent of US consumers might be willing to pay a premium for plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles.
And, if plug-ins do ‘take off’, they will probably be short range plug-in hybrids, such as the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid rather than the Chevy Volt, or short range pure EVs, as plug-in vehicles with smaller battery packs will be more cost-viable for the majority of consumers.
As I blogged early this week in Great hybrid hoax: Adding a plug to hybrid cars?, this report seems to also suggest that conventional hybrid cars will make a more appealing buying case to the majority of US consumers for at least the next few decades.
Along those lines, since full hybrids such as the Toyota Prius can so easily be converted into plug-in hybrids, wouldn’t such vehicles more immediately tackle global warming and foreign oil dependency today, while providing a ‘cash for plug-in conversion’ option tomorrow?
Is foreign oil dependence a meaningless buzz phrase?So, Nancy Pelosi is going to lead a Congressional caucus to the North American International Auto Show to see how Detroit’s new automotive products are shaping up and to listen to ideas from Michigan’s elected leaders.
Considering that Congress has invested at least $81 billion in the US auto industry, such a trip seems necessary.
And, without doubt, there will certinaly be photo ops with various plug-in vehicles, such as the Chevy Volt, and sound bites of how such vehicles are going to save Michigan and America, despite the fact that numerous studies claim such vehicles will have little impact on foreign oil dependency or CO2 emissions for decades. Nonetheless, I’m sure the trip will make for great PR.
Moreover, I’m sure there will be some references to new CAFE rules and how they’ve led to a plethora of new American small cars. Shoot, by 2020 the US auto industry’s fleet fuel economy might even match our competitor’s fleet fuel economy – well, at least what their fleet fuel economy is today.
Inevitably, however, America will still be heavily dependent upon foreign oil. In fact, based on most data available, the US will be heavily dependent upon dirty foreign oil for several more decades, minimally, barring any new, aggressive change in Congressional policy.
Thus, I must ask, can Congress aggressively and swiftly fight foreign oil dependence and save the US auto industry, while not bankrupting the US economy nor increasing CO2 emissions? Is such a task simply impossible, or is it Congress that is the problem?
Audi A7 Sportback: Prototype drive report
Author: adminAudi Q7 V12 6.0 TDI quattro: SUV of the Year
Author: adminBreaking: Audi A1 exposed
Author: admin
Earlier this week Justin Timberlake was signed as an Audi brand ambassador and it looks like his first job is to promote the new Audi A1.
Audi also released a sketch of what the A1 will look like earlier this week, no doubt hoping to build some hype on the net before the new re badged Polo A1 gets officially launched.
Well, we’ve decided to skip all the marketing hype and just show you a real picture of what the A1 will look like.
All hail carblog!
Lexus ISF vs BMW M3 on Video
Author: adminFolks from motorbeam has got their hands on a Lexus ISF and a BMW M3 for a proper dogfight, as they call it. Care to make your bets on who won? Check out who’s fastest in the video below!
Audi A5 Sportback gets the ABT treatment
Author: adminWith less and less new models announced this time of the year, it’s the tuning houses around the globe that have kept the auto freaks entertained. Adding to the excitement is the Abt treatment for the latest Audi A5 Sportback.
Dubbed the AS5 kit for the A5 Sportback, the tuning includes a new front grille, rear wing insets, a rear skirt set and diamond cut edition wheels finished in high gloss (18, 19 and 20-inch sizes). Performance being a key for Abt, the engine has been modified to justify a thorough upgrade be it for the 2.0 TFSI variant or the range topping 3.0 TDI ABT Power S. That means that the 2.0 TFSI renders between 180 and 275hp, and 320Nm of torque, while the 3.0L puts out nothing less than 310hp and 610Nm of torque. Neat!
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