Cadillac News - Cadillac 1.9 Turbo Diesel tests at 55.6 mpg

, Cadillac

Finally, we have some fresh content for AutoblogGreen’s Cadillac category. A quick run down the list shows that some brands are just greener than others (we still haven’t found anything all that green from Rolls Royce or Jaguar, for instance). The Caddy news is that two Cadillac BLS 1.9 Turbo Diesels took part in the 360-mile 2006 AA / ALD Automotive MPG Marathon this past week and reached an impressive overall fuel economy of 55.6 mpg and 52.1 mpg, respectively (measured in Imperial gallons of course). These numbers were good enough for 2nd and 3rd place based on fuel consumption and actual performance over the official mpg figure. The new 1.9 liter BLS’ official mpg rating is 46.3 and it is the first Cadillac available with a turbo diesel engine. Prices start at 20,728.

[Source: Cadillac]

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[tags]cadillac cars, cadillac news, cadillac models[/tags]

Porsche News - More details on the Porsche Cayenne hybrid

, Porsche

The crew at British magazine CAR have more details on the configuration of the new Porsche Cayenne hybrid that’s due in 2009 and even got a chance to drive it. Porsche has some lofty targets for the fuel efficiency improvement with their hybrid setup including a fuel economy bump from 18.2 mpg (US) for the current Cayenne V6 up to 26.5 mpg. They aren’t there yet though only managing 24 mpg right now.

The hybrid setup uses an electric motor situated next to the engine that can send torque to all four wheels. A clutch between the engine and transmission allow auto-shutoff of the engine and electric power mode at up to 75mph, battery charge permitting. The Cayenne will have electro-hydraulic steering and braking as well as electric air conditioning. The Porsche engineers are also working to reduce the 330lb weight gain by eventually replacing the NiMH battery pack with a lithium ion unit, but that won’t be ready for start of production.

[Source: CAR]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Source: www.autobloggreen.com

[tags]porsche cars, porsche news, porsche models[/tags]

Kia News - KIA chooses Autogreen for End-of-Life Vehicle dismantling in UK

Filed under: Etc., Kia, Legislation and Policy

In the United Kingdom, the End of Life Vehicle directive requires automakers (and others) to think about how their vehicles will be disposed of after years of use. To fulfill its part of the deal, Kia has announced it will work with Autogreen (catchy name, no?) to dismantle Kia automobiles at the end of their “lives.”

Autogreen came into being “specifically to manage the entire legislation as required by the End-of-Life Vehicle Directive. This includes the issue of Certificates of Destruction (COD’s), vehicle pre-treatment and depollution, maximizing the financial return on reusable parts and non-metallic waste, and the ultimate disposal of scrap metals through our national network of dedicated authorised treatment facilities (ATF’s).”

The EU-wide ELV legislation requires re-use and recovery of at least 85 percent by average weight per end-of-life vehicle.” In addition, according to the UK’s Environment Agency:

• producers limit the use of certain hazardous substances in the manufacture of new vehicles and automotive components and promote the recyclability of their vehicles
• ELVs are subject to de-pollution prior to dismantling, recycling or disposal
• treatment facilities operate to higher environmental standards and have permits if they want to deal with undepolluted ELVs
• certain recovery and recycling targets are met by 1 January 2006 and 1 January 2015
• producers pay ‘all or a significant part’ of the costs of treating negative or nil value ELVs at treatment facilities by 2007

Indeed, Kia and autogreen will “allow customers access to a free and environmentally friendly method to dispose of their vehicle.” I like it.

[Source: Kia, Autogreen, Environment Agency]

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[tags]kia cars, kia cars news, kia cars models, kia news, kia cars reviews[/tags]

Nissan News - Video: hybrid Lexus Bridgehampton

, Lexus, Nissan

This is Autospy agent 001’s video of a special racing edition of the Lexus GS450h Hybrid. If you thought the MSRP of $55,000 was just too low and you simply needed more features, the Bridgehampton may be for you. It celebrates the glory days of auto racing. Some tweaking of the wheels and hood. Great rims Stitching to enhance the racing feel. The exhaust is smoothed over.

The car was shown at the Quail event. Which fits perfectly with the name Bridgehampton, which is a hamlet known for horse racing and golf courses. With a median income for a family of $74,583, according to Wikipedia, I guess I can understand why Lexus decided to name the car after them. Autospies also has videos of other hybrids like Lexus LS600h; the reclining back seat, the amazing front seat and TINY, TINY trunk. Below the fold is Autospies’ video review of the 2007 Nissan Altima hybrid.

[Source: Youtube]

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[tags]nissan cars, nissan autos, nissan news, nissan models, nissan[/tags]

Audi News - Tokyo Preview: Rendered speculation Audi A1

, Audi, Tokyo Motor Show

German magazine Auto Motor und Sport has published some renderings of the concept version of the Audi A1 which should debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in October. Unlike the last small Audi, the A2, which used a unique aluminum platform and proved to be both expensive and slow selling, the A1 shares hardware with the VW Polo and Skoda Fabia.

At least one powertrain combination in the 2,400 lb A1 should be the 1.4L TSI four cylinder with a seven-speed DSG gearbox and a new type of all-wheel-drive system. Other variants should have CO2 emissions that dip well below 120g/km. The new A1 will be built at the Brussels, Belgium plant that Audi recently took over from parent Volkswagen starting for 2010. Hopefully, one of these days, Audi will move beyond that mammoth grille that just looks absurd on this little car.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport]

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[tags]audi cars, audi news, audi models[/tags]

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