Subaru News - Diesel Subies to beat hybrids to market
December 19, 2007 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
, Subaru
Not long after Toyota took up the stake in Subaru that was formerly owned by General Motors, the two companies agreed to work together to add hybrid power-trains to the all-wheel-drive specialist’s lineup. The problem is that the unique layout of the Subarus precludes just dropping in the hybrid synergy drive. That means that while Toyota’s technology can be used it has to be repackaged. In the meantime Subaru was already working on a new flat four-cylinder diesel engine which was unveiled at last spring’s Geneva Motor Show. That diesel will begin appearing in Subarus in the European market after the 2008 Geneva show.
Work continues on the hybrids although Subaru won’t say what the timeline is. Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru’s parent company) has said that they won’t build hybrids until lithium ion batteries are available. Given Subaru’s association with Toyota and their battery problems, it may be a while before we get any Subaru hybrids.
[Source: Left Lane News]
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[tags]subaru cars, subaru news, subaru models[/tags]
Cadillac News - Improvements in SUVs and trucks mileage. Worth the effort?
December 19, 2007 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
, Etc., Hybrid, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, DaimlerChrysler, GM
According to a recent article by the Wall Street Journal, the “eco” trend is reaching the bigger boys on the road. Since sales are going down for SUVs and trucks because of high gasoline prices, automakers are trying to improve fuel economy: New clean diesel engines, hybrid powertrains, shredding pounds and all types of “tricks” that help the vehicle use less fuel.
In general terms, the efforts, although significant in relative terms, aren’t that spectacular. As an example, let’s check the improvements on the Chevy Tahoe. Last year’s model managed 15/19 mpg EPA (city/highway). For 2008, the same model has better numbers, 15/21, which offers a 9.5 percent increase in highway mileage, although 21 mpg still isn’t great. Nevertheless, the 2008 model has more HP (320 from 295). This is about the same that has happened with the BMW X5, which has increased mileage 2/4 MPG although has increased more the number of ponies under the hood.
Nevertheless, GM has developed hybrid technology for buses, a descendant of which is the hybrid powertrains that will populate the models, namely the aforementioned Tahoe, the Cadillac Escalade, and the Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra pickups. Is this good? In theory, yes, but this comes at a premium which drivers might or not offset.
Continue reading after the jump a summary of the efforts to increase big vehicles mileage.
How about diesels? Mercedes has installed an oil burner in the ML, hoping that the improvement in fuel efficiency will attract more buyers. Sales of the ML were down a 40 percent last year. Along with the ML, the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Dodge Durango, models known for their poor gas mileage, are offering diesel options (although at a high premium over gas counterparts). Note that these diesel offerings aren’t yet 50-state compliant, which will arrive in 1-2 years time.
Finally, among the “tricks” to improve mileage that some vehicles have added for this year, let’s mention a few ones that the Chevy Tahoe hybrid will include: a lighter hood, hatch and driveshaft made of aluminium; lighter and more aerodynamic wheels, thinner seats and even keeping out options such as power-operated rear hatch or power-folding seats. Chevrolet has also removed the roof rack and the two hooks on the front bumper.
The article finishes with a forecast by David Healy, an analyst with Burnham Securities, “Hybrids tend to carry higher price tags, and drivers can’t always reap fuel savings without altering their driving techniques” (now tell me if you have never seen an SUV at 85 mph on the left lane) and has a winner: “In the long term, I think diesels have a better shot at winning over consumers”.
What’s your opinion? Are these efforts worthy? What’s the technology that will really help big vehicles to improve mileage?
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[tags]cadillac cars, cadillac news, cadillac models[/tags]
Kia News - The Korean Ministry of the Environment orders 3,390 hybrids from Kia and Hyundai
December 19, 2007 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Hybrid, Hyundai, Kia
Quick - what is the cheapest hybrid car on the market in America? Did you say the Saturn Aura hybrid? Well, you’re right. Priced at around $22,000, the Aura is the least expensive hybrid for 2007. As we mentioned earlier, Toyota is making a new discounted version of the Prius which should go for less, though. According to this article, Kia would like to take the banner away from both Saturn and Toyota with their Rio hybrid. We’ve shown you the Rio hybrid before, but price had never been brought up. The 1.4 liter engine combined with the electric motor should give over 40 miles per gallon and reduce emissions by 37%, according to our source article. Performance is leisurely, though. Getting the needle to sixty takes more than 12 seconds after you initially say go. The machine does stop the engine when it’s not required, so that is good. They also have reduced the weight by 23% by using aluminum where possible and replacing the hydraulic power steering with an electric unit. The Korean Ministry of the Environment has ordered 3,390 hybrids from Kia and Hyundai, so hopefully all the bugs will be worked out if and when it comes to America. All steps in the right direction, but the car really should be well below $20,000 to challenge the Aura and Prius in the American market. We’ll see!
Related:
- Asia Pulse: Korea will “churn out” hybrids by 2011
- Kia Rio hybrid makes an appearance, should be here in 2009
- Geneva Preview: Kia’s Rio Hybrid
[Source: Hybrid Vehicles]
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[tags]kia cars, kia cars news, kia cars models, kia news, kia cars reviews[/tags]
Volkswagen News - Seat Ibiza Ecomotive deliveries start in March 2008, 99 g/km of CO
December 19, 2007 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
, MPG, Volkswagen
Several months ago we first reported on the new Seat Ibiza Ecomotive. Ecomotive is Seat’s branding for their most efficient, lowest CO2-emitting models, similar to parent company Volkswagen’s BlueMotion. The Ibiza is actually based on the platform of the Volkswagen Polo, with the Ecomotive model being the Spanish translation of the Polo Bluemotion. Like its German sibling, the Ibiza uses the 1.4L turbodiesel mated with improved aerodynamics and low rolling resistance tires. The bottom line is 62 mpg (US) and 99 g/km of CO2 emissions. That latter figure is low enough for British buyers to qualify for an exemption from London congestion charges. Deliveries start in Britain in March at a price of 10,495.
[Source: Channel 4]
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[tags]volkswagen cars, volkswagen news, volkswagen models[/tags]
Hyundai News - Hyundai equips its European flagship with a diesel option
December 19, 2007 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
, Hyundai
You can’t expect to sell decent numbers of a sedan in Europe without a diesel engine. That’s a law that most automarkes have learnt (Cadillac too). The biggest sedan Hyundai offers in Europe, the Grandeur (also known as Azera to Americans),has a diesel option.
The Grandeur’s powertrain is a 2.2 liter CRDi engine (that’s what Hyundai calls the brand’s implementation of common-rail injection) which is good for 155 HP mated to an automatic 5-speed gearbox. Acceleration won’t make you feel like you’re on the Space Shuttle, taking 11.8 seconds from 0 to 60mph. Torque is impressive, at 343 Nm (253 lb-ft). Fuel consumption is about 33 mpg in the European combined cycle and CO2 emissions 208 g/km. This powertrain is also installed in the Santa Fe.
Pricing is quite high but the model comes with all equipment (including Navigation system) for about 41,000 EUR in Germany.
Related:
- The Korean Ministry of the Environment orders 3,390 hybrids from Kia and Hyundai
- Hey look, another car we can’t have here - The All New Hyundai i30
- Hyundai might bring their first US diesel to the Veracruz
[Source: Hyundai via Auto-week]
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[tags]hyundai cars, hyundai news, hyundai models, hyundai[/tags]
