Jeep News - Chrysler: Half of all cars electric by 2020

Chrysler: Half of all cars electric by 2020

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, GEM, USA

We’ve taken a good look at each of the three electric vehicle concepts that Chrysler took the wraps off of last week, plus one extra for good measure. For various reasons, none of these vehicles really seems quite ready for prime time - one is based on a Lotus sportscar chassis, two require huge battery packs and the last is limited to 25 miles per hour. Tough bring those to market. Still, Chrysler says it plans to launch one of them by 2010 in the U.S. with European delivery scheduled a bit later. We’ll see. If that does happen, Chrysler’s EV would join the Chevy Volt as the first mainstream(-ish) cars in the States not powered by gasoline in a very, very long time.

If Chrysler’s predictions are accurate, though, don’t expect the market to stay petroleum-dependent for long. In fact, Chrysler’s executive vice president of product development, Frank Klegon, has said that half the cars sold here in 2020 will feature electric power. That’s a long way to go in just a decade. In any case, the future promises lots of interesting things for the domestic auto market.

[Source: Automotive News Europe - sub. req'd]

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Source: www.autobloggreen.com

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

Suzuki unveils 2009 GSX-R1000

Filed under: Suzuki, Motorcycles

The Suzuki GSX-R1000 has been around since 2001, replacing the venerable 1100 sportbike that couldn’t quite match the performance of the sensational Yamaha R1 that was introduced in 1998. Ever since, the big Gixxer has been battling it out with the other Japanese literbikes for the outright performance crown. For 2009, the model gets evolutionary changes that are meant to eke that extra bit of speed out of the platform, which has shed a few pounds off the slightly porky model of the past few years. One instantly recognizable update is the new dual exhaust cans, now made from titanium in a very swoopy shape. There’s a slight bump in the engine’s compression, which now has larger titanium valves for better breathing potential. The front forks also come from Showa and feature the firm’s new Big Piston technology. All in all, it may not be as flashy as the ABS-equipped CBR from Honda or the new crossplane crank from Yamana, but Suzuki’s definitely been in-the-hunt these last few years. We’ll see how things play out on the track and on the sales floor soon enough. (NOTE: pics are of European model, we’re still waiting for Suzuki to release images of U.S.-spec version.)

[Source: Suzuki]

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2009/10 Honda Element revealed in brochure

Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossovers/CUVs, Honda

Thanks to Autoblog reader Brad, we now have proof Honda’s new corporate grille that first debuted on the 2009 Pilot will be making its way to the 2009/10 Element, as well. This brochure scan reveals the Element’s new face, which is clearly more mature and grown up than the previous year’s model. There are larger, more complex headlamps that flank the new chunky grille, and thick, body colored molding no longer dominates the more aerodynamic front end. We’re also told the next Element will offer new options like a cooling fridge, nav system and two new shades of dark and light blue. The vehicle appears to retain the same 2.4L i-VTEC four-cylinder engine and available four-wheel-drive, though Honda might not offer those funky matte black body panels anymore.

[Source: Brad]

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Mazda News - Mazda AZ-Wagon micro-mini takes off in Japan

Mazda AZ-Wagon micro-mini takes off in Japan

Filed under: Mazda, Japan

Mazda has just launched it’s latest “Kei-class” car in Japan with the redesigned AZ-Wagon. The “Kei” cars are built to specifications defined by law in Japan that place limits on size engine displacement and power. Kei cars are limited to 660 cc of engine displacement and 63 hp along with a maximum length of 3.4 m. The new AZ-Wagon is claimed to beat current Japanese emissions standards by 50-75 percent. All of the engines get variable valve timing and normally aspirated versions with a manual transmission are rated at 55.3 mpg (U.S.) on the Japanese urban test cycle. There are three transmission choices, a 5 speed manual, 4 speed automatic or a CVT. Amazingly for this tiny car, it can also be had with either front wheel drive or all wheel drive. None of these Kei cars are designed to meet U.S. crash safety standards so they aren’t likely to appear here anytime soon with one distinct exception, the Mitsubishi iMiEV electric car. The i that it’s based on is also a Kei car. The AZ-Wagon is priced from $8,600 to $13,800 and the press release is after the jump.

[Source: Mazda]

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Source: www.autobloggreen.com

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

Dodge News - Chrysler: Half of all cars electric by 2020

Chrysler: Half of all cars electric by 2020

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, GEM, USA

We’ve taken a good look at each of the three electric vehicle concepts that Chrysler took the wraps off of last week, plus one extra for good measure. For various reasons, none of these vehicles really seems quite ready for prime time - one is based on a Lotus sportscar chassis, two require huge battery packs and the last is limited to 25 miles per hour. Tough bring those to market. Still, Chrysler says it plans to launch one of them by 2010 in the U.S. with European delivery scheduled a bit later. We’ll see. If that does happen, Chrysler’s EV would join the Chevy Volt as the first mainstream(-ish) cars in the States not powered by gasoline in a very, very long time.

If Chrysler’s predictions are accurate, though, don’t expect the market to stay petroleum-dependent for long. In fact, Chrysler’s executive vice president of product development, Frank Klegon, has said that half the cars sold here in 2020 will feature electric power. That’s a long way to go in just a decade. In any case, the future promises lots of interesting things for the domestic auto market.

[Source: Automotive News Europe - sub. req'd]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: www.autobloggreen.com

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

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