Volkswagen News - Is a VW Rabbit GTD coming? Not officially to the U.S. at this point

Is a VW Rabbit GTD coming? Not officially to the U.S. at this point

Filed under: Diesel, Volkswagen

This fall, Volkswagen will be bringing the 6th generation of the Rabbit/Golf to the U.S. market and diesel will definitely be part of the lineup. Last September, at the first drive of the 2009 Jetta TDI VW of America spokesman Steve Keyes confirmed that a Rabbit TDI is coming in the second half of this year. Today, an anonymous tipster sent us a screen capture from a vehicle order form that seems to imply that a Rabbit GTD will also be available for 2010. The GTD is basically a diesel-powered GTI and it is available in some overseas markets. We contacted Keyes again for a comment, and he replied that “We’re aware of other markets that have offered the GTI TDI (GTD) but we’re planning to offer the GTI 2.0 TSI, Rabbit 2.5 and the Rabbit TDI.” So, at least officially, Volkswagen is not admitting to a GTD. Could it happen? It’s certainly possible but nothing is certain.

Is a VW Rabbit GTD coming? Not officially to the U.S. at this point originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: www.autobloggreen.com

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

Honda News - Aerocivic gets a website, deer should now be safer

Aerocivic gets a website, deer should now be safer

Filed under: Green Culture, MPG, Honda, Green Daily

Ahhh, what $400 and a few hundred hours of work can get you. The ever-popular Aerocivic has graced our pages a few times in the past, but now modder Mike Turner is sharing his experiences with the world, first-person style. Turner has set up a website describing, in detail, the changes that he’s made to his 1992 Honda Civic CX to get it up to around 95 mpg. That’s the kind of thing we knew about already. When Turner is writing about his own car and experiences, we learn new details. For example, Turnser says that bugs and snow float over the car undisturbed, leaves barely rustle when he drives over them, and “the low sloped front of the car scoops [deer] up and over the top of the car with minimal damage to both deer and car.” I wonder if the Google Maps people will be calling him soon. In any case, the Aerocivic site is truly an enthusiasts’ source for people who want to know what it’s like to live in the aerodynamic future. Well worth checking out.

[Source: Aerocivic via Treehugger]

Aerocivic gets a website, deer should now be safer originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: www.autobloggreen.com

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

Toyota News - Toyota increases its iQ with hypermiling stunt

Toyota increases its iQ with hypermiling stunt

Filed under: MPG, Toyota, Green Daily, UK

Toyota already has a fuel efficient vehicle on its hands in the new iQ city car, but the brand’s UK arm set out to prove that the diminutive machine can do much better than its official European rating of about 65 miles per gallon on the combined cycle. The entire hypermiling stunt is being blogged by two drivers that are uploading tons of photos of their progress to both Flickr and Toyota’s UK site, which you can visit here. To achieve the maximum number of miles per tank of gas, the duo has been using various hypermiling techniques while working hard not to be menaces on the roadways by holding up traffic. Sounds like a fine line to walk. To surpass the official mileage rating, the boys needed to make it more than 462 miles on a single tank of fuel. Did they do it? We’re not going to spoil it for you. Click here to find out.

[Source: Toyota - Photos: CC 2.0]

Toyota increases its iQ with hypermiling stunt originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: www.autobloggreen.com

[tags]toyota cars, toyota news, toyota suv, toyota[/tags]

Lexus News - Rumormill: Lexus LS could get base V6 model

Rumormill: Lexus LS could get base V6 model

Filed under: Lexus

The trend towards more fuel efficient automobiles is stretching past its expected economy car roots and into the upper reaches of large luxury vehicles. It could be argued that Lexus started this particular trend with its range of hybrid vehicles, especially the GS 450h and the LS 600h premium sedans. Perhaps the biggest hurdle Lexus needs to overcome to sell its hybrids is their price, since all that extra doohickery adds plenty to the bottom line. Perhaps it’s not surprising, then, to hear rumors that Lexus is working on a new version of its LS flagship that will use Toyota’s 2GR-FSE 3.5L V6 engine engine in lieu of the pricey hybrid or thirsty V8 options. We’d assume the new model would be named the LS 350.

This particular powerplant has won accolades by combining both port fuel injection and direct injection to produce up to 311 horsepower (315 PS or 232 kW) and is already used in the automaker’s IS 350 and GS 350. This engine option in the LS would also allow buyers in some countries to avoid high taxes that are based on the powerplant’s displacement.

[Source: Paultan.org]

Rumormill: Lexus LS could get base V6 model originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: www.autobloggreen.com

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

Mercedes-Benz News - Mercedes-Benz rumored to be working on hybrid sportscar

[tags]mercedes benz news, mercedes benz reviews, mercedes benz, daimler chrysler[/tags] -

Mercedes-Benz rumored to be working on hybrid sportscar

Filed under: Hybrid, Mercedes Benz

Mercedes-Benz has quite a history with gull-wing doored sportscars; not as much with hybrids. Regardless, the German automaker appears ready to combine the two in the next version of its SLK range, which is rumored to add the upward-opening doors and regenerative braking technology to its repertoire in 2012. It’s the hybrid drivetrain that may be causing MB to look to its past 300SL’s unique portal configuration since the twin battery packs will be placed in large side sills, a configuration that would preclude the use of normal doors.

Mercedes hopes to gain experience with the KERS hybrid system that’s currently making its way into Formula 1 racing, where the German marque has been doing quite well over the last few years. Teamed with a 3.5L V6 engine, preliminary reports suggest that the hybrid SLK could get up to 40 miles per gallon on the European cycle while also being able to accelerate the coupe to 60 miles per hour in under 5 seconds. They could sure use the efficiency boost.

[Source: Auto Express]

Mercedes-Benz rumored to be working on hybrid sportscar originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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