AutoblogGreen

RENNTECH's GLK 350 Spec.R Pike's Peak rally racer wins SEMA build-off

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 08:47:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Mercedes Benz, SEMA Show, Racing

Click above for more shots of the RENNTech Pikes Peak hybrid GLK

Remember the hybrid Mercedes-Benz GLK that longtime MB tuner RENNTECH was working up at SEMA? The vehicle was being made as part of a company-sponsored build-off and was going against some stiff competition from BRABUS and some not-quite-as-stiff competition from Legendary Motor Cars and the Urban Whip from Boulevard Customs. Thankfully, the RENNTECH hybrid - our favorite by a very large margin - managed to snag the top spot. In the end, it was clear that the GLK 350 Spec.R Pike's Peak rally racer was the most sophisticated machine of the four. An electric motor running on 72 volts provides 26kW (about 40 lb-ft of torque) of added electrical assistance to the car's 3.5L V6 engine. The entire machine, with all of its various spoilers, wings and flares, will race up the slope at Pikes Peak in an attempt to prove it was worthy of its recent win. Stay tuned.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: RENNTech Mercedes GLK Pikes Place hybrid

[Source: RENNTECH]

Continue reading RENNTECH's GLK 350 Spec.R Pike's Peak rally racer wins SEMA build-off

RENNTECH's GLK 350 Spec.R Pike's Peak rally racer wins SEMA build-off originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 05 Dec 2008 08:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: PML F-150 w/in-wheel motors test driven

Sebastian Blanco — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:35:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Ford, SEMA Show

Click for a gallery of the Hi-Pa F-150

Want to see the PML F-150 Hi-Pa cruising down the street? This all-electric truck that puts out a combined total of 600 hp and 2,000 lb-ft of torque from its four in-wheel motors made its debut at SEMA last week and, on top of the test drive video, we've got an on-the-floor introduction to the truck YouTube goodie after the jump. PML worked with DST Industries and Ford to take out the V8 powertrain and put in the motors and a 40 kWh lithium ion battery pack. While the first video just shows the truck on the road without any narration, the second is a full-on interview with
PML's Peter (no last name given) and shows off the new instrument cluster, the wheel motors and all the rest. Thanks for the tip, Paul!

Gallery: PML Hi-Pa F-150

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: PML F-150 w/in-wheel motors test driven

VIDEO: PML F-150 w/in-wheel motors test driven originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: Making Green Cool Zone trucks

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:49:00 EST

Filed under: Biodiesel, Diesel, Ethanol, Flex-Fuel, Vegetable Oil, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, SEMA Show

Click above for high-res gallery of Making Green Cool Zone trucks from SEMA

We are so used to huge trucks with outlandish paint jobs at SEMA, that we barely noticed these monstrosities in one corner of the upper level of the South Hall. But then we spotted the "Making Green Cool Zone" banner hanging over them and decided to take a closer look. Along with the dozen or so cars and bikes on display there were some seriously non-green-looking trucks. Their carbon footprints might be small, but godalmighty were they huge.

There was an enormous 2006 Chevy Dually done up by eXtreme-Biodiesel to showcase their 4-hour, 40-gallon portable Extreme Green Machines that make biodiesel just about anywhere they want to. The truck itself gets 25 mpg, which might not seem too impressive until you read that the turbodiesel engine pumps out 1,000 hp and 1,200 ft. lbs. of torque.

Dino Fuel Alternatives (DFA) was also on hand with not one, but two veggie oil trucks. They had a Vegistroke Ford, which we already know is one fast truck, having won the Thundertruck drags with a time of 15.81 seconds, but they also claim it gets 144 mpg. DFA's Vegistroke system has been available for any PowerStroke motor, but the company just finished its new VegiRam system for the Cummins diesel engine also. It was displayed in a VegiRam Dodge dually painted up like a NASCAR Craftsman truck series competitor.

Johnathan Goodwin had another super-efficient Hummer in Vegas, this one an H1 model with E85, Biodiesel, and water boy stickers on it. We already told you about the other Hummer H1 at SEMA that has been converted by Zero South with tracks to do a South Pole run next year. Right now it's a rolling education center with video screens facing in so passengers can see project presentations. Wild Gator Racing brought out a specially-prepped E85 Chevy Silverado that looked trail-ready.

Then we saw our favorite vehicle of the day, Baby. It's an old Japanese fire truck that was converted to run on natural oils and has become an ambassador for alternative fuels and environmental issues as it made its way around the world. Baby was featured in the award-winning documentary Oil + Water, and is now on the Kavu Elements Nature Propelled educational tour. Besides being able to run on just about any kind of oil, Baby also uses vehicle motion, sun, wind and water to store and use energy so the team can run off the grid when parked. The whole thing opens up too, with sleeping areas and a stage for movie showings, concerts and presentations. Very, very cool. See it in the gallery below (of just click here).

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Green trucks

SEMA 2008: Making Green Cool Zone trucks originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: Making Green Cool Zone bikes and products

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Hydrogen, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, SEMA Show, On Two Wheels

Click above for high-res gallery of Making Green Cool Zone bikes from SEMA

SEMA surprised us a bit this year with its "Making Green Cool Zone." On display were a dozen or so cars and trucks, along with a few bikes that all had some green angle. In some cases the vehicles were modified production vehicles that had been given an aftermarket treatment to increase economy, in others they were high-mileage vehicles that had simply been spiffed up, still others were unique vehicles created with green living at their hearts.

The bikes and other products in the booth included the Brammo Enertia Electric Motorcycle that we drove back at EVS23. It was at SEMA to help promote the upcoming TTXGP, the world's first clean emission Grand Prix that will run around the Isle of Man June 12, 2009.

We also saw the Derby City Customs hybrid Kawasaki, that they claim will run with onboard-sourced hydrogen injection to improve mileage. ElectroJet was also on hand, showing off its small engine fuel injection system. The EFI system was fitted to a small Chinese motorcycle engine, which the company chose to highlight the terrible pollution in China and a way the country can increase the cleanliness of the 20 million bikes they make every year.

Among the dozens of green products we saw in the display cases, we noticed that 3M was demonstrating their new lead-free wheel weight system for tire and wheel shops. It is a roll of composite material that can be cut to length for each application. Not only is there no lead going into the equation, but individual weight inventories will be eliminated and shops can just stock a single roll of material, which can be cut with a scissors or cutter. Pretty cool.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Green bikes and products

SEMA 2008: Making Green Cool Zone bikes and products originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 10 Nov 2008 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: Making Green Cool Zone cars

Frank Filipponio — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 20:05:00 EST

Filed under: Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Toyota, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, SEMA Show

Click above for high-res gallery of Making Green Cool Zone cars from SEMA

There were a lot of crazy, over-the-top and outrageous vehicles at SEMA again this year. Some of those vehicles were boosted, blinged, airbrushed and lifted to within an inch of their lives. Crazy lift kits, fat tires, superchargers and turbos, horsepower levels of 400, 650, 750 and even well above 1,000 were splashed across their banners for all to see. And this was just in the show's "Making Green Cool Zone." It was filled with cars, trucks, motorcycles and products aimed at proving green can be fun.

The cars in particular were a great example of that theory. We saw the "Mean Green" '68 Camaro built by OPM Customs that is set to challenge a land speed record powered by E98. The car is made of recycled and recyclable materials wherever possible and should be able to crack 225 mph. Right next to it was the LK Motorsports "Green Rod," a '33 Ford hot rod powered by a GEOD assisted Ford Racing 4.6L DOHC crate motor. The Green Energy On Demand system comes from Assisted Energy and consists of a small, self-contained hydrogen-on-demand unit. Even producing 400+ HP, the car can return better than 30 mpg.

On the other side of the trucks we spotted an old favorite, the HP2g Mustang, a Progressive Automotive X Prize contender that produces 400 HP as well, but can return up to 110 MPGe. If you happen to be more of a Bow-Tie fan, there was the "Bio Rocket," a biodiesel '65 Impala built by Galpin Auto Sports and unveiled by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on a special Earth Day episode of "Pimp My Ride." Corvette fans had their choice of a 750-hp C6 Corvette with the innovative rear-mounted STS Turbo setup, or the soon-to-be-defunct ALMS GT1-winning C6.R Vette that races on cellulosic E85.

There were also a trio of Priuses, including a wild "Zimbra" custom by Batmobile and Batsmart creator George Barris. Like the Barris Prius, the VIP Auto Salon one on display was more about improving the looks and performance of the Prius than about increasing economy, per se, but the M.i.O +81 prECiOus wheel upgrades promised lighter weight and improved handling and efficiency over the OEM units. The last Prius was the Hymotion model that promised optimized performance and 100+ MPGe thanks to its A123 Systems L5 Nanophosphate Lithium Ion plug-in conversion hybrid powerpack.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Green car gallery

SEMA 2008: Making Green Cool Zone cars originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 09 Nov 2008 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: biodiesel Hummer snowmobile update

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 10:21:00 EST

Filed under: Biodiesel, Etc., SEMA Show

Click above for high-res gallery of this attention grabber

That unholy marriage of a Hummer and a snowmobile turns out to be an Antarctic vehicle by Zero South. This biodiesel-powered truck thing has tracks instead of wheels, and is set to be piloted by the likes of Apollo astronaut Buzz Aldrin and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak in a South Pole expedition in 2009 called Drive Around the World. Seriously. The whole thing is going to be filmed in 3-D by Chris Paine, the man behind the documentary, "Who Killed the Electric Car?" The vehicle runs on B99 and can do 35 mph but they will be restricted to just 15 mph on the run. The plan has actually been modified recently and it is said Jay Leno will be helping to install a VW diesel four-cylinder engine to act as a generator for four electric motors powering each track cluster. We can hardly wait.

Check out the gallery to judge for yourself.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Hummer snowmobile

SEMA 2008: biodiesel Hummer snowmobile update originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 10:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: Next Batmobile to be a smart?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:01:00 EST

Filed under: SMART, SEMA Show, Green Daily

Click above for high-res gallery of the Batsmart from SEMA

Hey, times are tough, even if you're Bruce Wayne. The downturn of the economy makes fighting crime an even more expensive nocturnal hobby than it was before. Plus, burning all of that jet fuel for past versions of the Batmobile is a real environmental bummer. For these reasons and more, we're pretty fond of the new Batsmart. There's only room for one Batdriver and one sidekick, so if any bad guys or evil henchmen are caught (or Catwomen need a ride home), Robin is just going to have to walk home to the Batcave. That's all right on account of all the gasoline saved in the process, right?

In all seriousness, this Batsmart was recently spotted - where else? - at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas and will actually be made available to the public in very limited quantities. We're especially fond of the air intake for the rear-engine that's made to look like the business end of a jet turbine.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Batsmart

SEMA 2008: Next Batmobile to be a smart? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: Mercedes shows off RENNTech Pikes Peak hybrid GLK

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:35:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Mercedes Benz, SEMA Show

Click above for more shots of the RENNTech Pikes Peak hybrid GLK

This year's festivities in Las Vegas mark the first year that Mercedes-Benz has participated at the SEMA Show, and it has done so in grand style with four separate GLK concepts. The one we're most interested in is the RENNTech Pikes Peak concept, which uses a novel new mild hybrid system that has been designed by the longtime tuning company. According to RENNTech, all the hardware is in place for the electric motor to provide 26kW of power (about 40 lb-ft of torque) to the GLK's 3.5-liter engine. The system is still in development and the GLK is scheduled to get a new set of nimh batteries that will allow for regenerative braking and an acceleration boost function. The software is tunable via an SD card interface.

RENNTech will actually race this new hybrid up Pikes Peak in the exhibition class once its lead-acid Optima batteries are replaced and put its wide body kit and various splitters and spoilers to good use. The RENNTech Pikes Place hybrid GLK is one of four GLK concepts that MB is showing off in Sin City. Of course, it's our favorite. If you want to vote for the hybrid as your favorite too, click here. We've pasted a full spec sheet after the break.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: RENNTech Mercedes GLK Pikes Place hybrid

Continue reading SEMA 2008: Mercedes shows off RENNTech Pikes Peak hybrid GLK

SEMA 2008: Mercedes shows off RENNTech Pikes Peak hybrid GLK originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: Nissan Altima Hot Rod Hybrid

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:15:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Solar, Nissan, SEMA Show

Click above for more shots of the Hot Rod Hybrid Nissan Altima

SEMA's tuner crowd and the green culture seem at first to clash. Starting last year, though, and continuing even stronger in 2008 are green performance cars infiltrating the gas-guzzling ways of the typical SEMA show car. A prime example of this green mind meld is the Nissan Altima Hot Rod Hybrid, which started life as a normal, run-of-the-mill Altima hybrid. The standard 2.5-liter four cylinder engine gets extra power from an electric supercharger and what appears to be an upgrade to the car's electric motor. That four banger has also been tuned to run on E85 for extra power. A solar panel on the roof probably doesn't help charge the batteries too much, but it does look cool.

Assembled by Braille Battery to compete in the Hybrid and Electric Class of the Redline Time Attack Series, the car will also compete in the One Lap of America race series. Estimated 1/4 mile performance puts the 440-horsepower Hot Rod Hybrid at 12.9 seconds; nearly 110 miles per hour. Spent gases exit through leaf-shaped exhaust tips. Nice touch.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Nissan Altima Hybrid Racecar

SEMA 2008: Nissan Altima Hot Rod Hybrid originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: Toyota Yaris Tailback runs on CNG

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Flex-Fuel, Toyota, SEMA Show, Natural Gas

Click above for two high-res shots of the Yaris Tailback concept from SEMA

Toyota has brought a really, really green concept with it to the SEMA Show that's currently taking place in Las Vegas. That first bit of green comes courtesy of a compressed natural gas conversion that allows the driver to switch from gasoline to CNG for the otherwise stock four cylinder engine via a button. It wouldn't be a proper SEMA concept without a ton of modifications, and so the storage tank for the natural gas is housed in the rear and appears when the modified rear tailgate is opened with its automated electric motor.

Other greenery includes the can't-miss-it Sherwin Williams green paint with metallic flakes and bronze accents. Besides its CNG system, the Yaris Tailback gets custom suicide rear doors and a custom wide body kit, necessary to cover the ridiculously wide 19x9 front and 19x11 rear wheels. Inside is custom upholstery and an audio/video system provided by Pioneer. Full press release after the break.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Toyota Yaris Tailback

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading SEMA 2008: Toyota Yaris Tailback runs on CNG

SEMA 2008: Toyota Yaris Tailback runs on CNG originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: Gale Banks Sidewinder diesel dragster

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:24:00 EST

Filed under: Diesel, SEMA Show

Click above for high-res gallery of the Banks Diesel Dragster

Horsepower guru Gale Banks just unveiled his finished diesel-powered Sidewinder dragster here at SEMA. As a follow-up to their diesel D-Max Type-D Pro Stocker pickup, Banks Power designed and built this NHRA Top Diesel Dragster with motivation coming from a 1,200 hp GM Duramax 6.6L diesel V8. The car should be able to reach its stated goal of running consistent 1/4 mile times in the sixes at over 200 mph. As impressive as that might be, the car looks incredible too in unpainted carbon fiber. Click here to see Sam's interview with Gale Banks and follow the jump for the full press release from the company. And don't forget to check out the gallery as well.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Gale Banks diesel dragster

Photos copyright (C)2008 Brad Wood/Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Banks Power]

Continue reading SEMA 2008: Gale Banks Sidewinder diesel dragster

SEMA 2008: Gale Banks Sidewinder diesel dragster originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: Volkswagen CC Eco performance concept 27/33 mpg

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:50:00 EST

Filed under: MPG, Volkswagen, SEMA Show

Click for a high res gallery of the VV Eco Performance concept

Out in sin city at the SEMA show, Volkswagen - like everyone else - is showing off modified versions of its everyday products. Most of what's on display is either about bling, power or both. Volkswagen however, has one car on display that adds efficiency to the mix. The Performance CC is based on the new four door coupe-sedan that debuted a few months ago. Starting with the base engine, a 2.0L four cylinder TSI with direct injection and turbo charging, APR added a new turbo system with driver selectable performance levels. The engine goes from a stock 200 hp to 222 hp in Eco mode, to 252 hp in GT mode and up to 311 hp in Full Power mode. Volkswagen collaborated with APR on the turbocharger and exhaust systems and claims that even with the increased power levels fuel efficiency is improved across the board. The standard 2.0L CC is rated at 19/28 mpg city/hwy. In Eco mode, the car is claimed to get 27/33 mpg city/hwy. A 47 percent boost in efficiency combined with 11 percent more power is pretty impressive. The question that remains unanswered is whether the car can pass an emissions test in this form. The most likely answer would be "fat chance." Too bad.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: VW Eco performance CC concept

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading SEMA 2008: Volkswagen CC Eco performance concept 27/33 mpg

SEMA 2008: Volkswagen CC Eco performance concept 27/33 mpg originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: VW Jetta TDI Street concept, live from Vegas

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:56:00 EST

Filed under: Diesel, Volkswagen, SEMA Show, USA

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Jetta TDI Edition Street Concept

Our team of crack journalists at SEMA have located the Jetta TDI Street concept, so we can now bring you some live shots of the car along with all of the assorted details. As we expected when we first heard that VeeDub was working up the concept, there are no powertrain changes to speak of. That's not surprising given all of the development that went into making the TDI engine meet emissions standards in the U.S. and the fact that it's a great engine just as it is. There are some mechanical changes to the underpinnings, though, with brakes and sway bars from the sporty GLI model and the wheels are alloys. On the bodywork front, a large gaping opening at the front makes the cars look like their racing siblings as do the extended rocker panels and rear valance. A sticker package completes the look.

Volkswagen hasn't decided for sure whether to offer the concept for production. The German automaker will be polling for consumer reaction. We think it looks great, especially in the blue from the GLI, but would want to know just how close to $30K the automaker plans to sell it for.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Edition Street Concept

[Sources: Volkswagen, Autoblog]

Continue reading SEMA 2008: VW Jetta TDI Street concept, live from Vegas

SEMA 2008: VW Jetta TDI Street concept, live from Vegas originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: Honda shows Civic HFP Concept, announces Mugen accessories for Fit

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:12:00 EST

Filed under: Honda, SEMA Show

Click above for more high-res shots of the Honda Civic HFP Concept from SEMA

Honda is accessorizing its two smallest, most efficient models. Debuting at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas is the Civic HFP Concept, which starts life as a stock Civic Si sedan. To this extremely-capable platform, Honda adds a series of aero-tweaks designed to improve the car's efficiency, such as a body kit with a new front fascia and ground effects. Especially interesting are the new lightweight alloy wheels with hybrid-like aero covers. The suspension has also been lowered a bit to bring the whole package a bit lower to the ground. These changes have been derived from a Japanese racing event called the Super Taikyu Series, which uses a version of the Civic Type R. Honda claims that these modifications can both improve the performance of the Civic Si and its fuel efficiency.

Slotting under the Civic in Honda's U.S. lineup is the new Fit hatchback and Honda has announced a new line of performance and appearance parts for that model as well under its longtime tuning arm known as Mugen. Check out pictures of both Hondas below and click past the break for the official announcement.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Civic HFP Concept

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Honda Mugen Fit

[Sources: Honda, Autoblog: Civic - Fit]

Continue reading SEMA 2008: Honda shows Civic HFP Concept, announces Mugen accessories for Fit

SEMA 2008: Honda shows Civic HFP Concept, announces Mugen accessories for Fit originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: Ronn Motors shows off its Scorpion

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:53:00 EST

Filed under: Hydrogen, SEMA Show, USA

Click above for high-res live shots of the Ronn Motors Scorpion at SEMA

Ronn Motors has delivered on at least one of its ambitious promises by delivering a real concept car to the SEMA Show that's currently taking place in Las Vegas. For its next trick, the fledgling automaker will try and convince those of us who are skeptical that its on-demand hydrogen electrolosis system, dubbed H2GO, actually has some sort of effect on the car's fuel mileage, emissions or performance. It will take real third-party evaluation before we're ready to jump on the bandwagon, as these types of systems have proven ineffective many times already. Let the debate rage on.

One thing that's not up for debate is the fact that the team at Ronn have crafted one seriously slippery-looking shape. Underneath that swoopy bodywork is a 3.5-liter V6 engine from Acura that's been force-fed with twin turbochargers. That engine is available in two levels of performance, the first offering 450-horsepower and the second, known as the HX, offers up 600 ponies according to the company. Ronn claims that a mixture of gas and hydrogen is combined with a 30-40 percent ratio of air. Fuel mileage stands at an estimated 40 mpg, but we don't know how that number was achieved. City or highway, and with which engine? Color us unconvinced that this setup actually does much of anything positive for the car's performance. Feel free to take a look at our gallery below and let us know what you think.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Ronn Motors Scorpion

SEMA 2008: Ronn Motors shows off its Scorpion originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW to offer Jetta TDI Cup Street edition

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:10:00 EST

Filed under: Diesel, Volkswagen, SEMA Show

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Jetta TDI Cup racers

We've been covering Volkswagen's Jetta TDI cup races since the very beginning of the series. We've also heaped some high praise on the efficiency of VW's 50-State clean diesel technology. Unfortunately, you can't take one of VeeDub's racers off the track and on to the street, but perhaps the next best thing is coming straight from the factory. With VW's Jetta TDI Cup "Street" edition, buyers who want the look of one of the racers will be able to get it. Expect a modified fascia and ground effects to go along with a price of $26,995. This will almost surely be an appearance package only, so we don't expect any changes to the car's powertrain or suspension components. We're fine with that, as changes to make the car faster would likely have an adverse effect on the car's fuel mileage. Volkswagen is set to introduce the new Jetta TDI Cup Street edition at the upcoming SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Gallery: First Jetta TDI Cup race

[Source: Motive]

VW to offer Jetta TDI Cup Street edition originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA Preview: Hyundai experimenting with cylinder deactivation and supercharging

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 11:53:00 EST

Filed under: Emerging Technologies, Hyundai, SEMA Show

We've been hearing that Hyundai has big plans for its new V8 engine, despite the fact that fuel efficiency has just recently become paramount in the U.S. market. As the Korean automaker's first-ever V8, the company has plenty to learn. That's fine, since it appears as if Hyundai is truly serious about getting the most from its new powerplant. Supercharging is being explored first, and a force-fed version of the car, which an Autoblog reader managed to snap a few pictures of while it was being gassed up, is set to debut at the upcoming SEMA Show. The power-adder allows the Tau V8 engine to offer 460-horsepower and propel the big sedan to sixty in just 4.9 seconds.

Extra power is nice and all, but we're also very concerned with fuel economy, of course. Fortunately, so is Hyundai, so the RKSport Genesis that's headed to Vegas has also been fitted with cylinder deactivation. That's a feature that isn't yet included on the stock car, but that may soon change. Word from Motive is that it's likely headed to production versions of the Tau V8 engine in short order. Fuel mileage on the 460-horse supercharged mill actually improves to 18 city and 27 highway, matching the figures of the standard V6 engine. Now that's progress.

[Source: Motive]

SEMA Preview: Hyundai experimenting with cylinder deactivation and supercharging originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 11:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: If a Hummer and a snowmobile had a baby...

Sebastian Blanco — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 11:11:00 EST

Filed under: Biodiesel, SEMA Show, Green Daily

The unholy child of a Hummer and a snowmobile has been found! Located somewhere at the SEMA show that starts today in Las Vegas, the front end shot of this biodiesel-powered truck thing was snapped by our friends at Autospies. With treads instead of front wheels, what look like flat screen TVs instead of a windshield (what's up with that?), and a front grill that's obviously supposed to look Hummeresque, this thing just begs for more information. Sadly, I don't know anything other than what you see here. We'll see if we can't dig up some more details on this beast as the day goes on.

UPDATE: added gallery and found more info here.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Hummer snowmobile

[Source: Autospies]

SEMA 2008: If a Hummer and a snowmobile had a baby... originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 11:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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80 mpg Mustang back, will drive to SEMA and record mileage

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:46:00 EST

Filed under: Ethanol, MPG, Ford, SEMA Show, Automotive X-Prize, USA

Remember Doug Pelmear, the inventor and mechanic from Toledo, Ohio who claims that his late-80's Fox Body Mustang makes 400-horsepower and still manages to return 80 miles per gallon? Doug's back in Toledo's news and he's making the same claims as before. In fact, Pelmear's Mustang can run on ethanol and in so doing, he says, can get up to 110 miles per gallon equivalent. Apparently, Doug's claims have been met with some skepticism, which isn't really surprising considering that the claims seem rather outrageous, so he's got a plan to prove that his Grandfather's invention works as advertised. Doug will drive his 1987 Mustang from Toledo to Las Vegas, Nevada for the upcoming SEMA Show.

Along the way to Vegas, Doug and his team will keep track of his car's fuel mileage and will report it after the 4,000 mile round trip is completed. Afterward, the Mustang will be entered into the Automotive X-Prize. We're still firmly in the skeptical camp, but this is one of those instances where we'd love to see ourselves proven wrong. Maybe if it works, the nation's attention will turn from Toledo's other recently-famous person, Joe the Plumber.

[Source: WNWO NBC24]

80 mpg Mustang back, will drive to SEMA and record mileage originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New information on the electric Ford F-150 Hi-Pa coming to SEMA

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:17:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Flex-Fuel, Hybrid, Ford, SEMA Show

Click for a gallery of the Hi-Pa F-150

When it comes to all things pickup truck related, Mike Levine is the go-to guy. Mike has been continuing to investigate the back story on the PML F-150 Hi-Pa that will making its debut at the SEMA Show next week. It turns out that PML didn't build this truck single-handedly. They teamed up with DST Industries and Ford on the project. The V8 powertrain has been completely stripped out in favor of the electric drive system. According the PML the motors are good for over 150 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque... each! That's over 600 hp cumulative and 2,000 lb-ft of torque at the wheels. PML's wheel motors pull electrons for drive from a 40 kWh lithium ion battery pack that sits under the rear part of the cab and the bed where the gas tank normally sits. The motors, of course, also provide regenerative braking capability although the hydraulic friction brakes are also retained.

The truck is currently electric only which means it has a range of only 75-100 miles. Early next year, PML is planning to add an engine and generator to transform it into a series hybrid. The company wants to use an existing emissions-certified engine, preferably a flex-fuel example. PML CEO Craig Knight told Mike that there are no current production plans for the Hi-Pa F-150 although it could be built by 2011. Mike tells ABG that PML doesn't plan to build motors but would rather license the designs to a tier 1 supplier that will work with automakers.

Gallery: PML Hi-Pa F-150

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

New information on the electric Ford F-150 Hi-Pa coming to SEMA originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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