Recent Comments:
Volkswagen unveiling two-door Elise fighter in LA, new sports car {Autoblog}
Jul 22nd 2008 2:31AM The 'Concept R' was, and is, one of my favorite concepts. Has a bit of the old Porsche Spyder in it IMO (especially in this silver-blue color). Awesome!
I'd have to agreed that if this car is made in Europe it would be unlikely to make it to the US at a price that would make it successful. Perhaps in a few years after VW has their US production facility up and running...
Top Volkswagen researcher says no electric car explosion {Autoblog Green}
Jul 20th 2008 8:52PM @ axiom
Your comments regarding 'intellectual capacity' are totally inappropriate and bring nothing of value or substance to a debate. However, they do show a certain level of immaturity.
The sentence was cut off: "In the mean time small, fuel efficient ICE's (3 & 4 cyclinder turbo charged gas and diesel) will become much more common place".
You are not alone in wishing for a change in the transportation sector and I fully believe that one day alternative systems will dominate the market. I just believe that it will take more time than most people want to believe. So does our VW executive here in this article.
BTW - I have spent over a year studying the currently available (as well as following new and promising) technologies. I happen to have an Aptera Type H reserved, but I am not blind to the fact that either of Aptera's models (Electric or Hybrid) would not be viewed as 'acceptable' vehicles by the majority of our population who seem to desire a 4 wheel vehicle and seating for 4 or more. In a few years more conventional EVs will become acceptable and desirable, assuming fossil fuels stay at, or increase, in price. Now think ahead as to the many, many years it will take for the current crop of millionsand millions of ICE powered cars to be retired and become a minority on our roads and you have a conservative 10-15 years IMO. That's assuming that the many industries and people dependent on the ICE engine will just 'fade away' without putting up a protracted fight.
Top Volkswagen researcher says no electric car explosion {Autoblog Green}
Jul 20th 2008 1:32PM This guy is just stating what he sees from an industry perspective. Although many of us would like to think of a world where EVs dominate, it isn't going to happen overnight. Alternative-to-ICE technology is improving, but its not yet at a point where the average person would say 'Wow, I'll buy one of these instead'.
I believe that in the next 10-15 years we will see a mish-mash of technologies with electric propulsion gaining in popularity as price comes down and range increases and/or readily available swap/recharge stations become prevalent.
In the mean-time small
Rumormill: 350 hp Volvo C30 R in the works {Autoblog}
Jul 19th 2008 11:36AM A properly done 'R' (not just a few superficial exterior/interior changes) could distinguish this little car and boost Volvo's image. Make it a limited edition (like the VW R32s in the US) and it should sell. There are enough enthusiasts in the market for something like this.
For those who want to mandate limits on engine size/power there are many totalitarian countries you can move to. In a free market society consumer needs/wants/desires set the trend towards a variety of choices. I personally wouldn't want it any other way.
Spy Shots: Honda's hybrid Prius-fighter caught {Autoblog}
Jul 17th 2008 1:37AM @renderpaz - You may indeed be correct that this is a Prius shell (at least). Hmmm, if true, what would they be comparing? One scenerio I can think of is that Honda may have fitted their hybrid system into a Prius shell and then would be able to get real-world data comparing its performance vs. the performance of a real Prius. Since both cars have the same body, any differences would be attributed solely to the hybrid system without having to take into account aerodynamic differences between two different body styles.
Spy Shots: Honda's hybrid Prius-fighter caught {Autoblog}
Jul 17th 2008 1:17AM Looks like a split down the middle between those who believe that this is a Honda that will look nearly identical to a Prius and those who think that the cameo is hiding the true shape.
To those who think that the most aerodynamic 4 passenger design has to mimic the Prius you may want to look a bit closer at the rather unusual Mercedes 'Boxfish' concept vehicle (Cd 0.19). So, yes, there is room (aerodynamically speaking) for Honda to take a somewhat different design path and still produce a very slippery, yet practical design.
Jetta TDI = hotcakes, Tiguan, not so much {Autoblog}
Jul 15th 2008 1:07AM I had the opportunity to take one of these Jetta TDIs out for a spin. This car has plenty of pep, is fairly quiet for a small car, handles well and has a nice interior. It doesn't surprise me that many pre-order have been taken. But after the initial surge of TDI fans is over it will be interesting to see if VW can keep up the momentum.
If we can get this TDI motor in a Golf (I wish they hadn't resurrected that uber-cutsy 'Rabbit' name) body I'd certainly consider it as competent daily driver.
In The Autoblog Garage: BMW 128i Convertible {Autoblog}
Jun 29th 2008 6:20PM I had the opportunity to take the 128i out for spin recently. I was considering the BMW as a replacement for my wife's older Infinity G35, so the 135i would be considered 'over-kill' in this case. Since I'm more concerned about the driving experience than what a car looks like I can say that for a 3500 lb. car it actually felt lighter than its weight. Road manners were refined and steering feel was quite good, brakes were excellent, but the tires used on this particular car (run-flat's?) were not up to the car's capability. I found this 1-series driver's area a bit more snug than what I'm used to (I drive a 1st gen, VW R32), but I think I could get used to it.
All in all, its a nicely made small car, but as many have stated it is hard to justify the current price. This is not entirely BMW's fault since the dollar has lost a good bit of its value when compared to the Euro. IMO, BMW should get over its 4 cylinder phobia here in the US and offer a competent 4 cylinder gas and/or diesel motor at a more affordable price point to further distinguish the 1-series from its 3-series models...as well as offering better gas mileage for this size of a car.
I guess the car's been out for what, 2 months now? Even here in the congested East Bay/San Francisco area I've seen only one of these 1-series cars so far on the road, even though I commute 50 miles/day.
Mitsubishi's electric car plans revealed {Autoblog Green}
Jun 18th 2008 2:06AM Ugh...not the lease scenario AGAIN! Why is it that there is so much trepidation on the part of these major auto manufacturers to release a competent, non-fossil fuel product that we can purchase outright?
These guys say they've been at it since the 60's working with electric vehicles and we still don't have a viable vehicle that we can purchase...and we still have to wait a couple years more?
I'm not a conspiracy theorist by any means, but based on the actions (or lack thereof) of the major auto industry players I have come to the conclusion that it is going to take a relatively small automotive company to have the hutzah to prove that a proper sized, non-fossil fuel vehicle is commercially viable.
VIDEO: CNN and MSNBC both feature gas-saving ability of Aptera {Autoblog Green}
Jun 6th 2008 8:53AM I personally think that Aptera has chosen a satisfactory method to advertise the car's mileage since no standard currently exists. I look at it this way. They could have stated that the car gets "1000 mpg at 70 miles of travel", which may be a true statement, but would be seen by the public as complete BS. Or they could have said "120 mpg after 350 miles+ of travel", and while this may also be true the vast majority of people commuting with this car would certainly see a much higher mileage figure. They had to pick some number to use without understating the car's potential to the customer to attract interest and possible sales.
The unfortunate part is that the media will constantly use this '300 mpg' figure since they don't have the time/inclination/expertise to explain in detail how this number was derived.
A standard for determining plug-in serial hybrid mileage claims is sorely needed.
