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GM says next-gen hybrid pickups could have 50% better towing
General Motors isn\’t saying how it plans to do it, but according to our friends at PickupTrucks.com, it is saying that consumers are \”…going to see substantial improvements in towing capability in our next hybrids.\” Right now, the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid and GMC Sierra Hybrid can pull 6,100 pounds with their electrically-assisted, multi-displacement 6.0-liter V8 engines. The improvement will be \”up to 50% more,\” meaning a tow rating of 9,000 pounds could be coming this way.
If GM can wring a full 50% improvement out of the drivetrain, that would put the hybrids just 1,600 pounds short of the max towing capacity of the standard gasoline V8 crew cab half-ton with the enhanced tow package. The transmission torque capacity and the necessary cooling systems are the apparently the chief limitations to be… Read the rest of this entry
Google StreetView uncovers split-window Corvette \”barn find\”
This is no way to treat a 1963 Corvette split-window coupe. Found in Washington by one of Google StreetView\’s drones, there\’s actually no barn to this barn find, just a car left sitting in the gray mist that folks in the Pacific Northwest call \”weather.\”
This Corvette had a 12-year shelf life, and then according to the owner, it\’s \”been veggin\’ on the spot since \’75.\” If you are interested, it\’s one of the fuel injected models and comes with an extra engine and other parts. Of course, if it\’s been sitting there for 34 years, it could fall to pieces when you try to move it… and you\’ll probably find more than a few dead (or perturbed) animals lurking thereabouts. But that wouldn\’t stop you, would it? Check out the gallery below of this forlorn \’63 Vette.
Gallery:Abandoned 1963 Corvette
Geneva Preview: Smart gets Limited Edition Three treatment
Companies often exploit our fondness for Spring in their marketing efforts. There are detergents that smell like flower beds, flora-inspired fashions and candles that give off the soft scent of freshly cut grass. We\’re a people who like the restorative, born-again qualities of the season that emerges after a long, cold winter, and smart knows this. No stranger to unveiling special edition models of its fortwo model, the Daimler-owned brand will be showing off the new \”edition limited three\” model at the Geneva Motor Show next month.
The \”edition limited three\” model tugs at our temporal heart strings with a new exterior color called Melon Green Metallic. The Spring-ish hue is carried over into the top soil-colored interior where it\’s used as an accent on the seats, door… Read the rest of this entry
REPORT: Saab production halted, customs authorities want their money!
New reports this afternoon indicate that Swedish tax authorities have effectively shut down Saab until the automaker pays back unpaid customs duties. Many of the parts that make up today\’s Saabs are sourced from suppliers and General Motors plants outside of the European Union, and customs officials have halted the shipment of those parts. Without a supply chain, the Trollh?ttan plant has been forced to stop production.
According to The Local, an English-language Swedish news outlet, Saab\’s production manager, Gunnar Brunius, hoped to have the situation resolved by this evening. But the fact the duties haven\’t been paid is a sign of the cash flow problems at parent company General Motors. Customs officials haven\’t disclosed how much money is owed other than to say the amount is \”considerable.\”
Earlier this week, Saab filed for the Swedish equivalent of Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. If GM is unwilling or… Read the rest of this entry
Rendered Speculation: Volkswagen Golf VII already in the cards
The current Volkswagen Golf (a.k.a. \”Rabbit\”), which is a 2010 model, hasn\’t made it through the front nine, and already the next Golf is being teed up behind it. The new model is planned for 2012, two years earlier than planned, perhaps because VW wants to recast what the Golf represents with a return to frugal-yet-sporty motoring.
If these AutoExpress renderings are at all accurate, the reskin won\’t make your jaw drop, as there is little planned for the hatch\’s exterior save for a few tweaks. It is the philosophy of the car that takes a new stand, however: the Mk VII is rumored to ride on a smaller platform than the MkVI, borrow parts from the Polo, employ lightweight body panels, and get VW\’s Twin Drive plug-in diesel hybrid engines.
The focus on reduced weight will mean more punch from VW\’s smaller TDI engines. The Twin Drive,… Read the rest of this entry
Geneva Preview: Protoscar Lampos promises clean-air top-down motoring
While Tesla has made the biggest splash with its Roadster, a number of other companies have been busily developing their own electric-powered droptops, including Protocar. You may remember Protoscar as the builders of a wacky Porsche 911-based Shooting Brake from a few years back. In any case, the Swiss firm is back, and they\’re teasing the public unveiling of their LAMPO concept car ahead of its debut at next week\’s Geneva Motor Show.
The LAMPO is an all-wheel-drive electric cabriolet that uses lithium ion power to extract 268 horsepower and 440 Nm (325 pound-feet) of torque from its two electric motors. Protoscar says the LAMPO (\”lightning\” in Italian) has a 32 kilowatt-hour battery pack that should yield a range of 200+ kilometers (about 125 miles). However, the company seems to be most proud of its \”interactive GPS-based \’range estimator\’\” as well as its so-called \”intelligent charging\” capability.… Read the rest of this entry
Nissan to ease output cuts in March 09
Nissan Motor Co. said Thursday that inventory levels have dropped low enough to ease domestic production cuts in March.
Facing plunging sales, Nissan said earlier this month that shift elimination, work stoppages and shorter working hours will help reduce global production by 20 percent, or 787,000 vehicles, from its initial plan by the end of this fiscal year through March.
It also aimed to reduce inventory by 20 percent to 480,000 vehicles from 630,000 in March 2008.
The tighter inventory management is now “bearing fruit,” said Nissan spokeswoman Pauline Kee.
Nissan, which expects to lose money this fiscal year, slashed production in Japan by about 60 percent in January and 70 percent in February. It plans to lighten those cuts to roughly 50 percent in March and will produce 60,000 to 70,000 units, according to Kyodo news agency.
Kee declined to provide specific production goals for the month… Read the rest of this entry
Kia No.3 concept mini MPV 5 seater
Kia will be displaying an all-new MPV concept, a range of Idle Stop & Go cars and an
innovative Hybrid at the 79th Salon International de l’Auto which opens in Geneva on 3 March. There will be a total of 18 vehicles on the Kia stand [Stand 5231, Hall 5] including three models making their first appearance in Switzerland – the Kia Soul, upgraded 2009 Kia Sportage compact SUV and upgraded, new-look 2009 Kia Magentis sedan.
Kia No 3 Concept Car
All-new, the Kia No 3 Concept Car redefines the small MPV genre by creating a beautiful car that is also fun-to-drive. The concept features a unique extended windscreen and panorama glass roof with a diagonal supporting bar, an automatic sun visor and the new ‘face of Kia’ displays the front grille, head lamps and brand logo in a new constellation. The 4045 mm long… Read the rest of this entry
Preview : Toyota Verso versatile fight to Zafira Scenic C4 Picasso
Toyota has confirmed today that it’s planning to unveil a new “European-built model” at next week’s Geneva Motor Show, but while no other details have been revealed chances are the new model is the 2009 Verso MPV. The Verso will be making its world debut next week at the Geneva event and is scheduled to go on sale across Europe in April.
Changes to the outgoing model include a 20% increase in power and torque for most engines, as well as a 12% reduction in carbon-dioxide emissions and fuel-consumption. The powertrain lineup includes 1.6 and 1.8L Valvematic petrol units, mated to either a six-speed manual or new Multidrive S CVT, as well as 2.0 and 2.2L turbodiesels.
To improve interior space, the new Verso has been stretched up to 70mm in length and 20mm between the axles. Aerodynamic enhancements ensure the bigger Verso maintains a relatively slippery… Read the rest of this entry
Nissan present NV200 Combi and Van version before Passenger version
Nissan is preparing a move into the global small van market with the introduction of its all new spacious yet compact NV200 small van.
At a glance
Three different configurations of NV200
Sliding side doors for ease of entry
4.1m3 of loading space in van version
Economical petrol and diesel engines
Low cost of ownership
Family version is seven seat people carrier
Global model for multiple regions
Designed from the outset as both a commercial and a passenger vehicle, the Nissan NV200 brings new levels of space, comfort and practicality to the small van market, both in Europe and other global markets.
NV200 will be available in three different versions: a van with the largest load space in its class and two seven seat variants – the functional Combi version for loads and passengers, and the more plush passenger car… Read the rest of this entry
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