Muscle question - but also hot rods go green

PIERRE ANDRIEU / AFP - Getty ImagesThe new LaFerrari uses a hybrid propulsion system, or KERS, derived from the formula 1 race series on maximum performance and also fuel consumption come up during the quieter driving conditions.

Shows set to initial expectations of the manufacturer 455 Horsepower, that 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray will not only but more muscle than any "base" deliver since she two-seat sports car was introduced for the first time 60 years ago 'Vette.

This news came on the same day that 200 mph Aston Martin ever revealed his fastest model V12 Vantage. In fact, if you like performance, there are many ways how received almost 1,000 HP LaFerrari, from 0 to 60 in less than 3 seconds.

During spotlight of media may be on green machines - the $20,000 Chevrolet spark EV and Tesla model S, topping out at over $100,000-muscular questions to pay.

Connector-based vehicles are are expected to only 0.5 percent of the entire U.S. market for new vehicle this year a figure, through the sales of the three classic Detroit muscle cars, the Chevrolet Camaro, Ford combined the Mustang, and Dodge Challenger matched.

There is no question that moved the market for smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles. Given the need to save fuel when you are many motorists not to victims, size and comfort, trim their powertrain choices. A considerable number of mid-sized sedans such as the Hyundai Sonata, for example, no longer offer V-6 options.

Only in 2008, 26 percent of all new vehicles were sold in the United States with V 8s, above all in full size of trucks like the Ford F-series and performance cars such as the Camaro and the Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG. Last year plunged, which however to 19.9 per cent, after consulting company AutoPacific Inc., who expected that the number will continue declining.

That doesn't mean that the performance with the V-8 (or even more muscular V 10s and V12er) disappear. AutoPacific chief analyst George Peterson did not expect the V-8 to disappear altogether. It maintains a strong presence in large trucks and performance vehicles - such as the Corvette. But today's latest "eight banger" is likely a very different machine from the powertrains are found vintage in muscles and power of yore.

Take the brand new LT1 engine found in the seventh generation Corvette, C7 fans called. He takes a variety of new features, which was to achieve, what were once impossible: to improve a better performance in terms of fuel consumption.

These include direct injection, which is sprayed fuel directly into the cylinder to burn faster and more efficiently. Then there are shifts in demand, where some of the motor cylinder when coasting or cruising off the, further reducing fuel consumption. Add you is done in an advanced transmission with more gears to make sure the module, the right pace--either to increase miles per hour or miles per gallon.

These functions to ensure that the new 2014 Chevrolet is Corvette of 26 miles per gallon on the highway - the art could be the number a Chevy Malibu owners over several years ago boasted have.

Although final figures have not been released, but it is expected that the new Porsche revealed better 918 economy - although his 884-HP drive can start it from 0 to 60 in a mere 2.8 seconds, with a top in the triple-digit speed.

Super car based on a hybrid-drive a 608 HP V-8 with two electric motors, to integrate one on each axle. If you search a driver for maximum performance is not, will she get an estimated 18 miles in electric-only mode of the 918-lithium ion battery pack.

The new LaFerrari and the supercar McLaren P1 - both at the Geneva Motor Show in March - use a slightly less complex hybrid drive system, or KERS, derived from the formula 1 race series on maximum performance and even fuel consumption abut themselves during the quieter driving conditions presented.

Acura will be the high-tech route, if it revives the NSX sports car next year. The two-seater is a V6 engine with three separate electric motors, pairs of those two drives the front wheels. By the ever so slightly change the speed of any front engine NSX are torque vector, with variations in performance for each front wheel to curves to improve.

Not all new muscle cars more environmentally friendly. But general improvements in engine and transmission designs not only performance but increase fuel consumption so that the latest model of the Mustang V6-the 300-HP barrier - provision of more muscle than the V8 Mustang GT - crowned during more than 30 mpg to achieve.

Copyright © 2009-2013, the Detroit Bureau

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America's top green car markets

Michael Strong , The Detroit Bureau – 3 days

One might associate green with lima beans, not Lima, Ohio, yet a new study finds that the small, Midwestern town ranks right up there with places like San Francisco, Portland and Washington, D.C. when it comes to shopping for cars.

A new study conducted by Cars.com lists Lima as eighth among the top 10 U.S. cities with the most environmentally conscious car shoppers. Less surprising is that San Francisco tops the chart, while eight of the 10 communities are out West.

The list, in order, includes:

San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, Calif.Monterey-Salinas, Calif.San Diego, Calif.Portland, Ore.Eureka, Calif.Washington D.C.Honolulu, HawaiiLima, OhioMedford-Klamath Falls, Ore.Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto, Calif.

“It is not surprising that California and other West Coast cities top the list with some of the greenest car shoppers. That part of the country has long led the charge in the green movement,” said Joe Wiesenfelder, executive editor, Cars.com. “With abundant charging stations, special perks for eco-friendly drivers in some western cities and robust infrastructure, the West Coast is well equipped to cater to the needs of eco-conscious drivers.”

However, Lima, a city of about 38,000 people situated between Toledo and Dayton, making the list may not be as surprising as one might think, if one digs a little deeper. Joe Shaw, general sales manager at Lima Auto Mall, a General Motors dealership told the Toledo Blade that it sells a lot of Chevy Volts.

“We do a lot of Volts, both pre-owned and new, ” he said. “We’re awaiting the Cadillac ELR, and that’s going to be a great car. It’s gorgeous. It’s absolutely gorgeous.”

Shaw told the newspaper that many of the Volt sales are to out-of-towners through their certified pre-owned program. The town is located on I-75, which makes traveling to the city easy. He also noted there are plenty of local residents interested in hybrid and green technology, including the Chevy Malibu Eco a “mild hybrid” using a 15-horsepower electric motor to assist the traditional gas engine.

“We have a lot of people asking about it. You’ve got a strong educational community, you’ve got a strong engineering community here,” Shaw said. “They’re concerned about green initiatives. You’ve got Rhodes State, OSU-Lima, University of Northwestern Ohio.”

The University of Northwestern Ohio boasts an alternate fuels technology curriculum. The school is one of the original six founding members of the National Alternate Fuels Training Consortium. The program focuses on hands-on training in M85 and E85, electric, propane, compressed natural gas, ethanol, biodiesel and hydrogen vehicles.

Copyright © 2009-2013, The Detroit Bureau

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Ford Fusion named green car of the year

Paul A. Eisenstein, the Detroit Bureau
Despite the media fixation on battery power are automotive insiders are quick to warn that there is no "silver bullet" solution, no single technology that probably meet all needs for clean and efficient cars of tomorrow.

This message was by choosing the 2013 Ford Fusion as the green car of the year, an award designed to the spotlight on the latest clean-tech automobile focus hammered home.

A key to the decision was the fact that the mid-sized sedan makes a wide range of alternative Powertrain, the conventional petrol up to a completely new plug-in hybrid offers.

"This is an example of automotive democracy," said Ron Cogan, Publisher of green car journal, the organizer of the annual award.

Now in its eighth year that green car of the year award has a decidedly independent - some would say counter-intuitive - concept for the selection of the winner. While several hybrids have claimed the coveted trophy, the jurors have honored also diesel, such as the Audi A3 TDI. And this year's five finalists include two gas-only models: the eco-version of the Dodge Dart 2013 and the new Mazda CX-5 SkyActiv crossover.

What is critical, Cogan said, is that, while some very impressive mileage battery cars and plug-in the supply can, most have limited sales potential "and not much influence on the environment achieved." Technologies such as Ford's turbocharged EcoBoost engines have not quite the mpg numbers, but they "a broader example."

In the case who said fusion 2013 Ford the manufacturer has given buyers a wide range to choose from, Ford's marketing manager Dave Mondragon after the takeover of the green car award.

Mondragon said he clearly pleased with the honor, and hopes that it will provide Ford, a way to show how much it has changed its approach to the fuel consumption. "We moved before are the latecomers to the leaders," he said and pointed out that the Detroit maker has higher mileage ratings on its products in every segment where it competes directly with Toyota.

The Japanese manufacturer, which hoped for the green car Award with its own finalist, get hold of the new Prius C – not only has the best-selling hybrid on the market, that original Prius hatchback, but also in the position was to burnish the reputation of the green leader.

Hopes that help him challenge the Green Car Award Ford Toyota's perceptive lead, said senior marketing executive Amy Marentec TheDetroitBureau.com. In this way, "absolute", she said that Ford will soon promote the honor in their promotional activities for the fusion and possibly other products.

"We're going to have this talk."

The green car of the year award was certainly not the only note on the LA Auto show, that the industry is looking for a broad portfolio of eco-friendly solutions.

There have been a number of purely battery-electric and plug-in models - such as the Chevrolet spark EV and Honda Civic PHEV presented at the annual fair. But Audi has four new diesel models, including a TDI version of the A8 flagship. Mazda lifted its new Mazda6, a midsize sedan, the parts of the CX-5 SkyActiv petrol engine but get the new SkyActiv D diesel in the second half of next year is also the cover.

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Automakers gear up for a green Christmas

Paul A. Eisenstein, NBC News contribution
If the upcoming L.A. auto show are any indication, American motorists for a green holiday season.

A preliminary estimate shows more than 50 new cars, trucks and crossovers make their debut during the annual event that first big U.S. car of the year 2013 show model.

A considerable part of these new models are battery-based, including everything from conventional hybrids to pure battery-electric vehicles. But the L.A. show will become further always environmentally friendly also it out like conventional gasoline Powertrain technology.

Among the most important debuts in Los Angeles announced Honda will be its first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, insert the accord PHEV.

Ford offers a few own plugins, the fusion of Energi sedan and the C-Max Energi "People Mover."

The list of pure battery-electric vehicles, or BEVs, the new Fiat contains 500e and the Chevrolet spark EV, General Motors first fully electrified model since it from production shortly before the turn of the new Millennium EV1 drawn.

During a recent session of two-day media background showed GM some ambitious plans for the electrification programme - which began with the December 2010 launch of the Chevrolet will Volt plug ins, and that soon the spark-EV and the upcoming Cadillac ELR plug-in. All in all hopes of the producers to sell 500,000 battery-based vehicles between now and 2017.

"An important role in our technology portfolio plug-in based solutions going forward, will play," Development Director Mary Barra said global product.

Nissan may be even more ambitious. Before the end of the decade it will be to sell annually more than 500,000 battery-based vehicles, the Nissan leaf battery-electric vehicle to connect with products including the planned Infiniti LE the Chevy Volt showrooms met at about the same time in life called.

In turn the fusion and C-Max Energi plug-in be-in the part of a wave of eight advanced battery-powered vehicles, Ford plans in the next few years, according to Ken Czubay, Vice President of the manufacturer's U.S. marketing, sales and service.

But not everyone is so optimistic. Even though he will try during a smile to the debut of the 500e, Fiat/Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has dubbed battery cars 'economic lemons,"a reference to the reality, the underlying technology is so expensive manufacturers have to absorb a significant portion of the price tag, to attract consumers.

By some estimates the current crop works of BEVs and PHEVs cost at least $10,000 more produce than they for - before a buyer sell in available federal and tax credits.

And even then a new study by J.D. power and Associates warns that "A very small part of the U.S. market remains electric cars if automakers can demonstrate rates lower and the economic benefits to consumers."

No wonder that the brand new Honda fit EV and Toyota RAV4-EV models, the in L.A. displayed will be sold only at a limited number of California authorized dealer for at least the next few years. Critics mock these offers as "match car," built just to meet strict zero emission vehicle, or ZEV, adopted by the California Air Resources Board, demanding mandates.

"Nobody wants to be locked out of the California market", John Mendel, the American executives at Honda, grants to one of the most important decision makers meet the ZEV rules.

Ironically is the Los Angeles Auto show even skeptics give the possibility to promote alternative battery disconnect. The new Dodge Dart Aero model comes close to the fuel efficiency of the comparatively large hybrids, note the organisers of the annual green car of the year award, which has been announced during the days of the media at the LA show.

The new Mazda CX-5 SkyActiv crossover will be also in the dispute, a different model, where the latest breakthroughs in conventional gas power is based.

And the Ford Fusion was named finalist as much for its modern, gas-powered EcoBoost engine for its hybrid and plug-in hybrid options. Only the new Toyota Prius C and Ford C-Max models, among the five finalists are solely battery-based.

The green car of the year award several times awarded in particular diesel. And past winner Audi car brings four new diesel on the LA show this year including high performance versions of its Q5, A6, A7 and A8 models. Next year rolls set to start, they are expected to provide hybrid-like fuel economy ", but without sacrificing performance" Audi of America announced President Scott Keogh.

While Californians might think their State as the greenest in the country, is the reality that they know to appreciate muscle. According to Mercedes-Benz sold whopping 25 percent of the manufacturers of high-performance AMG models in Southern California.

So, no surprise planned, in which several Debuts from the German manufacturer, which it will reveal the which ever has built the fastest production car the 622-PS SLS AMG Black series. (At the moment Mercedes committed not yet a battery-powered version of the 2-seater, the SLS E-cell, onto the U.S. market.)

New high-performance products show Bentley, Jaguar and Porsche in the LA Convention Center. But these days, one can be mean and green. Or at least, green. The new Porsche Carrera 4S get better fuel economy than the outgoing model a large bump in horsepower - also during the deployment of approximately 15%.

And BMW brings LA a version of its upcoming i8 plug-in, the first in a new line of sporty, battery-based vehicles that the battery-electric city car i3 is specified.

The LA Auto show has a tradition of focusing on green technology. But California itself has a history of the trends to sweep that finally in the rest of America. So what, at the Los Angeles Convention Center will see you nor this month likely to influence, what you drive, where you live in the coming years.

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'Green' car makers look for boost in second Obama term

Paul A. Eisenstein , NBC News contributor

President Barack Obama’s support for the 2009 auto industry bailout turned out to be critical to his successful re-election bid.

And with Obama re-elected, at least one segment of the industry is breathing a bit easier, as manufacturers of so-called “green” cars count on continued support in the form of federal subsidies and tax credits.

But it remains to be seen how far Obama will go in supporting green cars in his second term. The industry has been struggling for sales in a marketplace that still overwhelmingly supports traditional internal-combustion vehicles, despite volatile gas prices and big federal tax incentives for electric cars.

Even if Obama decides to spend more political capital on the industry, he is likely to run into opposition from the Republican-controlled House.

The Electric Drive Transportation Association, which represents makers of hybrid and electric cars, said it “looks forward to continuing its work with President Obama and the newly elected Congress to advance technology innovation that will diversify our transportation fuels.”

The industry had been caught in the crossfire of the presidential campaign, with Republican challenger Mitt Romney signaling a disdain for green energy championed by Obama, especially if it required financial backing from the federal government. He opposed credits for wind energy and signaled opposition for tougher mileage standards, backed by Obama, that would push average fleet standard to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025.

Pressure from House conservatives all but froze a program intended to help fund the development of high-mileage, alternate power vehicles – especially after the failure of solar cell manufacturer Solyndra, which had received over $400 million in government loans. California-based Fisker Automotive had its low-interest loans frozen, forcing it to delay launch of its second model, the Atlantic, as it set out to raise cash through traditional channels.

Tesla Motors, another Silicon Valley start-up, is under pressure to pay back its government loans as quickly as possible, putting pressure on that maker’s balance sheet even as it struggles to ramp up production of its new Model S battery-electric sedan.

The battery car market has gotten off to a sluggish start, with total sales in the U.S. barely reaching 20,000 units last year.

As for plug-in cars, the Chevrolet Volt has sold about 19,000 units nationwide as of the end of October, meaning it is likely to barely reach half its 45,000 unit target for 2012.

Sales of the Nissan Leaf, a battery-electric model, have declined, with sales of just 6,791 in the first 10 months of 2012, compared with about 10,000 sold in all of 2011.

Recent months have seen a flood of new green entries from makers like Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi and Ford, with still more coming to U.S. showrooms by early 2013. That includes pure battery-electric offerings like the Toyota RAV4-EV and Ford’s plug-in hybrid C-Max and Fusion Energi models.

With so many makers struggling for viability in what is still a niche market, Obama’s re-election was “the best thing” possible for the industry, said analyst David Sullivan of AutoPacific.

“If there was a change in Washington, DC we were likely to see less government incentives for (electric) vehicle purchases or charging stations,” said Sullivan. “The barrier to entry would have been that much harder for consumers, making it just that much harder for (the industry) to succeed.”

Battery vehicle sales would all but certainly slide even further were the federal government to eliminate or reduce tax credits worth up to $7,500 on qualifying vehicles. And there is significant hope among industry leaders that Obama will push for the expanded incentives he had proposed earlier this year.

That could include raiseing the maximum tax credit to $10,000. Obama also has proposed providing the tax credit up front, rather than forcing consumers to wait for tax time to get the refund.

It remains to be seen whether the White House will renew the call for expanded incentives or try to renew the low-interest loans for the auto and energy industry – though that seems unlikely in the near-term with Congress and the White House facing the need to address the so-called “fiscal cliff” before year-end.

Even so, there remains guarded optimism that battery vehicle sales will do better in the year to come. The continuing rise in fuel prices – despite occasional downward blips like the country is now experiencing – should lead more motorists to look for alternatives. And with still more products coming to market, the auto industry will be glad to oblige.

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Study shows just how 'green' electric cars are

By Paul A. Eisenstein, The Detroit BureauSwitching to a battery-powered vehicle will yield measurable savings in a motorist’s energy bills, according to a new study, while also reducing global warming emissions.

But the report by the Union of Concerned Scientists, or UCS, finds that the advantages vary widely depending upon where you live.  In the best regions, savings on energy can add up to more than $1,000 annually – with battery cars cleaner than anything else on the road.  But even in the worst regions, those heavily dependent upon coal to generate electricity, the UCS report says battery vehicles retain a significant advantage over traditional automotive powertrain technology.

“No matter where you live in the United States, electric vehicles are good choice for reducing global warming emissions and saving moneyon fueling up,” said Don Anair, the report’s author and senior engineer for UCS’s Clean Vehicles Program.

The organization bills the new study as a first-of-its-kind, and unlike some more limited reports, it tracked total energy use on a wells-to-wheels basis.  In other words, it measures everything from the energy actually used to pump and then refine oil to the energy used to run an internal combustion engine.  For electric vehicles, the study also considered such things as the energy used and pollution created while mining coal.

But the advantage, reports the UCS, is clearly in favor of pure battery-electric vehicles, or BEVs, as well as plug-in hybrids.

The study shows that 45% of Americans live in what are categorized as “Best” regions, where battery vehicles result in reduced energy costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions than even the best hybrids or internal combustion-powered automobiles – those now getting at least 50 miles per gallon.

In fact, in California and New York State, a hybrid or conventional gas vehicle would need to yield at least 80 mpg to keep up with the likes of a Nissan Leaf or Chevrolet Volt (the latter operating two-thirds of the time on battery power).

About 37% of Americans live in “Better” regions, according to the new study, where a battery car still is likely to meet or exceed the emissions performance of a 40 mpg hybrid.  And in “Good” regions, like Midwest states heavily dependent upon coal power, battery car emissions are equal to the best non-hybrids, such as a Ford Fiesta or Chevrolet Cruze, Anair said.

States in the “Best” category are located primarily along the East and West Coasts and include: California, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho and Arizona, New York, Massachusetts and Virginia;“Better” states include Texas, New Mexico, Florida, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee;“Good” states are largely concentrated in the Midwest and Plains states and include Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Colorado, Kansas and Minnesota.“No matter where you live,” he added, “electric vehicles save you on fuel costs.”  With the Chevy Volt, for example, the annual savings are likely to range between $580 and $890 annually.  The fully electric Nissan Leaf should bump that to anywhere from $770 to $1220 annually, according to the UCS.

The UCS study acknowledged significant differences in the nationwide electric grid that need be addressed, said Anair, but he added that with such efforts already underway, “The good news is that as the nation’s electric grids get cleaner, consumers who buy an EV today can expect to see their car’s emissions go down over the lifetime of the vehicle.”

Consumers have a fair degree of control over how much they save on energy by choosing rate plans – as well as when they actually charge up their vehicles, noted the UCS.  Many utilities now have or are planning to offer interruptible or time-sensitive rates.  And early adopters appear to be taking advantage of these.  The study found the majority of current electric vehicle owners charge up overnight.

That not only means lower-cost power but also reduces the strain on the electric grid as there is less overall demand.  This could permit a significant increase in the number of electric vehicles on the road without forcing the addition of more generators, the UCS report suggested.

Whether that will continue to be the case is far from clear.  Some industry analysts warn that as more battery cars get on the road – and as the number of public charging stations increases – it will become more common for vehicles to power up during daytime.  This could be especially true with the addition of high-speed “Level III” charging systems that could permit a vehicle like the Leaf to get an 80% recharge in as little as 15 to 20 minutes.

That, experts are betting, will enhance the appeal of battery technology beyond the relatively marginal audience now turning to the technology.  So far, plug-ins and battery-electric vehicles are capturing barely a tenth of a percent of overall U.S. new vehicle sales.

But Anair said the UCS is betting that demand will also increase as new models roll out, giving consumers greater choice.  Before the end of this year, a wide variety of makers will enter the market, including Toyota, with its RAV4-EV and Plius Plug-in; Ford with its C-Max plug-in and Focus Electric, and Honda, with its first battery-electric vehicle since the early 1990s, a version of the subcompact Fit.

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Hot new sports cars tout green credentials

Porsche via AP

The new Porsche 911 Carrera goes from zero to 60 in a screaming 4 seconds, but the maker is also promising improved fuel economy.

Considering the endless congestion on Southern California roadways it’s little wonder the region has become the nation's largest market for hybrids and other “green” machines. Yet the greater Los Angeles region is also the world’s single largest market for high-performance products like the Porsche 911 making its North American debut at this week’s Los Angeles Auto Show.

The seventh-generation Porsche 911 is already winning early raves. The iconic car is slightly longer, lower and wider than previous versions and delivers significant improvement in the numbers sports car fans like – starting with the 350-horsepower performance of the base 911 Carrera and 400 hp of the Carrera S.  The new model launches from 0 to 60 in just over 4 seconds, with the more powerful Carrera S reaching a top speed of 189 miles per hour.

Yet Porsche officials are also promoting another impressive figure: Preliminary testing suggests the 2013 911 will get an estimated 15 percent better mileage than the outgoing model thanks to a variety of steps,  taken to improve engine efficiency, such as direct injection. Porsche engineers also focused on reducing aerodynamic drag and lowering tire friction.

And Porsche isn’t alone.  While the Los Angeles show will see the launch of a number of new luxury and high-performance products, many are delivering the sort of fuel economy and CO2 emissions figures that just a few years ago would have been impressive on a compact economy car.

“Fuel economy is becoming more and more important in every segment of the market,” said August Achleitner, director of the 911 product line.

TheDetroitBureau.com

The new Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG improves fuel economy through an automatic stop-start feature.

The new 911 shares a groundbreaking new technology with another high-performance model debuting at L.A.’s Staples Center, a system commonly referred to as Auto Stop/Start.  The 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG pumps out as much as 550 horsepower with its optional performance package but delivers an estimated 16 mpg in the EPA's combined city/highway test – a surprisingly good figure for a large, high-performance SUV.

One way it gets there is by automatically shutting off its engine when the vehicle would otherwise waste fuel idling. When the driver’s foot lifts off the brake the engine seamlessly restarts. The technology is expected to become commonplace over the coming decade after starting out in the luxury market where motorists are more willing to pay the premium – and where the improvements in fuel economy are most noticeable.

The annual L.A. show is one of the biggest events of its kind in the U.S. and for good reason, considering the size of the local Southern California car market.

Jaguar/Land Rover will use the event not only to reveal the Indian-owned company’s super-high-performance Jaguar XKR-S sports car but also to gauge consumer reaction to a trio of concept vehicles -- including a pair of prototypes that could eventually morph into a new Land Rover Defender, as well as the Jaguar CX-16 a sports car concept bearing more than a hint of the design DNA of the legendary Jaguar E-Type.

The Land Rover model, if it goes into production, will almost certainly feature an optional high-mileage diesel as well as a hybrid-electric driveline.  Jaguar is studying an even more advanced gas-electric powertrain option for the CX-16, according to the maker’s global brand boss Adrian Hallmark.

The plug-in hybrid system “would have three different modes,” he explains, noting it could handle daily commuting on battery power alone, operate as a more conventional hybrid-electric vehicle or deliver an outsized performance punch. In that mode its lithium-ion driveline would act like an electric turbocharger – briefly kicking in about 90 horsepower and several 100 pound-feet of torque on top of the 380 horsepower of its base V6.

There are several reasons why luxury and high-performance automakers are so keenly interested in electric propulsion.  A new Consumer Reports study shows that 93 percent of American motorists are demanding better mileage – and research shows that even the most affluent drivers are looking for improved fuel economy.  Meanwhile tough new regulations here and abroad will require significant improvements in mileage and sharp cuts in CO2 emissions.

That’s led BMW to launch an entirely new brand-within-a-brand dedicated to battery propulsion systems.  The new i3 city car and i8 performance car show the range of options possible for alternative power.  The two models made their European preview at the Frankfurt Motor Show and will now make their first appearance in the U.S.

The L.A. Auto Show isn’t entirely green. There’ll be a significant presence by more conventional muscle cars and exotics, including the Mustang-based 2013 Ford Shelby GT500, the first American muscle car to break the 200 mph barrier. Chevrolet will fire back with the unveiling of the most powerful Camaro ragtop ever, the Camaro ZL1 Convertible. And Dodge will spin some wheels with the Challenger SRT8 392 Yellowjacket Edition.

But few products will be able to avoid the green revolution, even in the upper reaches of the luxury market.  The new Cadillac XTS will debut in L.A. this week with a conventional gas engine but the premium luxury sedan, Caddy’s new flagship, will eventually get a hybrid driveline, as well.  The General Motors brand recently won approval for a more luxurious version of the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid – which may be on the Cadillac stand for the 2012 L.A. Auto Show.

You've heard a ton about electric cars being the future of the auto industry, but the real growth is coming from internal combustion engine vehicles, reports CNBC's Phil LeBeau.

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Not all hybrids are a green bargain

The rising price of gas in recent years has made more attractive hybrid cars, the pump with every trip. Their promises of improved fuel economy, lower impact on the environment and good value are hard to resist.

But before you take any hybrid from the lot expected, that the world to change - or at least soften the blow to your gas budget - you look at it new findings from the Union of concerned scientists. The organization found that many hybrid models save so much money not a consumer or fuel pump as you might expect.

Engine performance and pump prices
It is important to understand what is really do a vehicle-hybrid engine for you. Some will deliver strong fuel efficiency. But others apply new technology to increase the engine power, so that less improvement provide the fuel economy and environmental benefits.

For fuel consumption, the Toyota Prius - the best-selling hybrid by far - the leader, with a combined Highway/city rating of 50 miles per gallon. Next to the Honda Civic Hybrid, and Honda's insight, with 41 mpg, the Ford Fusion hybrid and Hyundai Sonata hybrid with 39 and 37, or follow. (Check out to see HybridCenter.org of hybrid scorecard, such as other vehicles match.)

The Nissan Altima Hybrid and Toyota Camry hybrid, in contrast, registered both 33 mpg on motorways. This is close to, what I do with my trusty old non-hybrid Volkswagen.

That is, a significant improvement over many conventional vehicles these days, is always 33 miles per gallon overall although obviously compelling sees 50 mpg. However, a gas guzzler might look like in the future of even the Prius. Environmental advocates urge the Government stronger fuel efficiency standards of at least 60 mpg for cars come to implement in 2017 and later.

Hold the breath to these hybrid
To measure results differently in the vehicle smog and his contribution to global warming.

If you buy a Volkswagen Touareg hybrid thinking you are doing the environment a large please think again. It is located at the bottom of the list of non-luxury vehicle, scoring a mere 3.0 out of 10 - and gets 21 mpg in the process. The Touareg hybrid admits not even less global warming-related pollution compared 10 percent conventional counterpart.

Again, the Prius of this list with a score of 9.2 exceeds, generating about 40 percent of less smoggy thing than a regular car in its class and. The following is the Honda Civic hybrid and insight, with scores of 7.2 and 6.5.

Get ready to shell out for 'Features'
Finally, hybrid value saw the Union of concerned scientists. Finally, spend, more than reasonable for a set of wheels? Some hybrid manufacturers pack them with "forced features" that you may not decide to do without, but you will end up paying for instead.

The non-luxury hybrid vehicles, that provide values as "very good" include the Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid, the Ford Fusion hybrid and six models were rated the Honda CR for "bad", and the Chevy Silverado hybrid Touareg hybrid 2WD and were Volkswagen evaluated "very bad".

The only vehicles as "Superior" rated were luxury vehicles: Lexus CT 200 h, the Lincoln MKZ and the Mercedes-Benz S400 hybrid.

Other costs to consider hybrid-TCO
Impressive fuel economy and environmental impact are only part of the equation of car purchase, irrespective of, whether you a hybrid search.

A car total cost of ownership includes financing, fuel, repairs, maintenance and insurance. According to Edmunds, is $42,219 the 2011 a Prius driver Washington, D.C., compared with $35,841 for the Honda Civic hybrid and $37,094 for a conventional Toyota matrix costs.

You should also take into account, make up the period of "Payback" - that it takes time your fuel savings markup from your hybrid over conventional counterpart for. According to Edmunds for the Prius, it is less than one year; for the Nissan Altima Hybrid is more than a decade.

For a supposedly "green" car is a long time to wait, order your greenbacks back.

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GM withdraws green loan application to D.C.

WASHINGTON — General Motors co., in another sign of progress guided since Government bankruptcy, said Thursday it is withdrawing its application for $14.4 billion in federal loans, you had sought to help build more fuel efficient cars.

GM, which since its booking 2009 bankruptcy, said straight profitable financial three quarters, it needs no more loans because of the company's cash position has improved. GM to build to modernize requested loans in 2009, plants, fuel-efficient vehicles.

"This decision based on our confidence in the overall progress of the GM and strong, global business performance," said Chris Liddell, GM Vice Chairman and chief financial officer. Liddell was withdrawing the application "consistent with our goal to take minimal debt on our balance sheet."

Analysts another positive step for the company said the decision which was applied for bankruptcy protection in 2009 and accepted nearly $50 billion in State aid. New GM had initial public offering stock in November allows the Treasury Department to sell a significant portion of your investment in the car of company. US taxpayers still own 33% of GM.

"I think it is a signal to the market and the consumers who look, this company running things on your own", said Citi Investment Research Analyst Itay car Michaeli. Avoid low-interest loans would help to improve GM brand image because it disassociates the Detroit companies from the bailout and the dependency on the Federal Government, he said.

GM made the announcement at the Washington Auto show, where car companies often green technology vehicles lawmakers and administration officials show. GM officials at the show said that to increase production of the Chevrolet Volt rechargeable electric cars would opportunities and would make available by end of year dealer in 50 States the Volt.

The $25 billion low-interest loan program is managed by the Energy Department. It was created by a law 2007 retool to help auto companies that build older factories, green cars.

GM could decision to withdraw and apply several automakers and car suppliers from the federal energy program for loan type other automakers and suppliers a better chance of accessing the loan money.

Ford Motor Co. agreed to $5.9 billion in loans, several vehicles of factories to finally 13 fuel produce update. Nissan has been approved for a $1.6 billion-loans to retool its plant in Smyrna, Tennessee, to build electric vehicles and a battery to construct the production site. Tesla Motors Inc. got $ 465 million in loans to build electric vehicles and electric drives drives in California.

Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said the company about $3 billion in loans from the Department of energy was looking last week. The automaker had hoped to get the loan at the end of last year but the Government is still trying to work Marchionne said assets with Chrysler.

Marchionne said the loans would be used to develop engines, transmissions, framework and other components.

Energy Department spokeswoman Stephanie Mueller said GM decision allow the Department to "Support a number of other innovative automobile technologies." The Department has committed or closed five loans totalling almost $8.5 billion.

"We continue with a number of companies up and down the supply chain to work and will support on the market need still ahead with these innovative technologies to get", Muller said.

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