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Rumors Abound: Honda’s S2000 Successor

Автор: SharaMoore суббота, 8 августа 2009 г. Ярлыки: , , , , 0 коммент.

2009 Honda S2000Many tears have been shed for the Honda S2000 (left), which will be discontinued after this model year. It’s a great sports car that had a wide appeal: 65,000 sold in the U.S., and over 110,000 worldwide.

Now the Japanese car magazine Best Car has run a story that’s been reiterated and replicated around the globe about an S2000 successor.

The car may look something like the ugly duckling below. And it may (we hope) not.

Honda S2000 SuccessorThe revived S2000 is to be a 2+2 coupe with AWD. Apparently, it will use hybrid power, as found on the new Insight or the Civic IMA. The powerplant will be a V6 or a high-revving four-cylinder, perhaps like that in the S2000. There’s a lot of talk but little hard data yet.

Honda CR-Z HybridSo it’s kind of fun to speculate as to what will emerge from Honda’s labs. We do know that the company has canceled the V10-powered NSX, at least for now, but it is going to produce the CR-ZX (left), a cool-looking sporty hybrid, á la the Insight, with a direct-injection 2.5-liter engine. This car is scheduled for 2010 production.

I must say the idea of a hybrid AWD with V6 power sounds kind of weird. But we know Honda has done weird things before and made them pay off.

Batteries and AWD mean more weight and more complexity, the antithesis of the spartan approach Honda took with the S2000. Do you think that will work?

—jgoods



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Car Blog Showdown: Currently Available Hybrids

Автор: SharaMoore вторник, 4 августа 2009 г. Ярлыки: , , , , 0 коммент.

Here’s our latest Car Blog Showdown. This week, in celebration of Earth Day, tgriffith and jgoods were each invited to select their favorite currently available hybrid vehicle. Which is your favorite?

2009 Saturn VUE Hybrid V6

2009 Saturn VUE Hybrid V6

jgoods’ 5 reasons why the 2009 Saturn VUE Hybrid V6 (sometimes called the VUE Green Line 2 Mode Hybrid) is his favorite currently available hybrid:

  • The VUE Hybrid V6 has a 500-plus-mile range and reports a 50 percent improvement in fuel economy over the standard V6 VUE (which translates to 28/31 mpg).
  • This crossover uses state-of-the-art technology to couple with a 3.6-liter V6 for high torque and horsepower. The VUE Hybrid V6 will get you to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds and can tow up to 3,500 pounds (not at the same time).
  • The Hybrid V6’s 2 Mode system uses regenerative braking, fuel shut-off during deceleration and idle, and two 55-kW electric motors integrated into the transmission. This provides all-electric, combustion engine power, or a combination as conditions demand.
  • It’s the sharpest looking crossover out there.
  • Despite Saturn’s projected demise, this car will likely continue as an Opel.

tgriffith’s 3 reasons to avoid a 2009 Saturn VUE Hybrid V6:

  • Saturn’s probably going out of business. Do you really need two more reasons not to buy one? I’ll keep going anyway.
  • An all-wheel-drive system will not be offered with the VUE Hybrid V6.
  • The Hybrid V6’s 2 Mode technology was co-developed with BMW and Chrysler, so look for models from them and hope they stay in business!
2009 Ford Escape Hybrid

2009 Ford Escape Hybrid

tgriffith’s 5 reasons why the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid is his favorite currently available hybrid:

  • It’s rated at 34 mpg in the city.
  • The 2009 model has a new 2.5-liter engine and new brake system, eliminating concerns from previous versions.
  • Available four-wheel-drive makes it a practical choice, even in areas that get a lot of snow.
  • A 15-gallon gas tank gives the Escape Hybrid a range of about 500 miles.
  • It’s a solid, efficient American vehicle from the strongest of the Big 3.

jgoods’ 3 reasons avoid a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid:

  • As CarGurus reported, you may have trouble getting one, and even at its high price, Ford is still in the red with this car.
  • You may well get better fuel economy with the VUE Hybrid V6 and enjoy its beefier engine.
  • Ask New York taxi drivers (and riders) how they like these cars.

What’s your favorite currently available hybrid? Why?



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Should V8 engines be outlawed?

Автор: SharaMoore вторник, 21 июля 2009 г. Ярлыки: , , , , , , , 0 коммент.

Someday the era of gasoline-powered vehicles will come to an end. 

While no one really knows what technology will come forward to take over the top spot from fossil fuels, we all know the cars on the road in 50 years will be very different from the ones we’re buying now.

In the short term, carmakers obviously need to become more fuel efficient (which is the topic of major controversy recently) to maximize every drop of remaining oil. The biggest change I think will be the demise of the V8 engine, especially as higher performance V6 engines and diesels become more popular.

2010 Cadillac SRX

2010 Cadillac SRX

Take a look at the 2010 Cadillac SRX and you won’t see the fire-breathing Northstar V8 as an option, but instead a duo of V6 options. The outgoing V8 put out 320 horsepower with a 4.6-liter engine, while a new turbocharged V6 is reported to put out 300 horsepower from a 2.8-liter.

That, my friends, is the kind of progress we can expect to see in the coming years. I’d even go so far as to say V8 engines should be completely outlawed. With new technology like the SRX’s V6 and the clean diesel technology from companies like Mercedes-Benz, traditional V8 engines might be better suited for museums than street use.  

2010 MINI Crossman concept

2010 MINI Crossover concept

While families who need the space of an SUV will still be able to buy them, other options such as the 2010 MINI Crossover Concept will spring up for those who need a moderate amount of space, all-wheel-drive and the fuel economy of a 4-cylinder engine.

With options like high-performance V6 engines, clean diesels, and practical, moderately sized 4-cylinder crossovers, who needs V8 engines? Should they eventually be outlawed?

-tgriffith



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Beauty is part of pleasing today’s market as it was in days past the consumer ...

Автор: SharaMoore четверг, 2 июля 2009 г. Ярлыки: , , , 0 коммент.

The Hybrid vehicle projected to be the wave for the future when it comes to economical travel while reducing emissions and consumption.  Green technologies born in the later part of the last century is flourishing in today’s economy. The 2008 Auto Show for Green Cars is featuring the five leading vehicles made for the market by 2009.  You see the hybrids on the highway today when you travel are a proof of the prediction that by the year 2012 the market will be flooded with the vehicles.  Hybrid vehicles have three different ways to be fueled, which will not only save at the pumps for the average consumer, but it will save our eco system on a daily basis. The first efficient way to fuel your hybrid is by the use of clean diesel, the second way is the use of gasoline-electric system and the final method is an all-electric system. The newer fueling systems will greatly compete with the crude oil market, which could cause a down slot in today’s economy predicted by some economic leaders. Others feel that the newer hybrid fueling system prove that they help the economy. We will see when the newer hybrids are a major source of transportation how they affect the economy.

The topic of the automakers in the field of hybrids is which one will be the top model for 2009. One of the following five hybrids featured at the 2008 L.A. Auto Show’s Green Car of the Year event will be award as the hybrid of the year in the market for today’s consumers.

1. The Volkswagen Jetta TDI a popular model published over the past few months is the top forerunner and possible winner.

2. The BMW 335d a perspective winner has the 50 state compliant clean diesel approval may well become on its way to being in every household in America. The BMW 335d a well-known vehicle in the European market accepted by everyone who has ridden or driven it for its smooth ride performance.

3. The Saturn Vue 2 Mode Hybrid known for its all-electric low speed mode will most certainly be one of the major vehicles that the consumer will want to consider when it comes to buying a new car.

4. Ford not to be left out of the market has come up with the Ford Fusion Hybrid that is all electric, easy to drive, and beautiful to look upon. Beauty is part of pleasing today’s market as it was in days past the consumer wants luxury in a vehicle along with an eye pleasing ride.

5. The “Smart For Two” makes a great vehicle for those who wish to save on transportation to work or those everyday places that one person or a couple go and are not in need of a lot of space. The Smart for Two prides itself in the idea that less-is-more approach in reducing emissions and consumption by shrinking the car and the engine.



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