TheCarConnection.com's spies spotted BMW's X6 Active
Hybrid undergoing hot-weather trials in Death Valley.
Three
BMW X6
Hybrid cars were spotted, but one of the test vehicles showed one important difference, as its final hood design was visible for the first time on a real-world prototype. Two of the prototypes showcased enormous hood bulges, but the third prototype's hood--while still bulging more than a standard X6--looks clean with a tastefully integrated bump sculpted in near the cowl.
These details lead us to the conclusion that the production X6
Hybrid will take its visual inspiration from BMW's X6 Active
Hybrid concept. Whether the revised hood bulge is there to make room for some hybrid-specific hardware or if its sole purpose is to signal one's green-leaning tendencies is currently unknown.
Stay tuned for more on the 2010
BMW X6
Hybrid.--
KGP Photography
Posted in : 2010, BMW, Hybrid Cars, Sport-Utility Vehicles, Spy Shots
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The
Dodge brand will be getting a Ram
Hybrid pickup truck, but it won't arrive until after 2009,
Chrysler confirms today.
As it previews the
2009 Dodge Ram lineup today in Michigan, Chrysler's confirming the
hybrid Ram with the caveat that it won't arrive until the 2010 model year at the earliest. The
Hybrid version, when it arrives, will use the two-mode
hybrid powertrain also found in the new Durango HEMI and Aspen
Hybrid SUVs. With the added motors and batteries, the Ram should see a fuel-economy boost of 40 percent in the city and up to 25 percent overall, same as the SUV
hybrids TheCarConnection.com drove last week.
Chrysler's cylinder-deactivation technology, MDS, will also be featured on the
Hybrid version, as will regenerative braking. Chrysler's also promising best-in-class aerodynamics for the
Dodge Ram 1500 Hybrid.
For the 2009 model year, the Ram returns with Cummins turbodiesel and V-6 engine options to help with fuel economy. At the HEMI end of the spectrum, horsepower has risen 13 percent to 390 horsepower.
We'll keep you posted on the Ram Hybrid--and stay tuned for our driving reports on the
2009 Dodge Durango HEMI Hybrid and the 2009
Chrysler Aspen Hybrid.
Posted in : 2010, Dodge, Hybrid Cars, Pickups
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With the
Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid off to a slow sales start,
Chrysler is trumpeting the fact that its new
hybrid SUVs are nearly $8,000 less from the get-go.
The
2009 Dodge Durango HEMI Hybrid and the
Chrysler Aspen Hybrid go on sale in August. This morning,
Chrysler said the Durango flavor of the
hybrid would be priced from $45,340, including destination charges. The Aspen? It's $45,570 including destination. If you're interested in one,
Chrysler also points out that the vehicles may quality for a tax credit of $1,800.
The
Chrysler hybrid SUVs use a version of the same two-mode
hybrid system that GM uses in the Tahoe
Hybrid. Total power output is 385 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque.
Chrysler adds that it expects to see a 40 percent improvement in city fuel economy and a 25 percent overall boost, but didn't release final EPA figures. Expect those final figures to come in around 20/20 mpg, compared to the same figures for the Tahoe
Hybrid with four-wheel drive.
TheCarConnection.com gets our first crack at the
hybrids this week in Boston. Stay tuned for blogs and photos from the first drive of the Durango and Aspen Hybrids--and for our full review coming soon.
Posted in : Chrysler, Dodge, Hybrid Cars, Sport-Utility Vehicles
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Honda's taking aim on the Toyota Prius, as it confirms plans for not just a single new hybrid model--but three new hybrids for the coming model years.
Last year at the Tokyo Motor Show, Honda revealed that it would offer a new hybrid vehicle for production in early 2009. Today, Honda confirms that the new vehicle will be a five-door, five-passenger hybrid vehicle with a shape along the lines of the FCX Clarity fuel-cell vehicle. A name for the new vehicle and production details aren't available yet from Honda, which promises more on that car later this year. Honda expects to sell 200,000 copies of the new vehicle worldwide each year--with 100,000 of them headed to the U.S., where Toyota's Prius is selling nearly 150,000 units a year.
As for the other hybrids, Honda confirms that a new sporty car based on the CR-Z concept (shown here) is also headed for production. Honda also says it's set to produce a Fit Hybrid. Combined, including the Honda Civic Hybrid, the company will build four hybrids with a total volume worldwide of 500,000 units.
Honda also says that a new version of its IMA hybrid system will make its vehicles more efficient and inexpensive to produce.
"Honda has been at the forefront of hybrid development since it first introduced the American public to hybrid technology with the Insight in 1999," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda. "These new advancements in Honda's technology and production systems will result in cost reductions that will allow us to make hybrid technology available to a whole new generation of buyers."
Posted in : Honda, Hybrid Cars
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You had to see this one coming--just a few months after the Detroit auto show unveiling of the Fisker Karma hybrid concept, Fisker's being sued by Tesla Motors, which claims theft of company secrets.
C/Net reports that
Tesla Motors filed suit against Fisker in San Mateo Superior Court on Monday. Tesla's suit charges that when it hired Henrik Fisker to design the body of the new WhiteStar sedan it hopes to launch next year, Fisker took some of the ideas for the electric-powered sedan and incorporated them in his own Karma hybrid concept.
Tesla now says it's scrapped Fisker's designs for the WhiteStar and has started over again, but still plans to introduce the electric-powered or hybrid-powered WhiteStar at the end of next year.
Tesla's roadster is in production and is priced just under $100,000.
Posted in : 2008, Electric Cars, Hybrid Cars, Shoppers
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Marty Padgett July 2nd, 2008
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TheCarConnection.com's spies spotted BMW's X6 Active Hybrid undergoing hot-weather trials in Death Valley.;)
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