Chrysler Group Halts Plug-in Hybrid Test Fleet after Discovering a Problem with the Batteries

The Chrysler Group has temporarily pulled the plug on its test fleet of advanced plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles (PHEVs) to fix a battery problem that occurred on a small number of models.

In particular, the Detroit-based carmaker said three of the fleet’s 109 pickups fitted with plug-in hybrid powertrains sustained damage when their prototype 12.9-kWh lithium-ion propulsion batteries overheated, adding that no injuries were reported with all incidents happening when the vehicles were unoccupied.

Read more »

Chrysler , Electric Vehicles , Hybrids , Ram , Ram Concepts , Reports

August a Record Month for Chevy Volt Sales Thanks to Big Discounts; But is it Really Good News?

All-electric and hybrid car sales so far account for just 3.5 percent of total vehicle sales in the U.S. this year. Not exactly what their makers expected when they launched these models.

At a first glance, the situation is improving for General Motors, as its Volt extended-range hybrid sold a record 2,800 units last month. Year-to-date Volt sales have so far reached 13,000 units, which certainly compares very well to the 7,700 cars that were sold in 2011.

For example, before the discounts, Bunnin Chevrolet in Culver City, California was selling three to five Volts per month. Last month it shifted 36 cars, mostly leases, and sales manager Chad Kelman told The Detroit News that the dealership is having a hard time keeping enough units in stock.

Read more »

Chevrolet , Chevrolet Volt , Ecology , GM , Hybrids , Reports

Peugeot Onyx Supercar Gets Scooter Concept Sibling, will Also Debut in Paris

The public outside of Europe may not generally know it, but Peugeot has a long history in the motorcycle segment having introduced its first bike back towards the end of the 1800s and continues to do so today offering 14 different models including scooters, multi-gear bikes and mopeds with engine capacities from 50cc to 500cc (0.5-liters).

At next week's 2012 Paris Motor Show, the French company will present a new prototype three-wheeler named the Onyx Concept Scooter, and yes, as you may have guessed already, it was inspired by the 680HP diesel-electric Onyx Hybrid Supercar Concept.

Read more »

Concepts , Electric Vehicles , Hybrids , motorcycles , Paris Auto Show , Peugeot , Peugeot Concepts

Toyota Goes Into Depth with the All-New Auris and Auris Hybrid Compact Hatchbacks

About month ago, Toyota unveiled its brand-new 2013 MY Auris ahead of its Paris Auto Show world premiere on September 27.

Now, Japan’s biggest carmaker has shed more light on the latest iteration of what it claims to be the most popular C-segment model series (including the Corolla nameplate) in the world, having sold 39 million units in more than 140 countries since the introduction of the Corolla in 1966.

Toyota says that the second generation of the Auris was specifically designed for Europe, which will be its biggest market. It will be manufactured alongside the Avensis in Toyota’s UK plant in Burnaston, which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary.

Read more »

Diesel , Galleries , Hybrids , New Cars , Paris Auto Show , Toyota , Toyota Auris

New Audi A3 Sportback Grows in Size, Shrinks in Weight [50 Photos and Video]

Audi will showcase a new addition to its redesigned A3 series at the 2012 Paris motor show from 27 September. The 2013 A3 Sportback is the more practical and versatile five-door version of Audi's premium compact model.

The evolutionary (according to Audi, stale according to others) styling language of the A3 can be found on the Sportback variant as well, with the five-door variant employing the use of three side windows and a sloping tailgate design. For a sportier look, buyers will be able to opt for Audi's S-Line package that adds different bumpers, spoilers and larger alloy wheels.

While the car's exterior dimensions at 4,310mm (169.7 inches) long, 1,780mm (70.1 inches) and 1,425mm (56.1 inches) tall are only slightly greater than on the previous Sportback, the new model now rides on a 2,636 millimeters (103.8 inches), an increase of 58 millimeters (2.28 in).

The five-door model is also 35 millimeters (1.38 in) longer between the axles than the three-door version, resulting in an increase in rear passenger legroom. The luggage compartment offers 380 liters (13.42 cu ft) of space in the basic configuration and can be expanded to 1,220 liters (43.08 cu ft) with the rear seats (60:40 split) folded down.

Read more »

Audi , Audi A3 , Audi Videos , Diesel , Hybrids , New Cars , Paris Auto Show , Video

New Ford Fusion Hybrid Delivers 47MPG, Bests Toyota Camry Hybrid by up to 8MPG

Ford has added one more selling point to the new Fusion Hybrid that will begin arriving at dealers across the United States later this fall.

According to the Blue Oval, the hybrid variant of the Fusion (to be sold as the Mondeo in Europe) is the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan in America with an EPA-certified 47 mpg city, 47 mpg highway and 47 mpg (5.0lt/100km or 56.5 mpg UK) combined fuel economy rating.

Read more »

Ford , Ford Fusion , Hybrids , New Cars , Reports

Porsche Shows Off 918 Spyder at Gran Turismo Nürburgring Evo 2012

Porsche is done hiding its forthcoming 918 Spyder supercar and is now looking to gain as much exposure as it can by displaying the hybrid model at select venues like the Gran Turismo Nürburgring Evo 2012 two-day driving event that took place in Germany this past weekend.

The Stuttgart-based sportscar maker unveiled a pre-production development model of the 918 Spyder dressed in a race-inspired livery on the last day of the event.

Read more »

Hybrids , New Cars , Porsche , Porsche 918 , Porsche Scoops , Porsche Videos , Scoops , Video

Lexus LF-CC Hybrid Concept Heads to Paris, Previews New IS Coupe

At the upcoming Paris Auto Show, Toyota's luxury brand will bring a new concept coupe named the LF-CC that not only previews the styling language of the next generation of the IS but also a new addition to the range that will go heat-to-head with the BMW 4-Series and Audi A5 Coupes.

The Lexus LF-CC is more compact than the LF-LC concept and also looks more production-ready. It features a less steeply raked interpretation of the trademark Lexus “spindle” grille and its headlamps, while not as futuristic as those of the LF-LC, feature 3 LED projectors each and are set quite back compared to the grille creating what Lexus says is a “3D form”.

The proportions of the LF-CC are those of a typical front-engined, rear-wheel drive coupe, with a long front bonnet, a passenger cabin set rearwards and a stubby tail. In fact, its side profile sort of reminds us of the Toyota GT86/Scion FR-S coupes – or it could just be our blurry eyesight…

Read more »

Concepts , Hybrids , Lexus , Lexus Concept , Lexus IS , Lexus Videos , Paris Auto Show , Video