Chicago 2010: Kia Ray PHEV concept live from the show floor
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Kia, Chicago Auto Show
Kia Ray PHEV concept – Click above for high-res image gallery
We already got most of the details on the Kia Ray PHEV concept (click here to refresh your memory), now we have live photos to share. As we heard before, the Ray uses the same 106.3 inch wheelbase as the Hyundai Blue-Will PHEV concept but is actually about four inches longer overall. In person, the low-slung Ray seem much longer and wider than its exterior dimensions indicate.
It’s also highly aerodynamic, and you can tell it was designed with efficiency in mind. See for yourself in our high-res gallery of live images below.
Chicago 2010: Kia Ray PHEV concept live from the show floor originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Lexus LFA demand set to outstrip supply
Lexus expects demand for its new £343k LFA supercar to outstrip supply when order books open in Spring. Just 500 units will be produced, with around one-fifth of these assigned to Europe. European sales are taking place at Lexus’ Park Lane showroom in London and the car’s dedicated salesman, Devshi Varshani believes the LFA has already cemented its place among the great supercars.
“The level of interest we have witnessed reinforces just what an exceptional car the LFA is,” he said. “Even though few people have even seen the car in the metal, let alone experienced its breathtaking performance, it has quickly achieved the status of a truly rare and highly sought-after machine.”
Prospective buyers can register their interest in the LFA up until the end of the Geneva motorshow. So far, more than 500 people have expressed an interest, ensuring Lexus will have to hand pick who it sells each individual model to. After this registration process, Lexus will decide how to allocate the 500 models to the 56 countries where it will be sold depending on how much interest there has been in each region.
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Chicago 2010: Ford Transit Connect Electric uses the “Force”
Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Minivan/Van, Work, Ford
Ford Transit Connect Electric – Click above for high-res image gallery
As expected, Ford brought the latest (and greatest?) incarnations of the Transit Connect utility van to the Chicago Auto Show today. The battery-powered Transit Connect Electric was up first, perhaps because it fits so well into Ford’s strategy of vehicle electrification (see also: Focus Electric coming next year, followed by a plug-in hybrid and a next-gen hybrid in 2012). At the very least, this is Ford’s first battery-powered vehicle, said product development vice president Derrick Kuzak.
The practical and battery-powered delivery van (the standard version was named the North American Truck of the Year this year) uses a powertrain developed with help from Azure Dynamics Corporation. Called Force Drive, the 55 kW system uses a 28 kWh lithium ion battery pack from Johnson Controls-Saft, has a 75 mile per hour top speed and can drive up to 80 miles on a charge. Will these specs be enough for customers? Praveen Cherian, program manager for the Transit Connect Electric, said in a statement that:
We’re excited about the potential for our electrified vehicles. People were a little hesitant about hybrid technology at first, but now they accept it and embrace it. We expect the same will be true of electric vehicles.
Chicago 2010: Kia Ray PHEV concept finally unveiled
Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Concept Cars, Hybrid, Sedan, Kia, Electric
Kia Ray PHEV concept – Click above for high-res image gallery
The time has come to move on from teaser images; Kia has finally pulled the covers off its new plug-in hybrid concept. As this is being written ahead of the official unveiling at the Chicago Auto Show, we know a few more details about the concept, but we are still largely in the dark about the technical nitty gritty. The Ray rides on the same 106.3 inch wheelbase as the Hyundai Blue-Will PHEV concept but the overall length is four inches greater.
The Kia design team under Peter Schreyer has put a lot of emphasis on the aerodynamics of this concept, giving it a longer tail and, thanks to a roof that’s four inches lower, a smaller frontal area than the earlier Hyundai concept. The aero number will also benefit from narrower tires, with the Kia rolling on 195/50R20 tires compared to the 245/40R20 rubber on the Hyundai.
The debut of the Ray also marks the launch of Kia’s new green sub-brand, EcoDynamics. Like Volkswagen’s BlueMotion and Ford’s Econetic, EcoDynamics will denote the most efficient variants of Kia’s model line. We can expect to see the new badge showing up on Kia’s in the near future.
Learn more about the powertrain after the jump.
Chicago 2010: Ford Transit Connect Taxi burns CNG, LPG and four acres of space
Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Minivan/Van, Ford
Ford Transit Connect Taxi – Click above for high-res image gallery
Hot on the (w)heels of the Ford Transit Electric, the Transit Connect Taxi drove onto the stage at the Chicago Auto Show today running on compressed natural gas (CNG). The clean-burning utility van – based on the gasoline-powered North American Truck of the Year winner – adds to Ford’s taxi fleet options like the Crown Victoria (see: pretty much any taxi in any city in the U.S.) and the Ford Escape Hybrid. The new taxi van can also burn propane (LPG, or liquefied petroleum gas). Of course, regular Transit Connect buyers can also opt for Ford’s engine prep package to be able to put the gasoline alternatives into the tank. Like its battery-powered cousin, the Transit Connect Taxi will be in dealerships later this year.
Ford product development vice president Derrick Kuzak said that there is “strong demand” for CNG and LPG vehicles among fleet operators. Kuzak also highlighted the small size of the Transit Connect in an odd way: if all of the taxis in Chicago were replaced with these vans, he said, it would free up approximately four acres. Um, OK. Now, what should we do with these extra acres?
Gallery: Ford Transit Connect Taxi at Chicago Auto Show
Auto Industry urges to postpone the implementaion of the new emission norms
Indian automotive industry has urged the government to postpone the implementation of the new emission norms in 11 major cities from 1st April 2010.
According to Mr Pawan Goenka, president of industry body the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), there is a serious concern over availability of upgraded fuels in all parts of the country. “SIAM has already made representations to the government that implementation of the new emission norms be postponed by 3-6 months in regions where fuel is not available,” Mr Goenka added. He added that if there is no clarity on this regard by January 31, it would be difficult for vehicle makers to revert to the older emission norms. As per the schedule, the new emission norms will be implemented from April 1, while on the other hand rest of the country will be upgraded to Bharat Stage III norms. In the new emission standards engines confirming will be requiring upgraded fuel.
Source: Cardekho.com
Chicago 2010: 2011 Chevrolet Silverado Heavy Duty ups the ante
Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Truck, Work, Chevrolet, Off-Road
2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD – Click above for high-res image gallery
Identified by its new power dome hood, a styling throwback, the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD arrived at the Chicago Auto Show riding on an all-new ladder frame, suspension, and axles – about the only carry-over part is the front stabilizer bar link that connects the stabilizer bar to the lower control arm. Maximum towing capacity is up to 20,000 pounds with the DRW Duramax diesel and fifth wheel combo (yes, that trumps the Ford F-Series Super Duty). The gasoline-fed SRW 6.0-liter V-8 engine will pull 14,500 pounds with a fifth wheel.
In addition to the beefy hood, the front bumper has been revised with a larger emblem and a more gaping intake – designed to improve transmission cooling. Other improvements include 17-inch wheels (standard) or optional new 18- or 20-inch alloys. The dual rear-wheel tires are still 17-inch, but they now accommodate taller aspect ratio tires. The improvements for 2011 are all good news for heavy duty truck buyers with the exception of the wheel bolt pattern – the eight-lug hub has a slightly different measurement meaning 2007-10 wheels simply won’t fit. See the rest of the details in the press release after the break.
Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD at Chicago Auto Show
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