Archive for March 1st, 2010

Filed under: Hybrid, Land Rover

A replacement for the Land Rover Defender, an SUV for which the word “venerable” could have been invented, has been given the greenest of green lights by parent company Tata. The now 62-year-old go-anywhere-and-then-some truck is expected in 2014, and is being worked on now under the codename Project Icon.

It looks like nothing has been decided yet about Project Icon other than its codename and its status in the line-up, which is at the very top. Coming up with a new retail name for the Defender line and finding a way to differentiate it from the previous model will be part of the work to be done, as well as coming up with a platform and powertrain. The current platform could be too heavy to serve much longer in the face of stringent new European efficiency regulations.

The powertrain could be the biggest surprise of all, though: a hybrid is being suggested as a way to reap the typical fuel-sipping benefits. Land Rover has been showcasing the LRX Concept for a while now as a way to reduce fuel use while keeping the brand’s style. Land Rover also showed its Electronic Rear Axle Drive technology in a Freelander hybrid two years ago, in which a 288-volt motor with 34 to 47 horsepower and 147 foot-pounds of torque drove the rear wheels and could drive the front set when needed. If that happens, the words “Defender” and “hybrid” might be the most unexpected coupling of this decade.

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Next Land Rover Defender due in 2014, might be a hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Via Autoblog Green

“They are going to get slaughtered,” shuddered a veteran Detroit auto industry exec on the eve of the appearance of Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda (pictured) and North American chief Yoshimi Inaba before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform last week. He was right. The hapless Toyoda and Inaba sat center stage as Washington’s unique brand of political theater played out around them. The politicians went for the jugular, showboating and grandstanding all the way. There was blood on the Hill.

“It’s one thing to stand behind your vehicles,” said Congressman Brian Bilbray (R-Calif) in response to Inaba’s statement that he was 100 percent confident electronic interference was not the cause of the alleged unintended acceleration events. “It’s another to ask Americans to stand in front of them.” After somberly describing the death of 76-year-old Guadalupe Alberto from Flint, Michigan, at the wheel of a 2005 Toyota Camry, Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) then quipped: “I call it sudden-death acceleration.” Cute soundbites, but like so much of what was said by the committee members last week, that’s all they were.

When William Lacy Clay (D-Missouri) suggested previous testimony from Southern Illinois University Professor David Gilbert proved Toyota’s electronic throttle system was susceptible to electronic interference, Inaba fired back: “He cut into the circuits and manipulated the circuitry in a way that is very unrealistic.” Inaba said Toyota had tested electronic throttle systems from three other automakers with lower reported unintended acceleration rates using Professor Gilbert’s methodology, and had replicated the same effect. “It is not unintended acceleration,” he insisted. “It is intended manipulation.”  

It was a rare counterpunch from the Toyota execs, though it failed to hit home. “Don’t blame customers,” admonished Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC). “I want you to never again use the excuse it was driver error,” said Jackie Speier (D-Calif). “The consumer and the market will demand a very high price,” warned Congressman Bilbray gravely. You could almost hear the trial lawyers smacking their lips in anticipation.

I wonder how the politicians squared their righteous indignation with the testimony of Rhonda Smith of Sevierville, Tennessee, the following day. Smith told the committee her Lexus ES 350 was “possessed,” its brakes and transmission refusing to respond as it accelerated out of control. “Shame on you, Toyota, for being so greedy,” she said tearfully. But as the Wall Street Journal reported, Smith later sold her allegedly demonic Lexus to another family, presumably without telling them it was a highly dangerous vehicle that could accelerate out of control without warning. No shame there, then… Especially as the new owners subsequently managed to put 27,000 trouble-free miles on the car.

While we’re skeptical about the true nature and scope of the unintended acceleration problem (as with Audi’s problem in the 1980s, we suspect the cause in many cases is driver error) Toyota’s handling of this mess has been very poor. It is now paying the price for the foot-dragging, the deal-making, and cost-cutting that appears to have surrounded this and other recent quality issues such as oil sludge in engines, and rusting frames in Tacoma pickups.

The pious sound and fury from the politicians last week missed only one thing: perspective. There have been 34 deaths attributed to the Toyota unintended acceleration phenomenon. That’s a tragedy. But consider: there are at least 10,000 fatal automobile accidents in America each year where alcohol has been proven to be a contributing factor. If the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is truly determined to make our roads safer, it ought to propose legislation mandating alcohol interlock systems on every new car and truck sold in America, right now.

Because we’re all in way more danger of being killed by a drunk driver than a careening Toyota.

Via MotorTrend Magazine Blogs

A Swiss millionaire has been given a record speeding fine of $290,000 (£180,000).

The Ferrari Testarossa driver was caught driving at 137km/h (85mph) through a village with a speed limit of 50mph. According to the BBC, the penalty was calculated based on the unnamed motorist’s wealth – assessed by the court as $22.7m (£14.1m) – and because he was a repeat offender.

It is more than double Switzerland’s previous record speeding fine.

Via Cars Of The Future® Blog

Filed under: Videos, Audi, BMW

Good, we were hoping BMW would answer the latest challenge from Audi in the online battle of boast. Audi started up again the dormant war of words between these two German automakers a couple weeks ago by patting itself on the back for winning three Car and Driver comparisons in a row, and now BMW is striking back by bragging about its mixture of efficiency and vehicle dynamics sans compromises.

Hit the jump to watch the 1:25 video for yourself. Unfortunately, Team Motor Werks didn’t get to throwing down with Audi until the very end of the spot, which takes place in an elementary school classroom. And even when the guys and gals at BMW took their swing, we’re afraid it just grazes the four-ringed chin of its luxury car rival. Let us know which automaker you think scored the more direct blow by chiming in on the post-jump comments.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: BMW gets cute, takes dig at Audi in the classroom

Video: BMW gets cute, takes dig at Audi in the classroom originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Via Autoblog

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Hybrid, Geneva Motor Show, Porsche

Here you go, have your cake and eat it too. Porsche is looking to prove that the best of both worlds don’t have to be mutually exclusive with the 918 Spyder concept scheduled to debut tomorrow at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. Looking a bit like a Carrera GT evolved, the 918 Spyder is powered by both a 500-horsepower V8 and a pair of electric motors (one for each axle) producing an additional 218 hp or 160kW. At full gallop, the concept can theoretically reach 62 mph in 3.2 seconds and nip 198 mph on the high end. On the flip side, Porsche says it can also achieve 78 miles per gallon and emit just 70 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

How does a supercar have such range? Well, the 918 Spyder concept is a parallel hybrid just like your mom’s Prius (well not just like). That means the two powertrains, gas and electric, can operate together or separately to motivate the wheels into motion. There are no less than four modes that configure the powertrains for anything from maximum efficiency to maximum performance and everything in between. The E-Drive mode means pure electric power, and the car can reportedly last up to 16 miles on electrons alone. Next up is Hybrid mode, which is just what it sounds like and would probably be the mode for everyday around town driving. The Sport Hybrid mode again uses both powertrains, but tips the needle a bit more towards performance with most power reaching the rear wheels. Finally, the Race Hybrid mode means all systems are go for the lowest lap times possible (Porsche says it can do the Nordschleife in less than 7:30 minutes). There’s an even a push-to-pass button (if only it were that easy) that adds a bit of E-boost on the straights and, of course, regenerative braking is present and accounted for.

Lastly, take a good look at the interior because Porsche says it offers a glimpse at future interiors from the automaker. Sounds good enough to buy so far, right? Too bad, because it’s just a concept. We’ll bring you live shots of the 918 Spyder concept tomorrow after it debuts in Geneva, so sit tight.

[Source: Porsche]

Continue reading Porsche 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid concept gets 78 mpg, hits 62 mph in 3.2 seconds

Porsche 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid concept gets 78 mpg, hits 62 mph in 3.2 seconds originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Via Autoblog