Archive for March 9th, 2010

Do it for the kids us: vote in Treehugger’s 2010 Readers’ Choice Awards

Filed under: Green Culture, Green Daily

2010 might only be a few months old (wait, it’s already a few months old?!?), but Treehugger is ready to declare the best of the year with their 2010 Readers’ Choice Awards. In the Cars & Transportation category, there are some interesting possibilities, like the Best Upcoming Electric Car (choices include: the Nissan Leaf, the Mitsubishi i MiEV, the Tesla Model S, the Chevrolet Volt or the Ford Focus EV). We have a more difficult time deciding who is the Best Agent of Change:

• Steven Chu (Secretary of Energy)
• Elon Musk (CEO of Tesla Motors, chairman of SolarCity)
• Carlos Ghosn (CEO of Nissan and Renault)
• Steve Fambro (Aptera)

We think Chu is certainly making a difference with the DOE loans, but Ghosn (a recipient) is putting words into action. Thoughts?

Oh, and there’s a Best Transportation Website category, too. AutoblogGreen is in the running, along with Green Car Congress, HybridCars.com, Gas2.0 and EcoModder. We’re not too proud to beg, so please go vote for us! See all the categories here.

[Source: Treehugger] Read more…

Wanted: Your Barnfinds and Classics

MOTOR TREND CLASSIC has returned.  And with it comes coverage of “your Classics” and great barn finds from around the world. 

Please send us photos and a brief description of your old car.  Not really looking for hot rods and street rods here.  We take wide definition of “classic” but the less modified the better, but it can be a well-patina’d weekend toy, the mos important facto is coolness.

Please email your words and a medium to high res photo to me at Classic@motortrend.com

Also need great barn find stories and pix too.  Send ‘em to the same address. 

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• www barnfinds net
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Hyundai ix35 pricing announced (UK)

Hyundai UK has revealed the prices for their all-new ix35, which replaces the Tucson SUV in the European line-up. Prices start from £16,495 and rise to £20,745 when it goes on sale in the UK on Thursday 25th March.

At launch, the ix35 will be available with an entry-level 161bhp 2.0 litre petrol unit in two-wheel drive only and an all-new ‘R’ 134bhp 2.0 litre common rail turbo diesel that’s offered in 2WD & 4WD models.

Style model fuel consumption:

For the entry level Style model, the base 2WD 2.0 litre 161bhp petrol does 28.8mpg (9.8l/100km) urban, 46.3mpg (6.1l/100km) extra-urban and 37.7mpg (7.5l/100km) combined. This is linked to a 5 speed manual with CO2 emissions of 177g/km.

The 2WD 2.0 CRDi with 134bhp is mated to a 6 speed manual transmission. Its urban fuel consumption figures are set at 42.8mpg (6.6l/100km) urban, 57.6mpg (4.9l/100km) extra-urban and 51.4mpg (5.5l/100km) combined. This engine coughs out CO2 gases of 147g/km.

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Video: Running the ‘Ring in reverse in a VTEC’d Mini

Filed under: Videos, Mini

The Nurburgring is the gold standard for any track not comprised of a banked oval, and it’s a blast to watch dashboard-mounted video of various vehicles taking on the best the Nordschleife has to offer. We typically share with you videos of ZR-1s and GT-Rs, but this time we have something a bit different. Achim Korden and co-pilot Guido Heindl of ringmini.de fame run the ‘Ring in reverse in an old school Mini (1971 Clubman Estate) equipped with a 1.6-liter Honda drivetrain, and they mean business.

Hit the jump to watch the little Mini battle a rain-soaked Nordschleife while starting at the end and making their way to the beginning. It’s an odd experience and further proof that you don’t need to have big power to have big fun.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Running the ‘Ring in reverse in a VTEC’d Mini

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Video: Honda execs talk up historical link between CR-Z and CRX

Filed under: Hybrid, Videos, Hatchback, Honda

Looking at the 2011 CR-Z, it’s hard not to think back to the original Honda CRX. The two-seat configuration, double-paneled glass hatch and sport compact styling are what made the CRX a huge hit for Honda buyers some two decades ago, and the automaker is hoping to recapture that magic with the CR-Z, though with a slightly different approach.

The big difference with the CR-Z is that it uses a hybrid powertrain rather than a standard petrol mill. And while the automaker’s decision to give the CR-Z a gas/electric powertrain isn’t necessarily sitting well with everyone, Honda reassures us that the fundamental values that made the CRX a success are very much present in the CR-Z. John Mendel, executive vice president of auto sales, says, “We hope consumers look at this car and see all the passion around the original CRX, but [we're] taking that passion and moving it into a whole new generation.” See what other Honda execs and enthusiasts have to say about the CR-Z by watching the video after the jump.

Mazda reportedly adding brake override systems to all future models

Filed under: Safety, Mazda

According to a recent report, Mazda will be installing brake override systems on all of its models in the near future. Whenever that happens, the brake will automatically get priority over the accelerator in a situation where both of them are simultaneously depressed. Nissan already has such a system installed on most of its cars, and Toyota has already pledged to do so. As far as Japan goes that leaves companies like Honda, Mitsubishi, Subaru and Suzuki in the “Undecided” column.

A Mazda spokesman said the company wasn’t aware of any unintended acceleration issues with its vehicles anywhere in the world that would necessitate such a system. This really looks to be a proactive move, since the estimated $50-per-car cost of the brake override will be much less hurtful than having to recall an untold numbers of cars… and you’ll be paying for it, anyway. The company doesn’t have details yet on the specifics of implementation, but it will eventually apply to every car the company sells.

Chevrolet Beat: Price in Chennai

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