Archive for March 9th, 2010

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]

Do it for the kids us: vote in Treehugger’s 2010 Readers’ Choice Awards originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Via Autoblog Green

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. 

MTC will be a high quality, large format magazine available at select newsstands.  Or you can pre-order your issues at https://www.circsource.com/store/Subscribe.html?offerId=3896.  Its expensive, but its our belief that all premium print products will be in time. 

Via MotorTrend Magazine Blogs

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.

The 2.0 CRDi 6 speed 4WD variant fuel consumption differs from the 2WD diesel, but only slightly. On the urban, extra-urban and combined cycle, it can achieve 42.2mpg (6.7l/100km), 55.4mpg (5.1l/100km), 49.6mpg (5.7l/100km) respectively. This model emits a class-leading 149g/km of CO2.

Premium model fuel consumption:

The flagship Premium model is only available with the ‘R’ diesel engine in both 2WD & 4WD forms. Take into account that Premium models are heavier than the Style models due to more equipment.

Fuel economy figures for both 2WD & 4WD* are as follows; 40.4mpg (7.0l/100km) urban, 54.3mpg (5.2l/100km) extra-urban and 47.9mpg (5.9l/100km) combined. The 2WD emits 153g/km, while the 4WD* emits 154g/km of CO2.

* Subject to final confirmation

The entry-level Style trim models come equipped with a 5 year warranty, 17” alloy wheels, solid paint, ESP, traction control, x6 airbags (twin front, side & curtain), air conditioning, Bluetooth phone connectivity, heated front and rear seats, electrically adjustable & heated door mirrors with integrated LED indicators, x4 electric windows, headlamp delay function, eco-drive indicator, 6 speakers w/ USB & AUX connections, leather steering wheel w/ audio controls and gearknob, rear parking sensors and a trip computer.

The Premium models add 18” alloys, rear spoiler w/ integral brake light, electric panoramic glass sunroof, automatic headlights & wipers, cruise control, dual zone climate control, electric folding door mirrors, keyless entry with engine start/stop button, rear privacy glass, rain-sensing wipers, part-leather upholstery and roof rails.

Options include metallic paint – at £405 on both models. Premium models get 2 option packs dubbed; Individual Pack and Media Pack.

The Individual pack includes black or brown leather interior, auto-dimming rear-view mirror and a supervision cluster. This can be purchased for £700, while the media pack features touch-screen satellite navigation system w/ rear-view camera and 7 speakers including and amp & subwoofer at £800.

In November, Hyundai will expand the ix35′s range with the introduction of a 1.6 petrol engine with direct injection technology and a new 1.7 litre CRDi. Details of these engines will be released during Summer.

The ix35 will be built in Kia’s Zilina plant in Slovakia.

Via Cars Of The Future® Blog

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

Video: Running the ‘Ring in reverse in a VTEC’d Mini originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Via Autoblog

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.

[Source: YouTube]

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

Video: Honda execs talk up historical link between CR-Z and CRX originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Via Autoblog