Beijing 2010: Geely shows off fleet of alternative power insects vehicles
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, China
Geely IG – Click above for high-res image
It’s not often that we need to look up the definition of a word in a press release – isn’t the whole idea to make information easy to understand? – but we admit to not knowing what “eclosion” meant. Turns out, it’s “The emergence of an adult insect from its pupal case, or the hatching of an insect larva from an egg. From the French eclosion, from eclore, to open.” So, world, meet China’s latest bug car.
We’re talking about the Geely IG, which was first seen in concept form at the 2009 Shanghai Auto Show. At the time, we said the IG “would make a great electric car.” At the Beijing Auto Show this week, Geely brought the new version, which doesn’t go full electric, but does add wings seagull doors and shifts from a 3+1 seating arrangement to a 2+2 with a hybrid powertrain.
Geely is also showing off two pure electric models called the EK-1 and the EK-2. The EK-1 uses lead acid batteries to get up to 80 kilometers per hour while the EK-2 is powered by a lithium iron phosphate battery that can skedaddle up to 150 kmh. The ranges are 80 kilometers and 180 km, respectively. Geely also displayed the GSC (Geely Intelligent Stop-Go System) and the GPEC (Geely Plug-in Electric Hybrid Vehicle). Geely has two GPEC models, one in the EC7 model that uses an iron phosphate battery in a serial setup with a 1.0-liter engine and has a 60-km electric-only range. The other is in an EC8 in parallel with a 2.4-liter engine.
[Source: Geely]
Continue reading Beijing 2010: Geely shows off fleet of alternative power insects vehicles
Sergio Marchionne Insists Chrysler and Dodge Will Survive for the Long Run
Fiat Auto and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne is angry with auto analysts who have said recently that the Chrysler and Dodge brands have little chance of survival. Marchionne’s anger came forth several times Wednesday morning as he described his five-year plan for Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Lancia in an investors’ conference in Turin, Italy.
Comments by such analysts as Max Warburton, of Bernstein in London amount to “vitriolic assessments” and are “absolute hogwash,” the low-key but direct Marchionne said.
Warburton’s assessment seems to fit the questions I’ve been getting for months. How can Chrysler survive? It has no new product.
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Beijing 2010: Geely Emgrand GE plug-in hybrid limo
Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, China, Geely, Beijing Motor Show, Luxury
Geely Emgrand GE – Click above for high-res image gallery
Another entry that Geely has planned for its new Emgrand premium sub-brand is the GE limousine. Like many of Geely’s new models, the GE has a very prominent grille but the rest of the design looks otherwise well-proportioned and attractive. With a 214-inch body sitting on a 124-inch wheelbase, the GE is a big car targeted at executives who prefer to be driven rather than get behind the wheel. The Geely Emgrand GE can be equipped with either a rear bench contoured for two passengers or a single large seat flanked by extra storage compartments.
Underneath, the GE has the same plug-in hybrid powertrain featured in the GT coupe. That means it gets a 2.4-liter inline-four that producing 160 horsepower and 165 pound-feet of torque. The electric drive consists of a pair of 27.5 kilowatt, 132 pound-foot hub-motors for all-wheel-drive capability. The GE is targeted for 2015 introduction.
GeigerCars blows the Corvette Grand Sport into ZR1 territory
Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Chevrolet
GeigerCars Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport – Click above for high-res image gallery
European buyers looking to get their hands on a Corvette ZR1 may find them in short supply. Fortunately, GeigerCars is there to save the day with the next best thing. The German tuner of American iron has taken a crack at the Corvette Grand Sport and boosted it to near-ZR1 levels of power and performance.
Starting with the Grand Sport’s 6.2-liter LS3 V8, Geiger bolts on a supercharger to increase output from the stock 430 horsepower to a prodigious 588, helping the Geiger GS hit 60 un under four seconds. That may not be quite as powerful or quick as the ZR1′s supercar numbers, with its 638 horsepower and 3.3-second sprint, but it’s nothing to scoff at, either.
28th Annual Dana Point Concours d’Elegance adds motorbikes
Filed under: Classics, Alfa Romeo, Motorcycle, Event Alert
If it’s good enough for Pebble Beach… For the first time in its history, the 28th Annual Dana Point (née Newport Beach) Concours d’Elegance will host an exhibit of antique and vintage motorcycles alongside the usual assortment of incredible automobiles from every era. The event has been moved up to the summer this year, but will once again be held at the St. Regis Resort in Dana Point, California.
Those who show up on that Sunday (June 27, 2010) will find that Alfa Romeo is the featured marque, celebrating 100 years of great racing and road cars in 2010. The 80-year-old Pininfarina design house will also be feted, but the big news for bike lovers will be the exhibition-only classes featuring 65 significant motorcycles from throughout history. The preliminary groupings divide European, American and Japanese motorcycles, as well as production and competition models.
Entry forms and additional information can be found online at: www.DanaPointConcours.org.
Gallery: 27th Annual Concours d’Elegance at The St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort
Maruti launches next generation Wagon R in India
Maruti Suzuki today launched the next generation Wagon R termed as “The Blue-Eyed Boy” in India priced at Rs 3.28 to Rs 4.12 lakh (ex-showroom New Delhi).
The new Wagon R is powered by a 998cc 3 cylinder K-Series engine (K10B) which generated 68 PS of maximum Power. The engine used is the same one which powers the A-star and meets the Bharat Stage 4 norm. The new Wagon R will be manufactured from Maruti’s Gurgaon plant.
“This new launch of Wagon R is important to Maruti Suzuki for many reasons. It demonstrates the growing research and development capability of the company,” Maruti Suzuki India MD and CEO Shinzo Nakanishi told reporters.
According to the company the new Wagon R return a fuel efficiency of 18.9kmpl. It also sports a new suspension and transmission system. The Air Conditioning has been improved with the HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) reducing the temperature by 4 degrees than the older model.
Chinese plugs-ins: What about the coal?
Are coal-powered EVs right for China?
There is a big move afoot in China to quickly move it’s developing auto industry from today’s petroleum-guzzling technologies to battery powered technologies. Yet, not everyone in China agrees that’s a good idea.
Because China derives 83 percent of it’s electricity from coal, Huang Xiangdong, vice president of Guangzhou Automobile Group Corp., a major Chinese carmaker that has ventures with Honda Motor Co. and other global players, according to the DetroitNews, believes the move to plug-ins is premature.
Because of this reliance upon coal, according to Xiangdong, “battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids do not save more energy than conventional cars on a well-to-wheel analysis,” said Huang. “We think in China it’s not the right time to promote pure electric vehicles.”
