Hybrid powertrains approved for 2011 Le Mans
Filed under: Diesel, Hybrid, Audi, Porsche, Peugeot, Racing
Peugeot 908-HY hybrid prototype – Click above for high-res image gallery
The Automobile Club de L’Ouest (ACO), which organizes the 24 Hours of Le Mans, announced some new technical regulations this week that mirror what has been happening in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). For 2011, the ACO will consolidate the current LMP1 and LMP2 prototype classes into a single group based around the current P2 rule set. All of the prototypes will now be limited to smaller 3.4-liter normally aspirated or 2.0-liter turbocharged engines regardless of whether they burn gasoline or diesel fuel. Similarly, the shrinking GT1 class will be eliminated next year in favor of the closer-to-production GT2 cars.
The big news is that hybrid systems will now be allowed in all Le Mans series events. In 2009, Corsa Motorosports debuted an LMP1 car with a Zytek gas-electric powertrain in ALMS. ALMS allowed the car to initially run without any limits on electrical energy while they evaluated the performance. Under the new ACO rules, teams will be able to run hybrid/kinetic energy recovery systems that are connected to at most two wheels with a maximum of 500 joules of energy storage. We’re not sure what the energy storage capacity of the Porsche 911 GT3R hybrid is, but it clearly demonstrated the advantage of being able to use electricity to boost acceleration while saving fuel during its recent run in the 24 Hours of Nurburgring.
ALMS officials are in France right now for this weekend’s race, but we assume that the North American series will adopt most of the ACO rules for 2011.
Call me a Cab! Around the Hamptons and Connecticut in an E550 Cabriolet
The Grand-Am Rolex series race weekend at Lime Rock and the Greenwhich Concours d’elegance recently brought me to the Tri-States area for a week. So what better way to cruise the historic Lime Rock pits, the Hamptons, and tony Stamford and Greenwich than in an open Benz. I initially thought “Hmmm….SL63 AMG,” but needed back seats and a bit more luggage space than the SL roadster offers. Mercedes proposed a rather ducky new E550 Cabriolet. Several of my teammates have done first and second drive stories on this car, so I’ll talk more about the experience than that of a pure road test.
This one was finished in a rich, medium-light charcoal color called Palladium Silver. It’s a fabulous hue, and drew compliments everywhere I took it. The rich black cloth top and AMG wheels likely helped there too. Don’t even think about buying one of these cars without the optional Appearance/Sport package, which includes the 18-inch AMG mags, shifter paddles, rubber studded pedals, and cross drilled brake rotors. The top stayed down, unless it was cold or raining. The E Cab includes a wind blocker between the rear headrests, so wind buffeting is minimal at all but freeway-plus speeds. Easy to do in this car, given its 382 horsepower and 391 pounds-feet of torque. And Mercedes’ paddle-shifter-commanded 7-speed automatic is a willing dance partner; there’s a ratio for every condition, and the trans always seems to pick the right one. If not, you can dial it up with either the shifter, a paddle, or your right foot. And this engine sounds wonderful, burbling softly out of its dual exhaust pipes. Its not a sports car, but its darn sporty and very surefooted, without being pushing in any way. Ride quality? Supple yet connected. Put the top up, crank the AC, and cruise quietly. The top is beautifully insulated, with no wind noise around the seams or windows.
This car’s “Price as driven” according to the sticker is $77,425. Not chicken change, but I felt it worth the money, if this is what you want and can afford it. The chassis is rock solid, so forget about body wiggle or cowlshake. No such thing, unless you find the nastiest of potholes or railway crossings. Mercedes has finally found the right nav system vendor. This one was easy to use and dead accurate. The standard 10 way power sport seats are comfortable and supportive even for moderately aggressive driving. Lots of lumbar and other adjustments to be found, so anyone can get comfy in them.
I’ve enjoyed the previous CLK Cabs, but they always had a “C-Class air” about them. No bad thing, but in years past, the C-Class wasn’t what it is today. This car is much more E-like, which also supports the price points. The 3.5-liter 350 version is more than adequate, but if you have the extra scratch, get the 550. The extra power and panache really take it over the top.
Forget a clapped out, yellow Crown Vic. This cab is The Way to enjoy the many scenic backroads of Connecticut and upstate New York (which is serious sports car county, by the way).
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Next generation Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X to be diesel-hybrid
Mitsubishi is planning a drastic overhaul of its Lancer Evolution by changing the next model into a diesel hybrid. The switch of drivetrain is designed to save the Evo from strict economy and emissions regulations while saving its trademark mid-range punch.
Mitsubishi is said to have given serious thought to axing the Evo model altogether. As recently as a month ago, sources in Japan said an earlier project to switch the car to a petrol hybrid powertrain and base it on the PX-MiEV SUV concept’s platform was dead. But now, the firm’s R&D section has been given approval to push the car in a different direction: a diesel hybrid.
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C/D: Cadillac to get new range-topping rear-wheel drive flagship
Filed under: Sedan, Cadillac, GM, Rumormill
According to Car and Driver‘s Jens Meiners, Cadillac is poised to get a new full-size, rear-wheel drive sedan to slot in above the forthcoming XTS – a model that itself will sit above the CTS when it bows to serve as a combined replacement for the STS and DTS.
To hear C/D’s moles tell it, the flagship sedan is still in the early planning stages, but the model is being built at the directive of none other than GM CEO Ed Whitacre. If the rumor is accurate, the forthcoming model is apparently likely to be derived from a stretched Sigma platform, the same architecture that underpins the CTS family. Meiners dismisses thoughts that the car could be built on the much-used Zeta platform that underpins the Chevrolet Camaro, suggesting that it’s too heavy and old to support such a vehicle.
With word that a Lambda-based three-row crossover and the BMW 3-Series fighting ATS are on the way for General Motors’ Wreath and Crest division, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the boys down at The Tubes have hit the product accelerator pedal for their luxury brand. We just hope that this mystery offering means that Cadillac is finally going to cook up something that looks like 2003′s showstopping Sixteen concept (above), albeit likely in a scaled-down format.
[Source: Car and Driver]
C/D: Cadillac to get new range-topping rear-wheel drive flagship originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Riversimple will release two-seater hydrogen cars in 2012
British Riversimple will release a test series of hydrogen cars. It is a small car with double the maximum speed of about 90 km / h and cruising range of 200 km. It is built using lightweight composite materials and weighs 350 kg.
In 2012, the company will release 30 test cars. The project aims to test the cars and try to solve environmental problems. In addition, you must determine where and in what quantities to build refueling for such machines. If successful, the project will Riversimple plant for the production hydrogen cars in Leicester.
Via Cool Cars
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eBay Find of the Day: 2008 Fisker Latigo CS
Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Auctions, BMW, Fisker, Design/Style, Luxury
2008 Fisker Latigo CS on eBay – Click above for image gallery
Are you not a fan of the current BMW 6 Series? Can you not wait for the next-generation model? Are you looking for something a little more exclusive? Has Fisker caught your attention with the Karma, but not so much for its hybrid drivetrain? If your answer to any of these questions was an emphatic “yes,” then you may want to have a look at this eBay Motors listing.
Before kicking off his ambitious luxury hybrid project and after having penned such gorgeous sportscars as the Aston Martin V8 Vantage and BMW Z8 roadster, the noted Danish designer Henrik Fisker started his own coachbuilding operation. The California-based operation had two products: the Mercedes SL-based Tramonto and this, the BMW M6-based Latigo CS. Only 150 examples of each were made, and one of the latter – a post-revision 2008 model – has now popped up for grabs on eBay.
Mechanically, the Latigo is essentially the same as the M6 up which it is based, but Fisker managed to cut out some excess weight and enlisted the services of tuning house RDSport to tune the high-revving 5.0-liter V10 engine up to 648 horsepower. Stiffer springs and custom rolling stock are also part of the package, to say nothing of the exquisitely-crafted interior. This particular example has a Buy It Now sticker of $90,000; check it out in the extensive image gallery below or follow the link to the auction page.
Luxury, smuxury. Sporty hybrids set to fuel change
The FT-HS at the Detroit Auto Show
Some sizzle for hybrid cars
Hybrid cars aren’t cheap, and most hybrid models available are either high end or luxury models. In fact shopping for a luxury hybrid is a lot more interesting than shopping for a more cost-effective hybrid. There’s just more choices from more brands, with many more luxury hybrids, including plug-ins, on the way.
