Report: Next-gen Nissan GT-R to go alt-fuel; maybe with electric, hybrid or even diesel powertrain
Filed under: Diesel, EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Nissan
2010 Nissan GT-R – Click above for high-res image gallery
Rumors of a hybrid-drive next-generation Nissan GT-R have been floating around since at least late 2009. Given Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn’s wholesale commitment to electric vehicles, it should come as a surprise to no one that the automaker is seriously considering adding some form of battery power to the next iteration of its sports car. Speaking at an event in Australia, GT-R chief engineer Kazutoshi Mizuno confirmed that some kind of alternative powertrain will be necessary to keep the GT-R relevant and meet future emissions and fuel economy standards.
Mercedes-Benz and Audi have already announced plans to build full battery electric versions of the SLS AMG and R8, respectively. According to Mizuno, Nissan is considering a straight battery variant, a hybrid or even a diesel version, although the latter is unlikely. A battery version is certainly possible but Mizuno also says a hybrid would be easy to do because of the GT-R’s front engine/rear transaxle layout. The Leaf and other EVs will give Nissan some breathing room on regulations so a new GT-R is still a ways off. At this point, work has not yet started in earnest on the new model and no decision has been made on the powertrain. A tip of the hat to Tony!
[Source: The Motor Report]
Report: Next-gen Nissan GT-R to go alt-fuel; maybe with electric, hybrid or even diesel powertrain originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 17:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Want a bicycle with an “invisible” electric motor and a top speed of 56 mph?
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, On Two Wheels
Now that bikes – and walking – are becoming more popular, it’s time to answer this question: How fast is too fast on a bicycle? How about a bicycle that uses an electric motor hidden inside the frame? We think the answer, whatever it is, is the same not matter which bike you’re on and that going 90 kilometers an hour (56 miles per hour) is a bit much for most every rider. Still, that’s how fast Hungarian inventor Istvan Varjas claims his “invisible” motor bicycle can go, and it’s a lot faster than most of us can go using just our legs.
The technology is somewhat mysterious, given that the motor and the batteries are hidden in the frame. While this may seem like a totally cool thing and potentially promising for plug-in vehicles of all types, it’s not all good news. There’s apparently some sort of controversy in professional racing right now regarding a rider using “doped bicycle” with hidden electronic bits and controls hidden in the gear shifters. Varjas, a former bicycle racer himself, told the Swiss weekly L’Illustre that he had nothing to do with the doped bike that rider Fabian Cancellara is charged with using.
Whatever the truth of that matter is, we just like the idea of slimmer and unobtrusive electric vehicle tech. Varjas says his motor weighs just one kilogram and the battery can last between 30 and 60 minutes per charge. The bike might go into production this fall.
[Source: The Star | Image: LaPrimaDonna - C.C. License 2.0]
Want a bicycle with an “invisible” electric motor and a top speed of 56 mph? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 18:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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2012 Porsche 911 Carrera
The next generation of the Porsche 911 Carrera is due out in Europe in the second half of 2011 and will go on sale in the U.S. in early 2012. The current 911 line-up was introduced in the U.S. in 2005. Although the current vehicle, which is also known as the 997 series, [...]
Via New Car Blog
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California’s Highway 1 vs the 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe
It seemed like a brilliant idea at the time: instead of super-slabbing down ultra-boring Interstate 5 or the sort-of boring Route 101 on the way down from Napa Valley in my recently-acquired CTS Coupe, I’d cut over to the coast once past San Jose via Highway 17 and then merrily head down the famous Pacific Coast Highway to catch some scenery while getting a better feel for the car. Sure, it would take about two to two-and-a-half hours longer than the more direct routes, but it’d be more fun. Besides, the last time I made this drive was almost three years ago and behind the wheel of a vehicle that wasn’t anywhere near as fun to drive as the Caddy.
Of course, as these things often go, the idea wasn’t that great after all. Getting past Bay Area traffic wouldn’t have been too bad if not for an accident on Interstate 80 that involved a Harley-Davidson taking on an SUV with the predictable outcome. That ate about a half hour. Traffic was a bit heavy on Highway 17, which runs from San Jose to Santa Cruz. And there was another 15-20 minutes when combined with a small backup on Highway 1.
Things were turning for the better past Monterey and Carmel. With the U.S. Open being held at Pebble Beach the entire week, things could have gotten ugly, but thankfully, the crowds didn’t arrive in full force until the weekend.
Speed camera funding scrapped (UK)
Fixed speed cameras will no longer be funded by the Government.
Junior transport minister, Mike Penning announced that councils will have to use their own cash to install new cameras from now on. He added that local authorities will be encouraged to consider alternative safety measures before investing in new cameras.
“The public must be confident speed cameras are there for road safety – not as a cash cow. Under this Government it will not be so,” said Penning.
“Central Government will not put any more money in.”
Video: Russian tire company takes on the Pirelli calendar. Sorta.
Russians selling tires – Click above to watch video after the jump
We’re not exactly positive what tires have to do with scantily clad women, but Russian manufacturer Atlay Tire Company has rolled out an ad to rival Pirelli’s annual calendar. We’re guessing the majority of you are already well past the jump and halfway through the video by now, but for the rare soul who’s managed to stick around, here’s the skinny: The spot features a dance troupe of barely-dressed ladies prancing around in front of a virtual stack of tires. Treadwear rating? What’s a treadwear rating?
We’ll just go ahead and say the spot is slightly NSFW just in case you find yourself strapped to a cubical with your boss looming over you. Hop the jump to enjoy.
[Source: Copyranter via Jalopnik]
Continue reading Video: Russian tire company takes on the Pirelli calendar. Sorta.
Video: Russian tire company takes on the Pirelli calendar. Sorta. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
2010 BMW Concept Gran Coupe
With elegant lines all over the body and proportions that are sporty yet classy, the 2010 BMW Concept Gran Coupe will soon be on the rise as one of the newest status icons on the road. The 4-door vehicle carries all the marks of a BMW coupe which all boil down to six features: the [...]
Via Supercars – Sweet & cool car site for super fast sport car
