Archive for July 5th, 2010

Nissan launches Leaf iAd for iPhone

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan, Green Daily

Nissan’s approach to advertising for its upcoming Leaf electric vehicle might be summed up by many as a touch too iPhone-centric. For those with an iPhone, Nissan’s newest iAd might be available soon on a screen near you. Non-iPhone users can at least watch a video overview of the Leaf’s exceptional iAd, just without the touchscreen capabilities of the real deal.

Nissan claims that it’s the only automaker to take full advantage of the iPhone’s capabilities by producing the world’s first automotive iAd. We won’t dispute the claim, but we’re sure that many other automakers will quickly follow suit. Nissan’s iAd is a highly-functional, interactive way to get the word out about the advantages of Leaf ownership. The iAd lets your fingers guide you through a slew of information available for the Nissan Leaf. Unfortunately, it’s exclusivity to the iPhone means that many of us will never have the chance to use it, but at least you can follow after the jump to see what you’re missing out on.

[Source: Nissan via Leaf-Owner]

Continue reading Nissan launches Leaf iAd for iPhone

Nissan launches Leaf iAd for iPhone originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 05 Jul 2010 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Quick Spin: Amp Equinox shakes, rattles but doesn’t roll us

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chevrolet, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, Automotive X-Prize

“We think it’s going to be a Leaf-beater.”

The “it” here is the converted Chevrolet Equinox that Amp Electric Vehicles is turning into an electric vehicle (EV) and will begin selling later this year. The speaker is Amp president Steve Burns, who is obviously confident in the product his team is working on in Ohio. Of course, Burns was quick to clarify that he didn’t mean the Amp’d Equinox would beat the Nissan Leaf in number of units sold, but in performance. Burns said the Equinox will be able to go further – it has an estimated range of 150 miles – and that it’s quicker off the line. It’s bigger, too. There’s one more way the Equinox “beats” the Leaf: price. The Leaf costs $25,280 after tax incentives, but the Equinox will run you about $50,000 (after taxes). Read on after the jump to see if you agree with the ambitious start-up team that they’ve got what it takes to compete in today’s EV world.

New Car: 2011 Range Rover Evoque

This is the 2011 Range Rover Evoque, which was unveiled following an exclusive preview in London for 300 guests attending a 40th birthday celebration of Range Rover held in partnership with Vogue magazine. The guests included model Erin O’Connor and television presenter Gabby Logan, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and Zara Phillips.

The Evoque will go on sale next Summer once it has bowed at the Paris motorshow on the 30th October. While Land Rover had remained tight-lipped about more details, we know the Range Rover will come in 2WD & 4WD and is the lightest, smallest and most frugal SUV in the firm’s line-up. The greenest Evoque will emit no more than 130g/km of CO2. ‘The two-wheel-drive option will give customers the chance to benefit from lower entry-level pricing, plus CO2 and fuel-economy efficiencies,’ said Popham. However, Land Rover has ditched its plans for a hybrid variant of the Evoque. Land Rover is working on hybrid systems and its first model to receive the system will be the next Range Rover in 2013.

The Evoque stays accurate to the LRX concept that was first shown two years ago. According to Land Rover design director Gerry McGovern, it is ‘a modern and relevant execution of the familiar Range Rover design’.

Land Rover’s managing director, Phil Popham, said, ‘Customers can be confident that the new car will be premium, luxurious and just as special as the other Range Rover models. Its sporting looks and unique qualities will open the brand to a new group of customers who might not have considered a Range Rover before.’

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Sportec returns with hotter, lighter SPR1R

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Misc. Auto Shows, UK

There seems no shortage of tuners committed to joining the word “Porsche” with the word “faster.” Today’s faster 911 comes via Swiss tuner Sportec in the battle-gray guise of the SPR1R. A refined version of the SPR1 the company debuted last year, this one sticks with the 3.6-liter, 846-horsepower twin turbo powerplant and other mods of the original, and adds items like carbon and Kevlar body panels and forged wheels.

On top of that, Other components swapped for lighter versions help shave more than 100 pounds compared to the weight of last year’s car. The SPR1R is now a dainty 2,849 pounds. Getting to 62 miles per hour takes just 3 seconds, and top speed is listed at a tidy 236 mph. More info is in the press release after the jump, and you can see it on show at the Salon Privé in London later this month. Or just head straight for the gallery of high-res photos right now.

Rumormill: Infiniti working on Euro-market front-drive hatch

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Infiniti, Luxury

Infiniti is reportedly set to follow Lexus into the premium compact hatchback segment with a new model for the European market. With Lexus about to launch its hybrid CT200h and the Europeans already well established with the likes of the Audi A3 and Citroen’s new DS3, Infiniti apparently needs a hatch-shaped player to compete.

Autocar reports that the Infiniti will draw on the design of the Essence concept and feature a coupe-like profile. The new compact hatchback will be in addition to the Infiniti electric car that CEO Carlos Ghosn announced at the Tokyo Motor Show last fall. The Infiniti EV will share the platform and battery system of the Nissan Leaf, but may use a more powerful electric motor. There’s no word on what platform this unnamed hatch will be based on, but Infiniti’s corporate parents at Nissan have a host of front-wheel drive architectures to choose from and a range of engines to provide the new model with enough oomph.

Goodwood 2010: Arriving in style in the perfect car

Filed under: Classics, Mercedes-Benz, UK

As we headed down the A 283 on our way to the Goodwood Festival of Speed on Saturday morning, my co-driver looked over at me and said, “sometimes life just deals you a flush.” He couldn’t have said it better. In this particular case, the perfect hand came in the form of a vintage 190SL loaned to us by the good people at Mercedes-Benz for our drive to the Earl of March’s estate and perhaps the most perfect weather Southern England has ever seen. We were joined by a host of other classic Benzes, including more than half a dozen 300SL coupes and convertibles driven by fellow journalists, generating quite a bit of havoc among motorists and bystanders.

Driving along the beautiful, winding country roads with the warmth of the sun on our backs and a cool breeze providing natural air conditioning, I realized that I was in the perfect car. Of course, in reality the 190SL is far from a flawless automobile. The steering is vague, the suspension easily upset, heat can radiate into the cockpit from the exhaust pipes below, and it doesn’t even have seat belts. But for that hour drive it was the perfect car. It allowed us to enjoy everything about our trip – the sights, the smells, the sounds and even the people – in a way that no other car could have. I’ve happened upon this phenomenon just a few times before, when a particular car blends with a unique situation to create something so incredibly memorable. It was an experience that I’ll likely never forget, and one that I wish upon every car enthusiast. What an incredible start to a wonderful day.

Let the Goodwood fun begin…

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One market where Hyundai sales aren’t white hot? Home.

Filed under: Hyundai, Kia, South Korea

It seems that Hyundai is having a very similar problem to Buick in its home market. Overseas customers can’t get enough of its products, but buyers at home are rather ho-hum. Just as Buick is huge in China, Hyundai models are selling like gangbusters in North America and Europe. However, in South Korea, Hyundai sales have dropped for three months in a row. Interestingly, sister brand Kia is seeing robust sales for its just introduced K5 (Optima in the U.S.) and Sportage with total volumes up by 49 percent compared to 2009.

Lack of fresh product is blamed for the 1.2 percent decline at Hyundai, although the new Tucson and Sonata were launched just last Fall. Hyundai has several new products coming in August with the new Elantra and Accent as well as the new Veloster coupe (or whatever it ends up being called), and those new models may spur an increase in domestic sales.