Archive for July 18th, 2010

Aptera co-founder going Epic with new electric line-up, hiring hundreds [w/video]

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, USA

It looks like Chris Anthony, an Aptera co-founder, is about to go truly epic in the electric vehicle universe. His company, Epic Boats has entered into a partnership with Caddo Manufacturing in Vivian, LA to not only make electric boats – Epic already makes a hybrid version of a wakeboard boat and introduced the all-electric 21se last January – but also expand into machines made for traveling terra firma as well. The San Diego-based CEO showed up in the Northeast corner of Louisiana last week with prototypes of its first two land vehicles, a topless road-going three-wheeler with seating for two called the Torq and an off-road ATV named the Amp.

While it’s great to have a few more oil-free choices of recreational type vehicles, for local residents the best part of the arrangement is the arrival of jobs. Apparently having orders that urgently need filling, the companies are hiring about 200 people starting Monday and hope to create almost 500 positions altogether.

As for the two new vehicles, the preliminary specs look quite promising. Both use lithium iron phosphate (LiFePo4) battery packs developed by Flux Power, Anthony’s other company. The Torq is said to offer 200 horsepower and should weigh 1,700 lbs with a pack holding between 24 and 30 kWh of energy. Performance figures are not yet available but it looks capable of dishing out a pretty wild ride – maybe it’s those Cadillac-reminiscent headlight clusters.

The Amp looks even more aggro. It features a motor that can put out 54 hp, giving it a top speed just north of 50 miles per hour. It’s 14.4 kWh battery pack is said to give it about 60 miles of range. Impressively, it offers 10 inches of ground clearance, is independently suspended front and back and uses hydraulic disc brakes to slow down. According to a new Epic website, we should hear more about these machines this fall. If you want an early glimpse, take a look past the break for footage from local station KSLA. Thanks to anonymouse for the tip!

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2012 Ford Ranger gets hot & sweaty

Ford is still working very hard on the next generation Ranger pick-up truck. Engineers took two RHD diesel prototypes and descended to Death Valley, CA and Colorado to put the newcomer under some hot-weather testing.

Ford engineers are among the most erratic bunch of people within the automotive industry. Our spy photographer said that once engineers saw her, they tried mowing her down! Thankfully, she’s still standing on her own two feet, grabbing us some great photos of the forthcoming Ranger.

Despite still wearing heavy camouflage, both mules are double-cab variants – something that isn’t currently offered in the U.S and are wearing Michigan plates. The 2012 Ranger will be built on a global platform called the T6 that is presently being designed in Australia – compared to the current Ranger pick-ups which only share the same name. The newcomer will be bigger in all dimensions too.

Internally, a less utilitarian interior with a multi-function steering wheel backed up by stylish new dials similar to those in the Fiesta and new Focus will feature.

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2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class tries to overcome inattentive drivers

Filed under: Safety, Technology, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

The refreshed 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class coupe is a prime example of how engineers are starting to take some of the disparate hardware technology that has been introduced over the last decade and integrate it to provide new functionality. The CL employs the various optical camera and radar sensors used for features like adaptive cruise control to help prevent accidents by first warning the driver and then intervening if the driver doesn’t respond.

We’ve had various lane departure and blind spot warning systems for several years now and like those, the Mercedes system starts by alerting the driver. At first, the blind spot system illuminates a yellow lamp in the relevant mirror, which changes to red and adds an audible warning if the driver doesn’t react. If the driver keeps moving into the path of another vehicle, a motor sends a rumble through the steering wheel and the brakes on the car’s opposite side are applied to pull it back in line.

Inifiniti has had similar lane-keep functionality for several years, but the CL is first car we’re aware of that integrates it with a blind-spot warning system.

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Video: Next generation Hyundai Elantra caught practicing its parking?

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Videos, Hyundai

The next Hyundai Elantra was revealed a few months ago at South Korea’s Busan Motor Show. It’s been revealed again, this time outdoors, in a parking lot where it appears to be practicing parallel parking maneuvers. Hyundai’s small four-door has grown in size, which helps it wear those stretched ‘fluidic’ design cues rather nicely. Once a portrait of anonymity, the Elantra’s now as good-looking as its big brother, the Sonata.

When the restyled Hyundai Elantra arrives next year, we expect it to be motivated by a 1.6-liter gasoline direct-injection engine with 138 horsepower. And we have a feeling those new looks are going to make people take a good, long look at the Elantra in liew of say, a Civic or Corolla.

As for parking jobs like this? We have a feeling they’ll be a lot easier than these drivers are making it look. If they had to find street parking in, say, New York, they’d run out of gas before they successfully stashed the car. Follow the jump to see the video, which does nothing to make parking seem any less mundane than it is. Hat tip to Avery

Is there a future for mild hybrids?

Will lithium help sell mild hybrids?

Just a glorified start/stop system?

While Honda was the early bird in the hybrid game, Honda’s hybrids have never been able to compete with Toyota Prius sales, and Honda’s less electric hybrid powertrain is one big reason for this difference.

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