California Voltin’
Time was when an automaker created a “California Special” edition of any model it probably had a lot more horsepower or particular graphics. A thing to make it sexier.
Not anymore. Chevrolet Volts headed for CA will now get a new Very low Emissions Package. Sounds like a excellent program, but why?
With the package’s additional equipment the Volt qualifies as a car with this government-issued label: California Enhanced, Advanced Technological innovation-Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle. You can phone it enhAT-PZEV for short.
The point of the workout to make Volts eligible for Substantial Occupancy Automobile (HOV or vehicle-pool) lane use with just 1 man or woman onboard…just like the arch-rival, all-electric Nissan Leaf.
Usually you need at least two up to use that lane. Get caught driving solo in a non-certified car and you are out a lot more than $ 300. Purchasing the Volt does not guarantee the coveted HOV sticker, but it qualifies the owners to apply for a single of the 40,000 readily available HOV stickers that are issued on a initial-ask, initial-given basis.
2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK to Get Diesel Option in the U.S.
This fall Mercedes-Benz is going to release a refreshed 2013 GLK that will be offered with a diesel engine in the U.S. The addition of the diesel-powered will mark the sixth diesel-powered model in the automaker’s U.S. lineup.
The official specs of the diesel-powered GLK have not been released, but it’s been reported that it will be a four-cylinder. Steve Cannon, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA stated that the addition of the diesel will likely push GLK sales into the “high 30′s,” up from the 24,310 units Mercedes-Benz sold last year.
Bentley Plug-In Hybrid Could Use V8 and/or W12; Final SUV Approval Expected Soon
Final August, we received a extensive get from Bentley chief Wolfgang Dürheimer about the brand and the technologies that will drive its vehicles well into the future. We sat down once more with Herr Dürheimer at the 2012 Detroit car display to get an update on the automaker’s plug-in hybrid technique and the state of the SUV that it hopes to add in the subsequent couple of many years.
Plugging Into VW’s Elements Bin
1st, the plug-in hybrid: Don’t anticipate to see it right up until the next generation of Bentleys lands, and don’t expect the luxury brand to take the lead in its advancement. Relatively, it will use technological innovation that is shared with other brand names in the Volkswagen Group.
This sort of a hybrid program is not a thing that Bentley wants to do on its personal as a “matter of differentiation,” explained Dürheimer. “For us, differentiation is styling, look, prestige, craftsmanship, luxury. For us, hybrid tech is a ‘need-to-have’,” he said, and it is completely acceptable for other manufacturers, this kind of as Audi and Porsche, to take the advancement lead. But lacking a require for differentiation undoubtedly is not the only explanation for that method individuals larger brand names not only have the higher encounter and engineers needed to develop the tech, and they also can absorb the advancement charges into their bigger budgets. This is equivalent to when VW funded the architecture for Bentley’s current Continental line by means of its Phaeton program, though it’s likely many a lot more VW Group manufacturers will make use of the result in this specific case.
Dürheimer suggested that Audi’s new twin-turbo 4.-liter V-8—it’s also put in in the new, entry-level Continental GT—would be the most likely gasoline-driven element of the hybrid system, which will sandwich a motor-generator amongst the engine and transmission. Nonetheless, since the W-12 is relatively short for its cylinder count, the electric motor fits behind it, as well, Dürheimer said. He previously informed us that he deemed an electric-only assortment of 16 to 19 miles to be acceptable for a Bentley.
Report: GM looking to move GMC Sierra pickup more up market
With the upcoming release of GMC’s remodeled Sierra and the Chevrolet Silverado pickups, GM is taking into consideration taking the possibility to upgrade the models’ market positions.
Each the Sierra and the Silverado are scheduled to go on sale subsequent year, providing the automaker a lot of time to modify options and pricing, and modify its marketing plans to function in the exact same style as was used to separate the GMC Terrain and Yukon from the Suburban, Equinox and Tahoe.
GM North America president Mark Reuss says “Right now, there is about a $ 500 variation on a brand basis in between the two,” and notes that the Sierra would be offered a lot more standard devices then the Silverado. Reuss nonetheless admits that “A pickup truck is a pickup truck,” and that only so significantly can be completed to give each and every a distinct identity.
Possibilities and packages must differ between the two pickups, and Reuss also additional that some adjustments to attributes and access will be made that may possibly have proven tough otherwise.
- By: Alexandra Koken
Bentley Plug-In Hybrid and Upcoming SUV Detailed
Car and Driver not too long ago sat down with Bentley Chief Wolfgang Dürheimer to get some specifics on the British automaker’s plug-in hybrid and upcoming SUV. Dürheimer told the publication that we shouldn’t expect to see the plug-in hybrid right up until the up coming generation of Bentleys are unveiled and that a final determination on their SUV will be made in just a matter of a couple of weeks.
The interview also offers us some more particulars in each of the Bentley projects. The built-in hybrid will be utilizing technology shared with other brands in the Volkswagen group and Bentley has no intentions of reinventing the hybrid technique. “For us, differentiation is styling, physical appearance, prestige, craftsmanship, luxury. For us, hybrid tech is a ‘need-to-have’,” Dürheimer stated. The other brand names will also be capable to absorb the development charges into their more substantial budgets.
With that in mind, Dürheimer recommended that Audi‘s new 4.0L twin-turbo V8 could be the gasoline-powered element of the hybrid system, which will function a motor-generator among the engine and transmission. Dürheimer also said that the W-12 powerplant could also be utilized given that the electrical motor fits behind that engine also. As for the electrical-only array, Dürheimer said that 16- to 19-miles will be acceptable for a Bentley plug-in hybrid.
As for the SUV, Dürheimer is plainly excited about the upcoming model and has become really encouraged as he gets a lot more and much more feedback on it. He’s seeking at markets in Russia, China and even the US with the SUV and stated that it will not be a Hummer, but will be on the significant side. “We think we will need to have a lot of area in the back we want to have a comfort zone, good air conditioning in the back, and every little thing you want to be transported in the back.”
[Supply: Automobile and Driver]
Chrysler Boss asks if the 700C Concept Minivan is Stupid, Beautiful or Crazy [with Poll]
![Chrysler 700C Concept 60 Chrysler Boss asks if the 700C Concept Minivan is Stupid, Beautiful or Crazy [with Poll]](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-008ptRT0QjQ/Tw0NAHZ0MoI/AAAAAAAGZGs/JDtBuOGF6Q4/s800/Chrysler-700C-Concept-60.jpg "Chrysler Boss asks if the 700C Concept Minivan is Stupid, Beautiful or Crazy [with Poll]")
If it really is attention that Chrysler wanted, it certain got what it asked for with the most secretive idea model of the 2012 Detroit Car Display, the 700C minivan. And this in spite of the reality that the automaker did not even concern a formal press release on its conceptual folks carrier.
But all for great explanation as Chrysler brand global boss Saad Chehab explained in an interview with Australian news site Drive at the Cobo Center.
![Chrysler 700C Concept 12 Chrysler Boss asks if the 700C Concept Minivan is Stupid, Beautiful or Crazy [with Poll]](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fz_tBrpAcpE/Tw0NQbJLiyI/AAAAAAAGZHI/dstnG0H9wa0/s200/Chrysler-700C-Concept-12.jpg "Chrysler Boss asks if the 700C Concept Minivan is Stupid, Beautiful or Crazy [with Poll]")
Chebab told the website that Chrysler did not release any supporting details on the 700C due to the fact it “wanted unsolicited viewpoint about the vehicle and its prospective” from the motor display guests. He also stated that the 700C was a final minute addition to Chrysler’s Detroit Motor Show booth.
“This is the initial step we are taking into it to see what the feedback would be from customers, from the media, to see if this is one thing we may see in the long term that maintains the useability of people-movers, but at the same time giving something far more to the driver and the passenger up coming to them,” Chebab explained.
We also discover that the 700C is primarily based on the present Town & Country’s operating gear and that the designers’ objective was to redefine the category not by reinventing its packaging attributes but fairly the interior and exterior styling.
Volkswagen now world No.2 after posting 8.16M sales in 2011
Volkswagen has overtaken Toyota to turn out to be the second-greatest automaker in the planet, after reporting a total-year 2011 revenue figure of 8.16 million cars.
Volkswagen is aiming to hit ten million annual revenue by 2018, and desires to overtake 2011 best-seller Standard Motors to obtain the range one position.
Volkswagen sales grew by 14.3 per cent in 2011, up from seven.14 million revenue of 2010. This integrated sales growth in the Asia/Pacific area, in which Volkswagen Group sales had been up by 19.eight per cent (two.56 million), as effectively as North America (up 5.1 per cent to 666,800) and South America (up 21.4 per cent to 933,400), contributing to a total of 1.6 million units.
Toyota has estimated a 2011 revenue figure of 7.9 million, dropping by six per cent compared with it 2010 effort – revenue of which incorporate Lexus, Daihatsu and Hino brand names. Toyota was hit hard by the effects of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami disaster in March, but is probably to once again challenge GM for top rated spot in 2012 with production largely back to regular.
Meanwhile, range one particular automaker GM is nevertheless to post its 2011 total revenue figure. Analysts predict the figure to be all around the nine-million mark, based on projection rates from figures throughout the year.
Volkswagen Group revenue do contain brands this kind of as Audi and Skoda, each of which saw increases in delivered autos. Audi revenue were up by 19.two per cent (1.three million), whilst Skoda saw gains of 15.3 per cent (879,200).
The Volkswagen brand contributed the most nevertheless, with 5.09 million Volkswagens going to new houses in 2011. A figure that is also up 13.1 per cent compared with 2010.
