Posts Tagged ‘Fri’

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Manufacturing/Plants, Chevrolet, GM, Green Daily

During his stop today at the General Motors’ Detroit-Hamtramck facility where the production Chevrolet Volts will soon roll off the line, President Obama did something unusual for a president: he got behind the wheel of a car and went for a drive. It was a short one – just ten feet – but that’s what happens when you need not only GM’s permission but also the Secret Service’s to drive a not-yet-in-production, new-technology Chevy Volt in black. We won’t be geting a full-length review from the President, but he did give his initial impression after stepping out: “I’m telling you guys, pretty smooth.”

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said after the event that Obama has driven at a Secret Service training facility this past April and also piloted a Dodge Charger at a closed-press event. Other than these two times, Obama hasn’t driven since getting Secret Service protection in early 2007.

[Source: ABC | Images: AFP/Getty Images, Jim Watson and AP/Pablo Martinez Monsivais]

Obama drives the Volt… all of 10 feet originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Green

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Luxury

The Cadillac CTS-V Coupe has some serious performance chops. The potent angular coupe is loaded with a blown 6.2-liter V8 capable of 556-horsepower, 15-inch front and 14.7-inch rear Brembo brakes and a Magnetic Ride Control suspension setup. Impressive stats to be sure, but does Cadillac’s sleek two-seater have the goods to take on the BMW M3 coupe and Audi RS5?

Both Motor Trend and Car and Driver have obviously been pondering the same question, as the competing buff mags dusted off their camcorders and cut up a pair of comparison videos featuring the three super coupes doing a ménage à trois of the automotive kind.

Make the jump to experience both videos. In the first video, MT goes all-out with its comparison, bringing both Editor-in-Chief Angus McKenzie and the spanking new CTS-V Coupe to Germany to take on the pair of well-established Bavarian competitors. The second video shows the unique C/D approach, with no first, second or third place finishers and not a single word is uttered. C/D just let the hot coupes speak for themselves with beautiful pictures and heavenly exhaust notes.

[Sources: Car and Driver, Motor Trend]

Continue reading Video: Double Bill – C/D and MT pit Cadillac CTS-V Coupe vs. Audi RS5 vs. BMW M3

Video: Double Bill – C/D and MT pit Cadillac CTS-V Coupe vs. Audi RS5 vs. BMW M3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog

Filed under: MPG, Green Daily

Between 2000 and 2009, the United Parcel Service (UPS) managed to significantly increase fuel-efficiency across its fleet of 60,000 delivery vehicles. During that time, UPS reports that its U.S. ground fleet boosted its average miles per gallon by a rather remarkable ten percent. The ten percent improvement allows the company to boast that UPS drivers logged 77.3 million more miles in 2009 than they did in 2000, yet fuel consumption decreased by an astounding 3.2 million gallons.

While a ten percent boost is certainly good, UPS believes that vehicle technology, sophisticated routing technology and fuel conservation efforts can improve fuel efficiency even more. The company’s latest Sustainability Report outlines future goals and targets a 20 percent increase in overall fuel efficiency from 2000 to 2020. With nine years down, UPS is already at the halfway mark. In the coming years, UPS will focus on adding additional hybrid diesel electric and compressed natural gas vehicles to its fleet. Click here (PDF) to read about UPS’ plans for a greener tomorrow.

[Source: United Parcel Service via Green Car Congress]

UPS sets new target of 20% increase in fleet fuel economy by 2020 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Green

Filed under: Ethanol, Legislation and Policy, Green Daily

Now that we’ve covered the ethanol-related debate surrounding a move from E10 to E15 from almost every angle, it’s time to move on to a discussion about E12. With the Environmental Protection Agency choosing to postpone its decision regarding E15 until further testing can be conducted, an interim move to E12 is now the suggested solution by farmers, ethanol blenders and proponents of renewable fuels.

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) have teamed up to convince the EPA that an immediate move to E12 is necessary. The three groups issued a joint letter to EPA administrator Lisa Jackson, a portion of which reads:

Based on the EPA’s delay in acting upon the full E15 waiver and on our concerns that the Agency will restrict the use of E15 to cars made in 2001 and thereafter, we encourage the EPA to formally approve the use of E12 for all motor vehicles as an immediate interim step pending any ongoing additional testing on E15.

While a move to E12 may seem harmless to some, we still believe that even a two percent increase in ethanol content in gasoline should trigger thorough testing prior to approval. Click here to read the entire letter sent to the EPA and voice your opinion on E12 in the comment box below.

[Source: Domestic Fuel | Image: r-z - C.C. License 2.0]

Ethanol industry finds voice on E12 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Green

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

By now, you’ve undoubtedly witnessed countless pictures of the Nissan Leaf. You’ve probably also encountered several videos, read numerous reviews and possibly even caught a glimpse of the Leaf in its undisguised form on public roads. But few people have had the opportunity to actually drive the Leaf and even less have had the chance to spend a considerable amount of time at the helm.

While the public’s opportunity to pilot a Leaf may still be months away, CNBC’s Phil LeBeau had ample time to drive the Leaf around southern California, and luckily for us, provided video of the event. Before we get to the ride along, let’s touch on LeBeau’s driving impressions of the Leaf. As Lebeau sums it up:

The Leaf delivered a far more spirited ride than I was expecting. It’s not perfect, and I’ll tell you what I didn’t like in just a bit, but overall it’s a car most people will enjoy driving.

The flaws LeBeau found include excessive wind noise, a rather ordinary interior and an unexpected whir from the electric motor. Complaints aside, LeBeau concludes that the Leaf is good enough to succeed, but he’s not yet convinced that it will be a game changer. Follow after the jump to ride along in the Nissan Leaf.

[Source: CNBC via Nissan-Leaf]

Continue reading Video: Ride along as the Nissan Leaf takes to the road

Video: Ride along as the Nissan Leaf takes to the road originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Via Autoblog Green