Ferrari Hybrid Goes Beyond Rumor

Ferrarri has comfirmed that a production model Ferrarri 599 will be at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show in March. The announcement was made by CEO Luca di Montezemolo at the release of the F10.

"It has to be the avant-garde in automobile technology. We're constructing cars with an enormous part of the innovative technology. We'll present a 599 hybrid in Geneva, which will represent a great path towards the future," Ferrari Chairman Luca di Montezemolo said in Maranello, Italy, at the presentation of the 2010 Formula One Ferrari.

The two-seat V-12 599 will use a kinetic energy recovery system, employ start-stop technology and improve fuel efficiency by 30%. That should raise the rating up to 14 mpg.

Luca di Montezemolo also said Ferrari is looking at other ways of improving efficiency in its cars.

Sources: CNet and nitrobahn


Rumors have floated around about a hybrid ferrari for some time now.

Forced Features in Hybrids

There's a report out making the allegation that car makers are 'forcing' customers to accept luxury items in order to buy a hybrid car. The allegations are being made by the Union of Concerned Scientists. To that I say, Ya, so?

Car makers (Toyota, Honda, Ford, GM, Nissan, etc...) invested a lot of money in developing their hybrid cars. They can't sell the public on just the engine, however. Not at the price they need to sell the car at and still hope to make money on it.

So, they have been adding in luxury items to the cars right from the beginning. That allows them to justify the price tag ($20,000 or more... much more for some), and gives people justification for the price they are paying.

"Hybrids don't have to be luxury vehicles," said Don Anair, the senior vehicles analyst with UCS's Clean Vehicles Program. "They should be within the reach of all Americans. Car buyers shouldn't be forced to buy high-end bells and whistles when fuel economy and reducing emissions are their top priority."

The problem with that is hybrid technology just isn't within reach of all Americans. That's just the truth. The second engine (and all the other parts that mate the two together and help them to play nice with each other) costs money to build and create new types of.

Look at the new Honda Insight. There's a car that has the least 'forced features' and as such, is billed as the cheapest hybrid you can buy. According to the advertising, it's the hybrid for all. But all means those who can afford to pay $20K for a new car. And for $20K, you don't get any of the luxury features you would expect in a twenty thousand dollar car.

Nissan Borrows $1.4 Billion From the DOE

Nissan closed its $1.4 billion loan with the Dept of Energy, part of the $25 billion made available to car manufacturers to develop advanced vehicles. Nissan is going to use the money to retool the Smyrna, Tennessee factory to build advanced electric automobiles (Nissan Leaf) and build a battery manufacturing facility.

Nissan expects to create 1,300 jobs with the two projects.

"This is an investment in our clean energy future. It will bring the United States closer to reducing our dependence on foreign oil and help lower carbon pollution," said Secretary Chu in a statement. "We are committed to making strides to revitalize the American auto industry and supporting the development of clean energy vehicles."

Nissan is planning on a production capacity of 150,000 vehicles annually at the Smyrna plant, along with 200,000 battery packs.

This is the third loan closed on by auto manufacturers. Ford closed on a $5.9 billion loan back in September. Tesla closed last week on a $465 million loan to help in part to build the plug-in hybrid sedan, Nina.

Fisker is next in line, with a conditional agreement with the DOE.

GM Putting $246 Million into Baltimore

GM will invest $246 million in a new production facility at the Baltimore Transmission plant. It will be used to manufacture the electric motors used in GM's Two-mode Hybrid system for 2013.

GM expects the investment in the Baltimore plant will create 200 jobs. That will double the number of people employed at the plant.

"By designing and manufacturing electric motors in-house, we can more efficiently use energy from batteries as they evolve, potentially reducing cost and weight," GM Vice Chairman Tom Stephens said.

GM is taking advantage of local and state incentives, plus the Recovery Act funding available from the Dept of Energy. GM expects the incentives to help retain or create 1700 jobs. The grant money from the DOE is about $105 million.

"Electric motors are the engines of the future," Stephens said. "By designing and manufacturing electric motors in-house at Baltimore Transmission, we can more efficiently control the design, materials and production processes. It will also enable us to lower costs and improve performance, quality, reliability, and manufacturability of the electric motors we use in our vehicles."

Although GM is considering building electric motors in house for a range of electric vehicles, Stevens said GM will buy some motors from others.

GM said it would consider building motors in-house for a broader range of electric vehicles.

GM is also investing some of the money elsewhere:

• In Pontiac, Michigan, $2 million for and electromagnetic computational facility and $26 million for development and validation dynamometer facilities;
• In Indianapolis, $10 million for development and validation dynamometer facilities;
• In Torrance, California, $6 million for characterization and development dynamometer facilities.

Hond Plans for Acura TSX Hybrid in 2011

Honda is getting ready to bring an Acura TSX sedan for 2011. After that, two more hybrid Acura models will follow. (Source: Autonews)

But it's hard to know what kind of hybrid the TSX Hybrid will be like. Honda has tried power enhanced hybrids like the Accord hybrid. But that was not exactly a big success. Maybe with an Acura, Honda can rely on luxury buyers.

Toyota has done well with their Lexus hybrids, so Accura could do well with theirs.

Chevy Volt Will Launch in D.C.

The Chevy Volt, the extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV), will be launching in Washington D.C., California and Michigan later this year.

Like the Nissan Altima Hybrid, the locations GM has chosen to roll out the Volt have immediate and obvious reasons. If anything, Michigan may be the most surprising location, even though the Volt will be made there.

With a limited production GM had to decide where to sell the Volt at first. D.C. has obvious political value, while California has obvious 'green' and PR potential.

Read more about it from the press release by GM.

WASHINGTON – Chevrolet announced that greater Washington D.C. will be an initial launch market for the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle with extended range. The nation’s capital and its suburbs join California and Michigan as the initial retail markets where Chevrolet will sell the Volt to consumers.

“The Chevrolet Volt demonstrates our commitment to the electrification of the automobile,” said Tom Stephens, GM vice chairman, Global Product Operations. “So far, we have invested more than $700 million in the U.S. to reinforce our leadership in this new technology.”

Chevrolet also announced a development and demonstration program with D.C.-area utilities Pepco and Dominion to introduce customers to electric vehicles and establish vehicle charging programs.

“Concentrating Volt sales in these three key initial markets allows us to give our first customers a high-quality experience,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet general manager. “In addition to geographical considerations, each market also has progressive local and state government leaders and utility partners who are crucial in bringing electric vehicles to market.”

Chevrolet will deliver more than 100 Volts to several utilities across the U.S. – including Pepco and Dominion, which serve Washington D.C. and its suburbs – as part of an extended demonstration program. The overall program includes 500 charging stations that will be installed for residential, business and public use. They will be used to learn more about the installation process, vehicle charging and to gauge customer feedback.

The program is made possible with a grant of more than $30 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds from the Transportation Electrification Initiative administered by the U.S. Department of Energy. Chevrolet has announced similar partnerships with several utilities in California and Michigan, as well as the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).

The Chevrolet Volt is an electric vehicle with extended-range capability. It is designed to drive up to 40 miles on electricity without using gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions. When the Volt’s lithium-ion battery is depleted, an engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range if there is no access to an electrical outlet to recharge the battery, providing peace of mind by eliminating range anxiety. Volt production begins later this year, and pricing has not been announced.

Testing in real conditions

The Chevrolet Volt has already logged more than a quarter-million test miles on pre-production vehicles, some of which are in service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Accomplishments include:

* Chevrolet is using OnStar technology to refine the development of the current fleet of about 80 pre-production vehicles
* Testing under extreme climates and conditions, including hot-weather testing in Death Valley, cold-weather testing in northern Canada; and mountain testing at Pikes Peak
* The building of more than 300 pre-production battery packs

Technology beyond the battery

Chevrolet is expanding the Volt ownership experience with a smartphone (Droid by Motorola, Apple iPhone and BlackBerry Storm) application by OnStar that gives Volt owners 24/7 connection and control of vehicle function and OnStar features remotely.

Through Volt’s mobile application, drivers can set or check charging, manually set grid-friendly charge modes for off-peak times, pre-condition the interior temperature using electricity and not gasoline, check EV range and more.

Other driver-friendly technologies include touch-sensitive controls on the center stack and screen; a fully digital interface that allows two-way interaction, personalization and access to information; and real-time feedback that provides guidance on how to drive more efficiently.

Chevrolet grows its family of small and compact cars

Chevrolet presents its family of fuel-efficient small cars at the auto show – including the Spark five-door mini car, Aveo RS show car and Cruze compact sedan. Revealed earlier this month in Detroit, the Aveo RS show car features a European-inspired hot hatch design that strongly hints at the upcoming Aveo production car.

Here’s a deeper look at the cars:

Chevrolet Spark : The five-door Chevrolet Spark, the smallest member of Chevrolet’s family of cars, brings style, roominess and versatility to a segment of extremely fuel-efficient small cars. Spark will provide great fuel economy, and its trim size makes it very agile in all kinds of driving conditions while still feeling substantial on the open road. The U.S. production version of the Spark will go on sale in early 2012.

“This small vehicle makes a big statement,” said Margaret Brooks, Chevrolet marketing director for small cars. “With its fresh, youthful approach, we believe Spark will appeal to customers who want excellent fuel economy, functionality and style at an affordable price.”

More details on the U.S. version of the Spark will be announced at a later date.

Chevrolet Aveo RS show car : The Aveo RS show car provides a glimpse of what designers have in mind for the future production car. Its electric Boracay Blue finish, motorcycle-inspired exposed headlamps and taillamps, low roofline, fender flares, large wheels and tires, and dual-cockpit interior hint at the next-generation Aveo.

“The current Aveo is a major player in Chevrolet's global small-car portfolio,” said Campbell. “Our intent with the Aveo RS show car is to demonstrate Chevrolet's vision and design potential for a small car we think customers will love.”

Focusing on Aveo’s target audience of young buyers, Chevrolet gave the show car a sporty appearance inside and out. An aggressive front fascia; clean, uninterrupted body side lines; an integrated rear roof spoiler; wide stance; and large, 19-inch, five-spoke wheels with a gun metal metallic Chevrolet logo and Boracay Blue brake calipers suggest upscale style and dynamic handling.

The Boracay Blue continues inside, with accent stitching in the instrument panel dual cockpit, front and rear door panels, gear shift boot, parking brake and seat bolster.

The Aveo RS show car features the same small-displacement 1.4L Ecotec turbocharged engine that will be available in the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. Delivering 138 horsepower (103 kW), it performs like two powerplants in one, with the fuel economy of a small engine and the performance of a larger one. In the Aveo RS show car, the 1.4L turbo is mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

Chevrolet has previously announced the new Aveo will be built at Orion Assembly in Orion Township, Mich., in 2011, a move that will restore 1,200 jobs to Southeast Michigan. Plant retooling is scheduled to begin later this year.

Chevrolet Cruze : The North American production version of the 2011 Cruze compact sedan makes its first visit to Washington show-goers. Already on sale in Asia and Europe with strong market acceptance, the Cruze has been refined for America, bringing a midsize car presence to the compact sedan segment.

Cruze will deliver many segment-leading features, more interior room and more cargo capacity than the competition, as well as upscale amenities such as Bluetooth, USB and navigation. It offers midsize roominess, safety and amenities with the fuel economy and expected price of a compact car. Cruze features 10 standard air bags and has achieved five-star safety ratings in every market where it is sold.

Cruze is expected to deliver segment-leading fuel economy with a new Ecotec 1.4L I-4 turbo with variable valve timing – including up to 40 mpg on the highway with a high-efficiency model. The all-new Cruze will be built in Lordstown, Ohio beginning in the third quarter.

Toyota Recall for Uncontrolled Acceleration

Toyota announced a huge recall on 2.3 million vehicles to correct sticking accelerator pedals on specific Toyota Division models.

The vehicles being recalled include:

• 2009-2010 RAV4
• 2009-2010 Corolla
• 2009-2010 Matrix
• 2005-2010 Avalon
• 2007-2010 Camry
• 2010 Highlander
• 2007-2010 Tundra
• 2008-2010 Sequoia

Toyota Prius, Tacoma, Sienna, Venza, Solara, Yaris, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser and select Camry models, including all Camry hybrids are NOT affected.

According to Toyota, there is a possibility that certain accelerator pedal mechanisms may, in rare instances, mechanically stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position.

The mechanism may become worn and, in certain conditions, the accelerator pedal may become harder to depress, slower to return or, in the worst case, stuck in a partially depressed position.

ABC News reported last night as part of TONIGHT on “World News with Diane Sawyer” and on “Nightline” that there may be more to the story.  ABC News says a driver in New Jersey was able to make to a local dealership, even as the brakes were smoking and the engine continued to race.

The driver, Kevin Haggerty, was driving a 2007 Toyota Avalon.  He reported that in mid-2009, he had intermittent issues where the engine would rev and pick up speed, and he would have to 'stand on the brake' to slow it down.

But several days after Christmas, while on the highway, Kevin experienced the problem again.  The car accelerated to 90 mph.  He was able to shift the car into neutral, after realizing the brakes were not slowing the car down.  At that point, he drove his car to the dealership, shifting into neutral to slow down, then back into drive to speed up.

After getting a manager to look at the car, the driver says the local dealer replaced the sensors and assembly on Haggerty's accelerator and throttle.

ABC News also reported on the day after Christmas, four people died in Southlake, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, when a 2008 Toyota sped off the road, through a fence and landed upside down in a pond. The car's floor mats were found in the trunk of the car, where owners had been advised to put them as part of the recall.

Update: If you want to know why some cars and not others, or are interested in looking at the parts affected, follow the links.