Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[AutoblogGreen for 07.04.08]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/04/autobloggreen-for-07-04-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/04/autobloggreen-for-07-04-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/04/autobloggreen-for-07-04-08/#commentsFiled under: ,



What's the best way to pay for gas these days? Trading gas for sex? Opting for Chrysler's "Let's Refuel America" plan? Wait for GM to bring the Chevy Beat to the U.S.? Or perhaps just steal it. Yes, these are all options that made the pages of AutoblogGreen yesterday - some a little more sensible than others, of course.

 

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]]>2008-07-04T06:12:00+00:00<![CDATA[Volvo planning more small models, more diesels]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/03/volvo-planning-more-small-models-more-diesels/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/03/volvo-planning-more-small-models-more-diesels/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/03/volvo-planning-more-small-models-more-diesels/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


click above image for high-res gallery of the Volvo C30 Efficiency

In the wake of rapidly diminishing sales of large and not-particularly fuel efficient cars, Volvo is doing what only seems rational: introducing smaller vehicles with more fuel efficient engines. The company reportedly has plans to introduce three new diesel powered vehicles by the fall. We are unclear on where Volvo intends to target with its little green men cars besides emerging markets such as China and Russia, but we'd love to see some more stylish and fuel efficient options in the U.S. It's too early to speculate on what vehicles Volvo is referring to, but that's never stopped us before. The C30 is currently the Swedish automakers smallest vehicle and at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show, Volvo showed off its C30 Efficiency concept. We'd say that the timing certainly appears right for a production version of just such a machine. After all, who wouldn't appreciate the 52.26 miles per gallon from its 105 horsepower 1.6L turbodiesel engine?

Gallery: Volvo C30 Efficiency


[Source: Just-Auto - sub. required]

 

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]]>diesel c30diesel volvoDieselC30DieselVolvosmall volvoSmallVolvovolvovolvo c30volvo c30 efficiencyvolvo c30 hatchbackvolvo c30 wagonvolvo dieselVolvoC30VolvoC30EfficiencyVolvoC30HatchbackVolvoC30WagonVolvoDiesel2008-07-03T14:32:00+00:00<![CDATA[AutoblogGreen for 07.03.08]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/03/autobloggreen-for-07-03-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/03/autobloggreen-for-07-03-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/03/autobloggreen-for-07-03-08/#commentsFiled under: ,


click image to visit AutoblogGreen

Day One of the new AutoblogGreen was a big success. If you've been staying away from ABG because you can't find the functionality of Autoblog over there, we've addressed your concerns. We're still AB's little eco-conscious brother, we're just growing up a bit.

Oh, and you should probably check out this picture of a Chinese S.W.A.T. team. Quite funny.

 

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]]>2008-07-03T05:52:00+00:00<![CDATA[Mercedes runs out of gas by 2015]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/02/mercedes-runs-out-of-gas-by-2015/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/02/mercedes-runs-out-of-gas-by-2015/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/02/mercedes-runs-out-of-gas-by-2015/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Mercedes -- like a lot of other folks -- believes oil is going to run out eventually. But instead of waiting until the "Low on Oil" light comes on, the brand behind the three-pointed-star has set a goal to convert its entire fleet to run on alternative fuels by 2015. That's seven years to get off the drink we've all been addicted to for well over a century.

In the pipeline first are fuel-efficient technologies such as Stop/Start on the marque's next A- and B-Class models sold in Europe. Then come the BlueEfficiency vehicles with Mercedes' supremely parsimonious diesel engines, and eventually the Diesotto first shown in the F700.

And then come the real showstoppers: ethanol, electric, and fuel cell vehicles. There are electric smarts running trials in London right now, and the F600 Hygenius is expected to eventually spawn some sort of production variant. On the face of it, seven years to go diesel- and gas-optional for an entire fleet is somewhat hard to fathom -- but the prediction is coming from a company not previously known for wild daring. Even if they just get close to success, in only seven years, they might prove a nearby rival wrong about what's doable under the new CAFE laws.

[Source: The Sun via AutoblogGreen]

 

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]]>biofuelbiofuelsblueefficiencyblueefficiencym-benzblueefficiencym-benz...bluetecbluetec-hybriddiesottoelectric carelectric carsElectricCarElectricCarsf700mercedes2008-07-02T17:19:00+00:00<![CDATA[AutoblogGreen for 07.02.08]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/02/autobloggreen-for-07-02-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/02/autobloggreen-for-07-02-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/02/autobloggreen-for-07-02-08/#commentsFiled under: ,



Who wants to go 250+ mpg? Volkswagen thinks you might, and so is still working on a one-liter car, maybe for launch in 2010. Cockpit-style seating, anyone?

Meanwhile, Hawaii will spend $50,000 on electric vehicle research. As we've said for a long time, the islands are an ideal laboratory for EVs. Less perfect are the NEV laws around the country, as one person in Colorado found out. Oh, and don't miss the new Mustang hybrid. Seriously.

 

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]]>2008-07-02T05:53:00+00:00<![CDATA[Prince Charles' Aston runs on a gallon of sack... wine, that is]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/01/prince-charles-aston-runs-on-a-gallon-of-sack-wine-that-is/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/01/prince-charles-aston-runs-on-a-gallon-of-sack-wine-that-is/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/01/prince-charles-aston-runs-on-a-gallon-of-sack-wine-that-is/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,



Prince Charles is not new to the environmental debate. His blue, 38-year-old Aston Martin, however, has had nothing to do with being environmentally friendly. Until now. The car, a gift from the Queen on Charles' 21st birthday, has joined the growing fleet of cars that run on bioethanol, having been converted to run on surplus British wine.

The wine comes from an English vineyard in Wiltshire, and the EU limits how much wine a vineyard can produce, so the vineyard sells the overage to Green Fuels, which turns it into biofuels and supplies it to the Palace.

The Aston can go ten miles on a gallon of gas, which would equate to 45 bottles of wine to go the same distance. The wine, though, puts out 85-percent less CO2 and costs £1.10 per liter, which is slightly less than the cost of gas. However, Charles only goes 300 miles in the car every year, and it's not like he's worried about gas prices, so the car won't make a difference by itself -- but he's got his royal heart in the right place.

[Source: Daily Mail]

 

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]]>alcoholalternative fuelsAlternativeFuelsaston martinAstonMartinbioethanolbiofuelbiofuelsgreen fuelsGreenFuelsprince charlesPrinceCharlesroyalroyaltywine2008-07-01T19:02:00+00:00<![CDATA[VW 1-liter eco-friendly car set to make a return]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/01/vw-1-liter-eco-friendly-car-set-to-make-a-return/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/01/vw-1-liter-eco-friendly-car-set-to-make-a-return/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/01/vw-1-liter-eco-friendly-car-set-to-make-a-return/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for more shots of the VW One-Liter concept car

A few years back, Volkswagen introduced a concept vehicle which derived its name from its stated goal of using just one liter of fuel per one-hundred kilometers traveled, and according to CAR production version may be on the way in 2010. The original concept actually beat its lofty goal rather handily as it managed to achieve a miserly 282 miles per gallon in testing. Much of its amazing fuel-saving capability stemmed from its 660 pounds (300 kilograms) curb weight. The concept also featured a single cylinder engine and a 1+1 seating arrangement down the center of the car. While the engine is likely to be replaced by a twin-cylinder turbodiesel with hybrid drive, the carbon fiber construction and canopy-style roof are likely headed for production.

As you'd expect, such technology and carbon-heavy construction isn't going to come cheap. To offset part of the cost, the automaker is surely looking for some government assistance for purchasers of the limited edition machine, though it could still be sold at a loss. Safety features like airbags, anti-lock brakes and stability control aren't lacking, but convenience items like air conditioning may be optional. In that case, we'd recommend being really comfortable with your passengers in the rather close-knit quarters.

Gallery: VW One-Liter Car


[Source: CAR]

 

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]]>one liter 100 kmone liter carone-liter carOne-literCarOneLiter100KmOneLiterCarvolkswagen hybridvolkswagen one literVolkswagenHybridVolkswagenOneLitervw conceptvw hybridvw one literVwConceptVwHybridVwOneLiter2008-07-01T14:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[AutoblogGreen for 07.01.08]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/01/autobloggreen-for-07-01-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/01/autobloggreen-for-07-01-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/01/autobloggreen-for-07-01-08/#commentsFiled under: ,



The Model S. Will it change the world the way the Model T did? Probably not, but Tesla's upcoming all-electric sedan should be a game-changer if it makes it to production in late 2010 as claimed yesterday. Late 2010 will be halfway through the next president's term, and Republican nominee John McCain said he's in favor of national CO2 limits. So there's that. Meanwhile, it sure is nice to see Jeremy Clarkson is still having fun.

 

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]]>2008-07-01T06:01:00+00:00<![CDATA[Tesla confirms Model S sedan, 225-mile range and $60k]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/30/telsa-confirms-model-s-sedan-225-mile-range-and-60k/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/30/telsa-confirms-model-s-sedan-225-mile-range-and-60k/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/30/telsa-confirms-model-s-sedan-225-mile-range-and-60k/#commentsFiled under: , ,



California Governator and (soon-to-be) Tesla Roadster owner, Arnold Schwarzenegger, addressed the seething throngs of media types at Tesla's San Carlos, California facility. The topics of conversation centered on new incentives for Tesla to continue its production of vehicles in the Golden State, specifically the start-up's second vehicle, codenamed the Model S, which according to Tesla, get 225 miles on a single charge and cost $60,000. Tesla did not officially announce when the new model would go on sale, nor would it say where in California the "multi-use sport sedan" would be produced.

The incentive for Tesla to remain in California, rather than move production of the sedan to New Mexico (discussed last year), is part of the CAEATFA program that was approved last Wednesday. The initiative exempts automakers from paying sales and use tax when they purchase manufacturing equipment to build electric vehicles. That's expected to save automakers - and Tesla specifically - millions of dollars when the company invests in building a new plant in California. A Schwarzenegger press conference wouldn't be complete without a lame quote from his erstwhile movie career, and the Governor didn't let us down, saying that he was disappointed by the initial announcement that Tesla was considering a manufacturing center in New Mexico, but that "They'll be back." And they are.

 

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]]>arnold schwarzeneggerArnoldSchwarzeneggerbreakingmodel sModelStelsatesla model sTeslaModelS2008-06-30T15:28:00+00:00<![CDATA[AutoblogGreen for 06.30.08]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/30/autobloggreen-for-06-30-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/30/autobloggreen-for-06-30-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/30/autobloggreen-for-06-30-08/#commentsFiled under: ,



Now that there are a few more drivers of hydrogen cars in the LA area, Shell has opened a new hydrogen station there. This is another step on the long, long road to the hydrogen economy so many people seem intent on setting up. That's straightforward enough, but John McElroy's call to bring back the EV1? It's not that simple. Other complicating factors in the green car world include higher shipping costs thanks to high fuel prices and people trying to blend their own ethanol. Oh, and donkeys.


More headlines after the jump.

Continue reading AutoblogGreen for 06.30.08

 

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]]>2008-06-30T06:06:00+00:00<![CDATA[Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/27/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/27/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/27/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

HEY GM, BRING BACK THE EV1

A decade ago General Motors put one of the coolest cars of all time on the road, the EV1. While there were a number of hard-core EV enthusiasts who became passionately committed to the car, it never caught on with the masses. But that was then and this is now. GM should seriously consider putting the EV1 back into production.

John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit". Every week he brings his unique insights as an auto industry insider to Autoblog readers. Follow the jump to continue reading this week's editorial.

Continue reading Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy

 

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]]>autolineautoline detroitautoline on autoblogautoline-detroitautolinedetroitAutolineOnAutoblogev1gm ev1GmEv1john mcelroyJohnMcelroy2008-06-27T14:29:00+00:00<![CDATA[Craigslist Find of the Day: 11 gallons of diesel fuel]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/27/craigslist-find-of-the-day-11-gallons-of-diesel-fuel/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/27/craigslist-find-of-the-day-11-gallons-of-diesel-fuel/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/27/craigslist-find-of-the-day-11-gallons-of-diesel-fuel/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Fuel is a pretty darn precious commodity these days, wouldn't you say? We're all concerned with getting the most out of every single drop of the stuff, but we still think its an interesting bit of commentary on the current state of fuel prices that somebody's looking to offload some leftover diesel that he's not going to be using any longer. It seems that our man not only fills up his fuel-guzzling '83 Suburban with good ol' No. 2, but he also fills up some extra containers in the back while he's at it. After his 'Burb's tranny took a dump, he had no need for the extra juice, so on to Craigslist it went. If anybody out there is looking to save some scratch on about eleven gallons of diesel, and you live in the SF Bay area, click here. Thanks for the tip, Soo!

[Source: Craigslist]

 

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]]>dieseldiesel for salediesel fuelDieselForSaleDieselFuelleftover dieselLeftoverDiesel2008-06-27T08:01:00+00:00<![CDATA[AutoblogGreen for 06.27.08]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/27/autobloggreen-for-06-27-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/27/autobloggreen-for-06-27-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/27/autobloggreen-for-06-27-08/#commentsFiled under: ,


click to visit AutoblogGreen

What's the strangest thing you've ever sold or found on Craigslist? How about eleven gallons of diesel fuel? Yes, eleven gallons of diesel fuel. The new fuel economy is cool, no? Speaking of cool, how 'bout that Golf Twin Drive and VW's plans for an electric car by 2010? It's more than cool. It's more than sweet. It's swool. Or many coeet.

 

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]]>2008-06-27T05:56:00+00:00<![CDATA[Wagoner to Obama: Automakers need research money from feds]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/26/wagoner-to-obama-automakers-need-research-money-from-feds/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/26/wagoner-to-obama-automakers-need-research-money-from-feds/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/26/wagoner-to-obama-automakers-need-research-money-from-feds/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

After being asked what the next President of the United States could do to help Detroit's automakers, Rick Wagoner, head honcho at General Motors, responded that his company could use an injection of cash for research and development into new, potentially green technology. Also mentioned were additional incentives for consumers to purchase those vehicles once the automakers actually produce them. Neither of these suggestions should be shocking to anybody paying attention to the Detroit 3's recent financial woes. Much of the admittedly meager R&D budget is already being spent on new technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells and electric drive systems, including the extremely important lithium ion battery.

Federal aid in the form consumer incentives would allow automakers to offer eco-friendly vehicles at potentially profitable prices while still being in the target range of many consumers. In the past, tax credits for hybrid vehicles have helped move that technology along when it was in its infancy. This latest meeting hosted by presidential hopeful Barrack Obama once again indicates how important the emerging green-auto sector and health of the Detroit auto industry in general will be in the coming election.

[Source: The Detroit News]

 

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]]>barrack obamaBarrackObamaelectric carelectric carsElectricCarElectricCarsgmhybridhydrogenhydrogen carhydrogen carsHydrogenCarHydrogenCarsobamarick wagonerRickWagoner2008-06-26T15:32:00+00:00<![CDATA[Dyson NOT developing solar-powered electric car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/26/dyson-not-developing-solar-powered-electric-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/26/dyson-not-developing-solar-powered-electric-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/26/dyson-not-developing-solar-powered-electric-car/#commentsFiled under: ,

Maybe Dyson doesn't suck as much as we thought. James Dyson, the inventor of new age, overpriced vacuum cleaners, had recently been reported by The Independent as interested in working on developing his own green auto, specifically a solar-powered electric vehicle. The story (as reported by AB Green and others) was that Dyson engineers were working on an electric motor derived from the one used in their own vacuum cleaners. Dyson was said to be looking for partners to build the car, with the company itself developing the powerplant. Apparently there's a sucker born every minute, as Dyson is now stating that he never told anyone they were developing a car, just that the new digital motor in their latest vacuum cleaner could power a car. If you read the article, it's blatantly apparent that the interviewer got caught reaching too far with Dyson's quotes. Semantics aside, we still like the idea of a modern sucker car like the Chaparral 2J sucker car. If Dyson vacuum motors replaces the snowmobile engines used on the original, so much the better.

[Source: Autocar]

 

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]]>chaparral 2j sucker carChaparral2jSuckerCardyson green cardyson hybriddyson vacummDysonGreenCarDysonHybriddysonvacummjames dysonJamesDysonsolar carsolarcar2008-06-26T12:03:00+00:00<![CDATA[VW to fleet test Twin Drive Golf plug-in hybrid concept in 2010]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/26/vw-to-fleet-test-twin-drive-golf-plug-in-hybrid-concept-in-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/26/vw-to-fleet-test-twin-drive-golf-plug-in-hybrid-concept-in-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/26/vw-to-fleet-test-twin-drive-golf-plug-in-hybrid-concept-in-2010/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the VW Twin Drive Golf

Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn has revealed a new concept today called the Golf Twin Drive. The Twin Drive is a plug-in electric hybrid that uses a powerful 82-hp electric motor and a 2.0L turbodiesel producing 122 hp. The electric motor is fed energy from a pack of lithium-ion batteries that can sustain the car's mobility for about 50 kilometers or 31 miles, after which the diesel engine will take over propulsion duties. While we do know the Twin Drive also features start-stop technology and regenerative brakes, we're still a bit unclear on how everything works. From the way it's been described in the news and VW's somewhat vague press release that we've translated from German, the gas and electric motors are completely isolated, with one unable to provide the other assistance under heavy loads like in the Prius or a typical parallel hybrid. At the same time, the Twin Drive Golf doesn't sound like a series hybrid in the same vein as the Chevy Volt, as the gas engine (or diesel in this case) is directly connected to the drive wheels. In other words, the engine onboard is not simply a range-extending generator supplying power to recharge the batteries like in the Volt. What the Twin Drive appears to be is a plug-in hybrid with a very robust electric drivetrain that's forced to drag around an internal combustion engine in case it gets too far away from home. Regardless, when we find out exactly how Twin Drive works, we'll let you know.

Volkswagen is developing the Twin Drive system with eight German partners and is planning a trial fleet of 20 Golfs outfitted with the system in 2010. The German government is along for the ride, and for a good bit of green PR, VW promises the the electricity used to charge the fleet of test vehicles will be generated from renewable sources like wind and solar power.

Gallery: Volkswagen Twin Drive Golf


[Source: Volkswagen]

 

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]]>plug-in hybridPlug-inHybridtwin driveTwinDrivevw golf hybridvw golf twin drivevw plug-in hybridvw twin driveVwGolfHybridVwGolfTwinDriveVwPlug-inHybridVwTwinDrive2008-06-26T11:31:00+00:00<![CDATA[AutoblogGreen for 06.26.08]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/26/autobloggreen-for-06-26-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/26/autobloggreen-for-06-26-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/26/autobloggreen-for-06-26-08/#commentsFiled under: ,


click to visit AutoblogGreen

Oh yeah, AutoblogGreen sits down for a drive or two in the 2009 Mercedes-Benz BLUETEC SUVs and likes what they feel. Obama, though doesn't like McCain's battery prize idea, which isn't really a surprise. Maybe this will be a bit more shocking: a lot of Americans are getting ready for $5/gallon gas by Labor Day. You?

 

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]]>2008-06-26T06:06:00+00:00<![CDATA[In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid [w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/25/in-the-autoblog-garage-2009-mercury-mariner-hybrid-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/25/in-the-autoblog-garage-2009-mercury-mariner-hybrid-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/25/in-the-autoblog-garage-2009-mercury-mariner-hybrid-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Click the image above for more high res pics of the 2009 Mariner Hybrid

Ford took pride in being the first automaker on the planet to offer a hybrid utility vehicle when it introduced the first battery-assisted Ford Escape in mid-2004. The Escape hybrid has had mixed success over the past few years, but with gas prices hitting $4 per gallon, the Blue Oval is selling every unit it can produce. For the 2008 model year, one in eight Escape sales are hybrids, which is impressive when you consider that it averages $30,000 per vehicle. In 2006, the Escape was joined by the lower volume Mariner Hybrid, giving Ford two entries in the hybrid soft-roader market, and a green model to sell at Lincoln-Mercury dealerships.

The Escape got a thorough makeover on the outside for 2008, but most of the mechanicals remain a carryover from the previous generation. For 2009, Ford finished the job on the Escape and its sheet metal sibling from Mercury and the hybrid models followed suit. The changes include a new engine that provides more power and improved efficiency, some cosmetic tweaks, and several technological upgrades. Ford is betting that the changes will improve their footing in the green scene, so we took a loaded Mercury Mariner hybrid into the Autoblog Garage to see if the fuel-sipping CUV could win us over.

Gallery: 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid

All photos Copyright (C)2008 Chris Shunk / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid [w/VIDEO]

 

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]]>2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid2009MercuryMarinerHybridAutoblog garageAutoblogGarageford motor companyFordMotorCompanygreen techGreenTechhybrid2008-06-25T19:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[AutoblogGreen for 06.25.08]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/25/autobloggreen-for-06-25-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/25/autobloggreen-for-06-25-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/25/autobloggreen-for-06-25-08/#commentsFiled under: ,


click image to visit AutoblogGreen

AutoblogGreen's in-depth discussion with Tesla Motors Chairman Elon Musk continues, this time with a focus on the Roadster's transmission woes. Seriously, if you're interested in how the EV world's darling has arrived in the place where it is today, this is the series for you (if you missed it, start with part 1, here). We also get a response from the Democrats on John McCain's $300m battery prize while the ethanol industry attacks Big Oil and OPEC. I mean, why not?

 

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]]>2008-06-25T06:05:00+00:00<![CDATA[Obama critizes McCain's $300m battery prize]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/24/obama-critizes-mccains-300m-battery-prize/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/24/obama-critizes-mccains-300m-battery-prize/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/24/obama-critizes-mccains-300m-battery-prize/#commentsFiled under: , ,

As expected, presidential hopeful John McCain outlined a plan yesterday which would offer a $300 million cash prize to the first company able to build a better automotive battery. The proposal is part of an effort to reduce the nation's petroleum usage, in this case, by furthering the development of electric cars. In what would must be the least shocking news of the day, McCain's rival for the White House, Barack Obama, isn't in favor of the Arizona Senator's plan, calling it a "gimmick" and suggesting that his plan to force automakers into a 50 mile per gallon fleet average by 2027 would be more effective.

One thing is certain: whomever wins the presidential election has plans to make drastic changes to the automotive sector with the express goal of reducing the nation's dependence on oil. What path that may take, though, remains to be seen and will likely depend on which candidate placed in office. It should be rather interesting to watch it all unfold.

[Source: The Detroit News]

 

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]]>barrack obamaBarrackObamaelectionelection 2008Election2008electric carelectric carsElectricCarElectricCarsjohn mccainJohnMccain2008-06-24T19:32:00+00:00