If this year's Detroit Auto Show taught me any one lesson, it was that every automaker is developing a line-up of electric vehicles, from plug-in hybrids to battery-electric vehicles. Every display boasted at least one new or improved electric vehicle, from the modest and somewhat dull BYD set to the Saturn VUE plug-in to the to the super-sleek and gorgeous Fisker Karma S.
Every automaker is working an an electric vehicle, it seems, with one glaring exception: Mazda. According to an interview with the Detroit News, Jim O'Sullivan, president of Mazda North America, says that Mazda has no plans to develop an electric vehicle, and will instead...
All Cars Electric Tag: NAIAS
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Mazda Decides Not to Join the EV Race
Mazda Decides Not to Join the EV Race January 19th, 2009 By
Jennifer Knightstep, Author, January 19th, 2009
1 Comment
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2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid Ride & Drive Review
2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid Ride & Drive Review January 13th, 2009 By
Jennifer Knightstep, Author, January 13th, 2009
1 Comment
Back in November, we reported on the 2010 Fusion hybrid unveiling at the L.A. Auto Show.
Yesterday, we drove it at the EcoXperience test track at the NAIAS.
I had driven hybrids before, so I wasn't completely shocked by the Fusion's ultra-quiet idling and low-speed driving. After all, we were only allowed to drive about 10 miles an hour, not fast enough or with rapid enough acceleration to force the motor to kick in. But when it did, the transition was seamless, very smooth. And still quiet. Librarian-approved quiet.
The exterior styling isn't remarkable; it's nice enough and stylish enough and sporty enough to satisfy young and old alike.... Back in November, we reported on the 2010 Fusion hybrid unveiling at the L.A. Auto Show. Yesterday, we drove it at the EcoXperience test track at the NAIAS. I had driven hybrids before, so I wasn't completely shocked by the Fusion's ultra-quiet idling and low-speed driving. After all, we were only allowed to drive about 10 miles an hour, not fast enough or with rapid enough acceleration to force the motor to kick in. But when it did, the transition was seamless, very smooth. And still quiet. Librarian-approved quiet. The exterior styling isn't remarkable; it's nice enough and stylish enough and sporty enough to satisfy young and old alike. But inside! Very comfortable, very well-finished. Surprisingly upscale. The instrument panel is visually pleasing, and intuitive. Colorful, well-lit displays and gauges that makes sense. The “Efficiency Leaves” interactive display, which rewards eco-friendly driving with new foliage, appears in the lower right corner of the instrument panel, and looks completely addictive. The 2010 Fusion hybrid goes on sale late this spring. Photos courtesy of Ford Motor Company Read More
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Fisker Karma S Revealed at NAIAS
Fisker Karma S Revealed at NAIAS January 13th, 2009 By
Jennifer Knightstep, Author, January 13th, 2009
1 Comment
In a word: WOW.
There was so much speculation and excitement about this reveal that it was impossible, even twenty minutes from the unveiling, to get a good view of the staging area. Photographers were perched in the KIA exhibit across the aisle, hoping for a better shot.
The Karma S "Sunset" is a two-door four-seat with a hard-top that retracts smoothly into a compartment behind the seats. It's long and sleek and obviously racing-inspired, with 22-inch wheels and a low, aggressive profile. Superlatives fail: it's absolutely gorgeous.
The convertible Karma S concept shares its aluminum "space frame" architecture and Q-DRIVE powertrain with... In a word: WOW. There was so much speculation and excitement about this reveal that it was impossible, even twenty minutes from the unveiling, to get a good view of the staging area. Photographers were perched in the KIA exhibit across the aisle, hoping for a better shot. The Karma S "Sunset" is a two-door four-seat with a hard-top that retracts smoothly into a compartment behind the seats. It's long and sleek and obviously racing-inspired, with 22-inch wheels and a low, aggressive profile. Superlatives fail: it's absolutely gorgeous. The convertible Karma S concept shares its aluminum "space frame" architecture and Q-DRIVE powertrain with the Karma sedan. Designed and engineered by Quantum Technologies for Fisker, the Q-DRIVE provides a range of 50 miles on a single charge, and up to 403 HP from its two electric motors. Worth the starting price of $87,900? Perhaps... My only complaint is that the interior didn't seem to be as show-ready as the exterior, a little rough, as if there had been a rush to complete it before the show. The materials used didn't seem as lush as they could have been, though the interior styling was as precise and striking as the exterior. Photo courtesy of Fisker Read More
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Mitsubishi iMiEV Ride & Drive Review
Mitsubishi iMiEV Ride & Drive Review January 12th, 2009 By
Jennifer Knightstep, Author, January 12th, 2009
12 Comments
When I heard Mitsubishi was offering their right-side drive iMiEV concept for testing at the EcoXperience track at the North American International Auto Show, I immediately headed for the basement at the Cobo Center, signed an injury release form, submitted to a breathalyzer, and got in line. Almost everyone else in line was also waiting for their chance to try the iMiEV, ignoring nearly all of the other, more readily available, zero-emission vehicles.
It was really worth the wait. I don't know exactly what I had been expecting, but it surely wasn't this well-put-together, supremely quiet and peppy thing. Yes, the interior is a little... When I heard Mitsubishi was offering their right-side drive iMiEV concept for testing at the EcoXperience track at the North American International Auto Show, I immediately headed for the basement at the Cobo Center, signed an injury release form, submitted to a breathalyzer, and got in line. Almost everyone else in line was also waiting for their chance to try the iMiEV, ignoring nearly all of the other, more readily available, zero-emission vehicles. It was really worth the wait. I don't know exactly what I had been expecting, but it surely wasn't this well-put-together, supremely quiet and peppy thing. Yes, the interior is a little spartan, but surprisingly spacious. The instrument panel is IKEA-like in its stark representation of anything a driver would want to know. For a car its size, it does have a fair amount of headroom and legroom, front and back, and the seating is comfortable. Our product expert back-seat driver allowed us four times around the track, and though we were not allowed to drive at more than 10 miles an hour, iMiEV handled cornered tightly and handled well, and the little bit of acceleration we were allowed was strong, without hesitation. "Supremely quiet" really doesn't cover exactly how silent the iMiEV is — unless our product expert had told us the vehicle was running, we would not have known. iMiEV is being fleet-tested in Japan now, and while it does seem a little pricey, if the testing goes well, our product expert told us we can expect to see the iMIEV for sale in the U.S. as early as 2010. Read More
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Third Generation Toyota Prius Revealed
Third Generation Toyota Prius Revealed January 12th, 2009 By
Jennifer Knightstep, Author, January 12th, 2009
1 Comment
Today, in a dark ballroom packed with eager journalists and pushy photographers, Bob Carter, Toyota Division Group VP and General Manager, unveiled the third generation Prius. It's immediately recognizable as a Prius, with the same iconic, streamlined shape. Upon closer examination, the edges at the back look much sharper, and the rear spoiler is longer. Other than that, styling changes are minimal, although the subtle changes have reduced Prius's coefficient of drag to 0.25, making it the most aerodynamic mass-produced vehicle in the world.
But perhaps the most significant difference between generations of Prius is the improvement in fuel... Today, in a dark ballroom packed with eager journalists and pushy photographers, Bob Carter, Toyota Division Group VP and General Manager, unveiled the third generation Prius. It's immediately recognizable as a Prius, with the same iconic, streamlined shape. Upon closer examination, the edges at the back look much sharper, and the rear spoiler is longer. Other than that, styling changes are minimal, although the subtle changes have reduced Prius's coefficient of drag to 0.25, making it the most aerodynamic mass-produced vehicle in the world. But perhaps the most significant difference between generations of Prius is the improvement in fuel economy. The third gen Prius will reportedly boast a combined fuel economy of 50 MPG. Sure, that's only 4 MPH more than the 2nd gen Prius, but it boosts Toyota over an important psychological threshold. Under the hood, the 2010 Prius has adopted a brand-new beltless 1.8*litre four-cylinder 98-horsepower gas engine that runs at lower RPMs at highways speeds to help improve fuel economy. The 2010 Prius will go on sale in the United States and Japan in late spring, with a first-year U.S. sales target of 180,000 units. Read More
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Rumor Mill: Ford Focus EV at NAIAS?
Rumor Mill: Ford Focus EV at NAIAS? January 8th, 2009 By
Joe Brezny, Author, January 8th, 2009
1 Comment
Could it be that Ford has kept an EV up their sleeve until the eve of the auto show? Perhaps.
MotorAuthority.com reported earlier this week that "While there are no plans to show-off a new concept vehicle per se," Ford may be preparing to "reveal plans for a new electric sedan that is scheduled to go on sale in 2011 and is likely to be based on the next-generation global Focus sedan."
After our initial fit of back flips and cartwheels at the news, we decided to check in with Alan Hall at Ford for the official company line. "We are aggressively pursuing electrification as part of our product development strategy" Hall said. "We were one of... Could it be that Ford has kept an EV up their sleeve until the eve of the auto show? Perhaps. MotorAuthority.com reported earlier this week that "While there are no plans to show-off a new concept vehicle per se," Ford may be preparing to "reveal plans for a new electric sedan that is scheduled to go on sale in 2011 and is likely to be based on the next-generation global Focus sedan." After our initial fit of back flips and cartwheels at the news, we decided to check in with Alan Hall at Ford for the official company line. "We are aggressively pursuing electrification as part of our product development strategy" Hall said. "We were one of the first to have PHEVs, as well as being the first to have a drivable EREV (the Edge with HySeries Drive), on the road testing." When pressed for specifics in regard to the 2009 NAIAS, Hall said "We will have the 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan Hybrids as well as the 2009 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner Hybrids available to drive at the event." So either the rumor of a Ford EV release is just a rumor, or Ford is trying to keep this one secret until the event. Read More
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