Detroit Premiere: Revenge Designs Verde Supercar Teased Ahead

This year a multiple powertrain option will be announced, although the optional HP2ge hybrid engine will not be displayed due to time constraints. It is said to return 110mpg through its V8/ electric motor combination. The system makes 678Nm (500 lb-ft) of torque. Power is a respectable 294kW (400hp). But the Revenge Verde super car itself, which has apparently garnered so much interest, is set for a public display regardless.


Revenge, the manufacturer-turned-tuner based in Indiana, Ohio, is poised for its second appearance at the North American International Auto Show. Last year the company showcased the Revenge GTMR at the same event.

According to the company website the Verde will launch at a price of US$180,000 which is quite less than the Gallardo's US$250,000. Sales are scheduled to begin in July.


"That Gallardo's clutch will run US$16,800 to repair," says Peter Collorafi, President and CEO. "Ours will be done with domestic vendors and labour and run US$3,200. That's a niche we want to fill."
Tom Dupont from the Dupont Registry will speak regarding the kind of international interest the super car has had when the Detroit curtains drop.
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BENTLEY CONTINENTAL SUPERSPORTS ADDS RECYCLABILITY TO ITS GREEN CREDENTIALS

The new Continental Supersports, the first Bentley to use FlexFuel technology which enables it to run on E85 biofuel, gasoline or any combination of these two fuels, has further underlined its green credentials by meeting the 85% recyclability standard (95% for recoverability) demanded of all the Bentley Continental range.
In May 2009 Bentley received the official recycling pre-certification (in accordance with the EU Directive 2005/64/EG) from the German Motor Transport Authority (KBA) - thereby becoming one of the first luxury car manufacturers to attain this standard.


Type approval then followed from TÜV, the independent testing and certification service supplier, and now, with the addition of the Continental Supersports to this certification, the entire Bentley Continental range meets this exacting standard. The certificate, which is only awarded after detailed independent scrutiny of the car, assures the fact that virtually all the Continental's materials can be reused or reprocessed by other industries.
The Crewe-built Supercar, which is now arriving in Bentley showrooms, is the most extreme production car in the company's 90-year history. Capable of reaching 204 mph (329km/h), it is also the lightest road-going Bentley having shed some 110kg through a broad programme of weight reduction involving the innovative use of new materials such as carbon ceramics and carbon fibre.


The achievement of this certification is testament to the endeavours of the Bentley engineering team as Dr. Arno Homburg, Head of Whole vehicle Development at Bentley Motors said:
"Producing the fastest Bentley was a challenge in itself. However, we were equally determined not to sacrifice any environmental aspect in pursuit of this goal. The result is the paradox that the most extreme Bentley ever, is also the greenest".
The Supersports is the first iteration of the environmental strategy Bentley launched at the Geneva Motor Show in 2008. Powered by gasoline, E85 biofuel or any combination of these two fuels, the Supersports can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 70% on a well-to-wheel basis.


It is one element of a broader Bentley strategy which will see by 2012 the company's average fleet CO2 emissions reduced by 15% and the introduction of a new powertrain that will by itself deliver a 40% reduction in fuel consumption. This programme is also supported at the Bentley factory where the use of gas, electricity and water have all been reduced significantly despite Bentley achieving record levels of production in recent years.


A genuine two-seater, the Supersports takes Bentley into new market sectors. It has received an overwhelmingly positive media reaction and is now attracting keen customer interest. Its Flexfuel capability ensures that is fuelled for the future and, with this latest recyclability certification, customers can be assured that every effort has been taken to consider the environmental impact of all components over the entire life of the car. As Dr Homburg adds:
"It is part of our responsibility as a car maker to contribute to environmental improvements and with Supersports you can see an evolution of this thinking. Even though Bentleys last a very long time - nearly 70% of all cars ever made are still on the road or in collections - we have still sought to ensure any environmental impact is minimised. The wide use of natural materials such as wood and leather and the craftsmanship inherent in their use naturally favours us here."
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Frankfurt Motor Show:: Audi to Unveil R8 ePerformance Electric Vehicle Concept

For a number of years now major automakers' favourite flavour at international motor shows has been the hybrid system. Now a new dawn is upon us and it is the dawn of full electric power. Rumours that have been doing the rounds for a while are suggesting that Audi will be one of those who unveil an electric sports car concept at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. It will take the form of an R8.

Supposedly the car will be called the R8 ePerformance. Power is to come from large powerful batteries and an electric motor to drive the wheels, so it will not be a hybrid but a complete electric-powered car.
more detail. ...

Gilligan's Island tech? Coconut oil-fueled, bamboo taxi

Increasing powertrain efficiency is just one area in which vehicles' environmental impact can be lessened. A significant portion of the total energy used to operate the vehicle over its lifetime comes from sourcing and processing raw materials into individual vehicle components, as well as transporting finished vehicles to their end customers.


With this in mind, new taxis based on renewable materials are being built and used on Gilligan's Island in the Filipino town of Tabontabon. The bodywork is made entirely from bamboo -- a grass which, in addition to being strong and lightweight, grows back after it's harvested. Don't expect to see this on the list of IIHS Top Safety Picks anytime soon, but as a low-speed vehicle for use in rural areas, it's an interesting alternative.


Even the fuel is renewable, as the engines in these vehicles are powered by coconut oil-based biodiesel. Plus, if you're lucky, maybe you'll be able to split a fare with Ginger or Mary Ann on the way to the Professor's hut.


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2010 Tesla Roadster gets upgrades

While owners of the current Tesla Roadster get the benefit of driving their bad ass electric vehicle today, people who are on the list for a 2010 model will get a few benefits that make 2009 owners jealous. Tesla Motors Club member DrComputer wrote about "a conversation with Ted at corporate" that revealed some improvements to the new cars. A tipster sent in a similar list of upgrades.


The upgrades include:

* New power electronics module
* Better cooling for the power electronics
* Improved AC with variable speed fans
* Built in WiFi cards that connect the Roadster to the Internet (unless you turn the feature off) and gives Tesla the ability to interact with the car remotely. Also, this could open the door to mobile phone apps that talk to the car.
* Glove box locks when you lock the car (to leave it out with the top down)


Both sources mention the ability to switch vehicle performance modes – from Range to Standard or Performance (but not back to Range) – with the key instead of needing to change modes via the screen. There has been no official confirmation about these upgrades, but none of them would surprise us if they were true. Thanks to Dan for the tip!


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2010 Toyota Prius ditches Incredible Shrinking Gas Tank for conventional unit

Since its introduction back in 2001, Toyota has equipped the Prius with a synthetic fuel tank bladder that collapsed as gasoline was slowly pumped out of the tank and into the engine.


Due to complaints that the last-gen car wasn't able to take its full 11.9 gallon fuel allotment whenever the temperature was below 70-degrees, the third-generation Prius comes equipped with a more conventional rigid fuel tank made from lightweight resin. In order to retain its coveted low-emissions rating in California, the latest Prius also reportedly features an improved vapor-recovery system that will help reduce hydrocarbon emissions.


Ever notice that you your bladder seems to shrink when its cold outside? Apparently, the Toyota Prius feels your pain, and while we don't have any good solutions to report for your own personal problems, Toyota has found an easy fix for its hybrid. Unlike previous generations of Toyota's fuel saver, the new 2010 model won't have an underperforming bladder when it's cold outside.
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Compact hybrid Range Rover LRX gets green light

According to the report, Land Rover will borrow liberally from corporate partner Jaguar's hardware stable, which is rumored to soon include both hybrid and extended-range EV options. Land Rover's innovative electric drive rear axle is supposedly on the LRX menu, which would work along with the automaker's well-known and highly-effective Terrain Response System to put power to the ground wherever possible.


If there's any truth to these rumors, we shouldn't expect Land Rover to have the hybrid LRX in production until at least two years have passed. In the meantime, the British-built, Indian-owned automaker is set to debut stop/start and regenerative braking on all of its models to improve their environmental performance.


Automakers that hope to continue doing business over the next few years need to be increasingly aware of their fuel consumption, emissions and environmental credibility. In deference to this fact, Auto Express in the U.K. is reporting that Land Rover is moving forward with plans to launch the new LRX compact hybrid 'ute, possibly with a bit of help from the U.K. government.


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Nissan to Releases Global Electric Vehicle on August

Nissan will unveil a prototype of their new global electric vehicle when the company officially opens their new headquarters in Yokohama, Japan on August 2.


Although little is known about the upcoming EV, AutoCar reports it will be a mid-size five door hatchback with unique styling. The car will be propelled by an advanced lithium-ion battery developed by AESC. Nissan says it offers twice the power of a traditional "li-lo" battery, while providing unparalleled performance and reliability.


Nissan will start with a production rate of 50,000 units per year, ramping up the build rate as mass-marketing begins around 2012-13. The EV motor will be produced in Yokohama and the inverter will initially be made at Nissan's Zama plant.


Nissan is also pushing ahead with the next Micra, coyly described as its 'global entry car'. This will launch in spring 2010. Nissan will produce this car both in India (for European markets) and Thailand (for Japan) but China and two other as-yet-unnamed nations will also make the car that's on line to sell one million units a year after manufacturing is fully ramped up.


Look for the production model to be officially unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in October.


Source: autocar via worldcarfans

Fortwo 4 Less: Smart offers first incentives in U.S.

So far this year, Smart USA has sold just 7,451 Fortwos, which is down nearly 16% over the first five months of 2008. May sales, though, were down an alarming 56.6% to 1,169 units. To stem the rushing tide of order cancellations and slow sales, Penske has decided to offer its first-ever incentives on the Fortwo. From now until the end of July, buyers may qualify for 4.2% financing through Daimler Financial Services for the purchase of a new 2009 Smart Fortwo.


Penske Automotive Group, distributors of the Smart Fortwo here in the United States, recorded an impressive 24,622 total sales of the diminutive city car in 2008 and dealers widely reported that they could have sold even more had they been available. With that in mind, the nascent company set what seemed at the time like a realistic sales target for 25,000 units in 2009. That may have been a bit optimistic.


If this incentive has a positive impact on sales, expect it to be extended a bit longer. Further, Penske is considering making it possible for dealerships to order new cars without accepting the refundable $99 reservation from a customer that's currently required, which could have the desirable effect of placing more new vehicles on dealer lots for buyers to choose from.
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Toyota to Release New 2G 'Prius' Grade-'EX'

Tokyo - TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announces that it will release a new
grade of its second-generation "Prius" aimed mainly at fleet customers. The
competitively priced "EX" Prius is to be sold through "Toyota" and "Toyopet"
dealer channels, starting on June 8.

The EX will be available in three colors-Super White II, Silver Metallic and
Black-with a gray interior, and will come with a color-coded front grill. It
will feature the same basic safety and comfort elements of the "G" and "S"
grades that it replaces, such as dual-stage Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
airbags up front and an electric inverter-controlled automatic air-conditioning
system with humidity sensor.

But hubcaps, front fog lights and other equipment have been made dealer options,
rather than standard, to better suit fleet users' needs.

The total monthly sales target is 2,000 units.

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (Prices in Hokkaido and Okinawa differ)

Grade Hybrid System Powertrain Price* (including

consumption tax)

EX THS II (Toyota Hybrid System II) Front-engine,

front-wheel drive 1,890,000 yen

*Excludes recycling fees

Source: Toyota viaautoblog

Rendered Speculation: Chevrolet Volt-based Saab Fashionista

At this point, it's not a certainty that Saab or even parent company General Motors will still be in the car business in the year 2012, but let's not let that tidbit get in the way of an interesting concept car. Authored by Mayeul Walser, a fourth year design student at Creapole-ESDI, the Saab Fashionista is a 2+2 sport coupe that is reportedly inspired by the designs of Karl Lagerfeld and Chanel.
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Mercedes F-CELL Roadster on the historic route of Bertha Benz

Feminists, especially those who responded angrily to our posting of the Worst Female Drivers video, should take comfort in the fact that Bertha Benz, wife of automobile inventor Karl Benz, was the first to take a car on the road for a long distance. With her two kids in tow, Bertha Benz became the first soccer mom in history. Wanting to prove to Karl that his invention was worthwhile, she drove over a hundred kilometers in the Benz Motorwagen back in 1888, leaving Mannheim, Germany, early in the morning, and reaching her mother's house in Pforzheim that evening.


The car's pilot steered with a drive-by-wire system controlled by a joystick. An "emission-free" fuel cell is installed at the back. Also running on conventional electric, the hybrid generates only 1.2 kW of power, capable of pushing the car to a 25 km/h top speed. The alleged operating range is 350 km, but after this excursion we're calling, "Shenanigans!"


No doubt, Karl stayed behind because he was frustrated that his wife drive's so slow.

All kidding aside, Bertha was one tough chick. It is said that on that noteworthy drive, Bertha had to clean a fuel pipe with her hair pin, rip up her garter to insulate a wire, and find available petrol wherever possible.



Turns out, Mercedes-Benz took the car on a route that was not even half as long as the route undertaken by Bertha Benz. They setup a "finish line," if you can call it that, outside an old chemist's shop in Wiesloch, where Bertha had refueled, not where she had ended her trip. Color us disappointed. We stopped to wonder why Mercedes would try to trick us, by saying that the F-Cell Roadster was "Retracing the first long-distance journey in automobile history," when they barely covered fifty km - if that.


"But just as Bertha Benz refused to be discouraged by inconveniences in her day," said Daimler exec Dr. Thomas Weber, "we are just as determined to help ensure that these technologies achieve their breakthrough." Hopefully, this determination will carry through to the next PR stunt undertaken by the F-Cell team.


So, when we got the press release saying that Mercedes-Benz drove their F-Cell Roadster along that very same route, we thought, "Cool. Way to make a point about the future sustainability hydrogen and electric vehicles." Then, we actually read the release.
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