bmw
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Toyota is planning to unveil three new hybrid concepts at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show including an intriguing 5-door hatch for their upscale Lexus brand. The LF-Ch (pictured above) is aimed squarely at the premium compact segment whose other notable players include the BMW 1-series and the Audi A3. What sets the LF-Ch apart from its German competitors is Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive. Aside from that, precious few details have been released, but more information is expected in the days leading up to the Frankfurt show. The Toyota Auris Hybrid will also be on display as it prepares for...
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Rumormill: BMW and Toyota To Swap Mini, iQ Platforms?
While it may not evoke as much car lust as this past weekend's unveiling of the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept, BMW is rumored to be in negotiations with Toyota to borrow their iQ mini-car platform. In return, Toyota is reportedly interested in BMW's Mini division. Japan's largest automaker...
Robert Scardino -
VIDEO: BMW Unwraps The Vision EfficientDynamics Concept, Turbodiesel Plug-in Hybrid
In recent weeks, BMW has set the blogosphere alight with a trickle of information regarding a concept that would be on display for the upcoming Frankfurt auto show. If you guessed that the new vehicle would be a turbo-diesel plug-in hybrid sports car, you were right. The so-called Vision...
Robert Scardino -
Teaser: BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept
Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! That's when we'll finally hear more about the BMW concept dubbed Vision EfficientDynamics. Until then, all we've got is these teaser images and the short, equally coy YouTube video below. The blogosphere is brimming with speculation as to what BMW is hiding, but we...
Robert Scardino -
Germany Aims For A Million EVs By 2020
Electric vehicles may be a common sight on the autobahns in the next decade. German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, is intent on putting more EVs on the roads and her Cabinet is finishing a plan to do just that. The program would offer financial incentives beginning in 2012 to aid in the production and...
Robert Scardino -
BMW Adds More Cash To Convince You To Buy Their Diesels
Despite IRS tax credits and superior gas mileage figures, BMW is reportedly having a tough time selling its new diesels, the 2009 BMW 335d sports sedan and the 2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d (yes, that's really its name). We've thought from the beginning that Volkswagen would be the big winner in selling...
John Voelcker -
If there was an award for the "Most Badass Hybrid Debut In 2010," the new BMW X6 ActiveHybrid would win. BMW won't call it a sport utility vehicle, and for good reason. There's not much utility left in it. Oh, but there's plenty of sport. The so-called "sports activity coupe," was spotted near the Bavarian automaker's Spartanburg, South Carolina plant last Friday morning, wearing very light camouflage. The X6 Hybrid will use two-mode technology similar to what's currently available in the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon Hybrids. The system is expected to improve fuel economy 20% over the standard...
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Fisker Stays On Schedule; Plug-In Hybrid Deliveries Start Next May
When you think of startup companies planning to build luxury sedans with advanced electric powertrains, one name springs instantly to mind: Tesla Motors. Among the executive battles, government loans, and launch hoopla around the electric 2012 Tesla Model S sports sedan, the company gets rafts of...
John Voelcker -
The Green, The Bad And The Ugly: Our Least Favorite Green Cars
We like green cars, and we define the term loosely. Sure, the 2010 Toyota Prius is green. But so's the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid pickup truck, because a full-size truck that gets 20 miles per gallon is much easier on the planet when you need a pickup truck. But try as we might, there are a...
John Voelcker -
Fisker Distinguishes His Company From Tesla, Chevy
In the world of electric performance cars, there are two names to know: Fisker and Tesla. The man behind the upcoming $87,900 Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid sports sedan wants you to know the difference. Seasoned auto designer and CEO of Fisker Coachbuild, Henrik Fisker has an enviable résumé for...
Robert Scardino -
First Drive: Mini E Electric Vehicle Is Far From Ready For Primetime
BMW rarely screws up, but the 450 Mini E test cars now going to eager US drivers are markedly worse than prototypes from other makers
John Voelcker -
Spied: Dodge Ram Hybrid
The Hybrid HEMI is on the prowl again. The folks at Leftlane News got some new pictures of what will become Dodge's only hybrid model: the Ram pickup truck. This comes after Chrysler pulled the plug on hybrid versions of the full-size Aspen and Durango SUVs a short time ago. The Hybrid Ram uses...
Robert Scardino -
Maybe only previous diesel owners are eager to buy new clean diesels; if so, then Volkswagen will benefit the most