two-mode hybrid
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Only a handful of U.S. auto shows count as important. Detroit, in January, is one; historically, New York in April has been another. But the up-and-comer is the Los Angeles Auto Show, which now occurs in late November or early December and focuses on green cars of all stripes: hybrids, electric cars, clean diesels, even vehicles powered by ethanol, natural gas, and hydrogen. We'll cover all the green-car events from LA for you, starting tomorrow. The show is open to the public from December 4 to 13. 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show Meanwhile, here's our preview of selected cars and events we'll see...
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Four-Way Two-Mode Hybrid Project Ends, Lab Closes; Now What?The Two-Mode Hybrid project was hailed as a model of technical cooperation when it was announced five years ago. But now the partners are going their separate ways, and the complex hybrid system may end up solely as a General Motors technology. GM said in late 2004 it would partner with Daimler and...
John Voelcker -
More Hybrids On the Way From BMW, Including 1-Series
We've covered BMW's first two hybrid vehicles, just launched for the upcoming year: the 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 "sports activity coupe", the world's most powerful hybrid, and the 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid 7, the world's fastest hybrid sedan. Now a spy photo from the British magazine Autocar shows that...
John Voelcker -
Preview: 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid
While Mercedes-Benz has focused its first green marketing efforts on the undeniably impressive 2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid, it was joined by a second hybrid Benz that went on sale earlier this month after previewing in April at the New York Auto Show. The 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid brings...
John Voelcker -
First Drive: 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6
"Our goal was to fundamentally change the view of hybrids," said Peter Tünnermann, project manager for the 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6. "We wanted to make a 'non-hybrid' hybrid." In other words, a hybrid that didn't drive like a hybrid. And in that goal, BMW has succeeded admirably...
John Voelcker -
Chrysler's Next Hybrid: 2011 Dodge Ram Hybrid Pickup Still On Track
While Chrysler was an original partner in development of the Two-Mode Hybrid system used in pickups and sport utilities by Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, as well as upcoming sport utilities from BMW and Mercedes-Benz, its hybrid history has not been happy. The company made fewer than 1,000 Dodge Durango...
John Voelcker -
We've known for a while that BMW would launch its first hybrid this year, and now we know when: The 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 will reach dealers this December. We'll be driving the hybrid X6 in a couple of weeks, but meanwhile, here's our advance preview of BMW's hybrid-electric sport-activity vehicle, unveiled last month at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Sport utility + fastback = sport activity coupe BMW calls the X6 a "sport activity coupe," seeking to distinguish it from the more traditional and upright X5 SUV. And with a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, this is one fast and heavy...
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Preview: 2012 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid
Our editor Marty Padgett is spending the day with Volkswagen, driving new models, learning about advanced technologies, and quizzing executives. Here's his preview of VW's upcoming Touareg Hybrid sport utility vehicle. Volkswagen will launch a hybrid electric model of its Touareg sport utility...
John Voelcker -
Well, Why NOT a (750-Horsepower) Chevrolet Corvette Hybrid?
The 2010 Chevrolet Corvette goes like stink. Its 430-horsepower, 6.2-liter V8 is the epitome of all-American performance. And that's just the base car. The supercar contender ZR1 model heads straight into the stratosphere. The Vette is an icon, and GM messes with it at its peril. So a throwaway...
John Voelcker -
GM Mild Hybrid System To Return In 2011, On Steroids
As Mark Twain is supposed to have said, "Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated." (Although, sadly, he actually didn't say it.) In this case, the "my" is the General Motors mild-hybrid powertrain, sometimes known as the Belt-Alternator-Starter or BAS system. And it will return for 2011...
John Voelcker
