2016
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We'd missed it until now, but pricing for the 2016 Volvo XC90 T8 'Twin Engine' plug-in hybrid SUV was released earlier this month. The base XC90 T8 Momentum trim level carries a sticker price of $69,095, which includes a mandatory $995 delivery fee. The sportier XC90 T8 R-Design starts at $70,995, meaning a heavily optioned version of the Swedish seven-seat plug-in SUV could hit $80,000. DON'T MISS: 2016 Volvo XC90 T8 Plug-In Hybrid 'Twin Engine': First Drive The 2016 XC90, the first of Volvo's all-new range of luxury cars under Chinese owner Geely, is the first redesign of its large SUV...
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How Similar Are Chevy Volt & Malibu Hybrid Powertrains? Very Much; Here's Why
In less than six months, General Motors has unveiled three separate 2016 vehicles that use its hybrid and plug-in hybrid Voltec powertrain. The Chevrolet Volt and Malibu Hybrid, and the Cadillac CT6 Plug-In Hybrid, span three different vehicle segments. One's a compact hatchback, one's a mid-size...
John Voelcker -
New Toyota Film Appropriates Musk 'BS' Comment On Hydrogen For Its Title
Toyota launches a series of videos on renewable hydrogen.
Stephen Edelstein -
Cadillac CT6 Plug-In Hybrid: Big Battery, More Electric Range
As predicted, the plug-in hybrid version of the 2016 Cadillac CT6 large luxury sedan was released today at the Shanghai Motor Show, using an adaptation of GM's second-generation Voltec hybrid system. What wasn't predicted was the startling size of its battery pack: 18.4 kilowatt-hours, identical to...
John Voelcker -
2016 Chevrolet Volt Order Guide: Options, Trim Levels...But No Prices Yet
General Motors releases the 2016 Chevrolet Volt order guide, but no prices.
Stephen Edelstein -
2016 Cadillac ELR: More Performance, More Range, Lower Price
The specifications of the updated 2016 Cadillac ELR range-extended electric car were released this morning, and one big question has been answered. The luxury coupe will not use the revised Voltec powertrain that propels the new second-generation 2016 Chevrolet Volt on sale later this year. But it...
John Voelcker -
The Chevrolet Spark has found its niche as an urban runabout. But since it's been on sale around the world for a long time, it's time for a replacement. And this time, for now at least, one key version is going dark. ALSO SEE: Surprise 2016 Honda Civic Concept At NY Auto Show Previews Production Car The new Spark is slightly longer and lower than the outgoing model--it's a little sleeker as a result. Chevy's put work into making the Spark look a little more upscale, but still fun. Big, friendly headlamps blend into the grille more neatly this time, but the wild colors like Toasted Marshmallow...
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2016 Smart Fortwo Video Preview
If smaller is better, then you can’t really do much better than the Smart ForTwo. The Fortwo is the city car originally designed in partnership with Swatch, back in the 1990s. This year it’s been redesigned with American drivers in mind. That doesn’t mean bigger—just better...
Martin Padgett -
47-MPG Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid: Volt's Sibling Without A Plug May Be First Of Several: MORE UPDATES
It's rare that a carmaker entirely replaces a car after just three model years, but the all-new 2016 Chevrolet Malibu is remarkable in more ways than that. Chevy will offer a full-hybrid model of the new 2016 Malibu that goes head to head with hybrid mid-size sedans from Toyota, Ford, Honda...
John Voelcker -
2016 Smart ForTwo: First Drive Of European Version
The 2016 Smart ForTwo minicar will arrive at U.S. dealers this fall. When it does, it will be playing the redemption card every chance it gets. Smart was created to counter the increasing global trend toward urbanization. One way to make cities more manageable is a microcar that fit the needs of...
Matthew Askari -
2016 Chevy Volt In Pre-Production; Prices To Come Next Month
The 2016 Chevrolet Volt was officially unveiled at January's Detroit Auto Show, so there won't be a lot of focus on the new plug-in hybrid with the 50-mile range at this week's New York Auto Show. Instead, it'll be all about the new 2016 Chevy Malibu mid-size sedan, including the new Malibu Hybrid...
John Voelcker -
Why We're Calling The 2016 Chevy Volt A Plug-In Hybrid
Since the launch of the Chevrolet Volt almost five years ago, a battle has raged over what to call it. Is it a range-extended electric car, as GM strongly preferred, or a plug-in hybrid as others insisted equally forcefully? GM's goal in calling the Volt a "range-extended electric" car was to...
John Voelcker -
It took a bit longer than expected, but Toyota will launch a hybrid-electric version of its popular RAV4 compact crossover utility vehicle at next week's New York Auto Show. The company sent out a teaser photo this morning, showing the rear of a RAV4 with badges saying "Hybrid" and "Limited" on the tailgate. It was accompanied by a press release that said, in its entirety, "The 2016 RAV4 Hybrid. See it April 2, 12:30 p.m. EDT at the New York International Auto Show." DON'T MISS: 2015 Lexus NX 300h Hybrid: First Drive Of Luxury Compact Utility Vehicle (Jul 2014) Toyota has long said that it...
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2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 550e Plug-In Hybrid SUV Arrives This Fall
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE may seem like a new model, but in fact it's the renamed sport-utility vehicle we used to know as the ML-Class. And the company has released details of the full range of 2016 GLE models, including its first-ever plug-in hybrid SUV, to be known as the GLE 550e. It's the...
John Voelcker -
Toyota Mirai Fuel-Cell Car To Get Global Showcase At 2020 Olympics
Toyota is now a top-level Olympic sponsor.
Stephen Edelstein -
Toyota Mirai Should Cost The Same As Diesel Sedan Of Same Size, Toyota Says
A Toyota executive says the company is already looking to cut the fuel-cell Mirai's price.
Stephen Edelstein -
Why Can't Other Plug-In Hybrids Copy Chevy Volt's All-Electric Running?
The distinguishing feature of the Chevrolet Volt has always been that as long as it has charge left in its battery, it runs solely on electricity. The gasoline engine doesn't switch on even under maximum acceleration (except in certain cold-weather situations, to provide heat for the cabin and...
John Voelcker -
Toyota Mirai Fuel-Cell Car's Ad Agency Should Study Engine Technology More Closely
Oh, Toyota ... really? It's not bad enough that your Lexus brand put out two ads that inaccurately slammed plug-in electric and diesel vehicles, respectively. Now your own agency has gone and made a foolish technical error in an ad meant to pave the way for your 2016 Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel-cell...
John Voelcker -
The 2016 Mazda CX-3 will be be diesel only in Japan.
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2016 Mitsubishi i-MiEV Electric Minicar To Start Deliveries This Month: UPDATE
The little Mitsubishi i-MiEV is the smallest four-seat electric car sold in North America, and its sales have been commensurate with its size: low. Since it went on sale more than three years ago, sales have totaled less than 2,000 units--against 72,300 for the larger Nissan Leaf. DON'T MISS: 2014...
John Voelcker -
Low-Volume Assembly Line For Toyota Mirai Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Car
The 2016 Toyota Mirai is built on a small-scale assembly line in Japan.
Stephen Edelstein -
2016 Chevrolet Volt Powertrain: How It Works In Electric, Hybrid Modes
The new 2016 Chevrolet Volt is sleeker, has more electric range, higher gas mileage, a fifth seat, and should be both faster and quieter on the road. But while GM hasn't explicitly said so, it's no longer as much of a range-extended electric car (or "series hybrid"). The new 2016 Volt should be...
John Voelcker -
2016 Volvo XC90 T8 Plug-In Hybrid 'Twin Engine': First Drive
By the end of this year, there will be several luxury SUV models offered in the U.S. with plug-in hybrid powertrains that let them run 12 to 20 miles on electricity alone. We've now driven one of them, the 2016 Volvo XC90 T8 "Twin Engine" model, which will go on sale this fall. And based on our...
John Voelcker -
2016 Ford Fusion Hybrid & Energi Models To Get $900 Price Cut
It's well known that sales of hybrid cars rise and fall in line with gas prices. In recent months, that's led to lower sales for hybrids as gasoline falls to $2 per gallon or less in many parts of the U.S. DON'T MISS: Ford Cuts Gas Mileage On 6 Models: What You Need To Know, And Open Questions To...
John Voelcker