Today viewers, you are witnessing the birth of a new chapter in small car design, with the introduction of this: the all new 2012 Hyundai Veloster. While most might say it's just a new body on an old platform, that is where you're wrong. It's been fitted with some of Hyundai's newest technology, and styling cues that would boggle the mind! It brings a new type of body style to our world as well, now known as a 3 door coupe, which is wierd since most coupes are 2 door's. However, with the Veloster, it incorporates 2 doors into one side of the vehicle, and only 1 on the driver's side. It's powered by an all new 1.6L GDi (Gas Direct Injection) I-4 with D-CVVT (Dual Continuous Variable Valve Timing) which makes 138 hp and 123 lb/ft of torque. The engine is a bit disapointing since it's pretty much the same as the new Kia Soul. On that same front however, it does now put it in the 40 MPG club, along with the Elantra, Sonata Hybrid, and Accent. So it's really the best of all worlds. You get all the looks of a sports car, with the fuel efficiency of a compact.
Full review: www.carbuyer.co.uk Modern crossover vehicles like the Nissan Qashqai and Volkswagen Tiguan are family cars first and foremost, but still retain some of the looks and off-road capabilities of a 4x4. The Toyota RAV4 is the other way around; it's a 4x4 firstly, but Toyota has adapted it to compete with the popular breed of crossovers. Video Rating: 4 / 5
Ryan ventures to San Diego for a first drive in the new 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. This car is important because it marks Hyundai's first mainstream venture into the hybrid market. How did they do? Watch our exclusive Driver's Seat review and find out.
drivencarreviews.com Unless you've been isolated in a yurt distilling organic fuel for your bio-diesel hybrid, it's been tough to miss the hype of the Chevrolet Volt. The extended range electric vehicle is now available in select markets. Tom Voelk takes a look to see if it's worth getting amped up over.
Article by Lil Waldner
The prices of gasonline or petrol increase daily, wherever you live in the world. The price of a barrel of oil has quadrupled since the beginning of the millennium. It went from about a barrel to almost in these days.
The Reason to Save Fuel
The resources of fossil energy deplete. Oil has served as the backbone of the modern society. Gas and coal also have plaid an important role, but oil has prevailed. The book "The Final Energy Crisis" forecasts a dramatic development during the next years. They expect that the peak of the oil production will be achieved around the end of this decade and that the production will fall, although the demand will increase further. This means higher energy prices. Another source says that the oil reserves will be exhausted in about 43 years and the reserves of natural gas in about 64 years.
No Easy Going Alternatives at Hand
There is a lot of research going on worldwide in the field of solar power and hydrogen power. They will have to substitute oil, gas, coal and uranium in an intermediate term. Photovoltaic, wind power and power from biomass progress quickly. The process of transformation lasts decades. New solutions need time to step fully into the foot prints of oil.
The Urgent Task to Save Fuel
There is an urgent task to save fuel in order to prolong the use of the remaining fossil energies. Saving fuel is inevitable because the cost for fuel will increase further. There might be days of lower prices, but the general tendency is clear: up, up and up again.
Solutions are demanded in order to make the consumption of fuel affordable. Modern and already proven standards of housing construction show that 60% to 80% of the fuel can be saved.
Solutions for Money Saving Consumption Needed
Saving fuel in the field of traffic and transportation still sticks in the beginning. If the wheels have to turn further, fuel saving becomes highest priority. There are cars coming up with low fuel consumption or even bio-ethanol. Millions of used vehicles still are useful and they are driven for many more years. It makes sense, if there is a solution for used and new cars, trucks, motor-bikes etc. To save fuel also means to save money. Fuel Freedom International propagates such a convenient looking solution. This could be one solution among others, e.g. eco-efficient driving. Everything that helps saving fuel should be tested.
About the Author
Lil Waldner is a business economist. She is experienced in project management and marketing. She has worked as an editor for several newspapers and she has written booklets and essays on economic and public issues. Recommended link: http://www.nowsavefuel.myffi.biz
The Fisker Karma is an entirely new car, from an entirely new car company. And while it looks impressive, you'll be amazed at what lurks under the bonnet. A 270bhp petrol engine combined with two powerful electric motors make this the world's first luxury plug-in hybrid... Video Rating: 4 / 5
Hybrid cars help you save but if you aren't careful, you can end up spending what you could have saved. By making the right decisions about warranties, you can save a lot of repair for several years. A hybrid vehicle uses the right combination of gas and electric power to give you better mileage and lower emissions without compromising on the performance or speed of the vehicle. As you will be spending a large amount on this vehicle, you should consider the warranties that come with it. This will prevent you from having to pay for repairs from the manufacturing defects if any. Extended warranties are also widely used and we will discuss if you need them in this article.
The hybrid car battery is the most important and the most expensive part of your hybrid vehicle. Although people may tell you that they don't last long, the usual NiMH hybrid batteries that come with cars last for 8 years and come with 8 year warranties. You will not need a hybrid battery replacement for that long. Most of the time the dealers ask you to sign up for the extended warranty during purchase. You don't have to do it right then or with the dealer. You should always take some time to think it over and consider other dealers and their charges. You can always ask for the extension as long as it is done before your present warranty expires. Most people tend to change cars before the warranty can expires and if this is your plan too, an extended warranty will just be a waste of money. If the buyer wants it, they will have to buy it for themselves.
By going for extended warranty, you can save a lot but make sure your dealer doesn't overcharge you. Always check online for the right amount that you need to pay. When you go for extended warranties, beware of dealer specific agreement, as this will be a problem if you happen to move. It will also be a problem if the dealer shuts down. In such a case, you should make sure you get a refund on the amount you have paid for the extended warranty. It will also be more convenient if you choose a deal that doesn't require you to pay and then claim. It will be a better choice if you go for an extended warranty that allows you to get the service done from any licensed facility.
The extended warranties are only on repairs caused due to a manufacturing defect. If you have practiced poor preventative maintenance or drive badly, the warranty will not cover this damage. Some recent cars are given a 36,000 miles warranty on parts other than those subject to wear and tear like the air filters. It is either 36,000 miles or a 3 years warranty whichever comes first. The powertrain of the vehicle which includes the airbags, seatbelts, front and rear wheel drive, motor winding, etc. are covered for 60,000 miles or for 5 years. You should know that the extended warranty can range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousands depending on the kind of vehicle you own.
Eagle Technologies is a Factory Automation company in Ann Arbor, MI serving clients all over the world. The areas Eagle Technologies specializes in cover many motor and energy related industries such as Automotive, Green Alternative Energy, Healthcare, Food Processing Consumer Products, and Military. Contact Eagle tech at www.eagletechnologies.com for more info on these subjects and many others.
Drive Time review of the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid by auto critic Steve Hammes Video Rating: 4 / 5
Do you need an Electric Car Conversion Kit?
If you are new to conversions, you'll ask,'What's in an electric car conversion kit?' the answer's,'that depends on where you get it'. The easiest conversion kits have only a motor and a compatible controller. You will need a few more items before you are prepared to drive your conversion down the road, items you might or might not have laying round the garage already.
Why would you want a DC kit? Well, because the DC ( direct current ) motor system is straightforward, less costly, and freely available. This is potentially you, too. ( if you are an electric engineer, ignore all that and just continue with the AC conversion you were already working on. Why get a kit that is's made for a specific car ( a custom kit ) ?
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An electrical vehicle conversion kit as it will save you 150 hours or so of hard, boring, enthusiasm-killing, machine-shop type work.
You'll love building your own battery box and motor mounts. But for the rest of us, especially the first time, you will be most happy getting a kit that fits your donor automobile's dimensions completely - as close to'plug-and-play' as it becomes. Get your easy electric car conversion kit at Gas2Electricity.com! Gas2Electricty uses a guide that is used by mechanices and is designed so that anyone wehter they know a lot about cars or not, can use it. This allows you to do a conversion yourself in the comfort of your home without stress, frustration, or high expenses.
Mechanics Electric Car Conversion Kit
Dana is the author and owner of dozens of research sites. She spends much of her time researching products and posting results for all the viewers.
After several years of experiment and tests, Audi was the first company to bring Hybrid cars on production in 1997. Since then all the leading automakers including GM, Ford, Toyota, Honda, Cadillac and many others have adopted the technology and brought their own models in the market. If you are looking for a big hybrid car that has the power of V8 as well as emission free propulsion of electric motor Cadillac Escalade Hybrid and GMC Yukon are the best options.
Hybrid Technology
Hybrid cars are next generation vehicles with specially designed power trains and innovative technology to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Such vehicles feature relatively smaller gas-engine teamed with an electric motor to assist while accelerating. This additional electric motor acts as a generator charging its batteries automatically while you drive. Lightweight components, advanced aerodynamics and periodic engine shut-off systems make today’s hybrids even more competent than regular cars.
2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
Cadillac is the first to offer economical driving in a luxury SUV. Its two-mode hybrid system modulates between the electric motor and the fuel engine as speed and towing needs vary, thus improving up to 50% of fuel economy. Competing with Chrysler, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid pairs GM’s signature Vortec 6.0L V8 with its new Electrically Variable Transmission (EVT). The 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid gets a facelift that further scaled down weight and drag.
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2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
The Tahoe Hybrid is the first ever GMC-built vehicle to deploy the two-mode hybrid power train. It is quite a feat to adjust a mighty 6.0L V8 to retain a consistent 20mpg on the highway as well as in the city. The hybrid propulsion system generates electric power to optimize fuel consumption. The 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid is named the Green Car of the Year by the Green Car Journal. To know more about different features of Tahoe read Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid review by the auto experts.
GMC Yukon Hybrid
Another hybrid version of GMC SUV cars is GMC Yukon, a highly impressive full-size SUV that boasts of big towing capacity, ample power and enough room to accommodate 8 passengers along with cargo. The best thing about GMC Yukon Hybrid is that it offers better mileage than its non-hybrid siblings GMC Yukon XL. There is ample V8 thrust when required and the transition between engine modes is smooth. When put head-to-head with Honda, Toyota and Ford hybrids GMC stays ahead in mileage.
Recent GMC Yukon Hybrid review shows that in terms of riding quality Yukon Hybrid SUV is equally impressive as its full-size regular versions. With 18-inch wheels and modern safety features, including antilock brakes, electronic stability system and three-row curtain airbags GMC Yukon Hybrid SUV promises secure driving on the highway.
GMC Hybrid Trucks
If you need a full-size pickup truck that gives better mileage and at the same time ensure eco-friendly driving the 2009 GMC trucks can be wise choice. GMC Sierra sports GM’s patented dual mode hybrid engine. The gas engine automatically shuts off as soon as the truck stops and thus improves fuel economy about 8 percent more. Using light acceleration GMC Sierra can move on electric motor alone if needed.
Unlike previous versions of hybrids that came with very basic options present days hybrid vehicles are loaded with a host of high-end technological features. Promising far more practical and enjoyable driving hybrid cars are worth the money.
Full review: www.carbuyer.co.uk Porsche could be criticised for being lacking a sense of adventure when it comes to design, but its dedication to providing a fantastic driving experience shines through with the Panamera. This oddly proportioned hatchback is Porsche's first 'saloon', yet the German firm has injected it with the DNA of a sports car. Video Rating: 4 / 5
The guys go commuting in the Chevy Volt. Can it live up to the hype and be competitive against the gas-sipping Pri-i of the world?
Article by Jenny McLane
The quest to develop an automobile which will reduce and possibly eliminate the dependence of the entire human race on petroleum fuel for automotive fuel has led to a partnership between companies. These working partnerships allow companies to have bigger funding and share expertise.
One such partnership is that between ZAP and Lotus Engineering. The partnership is aiming to develop the most advanced electric car in history. Currently, ZAP is already offering electric cars for American car buyers. These vehicles run on electricity and needs only to be plugged into a common household socket to be recharged and store up some juice.
While these electric vehicles are of great advantage to the environment and fuel cost, their range is not enough to make extended trips. This is one issue that the partnership will be looking into in their quest to produce the most advanced electric car in the entire history of the automotive industry.
Recently, both parties have been having talks at the headquarters of ZAP located in Santa Rosa, California. Lotus Engineering personalities who attended these talks includes the company's chief executive officer Albert Lam. Project Manager Steven Woolley and West Coast Operations Manager Rexford Park are also part of the dialogues between ZAP and Lotus. The talks between ZAP and Lotus is expected to bring to light more developments in the development and production of electric cars. These developments are expected to be announced by ZAP Chief Executive Officer Steve Schneider.
For the present, Schneider has this to say: "This was an important meeting because ZAP and Lotus Engineering are working to bring new technologies to bear that could change the auto industry forever. With Lotus Engineering's capabilities, and ZAP's vision and entrepreneurship, we are building a world-class team to tackle this important endeavor."
Currently, ZAP's offering includes the electric vehicle Xebra. It was first introduced to the market in May of 2006. The three-wheeled vehicle is classified as a motorcycle but it has both a sedan and a pickup configuration. While it uses a battery pack and an electric motor, it does not use the regenerative braking system used commonly by hybrid electric cars. The said feature captures the energy produced during braking.
While the Xebra does not posses the said feature, its battery pack can power the vehicle for approximately forty miles on low speed driving. The same battery pack can also give the Xebra a top speed of 40 miles per hour. While these attributes already standout, the partnership between Lotus and ZAP aims to develop an electric car that is far more advanced than the Xebra.
On the other hand, Lotus has been known for designing and developing some of the most notable cars in history. This collaboration with ZAP is seen by Lotus as a step for them to become one of the frontrunners in the development of green cars. Chief Executive Officer Albert Lam has this to say: "The venture with ZAP is a dream come true because we are creating the most advanced electric vehicles in history. Lotus Engineering is very happy to be associated with ZAP in bringing this vehicle to market. The technology is ready for electric vehicles so they don't have to be slow, they can have a long range, and they can be exciting to look at."
Aside from developing high performance vehicles, Lotus is also known for creating aesthetically pleasing cars. With the company's expertise, one can expect an environment friendly and good-looking car to come out of this partnership. If the partnership comes up with the most advanced electric car in history it is, of course, safe to say that it will be far more environment friendly than vehicles equipped with flowmaster exhaust components.
About the Author
Jenny McLane is a 36 year old native of Iowa and has a knack for research on cars and anything and everything about it. She works full time as a Market Analyst for one of the leading car parts suppliers in the country today.
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