Toyota Announces Auris Hybrid for European Market, Sales to Start in Mid-2010

Toyota has confirmed plans to launch a full-hybrid version of its Golf-sized Auris hatchback for the European market in mid-2010. According to the Japanese firm, the Auris Hybrid will be built at its UK-based facility in Burnaston, Derbyshire. The company did not release any technical information but chances are that the Auris will make use of a similar, if not the same, hybrid drivetrain system to the new Prius that combines a 1.8-liter gasoline engine with two electric motors.

"With today's announcement, Toyota has taken a significant step forward in ensuring that full hybrids become more accessible to a wider range of customers," said Tadashi Arashima, CEO and President of Toyota Europe. "Such efforts are crucial if we are to see more low-carbon vehicles on European roads," he added.

In other words, it's safe to assume that the Auris Hybrid will be priced much lower than the Prius, giving Honda's newly introduced Insight Hybrid a run for its money.

The Auris is Toyota's proposal in the all-important for the European market C-segment rivaling the likes of the Volkswagen Golf, Renault Megane, Ford Focus and Opel Astra. It was launched into the European market in the Spring of 2007 replacing the three- and five-door hatchback variants of the Corolla. Since then, it has sold over 370,000 units across the continent.

The Auris is offered with various powertrains in Europe including the newly introduced 101HP 1.33-liter gasoline engine that returns 5.8lt/100km or 40.6mpg US in the European cycle and a range-topping 2.2-liter turbo diesel with 175HP for the sporty Auris SR180 (pictured here) that returns an average of 6.0lt/100km or 39.2mpg.

Kia Launches its First Hybrid Model, Says Hybrids to be Available in Europe by 2013

Following in the footsteps of its mother company, Hyundai and its recently launched Elantra LPI Hybrid, Kia has introduced its first commercialized hybrid - electric car onto the Korean market. As its name suggests, the Forte LPI Hybrid utilizes the same drivetrain with the Elantra that comprises of a 1.6-liter LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) engine, a 15kW and 105Nm electric motor and a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The hybrid system is also equipped with Kia's Intelligent Stop and Go system.

Furthermore, the Korean automaker's engineers honed the Forte sedan's aerodynamics by applying different front/rear bumper skirts, aluminum wheels and rear spoiler as well as using a special cover for the lower part of the engine room and centre floor. These changes resulted in a lowered air resistance of 0.26 Cd, compared to 0.29 Cd for the standard, petrol-powered Forte sedan.

The Forte LPI Hybrid has a combined fuel efficiency of 17.2km per liter of LPG which Kia says is the equivalent of 21.5km/liter (50.6mpg US, 60.7mpg UK or 4.7lt /100 km) in a standard petrol engine.

While the LPG-hybrid version of the Forte won't be making it to other markets outside Korea, Kia said that it the company is currently working on petrol-powered and plug-in hybrids that are likely to arrive in European showrooms by 2013.

VIDEO: Chevy Volt's Chief Engineer Takes First Pre-Production Model for a Spin

Even though General Motors is in the midst of bankruptcy protection, the firm's engineers and technicians have somehow managed to stay ahead in the development of the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid - or at least that's what they support. On Wednesday, the automaker completed the build of the first pre-production Volt more than a week ahead of schedule. Up until now, the development team was working with prototype mules utilizing the body of the Chevy Cruze and the hybrid drivetrain of the Volt.

The model's chief engineer, Andrew Farah, took the first pre-production Volt for a quick spin and while he was at it, GM also recorded the test drive on film. According to Farah, only a few Volts are being produced per week now but the company will soon ramp up production to create a fleet of around 80 pre-production vehicles by October.

"Most of these vehicles will be used for testing and validating the production intent design as well as developing the final vehicle software and controls - we'll also use them to tune the vehicle's overall driving experience," said Farah. "Some of these Volts will have very short lives as they'll be used in safety and structural integrity testing."

2011 Honda CR-ZX: Production Version of the CR-X's Hybrid Replacement Rendered

The bad news for Honda fans is that the NSX's V10 successor has been canned while a replacement for the S2000 roadster that will end production this year is nowhere in sight (aside from magazine centerfolds, that is). The good news is that the CR-X will return, though in a somewhat different form tailored to meet the needs of today's 'eco-frenzy' world. In other words, the CR-X's successor will be a dedicated hybrid model - something in the likes of the Insight.

In its most recent issue, Japan's Best Car magazine features an artist's impression of the production version of the CR-Z concept car, which is mentioned as the CR-ZX. Not surpassingly, the cosmetic changes suggested are limited compared to the prototype model.

The report supports that the so-called CR-ZX will be powered by a tweaked version of the Insight's mild-hybrid drivetrain combining either a 1.3-liter or a 1.5-liter gasoline engine with a more powerful electric motor. We remind you that the Insight is equipped with 1.3-liter gasoline four-pot and a 13HP electric motor generating a combined output of 98HP.

We must note that reports from this side of the Atlantic are suggesting that the CR-ZX will mate a more lively 1.8-liter engine to the electric motor. Could be that both sides are right as Honda may develop different versions for Japan and the US / Europe.

The magazine mentions that the CR-ZX will be making its production debut at this October's Tokyo motorshow with the first examples of the compact coupe arriving at domestic dealerships early next year. In a recent statement, Honda said that the CR-ZX will be available in most markets by the end of 2010.

Via: Best Car

Ford Gets $5.9 Billion Gov. Tech Loans, Says Electric Focus will Arrive in 2011, Plug-in Hybrid by 2012

The U.S. Department of Energy announced today that Ford has been approved for a $5.9 billion government loan to develop fuel-saving technologies that will reduce the nation's dependency on foreign oil. Ford, which is the only American automaker not to receive emergency federal aid, said that it intends to apply the loans on a variety of fuel-saving technologies.

These include the development of hybrid-electric systems, alternative-fuel power plants, direct-injection engines as well as new dual clutch transmissions, aerodynamic improvements and weight reduction measures through platform efficiencies and greater use of aluminum, magnesium and high-strength steel.

Ford also outlined its electric and hybrid car strategy that accelerates with the introduction of a pure battery electric (BEV) Transit Connect commercial van in 2010 and a BEV Focus in 2011, as well as a plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) and next-generation hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) by 2012.

Both the electric Transit Connect, which Ford is developing with Smith Electric U.S and the electric Focus that will be produced in collaboration with Magna at the Michigan Assembly Plan, are expected to have a range of up to 100 miles or 160 kilometers.

"This green partnership between Ford and the U.S. government will help accelerate the development of advanced technologies for even better fuel efficiency and emissions," said Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally. "Ford is absolutely committed to fuel economy leadership with every new model we introduce. In fact, we plan to invest nearly $14 billion in advanced technology vehicles in the next seven years."

"Our partnership with the Department of Energy also will help retool our U.S. plants more quickly to produce fuel efficient vehicles and help meet the new, rigorous fuel-economy requirements," Mulally concluded.

New Toyota Crown Hybrid Special Edition: Since When does 'Special' mean 'Entry-Level'?

Correct us if we are wrong, but doesn't 'Special Edition' denote that a specific model is equipped with extra features beyond the usual and perhaps even some unique styling cues? Maybe for you and me, but not for Toyota. The same firm that has been (ab)using meaningless groups of letters like GLi, XLE, LS and SE to describe the grade level of its models for decades now, decided to release an entry-level, cut price domestic version of its Crown Hybrid model called 'Special Edition' to help boost sales.

Compared to the standard Crown Hybrid that was introduced in Japan in early 2008, the Special Edition model has given up an array of comfort, convenience and even safety features such as leather upholstery, Toyota's Pre-Crash Safety System, automatic wipers and some other elements that we were unable to translate from Toyota's site.

The result is a reduction in price of around 10 percent, to 5.4 million Yen or roughly $56,100 US at today's exchange rates.

The full-size, rear-wheel drive Crown Hybrid sedan is moved by a 292HP 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine and a 48HP electric motor producing a maximum combined output of 340HP. As stated by Toyota, the Crown Hybrid achieves a fuel efficiency of 14.0 km/l (7.2lt/100km or the US equivalent of 32.9 mpg) according to the Japanese test cycle.