Swiss automaker Rinspeed has released some pictures and details on their upcoming UC? electric car.
Category Archives: Technology
BMW responds to Volvo with an electric 1 Series
BMW escalates the fight in the eco-friendly cars segment as it’s 1 Series has been converted to take on Volvo’s new electric C30.
Electric Volvo C30 revealed
Swedish manufacturer Volvo has revealed that it is set to trial the all-electric version of their C30 hatchback, called the C30 Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV). From 2011 they will offer 50 cars for trial – each one lasting for about 2 years.
Ford adds remote start and heated steering wheel to its cars
Ford has announced that they will adding two new optional extras to their line of cars: Remote start and a heated steering wheel.
Hybrid Supercar Launched at LA Auto Show
Now, my general policy with hybrids is “AVOID”. There’s plenty of evidence to suggest that they aren’t any good, but people keep buying them, and it sickens me. This is a bit different from your average hybrid though. It’s called the Capstone CMT 380, and it’s got 96 lithium-ion batteries doing the electric power, but instead of an internal combustion engine working with it, you get a biodiesel-powered micro-turbine, essentially a jet engine.
Pardon the lack of pictures, as it’s hard to find a good picture of it, but I’ll try and compensate with some details. The car has an electronically limited top speed of 150mph, which isn’t much, but it accelerates from 0-60 in just 3.9 seconds, which should be plenty.
The range is 80 miles on the battery, and 500 miles with the turbine. Capstone claims emissions are “ultra-low”, but no exact figures are available.
Capstone usually makes micro-turbines to power office blocks, which is where they’ve gotten the turbine from. The car itself was designed by Richard Hilleman though, a video games millionaire.
They plan to make 10 to 15 cars, each at a price of about 285,000 USD. They will probably be sold in kit car form.
Sounds interesting, but I’m still not too convinced. There aren’t enough details on it to judge.
Source: Autocar
New Infiniti M launched in LA
Infiniti has launched a new M at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
Toyota MR2 may be revived
Tagged Toyota
Mercedes-Benz launches mbrace telematics system
Mercedes has launched a replacement for their Tele Aid telematics system called mbrace. It was developed together with Hughes Telematics. It will provide users with access to 18 different services.
Services include a vehicle locator, someone to direct you if you get lost, and the ability to order online. You can also pair the system to a smart phone, to do things like lock/unlock the car using your phone.
The system also has an automatic emergency service notification service to notify authorities in the case that the car is stolen or in an accident, a vehicle health check function which will provide live info to the nearest dealership (Presumably you can view this info as well), real-time weather and traffic reports, and to give it that Mercedes luxury touch, a concierge service that gives you 24/7 access to a customer-service representative who will help you make dinner reservations, book a hotel or order a flight.
It will be offered as standard equipment on all models except the GLK, C-Class, SLK and E-Class Coupe, though it is available as an option on these models. Subscription to the service is needed, and the first six months are free, but then it costs $280 a year, plus an extra $20 a month for the concierge service.
The best bit about it is that its fully upgradable, new applications can be easily installed as they are developed. Also, if you have a Mercedes with the old Tele Aid system, you can upgrade to mbrace at your local dealership.
Source: MotorAuthority
Hybrids and why I hate them
The Toyota Prius, probably the most famous hybrid ever made
Now, I always bang on about how hybrids are horrible, and that if we need to switch from gasoline powered cars out best choice is hydrogen, and so on and so forth. No one believes me though, as they’re all brainwashed by the notion that hybrids are our saviors. Not so long ago, a guy named Ash Davies made a interesting documentary about hybrids, and what’s wrong with them. So if you’re among the people who worships hybrids, have a look, it’s not too long so you ought to have the time to watch. Even if you don’t worship hybrids, it’s worth watching. Some brilliant cinematography in there, and some of the numbers can be quite surprising.