Recharging the Prius Production plug-in Prius has evolved past prototype Final details regarding the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid are still not fully clear, but the production version of the plug-in Prius will have some new features compared to the conventional Prius, as well as the prototype plug-in. For example, instead of the 4 driving modes found in the current Prius, the new plug-in Prius will only have 3. While today’s Prius starts in the normal/default mode with Eco, Power and EV options, the new Prius will start in EV mode with Eco and Power options. According to MotorTrend this could enable the plug-in Prius to save EV range for city driving, while functioning like a 50 mpg Prius when hitting the highway. Additionally, the prototype plug-in Prius functions just like a conventional Prius once EV range is expired. Consequently, until recharged, full EV mode was no longer possible. The production plug-in Prius, however, can use regenerative and engine braking to recharge the battery pack enough so that EV range can be restored if conditions, such as stop-and-go traffic, enable such recharging. Consequently, total EV range becomes a somewhat fluid number. Unfortunately, no new details on the key issue, price. Original post: A few new details regarding Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid

Chevrolet has been getting some great mileage out of its ads about the Cruze Eco’s fuel economy. “Cruze Eco offers 42 mpg on the highway by sacrificing nothing,” says Chevrolet’s website . But those claims come with a lot of small print. What they don’t tell you is that to get that 42 mpg on the highway, you have to opt for the manual transmission. Or that the regular Cruze 1LT with the same 134-hp, 1.4-liter turbocharged engine is rated at 36 mpg highway. Or that a Cruze Eco with an automatic will return an EPA-rated 26 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and add $900 to the price compared with either a manual-transmission equipped Cruze Eco or a Cruze 1LT with an automatic. So is the Cruze Eco worth it? We took a look at the numbers for a Cruze Eco with each transmission and compared them with a Cruze 1LT. Since the Cruze Eco requires the Connectivity Plus Cruise package, we added that to all three models. The Cruze Eco includes low-rolling resistance tires, a rear spoiler, front grille shutters that close on the highway for better aerodynamics, and a slightly lower ride height. It gets an EPA-rated 28 mpg city, 42 mpg highway with the manual transmission, compared to 24 mpg city, 36 mpg highway for the Cruze 1LT. But the more real-world comparison is to use the overall combined EPA mpg rating, because drivers don’t spend all their time on the highway. The Cruze Eco has a 33 mpg overall rating, while the 1LT is rated at 28 mpg. Both cars use the same engine. Assuming you drive the national average of 12,000 miles a year and pay $4 a gallon for gas, the Cruze Eco with a manual transmission will save you $260 a year on fuel compared with a Cruze 1LT. The only sacrifice is automatic gear shifting. If you prefer an automatic, however, you’ll only save $114 per year on fuel. That means it will take eight years to recoup the extra $900 cost of the Cruze Eco automatic vs the Cruze 1LT with the standard automatic transmission. (GM says that the Eco accounts for about 5 percent of all Cruzes sold.) Cruze 1LT Cruze Eco (manual) Cruze Eco (automatic) MSRP $19,175 $19,175 $19,175 Cruise & connectivity $525 $525 $525 Automatic trans. — $0 $925 Total $19,700 $19,700 $20,625 Difference — 0 $925 Fuel economy City 24...

Jaguar has released drool-worthy video of the 2012 XKR-S doing a test-run at Goodwood Hill. [MotorAuthority] GM employees have made an ‘It Gets Better’ video for LGBTQ youth. [TheCarConnection] Toyota repossessed a murdered mom’s car and the son is retaliated on Facebook. [SocialCarNews] Sri Lanka is going to use more than 200 Tata Nanos as taxis… See the original post:  2012 Jaguar XKR-S, Toyota Repo, GM Employees For LGBTQ: Today’s Car News

Chevrolet has announced pricing for the 2012 Sonic, which replaces the discontinued Chevrolet Aveo. Sonic sedan models will start at $14,495 including destination charge, which makes Chevy’s subcompact sedan $500 more expensive than a comparable Ford Fiesta sedan. If hatchbacks are your preference, the least expensive Sonic starts at… See the rest here: 2012 Chevy Sonic Subcompact To Start At $14,495

The 2012 BMW M 5 coverage continues with a set of desktop wallpapers. The new M5 goes on sale later this year and will join a competitive segment with the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, Audi RS6 and Cadillac CTS-V. With the new super sporty sedan, BMW has moved on from from naturally aspirated engines to a TwinPower turbocharged V8. The high-revving 4.4-liter (4395cc) turbocharged uses the BMW M TwinPower Turbo technology, twin-scroll turbochargers, high-precision direct fuel injection, VALVETRONIC variable valve control and a cross-bank exhaust manifold that guarantees legendary BMW M-car thrust with seamless lag-free power delivery from just off idle. The engine outputs 560 horsepower from 5,750-7,000 rpm and 680Nm (502 lb-ft) of torque from only 1500rpm. The high-rev unit should rocket the M5 to 62 mph in 4.4 seconds and under 4 seconds using BMW’s new Launch Control. BMW offers a 7-speed DCT and manual transmission in the new M5. The M5 is limited to a top speed of 155 mph, or 190 mph with the M Driver’s Package. Styling wise, each car has its own strengths and the choice can be quite subjective. The F10 BMW M5 builds atop the safer and more stylish design of the new 5 Series. The design language is easier on the eye than the previous E60 generation and the M5 enhances its aggressiveness to the M-specific levels. Here is the original: Wallpapers: 2012 BMW M5

Dodge hasn’t had a small car offering in their lineup since discontinuing Caliber production in 2010. There are plenty of 2011 Calibers leftover on dealer lots, but the car is a reminder of the “bad old days” at Chrysler. Like the Dodge Neon that preceded it, the Caliber was never known for its build quality, long term… See the rest here: Dodge To Show Caliber Successor At 2012 Detroit Auto Show

The problem with things like commuting and work is that they get in the way of life’s more important aspects, such as recreation and leisure. If you’re a baseball fan, know that Ford feels your pain; the automaker is introducing a fantasy baseball update feature to its SYNC system, so that fantasy team owners can track the performance… View original here: Ford Brings Fantasy Baseball To Your Commute

Filed under: Latest News It’s long been suspected that fast cars are all about the image and attracting women for many owners, but it has now been confirmed by actual scientists. Experts from three American universities have released research that says that Porsche drivers are only interested in one thing. Continue reading Porsche owners are not the marrying kind Permalink | Email this | Comments Original post:  Porsche owners are not the marrying kind Read the original:  Porsche owners are not the marrying kind

Filed under: Latest News It’s long been suspected that fast cars are all about the image and attracting women for many owners, but it has now been confirmed by actual scientists. Experts from three American universities have released research that says that Porsche drivers are only interested in one thing. Continue reading Porsche owners are not the marrying kind Permalink | Email this | Comments Original post:  Porsche owners are not the marrying kind More:  Porsche owners are not the marrying kind

The old maxim goes that a bad penny always turns up. The seller of today’s Nice Price or Crack Pipe Maserati Bora is also a previous owner. That doesn’t mean this car is a bad penny, but you’ll still have to determine if it costs a pretty penny. More » Here is the original:  For $65,000, Bora! Bora! Bora! [Nice Price Or Crack Pipe] View original here:  For $65,000, Bora! Bora! Bora! [Nice Price Or Crack Pipe]

The old maxim goes that a bad penny always turns up. The seller of today’s Nice Price or Crack Pipe Maserati Bora is also a previous owner. That doesn’t mean this car is a bad penny, but you’ll still have to determine if it costs a pretty penny. More » Here is the original:  For $65,000, Bora! Bora! Bora! [Nice Price Or Crack Pipe] View original post here:  For $65,000, Bora! Bora! Bora! [Nice Price Or Crack Pipe]

Filed under: Formula One The FIA is pressing ahead with its clampdown on blown exhaust technology following a meeting in London. The technical working group met with Charlie Whiting on Thursday where, despite some controversy, the FIA delegate told teams they will have to severely limit their off-throttle diffuser exhaust blowing from next month’s British grand prix. Continue reading Exhaust clampdown going ahead Permalink | Email this | Comments See more here:  Exhaust clampdown going ahead Read the original:  Exhaust clampdown going ahead

Filed under: Formula One The FIA is pressing ahead with its clampdown on blown exhaust technology following a meeting in London. The technical working group met with Charlie Whiting on Thursday where, despite some controversy, the FIA delegate told teams they will have to severely limit their off-throttle diffuser exhaust blowing from next month’s British grand prix. Continue reading Exhaust clampdown going ahead Permalink | Email this | Comments See more here:  Exhaust clampdown going ahead Read more:  Exhaust clampdown going ahead

Filed under: Formula One Red Bull is confident about getting on top of its recurring KERS problems in the near future. The RB7 has dominated the 2011 season so far, but the team has at the same time struggled consistently with its energy recovery system, having not used the technology when it was first seen in formula one in 2009. Continue reading Red Bull aims to solve KERS issues soon Permalink | Email this | Comments Go here to see the original: Red Bull aims to solve KERS issues soon Original post:  Red Bull aims to solve KERS issues soon

Filed under: Formula One Red Bull is confident about getting on top of its recurring KERS problems in the near future. The RB7 has dominated the 2011 season so far, but the team has at the same time struggled consistently with its energy recovery system, having not used the technology when it was first seen in formula one in 2009. Continue reading Red Bull aims to solve KERS issues soon Permalink | Email this | Comments Go here to see the original: Red Bull aims to solve KERS issues soon Go here to read the rest:  Red Bull aims to solve KERS issues soon