Filed under: New York Auto Show Audi of America commissioned origami whizz Taras Lesko to create a four-foot long paper A7 to sit on its New York show stand. He used 285 pieces of paper to create the model with full interior (paper seats, though, not the more usual leather) and filmed himself putting them all together. The video happily condenses 245 hours of work into two minutes, but you can still see the dedication the top level of paper folding demands – we tried making our own Christmas cards once, but it ended in disaster. Click below to watch the Audi video. Continue reading Video: Paper Audi A7 stars in New York Permalink | Email this | Comments See original here: Video: Paper Audi A7 stars in New York See the original post here:  Video: Paper Audi A7 stars in New York

Should GM bring the Envision plug-in hybrid to the US? Can only China envision plug-in hybrids? Sometimes I hate concept vehicles. They simply look too good, and that’s definitely my take regarding the Buick Envision plug-in hybrid concept. Unfortunately, the production vehicle never looks as good. Then again, I’ve learned that my design tastes don’t often resonate with average US car buyers, so maybe I’m wrong about the Envision’s stunning looks. Of course, it probably doesn’t matter anyway, since the Envision plug-in hybrid isn’t destined for the states. According to MotorTrend , the Envision plug-in, a joint effort by General Motors Shanghai and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center, was designed specifically for the Chinese market and MotorTrend suggests the Envision is highly unlikely for the US. Nevertheless, perhaps the plug-in hybrid powertrain found in the Envision will make it to the US. The Buick Envision plug-in hybrid is powered by a turbocharged I-4 and two electric motors that can propel the Envision in pure electric mode at low speeds. The powertrain also includes an 8-speed transmission and a battery pack that, in addition to being charged via the two electric motors, can also be charged via solar panels on the roof. Anyway, maybe I don’t have the best design tastes, but I think the Envision is a fantastic looking vehicle, and I can’t wait until cost-effective carbon fiber becomes a reality so some of these futuristic designs can move into the real world. Read more:  Is the Buick Envision plug-in hybrid too un-American?

When will Prius production be back to normal Prius interest on decline since earthquake tsunami According to data from Edmunds interest in the Toyota Prius has declined since the Japanese earthquake, even though Prius sales are at their highest levels since the 2008 gas spike. It appears consumers believe that rising gas prices and an earthquake-caused decline in Toyota vehicle production means less selection and higher prices. But might this pullback actually be a buying opportunity? One way or another, less demand has to be a good thing. Of course, dropping from red-hot demand to just hot demand might not be enough to favor potential Prius consumers with great deals. Despite the decline, for instance, Prius supplies are down to just 11 days. Nevertheless, for serious hybrid buyers it might be worth a visit to the local dealership just to see if some new wiggle room is now part of the sale’s equation. If not, you can still walk away. And a little food for thought, if would-be Prius buyers are choosing other hybrid cars and other fuel efficient vehicles instead of the Prius, then increased demand for those vehicles might also lead to higher prices for Prius alternatives. Therefore, now might also be a good time to buy Prius alternatives as well. More here:  Maybe drop in Prius interest is a buying opportunity

Announces plans to renovate its NYC BMW and MINI  dealerships for a sustainable  future Introduces  BMW ActiveE full-electric vehicle and lease pricing for use in major US urban environments, including metropolitan NY area Introduces the Z4 sDrive28i, the first vehicle to mark the return of powerful, efficient and clean 4-cylinder BMW engines back to the US Today BMW North America made three announcements in New York City to contribute to furthering sustainable mobility and recognizing the important role New York City plays as a proving ground in this area. These announcements include the significant renovation of two structures for BMW and MINI of Manhattan dealerships; the US introduction of the new BMW ActiveE full-electric vehicle; and the return of powerful, efficient and clean 4-cylinder BMW engines to the United States after a more than 10 year absence. The dealership renovations deepen the company’s commitment to the future of mobility in one of the world’s most heavily populated urban centers.  BMW of Manhattan will remain at 555 W. 57th Street and will continue to sell and service BMW automobiles and sport activity vehicles, BMW Motorcycles, and is intended to be a BMW i Center when the company begins to introduce the first two vehicles of this new brand in 2013, the i3 and i8.   The creation of a standalone MINI of Manhattan dealership and a BMW Certified Pre-Owned sales center in the Chapman Building at 11th Avenue and 56th Street will begin at the same time.  Construction of BMW of Manhattan is expected to be completed by the end of 2012 and MINI of Manhattan will be completed by the end of 2011. “New York is an important market for BMW, and as America’s foremost megacity, it’s a great incubator to develop vehicles, facilities and services for a sustainable mobility future,” said Peter Miles Executive Vice President Operations BMW NA.  “This renovation and new construction represents more than just a fiscal investment and also underscores the BMW Group’s commitment in America and in New York City.” These announcements come only two weeks after the company announced BMW i Ventures, another pillar in its commitment to urban mobility and another commitment to New York City as a center of mobility technology and innovation. BMW...

Go on and let your fresco flag fly: The 500 convertible is here. The second body-style variant of the Fiat 500 has hit America: The 500C, an open-air version of the relentlessly adorable three-door hatchback. It makes its debut at next week’s New York auto show . Keep Reading: 2012 Fiat 500C Convertible – Auto Shows See more here: 2012 Fiat 500C Convertible – Auto Shows Here is the original:  2012 Fiat 500C Convertible – Auto Shows

US energy independence can be a bridge to a new America America is good at war, so let’s declare war on foreign oil dependence Today, the President offered his fiscal plan with a strong focus on reducing the deficit. One big area for reductions offered by the President was to cut military spending. Certainly, that alone is not enough to solve America’s spending problems, but it does seem to offer a bridge to a new American future. For instance, what if the US was energy independent, how much would that save in military spending? Many tens of billions, NOT including ANY war costs, every year easily . Add war costs; however, and we’ve blown trillions to maintain the current energy paradigm based upon cheap foreign oil. Would achieving US energy independence really cost so much more? More important, how many jobs would be created? How many world-changing innovations? Might that not alone loosen the grip of Medicare and the other entitlement programs’ stranglehold on the US economy? Seriously, let’s get real honest for a second. WE the people are a big part of the problem. We can blame the left or the right, but we’re all still part of the problem. Bring up changing Medicare, Social Security, etc. to an older Democrat or Republican, for instance, and both are ready to throw down, to even join forces. We just can’t handle the truth. We want everything, but we want to give nothing. Is there some other way forward? There has to be some other way forward. OK. Maybe there isn’t, but a robust economy, I’d bet, would certainly make any change far less painful, and nothing impacts the US economy more than energy. So, let’s become energy independent. Yes, that will require new drilling, perhaps a significant embrace of natural gas, coal or tar sands – at least in the interim – but it will also require much higher CAFE requirements for instance. Furthermore, in the long term, clean and green energy will be the key to keeping the US economy robust, even if energy independent. Believe it or not, but there is a bridge between “drill, baby, drill” Americans and solar-powered electric car fans. Will WE dare cross it? “We are self-reliant people” that can achieve great things when we work...

Just as important as the Chevy Volt? Are GM’s electrified powertrains unified? Before GM’s bankruptcy, a plug-in dual mode hybrid version of the Saturn Vue was set to hit the market not long after the launch of the Chevy Volt . Since bankruptcy and the death of Saturn, the company has said little regarding GM’s dual mode plug-in architecture. A Buick iteration seemed a possibility, but overall the death of GM’s ‘other’ plug-in hybrid drive seemed plausible. Then GM showed off an updated plug-in hybrid architecture in the Mi-Ray concept that opened the door to alternative plug-in hybrid powertrains, and at the SAE conference, GM announced an updated prototype of its dual mode plug-in hybrid drive. Is GM confused about plug-in vehicles, or is GM simply creating a robust electrified portfolio? For comparison, Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy drive isn’t just the powertrain of hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius , but also the powertrain of the upcoming plug-in hybrid Prius , as well as as a number of Toyota plug-in electric and fuel cell concept vehicles. Ultimately, the HSD was developed to be a flexible and adaptable-to-all-forms of electrification powertrain. As a result, Toyota Prius development has resulted in a multitude of battery and fuel cell car patents that ensure that HSD is becoming Toyota’s powertrain of the future. What’s GM’s powertrain of the future? Today, GM offers E-Assist, dual mode hybrids, and Voltecs. Soon dual mode plug-in hybrid, full electric and fuel cell vehicles will also become part of GM’s electric mix. But how coordinated are these different powertrains? If all of these electrified powertrains are as synchronized as are Toyota’s via the HSD, then GM seems to have an even more robust electric vehicle platform than does Toyota – particularly in terms of the light duty truck space. If not, however, then scale could give Toyota a major advantage in the race to mainstream electrification. While it is clear that there is some part share between a number of these powertrains, considering the fact that the original BAS hybrid powertrain has undergone major updates, as has the dual mode plug-in hybrid – while the the Chevy Volt was being rushed to market –...

The Basics: The 2011 Ford Edge doesn’t bring radical change to America—at least not from the outside—but it’s a beefier take on the five-seat crossover that gave Ford new life after the Explorer fell to earth. Ford’s calling this Edge a “refresh.” On the market five years already, the Edge has been pretty thoroughly refurbished but… Read the original here: 2011 Ford Edge

The Basics: Can you imagine a seven-seat crossover that makes you think “responsive?” There are a few—and maybe the least likely vehicle to fit that description is the 2011 Lincoln MKT. A long, low, wide barge on first glance, the MKT has the good fortune of sharing its running gear with the Ford Flex, and to some extent, the Ford Taurus and… See the original post: 2011 Lincoln MKT

When it comes to the automobile, there are useful technologies like electronic stability control and anti-lock braking systems, that make driving safer for the vast majority of motorists. Then there’s technology for technology’s sake, like rain-sensing wipers or like BMW’s latest innovation: an eight-speed automatic transmission that… View original here:  BMW Working On GPS-Linked Transmission

Is a plug + an engine just not cost-effective? Do pure battery electric cars have a scalable advantage? When it comes to battery-powered technologies, I’m a big fan of hybrid cars . They simply offer the most bang for the buck and; therefore, the greatest market penetration potential. Considering the impact of the 2 decade+ legacy effect upon foreign oil dependence, market penetration is of critical importance today. Similarly, when it comes to plug-ins, I also favor the hybrid version, although plug-in hybrids don’t typically offer the most cost-effective plug-in option. It’s just that plug-in hybrids are more consumer friendly and more fungible in terms of fueling options – at least in today’s North America. Still, if plug-in hybrids aren’t successful outside of America, can they profitably succeed? According to a recent Pike Report , the US and Canadian markets offer the greatest interim market potential for plug-in hybrids . Europe will probably favor plug-in electrics a bit more, but Asia – at least according to Pike – will strongly favor pure electric cars. As a result, by 2015 plug-in electrics are set to control 56 percent of the plug-in market. Certainly, 56 percent of the market isn’t enough to provide that much of scaling advantage, but it’s a very noteworthy advantage nonetheless. If Asia – essentially the world’s most important auto market now, and even more so heading into the future – favors pure electric cars already, then the upside potential of pure electrics seems much greater than that for plug-in hybrids. Considering the cost-effective advantage of the more simple pure electric drive train, this greater market potential could mean far greater scale for battery electrics versus plug-in hybrids, and exponentially cheaper costs, even by just 2020. Double the range of these plug-in electrics in the next decade and far greater market penetration and scalable advantages seem even more possible – although both plug-ins will still offer relatively niche levels of market penetration. Nevertheless, more sales mean better scale and eventually cheaper costs . Obviously, it’s still too early to suggest a winner in plug-in dominance, and both types of plug-ins will...

Hyundai Delivers Top-End Comfort, Features, Performance and Quality in the Equus NADAguides, the leading provider of vehicle pricing and information, names the all-new 2011 Hyundai Equus Car of the Month for April 2011. • The 2011 Hyundai Equus was selected by NADAguides as the Car of the Month based on its interior styling, unmatched comfort, top-end luxury features, smooth performance and power and overall quality of engineering. With no benchmark for Hyundai in the luxury category, the Equus exceeded the expectations of NADAguides’ analysts. • Upon first glance, it would be easy to confuse the Equus with a European or Japanese competitor (Competitors include: Audi A8, Lexus LS 460, Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series). However, further investigation reveals a dynamic combination of an all-encompassing feature set and prestigious quality that is unique to the Equus. This simple, plentiful and yet elegant package is what you’d expect of a luxury vehicle…and then some. • The Equus takes driver comfort seriously with 12-way adjustable leather seats that are equipped with heating and cooling systems, as well as a massage system that is superior to others on the market today. Hyundai also took passenger and rear passenger comfort into consideration, providing first class, touring vehicle luxury seating throughout the entire vehicle. • The Equus also surges ahead of the competition with successful attention to detail. Fit and finish is clean and all interior controls are very intuitive requiring just seconds to customize the entire experience. The Lexicon© premium sound system with 17 speakers, easy-to-use Bluetooth interface, forward and rearview cameras, Air Quality system, plus a total of 9 airbags make the Equus’ overall design and styling that much more enticing. • The Hyundai Equus starts at $58,000 with the four door sedan Signature model and features a 378 horsepower, 4.6 liter, V8 engine. Key Quotes • Troy Snyder, Director of Product Development at NADAguides: “Without a benchmark, what Hyundai could produce for the upper-luxury market was a mystery. What Hyundai has created with the Equus is the most distinguished, fulfilling and desirable luxury vehicle we have driven. The quality and...

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising , Videos , Lexus , Executive The Lexus LS400 debuted in 1989 with a splash – or rather no splash at all – featuring in an advert that showed a stack of champagne glasses atop the bonnet whilst driving at 145mph on a rolling road. Has this particular challenge stood the test of time? Some Lexus enthusiasts in America decided to see if a modern LS460 could also leave a set of champagne glasses undisturbed with the pedal somewhere near the metal – they can’t have been that confident though, they didn’t even use actual champagne. Click below to watch the original advert and the latest video. Continue reading Video: Lexus enthusiasts recreate classic champagne ad Permalink | Email this | Comments See original here: Video: Lexus enthusiasts recreate classic champagne ad Read the original:  Video: Lexus enthusiasts recreate classic champagne ad

Filed under: First Drive , Opinion/Editorial , UK , Ford With the first UK versions of Ford’s new Focus at dealers, we here at Autoblog thought it was a good opportunity to update our views on Ford’s new small family car. So I dispatched myself to Scotland for an early UK drive. I’ve decided to centre this first drive on the 150bhp version of the 1.6-litre EcoBoost, as this engine was unavailable at the International launch . However, there was also the chance to drive the 140bhp version of the 2.0-litre TDCi diesel. Both cars were in Titanium trim. Continue reading First UK drive: Ford Focus 1.6 EcoBoost 150 Titanium Permalink | Email this | Comments See the rest here: First UK drive: Ford Focus 1.6 EcoBoost 150 Titanium Go here to read the rest:  First UK drive: Ford Focus 1.6 EcoBoost 150 Titanium

Filed under: Motorsport , Formula One Lewis Hamilton has poured cold water on speculation he is courting a move to Red Bull in the near future. The rumours were triggered recently by Christian Horner, who predicted the 2008 world champion will be knocking on his door if McLaren have another fallow season. Continue reading Hamilton comments suggest Red Bull move not imminent Permalink | Email this | Comments See the original post: Hamilton comments suggest Red Bull move not imminent Read more:  Hamilton comments suggest Red Bull move not imminent