Despite a slew of pure electric cars on the horizon from a variety of mainstream manufacturers, analysts are projecting sales will not increase as much as many had hoped. A big reason is the very-present issue of range anxiety that many consumers have. For most, electric vehicles are completely ruled out as a first car from the get go, and for many even a second car. Exceptions to that are city dwellers for whom compact, short range EVs could be perfect. Also, cars with higher ranges, like the Tesla Model S, might fare better. The answer to that issue is a range-extended electric vehicle, like the Chevrolet Volt. It is currently the only range-extended EV on the market. Infiniti is previewing a new RE-EV sports car that will debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month. It is dubbed the Emerg-E. This is a different model than the pure electric sedan being developed based on the Nissan LEAF. It isn’t clear when that car will debut; we haven’t heard about it in a while. Last time it was seeing continued development, as Infiniti executives wanted to make sure it was a true luxury product and not a rebadged LEAF. Clear direction on whether the Emerg-E is a concept or not hasn’t been given, but a key indicator in their press release says it will be the “first car from the brand to have a range-extender drivetrain.” That may mean there is a future range-topping performance coupe in the works for Infiniti. They’ll probably shed a bit more light on that next month at the debut. In their release, they say the engine is mounted in a “mid-ship package for optimal handling.” Sounds promising. The brand introduced the Essence Concept a few years back; people loved it but it hasn’t been green lighted for production. Hopefully the Emerg-E will escape a similar fate. Related posts: Infiniti Releases Images of Geneva-Bound Etherea Concept Nissan GT-R Debut – Tokyo Motor Show Kia’s POP Electric Minicar Concept to Debut at Paris Motor Show Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts See the original post here: Infiniti Emerg-E Announced For Geneva Motor Show Debut

Many of you seen the Lamborghini special of Ultimate Factories, or many of the other “How Lamborghinis are Made” videos floating around, but not nearly as many videos have been made about the actual history of the Italian company, and even fewer go into detail about specific models and the culture surrounding them. Car-News.tv just released a 45-minute, seven-video series outlining all of that and more, delving into the newest model – the Lamborghini Aventador – as well as concepts and older models. Check out each video in the series below (despite the names, many of the videos cover more than just what’s said in its title): Lamborghini History – Part 1 – Lambo Aventador Lamborghini History – Part 2 – Lamborghini Murcielago Lamborghini History – Part 3 – Lambo Meeting Lamborghini History – Part 4 – Making a Lambo Lamborghini History – Part 5 – Lambo Gallardo Lamborghini History – Part 6 – Lambo Museum Lamborghini History – Part 7 – Lambo Sesto Elemento Related posts: History of McLaren F1 Video Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera Promo Video Lamborghini Gallardo Promo Video Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts Read more:  History of Lamborghini Video Series

When NASCAR driver A. J. Allmendinger took the checkered flag by a slim margin of 5.198 seconds on Sunday afternoon, it ended a week of festivities dedicated to celebrating the golden anniversary of the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway. Since 1962, drivers and manufacturers from around the world have journeyed to one of the meccas of American motorsport to compete on Daytona’s storied road course. The sanctioning bodies and technical specifications may have changed over the years, but many of the names have not: Porsche, Lola, BMW, Ferrari, Ford, and Chevrolet; Gurney, Haywood, Donohue, Pruett, and Rahal. These are but a few of the celebrated marques and legendary drivers that have in one way or another made an indelible mark at Daytona in the last 50 years. To celebrate their legacy, the powers that be at Grand-Am and Daytona took upon themselves the Herculean task of assembling as many of the former winning drivers and cars as they could locate for a 50-year class reunion and a pair of ceremonial laps around the celebrated circuit.  By the time the event kicked off, nearly thirty cars and close to forty champion drivers had been gathered. Just a few hours before commencement of the Rolex 24 on Saturday, the vintage machinery took to the track, shaking out cobwebs and blowing out carbon, creating a spine-tingling sight for fans of racing history. The once-in-a-lifetime event was enjoyed by all ages, but the old timers’ grins were by far the widest. Peruse the photo gallery and check out the video below, which features Bobby Rahal talking  about climbing in to his 1981 Rolex-winning Porsche 935K3 for the first time in thirty years. Read the original: We Are the Champions: Winning Men and Machines Reunite for 50th Anniversary of Rolex 24 Here is the original post:  We Are the Champions: Winning Men and Machines Reunite for 50th Anniversary of Rolex 24

We’ve just completed a preliminary drive of the redesigned 2013 Chevrolet Malibu and on the whole, we came away impressed with this new family sedan. That’s a good thing, for the new Malibu will take on the upcoming redesigned Ford Fusion , Honda Accord , and Nissan Altima, battling for market share in one of the largest segments. The 2013 Malibu is derived from the very competent midsized Buick Regal . The version we tried, the Eco, loaned to us for a few days by General Motors, will be the first iteration out of the gate when it goes on sale in March. The Eco version uses the same eAssist technology that’s in the Buick LaCrosse . The Malibu Eco starts at $23,235. Driving impressions The “Eco” designation indicates a mild hybrid with a small electric motor augmenting the gasoline-fueled engine. It works well, with smooth transmission shifts and decent acceleration. As in full hybrids, the engine shuts off when you stop and then instantly restarts when you let go of the brake pedal. The stop/start is so unobtrusive that most people won’t even notice it. Following the Malibu Eco, the base Malibu will debut with a new 190-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. A range-topping version will be introduced even later in the year, with a more powerful 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine instead of a traditional V6. With its quiet, nicely appointed cabin and absorbent, steady ride, the new Malibu feels almost like a luxury car. Handling is fairly agile with precise and responsive steering. Such driving dynamics are not entirely surprising given the car’s European donor, the sophisticated Opel Insignia from Germany. The Malibu is not as Euro-centric as the Regal, though: It has a more relaxed demeanor that may have broader appeal. The control layout is more logical than in some other recent GM models; we appreciated its large, clear buttons. The dash is of the soft-touch type, giving the cabin some class. Unfortunately, the rear seats are less roomy than in the outgoing Malibu, and that’s a shame. The restricted knee space puts the Chevrolet at a distinct disadvantage compared to the new Toyota Camry , Volkswagen Passat , and a whole slew of other competitors. This redesign represents a major step forward in ride, handling,...

Toyota has expanded the coveted Prius brand by introducing this larger wagon, and it will soon flank the original Prius hatchback with the introduction of a smaller hybrid, the Prius C . The Prius V certainly seems like a good idea: Take a proven powertrain and fit it to a roomier vehicle, offering current Prius owners a step-up vehicle, well suited to growing families. But does it work? We bought a Prius V “Three Model” ($28,217) to see if Toyota got the formula right, or if it proved to, literally, be too much of a good thing. The Prius has routinely done well in our tests, with good safety marks, impressive reliability history, and of course, outstanding fuel economy. Likewise, the new Prius V performed admirably and stands tall within the wagon category. The Prius V returned an impressive 41 mpg overall in our fuel economy tests, compared with 44 mpg for the regular Prius. Naturally, its fuel economy is impacted by the V’s heavier weight and less aerodynamic shape. These factors also put a damper on acceleration. The V shares the Prius drivetrain, adapted to this application with lower gearing. Despite this modification, the motor and engine still have to work fairly hard, especially when the car is loaded or scaling large hills at highway speeds. A true five seater, the Prius V provides good access to the second row, with comfortable space for all riders. Rear passengers have generous leg and head room. The tall design provides significantly more cargo space than the Prius, and split-folding rear seatbacks allow for flexible configurations that can swallow a fair amount of stuff. The wagon body style is more conducive to traveling with adult companions than the Prius, and it significantly improves outward visibility. The dashboard quirks carry over, with the center-mounted digital instruments, awkward shift lever, and push-button Park. While there is a slight learning curve for first-time Prius drivers, previous owners will feel right at home. In the end, we think the strong fuel economy and improved interior packaging more than make up for the sacrifices in performance and powertrain noise. Watch the video to see the Prius V in action, and read our road test for more detailed findings. More:  Test complete video: 2012 Toyota Prius V

Filed under: Latest News Euro NCAP tests cars to see how safe they in a number of lab condition-style tests. The cars are used and abused to see whether, in a head on at 30mph you’ll be flung out of the vehicle or kept safely in your seat resting on a delicious airbag. Each car tested is independently sourced from dealers so manufacturers can’t give them an ‘extra-safe’ version of their car. Last year the organisation tested 53 new vehicles. However, in 2011 not all the cars tested were ‘normal’ – the likes of the Nissan Leaf went under the microscope and managed an impressive five stars. Five cars scored higher than all their contemporaries in the NCAP tests ( more details on those here )… So, if you’ll tap out a drum roll on your desks, the winners are: Small off-road 4×4 category: Audi Q3 Supermini category: Chevrolet Aveo Small Family category: Ford Focus Small MPV category: Mercedes B Class Large Family category: Volvo V60 Some manufacturers were honoured not only for their cars’ crash performance but for their innovations in 2011. The Ford Focus was praised for its Active City Stop, Driver Alert Ford Alert and Lane Keeping Aid tech – all of which work together to keep drivers from nodding off, running people over and listing lazily to the left on the M6. Mercedes’ B-Class and Volvo’s V60 were recognised for their Collision Prevention Assist and City Safety tech respectively. Both systems are Autonomous Emergency Braking systems (AEB) – which essentially stop you from running people over and smacking into the back of other vehicles. Dr Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP Secretary General, commented: “With Euro NCAP Advanced, we have already recognized a number of technologies offering safety benefits to consumers. The safety case for AEB systems is very strong and we are therefore strongly encouraging manufacturers to increase the availability of such systems on new cars. “We are well underway to add the assessment of these systems to the overall rating and to make these systems a requirement for five stars in the future.” This year the Euro NCAP test is set to get harder to ensure that manufacturers are still at the top of their safety game.   View...

As more electric and plug-in hybrid cars charge to market, most (87 percent) consumers have a concern, with range limitations being chief among them. There are also significant safety concerns, many of which may have been fanned by the widely covered Chevrolet Volt fires experienced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) after conducting crash tests. The investigation may have been closed, but the public remains apprehensive. In conducting our recent 2012 Car Brand Perception Survey , we added a couple questions to take America’s pulse on electric vehicle safety, and the results suggest consumers are misinformed and are likely overestimating the risks. Despite the concerns raised, 43 percent of respondents feel electric and plug-in hybrids are as safe as gasoline-fueled cars, and one-fifth (20 percent) deemed them safer. Twenty-eight percent said the electrified cars are less safe, and nine percent responded they don’t know (a fair answer). Young consumers, those aged 18-44 years, were more likely than others to view the alternative powertrains as safer (23 vs. 17 percent). The top concern expressed during the telephone interviews was for limited range (77 percent)—an understandable anxiety. Range can vary depending on many factors, including weather. We have found that although theoretically the Nissan Leaf has plenty of range to address the typical daily needs for most American drivers, having to run the heat and defrost can take its toll. Of course, an extended-range EV like the Chevrolet Volt or plug-in hybrids like the Toyota Prius do not have such limitations. For these cars, when the electric power is consumed, there remains a gasoline engine to provide range on par with any other traditional car. The remaining concerns centered around safety, led by fire risk during home charging (42 percent). While there have been a couple of cases of home fires , such tragedies have been extremely rare. Pedestrian safety due to silent operation (40 percent concerned) has been discussed for years, as some hybrid models can motor at low speeds in pure EV mode. Auto manufacturers can alleviate this risk, as the Nissan Leaf has done , by emitting external sounds broadcast via speakers or other means to alert pedestrians. Crash protection...

Consumers are well aware of fuel economy and concerned about tailpipe pollution. But it’s much harder to get information on the whole lifecycle environmental impact of cars: how much energy it takes to produce a car, the pollution generated, and recyclability. Now Chevrolet is taking a step toward making this information more readily available. Starting with the 2012 Sonic , Chevrolet will begin putting what it is calling EcoLogic labels on the windows of all its models. So far the label is more self-serving and less useful than it could be, listing some minor fuel-saving features on the car, such as variable-valve timing (which other automakers have had for about 20 years) and electric power steering (not exactly uncommon these days). What it doesn’t highlight is what’s left out, such as the makeup of the paint used to spray the car. This label also lists the estimated percentage of the car’s content that is recyclable (85 percent) and special processes at the factory that reduce its environmental footprint. In this case, the Sonic’s engine and transmission are built in a landfill-free facility, and the final assembly factory is cooled and heated 20 percent by landfill gas. (Some other automakers, such as Subaru’s Indiana plant , produce all their cars at 100-percent landfill-free facilities.) Most cars today are highly recyclable. The bigger question may be, how much of cars are actually recycled? To be more meaningful, the label would have to be tied to industry standards that could, for example, rate the car’s and the factory’s environmental qualifications against its peers. Still, as long as consumers view it with a critical eye on Chevrolet’s marketing claims, it seems like the label could be a good first step toward developing such standards to make all cars’ lifecycle environmental costs more transparent. Already, the revised EPA window stickers now used on all new cars contain much more information than in years’ past, further empowering consumers to make informed decisions. Related: Video: Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood explains the new fuel-economy labels Read the rest here: Chevrolet’s new environmental labels germinate a good idea, but don’t go far enough

Introduced as 2007 models, the current Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pickup twins are due for a revamp. Our spy photographers (dressed like snow leopards, we hope) have nabbed several shots of both extended- and crew-cab versions during cold-weather testing. While it’s difficult to make out much in the way of design aside from the familiar cab-in-front, bed-in-back layout, here’s a rundown of what changes to anticipate. Keep Reading: 2014 Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra Spy Photos – Future Cars Read the original post: 2014 Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra Spy Photos: New Small-Block, Less Weight Continued here: 2014 Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra Spy Photos: New Small-Block, Less Weight

Consumer Reports’ 2012 Car Brand Perception Survey reveals how consumers rank car brands across seven purchase-influencing factors, such as safety, quality, and value. And the research also sheds light on what brands consumers are likely to purchase from for their next new car. Ford, Toyota, and Chevrolet lead purchase intent, though Honda has a higher brand loyalty rate than its domestic competitors. These four makes dominate among those that consumers are most likely to purchase the next time they shop for a new car. Collectively, they were singled out by more than one-half of consumers who participated in this survey. Gender differences had men more likely to focus on truck-purveyors Ford (19 vs 14 percent women) and Chevrolet (15 vs 11 percent women). Women had a stronger preference for Toyota (16 vs 12 percent men), a brand whose sales mix heavily favors cars and crossovers over rugged trucks. Outside of these four brands, all others counted 3 percent or less in purchase intent, revealing a major gap between the leaders and other brands. Looking year over year, the rates are quite consistent. Likely to purchase Brand 2012 (%) 2011 (%) Ford 16 18 Toyota 14 12 Chevrolet 13 13 Honda 9 10 Dodge 3 3 Nissan 3 4 BMW 3 2 Subaru 3 2 Buick 3 3 GMC 2 2 Hyundai 2 3 Cadillac 2 1 Strong purchase-intent performance is aided by a high level of brand loyalty. Each year, we also analyze the purchase intent among the most popular vehicles in the survey. Again, we find Toyota, Honda, Chevrolet, and Ford each with more than a 50-percent brand loyalty rating. All four brands remained relatively consistent, compared against last year, with just incremental adjustments. Making a bigger move, Dodge loyalty fell by one fifth, with just 28 percent currently declaring intent to remain loyal. The shift is surprising, as we noted last year that Dodge had moved from 32 percent to 35 percent, surmising that its revitalized product line may have been a chief contributor. It is clear that something is not resonating as well with Dodge owners now. Given the tough economy, and increased interest in fuel economy, the lack of small, efficient vehicles in its product portfolio may be impacting Dodge loyalty. Perhaps the upcoming Dart and other Fiat-aided products can address that in the...

Reports of the death of the official Saab museum in Sweden turned out to be premature— even ours . In an 11th-hour save, a Swedish consortium came up with the highest bid for the museum’s contents to keep it intact. The group includes philanthropists Knut and Alice Wallenberg, the city of Trollhattan (historical home to Saab planes and cars), the company’s independent progenitor Saab AB. In addition to preserving the entire collection, the pact will allow some of the most iconic Saabs, such as the original or “UrSaab,” to travel to other museums. Such exchanges may include a cross-town ride to the Swedish national museum, which is also in Trollhattan. Once final payment is made, the local city and county governments will assume control of the museum. In recent weeks, there have been similarly teasing reports of last-ditch efforts by a Chinese automaker to save the whole company. That story has the automaker teetering on the edge of dissolution, but the latest word is that two Indian automakers are now reportedly interested. We’re getting ahead of ourselves… and please excuse us, but we’ve heard all of this before. Rest assured, we’ll report on the final outcome. For now, we’re glad the Saab museum collection will remain intact and that the home town will retain its heritage. UrSaab photo courtesy of the Saab Museum in Trollhattan, Sweden. Here is the original post: Swedes band together to save Saab museum car collection

More than 68,750 Toyo Extensa all-season tires are being recalled by its manufacture the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said today. Certain sizes of the tire have a manufacturing flaw which could cause failure and increase the risk of collision and injury, warns the federal regulators. According to the NHTSA, the P225/60R16 97T size of the Extensa, produced by Toyo Tire Holdings from September 2009 through November 2010, were manufactured with a kink in the bead area of the tire . The manufacturing flaw could lead to a crack in the tire, near a car’s rim. And if the crack is left undetected, the tire may fail and the driver may lose control of the vehicle and possibly crash. In February, Toyo is expected to notify customers affected by this recall to have the tires replaced free of charge. For more information regarding this recall, consumers may call Toyo Tire toll-free at: 800-442-8696. Recall: Toyo Extensa A/S tires – Bead      Campaign ID#: 12T002000 [NHTSA] See more here:  Recall: Toyo Extensa tires for cracking and failing risks

The cuckoo clock in Zuffenhausen struck high noon recently and out popped a new 911, an event so freighted with anticipation by our little community that we lay in extra supplies of ink and binding glue for its arrival. Keep Reading: 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 vs. 2013 Nissan GT-R vs. 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S – Comparison Tests Excerpt from: Godzilla, Captain America, and the Neunelfer: 911 vs. Z06 and GT-R Continued here: Godzilla, Captain America, and the Neunelfer: 911 vs. Z06 and GT-R

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has closed its safety investigation into fires that erupted from three Chevrolet Volt battery packs after severe crash tests by the agency. “Based on the available data, NHTSA does not believe that Chevy Volts or other electric vehicles pose a greater risk of fire than gasoline-powered vehicles. Generally, all vehicles have some risk of fire in the event of a serious crash,” NHTSA concluded. The agency said it “remains unaware of any real-world crashes that have resulted in a battery-related fire involving the Chevy Volt or any other electric vehicle.” The first fire erupted three weeks after NHTSA conducted a side-into-pole crash test on the Volt, a more severe crash test than any standard tests other cars must pass (though simulating a not-uncommon type of crash in the real world). During the test, the structure of the collapsed car broke through to the liquid-cooled battery pack. The batteries were not discharged after the test, as General Motors protocol specified. The car was then rotated 360 degrees, slowly, to simulate a rollover. This allowed coolant from a burst coolant line to drain onto a printed circuit board on top of the battery pack, according to General Motors. Later, after the car was left out in the cold, the coolant crystallized, creating a short in the circuit that provided a path for the battery’s energy to run away. This overheated the battery pack by allowing it to drain too quickly and caused the fire. General Motors recalled Volts to beef up the car’s structure surrounding the battery pack to reduce the possibility of intrusion and add safety systems to the battery coolant system. Case closed. Related: GM announces upgrades to Chevrolet Volt to address fire concerns Chevrolet Volt battery fix reportedly in works GM offers to buy back Volts if owners fear battery fires NHTSA launches safety investigation following Chevrolet Volt battery fires Owner satisfaction: Chevrolet Volt narrowly edges out Dodge Challenger & Porsche 911 See original here: Case closed: NHTSA ends Chevrolet Volt fire investigation

The electric-car movement is gaining momentum, with both BMW and Honda charging ahead toward putting their electron-powered vehicles on the street. To that end, Honda delivered a Fit EV to Torrance, California, on Friday. Home to Honda’s North American headquarters, the city is playing a key role in gaining real-world data from Fit EV drivers. Over the past year, Honda has worked with Torrance to identify local charge locations and gain feedback from residents about related issues. Honda will also work with Google and Stanford University to gain further driver feedback. This electric version of the Honda Fit is powered by a 20-kWh lithium-ion battery and coaxial electric motor derived from the FCX Clarity fuel-cell vehicle . Honda claims the Fit EV has a 123-mile maximum driving range, or a 76-mile range in combined city and highway use. Efficiency is aided by a user-controlled, three-mode system like that used in the Honda CR-Z hybrid . Drivers can select Economy, Normal, or Sport to bolster efficiency or performance. Honda says the differences are an increase of 17 percent in driving range with the Economy mode over the Normal mode and 25 percent better than Sport mode. In Sport mode, the performance is adjusted for improved acceleration. To help further conserve energy, a dashboard display can help the driver determine when to shut off accessories such as the air conditioning or radio to save electricity. Drivers will also be able to connect via a smart phone or computer to manage the vehicle’s energy use, though hopefully not when behind the wheel. A pocket remote also allows connectivity to the vehicle. With these tools, drivers will be able to check charge, start a charge, or activate air conditioning, as well as provide charging alerts to help with utility rates, a 24-hour roadside assistance, and a charging station locator. The battery can be charged in 12 hours when using 120-volt outlet and around six hours with a 240-volt outlet. The Fit EV will be available to consumers in California and Oregon this summer. Go here to see the original:  Honda delivers first electric Fit