AutoblogGreen for 03.31.09

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green

	VIDEO: First Tesla Model S buyer takes first ride If you're interested in what it's like to ride inside the new all-electric sedan, here's your chance.		It's official: Volt won't save GM The Presidential automotive task force comes to an obvious conclusion.
	So sayeth Popular Mechanics: HHO systems do not work We've heard it a dozen times (actually, much more than that), but here it is again: don't believe the hydrogen hype. Photo by Broken Chord. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.	Other news of import CARB will regulate tire pressure starting in July 2010 Michelle Rodriguez impressed by Tesla Roadster in Fast and Furious 4 The green side of Obama's auto industry speech

AutoblogGreen for 03.31.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 06:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AutoblogGreen for 03.26.09

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green

	Get a free Honda Insight by playing Xbox Sure, you've got to sit through ads, just like on TV, but who said video games never gave us anything?		ABG tests out the new 2010 Prius High MPG numbers are the norm in the first test of the new hybrid icon.
	First "real" Chevy Volt due June 1 It's called an integration vehicle, and it's a pretty big deal.	Other news: California Fuel Cell Partnership calls for 46 retail hydrogen stations, will cost just $180m Europe's 15 lightest cars Toyota's low-cost hybrid to be based on Yaris

AutoblogGreen for 03.26.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 06:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AutoblogGreen for 03.23.09

AutoblogGreen for 03.23.09

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green

	Ford Fusion hybrid not so hot in cold weather 40+ mpg? Not so fast, say USA Today and Ward's		eBay Find of the Day: 1974 Karmann Ghia electric conversion $5,100 for a sweet all-electric ride? Not bad, not bad at all.
	President Obama announces $2.4 Billion for electric vehicles The president takes a trip to California to promote oil independence.	Other news of import Obama on Leno: plug-in vehicles FTW How Magna's ready-made electric car helps Ford, and everyone else It's Friday: Home-built solar trike boggles the mind

AutoblogGreen for 03.23.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 06:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW says no to new Z4 M

Filed under: Convertibles, Coupes, BMW

2010 BMW Z4 - Click above for a high-res gallery

According to a report by iMotor, the financial downturn has claimed its latest victim: the BMW Z4 M. A BMW spokesperson told the pub that "Given the current economic crisis there is no business case for a full-on M version of the Z4." Although that's bad news for enthusiasts, there might be a silver lining. Coinciding with an earlier story, BMW may begin offering software upgrades for models fitted with the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six. The remapped ECU would increase output by around 20 horsepower (for a net of 326 hp) and a slight bump in torque, and will almost certainly be offered on the new Z4.

There's also talk of a M Sport package for the 135i that would include a new body kit, larger wheels, a retuned suspension and an M-branded steering wheel.

While we're disappointed about the still-born Z4 M, the obvious question is why is BMW developing M models of the X5 and X6? According to the same source, both of the hotted-up CUVs were signed off before the auto market tanked.

Gallery: 2010 BMW Z4

[Source: IMotorMag]

BMW says no to new Z4 M originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Three Nebraska auto execs disappear... along with 81 cars

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc.

Perhaps it began as an innocent experiment among dealer personnel: what would happen if three dealership executives all disappeared on the same day and 81 of the dealership's cars showed up at auto auctions in two other states? The answer to that question is that the FBI went bird-dogging on the hunt for owner Allen Patch, controller Rachel Fait, and General Manager Rick Covello on "suspicion of theft."

Legacy Auto Sales in Omaha, Nebraska was said to be in financial trouble. The three vanishing execs are suspected of trying to sell nearly all the dealership's inventory and then... well, at this point no one knows what they were going to do. But on Saturday and Monday night, transporters arrived at the dealership (that's one of them pictured) and began hauling cars away. When employees showed up for work on Tuesday, the higher-ups were gone and their desks were cleaned out.

The cars, worth $2.5 million, were found being sold at an auto auction in Salt Lake City, Utah, and also discovered in Las Vegas, Nevada. GM Covello apparently turned himself in. Fait was arrested in Tooele County, Utah on Wednesday, while Patch was located at his attorney's office in Utah and has probably been arrested by now. File this one under "Sounded like a good idea at the time..." Hat tip to WS.

[Source: Omaha.com]

Three Nebraska auto execs disappear... along with 81 cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Mar 2009 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2009: Ferrari 16M Scuderia Spider joins the party

Filed under: Convertibles, Geneva Motor Show, Supercars, Ferrari

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Ferrari 16M Scuderia Spider

The focus under the Prancing Horse this year at the Geneva Motor Show was clearly on the flagship 599, with its new HGTE package and 599XX track car, but Maranello also brought out the new Scuderia Spider 16M. The limited edition roadster was originally unveiled back in November at the Mugello race track in northern Italy to celebrate Ferrari's 16th Formula One constructors' title that was earned last year, but this was the first look we've had of it up close. Essentially a cross between the 430 Scuderia and the F430 Spider, the 16M is, according to Ferrari, the fastest convertible ever offered by the brand. With less than 500 examples being made, this may be the closest you ever get to seeing one, so check it out in the gallery below.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Ferrari Scuderia Spyder 16M

Geneva 2009: Ferrari 16M Scuderia Spider joins the party originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First official image: Opel Ampera (with Poll!)

First official image: Opel Ampera (with Poll!)

Filed under: Economy, Hybrids/Alternative, Geneva Motor Show, Euro, Green, GM, Opel

Click image to enlarge

With the Geneva Motor Show set to kick off this week, the dam holding back any remaining images and info is ready to burst. Exhibit A: the Opel Ampera. We've seen it leaked on the European Registry site, teased by GM, and spied in the wild. Today, the first full, official shot has been released, and honestly we have to wonder whether GM would have been better off giving the Chevy Volt the Opel's fascia. Seriously, for a car that's supposed to be so important, cutting-edge and revolutionary, the Volt looks pedestrian compared to the Ampera. The European cousin gets a more modern, and frankly, more attractive appearance. Sure, underneath, it's all the same tech, and the two cars' profiles are identical. But the Ampera's clearly the head-turner of the two. The Volt? Not so much. It could and should have been, as we can now plainly see.

Agree? Disagree? Let's take an informal poll. Follow the jump to vote.

Gallery: Geneva Preview: Opel Ampera

[Source: GM]

Continue reading First official image: Opel Ampera (with Poll!)

First official image: Opel Ampera (with Poll!) originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Mar 2009 10:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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