AutoblogGreen for 06.30.09

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green

	GM: Volt will be sportier alternative to Prius, Insight From muscular to sporty, the Volt's evolution continues.		Is XP Vehicles' inflatable car just a lot of hot air? Supposedly, you can shoot it with an AK-47 and it'll be fine. We'll see.
	REPORT: Scion iQ headed for America by early 2011 with a few changes Big Wheels fans take note.	Other news: New survey finds $4 gas is the tipping point, again Former Tesla marketing chief headed to Coda Automotive? Contrary to reports, second generation Chevy Volt is already under development

AutoblogGreen for 06.30.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Ford previews blind man unleashing inner Mustang

Filed under: Convertibles, Marketing/Advertising, Ford

Click above to view the video after the jump

Most of us take for granted the ability to enjoy driving cars. Whether it's with a clunker or a supercar, there is a wonderful freedom that comes with getting behind the wheel of an automobile. No one knows that more than Roger Keeney, a man from Athens, GA who lost his sight twenty years ago. As we reported earlier, Keeney caught Ford's attention with his application for the '10 Unleashed' program, and decided to fulfill his dream of driving a Mustang. Ford had the cameras rolling during the whole thing, and will be posting a series of videos on the 2010 Mustang web site. Both the trailer and chapter one have already been released, and we've embedded them after the jump.

Gallery: Roger Keeney's 2010 Mustang Drive

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading VIDEO: Ford previews blind man unleashing inner Mustang

VIDEO: Ford previews blind man unleashing inner Mustang originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Audi R8 Spyder

Spy Shots: Audi R8 Spyder

Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Spy Photos, Convertibles, Sports/GTs, Supercars, Audi

Audi is testing its forthcoming R8 Spyder, and the car is wearing what appears to be a completely stowable roof, not the targa-style top that has been suggested as a possibility. Yet disappearing along with the roof could also be your view of the engine. The droptop in the spy photos and in Audi's official sketch features a solid engine cover and two curious structures adorned with gills that run up to the rear window. They could line up with an interior element when the roof is down, but it would have to be mighty cool to be worth missing out on that engine. Audi's 552 horsepower competitor for cars like the Vantage V12 and Porsche 911 Turbo Cabrio will bow at this year's Frankfurt Auto Show.

[Source: Fastest Car]

Spy Shots: Audi R8 Spyder originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AutoblogGreen for 06.19.09

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green

	Why don't we use solar to power our electric cars? It's a great idea: use the sun to get around. But it's not as easy as it sounds.		HOV stickers on clean cars worth a solid $1,200 Originally sold for $8, these little things are so totally worth it.
	Hope for the electric car rests on China's shoulders [w/POLL] Care to share whether or not China will dominate the electric car space?	Other news: Toyota ups the small car score with the iQ3 (iQ cubed) Frankfurt Preview: Renault planning 3 electric vehicles Toyota not working on diesel hybrid

AutoblogGreen for 06.19.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 06:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AutoblogGreen for 06.17.09

AutoblogGreen for 06.17.09

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green

	Elon Musk: "What Me Worry?" Lawsuit or no, the CEO of Tesla Motors isn't toning down his language.		Confirmed: HUMMER buyer plans new green model If this works, Lazarus will look on in awe.
	VIDEO: Prius takes on Insight ... on the drag strip? Drag racing: one way to decide which hybrid to buy.	Other news: Get ready to see more Priuses at the pump in your neighborhood this summer John McCain tweets plans for next automobile purchase: Ford Fusion hybrid DOE announces $11 million in battery vehicle awards

AutoblogGreen for 06.17.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 06:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Separated At Birth: We find the 2000 HP twin brother of Leno's tank car

Separated At Birth: We find the 2000 HP twin brother of Leno's tank car

Filed under: Convertibles, Etc., Misc. Auto Shows, Special/Limited Editions

1946 Aero Packard Flyer "Dream Rod" - Click above for a high-res gallery

We thought a vehicle like Jay Leno's Tank Car would be a one-off. After all, how many hot rods out there are thirty feet long and have a 1792 cubic-inch turbocharged V12 underneath the hood putting out 1600 horsepower? Well, this bad boy that we spotted at the Los Angeles Concours this past weekend doesn't exactly have that powertrain, but as you can see from that massive engine poking out of its fuselage, it does have some rather impressive hardware. What is it, you ask? A 2500 cubic-inch Packard supercharged V12 originally used in a PT boat from WWII.

The 41-liter motor produces an astounding 2000 horsepower and 3000 lb-ft of torque. That's right, this thing is actually even more bad ass than Leno's tank car. Known as the "Dream Rod", it was constructed by Rodney Rucker, one of the three Blastolene Brothers also responsible for building the tank car and the insane Hemi Trike we spotted at the Grand National Roadster Show earlier this year. Check out our high-res photos in the gallery below.

Gallery: 1946 Aero Packard Flyer Dream Rod

Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

Separated At Birth: We find the 2000 HP twin brother of Leno's tank car originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AutoblogGreen for 06.10.09

AutoblogGreen for 06.10.09

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green

	First Drive: Kia Borrego FCEV and Nissal X-Trail FCV These hydrogen-powered SUVs are all about promise. Smooth, smooth promise.		General Motors opens new Global Battery Test lab GM is testing the future in Michigan.
	Saturn Vue two-mode dead, Chevrolet Equinox hybrid unlikely to hit until 2011 Penske won't get a chance to bring the Vue hybrid to market.	Other news: Is selling HUMMER the morally correct thing to do? Better Place finishes first 1,000 battery swaps without problems Police in Ohio go solar [w/VIDEO]

AutoblogGreen for 06.10.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 04:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AutoblogGreen for 06.04.09

AutoblogGreen for 06.04.09

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green

	Miles EV launches Coda Automotive for full speed electric sedan w/VIDEO An ambitious target is set by the company previously known for low-speed EVs.		Hydrogen Road Trip vehicles finish 1,700-mile trip A dozen H2 vehicles make the trek from Southern California to Southern Canada.
	Ford Fusion hybrid, the most patented car in history How many patents does it take to make a Fusion hybrid? More than you might think.	Other news: GM in talks to sell HUMMER to Chinese company Tengzhong Tesla delivers 500th Roadster to New Jersey man Complete list of confirmed TTXGP riders released

AutoblogGreen for 06.04.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 06:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hamann gives the Rolls-Royce Phantom a shot of adrenaline

Hamann gives the Rolls-Royce Phantom a shot of adrenaline

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Convertibles, Sedans/Saloons, Rolls-Royce

Hamann Rolls-Royce Phantom - Click above for a high-res image gallery

With seemingly ever luxury automaker under the sun going after BMW's coveted balance between sport and luxury, it's a little ironic that BMW's own uber-luxury marque is the one to focus purely on cushioned comfort. But not everyone wants that out of their Rolls-Royce, or so Hamann is evidently betting. The German tuning firm has tweaked everything from Bimmer crossovers to Ferrari supercars and everything in between, but has now turned its attention to the Rolls-Royce Phantom range.

Few details are available at this point, but from what we can tell, Hamann has treated the Phantom saloon and Drophead Coupe to a set of 23" rims in case the standard 21" wheels weren't big enough, apparently ditching the self-righting emblem hubs in the process. A power boost is also said to be in the mix, bringing the 6.75-liter V12's output up from 460 horsepower to a more stately 535, and torque up from 720 newton-meters (531 lb-ft) to 835 Nm (615 lb-ft). With the electronic limiter removed, the Hamann-tuned Phantoms are said to be good for 300 km/h (187 mph), to be controlled from the plush interior via a specially-crafted sports steering wheel. Click on the thumbnails below to view in our gallery.

Gallery: Hamann Rolls-Royce Phantom

[Source: Autoblog.nl]

Hamann gives the Rolls-Royce Phantom a shot of adrenaline originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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