Frankfurt 2009: 2010 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid can't get any greener

Frankfurt 2009: 2010 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid can't get any greener

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Toyota

Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept -- Click above for high-res image gallery

One day, children will be taken to a Museum of Momentous Moments, and there among artist's impressions of the missing link and the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs will be an example of the first Toyota Prius. The placard next to it will declare that it is the car that turned green... green.

The standard bearer for all that makes Mother Nature smile has gone to the next level, adding a plug-in version to its bag of sticks and twigs. It isn't here yet, but when it does arrive, the Prius-with-a-cord will also be the first Toyota with a high-output, lithium-ion battery that can be charged in 90 minutes on a 230-volt circuit. It'll also go 20 km in EV mode and run up to 62 mph on electricity alone. And then it will do your laundry and teach your children how to be quiet on airplanes. Or something like that. You can read all about it in the press release after the jump and check it out in the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Toyota Plug-In Prius

Continue reading Frankfurt 2009: 2010 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid can't get any greener

Frankfurt 2009: 2010 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid can't get any greener originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan releases teaser of 2010 Altima, model changes leak out

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Sedan, Nissan

With the 2010 Nissan Altima coupe getting an impromptu full frontal reveal during a recent marketing photoshoot, Nissan has released a single teaser of its redesigned mid-size sedan to keep interest on boil.

Although the awkwardly cropped image doesn't show the reworked grille found on the recently tweaked Versa and Sentra, we do get a clear view of the revised headlamps and more sculpted, organic creases running along the doors. However, the L-shaped headlamps fitted to the Maxima and 370Z are MIA, an odd omission considering Nissan's recent push for familial cohesion.

According to an internal document we've received from a tipster, the 2010 Altima Coupe will receive a few key feature upgrades, beginning with the 2.5 S M6 (six-speed manual) model which will include Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Traction Control System (TCS), a manually adjustable lumber support for the driver's seat and 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in P215/55 all-season rubber.

The 2.5 Premium IS 2.5 CVT Plus (whew!) will receive a 4.3-inch color display, along with an iPod interface and USB input capability, while the 3.5 SR M6 IS and 2.5 S M6 with the Premium Package will be fitted with Xenon HID headlamps. Joining the Tech Package's 6.5-inch screen and HDD navigation system is a 9.3 gig "Music Server" system with DVD playback, Bluetooth streaming audio and a new audio/video jack that replaces the standard auxiliary audio input. Expect all the official information to be released in the coming weeks, with the 2010 Nissan Altima coupe and sedan going on sale before November. Thanks for the tip Mehdi.

Nissan releases teaser of 2010 Altima, model changes leak out originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt 2009: Bentley Continental GTC Series 51 ain't so bad under the lights

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Bentley, Luxury

Bentley Continental GTC Series 51 -- Click above for high-res image gallery

When we walked up to the Bentley Continental GTC Series 51 resting on the hardwood floor of the Bentley stand, it immediately had us thinking a familiar thought. Just to make sure, we asked our colleagues if they had been experiencing the same thing, and that turned into a spirited discussion about car design and CAD-drawn vs. hand-drawn bodywork.

That well-known thought was: it's not so garish in person. Substitute "hideous," "bad," and "ugly" for "garish" and you've recreated our experiences with a number of vehicles lately, and not just in Frankfurt. From the outside it's just a good looking Continental with a new set of wheels and Bentley's always-upright center caps. Inside, the car simply feels blue with white trim, and tastefully so, which was not the impression given in the preview photos. We still look forward to the Series 51's future offerings, but this first one is a.o.k.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Bentley Continental GTC Series 51

Frankfurt 2009: Bentley Continental GTC Series 51 ain't so bad under the lights originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda MX-5 Superlight leaked ahead of Frankfurt

Mazda MX-5 Superlight leaked ahead of Frankfurt

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Convertible, Performance, Mazda, Specialty

Mazda MX-5 Superlight - Click above for high-res image gallery

With an endless string of concepts cars peppered across these pages, we often find ourselves saying, "Yeah, I'd drive that." But with the Frankfurt-bound Mazda Superlight concept, we're saying "Hey - I wanna build that!"

Conceived and created as a way to celebrate the MX-5 Miata's 20th anniversary - along with showcasing Mazda's focus on lightweight performance - the Superlight's new profile and 2,194-pound curb weight is the brainchild of the automaker's European R&D center in Oberursel, Germany.

Based off the recently facelifted roadster, the most obvious change to the Superlight is its speedster profile, which involved removing the windshield, retractable roof and frame. From there, Mazda's European team extended the aluminum hood towards the cabin and mounted an aluminum, wide-angle rear-view mirror, along with a set of roll-over hoops fitted with LED brake lights.

The passenger compartment benefits from a thorough stripping, with the removal of the sound insulation, carpeting and air conditioning unit. In their place goes a set of carbon fiber racing buckets coated in the same brown leather as the steering wheel, armrests and aluminum shifter and hand brake. The dash is a custom fiberglass and plastic unit, with the stock MX-5's gauges joining an engine-start button bringing to life the standard 1.8-liter four-cylinder (putting out 126 hp and 123 lb-ft of torque) and equipped with a Mazdaspeed cold-air intake and exhaust. But with the diet and minimal engine mods, the run from 0-to-60 MPH comes in at 8.9 seconds.

The track has been increased by 50mm all around to accommodate the larger four-piston calipers and slotted discs, with the whole package dropped by 30mm courtesy of a Bilstein B16 coil-overs. Eibach anti-roll bars are fitted front and rear, and the Superlight rolls on stock 17-inch wheels coated in 205/45 rubber.

According to Mazda Motor Europe's Chief Designer, Peter Birtwhistle, "I've dreamed of building a Mazda MX-5 with this kind of radical form for a long time. Now that weight reduction has become a dominant factor in automotive development, the time is ripe for it." Ripe indeed, and color us inspired. Now if we can just find the right donor car...

Gallery: Mazda Superlight Concept

[Source: Mazda via Carscoop]

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Mazda MX-5 Superlight leaked ahead of Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: BMW proceeding with development on mid-engine Z10?

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, BMW, Rumormill

BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

For many, it may seem hard for an automaker to claim the mantle of "The Ultimate Driving Machine" without a truly exhilarating supercar to act as a halo to define the brand. That could explain why, following previous reports that it had canned any plans for a mid-engine supercar, new reports suggest that BMW is proceeding with development of just such a vehicle.

Tentatively dubbed Z10, the most ultimate of driving machines would, according to the latest churns of the rumormill, take advantage of lightweight materials - including carbon fiber, aluminum and magnesium - to keep weight down, while offering more space inside than a Porsche 911. The jury's still out on what engine would find itself placed in the middle of the taut chassis, with the company's award-winning V10 reportedly axed in favor of a twin-turbo six (in either V or inline configuration) delivering somewhere in the vicinity of 450 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed dual clutch gearbox.

Adaptable aerodynamics, a supplemental hybrid electric motor and thermal-dynamics system are also tipped to be part of the package, and we wouldn't be surprised to see some of the styling elements from the new Vision EfficientDynamics concept make their way into the production vehicle. The supercar is supposedly projected to bow with a $110,000 sticker price about five years from now... that is, if it's actually ever produced at all.

Gallery: BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept

[Source: Automobile Magazine]

Rumormill: BMW proceeding with development on mid-engine Z10? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Survey: 80% of public considering American brand for next car purchase [w/POLL]

Survey: 80% of public considering American brand for next car purchase [w/POLL]

Filed under: Car Buying

It seems like only yesterday we brought you news that Consumer Reports recommends the Mustang over the Camaro and Challenger. In fact, it was yesterday. Now, if you read the post's fine print, you saw that the Ford racked up 78 points to the Chevy's 71 and the bloated big old Dodge managed just 53. We mention this because CR just released the results of a new survey where 80% of the respondents said they would consider purchasing an American car, whereas less than 50% said they would consider an Asian or European brand. But as it turns out, not all American cars are created equal.

Almost least surprisingly, confidence in Ford is up the most -- a big 17% over last year. Why aren't we surprised? With products like the new 2010 Mustang, Flex, Taurus (and SHO), F-150 and Transit Connect (with the Euro-Focus looming) how could consumers not stop and take a second look? And with all-stars like the Shelby GT500 and Raptor SVT, third, fourth and fifth looks are in order.

Most surprisingly, confidence in recently bankrupt and mondo-pruned back General Motors is up 6% compared to last year, possibly proving the maxim that GM is too big too fail. Least surprising is the word on Chrysler -- consumer confidence has fallen off a whopping 25%. True, like GM they went belly up. Unlike GM, the Pentastar'd maker sells the Caliber, Sebring, Journey and Nitro -- Jeep Compass, too. And of course, Mopar's fate now rests in the hands of Fiat. Not exactly a sleep-easy prescription. Fun poll for you to participate in after the jump.

[Source: Consumer Reports | Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty]

Continue reading Survey: 80% of public considering American brand for next car purchase [w/POLL]

Survey: 80% of public considering American brand for next car purchase [w/POLL] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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