Will Infiniti build the first electric supercar with extended range?

Infiniti Emerg-E plug-in hybrid concept-carInfiniti is doing quite well in America, but it’s far from its sales objectives in Europe. The just introduced Q50 will help a lot, no doubt about that, but like many observers, Infiniti now believes it is in need of a halo car to highlight its brand name. The good news here is that it could be a plug-in hybrid. Just like the Emerg-E concept-car from last year (pictured), but better. The Emerg-E was certainly nice, Continue reading

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New S-class from Mercedes, with 2 hybrids at launch, gas or diesel

Mercedes S-class

1EUpBgoPvyPzW8BQt2DRpmY4vDsagy9nWoThe new Mercedes S-class promises no less than to be the best car in the world. We can’t say how true this claim is, but we can see something never seen before: the car will be available with two hybrid drivetrains. In Europe at least, they will be available right from launch, with an even greener plug-in hybrid version coming next year. The first two hybrids are the Continue reading

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Unexpected success for the Volvo V60 diesel plug-in hybrid

Volvo V60 plug-in hybridWith a plug-in hybrid diesel drivetrain, the Volvo V60 is absolutely unique on the market. There’s no other car like it, and for this reason alone, it deserves commercial success. If only it would be more affordable. On the French market, the Volvo V60 plug-in hybrid is 38% more expensive than a Chevrolet Volt. Quite substantial money, and exactly the same price than a Lexus GS450h, Continue reading

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The Toyota Auris hybrid gets better to compete against the VW Golf diesel

Toyota-AurisToyota will soon launch a station-wagon version of its popular Auris compact. The Auris has been available as a hybrid for nearly 3 years, with exactly the same drivetrain as the Prius, and it regularly outsells its famous cousin. It will do so with a higher margin with the help of that new body style, but there’s also something new under the hood. The Toyota Auris hybrid Touring Sports Continue reading

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The new Peugeot 308 is surprisingly innovative for its class

Peugeot-308

Peugeot-308The compact car segment is the most important in Europe. This is where the Honda Civic, the Volkswagen Golf and the Ford Focus are fighting. The Golf is the segment leader by far, and it has been very carefully designed not to displease anyone. Technical innovations are fine though, and this new 308, which keeps the same name as its predecessor, begins life with a new platform. Called EMP2, it’s Continue reading

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The Audi TT Ultra Quattro concept shows what a cost-no-object diet can do

Audi-TT-ultra-quattro-concept

It’s a concept, a one-off prototype but it doesn’t look much new. This is an Audi TT, a model that’s been around for several years, but this concept is significantly different from the TT the dealers have. This car has some pretty incredible technology. Its coils springs, made of quality steel on all cars, are built out of fiberglass-reinforced plastic. The battery is lithium-ion, it weighs less than four kilograms (8.82 lb). And Continue reading

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Norway, an electric car paradise but not much else

Electric cars in Norway

Electric cars in NorwayThanks to Nissan, I was offered the opportunity to travel to Norway a few weeks ago. That enabled me to check the country’s green credentials. Norway is known as a leader in electric mobility, but I’ve discovered it as a quiet and peaceful country. The picture above was taken in Oslo, Norway’s capital and largest city. There are some street chargers, and EV drivers can use them freely, without worrying that someone could come up, and try to steal or vandalize the cable. Continue reading

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The Toyota TMG EV P002, the fastest road EV will be even faster this year

Toyota-TMG-EV-P002This is the fastest road and track electric car in the world. The Toyota TMG EV P002 currently holds two impressive records. It’s the fastest EV on the Nurburgring, and on the Pikes Peak rally. Its best time was 7’22″329 on the German race track, and 10’15″380 on the American mountain road. It will try to be even faster this year, starting in America.
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The electric Renault Zoe starts with modest sales

Renault-ZoeMany people are expecting this figure. The first full month of sales for the electric Renault Zoe in France. Actually, the Zoe had its commercial launch in March, but registrations for that month were highly distorted due to hundreds of cars registered by dealers for demonstration purposes. April was the first month with real sales, with cars being bought and driven away by individual customers. There were Continue reading

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Bosch robots driving the autobahn, no speeding expected

Bosch-autonomous

Bosch-autonomousTo most drivers, the German highways are a rare place to be free in a world where heavy restrictions are the norm. But to some Bosch engineers, the German autobahn has become the experimental field for assisted driving. This is not autonomous driving. Bosch will keep a driver aboard at all times, and he’s always ready to take control, in case of something unexpected happening. Continue reading

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