Hybrid Car Tax Incentives
Posted by site admin on 02 Jul 2008
Tax breaks which was started in 2005 to boost the sale of environment friendly fuel miser cars are fast disappearing for some of the hybrid cars. These tax incentives used to save lot of money for hybrid car buyers. But things are changing slowly as the top hybrid cars in America will soon see a reduced or no tax incentives.
First in the line is Honda Civic hybrid the no. 3 selling hybrid car. The tax credit for this car is cut by half i.e. from $1,050 to $525. It is going to be nil by the end of the year. Number 1 and 2nd top selling cars i.e. Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry hybrid which used to get a tax credit of about $3,150 has already vanished.
Toyota Prius and Honda Civic are most fuel efficient cars which gives 44 miles per gallon where as Toyota Camry stands at 34 mpg.
2005 federal law which gave hybrid credit states that the tax breaks is phased out once a manufacturer sells 60,000 fuel efficient vehicles. Toyota Prius being famous reached the limit first. However, a diminished tax break is not having any effect on the sale of these cars. In the absence of tax credits it might take longer for fuel saving to make up for the extra cost of these hybrid cars.
The buyers are just tired of paying extra dollars at the pump and just want to go hybrid. The seldom do the math of how and what they will save in the long run.
Vehicles the still qualify for tax credits are Altima, Chevrolet Malibu and Ford Escape. Honda Civic GX which is powered by natural gas gets $4000 tax credit.
I am not sure what impact this will have in future but if government is not doing anything to reduce the dependence on oil then what is the point in reducing or getting rid of tax credits which in my opinion could be the most inexpensive way to fight will oil prices.
2009 Volvo XC60 - Safest Volvo Car
Posted by site admin on 30 Apr 2008
Volvo revealed their new 2009 Volvo XC60 at Geneva Motor show and thus entered boldly into the toughest terrain of the motoring world. Volvo officials claimed that their new model will have both the toughness of SUV and the luxury of a Coupe. It is one of the safest Volvos ever built.
In the new car Volvo has introduced “City Safety” which will help driver reduce the damage caused in the low speed impacts which is common in the cities.
Volvo further claimed that they are the first manufacturer in the world to provide such safety feature in the standard version. The safety features are:
- Prevent accidents
- Protects occupants in collision.
Te car will be launched with 3 engine variants i.e.:
- 3.0L inline-six turbo petrol that produces 286ps
- 2.4L D that will produce 165ps
- 2.4L D5that will produce 187ps
More variants might be planned which would be known once the production of the car will start.
With new 2009 Volvo XC60 company is going to target gadget and gizmo lover youth consumers. The sales target for XC60 is 50,000 units per year and the car will be built at Volvo car factory at Ghent, Belgium.
Toyota IQ Concept
Posted by site admin on 09 Apr 2008
A good example of a perfect packaging - Toyota IQ is less then 3 meters in length and 2 m width but could accommodate 3 adults and a child.
The air conditioning is scaled down in the concept. The flat fuel tank is located in the center and differential is located behind the driveshaft which allows the wheels to be placed in the extreme corners that results in very short over hangs.
According to Toyota, IQ is designed to meet Euro NCAP’s 5 star safety rating standards. The steering is flat bottomed which has in-built audio controls that gives extra leg rooms for the driver. The rear seats could be folded for additional luggage space.
The car will go for sale in UK market in 2009. Toyota is for long is trying to built a cheap small car that could be sold in multiple car markets with ease and this could be first step towards that.
The engine comes from Aygo - 1 liter 3-cylinder petrol and next in line will be 1.3 liter 4-cylinder petrol and diesel engine.
Volkswagen Unveiled Jetta TSI Sport
Posted by site admin on 11 Jan 2008
Volkswagen revealed its latest track challenger VW Jetta TSI Sport at Autosport International racing car show at NEC in Birmingham. It will be making its first racing appearance at Oulton Park Volkswagen Racing Cup race on Monday.
Volkswagen Racing U.K. engineers have increased the engine horsepower from 170 to 230 hp in Volkswagen Jetta TSI Sport 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine. The VW Jetta TSI racer’s shell and interior is also stripped to lower the weight to 1,223kg, with fire extinguishers, a Recaro racing seat and six-point.
According to Melissa Wright of Volkswagen Racing U.K, “We learned a lot about the engine during the course of 2007 and we have incorporated that knowledge into the new installation. In the right hands and with some development mileage under it, the new car will be a front runner.”
The best part of the new VW Jetta TSI Sport is no turbo lag, high maximum torque according to Volkswagen. The other features include engine driven supercharger and an exhaust gas powered turbocharger that are arranged in series. The supercharger operates at lower engine speeds and the turbo cuts in as revs rise.
Hybrid Porsche Panamera officially announced
Posted by site admin on 08 Jan 2008
It was well know that Porsche is going to offer a hybrid version for its 4 door Panamera. Now, it is official as the guys at Stuttgart officially announced on their website with a photo of how the hybrid system will work for its next Porsche Panamera sports hybrid car. It is great that more and more automakers are increasing their focus on the environment by building environment friendly hybrid cars. German car maker last year showed hybrid Cayenne SUV at Frankfurt Motorshow. Cayenne hybrid car currently offers around 31mpg.
Panamera will share its hybrid powertrain with the petrol/electric Cayenne hybrid which has already been revealed in prototype form.
Some of the highlights for Panamera hybrid are:
- Average fuel consumption for Porsche’s Sports Utility will be less than 9 litres/100 kilometers.
- Ist 4-door sports model to feature fuel-efficient full parallel hybrid technology
- It can be driven in a number of different modes, including only electric drive with no emissions
The new Panamera Gran Turismo will be making its first appearance in 2009. The hybrid version will follow soon after, depending on market requirements.
The European Commission requires car manufacturers to cut down carbon dioxide emissions to 120g per km. Porsche is trying hard to meet the European emissions standard for its cars which are way above the threshold.
Upcoming 2009 Hybrid Cars and Hybrid SUVs
Posted by site admin on 18 Dec 2007
2009 Lexus RX SUV
A hybrid model for 2009 Lexus RX SUV is expected but it might come for 7-passenger version only. The 3.5-liter V6 engine coupled with electric motors will be much powerful then regular hybrid cars so as to bear the weight of 2 extra passengers. The sale for this model is rumored to begin from the spring of 2008.
2009 Mercedes Benz S400 hybrid vehicle
Mercedes is planning a couple of hybrid cars (adapted versions of the E Class, GL Class and M Class) which could be expected by 2010. However Mercedes Benz S400 hybrid vehicle could be expected by 2009. Mercedes Benz S400 is going to be a mild hybrid. The car will be fitted with 295 horsepower 3.5 liter V6 direct injection gasoline engine but its electric motor will be using lithium batteries, rather than conventional NiMH batteries used in hybrid cars. Its 8.2 hp electric motor is going to reduce the fuel consumption for the car.
2009 Mercedes Benz S400 will not be compatible for zero emissions as it cannot run only on electric motor. Though Mercedes is trying for direct hybrid technology for its future cars where electric motor can run the car without gasoline in long runs but the time frame for the same is not set.
2009 Porsche Cayenne
At Frankfurt auto show Porsche claimed that it would come out with hybrid version of its Cayenne SUV. Since last 2 years not much was heard about the program but recently Porsche gave some details about new hybrid SUV.
2009 Porsche Cayenne hybrid SUV might be fitted with 3.6 liter V6 engine and would have 6 speed automatic transmissions. A 34kW electric motor will increase its fuel efficiency by 24 to 26 mpg an increase of 25% from the regular V-6 Cayenne’s.
The air conditioning is expected to use electric power, oil pump will be electrically powered, and an electro hydraulic steering system and vacuum pump for the brakes which all together will decrease fuel consumption.
2009 Kia Mesa Midsize SUV
Posted by site admin on 30 Nov 2007
The Kia Mesa first broke ground at the North American International Auto Show in 2005, when the KDC-III Mesa concept was unveiled. The production version, expected in 2008, shares the drive train and separates chassis construction with the smaller Sorento. Kia had the option of stretching the Sorento itself, but rather decided on an all new model that will sit in the range above the Sorento. Kia has needed a larger vehicle with more seating capacity, although some in the industry are wondering whether it is such a wise move in light of fuel prices and the current climate of many other manufacturers fitting hybrid drive trains to their large SUVs.
The concept car has a six cylinder engine under the hood, although Kia has confirmed that a V8 will be able to fit in the engine bay. The concept car also had four clamps on the roof that can carry skis, or luggage, electrically activated running boards, electric tow hitch, power operated rear step and massive 22 inch wheels. There were also full length sunroofs.
Looking at the spy photos the Kia Mesa concept design has been watered down a fair bit, with the body becoming more box-like. There are some cues that look as if they could have come off the Mercedes GL SUV, which is not a bad thing, as Kia wants the Mesa to be seen as a very high quality vehicle, and rumors are that the interior will be very well appointed and built.
The engine in the production model - Kia’s largest SUV so far - is expected to be a 260 horsepower 3.8 liter V6, and it will be available with three rows of seats to take on contenders from GM, although the separate captains chairs of the concept will give ay to more conventional seating. There’s also speculation that a V8 may become available on the vehicle, especially as the engine bay is large enough. A diesel version of the vehicle will be available and the Mesa is likely to be available in both four and rear wheel drive. The separate chassis construction is a bit of a surprise, as many SUVs are switching to more common monocoque designs. Perhaps Kia chose the chassis to lower production costs, and an added benefit is that the Mesa should be more capable off road and be capable of towing more than some other SUVs on the market.
2009 Lexus LX Midsize SUV
Posted by site admin on 30 Nov 2007
Unveiled at the 2007 New York International Auto Show, the new Lexus LX570 has an increased displacement V8 engine, as evidenced by the name. The engine has come from the Toyota Tundra and pumps out 381 horsepower, which is a full 113 horsepower more than the engine in the previous LX470. The gearbox is now a six speed automatic and the four wheel drive system utilizes a Torsion differential, which increases the towing capacity from 6500lb to 8500lb. More importantly for speed freaks, it means the LX570 will sprint to 60mph in less than eight seconds.
The LX570 pretty much gets every gadget in the Toyota/Lexus parts bin, including electro hydraulic suspension that works quicker than before in sensing body movement and adjusting the suspension accordingly.
Lexus claims that body roll has been cut by 30 percent through the new suspension system, and thanks to the adjustable height the body can drop two inches for access, and pump itself up in the air for off road driving - not that you’ll be doing any of the sort in a vehicle that costs around $70,000. If you do go off road though, there are plenty of electronic helpers available, such as the ABS system that senses when the vehicle is on sand and gravel and alters its programming appropriately. There’s also ‘Crawl Control’, which numbs down the throttle sensitivity for better low speed control.
More helpful is the lowering of one inch at the front and half an inch at the rear at highway speeds for a more aerodynamic performance.
As before, the basis for the LX570 is the Toyota Land Cruiser. It has a 112 inch wheelbase, but the Lexus is four inches longer due to longer overhangs, and Lexus says the underpinnings bear no relation to the Tundra. The LX570 has plenty of spec, including four zone climate control, power adjustable second row split seating, Blue tooth compatible navigation system, XM radio and power folding third row seats. There’s also a blind spot warning system available, which uses cameras in the front grille and side mirrors. The interior, which is now one inch wider, has been updated to make it look more like other Lexus interiors, with a small information display in the center of the dashboard and silver trim on the center console. The RX570 has also abandoned the transfer case lever, adopting a push button to engage low range four wheel drive. It’s unlikely you’re ever going to go off road in this Lexus, but it’s been proven in the past that having the ability to do so helps very much on the sales room floor.
2009 Lincoln MKS Large Sedan
Posted by site admin on 17 Oct 2007
Lincoln’s replacement for the LS - the MKS sedan - has been spotted undisguised on the set of the next Batman film, allowing a clearer view of the upcoming vehicle. The styling is close to that of the MKR concept vehicle, although the taillights are taller and narrower, while the headlights are slightly softer in shape, with fewer sharp corners.
The MKS will have the same Volvo derived D3 chassis that is also shared with the Taurus and Sable. Instead of offering a V8 option on the MKS, Lincoln is expected to have the twin force turbocharged V6, capable of around 400 horsepower and 415 lb ft of torque. That is fed to the wheels via a six speed automatic gearbox, and four wheel drive is expected to be an option on the car. Entry level versions of the car will be front wheel drive.
The concept car had a 4.4 liter 315 horsepower V8 and the production car was tipped to have the 4.8 litre V8 found in the Volvo XC90, but apparently due to cost concerns the V8 has been dropped. It may be for the better though, as the TwinForce engine should offer better fuel economy than a big V8. It’s expected that the production car will make an appearance at the North American International Auto Show in January 2008.
Features that are likely to make the transition from concept to reality are the front corner LED lights that illuminate when the steering wheel is turned and the LED tail lights. The turning lights use a series of LEDs that light up sequentially as the wheel is turned, rather than relying on a system that steers the headlights into the bend. The car will be equipped with Bluetooth and 500 Watt DVD audio surround sound system, while the front seats adjust 14 ways electrically and are heated and cooled. There will also be a key less entry system that recognizes the key fob, allowing the driver to unlock the car by touching the door handle, and start the car using a push button. The ‘Vista Roof’ panoramic glass roof from the concept is likely to be an option on the production car.
It’s unlikely the 20 inch wheels will be standard on the car, as the MKS is intended to be a luxury car and the low sidewalls of the low profile tires won’t do anything good for the ride quality.
“Lincoln has historically excelled at full-size luxury sedans “it’s been our hallmark,” says Darryl Hazel, vice president, Marketing, North America. “With the Lincoln MKS, we’re reaffirming what we stand for and signaling our intent to introduce a new generation of consumers to full-size performance luxury in the very near future.”
2009 Lotus Esprit Compact Coupe
Posted by site admin on 15 Oct 2007
2009 Lotus Esprit Compact Coupe: The Lotus Esprit has always been one of the odd super cars, at first having a four cylinder turbocharged engine while others were using V8s and V10s, before shifting to a V8 for the last production Esprit in 2004. Lotus is not likely to make the same mistake again with the reborn Espirit, which is expected to arrive with a mid mounted V8 from the beginning. The name Esprit is by no means certain though, as Lotus is considering giving the car an all new name.
The engine is likely to come from an outside source, as Lotus has decided that building an engine in house is too expensive for the project. The previous V8 engine can’t be used due to the old technology and the fact it no longer meets emissions requirements. The most common rumor engine wise is that a BMW V8 will be used, possibly the 4.8 liter V8, with power around the 400 horsepower level thanks to turbo charging.
The car will be built on what Lotus calls ‘Versatile Vehicle Architecture’, an aluminum chassis that can be altered to suit other Lotus models in development. The VVA was first seen on the Lotus APX concept car. It also means that the new Esprit will be available as both a coupe and a convertible.
The new car will be built at Lotus’ headquarters at Hethel, rather than at any other possible location made possible by Proton’s ownership of the English brand. Previously, Proton executives had suggested that the car may even be built in Malaysia. The decision to build the cars at Hethel hinged on a restructuring and efficiency plan implemented at the plant, which is still ongoing. Between 1000 and 2000 cars will likely be built every year, with the emphasis on the lucrative US market. To that end the car will be engineered to meet all US legal and safety requirements from the beginning, unlike the previous Esprit.
The obvious competitors for the new 2009 Lotus Esprit Compact Coupe are the Porsche 911 turbo and the Audi R8 and it’s expected that the Lotus will be priced accordingly. The new esprit will start production in spring 2008. As well as the new Esprit, Lotus is hard at work on a new mid range 2+2 model, and spy shots have shown the mid engined car driving around the roads in Hethel. Called ‘Project Eagle’ this car will sit between the ultra sporty Elise and derivatives and the new Esprit. and is thought to resemble the stillborn M250 concept in 1999. This car is intended to take on the likes of the Porsche 911 and will likely go on sale in late 2009.