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MIT’s city car concept has been in the pipeline for a long time, but until now there’s been nothing other than illustrations and half-size models. Now, however, the real thing is here, and it’s about to go into testing in Europe. More »
from Gizmodo
Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Infiniti, Porsche, Luxury
We don’t imagine that many new-car buyers are cross-shopping their local Infiniti and Porsche dealerships, but there’s at least one segment of the automotive industry where the two automakers both play ball: high-performance hybrid luxury sedans, which may be the single most conflicted niche of the automotive sphere in the known universe.
In any case, here we are with the Infiniti M35h and Porsche Panamera S Hybrid. Each one is marketed as both a somewhat greener luxury vehicle and a performance sedan. We’d guess it’s the performance side of the equation that would be most interesting to the majority of buyers, leaving fuel efficiency a welcome bonus.
So, which one is faster? That’s an interesting question. Usually, we equate that term with top speed, as “fast” connotes velocity. When acceleration is being contested, we generally ask which machine is quickest. And, if it’s quickness you’re after, Infiniti wants you to know that its M35h will out-accelerate its competitor from Germany. How quick is it? According to Motor Trend, the hybrid M goes from 0-60 in 5.1 seconds, but that’s not the stat Infiniti is claiming. According to the post-jump press release, the M35h is “faster” than the hybrid Panamera from 0-100 (11.54 seconds) and in the quarter mile (13.41 seconds).
As for the rest of the relevant statistics, the EPA estimates that the M35h will manage 27 miles per gallon in the city and 32 on the highway, for a combined rating of 29. The Porsche Panamera S Hybrid is rated at 22 city, 30 highway and 25 combined. Seems the M hybrid takes both the acceleration and economy awards. Check out a video released by Infiniti after the break, where you’ll also find the press release, if you’re into that kind of thing.
Continue reading Followup: Infiniti M35h is world’s “fastest” hybrid
from Autoblog
The Guinness Book of World Records has just certified the “World’s Fastest Full Hybrid.†Who got the prize?
You’re driving home from work one day when the car owner’s worst nightmare happens: the check engine light pops on. It comes without warning and with no explanation. For most drivers, this means a trip to the mechanic, but it’s not difficult to diagnose (and sometimes fix) yourself. More »
from Lifehacker
Not sure if this is a good idea…Â for safety sake…
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Last Summer Toyota showed off its Window to the World technology created in partnership with the Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design. It turned a rear window into an augmented-reality screen that would keep kids interested in something other than asking “Are we there yet?” Now General Motors has showed off a similar bit of kit called Windows of Opportunity, developed with the Bezalel School of Art and Design in Israel.
GM’s Windows concept is aimed just as much at kids as adults. The team came up with four different apps that provided interactivity ranging from a virtual take on drawing on foggy windows to checking what was on other augmented windows on cars around the world. We’re probably a long way from seeing something like this in production, but you know you can look forward to the day when your kid monitors your driving style from his child seat. Follow the jumpfor the full press release and a short video on GM’s new tech.
Continue reading GM latest to explore turning rear windows into screens
from Autoblog
Until now, there hasn’t been an all-electric car fit for road-tripping. But Tesla’s Model S, due out late in 2012, is made for extended drives. Its battery goes up to 300 miles on a charge. Its cabin is spacious enough for seven passengers. And it can get up to cruising speed fast-the Model S accelerates from 0 to 60 in 5.6 seconds.
At 85 kilowatt-hours, the Model S boasts more than triple the battery capacity of the Nissan Leaf. Its thousands of lithium-ion cells use a new electrode chemistry from Panasonic, which could allow them to store more power than other comparably sized cells.
Tesla plans to install proprietary 440-volt charging stations (first along the I-5 Corridor between Los Angeles and San Francisco) built to match up with the Model S’s circuitry. They will provide a full charge in an hour. Standard chargers will require a full night.
To protect the motor, circuitry and battery from heat, channels filled with liquid coolant run through the components. Pumps cycle coolant through a front radiator and a pair of A/C condensers. This helps the motor deliver twice the power of its Roadster predecessor.
To increase the sedan’s range, the designers of the Model S kept its weight low with a body constructed from 97 percent aluminum. They added heavier structural steel only where necessary for safety: in central supports and front-end crash zones.
The Model S’s batteries sit beneath the floor in a large flat pack that spreads the width of the car and about two thirds of its length. This arrangement leaves ample space in the trunk for cargo or two backward-facing jump seats. The main interior holds five adults.
Top Speed:130 mph
Range: 300 miles
Seats: Five adults, two children
Price: $77,400
from Popular Science – New Technology, Science News, The Future Now
My ’96 Honda Accord, with over 195,000 miles on it is now in need of new suspension. Â Rear shocks & springs are gone. Â Not only do they squeak badly all the time, they are making the wheel alignment go off. Well, I took it to Firestone and got a quote that went to about $1000. Â The car’s value is maybe about $2000 at most. Â It still has lots of life left in it. After all, I put in a rebuilt tranny in it and take good care of it.
So I took upon the challenge to look on the ‘net to see if I can find a set for cheaper. Â My awesome mechanic, Ash Auto, quoted about $200 for the labor so I needed just the parts. Well, there were lots of aftermarket suspensions that lowered the car by an inch or two. I thought that’d be awesome since the car tends to roll. Â A lot. Â I don’t care so much about the speed, but the handling is a must.
However, my suspension-ful story took a sharp turn when I spoke with Ash and he mentioned that when you lower a car, the camber angle (angle between the suspension to the wheel) changes and can mess up the tires.
So I went back to the drawing board, ok, eBay. I searched for camber kits on eBay and guess what?! They were more expensive than the shocks and the springs! WTH?!
After vainly trying to find both camber kit AND suspension for about $400 and failed. Failed miserably! So I had to give that idea of lowering the car up, and decided to just stick to OEM parts. So I looked and looked… and the best I came up with was Monroe parts: 171989, 171286L/R.
However, here’s the final kicker. eBay is not necessarily the best place to find the best price. Guess where I found them? Amazon.com  Yup. In the end, just keep looking. The set of 4, which should be here by Wednesday, cost me about $420.
Still… I wish I could’ve gotten the lowering suspension AND the camber kit for the same price… Oh well, c’est la vie.