concept cars

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Mitsubishi to Bring Two New Electric Concepts to Tokyo Show

October 1, 2009 in EVs, Future Cars, emissions by kristen | No comments

When the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show opens later this month, Mitsubishi will have 16 vehicles on display, including to new electric vehicle concepts. Of the remaining 14 Mitsubishis at the show, 10 are current production models that qualify for eco-tax deductions in Japan. That leaves four gas-guzzling, carbon-spewing vehicles.

But, to go back to the future, let’s take a look at the Mitsubishi PX-MiEV and i-MiEV Cargo:

Mitsubishi PX-MiEV

  • Plug-in hybrid system
  • 115 mpg
  • Super All-Wheel Control and Electric-Powered Active Yaw Control for better performance
  • Two motors, one at each axle
  • Smart-grid ready

Mitsubishi i-MiEV Cargo

  • Adds rear space to the current i-MiEV microcar
  • Cube-shaped luggage space with a flat floor for maximum usable space
  • Overall height rises to just over 6 feet

Images courtesy of Mitsubishi Motors.

Frankfurt 2009: Volkswagen L1 Diesel Hybrid Concept

September 21, 2009 in Biz News, Future Cars, Hybrids, MPG, diesel, small cars by kristen | No comments

Volkswagen L1 Concept

The Volkswagen L1 diesel hybrid concept created quite a stir at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show — which despite a slew of high-end exotics was more green than ever this year. Volkswagen says its one-liter concept car would be the most fuel-efficient car in the world. Actually, they say it is the most fuel-efficient car in the world, but I’ll withhold that title until the car leaves the “study” stage and reaches production.

The L1 is light, thanks to a carbon fiber body; compact like a VW Fox, and short, with a height similar to the low-slung Lamborghini Murcielago, according to Volkswagen. The hybrid has an electric motor and a teeny diesel-powered engine, plus start-stop technology for further fuel savings.

The VW L1 Concept by the numbers:

  • 837 pounds
  • 12.5 feet long; 3.75 feet wide
  • 170 mpg combined

Mercedes Plug-In Hybrid Gets Closer to Production

September 3, 2009 in Biz News, EVs, Future Cars, small cars by kristen | 1 comment

The Mercedes BlueZERO E-CELL PLUS inches ever closer to the real world, according to the company’s latest press release. The concept appeared at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show as the electric-only BlueZERO E-CELL; engineers have been working on an extended-range version ever since.

The E-CELL PLUS combines a bank of lithium ion batteries and a gasoline-powered generator to extend the car’s range to about 375 miles. It can travel about 60 miles on electric power alone, where the electric-only E-CELL can go about 120 miles before needing a recharge.

The company said that in addition to its range of electric vehicles, it will produce a small batch of fuel cell vehicles in 2009. A small batch of the battery-only vehicles will follow in 2010. No word on when any of these cars might hit showrooms, or how much they might cost.

Image of the BlueZERO E-CELL PLUS courtesy of Daimler AG.

Dreams Do Come True: Volvo C30 Electric Car Confirmed

August 13, 2009 in Biz News, EVs, Future Cars, small cars by kristen | No comments

A couple of years ago, Volvo introduced the ReCharge hybrid electric concept; now, it’s taking the idea a step further by giving the little Volvo C30 hatchback an electric motor with a 130-mile range.

A plug-in electric Volvo C30 will debut at the Innovation for Life event just after the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, according to a report in Autocar. Unlike the ReCharge, the C30 won’t have four small electric motors at all four wheels. It will instead have a more conventional single-motor set up.

The New York Times Wheels blog said the car could maybe possibly be part of a small test fleet. Fingers crossed. I’ve driven the gasoline C30, and for a city car, it’s brilliant. Swap out the gas pump for an outlet, and I’ll be in line. I’ll start saving my pennies.

Image courtesy of Volvo Cars.

Nissan Leaf Electric Car No Laughing Matter

August 4, 2009 in Consumer News, EVs, Future Cars, emissions by kristen | 3 comments

The latest challenger in the electric vehicle ring made its debut on Sunday: the Nissan Leaf. At first glance, it’s got several things going for it:

  • It’s cute but not weird
  • It’s 100% gasoline- and emissions-free
  • It’s got a 100-mile range on lithium-ion batteries
  • It’s supposed to carry a price tag that competes with gasoline cars (Popular Science is guessing around $30,000)

Nissan’s goal is to make the Leaf an affordable, mass-market, all-electric vehicle. They plan on having these things hit the market — the real market, not the small-batch, lease-only test market — by 2012.

Mercedes-Benz Electric Super Car

July 21, 2009 in EVs, Future Cars, New Tech by kristen | No comments

Mercedes-Benz has announced that it will build an electric car based on its SLS AMG super car, with electric motors at all four wheels replacing the V8 engine that would normally be under the hood.

Here are the specs:

  • 526 hp all together, about 40 less than the gasoline version
  • 0-60 mph in under 4 seconds
  • Top speed over 125 mph is expected
  • 110-mile range
  • 8-hour recharge

The car is expected to arrive on roads in 2013, hopefully with a shorter charging time. At least we do know it will have those striking gullwing doors.