Tucson Latest Testbed for Nissan’s Electric Cars

The Japanese automaker is working with Ecotality, a battery-charging technology company, to deploy an EV charging network in the Tucson metropolitan area. The announcement comes as a growing number of automakers develop plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles and join EV advocates and energy companies in creating the infrastructure to keep them going. Nissan and its parent company, Renault, are especially bullish on electric cars and have launched EV initiatives in several states and countries.
"This partnership represents a major step toward making zero emissions a reality in the Tucson metro area," Dominique Thormann, a senior VP for Nissan North America, said in a statement. "We are looking forward to working with our partners in fostering the development and acceptance of electric vehicles as the smart, environmentally sound choice."

As hybrid cars gobble rare metals, shortage looms

Honda Motor Co's chief executive Takanobu Ito walks past a CR-Z car at a showroom in Tokyo July 13, 2009. Honda Motor Co plans to launch its CR-Z hybrid sports car in February next year, as it aims to bring more hybrid models to market quickly to tap growing demand.

2010 Ford Flex SEL with EcoBoost

The 2010 Ford Flex's EcoBoost engine serves up big power while not blowing it on fuel economy. The Ford Sync system is still the best way to integrate MP3 players and cell phones. Optional navigation includes traffic, weather, and fuel prices

Rumor: Alfa Romeo to Build SUV Based on Jeep Grand Cherokee - Car News

Fiat appears interested in making the most of Chrysler’s paltry product dowry by using one of the Pentastar’s promising future products, the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, as the basis for a new Alfa Romeo SUV. Although at this point our inside sources remain little birdies and voices telegraphed via cups on a string, the notion of an Alfa SUV makes some sense for a brand not satisfied with its current share of the European market, and with designs on returning to North America.
Jeep Blazed the Trail in Europe
Actually, the pump has been primed for an Alfa ute in Europe for years. Not only are Europeans familiar with the Grand Cherokee, which has been sold there for some time with both gas and diesel engines, but Alfa’s product planners can also study Grand Cherokee customers’ buying patterns to get a step ahead in developing powertrain and equipment packages. The Alfa likely would be offered in Europe with Chrysler’s new 280-hp, 3.6-liter V-6 engine, as well as a diesel or two. Given the carbon-obsessed EU regulatory structure, the Hemi V-8 is unlikely to be found under the Alfa’s hood. It is also unlikely that the Alfa would offer the full spectrum of the Jeep’s whiz-bang off-road features; rather, we would expect it to be better suited to on-road performance so as to take on the BMW X5, VW Touareg, and Mercedes-Benz ML (the latter, incidentally, provides a good portion the 2011 Grand Cherokee’s underpinnings).
As for its U.S. prospects, we think it would play a key role in fleshing out a full Alfa Romeo product portfolio here if and when the Italian automaker makes more of an effort to get involved in the U.S. market than merely dropping off a handful of quarter-million-dollar 8C Competiziones to a few (very lucky) aristocrats.
Lust: Lost in Translation
This rendering is proof that not all forms of fabulosity are scalable, at least according to some folks around the C/D offices, who think the Grand Cherokee looks positively sexy in comparison. Others actually like the Alfa’s looks. But before arguments erupt as to this potential model’s styling, it must be remembered that our unofficial drawing is based on speculative information as opposed to verified information from Alfa. However, should the company apply the same sort of design that works beautifully on cars as varied as its MiTo subcompact and the scrumptious 8C, this could be a close predictor of the final product.

2010 Porsche 911 Sport Classic - Auto Shows

As of this writing, there are 17 permutations of the 2010 911, and that’s assuming Porsche keeps its new-model introductions to a paltry five at this year’s Frankfurt auto show. The 17th model—joining the 911 Turbo coupe and cabrio, GT3 RS, and GT3 Cup at the show—is the 911 Sport Classic, a limited-run 911 that puts the “special” in special edition.
This heritage-y look was put together by Porsche Exclusive, the people who make Porsche dreams come true for a price, and took three years to develop. The package is based on the Carrera S but uses 4S rear bodywork, allowing for a wider rear track. The most obvious aesthetic change is the double-dome roof, which we’ll call a Doppeldomesgerufe. (And we wouldn’t be surprised to see that roof panel on all manner of future 911s, since it doesn’t make a ton of sense for it to have been engineered solely for such a limited production run.) A SportDesign fascia and unique lip spoiler adorn the front, while a ducktail rear spoiler evokes the 1973 Carrera RS 2.7. Black-painted 19-inch wheels are styled after the iconic Fuchs wheels familiar to vintage-911 oglers. Other small touches, such as black headlight-trim rings and black side-mirror brackets, set this “Sport”ier 911 apart and give it a “Classic” feel.
Mechanical bits include the Carrera S’s 3.8-liter flat-six paired only to a six-speed manual gearbox; there will be no new-fangled automated transmissions here. The engine is fitted with a new intake featuring six vacuum-controlled flaps and providing an extra 23 hp, for a total of 408. A sport suspension, a locking rear diff, and carbon-ceramic brakes are all standard.
The interior also gets the full bespoke treatment. Espresso-colored leather abounds, covering the dash and most of the seats. The seat inserts, however, are done in gorgeous woven leather. Grey piping matches the Alcantara headliner as well as the double center stripes on the exterior.
Only 250 copies of this limited-edition model will be built. With a price of €169,300, or what amounts to GT2 money for mere Carrera S–beating performance, the company says it’s aimed at the “well-heeled” Porsche crowd. And if you’re wondering which of its customers Porsche considers those people to be, the fact that it’s not going to be available in North America may be a clue. We poorly heeled Americans will have to take solace in Porsche’s assertion that this marks the return of its exclusive, limited-run sports cars, and hope that such models show up here in the future.

Subaru Impreza gets thrifty new engine

The Subaru Impreza has received a new fuel-efficient Boxer engine.
This 2-litre diesel engine is twice as economical as the Impreza WRX and lends itself from the Subaru Outback, Legacy and Forester cars.
It will appear in two new Impreza models - the diesel RC and diesel RX.
Both diesel models emit 155g/km of CO2, placing them into tax band G at £150 per year.
They also have a new six-speed manual gearbox and a combined fuel consumption figure of 47.9mpg. This makes them the most fuel-efficient Imprezas and the cheapest to tax.

2009 Cadillac CTS-V

This new CTS-V is simply amazing. The fastest production Cadillac ever made, it will easily stand toe-to-toe with the offerings from BMW's M and Mercedes' AMG divisions. The V looks good, too, stepping out a bit from the standard CTS with a special grille, wheels and exhaust. But the visual differences are subtle; consequently, the V could easily be dismissed as the standard-model CTS. The V's interior is stylish, with comfortable seats covered in soft Alcantara leather and plenty of legroom for passengers. As with other GM products, the navigation and audio controls are intuitive, with a large, easy-to-read screen. I was a little surprised and disappointed at the bad fit and finish, however — the space between the dashboard and the door was wide enough to fit my hand in. But there were no issues with what's under the hood. The CTS-V bests rivals from both German competitors with a supercharged 556-horsepower V8 engine that creates the most wonderful symphony of sounds, combining a throaty V8 with the turbinelike whine of the supercharger. Acceleration is amazingly smooth, with power coming on much quicker than you realize — full throttle on an entrance ramp found triple-digit speeds before I could glance at the speedometer. Unfortunately, my heavy right foot resulted in an average of just 11.2 mpg. With a base price almost $30K less than the German offerings the CTS-V is a great value, as well. Comfortable on the road, roomy interior, power to spare — this could be the perfect family sports sedan.