Two introduction videos of the Chevrolet Volt have been released. The car is an extended-range electric vehicle that offers up to 40 miles of gasoline- and emissions-free electric driving. The Chevrolet Volt utilities battery packs manufactured in the United States by General Motors. Watch the video after the jump. More»
According to rumors on the internet, Nissan will release a hybrid version of its 370Z sports car by around 2012. It could be the first hybrid sports car, although Honda has been working on its own CR-Z, which should come out as a sporty but compact hybrid. The 370Z hybrid would use the same 3.7-litre V6 engine as the standard version, but would get an extra boost from an electric motor. [Crave]
40 new Nissan Altima Hybrids will be used as marked and unmarked patrol cars at the New York Police Department. Price at $25,391, the Altimas cost about $1,500 more than a Chevy Impala but they get twice the urban mileage at 35 mpg compared to the 16 mpg for the Chevy. The NYPD already uses hybrid vehicles in its parking enforcement fleet as well as electric scooters. The department also uses the traditional Ford Crown Victorias and the newer Dodge Chargers. The patrol cars will be evaluated for a year before the department decides whether to expand the use of hybrids for this use. [NYPD News]
Daimler announced today that it will showcase the production version of Mercedes ML450 Hybrid SUV at 2009 New York Auto Show. The car will be based on the concept version unveiled at 2007′s Frankfurt Motor Show and will come with a 3.5L petrol V6 mated to an electric motor. The total power developed by the powertrain in the Mercedes ML450 Hybrid SUV is 335 hp. More»
Cadillac has proudly introduced the 2009 Escalade Platinum Hybrid, a super-luxe variant of the Escalade Hybrid. The Platinum Hybrid features a 6.0-liter V8 engine with Active Fuel Management cylinder shut-off technology and a pair of electric motors connected to a 300-volt nickel-metal hydride battery.
This hybrid car is rated at 332 horsepower and 367 lb-ft. of torque. The fuel consumption is rated at 20 mpg in the city. The Platinum will be available in 2WD and 4WD models that weight 5,800 and 5,600 lbs., respectively. The Escalade Platinum Hybrid will start at $84,935 upwards. [LeftLaneNews]
Kia has just introduced its first mass production hybrid model based on the new Forte compact sedan in its home market of South Korea. Dubbed as the Forte LPI Hybrid, the car uses a 1.6L Liquefied Petroleum Injected (LPI) engine producing 114 horsepower. An electric motor which is powered by a lithium polymer battery pack adds an additional 20 horsepower for a total of 134 horsepower. Kia claims the Forte LPI Hybrid is capable of about 40.5 mpg, which would put it on pace with other hybrids on the market. The car will be officially unveiled at the 2009 Seoul Motor Show next week. [AutoGuide] More»
