Nissan Will Show Off New Electric Concept Car in New York

Pushing its electric vehicle strategy, Nissan will unveil an electric car concept at the New York auto show. Beyond a one-off concept, this concept is the harbinger of Nissan’s plans to push automotive technology forward with electric vehicles. Milestones of this strategy include the introduction of a new electric vehicle, based on the concept, to U.S. fleets in 2010. After this fleet testing period, the new electric vehicle will be sold to retail customers starting in 2012. Nissan has been testing a lithium ion electric powertrain in the Nissan Cube, a model soon to be offered in the U.S. Nissan executives, talking to Automotive News reporters, wouldn’t say what the concept will look like, beyond saying that it will be a compact. But they said it has an estimated range of 100 miles and a top speed of 75 mph.

Saab 9-X BioHybrid Makes American Debut in New York

New York, N.Y. – Following its world premiere at the Geneva auto show earlier this month, the award-winning Saab 9-X BioHybrid premium compact concept is scheduled to make its American debut at the New York International Auto Show media days, starting on March 19.

The editors of AutoWeek, one of North America’s most respected and longest standing automotive enthusiast magazines, voted the Saab 9-X BioHybrid “Best Concept” of the Geneva show. With this award, the 9-X joined the very successful Saab Aero X coupe concept which received AutoWeek’s “Best in Show” honors upon its debut in Geneva, two years ago.

“After its stunning performance in Geneva, we can’t wait to show the 9-X BioHybrid to the press and public here in America”, said Steve Shannon, Saab Automobile USA general manager. “Following in footsteps of the highly inspirational Aero X, as well as the 9-4X BioPower crossover concept which debuted in Detroit just a few weeks ago, the 9-X BioHybrid demonstrates that the Saab is truly on the move.”

Read more

Lamborghini is BACK with a vengeance: Gallardo LP560

The new Lamborghini showcased at the 2008 Geneva Auto Show is proof that Lamborghini is not just a supped up Audi or the lackluster super-car that is ruff around the edges. Its even more and even better now.

The new Gallardo LP560 gives the Lambo enthusiasts a whole lot more than the older Gallardo and especially from when the Gallardo was first introduced several years ago. This baby will do 0-62 in 3.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 201 mph and it does this with an increase in fuel economy and a reduction in CO2 emissions by 18 percent. Sounds like a new Honda doesn’t it? No sir, this aint no Honda here, well, at least not a street Honda, maybe a race car Honda. But enough about Hondas, the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560 has, yes you guessed it, 560hp… go figure. The new design cues sets the Lamborghini aside from all others and is sure to turn some MORE heads this go around.

3rd Generation Toyota Prius and Hybrid-Only Lexus Coming Soon

It’s a little early to start up the 2009 Detroit Auto Show predictions BUT, here goes anyway.

Toyota has plans to debut the new 3rd generation Toyota Prius along side of a new Hybrid-Only Lexus. According to Toyota Motor Corporation president Katsuaki Watanabe, by this time next year, Lexus will be welcoming its first hybrid-only model. The new 3rd generation Toyota Prius will resemble closely to the Hybrid X concept (teal colored vehicle image) which was at last years Geneva Auto Show. Toyota plans to accelerate its global PHEV research and development program “by 2010,” delivering a fleet of plug-in cars to commercial customers for on-road testing. The new Hybrid-Only Lexus will resemble along the lines of the Toyota FT-HS concept from the 2006 Detroit Show. The FT-HS concept has the same hardware from the current Lexus GS450h which we all know is no slouch. We should see something “sports car” related from Toyota very soon.

We are pretty sure the gas prices will be around $5 to $6 a gallon by time the 2009 International Auto Show gets here…. By then we ALL will have placed the 3rd generation Toyota Prius on back-order!  WOOT WOOT!

Read more

BMW ConnectedDrive: Internet Access On New BMW’s – 2008 Geneva Auto Show

BMW should be the first car maker in the world to pair newer vehicles with full internet access all fully integrated just like the run-of-the-mill navigation system is done. As you may know this has been done before in the garages of teens and car enthusiasts alike by used of cell technology. BMW will use the slower EDGE network which also connects the Apple iPhone to the net wherever the service is available. We believe the choice for the EDGE network over the faster G3 (right now) would be the common availability of the EDGE network over any others.

We all remember when BMW’s iDrive came out and how “weird” we thought that was. Well, we will probably welcome the integrated internet more so than the iDrive because we like to grip clickers in one hand and have the ultimate control over things. Of course we will not want to do this while driving. You thought people were mad enough because you drove a BMW, they will be furious when you cut them off because your surfing the net. Well, will they be? Read on….

The new BMW ConnectedDrive system will incorporate the “safety” feature of NO INTERNET if the car is in motion. So all of you steadily worrying about the fool in the new 760iL crashing into you because he was transferring money from his Swiss bank account… fret not. Now we cannot speak for the children in the back seat of the BMW… they will be able to have free run of the internet while the car is parked or in motion. So no more glancing at the back of a BMW trying to figure out which DVD they are watching… it will be more like what website are they surfing once they roll out the BMW ConnectedDrive on new BMWs.

2009 Audi A4 Avant at 2008 Geneva Motor Show

This is a looker! The new 2009 A4 Avant has the looks for a “wagon” type vehicle. Audi accents the new A4 line with Audi R8 accents (headlights) and other little cues that can be found throughout the interior. Looks like they took the current Audi A3 (US edition) and enlarged it instead of taking the later A4 Avant and redesigning it. We like what we see here.

Engine: Newly designed turbocharged four-cylinder with six-speed automatic transmission.

On Sale in US: Fall of 2008

Competes with: BMW 3 Series, Saab 9-3 SportCombi

Jacksonville International Auto Show 2008

Automotive Addicts went to the local Jacksonville International Auto Show this Saturday in Jacksonville, Florida to check out some of the new vehicles. To our surprise we were able to check out the Nissan GT-R and Dodge Challenger. This was a treat after viewing some of the normal run-of-the-mill production cars that have been out for some time now. Here are a few photos from the show.

Enjoy!

2008 Chicago Auto Show: 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 Overview

From the 2008 Chicago Auto Show, Cars.com’s Joe Wiesenfelder takes a look at the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8. It competes with the Ford Mustang and Nissan 350Z.

Cars.com video for an in-depth overview of the new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT-8:

« Previous Page — Next Page »