May 28, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Stan Soliday

GM was experimenting with electric car conversions as early as the 1960s. The Corvair and Chevette models were converted to electric, but never produced.

Then in 1987 came a racing in the sun; the solar powered auto race across Australia. The GM sponsored solar powered Sunraycer won. GM followed up with the 1990 Impact electric car. The car was aided in design by technical experts AC Propulsion and Hughes electronics. The futuristic looking ride was the precursor of the EV1. The car was well ahead of the pack except for its lead acid battery bank.

1994, GM started up the Preview program. The program provided 50 custom built Impact EVs for evaluation. 14,000 people applied to be testers. Motor Trend Magazine called the car “Fantastic”. A modified Impact hit a world record183mph.

In one of those interesting twists of fate, the Impact was so well received that it influenced the California Air Resources Board to craft the now famous and defunct Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) mandate. The ruling specified increasing electric car production quotas from the major auto manufactures from 2% in 1998 to 10% in 2003. Gm appeared at first to be all with the mandate, Chevy S-10 pickup trucks were fitted with electric drive motors.

Then, Toyota, Honda, and Nissan showed their support by producing their own EV prototypes. Ford converted its Ranger pickup trucks to electric, and released the Ford TH!NK EV. Electric car conversions blossomed. EVs were indeed on a roll.

The Impact evolved into the 1996 EV1. The car was a hit from the start. Celebrities drove the car and provided free advertising. We remember the local TV anchorman driving the EV1 on camera while providing a steady stream of positive comments. Production was limited, and the EV1 could not be bought and paid for. The car could only be leased, but the future looked good for the electric car. 288 of the 1996 version with lead acid batteries were leased.

GM at this time was already expressing EV doubts in public. The company viewed the PreView program as a failure, yet continued with EV1 development, along with a promotional ad campaign. The hot-cold attitude of GM did not go unnoticed. Citizens repeatedly demonstrated support for the EV1, spending time and money on what they considered to be correct and well done.

In 1999, major improvements were made to the battery pack and drive electronics. In yet another curious move, the number of leases made available was restricted despite an increase in demand for the leases. GM did not seem to obey rational laws of supply and demand.

Then in a reversal, GM issued a recall for 450 EV1s. There were technical problems with the battery packs. 200 of the cars were re-fitted with Ni-MH battery packs.

In 1999, the EV1 production line was stopped after making some 1100 cars. In 2002, recalls of the EV1 were begun, consumers reacted. There were attempts at negotiation. There were protests. In the end, the cars were re-claimed and stored away in a warehouse. The EV1 program was officially ended in 2003. This is the same year that the CARB ruling regarding was repealed, aided by a phalanx of auto industry and cloaked oil company legal types.

The story ends with the crushing of nearly every single EV1. The efforts against EV1 smashing were many and well documented, as demonstrated in the film “Who Killed the Electric car”. Several GM executives have expressed remorse at this outcome.

Fast forward to 2010, GM has done another 180 degree turn. Now the company is planning to produce the Chevy Volt. GM has referred to the Volt as both an electric car, and a range extended electric vehicle (REEV). The strategy is working. People are lining up once again to purchase the latest GM electric powered car. The Volt is technically a Series Hybrid vehicle.

The new GM EV has the largest Hybrid battery pack out there at 16kWh. This Li-Ion pack is as large as the battery pack in some fully electric cars, like the Mitsubishi iMiev.

The car also has an onboard generator, and 4-cylinder gas engine. Unlike many other hybrids (GM included), the Volt engine only powers the generator, which in turn powers the electric drive motor. So, after the 40 mile or so range is extruded from the battery pack, the 4 banger kicks in and provides your extended range. The battery pack is only recharged by plugging it in. This also lends the label of “PHEV”, or plug in electric vehicle to the Volt.

GM has a history of producing winning electric cars. Lets hope the company stays the course and avoids anymore turn arounds in the middle of the electric highway.

Thanks for checking out this article.

For more on GM electric cars, or the Chevy Volt, just visit: http://evsroll.com/GM_electric_cars.html or http://evsroll.com/Chevrolet_electric_car.html

Article Source: Stan Soliday

GM Electric Cars

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May 21, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Gurg Sumit Kumar

Get completely ready for the most compact Chevrolet ever in your life. The Spark will be General Motors’ big surprise entry in the tiny car stakes, as well as possibly being a necessary sales spark with the actual come back of four dollar gasoline.

The economy may possibly be heading straight down, however fuel costs will be heading straight upwards. That is terrible information with regard to shoppers within a deepening economic downturn, however could possibly end up being a great chance for those auto producers which are ready for the expected come back of four dollar gasoline.

Auto producers such as General Motors, Although feverishly doing work in order to make a late-2010 debut date of the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid, General Motors also plans a traditional innovative high-mpg Chevy which ought to cost much less than 1 / 2 as much as the actual forty thousand dollar, Volt. Named Spark, it is a front-wheel-drive four door hatchback actually more compact than Chevy’s Aveo subcompact vehicle. General Motors states Spark will start U.S. sale within the year 2010, apparently later in the calendar year, about the very same time period as the Volt.

Spark will be the type of reasonably priced fuel-miser that Washington lawmakers believe General Motors ought to be vending a whole lot more of–as they may possibly be required to do in keeping the conditions regarding granted government loans. However General Motors will not be trying to play politics. After all, the two thousand eleven Chevrolet Spark has been in the making prior to the automaker running out of funds. This will not do anything at all with regard to US jobs, because it is the product of GM Daewoo Auto Technologies located in South Korea, which additionally produces the Aveo.

The 2011 Chevrolet Spark will be an important intro for GM throughout the world. That is due to the fact it is the remodeled substitute for the Matiz minicar, which anchors the Chevy collection within European countries and numerous growing markets. GM received the Matiz once it created GMDAT in 2002 through part of now non-existing Daewoo Motors. GMDAT has turned in to 1 of 2 General Motor’s facilities for worldwide small-car design and style. In the process, it really is helping to make Chevrolet a top brand name within countries that know absolutely nothing of American-market hits such as the Malibu and Silverado.

Gurg Sumit Kumar provides reviews on latest car models, automobiles and all four wheelers. Find more about his latest review on Spark Chevrolet, its specifications, features and all the available models.

Article Source: Gurg Sumit Kumar

Chevrolet Spark: A Small Surprise

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May 20, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Larmour Tan

Did you know that it basically took Audi 126.5 million years to finally agree with everyone alive that having a tall 4,6 or 8 cylinder engine set up high and way in front of the front axle does not do wonders to the handling of their front wheel drive sedans? Having driven the current A6, the previous generation A4 (B7 series) as well as the earlier ones too, I have to say that massive understeer is the preferred way for these front wheel drive Audis to corner.

On the B7 A4 I remember driving it hard and it felt so nose heavy that even with a pointy nose it felt as if the steering was the one end of the stick and the other end was the large elephant hanging off of it. That A4 was a pretty good car and in 2.0TFSI form was a fast ride but the high speed handling on a twisty road was really bad. I would assume this trait would be lessened in the Quattro or All wheel drive version of the cars, but in the front wheel drive A4, it basically was awful.

Now this brings us to the current B8 Audi A4 1.8 TFSI launched around two years ago. The car I tried is owned by a friend of mine and it is a car that is very familiar to me. His ride pictured above is the 1.8TFSI 160bhp spec that comes with the larger 18inch tires and rims. It looks so much better than the stock 17inch rims that the standard car is specced with.

I suppose it was because of nearly universal criticism of mega understeer that Audi had finally decided to re-engineer the engine and gearbox placement of the A4. The wheels are now at least 8cm forward compared to the earlier setup and this equates to better handling as well steering feel. The car does not drive like you were sitting just slightly behind an arrow’s head in flight. You actually have a car in which does not fight the laws of physics all the time unlike the earlier versions.

This time it feels like you’re driving a front wheel drive car with a normal transverse engine instead of a longitudinally placed one (even though it is still longitudinally placed). Imagine driving a slightly larger Honda Civic (in terms of nippiness). This is the first 4 door front wheel drive Audi ever that behaves decently well.

There is very little sign of it being nose heavy like its predecessors. It is a car which you can fling into corners, of course there’s none of the tail out antics being a front wheel drive and it will only show mild understeer at speeds in excess of 150km/h on high speed sweeping corners. On tighter corners, it is poised and predictable, with the A4 managing to turn accurately and without much of the artificial steering sensation of the previous variable assist steering wheel. It still lacks feel, but it is better than the previous A4.

The ride and handling is sorted unlike previous A4s I had driven or been in. The handling of this car is just right for most drivers. i.e. pointy and the tail is obedient, even in the wet. This one has the switchable dynamic, automatic and comfort damping. The modes also adjust throttle mapping and steering feel too. I prefer dynamic (the slightly firmer setup) over comfort and even automatic as this is just totally fun to be in most of the time.

Of course the ‘comfort’ setting will please a lot of older drivers out there and those that just want this A4 to be transport and nothing more. The damping on all settings are so much better than the earlier ones which seems to be undamped or oversprung. The older B7 Audis have a choppy ride due to the over aggressive rebound shock absorber rates.

This 1.8liter A4 comes with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with 8 programmed shift points that has hardly any CVT yo-yo rubber band-like feeling like normal CVTs do and which I don’t like too much. It feels much like a normal autobox that would move through the gears without the revs seeming to hold at high rpms on normal CVTs. It feels punchy and because of this the A4 seemed to be in the correct gear during a kickdown or when you downshift manually with the flappy pedals behind the steering wheel. Anytime you stomped on the throttle the CVT would go down to at least 2 to 3 of its programmed gear ratios without any hesitation, especially if you’re in dynamic mode. This is by far the best CVT setup I’ve tried to date.

We have found out that the 160ps and 250Nm that the 1.8liter direct injection and turbocharged engine pumped out was more than adequate to take on most 2.0liter cars out in the market right now. You have to trust me on this as it has been done. Even on a damp road the ESP will blink like crazy if you’re wringing the A4 in those conditions. I think the official specs are a little under rated as I think it makes a more than the quoted 160ps.

Even against a 280bhp JDM Subaru Legacy 2.0GT on a stretch of highway it will pull away from the Scooby from 120km/h till approximately 180km/h. This is when the bigger capacity engine with its extra torque gives the large capacity car that top end advantage. Do not even compare with a BMW 320i. In a straight fight (whether on a race track or a drag race) the similar priced BMW will get flattened. You may be able to argue that the 320i is more fun to drive as it is rear wheel drive, but point to point, this Audi is the faster hands down.

It does things very well, but driving the A4 was a slightly clinical experience as it felt a little polished. It does things efficiently and maybe too efficiently in a way. Maybe its that elusive thing called soul which is abundant in cars which are slightly eccentric (like an Alfa Romeo 159). However, I suppose it still is a good upgrade to those who have spent their driving lives in cars like the Mitsubishi Lancer, Honda Civic or even the Golf GTI as its still front wheel drive and if you graduated from the Golf, you won’t get into a surprise driving a BMW 335i which may suddenly punt you tail first into a tree due to its rear wheel drive (oversteer) nature.

As for the interior, the car is larger than the previous model and has better rear legroom. I have only one complaint is that in right hand drive form in that the pedals may be tight fit for those with big feet. The materials used is of class leading standard and if you were to compare between the BMW E90 3 series, the W204 C-class, you’d only have to choose between the Audi and the C-Class as the material quality in the 3 series is taxi like compared to the two.

On the exterior of the car I’d have to say that it is a successful albeit slightly fussy interpretation of the Audi school of design. However, the stance of the car is good, especially with the 18inch wheels. From the front with those daytime driving lights on it looks like an R8 and from the rear three quarter, it looks low slung, like a coupe. However, it has lost some of the clean lines of the previous B7 model and from the A6 (which facelift borrows the rear light cluster setup - in design). But this look will attract people and that’s what Audi wants I suppose.

So what’s my verdict on this Audi? It’s a good car to drive and miles ahead of its predecessor, albeit slightly clinical. But Audis tend to be like this unless it has a either warbling 5 cylinder engine like in the original Quattro, a stonking 4.2liter V8 like in the RS4 or some Lamborghini derived V10 shoved into them. It is a good entry level executive car nonetheless.

The author is an expert in used car and he currently drives a Volvo.

Article Source: Larmour Tan

Audi A4 1.8 TFSI: A Front Wheel Drive Audi That Drives Well

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May 19, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Ronnie W Tanner

The 2010 Mazda RX-8 is a nice little powerhouse with an economical price tag. In fact, U.S. News and World Report recently ranked it as 1 of the 5 most economical sports cars for your money. So what about the engine of this beauty? The 2010 Mazda RX-8 has a rotary engine, which the technology is called RENESIS, and it is available as either a 232-hp 6-speed manual or 212-hp 6-speed sport automatic transmission.

The RENESIS rotary engine is the next generation of rotary engine that powered the RX-7, retaining the power of the previous rotary model 13B-REW, holding onto all the power of the RX-7, while increasing fuel economy and reducing emissions, while the rotors weigh about 14% less than the ones used in the engine of the RX-7. The RENESIS engine also has its intake and exhaust ports in the side housings, which allows better heat dissipation and a longer power stroke.

RENESIS also sports a six port induction system, called 6PI. Each rotor uses 3 of the ports, and each also uses a variable intake timing mechanism, which allows it to maximize compression efficiency at both high and low speeds. In addition, the RENESIS has two exhaust ports for each rotor. This allows a massive reduction in exhaust resistance.

Both the automatic and manual models have a 1.3 liter, 2 rotor rotary engine, capable of 159 lb-ft of torque at 5500 rpms and are capable of a displacement of 1308 cc and a compression ratio of 10.0: 1, being sure you’ll get a lot of power for your dollar. The fuel economy is improved from the RX-7 as well… this car averages 16 mpg in the city and 22-23 on the freeway (23 for the sport automatic, 22 for the manual transmission).

In conclusion, the engine of an RX-8 is a nice piece of machinery, and if you take care of it, it will take care of you for years to come.

Find out more about Mazda RX-8 Engine and other industry specific topics.

Article Source: Ronnie W. Tanner

Mazda Creates the Economical Sports Car the 2010 RX-8

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May 18, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Ronnie W Tanner

Since 2000, Mazda has become synonymous with the phrase Zoom-Zoom to describe what it calls the emotion of motion. After its initial use in a North American marketing campaign, the catchy phase has become a long lasting success around the globe. Zoom-Zoom reflects the automaker’s goal to deliver an invigorating spirit, quality craftsmanship, and fun-to-drive experience to its valued customers.

Mazda Performance in 2009

1. Revenue: Globally, the auto industry struggled during 2009. It was a tough year for Mazda. Sales revenue and profit levels suffered. Even though December 2009 indicated signs of recovery for the Japanese automaker, the annual figures showed losses from the prior year of 2008. Stock prices also fell as a result of revenue losses. Another contributing factor was the disintegration of a 30-year Ford-Mazda partnership, with fewer joint projects for product development.
2. Most Popular Model: Celebrating 20 years of success, the MX-5 (also known as Miata or Roadster), is the best selling sports car in the world. The two-seater boosts precise steering and handling, low base price, economical operation, and choice of a soft or hard top. New features include the power retractable hard top and heated seats with 5-temperature settings. Collision safety was also improved with an advanced impact system specifically designed for convertibles.
3. New Launch: A 5-door hatchback, a newer version of Mazda-3, was launched. The hatchback has similar characteristics to the 4-door sedan which include a dynamic design, with optimum environmental and safety performance.
4. Electric Vehicle Development: Mazda has postponed electric vehicle development until battery technology improves. The high cost of the project is a deterrent. In the meantime, the Japanese automaker will focus instead on other fuel saving methods.
5. Worst Selling Model: The RX-8, powered by a rotary engine, was the most expensive and slowest selling model.

Ronnie Tanner is a contributing writer at Mazda Engines. He writes about Mazda engines, Mazda transmissions and other industry specific topics.

Article Source: Ronnie W. Tanner

2009 was a Tough Year for Mazda

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May 12, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Darrell Victor

Unless you are an influential member of an energy cartel, you are not going to change gas prices in your favor. What you can control is your gas mileage (how many miles you drive per gallon [MPG] of fuel). You can still wish and hope for reduced gas prices, but your best bet is to use fuel more efficiently. After all, you will save money and contribute to a greener environment.

There are myriad ways of increasing your gas mileage and reducing your fuel costs. One can amalgamate these distinct gas-mileage-increasing methods into four broad categories:

1. Fuel-efficient driving
2. Proper vehicle maintenance
3. Trip planning
4. Car use

Fuel-efficient driving

Observe speed limits- Speed limits can keep you on the right side of the law and save you money. Cars generally operate more efficiently at a higher speed, but only up to a certain point (60mph/ 100kph). Beyond this speed, diminishing fuel output may become negative fuel output. Moderate speeds are more fuel-efficient (and safer) than the two extremes.

Avoid bad driving habits- Rapid acceleration should be reserved for drag racing and emergency situations, especially as it decreases your MPG (Miles Per Gallon). Instant braking is another bad habit that increases fuel consumption- apart from putting a strain on your vehicle. Maintaining a moderate, consistent speed and applying gradual acceleration/ deceleration are critical to saving gas money.

Use overdrive- Overdrive gears reduce your engine speed (check the indicator for the number of revolutions per minute). This allows your engine to operate more efficiently- thus saving gas. Using the neutral gear while idling (especially at traffic lights or in heavy traffic) can also increase your gas mileage.

Proper vehicle maintenance

Keep your tires inflated- If you ever tried to run with shoes that are too big, you will know what it is like when a car runs on under-inflated tires. Anything that affects the smooth movement of your vehicle will increase resistance and reduce gas mileage for that matter.

Use recommended oil and change oil when required- You may think it is all about gas, but proper oil management can increase gas mileage. Generally, anything that improves engine functioning is likely to increase your gas mileage.

Service your vehicle: Get a tune-up to ensure that your vehicle (particularly the engine) is in optimum working condition. This can boost your vehicle performance by over 30%, leading to better fuel consumption.

Trip planning

Going green with vehicle use is a sure way to increase your gas mileage. Carpooling and pooling short trips into a longer one (for e.g. going to the grocery store and the mall on the same trip) can save you money.

Weight is also a significant factor where gas mileage is concerned. Excess weight in your car simply increases the drag for your vehicle. Basic physics dictates that your car requires more energy to transport a heavier weight. This also applies when you are going on trips and have belongings piled onto the roof rack. Decreasing weight and drag can increase your gas mileage ultimately.

Fuel-efficient driving, good vehicle maintenance and earth-friendly vehicle use can save you money. However, some cars are designed to be more fuel-efficient than others are. Therefore, it is important to select a fuel-efficient vehicle if you are in purchasing mode. Even if your current vehicle is not fuel-efficient, you do not need to compound the problem by failing to implement the aforementioned fuel-saving strategies. Should increasing your gas mileage or saving a few dimes per gallon not be important to you- do it for the environment!

And now, you can read more articles from this author at http://www.helium.com/user/show_articles/338815

Article Source: Darrell Victor

Fuel Consumption: How to Increase Your Miles Per Gallon

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May 10, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Ronnie W Tanner

The all new 2010 Mercury Mariner Hybrid standard model is equipped with a 2.5 liter Inline-4 Atkinson cycle engine and Permanent magnet electric motor. The combination of the electric motor and gas engine produces 177 net horsepower. This also makes the 2010 Mercury Mariner Hybrid the most fuel efficient SUV in the world.

Mercury engineered the Mariner Hybrid combination 2.5 liter engine and electric motor to operate in a fuel efficient manner that would be second to none. A prime example of this system at work is that while you are driving, the gas engine is working. As you come to a complete stop, the gas engine shuts down to save on your vehicle’s fuel consumption and the electric motor takes over. When driving your vehicle at a speed of 44 miles per hour or less, the electric motor is able to provide all of your vehicle’s power. The key feature to the electric motor is an air conditioner condenser that allows the vehicle’s electronic system to function at full power in the electric motor mode, the same as if it were being powered with the gas engine.

Another one of Mercury’s breakthrough inventions featured on the 2010 Mariner Hybrid model that is focused on saving fuel is the standard Easy Fuel capless fuel filler. This feature eliminates the gas cap on the vehicle completely. When the gasoline pump nozzle is removed from the fuel tank after fueling up, the specially designed seal in the gas tank shuts automatically. This feature helps to eliminate the potential of harmful fuel tank evaporation emissions from being allowed to escape from a missing or improperly installed gas cap.

The EPA overall rating for fuel efficiency on the 2010 Mercury Mariner while being operated in Front Wheel Drive during city driving conditions is 34 miles per the gallon of gasoline and in highway driving conditions is 31 miles per gallon of gasoline. When driven in four wheel drive in city driving conditions the rating is 30 miles per gallon of gasoline and during highway driving conditions is 27 miles per gallon of gasoline. These rating place the 2010 Mercury Mariner SUV in a class of its own.

Ronnie Tanner is a contributing writer at http://www.swengines.com He writes about selecting used engines and choosing this as an alternative to costly car purchases.

Article Source: Ronnie W. Tanner

Mercury Goes Green With the Worlds Most Efficient SUV

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May 7, 2010 by jameslucas.

By John Eva

The Audi A1 is the newest of the small coupes trying to duplicate the Smart car. The makers claim they are trying to attract the younger hip crowd of urban dwellers in order to capture a market that is easily missed, newly graduated college students looking for a chic brand but a practically attractive car. Well, whether they succeed in gathering the age group they are seeking business or not this is a sweet little automobile. With two trim packages and all sorts of optional extras this is an easily upgraded safe vehicle that also has reliability and durability of branding from the German makers.

Audi is the premier of autos with its Metroproject Quatro hybrid with excellent fuel emissions and mpg. The A1 is a compact car that will rival the Mini Cooper in style and dependability. Its extremely well built interior is not only stylish it is made for ease of use for the driver. The seats are stylish and comfortable with options available. The newest attraction added for those recently graduated is the state of the art up to the minute system with the i-pod or i-phone plug ins, navigation system, rock your world stereo and beyond excellent speakers.

In its bid to out class the mini class Audi has combined luxury sedan interior comfort with sporty exterior and performance you would expect from this one hundred year old auto maker. The car comes with choices in engine and transmissions as well as an hybrid model. It comes in a sporty hatchback or sedan model with choices of interior and exterior trim packages and upgrades.

Made for easy maneuvering around town to zip into parking spaces or easily park in a parallel spot without having to squeeze in with bigger cars jamming the space. In the world of more compact vehicles growing up in the name of going green this awesome vehicle won’t seem like a sacrifice to drive. This sporty luxurious incredibly fun ride will keep you wanting to run errands longer than may be necessary.

When it comes to perfection on wheels in a mini size it is hard to beat this superior design, low to the road easy to handle construction and you have the Audi A1. With its German engineering and heritage this is a car you will keep you riding in style showing off your chic taste but save the world mentality.

When it comes to financing options you can count on several choices including purchasing, leasing and buyers choice. Financing the car with the recommended options from the Audi dealer is an excellent choice for the buyer who wants to get the best deal.

There is always the choice of utilizing a bank or credit union. As for other options there is leasing in one year to four years terms with various mileage options. This is a great deal for anyone interested in exchanging or upgrading to the latest newest vehicle every few years or someone who really doesn’t take long trips or put a lot of mileage on a car during the course of a year.

Another option is to look into buyer’s choice where the buyer turns the car in at the end of the term, or purchases it out right from the dealer or obtains financing from his own sources. This is a great option if you want to walk away free and clear at the end of a term without being upside down on a vehicle. Whatever way you want to own your vehicle the Audi A1 is an excellent vehicle to test drive and then fall for.

Written on behalf of Total Fleet Services by John Eva
Car Leasing - Audi Contract Hire

Article Source: John Eva

The New Audi A1

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May 6, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Matthew Keegan

Everyone knows about the upcoming Chevrolet Volt, GM’s plug-in electrified hybrid vehicle. General Motors has been beating the Volt drum steadily since the car was first announced in 2007, frequently updating the world as to what we can expect when this extended range model hits the market in late 2010.

Voltec Technology

The Volt represents the first of what GM has promised will be several models utilizing its lithium-ion technology, with several more models planned in the coming years. GM now calls this technology Voltec in a bid to clarify and streamline mention of its electrification plans. In short, Voltec represents vehicles incorporating li-ion battery technology, with a 40 mile pure electric range and more than 250 miles of additional range thanks to a supplementary 1.4L gas engine.

A concept of a second model, the Cadillac Converj, has already made its way around the auto show circuit, but GM has decided not to go ahead and produce the car. At this point, GM is concentrating on bringing its XTS to the market, a full-sized hybrid sedan slated to replace both the STS and CTS. The Converj, though attractive and well thought out, might also compete with the Cadillac CTS coupe, thus one possible reason why GM decided against producing the car.

New Models

An official decision from GM concerning additional Voltec models will likely follow the Chevy Volt’s release, perhaps as early as Winter 2011 when the first Volts have had time to be in customer’s hands. There are several places where Voltec would work across GM’s four remaining brands, but since GM isn’t saying I’m speculating and offering up the following possibilities:

Buick: Cadillac won’t see the Converj, but that beautiful coupe could be the basis for the all new Buick Riviera. Buick needs a statement model; what better car to offer up than one that is forward thinking, yet so very attractive?

GMC: GMC is making do with its Terrain and Acadia crossovers, but why not supplement these two models with a third crossover? A Voltec crossover model has long been rumored and GMC is a natural fit. Of course, that means Chevrolet will probably get its own copy as badge engineering between the two brands remains popular.

Cadillac: The Converj is gone, but a compact Cadillac sedan will eventually slot below the CTS. Why not make it a Voltec model and why not develop a well appointed luxury sedan? Don’t get me started speculating about a Cadillac Voltec roadster!

When will these new models arrive? Expect that by model year 2015, each GM division to offer Voltec technology. How it looks and whether a minivan or pickup truck might be included in the mix remains to be seen. Still, the thought of additional Voltec models will help lower costs and stimulate sales for GM.

Matthew C. Keegan is a freelance writer who resides in North Carolina. Matt is a contributing writer for Andy’s Auto Sport an aftermarket supplier of quality parts including body kits and vertical doors.

Article Source: Matthew Keegan

GM and Its Voltec Plans

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May 3, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Deepthi Alvares

Nissan Motor India Private Limited is the Indian subsidiary of the Japanese Nissan Motor Company. The company started the car business in India in 2005, with the launch of the Nissan X-Trail (T30), which was imported fully-built. Nissan Motors’ manufacturing plant in Chennai, India can manufacture 200,000 cars a year and it also has an additional 200,000 vehicles a year capacity exclusively for French car maker Renault S.A.’s Indian arm Mahindra Renault Limited.

The plant with an investment of Rs 4,500 Crore is believed to be producing the Nissan Micra for India and the European market. Besides, it will also make several other models for the Indian automobile market. The company has 10 dealerships across India which will be increased to 55 over a period of two years. In 2007, 533 Nissan Motors cars in India had been sold and the car maker plans to increase the figures. Let’s have a look at the Nissan Motors cars in India as of today.

Nissan’s mission is to offer its customers in India with unique and innovative automotive products and services that convey advanced quantifiable principles to all stakeholders. It has the vision of enriching lives of people in India. The 370Z is a Nissan Motors’ car in India that comes with spectacular performance, advanced technology and chic flowing design. It is available as the Touring Coupe MT and Touring Coupe AT in India. The car’s VQ37VHR 3.7 L DOHC V6 engine can stir up 332 bhp. The Nissan 370Z comes with features like push button start, power windows with one-touch auto up/down, rear window defroster with timer and an AM/FM/CD/AUX 8-speaker BOSE audio system with illuminated steering wheel-mounted controls.

Teana, the luxury car from Nissan Motors offers great comfort and packs plenty of exclusive features for its customers in India. This car is Nissan’s second offering to the Indian auto market. The luxury sedan can be availed in two petrol variants, the XL and XV. The Nissan Teana gets its power from a 2.5L V6 engine that gives out 185 bhp at 6000 rpm and a maximum torque of 228 Nm at 4400 rpm. Noteworthy comfort and ease features like ottoman-style leg-rest on the front seats, a drive computer, cushy leather upholstery, the intelligent key system, and a premium 6-speaker 6-disc CD changer audio system are sure making the Indian car buyer happy.

The X-Trail is one of Nissan’s most powerful cars. It derives power from a M9R Nissan engine. As everybody already knows, this engine is extensively considered to be the planet’s benchmark V6 engine for its amazing mishmash of efficiency, dependability and great power output. India has been proving itself as a marketplace for new opportunities, and for Nissan Motors too. Nissan Motors spreads its network on the India’s roads with the unveiling of the Nissan X-Trail. With its imposing sophisticated features, the car competes with the likes of Ford Endeavour, Honda CR-V, Toyota Fortuner and Mitsubishi Pajero. Recently, Nissan Motors has brought in the X-Trail with a facelift. The X-Trail comes in three variants - LT, SLX and SLX AT.

Deepthi Alvares

Get more information on Nissan Cars and Nissan Teana

Article Source: Deepthi Alvares

Nissan Motors’ Cars

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