Rendered Speculation: Chevrolet Volt-based Saab Fashionista

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Saab, Rendered Speculation

At this point, it’s not a certainty that Saab or even parent company General Motors will still be in the car business in the year 2012, but let’s not let that tidbit get in the way of an interesting concept car. Authored by Mayeul Walser, a fourth year design student at Creapole-ESDI, the Saab Fashionista is a 2+2 sport coupe that is reportedly inspired by the designs of Karl Lagerfeld and Chanel.

More importantly, this concept is based on the underpinnings of the Chevrolet Volt, which means there’s a range-extended electric powertrain hiding under its shapely bodywork. Since it only exists on paper, Walser took some liberties by ditching the eco-friendly drivetrain’s stock four-cylinder engine and replacing it with a more powerful V6.

In reality, a more powerful internal combustion engine wouldn’t make the Fashionista any faster than the Volt since the electric motor is the only power source driving the front wheels. No matter, it’s an interesting concept nonetheless. We especially like the nine-spoke blade-like carbon fiber rims.

[Source: Mayeul Walser via Carscoop]

Rendered Speculation: Chevrolet Volt-based Saab Fashionista originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Apr 2009 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AutoblogGreen for 04.29.09

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green

	First Drive: Chevrolet Volt powertrain mule We get our chance to really see what GM’s been up to these last 28 months, and we’re impressed.		Ford Fusion hybrid hypermiles, goes 1,445 miles on a single tank In other news, America’s bladders give a collective shiver today.
	Shai Agassi talks about Better Place, $20,000 EV, batteries extra The man with the battery-swap vision keeps forging ahead - and who wouldn’t with a plan to sell everyone an electric car?	Other news: Ferrari 599XX may not have hybrid powertrain now, likely will in the future Elon Musk to show the Tesla Model S on Letterman Wednesday night Spy Shots: Mission Motors TTXGP entry snapped at Infineon

AutoblogGreen for 04.29.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Apr 2009 06:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UPDATE: Ford Fusion Hybrid travels 1,000 miles with 1/3 tank left, team still going

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, Green, Ford

The team that set out this past weekend to cover 1,000 miles on a single tank of gasoline succeeded and then some. When the team of race drivers, engineers and hyper-milers crossed the 1,000-mile mark a little after 9:00 am on Monday morning, there was still more than a third of a tank left. Over 47 hours of running the team led by NASCAR driver Carl Edwards and including record braking hyper-miler Wayne Gerdes averaged over 80 mpg.

The plan is to drive the bone stock Fusion until the tank runs dry. Along the way team members are running public clinics to help teach people how to drive more efficiently, even if they can’t necessarily match the antics of Gerdes, while simultaneously raising money for the Juvenile diabetes Foundation. While it’s obviously possible to achieve these kinds of lofty mileage numbers in the Fusion, it isn’t something most people will do on a regular basis, but Ford set out to prove it could be done and the team succeeded. Kudos.

Continue reading UPDATE: Ford Fusion Hybrid travels 1,000 miles with 1/3 tank left, team still going

UPDATE: Ford Fusion Hybrid travels 1,000 miles with 1/3 tank left, team still going originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Apr 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AutoblogGreen for 04.28.09

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green

	Is mobility sustainable? Not the way we’re running it today The future of the automobile is small and shared, no two ways about it.		Norway still considering a ban on all cars powered by fossil fuels Unless you’ve got biofuels, a plug or something else fancy in the tank, forget it (maybe).
	EEStor “permittivity” follow-up by someone who knows New phrase alert: “Hype Maintenance.” For more info, see ZENN Motors.	Other news: Buy a villa, get a free Tesla Roadster Tesla Motors buying Long Beach Boeing building? GM ends Saturn brand in restructuring; PHEV Vue, we hardly knew ye

AutoblogGreen for 04.28.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Apr 2009 06:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AutoblogGreen for 04.27.09

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green

	2010 Prius has plenty of tech, but doesn’t talk to your iPod A solar roof, automatic parallel parking ability, and 50 mpg. But forget about accessing playlists.		U.S. Cash for Clunkers deal likely Compromises still need to be made, but your old junker will probably soon be worth a lot more to trade in. Photo: dave_7, CC2
	VIDEO: Driving a Tesla-powered Smart Put the advanced electric drive system from a Tesla into a fortwo and this is what you get. Watch.	Other news: Childhood asthma. Another reason to quit carbon Mazda delivers Norwegian-spec RX-8 Hydrogen RE A peek at the truck stop of the future

AutoblogGreen for 04.27.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 05:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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University of Warwick creates Formula 3 bio-racer

Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrids/Alternative, Green

Researchers at the University of Warwick in England have embarked on an ambitious project to create the most environmentally friendly race car the world has ever seen. Not only must the car be green, it must also be competitive with other vehicles in its racing class. The result is known as the WorldFirstF3 racer.

One of the building blocks of the bio-racer is recycled carbon fiber that was provided by a company called Milled Carbon. Bits like the steering are made from carrot-based plastic and the side mirrors are molded from a polymer derived from potato starch. Other components, such as the wiring harness, are fashioned from recycled aluminum and plastics.

Powering the green racecar is a 2.0-liter turbodiesel from BMW that will run on biodiesel, waste vegetable oil or even waste from chocolate factories. Yum! The car’s designers say it’s geared to hit 140 mph and suggest that it wouldn’t cost any more than any other race machine to build.

[Source: Green Car Advisor]

University of Warwick creates Formula 3 bio-racer originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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University of Warwick creates Formula 3 bio-racer

Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrids/Alternative, Green

Researchers at the University of Warwick in England have embarked on an ambitious project to create the most environmentally friendly race car the world has ever seen. Not only must the car be green, it must also be competitive with other vehicles in its racing class. The result is known as the WorldFirstF3 racer.

One of the building blocks of the bio-racer is recycled carbon fiber that was provided by a company called Milled Carbon. Bits like the steering are made from carrot-based plastic and the side mirrors are molded from a polymer derived from potato starch. Other components, such as the wiring harness, are fashioned from recycled aluminum and plastics.

Powering the green racecar is a 2.0-liter turbodiesel from BMW that will run on biodiesel, waste vegetable oil or even waste from chocolate factories. Yum! The car’s designers say it’s geared to hit 140 mph and suggest that it wouldn’t cost any more than any other race machine to build.

[Source: Green Car Advisor]

University of Warwick creates Formula 3 bio-racer originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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University of Warwick creates Formula 3 bio-racer

Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrids/Alternative, Green

Researchers at the University of Warwick in England have embarked on an ambitious project to create the most environmentally friendly race car the world has ever seen. Not only must the car be green, it must also be competitive with other vehicles in its racing class. The result is known as the WorldFirstF3 racer.

One of the building blocks of the bio-racer is recycled carbon fiber that was provided by a company called Milled Carbon. Bits like the steering are made from carrot-based plastic and the side mirrors are molded from a polymer derived from potato starch. Other components, such as the wiring harness, are fashioned from recycled aluminum and plastics.

Powering the green racecar is a 2.0-liter turbodiesel from BMW that will run on biodiesel, waste vegetable oil or even waste from chocolate factories. Yum! The car’s designers say it’s geared to hit 140 mph and suggest that it wouldn’t cost any more than any other race machine to build.

[Source: Green Car Advisor]

University of Warwick creates Formula 3 bio-racer originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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University of Warwick creates Formula 3 bio-racer

Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrids/Alternative, Green

Researchers at the University of Warwick in England have embarked on an ambitious project to create the most environmentally friendly race car the world has ever seen. Not only must the car be green, it must also be competitive with other vehicles in its racing class. The result is known as the WorldFirstF3 racer.

One of the building blocks of the bio-racer is recycled carbon fiber that was provided by a company called Milled Carbon. Bits like the steering are made from carrot-based plastic and the side mirrors are molded from a polymer derived from potato starch. Other components, such as the wiring harness, are fashioned from recycled aluminum and plastics.

Powering the green racecar is a 2.0-liter turbodiesel from BMW that will run on biodiesel, waste vegetable oil or even waste from chocolate factories. Yum! The car’s designers say it’s geared to hit 140 mph and suggest that it wouldn’t cost any more than any other race machine to build.

[Source: Green Car Advisor]

University of Warwick creates Formula 3 bio-racer originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AutoblogGreen for 04.24.09

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green

	Green GT unveils racer at Energissima 1,475 lb ft of torque, a top speed of 170 mph and a pair of solar panels. Yum.		Greenlings: Can I run a car on natural gas? It’s cleaner, very available in the U.S., and works well in cars. So what’s the problem?
	Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act introduced to protect blind from quiet cars What’s happened in the past year? Anything at all?	Other news: Chrysler now taking orders for Peapod NEV, or so we hear EEStor comes up with an Earth Day announcement - it’s “a huge milestone” SAIC Shanghai EXPO Fuel Cell EV

AutoblogGreen for 04.24.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 05:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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