We've mentioned this before, but for all you procrastinators out there, we thought we'd put up a reminder: one of the tax credits available for people buying the Toyota hybrid vehicles is expiring on October 1. When congress enacted the particular…
Category: Autoblog
GM's new direct injected four and six cylinder engines
At a media preview today at the General Motors technical center, we got a few more details on that will debut in several 2010 models. Both the 2.4L four cylinder and 3.0L V6 get variable cam phasing on both the intake and exhaust cam-shafts. Aside…
Chevrolet Volt will not have direct engine drive, electric only
Opel Ampera – Click above for high-res image gallery
General Motors recently started letting European journalists behind the wheel of prototype versions of the Opel/ Vauxhall Ampera which is the re-nosed version of the Chevrolet Volt. While those of…
Japanese brewer gets into biofuel production
Another brewery wants to get involved in biofuel production, this time in Japan. The second largest brewer in the land of the rising sun, Kirin will build a small scale experimental ethanol plant this fall. The plant will use the residual barley malt…
Peugeot to run 12 Hours of Sebring with diesel-powered 908 HDi
When the American Le Mans Series held their winter test session at Sebring a couple of weeks ago, Peugeot dropped by with their diesel-powered 908 coupe. For their first visit they did pretty well, beating the more experienced Audi R10s by…
Vauxhall executives to drive Ampera 170 miles from Luton to Ellesmere Port, UK *UPDATE
Vauxhall Ampera prototype – Click above for high-res image gallery
British drivers won't be able to get their hands on the Vauxhall Ampera until 2012, but a pre-production example will be traversing England on June 22. Severall Vauxhall officials…
Officially Official: LG Chem to build lithium ion cell factory in Holland Michigan
LG Chem made it official today. The South Korean manufacturer is moving forward with plans to start production of lithium ion cells in Michigan. LG Chem and its U.S. subsidiary, Compact Power Inc. (CPI), will spend $303 million to build the cell…
Continental plans to start series production of LiIon batteries in 2008
It appears Continental Automotive may be the first major company to start series production of automotive lithium ion batteries. According to an interview in German Magazine Auto Motor und Sport, Continental CEO Manfred Wennemer announced the company…
Aston Martin to join F1 circus in 2012?
It looks like GT and Le Mans prototype racing may be just the beginning for Aston Martin. Following an agreement this week with F1 promotions boss, Bernie Ecclestone, Aston Martin could be jumping into the Formula One ranks in 2012. Like Aston's…
1959 Fiat 500 that got 244mpg in 1969 found rusting in back lot
When you go shopping for a used car it's always a good idea to take a look in the glove box and trunk because you never know what surprises you'll find. This past spring mechanic Lee McKee picked up a decomposing 1959 Fiat 500 that was sitting in the…