We're here in Santa Monica, CA today for the first media drives of the new 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI, so we did some asking around about additional diesel models for the lineup. VW of American Communications Director Steve Keyes filled in some…
Category: Autoblog
Lutz: Chevy Volt aero might have been better if we put it in the wind tunnel backwards
One of questions that went unanswered after the debut of the Chevy Volt earlier this year was the drag coefficient. Last night at a dinner with bloggers before the opening of the Los Angeles Auto Show, GM Vice-Chairman Bob Lutz provided a clue. While…
Without Getrag DCT, Chrysler will stick with conventional 6 speed automatic
Now that Chrysler's deal to build dual clutch transmissions in a joint venture with Getrag is officially kaput, the company will stick with its existing 6-speed automatic for now. In early 2007, Chrysler announced the deal with Getrag to supply up to…
Automakers, suppliers lobby Washington to promote green efforts
It doesn't matter which party is in power in Washington (or state capitals, for that matter), companies that are spending billions of dollars to develop new products and technologies will spend at least a fraction of that amount to lobby politicians…
Luxury automakers could get partial exemption from CO2 rules
2008 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG – Click above for high-res gallery
It looks as if some manufacturers could be getting at least a partial “Get Out Of Jail Free” card for the new national greenhouse gas regulations announced by the Obama administration back…
Chery to launch A5 hybrid production in October
Upstart Chinese automaker Chery is getting ready launch production of its first hybrid in October. The A5 hybrid sedan is targeted at the low end of the market. As such, it uses a less expensive mild hybrid system rather than a strong hybrid like the…
Altairnano still in the game for Phoenix Motorcars
It appears that along with re-engineering the powertrain of their upcoming electric vehicles Phoenix Motor Cars has decided to hedge their battery bet. Phoenix was the first company to commit to using Altairnano's lithium titanate batteries in an…
Officially, official: Chrysler's late 2010 electric vehicle lineup!
Click the Dodge EV for a high res gallery
Chrysler is playing a massive game of catchup in the electric drive sweepstakes right now and today is rolling out four different vehicles that it's working on. Three of the four take ideas from the company's…
Tesla to collaborate with Stanford on car-buying innovation program
Since Tesla started delivering its battery-powered Roadsters to customers in mid-2008, it has followed a different retail path from other automakers. Instead of franchised dealers, the company is opening and operating its own stores for sales and…
Which Chryslers will follow the Durango/Aspen into hybrid territory?
Now that Chrysler is getting ready to launch the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen hybrids into the world in a few months, the question of what's next arises. We already know about the Dodge Ram getting the Two-Mode hybrid system in 2010. About this…