Contrary to reports last week that the new MINI Monte 4X4 would be built at BMW's Spartanburg, NC assembly plant, it now looks like it will stay in Europe. A BMW spokesman has told Automotive News that the contract has gone to Magna-Steyr, confirming…
Category: Autoblog
Alfa Romeo adds entry level diesel to Aussie 159 lineup
The Alfa Romeo 159 is probably one of the best looking mid-sized sedans around right now and our friends in Australia are getting a new engine and gearbox option in their's. The Aussie version already had a 2.4L turbo-diesel available, but now a 1.9L…
Manhattan EcoFest 2007 will feature Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell and Saturn Aura hybrid
At the EcoFest 2007 in Manhattan later this month, GM will be displaying the Chevy Equinox fuel cell CUV that will be used for Project Driveway. Project Driveway will start in January when a fleet of over 100 of the Equinoxes will be loaned to…
ABG chats with SmartUSA president David Schembri about EVs, diesel, micro-hybrids and more
One of the newest cars to drop into the US market is the Smart ForTwo. A decade after its European debut, the two-seat city car finally arrived stateside after several abortive attempts by both its parent company Daimler and independent distributors.…
On again, off again Audi Q5 Hybrid is apparently back on again for 2010
Click the Audi Q5 for a high res gallery
Audi's Q5 hybrid program has apparently been revived again with a production launch coming as soon as late next year. In a change from the usual pattern, this one is expected to launch in the U.S. market…
BRABUS begins business of tuning the Tesla Roadster
As we move inexorably toward the electrification of cars, companies that have made a business out of tweaking engines for more power will have to make some significant changes to their business model. BRABUS is a company known as the primary…
Underwriters Laboratories holding up certification of E85 filling stations
If you've ever used any appliances you've probably noticed the UL logo for Underwriters Laboratories somewhere on the device. Underwriters Laboratories Inc. is an independent, non-profit that does safety testing and certification of all kinds of…
Hybrid pioneer Toyota may not have F1 hybrid ready in time for 2009
Toyota may have lead the way to mass-market hybrid vehicles with its Prius, but that institutional knowledge is apparently not helping it on the Formula One circuit. While Toyota reportedly spends more money on its F1 program than any other team (and…
How long will it take you to recover the extra money you pay for a hybrid?
There are multiple reasons why people buy hybrid vehicles. Some buy them because they want to appear to care about the environment, others want to reduce their country's dependence on foreign oil. Still others just want to reduce their operating…
Save the Acropolis: Athens orders 108 Mercedes CNG trash trucks
As it is in many large cities, air pollution has long been a major problem in Athens, Greece. However, aside from the usual health issues found in other areas, air pollution is a concern in Athens because of the effect it can have on ancient sites…