All Entries in the "Auto News" Category
Study Says Diesel Exhaust Can Cause Heart Attacks
In news that could effect the growth of diesel engines in North America, research funded by the British Heart Foundation at the University of Edinburgh have discovered that diesel exhaust particles cause heart problems in people who are otherwise in good health. It is the particles in the exhaust – and not the gasses – that cause vascular problems.
Research shows diesel exhaust particles can cause heart attacks
Professor Jeremy Pearson, the British Heart Foundation’s Associate Medical Director, calls for lawmakers to require vehicles with diesel engines to be equipped or retro-fitted with devices that will keep the dangerous particles from being released into the air.
Toyota Prius Plug-In to Get 107 mpg For Less Than $27K
2012 Prius Plug-in. 107mpg. Under $27k.
Despite already having the best-selling and best-known in the marketplace, Toyota is poised to deliver a superb upgrade to the existing Prius sedan. In 2012, the new Prius Plug-In will debut, and it is estimated to be capable of 107 miles per gallon. This increase in fuel economy from the existing Prius sedan (currently rated at 50mpg combined) is due to the larger lithium ion battery in the new Prius Plug-In, which will be able to operate the Prius in electric-only mode for as many as 15 miles before the gas engine starts running. Compared to the existing Prius – which only has 2.5 miles of electric-only driving distance – and it’s no wonder that the new plug-in Prius will have a higher rating.
What makes this 107 mpg rating even more amazing is that, even with the dramatic increase in mileage, the cost of the Prius Plug-In will largely be unaffected
Ford and Toyota Reach Hybrid Agreement – Who Wins?
Straight from the “you’re not gonna believe this one” news pile, we learn today from CNN.com and PickupTrucks.com that Toyota and Ford have agreed to co-develop hybrid systems for trucks and big SUVs. From CNN:
Rivals Ford Motor and Toyota Motor announced an agreement Monday to work together to develop a new hybrid light truck. The agreement is expected to produce hybrid rear-wheel drive pickups and SUVs sometime later this decade. The agreement brings together Toyota, which has been a leader in hybrid technology, with Ford, which still has a leading position in the pickup and SUV portion of the market, where hybrids are still less common.
Over at PickupTrucks.com, Dave Thomas writes:
If there was any doubt that new fuel regulations would make an immediate and widespread impact on the automotive industry, it evaporated this morning. Today, Ford and Toyota announced an agreement to jointly develop — as equal partners — a new hybrid drivetrain specifically for light trucks and SUVs. This new technology would go on sale by the end of the decade.
Let that soak in for a moment…Ford, arguably the world’s leader in pickups, working with Toyota, arguably the world’s leader in hybrids. Why?
Camaro Deploys Airbags During Spirited Driving
First, we showed a documented instance of a Camaro suffering from unintended acceleration (where’s the LA Slimes on that one?). Now, for your enjoyment, we have video of a Camaro blowing the side curtain airbags while the driver tries to do some donuts:
A few thoughts…
1. Why is this high horsepower car so hard to break lose? Me thinks the driver didn’t shut off the electronic nannies…
A Honda Civic-Based Pickup Truck…Seriously?
According to PickupTrucks.com, the next-generation Honda Ridgeline (which may or may not be produced, we’re guessing not) would be based on the CR-V platform. As you may or may not know, the CR-V is based on the Honda Civic platform…which means the possible replacement for the Ridgeline (emphasis on possible, as in maybe but maybe not) will be a Honda Civic with a pickup bed.
Honda is rumored to be considering replacing the Ridgeline with a smaller truck based on the Honda Civic platform.
Let that sink in for a moment. A Civic is a fine car. A car-based pickup is a possibly valid concept. But a smaller, less capable pickup truck from the same people that brought us the Ridgeline? Let’s do the list:
