Category: Auto Industry

Official: Toyota, Ford decide to end hybrid collaboration before it starts

Filed under: Hybrid, SUV, Truck, Ford, Toyota

Not all so-called Memorandum of Understanding pacts end in actual collaborations. For instance, after a two-year “feasibility study,” Toyota and Ford have just announced that they will not be developing hybrid systems for use in light trucks and SUVs as previously planned, and the two automakers will instead continue to develop their own hybrid technology independently.

The would-be collaboration was first announced in August of 2011, and would have seen a rear-wheel-drive hybrid platform that would “improve the efficiency of trucks and SUVs while still allowing them to be driven in the way customers expect,” according to our initial post on the topic.

Keep in mind that this announcement isn’t to say we shouldn’t expect hybrid pickups and SUVs from the two automakers, but that they probably aren’t coming very soon – Ford says it will have a system “before the end of this decade” and we haven’t heard much from Toyota on the hybrid truck front since the 2008 A-BAT Concept (pictured above) – and that they will not share any components between them (and they never have, for what it’s worth).

In any case, Ford and Toyota are continuing to work together on “next-generation standards for telematics and will consider other areas for future collaboration as well.” Feel free to read announcements from both automakers below.

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Toyota, Ford decide to end hybrid collaboration before it starts originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Jul 2013 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Quick Spin: Ford Mustang GT Bi-Fuel CNG

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Ford, Quick Spins

2013 Ford Mustang GT Bi-Fuel - front three-quarter view
Highly intrigued, we recently visited a Southern California Gas Company office to check out several hybrid vehicles promising something new. Unlike more commonplace gasoline-electric hybrids, we were there to evaluate innovative gasoline-compressed natural gas (CNG) hybrids – yes, they run on unleaded gasoline and compressed natural gas. According to the experts on hand, this arrangement delivers extended range and reduced emissions while chipping in with lower operating costs than pure-gasoline vehicles. There are advantages over its gasoline-electric counterparts, as well.

The program is part of a three-way collaboration between The Carlab, a Southern California-based automotive consulting firm, Landi Renzo USA, a company specializing in alternative fuel solutions, and America’s Natural Gas Alliance, a group that promotes CNG. Long story short, the team has engineered a way to allow a modified internal combustion vehicle to seamlessly switch between two fuels (gasoline and CNG) with no driver intervention. In theory, and if it works as well as promised, it’s a win-win for the vehicle owner and the environment.

Parked at the Gas Company office were six different gasoline-CNG hybrid vehicles. To demonstrate the technology’s versatility (just about any gasoline vehicle may be modified) Carlab brought a varied assortment of bodystyles, each from a different automaker. After taking a quick glance at the half-dozen in the parking lot, we made a beeline for the performance-oriented Ford Mustang GT – a 2012 model – with the six-speed manual gearbox.

Driving Notes:

  • The conversion to bi-fuel requires the installation of a four-gallon composite CNG tank (3,600 psi) beneath the rear trunk liner, CNG bi-fuel port injectors, a special fuel controller, integrated dash display and some other hardware. With the exception of the blue “CNG” diamond on the rear of the trunk, the exterior of this Mustang hybrid offers little clue to what type of fuel it consumes. The interior of the cabin is equally discreet, but a closer look at the digital panel on the instrument cluster reveals an OEM-like four-bar “GGE” gauge with the tank level. Peering under the hood, the only obvious changes are the new injectors (the CNG tank is filled through a nipple located behind the OEM fuel filler door). The conversion adds about 150 pounds to the coupe’s curb weight.
  • From a driver’s standpoint, vehicle operation is unchanged. A sophisticated controller determines which fuel is best for the job (or a mix of both), so gasoline is often used for the cold start. However, after a few moments of operation, the vehicle will seamlessly switch to more efficient CNG operation for partial throttle and during cruising. A firm press on the accelerator immediately delivers gasoline into the combustion chamber, bringing the Mustang’s full 420 horsepower on tap. During our drive of the manual transmission coupe, we noticed a very slight delay – almost a hiccup – at about 3,000 rpm during the bi-fuel transition (we later drove a BMW X3 automatic, and the changeover from CNG to gasoline was unnoticeable). Once it made it over this hurdle, power delivery was smooth and strong.
  • In addition to the improved efficiency and lack of power compromise, the CNG tank provides a bonus boost in vehicle range. The tank is good for about 55 extra miles, so it adds upwards of 20 percent to the Mustang’s cruising distance. That’s a nice plus.
  • Carlab is touting the gasoline-CNG bi-fuel model as an alternative to plug-in hybrids. Instead of heavy battery packs requiring nightly charging, they envision a world where owners would have a home CNG refill station that would make fueling effortless and bring prices down to about $.80/gallon – a fraction of the price of gasoline.
  • The cost of conversion to the typical passenger vehicle is slightly less than $3,000 (assuming a production rate of 20,000 annual units), meaning the average owner would earn back the cost after about 2.2 years – that’s quicker that the return on investment for a Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Volt or Toyota Prius, says Carlab.
  • While we were impressed after our first experience with the hybrid gasoline-CNG vehicles, natural gas still has a mountain of hurdles to overcome. Even if one assumes that the non-renewable resource may be easily obtained, the refueling infrastructure will take many years to build.

Ford Mustang GT Bi-Fuel CNG originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Jul 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Jaguar 3 Series fighter to be aluminum?

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Performance, Plants/Manufacturing, Technology, Luxury

Jaguar XF-based 3-Series fighter mule - front three-quarter view, winter testing

Jaguar’s upcoming BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class fighter that we’ve seen testing wearing a modified XF body is poised to use a lot of aluminum in its construction. Edmunds reports that the entry-level luxury sedan, long rumored to be called XS (or perhaps the Q-Type, according to Edmunds), will have an all-aluminum monocoque body structure, similar to the XJ, to save weight. Edmunds also reports that it will go on sale in 2014 as a 2015 model. Automotive News has a different story, and reports that a range of all-aluminum entry-level Jaguars, including the XS, a wagon and a crossover, will hit the market in 2015.

The XS will replace the long-dead X-Type, finally giving Jaguar a product in the highly competitive luxury compact sedan segment. As we’ve reported before, the new Jaguar is expected to be offered in the US initially with turbocharged four- and supercharged six-cylinder engines, although we have seen a diesel version testing.

In addition to the aluminum Jaguars, Jaguar Land Rover has reportedly stated that it plans to use aluminum monocoques for all upcoming Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles, and that it will invest 2.75 billion pounds ($4.22 billion) on new products and production facilities each year for the next four years.

Jaguar 3 Series fighter to be aluminum? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Jul 2013 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Mercedes knows its buyers, designs golf cart of the future

Filed under: Concept Cars, Mercedes-Benz, Design/Style, Electric

Mercedes-Benz Vision golf cart concept - rendering - front three-quarter view

The Mercedes-Benz Vision golf cart isn’t a golf cart at all, it’s an electric luxo-buggy that you can use on the greens and that should have its own model-line designation, like Tee-Class. The Germans gathered suggestions from around the world for the ideal golfer carrier, and the top poll findings are wrapped in a design language that the doodlers at the Advanced Design Center call “Sensual-Purity.”

The doors can be clicked in or out. There are solar cells on the roof to charge the batteries. It’s driven by a center-mounted joystick so that the driver or passenger can take the helm. There’s a head-up display, docking station and touch screen monitors for control of amenities like air conditioning, stereo and Bluetooth, weather updates and maps of the course layout. And a refrigerator and retractable lightning rod. And then there’s the “fore button” – press it and it tells the other nearby Vision golf carts to sound “a warning signal” about an errant shot.

Mercedes says of its creation, “Simplicity is the key.” Obviously. You can read about the rest of its amenities in the press release below.

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Mercedes knows its buyers, designs golf cart of the future originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Jul 2013 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: McLaren MP4-12C gets a nip, tuck and ‘Ring run

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Luxury, McLaren

Facelifted McLaren MP4-12C caught camouflaged on the 'Ring - spy shot

It look like this McLaren MP4-12C is recovering from a touch of plastic surgery, and our spy shooters who caught it at the Nürburgring say that a minor headlight and bumper facelift is on the way. Juicier things could be happening in the rear, though, with the suggestion that horsepower from the 3.8-liter, twin-turbo V8 will rise from 616 horsepower to somewhere around 650 hp.

The fact that the changes are modest suggest we could see the facelifted model as soon as the Frankfurt Motor Show in about six weeks.

McLaren MP4-12C gets a nip, tuck and ‘Ring run originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Jul 2013 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Low-rider Lamborghinis, motorcycle gangs and Yakuza make Underground Hero a must watch

Filed under: Japan, Videos, Lamborghini

Lamborghini video with Japan's Yakuza - video screencap

Japan’s Yakuza are some of the most dangerous and feared criminals on the planet, known for a disturbing level of commitment and honor. Just do some research on yubitsume to see what we mean.

Underground Hero: Love To Hate Me is a video from Luke Huxham, that takes a look inside Yakuza car culture, showing that these dangerous criminals aren’t all that different from normal enthusiasts when it comes to their cars. Focusing on Shinichi Moroboshi, owner of a modified Lamborghini Diablo and someone we wouldn’t be interested in angering, it focuses both on his life in the Yakuza and just what drew him towards the Diablo.

There’s also an interesting look at Japan’s modding culture, where neon chassis lighting is still alive and well. The effect it has on these cars, mostly from Lamborghini, is actually pretty dramatic, almost classy. The video also focuses on Bosozoku, in this case, Japanese motorcycle gangs. These aren’t your Harley-Davidson riding Hell’s Angels, rather, these riders lean toward tricked out Hondas and Suzukis (heavily modified cars are also a staple of Bosozoku culture).

Moroboshi-san’s story is a lot like ours, falling in love with a car during a chance encounter. At 17, the young Bosozoku was passed on the street by a Countach. The car and the sound it made left an impression on him that blossomed into a strong desire to own one of Italy’s finest products.

Take a look at the video below, and then head over to Jalopnik for an interesting commentary from the film’s director about just what it was like to work with the Yakuza.

Continue reading Low-rider Lamborghinis, motorcycle gangs and Yakuza make Underground Hero a must watch

Low-rider Lamborghinis, motorcycle gangs and Yakuza make Underground Hero a must watch originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Jul 2013 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2014 BMW 4 Series

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, BMW, First Drives, Luxury

Because Four Is Greater Than Three

2014 BMW 4 Series

Say what you will about the name 4 Series, there is a method to BMW’s madness. On one hand, it’s easy enough to just buy into the logic that odd numbers are reserved for sedans and wagons, and that even numbers are reserved for coupes and convertibles. On the other hand, consider the idea that the higher numbers are used to separate the more dynamic, more engaging vehicles that use the same platform. It’s that sort of separation that differentiates the 6 Series so nicely from its 5 Series roots, after all. And if we’re being cynical, it also allows BMW to charge a bit more money for its lower-volume offerings.

So with the new two-door version of the 3 Series, BMW has gone the route of strengthening the dynamic virtues of its F30 chassis to create a car that’s more removed from its sedan kin than one might think. And after spending some time with the new 4 Series on the roads around Lisbon, Portugal, as well as the famous Circuito do Estoril racetrack, it’s increasingly clear that calling this car a 3 Series Coupe simply wouldn’t be fair.

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2014 BMW 4 Series originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Jul 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Next-gen Mercedes C-Class caught in motion

Filed under: Spy Photos, Videos, Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Spy Video

The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class has already been spied on this site, but we’ve yet to have a look at the new compact sedan in motion. Thanks to an intrepid YouTuber, though, we have five videos of the new C on the road.

The car(s) in question have a bit more cladding than in our previous spy shots, but several of the new MB familial traits are evident, particularly the S-Class inspired taillights.

Notably, the third video is the first time we’ve heard the C-Class at speed. It’s difficult to tell from the brief snippet of exhaust, but we certainly hear some V6 notes in there, meaning this could be the new C300/C350. We’ve posted all five videos below, so be sure to check them out and let us know what you think.

Continue reading Next-gen Mercedes C-Class caught in motion

Next-gen Mercedes C-Class caught in motion originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Jul 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Slumping VW rolls back US sales targets

Filed under: Etc., Volkswagen, Earnings/Financials

After three years as one of the fastest-growing car brands in the US, Volkswagen has hit a sales rut, and it can’t get out. In response, Volkswagen Group of America downgraded VW’s 2013 US vehicle sales target to 440,000, from the original target of about 486,000, reports Automotive News. The stair-step incentive program under which dealerships earn bonuses also was restructured early this month, yet VW USA remains committed to its goal of producing 800,000 cars annually by 2018.

Many VW dealerships rely on bonuses earned from an incentive program to make a profit, and the program was built around sales targets. But the reality of VW sales in 2013 had a number of dealers resorting to sales tactics that strained relationships with customers and other dealers in an attempt to meet the targets. This was reflected in a recent National Automobile Dealerships Association’s survey that ranked VW’s dealer policies last.

Volkswagen of America COO Mark McNabb has indicated that, through lowering US sales targets, simplifying bonus calculations and giving the incentive program clearer goals and more predictable monthly payments, VW is trying to ease the pressure on dealerships that rely on the bonuses, Automotive News reports.

Dealers are confident that sales will pick up when new models roll in, but VW dealership owner and chairman of the company’s national dealership council, Jim Ellis, admits that right now VW is “getting kicked around a little bit here,” reports Automotive News, by stronger-than-expected competition in the compact and midsize sedan segments.

Slumping VW rolls back US sales targets originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Jul 2013 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: BMW M4 Concept headed for Pebble Beach?

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, LA Auto Show, Performance, BMW, Misc. Auto Shows

If a report from AutoExpress is to be believed, BMW will have a surprise in store for August’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The sleuths on the other side of The Pond are expecting to see a production-ready concept of the M3 Coupe-replacing BMW M4. The near-production showcar move is something we’ve seen from BMW, particularly when it comes to M products, over the years.

From the report, AE is expecting production versions of both the M4 and M3 sedan to be shown at the North American International Auto Show in January. We’ve covered the M4 rather obsessively, reporting on the company’s efforts to reduce the new car’s curb weight just last week.

AutoExpress dives deeper, though, speaking to BMW Group’s Senior VP Brand and Product Strategies, Klaus Froehlich. According to Froehlich, the M3/4 only shares about 20 percent of its parts with the 335i/435i. The engine is expected to be a bespoke unit, and will be mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. There should be plenty of carbon fiber to cut weight, as well. The report gets even more explosive, though, as the British outfit has revealed that the M3 and M4 will be joined by a 4 Series Convertible and the new BMW 2 Series in Detroit.

Now, this all seems fantastic, and we’re inclined to believe that an M4 Concept could arrive at Pebble. But debuting four (four!) models, especially two M cars, at one auto show just doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense. What seems more likely, though, is for the two M cars to arrive in Detroit, having been preceded by the 4 Series Convertible at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Why? Well, LA isn’t covered in snow for half the year, making it a much bigger convertible market than Detroit. As for the 2 Series, that’s a toss up. We could see it being shown at any of the big American shows, or it could be held until Geneva. We’ll be sure to update when we know more.

BMW M4 Concept headed for Pebble Beach? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Jul 2013 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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