It was recently reported that Asian car maker Nissan Motor Company would soon be launching the Nissan X-Trail’s diesel version. This vehicle would be unveiled in Japan and it would still be coming as a sport utility vehicle, except for the fact that it could now run using diesel. The event is set to happen on September this year.
According to the car maker, the Nissan X-Trail has been given a diesel engine because it has been found out that the recent developments with diesel engines have made vehicles bearing such to be more efficient with fuel. Also, they would have less CO2 emissions compared to those which run on gasoline. Nissan also did disclose that they have used new technologies with the diesel engine so that the exhaust gases would be cleaned and would be less harmful when emitted. The technologies does include the use of catalysts.
There have been no announcements though as per the price of the diesel-powered Nissan X-Trail.
Audi Q7 is 2008 IIHS Top Safety Pick
The Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Top Safety Pick award for 2008 to the Audi Q7, a luxury performance SUV. The luxury performance SUV came out on top as it received a ‘good’ rating in all three crash tests: side impact, offset frontal, and rear impact seat tests.
The Q7 isn’t the only Audi recognized this year for outstanding vehicle safety ratings. The Audi A3, A4 and A6 have also been recognized as Top Safety Picks for 2008, giving Audi the honor of having the most Top Safety Pick designations for any luxury automaker for 2008.
To achieve the Top Safety Pick honors, a vehicle must earn the highest rating of good in the Institute’s front, side and rear tests. The vehicle should also be equipped with electronic stability control. Audi offers this safety feature as standard on every model it rolls out.
“For Audi, safety and performance have always gone hand in hand: our cars are engineered to offer the best not just in crash protection, but in preventing traffic accidents altogether,” said Johan de Nysschen, executive vice president, Audi of America. “With the launch of the Audi Q7 TDI clean diesel in 2009, American SUV buyers will have even more options from which to choose for safety as well as fuel economy, convenience and performance.”
Volvo bringing back free maintenance program
It's our pleasure to announce that the economic downturn is responsible for something you might actually want, other than cheap gas: Volvo is offering free maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles on all 2009 models. Volvo ran the program most recently until 2006. But with sales in the tank, Volvo dealers have been pleading with Volvo to bring it back in a bid to get more customers. Volvo higher ups finally agreed, and dealers think that this will help a potential customer choose Volvo over another make, especially a domestic, if she knows she won't be on the hook for creaks and leaks. BMW, Land Rover, MINI, and Saab also have free maintenance programs, and VW has started the program for its 2009 models. Now if only Volvo offered the S60 Concept with free maintenance...
Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
The Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is GM's latest attempt to capture some of the mid-size family sedan market dominated by Toyota and Honda.
Unlike other competitive systems, this system is less complex, unable to run on electric power only. It uses the electric motor to provides extra power for accelerating and as a generator to charge the batteries when slowing down. GM refers to this system as a "Mild Hybrid."
The engine management computer automatically turns off the engine while the vehicle is stopped for better city mileage. In real world conditions the system works very well, offering reasonable fuel savings. And since it's not as complex, GM is able to offer the Malibu Hybrid at a reasonable price.
Subaru Impreza diesel delayed for the UK
In this installment of "As the Yen Skyrockets," Autocar is reporting that the introduction of the long-awaited Subaru Impreza diesel has been delayed indefinitely due to unfavorable exchange rates. A source inside International Motors, the firm that imports Subarus into the UK, told Autocar, "At the current rate we would have to charge vastly more than we can justify for the diesel Impreza if we were to make a profit. As a result we can't guarantee when the car will go on sale as we can't predict when the economy will change."
Both Toyota and Honda are facing the same problem, with Honda CEO Takeo Fukui going so far as to threaten moving Honda's headquarters outside of Japan. Analysts predict that the yen could begin to sink in the coming weeks, but if the market doesn't correct itself, the Japanese government might have to intervene and begin devaluing its currency.
Mitsubishi MiEV visits Monaco, readies Euro homologation
The little Principality of Monaco is keeping up its role in the media spotlight for their EV efforts. The small country will soon be the location of the first European tests of the all-electric Mitsubishi MiEV, still expected to go on sale in 2010. Of course, the Japanese vehicle will probably be put on sale in the UK before the Continent because it is right hand drive, but who's counting. As you can see in the pic, the MiEV was recently part of a promo photo with Prince Albert II of Monaco as part of the vehicle's Continental introduction (but, if you consider Iceland to be in Europe, then this wasn't the premiere). In case you've missed our previous coverage, the MiEV has a 120 mile range and can quick charge in under 30 minutes.
Ssangyong out of money; what does it mean for Phoenix?
Earlier this month, we found out that Phoenix Motorcars was still working on its all-electric SUT, but that its use of the Altairnano lithium titinate battery is currently in question. Even before that, Phoenix announced that it would be switching from its first motor supplier, UQM, to some other supplier. So, to recap, the SUT - if it's ever released to the public at all - will use different batteries and a different motor than originally stated. Now, news comes from Ssangyong, original suppliers of the chassis and bodywork for the Phoenix SUT, that it is in such poor financial shape that it cannot afford to make payments to its workers. All manufacturing has apparently been stopped. New guts: check. New bones: check?
Besides the obvious issue this raises with all of Ssangyong's future hybrids, we wonder what it means for the future of Phoenix Motorcars. We know that Phoenix just recently announced plans to deliver EVs to Hawaii for testing, but we're seriously beginning to wonder if all of these setbacks and changes will be enough to keep the SUT from ever seeing the light of day.
700hp Lightning GT EV on track for 2010 launch
Following its debut at the London Motor Show earlier this year, Britain's answer to the Tesla Roadster, the Lightning GT electric sports car, is expected to move to the next stage of development in 2009. The team behind the Lightning GT has announced that they will be producing two prototypes by the second quarter of 2009, with a view to start the first customer deliveries in early 2010.
Information at this point is scarce, and currently the car's exact specifications have not yet been finalized. Meanwhile, the company behind the project is still seeking capital from investors and an exact location for production is also still uncertain, which all means that the promised delivery date may need to be pushed back.
Some of the details we know about include a 700hp (522kW) electric powertrain featuring nano-titanate battery technology, which is enough to propel the car from 0-60mph in a flat four seconds and take it a top speed of about 130mph.
The electric drive system, dubbed Hi-Pa Drive, packs four permanent magnet brushless motors with one in each wheel. The system also allows for full traction control and regenerative braking on all four wheels independently. Due to power being developed separately in each wheel, there are no gearboxes, differentials, axles, drive shafts or propshafts in the Lightning sports car.
One of the key benefits of electric vehicles is that they have maximum available power at the wheels at any speed, unlike a petrol engine where maximum power is only obtained high up in the rev range. Officials claim charging the batteries for just ten minutes will provide up to 250 miles of driving, and at current prices driving one mile will cost just 2.5 cents.
To save weight, the car’s body is made from carbon fibre and Kevlar, and even with the full array of batteries on board the GT has a near ideal weight distribution of 48/52 front to rear. The car is also available with luxury items such as air-conditioning, satnav, and full leather trim.
Despite downturn, Toyota re-commits to F1
Toyota has reiterated its commitment to F1, in spite of its first annual operating loss since 1938. Said Toyota CEO Katsuake Watanabe of Toyota's F1 budget, still the largest in F1 at $445 million, "To keep it up at the current level is extremely difficult." Yet even with the loss, the global economic mess, the belt-tightening on the corporate side, and the fact that Toyota hasn't won a race in seven years, a Toyota spokesperson said, "We don't have anything to add to the statement we made on 5 December [committing to F1 after Honda's pullout -- Ed.] because the financial results don't change anything for us in the formula one team. Our situation has not changed." The FIA has suggested that next year's cost cutting measures will save teams 33% over their 2008 budgets. On top of that, Toyota is conducting its own cost cutting study to see what it can do over and above that. We have a feeling 2009 won't see Toyota on top of the big spenders list again.
Post Title → Nissan X-Trail Goes Diesel cars
