|
LA 2008: Porsche to debut freshened Boxster and Cayman with PDK Filed under: LA Auto Show, Sports/GTs, Porsche 
Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2010 Porsche Cayman
 Porsche is going to unveil its newly freshened Boxster and Cayman models at the LA Auto Show today. As you can see in the galleries below, their noses and tails have been redone with a touch of Carrera GT, but each car now has a unique look. More importantly, the engines and transmissions have been updated as well, with the 2.9L and 3.4L powerplants getting Porsche's direct fuel injection for a 10-25 hp bump depending on the model. Along with the extra oomph, owners will get better mileage with fuel economy rising 11-16 percent. Part of that boosted mileage comes from the direct-injected engines, but the newly available Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe, or PDK, double-clutch gearbox also deserves praise.
The base Boxster and Cayman will now have 255 hp and 265 hp respectively, and the S versions will be rated at 310 for the Boxster S and 320 for the Cayman S. A Cayman S with PDK and Launch Control will also get to to 62 mph in just 4.9 seconds. At the other end of the lineup, the Boxster with a six-speed manual will do it in 5.9 seconds. Gas mileage should run 25.5-26.4 mpg. The new models will hit the market in February 2009, with European prices ranging from Euro 38,600 for a base Boxster to 61,493 for a Cayman S. The full press release is after the jump, and we have official high-res images set up in the galleries below. Plus we'll have our own live, firsthand impressions in a few hours.
[Source: Porsche]Continue reading LA 2008: Porsche to debut freshened Boxster and Cayman with PDK LA 2008: Porsche to debut freshened Boxster and Cayman with PDK originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
LA 2008: Twin-turbo V8 slated for BMW 7 Series Filed under: LA Auto Show, Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, BMW 
Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 BMW 750i
BMW is launching its latest 7 Series flagship in the United States here at the LA Auto Show and has decided to whet our appetites a bit before the official unveiling by releasing an early press release about its latest offerings. As expected, the new 7 is equipped with a direct-injected twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 as its sole engine option here in the States. That's not really a bad thing, though, as the force-fed mill pumps out 400 horses and an impressive 450 lb-ft of torque. We've driven the X6 with this powerplant in the past, and are confident it'll have no problem whatsoever getting the big sedan moving at a very brisk clip.
Also new for 2009 is BMW's first ever use of a multi-link double wishbone front suspension, which breaks from the German automaker's usual habit of front struts. As you'd expect, there is a long-wheelbase model of the new 7 as well, known as the 750Li, for those who wish to be driven rather than to drive. Perhaps the Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid, which will also be unveiled in just a bit, will foretell a production hybrid version of BMW's range-topper. Stay tuned for live shots of the new 7 in just a few hours.
[Source BMW]Continue reading LA 2008: Twin-turbo V8 slated for BMW 7 Series LA 2008: Twin-turbo V8 slated for BMW 7 Series originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Detroit CEOs fly private jets to Capitol Hill beg-fest Filed under: Etc., Chrysler, LLC., Ford, GM 
Earth to the not-exactly-Big 3 CEOs: When you fly to Washington to beg for an industry bailout, do yourselves a favor and leave the corporate jet at home. ABC News has thrown Rick Wagoner, Alan Mulally and Bob Nardelli directly under the bus, reporting that each exercised costly private jet perks for their joint appearance before Congress instead of setting an example by flying commercial.
In his taped report, ABC's Brian Ross points out that Wagoner's round-trip on the company G4 cost approximately $20,000. A first class, round-trip commercial ticket from Detroit would have instead cost around $900 (multiplied by however many people Rick had in his entourage). Ross questioned Wagoner about his using the jet as he was leaving the hearing. The GM CEO replied that it was used only for "urgent situations." Alan Mulally also flew private, presumably on the same Ford-owned jet that ferries him and his wife home to Seattle on the weekends. No details were given on Nardelli's travel specifics, other than that he too arrived on a private jet.
We understand that these are perks many CEOs enjoy, but when you're about to stick your hand out for billions of dollars, it might help to suck it up and slum it in First Class like the rest of us. Oh, wait. Of course, the first class cabin on a Northwest Airlines jet isn't as optimal for perfecting your presentation as a private, flying boardroom. On the other hand, a commercial flight would let the three CEOs all fly together so they can get their sob stories straight. Hang on to your wallets, everyone.
[Source: ABC News, Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty]Detroit CEOs fly private jets to Capitol Hill beg-fest originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
LA 2008: Lamborghini unveiling Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder Filed under: LA Auto Show, Convertibles, Supercars, Lamborghini 
Click above for high-res image gallery of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder
While Lamoborghini's press conference at the LA Auto Show today doesn't begin until later this afternoon, we can at least show you what the Italians will have on display. Meet the Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder, a natural evolution of the closed-top, mid-engine car with a soft-top mechanism to keep the rain and sun from sullying the Italian-crafted interior. We don't have much information on the 560-4 Spyder yet, except that the new soft-top will open and close in 20 seconds, we love those new wheels and the car's mechanicals will be identical to the standard car. That means the 5.2L V10 still produces 560 hp and this thing will go like a bat, or a bull perhaps, out of hell.
[Source: 4wheelsnews.com]LA 2008: Lamborghini unveiling Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
LA 2008: 2010 Mustang officially unveiled LIVE Filed under: LA Auto Show, Convertibles, Coupes, Ford 
Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2010 Mustang live unveiling
The doors have yet to open to the LA Auto Show, but that doesn't mean the unveilings haven't started. Last night Ford rented out a hangar at the Santa Monica airport and invited dozens of Mustang club members to come out for the 2010 Mustang's official introduction. For those of us that didn't get a peek at the car earlier in Detroit, this was our first time seeing the car in person. The event started out with a car show featuring all 45 years of the Mustang. Ford even arranged to have a Mustang from every year since 1964 in attendance. Each was lined up in order, starting with a stunning 1964 1/2 red convertible and ending with a 2009 Mustang GT. Perhaps our favorite part was walking behind the early cars to see how the Mustang logo had evolved over the years. Owners also brought out nearly every type of Mustang, from Saleen to Roush to Shelby. Seeing all the beautiful cars and the loyal owners, it's no wonder that the Mustang has had such success over the years.
After the car show it was time to head inside for the unveiling. While a few of us have already seen the car in person and we've all seen the photos, there was still excitement for what would happen next. Ford had several historically-significant Mustang racecars on display, from Parnelli Jones' 1970 Trans-Am car to John Force's Mustang funny car. Fittingly, many of the drivers were in attendance as well, and greeted the crowds one by one. Carroll Shelby arrived last, with the crowd erupting in cheers.
Read on for more from last night's unveiling and check out plenty of high-res pictures in the galleries below and full details on the 2010 Ford Mustang are in the press release after the jump.
All photos copyright (C)2008 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading LA 2008: 2010 Mustang officially unveiled LIVE LA 2008: 2010 Mustang officially unveiled LIVE originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Chrysler could be broke by New Year's, Nardelli would work for $1 Filed under: Government/Legal, Chrysler, LLC., Earnings/Financials  Chrysler still makes cars? Apparently so, and CEO Bob Nardelli was on Capitol Hill yesterday with his colleagues from Ford and General Motors, warning that the Pentastar is in serious danger of exhausting its reserves by early 2009. Chrysler's share of the $25 billion in aid the automakers are asking for stands at $7 billion, though at the current rate, that money wouldn't last long, possibly about one fiscal quarter. Senators are concerned that the automakers will turn into a monetary black hole, but the Detroit CEOs are trying to plead the case that securing some federal help will make it easier to emerge out the other side of this downturn.
Nardelli did pledge to accept a $1 per year salary if it would help sway those with the purse strings. It would have been nice if he'd made that pledge to help his company and workforce, instead of it just being a token gesture to help him pick the pocket of the American taxpayer, but the $1 salary, which mimics what Lee Iacocca did during Chrysler's last near-failure, may play better than Alan Mulally's concern over a potential retention problem if the management is actually held accountable. Rick Wagoner divulged that he'd cut his salary by half. We think CEO salaries of a buck are fair - shoot, you can still afford a PT Cruiser on that pay.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
Chrysler could be broke by New Year's, Nardelli would work for $1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Under the skin of the 2010 Acura NSX Filed under: Coupes, Sports/GTs, Tech, Tokyo Motor Show, Supercars, Acura, Honda  We don't know what the next Acura (Honda) NSX will ultimately look like, but we do know that it will have a 5.5-liter V10 throwing down 560 hp through a torque-vectoring SW-AWD setup. The folks over at Auto Express have a cutaway view of the NSX's gizzards, and what lurks beneath the creased and chevroned skin of the next do-it-all-faster supercar could be good for a few extra heartbeats. We do hope, however, that these exterior renderings are quite a ways off. Otherwise, it might not be so bad if Acura offers a cutaway version of the actual car so that you don't have to see its body, because even under the camo, the new NSX is shaping up to be um, homely.
[Source: Auto Express]Under the skin of the 2010 Acura NSX originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Oh, it's on! Hamilton vs Hoy at Race of Champions Filed under: Motorsports, UK  British racing fans had lots of reason to celebrate this year. Not only did their golden boy Lewis Hamilton win the Formula One World Championship, but their star cyclist Chris Hoy took home three Olympic gold medals from the Beijing Olympics. But the ultimate face-off between man and machine is just gearing up as organizers of the annual Race of Champions have announced the two will face off next month at Wembley.
The race will pit Hamilton in a Mercedes road car against Hoy on his bike on parallel winding tracks. Although Lewis won't be driving his championship winning McLaren, he'll be running a few demonstration laps around the stadium for the fans in his first major public appearance after securing the championship. Since both Hoy and Hamilton will have to rush off to the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards, scheduled at the same time as the race, the showdown will take place as an opening act. And that's one heck of an opening act. Press release after the jump.
[Source: Race of Champions] Continue reading Oh, it's on! Hamilton vs Hoy at Race of Champions Oh, it's on! Hamilton vs Hoy at Race of Champions originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Let the customizing begin! LA Auto Show visitors can digitally accessorize the 2010 Mustang Filed under: Aftermarket, LA Auto Show, Ford 
Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2010 Ford Mustang
Ford is wasting no time in allowing its customers to modify the new 2010 Mustang. In fact, they are so anxious to get started that visitors to the LA Auto Show will be able to digitally customize their own version of the pony car right on the show floor. A total of 43 accessories will be available, from wheels to spoiler to hood scoops. Wheels will be available in a variety of finishes, and body parts will come in black, silver, or body color. A carbon fiber package will even be available. Taking it a step further, Ford will have the crew from Galpin Auto Sports on hand to pick a design every hour and actually install the parts on a V6 convertible and a GT coupe to provide a real life look at the car. More details are in the press release after the jump, and if for some reason you haven't already seen them, you can check out photos of the 2010 Mustang in the galleries below. Stay tuned for our live coverage of the LA Auto Show beginning later this morning.
[Source: Ford] Continue reading Let the customizing begin! LA Auto Show visitors can digitally accessorize the 2010 Mustang Let the customizing begin! LA Auto Show visitors can digitally accessorize the 2010 Mustang originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Ford offering employee pricing plus bonus incentive on fuel efficient vehicles Filed under: Car Buying, Green, Ford, Earnings/Financials 
It's tough to be in the auto selling business these days, as evidenced by all of the big deals that automakers are offering to move their metal before the end of the year. Ford has already announced that it would be offering an "Employee Pricing Plus" incentive, and now details of the plan have come to light. Not only can you get the price employees pay, but Ford is also offering additional cash back on many of its models. Or you can get bonus zero-percent financing for 36 months plus the employee price instead of cash back if you choose one of Ford's nine most fuel efficient models in their class. Even the new 2009 F-150, which gets up to 21 mpg when equipped with the SFE package, joins in the zero-percent financing deal. Other models with the financing deal are the Focus, Flex, Fusion/Mercury Milan, Escape/Mercury Mariner (minus the hybrids, naturally) and even the MKS and MKZ from Lincoln. Sure, it's a gimmick that's meant to help sales, but it's tough to complain about a good deal on a new car, right?
[Source: Ford]Continue reading Ford offering employee pricing plus bonus incentive on fuel efficient vehicles Ford offering employee pricing plus bonus incentive on fuel efficient vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
AutoblogGreen for 11.19.08 Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green 
An unveiling here (MINI E), and unveiling there (2010 Ford Fusion hybrid). We must be at an auto show. Can't wait to see what the day brings...
AutoblogGreen for 11.19.08 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 05:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
LA 2008: Redesigned 2010 Ford Fusion Filed under: LA Auto Show, Sedans/Saloons, Ford, Mercury 
Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2010 Ford Fusion
At the preview for the 2010 Ford Fusion, Frank Davis, Executive Director of North American Product Programs described Ford's goal as combingin best-in-class fuel economy with a much bolder appearance. The mid-size C/D segment in which the Fusion competes is the second largest in the U.S. market, accounting for 2.1 million vehicles last year including the best-selling Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, and Ford wants a bigger piece of it. The updated 2010 Fusion is technically a mid-cycle refresh, but it's much more than your typical face-lift. Three years after the Fusion and its Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ siblings debuted, Ford has given them a major stylistic overhaul fore and aft of the doors and inside the cabin. Its powertrains have also gone through a modernization program, which we already told you about a couple of weeks ago, so we'll skip over that here except to remind you that the 2010 Fusion can be had with a new hybrid drivetrain and a 3.5L V6 Sport model. Find out about the rest of what's new after the jump.
Continue reading LA 2008: Redesigned 2010 Ford Fusion LA 2008: Redesigned 2010 Ford Fusion originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
LA 2008: Mercury debuts 2010 Milan Filed under: LA Auto Show, Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, Mercury 
Click above for high-res gallery of the 2010 Mercury Milan
We'll spare you from going over the laundry list of changes for the new 2010 Mercury Milan since you've already read about them in the post above on the 2010 Ford Fusion. Both cars share a lot in common, so instead we'll tell you what's different between them. The 2010 Milan gets its own redesign that includes new front and rear fascias, which we see as big improvements over the current model that further separates, at least visually, the Mercury from its Blue Oval brother. The Milan also only gets two gas engine options compared to the Fusion's three. Buyers can order up the new 2.5L four-cylinder that produces 175 hp or the upgraded 3.0L V6 that makes 240 horsepower. Unfortunately, Ford's 3.5L V6 producing 265 horsepower is reserved exclusively for the Fusion Sport. There's also the new Milan Hybrid, which again is identical to the Fusion Hybrid in all but its looks and can drive up to 47 mph on all-electric power. Follow the jump for Mercury's official press release and peruse the gallery of high-res images in the gallery below. If you want our deeper analysis of the changes, check out our full post on the new Fusion.
Continue reading LA 2008: Mercury debuts 2010 Milan LA 2008: Mercury debuts 2010 Milan originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Officially Official: The new Nissan Cube! (JDM, with U.S. tease) Filed under: LA Auto Show, Economy, Japan, Hatchbacks, Nissan 
Click above for high-res gallery of the US-market Cube. Click here for the JDM car.
Here it is. It's "tomorrow" in Japan, and Nissan has unleashed the motherlode of new Nissan Cube photos - including three showing the U.S.-Spec version that'll be rolled out at the LA Auto Show tomorrow. There's no accompanying press release at the moment, but the Japanese media is running their stories as we speak. JDM Cubes are equipped with a 107-hp/109 lb-ft 1.5L four-cylinder mated to a CVT transmission. Front- and four-wheel-drive versions are available. We'll get a different engine with more power that should deliver fuel economy in the Versa neighborhood. More on that tomorrow from our team in LA.
The three shots of the U.S.-market bodywork show, as expected, the reverse of the JDM car. Kudos to Nissan for doing a second body for left-hand drive markets. Inside, the simple appointments of the current Cube are updated with better shapes and, hopefully, a bigger, more upscale mix of materials. The bench seat returns in the JDM car, and there's no reason to believe we won't see it here as well. A water-droplet theme introduced in that silly teaser video we showed you last week is present in the cupholders and also available as ceiling trim inside the passenger compartment. Check out the galleries below for photos of just about everything, including the Japan-specific Lifecare (disabled access) and Autech Rider versions.
Come back tomorrow, when the gang in LA will deliver live coverage of the U.S. car's debut. We liked the JDM version, and we're really looking forward to trying out the Cube again now that it's been engineered for our market's needs.
[Source: Nissan]Officially Official: The new Nissan Cube! (JDM, with U.S. tease) originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
2010 Ford Mustang to appear on Knight Rider tomorrow Filed under: Etc., Celebrities 
Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2010 Ford Mustang
Seriously, was there any doubt that this would happen? Here's the skinny, verbatim, from Ford's press release:
The 2010 Mustang will be seen in the episode "Knight of the Zodiac" inside the Satellite Surveillance Chamber, also known as the SSC or "KITT Cave." The 2010 Mustang poses as KITT during an inspection and impresses everyone.
As crazy as it sounds, this particular bit of product placement may be more subtle than the pathetic shilling of Goodyear tires that NBC cooked up for last week's episode, during which KITT actually utters, "The tread is from a Goodyear Assurance ComforTread. It's one of the most popular brands of tires sold and distributed in North America." Somehow, I managed not to immediately kill myself upon hearing that and, as a result, I'll be liveblogging tomorrow night's Knight Rider pony parade. You know where and when to find me.
[Source: Ford]2010 Ford Mustang to appear on Knight Rider tomorrow originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
VIDEO: AutoCar Ad of the Year - Volkswagen's Singing Dog Filed under: Euro, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Volkswagen 
Click above to watch the video
AutoCar readers have voted on the year's best car commercial, and unsurprisingly, it's not from America. Neither is AutoCar, sure, but that still doesn't quite explain why we get GM's Our Country ads and the rest of you get ninja kittens and singing dogs. We're not even sure how singing dogs sell cars - which might be why we don't get them - but they're a lot more fun. The dog can try to explain himself in this year's winning video after the jump.
[Source: Automoto Portal]Continue reading VIDEO: AutoCar Ad of the Year - Volkswagen's Singing Dog VIDEO: AutoCar Ad of the Year - Volkswagen's Singing Dog originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Buy a Pacifica, get a PT Cruiser for a buck! Filed under: Car Buying, Trends, Crossovers/CUVs, Hatchbacks, Chrysler, LLC.  Here's an interesting way to clear some unwanted inventory: offer a crazy-sounding deal on two new cars, like buy one car and get the second for just $1. That's the pitch at a suburban Chicago Chrysler dealership that promises a 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser demo car for just $1 if you happen to purchase one of their five remaining 2008 Chrysler Pacificas. That's practically a 2-for-1 deal and would give buyers two options for family hauling duty. The lame-duck Pacificas in stock range in price from $37,000 to $40,000 and can carry six passengers and their stuff in floaty luxury. The PT, on the other hand, offers a more frugal option for up to five passengers. Dealer Frank Mancari started the deal on Saturday at his Oak Lawn dealership to increase showroom traffic. Once all of the vehicles are sold, however, that's it. We bet more than one person will walk in and tell the dealer he can keep his PT Cruiser, they'll take the Pacifica with a $15,000 discount instead. Who are we kidding, Chrysler doesn't even want these cars anymore. Thanks for the tip, Dave!
[Source: Chicago Breaking News]Buy a Pacifica, get a PT Cruiser for a buck! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
GM prices Silverado Hybrid, Sierra Hybrid, and Pontiac G3 Filed under: Economy, Hybrids/Alternative, Trucks/Pickups, Chevrolet, GMC 
Click above for high-res image gallery of the Pontiac G3
One day before the press converge on the LA Auto Show, General Motors has released pricing on its 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid, 2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid and the 2009 Pontiac G3. The full-size hybrid pickup trucks each feature GM's patented two-mode hybrid drivetrain with a 6.0-liter V8 under the hood. Assisted by an electric motor, the trucks are rated to tow up to 6,100 pounds. Fuel economy is impressive for a pickup -- they are rated at 21 mpg city and 22 mpg highway (2WD) when unladen. The base price for the Silverado is $38,995 (including a $975 destination charge). The Sierra barely undercuts it with a starting price of $39,365 (including $975 DFC). Production on the pickups starts in December, with delivery to dealers starting in early 2009. If trucks aren't your thing, pricing on the all-new Pontiac G3 hatchback will squeak in at $14,995 (including $660 DFC), making it the least expensive car in Pontiac showrooms. While you'll drive home in air-conditioned comfort sipping fuel at 32 mpg on the highway, don't expect much in the way of driving excitement.
[Source: General Motors]Continue reading GM prices Silverado Hybrid, Sierra Hybrid, and Pontiac G3 GM prices Silverado Hybrid, Sierra Hybrid, and Pontiac G3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Carbon fiber baby seat keeps Junior secure Filed under: Etc. 
Click above for image gallery of the carbon fiber baby seat
If James Bond ever had to carry a baby instead of a bombshell in that DBS Ford Edge, here is the kind of seat worthy of the agent and his cargo. Created by Rory Craig, a student at the Art Center College of Design, the carbon fiber seat with Sparco belts is 3-way adjustable, reclines, and can be pulled apart to be a side infant carrier. There are even holes down the back of the seat for perfect harness adjustment. It's called the Wing Man, but you can't buy it yet - right now it's just a prototype. Rory is pitching it to Sparco, so you might want to write your local Sparco representative and help them make the right decision... Thanks for the tip, Dave!
[Source: Carbon Fiber Gear]Carbon fiber baby seat keeps Junior secure originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
LA 2008: Live reveal of the MINI E in Beverly Hills Filed under: LA Auto Show, Green, Hatchbacks, BMW, MINI 
Click above for high-res image gallery of the MINI E
BMW board member Dr. Friederich Eichiner unveiled the first MINI E this afternoon at a press event in Beverly Hills, California. The company has built 500 of the battery-powered cars that will be leased to customers in Southern California and the New York City area starting in January. Each car is equipped with electric drive systems and battery packs provided by California's AC Propulsion. The 35 kWh packs are expected to provide a range of about 125-150 miles on a charge and accelerate the car to 60 mph in an very reasonable 8.5 seconds. BMW is using the MINI E as the first step of its Project I, which is focused on developing new innovations for urban mobility. A web site will be launched in the next couple of days where people will be able to officially apply for the program. For those who get selected, the MINI E lease will cost $850 /month and only last one year. Check out ABG for more information on the car and what BMW is trying to achieve with it.
[Source: AutoblogGreen]LA 2008: Live reveal of the MINI E in Beverly Hills originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
|
