Mitsubishi iMiEV Micro-Electric Car To Charge Into U.S. By 2009

Mitsubishi iMiEV Micro-Electric Concept

Nearly identical to the Mitsubishi iMiEV Concept introduced in 2007 at the Tokyo Auto Show, the production iMiEV has been spotted road testing in Japan and is rumored to be prepping for a U.S. introduction in 2009. Ambitiously, Mitsubishi publicly expects the iMiEV Micro-Electric car to average 124 miles off a single charge, and feature a top speed of 112 mph. Although that seems almost impossibly ambitious [especially in light of the slightly disappointing production Chevy Volt reveal], thanks to their partnership with battery manufacturer GS Yuasa Corporation, Mitsubishi is confident their technology is ready for mass production.

Mitsubishi iMiEV Micro-Electric Production Car

So what does the iMiEV have that the Volt doesn’t? Primarily: little to no press time. With no pressure and subject to only minimal public scrutiny, Mitsubishi has been slowly and steadily developing it’s technology over the course of several years. With the benefit of time on their side, they haven’t been forced to rush ahead of schedule and, despite what skeptics might say, could very well be responsible for engineering the stronger, faster, lithium ion battery every one has been waiting for.

According to the technical specifications outlined by Mitsubishi engineers, the iMiEV is powered by three permanent magnetic synchronous motors; two of which are placed in each front wheel, with the third motor delivering power to the rear wheels. The lithium-ion battery is placed at the lowest area underneath the floor, which provides for better stability and a more spacious interior. A photovoltaic generator is housed on the roof, and the air conditioning system is aided dually by a power-generating fan inside the front grill and heat-absorbing windows. Additionally, the iMiEV’s interior is constructed mostly of Mitsubishi’s plant-base resin material, Green Plastic. No word yet on official pricing, though hopefully the Mitsubishi iMiEV doesn’t run into the same cost-of-production/retail price problems the Chevy Volt has.

Related posts:

• 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X MR coming to U.S. in June
• Ol Red
• SLR Stirling Moss won't be offered in North America (w/VIDEO)
• Charging a Tesla roadster from household outlet could take 30 hours!
• Two New Outlanders To Help Relieve The Pinch

Related posts:

• The Lexus IS 250 SR is designed to deliver some of the sporting allure ...
• The Problem with Dealerships
• VW Mid-Engine Roadster Concept Headed to Detroit Instead of LA
• Should Suzuki Pack Up and Go Home?
• The Top 10 Most and Least Expensive Cars to Insure

Read More!

Wheels of the Ghetto Part I: 1949 Chevy Street Rod

Driving down Grays Ferry Avenue today I was reminded of this post of Suzanne’s here at RideLust.com. Her’s was a ‘53, but it’s the same royal bloodline. This one is a beautiful 1949 Chevy Sport Coupe with a 327 engine. All hot-rodded out; interior/exterior, everything. It’s in just outstanding condition too. I wish I had the 14k the owner wants for it. I also wish I could’ve gotten a better picture of the interior, because it’s immaculate. Still, if you look closely at the bottom picture, you can almost make out the skull shifter knob and the dice switches everywhere. I need this vehicle.
Click READ MORE for the pictures…

Check it, The Heat:

Related posts:

• Gaywheels.com picks Best Cars of 2008 from a different perspective
• News to be Released: China Topples the USA as Worlds #1 Polluter!
• The All-New Nissan GT-R is Going to Show up in Gran Turismo 5
• Nissan GT-R Does the Nurburgring in under 7:30
• 2011 Hyundai Tucson

Related posts:

• The Weld I Didn’t Expect
• 1 2 ... [Recommended Stories]
• Not-So-Super Nova on Craigslist
• Forget The Tilt-Shift: World's Largest Avocado Menaces 1970 Impala [Moment Of Zen]
• Don't let it eat after midnight - AMC Gremlin reimagined

Read More!

Chicago Auto Show: Ford Works Solutions Aims to Improve Productivity for F-Series Owners

The Ford and Microsoft pairing is proving to be quite productive. First they released the Sync system that, among other things, added voice recognition capability to your phone and stereo system in equipped Ford models, but now they are adding in-dash computers with their Ford Works Solutions package for their F-Series and E-Series and soon with the Transit Connect work van.

Included in the Ford Works Solutions in-dash features that are Powered by Microsoft Auto are internet access provided by Sprint Mobil Broadband and Navigation by Garmin. The Works Solutions system takes up the same area that the typical in-dash navigation system would be housed and includes a 6.5 inch, high resolution touch screen, wireless keyboard and mouse, SD card slot, USB port, a 2GB of memory and a stylus pen for the touch screen that is housed next to the CD in the dash.
To further aid F-Series owners on the job the on-board computer is business equipped to assist the worker on-site in accessing files in the main office PC or home, printing invoices on location with the built in printer, and it also has word processing and spreadsheet software within. Like the Sync system the Ford Works Solutions have voice recognition, hands free calling and access to user phonebooks and text messaging.

For further details on the Ford Works Solutions in-dash features check out the video below.

Related posts:

•           The 2009 A8 is a 4-door, up to 5-passenger luxury sedan, available ...
• Cash for Clunkers Will End Monday
• That list included some station wagons that seat seven, and today's list ...
• Will Nissan power the city of the future?
• By that time we'd used up most of the spray paint turning Neons into Civics ...

Related posts:

• EPA Releases Best and Worst Mileage List
• Lindsay Lohan’s TriFactor: Crash’d SL65, Cops Find Coke… DUI?
• Who has the best ideas: Congress or a guy named Norm?
• Two 1950's show cars up for grabs at January RM auction
• Of Hummers, Knights, and Red Bulls

Read More!

Chicago Auto Show: GMC to Unveil New Denali XT Hybrid-Flex Fuel Concept

GM has really been looking for additional candidates in their line-up for the 2-Mode Hybrid system and thanks to a design by their Australian cousins at Holden they have yet potentially one more. The GMC Denali XT Concept not only sports some aggression and some retro yet future thinking design elements, but it also sports a new engine package with great appeal.

In the Denali XT Concept GMC has paired up GM’s 2-Mode Hybrid system with a 4.9 Liter small-block V8 with both direct injection and cylinder deactivation (or Active Fuel Management as GM refers to it). Also for the first time for GM the 4.9 Liter V8 in the Denali XT can be fueled by any mixture of gasoline-ethanol all the way up to E85. All together the combination of these technologies would make the Denali XT Concept one of the most Environmentally friendly Sport Utility Trucks to come to market thus far.

The Denali XT Concept comes with an adjustable air suspension incorporated in its four-wheel independent suspension to allow the SUT to perform well on the road. Yet its light weight uni-body construction and cargo area that measures 55″ by 47.5″ that can carry 1100 lbs of cargo still provides this sleek design enough truck capabilities to satisfy the average driver. To add to its versatility the Denali XT has a towing capacity of 3500 lbs and rear seats that fold down to allow for longer payloads.
GM Press Release and photo gallery follow after the link. (more…)

Related posts:

• Top 10 Celebrities that pollute the most
• Volkswagen releases second image of 300-hp Scirocco
• Ferrari’s son purchases stake in Pininfarina
• Poll: Would you rather buy the BMW 135i or the 335i?
• Daimler sees possible future collaboration with Jaguar and Land Rover

Related posts:

• New information and pictures of the Renault Scénic ZEV H₂
• 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan S, Part One [Jalopnik Reviews]
• LeMons New England: Spinning Our Way to a 22nd Place First Day Finish!
• New Pricing Of $9,990 Makes 2009 Nissan Versa Cheapest New Car In USA [2009 Nissan Versa]
• New Corvette Z06-Based Anteros Heading To LA Auto Show [La Auto Show]

Read More!

Does the Green Car of the Year only get 20mpg?

With the Chevy Tahoe and the other large SUV’s under the umbrella of GM and those infused with the Mode 2 Hybrid drive system there are now tanks achieving the fuel mileage of jeeps on the automotive battlefield. At an average of 20mpg in city driving the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid achieves a fuel mileage rating that is as good or better than some cars. For the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid that is a 40% savings in fuel consumption from their non-hybrid model. So while a 20-mpg fuel rating may not sound all that Green to the judges at the LA Auto Show it seems the 40% improvement in fuel consumption won them over.

Some of the big names that served on this years judging panel that chose the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid are Carrol Shelby, Jay Leno, Carol Pope and Jean Michel Cousteau. Rounding out the field of judges were industry leaders and several motor journalists. So did the lacking of a new 40mpg model leave the judges with no other clear alternative except the Tahoe Hybrid? (more…)

Related posts:

• 2007 Detroit Auto Show: Toyota FT-HS Concept
• Politics as Usual: Dealers Protest Closings
• The Beast
• 2009 Chicago Auto Show Preview

Related posts:

• A little bit country – Crosleys embrace farm theme
• Cash for clunkers runs out of money; gov’t gonna throw more money at it. Who would’ve guessed?
• Martin mystery
• Bikes, Studes, big trucks – good night at the cruise-in
• Chrysler Vows to Add a Hybrid or Alternative Fuel Option to Every Vehicle

Read More!

VW Touareg Lux Limited Edition

Volkswagen unveiled a new special edition of its Touareg SUV at the Detroit Auto Show. The new VW Touareg Lux Limited Edition will be offered with the new 225HP V6 TDI and two gasoline engines, the 280HP V6 FSI and the 350HP V8 FSI, and gets a styling package that includes side skirts and customized front and rear aprons complemented by a set of 20-inch alloy wheels.

VW offers the VW Touareg Lux Limited Edition in next colors: “Biscay blue”, “Black magic pearl effect”, “Campanella white”, “Galapagos gray” and the “Biscay blue”. VW Touareg Lux Limited Edition features a two-tone leather interior combined with special interior accents based on the particular color variant. A new special edition will only be available in the United States. Unfortunately, no word on pricing.

Related posts:

• By reintroducing a wagon and a clean diesel engine, the Jetta should also ...
• Video: Is VW self-parking system better than Lexus’?
• 2010 Volkswagen Robust
• Goodguys 18th East Coast Nationals Pics Live!

Related posts:

• Volkswagen brings Happy Note overseas to U.S. troops
• Volkswagen brings Happy Note overseas to U.S. troops
• Using a Scirocco would definitely solve the "slow" problem of ...
• Head to Head: 2007 Volvo C70 vs. 2007 Volkswagen Eos
• MkVI VW Rabbit & GTI coming to America next September

Read More!