All-New Honda CR-Z Sport Hybrid Coupe Makes E3 Expo Debut

The all-new 2011 Honda CR-Z sport hybrid coupe made its Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3 Expo) debut today.

Evocative of many video games, the two-passenger CR-Z introduces a number of interactive features including a new three-mode drive system that allows the driver to select between Sport, Econ (Economy) and Normal driving models.

The CR-Z will go on-sale later this summer.

"E3 Expo is the perfect venue to showcase the all-new CR-Z", said Steven Center, vice president of marketing operations for American Honda. "The engaging and sporty driving experience found in the CR-Z feels like something out of the latest racing video game. Gamers will feel at home behind the wheel of the CR-Z - whether it be in front of a console or on the open road."

Along with the CR-Z debut, Honda also announced that the sport hybrid coupe will appear in several video games including:

Car Town by CIE Studios (Online, PC and Xbox Live) Nitto Legends 1320 by CIE Studios (Online and PC) Gran Turismo 5 by Sony (Sony PS3 and PSP)

While at the E3 Expo, attendees can check out the CR-Z along with a component-revealing cut-body on display in the Honda booth located outside the West Hall Lobby (booth F7).

At the booth, attendees can get information on how to download an exclusive, custom CR-Z* for Car Town and win an Apple iPad®.

For more information and downloadable high-resolution images of Honda vehicles, please visit www.hondanews.com. Consumer information is available at www.honda.com.

Source;
http://www.offalyexpress.ie/express-motoring/AllNew-Honda-CRZ-Sport-Hybrid.6365771.jp

Burlapp Find: 2012 Euro Honda Civic?

I gotta agree with Vince on this one, not sure how realistic this 'illustration' will be, but hey, here it is....
Source;
http://www.burlappcars.com/2010/06/2012-euro-civic.html

Next Gen VW Jetta

Hate to say it, I'm not the biggest VW fan, but they do drive nice. Not sure what to think about this, looks something like what a Saturn/Subaru marriage would look like.... ah, who am I to judge....
VOLKSWAGEN has unveiled an all-new version of its Jetta saloon – but this time it’s not based on the bigger-selling Golf hatchback.

We will have first official pictures of the car from 4.00pm, when the embargo is lifted - until then, you'll have to make do with these scoop images.

While there are still a few pieces of body-coloured camouflage on this 2011 Jetta prototype, most of the car is completely production-ready.

And while VW seems to have stuck fake, Toyota-looking badges on this car, it only takes a quick look at the steering wheel centre cap to see the VW logo under a thin piece of tape!

Internally known as NCS – or New Compact Sedan – this updated Jetta will be built on a re-engineered fifth generation Jetta platform. Expect the new car to be longer and wider than the current model.

The Jetta name will likely be carried over, and assembly will continue to take place at Volkswagen's Puebla, Mexico, plant, but the new Jetta will be somewhat longer and a bit wider.

Volkswagen will hope to sell 160,000 units annually as they try to lure potential Corolla and Civic buyers in the U. S. with its lower base price. The car will also make it to European dealers but is – again – not expected to be a hot seller. (?!?!?!?!?)

Source;
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/253048/new_jetta_puts_the_boot_in.html

U.S. (North America?!?) Only BMW Teaser

Looks like we (US only?!?) may be getting an exclusive model, no other real details, follow the link for more info....
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/14/bmw-teases-new-u-s-only-model-lurking-in-the-shadows/

EPA reveals top 10 most fuel-efficient cars since 1984, original Honda Insight takes top honors

Best overall REAL WORLD Gas mileage vehicles since 1984....

Best Overall EPA Rated Gas Mileage vehicles since 1984....

Fuel efficiency has increased dramatically in the last decade, or at least that's what we've been told. So it might come as a surprise to find out that six of the Top Ten EPA-rated Fuel Sippers from 1984 to present were built prior to 2000. Don't believe it? We didn't either, but this info comes straight from the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) website, the authoritative source on this fuel efficiency stuff.

While some current vehicles, such as the 2010 Toyota Prius, 2010 Honda Insight and the 2006-2010 Honda Civic Hybrid, garnered a spot on the top ten list, it's really older lightweight models like the 1986 Chevy Sprint ER or 1990-1994 Geo Metro XFI that make it obvious efficiency hasn't come as far as we'd like to think. Overall, Honda holds top honors for automakers with five models present on the list, while Toyota's Prius made its mark twice. All of the vehicles on the list run with either 3- or 4-cylinder engines and five out of the top ten rely on hybrid motivation.

The overall winner, the 2000 Honda Insight (pictured above), scores a combined rating of 53 miles per gallon, a number that exceeds even the modern-day Prius by three mpg. In many cases, we've been mistakenly led to believe that buying a new car equates to increased efficiency, but this list clearly shows that many of the relics from days gone by can easily hold their own with the most efficient vehicles made today. However, finding a running example of some of these old fuel sippers may prove impossible and we'd venture to guess that many of them are far from safe to drive by today's standards.

Source

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/11/epa-announces-top-10-most-fuel-efficient-cars-insight-takes-top/

TOV & Priddy: New 2011 Honda Odyssey Spyshots

All I can say is wow.... this is going to be nice....
"We are just a few days away from learning a lot more about the 2011 Odyssey, but in the mean time, thanks to Brenda Priddy's crew, we have a new set of spy shots to share with you. Enjoy.

Honda's all new minivan has been pretty elusive the past few months, with only a few passing camera phone shots of a prototype. Today we've finally gotten an entire set of high-resolution photos! It appears that Honda will keep the production Odyssey very close to the concept they debuted at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show and that's a good thing. This prototype is wearing very little camouflage, with just a bit of body-colored tape around the headlights, taillights, grille and lower fascia. There is also a modest camo panel covering the rear beltline. We're pretty sure this is hiding the "lightning bolt" design feature we saw on the concept at Chicago. Inside, we hear the interior will be class-leading, with possibly the largest DVD screens any production vehicle has ever seen!"

Photo Credit: Brian Williams/Brenda Priddy & Co.

Source;
http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=904243

BP Coffee Spill Spoof

Sorry, I had problems uploading the video, this is pretty funny stuff, so here's a link to Carscoop's article....
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2010/06/video-here-what-happens-when-bp.html

So You Think Buying Electric Over Gas Will Save You Money? Think Again!

Interesting look at the Cost of Ownership from a different view....
One of the common beliefs surrounding Electric cars is that you don't need to buy fuel anymore and that very quickly negates any added costs to the vehicle. Thus making purchasing an electric car both an emotionally appealing purchase and an economically sensible purchase as well.

Well, why don't we have a look at the numbers and see exactly how long it will take to reimburse these costs.

First, some assumptions
-Gas cost is $3/gallon
-Electricity cost is $0.08/kWh
-Recharging Batteries is 80% efficient

Now the vehicles and their quick specs.
Nissan Leaf $32,750 -> Corrected to $25,280 thanks to the American tax payer
24kWh battery
100 miles per charge
$2200 Quick Charger

Chevrolet Volt~$40,000 -> Corrected to $32,500 again thanks to the American tax payer
16kWh battery -> Run at 8.8kWh to ensure battery life
40 miles per charge
~$2000 Quick Charger (note, prices not revealed, but since it has to store less of a charge I allotted a smaller price tag.)

Tesla Model S$57,400 -> Corrected to $49,900
90kWh battery
300 miles per charge
~$5000 Quick Charger, (price not released but the thing is gonna be massive to store enough energy to charge a ~90kWh battery)

And their competition...

Toyota Prius (Hybrid Competitor)$22,800
50mpg Combined

Ford Fiesta (Economy Car Competitor)$13,320
33mpg Combined

BMW 5 Series (Model S's luxury Competitor)$45,950
25mpg Combined

Now for the calculations...

Nissan Leaf
24kWh/(80% charge efficiency)=30kWh to charge30kWh*($0.08/kWh)=$2.40 Per Charge$2.40/(100 miles)=$0.024 Per Mile

Chevrolet Volt8.8kWh/(80% charge efficiency)=11kWh to charge11kWh*($0.08/kWh)=$0.88 Per Charge$0.44/(40 miles)=$0.022 Per Mile

Tesla Model S90kWh/(80% charge efficiency)=112.5kWh to charge112.5kWh*($0.08/kWh)=$9 Per Charge$9/(300 miles)=$0.030 Per Mile

Toyota Prius($3/gallon)/(50miles/gallon)=$0.060 Per Mile

Ford Fiesta($3/gallon)/(33miles/gallon)=$0.091 Per Mile

BMW 5 Series($3/gallon)/(25miles/gallon)=$0.12 Per Mile

Clearly the Electric cars do hold an advantage for every mile they drive, but how long will it take to get their fuel economy advantage back?

Check The Graph Abovre.

Things to note from it
-The quickest payback is the Tesla when compared to the 5 series, but this only happens after a whopping 100,000 miles.
-The Nissan Leaf beats the Prius in monetary terms after about 140,000 miles.
-Then the Nissan Leaf beats the Fiesta after a about 250,000 miles.
-The Chevy Volt, Ford Fiesta, and Toyota Prius, all hit the same cost to own just over 300,000 miles.

Unfortunately, the jury is still out on the lifespan of these new batteries. But from my perspective, electric cars are feasible this day and age, but they still haven't beaten good old fashioned gasoline.

Source;
http://www.autospies.com/news/So-You-Think-Buying-Electric-Over-Gas-Will-Save-You-Money-Think-Again-55024/