Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Sedan, Hyundai, Misc. Auto Shows, Design/Style

Hyundai is revealing its new Blue2 fuel-cell concept car at this week’s Seoul Motor Show – a vehicle that the automaker hopes will help it gain “early leadership of the FCEV market.” Does this mean that a production version of the Blue2 (pronounced: “Blue square”) is on its way? It’s hard to say right now, but if Hyundai does bring some sort of fuel-cell vehicle to market, we hope it looks a lot like this stunning concept.

The Korean automaker calls the Blue2′s exterior design philosophy ‘Intersected Flow,’ incorporating both innovative and dynamic design elements. Will Intersected Flow’s tenets replace Fluidic Sculpture as the surface language of choice at Hyundai? We’re not sure, but we like the wraparound-style greenhouse combined with a flat, slightly slanted roof (Saab 9-5, anyone?), and we’re surprisingly fond of the glossy black strip that runs from the bottom of the C-pillar all the way back to the bottom of the front wheel well. Hyundai has executed some exceptional production designs as of late, but this is the first concept that we’ve fallen for from the brand in some time. Notice the LED screen panels at the front and rear – they display messages about the vehicle’s condition. Like many new concepts, conventional door mirrors have been replaced with cameras, and the car even features a welcome system that recognizes the driver and automatically opens the door.

The big news for the Blue2 is its hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain, which delivers a stack power of about 120 horsepower and will return about 34.9 kilometers per liter – that’s 82.1 miles per gallon when converted to the U.S. cycle. The Blue2 is fitted with low-rolling-resistance tires and uses an extremely aerodynamic shape in an effort to reduce drag to aid overall efficiency.

Things are just as high-tech inside the cabin, where the Blue2 uses a combined center cluster and fascia, using an organic LED monitor and ultra-light tempered glass to display vital information. There are even seat-mounted entertainment holders that house things like Apple iPad tablets and other tablet devises, as well.

Follow the jump for Hyundai’s official release, and be sure to see the shapely concept for yourself in the high-res image gallery below.

[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading Hyundai Blue2 fuel cell concept brings ‘Intersected Flow’ design to Seoul

Hyundai Blue2 fuel cell concept brings ‘Intersected Flow’ design to Seoul originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Honda

Honda has released notice of a recall for its 2011 Civic compact. The issue stems from a malignant fuel pump, which may have modules inside that became damaged during production. So far, no accidents or injuries have been reported as a result of the faulty fuel pumps. However, the damaged unit could cause fuel to leak onto the emissions canister in the event of a roll-over crash, potentially turning a bad accident into a fiery tragedy.

This recall comes on the heels of another Honda issue, which involves 2006-2007 Civic Hybrid models. This new voluntary recall affects 18,056 vehicles, and Honda plans to begin notifying owners beginning in mid-April. Peek beyond the jump for the official press verbiage with all the details.

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading 2011 Honda Civic recalled over fuel tank valve issue

2011 Honda Civic recalled over fuel tank valve issue originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 16:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Hybrid, Minivan/Van, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Toyota

As the second size extension of the Toyota Prius family tree, the 2012 Prius+ adds a healthy dose of roominess to the well-known fuel-sipping hybrid equation, and it’s making its world debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. There’s seating for seven occupants inside, but the multi-purpose vehicle shares a clear design language with Toyota’s standard-bearing Prius. What’s more, it manages a low 0.29 drag coefficient thanks to its extended roofline and carefully designed front fascia.

Equally as notable is the battery. This is the first lithium-ion battery pack to be incorporated within a non-plug-in Toyota full hybrid. Toyota has found enough room underneath the center console between the driver and the front passenger to fit the battery, which helps maximize interior space for occupants and their cargo.

As you would expect from a Prius, there are three drive modes: A zero-emission EV mode that relies on electric motor power alone, an ECO mode that maximizes efficiency and fuel economy and finally a somewhat ambitiously named POWER mode that is said to boost overall performance.

Toyota is saying that the Prius+ will be on sale in Europe in the first half of 2012, but it’s coming to the U.S. around the same time in the form of the Prius V, which we previously saw at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show. Check out the complete press release after the break and be sure to check out our high-res image gallery of live photos below.

Photos copyright (C)2011 Jeremy Korzeniewski / AOL

Continue reading Geneva 2011: Toyota Prius+ sips fuel with room for seven

Geneva 2011: Toyota Prius+ sips fuel with room for seven originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 06:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Hybrid, Mercedes-Benz, Electric

By 2015, we think a fuel cell car will not cost more than a four-cylinder diesel hybrid that meets the Euro 6 emissions standard. By 2013-2014, we want to bring a four-digit-number of fuel cell vehicles to market.

Kohler added that he expects fuel cell vehicles to be less expensive than comparable battery-powered cars within the next five years. Currently, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-Cell is available for lease in the U.S. at a price of $849 a month (plus tax). However, Kohler points out that the F-Cell employs expensive technology that will be replaced with less pricey hardware when the second-generation model launches in 2013-2014.

Additionally, Mercedes-Benz is toying with the notion of developing fuel cell versions of the A-, C- and E-Class models within the next five years. If the company can sucessfully incorporate its fuel cell technology into multiple platforms and reach mass production levels, costs could plunge by mid-decade.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Daimler: Fuel cell vehicles to cost no more than diesel hybrids by 2015 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Technology, Mercedes-Benz

Automakers have taken to social media with varying degress of success. On one side, we’ve got the Ford Fiesta Movement and on the other we’ve got… nearly every other automaker’s social outreach. And now, we have Mercedes-Benz.

Four teams of two have been picked to race to Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas, with one team each leaving from New York, Tampa, Chicago and Los Angeles. Each team is captained by a “celebrity” well-versed in the Twitter universe – an odd combination of “coaches,” but they’ve got what Mercedes wants: 7,087,730 followers, combined.

So how does Twitter factor into the race? Each team needs to collect something Mercedes is calling “tweet fuel” and it’s based on the rather vague description of “twitter activity.”

Said “fuel” will help push the team further in their respective vehicles, with NY behind the wheel of a 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550 4Matic, Tampa driving a 2011 E550 Cabriolet, Chicago getting the keys to a 2011 GL350 BlueTec and LA will use a 2011 S400 Hybrid. If they “win,” each member will receive a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe.

One more note, Mercedes has put out a teaser video of a faux Tweet-guided CL, proving once again that automakers are better at contrived stunts than viral videos. Check it out for yourself after the jump.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Video: Mercedes wants you to think Twitter is fuel

Video: Mercedes wants you to think Twitter is fuel originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Toyota

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration got a wee bit busier this year. As of December 14th, the agency reported that it had received over 64,000 complaints. Edmunds’ calculations, which remove duplicates, pegs the figure at more than 40,000 complaints – thanks in no small part to the spate of massive recalls from Toyota.

In fact, NHTSA reports that it received 87 complaints for every 100,000 vehicles sold by Toyota in 2010, more than double the Japanese automaker’s performance from the previous year and the highest percentage of any company selling cars in the United States.

Not that other automakers fared that much better. Nissan came in with the second highest ratio at 62 complaints per 100,000 vehicles and Volkswagen nabbed third place with 58. The industry average of 47 complaints per 100,000 vehicles was up from fewer than 30 in 2009. For what it’s worth, Ford and Honda had the lowest ratios of complaints, and there was little difference between American and Japanese manufacturers.

These complaints are a good thing, says NHTSA, as the agency can then determine if a customer’s problem is singular or part of a larger issue that affects multiple vehicles, possibly prompting an inspection or safety recall. So don’t quit yer’ complaining!

[Source: LA Times | Image: Alex Wong/Getty Images]

Report: Toyota recalls fuel massive spike in complaints to NHTSA originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Minivan/Van, Recalls, Mazda

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a safety recall on certain Mazda5 minivans from the 2009 and 2010 model year.

This recall focuses on the van’s fuel pump, with NHTSA citing that water may not have been completely removed from the pump’s harness connector before vehicle assembly. Thus, the connector pin may corrode, causing the pin to break. If the harness connector breaks, this could lead to an inoperative fuel pump. The Mazda5′s engine could stall, and the inability to restart the engine increases the risk of a crash.

Approximately 16,200 of the Mazda minivans are effected by this problem, and the safety recall is expected to begin on or before December 11th. Dealers will inspect the fuel pump connector and replace the harness free of charge. For the full details, follow the jump to read NHTSA’s official statement.

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading 2009-2010 Mazda5 minivans recalled over fuel pump concerns

2009-2010 Mazda5 minivans recalled over fuel pump concerns originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Crossover, Volvo

Volvo and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration have announced that the Swedish automaker will recall some 6,046 vehicles from the 2011 model year due to a possible flaw in the engine control module. According to NHTSA, a fuel shut-off parameter in the software is too sensitive, and under certain conditions, the engine may stall. Volvo is concerned that the problem may lead to an accident. A total of four models are covered in the recall, including the 2011 S60 and S80 sedans along with the XC60 and XC70 softroaders.

Volvo is scheduled to begin the recall on or before December 10, and owners will have their vehicle’s software updated free of charge to fix the problem. Concerned drivers may contact Volvo directly at 1.800.458.1552 or at customercare@volvoforlife.com.

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading Volvo recalls various 2011 models over fuel cutoff calibration fears

Volvo recalls various 2011 models over fuel cutoff calibration fears originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Nov 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The country’s fledgling electric vehicle industry is drawing up a roadmap to promote “green cars” ahead of the holding of the first Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit.

“The summit expects to be able to formulate a roadmap for the EV industry for at least the next five years. We have to be ready with the solutions to overcome the current technical hurdles and with the needed infrastructure to enable us to grow the domestic EV market,” said Ferdinand Raquelsantos, president of PhUV Inc., the business arm of the Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (MVPMAP) and the local assembler of electric jeepneys.

“International carmakers also predict the international EV industry sales to grow by about one percent per year. Thus by 2020, it is expected to account for about 10 percent of new car sales in the world market.”

The summit is organized by MVPMAP, World Wide Fund for Nature, Save the Air Partnership for Clean Air, Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines and the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities in cooperation with the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco). It will have for its theme “The Road Forward for the Electric Vehicle Industry in the Philippines.”

Raquelsantos said the entry of Meralco into the picture bodes well for the domestic EV industry “as we can now expect the facilitation of the much-needed off-site charging stations to increase the mileage of the EVs.”

MVPMAP and PhUV Inc. have pioneered the EV industry in the Philippines by locally designing, fabricating, assembling and actually putting on the road the eJeepneys, the first EV to be granted the orange-colored license plate by the Land Transportation Office under the new category Low Speed Vehicle or LSV.

Raquelsantos sid over the past three years, a lot have been learned such as the importance of after-sales service and parts availablility and the transfer of technology in the fields of EV maintenance and repairs, electric motors, rechargeable batteries, controllers, chargers and EV testing.

He said a research Commissioned for the summit indicated that there is now mounting international pressure on carmakers due to tighter legislations on carbon dioxide emissions. In this regard, they are looking at full electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid technology to provide the answers. This early, they are developing the infrastructure needed such as either battery swapping or charging stations in malls, supermarkets and private and public parking lots.

Ma. Elisa P. Osorio, Philippine Star

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Filed under: Hybrid, Hatchback, Toyota

The United States Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy have released the latest Fuel Economy Guide, listing the most fuel-efficient vehicles available in the States. Once again, the Toyota Prius tops this chart, besting the competition with its EPA ratings of 51/48 miles per gallon city/highway.

Beyond the Prius, the list of fuel economy leaders is rounded out with the usual cast of characters, including the Ford Fusion Hybrid (as well as its Milan and MKZ counterparts), Honda Civic Hybrid, Lexus HS 250h and more. You won’t find Volkswagen‘s oil-burning Golf TDI or Jetta TDI on the list, though, even though their 30/42 mpg is immensely respectable.

As for newcomer EVs like the Chevrolet Volt, Nissan Leaf and Smart Fortwo Electric Drive, the EPA states that “no 2011 model year electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles have completed testing as of publication of this list.” Once the EPA decides how it is going to rate electric vehicle fuel economy, we’ll see these vehicles included in the list of fuel economy leaders, and the Toyota Prius will likely lose its first place crown.

[Sources: EPA, AutoblogGreen]

2011 Toyota Prius is EPA fuel economy leader for one more year originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Nov 2010 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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