Alternative Automotive Power News Index

Honda Insight Hybrid to Make World Debut at Detroit Motor Show
5th December, 2008
Honda Australia’s Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Yasuhide Mizuno, is looking forward to the Insight arriving in Australia ..... more

VW at Bologna Motor Show
5th December, 2008
Volkswagen continues to vigorously pursue its worldwide product offensive. Just two months after the market launch of the new Golf, and two weeks after presentation of a completely new generation of Clean Diesels developed for the Touareg and Jetta in the USA, more new product fireworks are now on display at the Bologna Motor Show ..... more

Honda's Hydrogen Powered Sports Concept
30th November, 2008
Honda revealed the FC Sport design study model, a hydrogen powered three-seat sports car concept at the 2008 Los Angeles Motor Show ..... more

Chrysler’s Electric Vehicles Appear at Los Angeles Motor Show
27th November, 2008
Chrysler is well into the development of advanced production-intent electric vehicles and will apply its electric-drive technology to its front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive and body-on-frame four-wheel-drive platforms in the next several years ..... more

Kia At Los Angeles Motor Show
25th November, 2008
Kia reveals next generation Borrego fuel cell vehicle and production model Soul at the 2008 Los Angeles Motor Show ..... more

Improved Fuel Efficiency for Holden Commodore
4th November, 2008
GM Holden has upgraded its Alloytec V6 engine on Omega and Berlina models within the VE Commodore range. The improvement offers fuel savings (ADR 81/01) of up to 0.4 litres per 100 kilometres for petrol models and an impressive 1.3 litres per 100 kilometres for LPG variants ..... more

Fifth Peugeot Design Competition – Winner Announced
4th November, 2008
The competition produced some excellent entries, and first prize was awarded to Carlos Tovar from Colombia, aged 25, for his ‘RD’ concept car ..... more

Kia Motors Heralds Four Premieres At Paris Motor Show
26th September, 2008
Soul presents consumers with such a broad selection of styling, comfort and equipment choices, that it redefines the concept of freedom. It's a brand new urban car packed full of liberating ideas ..... more

Suzuki Lowers Hot Air Levels In Paris
25th September, 2008
The state-of-the-art vehicle is based on the SX4 hatch, powered by a high-performance fuel cell that emits no pollutants – just water and heat ..... more

Tesla To Manufacture All-Electric Luxury Sedan
22nd September, 2008
Model S is Tesla’s zero-emission, five passenger luxury sedan powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. It is expected to have a base price of about $60,000 (USD) ..... more

Honda At The Paris Motor Show
11th September, 2008
The two major debuts will be for the long awaited Insight Concept, which demonstrates the direction of Honda's latest addition to its petrol electric hybrid line-up, and a restyled Civic Hybrid ..... more

Holden Makes LPG Even More Appealing
7th August, 2008
Private customers can now buy dual fuel LPG-powered Holden Commodores for as little as $400 more than their petrol equivalents ..... more

Mercedes-Benz “Road to the Future”
31st July, 2008
Fuel-efficient and environmentally-sustainable premium automobiles from Mercedes-Benz, without the need to forego the characteristic brand features - safety, comfort and refined driving pleasure. This is the strategy of the Stuttgart based vehicle manufacturer ..... more

Nissan sets fastest lap for fuel cell vehicle at Nurburgring
31st July, 2008
Eickholt was impressed with the X-Trail FCV which clocked in at 11:58 minutes and zero emissions ..... more

Tesla Electric Sports Car To Run In Britain's Arrive ‘N’ Drive Event
29th July, 2008
Former Formula One World driver, Damon Hill, will be driving the Tesla Roadster, the first electric sports car to go on sale in Europe, in England's GreenFleet Capital Arrive ‘N’ Drive 08 event ..... more

UK’s First Electric Taxi
18th July, 2008
The electric taxi will be available from October 2008 and is the result of three years research and development by Allied, which is already looking for local authority partners to install recharging networks locally to help drive down urban emissions ..... more

Subaru's Plug-in STELLA Concept
11th July, 2008
FHI has announced the successful development of its Subaru Plug-in STELLA Concept model, a prototype electric vehicle ..... more

Suzuki Trials SX4-FCV Fuel Cell Vehicle On Japanese Roads
9th July, 2008
The SX4-FCV delivers superior running performance by means of a GM-made high-performance fuel cell, a Suzuki-developed 70 MPa hydrogen tank and a light, compact capacitor that recovers energy during brake application and uses it to reduce fuel cell loading during acceleration ..... more

Tesla Prepares For European Launch
11th June, 2008
Following the recent announcement that Tesla Motors has confirmed its decision to enter the European market, the company is now preparing to show the world’s first all-electric sports car at several key events in coming months ..... more

A Dud For Rudd
11th June, 2008
Hybrid vehicles, using petrol rather than diesel, are seen by Next Car's editor, Stephen Walker, as a wasted opportunity. Efficient diesels, such as those powering Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot, Renault and Volkswagen vehicles, amongst others, are saving Australians money at the bowsers and are reducing the CO2 burden on our environment ..... more

Volkswagen at the AMI 2008
10th April, 2008
Volkswagen is launching into this year’s automotive springtime with a genuine display of new model fireworks. Six German premieres are currently being presented to the public in Leipzig at the 2008 Automobil International ..... more

Mitsubishi at the 2008 New York Motor Show
24th March, 2008
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is displaying the i MiEV new generation electric vehicle at the 2008 New York Motor Show. The company plans to use the vehicles in a joint fleet testing programme in cooperation with select U.S. power companies in the (northern) autumn of this year ..... more

Think Electric Car Powers Up For Expansion To UK
23rd March, 2008
UK motorists will soon be able to place orders to buy the UK's first fully electric powered car later this year, when the new so-called TH!NK city electric vehicle (EV) goes on sale ..... more

Nissan’s Denki Cube Electric Vehicle Concept Debuts In New York
21st March, 2008
New York City is about to get a lesson in what happens when geography meets geometry – specifically, when the world, which is round, meets the Nissan Cube, which is essentially square ..... more

Saab 9-X BioHybrid Boosting Efficiency in Compact Design and Performance
5th March, 2008
The Saab 9-X BioHybrid concept is a vivid vision of what a future compact car from Saab could look like. It is designed to reflect the priorities of youthful customers who seek progressive looks, responsible performance and high-tech communications, all in a sporty, fun-to-drive package ..... more

United Forces Deliver E85 Motoring First in Brisbane
1st February, 2008
Swedish car maker Saab has joined forces with United Petroleum to help switch on Australia’s first commercially available E85 fuel pumps ..... more

Solar Champions Whisper Into Melbourne Motor Show
25th January, 2008
Aurora Vehicle Association will highlight 20 years of progress in solar car design by displaying its latest solar racer beside its original 1987 model ..... more

9-4X BioPower Crossover Concept Signals Saab Product Expansion
17th January, 2008
The Saab 9-4X BioPower Concept, displayed at the 2008 Detroit Motor Show, confirms Saab’s plans to enter the growing crossover segment with a dynamic, driver-focused vehicle inspired by Scandinavian design values and respect for our environment ..... more

HX Concept Provides Vision Of An Open-Air Hummer
17th January, 2008
With its unmistakable Hummer design and a compact, go-anywhere driving ethic, the Hummer HX concept challenges the hierarchy of the trail. Hummer is displaying the nimble, reconfigurable off-roader at the 2008 Detroit Motor Show ..... more

Cadillac Provoq Fuel Cell Concept Delivers Clean, Petrol-Free Performance
17th January, 2008
Cadillac unveils a new vision for the future of luxury transportation with the innovative Provoq fuel cell concept – a hydrogen fuel cell crossover vehicle that continues GM’s commitment to displace petrol through advanced technology ..... more

Buick Riviera: GM's Chinese Concept Car
16th January, 2008
Engineered to accommodate a new hybrid system that will go into production this year at Shanghai GM (SGM), GM's joint venture with SAIC, the Riviera features several technological and manufacturing advances ..... more

Mazda Furai Concept and New Mazda RX-8 to Make World Debut
13th December, 2007
Mazda Motor Corporation will showcase the world premieres of the Mazda Furai concept vehicle and the heavily revised new Mazda RX-8 sports car at the 2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS or, as it better known, the Detroit Motor Show) ..... more

Chrysler Concept Vehicles Highlight Alternative Fuels
2nd December, 2007
Chrysler has released a sneak preview of the Chrysler ecoVoyager, Dodge Zeo and Jeep Renegade concept vehicles, which will be shown at the 2008 Detroit Motor Show ..... more

Volkswagen Up! Honoured at AutoCar Awards in the UK
20th November, 2007
The innovative Volkswagen Up! concept was honoured at the prestigious AutoCar Awards at a ceremony in Westminster on 13th November, 2007, winning the highly competitive Concept Car of the Year category ..... more

Volkswagen Space Up! Blue - Clean Drive Revolution "Made in Germany"
16th November, 2007
Volkswagen presents the first car in the world with high-temperature fuel cell Space Up! Blue covers downtown distances with pure battery drive ..... more

Honda Reveals New Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car
16th November, 2007
Honda has unveiled the all-new FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle at the Los Angeles Motor Show, announcing plans to begin limited retail marketing, in USA, of the hydrogen-powered car in mid-2008 ..... more

Chrysler LLC Introduce Hemi Hybrid Powered Vehicles
15th November, 2007
With the introduction of the new Chrysler Aspen Hemi Hybrid and Dodge Durango Hemi Hybrid, Chrysler LLC delivers two hybrid-electric vehicles to the North American market that combine fuel-efficient advanced-hybrid technology with full-size sport-utility vehicle performance and capability ..... more

Porsche at Los Angeles Motor Show
13th November, 2007
It was this vehicle, Ferdinand Porsche’s first major project completed at the time without layshafts and without a transmission that gave the 24-year-old automobile genius his breakthrough as a pioneer in the history of the automobile ..... more

Saab Launches Australia’s First Ethanol Car
19th October, 2007
Saab, a global leader in renewable fuels, has launched Australia’s first ethanol-fueled production car ..... more

Volvo ReCharge Hybrid Concept
21st September, 2007
Volvo Cars has unveiled the Volvo ReCharge Concept, a plug-in hybrid with individual electric wheel motors ..... more

Mercedes-Benz Shows the Future of the Superior Touring Sedan
13th September, 2007
In the words of Professor Dr. Herbert Kohler, responsible for Group Research & Advanced Engineering Vehicle and Powertrain at DaimlerChrysler AG, “With the F 700, Mercedes-Benz shows what the big touring sedan of the future will look like. It offers environmentally compatible mobility combined with utmost comfort and an effortlessly superior drive.” ..... more

BMW Concept X6 Hybrid Debuts In Frankfurt
13th September, 2007
The BMW Group has joined forces with General Motors and DaimlerChrysler to form the Global Hybrid Cooperation, to develop the next generation of hybrid drive systems ..... more

Peugeot 308 Hybrid – An Environmentally Friendly Car for the Next Generation
2nd September, 2007
At the Frankfurt Motor Show, later this month, Peugeot will showcase its new 308 Hybrid HDi, which emits just 90g/km of CO2 and reduces fuel consumption by 38% in the Combined Cycle compared to a standard 308 HDi ..... more

Mercedes-Benz A-Class F-Cell: the First Fuel-Cell-Powered Passenger Car in Iceland
17th July, 2007
With over 100 vehicles, DaimlerChrysler operates the largest fuel-cell fleet in the world: concept vehicles, passenger cars, vans and Citaro city buses. With more than three million zero-emissions kilometres behind it, the company has more data, know-how and experience at its disposal than any other vehicle manufacturer .... more

Renault To Sell Megane E85 In UK
17th July, 2007
Renault will launch its bioethanol car into the UK market when the Mégane Hatch E85 goes on sale at the end of 2007 .... more

Smart Presents Alternative Drive Systems
10th July, 2007
Smart, as a platform for alternative power choices, has some interesting propositions under development .... more

Cadillac To Introduce BLS Wagon in Europe
1st July, 2007
The Cadillac BLS Wagon will make its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA), 15th to 23rd September in Frankfurt, Germany. In addition to its first offering of a station wagon, Cadillac is announcing it will offer an alternative, bio-ethanol-fuel engine for the BLS Sedan and Wagon .... more

Promising Breakthrough For Hydrogen Bi-Fuel
1st July, 2007
A British company has a made a breakthrough in converting a conventional petrol car to run on pure hydrogen in a development which promises to slash CO2 emissions and reduce the reliance on fossil fuels .... more

Mitsubishi Motors launches flex-fuel vehicle (FFV) in Brazil
25th June, 2007
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) and local production and sales company MMC Automotores do Brasil Ltda (MMCB) have announced the development of the first full-feature four-wheel drive flex-fuel vehicle (FFV) to be released in the Brazilian market ..... more

UK Government proposes new measures to encourage sustainable Biofuels
22nd June, 2007
UK Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander underlined the Government's commitment to sustainable biofuels yesterday, as he launched a consultation on an environmental reporting system for this type of fuel and a package of measures to complement the reporting requirement ..... more

Bio-Fuel Aston Martin Wins
6th June, 2007
An Aston Martin DBRS9 has made motorsport history by becoming the first bio-fuelled car to win a major motor sport event in Britain ..... more

General Motors Looking At 'Grassoline' As Alternative Fuel
5th June, 2007
A major step toward diversifying transportation energy supply is as close as the unused corn stalks from this year’s harvest, the waste from timber mills, grasses, or even your own lawn clippings. These and other non-food plant materials can be cost-effectively turned into cellulosic ethanol, which can greatly reduce oil consumption and global warming at the same time ..... more

Chevrolet Sequel Drives Into History Books
29th May, 2007
General Motors made history as its Chevy Sequel – the world’s most technologically advanced automobile – became the first electrically-driven fuel cell vehicle to achieve 300 miles on one tank of hydrogen, in and out of traffic on public roads, while producing zero emissions ..... more

GS Yuasa, MC and MMC To Establish New Company To Manufacture Lithium-ion Batteries
29th May, 2007
GS Yuasa Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation have begun collaboration on establishing a joint venture company to manufacture large capacity and high performance Lithium-ion batteries that can be used in electric vehicles (EV) ..... more

Ford Joins UK's New Eco Rally
27th May, 2007
Future and current Ford vehicles leading the auto industry towards reduced carbon emissions will be part of the first Brighton to London eco rally on 5th June, 2007 ..... more

Ford Escape Hybrid Taxis For New York
27th May, 2007
The Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid meet the existing New York City taxi requirements and the proposed new fuel economy policy ..... more

Connaught Sets Up In Wales
22nd April, 2007
Connaught Motor Company – the team behind the world’s first high performance hybrid sports coupe - is setting up its global manufacturing and R&D headquarters in Wales ..... more

Tesla Exhibits World’s First Production Electric Sports Car
9th April, 2007
Tesla Motors Ltd has revealed its all-electric sports car in England ..... more

US Car Chiefs Meet With President George Bush
27th March, 2007
Joint statement attributable to Chrysler Group president and CEO Tom LaSorda, Ford Motor Company president and CEO Alan Mulally, and General Motors chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner regarding the meeting between President George W. Bush and the CEOs of America’s domestic auto industry ..... more

American Car Makers Applaud US President Bush's Commitment to Alternative Fuels
27th February, 2007
American car manufacturers have commended the US President, George W Bush, for continuing to encourage the development of alternative fuel vehicles and alternative fuels ..... more

Nissan Pioneers Fuel-Cell Limo
23rd February, 2007
Nissan delivered to Kanagawa Toshi Kotsu the latest version of the X-Trail fuel-cell vehicle powered by hydrogen fuel cells to be used as part of their chauffeur-driven hire-car fleet ..... more

Kia ex_cee’d Cabrio Concept
23rd February, 2007
Kia’s all-new ex_cee’d cabrio concept car will be premiered at the 77th Salon de l’Automobiles in Geneva, Switzerland ..... more

Suzuki Previews Fuel Cells At Melbourne
22nd February, 2007
Its futuristic Ionis concept car is powered by a fuel cell and features sophisticated drive-by-wire control systems in a sleek, futuristic body ..... more

Honda Hydrogen Power For Melbourne
21st February, 2007
The future of motoring will be on display at the Melbourne Motor Show in the form of a new Honda that consumes only hydrogen and emits only water vapour ..... more

Saab 9-5 BioPower 100 Concept Premieres at Geneva
15th February, 2007
Saab will give sustainable motoring a performance boost at next month’s Geneva Motor Show when it unveils its latest BioPower technology – the first production-based engine to be optimised for pure bioethanol (E100) fuel ..... more

Volkswagen unveiled the cleanest ever TDI engine
25th January, 2007
A VW Jetta TDI fulfils the most stringent worldwide exhaust gas thresholds with its nitrogen oxide post-treatment system developed by Volkswagen. The USA market launch within the BlueTec alliance is planned for 2008 ..... more

Saab Lands First Ethanol Car in Australia
18th January, 2007
A real-world demonstration programme of the first ethanol production car in Australia, Saab BioPower, has began in Queensland ..... more

Volvo XC60 Concept - Six-Cylinder Bio-Ethanol Engine
27th December, 2006
The chosen power-train for the Volvo XC60 Concept, which will debut at the 2007 Detroit Motor Show, is a six-cylinder 3.2-litre bio-ethanol engine with all-wheel drive ..... more

Safety Warning On Vehicle LPG
27th December, 2006
Chris Pearce, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, has issued a safety warning to owners of motor vehicles which had LPG conversions or who had their LPG tanks retested between mid 2003 and August 2005 ..... more

Renault prepares to develop a mobility solution using electricity
27th December, 2006
As part of "Renault Commitment 2009", the company is pursuing an ambitious plan to reduce emissions. This plan is based on three commitments ..... more

Experimental Lotus Exige
18th December, 2006
Lotus has developed a prototype version of its Exige S which is not only the most environmentally friendly, but also the most powerful rendition of the lightweight sports car produced so far ..... more

Queensland Premier Trials Australia’s First Ethanol Car
6th December, 2006
Saab Australia this week welcomed the Queensland Government’s commitment to trial Australia’s first ethanol production car, Saab BioPower, with the vehicle joining QFleet in January ..... more

BMW Hydrogen 7 Debuts in LA
3rd December, 2006
The world’s first hydrogen-drive luxury automobile – the BMW Hydrogen 7 – has celebrated its world premiere at the Los Angeles Motor Show with the Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, congratulating the hydrogen initiative ..... more

Honda Shows Off Hydrogen-Powered FCX Concept
21st November, 2006
American Honda has shown off its next-generation hydrogen-powered FCX concept car with a demonstration drive at the Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California ..... more

Peugeot 307 Hybride HDi Diesel
24th October, 2006
As reported earlier this year, Peugeot has extended its diesel hybrid technology programme, applying it to the popular, stylish and versatile 307 CC Hybride HDi ..... more

Honda Unveils New Technologies
26th September, 2006
Honda Motor Co has unveiled a range of next-generation engine technologies as part of its global initiative to reduce CO2 emissions ..... more

Big plans for Saab BioPower in Australia
5th September, 2006
Saab BioPower, the best selling environmentally friendly vehicle in Sweden, is on its way to Australia to promote the benefits of ethanol, a renewable alternative fuel ..... more

Honda and London Police in Hybrid Deal
21st August, 2006
Honda has teamed up with London’s Police in the country’s biggest ever hybrid car fleet deal ..... more

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