Electric Mini Cooper - MINI E

MINI E: All-Electric Plug-In MINI Cooper with 204HP Revealed!

Over the next year or so, BMW will produce around 500 units which will be leased to selected private and corporate customers in the U.S. states of California, New York and New Jersey, giving the Bavarian automaker the chance to evaluate the viability of a full-scale production EV. MINI said that it also considering the possibility of leasing the vehicle in Europe.

The battery can be fully charged through a standard outlet in about eight hours. However, MINI will offer each buyer a wall-box with higher amperage that will be installed in the customer's garage enabling a full recharge in just 2 1/2 hours. The MINI E also features a brake regeneration system that transforms kinetic energy to electricity replenishing the battery. According to BMW Group officials, the lithium battery offers the MINI E a driving range of more than 240km or 150 miles. Read more

2010 Ford Taurus SHO - Twin Turbo AWD 4-Door family car ?

Welcome Back to the Ford Taurus SHO! Truly missed for its sleek design and awesome power. This time around the SHO is truly a muscle car to be recognized. With an impressive 365 horsepower @ 5550 rpm along with the AWD to put the 350 lb.-ft of torque to the ground. This beast can still maintain a modest 17 city/25 highway estimated fuel mileage rating from the EPA. The Engine builds all this power from a 3.5 L Twin Turbo Direct Injection system. With 10:1 compression this machine is crisp all the way through the power curve and runs just fine on 91 Octane or better. The transmission is equipped with 6 speed electronically controlled automatic overdrive with paddle activation for easy shifting.

Drive One - 2010 Ford Taurus SHO

Hybrid Tiger Trucks - Dallas, Texas

While other manufacturers are outsourcing to China, Tiger Truck LLC in Dallas is going the other way. The company has acquired a 250,000 square foot facility in Jasper, Texas to assemble off-road trucks based on designs from China’s Changan Automobile Group.

Currently, Tiger Truck imports gasoline and electric trucks from China and modifies them into hybrid and FFV versions at its Dallas facility. The first actual "made in USA" Tiger Truck units will be delivered in early 2008.

The company’s series hybrids feature a 1.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine producing 58 horsepower. This Changan-built engine’s sole job is to keep the truck’s batteries charged via a generator. The Tiger Truck’s electric motor is powered by six 12-volt lead-acid batteries. The FFV version is the first in its class to receive EPA approval for its E85-compliant engine. Hybrid and FFV power plants are available in several models. These include two- and five-passenger crew cab pickups plus passenger, cargo, and high-volume vans.

Chevrolet Volt - Electric Plug-in Hybrid

The Chevy Volt, due out in 2010, is an Electric Plug-in that will run entirely on electricity. One nice added feature to the Chevy Volt that was not implemented on the old Chevy EV-1 is its small on board gasoline engine that can recharge the battery without plugging it in. This added feature will insure your ability to get home and not be stuck dead in the middle of some unforeseen bumper to bumper traffic. The Chevy Volt is said to go 40 miles before the auxiliary generator is needed to charge the battery.

Not yet confirmed, but Chevy also intends to deliver the Saturn Vue Plug-in Hybrid. The Vue Plug-in won't be as revolutionary as the Volt, but it will probably cost a lot less. (The Volt is expected to cost about $40,000.) For starters, the Vue Plug-in will be an enhancement to an existing vehicle, the Vue Two-mode Hybrid that's expected to go on sale next year.
As planned, the Vue Plug-in will be a parallel hybrid. That means that, like a regular Toyota Prius or Ford Escape Hybrid, it will be powered by a gasoline engine with significant assistance from electric motors
Starting with a full charge, GM expects to have an electric-only range of about 10 miles. GM expects overall fuel economy twice that of any current SUV.

What does President Obama Drive ?

2008 Ford Escape Hybrid

President Obama tossed his Chrysler aside for a 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. Is this a sign that he needs more head room, he supports Union workers, or maybe he just likes the extra cargo space?

The 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid receives a bolder, rugged design, higher beltline, raised hood and a new front fascia with headlights that sweep up toward the front corners of the vehicle to short side marker lights. The interior features seating surfaces comprised of 100 percent post-industrial materials, a revised dashboard with “a top of dash” display, Electric Power Assisted Steering system, and Ice Blue interior lighting. Also, the improved center console is large enough to hold a laptop computer and it can also be removed and hung from the front passenger side and rear of the console for additional storage. A number of updates have been made to reduce noise, vibration and harshness levels inside the SUV including changes to the roof panel for a better airflow, a new acoustic laminate sandwiched between two glass panels in the windshield and new carpeting.

Infiniti G37 - 2009

2009 Infiniti G37

MSRP: $33,250 - $38,700
Invoice: $30,727 - $35,747
MPG: 18 City / 26 Hwy

Engine Gas V6, 3.7L

Horsepower 330 hp @ 7,000 rpm Torque 270 lb-ft @ 5,200 rpm

Transmission :
Electronically controlled 7-speed automatic with Adaptive Shift Control (ASC). Manual shift mode offers sequentially selectable manual gearshifts and Downshift Rev Matching (DRM)

The 2009 Infiniti G37 is a serious threat to the traditional favorite in the Upscale Midsize Car class - the BMW 3-Series. The Coupe version of the G37 hit showrooms last year, and was immediately hailed as one of the most spirited performers in a class full of great drivers' cars. For 2009, the G37 sedan arrives (replacing the old G35). Anyone considering a sport sedan should at least schedule a G37 test drive before buying something else.

Ford Escape Hybrid - 2009

2009 Ford Escape Hybrid

MSRP : $29,645 - $33,725
Invoice : $27,422 - $31,135

Engine : 2.5L Atkinson-Cycle I-4 Engine, Horsepower : 153 @ 6,000 rpm Torque : 136 @ 4,500

The 2009 Escape Hybrid is a 4-door, 5-passenger sport-utility, available in 4 trims, ranging from the FWD to the Limited 4WD.

Upon introduction, the FWD is equipped with a standard 2.5-liter, I4 , 153-horsepower, hybrid engine that achieves 34-mpg in the city and 31-mpg on the highway. The Limited 4WD is equipped with a standard 2.5-liter, I4 , 153-horsepower, hybrid engine that achieves 29-mpg in the city and 27-mpg on the highway. A variable speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims.

The 2009 Escape Hybrid is a carryover from 2008.