New technology is in the works via OnStar and PJM Interconnection that will allow Chevrolet Volt owners to use renewable energy to charge up their EV’s.
PJM Interconnection’s role in the system is to collect data on the percentage of renewable energy that is available on the grid, and then transfer it on to the OnStar cloud, dubbed the Advanced Telematics Operating Management System. The ATOMS system would then manage the charging from there.
Check out more news on the Chevrolet Volt.
Google’s ‘Gfleet’ is being used by OnStar and Google to test the technology on 17 Volts. “This demonstration shows that in the near future customers will have a real signal of demand for renewable energy,” said Nick Pudar, OnStar vice president of planning and business development. “As customers configure their Volts to favor renewable energy for their charging cycle, this real demand signal will influence utilities to tap into renewable sources.”
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The Chevrolet Cruze, sold only as a sedan, brought in some successful sales numbers for 2011, with 231,732 units sold. For this year, Chevy has decided to add a wagon variant for the Cruze that expected to boost sales even higher.
Although GM is still finishing up with the wagon, it is rumored that the model will be several inches longer, with the addition of a sloping rear window and a tailgate.
Click here for more news on the Chevrolet Cruze.
This isn’t the first variant that GM has made for the Cruze, however. A five-door hatchback is only available in markets outside the U.S., and while GM hasn’t said if they will be doing the same with the wagon, it may be a profitable move for the automaker to add it in the states. The Jetta Sport Wagon and Hyundai Elantra Touring are the only competitors the Cruze wagon would have in the states.
- By: Alexandra Koken
Source: AutoNews
The Lexus LF-LC 2+2 Hybrid Coupe Concept made its debut at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show earlier this month. While there is not word of the concept being produced, Lexus says that the LF-LC hints at the future design language of the brand.
Lexus has just released a video giving us an inside look at the LF-LC Concept.
Check out our original post on the Lexus LF-LC Concept.
Check out the video after the jump.
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Edward Cullen is a vampire concerned with safety – hence him driving a Volvo in the Twilight series. But what happens when a vampire decides to show off and buy an Audi S7? Well, we’ll let you see for yourself in Audi’s Super Bowl XLVI commercial.
Check out our original post on the 2013 Audi S7.
Check out the commercial after the jump.
Refresher: The 2013 Audi S7 Sportback is powered by a 4.0 TFSI twin-turbo V8 making 420-hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. Mated to 6-speed S tronic transmission and quattro all-wheel-drive, the S7 Sportback accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph.
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An owner of a Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe could end up cashing out $100,000 to fix damages caused by leaving the top down on his ultra-expensive luxury car. Many walking by the Drophead Coupe parked outside a cafe stopped to record some footage of the car being soaked with the top down.
John Barsoumian, owner of Car Interior Plus in Sydney, said the rain could have damaged leather seats, carpet and wood panelling.
“It could cost up to $100,000 if everything was damaged,” Barsoumian said. “You won’t know until you start assessing the damage. ”It could definitely also affect the electricals of the car and depending on the agreement and the way the car’s insured it could be written off.”
Apparently, the leather seat covers alone could cost around $40,000 to $50,000.
Check out the video after the jump.
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Because Land Rover is owned by India auto conglomerate, Tata Motors, and much anticipation is being built around their Defender replacement, reports are now saying that the next generation Defender will be built in Pune, India.
Additionally, more details have popped up in the same reports, which say that the Defender will continue to employ a simpler body-on-frame design versus a unibody. The platform is said to be based on the T5 ladder chassis, which currently underpins the Range Rover Sport and Discovery SUVs.
Parts are also said to be shared with the new Tata Aria SUV and these plans come under Land Rover’s intent to keep the Defender affordable.
- By: Chris Chin
Source: AutoCar
Following months and months of development and testing at the Nurburgring, the new 2013 Cadillac ATS made its debut at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show earlier this month. Caddy has now released a video showing the final development and debut of the ATS.
Click here for our original post on the Cadillac ATS.
Check it out after the jump.
Refresher: The 2013 Cadillac ATS sedan will go on sale later this year and will come with a choice of three engine units. The based model will carry a 2.0 liter 4-cylinder turbo engine making 270-hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. A 2.5 liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder will also be available, making 200-hp and 188 lb-ft of torque. The top-of-the-line Cadillac ATS will be powered by a 3.6 liter V6 making 318-hp and 267 lb-ft of torque. Prices will be announced closer to launch.
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One of the reasons that helped drive Rolls-Royce to record sales last year was customers who purchased a Rolls-Royce Ghost opting for bespoke personalization. The customization ranges from paint colors, coach lines, tread plates, champagne sets, humidors and picnic cabinets.
The company said that 56 percent Ghost and Ghost Extended Wheelbase models were sold with bespoke design in 2011.
“It is always our goal to exceed our clients’ highest expectations and fulfill their innermost desires,” said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Rolls-Royce CEO. “With highly bespoke Phantom and Ghost models, we are able to achieve this. The passion with which our bespoke craftspeople create these beautiful cars is reflected in some truly outstanding examples delivered across the globe last year.”
Rolls-Royce announced earlier this year that it is expanding its bespoke operations to meet growing demand. The company also plans on expanding its plant, partly due to the increase in bespoke cars.
- By: Omar Rana
More information has been released by Toyota Racing on its plans for the upcoming FIA World Endurance Championship.
With plans to make a race debut at the Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps on May 5, the team will follow up with two TS030 Hybrid entries into the Le Mans 24 Hours. Driving the TS030’s will be Nicolas Lapierre, Kazuki Nakajima and Alex Wurz, with more to join.
The new Hybrids follow up the TS010 and TS020 models, and are the first to confirm participation in the FIA World Endurance Championship with a hybrid. Featuring the Toyota Hybrid System-Racing powertrain, the TS030 is powered by a new naturally aspirated 3.4-liter V8. TMG has developed and produced a new carbon fiber LMP1 chassis, as well.
Aisin AW provided the front motor system, while the rear was crafted by Denso, to meet regulations on hybrid systems. The team will be testing that the requirements are met on the first run.
By: Alexandra Koken
BMW is searching for a group of 700 people throughout seven U.S. markets to be “Electronauts” for the automaker’s trial launch of the 2012 ActiveE All-electric vehicle, based on the 1 Series Coupe.
The all-electric bimmers will be leased to the enthusiasts for 24 months at a cost of $499/mo after a $2,250 down payment. Markets included in the testing are the metropolitan areas of New York, Boston, Hartford, Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, and San Francisco. Europe and China will also have test markets for 2012, and over 1,100 models will be available overall.
Participants will have their vehicle’s data recorded, and will add their own information, as well. An instructional course will be provided on how to operate and charge the ActiveE with the AeroViornment station.
Reservations can be made at www.bmwusa.com/ActiveE, and data from the trial will be available on www.BMWActivateTheFurture.com.
By: Alexandra Koken
