Greenskid » Green Car News

The Rinspeed Senso Has Just Landed

Greenskid — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 03:59:50 +0000

Rinspeed from Sweden wanted to bring out a car that looks like it just came from outer space. Well, the guys from that automaker certainly delivered by introducing the Rinspeed Senso. If there’s a car that can interact with its driver, then this is it.

Basically, the Rinspeed Senso has lights on its driver’s field of view that change color depending on your mood. How does this work? If you’re feeling drowsy, the interior becomes filled with light, the stereo emits a certain kind of sound, and the ventilation system releases a unique smell.

The Rinspeed Senso is loaded by different kinds of sensors that measure your pulse. Aside from that, there’s also a camera that monitors your driving behavior. This way, you’re always relaxed and alert when you’re in front of the steering wheel.

When it comes to performance however, the Rinspeed Senso has a lot to show off. Basically, it is powered by a 3.2-liter engine that can generate as much as 250 horsepower. Right now, the Rinspeed Senso is still in the conceptual stage. Then again, its supreme features will really change how we look at our vehicles in the future.

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City Car: When a Green Car Becomes Totally Weird ( and Better )

Greenskid — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 03:42:53 +0000

I know green cars get smaller each time. They also become a lot more fuel efficient every year. However, Franco Sbarro of Switzerland had other things in mind when he designed the City Car. Although I’ve seen so many strange-looking cars in my life, the City Car can perhaps top the list.

Basically, the City Car has four wheels, one in front and in the rear, while the others can be found in the sides. For power, the City Car uses an electric motor that can generate as much as 20 kilowatts and it can go as fast as 30 mph. However, the vehicle also relies on an internal combustion engine that is able to give off 60 horsepower while boosting its speed to 80 mph. Overall, this strange-looking vehicle can cover as much as 370 mph and an MPG rating of 46.

The best part about the City Car is its design. With all of its wheels laid out in a diamond pattern, they are able to maneuver in 180-degree angles. That means you can turn 360 degrees in its vertical axis. In short, it gives you so many options as compared to your regular four-wheel vehicle when it comes to maneuverability.

On a different note, the City Car is 11.8-feet long and weighs just around 320 pounds, making Shaq even heavier than this thing. Despite its size though, it can unbelievably carry 5 people and a few extra pounds for your luggage. Equipped with lots of cameras, you won’t have any trouble dealing with the traffic with this kind of street rig. I’m pretty much blown away with its other features such as a cellphone, internet, digital TV, and a glut of communication accessories.

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The Pros and Cons of the PHEVs

Greenskid — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:35:31 +0000

I’ve met so many people who ask me about plug-in hybrid vehicles and why they’re better compared to other vehicles. Of course my usual answers include better fuel efficiency, lower emissions, and energy diversity. Plug-in green cars are technically known as PHEVs or plug-in hybrid vehicles. Compared to electric vehicles, PHEVs have greater range, without compromising anything in fuel efficiency. Electric vehicles have long promised to extend their range to no avail. However, PHEVs have already covered and they offer great power and speed as well.

I’m not necessarily pitting PHEVs and electric vehicles here. I’m just pointing out that not all green vehicles are created equal. Aside from fuel efficiency and lower emissions, PHEVs are also able to supply electricity other than for propulsion. That means PHEVs can use electricity on various equipment such as power tools, accessories, and lights without sacrificing power and speed.

Despite the obvious advantages though, PHEVs also have limitations. Basically, bigger, stronger, and faster PHEVs need bigger and heavier batteries to get the job done. Also, when batteries become larger, they also become more expensive. Truth is, damaged batteries are hard to replace and that’s reason PHEV owners should take care of this component

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The Super Volkswagen Super-Efficiency Car

Greenskid — Wed, 27 May 2009 11:16:02 +0000

If you think that reaching an MPG rating of 235 is impossible, think again. That’s because right now, Volkswagen is working on a vehicle that delivers that number. Known as the VW 1-liter, this vehicle looks like it just came from a sci-fi movie. Basically, the VW 1-liter has a narrow body and nearly flat body. With its design, the vehicle has an amazing drag coefficient of just 0.159 and with its 235 MPG, it can travel for 400 miles using only its 1.7-gallon fuel tank. Its speed is also decent because latest measurements have shown that it can go as fast as 75 mph.

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The Provocative Provoq

Greenskid — Sat, 23 May 2009 04:59:25 +0000

General Motors recently stepped up its hydrogen fuel cell plan by introducing the Cadillac Provoq. Now only in its concept stage, the model is already receiving rave reviews everywhere. The best thing about the Cadillac Provoq is that it mixes high-performance fuel cells with the great styling and topnotch engine qualities that it has. Some of the great features that it has are roof-integrated solar panel and power on-board electronics.

Cadillac Provoq

When it comes to acceleration, the Cadillac Provoq can blast from 0-60 mph in just under nine seconds. Another impressive thing is that its maximum range can go as far as 300 miles and that’s higher than any other fuel-cell powered vehicle out there.

The power of the Cadillac Provoq comes from hydrogen pack and lithium-ion batteries that can be found underneath it. Meanwhile, it will take a few years before General Motors finally unleashes this monster to the public.

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Tom Hanks Shows Love for Green Cars

Greenskid — Tue, 19 May 2009 09:43:52 +0000

Tom Hanks

There’s a positive trend sweeping Hollywood A-listers, and it has little to do with fashion or vegetarian living. It’s showing love for green cars. These days, more and more Hollywood stars and starlets are showing their support for Mother Nature by driving environmentally-friendly rides. Some A-listers are even writing about their commitment to turning this “trend” into something more lasting–the norms, perhaps?

The latest green car enthusiast to show his support for electrics and hybrids is none other than the great Tom Hanks. According to TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk, Mr. Hanks has recently written a letter to the New Yorker. It’s his way of setting things straight with regards to the electric cars he’s been using in the last few years.

Peter J. Boyer’s original article made the assumption that the 52-year old Academy Award-winning actor had an EV1, which was briefly produced by GM. Hanks, however, was quick to say that this certainly wasn’t the case. According to the letter from Hanks:

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“By the time I began shopping for an all-electric car, in 2003, the EV1 had already been yanked from showrooms as if the car had never existed. Instead, I found what was purported to be the very last electric car available for sale in the state of California–a Toyota EV. It had four doors, a rear hatch, room for my family, including a dog in the back, power windows, A/C, a great sound system, and the fastest, most effective windshield defroster known to mankind.”

“When the car companies collectively, and, to some, diabolically decided to take these cars back, the electric vehicles disappeared. But not mine. I have the pink slip. I own that car, and it is still driven everyday, albeit by one of my crack staff of employees. My electric car recently crossed fifty thousand miles on odometer with its original battery but without so much as a splash of gasoline,” Hanks added.

Talk about an excellent green commitment! Now if only we had more people showing the same commitment as Mr. Hanks and his staff, then we can help reduce the amount of pollution produced daily worldwide.

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What I Want: The ZEO Electric Car Concept

Greenskid — Fri, 15 May 2009 04:30:34 +0000

High-performance vehicles are always fun to drive. They’re fast, powerful, and they’re simply full of feature. Ever since I started driving, I’ve been in love with muscle cars. Their design, power, and speed are things that every driver would want to have for their rides. Unfortunately, muscle cars fail when it comes to one department and that’s fuel efficiency. In fact most models chug fuel at such a high rate that their popularity drastically declined at the start of the 1970s. Then again, it seems like that Dodge wants to change muscle cars by offering their new concept car called the Dodge ZEO.

Basically, the Dodge ZEO’s name stands for Zero Emissions Operation. As its name implies, it really doesn’t emit anything, because it’s a muscle car and electric car rolled into one. Basically, the Dodge ZEO is an electric car that performs like your good, old muscle car. Powered by a 200 kilowatt electric motor, it’s strong enough to power the vehicle from 0-60 mph in less than 6 seconds. Aside from that, its motor is built to provide it by as much as 268 horsepower as well. Compared to other electric cars that simply lack in power, the Dodge ZEO has a 64 kilowatt-hour lithium battery pack that can give it a 250-mile driving range. All you need to do to keep it in working in optimum condition is to keep it charged fully.

When I first saw the Dodge ZEO, I could not help but marvel at how the guys from Dodge can give it so much power and speed without even relying on gasoline. In short, the vehicle is just one fantastic vehicle that everyone should take a look at. When it comes to exteriors, the Dodge ZEO boasts of a 23-inch steel alloy wheels that are indestructible by rust and corrosion. Its windshield meanwhile, arches up from the long and well-designed hood. In short, you would like every thing about the design of this eco-friendly muscle car from Dodge.

The door of the Dodge ZEO is built to look like scissors. Because of that, there is unlimited access to the interior. Meanwhile, it will take quite a while before the Dodge ZEO will be launched by Dodge. Nevertheless, I really think that this vehicle will change how muscle cars should be in the future.

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Mustang 300E: The Electric Musclecar

Greenskid — Sat, 09 May 2009 11:24:33 +0000

The Ronaele company recently launched a musclecar that runs in electricity and it’s called the Mustang 300E. It doesn’t only scorch roads because of its performance, but it also saves so much fuel at the same time. Using lithium-ion battery packs, it can actually generate as much as 300 horsepower. Aside from that, it can also accelerate from 0-60 mph in just under 4 seconds. Compared to other battery-powered vehicles, its top speed is pegged at 130 miles.

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The Lincoln C Concept: The Green Car with the Luxury Feel

Greenskid — Fri, 08 May 2009 11:48:31 +0000

The Lincoln "C" Concept

It must have been quite the surprise to auto enthusiasts when Lincoln presented the Lincoln C Concept car. While most people are hesitant to make the shift from their gas-guzzling rides to the smaller and greener vehicles on the market, it should come as a comfort to luxury-loving folks that they won’t have to give up the comfort provided by their luxury rides–not once the Lincoln “C” Concept hits the market.

What’s so lovable about the concept car called the “C” Concept is that it helps make green cars look cooler. Sure, for green car lovers like us (hopefully you included), green cars are the cat’s pajamas, but some people tend to see green cars as slower and less-powerful (and by default, less cool) cars compared to large vehicles that guzzle down gas like there’s no tomorrow.

But then, here comes the “C” Concept to shatter these types of pre-conceived notions. What’s so surprising about the unveiling of the “C” Concept is how the automaker Lincoln has always been associated with creating large and bulky vehicles that look and feel nothing like what people expect a green car to. Sure, Lincoln had to make their concept green car more compact, but the car looks amazing! Kinda like what you would expect a high-performance and powerful sedan would look like.

"C" Savvy Interior

Of course, Lincoln seemed to have gotten its inspiration from the typical box car design, but the brand has noticeably made the car curvier. Smoother. Sleeker. In an article from Ezinearticles.com written by Matthew B. Bailey, the writer describes the Lincoln concept to look like a cross between a Lincoln Navigator, a Chrysler PT Cruiser, and a VW New Beetle. And based solely on the looks of the car, I think I’d have to agree with Mr. Bailey on that one.

As for the interior, well, let’s just say the seats are so comfortable, it makes you want to just lie back and have a few minutes of snooze time. But what really gets me going is the car’s instrument panel, that’s panoramic, mind you. It’s so futuristic, it even has an avatar (customizable, of course) that welcomes you back and tells you if you’ve got new text messages or emails.

Also, according to “The Green Luxury Car - The Lincoln C Concept” by Mr. Bailey, the car also has fingertip controls that allow you to operate GPS Navigation, MP3 Players, and a Satellite Radio. It’s every environment-friendly technophile’s dream car.

But the best part about this concept is not its good looks or technophile-friendly accessories, it’s what drives the car that makes it so irresistible.

The Lincoln "C" Concept's Futuristic Look

AutomobileMag.com included the Lincoln C Concept Car in their Detroit 2009: Five Most Significant Green Cars due to the concept’s incredible, direct-injection, EcoBoost engine. This type of engine comes with a dual-clutch transmission, stop/start technology, and a “focus on weight-savings.”

Created based on the same ideas used on the European Focus, the pint-size “C” is a truly awesome ride that retains the typical Lincoln style we see from the brand’s luxury line.

If there’s one green car that could appeal to the cool kids (regardless of age), this one has got to be it. Here’s to hoping we’ll be seeing more of the “C” sometime soon.

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New ECC “All-Electric” Car

Greenskid — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:21:13 +0000

ECC, also known as the Electric Car Corporation Plc, has just announced its launch of a new, “all electric”, 4-seater, production car that will be made available to the public today.

This recent UK launch comes right in the heels of the announcement from the government saying how they subsidize and support the use of electric cars. The British government has also expressed their commitment in making the UK the “world leader” in creating and exporting quality electric cars. London’s own mayor, Boris Johnson, has also revealed plans of introducing 25,000 recharging points throughout the city. These recharging points should make it easier for electric car drivers to keep their rides ready for longer road trips.

The new electric car is going to be called the Citroën C1 ev’ie. It’s the first 4-seater, all-electric ride that’s designed to give its drivers (and passengers) superior comfort and performance. This car even comes complete with all the standard safety features you’ll find in your usual gas-powered car.

WhatGreenCar.com also reports that this vehicle is capable of running 60-70 miles when fully-charged, at a level speed of approximately 60mph. Not bad for an electric car, right?

To keep this car completely-charged, you can also plug it in for around 6-7 hours in a domestic 13 amp socket. That should cost you around 90p, which means you’re going to be spending less than 2p per mile.

Citroën C1 ev’ie models will be assembled in the United Kingdom from the donor car. And the company expects to produce around 500 of the C1 ev’ies in the next 12 months. Significantly rising to 2,000-4,000 units by next year depending on public demand and the government support.

“We are committed to providing greener alternatives for motorists and are delighted to be supplying ECC with C1s for this exciting project,” the Managing Director of the Citroën UK, Xavier Duchemin, said.

ECC plc Chief Executive David Martell also commented: “We believe this is the first serious alternative to a petrol or diesel car. It drives just like a petrol car and has excellent capacity for use in any town or city in the UK…The key to building a successful electric car is an efficient battery management system (BMS). ECC has developed an advanced and sophisticated system, which when coupled with regenerative breaking, can provide the driver with much greater range and better performance.”

The C1 ev’ie is said to be priced at $16,850 and can be bought directly from ECC.

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