The Honda CR-X of the 1980s was a Civic-based hatchback-liftback-coupe combo that catapulted Honda’s status among compact sports cars, even if it was rather humble on the spec sheet. Honda has already announced the revival of the car as the CR-Z hybrid, with a concept version already shown at recent auto shows. The brochure for the production version has been leaked.
The BMW Vision concept car is the latest in a string of “EfficientDynamics” ideas by the German automaker. Conceived as a 2+2-seater with plug-in full-hybrid technology, this concept car combines the performance of a BMW M vehicle with a standard of fuel efficiency and emission management that exceeds even the current levels achieved by the latest small cars. This result is made possible by the combination of BMW ActiveHybrid components with an economical combustion engine and good aerodynamic qualities.
BMW has debuted the production hybrid versions of the BMW 7-Series and the BMW X6. To be shown at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show in September, the 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid 7 and the 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 will go on sale in early 2010, and it is expected that at least the X6 version will make it to the UAE and a few other GCC markets.
Nissan has unveiled their first affordable, zero-emission car. Titled the Nissan LEAF, it is a “medium-size hatchback” that comfortably seats five adults and has a range of more than 160 km to satisfy real-world consumer requirements. And the most interesting part is it is almost ready for production, and slated for consumer release in late 2010.
Nissan has previewed its electric vehicle platform on a Tiida-based prototype in their quest for a pure zero-emissions vehicle. They also showcased a sophisticated EV-IT system developed to support electric driving 24 hours a day.
Fahrmitgas.de, a German tuning firm named after its own website, is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the first moon landing on July 20, 1969. While their motto for their celebratory project is “drive me to the moon,” their choice of vehicle is rather underwhelming. So it their spaceman mascot.
Kia Motors dealers in the UAE still haven’t gotten around to selling the 2010 Cerato compact sedan yet, but in its Korean home market where it is known as the Forte, Kia is already offering their first commercial hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), the Forte Liquid Petroleum Injection (LPI) Hybrid.
Three newly-developed direct-injection engines are now available for the European-spec BlueEfficiency version of the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. They are the most fuel-efficient engines ever for the C-Class, and developed using traditional technology rather than a hybrid system.
The hybrid version of the Toyota Camry was only on sale in a couple of developed countries earlier, but the Japanese firm has now started building the petrol-electric car at its plant in Thailand, to supply the Far-East Asian market.
While Ford Middle East still peddles leftover four-banger versions of the 2009 Ford Fusion in the GCC, the redesigned 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid is making waves in the United States. Drivers trained in mileage-maximizing techniques were able to get an extraordinary 2313 km out of a single tank of petrol during a fund-raising road-trip and publicity stunt. They did it by averaging 2.88 litres per 100 km, using a non-modified Fusion Hybrid straight off the showroom floor. The Fusion Hybrid already calls itself the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan in North America.