This is the Rally Fighter, a kit car built by Local Motors, an upstart builder based in Massachusetts. Unlike most of the other custom-built cars at SEMA, the Rally Fighter was designed entirely through the use of crowd sourcing.
Through competitions on its Web site, Local Motors asked users to submit designs and let the community choose its favorite. The Rally Fighter came out on top, so Local Motors commissioned the build and used crowd sourcing for everything from the engineering to the materials.
It uses a BMW twin-turbo diesel power plant and various off-the-shelf parts to keep costs down. Local Motors says it plans to eventually build as many as 3,000 Rally Fighters and sell them for around $50,000 apiece. Other models are expected to follow, all chosen and designed by committee.
It's an interesting idea and the Rally Fighter looks to have turned out well. But to be clear, the Rally Fighter is not a car, and Local Motors is not a new kind of car company. At least not yet. Click through to find out why.
Continue reading Local Motors Rally Fighter at SEMA: A Good Start, But....
Categories: Diesels,SUVs,Tuners and Modifications
We only know three things about this truck.
1) It's kickass.
2) It's called Training Day -- Vigilante.
3) It was built by Outlaw Customs in Henderson, Colorado.
Categories: Diesels,SEMA Show,Trucks,Tuners and Modifications
Among the new diesels Chrysler-Fiat plans to sell will be a diesel Jeep Wrangler scheduled for introduction in the fourth quarter of 2010. A start-stop feature will increase what should already be very good fuel economy and shave 5 percent off its annual CO2 contribution.
-- Dan Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit
Categories: Chrysler,Diesels,Fiat,Jeep,SUVs
Chrysler-Fiat anticipates that by 2014, V8 engines will account for only 11 percent of its mix (and that's including the new Ram brand), down from 18 percent in 2010.
At the same time, the company anticipates anticipates that four-cylinder engines will make up 38 percent of its mix in 2014 -- up considerably from 19 percent in 2010. And there will be more diesels, too. Look for them to make up 14 percent of the mix in 2014, compared to only 9 percent today.
-- Dan Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit
Categories: Auto Industry,Chrysler,Diesels,Fiat
Today was not a day to get all immersed in technical details about Mazda's new global direct-injected Sky-G gasoline and Sky-D diesel four-cylinder engines. But we now know that the Sky-G gas engines will range in displacement from 1.3 liters to 2.0 liters and will debut in Japanese models in 2011, with a worldwide launch coming shortly after.
The Sky-D turbocharged diesel-4 will be a 2.2-liter only, so far as we know, and it will be clean enough to enter the U.S. market without an AdBlue urea tank. The particulate filter alone will suffice, company officials tell us. This is a fully modern diesel with an all-aluminum block and a two-stage turbocharger. The Sky-D goes on sale worldwide in 2012; it will be the first diesel Mazda has ever offered for sale in Japan.
New engine technology always sounds good, but if it's stuffed into increasingly heavier cars, is it really a net gain? It appears the Sky engine family will be if Mazda sticks with its new diet. The company announced today it will slash curb weights by 100 kg (220 pounds) for each next-generation model starting in 2011. "In addition," says Mazda, "from 2016 we think it will be necessary to reduce weight by a further 100 kg or more."
The Mazda 2, it says, will serve as the model for this intitiative, as this car proves weight can be cut without swapping in all sorts of expensive materials.
More on the diet and the Sky-Drive automatic transmission after the jump.
Continue reading Mazda Sky-G, Sky-D, Sky-Drive and Sky's the Limit Dieting at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show.
Categories: Diesels,Green Tech,Mazda,Tokyo Motor Show
Volkswagen released pricing today on the Scirocco-faced 2010 Volkswagen GTI and Golf. As we've written, the Mk6 generation of the VW Golf and GTI do not represent a full-on redesign. Rather, Volkswagen set about to make them simpler and cheaper to manufacturer, while making small refinements here and there.
Notably, the 2010 VW GTI adds only $60 to its base price ($23,990 with destination); however, Bluetooth is a mandatory option ($199) on all U.S.-bound GTIs, so effectively, the base price for a 2-door GTI with the conventional 6-speed manual gearbox is $24,189. Add $600 if you want a four-door GTI. Add another $1,100 for the DSG automated, twin-clutch transmission.
Bluetooth is also mandatory on the new 2010 Volkswagen Golf TDI, also available with two or four doors, and also available with the regular 6-speed manual or the DSG. Like the Jetta TDI, the sophisticated 2.0-liter diesel four makes 140 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. Still, we'd like something sportier like, say, the Euro-spec VW Golf GTD.
Pricing on the 2010 Golf TDI ranges from $22,690 for a 2-door 6-speed to $24,390 for a 4-door DSG. But remember to add another $199 for mandatory hands-free peace of mind.
Categories: Diesels,Hatchbacks,Volkswagen
Though we've covered the new 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel V8 for the 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty quite a bit lately, Contributor Mark Williams takes a much closer look at the details of this redesign in our official First Look article.
He tells you why the the new Power Stroke diesel should be more refined, and hopefully, more reliable than previous Power Strokes, and he tells you why the new 6.2-liter V8 gas engine is a bit like the famed Boss 302.
Perhaps the most useful thing about this Super Duty revamp, though, is the attention Ford has given to this heavy-duty series truck's number one activity: towing. It goes well beyond the new six-speed automatic's tow/haul mode, and extends to a new productivity interface that allows you to tailor drivetrain settings for the weight of your trailer, monitor transmission temp in real time, and even confirm that your trailer lights are working.
First Look: 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty
Categories: Diesels,Ford,Future Vehicles,Trucks
Mazda will show two engines at the Tokyo Auto Show, and both should end up being a very big deal in the U.S. market. You'll see them in Mazdas, and very likely, in Fords, too.
First off, there's a new direct-injected version of Mazda's global 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder called the Sky-G. At least, that's what Mazda will call it during the Tokyo show. In addition, says Mazda, the engine block is revised to reduce mechanical friction and achieve the most optimal air-fuel mixture. Together, these improvements yield a claimed 15-percent improvement in fuel economy. This would enable a Mazda 3 to return mileage on par with a Mazda 2, according to the company.
The second engine is a new 2.2-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder. Yep, it's called Sky-D. It, too, has a new block that's less susceptible to friction. It also has piezo injectors and a two-stage turbocharger not found on Mazda's current European-market diesel. Total fuel economy improvement here is said to be 20 percent. This means you could drive around in a diesel Mazda 6 and get Mazda-2-like fuel economy, says Mazda. If this turns out to be true in real-world driving, the company will have to find a way to get this engine cleaned up for the U.S., as it could be a real help in meeting the 2015 CAFE standards.
The photo here shows you the Sky-G engine. You can take a look at the Sky-D after the jump.
Continue reading Tokyo Preview: Mazda's New Direct-Injected 2.0L I4, 2.2L Turbodiesel Engines.
Categories: Diesels,Green Tech,Mazda,Tokyo Motor Show,Trends
BMW doesn't really do flights of fancy, so upon seeing the company's Vision EfficientDynamics concept with our own eyes at the Frankfurt Auto Show, we knew all these strange curves had to be leading up to something very interesting and production-ready. Today, we got an answer in the form of the 2012 BMW M1.
It's an interesting time for BMW to revive the M1 nameplate (last heard from in 1981), as Mercedes-Benz is readying the reborn gullwing, the 2010 SLS AMG. And coincidentally enough, Benz is working on an electric version of the SLS that would use four electric motors and two transmissions to achieve a 3.8-second 0-to-60-mph time and a 150-mph top speed.
In contrast to the all-electric SLS and the R8-inspired Audi E-tron, the BMW M1 will be a plug-in hybrid. Drivetrain components will apparently come straight out of the EfficientDynamics concept, which had a "mid-mounted" 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbodiesel despite a 2+2 seating arrangement.
The concept also had two electric motors -- one packaged between the diesel inline-3 and a rear transaxle version of BMW's M DCT dual-clutch gearbox, and the other up front driving the front wheels through a single-speed gearbox. Ninety-eight lithium polymer cells provide the power for the electric motors. Peak output of all power sources, according to BMW, would be 356 hp, along with 590 pound-feet of torque.
Another photo and more information after the jump.
Continue reading An Early Look at the 2012 BMW M1.
Categories: BMW,Diesels,Frankfurt Auto Show,Future Vehicles,Green Tech,Sports Cars
Ford wants you to know that its new 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel V8, slated for launch next year in the 2011 F-Series Super Duty and rated at 400 horsepower, is quieter than the current 6.4-liter diesel. So the company made this very short video of the two diesels idling. Unfortunately, the Ford engineer talks right over the 6.7-liter. Which is a good sign, we guess? Suggested ad copy: "Ford's New Power Stroke: Won't Interrupt Your Conversation."
Categories: Diesels,Ford,Trucks
Yes, it's true, this uh...vehicle is capable of returning nearly 170 mpg. That's the kind of number you can achieve when you're only putting out 27 horsepower in a body that weighs 838 pounds.
Impressive on paper maybe, but stand next to the thing and the idea of the L1 as a car seems a bit of a stretch. Only two, shall we say, smaller adults could fit in the thing and their luggage would be limited to a small handbag.
And then there's the whole enclosed canopy issue, not exactly the most comfortable way to travel.
So nice concept, maybe. But a "car" the L1 is not.
Categories: Concept Vehicles,Diesels,Frankfurt Auto Show,Future Vehicles,Green Tech,Hybrids,Volkswagen
Inside Line spoke with Jim O'Donnell, CEO of BMW North America, today and learned that all future diesel models the company brings to the U.S. will be all-wheel drive.
That likely means the BMW 335d's days are numbered. There's already a diesel version of the X5. At minimum, we'll expect to see a diesel X3.
Full Test: 2009 BMW 335d
Categories: BMW,Diesels,Frankfurt Auto Show
Volkswagen hasn't yet unveiled the L1 Concept to the Frankfurt crowd, but the company released details and photos on the car today. "L1" stands for 1-liter car, as in 1 liter of fuel consumed per 100 km on the European test cycle.
It's still a work in progress, though, as VW says this particular car consumes 1.38 liters of diesel per 100 km. This works out to about 170 mpg, albeit on the Euro test cycle.
At the same time, the company says the L1 would hit 60 mph in the low-14-second range on its (leisurely) way to a top speed of 99 mph -- about as quick and fast as a Smart Fortwo.
Motivation comes from an 800cc two-cylinder TDI engine (it's VW's 1.6 TDI halved) rated at 27 horsepower at 4,000 rpm (or 39 in "Sport" mode) and 74 lb-ft of torque. It joins forces with a 13-hp electric motor built into its seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG). All this stuff is mounted in the back of the Volkswagen L1, and a lithium-ion battery pack resides up front. Like a Prius, the L1 could apparently go all-electric for short periods, but mostly, it would use a combination of the two power sources.
More details after the jump.
Green Car Advisor: VW's L1 Diesel Hybrid Concept Gets a Claimed 170 MPG
Continue reading Frankfurt Preview: Volkswagen L1 Concept.
Categories: Concept Vehicles,Diesels,Frankfurt Auto Show,Green Tech,Volkswagen
Remember Ford's new in-house-engineered, 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel V8 we previewed last week? You know, the one that we unofficially learned would be officially rated at 400 hp and 725 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful diesel engine on the market? Well, here's the vehicle that will get this engine, the 2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty.
Click through to our full article to see video of a Power Stroke V8-equipped F-350 prototype undergoing hot weather testing in the desert.
Styling changes are subtle on the 2011 F-Series pickup, so the arrival of the Power Stroke V8 is the big news here. On the gasoline side, Ford will offer the 6.2-liter V8 first seen in the F-150 SVT Raptor. Tuning will be different in the Super Duties, but we're expecting at least 400 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque.
Spy Video: 2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty
Categories: Diesels,Ford,Future Vehicles,Spy Photos,Trucks
What better place to clarify statements you may have made about the Chevrolet Volt being "a car for idiots" than on Facebook?.So it goes for Audi of America president Johan de Nysschen who posted a clarification of sorts yesterday evening on the Audi USA News page.
"I do not specifically recall using the term 'car for idiots' during my informal conversation with the [MSN] writer," de Nysschen writes. "It was certainly not my intention to leave the impression that I'm opposed to electrical vehicles, and if I was unclear on either of those points then I need to eat crow.
"What I do recall is the essence of my contention, namely that the feasibility of the Chevrolet Volt as a concept is questionable. And that policy decisions -- and the industry's reactions to those decisions -- are leading us toward a technology that may sound tempting on the surface, but, as of now, also contains many deep and unsolved economic and technological compromises."
Green Car Advisor has published an interesting analysis on the incident, in which Editor in Chief John O'Dell observes, "Perhaps what de Nysschen ought to have said is that even a luxe model like Audi's upcoming 2010 A3 TDI clean diesel hatchback, which will deliver an EPA-estimated combined fuel economy of 34 mpg and cost -- after tax credits -- a good $3,000 less than the Volt, will likely be the more economical choice for some."
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Categories: Audi,Auto Industry,Chevrolet,Diesels,Green Tech,Hybrids
