pow

No, they'll just delay production until it's ready, like Tesla.

The thing is, Bob Lutz said that he started the Volt program in direct response to Tesla. So without Tesla spurring innovation, no Volt. And besides, the cars have begun production, and the reviews should be out early February.

What's with the uberhigh beltline? It makes the wheels look tiny and the lower half massive. Sort of like the LaCrosse concept pics we've seen.

Great blog! I especially at your advice to Ina Garten. I think TR Pescod is his name.

That's about 30 city/39 highway '08 EPA. Divide the UK "urban" figure by 1.25 for US city, and divide the UK "extra urban" by 1.6 for US highway.

Oh I forgot to link... http://jalopnik.com/344806/detroit-auto-sh...ough-cobo-arena It was by Matt Hardigree from Jalopnik. Safety, fit and finish, and interior quality should be good, as this is essentially a last-gen Accord with different front and rear styling.

"Holy $h!, my boss just drove into the auto show" When I went down to the booth of BYD Auto, a Chinese car maker trying to break into the US market, all I hoped for was a few honest answers to my questions. The motto of the company is "Build Your Dream," but that last thing I'd dream was that BYD's Chairman would drive me through someone else's press conference during an illegal, surreal and American-media first test drive around the floor of the Detroit Auto Show. Breaking all the rules of proper auto show behavior, BYD Auto's chairman Wang Chaunfu hopped in the driver's seat of his prototype hybrid and took off with me in the passenger's seat, thus proving to the world that he's ready to show that his company's car works. The story of how one small upstart Chinese automaker turned our Detroit Auto Show upside down with the turn of one key below. When I attended the BYD Auto press conference for the Ferrous Battery-Powered Dual Mode Hybrid, I expected it to be the usual mixture of iffy translations and awkward-looking Chinese cars. Instead, we get the unveiling of technology that's something we haven't seen before. And while it's not earth shattering, the system was intriguing, which was why I decided to go back to see them. Thankfully, by the time I made it back to the floor the press had scurried off to the next reveal leaving the entire BYD Auto team mostly alone. They were just lounging about after the auto press gang bang they had just received and were feeling playful. One of two American officials from BYD Auto, Michael Austin, was there to help. After explaining more about how the battery system worked, he asked me with a straight face how far other dual modes go without gas power. Then the conversation turned to how we might import one of the test models, including a quasi-legal "gray market" job that involved leaving one of the show cars behind. I was trying to get the guy to tell me where the cars were going next when he suggested that we drive the driveable hybrid concept car a few feet, the first "test drive" in America for a company that had just held it's first American press conference only an hour earlier. We hoped to mimic something in the original press conference where the chairman drove the car back and forth a few feet for the cameras (nearly running over our own videographer who was standing in front of it). I was jumping at the chance to get the exclusive first drive of the concept car and was therefore not too worried by the suddenly confused look all of the Chinese executives got on their faces when Austin suggested this idea to them. A tall and young executive lunged at me with a business card while the rest of them tried to construct a game plan. While discussions continued, the chairman jumped in the car with a translator in tow and invited me to hop in the passenger side. I flashed a look to Sherry, our photographer, that said "please dear God be getting this on film." After being visually assured we were going to get art I joked to the translator that we should buckle up. This was a joke because everyone expected the car to only go back and forth a few feet in their display area. Little did we know the chairman had other plans. After pulling the car forward a few feet so Sherry and a photographer for BYD could snap a few shots we slowed to a crawl. Then he turned the wheel towards the rest of the auto show. I should explain that we're in the middle of an auto show hall at the Cobo Convention Center in Detroit. Everyone has their carpeted show area and there are pathways a few feet wide in between all the automakers (in this wing mostly Chinese). It's not an area that anyone would consider driving. But the chairman's not anyone. All of a sudden the car starts moving down the hall and towards the Michelin design gallery. While this is happening the contingent of BYD executives that aren't snapping pictures realize that they need to move people out of the way lest they be hit by the chairman. The translator cooly explains the merits of this clearly workable prototype as the chairman calmly drives around as though he's navigating a quiet boulevard in Shenzhen. I'm now completely taken with my good luck at getting a real test drive from the Chairman, looking back at the BYD booth now 100 feet away. I was convinced that this was the end of the trip and the car would be backed up to the booth. And then the car sped up to about 10 mph, which is an uncomfortable speed in the middle of a convention center. There was only one obstacle in the way: a press conference. The American Le Mans Series was holding a press conference to discuss the environmental innovations they were making in their racing (including the introduction of E85 ethanol to the racing series). It was fitting then that the chairman of the small chinese automaker, that sells annually in China what Honda sells in a month in the US, was pointing his answer to the environmental question right at them. And we mean right at them. Right in front of the car was a soon-to-be confused production assistant with a headset going through the sequences of the conference on her walkie-talkie on the area in front of the press, completing the tasks she probably rehearsed all day. She stood alone in the small path that separated the stage with all the conference presenters and the assembled automotive press with their photographers and TV cameras. Despite the obstacle the chairman pressed on straight at her. A fast acting reporter in the front row tugged on her jacket and she quickly turned to see us in the prototype car. As she moved out of the way I did my best to indicate to the collected press and the poor production crew that I was so sorry we had suddenly driven through their press conference. After that it was all open road convention center floor. Either everyone had gotten the memo or the BYD folks acted quickly enough to move those who weren't in the press conference, because the chairmen was able to glide the prototype quickly around the floor and back towards the BYD booth. The staff quickly worked to help the chairman back into the display before anyone noticed (other than all the press) that we'd driven a car under a strict-import rule that's not certified to drive on roads, let alone not certified to drive around a convention center. When we jumped out I thanked the Chairman and his staff for letting me be the first, and only, member of the American press to get a drive in this functional prototype due for production in China in the near future. And how was the car? I have to admit, besides it's "heavily borrowed" styling, the F6DM was quite smooth and with a level of fit and finish that was superior to many of the other full production cars on display from China. And that electric motor? Quiet as a mouse. And though we didn't get the high-speed tour, the car drove smoothly and easily around the floor. Is this the future? I can't be sure. But there's no doubt that the company's Chairman is dedicated to proving his car works. Conventions and convention center staff be damned. About the car... Detroit Auto Show: BYD Wants To Build Your Dreams, If Your Dream Is A Ferrous Battery-Powered Honda Accord BYD Motors ("Build Your Dreams") made news today at the auto show when they announced a ferrous battery-powered dual mode hybrid. This battery is big news as it has no heavy metals, is recyclable and should provide a 10-minute fast charge at special charging stations. The plug-in hybrid will be a version of their F6 (Honda Accord) sedan, the F6DM. And while this Honda Accord F6DM may not reach American shores anytime soon, this PHEV will see the light of day in China later this year. The system should achieve a range of 267 miles, including 62 miles in all electric mode. And how are they with batteries? BYD is the largest producer of rechargeable batteries in the world (you may have one in your cell phone now). More... This breakthrough will be made possible by the development of a unique lithium-phosphate battery. Described as "ferrous" by BYD engineers, it's designed to increase the available range. According to Henry Z. Li, General Manager of Vehicle Exportation at BYD Auto, this high-output battery is durable and quick to recharge. An experimental BYD-designed 220-volt recharge station was able to restore 50 percent of the battery's power in only 10 minutes. By comparison, nine hours would be necessary for a full charge with a 110-volt household outlet. Affordability is another benefit of the "ferrous" battery system. Mr. Li estimates that it would require a premium of only $6,000 or so, adding that current lithium-ion systems make hybrid vehicles much more expensive than their gasoline counterparts. As mentioned at the beginning, BYD executives plan on marketing the F6 DM by the end of 2008 -- in China, of course. That being said, a lineup entirely comprised of dual-mode hybrids could hit American shores in the next 3-5 years. Among them would be not only the F6 DM, but also future DM variants of other models showcased at the 2008 NAIAS, namely the F3 compact sedan, the F3R hatchback and the stylish F8 coupe-convertible (similar to the VW Eos). Finally, Mr. Li told journalists that his company firmly intends to develop strong alliances with other automakers in order to spread the "ferrous" battery technology to all corners of the globe. BYD Auto is a division of BYD, the world's largest rechargeable battery manufacturer. As an independent automaker (no association whatsoever with the Chinese government), it began manufacturing cars in very limited numbers five years ago when the mother company purchased Tsinchuan Automobile Co. In 2006, BYD Auto only built 60,000 units, but last year, production capacity doubled. According to a company spokesman, BYD Auto could produce up to 600,000 units annually by 2013 or sooner. Video...

I was building one this morning and was pleasantly surprised by the fuel economy. Like with the Solstice/SKY, the 2.0 DI turbo actually gets better mileage than the N/A 2.4 liter.

Is this the wagon version of the i30/C'eeeeed? From what I've heard, those two are a lot better than the Elantra we get here. Where is it made... Slovakia?

The 3.5s lost their five-speed automatic for 2008. Now it's a lovely four-speed.

A lightly used BMW 645Ci, Merc CLK55, Jag XKR, or Maserati Coupe?

Make it good-looking and the idea could fly. The reason some people move out of traditional sedans is that they're useless when carpooling and someone wants to bring a friend along. Compact three-row MPVs like the Touran or Zafira don't work when you want cargo with your passengers, or have a rear-end collision, and big MPVs (minivans) are too, well, big and guzzle too much gas. A six-passenger two-row seems to address these concerns.

You know, I think a sports version of the Malibu would look pretty good. Now I realize Saturn reserves the "sports sedan" moniker for the AURA, but since the Malibu already resembles a tasteful, contemporary, German luxury sedan, some subtle "sports package" cues can make it both elegant and sporty. Think brushed aluminum replacing the exterior chrome trim, a slightly lowered ride height, a slightly more aggressive front and rear fascia, a trunklid with a slight lip... basically the Audi "S" treatment. I'm sure by SEMA time, though, we'll see the polar opposite - a slammed 'bu with 22-in chrome spinners, limo-tinted windows, two-tone paint, and shaved door handles.

It's really a different kind of luxury and style that doesn't rely on conventional proportions or traditional materials. The interior is luxurious in a very light, airy, and comforting way. It strays from the shiny woods and ruched upholstery, the automotive equivalent of neoclassical pillars, crown moldings, leather armchairs, and velvet curtains. Lincoln is fighting back the Teutonic insistence on gentleman's lounge luxury interiors, by designing something less formal and more contemporary.

Yeah, I'm sticking with my regular MacBook, cause it's $600 cheaper. But I like how this is like a concept car - it's pushing the boundaries of design and technology. Future MacBooks will be thinner and have an LED-lit screen because of this. An optical drive is probably reassuring to have, like a spare tire, but not absolutely essential in the ultra-portable class. I've used my SuperDrive a total of four times.

I actually really like it. The concept behind the "T" in "MKT" is touring, and this is supposed to be a big, powerful, long-distance, continent-crossing "grand tourer", like a 2+2 GT. The production version would probably be a 2+2+2, with all-weather capabilities to boot. It's a concept explored by the R-class (production version of Merc's Grand Sports Tourer concept) and the X6 (all-weather 2+2 GT).

Wow, it looks much better in silver than in orangey-red. I actually kinda like it now.

3 lbs 0.16 to 0.76 in thick anodized aluminum LED backlit 13.3 in screen iSight fullsize lit keyboard iPhone-esque touchpad available solid-state hard drive 802.11n Bluetooth 2.1 + edr Remote Disc (use the optical drive of another computer, wirelessly) Time Capsule (wireless backup) http://www.apple.com/macbookair/#ad There's also a new iPhone software update that allows users to find their current location, without needing a GPS attachment, essentially making a nav system useless, or at least in the city.

I took an ASTRA XE for a spin earlier today. It stickered at $18-something-K and had two options: air conditioning and the automatic transmission. Overall, it drove very nicely - nice steering feel, good brake feel, excellent ride quality, very low levels of noise, and an overall sense of refinement and solidity. The interior is a bit drab, the door slams don't have as pleasing a "thunk" as a Rabbit's, nor is the back seat or cargo area as spacious, but everything is well-made and the materials can't be faulted. I wouldn't call the ASTRA a "premium" small car, but it's definitely a good, solid compact entry.

The interior looks rather semi-homemade. I prefer the turn signal stalks on their Latigo CS and Tramonto.

Normally I don't like Toyota styling or design, but I actually don't mind this Venza. It's more stylish than the vanilla Toyotas we typically get in the US, and some of the details are quite clever. A large-displacement four-cylinder has potential in the future, a great idea especially in these types of crossover vehicles, provided NVH can be kept down. A small turbocharged four-cylinder (aka Ecoboost) has a similar use, but it'll likely cost more.

More like 30 mpg city, 40 mpg highway Accord, at best. But still amazing.

SATURN VUE GREEN LINE PLUG-IN HYBRID SUV MAY BEGIN PRODUCTION IN 2010 Expected to be First Commercially Available, OEM-produced Plug-in Hybrid DETROIT – Saturn announced today at the North American International Auto Show that production will may begin as soon as 2010 on a plug-in hybrid electric version of the Saturn Vue Green Line, expected to be the first regular production plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Depending on a consumer’s drive cycle, the Vue plug-in hybrid will be the most fuel-efficient vehicle offered by a major automaker. This Vue Green Line will use a modified version of GM’s two-mode hybrid system and plug-in technology, a lithium-ion battery pack, highly efficient electronics and powerful electric motors to achieve significant increases in fuel economy. When the lithium-ion batteries are fully charged, the Vue plug-in hybrid will potentially double the fuel efficiency of any current SUV. After electric-only propulsion depletes the lithium-ion energy storage system to a specified level, the battery is replenished by utilizing the two-mode hybrid system’s electric motors and regenerative brake systems. “We announced late in 2006 that a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle was a top priority, and the fact that we’re now announcing production timing to bring the industry’s first plug-in to market, while tackling many technology hurdles along the way, demonstrates our commitment to diversifying from petroleum and reducing emissions,” said Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak. In early testing, the Vue Green Line plug-in hybrid is capable of electric-only propulsion for more than 10 miles at low speeds. At higher speeds or when conditions demand it, such as brisk acceleration, a combination of engine and electric power or engine power-only drives the vehicle. The vehicle’s lithium-ion batteries can be fully recharged in four to five hours by simply connecting the vehicle to any standard 110V household electrical outlet. The connection port on the vehicle will be integrated into the front fender. By recharging rather than refueling, the Vue Green Line plug-in hybrid reduces petroleum consumption. A plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle differs from a non-plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle by offering extended electric-only propulsion, additional battery capacity and the ability to be recharged from an external electrical outlet. The two-mode hybrid system to be introduced on the 2009 Saturn Vue Green Line 2 Mode will be altered for use with plug-in technology. In addition to plug-in capabilities and the modified two-mode hybrid system, the Saturn Vue Green Line hybrid SUV’s powertrain will feature two interior permanent magnet motors within the two-mode transmission and GM’s 3.6L V-6 VVT gasoline engine with direct injection. The lithium-ion energy storage system will be replenished by utilizing the two-mode hybrid system’s electric motors and regenerative braking systems. The Saturn Vue Green Line plug-in maintains two driving modes – one for city driving, the other for highway driving – and four fixed mechanical gears to maximize efficiency while maintaining performance. In addition, special controls will be utilized to enable higher speeds during electric-only propulsion and maintain electric-only propulsion for longer periods of time.

I guess it'll compete against the Modern Gentleman TF to be made in Kansas.

I also don't buy the "performance hybrid" idea - look at how well the GS450h and Accord Hybrid did. And Saturn is not exactly a high performance brand that caters to the $30K and above people; the Outlook is not selling too hot. I'd rather see this two-mode system destroy an Escape Hybrid, or at least improve on the VUE GL light-hybrid mpg.