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A new American motorcycle manufacturer Roehr has just announced its intentions to offer both racing and street versions of the eRoehr electric motorcycle.

Roehr’s first motorcycle, the 1250sc, offers up 180 horsepower via a modified and supercharged Harley-Davidson Revolution engine.  The AC induction unit specified for the Roehr eSuperbike is said to have 96 hp and 210 pound-feet of torque.  Sounds like a monster to me!

A 10 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack will provide the power for the bike.  A second version with a similar motor will be offered that will produce 48 hp and 105 lb-ft paired with a 6kWh battery, and will be a ble to reach a top speed of 100 miles per hour.

The official price has not yet been release.  For a complete press release please read below. 

Source: Roehr

VW has announced that all models in its group are getting the all-new 1.6-liter diesel engine.  This new engine, manages to reduce both fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions.  While the 1.9-liter TDIe managed to burn 4.1 l/100 km, the new 1.6-liter lowers it further to 3.8 l/100 km (a drop of 57 to 62 mpg U.S.), and CO₂ emissions go from 109 to 99 g/km.  Besides the new engine, the car gets all the standard improvements to keep diesel consumption low, like aerodynamic improvements, low-rolling resistance tires and a lowered body stance. 

But if you are not a diesel lover, Audi has a different solution for you.  Audi introduces the all new 1.2-liter Turbo engine that produces 105hp and 175 Nm of torque (129 lb-ft).  This engine, is combines with a 6-speed manual gearbox, will replace the current 1.6 liter base engine for Europe.  Fuel consumption is a very respectable 5.5 l/100 km (43 mpg U.S.) and CO₂ emissions remain the same at 127 g/km.  Both models are going on sale in Germany during the first half of 2010, with prices starting at €23,550 and €20,500, respectively. 

No word if any of these engines will make it to US (probably not).

Source: Auto News (german)

Toyota is kicking it up a notch by still trying to stay ahead of its competition with introducing an all new Prius Hybrid.  It is not here for sale just yet but just to give you an idea of what we may be looking at, it will come with high-output, lithium-ion battery that can be charged in 90 minutes.  It will also go 20 km in EV mode and run up to 62 mph on electricity.  Below is the complete press release from Toyota.

PRESS RELEASE

Clean urban mobility Prius and Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept

Reinforcing the company’s environmental leadership in addressing the needs of tomorrow’s customers today, Toyota is leading the drive towards sustainable mobility through the goal of the ultimate Eco Car.

In recognition of the importance of energy diversification, the latest development in Toyota’s plug-in vehicle programme, the Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept, represents a significant expansion of the Hybrid Synergy Drive® system’s capabilities and introduces a further development in environmentally-friendly mobility.
Click here to read more…

Ford’s introduced their third EcoBoost member, the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine.  The new engine joins the 3.5-liter V6 and 2.0-liter four-cylinder. it will features direct gasoline injection, a turbocharger and dual independent variable valve timing. 

Final numbers are not yet available, but the rough estimates for 1.6-liter should produce about 180 horsepower and 170-175 lb-ft of torque.  Ford is planning to use these EcoBoost engines to replace their larger NA engines in various cars/trucks like, Focus and the new C-Max line, CUVs and SUVs.

Ford plans to have their new engines in 80 percent of its product lines and 1.3 million of these engines on the road over the next four years.

Click here to read more…

PRESS RELEASE:

The 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 – American Market Version

* 13.08.2009
* Press Release

Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, 13 August 2009, 6pm Eastern… BMW announced today the production version of the BMW ActiveHybrid X6. The BMW ActiveHybrid X6 will make its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) in September and will reach US BMW Centers in fourth-quarter 2009. ActiveHybrid technology provides a glimpse into the future, achieving outstanding driving dynamics with equally impressive efficiency. It melds both of these qualities to offer a truly unique driving experience. The world’s first Sports Activity Coupe with full hybrid drive capitalizes on the options offered by combining the combustion engine with electric motors to create a powertrain with new levels dynamic performance and efficiency.

Click here to read more…

General Motors CEO Fritz Henderson has announced ad very interesting piece of news today regarding Chevy Volt.  It has been promissed that Volt will have a staggering 230 MPG rating in the city, but apperently this is not as simple as GM would like you to believe.  The EPA has released a new way for calculating and determining a fuel economy standard for extended-range EVs like the Volt, and this is the system that has shown Chevy’s unusually large triple digit MPG rating.

Unfortunately, the promised November ship date looks like will slip again, and this time to an unknown month and year.  Another interesting fact is that report has also noted that there is “no assurance” that it will qualify for any remaining energy loans to develop advanced fuel technology automobiles.  Here are some words directly out of the report regarding this: “Our competitors and others are pursuing similar technologies and other competing technologies, in some cases with more money available; there can be no assurance that they will not acquire similar or superior technologies sooner than we do.”

Hmm Very interesting, right?

Source: AutoblogGreen

Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann has confirmed that the company is working on a hybrid version of Lamborghini Gallardo.  This was only a matter of time since every car manufacturer is jumping on the electric band wagon.  This electric super car is expected to hit the market in 2015, the same exact year as Ferrari will be releasing their fuel saving version.

But do not wary you super car lovers, Lamborghini is not planning to replace gasoline power plant completely.  The plan is to have a small electric motor that would propel the cat at low speeds, after which either the so much loved V10 or V12 engine would take over and let the fun begin.  

We will all be eagerly awaiting more details on this future car.

Source:  Popular Science

Nissan introduces a new Dual Injector System that they believe will will offer a fuel mileage increase of roughly four percent.  Larger displacement engines will get direct injection, and smaller engines will get the Dual Injector System.  The Japanese automaker says the technology, which splits the fuel squirting duties through twin intake ports, reduces the diameter of fuel droplets by a substantial 60%, thereby improving vaporization.

Nissan also claims that its Dual Injector System costs 60% less than comparable direct injection technology, and the system allows for a 50% reduction in the amount of rare precious metals in the catalytic converter. This should be an easy sell.

Click here to read more…

Land Rover is looking to to go green and they are doing it.  The will be adopting a new hybrid system for use in their new compact Range Rover LXR.  As a part of their hybrid system they are expected to implement a new drive system that can run on electric only, petrol only or a combination of the two. 

Another cool developmental part that should see itself in to this vehicle, is the Land-e’s clever electric drive rear axle, which can send electric power to the front axle, adjust the inner and outer wheel torque as needed or completely disengage itself from center differential, to always make sure it has traction. Working together with the above mentioned system will be the manufacturer’s Terrain Response system.  We are all looking forward to get more official details on this very anticipated Range Rover.

Source: Auto Express

The Energy Department is expected to announce today that it is lending money to the Ford, Nissan and Tesla from a $25 billion fund to continue the development of new fuel-efficient vehicles.

A total of $38 billion from the loan program will be disbursed to the automakers. Ford has asked to receive $5 billion in loans by 2011. Nissan has applied for an undisclosed amount of assistance, and Tesla has asked for $450 million.

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