Green Car of the Year

In the world of automotive awards, GCOTY is a fairly new one. Established just four years ago, the first one was awarded to the 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid. A year later, the 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid was the recipient, while the following year the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid received the award that was presented, for the first time, at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Last year, the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI became the first-ever clean diesel to win Green Car Journal’s Green Car of the Year honor.

Requirements

In order to qualify for a nomination, a vehicle must, according to Green Car Journal, “exhibit characteristics that substantially raise the bar in environmental performance and be in production by January 1 of the award year.” In addition, each nominee is driven by Green Car Journal so that its driving characteristics can be observed first-hand. Nominee vehicles must also be in production to make sure they are readily available to the market during their award year.

The winner is selected by an 11 member panel that is comprised of both automotive as well as environmental experts. Past jurors have included such luminaries as Jean-Michael Cousteau of the Ocean Futures Society and Carl Pope of the Sierra Club as well as TV personality and major car aficionado Jay Leno and legendary race car driver and designer Carroll Shelby.

2010 Nominees

In alphabetical order, here are the 2010 nominees:

2010 Audi A3 TDI

Audi makes its first appearance on the list with the A3 TDI clean diesel. Equipped with a 2.0 liter TFSI turbocharged direct injection diesel, this smallest of Audis produces 200 horsepower and 207 lb.-ft. of torque.

Engine: 2.0-liter inline-four diesel
Emissions, EU5; PZEV or ULEVII
Horsepower: 200
Fuel Economy, city/hwy mpg: 21/30 (EPA) with manual transmission
Base MSRP: $30,775

2010 Honda Insight

The second generation Insight brings with it a new level of affordability to the hybrid sedan segment. Borrowing its name from Honda’s first production hybrid vehicle, the Insight is a completely new model from the ground up.

Engine: 1.3-liter inline-four, gasoline-electric hybrid
Emissions, EPA/CARB: Tier 2, Bin 5/AT-PZEV
Horsepower: 98
Fuel Economy, city/hwy mpg: 40/43 (EPA)
Base MSRP: $20,510

2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid

The Mercury Milan hybrid is the mechanical twin of Ford’s Fusion hybrid. Under the hood, the Milan benefits from the same new 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder engine with intake variable cam timing as the Escape/Mariner hybrids, the green-friendly models produce 156 hp and 136 lb.-ft. of torque.

Engine: 2.5-liter inline-four Atkinson-cycle
Emissions, EPA/CARB: Tier 2, Bin 5/AT-PZEV
Horsepower: 156
Fuel Economy, city/hwy mpg: 41/36 (EPA)
Base MSRP: $26,280

2010 Toyota Prius

The new Prius is certainly the latest way for environmental fashionistas to wear their colors. It also represents the third generation of the most popular hybrid on the planet. Completely re-designed and re-engineered while retaining its unmistakable styling, Toyota has endowed the latest Prius with such cutting edge engineering features as a “Touch Tracer” display and an electric water pump, thus requiring no accessory drive belts on the engine.

Engine: 1.8-liter inline-four Atkinson-cycle
Emissions, EPA/CARB: Tier 2 Bin 3/SULEV AT-PZEV
Horsepower: 98
Fuel Economy, city/hwy mpg: 51/48 (EPA)
Base MSRP: $22,750

2010 VW Golf TDI

Here’s where the fun starts. The VW, it must be noted, is the antithesis of the Prius. It has terrific handling that engages the driver and a clean diesel engine that meets emissions certification in all 50 states. To top it all off, fuel economy is 30 city/41 highway, with many drivers claiming close to 50 mpg.

Engine: 2.0-liter inline-four, diesel
Emissions, EPA/CARB: Tier 2, Bin 5/SULEV
Horsepower: 140
Fuel Economy, city/hwy mpg: 30/41 (EPA)
Base MSRP: $22,690

Vision EfficientDynamics Concept

Late last week BMW released images of its latest concept vehicle, the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept, which will be revealed to the public for the first time at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show.

The Vision, executed in a 2+2 body style, uses plug-in full hybrid technology and, in the words of BMW, “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.”

To accomplish this feat, BMW used a “clean-sheet” design and engineering process for the Vision. A three-cylinder 1.5-liter turbo-diesel that produces 163 hp (109/liter) and 214 lb.-ft of torque and is supplemented by two electric motors, one for the front axle and one for the rear axle. Much like a mid-engine vehicle, the diesel is fitted forward of the rear axle with an electric motor positioned between the engine and a 6-speed double-clutch transmission (DCT).

Power and performance

Power output for the rear electric motor is constant 33 hp with a possible peak of 51 hp. Maximum torque is 214 lb.-ft. either supporting the engine or in all-electric mode. The second electric motor on the front axle offers a continuous output of 80 hp and peak torque of 162 lb.-ft. with 112 hp available for up to 30 seconds and 139 horsepower available for 10-second “bursts”.

In total, the overall output is 356 horsepower with a peak torque rating of 590 lb.-ft. (a maximum output for passing and quick acceleration situations). Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph, with a 0-62 mph time of 4.8 seconds. Fuel consumption is excellent, with an EU test cycle equivalent to 62.6 mpg.

Energy is stored in 98 lithium-polymer battery cells (with a total weight of just 187 lbs.) which can be charged via regenerative braking or, as the need arises, through a plug-in solution (the European 220 V, 16 Amp system will fully charge the Vision in 2.5 hours or less). A 6.6 gallon fuel tank gives the Vision Concept a 400 mile range, while in all-electric mode it will travel up to 31 miles, giving the vehicle a total range of nearly 431 miles.

Style

As for its styling, suffice it to say that the BMW Vision Concept makes the current generation of Lamborghinis look quite tame in comparison. The menacing look of the vehicle’s snout morphs into flowing curves along its flanks that terminate with a flourish of curves surrounding delicate floating taillamps. Given BMW’s “clean sheet” philosophy for the Vision, it will be interesting to see of any of its design cues make their way into the brand’s production vehicles in the future.

Images courtesy of BMW

Newest Buick

Late last week, General Motors offered up a teaser image of a new Buick crossover vehicle that will be introduced as a 2011 model. According to the press release, the as-yet-to-be-named crossover will seat five and will first arrive in 2010 powered by a new family of direct-injected gasoline engines.

One year later, in 2011, a plug-in hybrid version will arrive and it’s expected to be the first commercially available plug-in SUV produced by a major automaker.

“Buick has always been at the forefront of new technology, so it is only fitting that the brand should debut our new plug-in hybrid technology in a beautiful new crossover,” said Tom Stephens, GM vice chairman of product development. “This will firmly put Buick, and GM, front and center in the advanced technology game.”

Gasoline version

They new hybrid will be smaller than the current Buick Enclave. According to Susan Docherty, general manager of Buick-Pontiac-GMC, “Some customers who have been drawn to the Enclave were looking for something a little smaller. We believe this new Buick will excite those customers, and will continue to broaden the appeal of the brand.”

The first engine to appear in the smaller SUV will be GM’s Ecotec 2.4-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine; while an optional 3.0-liter directed-injected V-6 will be available that is expected to deliver 30 plus mpg on the highway.

Plug-in version

They hybrid version will be powered by a modified version of the General’s current 2-Mode Hybrid system using advanced lithium-ion battery cells and the charging technology that was developed for the Chevrolet Volt.

The 8 kWh battery – containing half the energy of the Volt’s battery pack – can be fully recharged in four to five hours by connecting the vehicle to a conventional 110V household electrical outlet. If early testing is any indication, the Buick SUV should be capable of electric-only propulsion for more than ten miles at low speeds, while over-the-road the vehicle can use any combination of electric or gasoline engine power.

In addition to the battery pack, the hybrid’s powertrain system also includes two electric motors, an electronic control and battery management system, as well as a 3.6-liter direct-injected V-6 flex-fuel engine.

Déjà vu

If this all sounds strangely familiar, it should be remembered that earlier this year, before General Motors had decided to sell off the Saturn division, it was announced that the Saturn Vue 2-mode hybrid would also be available in a plug-in version. And while GM is tight-lipped on whether the new Buick is based on the Vue’s underpinnings (which, itself, is based on the German Opel Antara), chances are good that it is.

Images courtesy of General Motors

A first for Kia

At LotPro.com we see that Hyundai-Kia’s Kia division unveiled its first production hybrid electric vehicle, the Forte Liquid Petroleum Injection (LPI) Hybrid in Seoul today, July 15th.

Based on the Forte 4-door sedan, the Forte LPI Hybrid joins its sedan sibling and the Forte Koup as the third member of Kia’s newest nameplate. According to information supplied by Kia, the company invested approximately $180 billion over a period of 25 months in order to develop the Forte LPI.

Drivetrain

The Forte LPI Hybrid is powered by a 1.6-liter “Gamma” engine, specifically engineered by Kia to run on liquid petroleum gas, coupled to a continuously variable transmission. The CVT, unique to the hybrid, is equipped with what Kia is calling special “E-gear” (Eco Drive) electronics that enable the transmission to make automatic adjustments in order to ensure maximum fuel efficiency.

The other half of the Forte’s hybrid system consists of an electric motor, inverter, converter and 180V lithium ion polymer battery. The system is augmented by Kia’s Idle Stop and Go (ISG) function, which switches off the engine during idle to further reduce emissions and improve fuel economy. The system also is active when the driver applies the brakes after running the vehicle for more than two seconds at speeds of 5.6 miles per hour or higher.

Exterior modifications

In addition to its unique drivetrain, the Forte LPI is the recipient of a number of body modifications designed to cut down on aerodynamic drag. LPI-specific front and rear bumper skirts, aluminum wheels and a small rear lip spoiler are the most obvious differences. Kia has also added underbody covers to the engine compartment and most of the passenger compartment that result in a Cd of just 0.26 for the LPI, as compared to 0.29 for all other Forte sedans.

Inside, the LPI boasts of what Kia calls its “full-digital SuperVision” instrumentation which, for all you Clark Kent wannabees out there, includes an “Eco Guide” function that will encourage drivers along the road to greenness with an “Eco Driving Point” icon.

While both the engine and the electric motor are activated when the ignition is turned on, only the engine will actually power the vehicle when cruising. The battery is designed to store energy created using regenerative braking and will be used solely to power onboard vehicle accessory systems.

The envelope, please

The results of all this green technical wizardry enable the Forte LPI Hybrid to return a fuel efficiency rating of 42 miles per gallon and CO2 emissions of 99g/km, qualifying it as a Super Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV).

As of this writing, Kia has no firm plans to export the Forte LPI Hybrid outside the home market in Korea, although the press release announcing the hybrid did state that, “feasibility studies are being conducted to assess consumer interest and potential demand in markets that possess liquid petroleum refueling infrastructure.”

 All images courtesy of Kia Motors Corporation

Hybrid lift truck

Here at LotPro.com, we thought that production vehicles that never remotely match their concept counterparts were the exclusive domain of the automobile industry. It turns out that we were wrong. A case in point is, believe it or not, the lift truck industry and the culprit is familiar to anyone who has ever attended an auto show.

Today, Toyota Industries Corporation unveiled what it calls “the world’s first internal combustion hybrid truck.” According to TICO, “the ground-breaking ‘GENEO-HYBRID’ 8,000 lb. counterbalanced lift truck combines a 2.5-liter diesel engine, electric motor and nickel-metal hydride battery to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 50%.

“Toyota has been a leader in hybrid development for years with the very popular Prius vehicle,” said Brett Wood, president of TMHU (Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc.). “We are excited to see hybrid technology entering the mainstream of material handling. This is a huge step forward for our industry.”

According to Toyota, their latest hybrid combines a Series Hybrid System for driving as well as a Parallel Hybrid System for load handling and will be launched in the Japanese market first (they always get the good stuff before we do).

Not like the concept

So far, so good – except if you had the chance to view the Concept Hybrid Lift Truck at this year’s Chicago Show – the ProMat 2009 show, that is, not the more familiar Chicago Auto Show.

Because on January 12th of this year, Toyota unveiled a real gee-whiz concept vehicle at the show that could’ve blown away the whole industry had they just had the nerve to build it.

If only.

From tailfins to connectivity

You’ve come a long way, baby. Here at LotPro.com, we can remember when it used to be all about tailfins. Back in the 60’s, car manufacturers – at least here in the U.S. – raced each other to see who could come out with the most outlandish tailfin design (in the end, it had to be the ’59 Cadillac). But in the new millennium, the latest consumer hot button seems to be all about affordable vehicle connectivity.

In a move that seems to have been every bit as prescient as hocking Ford up to its eyeballs as he did in 2006, CEO Alan Mulally formed a partnership with Microsoft that same year and announced that the new technology, called SYNC, would become available in 12 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models later that year.

More importantly, the decision was made to make the technology affordable ($395 as a stand-alone option and included at no cost on some trim levels – even in the Ford Focus) and to make it available across the entire vehicle lineup, not just the company’s luxury brands (its first production application was, in fact, in the Focus).

The payoff

Both decisions seem to have worked out brilliantly. In a world in which most automakers charge $1,000 or more for their infotainment systems, SYNC, which offers voice-activated, hands-free calling, audible text messages, calling features such as conference calling and call waiting, voice-activated music, voice recognition, ring tone support, phonebook transfer and a multilingual interface, is certainly a relative bargain. Since the system was introduced, Ford has sold many vehicles based, all or in part, on the fact that they were equipped with SYNC.

One particular advantage of a software-based system like SYNC is the ability to expand its applications. 2008 saw two application upgrades, Vehicle Health Report and 911 Assist™ while a new application, Traffic, Directions and Information, will be available this summer.

One million and counting

Since its introduction, SYNC has become synonymous with Ford. According to the company, more than 80 percent of the vehicles it sells in North America are equipped with the system.

Ford recently announced that it had delivered the 1 millionth SYNC equipped vehicle, a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid (coincidence? I think not) to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. Not only that, but the guy who schlepped the vehicle to Microsoft headquarters was none other than Ford CEO Alan Mulally (such a deal).

“We have made a commitment to deliver the vehicles that people really want and value,” Mulally said. “The success of SYNC is another proof point that we are doing just that. We will continue to innovate and expand the capability of SYNC by integrating even more new technologies that fit our customers’ lifestyles.”

Heute, Amerika, morgen die Welt (today America, tomorrow, the world)

So where does Ford go from here? “Working with Microsoft and other key technology partners, we’ve made Ford the connectivity leader in the auto industry,” said Jim Buczkowski, director of electrical and electronic systems. “We do not plan to stand still; we have several additional developments in the pipeline, including launching SYNC in Europe and around the world.”

A new era

Here at LotPro.com, we’ve always felt that many Americans haven’t yet take the hybrid plunge due to a couple of limiting factors: the cost of entry into the hybrid market is fairly expensive, and the additional expense of a hybrid drivetrain versus a standard petrol one can take upwards of ten to twenty years to amortize – depending on the cost of gasoline.

Since March 24th of this year, Honda has partially addressed one of those issues by pricing its new Insight hybrid at $20,800 (including destination charges). The issue of recouping the additional system costs of these kinds of vehicles will have to be left up to the free market cost of fuel until manufacturers can further reduce the initial investment of such things as batteries and the attendant electronics associated with hybrid systems. But enough of recent history, let’s get back to the reason we find ourselves discussing the Insight.

A first for a hybrid

For the month of April, Honda announced that, in Japan, the Insight ranked as the industry’s best-selling car among new vehicle registrations in vehicles with engines 660cc’s and over (which excludes mini-vehicles), according to the Japan Automobile Dealers Association.

Not only is this a milestone for the Insight as a model, it also represents the first time in Japan’s history that a hybrid model has attained the status of best selling vehicle in that country (the Insight has been on sale in Japan’s home market since February 6th).

Honda Fit news

April was also a good month for Honda’s B-segment vehicle, the Fit. In addition to being Japan’s sales leader for calendar year 2008, March represented the fourth consecutive month the Fit was the best selling car in Japan. And while its first-place ranking was displaced by the Insight in April, the Fit was still the second best seller in Japan last month – marking the first time ever that Honda has occupied the top two spots in its home market, another milestone for the company.

The Lone Star State

Although Texas may be known more for pickups than passenger vehicles (it is the number one market for pick-em-ups in the U.S.), it is still a very large market for cars. With the state’s combination of big cities and vast prairies, it may very well represent a middle ground between the import-heavy east and west coasts and the domestic-leaning heartland of our country.

Now in its seventh year, the Spring Challenge is a perfect foil to the annual Texas Truck Rodeo which takes place in the fall. This year, the Challenge took place at the Texas Motor Speedway from April 26th to 28th and honored vehicles from the following categories: Car of Texas (the overall winner), the Family Car of Texas, Most Innovative, Best New Design, Best Use of Technology and (as we wrote about yesterday) Best Value.

Here at LotPro.com, then, we see the findings of the Texas auto writers as being, at least geographically speaking, somewhat unbiased. So from that perspective, here are the winners of this year’s Writer’s Choice Awards:

The Car of Texas – 2010 Chevrolet Camaro

Yes, the Camaro is back. And even if you’re not a fan of the Transformers movie or even muscle cars in general, you have to appreciate the 111 more horses the SS version has over the Mustang GT while matching that V-8’s fuel economy figures.

The Family Car of Texas – 2009 Ford Flex

Squint hard enough and you will see a maxi version of the MINI intended for real families (not just 2 Pomeranians in the back). 2010 promises to give us a much-improved version of the Flex when Ford applies its EcoBoost magic with direct injection and twin turbocharging for a total of 355 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque.

Most Innovative – 2010 Volvo XC60

We told you this wasn’t going to be a domestic-only event. Among its many notable safety features, the City Safety System used by Volvo in their new XC60 crossover uses a laser system mounted behind the top of the windshield to detect imminent collisions below 19 miles per hour and, barring driver intervention, automatically stop the vehicle.

Best New Design – 2010 Chevrolet Camaro

It’s true. In addition to its zero to sixty performance, the new Camaro looks way cool.

Best Use of Technology – 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Ford recently set a record of 1445 miles on a single tank of gas while averaging 81.5 miles per gallon which certainly qualifies as a “best use of technology” in our book.

Best Value – 2010 Kia Soul

Kia is to the new millennium what Japanese manufacturers were to the 80’s – a company with a history of econocars that suddenly blossoms into one that offers both economy and style – plus one of the best warranties in the industry.

The Bottom Line

Once again, a tip of the Stetson to TAWA and all the winners of this year’s Spring Challenge.

Efficiency thy name is Fusion

Here at LotPro.com, we were planning on writing a follow-up to our original article (Ford Team to Drive 2010 Fusion Hybrid a Thousand Miles on a Single Tank of Gas) yesterday morning. That’s when Ford engineers had originally determined that the Fusion would hit the 1,000 mile mark of the original challenge.

But after logging into their Facebook page as well as checking their Tweets, it appeared that although the Fusion Hybrid had crossed the mileage target, there was still almost a third of a tank of petrol in the gas tank. So the team drove on.

Using drivers that have been trained in mileage-maximizing techniques (see below), the team of six managed to destroy their original estimated finish time of just over 43 hours as well as the 1,000 mile threshold. By the time the Fusion ran out of gas at 5:37 a.m. on Tuesday April 28th and rolled to a stop on the George Washington Parkway, it had beaten the first mark by more than 26 hours and the second by 445.7 miles – nearly doubling its U.S. certified mileage (the Fusion’s official estimated range is approximately 700 miles per tank).

In the process of driving the challenge, announced on Earth Day, the team took several different routes around the Capital City that ranged from the fairly open (by D.C. standards) George Washington Parkway to a 3 mile stretch in the heart of the District that features roughly 30 traffic signals (lest you think this was just an easy jaunt around the countryside).

JDRF

As a bonus, the challenge team, which included Ford NASCAR star Carl Edwards, was able to raise more than $8,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

“Not only does this demonstrate the Fusion Hybrid’s fuel efficiency, it also shows that driving technique is one of the keys to maximizing its potential,” said Nancy Gioia, director, Ford Sustainable Mobility Technologies and Hybrid Vehicle Programs. “The fact that we were able raise much needed funds for JDRF while raising the bar on fuel efficient driving performance made the effort doubly worthwhile.”

Maximum mileage techniques

You don’t have to be a NASCAR ace or an engineering geek to maximize your own vehicle’s mileage. Here are some tips from the pros and they include:

•    Slowing down and maintaining even throttle pressure;
•    Gradually accelerating and smoothly braking;
•    Maintaining a safe distance between vehicles and anticipating traffic conditions;
•    Coasting up to red lights and stop signs to avoid fuel waste and brake wear;
•    Minimize use of heater and air conditioning to reduce the load on the engine;
•    Close windows at high speeds to reduce aerodynamic drag;
•    Applying the “Pulse and Glide” technique while maintaining the flow of traffic;
•    Minimize excessive engine workload by using the vehicle’s kinetic forward motion to climb hills, and use downhill momentum to build speed; and
•    Avoiding bumps and potholes that can reduce momentum

Earth Day 2009

Here at LotPro.com, we want to wish everyone a happy Earth Day. And what better way to do this than to pass along a story from Ford Motor Company regarding an upcoming attempt by a team of drivers – including NASCAR ace Carl Edwards – to drive 1,000 miles on a single tank of 87 octane gas.

The event is scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 25th from the town of Mount Vernon, Virginia (where George used to live) and will finish in Washington, D.C. (the district named after him) on Monday, April 27th. During that time, a team of 6 drivers will take turns driving 2-3 hour shifts and will drive more than 43 continuous hours. The vehicle they will be driving is a factory produced Fusion Hybrid with no modifications or alterations. Rounding out the driving team that consists of Edwards and Wayne Gerdes, founder of www.cleanmpg.com is Sherif Marakby, graduate of Maryland University and Ford hybrid chief engineer; Gil Portalatin, Ford hybrid applications manager and Ford Fusion Hybrid team leader; Tom Rolewicz, one of Ford’s top calibration experts and hybrid system expert; and Steve Burke, Ford product expert on hybrid applications.

Although the challenge is not a slam-dunk by any means, Ford engineers have achieved 70 mpg during testing of the Fusion Hybrid in preparation for the event.

Hypermiling

In order to achieve maximum mileage, drivers will be using the following techniques:

•    Slowing down and maintaining even throttle pressure;
•    Gradually accelerating and smoothly braking;
•    Maintaining a safe distance between vehicles and anticipating traffic conditions;
•    Coasting up to red lights and stop signs to avoid fuel waste and brake wear;
•    Minimize use of heater and air conditioning to reduce the load on the engine;
•    Close windows at high speeds to reduce aerodynamic drag;
•    Applying the “Pulse and Glide” technique while maintaining the flow of traffic;
•    Minimize excessive engine workload by using the vehicle’s kinetic forward motion to climb hills, and use downhill momentum to build speed; and
•    Avoiding bumps and potholes that can reduce momentum

In addition to raising the awareness of the company’s latest green vehicle, Ford is also using the challenge to raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) in the process. How’s that for a win-win?

For more information

The team will be uploading regular images and video to YouTube, Flickr, Facebook and Twitter.