Toyota’s Prius Prime plug-in hybrid touts 120MPG

Toyota's Prius line has lost some of its luster in recent years. While it's still synonymous with hybrid cars, its plug-in hybrid model is facing stiff competition that has an edge in terms of pure electric range. The auto giant isn't standing stil...

Delorean Electric travels back in time to the basement of the New York International Auto Show

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Yes we've seen it before but, with a cheeky license plate like that, we couldn't resist stopping by to ogle it again. It's the DMCev and, while it's been in the cards for quite some time now, it's finally getting close to production. Delorean Motor Company president Stephen Wynn was on-hand to demo the machine and give a few nuggets of information. DMC will be assembling the car in Houston, TX ahead of planned deliveries in 2013 with a cost of $95,000. For that you can get a 100 mile range, 0 - 60 time of 4.9 seconds and stainless steel body panels that almost, almost match the color of the plastic nose and tail sections. Sure, $95k may seem like a lot for an electric refresh of a 30-year-old car, but unlike other overpriced pieces of 1985 memorabilia this one actually works.

Delorean Electric travels back in time to the basement of the New York International Auto Show originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 16:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Intel and Nissan collaborate on Infiniti’s 2013 infotainment system, Atom inside

Intel and Nissan collaborate on infotainment system for Infiniti's 2013 lineup, Atom processor lurks within
Intel is notorious for marking its territory on a wide array of consumer gear, but one piece of kit that's unlikely to sport that famous sticker is the infotainment system of Nissan's 2013 Infiniti lineup. Unveiled today at the New York International Auto Show, the in-vehicle computer represents a collaboration between Intel and Nissan and was showcased within the Infiniti LE concept vehicle. On the inside lurks an Atom CPU, which bucks the general trend toward ARM architecture in these systems. Both companies put their collective heads together to create cloud-based services for smartphone users such as video surveillance, vehicle control and monitoring. As another nice refinement, users will also be able to use their phone's NFC capabilities for keyless entry to the carriage -- no word on whether it can similarly activate the ignition. You'll find the full PR after the break.

Continue reading Intel and Nissan collaborate on Infiniti's 2013 infotainment system, Atom inside

Intel and Nissan collaborate on Infiniti's 2013 infotainment system, Atom inside originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 20:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan NV200 Taxi of Tomorrow hands-on (video)

Nissan NV200 Taxi of Tomorrow hands-on (video)
It is, admittedly, difficult to get too excited about a ride in a taxi. Taxis tend to smell, their drivers tend to be rather abrupt in their piloting style and there's a good chance you won't be able to find one when you really need it. Nissan's "Taxi of Tomorrow," then, is hardly the most alluring concept car on display at the New York International Auto Show, but it is, however, the one you're most likely to actually get to take a ride in. It's also a huge advance compared to the the rather tired 'ol Crown Vic. Join us after the break for an exploration of why.

Continue reading Nissan NV200 Taxi of Tomorrow hands-on (video)

Nissan NV200 Taxi of Tomorrow hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Terrafugia Transition aircraft first hands-on (video)

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People used to say that cars in the '50s and '60s had fins, giant wing-like protuberances that designers grafted on to capitalize on the fledgling concepts of aerodynamics. Your fist impression of the Terrafugia Transition is much the same as standing next to a 1959 Coupe de Ville -- it's huge, and the giant vertical stabilizers on the back have a distinctly Cadillac feel. This, however, is different. Sure, it too is made in the US, but it's crafted of carbon fiber, titanium and aluminum, costs $279,000 and seats only two. Oh, and did we mention it can fly? It's making its major auto show debut this week and we got a chance to check it out. Follow us after the break for some grounded impressions.

Continue reading Terrafugia Transition aircraft first hands-on (video)

Terrafugia Transition aircraft first hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 09:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Terrafugia Transition aircraft first hands-on (video)

Image
People used to say that cars in the '50s and '60s had fins, giant wing-like protuberances that designers grafted on to capitalize on the fledgling concepts of aerodynamics. Your fist impression of the Terrafugia Transition is much the same as standing next to a 1959 Coupe de Ville -- it's huge, and the giant vertical stabilizers on the back have a distinctly Cadillac feel. This, however, is different. Sure, it too is made in the US, but it's crafted of carbon fiber, titanium and aluminum, costs $279,000 and seats only two. Oh, and did we mention it can fly? It's making its major auto show debut this week and we got a chance to check it out. Follow us after the break for some grounded impressions.

Continue reading Terrafugia Transition aircraft first hands-on (video)

Terrafugia Transition aircraft first hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 09:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fisker Atlantic EVer unveiled in New York, we go eyes-on

Fisker Atlantic EVer
Fisker's Karma series-hybrid electric vehicle hasn't exactly been receiving a lot of great press lately, but the company didn't let the process of swapping out 640 battery packs dampen the launch of that car's smaller sibling, the Atlantic. This long-expected (and recently spied) auto is a shortened, slightly smaller car that is said to be priced at a "much lower price point" than its predecessor. But, like the bigger Karma (and the even larger Surf), there's an on-board motor that burns gas to generate more electricity to extend that range -- but sadly nobody's saying by how far.

In this case it's a four-cylinder BMW-sourced engine providing that extra range, exhaust peeking out just behind the front-left wheel. A four-banger doesn't sound all that impressive in a car like this, but remember it's only tasked with spinning a generator. Moving the sedan (and its healthy complement of batteries) will be an undisclosed electric powertrain. Sadly no details are being given tonight for performance or cost, but we're told it'll set you back about as much as an Audi A5. Could that mean a $40,000 starting price? That'd be less than half the cost of the $102,000 Karma, and potentially quite a revolution. Needless to say we can't wait to find out.

We weren't able to peek in the trunk, but we're told the new engine provides more space for your junk than the Karma's current arrangement. The car is said to match the A5 in terms of cargo space, which is certainly nothing to sneeze about. Now mind, this is just a concept and things are liable to change on the long road from here to production, but Fisker isn't known for tweaking much along the way. Suffice to say, this should be very close to the car that hits dealerships... eventually.

Fisker Atlantic EVer unveiled in New York, we go eyes-on originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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