GM to Offer Mobile WiFi on Some Vehicles

Topic: Cars & Vehicles

GM has announced that it will be offering dealer installed Autonet routers in some of its SUV and trucks as an option. These routers will give people inside the car access to the Internet wherever they drive. GM isn't the only car company offering WiFi connectivity.

VW offers the same router in its Routan as well as Chrysler. An install kit is available for the router for GMC, Chevy, Buick, and Cadillac vehicles. The kits can also be ordered on GMs accessory site. Read more

Posted on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

LoJack Unveils Self Powered Vehicle Recovery Solution

Topic: Cars & Vehicles

If you have ever seen the show Jacked, you know how LoJack works. A transponder is hidden on a vehicle to give the cars location in the event that it is stolen. LoJack has announced a new next generation tracking device that is aimed at use in future electric and hybrid vehicles.

The solution allows the vehicles to have the security of LoJack tracking but is self powered so it doesn't impact the driving range of electric or hybrid vehicles. The new device doesn't have be tied into the vehicles battery making it less of a drain and requiring no splicing into the vehicles power system. Read more

Posted on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

IAA 2009: Renault Twizy Z.E. Concept Electric Car Has Cartoon Look

Topic: Cars & Vehicles

French Renault went a bit overboard with the Renault Twizy Z.E. Concept car. The Twizy looks like it has square wheels, this only works in cartoons.
If you look closer though there is a round wheel hidden behind the square shaped front - I think.
The funny looking Twizy is ultra-compact 1+1 zero-emission city car, with 15kW motor (20hp) and footprint barely larger than a scooter (2.3m long, 1.13m wide and turning circle of 3m). It has a top speed of 47mph, with acceleration comparable to 125cc motorbike. Read more

Posted on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:24:10 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Lamborghini Reventon Roadster Unveiled at IAA 2009

Topic: Cars & Vehicles

Forget about whimsy looking electric cars. The real stars at the IAA are still hot sports cars everybody is lusting after.
Lamborghini unveiled the extremely super-duper futuristic looking Lamborghini Reventon Roadster at the IAA 2009. Jalopnik has some nice photos of the unveiling. Read more

Posted on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:12:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Audi e-tron Debuts at IAA 2009

Topic: Cars & Vehicles

How about an electric car with four electric motors? Audi unveiled the Audi e-tron at the IAA 2009 with 313hp and an amazing torque of 4,500nm.
The e-tron accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (0 – 62.14 mph) in 4.8 seconds, and from 60 to 120 km/h (37.28 – 74.56 mph) in 4.1 seconds. The lithium-ion battery provides a truly useable energy content of 42.4 kilowatt hours to enable a range of approximately 248 kilometers.

The e-tron is based on the Audi R8 design and is packed with interesting technologies like the use of a heat pump. Read more

Posted on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 08:44:58 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

IAA 2009: Electric Volkswagen E-Up! Coming in 2013

Topic: Cars & Vehicles

For some the electric car is already here and for most of us it is still in the far, far future. Volkswagen debuts the E-Up! concept car at the IAA 2009 today.
The Volkswagen E-Up! is an electric city car - the Beetle of the 21st Century - supposed to go commercial in 2013.
Read more

Posted on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 03:29:44 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Mini Roadster Concept Joins Mini Coupe Concept At IAA 2009

Topic: Cars & Vehicles

Besides the Mini Coupe Concept we already reported about, BMW also unveiled a Mini Roadster Concept at the IAA 2009 today.
The new Mini Roadster is a two seater that looks more sporty than the current Mini. Both the Mini Coupe and the Roadster show the future of where BMW is going with the successful Mini series. Read more

Posted on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 03:19:06 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

BMW ActiveHybrid X6 Is Stretching The Green Image Of Hybrid Cars

Topic: Cars & Vehicles

I am a total fan of the BMW X6. It just looks awesome and in my opinion it is the most interesting car BMW offers these days. Of course I was intrigued when BMW announced a hybrid version of the BMW X6 SAV last year at the Detroit Auto Show 2008. The BMW ActiveHybrid X6 will go on sale in Spring of 2010 and will be launched at the IAA 2009 this month.

I got a brochure of the BMW X6 Hybrid in my hands and the specifications are a bit of a headscratcher. Read more

Posted on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 05:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Tesla Motors Munich Store Opening Event Featured Organic Beer And Cars

Topic: Cars & Vehicles

As reported California based electric car pioneer Tesla Motors opened its first continental Europe Dealership yesterday evening in Munich, Germany. I was at the fun opening and was able to at least sit in a Tesla Roadster Sport. It feels perfect. Tesla offered test drives in the passenger seat, but there were too many people that wanted to experience the silent super fast "zip, zip" acceleration.

Many guests were just having fun watching the test Tesla cars charging silently into traffic - including me. Read more

Posted on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 02:10:54 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Tesla Set to Open Dealership in Munich

Topic: Cars & Vehicles

Tesla has been making its cool but pricy electric roadster called the Tesla for a while now. The car is still far from mainstream, but it has sold quite a few units. The cool part about the all-electric car is that it has a claimed 400km per charge range and can hit 60mph in under 4 seconds.

Tesla has announced that it has opened its dealership in Munich Germany, the first Tesla store in continental Europe. Tesla opened a store in London in June and has plans to open a store in Monaco later in 2009. Read more

Posted on Wed, 9 Sep 2009 10:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

New Citroen 2CV Rumored for IAA 2009

Topic: Cars & Vehicles

Citroen has been part of my growing up. I do not drive them anymore, but I still follow the brand. In 2008 we already reported about a rumor that Citroen is bringing back the legendary 2CV (Duck) car.
Now images of a new concept car appeared that seem to look like a modern day 2CV. Citroen is celebrating its 90th birthday. So something big to show at the IAA 2009 is the right thing to do. Read more

Posted on Tue, 8 Sep 2009 09:03:03 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr