Filed under: Hybrid , Toyota 2007 Toyota Prius - Click above for high-res image gallery With all of the negative coverage pouring in over Toyota's recent problems , how about a story that breaks away from the trend for a moment to recognize the achievement of the 2007 Toyota Prius ? The vehicle was recently named the top compact car in long-term dependability by J.D. Power & Associates . The award recipient is chosen based on consumer response to surveys sent to owners of three-year-old vehicles. Thousands of surveys were returned and the Prius garnered the top spot in the compact class once again. The 2007 Prius now holds the same honor with both the 2005 and 2006 model year vehicle. To date, the Prius is the only hybrid to ever hold a top spot in the long-term dependability study by J.D. Power. We'll see if recent recalls, ongoing investigations, braking problems and other mishaps prevent the hybrid from a run at the award for the fourth consecutive year. The J.D. Power survey was completed prior to news of Prius woes. We anticipated that the current public image of the vehicle may influence future survey results and reduce owner satisfaction ratings, but still send our congrats to Toyota for its achievement. Gallery: Review: 2007 Toyota Prius Touring [Source: J.D

Filed under: Manufacturing/Plants , MPG , Chrysler , Dodge , Jeep Chrysler Pentastar V6 engine begins production - Click above for high-res image gallery The artist engine formerly known as Prince Phoenix has officially hit the assembly lines at the Chrysler Group's plant in Trenton, MI. The first version of the mill, which now bears the Pentastar moniker , displaces 3.6 liters and will see its first production application in the engine bay of the brand new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee . Expect this all-aluminum, 60-degree, dual-overhead cam (with variable valve timing) powerplant to see lots of use in the near-term future - Chrysler boasts that the Pentastar V6 will replace seven current V6 engines. In the new Grand Cherokee, the Pentastar will put out 280 horsepower (a 22 percent increase) at 6,400 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque (an 11 percent improvement) at 4,800 rpm. Just as importantly, Chrysler tells us that the new engine will be 11 percent more fuel efficient than the unit it replaces and that it will run on either regular 87-octane gasoline or E85. This family of engines represent a $730 million investment, and the 822,000-square-foot Trenton facility will be able to produce more than 400,000 engines per year. See the complete press release after the break. [Source: Chrysler] Continue reading Chrysler kicks off production of Pentastar V6 engine, touts fuel efficiency improvements Chrysler kicks off production of Pentastar V6 engine, touts fuel efficiency improvements originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Filed under: Motorsports , Videos , Chevrolet , Porsche , Racing Click above to view the video after the jump The 57th running of the 12 Hours of Sebring is set to begin tomorrow at 10:30 AM, and with Audi out and Peugeot already dominating the LMP class in the qualifying sessions, the attention turns to the ALMS GT cars - specially the Porsche and Corvette teams. The rivalry between the Flying Lizards and the Corvette C6.R s has been stoked (even further) by Chevrolet's new racing webisodes , and after last year's final lap at Laguna Seca , the GT-class feuding is sure to make for some great racing. After the jump you'll find a video documenting the Lizard's practice session yesterday, including Hans Herrman - the winner of the 1960 race - taking a lap around Sebring in a immaculate Porsche RS 60 Spyder. If you're planning to tune in tomorrow, you can download Andy Blackmore's stellar spotter's guide in all its high-res glory here and read our breakdown of this year's season here . Gallery: 2010 ALMS Corvette C6.R Continue reading Video: Porsche vs. Corvette prequel at the 12 Hours of Sebring Video: Porsche vs. Corvette prequel at the 12 Hours of Sebring originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Filed under: EV/Plug-in Nissan Leaf - Click above for high-res image gallery Considering that hybrid vehicles - an established technology - comprise less than three percent of U.S. new vehicle sales, the fact that 26 percent of Americans would consider an electric vehicle (EV) for their next purchase probably sounds pretty good. However a survey of 1,752 adults conducted by Consumer Reports showed that 72 percent were unlikely to consider an EV. At this point, aside from a small number of people that can afford a Tesla Roadster and those with limited requirements that can use an NEV, there are no affordable EV choices anyway. It also remains to be seen how those consideration numbers will change once people see what EVs actually cost. Nissan , Ford and General Motors will all be releasing electric vehicles (or ER-EVs) over the next 18 months but none of those companies have given any firm indication of what the vehicles would cost. Estimates range from the $25,000-40,000, but no one is certain if that will include the cost of a battery and whether it comes before or after tax subsidies. One fifth of respondents indicated they would not pay a premium for an EV while another fifth said they would pay up to $5,000 extra. The median premium that people would pay was only $2,068. Given that hybrids typically cost $3,000-5,000 extra than standard gasoline vehicles and that EV batteries remain very expensive, it seems that any hopes of getting EVs into double digit market share in the next few years would be a long shot at best. [Source: Consumer Reports ] Survey says: Only one-quarter of Americans would consider an electric car originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Filed under: Coupe , Performance McLaren MP4-12C - Click above for high-res image gallery If you read our deep dive on the McLaren MP4-12C , you're thoroughly up to speed on the automaker's latest foray into supercardom. However, something was missing. McLaren hadn't provided the rudimentary performance figures to keep bench racers and keyboard jockeys frothing at the mouth. Until today. According to recent reports the MP4-12C is able to crack the 60 mph mark in "under three seconds" when utilizing the launch control feature on its seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Partnered with its 2,870 curb weight (there's still some debate if that's "dry" or fully loaded with fluids) and 600 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque, the more telling stat is its 0-124 mph time of "under 10 seconds." For those of you keeping track at home, the 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo hits 60 in 3.2 seconds, the Corvette ZR1 breaks the mark at 3.5 seconds, with the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 and Ferrari 458 Italia coming in at 3.4 and 3.3 seconds respectively - not to mention the Nissan GT-R 's 3.5-second run. So, is Maranello losing sleep tonight? Not likely. But there's officially a new player in the supercar set, and we can't wait to get our grubby paws on it. Gallery: McLaren MP4-12C Gallery: McLaren MP4-12C At Company Unveiling [Source: Car and Driver ] McLaren MP4-12C performance stats have arrived originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .

There Will Be Mud: An express course in ice racing with Subaru We spend a day flogging the WRX and STI around an ice course and come away with a new appreciation for our left foot. If you're green, are you more likely to be mean? A new study suggests you are... A study in Psychological Science contends that eco-conscious consumers have a penchant for overt righteousness and a general feeling of superiority. You don't say? Charting the Five-Ohs: Next-gen Cop Car Comparo With both GM and Ford providing all-new police-specific vehicles next year, we take a look at the old stalwarts and their black-and-white successors. Also of interest: Mazda considers offering diesel CX-7 in the States Akio Toyoda sitting out this year's Nurburgring 24 Rolls-Royce Phantom to undergo major overhaul in 2016 Next generation Volkswagen Beetle coming next year McLaren could develop racing version of MP4-12C for privateers Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 3.19.10 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Filed under: Coupe , Performance , Videos , Lamborghini Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni on mountain roads - Click above to watch the video after the jump Talk about a perfect way to spend an afternoon. The boys over at Motor Trend got their hands on Lamborghini 's hottest two-wheel-drive creation, the LP550-2 Valentino Balboni , but instead of taking it to the track or recording performance data, they decided to show what this car does best - attack winding roads with brute force and staggering beauty. We'd be lying if we said we weren't just a wee bit jealous. We highly suggest you take three minutes out of your day to watch this example of Italian supercar hotness storming through the mountains of California. It's a treat for both the ears and eyes, and you can experience it for yourself by clicking through the jump . Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni [Source: YouTube ] Continue reading Video: MT wrings out Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni on mountain road, leaves soundtrack at home Video: MT wrings out Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni on mountain road, leaves soundtrack at home originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read

Filed under: EV/Plug-in There are four big reasons why Hawai'i is an ideal electric vehicle market : no real range anxiety, a lot of eco-minded citizens, current high energy costs, lots of solar potential. We've been saying as much since 2006. Since then, there has been some progress made: a partnership with Better Place in 2008 and the first public charging station that opened up earlier this year. This year's First Hawaiian International Auto Show shows that the electric car movement is still moving forward in the islands. For example, a sponsor is the Hawaiian Electric Co., which will be on hand "touting the coming age of electrics." A Tesla Roadster and a Mini E will also be on display. Good signs in a state that is dependent on petroleum for 90 percent of its energy. The Honolulu Advertiser says that one prediction estimates up to 10,000 of the state's million vehicles could be electric in five years. In ten years, that already ambitious number could climb to 43,000. Yowza. Some groups have been working to bring electric vehicles to Hawai'i a long time. We posted a two-part series on those efforts here and here . [Source: Honolulu Advertiser ] Report: Hawaii could have 10,000 electric vehicles in five years originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read

Filed under: Diesel , Etc. , Hybrid , Transportation Alternatives Cleaner emissions? Well, that depends on what exactly you are measuring and what you are comparing it to. In the case of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) bus seen here, the answer would probably surprise the 5,385 voters on Fail Blog that gave it a resounding thumbs down. Sure, it looks dirty with all that ugly black smoke bellowing from the rear exhaust stack, but the hybrid people mover boasts the following statistics: 14% improved fuel consumption, a 56% decrease in nitrogen oxide, an ozone precursor, and a 96% decrease in particulate matter compared to a standard bus. All good things, no? Still, we did indeed chuckle when we first glanced at the pic, especially with the arrow that points directly to the source of the smoke screen. Thanks for the tip, Wes! [Source: Fail Blog ] It's Friday: Cleaner emissions? Maybe, maybe not originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read

Filed under: Etc. , MPG , SMART Smart fortwo - Click above for high-res image gallery If you are looking to take your Smart fortwo to the next level of personalization, then some snazzy new exterior stickers are just for you. Combine the stickers with newly released Brabus interior and exterior accessories and your Smart car is sure to stand out. The new art stickers represent yet another way to customize one of the most customizable vehicles available. The art stickers are available in six different motifs that range from sporty to trendy to flowery. Each motif will suit a different taste and make every Smart unique. The adhesive foil stickers are applied to the tridion safety cell of the vehicle and provide a "look at me" factor that some owners may be fond of. If stickers don't suit your taste, you can choose one of the new Brabus accessories to customize your Smart. On the inside, Brabus offers an eight piece, carbon fiber look dress up kit. On the outside, Brabus now offers a light emitting diode daytime running light kit and a LED third brake light kit. All of the artsy stickers and accessories can be purchased from and installed by your local Smart dealer. Customization does not come cheap