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

Filed under: Crossover , Ford 2011 Ford Edge Sport - Click above for high-res image gallery After spending some time with the 2011 Ford Edge Sport , it's obvious Ford did more than just a run-of-the-mill mid-cycle refresh. And with the overhauled crossover hitting showrooms this summer, more and more information is trickling out. A member of the Blue Oval forums apparently found the Edge's order guide, giving us a complete rundown of the four Edge packages available at launch. First, let's begin with what we already know. The Edge will be available in SE, SEL, Limited and Sport trims, come standard with an overhauled 285-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 powerplant and the Sport model will get the same 305-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 that powers the 2011 Mustang V6 . According to the ordering guide, Ford expects 17 percent of customers to opt for the base SE model, 39 percent to go for the mid-level SEL, 40 percent to choose the Limited and only four percent to choose the 22-inch wheels of the Sport model. SE buyers will have two Rapid Spec option packages from which to choose, though the pickings are slim. Spec 101A includes a convenience package with auto-headlamps, a compass, keyless entry and a reverse sensing system. The SEL will add everything from the best SE model plus standard equipment including 18-inch painted aluminum wheels, heated mirrors, a six-way power driver's seat and dual-zone temperature control. The SEL trim will also afford three different packages: Rapid Spec 201A includes the eight-inch LCD MyTouch interface with SYNC and a rear-view camera while Spec 202A adds features like leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, a 10-way power driver's seat and ambient lighting. Stand alone options include an expansive Vista Roof (available with spec 201A or 202A) and Ford's excellent navigation system (available with spec 202A). Jump to the Limited Edge and MyTouch, SYNC, leather, heated seats with power adjust in the front row and visual cues all around are all standard. The Limited has three rapid specs, with The Blue Oval expecting 301A to be the most popular. The package includes navigation, HID headlamps and the Vista Roof. Spec 302A adds BLISS blind spot protection and adaptive cruise control, while the low volume Sport model comes with scores of standard features including the aforementioned 22-inch wheels and 3.7-liter drivetrain

Filed under: Crossover , Mazda , Diesel 2010 Mzda CX-7 - Click above for high-res image gallery Two years ago, Mazda introduced an advanced new 2.2-liter four cylinder diesel engine in the European market. Since then, we've asked Mazda officials on several occasions whether they would offer that engine in the U.S. market. The company has never ruled out bringing a diesel here, but it has also never said it would. Instead, Mazda has always said that it's watching the market and if there was demand for a diesel in the U.S., it would look at offering the efficient engines. Perhaps the success of Volkswagen 's diesel offerings in the U.S. has convinced Mazda to look more seriously at oil-burners. Mazda also offers a higher revving, more powerful 2.3-liter diesel which would be better suited to U.S. tastes. Mazda already offers the CX-7 with an SCR after-treatment system that would go a long way to meeting American emissions standards. However, at last fall's Tokyo Motor Show , the company also showed a next-generation diesel dubbed Sky-D, which is 20 percent more efficient. According to Road & Track , Mazda has acknowledged that the Sky-D diesel could be part of the lineup for the next generation CX-7 and CX-9, but the obvious question is: When? Gallery: 2010 Mazda CX-7 [Source: Road & Track ] Rumormill: Mazda considers offering diesel CX-7 in the States originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Filed under: MPG , Ford Ford Transit Connect - Click above for high-res image gallery Following yesterday's announcement that Canada Post would acquire 1,175 Ford Transit Connects for its fleet, DTE Energy has acquired 19 of the vans as part of its sustainability efforts. DTE Energy is one of two utilities that dominate the Michigan market for electricity and natural gas. DTE Energy is currently using the first batch of vehicles to deliver inter-office mail as well as deliver equipment and materials from warehouses. The Transit Connect is rated at 22 miles per gallon in the city and 25 mpg on the highway by the EPA which is the primary reason for DTE to choose it. The Transit Connect is replacing full-size vans and pickups in these initial applications and is achieving double the real world mileage. Some of the service personnel that use the Transit Connect are on call so they take the vehicles home. Having an enclosed vehicle like the TC provides extra security for parts and tools as well as extra convenience for reaching everything. If the initial pilot phase works out, DTE will likely add more Transit Connects to its fleet. With the recent announcement of the compressed natural gas Transit Connect taxi , it wouldn't be surprising to see DTE use the same fuel in many of its own vehicles in addition to using the Transit Connect Electric when it goes on sale later this year. [Source: Ford] Continue reading DTE Energy testing Ford Transit Connect to improve sustainability DTE Energy testing Ford Transit Connect to improve sustainability originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Filed under: Spy Photos , Coupe , Hybrid , Performance , Ferrari , Luxury The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti is due for a major overhaul and the next generation 2+2 is expected to grow in size, be available with all-wheel drive and come packing Ferrari 's new HY-KERS system. Caught cold weather testing near the Arctic Circle, the 2012 model is sporting a longer wheelbase and redesigned front and rear fascias, along with a massive hood bulge. Power is expected to be provided by an Enzo-derived V12 putting out around 530 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque, and delivering grunt to a modified seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox found in the 458 Italia and Ferrari 599 HY-KERS concept . Although the fitment of all-wheel drive remains a rumor, there's a significant chance that the next 612 will be equipped with Ferrari's new hybrid system, complete with lithium-ion battery pack and three-phase electric motor to put out an addition 100 hp. If we're reading our tea-leaves properly, we'd expect the new 612 to be unveiled early next year with sales beginning in late 2011. Gallery: Geneva 2010: Ferrari 599 HY-KERS [Source: World Car Fans ] Spy Shots: 2012 Ferrari 612 successor spied originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Filed under: Performance , Wagon , Hatchback , BMW 2012 BMW M5 Touring - Click above for high-res image Master photochopper Jon Sibal has put digital pen to virtual paper to render up the next BMW M5 , but unlike his previous F11 'chops, he's applying his skills to the yet-to-be-confirmed Touring version of the mid-size bahn-burner. As Sibal points out in his post, BMW has an on-again, off-again history when it comes to five-door versions of the M5, with the E28 and E39 only available sans-hatch, while the E34 and outgoing E60 have been available in five-door form. There's a good chance that the F11 version will be made, nixing the current model's V10 powerplant in favor of a 570-horsepower twin-turbocharged V8 pulled from the X6 M . However, the chances of the hi-po hatch making it to the States is virtually nill, as the 5 Series Gran Turismo is set to take the standard Touring's place in the U.S. market. So does that mean a M5 GT could be in the works? Here's hoping, and maybe Sibal will render one up in the meantime. Gallery: 2011 BMW 5 Series Touring [Source: JonSibal ] Rendered Speculation: 2012 BMW M5 Touring originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

In today's News Brake: We've got a vision of the Porsche Panamera convertible, a Ferrari auction helps Haiti, and Mario Andretti and Bobby Rahal celebrate the legends ... But Wait, There's More!

Tomorrow is this year’s vernal equinox, the official end of both winter and snowpocalypse. Which can only mean one thing: it’s time to unpack your summer ride. Show us a picture! More

Filed under: Hybrid , Toyota Last week, we told you about an incident in New York involving unintended acceleration in a 2005 Toyota Prius . This accident occurred just after the high-profile case involving Jim Sikes and his Prius in San Diego , but, unlike that incident, where the car eventually came to a complete stop, the Prius in New York crashed into a stone wall with the driver suffering minor, non-life threatening injuries. Now, after a full investigation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has ruled that this accident was simply caused by driver error, rather than a faulty brake system. NHTSA delivered this message to reporters: Information retrieved from the vehicle's onboard computer systems indicated there was no application of the brakes and the throttle was fully open. Toyota spokesperson John Hanson says that the accident is being looked over by the Harrison, NY police department, and that the automaker will not comment until the investigation has completed. And, while Toyota did join in with the investigation of Sikes' Prius, it is not clear if the automaker will take a closer look at this second incident. [Source: USA Today ] Feds suggest driver error may have caused runaway Prius in NY originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read