Hybrid | autoinsane

Fisker Karma to makes its Windy City debut at Chicago Auto Show Feb. 12-21

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

One of the world's most electrifying cars, the Fisker Karma, also known as the world’s first premium plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, will make its Chicago debut at the Chicago Auto Show, February 12-21. It'll be a boon for two area dealers - Fields Auto Group and Patrick Dealer Group, as well as auto aficionados who may be eager to view the $87,900 base MSRP vehicle up close and personally. Fisker notes that Illinois buyers will be eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit, plus additional state incentives of up to $4,000 under the Illinois Alternate Fuels Rebate Program. You'll need to be belted-in after it's been plugged in at take-off. Fisker lists a 0-to-60 mph time of 6 seconds and a top speed of 125 mph that its generated from the 403-horsepower engine. On top of all this heart-pounding excitement are the economics of scale: 100 miles per gallon and zero emissions are sent through the tailpipe.

Volt Owners to Get iPhone, Droid, and Blackberry Apps

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

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Volt Owners to Get iPhone, Droid, and Blackberry Apps

Techies get another reason to love the Volt. Chevrolet and OnStar have developed apps for the Apple iPhone, Motorola Droid and Blackberry Storm. Presumably there will be apps for other phones running Android or Blackberry OS but for now only those three phones are supported. The app will do a range of things including allowing users to monitor their driving stats, remotely start the car and schedule charging intervals. The car maintains contact with the phone via OnStar's real-time data connection.

2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 will start at $89,725

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

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Just in time for that hard to shop for lug nut on your list who has an empty bay in his multi-room garage, BMW is offering its polarizing 2010 X6 Active Hybrid with destination and shipping for $89,725.

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid – the best executed hybrid yet?

Monday, October 26, 2009

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Hybrids have seemingly been on the cusp of mainstream fame for years now as the US consumer searches for ways to reduce fuel consumption. But, could it be that the car of the future is actually already on sale today?

Road Test Gallery: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Monday, October 26, 2009

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We're behind the wheel of the newest hybrid sedan to hit the market, the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Here's our Road Test Photo Gallery.

Staples delivers with its first all-electric truck at AltWheels

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

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The Staples fleet had experimented with a diesel hybrid delivery truck, but this year, they unveiled an all electric delivery vehicle. Built by Smith Electric Vehicles, this delivery truck will have no emissions and lower cost of fueling: $.12/mile vs. $.40+/mile.

Top five ways to induce road rage like a pro

Monday, October 12, 2009

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Chet Atkins once said, "Once you become predicable, no one's interested anymore." I don't know who Chet Atkins is, but I do know that mixing up your driving style is an easy way to keep time behind the wheel very interesting.

Hybrids begin to go mainstream with the 2010 Honda Insight

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

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Hybrids begin to go mainstream with the 2010 Honda Insight

Not all hybrids are created equal even now, though, as a $110,000 Lexus LS600hL makes abundantly clear. It takes longer to appreciate the same point in a $22,000 Insight, but it’s there. For 2010 Honda has engineered away the dynamic flaws of early hybrids while keeping their miserly fuel consumption.

Hey internet, don’t forget to vote for your favorite car and truck of the year!

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

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Hey internet, don’t forget to vote for your favorite car and truck of the year!

There's a lot of fancy awards going on around the automotive industry. Car and Driver have the 10 Best, Motor Trend has their own car and truck of the year, and there's even the North American Car and Truck of the year, just to name a few. Unfortunately all of these award are voted on by editors and writers, not by you. Now a new award is set to change all that.

Ford plug-in vehicles will “talk” to the electric grid

Thursday, August 20, 2009

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Although we've been hearing the rumors of this for over a year, Ford has officially announced it's plans to use an "intelligent" system to connect electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles to the grid.