Hybrid

Luxist Takes the Honda CR-Z to the Camelback Inn

There's a desert to the west of Los Angeles, the dusty, scrubby kind riven by arroyos and snow-capped ranges. The city is protected from that barren terror by a kind of East Wall, a monumentally wide buffer of concrete that are actually cities and towns everyone knows about but few ever visit on purpose – places like Monrovia, Cerritos, Montebello, Pomona.

Occasionally, though, there comes a reason to cross that desert, and you want a good camel when such time comes. We found a proper mount in the Honda CR-Z, a two-seat hybrid to play miniature steel dromedary for our Bedouin sallies.

The destination was an oasis 380 miles due east tucked behind Scottsdale's Camelback Mountain, in Paradise Valley, and aptly named The Camelback Inn. Once there, having braved, well, nothing really, we would quench our thirst with some of the finest drinks ever sipped by any traveler, weary or otherwise...

Tags: arizona, camelback inn, cr-z, honda, honda cr-z, hybrid, marriott, phoenix, resort, scottsdale

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Imperia GP is Hybrid, Retro and Belgian All At Once

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Green

If you're anything like us, you're a little torn when it comes to your automotive acquisitions. On the one hand, you want to do your bit to help the environment and reduce our dependency on foreign oil. On the other, a Toyota Prius doesn't exactly embody the style and excitement you'd like your car to. Presenting the Imperia GP.

Active throughout the first half of the 20th century, Imperia has been resurrected the same way Bugatti and Mini were. But while those brands brought their classic caché back with a modern twist, the Imperia GP steps even further into the modern era with its hybrid powertrain. The Belgian retro hybrid packs a 207-horsepowr 1.6-liter turbo four and a 134hp electric motor. Driven only by the electric motor, it can hit 62 from a standstill in a solid six seconds, or just four with the gasoline engine kicking in.

The product of some three years of development, the first pre-production prototype was recently unveiled at the Belgian Auto Show and is set to hit the market shortly with a 90,000-euro price tag, or 120,000 euros for the first edition.

Gallery: Imperia GP

Tags: hybrid, imperia, imperia gp

Porsche Panamera S Hybrid

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Porsche has been adding to the Panamera range as rapidly as the four-door coupe picks up speed, and at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show will unveil the sixth variant: the Panamera S Hybrid.

Carrying a supercharged V6 engine with an additional electric motor, the Panamera S Hybrid offers a combined 380 horsepower for a respectable six-second sprint to sixty, while returning 34.5 miles per gallon. When the new variant arrives on American shores, it will carry a $95,000 price tag.

Tags: geneva, geneva motor show, hybrid, Porsche, Porsche Panamera, Porsche Panamera S Hybrid

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Jaguar C-X75 Wins Louis Vuitton Classic Concept Award

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Architecture & Design

Jaguar C-X75 Wins Louis Vuitton Classic Concept Award

Jaguar's amazing C-X75 hybrid concept car, which my colleague David Kiley first wrote about last September, has just won the Louis Vuitton Classic Concept Award 2010 by a panel of luminaries from the worlds of design, fashion and luxury in Paris. "Ian Callum, Jaguar's Design Director, and his team have achieved not only a beautiful design in clothing a world-premiere and mouth-watering technology, but also a true Jaguar, projecting the brand's DNA into the future without an ounce of nostalgia," said Christian Philippsen, inaugurator of the prize. The gas-electric hybrid two-seater is capable of a top speed of 205 miles per hour, and up to 68 miles of all-electric operation. It's powered by four 195-horsepower electric motors, one in each wheel, giving the vehicle an all-wheel drive system with torque-vectoring controls to distribute power as needed.

Gallery: Jaguar C-X75 Hybrid

Tags: concept car, hybrid, Jaguar, Louis Vuitton, luxury cars, Paris

New Ferrari F70 Revealed?

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Architecture & Design

With the limited edition $850,000 successor to the Ferrari Enzo due in less than a year's time speculation as to what the "hypercar", dubbed the F70 (for now), will look like and run on is reaching a fever pitch. In the latest update, Ferrari Chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo has hinted that it could in fact be a hybrid with technology borrowed from the marque's 599 HY-KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) concept shown at the Geneva Motor Show. Di Montezemolo told Autoweek the nouveau Enzo "will incorporate the state of the art of our knowledge in terms of increasing performances while reducing fuel consumption and emissions. It will then influence all Ferraris that appear after it." Meanwhile, designer Radovan Varicak has come out with a convincing vision (above) of what the F70 could turn out like no matter what's under the bonnet. Looks good so far.

Gallery: Ferrari F70 by Radovan Varicak

Tags: Ferrari Enzo, Ferrari F70, hybrid, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo

Porsche 918 Spyder Makes Its Driving Debut [video]

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Green

This past Thursday, the Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid – which could become the world's most expensive production Porsche – made its driving debut on a closed road in Monterey, California, just days prior to its North American debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. After being shipped over from Germany by private plane, engineers handed the keys of the new 918 Spyder, dubbed the world's first true hybrid supercar, to Porsche AG Design Chief Michael Mauer. The car drove superbly under its own power, which comes from the mid-mounted 3.4 liter V8 engine out of the RS Spyder as well as an all electric mode which powers just the front wheels. That's good news for the 2,000 prospective buyers willing to fork out an estimated $630,000 to get their hands on one.

Tags: California, electric car, Germany, hybrid, Monterey, Pebble Beach, Porsche, Porsche 918 Spyder, supercar

Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid by SpeedART

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

A vehicle like the Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid has a bit of a split personality. On the one hand, it's a hybrid, so that means low emissions and fuel consumption. On the other, it's still a Porsche. And where there's a Porsche – hybrid or otherwise – there'll be tuners ready to increase the performance quotient.

The latest comes courtesy of speedART. The Porsche tuning expert has boosted the conventional gasoline-burning V6 by 70 horsepower for a 450hp output and a 0-60 time cut down by half a second to six flat. Not too bad for a hybrid, and not too bad for a Porsche.

Gallery: speedART Porsche Cayenne speedHYBRID 450

Tags: Hybrid, Porsche Cayenne, Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid, speedART, speedART Porsche Cayenne speedHYBRID 450

Porsche Announces Panamera S Hybrid

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Green

Keen on getting your hands on a Porsche Panamera, but not so keen on skyrocketing fuel consumption? Then we've got good news for you, because in addition to developing a variety of new electric-drive prototypes for both road and track, Porsche has confirmed the arrival of the Panamera S Hybrid.

Borrowing its gasoline-electric drivetrain from the existing Cayenne S Hybrid sport-utility, the Panamera S Hybrid will be driven by a 329-horsepower 3-liter V6 coupled by a 46hp electric motor. And like its high-riding counterpart, it will be able to operate on electric power alone at low speeds around town. Expect the Panamera S Hybrid to arrive sometime next year.

Gallery: Porsche Panamera V6

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Tags: hybrid, panamera, panamera s hybrid, porsche, porsche hybrid, porsche panamera, porsche panamera s, porsche panamera s hybrid

Fred Segal Fun Debuts G-Bike and G-Bike Chopper

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets, Green, Men's Style

The new G-Bike at Fred Segal Fun lives up to the "Fun" brand moniker in a number of unexpected ways.

Firstly, there are the colors; this snazzy scooter-bicycle hybrid is available in the above yellow, a grassy green, dark blue, red, sleek black and white and several other shades, with new hues being developed all the time (or, for a premium, you can design your own). Also, like a hybrid should be, the G-Bike is an eco-friendly, zero-emissions vehicle.

This fully electric scooter-bike can run up to 20 miles per hour for 35 miles per charge (which takes four to eight hours). It's well-suited to students and professionals in urban environments -- people who could walk, but are too awesome to do so. Best of all, you don't need a license to drive it or a registration to have it. Additional features include removable pedals, a remote control alarm, brakes, rear-view mirrors, a horn and ample storage space for books, a work bag, groceries, shopping bags or whatever you have.

The G-Bike is available from the Fred Segal Fun store in Santa Monica (310-394-9814) for $1,100. Check out some of the other colors and the stylish G-Bike Chopper (a more bicycle-like motor-bicycle) in the gallery below.

Gallery: G-Bike Electric Bicycles Available at Fred Segal Fun

Tags: bicycle, eco-friendly, fred segal, fred segal fun, g-bike, hybrid, scooter

World's First Zero Carbon Superyacht, Powered by Mercedes-Benz

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing, Luxury Cars & Autos, Green

A British car design expert named Richard Sauter known for several important innovations has adapted the latest in green automotive technology to create the world's first zero carbon superyacht. The design for the lightweight 160-ft. yacht employs both Mercedes-Benz's BlueTec clean diesel engines and the KERS (kinetic energy regeneration) system used by Porsche in its new 918 Spyder hybrid supercar, along with solar power. Dubbed Transcendence, the sleek, high-performance yacht will be capable of 25 knots under full power using what Sauter claims is the cleanest marine propulsion system in the world. Solar cells situated on PV deck spoilers in addition to the KERS and plug-in sources of energy charge a lithium ion storage system that runs all the yacht's services including AC, day and night. The system allows Transcendence to achieve her maximum speed under peak loads and to navigate in and out of harbors with zero emissions under battery power alone. Inside are luxe accommodations for 10 guests as well as 12 crew, fitted with the latest high-end sustainable materials.

[via JamesList]

Tags: car design, design, hybrid, Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-Benz BlueTec, Porsche, Richard Sauter, solar, superyacht, UK, yacht

McLaren Focuses on Efficient Sportscars, Hybrids Possible

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Green

McLaren MP4-12C – Click above for high-res image gallery

McLaren seems to think it's possible to have your cake and eat it too. Judging by the company's past and present performances, we wouldn't doubt them. Managing Director Anthony Sheriff sat down with Inside Line at the company's official launch, and plenty of interesting information was gleaned. For instance, McLaren has committed itself to producing the lowest carbon emissions per horsepower of any car on sale.

In order to promote both efficiency and performance, McLaren has set its target on reduced weight. Says Mark Vinnels, McLaren Automotive's program director, "Weight will always be the fundamental enemy of what we're trying to achieve. Our focus will be on achieving the best lightweight solutions at the given price point." That likely means that future models from the sportscar manufacturer will use exotic materials, possibly including heavy doses of carbon fiber and composites in structural areas.

Powertrains won't be neglected when it comes to efficiency either. Last summer, McLaren posted an ad looking for a hybrid powertrain engineer. Sheriff wouldn't rule out hybrid drivetrains, but was coy about their future applications. "We're about applying high technology to make our cars faster and more efficient. And we may make things in a different way to what you expect," he said.

Gallery: McLaren MP4-12C

Tags: hybrid, hybrid mclaren, hybrid supercar, HybridMclaren, hybrids, HybridSupercar, mclaren, mclaren F1, mclaren hybrid, McLaren MP4-12C, McLaren p11, MclarenF1, MclarenHybrid, MclarenMp4-12c, MclarenP11

2010 Geneva Motor Show: Ze Germans

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Germany is the very epicenter of the European automotive industry, playing host to several of the world's largest and most significant automakers. But with the Frankfurt expo forced to alternate with the Paris salon, Geneva is the closest to a home turf international auto show these companies have.

Ever keen to demonstrate the latest cutting-edge automotive innovations and show the world their newest developments, Germany's automakers crossed the border into Switzerland this year with a virtually unprecedented array of new vehicles. Follow the jump to read and see what they brought.

Tags: 2010 geneva motor show, 911 gt3, 911 gt3 r, 911 gt3 r hybrid, 918, 918 spyder, a1, a8, a8 hybrid, active hybrid, audi, audi a1, audi a8, audi a8 hybrid, audi rs5, bmw, bmw concept 5 series active hybrid, cayenne, geneva, geneva 2010, geneva motor show, gti, hybrid, polo, porsche, porsche 911 gt3, porsche 911 gt3 r, porsche 911 gt3 r hybrid, porsche 911 turbo s, porsche 918, porsche 918 spyder, porsche cayenne, porsche gt3, rs5, ruf, ruf rgt-8, touareg, turbo s, volkswagen, volkswagen polo, volkswagen polo gti, volkswagen touareg, vw, vw polo, wiesmann, wiesmann gt, wiesmann gt mf4-s

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2010 Geneva Motor Show: The Anglo File

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

You'll have to search long and hard to find a British automaker that's still owned by Brits these days. Bentley? Volkswagen. Mini? BMW. Lotus? Malaysian state carmaker Proton. Land Rover, Jaguar? Indian automaker Tata. But don't think, not even for one minute, that the industry isn't still alive and striving in the UK. In fact some of our favorite automobiles come from there, even if the cashflow is traversing overseas.

With the major motor shows in the UK paling in comparison to the scope of Geneva, the annual Swiss auto salon is – much like it is for the other European carmaking nations – Britain's chance to show the world what they've got. And show us they did. Follow the jump to see how.

Tags: 2010 geneva motor show, aston, aston martin, aston martin cygnet, bentley, bentley continental, Bentley Continental GT, bentley continental supersports, bentley continental supersports convertible, bentley flying star, carrozzeria touring, carrozzeria touring superleggera, carrozzeria touring supperlegera, carrozzeria touring supperlegera flying star, countryman, cygnet, elise, evora, evora 414e hybrid, flying star, geneva, Geneva Motor Show, hybrid, jaguar xkr special edition, lotus, lotus elise, lotus evora, lotus evora 414e, lotus evora 414e hybrid, mini, mini countryman, shooting brake, supersports, touring, xkr

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Lexus to Unveil CT 200h Hybrid Hatchback in Geneva

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Following the lead of its Toyota parent company, Japanese luxury automaker Lexus has carved out a nice niche for itself, purveying luxury hybrids in a greater range than any of its competitors. The line-up currently includes hybrid versions of the LS and GS sedans and the RX crossover, as well as the HS, which stands as the world's first dedicated luxury hybrid. That range is set to expand in a couple of weeks, however, when Lexus takes the wraps off the new CT.

Previewed in Frankfurt last year by the LF-Ch concept, the CT 200h isn't just "another hybrid" from Lexus. It marks a foray into new territory, taking aim at the likes of the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3. Power comes from the pairing of a 1.8-liter variable-valve four-cylinder engine mated to a continuously variable transmission and a bank of nickel-metal hydride batteries driving electric motors. The images you see above are the first we've seen so far, coming from a leaked brochure, but we'll have more for you once the doors open at the Geneva Motor Show.

Gallery: Lexus CT 200h brochure

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Tags: 2010 geneva motor show, 2010GenevaMotorShow, ct, ct 200h, Ct200h, geneva 2010, geneva motor show, Geneva2010, GenevaMotorShow, hybrid, lexus, lexus ct, lexus ct 200h, lexus hybrid, Lexus LF-Ch, lexus lf-ch concept, lexus lf-ch hybrid, LexusCt, LexusCt200h, LexusHybrid, LexusLf-ch, LexusLf-chConcept, LexusLf-chHybrid, lf-ch

What You Need To Know About Red Roses For Valentine's Day

by ashleynorth (RSS feed) —

Red roses are popular year round but take on special importance at Valentine's Day. Suddenly they are everywhere. Bouquets of roses are sold by the side of the road and by salespeople hovering around restaurants. This, combined with the overflowing buckets at the grocery store, saturate a market that is deserving of a richness equivalent to its history. Favored mostly for its beauty and durability, combined with fragrance, the rose's popularity has caused an outbreak of ecologically harmful and trade-wide problems.

Many roses are raised in Ecuador and Colombia, and there is an ongoing concern of heavy pesticide use, unfair wage and labor conditions and the possibility that the rose tips themselves may have been treated with anti-fungal chemicals that are harmful to human beings.

Flower arranger and horticulture expert Betty Miles explains the importance of careful-sourcing and following care that will result in a longer life and a clear conscience. She notes that, due to favorable climate conditions as well as cheaper labor, most long stem roses (the most popular in America) are grown in greenhouses around the world, and generally in Colombia, Ecuador and parts of Africa. There can be a big difference between the white-bucketed variety amongst conventional locations and the fresher and perhaps more local available at a credible florist. Betty goes on to say:

When sourcing flowers in person, check underneath the bud to see if petals will have been removed. This will prove the flower to be old or not as fresh, diminishing their cut-life. 'Hardening-off' is a common flower arrangement term- taking a cut flower from a garden or, later, florist, and diagonally cutting an inch off the tip of the stem then immediately placing it in water (or cutting while the stem is submerged in water). Doing these steps, along with removing the lower leaves and stems will avoid rotting and water-contamination thus, shortening the life. If not removed, the most distal part of the stem will get dried, killing the cells within the stem, rendering it inactive, and killing the flower. This can and should be repeated by the distributor, the florist and finally, the customer. Though the packet of "flower-extender" that comes with your flowers appears artificial, it is an inert and biodegradable substance (typically a formula including dextrose and bacteria-inhibitors) that will extend the life of your cut flowers.

Tags: alternative, bush, columbia, day, decor-pedia, domestic, eco, ecuador, fairtrade, florist, friendly, grow, hybrid, hybridization, long, luxist-awards, main-pedia, red, roses, stem, US, valentines