An anonymous source inside GM said that the American giant might develop a cheaper version of Chevrolet Volt, at the expense of a smaller mileage.

While the new Chevrolet Volt have not been launched on the markets yet, Chevrolet is seriously thinking at developing a cheaper version of it. The cheap Volt might be a rival of the hybrid and diesel models with smaller prices and will have a mileage of around 20 miles in full electric mode. Chevrolet Volt can run in full electric mode between 25 and 50 miles, then the internal combustion engine starts to recharge the batteries. The exception is the barrier of 100 mph, when the engine starts automatically.

According to some sources inside General Motors and quoted by Favstocks, Chevrolet might cut off $10,000 from the production price of Volt, only be redesigning in, raising the production numbers, a new battery, or a combination of the three. As well, they might reduce the autonomy in full electric model, a move that would increase the fuel consumption and the CO2 emissions, but would transform Chevrolet Volt into a cheaper car.

For now, GM officials didn’t speak about the rumor. Chevrolet Volt would have a major advantage, at least on the US market, if it has a starting price of $31,000, getting support from the US Government, that would offer a price reduction based on environmental funds specifically collected. On the other hand, increasing Volt’s production might lead to other problems, as the dealerships are already overworked, as the plant producing Volt’s batteries is already working at full capacity.

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The world famous automakers have used the Geneva Motor Show to show the latest electric and hybrid cars. We present the most interesting five appearances.

The new “green wave” has reached the automakers present at Geneva Auto Show. Normally, the latest technological solutions were presented both on the models that already exists, but also on the new concepts. I chose five of the most important electric and hybrid models from Geneva Motor Show 2011.

1. OPEL Ampera

New Opel Ampera came at Geneva Motor Show 2011, in world premiere in series version. Last year, the Opel engineers had come to Switzerland Auto Show with an Ampera from Rüsselsheim and were very satisfied with the results. New Ampera is a hybrid in series configuration (The guys from Opel it named electric model with an extend autonomy system) that receiving an electric motor and a gasoline engine which, when the battery is empty, acts as a generator. The Ampera battery is charged from a normal outlet in four hours and the 25-50 miles electric autonomy power is extended to over 250 miles after the gasoline engine enter in action.

Opel Ampera

2. VOLVO V60 PLUG-IN HYBRID

New series hybrid model launched by the guys from Volvo at Geneva Auto Show 2011 has a technology that can not be found in any other automaker in the world. We are talking about the diesel-electric hybrid system and the V60 Plug-in- Hybrid battery can be loaded, if necessary, from a normal outlet. The Swedish model can run exclusive in electric mode for 31 miles and the hybrid mode enabling the 2.4-liter diesel engine and 215 HP, which works in parallel with the electric motor, which have 70 HP. If is used in the most eco mode as possible, the V60 special version consumption falls below 78 mi/gal.

Volvo V60 Hybrid

3. PORSCHE Panamera S Hybrid

I could skip the second model from Porsche history with a hybrid powertrain. It is Porsche Panamera S Hybrid, a version that receives the same drive train that I saw at Cayenne and also on Touareg Hybrid (380 HP and 428 lb-ft), this allowing to the German model to reach a good consumption for a model in this range. We’re talking about 34.5 mi/gal, a consumption that reaches half by the announced gasoline version of Porsche Panamera S version.

Porsche Panamera S Hybrid

4. BMW ActiveE

BMW shown at Geneva Motor Show 2011 the series prototype version of the compact 1 Series electric version. The first road models will be launched later this year. Based on the 1 Series Coupe version , the electric version can not be bought, but can be rented, BMW will produce a series of 1000 copies. The 170 HP and 184 lb-ft provide by the electric motor propels the new ActiveE from 0-60 mph in 9 seconds, guaranteeing a top speed of 90 mph, electronically limited to not discharge the battery resources. The announced autonomy by the guys from BMW is up to 100 miles.

BMW ActiveE

5. ROLLS ROYCE 102 EX Concept

What would you say if Rolls Royce would be released an electric Phantom? If ten years ago this idea would have aroused laughter, now the idea could be real. The reason: 102 EX Concept presented at Geneva Motor Show 2011, predict such a model that could be launched in future in the British brand range. It is not known if this concept will be produced in series, the only thing known is that after the Geneva Auto Show, Rolls Royce 102 EX Concept will make the world tour. If they will show interest, the electric Phantom will be produced in limited series.

Rolls Royce 102 EX Concept

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Opel has released the first official picture with the series version of Ampera. The electric / hybrid model with extended autonomy will be presented in world premiere at Geneva Motor Show 2011.

The series version of the Opel Ampera model, the European brother of Chevrolet Volt model, will be presented in world premiere by the German automaker in its own stand at Geneva Motor Show. The model with electric propulsion that can be a hybrid in series configuration when the battery is low will be presented for the first time in the final configuration, the previous two editions from Geneva Motor Show was dedicated to the pre-production versions of the German model.

Because the model is classified as an electric / hybrid vehicle, Ampera don’t pay pollution tax, despite the fact that it is equipped with a gasoline engine that supports the propulsion system. The model battery can be loaded in just four hours and the 100% running in electric mode may take place over a distance of between 25 and 50 miles, which is more than the average distance traveled by the commuters from Europe.

The Opel Ampera battery can be charged from a standard 230V AC outlet in just four hours, say the officials from Opel. Therefore, the vehicle could be charged even if you are at work. In the next years, is probably that the commercial places will provide charging facilities for the electric vehicles.

According to the official press release that accompanying the first official picture of the German model, Ampera can reach a top speed of 100 mph, while the acceleration from 0-60 mph is achieved in 9 seconds.

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The eighth generation of VW Golf will have a version that will consume only 100 mi/gal. The model will be available on the market in 2020.

Volkswagen has announced that they will build a super economic version of Golf in 2020. This model belongs to the eighth generation of Golf and will be called blue-e-motion. The most economical Golf in the history will have an average consumption of 100 mi/gal and CO2 emissions of only 120 grams per mile. The future Golf MK VIII will benefit from many technological elements taken from the new XL1 concept and will receive an evolved hybrid drive train from the concept which has debuted this year at the Auto Show in Qatar.

The super economic Golf version will not be so cheap, the model will have a lot of plastic components reinforced with fiber carbon. Following this measure, the antiphonary of this model will decrease, but the Germans preparing an unpleasant sound damping system through the audio system. Also, the aerodynamics will be improved significantly.

Both Volkswagen, and also its rivals will be forced to launch more economical models. By 2020, the range of each automaker should have an average of just 152 grams CO2 per mile. In addition to the ecological version of Up!, Volkswagen will benefit from a few electric versions of its models, along with the super economic version of Golf. Together, all these models will help the Germans to reduce the CO2 emissions. At this time, Fiat is the volume brand with the lowest CO2 emissions from Europe.

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BMW 5-Series is set to receive an electric version by the end of the year. The electric model will be sold only on the Chinese market, being developed in a partnership with Brilliance Auto.

BMW will develop an electric version for their 5-Series model, a car build exclusively for the Chinese market. The model will be developed in a partnership with Brilliance Auto Holdings, the company that has a joint-venture agreement with BMW, for penetrating the Chinese market. For now there is no official informations and specs of the electric vehicle, but the concept previewing the electric BMW 5-Series will be displayed at this year’s Beijing Auto Show edition.

BMW Group already sold 169,000 units in China in 2010, with an 87% raise compared to 2009. In 2011, the Germans want to launch the new X3, 6 Series – in both body versions – and Mini Countryman, cars that should lead to an increase in sales. BMW doesn’t expect to build the new model in large volumes, but only to offer the Chinese customers a new propulsion version.

BMW and Brilliance Automotive Co have a join-venture deal in China, allowing them to build Chinese version of BMW 3-Series and BMW 5-Series. Both models are built in Shenyang. The Chinese can also buy a special version 5-Series, which has a longer wheelbase. The BMW 5-Series L (Long) is built exclusively for the Chinese market, and it seems that the electric 5-Series will have the same destiny.

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The mass production version of Toyota Prius C will not be sold in Europe because of the Japanese Yen - Euro parity. But its platform brother, Toyota Yaris Hybrid, will be build and sold in Europe.

According to the Brits of Autocar, the Europeans will only be able to enjoy the production version of Toyota Prius C on their PC screens and in the automotive magazines, because the model will not be shipped on the Old Continent. Apparently, Toyota will not ship the Prius C in Europe because they are building it in Japan and the Japanese automaker is disadvantaged by the Yen/Euro parity.

As a paradox, although the model is not coming to Europe, Toyota Prius C Concept was designed in a Toyota studio located in Nice. More than this, the model has “European” features and it feels like the Europeans love to drive their cars. These features, better described by the word “sporty” are designed to attract the young US customers and not only. The production version of Toyota Prius C will have its world premiere in USA in 2012. The model will be even more fuel efficient than Prius, but the exact values of fuel mileage and CO2 emissions are yet unknown.

But the Europeans can choose from other two hybrid Toyota cars that should satisfy their need of a green vehicle. One of them is Toyota Auris HSD Hybrid, model available since 2010, while Toyota Yaris Hybrid is expected to debut during the year. For the Europeans wondering how Prius C is, we inform you that car shares its platform with the hybrid version of Yaris. Because both Auris HSD and Yaris Hybrid are build in Europe, Toyota is not facing Yen/Euro parity issues.

Via: Autocar

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This statement belongs to Henrik Fisker, the man behind the luxury electric vehicle, Fisker Karma. He said that the people will get used to hybrid and electric vehicles just like they did with the smartphones and flat screen TVs.

Henrik Fisker said that ones contesting the electric and hybrid cars because of their production costs should take a look at the inventions of the last 10 years. The new technology is very expensive in the beginning, but once it is developed, the production price drops, saying that the spartphones and the flat screen TVs are the best example.

Fisker believes that this is only the beginning of the electric cars era, and just like any advanced technology, is first bought in small numbers, than the sales increase exponentially. The Fisker Karma model is a luxury electric vehicle that combines that very low emissions with sportiness and luxury in the same car.

Henrik Fisker said that the mid-size luxury car segment, will be one of the main segments for developing the hybrid and electric drive trains. The only impediment at the moment is the production price. Fisker wanted to highlight that in 1997 a flat screen TV had a price of around $20,000 and now it can be bought for $500, and that the same will happen with hybrid and electric technology

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Dan Akerson, CEO of General motors, confirmed a hybrid version of Cadillac SRX and announced that the GM plans will built twice more Chevrolet Volt units in 2011 than initially planned.

The officials of Chevrolet US announced that General Motors will double the production number for Volt during 2011. The Americans aim to build 45,000 Chevrolet Volt units  per year in 2012, and for 2011 they want to build not less than 25,000 vehicles. The reason behind the increase in production numbers is the high demand registered by this model and its introduction in more and more Chevrolet and General Motors dealerships.

The end of 2011 will mark Chevrolet Volt’s debut on the European market. The Europeans will also receive its version built by Opel and called Ampera, a vehicle that benefits from the same Voltec drive train. First, the Volt units shipped to Europe will be built at the GM plant in Hamtrack, Michigan, but the Americans might also use a European plant to built Chevrolet Volt in order to reduce the costs.

As about the hybrid version of Cadillac SRX, Dan Akerson said that “is very likely” for the model to enter production. Despite Volt’s success, the model will not be built in a Cadillac version, staying a member of the Chevrolet family for the US market.

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The Prius family, designed exclusively for Toyota hybrid models, might include a production version of the Toyota A-BAT Concept, presented at Detroit Auto Show 2011.

Toyota brought this year at Detroit Auto Show the first creations derived from the Prius hybrid: the Toyota Prius V minivan and Toyota C Concept, the already famous HSI eco drive train underpinning both models. The Japanese automaker have officially confirmed the launch of a brand dedicated to hybrid vehicles, called how else than Prius. Once the Japanese officials released these informations the first rumors regarding the first models of the Prius range have hit the web.

According to the American press, the hybrid models family is an old project of the Japanese brand, Toyota abandoned because of financial reasons. Now rumor has it that the futuristic Toyota A-BAT pick-up concept, presented in world premiere at Detroit Auto Show 2008 will join the hybrid line-up.

Bob Carter, Vice-President of Toyota American Division, said that Toyota is considering a hybrid pick-up. “Prius means high mpg, low environment impact, possibly, if it meets the criteria. It’s not off the table, but nothing is decided at this point. The pickup truck has been very volatile over the past few years,” Carter said.

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Toyota reveled at Detroit Auto Show 2011 a concept named Prius C, anticipating a future model of their hybrid family: a city car, focusing on low fuel consumptions.

The Japanese automaker brought at Detroit Motor Show 2011, besides the Prius V minivan, the family model already anticipated by everyone, a surprise-concept, developed on the same hybrid drive train. It’s the Toyota Prius C Hybrid Concept, a prototype that prepares the public for a new member of the Toyota eco-friendly family.

The Prius C Hybrid Concept borrows a lot of the futuristic lines of the next generation Prius, expected to make its market debut next year. According to Toyota official press release, Prius C is wanted to be the small alternative of the line-up, meant to win the public with its low fuel consumption. More precisely, Toyota Prius C is a model focusing on the young customers of the Japanese brand, caring for both a nice-looking and fun car.

The Japanese officials say that the “C” indicative comes from the English word of “City”, clarifying that the model is made for the urban jungle. But the Toyota officials say that the fuel consumption numbers will be the smallest in the range, even without a plug-in system.

Unfortunately, Toyota haven’t revealed more informations about the driving train of the Prius C Concept.

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