1972 Impala on 2040-cars

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Recharge Wrap-up: Chevy Volt's new, improved powertrain; Inabikari wants to build Tesla Model X fighter

We knew the 2016 Chevrolet Volt's new powertrain would provide more range, but we didn't know how much. According to GM's Executive Director Larry Nitz, it is about 12 percent more, overall. "I can't think of a powertrain we've re-engineered more extensively within a five-year period than this one," he said. The battery, electric drive system and gasoline generator have all been reworked to allow for an overall driving range of up to 425 miles, with electric range speculated to reach 42 miles or more. The new Volt will also benefit from 20 percent quicker low-end acceleration, weight reductions and improvements in NVH. Read more at Hybrid Cars and at the SAE website. Hyundai's FCEV research and development boss, Dr. Sae-Hoon Kim, is optimistic about the future of hydrogen mobility in Japan. With the Tucson Fuel Cell already in production ahead of Toyota's FCV, Hyundai has a foothold in the hydrogen car scene. Kim believes that since the Fukushima disaster, Japan's attitudes toward energy make it friendly to a growing hydrogen economy. He also says that hydrogen won't be limited to Hyundai, with Kia getting all the battery EVs. "Both types are for both companies," Kim says. "For the moment, volumes are small and it is not wise to have Hyundai and Kia competing." Read more at Just Auto. The Latvian/German startup Inabikari is using crowdfunding to build an electric crossover for Europe. The Rev.01 EV hopes to compete with Tesla's upcoming Model X with a range of over 400 miles and a five-second 0-60 time. The group currently is trying to raise initial funds through an Indiegogo campaign, with hopes of more investment in the future and sales beginning in 2017. See the video below, and read more at Hybrid Cars and at the Inabikari website. Fuel economy and emissions regulations could lead to some interesting design changes to automobiles. The World Light Duty Test Procedure, set to replace the New European Driving Cycle in 2017, will push automakers to find new ways to reduce drag on their vehicles. For better aerodynamics, we could see traditional side-view mirrors replaced by cameras that display what they see on screens inside the vehicle. Another likely change will be the introduction of smaller, narrower wheels. Improving the average drag coefficient from 0.32 to 0.20 could reduce CO2 emissions by as much as 20 percent. Read more at Automotive News Europe.

So, how do you actually pronounce that automaker's name?

You probably have that friend who always says Porsche wrong, or maybe it's someone who keeps reminding you it's actually two syllables. Whichever side of the pronunciation debate you fall on, you'll find someone to root for in the video above. And before you ask, this was all the video team's idea. So don't get mad at me for being the voice of reason. BMW Chevrolet Hyundai Nissan Rolls-Royce Videos Original Video nissan qashqai

Chevy will reveal the Bolt EV tomorrow at CES

The moment that electric vehicle consumers and green propulsion enthusiasts have been waiting for is almost upon us, as Chevy confirmed that it will unveil the production version of the 2017 Bolt EV Wednesday at CES in Las Vegas. Chevrolet previewed the Bolt in concept form at the Detroit Auto Show almost a year ago, proposing a compelling rival to the likes of the Nissan Leaf and BMW i3. We've expected the CES debut for awhile, and Chevy projects that the finished product will boast a range of more than 200 miles on a single charge. That's nearly double the Leaf's range, and significantly farther than the i3 will travel even with the Range Extender kicking in. All of that for under $30,000 after federal tax credits. Of course, Chevy's own Spark EV costs much less, but will only go 82 miles before it needs to plug in again. If you won't be in Vegas for the unveiling tomorrow, you can catch it on Facebook. It will be the first vehicle to debut on the new Facebook Live, featuring both a live video stream and a 360-degree interactive interior video. Once out on the market, the Bolt EV will join the Spark EV, Volt PHEV, and Malibu hybrid in a growing array of electrified vehicles from the American automaker, rivaling the likes of Toyota and Nissan for the most electrified vehicles in its lineup. Chevrolet Bolt EV Will Debut at CES 2016-01-05 DETROIT – Chevrolet will unveil the 2017 Bolt EV at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Jan. 6, and be the first auto brand to work with Facebook to debut a vehicle using Facebook Live. With the addition of the Bolt EV to a lineup that includes the all-new 2016 Volt, 2016 Malibu Hybrid and Spark EV, Chevrolet will offer consumers more affordable, electrified vehicle options than any other major automotive brand – solidifying its position as the leader in electrification. "The Bolt EV truly embodies the ingenuity that is at the core of everything we do at Chevrolet," said Alan Batey, president of General Motors North America and head of Global Chevrolet. "The technologies and the engineering expertise behind the Bolt EV are tremendous examples of the kind of innovation we intend to offer our customers, across an array of products at a tremendous value – something only Chevrolet can deliver." Building on the electrification expertise established by the Volt, the Bolt EV is a game-changing, long-range electric vehicle.