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Recharge Wrap-up: 2015 Fuel Economy Guide available, how Porsche ships 919 Hybrid

The EPA and Department of Energy have released the 2015 Fuel Economy Guide. Unsurprisingly, the groups say that this year features more fuel efficient and low-emissions vehicles than previous years, and they span a greater variety of vehicle types. The guide also provides "best-in-class" lists, greenhouse gas ratings and estimated fuel costs for each vehicle. The EPA and DOE hope that car buyers will use the guide to help choose cars that are better for the environment and the climate. Check out the guide for yourself or read more in the press release below. To get from one WEC race to the next, Porsche ships its 919 Hybrid LMP1 cars by air. As the team travels around the world - from continent to continent - it must take 35 tons worth of cargo with it, including two LMP1 cars. That means draining fluids, partially dismantling the cars, and fitting everything into a 747. The team also ships items by sea, which requires shipping extra sets of items due to the longer shipping times. "It's all about efficiency," according to Porsche. Read more in the press release below. Terra Motors is unveiling the A4000i electric scooter, which it will sell in Europe, at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan. The A4000i, which features smartphone connectivity, will be the company's European flagship model. Terra Motors will begin selling in Italy, and plans to make arrangements to sell in several more countries shortly after. Terra hopes to set up manufacturing in Europe, as well. Also on display at EICMA is the company's Bizmo II electric scooter, which has a driving range of 93 miles on a single charge. Read more in the press release below. Volkswagen is providing a 2015 e-Golf to Stanford University for research. The car will be used to study electric mobility, improvements in the driving experience and people's driving behavior and attitudes toward EVs. "Volkswagen's longstanding relationship with Stanford has allowed us to push the boundaries of automotive research and innovation," says Volkswagen's Ewald Goessmann, "and we look forward to extending our work together to drive advances in electric vehicles." See the video and read more in the press release below. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. EPA, DOE Release 2015 Fuel Economy Guide for Car Buyers The U.S.

Porsche 911 GT3 RS spec sheet leaked, promises 500 hp

Axis of Oversteer has three pages of what's purported to be the spec sheet for the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, and it's got a few bolded items noting key differences with the already spectacular 911 GT3. Prime among them is its output, pegged at exactly 500 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque, which looks at first blush to be a minor bump: just 25 hp and 14 lb-ft over the GT3, and the redline drops 200 rpm to 8,800 rpm. If the document is accurate, though, there will be a hefty dose of weight loss to make the most of it. The bodyshell and doors are aluminum, carbon fiber reinforced plastic is used for those vented front fenders (the vanes are plastic), the front trunklid, the rear engine cover, and the rear wing, while the roof is made of magnesium and the side windows are polycarbonate. The bucket seats, door entry guards, and other interior trim pieces are also fashioned from CFRP, and it gets lightweight door panels with pull-loops. Elsewhere around the coupe, the body grows wider by 50 millimeters in front and 30 mm in back over a track that's 36 mm wider. There's a pit-lane speed limiter for track days, tinted taillights, an optional Clubsport package with a six-point seatbelt, and GT3 RS logos everywhere. It's looking more and more like this car was developed to define the word "epic." Featured Gallery Porsche 911 GT3 RS spec sheet Related Gallery 2016 Porsche 911 GT3 RS News Source: Axis of Oversteer Geneva Motor Show Porsche Coupe Performance 2015 Geneva Motor Show porsche 911 gt3

Volkswagen profit jumps as it warns of a cooling auto market

FRANKFURT, Germany — Volkswagen says its profits jumped 44% in the third quarter thanks to a more profitable mix of vehicles in its lineup but warned that global car markets are slowing more than expected and lowered its forecast for annual sales. After-tax profit rose to $4.42 billion (3.98 billion euros) as revenues rose 11% to $68.27 billion (61.42 billion euros). The sales margin of 7.8% exceeded the goal of 6.5-7.5% as vehicles bringing higher profits took a larger share of sales. The Wolfsburg-based automaker pointed to the headwinds facing the industry by saying that it expects "vehicle markets will contract faster than previously anticipated in many regions of the world." It said sales would be "on a level" with last year's record of 10.8 million vehicles. Previously it had expected a slight increase. The company said its profits would be in the lower end of its forecast range. Global automakers are facing a slowdown in sales amid disputes over trade and from pressure in the European Union and China to develop and sell low-emission vehicles that require heavy investment in new technology. Ford and Renault have issued profit warnings in recent days, while Daimler, maker of Mercedes-Benz luxury cars, lost money in the second quarter and is expected to outline a cost-cutting strategy for investors on Nov. 14. Volkswagen is leading the push into electric vehicles in Europe by launching its ID.3 battery-powered compact car at prices it says will make zero local emission vehicles a mass phenomenon. The company was able to increase earnings in the quarter despite an 18% rise in spending on research and development.