The Green Report Archives

Following the release of the 2012 Beetle 2.5L and Turbo models, VW has now taken the wraps off the 2013 Beetle TDI with its 2.0L diesel engine.

The 2013 Beetle TDI is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged, direct-injection clean diesel engine that makes 140 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The diesel engine can be mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or a dual-clutch DSG six-speed automatic. VW estimates that the Beetle TDI will get 39 mpg on the highway and 29 mpg in the city.

The Beetle TDI will be offered in three trim lines when it goes on sale this summer: TDI; TDI with Sunroof; and TDI with Sunroof, Sound, and Navigation.

Tesla will unveil its third model, the Model X crossover on February 9th, but here's the first teaser photo of it. The teaser photo shows off the electric crossover's roofline and part of its grille.

The teaser photo was part of Tesla's invitation to the official unveiling of the Model X that is going to take place at Tesla's Design Studio in LA. The Model X is expected to arrive less than two years after the Model S sedan, with pricing that will probably be higher than the Model S that starts at $57,400.

It took 12 years, but Honda has announced that its cumulative worldwide hybrid vehicle sales surpassed 800,000 units as of the end of December 2011.

Honda introduced its first hybrid model, the Insight in Japan in November 1999. Since then Honda has produced two versions of the Insight , hybrid versions of the Civic and Accord and the CR-Z sports hybrid. Today Honda sells seven hybrid models in approximately 50 countries around the world.

Next year Honda plans to reintroduce an Accord hybrid with a plug-in hybrid system. The 2013 Accord Plug-in Hybrid will use a 6 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery and a 120 kW electric motor to achieve an all-electric range of approximately 10-15 miles in city driving and a top speed of 62 mph. Honda has also announced that the upcoming 2013 Acura ILX compact sedan will be offered with a hybrid system, marking the introduction of the first Acura hybrid.

Car and Driver recently spoke to Mazda spokesman Jeremy Barnes, who confirmed that a diesel-powered Mazda will be offered in the U.S. in early 2013. "It'll be here between 15 and 18 months behind the launch of the Skyactiv-G gasoline engine in the Mazda 3." The Mazda 3 with the Skyactive-G gasoline engine arrived in October, so you can expect to see a diesel in Mazda's U.S. lineup between January and April of 2013.

Which model will get the diesel engine? Barnes did not confirm which Mazda would get the diesel, but according to sources it will be the new CX-5. In Europe and Japan the CX-5 is already offered with a Skyactiv 2.2L diesel. In Europe the diesel is offered with either 148-hp and 280 lb-ft. or 173-hp and 310 lb-ft. of torque.

Until then, Mazda recently announced that the 2013 CX-5 in the U.S. will be powered by a 155-hp 2.0L Skyactiv engine that gets up to 35 mpg on the highway.

Honda has begun deliveries of the 2013 Fit EV, with the first one going to the city of Torrance, California. The delivery was marked by a ceremony at the Torrance City Hall, at which a key to the Fit EV was presented to Torrance Mayor Frank Scotto by Steve Center, vice president of the Environmental Business Development Office at American Honda.

"This is an exciting day as we take another important step toward Honda's comprehensive vision for reducing CO2 emissions while at the same time advancing our relationship with the city of Torrance," said Steve Center. "Honda has a long history with electric vehicles starting with the introduction of our first battery-electric car, the EV Plus, nearly 15 years ago. With Honda's extensive experience and the real-world feedback from the city of Torrance, we will be even more prepared for the further customer adoption of electric vehicles."

The 2013 Fit EV was unveiled last November at the 2011 LA Auto Show and will go on sale to customers in California and Oregon this summer. It has a range of 76 miles and is powered by a 20 kWh lithium-ion battery and 92 kW coaxial electric motor. According to Honda, the Fit EV can be fully recharged in as little as 3 hours when connected to a 240-volt outlet. The 2013 Fit EV will start at $36,625 before any government incentives, with an estimated lease priced at $399 a month.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has confirmed on his Twitter account that the Tesla Model X crossover will be unveiled on February 9th at Tesla's design studio in California.

The Tesla Model X will share its platform with the upcoming Model S sedan, but its not known if the version we will see next month will be the production version or a concept. The Model X crossover was rumored to be unveiled by the end of December, but isn't slated to go on sale until late 2013.

According to Tesla, the Model X will "incorporate the functionality of a minivan with the consumer appeal of a sports-utility vehicle."

According to the guys over at Autoblog, VW is going to unveil the diesel-powered 2013 Beetle TDI at the Chicago Auto Show next month. VW hasn't released any official details about the diesel Beetle, but it's expected that it will be powered by the same 2.0L turbo-diesel that powers the diesel Golf, Jetta and Passat models.

In the Golf, the 2.0L diesel generates 140 horsepower and 236 lb-ft. of torque and gets up to 42 mpg. The diesel will be also reportedly be offered in the upcoming Beetle convertible, which is going to arrive later this year.

Mazda has announced the fuel economy figures for the 2013 Mazda CX-5 compact crossover, which is headed to dealerships this spring.

The front-wheel-drive, six-speed manual equipped CX-5 models are rated at 26 city/35 highway/29 combined mpg. When its equipped with the six-speed automatic transmission those numbers drop slightly to 26 city/32 highway/29 combined. The all-wheel-drive CX-5 gets 25 city/31 highway/28 combined mpg.

All CX-5 models are powered by a Skyactiv 2.0L engine with 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ft. of torque.

Mazda says that pricing for the 2013 CX-5 will be announced closer to its launch date.

BMW has announced the pricing for the 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5, which starts at $61,845.

The 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5 is powered by BMW's 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder engine, an electric drive system and an 8-speed automatic transmission for with a combined output of 335hp. It reaches 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds.

The ActiveHybrid 5 can operate in full-electric mode up to 37 mph and the lithium-ion battery has enough power to allow the hybrid to drive up to 2.5 miles on electricity alone. BMW has yet to release the official fuel economy stats.

The ActiveHybrid 5 will reach showrooms in late spring.

Toyota has unveiled the fourth Prius model, the 2012 Prius c, today in Detroit. The Prius c is now the smallest Prius available and will start under $19,000 when it hits dealers this March. How small is it? It's about the same size as the Toyota Yaris and is 19-inches shorter than the Prius Liftback. The Prius c also weighs 542 lbs. less weight than the Prius Liftback (2,500 vs. 3,042 lbs.).

Since it's the smallest Prius, the thing most of us are most eager to hear about is its fuel economy ratings. Toyota has announced that the Prius c will have a rating of 53 mpg in the city, 46 mpg on the highway and a combined rating of 50 mpg. The Prius c is powered by a 1.5L four-cylinder engine mated to an electric motor within a CVT. The system has a total output of 99 horsepower and the nickel-metal hydride battery rides below rear bench.

Toyota has unveiled what could be the Prius of the future with the NS4 Plug-in Hybrid Concept at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. According to Toyota, the "NS4 signifies Toyota's vision for future mobility with a focus on connectivity and the human interface."

Toyota's engineers were tasked with designing a new mid-sized concept that could potentially be introduced by 2015. The NS4's powertrain targets a next-generation Hybrid Synergy Drive plug-in system featuring reductions in component size and weight with improved overall fuel economy, better acceleration and longer all-electric range, while maintaining a short charge time.

In addition to its next-generation hybrid system, the NS4 introduces a next generation Pre-Collision System (PCS) with lane departure, rear-end and pedestrian collision avoidance technologies. The PCS uses millimeter-wave radar and stereo cameras mounted on the front of the vehicle to detect and react to lane departure, pedestrians and other vehicles. Adaptive headlights and new glass technologies integrated into the windows also help improve driver visibility and gas mileage.

The NS4 concept also gets a Human-Machine Interface (HMI) that provides a user interface built around a multi-touch screen with the look and feel of a smartphone. It provides quick information to the driver and controls the climate control, audio system and navigation functions to minimize distractions.

Honda has given us our first preview of the all-new 2013 Accord with the 2013 Honda Accord Coupe Concept that was unveiled today in Detroit. In typical Honda fashion, the Accord Coupe Concept is a thinly disguised version of the production version that is arriving this fall.

The 2013 Accord will get three all-new powertrains, including a 181-hp 2.4L direct-injected engine and a two-motor plug-in hybrid system. The new Earth Dreams 2.4L engine will be mated to either a six-speed manual or a new CVT. Honda claims that the 2.4L equipped 2013 Accord models are targeted at delivering class-leading fuel economy.

Honda is not going to follow Hyundai and Ford's lead by no longer offering a V6 in their midsize sedans, since Honda has announced that the 2013 Accord will be offered with a 3.5L V6 mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The new V6 will generate more power fuel economy than in the current Accord.

The 2013 Accord will see the return of an Accord hybrid, which will be powered by a two-motor plug-in hybrid system that moves continuously through three modes - all-electric, gasoline-electric and direct-drive - to maximize driving efficiency and fuel economy. In all-electric mode the Accord Plug-In Hybrid will use a 6 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery and a 120 kW electric motor to achieve an all-electric range of approximately 10-15 miles in city driving and a top speed of 62 mph. Fully recharging the battery will take less than four hours using a 120-volt, outlet and less than 1.5 hours using a 240-volt charger. In the gasoline-electric hybrid mode, the Accord is powered by its fuel-efficient 2.0-liter, i-VTEC inline four-cylinder, Atkinson cycle engine, paired with an electric Continuously Variable Transmission. The Accord Plug-In Hybrid launch next winter.

"Marking the 30th anniversary of U.S. production, this new ninth-generation Accord will raise the bar again through a tour de force of new Honda powertrain and safety technologies, geared to ensure that Honda and the Accord continue to lead in fuel economy, safety and fun-to-drive performance," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda.

Here's one of the models that we've been eagerly awaiting, the Acura NSX Concept. Acura has unveiled its preview of the next NSX that will be released within the next three years. Unlike the previous NSX concept with its V10 engine, this one stays true to the original and is likely to make NSX fans much happier.

The newest NSX concept features a mid-mounted V6 engine and uses lightweight materials to keep the weight down. The NSX concept also gets a bunch of new technologies including Acura's Sport Hybrid SH-AWD hybrid system. The all-wheel-drive hybrid system features two electric motors at the front of the concept that can can instantly generate negative or positive torque to the front wheels during cornering. A next-generation V6 engine with direct injection works in concert with a dual clutch transmission with built-in electric motor to create supercar acceleration while offering outstanding efficiency.

Is the world ready for an eco-friendly supercar? Takanobu Ito, president and CEO of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. stated, "In this new era, even as we focus on the fun to drive spirit of the NSX, I think a supercar must respond positively to environmental responsibilities."

Lexus has taken the wraps off the LF-LC hybrid 2+2 sport coupe design concept, which showcases the future design direction for Lexus with an emphasis on a driver-focused vehicle.

"The concept we're showing here in Detroit continues the Lexus design revolution started with the CT and GS," said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager. "The concept hybrid 2+2 liberates the idea of a sport coupe and pushes the boundaries of performance, style and technology."

The LF-LC displays the new Lexus design language in its bold interpretation of the signature Lexus spindle grille and rear architecture. Sumptuous curves blend smoothly into dynamic angles, creating an inviting display of lines, shadows and corners.

"Our entire studio worked to develop this beautiful interpretation of Lexus originality," said Kevin Hunter, president of the company's Calty design studio in Newport Beach, Calif. "The LF-LC concept embodies our vision of what a premium sport coupe could be."

As expected, VW has unveiled the hybrid version of the Jetta sedan. The 2013 Jetta Hybrid is the second hybrid to carry a VW badge and will be the most fuel-efficient Jetta available.

The Jetta Hybrid is powered by a 1.4L turbocharged gasoline engine that develops 150 horsepower and 184 lb-ft. of torque. The 1.4L engine is mated to a 27 horsepower electric motor that gets its energy from a 1.1 kWh lithium-ion battery that sits behind the rear seat. The entire system sends its power to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

According to VW the Jetta Hybrid can reach 0-60 mph in less than nine seconds and will deliver a combined fuel economy rating of 45 mpg. The Jetta Hybrid can also be driven in pure electric mode at speeds of up to 44 mph and for up to 1.2 miles.

The Jetta Hybrid will be offered in three trims, but Bluetooth, LED taillights and 15-inch aluminum-alloy wheels are standard. Bi-xenon headlights and LED Daytime Running Lights, the RNS 315 navigation system, a rear-view camera and the Fender Premium Audio System are optional.

What we have here is an all-electric Beetle, dubbed the E-Bugster Concept that is debuting at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. The VW E-Bugster Concept starts with the new "more masculine" Beetle but with three-inches chopped off the roof and slightly modified front and rear fascias. The concept also rides on large 20-inch wheels.

Under the hood the E-Bugster is powered by a 114 horsepower electric motor with 199 lb-ft. of torque that gets its power from a 695-pound lithium-ion battery. The concept has a range of 100 miles and can be quick charged up to 80 percent in 30 minutes.

We can expect to see this electric powertrain in the upcoming Golf blue-e-motion.

We're just a few days away from the start of the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. This year Volvo is bringing a new Plug-in Hybrid Concept version of its XC60 crossover to the show. According to Volvo, "The Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept is an electric car, a highly economical hybrid and a powerful high-performance car all rolled into one."

The XC60 Plug-in Hybrid concept is powered by a 280 horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine that sends its power to the front wheels via an eight-speed transmission, while the rear wheels are powered by a 70 horsepower electric motor.

The XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept has three different driving modes that can be selected by the touch of a button (Pure, Hybrid or Power).

In Pure mode the car is powered solely by its electric motor as much as possible for up to 35 miles. Hybrid mode is the standard setting, which uses a combination of the electric and gasoline powered motors for a combined fuel economy of 50 mpg. In Power mode, the technology is optimized to create maximum possible power. The 280 horsepower gasoline motor and 70 horsepower electric motor accelerate the concept from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds.

The battery pack can be recharged in 3.5 hours if a 220V outlet is available. With a 110V outlet a full charge takes 7.5 hours.

Tesla has announced the pricing for its much anticipated Model S sedan, which starts at $49,900 after the available $7,500 federal tax credit. For almost $50k you get the base Tesla Model S with its 40kWh battery 17" Touchscreen, 19" Wheels and a Universal Mobile Connector with three adapters that will allow you to charge at home and on the road. The Model S equipped with the 40 kWh battery only has an estimated range of 160 miles. Stepping up to the 60 kWh and 85 kWh versions will give you more range.

The Model S with the 60 kWh battery starts at $59,900 after the tax credits and has a range of 230 miles. It also reaches 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds compared to 6.5 seconds for the base model. The 85 kWh version has a range of 300 miles and a 0-60 mph time of 5.6 seconds. It starts at $69,900. As predicted Tesla is also going to offer a Model S Performance model that is powered by the 85 kWh battery, but reaches 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds and also gets a high performance drive inverter and exterior carbon fiber accents. The Model S Performance model is also available with a $5,000 package that includes a nappa leather interior with Alcantara accents, active air suspension with traction control and performance wheels and tires.

At this year's Tokyo Motor Show, Honda unveiled the EV-STER concept, an electric rear-wheel-drive two-seater convertible sports car. According to the latest reports the concept is headed to production.

Honda CEO Takanobu Ito recently spoke with Auto Motor und Sport, in which he revealed that the roadster could be launched with either electric or gasoline powertrains. The concept is powered by a 78 horsepower electric motor with lithium-ion batteries and has a range of 100 miles on a single charge.

According to the German magazine, the production version of the EV-STER could arrive as early as next year.

Ford has announced that the 2012 Focus Electric is expected to be the first five-passenger, all-electric car to achieve more than a 100 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) fuel efficiency rating.

"The Focus Electric is a shining example of the leading fuel economy Ford is offering for each new vehicle," said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. "Whether people want a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or full battery-electric vehicle, we have a family of vehicles for them to consider, providing a range of options to best meet their needs and support their driving habits and lifestyles."

The Focus Electric is powered by a 100-kilowatt electric motor with a 23-kWh battery, that puts out a max 123 horsepower and 181 lb-ft. of torque. The Focus Electric has a top speed of 84 mph with a range of 100 miles on a single charge. According to Ford the Focus Electric can be charged with a new 240 volt charging that charges the car's battery in three-four hours, half the time of the Nissan Leaf.

The 2012 Focus Electric starts at 39,995 after the $795 destination fees, so after the maximum $7,500 federal tax credit the price for the Focus Electric drops to $32,495.

Ford has released more details about the upcoming 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid models. Both the C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi use the Ford's next-generation powersplit hybrid technology in combination with a lighter, smaller lithium-ion battery system. Both models pair the high-voltage lithium-ion battery and electric traction motor with a 2.0L Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine. According to Ford the new system allows the gasoline engine to run less.

Ford claims that the C-MAX Hybrid will deliver better fuel economy than the Toyota Prius V. The C-MAX Energi is expected to deliver better MPGe in electric mode than the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid and will have a driving range more than 500 miles using the battery and engine.

"C-MAX is the right car for the time as it combines the dynamics and quality of a traditional car with the versatility of a MAV and leading fuel efficiency that you cannot even get from Toyota," said Sherif Marakby, director of Ford's Electrification Programs and Engineering.

Next month VW is going to debut a new electric car concept at the Detroit Auto Show in addition to a hybrid version of the Jetta.

The electric car is being labeled as strictly a concept car and it is not based on any current VW production car. Although the concept car may borrow some styling cues from the VW Beetle.

The Jetta hybrid will be a be powered by a turbocharged 1.4L engine mated to an electric motor. The Jetta hybrid will arrive in showrooms late next year.

Volvo is set to release the world's first diesel plug-in hybrid in the Europe late next year, the V60 Plug-in Hybrid, which will start at around $70,000.

The V60 Plug-In Hybrid is powered by a 215 horsepower 2.4L five-cylinder turbodiesel engine that powers the front wheels, while the rear wheels are powered by a 70 horsepower electric motor. The electric motor gets its juice from a 11.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

The hybrid features three driving modes: Pure, Hybrid and Power. In pure mode the car is mainly powered solely by the electric motor as much as possible for up to 32 miles. The electric range varies with terrain, climate and driving style. The Hybrid mode is the standard setting when the car is started. The diesel engine and electric motor cooperate to ensure optimal balance between driving pleasure and environmental footprint. In Hybrid mode the V60 has a range of 621 miles. Lastly in Power mode the technology is optimized to give the car the maximum possible power. The diesel engine and electric motor have a combined output of 285 horsepower and can accelerate the V60 from 0-62 mph in 6.2 seconds.

The V60 Plug-In Hybrid will will be launched in just one color - Electric Silver. The interior of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid has black leather upholstery with contrasting stitching and inlays of blue-grey wood.

Volvo is going to launch a plug-in hybrid in the U.S. next year, but it will use a gasoline engine, instead of the diesel setup in Europe.

Consumer Reports has announced that the Chevy Volt has beat out the V8-powered Dodge Challenger and the Porsche 911 as the top-scoring model in Consumer Reports' latest annual owner-satisfaction survey. 93 percent of Chevy Volt owners said that they would buy the Volt again. The Challenger and 911 both had owner-satisfaction scores of 91 percent.

Although the Volt managed to take the top spot in its survey, Consumer Reports quickly points out that the Volt had only been in showrooms a few months when the survey was conducted and the score may change as the car rolls out to a wider audience and owners spend more time with their vehicles.

The survey was also conducted before the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that it would conduct a safety investigation into plug-in hybrid sedans following an incident with a Chevy Volt catching fire after being crash tested.

"These models reflect a larger trend we've seen in recent years: Sporty cars and fuel efficient cars with alternative drivetrains tend to generate more enthusiasm and loyalty than most other types of vehicles," said Rik Paul, Consumer Reports automotive editor.

BMW and Toyota have announced a new partnership which will see BMW supplying its 1.6L and 2.0L diesel engines to Toyota starting in 2014. The engines will be used in certain Toyota models in Europe, so don't expect to see a BMW diesel engine under the hood of a Toyota in the U.S. anytime soon.

The two automakers have agreed on a collaborative research in the field of next-generation lithium-ion battery technologies. In addition, they have agreed to identify and discuss other possible collaborative projects.

Marking the announcement, Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, said: "Toyota is the leading provider of environment-friendly series technology in the volume segment and the BMW Group is the most innovative and sustainable manufacturer of premium automobiles. We are now joining forces to further develop environment-friendly technologies and to expand our innovation leadership in each of our segments. Supplying Toyota with our fuel efficient and dynamic diesel engines represents another important step in the planned expansion of our sales activities for engines and powertrain systems."

Honda has chosen the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show to release the details about its next-generation technology called "Earth Dreams Technology." The new technology is set to greatly enhance both driving performance in addition to fuel efficiency. Honda hopes this new technology will help it achieve top-of-industry fuel efficiency for every category within three years.

A wide range of engines including the 660cc, 1.3L, 1.5L, 1.8L, 2.0L, 2.4L, and 3.5L will feature the new technology, which includes an enhanced VTEC system, direct-injection technology and the Atkinson cycle. A new downsized diesel engine is also part of the plan as well as new CVT transmissions that will be used by mini, compact and mid-size vehicles. A two-motor hybrid system a high-output 120kW motor that features three driving modes and a high efficiency electric powertrain for all-electric models are also being developed.

The more exciting part of the announcement is the introduction of a new high output electric SH-AWD hybrid system that will be used by large-sized vehicles. It combines a 3.5L V6 engine with two electric motors that reportedly has the power of a V8 engine, but is as fuel efficient as a four-cylinder engine. The two electric motors power the rear wheels, while the V6 mated to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission with a built-in 30kW electric motor power the front wheels.

When will all this technology actually debut? Well the good thing is that some of it will start arriving next year.

GM has announced the pricing for the all-new 2013 Chevy Malibu Eco, which starts at $25,995.

The most fuel-efficient Malibu ever is powered by GM's eAssist hybrid system that uses a 2.4L four-cylinder engine that's mated to a lithium-ion battery and an electric motor-generator to enable regenerative braking, electric assist and start-stop functionality. The Malibu Eco packs 182 horsepower and gets 26 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.

The Malibu Eco is only a mild hybrid, but compares well to other full hybrids like the Ford Fusion and Toyota Camry. The Fusion Hybrid only gets 36 mpg and starts higher than the Malibu at $29,395. The Camry Hybrid starts a little higher than than the Malibu Eco at $26,660, but also gets one 1 mpg better at 39 mpg.

For those buyers that want a standard four-cylinder engine, GM will release a Malibu with a standard 190-hp 2.5L Ecotec four-cylinder next summer.

The 2013 Chevy Malibu Eco will arrive in Chevy dealerships in the first quarter of next year.

Infiniti has released two teaser photos of a new electric sports car concept that it's bringing to the Geneva Motor Show next March.

Andy Palmer, Executive Vice President, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd and Infiniti said: "At the Geneva Show next year, we will present our vision for a totally new kind of inspired premium performance car. Infiniti already has hybrid and clean diesel models on sale. And with an all-electric sedan on the way, the natural next step was to push the boundaries where performance and the environment intersect."

Stay tuned...

The 2013 Honda Fit EV is having its world debut in LA and will be available by the summer. The Honda Fit EV is powered by a 20 kWh lithium-ion battery and a 92 kilowatt coaxial electric motor. It features a 3- mode electric drive system, adapted from the CR-Z Sport Hybrid and has a range of 123 city-mile per charge or a 76 mile range with combined city and highway driving. It will only take 3 hours to recharge the battery using a 240-volt outlet.

"The Fit EV is the next critical step in Honda's portfolio approach to alternative fueled vehicles," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "There is no other automaker on the planet whose spirit is more deeply invested in the effort to realize a cleaner, more energy-efficient and ultimately more sustainable transportation future than Honda."

The 2013 Fit EV's pricing starts at $36,625 before any government incentives, with an estimated lease priced at $399 a month. Honda expects to only produce approximately 1,100 Fit EV's over the next three years.

Toyota has given us our first official look at the Prius c hybrid, which is the production version of the Prius C concept car. The Prius c hybrid is about the same size as the Toyota Yaris and will be officially unveiled at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show and then it will have its U.S. debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

The Prius c is powered by a hybrid powertrain that mates an electric motor to a 1.5L engine. The Prius c, which will be dubbed the Aqua in Japan is smaller and lighter than the standard Prius, which will also result in better fuel economy numbers. The Prius c is expected to get over 50 mpg in the city, which will be the highest city mpg of any non-plug-in vehicle.

Toyota has announced that the all-new 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid is now arriving in dealerships with a starting price at $25,900, which is $1,150 cheaper than the outgoing model.

The 2012 Camry Hybrid is powered by an updated version of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system and a new 2.5L four-cylinder engine. The system has an EPA rating of 43 city and 39 highway, with a combined 41 mpg rating. The 2012 Camry Hybrid now has a new EV mode that allows the driver to operate the car using the electric motor alone under certain conditions for up to one mile at speeds below 25 mph.

The Camry Hybrid LE comes standard with projector beam headlamps, dual-zone auto A/C and the Smart Key System with push button start. The Camry Hybrid XLE starts at $27,400 and comes with a touch-screen navigation system, 17-inch alloy wheels. Other options includes premium HDD navigation, a JBL audio system, a blind spot monitor, leather seats and a Convenience Package that includes an integrated backup camera, HomeLink Universal Transceiver, and Anti-Theft System.

Honda has given us a preview of what it's going to be bringing to the Tokyo Motor Show in December, the Small Sports EV concept.

According to Honda the Small Sports EV concept is a next-generation EV sports model that "maximizes the fun of driving while achieving excellent environmental performance." Honda hasn't released any other details about the concept other than the teaser photos you see here.

Could this be a preview of a new "sporty" Honda? We can only hope...

Ever since the Chevy Volt officially went on sale, GM has required dealers to keep at least one Volt on their lot as a demo model for interested buyers. GM is now notifying dealers that they are free to sell their Volt demo models.

Allowing dealers to sell their Volt demos will release about 2,300 models that will allow GM to get closer to its goal of selling 10,000 Volts this year. GM has only sold 5,300 units through October.

According to GM dealers have been asking to sell their Volt demos to keep up with customer demand. GM will reimburse dealers $1,500 to compensate for depreciation and the cost of removing the decals from the demo models. Dealers have to sell their demo models by January 3rd and then replace them by the end of January.

The 2012 Ford Focus Electric has just shown up on Ford's online configurator with a base price of $39,200 before any state or federal tax credits. The actual total starting price is $39,995 after the $795 destination fees, so after the maximum $7,500 federal tax credit the price for the Focus Electric is $32,495.

Since most buyers will likely cross shop the Focus Electric against the Nissan Leaf, the 2012 Nissan Leaf starts at $35,200.

Of course there are ways to make the Focus Electric cost you even more, like selecting White Platinum paint ($495) or leather trimmed seats ($995).

Ford is now taking reservations for the 2012 Focus Electric.

Today is an historic day, as Ford opens up the order banks for the company's first full production, all-electric passenger vehicle - the Focus Electric," said Chad D'Arcy, Focus Electric Marketing Manager, Ford Motor Company. "The all-new Focus Electric is an important part of Ford's overall strategy, bringing still another option to customers who want a car that is fun-to-drive, easy to own and fully electric."

Tesla is set to release its second model the Model S sedan early next year and this fall Tesla is also going to unveil its third model, the Model X crossover. So what is the future of the Tesla Roadster?

It's being reported by Autocar that Tesla will release an all-new Roadster in 2014, which will get a new platform that doesn't borrow Lotus parts. According to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the new Roadster will be based on a third-generation platform, which will be a shortened version of the platform used for the Model S.

"This platform will spawn a range of cars in the next four to five years," Musk stated. "It'll be a more mass-market platform for cars like a 3-series as well as the new Roadster. These cars will supplement the Model S range."

This month GM released the first details and photos of the upcoming Chevy Spark electric vehicle that is going to be released in 2013. GM announced that the Chevy Spark EV would be powered an electric motor and a nanophosphate lithium-ion battery pack, but no other specs were released.

GM has now announced that the electric motor will pack 114 horsepower.

"Electric motor development and manufacturing is another area of expertise we'll need as we expand vehicle electrification technologies to address the needs of our customers around the world," stated Larry Nitz, GM executive director of Vehicle Electrification Engineering.

The electric motor for the Spark will be produced at GM's plan in White Marsh, Maryland.

The 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show is less than a month away. Honda has announced plans to unveil the all-new 2012 CR-V as well as the production version of the 2013 Honda Fit EV at the show.

Honda gave us a preview of the 2012 CR-V with the CR-V concept earlier this year. According to Honda, the all-new CR-V will "showcase new exterior and interior styling, improved fuel economy and added technology features."

The Honda Fit EV was originally previewed by the Fit EV concept in LA last year. Honda announced last year that the production version would be able to reach a top speed of 90 mph and have a range around 100 miles per charge using the US EPA city cycle (70 miles when applying EPA's adjustment factor).

Volvo has announced that the V60 Plug-in Hybrid that was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, will enter production next year.

The Volvo V60 Plug-in hybrid will be the first diesel plug-in hybrid when it hits the market. The car is being produced thanks to a partnership between Volvo and Swedish energy supplier Vattenfall.

"One important aspect of the project was to retain the Volvo V60's excellent driving pleasure, high safety standard and luxurious comfort. At the same time, average CO2 emissions and fuel consumption will be halved compared with what is available on the market today," says Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation.

The V60 Plug-in hybrid is powered by a 2.4L five-cylinder diesel engine that will be mated to an electric motor and a 12kWh lithium-ion battery. The diesel engine sends its power to the front wheels, while the electric motor powers the rear. The V60 plug-in hybrid will have an overall driving range of 746 miles. The driver of the plug-in hybrid can choose between three driving models. Pure mode is the electric only driving mode that has a range of about 31 miles. Hybrid mode combines both motors, but aims to keep fuel consumption low, while Power mode is the fun mode that is more focused on outright performance.

Volvo has yet to announce the official pricing

Toyota gave us a preview of its new smaller Prius model, the Prius C with the Prius C concept earlier this year. When the Prius C is released it will be sold alongside the standard Prius and larger Prius V models. Although we saw the Prius C concept in Detroit at the beginning of the year, Toyota hasn't given us a look at the production version. Yay for photo leaks, since we now have our first unofficial look.

A brochure for the Prius C has apparently leaked onto the internet, so here's your first look at the baby Prius. From these photos it looks like the Prius C has adopted some of the styling cues from the larger Prius V and standard Prius models. It's definitely not as fun looking as the concept. Overall the Prius C won't be larger than the Toyota Yaris.

According to the brochure the Prius C will be powered by a 1.4L four-cyl mated to an electric motor. The US-spec Prius C is expected to debut in Detroit in January with sales starting this coming spring.

Honda has unveiled the updates to the 2012 Honda Insight, which includes a refreshed exterior and interior and slightly better fuel efficiency.

The exterior of the Insight gets updates that includes: restyled front and rear bumpers, a new grille, new headlights and taillights and restyled wheels. The new bumpers and changes under the vehicle, contribute to a 2-percent increase in aerodynamic performance.

The Insight's interior gets updated with a reconfigured rear seat area for better leg and head room, a redesigned gauge cluster background, new beverage holders that fit larger drinks and a more supportive front armrest.

The 2012 Insight is now a little more fuel efficient with a 41/44/42 mpg fuel economy rating, up from 40/43/41. It's powered by a 1.3-liter 4-cyl engine that's mated to a 10-kilowatt electric motor and a CVT.