Toyota Prius, Greenery netted off by Production

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The Toyota Prius is among the greenest cars to operate. But manufacturing the famous gasoline-electric hybrid can be a dirty business.
Toyota studied the car's total environmental impact from factory to junkyard. 

Not surprisingly, the fuel-efficient Prius was better than average in its class of vehicles in lifetime emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and sulfur oxide, according to Toyota. 

But it was slightly worse than average in emissions of nonmethane hydrocarbons and particulate matter. Toyota says this is because producing hybrid-only parts such as motors, inverters and nickel-metal hydride batteries consumes more energy and creates more emissions. 

 

Porsche's First Electrically Powered Hybrid Sports Car, the 918 Spyder

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Porsche is counting on hybrid drive to help reduce its fleet CO2 emissions.
“In the future, we will have hybrid drive in every model line," development chief Wolfgang Duerheimer said.

Earlier this year, Porsche launched a hybrid version of its Cayenne SUV. A Panamera sedan will go on sale with the Cayenne's hybrid technology in 2011. According to Porsche engine chief, Heinz-Jakob Neusser, the Panamera hybrid will be able to travel 5km to 6km (about 3 to 4 miles) under electric power.

 

Nissan Leaf to get Microsoft Windows Embedded Automotive 7

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All the fancy new technology buried deep inside the guts of today's latest crop of cars and trucks needs some serious software magic to function properly, and Microsoft is one of the leading suppliers of bits and bytes in the automotive realm. Automakers like Fiat, Ford, Kia and Nissan are all using software sourced from the Redmond-based tech giant.Windows Embedded Automotive 7 introduces new technologies such as Silverlight, which allows for 2D and 3D graphics improvements, and Tellme speech technology, which allows real-time text-to-speech technology and the ability to respond to texts using spoken input.

 

Neiman Marcus Camaro convertible sells in mere 3 minutes

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The Neiman Marcus Christmas Book is chock full of high-end products that most of us either couldn't or shouldn't afford. But when it comes to a hot-looking, limited edition Camaro Convertible, even a $75,000 price tag isn't enough to scare some of us off. Neiman Marcus and General Motors sold all 100 copies of the exclusive drop-top in a mere three minutes. That's about $2.5 million worth of metal every minute; a sizable amount of dough even for a company the size and shape of GM.

 

Holden Efijy Takes On The World At Motorclassica In Melbourne

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The Holden Efijy Concept is set to have a little extra (and very well deserved, we may add) time in the spot light. The slinky machine has been chosen to headline Australia's first international concours d'elegance at the end of this month, where it will be joined by classic and exotic vehicles from around the world. Holden first debuted the Efijy back in 2005, and the car immediately garnered praise from hot rod fans and designers alike thanks to its '50s-inspired lines and otherworldly powertrain. You see, under that retro skin sits a thoroughly modern driveline, including a chassis borrowed from a Chevrolet Corvette.
This thing isn't just a looker, either. Under that lead-sled coupe hood sits a fire-breathing, supercharged, 6.0-liter LS2 V8. Should you decide to open up both taps, there's a full 645 horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque at your beck and call.

 

2011 Customized Ford Explorer, Edge, Taurus, Fusions & Lincoln MKX

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  • The all-new Ford Explorer is bringing its reinvented style to this year’s SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show, which will be held Nov. 2-5 in Las Vegas
  • The all-new, capable, fuel-efficient Ford Explorer provides a perfect base for customizers to create ultimate versions of the modern SUV, including an ultra-luxury Bond Explorer with iPad, an Explorer for outdoor adventurers, and the Funkmaster Flex urban SUV
  • Customized versions of Ford Taurus SHO, Edge and Fusion Sport also will be showcased, along with the all-new 2011 Lincoln MKX

 

Paris Auto Show: 2010 SEAT IBE Electric Sports Coupe Concept

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Spanish manufacturer SEAT has brought a version of its latest generation SEAT IBE at the 2010 Paris Auto Show, a concept car premiered this year at a similar event in Geneva. The enhanced version displayed in Paris benefits from further developments made to the vehicle’s design, technology and interior features.

According to SEAT, the IBE is a super-compact 2+2 sports coupe with classic sports car proportions, which targets urban European areas, such as Paris, London, Berlin or Barcelona.

 

Paris Show: Opel's GTC, Hot New Concept 2011

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General Motors is showing a number of vehicles based on its Delta II platform at the upcoming Paris Motor Show. The latest to be announced is Opel's stunning GTC Paris concept, a preview of Opel's future two-door hatchback.
"We wanted to express the most emotional side of the Opel brand and we believe this vehicle creates an appropriate visual impact to reinforce our dynamic sporty character," Opel vice president of design Mark Adams said.
Adams' team succeeded in its goal and produced a stunning car. The clean and emotional styling features carefully sculpted body lines that exude elegance. The front fascia features typical Opel styling cues, with its three-straked hood, standard Opel grille, and headlights taken from a production Astra. The bumper is bespoke to the GTC Paris, but the rest of the car from the A-pillar forward looks to be taken straight from production Astras.

 

2011 BMW 335i Sedan

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2011 BMW 335i Sedan
For the 2009 model year, the BMW 3-series sedan and wagon received a minor face lift that included new front and rear lights and a modified trunklid, grille, and front bumper. Inside, the car received the latest version of iDrive and some improved materials. These changes have now been carried over to the coupe (taillight pictured below) and convertible models for the 2011 model year.

 

2010 Buick Verano (Opel Astra Sedan) to be built in Michigan

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General Motors today released a new teaser photo of its upcoming 2012 Buick Verano compact sedan together with the news that the vehicle will be built alongside Chevrolet's new small car [we assume GM means the Aveo] at the Orion Assembly Center in Michigan. The Detroit automaker said it plans to invest $145 million to upgrade the factory for this reason.

"[The] Verano will bring premium styling, performance and content to Buick buyers wanting a smaller car than Regal," said GM North American President Mark Reuss. "The investment in Orion Assembly also extends GM's local small car footprint, again increasing the number of U.S.-made small vehicles available in showrooms."