We’ve certainly had some complaints about the Chevrolet Volt, including mediocre highway mileage, but far and away it’s that ,000 MSRP keeping it from being a real contender for mass adoption. Now we’re hearing rumors that GM is thinking about down-sizing the car’s batteries in an attempt to drop that price as well. The battery pack is far and away the most expensive single component in the car and the thought is that a reduction of the pure EV range to just 20 miles (down from its current 30 – 50) could have a whopping ,000 reduction in cost. That would mean buyers would dip into the gas tank a little sooner but be a lighter on their bank accounts — at least in the beginning.

GM looking to offer lower-cost, shorter-range Volt? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 21:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Autoblog Green  |  FavStocks  | Email this | Comments
Engadget

If you’re tired of hybrids like the Prius or Volt, cars that could easily get lost in a Hertz parking lot, check out the GP. It’s the first and only product from resurrected Belgian auto maker Imperia, which previously operated in the early 20th century, but other than the pronounced front grille offers little resemblance to its forbears either above or below that pronounced bonnet. It has an inline four cylinder turbo engine offering 212hp that’s paired with a 134hp electric engine, itself backed by a Li-polymer battery pack. It’ll do about 45 miles on batteries alone but, more importantly, will roll the 0 – 60mph sprint in under four seconds. Or, at least, it will if it ever hits production. A concept of the car was unveiled at the Brussels Auto Show, but it’s anyone’s guess when it might actually hit the road for reals.

Imperia plug-in hybrid does 0 – 60 in four seconds, looks classy while doing it originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 Feb 2011 14:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Jalopnik  |  Imperia  | Email this | Comments
Engadget