Used Car Values

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Opel Says it Will Lead EV Race, Working on More Vehicles

10:00 AM Thomas Ponco No comments

Published October 29, 2011

By Jeff Cobb

Opel RAK-e. A flight of fancy? Opel says it is evaluating whether to build this little battery electric vehicle.

This week Renault-Nissan outlined its agenda to be number one in the world electrified auto market, but it won’t own Europe if General Motor’s Opel division has anything to say about it.

For that matter, GM has also said it aims for world dominance, but unlike the Japanese company, it prefers to release little snippets about what it’s doing rather than lay out a six-year plan.

Not that they are divulging much more, but GM’s European executives have been slightly more forthcoming. Last week, Opel’s sales and marketing chief, Alain Visser told Automotive News Europe it wants to be number one and this dovetails with its online brochure generally outlining the same.

"We want the Opel brand to be the market leader in electric mobility," Visser said last week.

Opel has been encouraged by pre-orders of 60-percent of its first year’s 10,000 Volt-based Ampera allocation and the company is also working on at least a couple other small battery-powered vehicles.

It rolls on motorcycle tires. Unknown is how it will have to be modified to pass crash tests.

One of the electric vehicles Visser said Opel may actually build is the wild-looking RAK-e vehicle featured at the Frankfurt motor show. It is intended to be low priced and entry level for drivers age 16 and up.

"By the year's end, we'll decide whether to bring the RAK-e into regular production,” Visser said. “If the decision turns out to be positive, the RAK-e could reach the market as early as 2013."

Sources told Automotive News that the tandem two-seater – which is barely more than an enclosed four-wheeled electric motorcycle – will likely be priced between 10,000-12,000 euros ($13,932-$16,715), and may be built by KTM subsidiary Kiska in Salzburg, Austria, which helped develop the vehicle.

GM says the “dynamic lightweight concept” offers 62 miles of range and a top speed of 75 mph.

The RAK-e can be governed to just 28 mph in order to make the vehicle legal for young drivers in markets where 18 is the minimum age for full licensing privileges.

“The emission-free electric city car even looks good on the highway,” Opel said. “The groundbreaking concept reaches far beyond any conventional vehicle. To drive 100 kilometers would cost just 1 euro.”

The second electric "minicar" Automotive News reported Opel is also developing will be somewhat more familiar to GM-Volt readers, which is good, as Opel and GM in the U.S. have otherwise declined to share more about it.

Sources in Europe have said Opel's other project may be a sister to the Spark EV which GM will launch in the U.S. in 2013.

As a side note, American pundits are also guessing where the Spark EV will be built. GM has not said whether it will be assembled in the U.S. or imported. One speculation is GM could very well bring in Spark EV “glider” rolling chassis from Korea to fit with their American-made A123 batteries and GM co-developed powertrain.

Rather than jump into the fray with other intrepid sleuths, we tried to go to the source, but GM spokesman Kevin Kelly replied that GM is not prepared to share more about this or other electric vehicle news at this time.

Will Opel re-badge the pending 2013 Spark EV for the European market?

When the Spark EV was announced, another GM spokesman told us more news will come next year, but the pundits are still trying to discover GM's secrets.

And actually, GM already contradicted itself on its ostensibly parsimonious information release policy. This week GM also announced the Spark EV's motor will be made in Maryland further suggesting the U.S. model could be at least partially assembled here.

As for Opel and the European question, small e-cars are in keeping with its stated position on electric cars.

"Batteries have a relatively low energy density, so we believe a pure battery-powered car is primarily suited for use in urban areas where limited ranges are sufficient,” said Dr. Lars Peter Thiesen, Manager Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Deployment Strategy.

Thus, Opel's e-mobility solution is a three-pronged approach involving a "complete range of electric vehicles," according to an editorial by Rita Forst, Member of the Management Board, dam Opel AG and Vice President, Engineering Europe.

The range includes: Small, purely battery-powered electric cars for short distances, as covered above, the Ampera and future versions, and electric cars with hydrogen fuel cells "with no restrictions on vehicle size or use."

This said, Automotive News notes that the aforementioned Renault-Nissan alliance will be standing in the way of its intention to dominate the growing electrified auto industry.

If Opel is to succeed, the company will have to outdo plans by Renault-Nissan which include investing 4 billion euros ($5.57 billion) on electrified vehicle development.

"Some people might think our EV strategy is a big bet, said Renault Chief Operating Officer Carlos Tavares. “For me, it is not a bet, but a big insurance policy."

If we learn more about GM’s electric insurance policy, we will be sure to let you know.

Given the evidence shown it would not appear Opel will have what it takes, but really we do not know. GM has a substantial advanced-tech initiative underway, lots of engineering talent, battery labs and partnerships with top battery makers, and BEV experiments now being conducted around the world

We shall see, but whether everyone has shown their complete hand or not, the race is surely on.

Automotive News

BMW M3 Carbon Edition for China

10:00 AM Thomas Ponco No comments

V8 / 3.999 cc / 420 PS / 295 lb/ft (400 Nm) @ 3.900 / 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h): 4,8 s / Vmax: 155 mph (250 km/h) / Limited Edition only for the chinese market (111 cars)

(click images for a larger view)

Cobra introduces iRadar Community to crowdsource speed traps

10:00 AM Thomas Ponco No comments

Cobra Announces Cobra iRadarTM Community
Next Generation of Automotive Smart Detection System Combines Cloud Services, Location-Based Services and Crowdsourcing for Community Sharing of Radar/Laser and Safety Alert Info

CHICAGO, IL - October 26, 2011 - Cobra Electronics Corporation (NASDAQ: COBR), celebrating 50 years of innovation in 2011 as a leading designer and marketer of award-winning radar detection systems and mobile electronics, today announced the general availability of Cobra iRadar Community, which is included in the latest software release of the company's award-winning Cobra iRadar app. Today's announcement represents the next phase in the evolution of the iRadar platform. It will be available as a free app with free lifetime updates for Apple® iPhone and iPod Touch devices beginning November 1, 2011, and coming soon for Android™ smartphones.

Since its debut one year ago, the Cobra iRadar app has been downloaded and installed by hundreds of thousands of Cobra customers, with a nearly equal distribution between Apple iOS and Android smartphone users. Additionally, Cobra's first-to-market innovation in Automotive Smart Detection has been honored with eight design and innovation awards from some of the industry's leading authorities including the CEA, CTIA, SEMA, the Industrial Designer Society of America (IDSA), and Mac|Life Magazine.

Cobra's innovative connected detection platform takes the Cobra iRadar smart detection system to a new level. In addition to Cobra's AURA™ database, iRadar users now have access to the iRadar community. The community allows users to report and alert other iRadar users to live police, caution areas, and photo enforcement areas. What's more, when an iRadar unit detects a radar or laser alert, it can automatically share this information with other iRadar community users nearby. Cobra iRadar users can now rely on a real-time network of detectors for superior situational awareness while driving.

"The Cobra iRadar system is a breakthrough in driving safety, and we are continuing to build momentum and category leadership with a host of new capabilities in our iRadar Community release," said Sally Washlow, senior vice president of marketing and sales for Cobra Electronics. "By leveraging the eyes, ears, and detection units from our network of iRadar users in tandem with our incredibly powerful AURA database, Cobra has created a driver safety system that will constantly grow and improve, and truly sets a new benchmark in detection and automotive safety."

The Cobra iRadar system consists of a sleek, compact, and powerful dash-mounted Cobra iRadar Detector Unit combined with the Cobra iRadar app. The free app gives users access to GPS-based alerts, as well as allowing for control of the detectors settings, alert viewing, and other value-added features. The app also leverages the smartphone's data connection for online access to AURA, the only 100 percent verified database of known driving threats and hazards throughout the GPS/navigation industry. While iRadar alerts drivers in real-time to detected safety alerts, AURA provides access to a host of additional safety information, including red light camera locations, dangerous intersections, known speed trap locations, and more.

Cobra iRadar & iRadar Community Features:

Provides advanced detection of all radar and laser guns including Ka, K, and X Band varieties
Automatically records and shares radar and laser alert information and notifies users when they are entering high-threat areas
Allows for manual user reporting of live police, caution areas and photo enforcement locations, which are shared with the iRadar community
Alerts drivers to live speed and police enforcement areas
Warns of upcoming speed & red light camera locations
Offers advance notice of dangerous intersections
Provides 360-degree detection
Reduces annoyance alerts with City/Highway mode filters

Pricing and Availability:

Cobra iRadar retails for $129.95, and is available at over 45,000 points of distribution across the continental United States. For more information or to locate a retailer, please visit www.cobrairadar.com.

Cobra iRadar Community Software Downloads:

The Cobra iRadar Community release for the iPhone® and iPod® Touch will be available as a free app upgrade to iRadar users starting November 1, 2011 at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cobra-iradar/id385569150?mt=8

Cobra iRadar Community for Android devices will be available in January 2012 at: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.cobra.iradar

About Cobra Electronics:

Cobra Electronics is a leading global designer and marketer of communication and navigation products, with a track record of delivering innovative and award-winning products. Building upon its leadership position in the GMRS/FRS two-way radio, radar detector and Citizens Band radio industries, Cobra identified new growth opportunities and has aggressively expanded into the marine market and has expanded its European operations. The Consumer Electronics Association, Forbes and Deloitte & Touche have all recognized Cobra for the company's innovation and industry leadership. To learn more about Cobra Electronics, please visit the Cobra site at www.cobra.com.

Follow Cobra on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CobraElectronic and Like Us at www.facebook.com/CobraElectronics.

California Tests Hybrid Heavy-Duty Earth Movers

10:00 PM Thomas Ponco No comments

Published October 28, 2011

Caterpillar's Hybrid Earth Mover.

Consumer hybrids like the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight do a great deal to limit the emissions footprints of the people who drive them. But when you take gas-electric technologies and put them into heavy duty vehicles like earth movers, the resulting emissions savings can equal that of 14 Priuses over the course of a year. During that time, the average passenger car uses an average of 547 gallons of fuel, while the average heavy-duty vehicle burns through nearly 13,000 gallons—so even the 20-25 percent fuel efficiency gains typical of hybrid earth movers can really add up.

According to The New York Times Wheels Blog, the state of California is readying emissions testing for six heavy-duty diesel hybrids next year, as part of a $2 million study conducted by the University of California Riverside. The state is looking to understand how emissions tests of different heavy-duty operations in simulated work environments can be pieced together to formulate a reliable emissions estimate for those vehicles. The California Air Resources Board will also finance incentives for hybrid construction equipment as part of the program, paying for about half of the added cost of the machinery.

Earlier this year, the White House announced the first ever fuel economy standards for medium and heavy-duty trucks falling into three categories: combination tractors, heavy-duty pickups and vans and vocational vehicles like buses and RVs. According to the federal government, fleet operators and other truck owners will save a total of $50 billion in fuel costs over the life of the program. Earth movers and other off-road diesels aren't covered under the EPA rules, but according to the Wheels Blog, California may adopt its own set of standards to help in its quest to reduce overall emissions in the state by 80 percent by 2050.

Toyota unloads bounty of SEMA rides

1:00 PM Thomas Ponco No comments

Toyota is bringing an arsenal of custom vehicles to SEMA 2011, including three pickups and one very cool Yaris B-Spec Racer. The pint-sized bruiser is based on the 2012 Yaris SE and should be bashing fenders with the rest of the SCCA B-Spec class contenders soon. Toyota says that Jamie Bestwick, of BMX fame, will campaign the car in the SCCA National Championship Runoffs at Road America in Elkhart, Wisconsin. The car features all of the hardware necessary to meet spec, including an eight-point SCCA roll cage, fire-suppression system, race seat, and six-point harness.

Toyota also has something special for those of you who prefer to take your racing off the track. The Long Beach Racers Tacoma is inspired by the upcoming Tacoma TRD T/X Baja Series, and features custom 60mm Bilstein race shocks, 35-inch BF Goodrich tires, a 50-gallon fuel cell and a big-brake kit among other goodies. All of that kit will come to bear when the truck heads to the Baja 1000 next year.

DC Shoes and West Coast Customs will also show off a unique Toyota Tundra built just for the motocross crowd while Oakley crafted a special Surf Tacoma to cater to the surfers of the world. A pre-production version of the Tacoma TRD T/X Baja Series pickup will also be on display as will the Camry Daytona 500 pace car.

AEV turns Wrangler into Brute Double Cab for SEMA

11:00 AM Thomas Ponco No comments

AEV DEBUTS ALL NEW 4-DOOR BRUTE DOUBLE CAB AT SEMA

American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) will debut the brand new four-door 2012 AEV Brute Double Cab at this year's SEMA Show, nearly a decade after first introducing its Jeep based Brute pickup truck. AEV's original Brute was unveiled at SEMA in 2002 as a Jeep pickup conversion that offered superb styling, rugged utility, and the high quality always associated with AEV. Now AEV will once again use SEMA to introduce the popular Brute's newest incarnation, the Brute Double Cab, a four-door overland vehicle utilizing the newest JK Wrangler to deliver a powerful, unique off-road machine worthy of the Brute moniker.

"When we originally created the Brute, it appealed to off road enthusiasts looking for something different," says AEV Founder and President Dave Harriton. "Now with the debut of the Brute Double Cab, we're expanding the Brute series to a four-door platform that has everything people have come to expect from an AEV Brute, but with more interior room and the improved capabilities of the JK platform." Harriton continues, "The Brute Double Cab shares its DNA with the original Brute, but also draws inspiration from the Land Rover Defender 130, and was designed specifically for the expanding overland travel market. With seating for five and the storage provided by the fold flat rear seats, it makes for an ideal camping platform, whether it be a couple weeks through the Atacama desert or just a weekend trip with the family."

The original AEV Brute won the hearts of auto enthusiasts of all kinds and also won a Daimler-Chrysler Designer Excellence Award. The all-new Brute Double Cab will follow the same truck-conversion design principle as its predecessor. AEV starts with a four-door JK Wrangler and stretches the chassis 23 inches for a final wheelbase of 139 inches. The overall vehicle length stands at 216 inches, a total increase of 30 inches, with a small frame extension at the rear to accommodate the pickup bed. The interior dimensions of the Brute Double Cab's truck bed are 61"L x 60"W (44 inches between the wheel houses), offering plenty of haul space in a highly capable off-roader.

Harriton is quick to point out that the Brute Double Cab is not meant to be an alternative to a traditional pickup, but is uniquely positioned to serve the overland market with more off road capability than a four-door truck and more cargo room and carrying capacity than a Jeep.

AEV will offer the Brute Double Cab as a turn-key vehicle built in its Wixom, MI facility, and expects a production release by mid-2012. The opportunity for the first orders will be given exclusively to current owners of AEV vehicles and to AEV's authorized dealers, with orders opening to the public as production ramps up. For more information, please call 248-926-0256.