AutoblogGreen

click the Toyota iQ for high res gallery

Ever since seeing the concept Toyota iQ last year and then the prototype version earlier this summer, we've been wondering how the asymmetrical configuration of the 3+1 seating arrangement and the iQ's overall small size would work for an average driver. We still don't know exactly how practical this tiny car (it's 9.8ft-long and has a 78.8in wheelbase) is, but the folks over at Edmunds say that the iQ is nothing if not spacious and solid to drive. Edmunds heard from Toyota that the European-spec iQ will be available with either a one-liter, five-speed manual or a turbocharged 1.4L diesel with a six speed manual (yes, please). Later, a 1.3L with variable valve timing version will be available with either a six-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission.

We're getting more and more jealous that this mini-car is destined to be available in Japan and Europe but might take a pass on the U.S. There's been no official word from Toyota on U.S. sales, but we're willing to vote "aye" if we're ever asked if we want one.


[Source: Edmunds]

With the Democratic National Convention wrapping up tonight and the Republicans getting ready for their convention next week, this is a good time to take a look at one of the automakers who is/will be at both events. Chrysler's VP of external affairs, John Bozzella, talked about his experiences in Denver this week trying to get "Congressional support for funding the auto industry's technology transformation to build a new fleet of fuel-efficient vehicles." Please, don't call it a bailout.

In an interview at the Chrysler site The Firehouse (subs req'd), Bozzella said that after talking to Dems this week and GOP members next week, he hopes that a new technology partnership that would support automakers as they design vehicles that use less fuel and emit fewer greenhouse gases could be funded before next year. The partnership would loan automakers money "to transform Chrysler and the industry at a time when the capital isn't available to do so. That's why it's important to Chrysler because it gives us the access to capital to drive ENVI, to drive our hybrid strategy and to continue to make progress across the fleet on fuel economy. It's important to the country because we can't make progress on energy security and reducing greenhouse gases without a significant contribution from the auto industry." Somebody make a note of that.

[Source: The Firehouse (subs req'd)]

As predicted, the Automotive X Prize crossed the century mark for teams signed up to compete in the "Ultimate Fuel Economy Challenge." While we know that not all of these teams consider themselves to be real contenders, the fact that there are so many people ready to spend so much time and energy thinking about a 100+mpge vehicle is pretty astounding.

Early next year, organizers will begin weeding out teams that don't qualify for the next round. The X Prize foundation says that over 120 teams, from 28 states and 17 countries, have already signed up for the competition, which will kick off next year and contains a cross-country stage race that will hit up to ten cities. There's no word on how many teams might be left after the pruning, but they'll certainly bear watching. Undeclared teams have until January 1, 2009 to sign up.

[Source: X Prize Foundation]

A prototype of Ford's 3.5L EcoBoost engine. Click to enlarge.

When Ford announced the EcoBoost idea at this year's Detroit Auto Show, the main message was that this was a reasonable technology that could be implemented soon, would save people money by improving fuel economy without decreasing performance and that the improved engines would be paired with lighter cars to emphasize the fuel savings. Oh, and then there's that easy-to-remember tag line that its a V6 with the power of a V8.

Ford is moving full steam ahead with the EcoBoost project and will install the first production engines in the 2009 Lincoln MKS. Thus far, there have been hundreds of test engines built at the Dearborn testing facility and these have spent countless hours (well, we're dealing with engineers here, so these hours were probably actually counted) on the track and dynamometers. Ford is inviting journalists to Dearborn this week to get a close-up view of the EcoBoost technology and AutoblogGreen got to spend a few hours talking to the team and bolting a few parts to the test subject.

Read on after the jump for more.

Preparing for the next-generation of auto dealerships, the Bill Jacobs BMW/MINI shop will break ground September 12 in Naperville, IL. The dealer's website features a countdown timer and a whole heap of information about how Bill Jacobs' crew hopes to make the building a way to "discuss the importance of eco-friendly initiatives in the automotive industry, as well as why automotive retailing is ready for these sorts of changes." How ready? Well, the shop will have a BMW Hydrogen 7 on hand on the 12th, so let's just say that they're ahead of the curve. The building will also feature sun shading, low VOC paints and "will take advantage of water, recycling and ventilation technologies to make the dealership more environmentally stable." Sensible.

[Source: Bill Jacobs Groundbreaking]

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Even the radio is going hybrid. As part of the Democratic National Convention in Denver this week, GM has donated some vehicles for the festivities. There are four 2009 Chevy Tahoe Hybrids all decked out in political garb and XM logos (note that the XM logo is higher on the SUV than the political parties, just in case you forget which is more important) cruising the streets. These vehicles will also be used at the Republican National Convention next week in Minnesota, and the XM radio teams will be reporting from the SUVs in each city and then continuing using them through the inauguration in January. Read our review of the Tahoe hybrid here and then help us speculate on which vehicles a President Obama or a President McCain would promote. At least we know what John Kerry (remember him?) likes.


[Source: XM]

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Take four of your average Prius hybrids and stick a little color on them - what do you get? A fleet from Big Ink graphics company that is supposed to express the eco-truth that "Little Things Make a Big Difference." Does it work? Well, the Big Ink team is certainly excited to save fuel using these can't miss 'em vehicles in and around the Twin Cities area of Minnesota and Big Ink tries to get the cars into the public eye whenever possible. The graphics (get a close-up view in the gallery below) were designed by Image Haus of Minneapolis.

Behind the scenes, the company says it recycles tons of waste and paper and offers customers a Zero-Waste Recycling Program that reuses or recycles retail graphics that often have a pretty short shelf life. Not a bad idea in an industry that thrives on churning out new stuff all the time.


[Source: Big Ink]

It's going to be difficult, I think, for popular music fans to see the name of Toyota's new social website - Heya - and not think of the hit Outkast song from a couple sexy summers ago. But, if you speak a bit of Japanese, then you know that "heya" means room, and that's the meaning that the Japanese automaker is trying to bring to the online space: a place where Toyota fans, gearheads and others can come together and talk shop.

Some of the eco-minded areas of Heya include the pages dedicated to the SiteLA contest, the SiteLA collaborations, and the SEMA concept car contest (sorry, but you'll need to register to view these pages I think). The SiteLA area, for example, was a collaborative space to "explore our visions of the future of transportation." The entry period for this competition is over, but there are still a large number of interesting ideas in this thread to keep you reading for a while, things like hybrid motorcycles and hoverboards (the poster adds: "I'm completely serious" in case you were wondering). We'll keep an eye on Heya in the coming months and see what other surprises it brings.

[Source: Toyota]

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It's not all beer-powered trucks at the Democratic National Convention in Denver this week. Aside from the Daily Show's interest in electric vehicles and Daryl Hannah, there are more alternatives in action. Like the pure electric vehicles from Miles EV that are in town to help volunteers get around the downtown area without using gasoline. Miles PR says that the Democratic party's "Denver Director of Greening" (how do you get that job?) thought the Miles vehicles - a ZX40S and a MILES ZX40ST Work Truck - would work well to move people and goods. Read all the glowing words after the jump. Tom Tomorrow has been enjoying the Greenest. Convention. Ever. as well.

[Source: Miles EV]

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When Daryl Hannah sold her biodiesel El Camino on eBay earlier this year we didn't think it would herald a full-scale shift from biofuels to electric cars, but at the very least it moves her more into the hybrid zone (i.e., she supports multiple fuel alternatives, including this hybrid bike). Whatever the case, Hannah is currently in full-EV promotion mode and recently taped a segment for The Daily Show with new guy Wyatt Cenac (who doesn't know he's adopted).

The taping happened as part of the Electric Vehicle Rolling Showcase with our friend Paul Scott (the guy on the right in this picture) who is in Denver as part of the Democratic Convention happening this week. Paul describes how the Hannah interview went after the jump. Paul works with Plug In America, a tireless advocacy group that promotes electric vehicles and is working with Chris Paine on the sequel to Who Killed The Electric Car?

Aside from the Daily Show excitement, Paul was glad that, "the McCain supporters were there to supply some much needed humor." Sounds like a fun time.


[Source: Paul Scott / Plug-In America]