vLane Blog

Articles Matching “Environment”

• Upcoming: #carchat 22; August 5 @ 8PM EST

  Banovsky on August 5, 2009

  This week, we're looking at the big topics of diesels, eco cars, and how will Cash for Clunkers affect the used car market? That and more on this week's #carchat!

  If you're confused, check out the #carchat How-To. Anyone can join us at 8PM EST August 4, but you'll need a Twitter account to ask questions and participate.

  However, if you'd like to follow things live, go here at 8 PM EST.

  And if you'd like to suggest topics for next week, please tag articles on Delicious.com with "carchat."

  This week:

  • Discussion: Diesels are back…or are they?
  • Discussion: How will Cash for Clunkers affect the used market?
  • Discussion: Eco mods of the future

  So click through and read a few links related to tonight's discussion.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Government, Environment, Future, Advice , Humor, Discussion, Social Media, EV, Twitter, vLane, Cash for Clunkers, Car Allowance Rebate System, CARS, Electric car, LOL

• The Wilcraft ice fishing car is awesome

  Banovsky on August 4, 2009

  Secret: I live in Canada. And I've been ice fishing. Well, once. It was awful. Dangerous, cold, and boring, ice fishing is for the truly dedicated. But what if you had a machine that made things more simple?

  

  The Wilcraft ice fishing vehicle and its inventor, Tom Roering. [Photo credit: David Friedman Photography]

  I spied this inventor and the Wilcraft as a profile piece on David Friedman Photography, and had to share. So how does this contraption work?

  
  

  Here are some stats:

  • Powder-coated aluminum construction
  • Approximately 500 lbs vehicle weight, 600 lbs capacity
  • 11" of ground clearance
  • Ground pressure approx. 2 lbs/in2
  • 305cc engine
  • Two-speed gearbox with reverse
  • Locking differential
  • Hydraulic disc brakes
  • Three 10" fishing holes
  • 20mph top speed
  • MSRP $10,495

  Still confused? Click through to view some videos!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Environment, Feature, WTF, Crossover, Misc, Technology, Design, LOL, ice fishing, Wilcraft

• Driven! 2011 Chevrolet Volt and 2012 Ford Focus EV

  Banovsky on August 4, 2009

  This guest post was prepared by esteemed green car expert John Voelcker, editor-in-chief of GreenCarReports.com. He also drove both the Volt and Focus EV test mules…lucky guy!

  

  The 2011 Chevrolet Volt prototype (nee-Chevrolet Cruze)

  Well, the big day has come and gone: Now we've driven a 2011 Chevrolet Volt prototype. More than 18 months before buyers can walk into a Chevy dealer and test one, we got behind the wheel.

  What's the Volt like? It's remarkably ... unremarkable.

  And we mean that as praise. General Motors has managed to build a radical car that seems so normal it'll make the average American driver completely comfortable with electric drive.

  For half an hour today, we drove a Volt "mule" – a Volt powertrain installed in the body of a 2010 Chevrolet Cruze subcompact – around the roads of the GM Technical Center in Warren, Michigan. It uses "production-intent" components and, said vehicle line executive Frank Weber, provides about 80 percent of the capabilities of the final car.

  Click through for more.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under GM, General Motors, Environment, Future, Green, Mileage, Feature, Ford, Ford, Chevrolet, EV, Grant, Detroit, 2011, Cruze, Electric car, Guest post, Focus

• 2010 all-electric Nissan Leaf

  Banovsky on August 4, 2009

  Welcome to the future. This is the first look at Nissan's world-leading all-electric car, on-sale here in America in late 2010.

  

  The 2010 Nissan Leaf

  
  

  Here are some stats:

  • Fully-electric powertrain
  • 107 horsepower, 206 lb-ft of torque
  • More than 100 mile (160 km) range
  • Priced close to $30,000
  • Slightly larger than a Volkswagen Rabbit
  • Top speed of over 90 mph (140 kph)
  • Equipped with an advanced IT system that provides driver support, range information, etc.

  Click through for more photos and the official release.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Environment, Future, Green, Mileage, News, WTF, Wagon, Technology, Nissan, 2010, US, Electric car

• Recap: #carchat 21; July 29 @ 8PM EST

  Banovsky on August 1, 2009

  Social media is such a cool thing that we're constantly evolving how we communicate. Take #carchat: the first few originated out of a spirited conversation.

  

  Since #carchat is ever-evolving, we've included the recap here on vLane as a discussion thread, and we feel it suits the nature of the discussion well — and you can see that we had a huge response over two hours — despite Twitter being down for half of it!

  Anyone can join us each week at 8PM EST on Twitter. And if you'd like to suggest topics, please tag articles on Delicious.com with "carchat."
  
  
  
  
  

  We had:

  • Help-A-Shopper: Caron Delet
  • Discussion: Michael Schumacher is back in F1!
  • Discussion: Cash For Clunkers has already enticed many buyers…

  So? What are you waiting for? Click through to the recap.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under General Motors, Government, Environment, Future, Misc, Advice , Humor, This week, Discussion, Social Media, carchat, Twitter, vLane, Cash for Clunkers, Car Allowance Rebate System, CARS, LOL

• Tiny Tuner: Gazoo Racing Toyota iQ

  Banovsky on July 30, 2009

  This is a customized Toyota iQ microcar to be sold in limited quantities from this November, in Japan.

  

  The Gazoo Racing Toyota iQ

  Unlike the Smart fortwo, the Toyota iQ has seen a little bit of tuner attraction. This version is lowered, with an exhaust, 16-inch wheels, and a snazzy bodykit.

  And although it's unlikely to come to North America exactly as you see here, it may arrive on our shores as a Scion. And that has us excited.

  Click through for a video…and yes, it sounds awesome.

  [via paultan.org]

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Environment, Green, Mileage, News, WTF, Japan, Misc, Toyota, iQ, Coupe, Smart, 2009, MPG, LOL, Gazoo Racing, iQ

• Link: vLane guests at the Local Motors blog

  Banovsky on July 30, 2009

  We're honoured to have been asked to contribute to the Local Motors blog. You can read our piece, "The Problem with Cars and Sustainable Design," here.

  

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Environment, Future, Green, Link, Discussion, Local Motors, vLane, Electric car, Design, Guest post

• Upcoming: #carchat 21; July 29 @ 8PM EST

  Banovsky on July 29, 2009

  OH MY GOODNESS! I am a huge Formula 1 racing fan, and couldn't believe the news: Seven time World Champion Michael Schumacher will be replacing the injured Felipe Massa "until he is well." What does that mean? How well will he race after two years out of the cockpit? That and more on this week's #carchat!

  

  Me (right) and Michael Schumacher (left)

  If you're confused, check out the #carchat How-To. Anyone can join us at 8PM EST July 29, but you'll need a Twitter account to ask questions and participate.

  However, if you'd like to follow things live, go here at 8 PM EST.

  And if you'd like to suggest topics for next week, please tag articles on Delicious.com with "carchat."

  This week:

  • Help-A-Shopper: Caron Delet
  • Discussion: Michael Schumacher is back in F1!
  • Discussion: Cash For Clunkers has already enticed many buyers…

  So click through and read a few links, see some photos, and check out a video related to tonight's discussion.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Environment, Future, WTF, Misc, Ferrari, Advice , Humor, Discussion, Twitter, Cash for Clunkers, Car Allowance Rebate System, CARS, FAIL, Racing, Michael Schumacher

• Ford confirms 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine

  Banovsky on July 21, 2009

  To meet more stringent fuel economy standards for 2015, car manufacturers have to make smaller engines…much smaller engines.

  

  We drove the European Ford Fiesta

  Ford's twin-scroll EcoBoost turbo technology allows for smaller engines to make big power. The new motor will displace 2.0-litres and deliver "at least" 230 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque. Our guess for the first vehicle to get the new motor? The 2011 Ford Explorer.

  News:

  • Driving the European Ford Fiesta
  • 2010 Ford Flex with EcoBoost
  • The Ford Taurus SHO is Back
  [via Edmunds]

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Environment, Future, Green, Mileage, News, Misc, Ford, Detroit, US, 2011, Engine, EcoBoost

• Upcoming: #carchat 19; July 15 @ 8PM EST

  Banovsky on July 15, 2009

  This week, we're talking with Seth Leitman, clean energy and electric vehicle expert about plug-in cars, about how GM and Chrysler are doing (some great links below), and interior design.

  Check out the #carchat How-To, or click through for a #carchat widget. Anyone can join us at 8PM EST July 15, on Twitter. And if you'd like to suggest topics, please tag articles on Delicious.com with "carchat."

  This week:

  • Ask the Expert: Seth Leitman, clean energy and electric vehicle expert
  • Discussion: GM and Chrysler updates
  • Discussion: What's good interior design?
  • Discussion: Maybe we'll talk some #NGM talk…

  So click through and read a few links related to tonight's discussion.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under GM, General Motors, Industry, Environment, Future, Green, Mileage, News, WTF, Misc, Advice , Humor, This week, Chrysler, Discussion, Social Media, Hybrid, Detroit, Twitter, vLane, MPG