Ford Motor Company announced today that communications giant AT&T will be its first customer for the Transit Connect Electric commercial van. The announcement from Ford comes despite AT&T’s increasingly close relations with General Motors, whose chairman and CEO formerly led AT&T.

With 77,000 corporate vehicles, AT&T is one of the world’s largest fleet operators. The company first sampled Ford’s standard Transit Connect in 1999, but says now that it plans to operate more than 15,000 greener vehicles in the coming eight years.

“Cleaner, alternative-fuel vehicles are the future of our corporate fleet, and the Transit Connect Electric represents a real breakthrough and will be a strong addition to our range of alternative-fuel vehicles,” said Jerome Webber, vice president of fleet operations at AT&T, in a statement released to the media by Ford. “It’s exactly the kind of vehicle we envisioned when we mapped our long-term vision to invest up to $565 million to deploy more than 15,000 alternative-fuel vehicles through 2018.”

The first Transit Connect Electric vans will reach AT&T in “late 2010,” according to Ford.

LeftLaneNews.com

Malaysian car maker Proton has unveiled a series of global concept cars at the prestigious Geneva Motor Show (although they failed to supply any photographs).

The three global concept cars – EMAS, EMAS Country and EMAS3 – signal Proton’s long-term plan to expand its footprint in the global automotive market.
EMAS – which means gold in the Malay language – stands for Eco Mobility Advance Solution, and is a result of the joint collaboration between Proton, its subsidiary Lotus, and Italian design house, Italdesign Giugiaro (IDG).

The cars were unveiled by Proton Advisor and former Prime Minister of Malaysia Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and will be displayed throughout the exhibition from 4 to 14 March.

Proton Holdings chairman Dato’ Mohomed Nadzmi and group managing director Dato’ Syed Zainal, as well as Italdesign Giugiaro chairman Giorgetto Giugiaro and co-chairman Fabrizio Giugiaro, were also present for the unveiling.

The EMAS series comprises a family of low-environmental-impact cars which are expected to revolutionise traditional car market segmentation.

It consists of a five-door four-seater hatchback “EMAS” for comfort driving, a three-door five-seater hatchback “EMAS Country” cross over concept, and a three-door 3+1 plus-seater “EMAS3″ for city driving.

The concept cars were designed by IDG to fit the description of a compact car with the passenger room of an SUV. The aim is to maximise the interior room and improve access to the vehicles.

The EMAS concept cars also feature:

Innovative interior space
Hi-tech multifunction display
Fuel efficient styling – Low drag
Excellent all round visibility via panoramic glass + LED clusters
Compact exterior – Ease of maneuverability & practical
All three are powered by a serial hybrid plug-in drive system developed by Lotus Engineering that includes a 3-cylinder, 1.2 litre internal combustion engine developing 38 kW at 3,500 rpm.

The engine can to run on petrol, ethanol, methanol or natural gas.

Speaking on the collaboration with IDG, Dato’ Mohd. Nadzmi said, “We constantly strive to acquire and jointly develop new knowledge, skills and technologies that will ultimately benefit our customers.”

“While we continue to gain progressive technology from our subsidiary Lotus, our design collaboration with IDG will further strengthened our position within the global automotive industry.”

“Proton wanted to work with the best and IDG topped other styling and design houses with their credibility and flair,” he added.

“We undertook a careful process of benchmarking and a thorough point-by-point analysis of strengths and weaknesses in our decision.

“With IDG, we have good design and more, as they would contribute in our brand-building initiatives as well as provide knowledge-transfer to accelerate our learning curve in car design.”

Proton managing director Dato’ Syed Zainal said that the EMAS global concept car project signifies Proton’s “golden” opportunity to demonstrate its competence with the global automotive market.

“The unveiling of the concept cars reflects the long-term strategy we have in matching global automotive standards as we expand and reinforce our presence worldwide.”

He pointed out that the concept cars are the yardstick to gauge public opinion.

“We strive to listen to our customers to ensure the development of a global car that meets customer’s requirements and expectations. The aim is to produce the global car for world market in the future,” he said.

The unveiling coincides with Proton’s silver jubilee 25thanniversary celebration this year.

“Proton is certainly very thankful and humbled that this is happening as we celebrate our 25 years of existence in the industry. We certainly will make full use of this opportunity to reach out and build our brand further into the global world,” said Dato’ Syed Zainal.

The 2010 Geneva Motor Show sees Hyundai Motor Company reveal its latest line up of Blue Drive™ models, led by the dramatic ‘i-flow’ concept vehicle which carries forward the company’s evocative new design architecture language, ‘fluidic sculpture’.

i-flow’s dynamic, elegant lines not only portray a futuristic silhouette, but also contribute to exceptional aerodynamics. Sporting intentions are emphasised through radical ideas, such as the arch-like roofline and streamlined front, which are supported by innovative active aero elements, such as the adaptive front spoiler and side rocker blades. A boat-tail shape and kick-up lines force the airflow to separate at the rear of the vehicle, leading to an impressive aerodynamic drag coefficient of just 0.25 Cd.

The fluidic forms of the exterior are echoed in i-flow’s cabin, where continuous lines sweep from the dashboard, through the doors to the open storage area at the rear. The seats were developed in conjunction with BASF using advanced stress analysis. ‘Steron’, (a BASF material), gives seats a highly-resilient quality, excellent breathability and a high-tech touch. The upper dashboard is treated with BASF’s ‘Elastoskin’, a sprayed skin which gives a sophisticated, shimmering finish. Finally, the cockpit’s main interface centres on an expansive contoured screen, which recognises not only touch, but also gestural inputs along its fascia-wide display.

Hyundai’s first diesel-electric hybrid powertrain integrates a new ‘U2’ 1.7-litre two-stage turbocharged engine and the company’s Lithium Ion-Polymer battery technology provides an efficient and advanced combination, enhanced by a six-speed, dual-clutch transmission. In addition the i-flow incorporates numerous new technologies – including the use of innovative lightweight materials, solar cells, energy conservation and harvesting techniques as well as excellent aerodynamics – all assisting in weight reduction and efficiency improvements which reduce the car’s CO2 output to an extraordinary 85g/km and fuel consumption to just 3L/100km.

The ix35 Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) is another exciting model on display and the latest addition to the Hyundai Blue Drive™ line-up of eco-focused vehicles. ix35 FCEV moves Hyundai closer to the commercialisation of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles, and incorporates several important innovations including the adoption of metallic separators (bipolar plates) in the fuel cell stack, and the use of 21kW LiPoly electrical storage batteries (already in mass production) which dramatically reduce cost and simplify the fuel cell manufacturing process.

Advances in modularisation reduce the time required in the final assembly process, and this combined with the Introduction of induction motors instead of permanent magnet-type motors assist greatly in achieving cost efficiencies and improving production scalability making FCEVs more economically feasible. By 2012, Hyundai plans to begin series manufacture of FCEVs for delivery to fleet customers in South Korea.

Other Blue Drive™ models on display include i10 blue, i20 blue and i30 blue, all offering sub-100g/km range CO2 emission levels, driving the company towards its target of global automotive leadership in environmentally-sensitive technologies.

Hyundai has posted its best ever sales ranking since the brand started selling cars in Australia in 1986. The sales result of 7,208 units was also its best ever February result.

Hyundai’s market share of 8.8% represents the best ever monthly market share result and the second best monthly sales result since the factory established the wholly owned subsidiary Hyundai Motor Company Australia in 2003.

In a total market that has increased +17% (February YTD 2010 v. February YTD 2009), Hyundai Motor Company Australia has achieved an overall increase in sales of +73.6%.

iLoad posted its best ever sales result of 657 units and best ever market share of 33.7%, ranking first in the van segment for the first time.

“The team at Hyundai and the Hyundai Dealer network are excited that more Australians are considering Hyundai when they are looking for a new car,” said Damien Meredith, Hyundai’s Director of Sales. “The all-new ix35 compact SUV was launched last month and we have the i20 compact hatch and i45 mid-sized sedan launching before the middle of the year.”

Hyundai Motor Company’s global sales also increased +23.4% (February YTD 2010 v. February YTD 2009). In South Korea, the all-new i45 mid-sized sedan sold 12,217 units, making it the best selling domestic model.

Hyundai’s Australian highlights include:

Hyundai’s result in January of 7,208 units (8.8% share) represents a +73.6% volume increase over its achievement of 4,151 units (5.9% share) in February 2009.
iLoad ranked first in the van segment after posting its best ever sales result of 657 units and a 33.7% market share.
iMax ranked second in the people mover market, posting its best ever sales result (202 units) and market share (23.6%).
The i30 range ranked third in the small car segment, posting a sales result of 2,926 units and a 15.6% market share.
Getz ranked first in the light car segment achieving 1,927 vehicle sales and a 17% market share.
Hyundai’s global highlights include:

Hyundai’s South Korean domestic sales rose +9.2% to 48,981 units in February from 44,848 units a year earlier, aided by two all new models, ix35 compact SUV and the all-new i45 mid-sized sedan.
In South Korea last month the all-new i45 mid-sized sedan, which went on sale in September 2009, sold 12,217 units – making it South Korea’s best selling model.
Total overseas sales, including both exports from South Korea and sales from overseas plants, rose by +27.3% to 202,014 units in February, up from 158,630 units a year earlier.
Exports were up +3.9% in February as compared to a year earlier.
Sales from overseas plants rose 43.9% percent to 133,797 units, led by China and India.
Hyundai Motor Company’s February 2010 global results

Volkswagen plans to expand its fleet of electric drive vehicles: The use of hybrid technology in production vehicles is already being demonstrated in the Touareg Hybrid at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. In 2011, a test fleet of 500 Golfs with electric drives will follow. Starting in 2013, the high-volume Golf and Jetta models of the Volkswagen brand are expected to dominate the hybrid and electric vehicle market.

Volkswagen plans to strategically bundle its competence in electric traction and extend it step-by-step. It has now established a clear launch schedule for its E-traction products. Prof. Dr. Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG explains: “Volkswagen will be taking E-mobility to mass production. In 2011, we are expanding our test fleet by adding 500 Golfs with electric drive. A hybrid version of the Jetta for the US market follows in 2012. Starting in 2013, the E-UP goes into production. The goal is to become the market leader in E-mobility by the year 2018. We want to attain an electric vehicle market share of three percent within our entire range of products.” He goes on to say: “We will take the hybrid out of its niche status with our high-volume models. In the future, the heart of the brand will also beat with electricity.”

Today, the electric car is already technically capable of short ranges of up to 150 kilometres. And so, the Group’s various brands will be conducting field studies in key
strategic markets of Europe, North America and China in upcoming months. An important intermediate step here is Group-wide implementation of hybrid technology in production vehicles. In Geneva, Volkswagen is therefore showcasing its technological competence in hybrid development and is already introducing the new Touareg Hybrid.

“This technological competence will be advanced in Volkswagen’s modular strategy of flexibly integrating hybrid and E-drives over a wide variety of vehicle platforms in all of the Group brands”, says Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, Group Chief Officer for Electric Traction. “We will continue to systematically exploit the potential of internal combustion engines with the goal of significantly reducing fuel consumption and emissions. So over the mid-term, vehicles with electric drives and those with internal combustion engines will co-exist.”

The market launch schedule for purely electric cars is as ambitious as it is systematic: The E-UP will kick off the programme in 2013; the E-Golf will then be introduced, just before another crucial event of the Volkswagen Group’s E-strategy follows at the end of the year with the launch of the E-Jetta. In subsequent years, a modular E-traction approach will systematically extend electrification to other model series.

Milestones of the planned VW Group’s hybrid offensive: the Jetta Hybrid will debut in
August 2012, the Passat Hybrid in August 2013 and two months later the Golf Hybrid.

These measures will make Volkswagen the leader in CO2-neutral mobility.

Carlos Ghosn, Chief Executive Officer, Nissan Motor Co. Ltd, today unveiled the company’s all new Micra, the fourth generation of the iconic city car, at the 80th International Geneva Motor Show.

Boasting breakthrough packaging and small-car engineering, the all-new, fourth generation Nissan Micra (known as March in Japan) is on course to create a whole new set of industry standards. Unveiled today at the Geneva Motor Show, the Micra has consistently won praise and success for in Europe, Japan and other markets, gaining a reputation as a reliable, stylish, accessible compact car enjoyed by a wide cross-section of customers. The new Micra has been designed to build on that trend – in 160 countries.

At a glance:

* Spacious interior allied to compact exterior dimensions
* All new 3-cylinder petrol engine including….
….supercharged and direct injection version with emissions of 95g/km to be added to the line up later
* New Continuously Variable Transmission with world-first technology
* All new Versatile platform conceived to be light weight
* New Micra to be sold in 160 countries and….
….manufactured in four different plants

Developed and built on Nissan’s all-new V-platform, which was developed under a comprehensive new production engineering process, the new Micra was designed and tested in Japan to be built in at least four overseas locations, and fine-tuned to meet the differing tastes and needs of customers in 160 countries worldwide. Breaking with traditions that focused on launching production in established markets like Europe and Japan, Nissan will base production of the new Micra at overseas manufacturing sites such as Thailand, India, Mexico and China.

Design

“The car has to charm a global audience,” comments Makoto Yamane, Associate Product Chief Designer. “Its face had to look stylish and have an air of sophistication to it..” A unique design feature of this car – its double-layer integrated grille – meets these requirements. But the car’s classic shape was also crucial. That’s why it also employs a stylised version of the distinctive arched side window line, something that is central to the Micra’s heritage, identity and appeal in Europe and Japan.

Retaining its compact dimensions, the new car is slightly longer and marginally lower, while its longer wheelbase enables a ‘wheels-at-each-corner’ stance, the main reason behind the Micra’s roomier interior. The boomerang-shaped grooves on the roof have a clearly defined purpose too, continues Yamane. Aiming to create the same sense of exterior style inside the car, Nissan has employed a ‘connected cocoon’ design featuring a dashboard design which takes on a ‘twin bubble’ theme. This refers to the circular instrumentation binnacle and the similarly shaped glovebox compartment on the passenger side.

All-new Engine and CVT

In Europe, a simple engine line-up sees just two engines options – both are variations on Nissan’s all-new naturally aspirated HR12 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine. Inheriting its DNA from the HR16 4-cylinder engine powering the Note and Qashqai, the new engine employs valve-timing control (VTC). Power is rated at 59kW (80ps, while torque output is 108Nm. At only 115g/km, CO2 emissions for this version are world-class.

In addition to the new normally aspirated engine, Nissan will also offer a supercharged 1.2-litre direct injection iteration with a start-stop system fitted as standard in Europe. These technological innovations – stop-start reduces CO2 by six per cent – combine to offer spirited performance, with outputs of 72kW (98PS) and 142Nm of torque. Emissions will be just 95g/km, an exceptional achievement for a petrol engine.

Both engine options in Europe are available with either a 5-speed manual gearbox or Nissan’s all-new Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The wide gear coverage enables the 1.2-litre engine to achieve the economy of a 1.0-litre as well as brisk acceleration.

Not satisified merely improving performance levels, engineers excelled in developing ride and handling characteristics which combine agility, refinement and poise. Mounted onto Nissan’s new signature V-platform, the suspension has been designed to be both compact, minimising intrusion at the rear for maximum trunk space, but not at the expense of the car’s on-road dynamics. Particular attention has been paid to bump absorption, meaning that the Micra will ride serenely over challenging road surfaces, not suffer from wallow or float, and cruise effortlessly at highway speeds.

Comfort, function and equipment

In contrast to its high speed capability, the car also has superb visibility and a class-topping turning radius of 4.5m and several new technologies that assist with minimising CO2 emissions and mileage while at the same time making parking easier.

Globally, equipment levels differ by market, but the new Micra is available with some key technological innovations which are designed to simplify day-to-day life for its owners.

The new Micra is available with reversing sensors and a new ‘parking space measurement’ (PSM) device with three skill levels (amateur, normal and expert) to lessen the burden of parking in tight spaces – a unique feature in this segment, and likely to be a popular innovation in Europe where ‘touch parking’ is a way of life.

It also offers an Intelligent Key, Nissan Connect, Nissan’s accessible touch-screen combined audio and satellite navigation system, glass roof, automatic wipers, speed sensitive volume on the audio, a push button start-stop system in addition to a drive computer which supplies drivers with real time fuel economy information, cruising range and outside temperature. On the security side, the car is also fitted with a speed-sensitive automatic door locking system.
Safety

The incorporation of the V-platform is one major factor contributing to the car’s improved impact safety. The car is designed to absorb the forces of a frontal impact, thanks to the sophisticated crumple zones, while maintaining cabin integrity due to its highly reinforced body shell. In Europe, the Micra will be fitted with ABS, dual front airbags, curtain and side airbags, Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) and pretensioner seatbelts as standard equipment.

Why is it car companies continue to trot out new diesel models with only a manual transmission?

Look at Mazda’s terrific 3, 6 and CX-7, which are all manual-only when bought with a diesel. And Subaru is doing the same; first with the Outback and now with the Forester.

It seems remarkably short sighted to believe diesel buyers want fuel efficiency above all else – including convenience.

What do you think? Does the manual-only diesel option put you off buying one of these cars?

Australia’s favourite Sports Utility Vehicle will add a super efficient diesel engine to the range in early June, with the launch of the Subaru Forester 2.0D.

Subaru has confirmed there will be two diesel variants, the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive Forester 2.0D and 2.0D Premium.

Nick Senior, Subaru Managing Director, said: “Given the level of customer enquiry so far, we anticipate substantial demand for Forester diesels. We expect supply to be quite tight and on that basis our network is now taking orders, to avoid customer disappointment.

“We thank customers for their patience and based on the huge response we’ve had to our Outback diesels, we’re gearing up for significant orders.”

Mr Senior confirmed the Forester 2.0D will be equipped with the same turbo diesel engine as the Outback 2.0D, producing 110 Kilowatts of power at 3600 rpm and 350 Newtonmetres of torque between 1800 and 2400 rpm.

All variants will have a six-speed manual transmission.

Forester 2.0D will feature cloth trim, 16-inch alloy wheels, leather gear shift, front fog lights, climate control air conditioning, self-levelling rear suspension, a flip-out rear tray and colour-coordinated door handles.

Forester 2.0D Premium adds 17-inch alloy wheels, leather trim, power driver’s seat, upgraded audio, HID headlights and a sunroof.

As with every vehicle in the Subaru range, Forester 2.0D variants will have a five-star crashworthiness rating for occupant safety from the independent Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). Every new Subaru features dual front, side and curtain airbags, plus Vehicle Dynamics Control electronic stability system.

Pricing will be announced at a later date.

The Geneva International Motor Show will see Fiat launch a new family of ultra compact, high technology two cylinder engines that will slash fuel consumption, cut emissions and still offer more performance.

Despite its diminutive 900cc size, the new Fiat Twin Air engine uses 15 per cent less fuel and boosts performance by 25 per cent compared to the conventional 1.2 litre four cylinder engine. Indeed, its performance is comparable to the 1.4 litre four cylinder 16 valve engine, yet it uses a 30 per cent less fuel than the larger power unit. The big cuts are matched by drops in CO2 emissions and the new engine meets the tough new EuroV emission standards.

Set for a September European debut in the Fiat 500, the new engine is significantly smaller and lighter than a conventional four cylinder engine and, as well as leading to additional fuel and emission savings, this also makes the new engine the ideal component for hybrid and kinetic energy recovery systems (KERS) and it has been designed for alternative fuels, such as methane.

With a CO2 emission level of just 95 g/km, the 85 bhp Twin-Air Fiat 500 will have the lowest emissions of any petrol powered car.

Nothing short of an engineering gem, the two-cylinder implements the revolutionary MultiAir technology developed and patented by FPT – Fiat Powertrain Technologies – which was introduced on FIRE engines last year for the first time.

The heart of MultiAir is a new electro-hydraulic valve management system that reduces fuel consumption by controlling air directly via the inlet valves (without using the throttle). MultiAir reduces polluting emissions (thanks to improved combustion control) and also considerably improves performance by boosting driveability with respect to a traditional petrol engine of equal displacement.

Furthermore, the new TWIN-AIR engine takes the concept of downsizing to the extreme: combining a small displacement engine with a next-generation turbocharger provides performance comparable to – or even better than – that of a larger engine but with less fuel consumption and lower emissions. And more: the turbo significantly increases the maximum torque, making it available at a very low rpm, with the result of offering greater flexibility and an unrivalled promptness of response compared to conventionally aspirated engines. All this comes with a simple design that benefits strength and reliability.

Last but not least, the new engine was painstakingly optimised and tuned. For instance, the basic two-cylinder architecture – combined with the low friction of internal parts – ranks this engine best in the “friction” class in the world.

Furthermore, computer simulations have been used to identify the best possible standard displacement in terms of thermo-dynamic efficiency, and the best fluid dynamic configuration to optimise and get the best out of the MultiAir system.

Finally, special attention has been placed on the NVH (Noise, vibration, and harshness) aspect to ensure vibration performance at least equivalent to that of a four-cylinder, with equal performance but with a characteristic sound. For this purpose, a balancing countershaft was used to maintain optimal vibration levels in all operating conditions of the engine, from the idling speed to top power.

Despite all its technical advances, fuel saving and cuts in emissions, the new Twin-Air is not set for an Australian debut because these engines designed and budgeted to take advantage of significant tax breaks.

In Europe the added cost of all the technology in the new engine is counter-balanced by significant cuts in taxation that are granted because of its low carbon dioxide emissions. This means that the Twin-Air will be price competitive in Europe. Without an automotive tax system based on CO2 emissions and a graduated tax system to aid the new generation of super-low emission/high technology cars into the market, they cannot be price competitive in markets such as Australia. This situation is further complicated by different states having different systems designed to encourage lower emission cars.

Fiat is, once again, the standard setter for cutting carbon dioxide emissions, with both the Fiat brand and the Fiat Group having the lowest volume weighted CO2 emissions and Fiat Group brands Ferrari and Alfa Romeo recording the best overall reduction and the best volume weighted brand reduction for vehicles sold in Europe during 2009, according to figures compiled by the independent research company JATO Dynamics.

“These figures are significant because they show the total impact of every vehicle sold by each car maker, not just the performance of one particular model in a range,” explains Andrei Zaitzev, General Manager for Fiat in Australia. “It’s relatively easy to have one particularly clean model in your range, but these figures measure the emissions of every vehicle sold, and that means every vehicle has to make a significant contribution to cutting emissions. To be at the top of these lists means that Fiat is making a creditable and substantial cut to CO2 emissions with every vehicle it sells.”

The Fiat brand is, with an average emission figure for every vehicle it sold in Europe in 2009 of 127.8 g/km, the best performing brand for CO2 emissions in Europe for the second year running. This figure also means that Fiat has beaten the European target of an average of 130 g/km years ahead of its implementation in 2015.

Ferrari, which is part of the Fiat Group, recorded the single biggest drop in emissions across the vehicles it delivered in 2009, a massive drop of 53.6 g/km. Heading the table for volume weighted CO2 emissions cuts is another Fiat Group brand, Alfa Romeo, which reduced its average CO2 by and average of 18.3 g/km. Given these achievements by Fiat Group brands right across the performance and size spectrum, it is no surprise that the Fiat Group also has the lowest average of any automotive group, with an average of 131 g/km for all the vehicles it sold in 2009.

“Despite this impressive performance, Fiat is not resting on its environmental laurels,” says Mr Zaitzev. “In 2010 Alfa Romeo will add the MultiAir engines to the Mito range, further cutting its emissions, the new Giulietta will use the same engines and the new advanced new TBi engine and at the Geneva Motor Show this week (2 March 2010) Fiat will be launching TwinAir, an impressive new compact engine that will reduce emissions for the Fiat 500 down to just 96 g/km.”