October 18th 2008
Green Car Wrap: 2010 Prius Revealed, Tesla Drops Staff, Mini Goes Electric
Filed under: cars-houses, transport, travel — Michael Andre d'Estries @ 8:51 am
There’s been a slew of green car news this week and I thought I would catch everyone up on updates to our “Top 5 Future Hollywood Green Cars” feature. So strap in!
First up, whether intentional or not, shots of the 2010 Toyota Prius have landed online — a full three months before the true reveal was supposed to take place in January ‘09. Granted, pictures can only tell us so much, but it appears that the car is a bit more aerodynamic than the current model. That should help with mileage — something expected to be higher with the new model. Additionally, the interior has received a full-overhaul. More pics available over at ABG.
Not surprisingly, electric automaker Tesla has been hit hard by the recent economic slowdown. Besides some shifting of executive power at the top, Gizmodo is reporting that the company also laid off 90% of its Detroit staff. Unfortunately, it didn’t give anyone time to prepare — choosing instead to fire those employees with a cryptic blog post on its site. Classy. Check out more over on GIZ.
The new electric Mini Cooper has been revealed! Sporting a 572-pound lithium ion battery, the Mini-E supposedly has a range of 150 miles after a solid 8-hour charge. You’ll also get 204-horsepower, 162 lb-ft of torque, and a top speed of 95mph — which should give you plenty of ‘oompf’. The full info will be available at the Detroit auto show in January. Look for the actual car to debut in limited quantities sometime next summer. [Read more...]
The auto star of the latest James Bond movie hasn’t been the Aston Martin, but the little Ford Ka. We were previously bummed to hear that this car would probably not be coming to America, but now it appears that may change. AutoBlogGreen reveals that Ford is reconsidering demand for small cars in the U.S. and may bring the 60mpg diesel here sometime 2010/2011. Do it! [Read more...]
Stuff global warming in your stocking! Dedicate trees this holiday season through 
Honda is also planning to bring back the Insight. This time with four doors:
http://automobiles.honda.com/insight-hybrid/
Honda has also announced the CR-Z gasoline electric hybrid (looks like a cross between the original Insight and the much-missed CRX)
http://automobiles.honda.com/cr-z
AWESOME DUDE!
Honda will have the most hybrids and alternative fuel cars at LA Auto Show:
http://www.laautoshow.com/AlternativeFuelVehicles.aspx
HONDA CONTINUES TO PROVE WHY IT WINS THE GREEENEST AUTOMAKER AWARD EVERY YEAR FROM THE UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS!