European researchers have been looking into a new, more efficient form of transportation that uses existing highway infrastructure and fancy electronics to combine the freedom of driving alone with the benefits of public transit. The initiative, known as Safe Road Trains for the Environment, will use a lead vehicle with an experienced, professional driver – say a bus that drives a certain route – and cars will follow close behind. Now if you think this is just an excuse to tailgate, think again.

Using navigation technology that is already in existence, cars that want to join the train will simply “talk” to the lead vehicle, giving certain information like destination, etc. and computers will take over the car. This will allow for safe travel in close proximity at high speeds, while the individual drivers can work on their laptops or chat on the phone. If one needs to leave the train, they will signal to the lead driver and take over control of their own vehicle.

Researchers say that with the improved aerodynamics, fuel efficiency will be raised 20% along with increased highway capacity. Pretty neat stuff! [Source: Wired] BBC has a pretty nifty diagram too.

In the midst of Tokyo Auto Show anticipation, Nissan has announced their intention to bring the Micra (also called the March) to the U.S. Never heard of it? We’re not totally surprised. While this sub-compact car (it’s nearly two feet shorter than the Versa) has been available in many markets for years – including Japan and Europe – we’ve never had an opportunity to see it in dealerships over here.

The Micra is due for a major redesign – which will improve fuel economy and reduce weight – and we can’t imagine it will grow much longer than its current 146 inches considering the purpose of the car’s U.S. introduction is to expand Nissan’s reach into the sub-compact car market. The new car will be available in three body variants – a four-door sedan, five-door hatchback and a compact MPV, all powered by a three-cylinder engine.

In March 2010, Thailand will be the first to receive the new Micra, but we’re expecting it to be available here by 2011 or 2012. [Source: Automotive News]

General Motors has been campaigning hard to promote its 230 mpg Chevrolet Volt. And Nissan has claimed its Leaf will get a whopping 367 mpg. While they aren’t exactly lying, electric cars don’t use any gas at all, which means they can’t technically get any miles to the gallon. The mpg numbers just don’t realistically represent the level of efficiency an electric vehicle has.

This is where the government is stepping in. The EPA and other agencies are working together to create a method which will accurately determine the efficiency of electric vehicles without using miles per gallon as a baseline. They’re expected to come to a decision by the end of this year or in early 2010.

This is good news for the consumer, who should be able to make more informed choices once a new system is put into place. However, a claim of 1000 nanojiggerydoos probably won’t be as cool sounding as 367 mpg. [Source: USA Today]

Well, sort of. This may be the most eco-friendly mod job we’ve seen. Not one of the engine components have changed on this Toyota Prius, leaving it as fuel-thrifty as it always has been.

What the famous Japanese tuner company, Tommi Kaira, has changed is all cosmetic. The front end has a new chin spoiler with air intakes. The back end has redesigned bumper with four exhaust pipes that scream performance, even though we are sure the car will stay as quite as a whisper. Larger performance wheels sit on all four corners and the ride-height has been lowered. We think it looks sick, but we’re at a loss for how one would approach speed bumps in it. [Source: Autoblog]

The Frankfurt Motor Show, which alternates venues every year with Paris, marks the beginning of the auto show season, making it an important stage for manufacturers to display their latest and greatest. Supercars, step aside; this year was all about green. Not the color – though there was a bit of that too – but rather plug-in hybrids, regular hybrids and a variety of alternative fuel concepts as well. But the real stars of the show were the unique electric car concepts that illustrated how strong (and varied) the EV market will be. Here are our top 5.

Praise the sun! It’s finally happened! Mazda has just announced their intentions to bring the Mazda2 to the U.S. and Canada. We love the 3, but the 2 is even more geared toward fuel economy and city driving. It also has Mazda’s good looks and ‘zoom-zoom’ performance (scaled down, of course). Details are scarce, and the company’s probably just starting to decide on engine types, but their 1.5-liter engine and their turbo-diesel both sound like pretty promising fares to bring our way.

Read the press release after the jump.

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – Mazda North American Operations’ president and CEO, Jim O’Sullivan, confirmed today during a meeting of the company’s top dealers that the MAZDA2 subcompact, or B-Car classification, car will be sold in the U.S. beginning in late 2010.  It was previously announced that the car also will be sold in Canada, beginning at about the same time.

“You’ve asked us for it for a while now, and we’ve been studying the market to make sure we can make a business case for it across North America,” O’Sullivan told the assembled dealers.  “As consumers’ tastes and attitudes toward small vehicles have changed, we now believe strongly there is a place in our lineup for a car below our current least-expensive car, the MAZDA3.  MAZDA2 will be true to everything that makes our cars stand apart from the competition: it will be stylish, fun-to-drive and a heck of a value.  In short, it will be Zoom-Zoom.”

No further details were released at the meeting, other than notice that the final North American-specification MAZDA2 will be unveiled to media and the public at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show.  Further information on specifications, content, pricing and on-sale timing will be provided closer to launch.

MAZDA2 has been a sales and media success in markets around the world, winning more than 50 awards and being named Car of the Year in more than 20 separate countries.  Additionally, MAZDA2 was named the 2008 World Car of the Year, besting all other new cars around the world.

Celebrating its 40^th Anniversary in the United States in 2010, Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif. and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers.  Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario; and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.

Making a hybrid has been the ‘in’ thing for carmakers to do for a while now. However, we didn’t ever think we’d see the day when Porsche – the anti-Prius manufacturer – would produce a fuel-sipping hybrid offering. Imagine our surprise at the 2011 Cayenne S Hybrid.

It’s important to mention first that the hybrid Porsche Cayenne S will get an unimpressive 24 mpg at its absolute best – only 33% better gas mileage than the V8 Cayenne. So for those who think this vehicle will allow you to reach Prius-level gas savings without sacrificing luxury and power will be sorely disappointed.

The Cayenne S Hybrid is a parallel gas-electric engine, similar to more familiar hybrids made by Honda and Toyota. On the gas side we have a direct-injected, supercharged Audi 3.0-liter V6 engine with a 333 hp performance, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission (sorry stick-shift-lovers, this one’s not for you). Nestled in the middle and powered by a large nickel-metal hydride battery is a 52 hp electric motor that can pull about 221 lb-ft of torque. Altogether the Cayenne S Hybrid offers a satiating 374 hp and retains the ‘S’ rating on its rear end.

Click through for details about the hybrid features and the drive!

What sets Porsche Cayenne S hybrid apart from the pack is its ‘coasting’ or ‘sailing’ feature, which mimics the feel of cruise control without the need to switch it on. An internal computer measures the road conditions and speed, then recognizes when the internal combustion engine is not needed to maintain momentum and triggers a hydraulic clutch to shut off the gas engine. The drive is then powered by battery at speeds up to 86 mph.

The transition between gas and electric is a seamless and silent one. It sounds like a blessing, but could be a burden depending on the elevation of the roadway and your driving abilities. Where it would undoubtedly shine is on the highway during commuting or on long trips when you start to get those calf cramps from pushing on the gas.

So does this revamped, hybridized Porsche feel like a Porsche? The short answer is: Yes. Electro-hydraulic steering hangs onto that trademark asphalt-hugging agility and the hybrid/electric engines maintain an impressive amount of torque. But the question for consumer will be whether the extra cost would be worth the slight increase in gas mileage. Pricing isn’t finished, but we can estimate that it will be well above the $60,000 price tag of the standard Cayenne S.

For Porsche, going hybrid seems to be more of an exercise in image-shaping than environment-cleansing. And with this new move it’s clear that ‘hybrid’ has become an imperative part of marketing vehicles in the U.S.  Just to be sure, Porsche is offering an option that will emblazon a ‘hybrid’ moniker along the side of your Cayenne. Just in case you want to shout it from the blacktop.

By Michelle Lanz, DriverSide Guest Contributor

BMW has revealed pictures of one of the most amazing concept cars in recent memory. The Vision EfficientDynamics Concept doesn’t just have a mouthful of a name, it’s also showcasing the many innovations BMW has been working on for the green car segment.

The Vision Concept is powered by a 1.5-liter turbo diesel engine as well as two electric motors – two of our most efficient forms of car technology. The diesel engine will be mounted mid-ship, while the axles will each get their own electric motor. The diesel will produce 163 horsepower and 214 lb-ft of torque, which will travel to the rear wheels via BMW’s 6-speed DCT transmission.

Click through to read about total power output and see more incredible shots of the concept.

The rear-mounted electric motor will produce a continuous 33 horsepower with potential bursts of 51 horsepower, while also producing 214 lb-ft of torque. The second motor attached to the front axles will add 80 horsepower and 162 torque. When pushed, the motor can squeeze out 112 hp for 30 seconds or 139 hp for 10 seconds. Ultimately, the Vision should have a maximum output of 356 hp and a whopping 590 lb-ft of torque, which will send the car from 0 to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph.

With wheel covers and an exterior design that reduces the drag coefficient to .22 and and a curb weight of just over 3000 lbs, the Vision achieves an average of 62.6 mpg. [Source: Car Tech Blog]

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They’re calling it the Nissan Leaf, and it’s actually very similar in appearance to a Mazda3 5-door, taking more of a wagon look than any other avant-garde green vehicle we’ve come across. The headlights are a little too amphibious for our liking, but overall this EV concept has really impressed us with its ability to blend the brand’s ‘look’ with something completely new.

The five-passenger, zero-emissions car will have many of the regular features available in Nissan vehicles, like airbags and a navigation system, and will have a top speed of 90 mph. That’s all fine and dandy, but Nissan’s biggest challenge will be convincing people to buy a car that has a range of just 100 miles with its lithium-ion battery. Unlike the much talked about Chevrolet Volt, it won’t have a back-up gas motor; it’s all electric.

The Leaf doesn’t have a release date yet.

Click through for more pictures.

[Show as slideshow]

If you have questions, check out the Leaf’s new website where you can ask a ‘Nissan expert’ anything you like. Whether they answer you is another thing. [Source: Nissan]

In a true show of green movement fashion, Ford has confirmed its plan to introduce their Ecoboost technology – so far found in their V6 engines – with a new twin-turbocharged four-cylinder engine capable of producing the same power as a V6 but with greatly improved gas mileage. Ford says that the tiny 2.oL four-cylinder will produce an impressive 230 hp with 240 lb-ft of torque, but no word yet on what the gas mileage ratings will be.

Until we get a few more snippets of info, we’ll busy ourselves dreaming of what they may decide to put it in. A 230 horsepowered Fiesta would truly be something to celebrate.

[Source: Popular Science]

BMW has turned its sights on the city car market, apparently owning MINI isn’t enough. The proposed Project i (shown above) with its water-cooled electric engine will supposedly make MINIs everywhere look like ostentatious displays of waste and consumption. This emission-less design has been crafted specifically for the U.S. market to comply with California’s tough Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) requirements which calls for automakers to sell ZEVs by 2012. Gas and diesel versions of the car will be made available, not, unfortunately, for the U.S. market.

The four-seater will boast BMW-like styling cues with a low roofline, wide stance, and short overhangs but the company has not decided under which badge the new electric vehicle will reside. Thought has even been given to creating a new brand for the thing.

Jump to read more.

With the green movement strong and getting stronger, expect it to sell in pretty high numbers. Especially since BMW says it’ll be less expensive than the current MINI Copper. A battery life of just 100 miles, however, may have you thinking twice about using the pint sized Project i for anything more than just a trip to the corner store which leaves us wondering, why not take your bike?

[Source: Car and Driver]

Really? GM’s hoping to position its upcoming Volt as the sportier alternative to green rides like the Honda Insight and the Toyota Prius. That seems a little odd to us, especially since the Volt has something up its government-owned sleeves its Japanese competition can’t boast. General Motors hybrid only operates off of electric power. At no point does the small gasoline motor ever put ponies to the pavement. While that would seem like a great marketing angle to us, evidently The General has something else in mind.

Instead of highlighting what must have been the innumerable hurdles the company had to overcome to bring the car to market and the sheer technological innovation involved, Chief Engineer Andrew Farah said the car will likely be advertised as a sporty, green alternative. OK. Sporty usually denotes something that’s quick off the line and faster through the corners – something that a hefty battery pack can’t possibly help. [Source: Autoblog]

General Motors has unleashed the first volley of pre-production Chevrolet Volts on the streets around its Warren test Center. So far, the public has only laid its eyes on Volt mock ups, that is, big rolling models of the real deal. While only a handful of the pre-production electric rides have seen the light of day so far, GM says it plans to roll out up to 80 of them for testing before the car goes on sale late next year.

The Chevrolet Volt boasts a lithium-ion battery pack, and if the hype is to believed, the extended-range electric vehicle will be able to travel 45 miles on pure electric power. For those out there with an overall commute of less than that range, you could possibly drive that full distance without using an ounce of fuel. At night, owners would plug up their Volt and charge it from a home outlet. GM expects the car to carry a price tag of $32,500 after a government tax rebate. [Source: MotorAuthority]

By now, you’ve probably heard the news that GM has filed for bankruptcy. Early estimates say the new, streamlined company should pop up within two to three months, at which time the federal government will own 60 percent of the company. That means for the first time, the good people of America officially own their own car company. Now what to do with it? Odds are General Motors will continue to crank out vehicles for years to come, but according to filmmaker and Flint, Michigan native Michael Moore, there is another option – creating the transportation and energy solutions we desperately need.

Moore says GM has a great opportunity to help create the nation’s first high-speed bullet train, as well as expand our lackluster light rail service. Moore says retooling factories and cranking out new tech would spur hiring and help General Motors keep on as many of its current employees at possible. He has a point. Check out his article at TheDailyBeast. We’re not saying every idea in the piece is fully baked, but it’s good to hear new notions on our national transportation nightmare. [Source: TheDailyBeast]

Reporting on a test drive of a new car is generally pretty simple. How does the car look? How does it feel? Does it hang with its competitive set? How many parking-garage attendants told you it was awesome?

Assessing a pre-prototype version of the Chevy Volt is, um, different. To start, it’s not a production car. Then there’s the context. The Volt lies at the intersection of some of the most contentious issues of the day—electric cars vs. next-generation gas or diesel engines, CAFE standards, greenhouse-gas restrictions, the federal bailout of the American auto industry. Some people still refuse to believe that the Volt is actually a production-intent project. But after driving the car earlier this week, I can testify that the Volt is definitely real.

The final iteration won’t roll off the production line for another year and a half, and yet die-hard fanboys and unhinged haters have been brawling online over the car for more than two years. The Volt—which, in case you haven’t heard, is an extended-range electric car that runs 40 miles on a single charge of its huge lithium-ion battery pack before a 1.4-liter I4 flex-fuel engine kicks in to power the electric motor and keep you going until you run out of gas—is a Hail Mary pass from what was once the greatest automaker on the planet, an industrial giant that has now fallen into the cold embrace of the federal government. And so evaluating a car like this becomes tricky. Talking about the cornering ability of a car so pregnant with significance feels absurd, particularly a day after President Obama announced historic, strict new nationwide fuel-economy standards designed to prod along the production of hyper-efficient cars just like the Volt.

Nonetheless, this Monday, on the company’s Warren, Michigan Tech Center campus, a few other journalists and I were allowed behind the Volt’s highly contested wheel…Read the rest of the story on Popsci.com!

By Seth Fletcher