Land Rover will be showcasing their most eco-friendly sport utility vehicle, the Land Rover Evoque during the Paris 2010 Motor Show on September 30th. However, some early information has already leaked out.

• Luxurious coupe design with a compact and more efficient footprint than other Range Rover models
• Targeting a new group of customers for the Range Rover brand
• Bold exterior is an evolution of Range Rover design language
• Strong, clean interior architecture with a contemporary and sporting feel
• Premium cabin with the high quality materials expected from a Range Rover.
• Available with full sized glass panoramic roof flooding the interior with natural light
• Use of efficient powertrain and advanced lightweight materials
• Smaller – at a 171 inches (434cm) it is 17 inches (432mm) shorter and 7 inches (178mm) lower than Range Rover Sport models
• Permanent all-wheel drive combined with turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an updated six-speed auto transmission deliver excellent perforrmance and fuel economy
• All-new 240 bhp 2.0-litre Si4 turbocharged engine combining six-cylinder refinement and performance with four-cylinder fuel economy
• All-new chassis specification delivers dynamic and agile handling across varied terrain, with optional Adaptive Dynamics featuring MagneRide™
• All-weather, all-surface capability with Land Rover Terrain Response®
• An extensive suite of Range Rover technologies including Bluetooth® audio streaming and optional Surround camera system
• To be sold in 160 countries worldwide, with deliveries from Fall 2011

With their new EcoBoost Si4 engine, the Evoque promises to be as fuel efficient as a 4-cylinder on the highway or in the city. With a release set for next Fall… I know what I’ll be saving for! No word on price yet though.

[ Links: Hello Evoque, Land Rover Evoque ]

Seems like I’m not the only person excited and wanting to share the news about the upcoming GM Volt. GM is showing off the first drivable Chevrolet Volt at the World Expo 2010 Shanghai currently going on in China too.

General Motors celebrated the arrival of the first drivable Chevrolet Volt in China today. China is one of the initial markets outside the United States to receive the Volt. GM’s landmark electric vehicle with extended-range capability will go on sale locally next year.

“GM has made a long-term commitment to bringing our industry-leading technology to China,” said Kevin Wale, President and Managing Director of the GM China Group. “This is enabling us to provide the best mobility solutions for addressing the transportation challenges associated with the growth in demand for personal mobility. With GM taking the lead, the development of electric vehicles is opening up entirely new industries.”

During today’s celebration, GM delivered two Chevrolet Volts to the Shanghai Expo Bureau for use as part of its VIP transportation fleet at World Expo 2010 Shanghai. The Volt will shuttle special guests to and from Shanghai’s Expo Park and demonstrate GM’s pathway to its vision of sustainable urban transportation.

Outside of the US, China will be one of the first places to also receive the GM Volt in 2011.

Despite those ever-present AT&T complaints of wireless network congestion, the company (well, all wireless carriers) are continually looking for new ways to connect people their 3G networks, be they e-readers or electric cars. AT&T has announced that they’ve struck a deal with Nissan to bring HSDPA 3G connectivity to the new electric Nissan Leaf.

The 3G connectivity not only allows users to access in-car media, but it’s closely tied to the car’s recharging systems, informing you of the nearest recharging stations and allowing users to monitor their battery levels remotely. Given Nissan plans to sell the LEAF worldwide, they chose AT&T because of their support of the GSM standard.

Link to the original article…

Chevrolet finally announced the pricing for the highly anticipated Chevrolet Volt. And guess what, it’s nowhere near half as bad as some folks were guessing. The pricing details are:

• Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price starts at $41,000 ($33,500 net of full federal income tax credit, which ranges from $0 to $7,500); Lease payment on a 36-month lease at MSRP as low as $350 per month with $2,500 due at lease signing including security deposit
• OnStar provides unprecedented connectivity through Volt mobile app; five years of OnStar (Directions and Connections) service standard
• Volt’s eight-year/100,000-mile battery pack warranty provides added peace of mind
• Volt can be your primary car; approximately 340 miles of total range provides freedom to drive wherever, whenever

Starting today, participating Chevrolet dealers in launch markets will begin taking customer orders for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, the industry’s first electric vehicle with extended-range capability. List this under my DOWANT category.

[ Links: Chevrolet Volt, Chevrolet Volt Pricing ]

GM/Chevrolet is putting their best effort to make autos like the Chevrolet Volt part of the American future by trying to make it affordable, attractive and now… dependable. With their 8 year, 100,000 mile battery warranty, the Chevrolet Volt just leap-frogged every single battery dependent item from the cellphone to even the Tesla Roadster.

The Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle with extended range will provide customers with an unprecedented, standard, eight-year/100,000-mile warranty on its advanced, lithium-ion battery. It is the automotive industry’s longest, most comprehensive battery warranty for an electric vehicle, and is transferable at no cost to other vehicle owners.

“The Chevrolet Volt’s batteries have exceeded our performance targets and are ready to hit the road,” said Micky Bly, GM executive director, global electrical systems. “Our customers are making a commitment to technology that will help reduce our dependence on petroleum. In turn, we are making a commitment to our customers to deliver the highest standards for value, safety, quality, performance and reliability for an unprecedented eight years/100,000 miles.”

The Volt’s comprehensive battery warranty covers all 161 battery components, 95 percent of which are designed and engineered by GM, in addition to the thermal management system, charging system and electric drive components.

I want one now, don’t want to wait until later this year.

[ Links: GM Volt Battery Press Release, Chevrolet Volt ]

GM knows a good thing when they see one. This afternoon, Ed Whitacre Jr., General Motors chairman and CEO, announced during a keynote address the expansion of the Chevrolet Volt launch markets to now include Texas, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut markets. This is a very good way to get more of these highly anticipated electric car and effective game changer for GM/Chevrolet.

Today’s announcement brings the initial Volt retail markets to seven, including California, Michigan, and Washington, D.C. The retail launch in Texas and New York will begin with Austin and New York City in late 2010. The balance of Texas and New York, as well as New Jersey and Connecticut, are scheduled to begin receiving Volts in early 2011.

“We can add markets as diverse as Texas and New York because the Chevrolet Volt can handle both urban commuting and longer trips, in Austin summers and Manhattan winters,” Whitacre said. “The Volt can be your primary vehicle, giving you the freedom to drive gas-free without the stress of planning every trip around the battery’s charge level.”

The Volt is the only electric vehicle that can operate under a full range of climates and driving conditions without limitations or driver concern of being stranded by a depleted battery.

In celebration of this announcement, Chevrolet will take a “Freedom Drive” from Austin, Texas to New York to show-off their extended range – feel free to follow their progress and updates for the “Freedom Drive” on Twitter or Facebook.

[ Links: Chevrolet Volt, Chevrolet News, Chevy Volt Twitter ]

GM is earning even more cool points with me. They just announced that 4,400 Chevrolet owners are eligible for free home charging stations.

The first buyers of the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle with extended-range capability will be eligible for one of 4,400 free home charging stations. The program will provide Volt owners with a 240-volt charge station from either ECOtality, Inc. or Coulomb Technologies. In many cases, it will include the cost of home installation. The projects are made possible with a grant of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds from the Transportation Electrification Initiative administered by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

“Many owners will plug their Volt into a normal 120-volt electrical outlet, charge overnight and drive to work in the morning using only battery power,” said Tony DiSalle, Product and Marketing Director for the Chevrolet Volt. “For Volt owners who want to install a faster 240-volt charge station, we expect the Department of Energy project to save $1,000 and $2,000.”

GM is the only manufacturer working with both DOE partners: The EV Project from ECOtality and ChargePoint America project from Coulomb Technologies.

[ Links: GM Volt, The EV Project, ChargePoint America ]

In an effort to lessen their carbon imprint and continue to expand their network(s), Verizon has ordered 576 Chevrolet Silverado Truck Hybrids. Doesn’t sound like much, but it’s the biggest order so far for any hybrid truck in the US for their fleet so far. I hope the trend continues.

As part of the greening of its fleet, Verizon has purchased 576 Chevrolet Silverado Two-Mode Hybrid full-size pickups that deliver the city fuel economy of a four-cylinder sedan.

The unique two-mode Silverado blends an internal combustion engine with battery-powered electric motors to offer customers the advanced technology needed to reduce fuel consumption by up to 40 percent over a conventional full-size pickup — an EPA estimated 21 MPG city and 22 MPG highway, best of any full-size pickup.

“When Verizon first approached us about environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient vehicles for their urban drivers, we knew the Silverado Hybrid was the perfect fit because of its outstanding city and highway MPG ratings,” said Brian Small, GM Fleet and Commercial Operation general manager. “Immediately the team went to work to meet Verizon’s ambitious July delivery deadline.”

GM’s two-mode system enables the Silverado to launch and drive up to 30 mph on electricity alone, and allows the Vortec 6.0L V-8 engine to operate in its more economical V-4 mode for longer periods. This technology is the only hybrid system capable of being used in full-size trucks, which further emphasizes Chevrolet’s full-size truck leadership.

Good to see GM stay in the news in a positive manner – anything would have been better than last year – and it’s great to see Verizon thinking of the environment as well.

[ Links: GM, GM Silverado Hybrid Verizon Order ]

Partnering with Google Earth, General Motors (GM) has produced an application for the education of K-12 students that, once downloaded, will show and educate children using the proven Google Earth technology to accurately show you where in the world people are using renewable energy.

As a responsible corporate citizen, we know it’s important to give back to society. And, as an automaker in these times, we are often on the leading edge of technology development that will help to reduce the impact our products have on the environment. We think it’s important to pass on the lessons and knowledge we’ve learned from working on these issues to the young students today who will be tomorrow’s leaders and problem solvers.

General Motors has really embraced the renewable energy push that will hopefully lead them from being a bailed out, broken and nearly bankrupt company back to a company that employs technology and overall “know-how” to get themselves back into the forefront of innovation once again and supply the next generation with information that will help shape their educational and career opportunities.

Keep up the good work GM. The application is a free download.

[ Links: GM, GM Education ]

Mitsubishi showcased their next-generation plug-in hybrid concept car PX-MiEV during the 2010 Beijing Auto Show.

Featuring the fuel economy in excess of 50 km/litre, the Mitsubishi PX-MiEV’s front and rear wheels are powered by two permanent magnet synchronous motors and is also fitted with a 1.6L DOHC MIVEC gasoline engine which can power the front wheels as well as work as a generator.

Ford has revealed its compact concept car Start targeting the Chinese market during 2010 Beijing Auto Show, which is powered by 3-cylinder EcoBoost engine.

Even though I had this news on April 1st, I avoided posting this because I didn’t want it to be an April Fool’s Day trick.

Validation of the production process for the Chevrolet Volt passed a major milestone on March 31, when the first pre-production Volt rolled off the line at the Detroit Hamtramck Assembly Plant.

These pre-production versions of the Volt will not be sold at dealerships, but will be used to assure all steps in the production system will meet the quality targets set by the Volt engineering team.

Assembly workers will build more pre-production Volts in the coming months. These vehicles will be examined by manufacturing engineers as the plant prepares to build retail models later this year.

In simpler terms, GM has gone from concept, bankruptcy, receiving US government bailout, to profitable to innovation in about 2 years. I’m impressed. Word is that the US Government has committed to buying the first 100 vehicles too.

[ Links: GM, GM Media ]