All McLaren Production Cars Will be Hybrids by 2025

McLaren already makes a hybrid super car, the million-dollar (plus!), 900 HP McLaren P1. But McLaren’s not stopping there. The company’s CEO, Mike Flewitt, recently told Edmunds that hybrid power trains will feature heavily in the cars the company brings to market in the near future.

McLaren has plans to unveil a new “entry level” model, tentatively named the P13, at the Geneva Auto Show next March. While the P13 might not have the neck stretching performance envelope of the P1, it will still be an exhilarating drive on the level of a Porsche Turbo or V8 Ferrari, and should cost considerably less than its brawnier, P1 brother. According to Flewitt, all of McLaren’s new models will feature hybrid power trains, although nothing has been said about whether they’ll have “pure” EV modes or PHEV capabilities.

McLaren’s development of hybrid technology and controls in Formula 1, and its collaboration with Honda (another leader in hybrid performance), should allow the lessons it learns from racing to improve its production cars – which is good for McLaren, especially if they want to keep selling cars in London and Beijing (two massively important markets for the fledgling super car maker).

Here’s hoping McLaren keeps showing the rest of the world the way.

Source: Edmunds, via AutoBlog.

Ford Introducing Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid C-MAX Models in Europe in 2013

Ford C-Max Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid








Great news for Ford consumers in Europe. Question is, "When will the US see these vehicles?" Especially interesting is the plug-in hybrid model.

From Green Car Congress:

Ford’s Valencia plant in Spain will build the company’s first hybrid models for European customers with two advanced technology derivatives of the new Ford C-MAX compact multi-activity model to be launched in 2013: a full Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), and a Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV).

Ford said that the reason for building both full HEV and PHEV versions of the five-seat Ford C-MAX is to provide customers with greater choice to suit their specific driving and living environments.

Valencia was confirmed in 2009 as the European single source for all versions of the all-new Ford C-MAX and Grand C-MAX which launch later this year, and which feature a range of new Ford EcoBoost gasoline and Duratorq TDCi diesel engines. As part of the company’s global sourcing strategy, the Valencia Plant also will produce the seven-seat version of the C-MAX for export to North America beginning in late 2011.

Total investment in the new Ford C-MAX program in Spain over the next three years, including the hybrid models, is almost $410 million (€320 million). Investment in the hybrid program is expected to be up to $36 million (€28 million). The Spanish government and Valencia regional administration are providing the highest grant support in line with European Union requirements. The exact amount of this support will be determined at a later date.

Ford has committed to introduce five Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) and Hybrid models in Europe by 2013. The C-MAX HEV and PHEV models will join the full battery-electric Ford Transit Connect, already announced for 2011, and a battery-electric derivative of the next-generation Ford Focus, due in 2012. The fifth vehicle will also be a hybrid-electric model and will be announced at a later time.

The new five-seat Ford C-MAX and seven-seat Grand C-MAX models are the first of at least ten new models or derivatives that the company will launch around the world based on its new global C-segment platform.

Ford’s new generation of C-segment vehicles will be sold in more than 120 markets and are intended to account for more than two million units annually. The C-segment accounts for one-in-four cars sold worldwide today and, in conjunction with the B-segment, is expected to rise to 50% of all cars sold globally by 2013.

The Chevy Volt: Around Town and Beyond - VIDEO

Here is a promotional video from GM trying to simplify the Chevy Volt and make it understandable to the masses. In reality, the plug-in hybrid vehicle is not that complicated and would be even more simplistic if it was all electric. Maybe one day.

Nissan Leaf To Be Offered As Sale Or Lease (With Video)

Nissan Leaf

On Thursday Nissan finished showing off the LEAF at 63 stops in 24 cities when it arrived in New York. Now, we are learning more details pertaining to the sale of this revolutionary new electric vehicle.

Nissan is now saying consumers will be able to either purchase OR lease the LEAF in "a single transaction that includes the battery." "When you buy the car – you are buying the battery,” according to a Nissan spokesperson. "When you lease the car – you are leasing the battery”.

In order to purchase the car you need to first register on the official LEAF website, then reserve the car with a refundable $100 deposit in April, and finally place a firm order in August.

The car is scheduled for a roll out to “select markets” beginning in December followed by “all major launch markets quickly thereafter.”

Now, we need to keep our fingers crossed and hope the MSRP comes in at a reasonable figure that we can match up with the $7500 federal tax rebate. This car could give the Chevy Volt a run for consumer's money, depending on where they fix the MSRP.

Nissan Teaser Ad: