Some automakers and environmentalists are convinced that electric vehicles are the next big thing. Others however remain skeptical and to date, there’s little indication that EVs will be embraced by most drivers, due to the factors of cost, weight and range limitation.

Nevertheless new claims are being advertised all the time about improved range and lower cost becoming achievable from Lithium based batteries. Tesla Motors lays claim to a capacity of 56 kW hours and a range of 254 miles as used in its two-seat Roadster, but now battery maker Kolibri is stating that it has gone even further.

During a test conducted in Germany, with an Audi A2 converted to EV propulsion by DBM Energy/Lekker Energie and fitted with a Kolibri battery pack system, a total distance of 375 miles was claimed for the vehicle before re-charging.

Naturally, the results were quickly met with skepticism, further fueled by the car being destroyed in a warehouse fire afterwards (the battery pack did survive).

However,  the inspection organization Dekkra conducted tests of an A2 on a chassis dynometer and found that a 63 Kilowatt per hour battery gave the A2 a range of 283 miles, not quite as far as the claims listed by DBM, but still rather impressive by current EV standards. In addition, the German Federal Institute for Materials, Research and Testing also conducted experiments on the Kolibri battery pack. The results? Well the organization claimed that the pack easily passed their safety tests and was judged fit to be installed in passenger vehicles.

As a result of these “successful” conclusions, DBM is now planning full scale field trials of the system later this year. However a great deal of skepticism remains about how well the Kolibri pack will perform in real world conditions – I guess only time will tell.

[Source: New York Times]

Based on the high price of hybrid and electric vehicles, not to mention how long it takes to recoup the added cost through fuel savings (if ever), the number one reason to purchase one should be environmental concerns. The opposite appears to be true for the majority of green car buyers, 75 percent of whom say fuel savings is the number one reason they would consider an “alternative powertrain” model.

This statistic comes from the first annual J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. Green Automotive Study, which looks at consumer interest and reaction to hybrid electric vehicles, clean diesel models, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles. In the survey  total of 75 percent of those polled listed lower fuel costs as a main factor in buying a hybrid, compared to 50 percent who listed “better for the environment.”

Of note, consumers who said they are not looking to switch to an alternative powertrain vehicle cited price, increased maintenance cost and range anxiety.

“Alternative powertrains face an array of challenges as they attempt to gain widespread acceptance in the market,” said Mike VanNieuwkuyk, executive director of global vehicle research at J.D. Power and Associates. “It is the financial issues that most often resonate with consumers, whether it is the higher price of the vehicle itself, the cost to fuel or charge the vehicle, or the fear of higher maintenance costs. The bottom line is that most consumers want to be green, but not if there is a significant personal cost to them.” In addition VanNieuwkuyk says that for alternative powertrains to succeed they need to be economically sustainable.

Yet despite increased interest in alternative powertrain vehicles, overall sales continue to be slow and according to J.D. Power, hybrid and electric vehicles are expected to make up less than 10 percent of the U.S. market though 2016.

Even Eminem can’t make the rebadged Chrysler Sebring cool, and that means the brand is sorely lacking in the mid-size (D-segment) category. Worse still, with rising gas prices and increased interest in small cars, the automaker literally has nothing on offer in the compact (C-segment) or sub-compact (B-segment) classes. And if recent reports are correct, Chrysler isn’t getting anything either.

While Sergio Marchionne indicated in his infamous six-hour press conference back in November of 2009 that such models were on their way, Chrysler brand president Olivier Francois recently commented to Car & Driver that a B-Segment car designed to compete with cars like the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris and Ford Fiesta was no longer in the plan. This news meshes with our own discussion with Dodge boss Ralf Gilles at the Chicago Auto Show, who commented that the Dodge brand wouldn’t get sub-compact, instead leaving that category to Fiat.

Gilles instead said the brand’s next focus would be on the compact category, building a car to rival the Honda Civic and newcomers like the Hyundai Elantra and Chevy Cruze. That car will not be branded as a Chrysler, as Francois has indicated it would only be offered as either a Dodge or Chrysler, and Dodge seems to have won out.

Looking to establish itself as being more Lotus than Lotus, Team Lotus Enterprise has announced the acquisition of Caterham Cars – the self proscribed custodians of Colin Chapman’s ultra-light Seven sports car.

In case you haven’t been following the Lotus soap opera as of late, Team Lotus is not Lotus Cars (the company that builds vehicles like the Elise and Exige). No, Team Lotus is a separate company, the former racing division of Lotus Cars, that purchased the name in order to compete in Formula 1. It is currently owned by partners Tony Fernandes, Kamarudin Meranun and SM Nasarudin.

The auto division (Lotus Cars) distanced itself from the F1 team and later announced its own return to the top tier of motorsports under the name Lotus-Renault.

This latest move is seen a evidence that Team Lotus is serious about competing with its rival of the same name, taking the battle from the track to the street. In a statement, Team Lotus has announced that the acquisition will bring a bright future for Caterham, with continued development of the Seven and investment in “exciting new models for the 21^st Century.” Included in that list is the SP/300.R sports prototype racer.

If Porsche was a ship, it would be on the bottom of the ocean right now thanks to a steady leak that just keeps growing. News about the limited edition GT3 RS 4.0 model has been trickling out for quite some time now, but now we have a selection of photos to share.

No official details are confirmed, but reports indicate just 600 versions of this ultra hard-core GT3 RS model will be available, with the larger displacement engine now producing 500-hp. Look for an even lighter curb weight thanks to the use of carbon fiber components, with pricing at or over the $200,000 mark.

GALLERY: Porsche GT3 RS 4.0

[Source: TeamSpeed]

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There are a lot of important points to make about the all-new 2012 Kia Rio Sedan, but the most surprising is that it will be the first in the sub-compact segment to feature start-stop technology. Called Idle Stop and Go (ISG for short), the Rio will completely shut off its gasoline engine when at a stop and immediately restart it just before the gas pedal is pressed.

Powered by the same 1.6-liter direct-injection engine found in the new 2012 Hyundai Accent, the Rio also gets the same 30-mpg city and 40-mpg highway rating. Those EPA ratings don’t include technology like ISG, however, so real-world fuel economy could exceed the EPA estimates.

And as impressive as those fuel economy numbers are, the Rio doesn’t loose out in power either, making 138-hp and sharing the title of the most potent engine in the sub-compact class.

Kia continues to deliver in the design department as well, offering more style in the sub-compact segment than you’d expect. The Rio sedan even gets a slightly different front end to its Rio5 hatchback counterpart.

Available in three trim levels LX models include 15-inch steel wheels and not much else, while the EX trim brings features like power locks, windows and keyless entry as well as Bluetooth. The top-level SX trim includes fog lights, LED daytime running lights, dual chrome-tipped exhaust pipes, turn signal indicators, a leather wrapped steering wheel, the Microsoft UVO infotainment system with a rear-view camera and 17-inch wheels.

Options include that ISG setup as a part of the Eco Package, while SX models can be had with the Premium Package that delivers navigation, a push-button start, leather heated seats and a moonroof.

Official pricing has yet to be released, but the Rio will start at under $13,000.

GALLERY: 2012 Kia Rio Sedan

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After re-launching in North America last year, Fiat has just introduced its second model to our shores, the 500 Cabrio. A ‘convertible’ version of the 500 hatchback, the Cabrio is a different sort of drop-top as it retains the factory roof structure, but with a retractable material top instead of sheetmetal. Because of that structure, the 500 Cabrio is unique in that it offers the exact same interior room as the original hatchback. Yet another advantage is that the material roof can be operated at speed of up to 60 mph.

Priced at $19,500 it retails for a $4,000 premium over the standard model, Fiat brand boss Laura Suave, introducing the car today at the New York Auto Show, says it’s the smallest price differential between a standard model and its cabriolet version on the market. Two versions will be offered, an entry-level Pop and a top-trim Lounge.

As with the 500 hatchback there will be plenty of customization options from everything to interior and exterior colors, as well as accessories, while the Cabrio also gets the choice of three material top colors: red, tan and black.

Much of the rest of the car remains the same with a 101-hp 1.4-liter engine.

GALLERY: Fiat 500 Cabrio

Get more Fiat 500 news and info at Fiat500Owners.com

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The car the launched Kia‘s transformation from an auto industry back-marker to a legitimate brand, the Soul has received a list of mid-cycle upgrades for 2012.

New front and rear fascias give a cleaner look to the Soul, while a new hood design has also been incorporated, all of which works to give the car a smoother exterior appearance. Perhaps more noticeable are new LED taillights and even LED daytime running lights. Plus, new for 2012 are two additional paint colors, Canyon and Moss. Inside there are some new items depending on trim level, with the biggest news being the UVO Sync-style system for the Soul! and Soul sport, which comes as part of a Premium Package with leather, heated seats, Nav, climate control and a push-button ignition.

The most significant changes come under the hood, however, with a new 1.6-liter direct-injection engine on base models, delivering 135-hp (up 11%) and 121 lb-ft of torque. Thanks also to new six-speed manual transmission, fuel economy is up to 28/34 mpg. Those in search of a bit more pep can upgrade to a 2.0-liter engine that makes 160-hp (up 13%) and 143 lb-ft of torque. Plus, the added power comes with little drawback by way of fuel economy with a rating of 27/33-mpg, with your choice of either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic.

GALLERY: 2012 Kia Soul

You may not be a racecar driver, but that doesn’t mean you can look like one. No, we don’t think it’s a good idea to wear a Nomex suit adorned with logos everywhere you go, but we like the new Edox X-Treme Pilot III, a watch made for WRC drivers.

Made by Edox (the official timekeeper of the World Rally Championship), the X-Treme is a great tool for divers, WRC or otherwise. Thanks to cool oversize push-buttons, it’s easy to make your way around it even with driving gloves on. The watch is housed in ultra-light titanium and the movement is rotated through 180 degrees. Electric green highlights put us in mind of starting lights, and the X-Treme is held on your wrist with a rubber strap that features a rally-spec tire tread pattern.

The Edox X-Treme Pilot III will be available to purchase in June for €1,890 (about $2,750). There will only be 1,000 of the beauties will be made, so be sure to get yours while they are around.

[Source: Watch Happens]

In case owners of the Bentley Continental Supersports convertible feel that they blend in too much, there’s a new appearance package available that transforms their cars into looking remarkably like a Porsche 911 GT3.

Who would tart up their expensive British luxury car to look like a mere Porsche? Hey, there’s a market for that: the ISR Mulliner package attempts to mimic the sticker-festooned appearance of the Ice Speed Record Bentley. Inside, carbon fiber blankets the dashboard and center console with a matching red weave, and diamond-quilted Alcantara add to increasing the value of the appearance package.

The contrasting red wheels do look snazzy, especially in white, but now that Porsche is being slowly brought into the Volkswagen mothership…consider it an homage, if anything.