2013 Nissan GT-R Artist Rendering

Just about every car enthusiast loves the Nissan GT-R but as far as ownership goes, well, that’s another story. Either way, car enthusiasts love to hear the latest buzz about the infamous Godzilla “supercar” from Japan. The recent rumors that have been circulating for some time now will tell you that the next generation Nissan GT-R (2013 model year) will be a Hybrid. According to InsideLine, the 2013 Nissan GT-R will still use the same 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 plus a new battery powered electric drive powertrain as found in the 2009 Infiniti Essence Concept.

The total power from the new GT-R Hybrid should be about 600hp and the added weight from the setup of 2 electric motors would be shed in other places to keep the GT-R a worthy sports-car that can still shatter performance records.

It is also speculated that the Nissan GT-R Hybrid would cost upwards of $100,000usd and get 25 to 30 miles per gallon. With coupling in the electric drivetrain in the next GT-R, we expect performance numbers to only get better considering the added/instant torque you get from electric motors.

Do you think this is a good idea? What are your thoughts on a Nissan GT-R Hybrid?

[source: InsideLine]

Who said Hummers are one of the most gas guzzling and uneconomical SUV’s around? I actually use to say that all the time until now. A Utah company, Raser Technologies, has converted a Hummer H3 into a 100mpg extended range vehicle good for about 40 miles.

Today posted on Wired.com’s blog is a write-up about this new mammoth that was one of the most criticized vehicles when it comes to fuel efficiency. Raser Technologies says this vehicle should push 90mph and still have off-road capabilities. It has a lithium ion battery that can be charged in 3 hours. The company has also said they will be converting upwards of 2000 of these big SUV’s by the end of the year.

So why start with a Hummer in making it an EV or extended range electric vehicle?

Below is a short excerpt from wired.com’s blog answering that very question:

Because SUVs are popular but get lousy fuel economy, they’re great candidates for electrification, said Jim Spellman, company vice president. Spellman came to Raser from General Motors, where he worked on the Chevrolet Tahoe hybrid.

“SUVs and trucks are the number one selling vehicle in America,” he said. “Unlike the Prius, which is a mild hybrid vehicle, an eco-friendly SUV will get people’s attention.”
Spellman says there are practical reasons as well: Trucks are big enough to package the gasoline engine, electric motor and lithium-ion batteries without radically altering the bodywork or designing an all-new vehicle.

“Unlike the Volt and other hybrid cars we didn’t have to build an entire car around the battery packs,” Spellman said. “There was plenty of room in the back of the Hummer to install them, and they don’t affect the ground clearance of the vehicle.”

[source: blog.wired.com/cars]

Okay, here it is. As promised, a few official images of the Tesla Model S plug-in electric sedan.

What is your opinion on the styling? Oh, you want to know my opinion first? Looks like a Maserati Quattroporte, Mazda RX-8, Jaguar XF and Infiniti G37 all had a child together only this one was born without a tail pipe. Go figure!

Enjoy the images below after the jump.

Tesla plans on unveiling the highly anticipated Model S plug-in electric sedan today. Kevin Rose, the creator and master-mind of Digg.com, had a few images posted on flicker of the new Tesla Model S fully revealed from the rear and side along with an (obvious pre-production or pre-finish) interior shot. Are these official exterior images? Sure, they are official until we get the “official” images later today after the reports of the “official” unveiling happens. Until then, bookmark or favorite AutomotiveAddicts.com now and come back shortly and we should have several images of the new plug-in sedan that is expected to cost $57,000 with a $7500 tax credit (for driving a plug-in electric vehicle).

President Obama is going to love this car… Al Gore too!

Aptera Motors, a southern California startup automotive company, has plans to put the new 2e electric-three-wheeled car in driveways by October of this year (2009). Although it is an “interesting” looking car to say the least, this vehicle should get the equivalent of 200mpg and can achieve 100 miles on a single charge. The 2e is all-electric and looks like a contender to win the $10 million Progressive Automotive X Prize which is basically a race to build a “supergreen car”.

As automakers struggle to make an abrupt change in the way they build cars and the green-friendly technology put in them, many new firms and startup companies such as Aptera Motors are developing new innovative creations for the masses. These new creations surpass anything ever seen on the road when it comes to being environmentally friendly. Even so, during the North American International Auto Show this year we witness the most “green” show ever from major Auto manufacturers around the world.

Looks like we will only see more and more of these innovative vehicles while we have already witnessed new breakthroughs by Fisker, GM and Tesla Motors to name a few.

[source: AUTOPIA - blog.wired.com/cars]

It is pretty much guaranteed that the Mini E would be a huge hit when gas prices reach $4 a gallon or more in America. But during the low prices the Mini E seems to still be a popular subject while being an all electric vehicle with a range of only 120 miles per charge.

The demand for the Mini E is about 4 to 1 so they cannot supply enough for every person who really wants one. They are currently being leased out for about $850 a month but the savings will actually come into play after you add in a few years absent of paying for gas for the miles driven.

BMW has plans to lease out 250 in SoCal and another 200 in NY and New Jersey by March. This is a good time to monitor the lithium-ion battery for future electric vehicles. Now only if Apple Computer could make a car like they do brand new 17 inch Macbook Pro’s that last 8 hours… just boost that power and put it in a car. I am sure it not that simple but nonetheless an idea to submit to Steve Jobs since he will remain CEO for a while longer.

The Human Powered Car which is powered by you and me is made out of recycled plastics. Basically it is an electric vehicle that utilizes rowing handles that generate the electricity. The vehicle can also run on its own without your power via the batteries supplying the energy. But if you wish to make it all the way home you may have to start rowing. Other creations of this concept have been made in the past as demonstrated in the videos below. Just think, if a large portion of America has these things we would not be fighting a battle to combat obesity or some health issues from a result of a “lazy” culture. Even the kids could help power the family car. Unfortunately your boss may know if you were running late, he or she will see the sweat running down your head.

Enjoy the videos after the jump…

Speculations have been made about BMW’s development of a full electric Mini to be produced but it has actually been confirmed and a spy shot of the new electric Mini was taken on the streets of Germany. Experts believe this is a test mule of the soon-to-come electric Mini.

Shown in the image on this post is a Hybrid tag that reads “HYBRID Erprobungsfahrzeug” which means “Hybrid vehicle testing”. Now, with knowing that you probably raise the issue of a “Hybrid” as we know it in America is not a full electric car. So what gives? Actually, this very well could mean it is a derivative of two technologies working together. But if you closely look at the image and talk with the photographer that snapped this photo, you will notice the lack of an exhaust pipe. The exhaust is non-existent on this Mini so that leaves us with the conclusion of this actually being a full electric vehicle.

(Click for full-size image)

Lets hear from you! What do you think? Think the exhaust is hidden somewhere? Do you think this is the real deal electric Mini Cooper?