HUMMER H3

H3’s introductory price includes standard equipment such as full-time electronic four-wheel drive, GM’s award-winning OnStar safety and communication system, and a 5-speed manual transmission, a first for HUMMER. H3 is also covered by HUMMER’s premium four-year/50,000-mile warranty plan.
H3 will be available with two optional packages – Adventure and Luxury. The Adventure Series includes key off-road performance equipment such as huge 33-inch tires, a 4:1 electronic transfer case and locking rear differential. The Luxury Series includes amenities such as heated leather seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Adventure and Luxury series can be combined, as well, for a truck offering the best of both worlds.

Hummer H2

The 2009 Hummer H2 ranks 10 out of 11 Luxury Large SUVs. This ranking is based on our analysis of 56 published reviews and test drives of the Hummer H2, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The 2009 Hummer H2 has stellar off-road performance, and head-turning style. But a worsening economy, skittish consumers, and Hummer's shaky future may spell the end of this gargantuan SUV.
The 2009 H2, which AutoWeek calls "one of the biggest, baddest muthas on the road," is an American icon that may be on its way out. High gas prices from the summer of 2008 all but killed the Hummer brand, and deepening economic woes are leaving many buyers wondering if they need such an expensive, thirsty vehicle. However, reviewers say that if you take the H2 for what it is-a flashy off-roader, not an efficient mini-van alternative, you'll be happy with the purchase.

HUMMER H1

Although most Hummers (pre-H1 and H1 alike) are visually identical, the 1996-2005 versions are most similar beneath the macho bodywork. For '96, a 6.5-liter diesel V8 replaced the former 6.2-liter engine and offered 170 horsepower to the 6.2's 150. But more importantly, a turbocharged version of the 6.5-liter was available too, which furnished 195 hp and 430 pound-feet of torque. A 5.7-liter gas V8 was also available for 1996 and '97, but it wasn't a match for the heavy Hummer. Active safety was greatly increased for 1999 via the adoption of antilock brakes and traction control.
The new millennium saw the debut of the slantback model and the option of a CD changer, while 2001 brought a revamped gauge cluster, rear armrests and optional 17-inch alloy wheels. A 10th-anniversary package, complete with badges, marked 2002, as did a new steering wheel and more legroom for front passengers. An electronically locking rear differential became available for 2003, as did a 12-CD changer. The 6.5 turbodiesel picked up 10 hp and 10 lb-ft for 2004. The last Hummer H1 rolled out in 2005, replaced the following year by the more powerful H1 Alpha, which itself lasted just the single year.

Porsche Carrera GT (US$444400)

Top Speed: 205 mph / 330 kph0-60

mph: 3.6 seconds0 - 1/4

Mile: 11.3 sec @ 131.6 mph

Engine: DOHC 4 / valves 5.7-liter V-10

This Porsche's sports car is an open two-seater that comes with an easy to use roof made of lightweight carbon.Originally Carrera GT was built for the street, however it is obvious that it is a racing car. It produced such monstrous amounts of horse power from its V10 engine that labeling it a simple street car is totally inappropriate. It easily qualifies to be named a super car. Carrera GT extends the possibilities of road driving and racing to the whole new level. It features an engine that easily tops the charts of the most powerful and fastest road cars.With its imposing rear wing, this super sports car is easily spottable from any angle as a powerful and fast presence on the road.

Carrera engine has an incredibly low (even for a supercar) gravity center, a sixty-eight degree V angle and 4 valves for each head of cylinder. It's engine weights astonishingly only 214 kg.911 model has been Porsche's top selling car for over three decades, however when the new Carrera GT with its specific style and substance came out, it quickly took the crown of top selling Porsche sports car. As of May 2006, 1,270 Carrera GT's had been sold.
Porsche’s philosophy to concentrate on the essential comes out particularly in the Carrera GT through the use of consistent lightweight technology in every respect. Measuring 4.61 metres or 181.5" in length, 1.92 metres or 75.6" in width, 1.16 metres or 45.7" in height, and with wheelbase of 2.73 metres or 107.5", the Carrera GT weighs in at an ideal unladen weight of 3043 lb.

The ten-cylinder power unit behind the cockpit of the Carrera GT is based on a 5.5-litre normal aspiration engine which, as a thoroughbred racing machine, might also have been raced in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Increasing engine capacity for the Carrera GT to 5.7 litres, Porsche’s engineers have now achieved maximum output of 612 bhp at 8000 rpm and maximum torque of 435 lb-ft at 5750 rpm. Top speed is 205 mph. And despite its racing character, this ten-cylinder is fully suited for everyday motoring also at low engine speeds.
Apart from Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) already well known and widely lauded for their efficiency, Porsche is now using extra-light and extremely resistant ceramics for the transmission of power in this top-flight athlete: The Carrera GT is the first car in the world equipped with a ceramic clutch, the Porsche Ceramic Composite Clutch (PCCC), to use its precise name.

Through its compact dimensions, this two-plate dry clutch meets all the requirements of motorsport: Clutch plate diameter is only 169 millimetres or 6.65", serving to give the engine and transmission a very low centre of gravity. A further feature of the new ceramic discs is their much longer service life compared with alternative materials.

Ford GT ($143,000 to $157,000)

Top Speed: 205 mph / 330 km/h0-60

mph: 3.6 seconds0-100

mph: 7.8 seconds0 - 1/4

Mile: 11.6 sec @ 126.2

mphEngine: DOHC V-8, supercharged

Ford GT was created on the base model of Ford GT40 racecar, which in 1966 LeMans race beat all of its competition - the best racers with best racecars in the world.

The fact that it can be driven on the highway as well as on the racetrack is really amazing. This car does not use any special aviation fuel like most of the supercars and yet it is known to outperform it's rival cars like the Porsche, Ferrari or Lamborghini. Ford Motor Company has decided to produce only 4200 GT sports car units in the 2005-2006 years. Depending on chosen accessories, retail price varies from $143,000 to $157,000. Ford GT is really incredible when it comes to its racing performance. In 0-60mph test GT (3.3 sec) beats a $193,000 Ferrari Challenge Stradale (4.0 sec) by 0.7 seconds.

Ford GT features 18-inch front wheels, 19-inch rear wheels and GoodYear Eagle F1 Supercar tires. All GT models share one common design element, which makes their exterion look so amazing. The doors are cut into the roof of the car, this fact gives itr a very specific and exotic look.
Although the new production car and the original race car both share the mystique of the Ford GT name, they do not share a single dimension. The new car is more than 18 inches longer and stands nearly 4 inches taller. Its new lines draw upon and refine the best features of Ford GT history and express the car’s identity through modern proportion and surface development. “It’s amazing that we’ll show the first cars just a little more than a year after we started the program,” says John Coletti, director of SVT programs. “That’s a real tribute to the people, processes and technology behind the cars.”

The front fenders curve over 18-inch wheels and Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires. In the tradition of original Ford GT racers, the doors cut into the roof. Prominent on the leading edge of the rear quarter panel are functional cooling scoops that channel fresh air to the engine. The rear wheel wells, filled with 19-inch wheels and tires, define the rear of the car, while the accent line from the front cowl rejoins and finishes the car’s profile at the integrated “ducktail” spoiler.

Looking in through the backlight, one finds the essence of the sports car in Ford’s MOD 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 engine. The finishing touches are Ford blue cam covers, each featuring an aluminum coil cover imprinted with the words “Powered by Ford.”

The Electric Mini Revealed

Just in time for the Los Angeles Motor Show, BMW has released the first images of the all new fully electric Mini E! We’ve hinted at it before, and it was just a matter time before it was unveiled, complete with a 204hp fully electric engine, a regenerative braking system, and a range of 150 miles.
The Electric Mini will be use a lithium-ion battery to power a 204 horsepower electric motor. Instead of a gas tank, the mini comes equiped with an electric socket for charging. To save energy, the mini’s top speed will be limited to around 95mph, and a single charge will take you 150 miles.

Rather than releasing the Mini E as soon as possible, BMW has decided to conduct a limited test run of 500 vehicles to investigate the viability of such a vehicle in New York, Los Angeles, New Jersey, and possibly London. We could probably save them the headache by saying “yes, it will be viable, and we want one”.


The Electric Mini will be officially unveiled next month in Los Angeles.

The Chrysler 200C EV Revealed

It is not often that surprises happen in the age of the Internet, but somehow Chrysler managed to keep a brand new electric vehicle under the radar until yesterday! During their presentation of upcoming electric vehicles at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Chrysler revealed the 200C EV - a stunning new extended-range concept car that will stand in direct competition against the Chevy Volt.

There’s no better time and place to salivate over cool looking cars and beautiful concepts than the North American International Auto Show, and this year has proven to be no exception. Everyone expected Chrysler to show their already revealed range of EV’s such as the Town & Country, Jeep Wrangler and the Dodge Circuit EV previously shown here at Inhabitat, but no one expected the unheralded release of a new vehicle.

The 200C EV is an extended-range vehicle powered by an electric motor assisted by a small gasoline engine. The vehicle can drive for 40 miles on the electric motor alone, and over 400 miles when assisted by the gas motor. The styling is based on the 300C, but it was modified slightly to reduce wind resistance and improve efficiency. Inside, the car features a multimedia touch screen instead of the usual array of buttons. It also comes with a tablet pc for the passenger, will be networked to other vehicles, and will allow parents to set limits to their kids’ driving range.
The 200C EV is not likely to go into production soon, as it is still a fairly new concept, but it does show Chrysler’s commitment to push for more efficient good-looking vehicles. According to Chrysler, they expect to have around 500,000 electric vehicles on the road by 2013.

This year’s North American International Auto Show was expected to be a low-key affair, with the industry facing their most difficult year in decades. It is in fact unlikely that the show will be the same in years to come. But for now, it is good to know that the industry has realized that their next generation vehicles must be as green as they can be.

AIRSTREAM & FORD’s CROSSOVER VEHICLE

One piece of extra-shiny eye candy at the recent Detroit Auto Show was Airstream and Ford’s “crossover” concept vehicle. While more car than livable trailer, the stunning, modern, and inhabitable vehicle is nevertheless a great example of mobile living and sleek design. The partnership between the two automotive companies resulted in a vehicle centered around the idea of the American Journey, roadtrips, wanderlust, and adventures. Its greenest and most cutting-edge feature is the newly developed HySeries Drive, an efficient powertrain technology that operates under electric power at all times while yielding a combined city/highway fuel economy of 40 miles per gallon. Its interior truly has the typical road-tripper in mind, with a rear “lounge” area and screen for entertainment and games. The screen also works as a light source, providing ambient mood settings or even a virtual fireplace.

Peugeot 308 Hybrid HDi

Peugeot just announced that their long running concept vehicle, the 307 Hybrid HDi, has been upgraded and will be shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week. The newly updated 308 Hybrid HDi is a diesel hybrid concept which would cut fuel consumption by a massive 58% compared to that of the standard version of this vehicle.
Unlike most concept vehicles, this prototype aims to provide a competitively priced and widely available hybrid vehicle. To do so, it was designed to use as many of the same components as a standard vehicle while the engine meets the rather strict Euro 5 Emissions requirements. The combined fuel consumption of this little Peugeot is a wonderful 60mpg. Another cool feature of this prototype is that the driver can access a Zero Emission Vehicle mode, which will allow them to drive using only the electric motors while in the city.
While concept vehicles have are usually more about shock value than marketability, the Peugeot hybrid is truly eye-popping and surprisingly different from the old boxy hybrid-eco-green vehicles of old. Additionally, the recent onslaught of environmentally friendly vehicles is great encouragement that the automobile industry has realized the potential and market for these types of vehicles.

Peugeot 888 by Oskar Johansen

We love concept vehicles here at Inhabitat - not because we hope that they will be manufactured at some point, but because we’re impressed by the innovative thinking behind them. Take the 888 by Oskar Johansen, which looks like any other slick two-seater - until you dig a little deeper. It turns out this solar-electric super-car is capable of a unique feat of imaginative engineering: it can shrink!
The 888 is able to transition between two modes: suburban mode and city mode. While in the city, the vehicle is lifted by a hydraulic tilting system which in turn decreases the length of its wheel axis. The car therefore becomes slightly taller, giving it improved visibility, and making it more maneuverable. As the vehicle leaves the city, the vehicle returns to its lower profile, giving it the speed and stability required for highway driving.
The vehicle is fully electric and features an independent electric motor on each wheel. Lithium-ion batteries supply each motor with energy, and the car also generates its own power via the photovoltaic cells covering its trunk.
The 888 is one of many entries in the Fifth Annual Peugeot Design Contest. The breath and scope of this year’s designs hasn’t ceased to impress us, and it’s definitely worth a look.

Peugeot’s HYmotion3

Peugeot is just one of the companies currently showcasing their latest and greatest at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. One of our favorites offerings from this year’s offerings is the Hymotion 3 concept vehicle, which facilitates urban mobility by bridging the gap between an electric scooter and a car. The lean small-framed vehicle has a maximum speed of 70mph and gets an incredible 118mpg.

The Hymotion 3 features three wheels - two in the front and one in the back. Its front wheels are each equipped with an electric motor, while the back wheel is powered by a diesel engine. As the vehicle is a hybrid, it can be driven in the city in electric mode (powered by Lithium-ion batteries), while its diesel engine allows it to keep up on the open highway.

Audi’s A1 Sportback Hybrid

Audi recently revealed their slick A1 Sportback Hybrid at this year’s Paris Motor Show. Based on the A1 project Quattro concept released last year in Tokyo, the 5-door plug-in hybrid can run for 60 miles on a single charge, after which it gets an exceptional 72.4 mpg. Audi keeps cranking out concept vehicles that show future directions for the company, and their latest hybrid looks like another excellent entry.

Measuring in a tad shorter than the A3, Audi’s new A1 Sportback Hybrid’s small size and luxury styling pits it squarely against BMW’s Mini Cooper. The Sportback is powered by 1.4 TFSI petrol engine in addition to a 27hp electric motor that adds 150 Nm of torque, giving the vehicle a zippy 0-60 speed of 7.9 seconds. The vehicle is also able to calculate its fuel efficiency ahead of time, by determining changes in altitude and calculating how much extra power will be required as you drive.

VW’s 235mpg car

With oil prices at $135 dollars per barrel, the pressure is on for car makers to innovate and create more fuel efficient vehicles. Volkswagen seems to be taking this task seriously with the 1L, a prototype that is capable of traveling for 235mpg using 1 gallon of gasoline, or 100km on 1L of gas. Adding to the excitement of this breakthrough is recent news that VW plans to get this concept out to market in 2010!


The 1L is a lightweight two person vehicle made out of a magnesium frame covered by an unpainted carbon fiber skin. Every component of the vehicle is intended to reduce the vehicles weight. Aluminum brakes, carbon fiber wheels, titanium hubs, and ceramic bearings all contribute to the vehicle’s light weight of a mere 290 kg. To reduce the weight even further, and to increase the aerodynamics of the vehicle, there are no rear view mirrors. Instead, the car is equipped with cameras that display visual information to the driver via the internal LCD screen.

The car is extremely fuel efficient, each gallon of fuel will take you over 235 miles. The fuel tank holds just 1.7 gallons, making the entire travel distance capability about 400 miles per tank. It’s top speed is 120 km/h (75mph), which although isn’t too fast is a welcome trade off for the huge savings in gas consumption.
The VW 1L will be available in 2010, in limited numbers.

The Volkswagen Space Up!

We last featured the Volkswagen Up! in our Frankfurt Motor Show wrap-up, but in the fast-paced field of green automotives, there’s some new news to report. It’s now known as the Volkswagen Space Up! and has gone from being a small, fuel-efficient car to a zero-emission, fuel-cell powered, solar-assisted compact car. Sadly, it is still a concept.
Shown at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the battery-powered car uses a high temperature fuel cell and an array of lithium-ion batteries. To recharge the vehicle, one can plug it into an electrical outlet or fill the fuel cell with hydrogen to recharge it. If that weren’t enough, a large solar panel has been integrated into the roof of the vehicle, which feeds the electricity right back into the battery of the vehicle.
It seems that Volkswagen is betting their future on smaller and lighter vehicles. Here’s hoping that we see one of these soon.

Saab 9-X BioHybrid

Saab’s 9-X Biohybrid is a four cylinder 200 horsepower bioethanol hybrid powered vehicle, and comes with solar panels on the roof for that extra bit of electrical power.

Magna Steyr

Here at Inhabitat, we don’t often go around highlighting SUVs, but an all-terrain vehicle capable of producing less than 100g CO2 per kilometer? That catches our eye. The fact that it looks as cool as this one and can climb a 45 degree road without breaking a sweat is just an added bonus as far as we are concerned.

Nissan Pivo 2

Possibly the cutest in the show, the Pivo 2 is the latest iteration of the Pivo concept vehicle- a small ultracompact electric vehicle that shows what Nissan believes are the technologies of the future. Four ultra-slim motors and a super-high capacity battery, as well as drive by-wire technologies and a mood-calming robot assistant are just some of the future technologies that you’ll be seeing someday.

Morgan Life Car

We’ve already featured the super cool Morgan Life Car, but we just have to mention it again. This hydrogen powered vehicle is the result of a project that had just one objective: produce a vehicle that could deliver 150 miles per gallon. Their design delivered a cost-efficient vehicle that could provide a stunning 250 miles on a single tank of hydrogen, and looks as sharp as anything else on the market.

PGO Cevennes Turbo-CNG

PGO automobiles has introduced a 4-cylinder 150 hp methane powered roadster which can run fully on biogas. Were it to run on biogas, this would pretty much be one of the most environmentally friendly vehicles in the market. Alas, at the moment, it is only a possibility, so while we decided to feature it on our list, we must mention that it is not very fuel efficient. Now if we could run it on cow manure.

Saab Aero-X

It’s encouraging to see car manufacturers look for alternative fuel sources to power their vehicles. This particular concept by Saab comes equipped with an ethanol guzzling 2.8L twin-turbocharged V6 that can get you from 0 to 100kph/60mph in 4.2 seconds. Even cooler, the car has no doors, rather, the entire top canopy section of the car opens up, making it one of the most unique designs out there. Sadly, the car is still on concept stage. But one can still dream.

Citroen C-Metisse Concept

Unveiled at the Paris show last year, the Citroen C-Metisse Concept is another attempt to create a diesel hybrid car. What’s so exciting about that? well this particular vehicle can operate in a Zero Emission mode, an all electric mode perfect for city cruising, while giving you access to the power of the diesel engine when needed in the motorway. While not as fast as the Saab, the fact that it has a mixed mode engine puts it just a bit higher in our list.

Venturi Fetish

Looking like something out of a spy movie, the Venturi Fetish is the world’s only in production electric sports car. While its top speed is only 100mph, it’ll give you plenty of power in the initial acceleration as it does a good 0-100kph/60mph in about 5 seconds. sadly, only 25 cars are being produced a year. But this list wouldn’t be complete without it.