Audi Mocks Volt

In an interview with MSN Autos, Audi of America president Johan de Nysschen mocks would be buyers of the Chevrolet Volt as "idiots" and environmental posers. (Link http://editorial.autos.msn.com/blogs/autosblogpost.aspx?post=1247701). He predicts that the Volt will flop and that Obama will have to prop up the Volt to save face.

He's basically right. Even Obama's own automotive task force reported that the Volt was "too expensive to be commercially successful in the short term".

But, Audi's cheerleading for clean diesel is not going to work. That's because the U.S. decided long ago to be very tough on diesel emissions standards, which means that "clean diesel" engines are expensive. Though not as expensive as hundreds of pounds of batteries. Also, due to the economics of refining, during times of high demand diesel can be as expensive (or more) as gasoline, ruining the value proposition further. A much better plan is to develop GTDI and HCCI engines, which get diesel-like efficiency running on gasoline, which several of the OEMs are looking into.

GM's Volt is basically a publicity gesture and technology exercise. Eventually, the system might get cheap enough to makes sense economically. Or it may not. It wil still have done its job, helping GM earn public assistance and learn about all electric propulsion for future programs.

One more thing: pop some popcorn, folks, because Lutz is going to come out swinging a lead pipe.

Spotted A 2010 Buick LaCrosse

The other day, I stopped by my local Murray's Auto Parts store to buy some high quality washer fluid.  Pulling in next to me was a new Buick LaCrosse, of the freshly redesigned 2010 vintage.  It was a nice metallic cream color. It had standard plates, but some sort of parking sticker on the windshield.  A well dressed young man stepped out, likely a GM management type or maybe a marketing/PR guy.

The guy noticed me admiring the car, and said, "So, what to you think"?

"The design is nice, and the interior looks great", I said, "but I'm not sure about the vent things."

"Yeah, that's a Buick styling thing", he said, and walked off.

So that's my mini-review of the 2010 Buick LaCrosse.  Lovely lines, rich looking interior, silly vent holes.

More T25 news - Gordon Murray's microcar driven

The new issue of Autocar magazine, and for that matter their website, brings us more information of Gordon Murray's fascinating T25 project, a city car designed to have a construction to destruction carbon footprint 40% smaller than that of the average city car.

The biggest bit of news is that the car will seat three and not two as previously suspected, in a McLaren F1-style centrally-seated driver, flanked by two passengers - despite the car being significantly smaller than even a Smart ForTwo.

More interesting is that Autocar have managed to drive a body-less prototype powered by a 660cc three-cylinder engine with a Smart-style semi-auto gearbox. The full test can only be read in Autocar's magazine, but Autocar columnist and feature writer Steve Cropley seemed mighty impressed by the mule's capabilities - including flat cornering, great steering, a good ride and fantastic feel to the controls. Not only this, but the car can apparently turn in only six metres.

Of course, the mule isn't exactly much to behold, but that it can impress in such a basic state is very important - the driving characteristics of the Smart and rival Toyota iQ haven't exactly come in for much praise, and nor have their prices. To this end, Murray is still touting £6,000 as an entry-level figure.

In other T25-related news, another teaser-shot of the car has been released, showing what the front of the car is shaping up to look like. It's probably not going to be much of a looker, but there's still a lot to come from the T25 project so we're holding our breath.

(Picture credits: Autocar and Gordon Murray)