Making Canada a Better Place: Ontario Jumps on EV Infrastructure Band Wagon

Ontario, Canada, is the latest to jump on the Better Place electric wagon. The California-based project aims to eliminate gasoline dependence and emissions by establishing a network of battery exchange stations for electric vehicles. Israel, Denmark, Australia, California and Hawaii have already pledged support to the idea.

That idea is to create a network that supports emissions-free transportation. Better Place attempts to accomplish this by powering its network with renewable sources of energy. Under the planned system, subscribers could charge vehicles at home or at the office. During a longer drive, the depleted batteries would be exchanged with new, charged ones at service stations. As of now, the project utilizes electric versions of the Nissan Rogues and Renault Megane.

In Canada, Better Place will partner with Bullfrog Power to charge the Ontario infrastructure and Macquarie Group to devise a network roll out. Although launched just two years ago, Better Place claims it will start activating networks country-by-country by 2010.

Source: Better Place

Chrysler "Driving America" With 0% Financing, following $1.5 Billion Loan

Chrysler Financial is back in action following the approval of $1.5 billion in Federal loans, sourced from the $700 billion financial bailout. To celebrate, the automaker is beginning a new 0% financing promotion for up to 60 months starting tomorrow. The incentive will be available on 2008 and 2009 models in hopes that it will spark more showroom traffic to help offset a dismal December.

"Dealers told us after December that not having Chrysler Financial cost us 20 to 25 percent sales," said Steven Landry, executive vice president for North American sales and service, to Automotive News. "We could see a significant lift."

Chrysler will publicize the promotion with a "Driving America" campaign that starts next week, though it should be noted that leasing a new Dodge or Chrysler through Chrysler Financial is still off the table.

Although the conditions of the financing offer vary by vehicle, here are the vehicles included:

• Chrysler Town & Country
• Chrysler 300
• Chrysler 300C
• Jeep Grand Cherokee
• Jeep Commander
• Jeep Wrangler
• Dodge Grand Caravan
• Dodge Charger
• Dodge Magnum
• Dodge Challenger
• Dodge Ram (regular and Heavy Duty)

Don't expect this to be the last low-interest loan promotion from Chrysler in the near future. The $1.5 billion is just a transitional loan until the Federal Reserve starts a "far larger consumer-lending program," according to Automotive News.

Four-cylinder Toyota Highlander priced at $25,705

Toyota has just announced pricing on the 2009 Highlander SUV with its new 4-cylinder engine. The latest entry-level model in the Highlander lineup will arrive at the dealership with a base MSRP of $25,705. That figure cleanly undercuts the price of the Highlander V6 FWD ($27,600) and the Highlander Hybrid ($34,700). The new 4-cylinder engine displaces 2.7-liters and is rated at 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. Mated to an all-new 6-speed electronically-controlled automatic, it's enough motivation to get the SUV to 60 mph in a claimed 9.7 seconds, yet still return an EPA estimated 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway (22 MPG combined). For comparison, the Highlander V6 is rated at 18/24 and the Hybrid at 27/25... yes, the new gasoline-fed inline-4 is more efficient than the hybrid on the highway. Look for the new four-cylinder Highlander at Toyota dealers in January.

Spy shots: 2011 Porsche Cayenne SUV

Porsche’s second-generation Cayenne SUV is expected to go on sale in May 2010
Prototypes for Porsche’s next-generation Cayenne have been spotted testing in Germany on several occasions, revealing crucial details for the new SUV which is expected to go on sale by May 2010. First and foremost, we know the next Cayenne will be smaller than the current model although it will still share a common platform with the next-generation Volkswagen Touareg and Audi Q7, both of which are not expected to change significantly in size compared with current versions.

The smaller size of the new Cayenne agrees with Porsche’s desire to create a much more hard-core performance SUV than the current model, which has been criticized for being too heavy. The wheelbase will be shortened by almost 4cm, while the height will be reduced by about 2cm. Other details include a taller waistline and LED daytime running lights.

Like the current model, the Cayenne will be built alongside the Touareg and Q7 in Volkswagen Group’s Bratislava plant in Slovakia. Unfinished Cayennes will then be transported to Porsche’s Leipzig plant for final assembly.

Once again both V6 and V8 petrol engines will be on offer, including a turbodiesel option, as well as a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain to be shared with the Panamera sedan. Power will increase across the range over the current model’s levels but emissions and fuel-economy will be reduced.

Kicking off the range will be an Audi-sourced 3.0L V6 turbodiesel with about 240hp (179kW) on tap. This will be followed by a 3.6L petrol V6 with 330hp (246kW) and a 400hp (298kW) 4.8L naturally aspirated V8. The Cayenne S will get a 420hp (312kW) version of this V8 engine, while a 500hp-plus (373kW) twin-turbocharged V8 will be reserved for the Turbo model. Finally, the hybrid model will feature the 330hp (246kW) V6 engine coupled with a 45hp (34kW) electric motor powered by nickel metal hydride batteries initially and lithium-ion units further down the track.

All engines will include Porsche’s new direct-injection technology, and some could even be matched to the carmaker’s new dual-clutch gearbox. Expect to see 0-60mph times of less than five seconds for top end models and top speeds in excess of 180mph.