• On The Insider: Britney's Bikini-Clad Top 10

2007 LA Auto Show: VW Space UP Blue Video

To play this video, you need Javascript enabled and the latest version of Flash installed. Install Flash now
2007 LA Auto Show: VW Space UP Blue
Created: 11/19/2007
Video description: Cooley's not a huge fan of hydrogen cars--but this one might help change his mind. He gets a first look from the floors at the 2007 LA Auto Show.

2007 LA Auto Show: VW Space UP Blue Video Transcript

[ Music ] ^M00:00:05

>> As you may know, I'm kind of the hydrogen doubter. These fuel cells and moving hydrogen around the country to fill up gas stations with it just seems a little bit impractical or prickly to me. But this car changes my mind a little bit. This is a Volkswagen Concept called the Space UP Blue. It's an EV electric car powered by 2 sources: either a lithium-ion battery pack or a hydrogen fuel cell. First the fuel cell: they call it a high temperature fuel cell which means it doesn't need to be kept really cool to operate right. It can run warm, which they want to do, therefore there's less cooling apparatus to bulk the car up. Now, onto the battery pack. Charged 2 ways: 1 through a plug in - just plug it in when you get home. The other way is through the roof. That a photo [inaudible] cell that uses the sun to solar trickle charge the battery pack. So bottom line, 65 miles on a pure electric charge. Another 155 come out of the fuel cell. So 220 all in on a full green charge and zero emissions. The layout's interesting. Kind of a VW microbus for the 21st century, and in classic VW style all the motor stuff is in the back as are the driven wheels. It's a concept very clearly, but at least we see a company here starting to connect the dots between the difficulties of hydrogen and the realities of your life and mine. ^M00:01:20 [ Music ]

Related Videos

Detroit Auto Show 2007: Acura Advanced Sports Car Concept

Acura imagines what the follow-up to the popular NSX might look like. Get a first look in this video from the 2007 Detroit Auto Show.

L.A. Auto Show: 2007 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster

Get a first look at the 2007 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster, from the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show.

V8 Vantage Roadster makes appearance at LA Auto Show

Get a first look at the 2007 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster from the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show.

LA Auto Show: 2007 Audi R8

Get a first look at the 2007 Audi R8 from LA's 2007 Auto Show.

2007 LA Auto Show: 2009 Nissan GT-R instrument panel

Take a look at what is probably greatest high-tech instrument panel ever designed. Get a first look from the floor at the 2007 LA Auto Show.

2007 LA Auto show: Hyundai Concept Genesis Coupe

With 300 horsepower and carbon fiber, is it possible we mixed up our notes? Nope, it's a Hyundai. Get a first look from the floor at the 2007 LA Auto show.

2007 LA Auto Show: 2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt

The iconic car movie "Bullitt" approaches its 40th anniversary, and Ford has a special Mustang just for the occasion. Get a first look from the floor at the 2007 LA Auto Show.

Nissan Altima Hybrid could be a contender

A worthy Prius competitor, the 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid can run totally electric at lower speeds, but will kick in with gas at higher speeds. CNET's Brian Cooley takes a look from the 2007 LA Auto Show.

2007 LA Auto Show: 2008 Dodge Viper SRT-10 ACR

Get a first look of the Dodge Viper SRT-10 ACR from the 2007 LA Auto Show.

Detroit Auto Show 2007: Nissan Rogue

Nissan introduces the Rogue, the latest in the company's SUV lineup. Get a first look in this video from the 2007 Detroit Auto Show.