equinox

Fuel cell vehicles you can drive now (if you qualify)

If you're ready to move on to the greener pastures of fuel cell technology, geography is the single biggest factor limiting your ability to drive a hydrogen-powered vehicle. Although no fuel-cell vehicles are available for sale at this time, a handful of auto manufacturers have opened their hydrogen-testing programs to the public. But it's not an open-door policy; you have to qualify.

Car makers typically partner with universities, commercial fleets, or government agencies to get feedback on their technology platforms while working out the bugs. These organizations often have access to private hydrogen gas refueling stations, and can … Read more

AMP to develop electric SUV prototype for OEM

AMP Electric Vehicles has announced that it's developing a mainstream SUV prototype for an automaker, but it didn't say which one. The obvious guess is GM since the Cincinnati-based start-up has developed conversion processes for a handful of GM vehicles, including the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, the 2007-2009 Saturn Solstice, and Pontiac Sky. However, a GM spokesperson indicated that the company does not have any agreement with AMP.

AMP purchases cars from dealerships for customers (or customers can bring their own) and converts the vehicle to operate with an electric drivetrain. Using a custom lithium ion battery pack and … Read more

Short film 'Vernal Equinox' drifts without plot

When I first reported on French filmmaker Stephane Benini's "Vernal Equinox," I was under the impression that it was going to be feature-length and for the theater. But the 12-minute short flick was released on YouTube today.

As previously reported, the movie is about a student who faces a unexpected situation when he returns home. In actuality, the movie makes about as much sense as an episode of Lost. The soundtrack has kind of a eerie edge to it, giving a sense of suspense. And you can tell a lot of thought was put into setting up … Read more

New Chevys offer fuel-saving, six-speed automatic transmissions

In an effort to increase fuel economy, General Motors announced that the Chevrolet Cruze will be available with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. With either choice, the Cruze will deliver impressive fuel economy and performance, the company said in a press release.

The Cruze Eco model is expected to accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than 10 seconds and deliver a class-leading 40 miles per gallon on the highway when equipped with the manual transmission (estimates for the Cruze Eco with an automatic transmission will be available closer to launch).

"Our advanced six-speed … Read more

Paris Drift: 'Vernal Equinox' movie coming in May

If you're a fan of drift racing, you'll like this video clip. It's not quite a trailer, but it is a sneak peek at a new French movie called "Vernal Equinox"--coming out in May.

An equinox is something that occurs twice a year, when the tilt of the Earth's axis isn't inclined away from, or towards, the Sun.

According to director Stephane Benini's Twitter page, the movie is about a student who faces a unexpected situation when he returns home. I'm guessing the plot of "Vernal Equinox" will … Read more

T-Mobile launches Sony Ericsson Equinox

First it gave you new service plans, and now T-Mobile offers a new cell phone. We first saw a variant of the Sony Ericsson Equinox, aka the T717, at the CTIA show last April. Like its T707 sibling the Equinox has a thin design with a glossy skin, a hidden external display, and a circle design on its front face. Though the T707 comes in several colors--the green hue is the most unique--T-Mobile only has a black version of the Equinox.

The midrange feature set includes a 3.2-megapixel camera, a music player, stereo Bluetooth, an FM radio, a personal … Read more

Shell opens hydrogen station at JFK airport

Shell this week opened its second hydrogen filling station in the greater New York City area, providing improved access to hydrogen for drivers of fuel cell Chevrolet Equinoxes participating in Project Driveway.

Project Driveway selects consumers who sign up on the Internet in the greater New York City, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. areas to participate for two months at a time in the demonstration. Shell will open a third station this summer in the Bronx in conjunction with the New York City Department of Sanitation.

Shell's hydrogen station in White Plains has been operating there for more … Read more

Cleaner and faster cars at the L.A. Auto Show

The Los Angeles Auto Show wraps up this weekend. I drove down to the Los Angeles Convention Center last week to check out the new BMW M3--which I hope to buy next year--and get a look at all the other new cars debuting there.

There were two clear trends at the show: higher performance and increased environmental sensitivity. The best new vehicles show improvements in both areas.

The new M3, for example, delivers 24% more power (414 hp!) from its new four-liter V8 along with 8% better gas mileage, along with more interior room than its predecessor and many new … Read more

Hydrogen-powered Chevys hit the streets

Chevrolet is in the midst of launching "Project Driveway," an ambitious program where more than 100 fuel cell electric vehicles will be put in the hands of select consumers for the largest market test ever of its kind.

Testing will take place over the next several months in the Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C., metro areas. Drivers range from average consumers to business owners to policy makers. Chevy reps also promise that some cars will go into the hands of "celebrities," but no names have been dropped yet.

The cars are modified Chevy … Read more