What upcoming efficient/eco-car news are you looking forward to?
 

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1447770550

What commercial "eco-car" developments are you anticipating or following?

I'm a bit of a car blog junkie, regularly following GCR, ABG & Jalopnik (always entertaining). TTAC as well.

Recently, the biggest news I'd been following was the unveiling of the 2016 Prius (see our thread), as well as first reviews of the 2016 Chevy Volt. Of course, let's not forget the ongoing Elio saga, which has a lot of people watching (and vigorously speculating).

Coming up, I can think of a few things that have my attention:

1) Updated Mirage: Mitsubishi is unveiling a "refreshed" (2017 model year for North America) version of the hatchback in L.A. tomorrow, still the most efficient ICE vehicle available on this side of the pond. We already know it's getting a styling facelift, and rumour has it they've addressed suspension tuning too (two of the most frequent criticisms about the car). The "out in left field" rumour is a 2.0L performance option.

2) Tesla Model 3: supposedly, the design of Tesla's "affordable" mass market electric car is going to be revealed in March, 2016. Not too far away.

3) Nissan Leaf: the next generation version of the world's best-selling EV should be previewed sometime next year as well, for the 2017 model year.

What did I miss? What else is on the efficient-car calendar that you're waiting for? Post anticipated dates, if they're known.

The Bolt will be an interesting one to see coming up. I think its still a ways out though.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1447773961

The 2017 Chrysler Town and Country with a slightly smaller 3.2 instead of 3.6 (maybe) and a 9 speed rather then a 6 speed. (Basically the power tain in the current Cherokee). Then it gets more aerodynamic and AWD will return. Here's the cool thing about the AWD. It will be an electric motor driving the rear wheels with the gas driving the standard FWD. That means it can be hybrid as well. I bet even the standard version ends up EPA highway over 30mpg. http://www.allpar.com/model/m/2017.html
Oh an by then the Chrysler v6s should be upgraded with direct injection and a few other things.

I'll be buying a car to replace my Acura TSX in about 2 years, and I'm most looking forward to the new Leaf, Bolt, and Tesla 3. Those cars will be too new, but at least they will drive down the price of the current Leaf, Spark EV, and BMW i3.

There is an upcoming plug-in version of the Hyundai Sonata. I'm also wondering what car Subaru is going to hybridize.

I'm driving mine, but there still is another.

regards
mech

What eco-car news am I waiting for? That oil has finally dried up:D

Low cost competition for VW's XL1 or 1XL or whatever it is now.

Not sure when it'll be on the calendar, but I'm looking forward to the announcement that VW will be able to sell their Diesels again. Was all set to get the '16 GSW TDI when all hell broke loose.

I'd love to get news that the Probe Concepts of the 1980's are coming into production, revamped but with the same Cd.
http://www.conceptcarz.com/images/Fo...pt-1983-01.jpg
http://www.imcdb.org/i083687.jpg

But this world is not ready for that much awesome;)

As for something probable, I would like to see an affordable vehicle that goes deeper into low-drag territory (0.20-0.23).

Best quote.

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Here's another, ahem, REAL one I'm interested in:

Hyundai 'AE' Hybrid: it's their upcoming "Prius-fighter" hybrid. They're hinting at 60 mpg US, and it will appear at the Detroit auto show in January. This car is supposedly one reason the 2016 Prius was delayed, so Toyota could tweak it for even better mileage (or so the rumour goes).

The Mirage looks like it'll be getting the Attrage face:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aeyfwDXBSm...estar-FL-5.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OOpeTzHbu6...estar-FL-4.jpg

That lower grille looks really pretty, though.

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No big ones on the horizon, for the ultra-cheap car market. Hopefully they'll greenlight a left-hand drive Datson Go... there's a Mirage-sized car that's over a hundred pounds lighter... but if we're to believe Max Mosley, flimsier than a cardboard box... :D

Yeah, I've read about the Datsun Go - Indian review. Based on the Micra platform, I believe. (India's #1 car export is the Micra.)

I wonder if the U.S. will ever get a super cheap car like the $10k Micra we get north of the 49th.

Also, note the new "power bulge" on the hood, which is truly ironic... unless of course they actually do offer a 2.0L variant!

I think it's very possible. The big problem will be the volume. Unless it sells in big numbers, the ROI after the cost of Federalization, distribution and marketing will probably be too marginal to please any investors.

Simply: Would American buyers put up with a Mirage with steelies, no stereo, no air and wind-up windows? Probably not.

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Also, yeah, that power bulge is bugging me something fierce. Wonder if that means the rumored turbo variant is on its way?

Some might. Aftermarket wheels and stereo, and live where A/C is unnecessary. And I prefer wind-up windows myself.

More Tesla Model 3 news
 

Timely news item... you (we) may get your wish!

Tesla Model 3 To Aim For 0.20 Drag Coefficient: Report

Source: Tesla Model 3 To Aim For 0.20 Drag Coefficient: Report

Now I'm *really* looking forward to the March debut.

March, of which year? :rolleyes:

I'd be super impressed if they hit 0.22 CoD.

Yes! :D

Leave it to Elon Musk to actually listen to all the high-aerodynamic-efficiency data of the past 100 years! He is revolutionary, for sure.

They hint at going below 0.20 Cd. Makes me wonder what the final styling will look like?

Yeah, but then why can't he listen to ergonomic data, and get rid of that horrible touch screen interface for everything? It seems (as with Buckminster Fuller, Freeman Dyson, and many others) that genius in one area must be counterbalanced by blind stupidity in others.

The 2017 Mirage
http://laautoshow.com/wp-content/upl...rage_THUMB.jpg

Ha, good one!

Well we are talking about a styling/concept debut, not the production car. They're good at sticking to the schedule with the former, not so much for the later.

Bolt: January
 

Sooner than we expected, apparently:

Source: Chevrolet Bolt to be unveiled at CES in January | The Verge

CES runs JANUARY 6-9, 2016 in Las Vegas.

Sorry, I thought this was an Elio-themed post. :D

But I'd really like to see a headline saying that Elios have started shipping. Not a promise date, a report of an actual delivery.