Mayor Boris Johnson Takes a Ride in New Range-Extender Cab Proposed for London

Thankfully, the seemingly Mitsuoka-styled Nissan London Cab won’t be the only way for future tourists and locals to travel the city, as it will not be the sole next-gen taxi to be used. The new Metrocab, that borrows its name and shape from the old British-built Metrocab (1987 – 2000), is a range extender that has been in the works since 2007.

Developed by UK-based Frazer-Nash subsidiary Ecolive Ltd., it uses two electric motors driving the wheels at the back, plus a petrol engine of unspecified capacity to top up the battery when almost out of power. It will be even cleaner than the Nissan NV200, with its 1.6-liter petrol engine, offer seating for six and excellent all-round visibility for all passengers (including a panoramic glass roof).

Moreover, its looks are nowhere near as ridiculous as those of the bug-eyed Japanese van and actually kind-of work as a design proposal that also serves more of a practical role (of being cavernous inside).

Reports suggest that it could hit 75+ mpg UK (62.5 mpg US or 3.76 l/100km).

The video posted below shows the current mayor of London, Boris Johnson, having a go in one of these new Metrocabs that are said to begin working trials this month, and getting the tour from those who created it.

Check it out by scrolling down to after the virtual jump.

By Andrei Nedelea

VIDEO

U.S. Sales of EVs and Plug-In Hybrids Up 84 Percent, Diesels Rise 10 Percent in 2013

U.S. sales of full electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles rose 84 percent in 2013 to more than 96,000, boosted by price cuts and new model launches, according to a report from the Detroit News citing data obtained from Wards Auto. Automakers sold nearly 49,000 plug-in hybrids, up 27 percent over 2012, and 47,600 electric vehicles – up 241 percent compared to last year. For comparison, in 2011 U.S. consumers bought 18,000 EVs.

Traditional hybrid sales rose by a more moderate rate of 15.3 percent to 489,413 units, making 2013 the best-ever year for hybrid vehicle sales. The lion’s share went to Toyota, with its hybrids making up 60 percent of all hybrid sales. Diesel sales also increased 10 percent to nearly 450,000 in 2013.

The spectacular increase in sales of electrified vehicles was due to the fact that nearly all automakers cut prices significantly last year. An exception was Tesla Motors, which saw increased demand for its Model S sedan, with about 18,800 units being sold in 2013.

Nissan also saw increased sales for its Leaf EV by 130 percent to 22,610 units. Sales have jumped since the carmaker dropped the base price by 18 percent, to $28,800 for the 2013 model year. Nissan also increased cargo room and added an on-board charger that reduces electric charging times by 50 percent.

Sales of the Chevrolet Volt fell 1.6 percent in 2013 to 23,094, despite GM cutting the base price by $5,000 in August, while sales of Toyota’s Prius plug-in hybrid fell 5.2 percent to 12,088.

Ford, which has reduced the price of the Focus EV by $4,000 for the 2014 model year, only sold about 1,500 units in the first 11 months of 2013.

By Dan Mihalascu

PHOTO GALLERY

The Extremes of the VW Golf Range Show Up in Detroit: e-Golf and Golf R

Neither the VW e-Golf nor the Golf R are fresh news in Europe, as both had their world debuts at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show. However, their U.S. debut is taking place at the Detroit Motor Show, which is why we decided to revisit them for a recap.

Going on sale in select states in the fourth quarter of 2014, the e-Golf is VW’s first fully electric vehicle for the U.S. Available in five-door form only and fitted with all-LED headlights, the e-Golf is powered by a 115-horsepower electric motor which delivers 199 lb-ft (269 Nm) of torque, allowing the EV to reach 25 mph (40 km/h) from rest in 4.2 seconds and to get to 62 mph (100 km/h) in approximately 10.4 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 87 mph (140 km/h).

Average driving range for the VW e-Golf is between 70 and 90 miles (116-146 km). The 24.2 kWh lithium-ion battery can be fully charged in less than four hours using the available 220-volt wall box for a garage or carport. However, at a 110/120-volt electrical socket it will take around 20 hours to charge the battery. There’s also the option of fast charging using the standard Combined Charging System (CCS) plug – it takes around 30 minutes for to charge the battery to 80 percent of its capacity.

As for the Golf R, it’s the most powerful Golf ever to be sold in the United States (albeit sporting 6 hp less than the Euro-spec model), with 290 hp and 280 lb-ft (391 Nm) from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The Mk7-based Golf R covers the 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) sprint in 5.3 seconds with the six-speed manual (0.4 seconds quicker than the old car). When fitted with the six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox, the Golf R completes the sprint in 4.9 seconds.

The VW Golf R will be launched in the U.S. in the first-quarter of 2015 in four-door form only – which makes VW’s decision to display a two-door model in Detroit rather curious.

By Dan Mihalascu

PHOTO GALLERY

Smart Rolls Out New ForTwo Edition Citybeam Special

We’ve lost track of special edition Smart ForTwo models over the years, but the newest one could be the last or at least one of the last before the launch of the new generation model.

Making its debut at this week's 2014 Brussels Motor Show, the sportier looking Smart ForTwo Edition Citybeam features bodypanels available in light blue, silver metallic or matt anthracite, tridion safety cell in silver and three-double-spoke alloy wheels with wide tyres (175/55 R 15 at the front and 195/50 R 15 at the rear).

The special edition model also features titanium-colored headlamps, LED daytime driving lights and the edition logo in the mirror triangles.

On the inside, Smart fitted exclusive black seats in leather optic with crystal grey fabric inserts in the backrest and crystal grey stitching. Further features include the instrument panel in leather optic with crystal grey stitching, a two-section knee pad in black/crystal grey leather look, a 3-spoke leather sports steering wheel with shift paddles and crystal grey stitching, and floor mats embroidered with the edition lettering.

Based on the Passion equipment line, the limited model features standard equipment including softouch automatic gear program, electric windows, air conditioning with automatic temperature control and a transparent panoramic roof with sunblind.

The special model is available as both a coupe and a cabrio and customers can choose between either a combustion engine or an electric motor. Order books for the Smart ForTwo Edition Citybeam open on January 15, with prices in Germany starting from €14,490 ($19,760). The first units will reach dealerships in April 2014.

By Dan Mihalascu

PHOTO GALLERY

NYC’s Central Park Carriages to Be Replaced by Antique EVs

New York may soon end up without its famous horse-drawn carriages, if the city’s new mayor, Bill de Blasio, has his way. He announced in the campaign prior to his election that it would definitely be one of the bullet points on his to do list in office.

The second phase of the plan is designed to fill the gap and not rob tourists of the opportunity for slow rides through the city. Thus, the carriages will be replaced with electric cars designed after those built close to the end of the 19th century.

Naturally, the carriage drivers are not pleased, and fully deny allegations of horse abuse. They say only three horses have died in service over the last 30 years, and that all of them get five weeks’ vacation every year which is more than the large majority of the American working class gets; there are around 220 of them in active duty at the moment.

It’s not a foregone conclusion yet, though, and both the mayor and his legal advisers, as well as the carriage drivers will not back down – there is a very high likelihood of this matter ending up in court (multiple times).

However, aside from the slight break with tradition, the move to old and slow EVs is definitely not a bad way to end it, and could in fact be a welcome change – the same carriage drivers could be the hired to operate the cars.

Get the complete picture by watching the CNN video posted below.

By Andrei Nedelea

Opening Photo CarScoopS/John Halas

VIDEO

Small Price Hike for 2014 Leaf, but Nissan Wants to Double Sales This Year [49 New Photos]

Nissan has added $180 to the base price of the 2014 Nissan Leaf, on sale now at dealers across the United States. The entry-level 2014 Leaf S starts at $28,980 (€21,328) before tax credits, excluding an $850 destination and handling fee.

Available in three trim levels, Leaf S, SV and SL, the 2014 Nissan Leaf also offers a number of optional packages that include systems such as Around View Monitor and 7-speaker Bose audio.

For the 2014 model year, Nissan added the Rear View Monitor as standard equipment on all models, as well as one new exterior color, Gun Metallic, expanding the number of available colors to seven.

The 2014 Nissan Leaf has a driving range of 84 miles (135 km) on a single charge and MPGe ratings are 126 (1.86 l/100 km) City, 101 (2.32 l/100km) Highway and 114 (2.06 l/100km) Combined.

Nissan claims to have big plans with the Leaf EV in the U.S. for 2014, with CEO Carlos Ghosn saying he wants to double sales in the country this year. The carmaker sold 22,610 Leafs last year in the U.S., up 130 percent compared to 2012.

“We are now on a trend of 3,000 cars a month in the U.S., which is about 36,000 cars” a year, Ghosn said in an interview with CNBC quoted by Bloomberg News. “The next step is moving up to 4,000 a month, which is going to be approximately 50,000” he added, without setting a target date.

By Dan Mihalascu

PHOTO GALLERY