Three plug-in hybrid-electric Chrysler Town & Country minivans went into service with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), bringing to 25 the total number of such vehicles on American roads.

The plug-in hybrids will be subjected to “temperature extremes and variations of drive cycles,” said Abdullah Bazzi, senior manager of Chrysler Group’s advanced hybrid vehicle project, adding resulting data will shed light on customer acceptance of the technology and its impact on the grid.

Other deployments are in Arizona, North Carolina and Michigan.

Two additional plug-in hybrid minivans will be retained by Chrysler Group engineers. One of those vehicles will be subject to a short-duration test by Argonne National Laboratory.

The two-year project stems from Chrysler Group’s partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Chrysler is investing $15.8 million into the project and the U.S. Department of Energy is contributing $10 million.

Each plug-in hybrid Town & Country is equipped with an E85-compatible 3.6L Pentastar engine mated to a front-wheel-drive, two-mode hybrid transmission.

It also is powered by a liquid-cooled 12.1 KWhr lithium-ion battery that affords a total output of 290 horsepower and a range of 700-miles. Charge times are two-to-four hours at 220 volts with a “Level 2” charge cord unit, and eight-to-15 hours at 110 volts with a “Level 1” charge unit.

A fleet of plug-in hybrid Ram pickups also is being evaluated as part of a wider project.

The plug-in hybrid has a powerful drive system that enables a driving range of 80 km (49.71 miles) on pure electric power, and it was specifically designed to fulfill Chinese needs.

The Audi A6 L e-tron concept is an important step towards future electric mobility in China for Audi. With its first e-tron technology study in the luxury class, the company is showing what a locally produced New Energy Vehicle from Audi might look like.

The Audi A6 L e-tron concept is precisely tailored to the requirements of Chinese customers. Plug-in hybrids that can travel long distances electrically – thereby enabling zero emissions driving in local areas – are ideal for use in rapidly growing megacities. Beyond its drive system, the Audi A6 L e-tron concept has all of the qualities that customers value in Audi cars: prestige, comfort and sporty performance.

Parallel hybrid system: intelligently combined TFSI and electric motor
The technology study is a parallel hybrid. It brings together a 2.0 TFSI that outputs 155 kW (211 hp) and an electric motor with 70 kW (95 hp) peak power. The liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery is located in a collision-protected space at the rear of the vehicle. In electric mode, the Audi A6 L e-tron concept can travel up to 80 km (49.71 miles) at a constant speed of 60 km/h (37.28 mph). At any given moment, the hybrid control module chooses the best suited operating mode with the focus on driving range.

This technology platform can be operated with only the internal combustion engine, only the electric drive, or in hybrid mode. In addition, it can recover energy during deceleration, or it can boost output power for strong acceleration by combining the two drives. The Audi A6 L e-tron concept delivers sporty performance.

Elegant: the styling
The Audi A6 L e-tron concept is notable for its elegant styling. The sedan, which has a 3.01 meter (9.88 feet) wheelbase, is 5.02 meters (16.47 feet) long and 1.87 meters (6.14 feet) wide, but only 1.46 meters (4.79 feet) tall. Its long engine hood, its low, extended roof line and the sharp lines on its sides create an athletic overall look. Characteristic Audi LED headlights emphasize the car’s determined expression.

The car’s exterior styling shows its differences from the production car. At the front, the single-frame grille with its slender cross-bars and the nearly covered air intakes attract the eye – both features are typical of all e-tron models. Powerful 21-inch wheels in e-tron design and the special rear diffuser highlight the car’s progressive character. On the body, signatures identify the prototype’s technology, while under the engine hood a styling capsule covers engine components. A ribbed contour at its center symbolizes the hybrid drive.

Lightweight and strong with Audi ultra: the body
The body of the Audi A6 L e-tron concept is identical to that of the Audi A6 L. It is lightweight, rigid and safe to a maximum degree, due to application of the ultra lightweight principle. Consisting of approximately ten percent aluminum, it weighs about 15 percent less than a comparable all-steel design. Aluminum components in the load-bearing structure and exterior skin, as well as the high-tech steels used in the occupant cell, make the body significantly lighter.

Each new future Audi model will be lighter in weight than the previous model. This makes the brand a frontrunner in reversing the upward weight spiral. In designing car bodies, developers will intelligently use new combinations of materials, including carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP). For Audi, ultra lightweight construction does not solely focus on one material, rather it seeks a flexible approach that utilizes a wide variety of materials – but with one goal: to attain the best performance with the least material usage at the best places.

Furthermore, advanced materials and construction methods achieve an extremely low sound level in the interior of the Audi A6 L e-tron concept. Excellent vibration comfort is attained by fine-tuning components and by hydraulically damping axle and drive mounts.

Comfortable and sporty: the chassis
Audi’s ultra lightweight construction competence is also found in the chassis, which combines a high level of comfort with sporty handling. The links are made of aluminum. The power steering, like the brake booster and the air conditioning compressor, utilizes an electromechanical drive.

At the limits of performance in driving through curves, the electronic transverse differential lock – a function of electronic stabilization control (ESC) – stabilizes the Audi A6 L e-tron concept by making small interventions at the front wheel on the outside of the curve.

Luxurious: interior and features
As in the Audi A6 L before it, the interior of the technology platform continues the elegant styling of its exterior design. Its defining element is an arc under the windshield – the wrap-around – that surrounds the driver and front passenger. The front of the instrument panel is designed in the form of a flowing wave. All of the interior details illustrate the aesthetic standard with which Audi builds its vehicles. All materials have been carefully selected and meticulously worked into the design.

The controls are intuitive. The powermeter replaces the tachometer; its pointer indicates total drive system power on a scale of zero to 100 percent. Colored segments indicate the current operating state of the Audi A6 L e-tron concept; an auxiliary instrument visualizes the charge state of the lithium-ion battery.

Meanwhile, the energy flow indicator tells the driver the current operating mode and which hybrid drive components are currently active. It can be called up from the driver information system or MMI monitor. The large screen shows a bar diagram of average fuel economy and indicates the amount of recovered energy over five-minute intervals.

The Audi A6 L e-tron concept offers a lot of space at all seating positions. It integrates all of the model line’s luxury-class features. The seats offer ventilation and massage functions, the Bose surround system delivers good sound, and the deluxe automatic air conditioning system with air ionizer ensures a pleasant climate in the car. Ambient lighting adds subtle highlights to the interior illumination.

The driver assistance and safety systems also satisfy the highest standards. Audi active lane assist supports the driver in lane-keeping, while Audi side assist helps to change lanes. When it is dark, the night vision assistant highlights detected pedestrians even at a distance; the parking assistant helps in parking. The Audi pre sense system can reduce the severity of accidents and their consequences in many cases.

The car’s features also include MMI navigation plus. Many functions of the large hard-drive navigation system can be controlled by touchpad character input; the touch-sensitive pad, MMI touch, recognizes 29,000 Chinese characters. A team of engineers developed these functions at the Audi Infotainment Tech Center (ITC) in Beijing, where infotainment components from Germany are adapted to suit the wishes of Chinese customers.

Setting a course for the future: Audi’s e-tron strategy
Audi has already launched electrified drive systems in volume production with full hybrid models that have highly advanced lithium-ion technology. The Q5 hybrid quattro, A6 hybrid and A8 hybrid can drive up to three kilometers (1.86 miles) on electric power. In combined mode, which uses the internal combustion engine and electric motor, customers experience sporty driving performance and significantly better fuel economy.

The next step is to implement drive systems in which electric driving is the primary focus. The term Audi e-tron refers to technologies ranging from PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) to range extenders and finally vehicles powered purely by electric batteries or fuel cells.

In its first Audi e-tron concept car, Audi already showed how this future might look. And in the case of the R8 e-tron, this vision will be realized in a short production run later this year.

Audi is using A1 e-tron and A3 e-tron test vehicles to acquire important customer feedback, which can be incorporated in later production cars. The first product will be the A3 e-tron in 2014. It will be followed by other New Energy Vehicles. In this way, e-tron will become established as a further attractive drive technology option alongside TDI and TFSI.

The Citroen Numero 9 concept signals the styling cues of the next three DS line models: a C-segment premium sedan, an SUV and a D-segment executive saloon.

The Numero 9 has a ‘shooting brake’ body style that combines elements of coupe and estate, with hints of Citroen’s DS5 and the Metropolis concept car that was unveiled in 2010.

The Citroen Numero 9 concept is designed with plug-in full-hybrid technology; an ultra-efficient system that boasts remarkable levels of performance – 166mpg fuel economy, 50km (around 31miles) range in ZEV mode, 295hp, a ‘boost’ function and 39g/km of CO2.

NUMERO 9 IN DETAIL
Following on from Citroën DS3, DS4 and DS5, concept car Numero 9 takes a fresh look at the DS line with a new take on the prestigious shooting brake design.

Subtly combining the proportions of a coupé with those of an estate, Numero 9 hints at exceptional driving sensations, with its taut lines, long bonnet and ultra-low stance (1.27m tall) on 21-inch wheels. It also promises unique onboard comfort with its generous proportions (4.93m long and 1.94m wide, with a 3m wheelbase) providing plenty of room for rear occupants. The three glass areas in the roof also create a welcoming, friendly cabin ambience.

Numero 9 evolves the design cues of the current DS line, introducing the new front-end identity of future models, along with an original light signature. The grille is sculpted in 3 dimensions and flows into the full-LED headlights, which end in daytime-running lights. Condensing the distinctive forms of the DS line, the concept also features a floating roof, underlined by chrome trim with discreet DS markings, and glazed side surfaces flowing into the rear window.

A sophisticated use of body colors and materials includes deep black bodywork with subtle hints of violet. The finish, named ‘Whisper’, is a perfect match for the warmer shade of the ‘Californian’ chrome finish.

The ‘Créative Technologie’ used by Numero 9 combines comfort, safety and respect for the environment, while also delivering enjoyable driving sensations for all occupants.

Every detail was designed to contribute to Numero 9’s aerodynamic efficiency (CdA = 0.61) including:
• a rear spoiler, which reinforces the fastback effect
• windscreen pillars that contribute to efficient air flow around the car
• ‘Turbine’ wheels with integrated fins to increase the air flow around the wheel arches, reducing both turbulence and fuel consumption.

With its plug-in full-hybrid technology, concept car Numero 9 is also a perfect fit with Citroen’s environmental commitments.

The advanced drivetrain combines a conventional petrol or diesel engine (depending on the market) with an electric motor on the rear axle that develops 70hp and torque of 200Nm. The electric motor is powered by lithium-ion batteries that can be recharged in just 3½ hours from a normal domestic socket. The model on display at the Beijing Motor Show is fitted with a 1.6 THP petrol engine developing 225hp (165kW) and 275Nm of torque.

With its plug-in hybrid technology, Numero 9 respects the environment. It has a range of 50km (around 31miles) in all-electric ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) mode and, on roads demanding successive acceleration and deceleration, the hybrid drivetrain limits consumption by using both sources of energy. On the motorway, the combustion engine takes over to deliver real performance.

Numero 9 features new-generation micro-hybrid technology designed to switch the combustion engine to stand-by whenever it is not required.

When the driver requires speed and torque, a ‘boost’ function combines the power of the combustion engine and electric motor to enable high levels of performance (up to 295hp). Numero 9 takes just 5.4 seconds to go from 0 to 62mph and 25.3 seconds to travel 1,000m from a standing start.

When grip is lacking, the car switches to four-wheel drive mode with the electric motor driving the rear wheels and the combustion engine powering the front wheels. In particularly difficult driving conditions, such as driving up a sloping, snow-covered road, the driver can manually select 4WD mode. The four-wheel drive system and hydraulic active suspension then deliver increased traction, making full use of the potential of Numero 9 in complete safety.

Looking beyond on-road performance and environmental benefits, the full-hybrid plug-in technology offers a third advantage: the cabin can be prepared before the car is used. For example, it can be pre-heated to ensure the comfort of all the occupants as soon as they climb onboard.

The Fisker Atlantic (formerly called Project Nina) is supposed to be Fisker’s mainstream entry into the automotive world, it’s a significantly smaller vehicle than the Karma, and targeted as a green alternative to cars like the BMW 3 Series and Audi A5.

The Atlantic uses the latest second generation EVer (Electric Vehicle with extended range) technology. It will offer all the benefits of electric drive while at the same time eliminating the “range anxiety” experienced with an all-electric powertrain.

Like the Karma sedan, the Fisker Atlantic is a plug-in series hybrid vehicle that allows drivers to switch manually or automatically between electric and gasoline driving modes and sustain the charge of its lithium ion batteries on the move.

Its four-cylinder gasoline engine, which acts as a generator and is not mechanically connected to the wheels, is tuned to offer maximum economy and high torque. That engine will be a BMW-sourced 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with an additional electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack.

This Atlantic EVer powertrain will offer highly competitive performance for a car in its class. The standard powertrain will be configured for rear-wheel drive and an all-wheel drive version will be offered as an option.

The Atlantic design prototype’s glass roof shows off a ridged ‘spider’ structure. This incredibly strong construction also allows the Atlantic to offer a remarkable amount of rear headroom for a car with its sleek, coupe-like stance. This high-tech approach fulfills and surpasses all current and future rollover safety and crash-test requirements worldwide. The Fisker Atlantic’s long wheelbase also affords extra legroom for rear passengers and more space in the trunk.

The unique, exciting styling of the Atlantic retains and progresses Fisker’s signature design DNA. Henrik Fisker and his design team set out to create the most beautiful and dramatic vehicle in its class. Much of the design was inspired by nature, for example, the dynamic side theme, with strong sculptural lines that optically cross the center and over the rear wheels of the car. This gives a sense of power – replicating the stance of a wild tiger ready to pounce.

Further important design details to note include an evolution of the Fisker Karma signature grille, with a wider sculptured line defining the power dome on the hood. Strong creases emerge from the inside of the headlamps and continue back over the hood to elongate the car. The sharp headlights themselves give an ‘eagle eye’ with a strength of strong character not seen on a production car before. These touches allow the Atlantic to create a greater rear-view mirror presence than any other vehicle in its class.

Additionally, the rear door handles have been elegantly integrated in the rear C-pillars, to continue the sense and look of a sporting coupe without losing the practicality of a four-door sedan. The extremely slim LED tail lamps use the latest technology allowing them to split into two parts to offer a wider aperture for the trunk opening. The rear end of the car is clean and aerodynamically shaped, with a sharp spoiler lip on the trunk that runs down over the side of the car to enhance aerodynamic performance.

Overall, the Fisker Atlantic’s dimensions are comparable to those of an Audi A5. It has been engineered inside and out to offer a dynamic yet compact feel on the road.

“We are exceptionally proud of the Atlantic design prototype, and believe we have created another groundbreaking car that looks and will drive like nothing else on the road in this class,” said Henrik Fisker, co-founder, Executive Chairman, and Design Director of Fisker Automotive.

More details on the Fisker Atlantic, including statistics, prices and an on-sale date will be given closer to the launch of the production car.

Like its Coupe sibling, the emotionally charged BMW i8 Concept Spyder combines intelligent lightweight design with the leading-edge drivetrain technology eDrive, while its open-top two-seater construction delivers an even more intense driving experience.

Compared with the Coupe variant of the BMW i8 Concept, the BMW i8 Concept Spyder has a slightly shorter wheelbase and overall length. With its compact dimensions and distinctive exterior paintwork, the sports car exudes a feeling of dynamism before it so much as turns a wheel, while striking features of its design include upward-swivelling, windowless doors and a transparent glass panel at the rear.

Underneath this cover two electric kickboards are stowed, providing a visual showcase for the fun factor in mobility and adding another layer to the car’s recreational appeal. Inside, a revised material and color concept provides an extra dose of sportiness.

The BMW i8 Concept Spyder with eDrive is a plug-in hybrid combining two different power sources and employing the specific advantages of its electric motor and combustion engine to optimum effect. The hybrid drivetrain’s key components gel together with outstanding smoothness, allowing it to offer peerless dynamic capability and maximum efficiency. In other words, the open-top two-seater produces the performance of an out-and-out sports machine yet posts the fuel economy of a small car.

The 96 kW (131 hp) electric motor on the front axle works in tandem with a turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine sending 164 kW (223 hp) through the rear wheels. Both units are in-house BMW Group developments and generate an aggregate system output of 260 kW (354 hp) and peak torque of 550 Newton meters. That is enough to accelerate the BMW i8 Concept Spyder from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in five seconds on the way to an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). Despite this performance, the two-seater burns just three liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers (equivalent to fuel economy of 94 mpg UK or 78mpg US) in the European test cycle.

The electric motor sources its energy from a lithium-ion battery which can be fully charged from a domestic power socket in less than two hours. The high-output battery is located in the energy tunnel between the front and rear axle modules in order to keep the car’s centre of gravity as low as possible – and therefore to maximize the car’s dynamic performance. The space-saving and well-balanced packaging of this and other drive and chassis components gives the sporting two-seater ideal 50:50 weight distribution.

With its battery fully charged, the BMW i8 Concept Spyder can cover up to 30 kilometers (19 miles) on electric power alone. As such, far from filling in as a bit-part player, the electric motor plays a role equal to that of the petrol engine. If required, a high-voltage alternator hooked up to the combustion engine generates extra power, which is then stored in the hybrid battery. This range-extending function during the course of a journey allows the two-seater to travel further between charging stations.

Another special feature of the BMW i8 Concept Spyder is the ability to send power through the front, rear or all four wheels at the same time. Intelligent control electronics ensure that the optimum drive configuration is available for the situation at hand. The driver can view the driving mode currently engaged and monitor the activity of the two drive sources on the large information display in the cockpit.

Like the Coupe, the BMW i8 Concept Spyder is also built around the innovative LifeDrive architecture, a fusion of independent functional units. For example, the carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) Life module gives the car an extremely lightweight passenger cell, while the Drive modules – made primarily from aluminum components – bring together all the car’s operational driving functions, such as the powertrain, chassis and safety structure. Impressively extensive use of high-tech materials allows this innovative concept to chart new territory in terms of weight minimization, structural rigidity and crash safety. This is good news not only for the car’s dynamic performance, but also for its range and fuel economy. Intelligent lightweight design, encompassing the use of innovative materials, has allowed the unavoidable additional weight of the high-output hybrid drivetrain to be cancelled out in full. Plus, the LifeDrive architecture has been carefully adapted to the sports car character of the BMW i8 Concept Spyder. The front and rear axle modules are connected by an “energy tunnel”, which houses the hybrid battery. This allows the engineers to give the car a low centre of gravity and ideal balance.

The car is chock-full of new BMW technology, from the iPhone-enabled finders that pinpoint charging stations and parking spots to 3D console screens and high-sensitivity monitoring systems that alert drivers to precisely how much power the car is using. Sport mode and eco-mode are other drive options.

As you can see from the photos, the car features an aggressive, progressive design with verticle-hinged windowless doors and seats for two–this in contrast to the 2+2 seating we saw in the i8 coupe last year.

The BMW i8 Concept Spyder is also slightly shorter across the wheelbase and overall length than its predecessor.

Set to be produced at BMW’s Leipzig factory in Germany from the third quarter of 2014 onward, the i8 Spyder is destined to follow the i8 coupe to showrooms in 2014.

Vauxhall will offer all Ampera owners a British Gas Home Charging solution, which will include the installation of a home charge point, three year warranty on parts and labour, and three year Home Electrical Care.

As part of the agreement formed between the two companies, British Gas will also provide a free home electrical survey to all Vauxhall Ampera customers. Without obligation, a British Gas engineer will recommend the best Home Charging solution, from dedicated circuits to the best home charging points from which to charge your Ampera.

The Home Charging Solution allows the Ampera to draw 16 amps of charge, compared with the regular six or ten amps normally available to householders, reducing the car’s total charging time from six to four hours. When fully charged the Ampera will then be able to travel up to 50 miles with zero tailpipe emissions, while its clever range-extender boosts this figure by up to 310 miles.

From £799, the British Gas Home Charging solution represents excellent value, bearing in mind the inclusive three year Home Electrical Care from British Gas. However, discounts of up to 75 per cent are also available on some charging solutions to people living in areas designated ‘Plugged-in Places’ by the government.

The Vauxhall Ampera reaches UK showrooms this May, priced from £29,995 including the government’s ‘plug-in’ car grant. While electrically driven at all times, the Ampera has a range of up to 360 miles, thanks to its clever range-extender, yet can still achieve up to 50 zero tailpipe-emission miles – enough to cope with 85 per cent of commutes.

Earlier this month, the Ampera was named as European Car of the Year 2012 by 59 leading journalists from 23 countries.

Last December, Toyota named British Gas as its preferred supplier of electric vehicle charging points, ahead of introducing the new Prius Plug-in Hybrid to the UK market later this year.

For 2012 Chevrolet Volt, consumers are able to choose from a total of seven option packages compared with only three for the 2011 model.

Updates for 2012 Chevrolet Volt include two new exterior colors – Summit White and Blue Topaz Metallic (late availability) – and two new interior trim combinations, along with new 17-inch wheels with black accent inserts. Dealer-available color inserts can be inserted in place of the standard black inserts.

Passive entry for all doors and the liftgate is added for 2012 Chevrolet Volt, as is Turn-by-Turn navigation with the standard OnStar system.

Also new for 2012 Volt is Chevrolet MyLink, which includes Bluetooth-enabled streaming audio for music and select smartphones, voice recognition for the phone, music and audio systems, Pandora and Stitcher smartphone compatibility, Gracenote (Playlist+ and Album Art) and software that can be updated for the Gracenote database.

The 2012 Chevrolet Volt offers a total driving range of 379 miles, based on EPA estimates. For the first 35 miles, it can drive gas-free and tailpipe emissions-free using a full charge of electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt’s battery runs low, a 1.4L gas-powered engine/generator seamlessly engages to extend the driving range another 344 miles on a full change.

2012 Chevrolet Volt is priced at $39,995 (including delivery) or about $1,000 less than the 2011 price. A loaded Volt, with leather appointments, backup camera, navigation system and premium paint and wheels can now cost as much as $46,265 including delivery. Buyers can benefit from a federal tax credit of $7,500 for plug-in vehicles.

The 2012 Chevrolet Volt is available throughout the U.S., with additional exports to Europe, China and Canada.

Volt propulsion system
The heart of the Chevrolet Volt is its Voltec propulsion system, which combines pure electric drive and an efficient, range-extending engine, giving to the Volt up to 379 total miles of range.

The Volt’s long-life battery consists of a 5.5-foot, 435-pound (198.1 kg) T-shaped, 16-kWh lithium-ion battery pack manufactured in Brownstown Township, Mich. It supplies energy to an advanced, 111-kW (149-hp) electric drive unit to propel the vehicle. Using only the energy stored in the battery, the Volt delivers an EPA-estimated 35 miles of fuel- and tailpipe emissions-free electric driving, depending on terrain, driving techniques and temperature.

The Volt battery is covered by an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty. When the battery energy is depleted, the Volt seamlessly transitions to extended-range mode. Power is inverted from a technically advanced, 1.4L 63-kW (84-hp) gasoline-powered onboard engine to the electric drive unit to provide up to 344 additional miles of range.

Charging the Volt’s battery is simple and intuitive, and can be done with a 120V conventional household electrical outlet, or a dedicated 240V charging station. The vehicle is completely rechargeable in about four hours using a 240V outlet and 10 to 12 hours in a 120V outlet. Once the vehicle is plugged in, owners can schedule either immediate or delayed charges, even coordinating charging according to departure time or when electricity rates are lower. Owners also can manage and monitor the Volt remotely via computer on MyVolt.com; or an exclusive smartphone application, Chevrolet Mobile App powered by OnStar.

Volt design and exterior features
Working closely with aerodynamicists in GM’s wind tunnel to shape the Volt, design and engineering teams developed the most aerodynamic vehicle in Chevrolet’s history. By reducing the energy needed to overcome air resistance, Volt aerodynamicists contributed an estimated eight miles of electric range, and 50 miles of extended range.

The Volt’s rounded and flush front fascia, tapered corners and grille enable air to move easily around the car to reduce drag. In the rear, sharp edges and a carefully designed spoiler control air flow. An aggressive rake on the windshield and back glass also helps reduce turbulence and drag.

Additional exterior features include: daytime running lamps with LED illumination; LED center high-mounted stop lamp; heated and power-adjustable mirrors with integrated turn signal indicators; 17-inch aluminum wheels are standard; 17-inch polished aluminum wheels are optional; 17-inch aluminum wheels with black inserts are optional; pedestrian-friendly alert, featuring a driver-activated horn chirp

Exterior color choices: Silver Ice Metallic, Summit White, Black, Crystal Red Tintcoat, White Diamond Tricoat, Viridian Joule Tricoat and Blue Topaz Metallic.

Volt interior
Inside, the Volt offers the space, comfort, convenience and safety features that customers expect in a premium five-door sedan –  including storage compartments and 40/40 rear-folding seats. It also delivers them in a variety of interior color, lighting and trim options unlike any offered before on a Chevrolet sedan, but with Chevrolet’s signature dual cockpit design.

Two seven-inch, high-resolution full-color screens are featured: One is a reconfigurable graphic cluster display and the other, in the center stack, features a  touch screen display, touch-control switches and integrated shifter. The graphics in the instrument panel and door inserts are repeated in the standard cloth or available leather-appointed seats.

Standard interior features include:
• Audio system with CD player/MP3 playback and a seven-inch color touch-screen display
• USB audio interface port
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio with a three-month trial
• Bluetooth phone connectivity
• Automatic climate control
• Keyless ignition
• Auto-dimming inside mirror
• MyVOLT.com vehicle connectivity
• Three auxiliary 12-volt power outlets
• Remote vehicle starting system
• Cloth seat trim
• Interior trim combinations include: Jet Black and Green seats with Dark accents, Light Neutral seat with Dark accents, Jet Black seat with Ceramic White accents, Jet Black seats with Dark accents and Jet Black and Spice Red seats with Dark accents.

Available interior features include:
• Chevrolet MyLink
• Navigation radio system with audio storage hard drive and SiriusXM Nav Traffic
• Rearview camera system and ultrasonic park assist
• Perforated leather seat trim with color-keyed textile accents
• Premium Trim Package with perforated leather seating appointments, leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats and premium door trim.

Volt safety and crash-avoidance features
The Volt helps protect occupants before, during and after a crash. Crash-avoidance features include standard anti-lock brakes with traction control, StabiliTrak electronic stability control and advanced, LED daytime running lamps that make the Volt more visible to other motorists and pedestrians.

Occupant protection continues with a strong structure, and the Chevrolet Volt’s body-frame-integral structure strategically blends advanced steels to help ensure crashworthiness and stiffness. Nearly 80 percent of the Volt’s overall structure consists either of high-strength, advanced high-strength or ultra high-strength steel. Active occupant protection features include eight standard air bags and safety belts with dual pretensioners to help reduce the risk of injury.

After a crash, the Chevrolet Volt offers the security of OnStar, which uses built-in vehicle sensors to automatically alert an OnStar advisor in certain types of collisions. The advisor is immediately connected to the vehicle and can request that emergency help be sent to its location.

Because the Volt operates so quietly in all-electric mode, a driver-activated feature sounds a noise to alert pedestrians, particularly those with visual impairments, in an intersection. The alert was developed in conjunction with the American Federation of the Blind.

Additional safety features include:
• Eight standard air bags including dual-stage driver and passenger air bags; front driver and passenger knee air bags to help mitigate lower leg injuries; roof rail side-curtain air bags extend over both seating rows for side-impact and rollover protection; and seat-mounted thorax and pelvic side air bags
• Automatic occupant sensing system detects the presence of a child or smaller adult in the front passenger seat and suppresses the air bag to help avoid an injury
• Rollover sensing and protection system
• Tip-up sensors that proactively predict tip-up on a flat surface and apply brake force to the outside front and rear wheels to reduce lateral force in the vehicle
• Collapsible pedal assembly to protect against lower leg injuries
• Safety belt shoulder belt retractor and lap belt pretensioners in the driver and front passenger positions
• LATCH child seat installation system in rear seating positions
• Anti-lock brakes, traction control and StabiliTrak electronic stability enhancement
• Tire pressure monitoring system.

OnStar details
OnStar is standard. It uses GPS and cellular phone technology to automatically call for help in the event of crash. OnStar subscribers also can use the service to be Good Samaritans by sending help to other motorists, and to call for help in other non-crash emergencies.

• OnStar is the leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and information services in the United States and Canada.
• Six months of complimentary OnStar Directions and Connections service with Turn-by-Turn navigation for easier route guidance on all Volt models
• Stolen Vehicle Assistance helps police track the vehicle.

The Panamera Plug-In Hybrid will be powered by a 380-hp direct-injected 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 and eight-speed automatic with a separating clutch that facilitates the gas engine to be stopped while the car is in motion.

Motor Trend reports that between the transmission and engine on the Panamera Plug-in Hybrid will be an electric motor that will be able to move the rear tires on full-electric for about 19 miles (30 kilometers).

In addition, a similar plug-in hybrid powertrain is expected to be fitted to Audi’s Q7 SUV, and a plug-in hybrid version for the Cayenne S Hybrid is then also likely.

The range of the normal Panamera S Hybrid is just two kilometers (1.24 miles), the speed in electric mode is up to 85 km/h (53 mph) depending on the driving situation.

The Porsche Panamera S Hybrid offers a fuel-economy of about 22/30 mpg and is priced at $96,000.

Under the terms of the development agreement, Advanced Traction Battery Systems (ATBS), A123′s co-owned Shanghai-based joint venture company, will supply 20Ah prismatic cells to ATBS for the production of complete lithium ion battery packs for Geely’s new PHEV, which is expected to launch in China in 2014.

A123′s 20Ah prismatic cells are designed to deliver high power, increased safety, extended life and a higher usable energy over a wider state-of-charge, enabling Geely to optimize the efficiency of its design and maximize vehicle range.

Geely is a global automaker with more than 30 different models in its portfolio. In 2011, it produced more than 430,000 vehicles, and there are currently more than 2.2 million Geely vehicles on the road worldwide.

“We believe that China, the largest and fastest growing auto market in the world, represents a significant opportunity for our technology, especially to help automakers leverage the government’s ambitious requirements and lucrative incentives for the production of new energy vehicles,” said Jason Forcier, vice president of the Automotive Solutions Group at A123. “Since forming our ATBS joint venture in 2009, we have made significant progress in delivering complete solutions to the passenger and commercial vehicle markets in China. Geely is at the forefront of electric vehicle development, and we believe that this agreement validates A123′s battery technology as well as the systems engineering expertise we have helped cultivate at ATBS.”

At the end of February, GM’s Volt inventory rose to 6300 vehicles, enough to last more than 150 days at the current rate of sales.

GM will stop making Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrids at its Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant from March 19 until April 23, Chris Lee, a company spokesman, said in an e-mail March 2. The factory had ramped up to full-speed production Feb. 6 after the New Year’s shutdown.

While sales of the Volt in February more than tripled from a year earlier to 1,023, the rate is below what’s needed to meet Chief Executive Officer Dan Akerson’s goal of 45,000 deliveries in the U.S. this year.

In 2011, GM hoped to sell 10,000 Chevrolet Volts, but it had only 7,671 deliveries.