May 5, 2015 - 08:30 am

PSA, Skoda, Chevrolet, KTM, Solar Impulse 2, Larte Design.

New PSA EVs: The next generation of electric Peugeot and Citroen small cars can be expected by 2020, CEO Carlos Tavares announced. As PSA is developing the new models from scratch, the EVs are said to be cheaper and have more range than current models that are based on Mitsubishi’s iOn and C-Zero. Furthermore, PSA is working on its first plug-in hybrid to debut in 2019. While the “architectural aspects” of the PHEV are set, the choice of battery technology is still being discussed.
autonews.com

Skoda EV to arrive sooner than expected? Apparently, Skoda will offer an electric version of its Citigo by 2018 or 2019, German Auto Bild suggests. The small EV would have a 200-km range at a price of 15,000 euros. A plug-in hybrid variant of the Superb is scheduled for 2018.
autobild.de (in German)

Pricing for the new Volt: The next-gen Chevrolet Volt will be sold in U.S. starting at 33,995 dollars before federal and state incentives, meaning the new Volt will cost 1,200 dollars less than the current model. The car will go into production this August and will hit dealerships shortly after.
transportevolved.com, greencarcongress.com

Road-ready e-motorcycle: KTM launched the third member of its Freeride family of electric motorbikes. The Freeride E-SM is designed for tarmac use and the electric drive delivers a peak output of 16kW and 42Nm. The bike will be available in Europe already this month.
ktm.com

The Solar Impulse crew is about to embark on the most challenging leg of its sun-powered flight, as they are about to take off from China for a non-stop flight to Hawaii. The 8,500 kilometre (5,270 mile) flight across the Pacific is expected to take five to six days – with only one pilot.
news.yahoo.com, cleantechnica.com

900 hp Tesla? Russian tuner Larte Design plans to increase the output of the Model S P85D to 900 hp, giving it a 29 percent power boost. Still, Larte claims the extra strength would not deplete the battery any faster than usually. Obviously, a new body kit and more sound are part of the package.
autoevolution.com

Apr 20, 2015 - 08:11 am

BMW, Audi, Honda, Larte Design, Volvo, Cadillac.

BMW 7-series sneak peak: BMW revealed a preview of the upcoming 7 Series and did confirm that it will release a plug-in hybrid variant. The car will officially be presented at the Frankfurt motor show in September and could become available at dealerships by the end of the year.
autocar.co.uk, bmwblog.com

Made for Asia: The Audi Q7 e-tron 2.0 TFSI quattro marks the first time that Audi combines a TFSI plug-in hybrid with quattro all-wheel drive. Designed especially for Asian markets (Singapore, China, Japan), the model will premiere at the Shanghai Auto Show this week.
electriccarsreport.com

Honda hybrid shuttle: Honda unveiled its new Shuttle in Japan, a station wagon version of the Jazz/City. It will be available in three different hybrid variants, the Hybrid, Hybrid X and Hybrid Z. The drivetrain combines a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor. More details will follow mid-May.
indianautosblog.com

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Tesla make-over: German Larte Design offers a body-kit for the luxury limousine. The company uses a basalt composite material for its components, which it says is compatible with carbon fibre in terms of weight. However, Green Car Report points out that the kit could reduce the range of the Model S.
valuewalk.com, greencarreports.com (impact)

Volvo XC90 PHEV priced: When it becomes available in the summer, the Volvo XC90 plug-in hybrid will start selling for 68,100 dollars before incentives in the U.S. The federal tax credit amounts to 4,800 dollars, while buyers are also eligible for further subsidies given by their home state.
hybridcars.com, greencarcongress.com

CT6 to come with plug: So far it was only rumoured that the upcoming Cadillac CT6, which just premiered in New York, would be available as a plug-in hybrid. While GM now confirmed those rumours, it will not give any further details before Shanghai.
hybridcars.com