Ferrari Believes in Prancing Hybrids, Not Electric Horses

Posted on by Imagine Lifestyles
hybrids vs. electric cars

Ferrari is not joining the fast track toward all-electric vehicles. Ferrari Chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo stated the following about his opinion on hybrids vs. electric cars: “I don’t believe in electric cars, but I strongly believe in hybrids.” That sentiment was made very clear with the introduction of the insanely powerful LaFerrari hybrid this year, which pushes out 950 Prancing Horses.

While hybrids are a new road for the Ferrari badge, make no mistake—future hybrids produced will likely match or surpass the $1.34 million dollar price tag of LaFerrari. Ferrari is focused on quality over quantity, and is on a roll dreaming up and creating exquisite machines. These machines boast astronomical prices and there are even rules laid out that must be followed in order to qualify to purchase one. Oh yes, one must qualify and be approved to own the next-generation of Ferrari hypercars, they come with more instructions than a Gremlin. read more

First-Ever Land Rover Diesel Electric Models

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Land Rover Diesel Electric

The first-ever Land Rover diesel electric models are here: the Range Rover Hybrid and the Range Rover Sport Hybrid. The names, while lacking a certain creativity, communicate precisely what the luxury SUVs are. These up-and-comers will be at the Frankfurt Auto Show and will be available overseas shortly thereafter. An official U.S. launch date is unknown, as we are a bit slower to accept alternative powertrains, California exempt.

 The Range Rover hybrids at a glance:

  • Both pack a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 diesel engine paired with a 35kw electric motor and an inverter
  • Lithium ion battery pack
  • Floor mounted battery, does not interrupt cabin space
  • ZF eight-speed automated transmission
  • A modest 335 ponies
  • Specs are not impressive in electric-only mode. It can travel only 30 miles per hour for approximately 1 mile. Yes, one.
  • Curb weight of 5,278 pounds for the Hybrid and 5,229 for the Hybrid Sport. These girls are not light and not exactly super muscles. One would have to really embrace hybrid technology and the environment hard to be placated by these specs.
  • 0-60 mile per hour times: Hybrid—6.9 seconds, Hybrid Sport—6.7 seconds
  • Top speeds are 140 and 135 miles per hour, respectively.
  • Combined fuel economy is 36.75 miles per gallon, which isn’t exactly impressive. There are plenty of gas guzzling sedans that can achieve that without a hybrid powertrain.

The new hybrid siblings are set to square up against rivals like the Mercedes-Benz ML450 hybrid and the Porsche Cayenne S hybrid. They are both gasoline-electric hybrids, while the Range Rover models will offer up the diesel-electric option. It may be the only one in its class. read more

California Gets a Charge From Electric Cars

Posted on by Imagine Lifestyles
Electric cars

Tesla is not considered to be a household name, but that idea may be changing. The brand has silently become a bestseller in the state of California, where their electric powertrains are better accepted than in other areas of the country.

Tesla stealthily becomes a bestseller in California 

Tesla trails behind only Mercedes-Benz and BMW for sales in the first half of 2013. The Tesla Model S is now the third bestseller, with the Mercedes E-Class coming in first and the BMW 5-Series second. The Model S certainly seems to be the little electric car that could–unloading a staggering 4,714 units during the first half of 2013 alone. read more

The 2014 BMW i3 Electric Car Deliveries Begin

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2014 BMW i3

BMW is poised to release its first-ever electric luxury car on July 29th, 2013. The long-awaited 2014 BMW i3 electric car will join its thirstier siblings and offer up something new for clients while opening up full throttle with a new niche for the BMW brand. While European deliveries for the i3 began in November, they are just starting stateside.

The 2014 BMW i3 at a glance:

  • 70-100 mile electric-only power range
  • There will also be a range-extended version made available with a twin-cylinder gas engine derived from a motorcycle. This will offer backup comfort for those with range anxiety.
  • For those still too nervous to commit to an electric or hybrid vehicle, there is still the BMW Loaner Program, follow link for full details.
  • Rear wheel drive
  • The electric-only version packs 168 ponies
  • 22 kWh lithium-ion battery can be recharged at home or on the go.
  • Rolling brake energy recuperation
  • The 0-60 jump time is 7.6 seconds. It is clearly not a track car, but intended for greener commutes to the office…so long as that office is less than 100 miles away roundtrip. Remember, buyers can always charge the car during the workday before the commute home.

The range-extended version of the BMW i3 may be the best option. For just a couple of thousand dollars more, BMW will pack on the small motor mentioned above, creating a hybrid version. The engine is a two-cylinder 600cc supplied by BMW Motorrad, their luxury motorcycle division. The price for the hybrid option could have been dramatically higher, but BMW is smart enough to know that it is challenging enough to get consumers to buy electric and hybrid vehicles at this juncture. It will take a few more years before buyers feel confident in buying new forms of vehicles, likely when they begin to see more recharging stations and people they know driving them. read more

Lexus LFA Tribute Video Hints at Successor

Posted on by Imagine Lifestyles

The Lexus LFA was the very first supercar created by the company. It was an international sensation, an impressive first attempt packing 560 horses and a lofty $375,000 price tag. Since it has been a few years, Lexus has released an LFA tribute video to remind us of its awesomeness. The video also hints that there will be more Lexus supercars to come.


It has been a few years since the launch of the Lexus LFA supercar. Now the company has released a tribute video to remind the world of its talents and hint at a future luxury supercar. The short clip above highlights the LFA’s stats and successes.  read more

BMW i3 EV Shows More of its Electrified Body

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BMW i3 EV

BMW has been taking off more and more camouflage, revealing previously unseen parts of the elusive new plug-in i3 EV. This marks the next level version of the hybrid formerly known as the ‘Mega City Vehicle’ (MCV). The BMW i3 EV is a hatchback and should be emerging from obscurity to full production form quite soon—possibly by the end of the year.

BMW i3 EV continues to shed camouflage in a sort of slow striptease

The BMW i line is geared toward an environmental and urban approach at the luxury car. The i sub brand is smaller, futuristic, and capable of transporting urban dwellers to work on little to no traditional fuel. The future of BMW is about versatility and longevity—an enduring machine that not only stands the test of time, but evolves into increasingly enticing forms. read more

Which Mercedes Benz Models Were Awarded for Being Green?

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Mercedes Benz

Not one, but two Mercedes Benz vehicles have been acknowledged for their environmental endeavors! Both the ML 250 BlueTec 4Matic and the B200 Natural Gas Drive have nabbed the title “Winners in Green” from Auto Test. Auto Test is a popular German auto magazine and the environmental auto ranking is published annually.

The Mercedes ML250 BlueTec and the B200 GNG were both named “Most environmentally friendly” in their class by Auto Test.

Criteria for the green award include fuel consumption, emissions, manufacturing conditions, recycling and the environmental systems of the manufacturer. This is the second year in a row that the Mercedes BlueTec has ranked high on the green scale! read more

Tesla Electric Model S Doing Burnouts Like A Boss

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Tesla electric model S

Who says an electric car cannot do burnouts like a boss? Check out this Tesla electric Model S tearing it up just like a muscle car! It may boast a battery, but this beast can still deliver, hitting the 0-60 marker in 4.4 and the quarter-mile in 12.5 seconds. It may not be a Ferrari, but it is certainly something different and aggressive!

The Tesla Model S electric car surprises with looks, electric capacity and a bit of unexpected power!

Tesla Model S specs:

  • 60 kWh microprocessor controlled, lithium-ion battery
  • Rear-wheel drive
  • Liquid-cooled powertrain includes battery, motor, gearbox and drive inverter
  • Drive inverter has variable frequency drive and regenerative braking system
  • Single speed
  • 3-phase, 4-pole AC induction motor with copper rotor

The Tesla S: an exotic sports hybrid with every right to do a bit of showing off! read more

16 Fisker Luxury Hybrids Explode During Sandy

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Fisker Luxury Hybrids Explode

Fisker luxury hybrids have experience bad Karma once again, thanks to Mother Nature! When hurricane Sandy ripped across the east coast, she left a fleet of Fisker Karma hybrids in her wake that apparently simply exploded during the storm! According to Fisker, one Karma caught fire after the saltwater left a corrosive residue on the control unit, which eventually shorted and burst into flames. That fire is said to have spread to the other 15 cars, which survived the surge without combusting.

Fisker Karma read more

Gears Shift for Audi R8 e-tron Production?

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Audi R8 e-tron

It once was a sure thing: the Audi R8 e-tron was slated to hit production and emerge toward the end of the year. This could be a pipe dream, according to recent hints dropped in Car and Driver and by Audi of America! According to Brad Stertz, corporate communications manager for Audi of America, the production is not exactly derailed, but more of a road-based laboratory than a prototype heading for production. If you listen carefully, you can hear hearts breaking around the world.

The Audi R8 e-tron is the electric version of its sexy sibling. read more