ALL NEW AUTO CARS

Okay, readers: hands up if you like rats. No, not the cute white ones you see in science labs or can buy at pet shops. I’m talking about the sewer-dwelling, disease-carrying ones that invade your house to eat, poop and scare your misses.

What if I told you those same feral rats are not only a danger to your home but also to your brand-spanking-new plug-in hybrid extended range electric vehicle? How’s that grab you, hmm?

So a month ago , the automotive mavens at Kicking Tires were handed the keys to a new Chevrolet Volt. What’s that got to do with rats, you ask? Well, in a move that some at the office have labeled, “karmic justice” and others have labeled, “bloomin’ rats”, a member of the repressed rodent classes has attacked Kicking Tires’ futuristic loaner and rendered it befuddled. *Gasp!*

So here’s the skinny: with a blizzard blowing in Chicago, Kicking Tires’ Senior Editor David Thomas dropped the blog’s Volt off at a multistorey garage and plugged it in at a public charging station. Last week, site blogger Joe Wiesenfelder received a text message alert from ChargePoint reporting a, “ground fault” and that the, “session [was] terminated”.

On Thursday night, Wiesenfelder received an email from Todd Dore, the treasurer for the Fox Valley Electric Auto Association. Mr. Dore parks his converted VW Beetle next to the blog’s Volt, and reported that a rat had scurried underneath, probably looking to escape the subzero temperatures of the Chicago winter.

On Friday morning, Mr. Wiesenfelder unplugged the Volt and plugged it back in without any troubles. Sensing nothing unusual, he left the garage. He picked up the car Friday evening and drove it home. On the way, the Volt produced several strange warnings including, “ABS”, “Service Brake Assist” and “Service Stabilitrak”.

The next day, Wiesenfelder noted that the secondary rear window (the smaller, vertical pane that’s not at all like the one on the Toyota Prius or Honda Insight) wasn’t demisting though the primary one was.

Concerned, he took the troublesome Volt into Grossinger City Chevy of Chicago the following Tuesday. The dealer confirmed that the rat had gnawed through a wiring harness in the engine compartment causing, at very least, those troubles.

It won’t be covered under warranty, of course – acts of rats are classed the same as acts of God – though the Volt has been trouble free for over a month and 3,000 miles. In colder countries, apparently, rats are known to climb into the engine compartments of recently parked cars to warm up. The Volt’s battery is known to stay warm when charging and even when fully charged, making the perfect overnight home for a frostbitten rodent.

Wiesenfelder doesn’t think that this is the last time this will happen, or that it’ll be limited solely just the Volt. He’s asking for input from readers and Chevrolet on how to address the problem, and Carscoop would like to do the same. How do you keep a rat from crawling into your parked car at night?

Just as we suspected when Porsche first announced its plans to present a brand new hybrid model at the Geneva Salon, the German firm's 'surprise' is indeed the Panamera S Hybrid. According to the automaker, the new 380HP hybrid GT is the most economical Porsche of all time with a combined fuel economy of 6.8 lt/100km or 34.6 mpg US, and also boasts the lowest CO2 output of any large sports sedan in the luxury segment with 159 g/km (both figures achieved with the optional low resistance tires).

The latest addition to the Panamera family makes use of the same powertrain found on the Cayenne hybrid mating a 333HP 3.0-liter supercharged V6 sourced from Audi to a 47 hp (34 kW) electric motor for a combined output of 380HP. Both motors are capable of powering the Panamera S Hybrid either alone or in combination, while the electric motor also operates both as a generator and a starter.

The electric motor is fed by a nickel metal hydride battery (NiMh) where the electrical energy recovered from braking and driving is stored. Power is transferred to the rear wheels by the familiar eight-speed Tiptronic S.

Porsche says the Panamera S Hybrid can complete the standard sprint to 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds (0-60mph in 5.8"), and reach a top speed at 270 km/h (168 mph). The range in purely electric mode is approximately two kilometres (1.24 miles) with electric driving possible up to 85 km/h (53 mph), depending on the driving situation.

When fitted with the optional lower-rolling resistance all-season tires from Michelin, the Panamera hybrid consumes on average 6.8 lt/100 km (34.6 mpg US.) with CO2 emissions of 159 g/km. With the standard tires, the hybrid model returns 7.1 lt/100 km (33.1 mpg US) with 167 g/km of CO2.

All Panamera S Hybrid models will come fitted as standard with the adaptive air suspension including the adaptive shock-absorber system with PASM, as well as a bespoke display concept that provides the driver with relevant information about the vehicle’s specific hybrid driving status.

The Panamera S Hybrid will enter the European market in June 2011 and cost €106,185 in Germany, including VAT and country-specific equipment, while sales in the States will start a little bit later in 2011 at a base suggested retail price of $95,000 excluding destination (€70,320).

The new Land Rover Range_e diesel-electric plug-in prototype that was first teased back in May, 2010, will make its motor show debut at next month's Geneva Salon. The Range_e is said to be one of several working prototypes currently being developed at Land Rover's design and engineering centre in the UK. It is based on the Range Rover Sport model and features a 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged diesel engine with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission mated to an, as-of-yet unspecified, electric motor and battery pack.

The British automaker said the all-wheel drive prototype can run purely on electricity for up to a distance of 20 miles or approximately 32 kilometers and emits as low as 89g/km of CO2. The Range_e also has a top speed of 120 mph or 193 km/h and a combined driving range of 690 miles or 1,110 kilometers.

The Range_e will be joined at Land Rover's Geneva Motor Show stand by two new Limited Editions, the Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate and the 2011 Discovery 4 'Landmark' with Black and White themes.

Land Rover added that it will also be announcing full European pricing (excluding UK) for the new Range Rover Evoque in both 3- and 5-door forms, and will also showing a comprehensive range of accessories and options for the vehicle.

Gerry McGovern, Land Rover design director said: "Customers like to make their own unique statement with a vehicle and we have provided individuals with lots of opportunity to personalise their new Range Rover Evoque, whilst maintaining the essence of the design."

Honda today released full details and some 80 or so photos on the European-spec Jazz Hybrid and face-lifted conventional Jazz models, which will soon go on sale across the continent. Previewed at the 2010 Paris Auto Show, the Jazz Hybrid is said to be the first B-segment car fitted with a petrol-electric powertrain and it does it without compromising the cabin space and luggage compartment.

By mounting the battery pack under the boot floor, Honda managed to retain the Jazz’s flexible “Magic Seats” configuration, while offering a respectable 300-liter boot space that can be extended to a maximum of 1320 liters (measured to the roof). Thanks to the “Magic Seats” system, the seats fold entirely flat, while their bases can be folded up in order to create more space for tall objects. The eco-friendly version comes with a reclining rear seat that can be tilted back as well, further increasing the cabin’s flexibility.

The interior has been revamped and boasts a darker color theme, in contrast with the blue lighting of the instrument panel and center console. For the first time in Europe, the Jazz Hybrid can be also specified with leather upholstery.

From a design standpoint, the hybrid is set apart by its restyled headlights with chrome blue surrounds, front grille with similar chrome treatment, clear tail lamps and revised bumpers, accompanied by the new, Lime Green metallic exterior color.

Customers not happy with the standard look can opt for a series of Genuine Accessories to customize their cars, such as additional trim pieces and stickers, plus different alloy wheels. Other optional features include the SSD (Solid State Drive) navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and rear entertainment system.

At the heart of the Jazz Hybrid is Honda’s IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) powertrain shared with the Insight and CR-Z, comprising an 88HP 1.3-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and a 14HP electric motor, complemented by a CVT gearbox. The hybrid sprints to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 12.6 seconds and can reach a top speed of 177 km/h (110 mph), while consuming 4.5 lt/100 km (52.3 US mpg) on the combined cycle. Furthermore, Honda says that with emissions of just 104 g/km, the Jazz Hybrid is the cleanest B-segment car equipped with an automatic transmission.

Besides the Jazz Hybrid, European customers will also get the face-lifted range of Jazz models, powered by either a 90HP 1.2-liter or 100HP 1.4-liter gasoline engine.

The refreshed small car comes with redesigned bumpers said to reduce drag, new grille and headlights, rear lights with modified lenses and a choice of two new exterior colors – Deep Sapphire Blue and Ionized Bronze.

Inside, the 2011MY Jazz also has a darker color scheme just like the hybrid, new seat fabrics (including the optional leather upholstery), chromed trim pieces and orange dash lighting. The “Magic Seats” system is part of the standard equipment list, while the boot features a secondary underfloor storage compartment, boosting the total load capacity to 399 liters or 19 liters more compared to the previous model.

On the technical side of things, the revised Jazz is once again available with a CVT automatic transmission complete with torque converter and paddle shifters, while engineers upgraded the suspension as well.