Electric Nissan LEAF coming to Massachusetts in time for Christmas

After making its fully electric hatchback automobile available in states with moderate climates in Dec. 2010, it seems the Nissan LEAF will finally be making its way to New England.

On Thursday, Nissan dealers in Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Colorado and the Bay State began taking orders for the eco-friendly buggy, which reportedly nets a 100 mile journey on a single charge.

The automaker says eager customers can expect delivery of the 2012 model, which has been equipped with "quick-charging and cold weather features," in December.

"Consumers have spoken, and it's clear that they are looking for a car that produces zero emissions and uses no gas," said Brian Carolin, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing, Nissan North America. "We are seeing tremendous consumer interest in the Nissan LEAF in these new markets, particularly in the New York metropolitan area."

The LEAF's debut in colder climates was delayed when initial tests showed that the cold weather had a negative impact on the vehicle's mileage. The 2012 model includes a battery warmer to prevent the impact of the cold on performance.

The new model's pricing starts at $35,200, according to Edmunds.com, and represents an increase of more than $2,000 over the 2011 model.

Western Massachusetts Electric Company recently announced that it will be installing charging stations at the Springfield Community College Technology Park in Springfield, the Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Hadley and another in Pittsfield.

With pre-orders kicking off in the Northeast U.S. and Colorado this week, Nissan says it will make the LEAF available in Delaware, Indiana, Louisiana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island by the end of the year.

BMW Plug-in Hybrid Sports Car Coming in 2013

senior BMW executive last week told Edmunds.com that its 356-horsepower plug-in hybrid 2+2 concept sports car is headed for production in 2013. Only time will tell if the comment is backed by a real commitment from BMW. Regardless, the vehicle follows an emerging trend that the world’s fastest, most exotic, and most expensive sports vehicles will utilize some form of efficient electric-drive technology. It also, once again, shatters the image of a hybrid as slow and dorky.

“It’s the sports car of the future, the way BMW imagines it.” That’s how Adrian van Hooydonk, director of BMW’s group design, described the “BMW Vision EfficientDynamics” two-door vehicle that was unveiled at last year’s Frankfurt Auto Show. BMW’s overarching goal was to combine breath-taking speed and groundbreaking efficiency. In the BMW Vision, that boils down to 4.8-second 0-to-60 miles per hour acceleration and 63 mile to the gallon.

First, BMW engineers use the rear-axle to combine a turbo-charged three-cylinder diesel engine and the mildest forms of hybrid technology. Then they add a second motor to drive the front wheels exclusively by electricity. When both motors and the diesel engine are called into service, the overall system can put out 356 horsepower. The car’s slippery design boasts a drag coefficient of 0.22—beating out the Toyota Prius’s 0.25. With great aerodynamics and a lightweight polycarbonate glass skin, the Vision’s 10.8 kWh battery provides enough grid-supplied energy storage to travel 30 miles purely on electricity.

The BMW executive told Edmunds that total volume could be between 5,000 and 10,000 units. No word yet on price, but the lithium ion batteries, diesel engine, exotic materials, and low-production numbers can’t be cheap. It will probably slot well above the BMW ActiveHybrid 7, the 4.4-liter V8 sedan offering around 20 mpg, which will sell for $103,000 when it debuts in mid-2010.

2013 BMW 3-Series gets new facelift

Here is a sneak peek of the 2013 BMW 3-Series. Like with many BMW iterations, only subtle changes are made in the 2013 BMW 3-Series. BMW will introduce its next generation BMW 3-Series with the codenamed F30, in the first quarter of 2012. BMW will offer five different 3-Series body styles for the first time with the standard four-door sedan in March 2012, touring wagon in September 2012, coupe in September 2013, and the hardtop convertible model in the third quarter of 2013.

The BMW 3-Series comes with four engine configurations for the new four bangers. From a 136 horsepower 1.6-liter to a 252 horsepower 2.0-liter gas engines, and 150 horsepower 1.6-liter to 245-hp 2.0-liter turbo diesel engines. No words on the V6 engine yet but we assume it will be same as this year model.

The next-generation BMW M3 also come in coupe and convertible models, and both will likely get a 3.0-liter twin-turbo straight six-cylinder engine that pumps out about 450 hp. Below is the spy video of the 2013 BMW 3-Series.