The Nissan Leaf won the 2011 World Car of the Year award at the New York International Auto Show, beating out the short list of three finalists — the Audi A8 and the BMW 5 Series. The Leaf was the first electric vehicle to win the award.

According to the jurors, Nissan‘s electric car has a lot going for it:

“The Leaf is the gateway to a brave new electric world from Nissan. This 5-seater, 5-door hatchback is the world’s first, purpose-built, mass-produced electric car. Dropped onto a unique platform and body, the Leaf’s lithium-ion battery modules and electric motor generate 108hp and 206 lb ft of torque, propelling the hatch from zero to 60mph in 11.5 seconds and a top speed of 90mph. It has a range of over 100 miles on a full charge (claims Nissan), takes around 8 hours to recharge using 220-240V power supply and produces zero tailpipe emissions. Its low center of gravity produced sharp turn-in with almost no body roll and no understeer. The good news? It feels just like a normal car, only quieter.”

We think another reason the Leaf deserves the New York International Auto Show‘s World Car of the Year award is because of its Carwings system that leverages crowdsourcing to enhance its fuel economy.

What happened to the Chevy Volt, which costs $8,200 more than the $32,780 Nissan Leaf? It was still deemed cool enough to win the Green Car of the Year award at that same auto show.

We’ve driven the Volt and, as the jurors said about the Nissan Leaf, the Volt feels like a normal car, too. What really makes it feel normal is after you’ve run down its batteries, its gasoline engine allows it to keep going for just as many miles as conventional vehicles.

More About: Chevy Volt, electric cars, ev, Nissan Leaf, world car of the year award

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The Nissan Leaf won the 2011 World Car of the Year award at the New York International Auto Show, beating out the short list of three finalists — the Audi A8 and the BMW 5 Series. The Leaf was the first electric vehicle to win the award.

According to the jurors, Nissan‘s electric car has a lot going for it:

“The Leaf is the gateway to a brave new electric world from Nissan. This 5-seater, 5-door hatchback is the world’s first, purpose-built, mass-produced electric car. Dropped onto a unique platform and body, the Leaf’s lithium-ion battery modules and electric motor generate 108hp and 206 lb ft of torque, propelling the hatch from zero to 60mph in 11.5 seconds and a top speed of 90mph. It has a range of over 100 miles on a full charge (claims Nissan), takes around 8 hours to recharge using 220-240V power supply and produces zero tailpipe emissions. Its low center of gravity produced sharp turn-in with almost no body roll and no understeer. The good news? It feels just like a normal car, only quieter.”

We think another reason the Leaf deserves the New York International Auto Show‘s World Car of the Year award is because of its Carwings system that leverages crowdsourcing to enhance its fuel economy.

What happened to the Chevy Volt, which costs $8,200 more than the $32,780 Nissan Leaf? It was still deemed cool enough to win the Green Car of the Year award at that same auto show.

We’ve driven the Volt and, as the jurors said about the Nissan Leaf, the Volt feels like a normal car, too. What really makes it feel normal is after you’ve run down its batteries, its gasoline engine allows it to keep going for just as many miles as conventional vehicles.

More About: Chevy Volt, electric cars, ev, Nissan Leaf, world car of the year award

For more Tech & Gadgets coverage:

• Follow Mashable Tech & Gadgets on Twitter
• Become a Fan on Facebook
• Subscribe to the Tech & Gadgets channel
• Download our free apps for Android, Mac, iPhone and iPad

Go to Source

The Nissan Leaf won the 2011 World Car of the Year award at the New York International Auto Show, beating out the short list of three finalists — the Audi A8 and the BMW 5 Series. The Leaf was the first electric vehicle to win the award.

According to the jurors, Nissan‘s electric car has a lot going for it:

“The Leaf is the gateway to a brave new electric world from Nissan. This 5-seater, 5-door hatchback is the world’s first, purpose-built, mass-produced electric car. Dropped onto a unique platform and body, the Leaf’s lithium-ion battery modules and electric motor generate 108hp and 206 lb ft of torque, propelling the hatch from zero to 60mph in 11.5 seconds and a top speed of 90mph. It has a range of over 100 miles on a full charge (claims Nissan), takes around 8 hours to recharge using 220-240V power supply and produces zero tailpipe emissions. Its low center of gravity produced sharp turn-in with almost no body roll and no understeer. The good news? It feels just like a normal car, only quieter.”

We think another reason the Leaf deserves the New York International Auto Show‘s World Car of the Year award is because of its Carwings system that leverages crowdsourcing to enhance its fuel economy.

What happened to the Chevy Volt, which costs $8,200 more than the $32,780 Nissan Leaf? It was still deemed cool enough to win the Green Car of the Year award at that same auto show.

We’ve driven the Volt and, as the jurors said about the Nissan Leaf, the Volt feels like a normal car, too. What really makes it feel normal is after you’ve run down its batteries, its gasoline engine allows it to keep going for just as many miles as conventional vehicles.

More About: Chevy Volt, electric cars, ev, Nissan Leaf, world car of the year award

For more Tech & Gadgets coverage:

• Follow Mashable Tech & Gadgets on Twitter
• Become a Fan on Facebook
• Subscribe to the Tech & Gadgets channel
• Download our free apps for Android, Mac, iPhone and iPad

Go to Source

Previously on Fubiz

• Castillo Caribe Residence
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• The Beauty of Pixar

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(more…)

Related posts on TFTS:

1. Google Supposedly Working on Free Navigation App [Google App to Offer Voice-guided, Real-time, Turn-by-turn Navigation]
2. Google Maps Navigation Set for Europe [Google Turn by Turn Navigation Service To Extend to Euro Zone]
3. Google Maps Navigation (Beta) Unveiled [Google Adds Free Turn-by-Turn Navigation to Android 2.0]
4. Audi A8 to Bring Google Earth to Its SatNav System [New Audi A8 to Count on Google Earth for Directions]
5. Garmin-ASUS nuvifone A50 Gets Android Treatment [3.5" Android-powered Nuvifone A50 Using Highly Sensitive GPS to Tell Where You Are]
6. Dropbox Storage App Comes to Android Phones [Upload, Share, Sync And Pull Files Directly To Your Android Handset]

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Let’s say you’re one of those filthy rich bastards who can afford the powerful and expensive new Audi A8. If there’s one thing you don’t want to happen while driving that car, is to get lost, which is why any self-respecting luxury car nowadays will be delivered with a built-in GPS-based satellite navigation system. But the biggest drawback of such a system is the fact that maps are being pre-loaded and that they may require updates.

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Read the rest of Audi A8 to Bring Google Earth to Its SatNav System [New Audi A8 to Count on Google Earth for Directions]

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Yes, plenty of cars have built-in GPS navigation. But up until now, no car had Google Earth integrated, and now Audi has remedied that with their new luxury car, the Audi A8.

Snugged right into the LCD screen in the car, the Google Earth application will let lucky owners look at 3D satellite imagery, terrain information, and even additional info layers such as Wikipedia articles or Panoramio images related to a certain location.

A8’s system will also feature Google Maps and Local Search, plus the ability to link it all with your desktop computer. To save time, you can simply search for an address on your computer and send it to the car; when you start driving, the car will know where to go.

However, if you’re not familiar with German manufacturer’s luxury cars, lets just say that only those with the deepest pockets will be buying one. The rest of us will have to make do with an iPhone stand and the Google Earth mobile app.

Tags: audi, google earth

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The next-gen Audi A8 is more than just another expensive limo out there, it’s a sophisticated piece of high tech that has managed to cause some serious drooling at the TFTS offices. And it happened, not only because of its luxurious appeal and the amazing performance numbers, but also because of the new Multi Media Interface (MMI) features that have just found their way in front of our eyes.

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Read the rest of Audi A8 Multi Media Interface Adds Handwriting [2011 Audi A8 MMI Features Include Handwriting Recognition & in-Car Wi-Fi Connectivity]

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Are you in the market for a new car? Might I suggest the all new 2011 Audi A8 full-size sedan, that will come load, absolutely loaded, with tech toys (I’m sure thats what Audi calls them) for the German automotive connoisseur. These tech features include, a Google Earth navigation system, a 19-speaker sound system, and an internet connection and WiFi network. That’s right, your car can be connected to the internet.

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Read the rest of 2011 Audi A8 Is Stacked With Gadgets [New Audi Sedan Comes With Google Earth, WLAN, More Tech Toys]

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