The 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show isn’t until next month, but BMW’s letting some of its soon-to-be unveiled beauties out the bag. The 2010 ActiveHybrid 7 is fitted with a 4.4L V8 engine that has a max output of 440-hp and a peak torque of 475 lb-ft. When mated to a 3-phase synchronous electric motor, the BMW ActiveHybrid 7 produces a total of 455-hp with a maximum torque of 516 lb-ft. Power is driven to the wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission with the electric motor (powered by lithium-ion batteries) positioned between the engine and the torque converter.

Go 0-60 in 4.8 seconds with a top speed of 150mph, all while enjoying a 15 percent increase in fuel-economy over the 750i. Official EPA numbers as well pricing will be released closer to the release in Spring 2010.

More images after the jump. 

Loll Designs has give the classic Adironack Chair a go green makeover, crafting the refined piece completely out of recycled polyethylene. The material has unparalleled durability, as the team first used the same material to create skateboard parks. This material is fade-resistant, waterproof and maintenance free. It is Loll’s philosophy that “using green products should not mean you have to sacrifice anything; it should be better in every way than its non-eco-friendly counterpart.”

The chairs are available in an array of colors and are made in the USA, so don’t be hesitant when picking up yours for this weekend’s BBQ.

Buy It: $440 at DWR

The Sears Tower in Chicago is set to begin a massive overhaul that will run a bill of $350 million. The building is also going to be renamed Willis Tower and will be cutting electricity usage by 80% within four years. A 50 storey tower accompanying the Sears Tower from its south side also designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture is also scheduled for construction.

More images after the jump.

This week, Range Rover’s set to unveil the Liberty Electric Range Rover that will get 200 miles on one full charge.  Pretty good, right?  It’s been designed by a team out of Oxford and could hit dealerships by next year.  Pricing is looking at £95,000 to £125,000.  Hefty price for going green, but if you’ve got it, then why not, right?

Zero emissions and a whole lot of overall savings will definitely entice consumers into getting in the driver seat of one of these. Most electric cars on the market are much cheaper, but they also don’t get 200 miles on charge.

Performance and luxurious details are trademarks for Range Rover, and the Liberty Electric will not sacrifice neither.  It’s accepted to have “swift acceleration and a high top speed, while costing 80 percent less to run than a gasoline equivalent.

Other innovations include roof mounted solar panels, which will provide additional charge for the batteries as well as powering some of the car’s electrics while it is stopped. Some versions will also have technology designed to extend the car’s range even further.

Source: telegraph

California electric sports car-maker Tesla Motors has announced its plans to build a plant that will cost a whopping $250 million and be located in Silicon Valley.  The plant produce sedans that will hopefully hit the highways by 2010.

The Tesla Roadster has grabbed everyone’s attention, even California’s Governor, the Arnold.  The car’s got solid environmental credentials, and with the technological pioneering the brand resembles, we weren’t surprised that San Jose will be the place for its plant.

Tesla Chief Executive Ze’ev Drori said he expects manufacturing of the five-passenger, $60,000 Model S sedan to hit a rate of over 15,000 a year by the last quarter of 2011. Tesla will build the factory on its own.  They definitely have the capital to do so, with money coming from private equity financing of $100 million, the U.S. Department of Energy approving $150 million in loan guarantees, and California offering significant tax breaks.

Let the building begin, Tesla, so that we can push out 225 miles off one charge.  That’s pretty hefty, compared to the 40 miles the new Volt offers.  Boy, do we love competition.

Source:  Reuters

It looks better than we first suspected from all the spy shots.  Heck, we can actually see ourselves buying one and popping a Por Homme banner on it.  The Chevrolet Volt was revealed at GM’s 100th year celebration.

So what did you expect it to be?  Well, the 2011 Chevy Volt is a 5-door front-wheel-drive sedan known as Extended-Range Electric Vehicle, or E-REV.  It can go 40 miles on electric-power alone with its lithium-ion battery.  And for all the miles you put on after the first 40, a gasoline/E85-powered engine kicks.  No word on the efficiency of the E85-side of the engine.  The Chevy Volt’s electric drive unit produces 150-hp and 273 lb-ft of torque and has a top speed of 100 mph.

Charging isn’t too difficult.  The 2011 Chevrolet Volt can be plugged into a standard household 120v outlet or a 240v. The Volt’s battery will reach full charge in 8 hours when plugged into a 120v outlet and 3 hours when plugged into a 240v. GM is estimating a cost of 80 cents per day for a full charge and 40 miles of electric driving – not bad at all. The General is estimating a cost of two cents per mile compared to 12 cents per mile when using gas priced at $3.60.

The number’s are looking good and we hope that the Volt is as good on the road as it is in the showroom.

gallery after the jump

2011 Chevrolet Volt:

Head over to eGMCarTech to check out the full press release and more pics.

Imagine never running out of ice.  Imagine cooling your mango mojito “on the rocks” in the most literal sense.  Nordic Rock is minded from ancient Swedish pollution-free base rock.  It’s about the purest way of cooling your drink.  The stone cubes are reusable, allowing you to conserve more water.

To use, put the stone ice cubes in the freezer for about an hour before using.  No need to put more than two or three Nordic Rocks in your glass.  They give off their cold gradually and equally.

For maintenance, rinse your stones under clean water and store them in the leather pouch provided. They are then ready to serve you again any time to your fullest satisfaction.

So, what are you waiting for?  Ditch the cubes made from your water faucet and go stone age.

Buy Here:  mocha.uk.com