Archive for the ‘global warming’ Category

U.S. auto sales hits 15 year low: more fuel-efficient cars needed

Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008


It looks as though the current price of a barrel of oil is now having a profound affect on U.S. auto sales, which have now hit a 15 year low. The rest of 2008 does not like it will be any better, now automakers are working hard to meet the demand for smaller fuel-efficient cars. So it now shows that the current credit crisis is not just causing problems for the housing market.

Many automakers in the U.S. are now cutting the production of trucks; they are now scrambling to increase production of fuel-efficient cars as it is these that are now showing more sales strength. Auto sales for North America are down 18.3 percent from June 2007, this is now the worst half year sales performance since 1993. Autodata Corp has released some data stating that U.S. consumers purchased just 7.41 million vehicles in the first half of 2008.

According to Freep, some automakers are having worse sales figures than others, Chrysler LLC is 35.9% down, Ford Motor Co. is down by 27.8%, and Toyota Motor Corp. is down by 21.4%. Also down is Nissan Motor Co. by 17.7% as well as General Motors Corp. who are down 18.2%.

However Honda Motor Co. has bucked the market by reporting a 1.1% sales increase; this is a result of their more affordable, fuel-efficient vehicles.

It is not just in the U.S that people are wanting more fuel-efficient cars, in the UK they have to pay £5.40 a liter, that about $10.69. Also they are being taxed for having larger cars, so more people want to sell their larger cars and swap them for smaller cars.

Written by Peter for Product Reviews
In Sections: Autos
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Ferrari Enzo successor will be their lightest and quickest supercar

Wednesday, June 25th, 2008


It seems that the guys over at Maranello have their work cut out for them, as they are now working on a successor to the Ferrari Enzo. Everybody knows just how jaw dropping the Enzo was in looks and performance, and Ferrari have said that this successor will be their lightest and fastest two-seater super they have ever developed. It seems that Ferrari are now thinking how other car makers have been doing for years “Less is More.”

Ferrari has had to respond to the current environment issues, and have now been working hard to improve fuel economy by 40 percent as well as reducing emissions by 25 percent. These are uncharted waters for the Italian automaker; they have always gone for faster cars while fuel efficiency has always seemed to suffer. Well it seems that the guys over at Maranello have found a way to do this without compromising its reputation for performance, it seems that we are about to see a greener Ferrari.

As yet Ferrari have not given the Mini Enzo a name but what we do know is, it will arrive in 2010 and will have a 600-horsepower engine and will only weigh 2,200 pounds, that is 660 pounds lighter than the Enzo. As yet people have no idea as to what the new Ferrari will look like, but many assume that it could take some of its styling features of the picture above.

The new car will have an aluminum space frame, and it is thought that the Ferrari V10 engine will be used. Figures say that the new Ferrari will go from 0 to 62 mph (100 kph) in 3.65 seconds, and should be able to reach a top speed of 225 mph (362 kph). As the car is so light, it should have one of the best power-to-weight ratios of any car on the road. As you would expect this will not come cheap, there will only be 300 made and is expected to cost at least $500,000.

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Written by Peter for Product Reviews
In Sections: Autos, Supercars
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Hydrogen fuel stations increasing for the new Honda car

Monday, June 16th, 2008


Hydrogen cars are set to become very popular with the news that we reported earlier that Honda are to mass produce the new FCX Clarity, as well as other automakers like BMW working hard on their hydrogen vehicle. This now means that fuel companies will now need to increase the amount of hydrogen fuel stations that they currently have. These fuelling stations are one of the most important factors for the success and future of hydrogen cars.

Having more than enough of these stations will not happen overnight, the hydrogen fuelling stations of the future might just be a part of current gasoline stations, or even new standalone stations. At this time California have 23 hydrogen fuel stations across the state, these currently fuel just a fleet of 158. This will never be enough, but there are already plans for another fourteen new fuel stations to be built.

When thinking about new hydrogen fuelling stations there are a few important issues that have to be addressed, storage, containment, delivery and safety. Once all these issue have been solved then we will see more of these new types of stations popping up around the U.S. and the rest of the world. It might even be possible for you to fill your hydrogen vehicle from home, this is done with a process of electrolysis, an electrical current can split tap water into hydrogen and oxygen.

As things stand at the moment hydrogen fuel is more expensive than fossil fuels, and there are not enough hydrogen service stations, to support the large-scale roll-out of hydrogen-powered vehicles.

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Written by Peter for Product Reviews
In Sections: Autos, Green
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Li-Ion Batteries helps extend range of Chevrolet Volt to 40 miles

Friday, May 16th, 2008


General Motors have been working hard on their lithium-ion battery technology, and the automaker are making great progress as they have now managed to achieve a range of 40 miles on their Chevrolet Volt test vehicle, this is a great achievement and will help the company in their effort to getting the production vehicle made by 2010. Bob Lutz who is the company Vice Chairman has said that this new gas-electric hybrid drivetrain which is being tested on the Chevrolet Volt is reliable and is meeting its objectives, this is key to the development process for improving the range of these batteries.

It seems that the company is very confidant about the new Li-Ion Battery as Lutz has said that the development of the battery is the least of their problems. GM now have a tough challenge ahead, as the automaker needs to be able to integrate the battery drivetrain as well as the gasoline engine smoothly. The new Volt will be different to other Hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius as the wheels will be driven entirely by electricity, the gasoline engine will help to power the generator which will help to charge the batteries.

The team behind the development of the Volt still has a lot of questions that they need to address first, like how will the car deal with cold conditions, or when will the engine cut out. GM are hoping to be able to achieve a range of at least 640 miles, the company are very confidant that this can be achieved by 2010.

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Written by Peter for Product Reviews
In Sections: Autos, Green, Hybrid Cars
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Review of the 2008 BMW X3 Hybrid: Environmentally friendly SUV

Wednesday, April 16th, 2008


Ok so we know that when it comes to making traditional gas and diesel cars BMW are one of the best in the world, however it seems that when it comes to Hybrids the German automaker is a little behind their rivals Honda and Toyota. Well that is until now as BMW have been working on the 2008 BMW X3 Hybrid, and unlike their rivals does not use the traditional gasoline-electric hybrid power source.

The 2008 BMW X3 Hybrid uses high-performance capacitors or Super Caps as they are now calling it. This system stores the supply of electric and then sends it to the transmission. The Active Transmission uses BMW’s electric motor as well as a straight-six gasoline engine which is mounted to a conventional six-speed automatic gearbox.

The power that is produced from the BMW electric motor is 80HP, and when that is added to the gasoline engine things then get livelier. I do worry that BMW are still playing catch up to their rival and that they could end up going in the wrong direction. When it comes to Hybrid vehicles nothing comes close to the Toyota Pirus, and with the launch of a new one the 2008 BMW X3 Hybrid could be left behind. However, BMW have a huge following and it is that market that the German automaker will tap into that market.

Source – Auto Mobile Mag

Written by Peter for Product Reviews
In Sections: Autos, Hybrid Cars, SUV
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2008 Chevrolet Tahoe: world’s first two-mode hybrid SUV

Friday, February 29th, 2008

world’s first two-mode hybrid SUV
Before you go out and make your purchase on a new SUV, maybe you should stop a think a little about the planet that we are living on. If you were to purchase the new 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, which is actually the world’s first two-mode hybrid SUV, you will be doing your little bit for the planet.

However just think you would also be saving yourself some money in the process as you will get a better return on your fuel economy. That is something that we will all have to think about soon, as it seems that oil prices keep rising and that is increasing the price we pay at the pumps.

The price for the new 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid starts at $50,490, but just think you will be getting at least 50% better city fuel economy.

Source – Uncrate via Chevrolet

Written by Peter for Product Reviews
In Sections: Autos, Green, Hybrid Cars, SUV
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