Apr 09
Volvo Aims for Zero Accidents
Apr 09
Crude oil prices hit a new all-time intraday high after the Energy Department reported a surprise decline in U.S. oil inventories.
The government said inventories slid by 3.2 million barrels last week — a surprise for Wall Street given analysts surveyed by Dow Jones forecasted a 2.4 million barrel increase. Also, the Energy Department said gasoline inventories declined by 3.4 million barrels last week.
Oil futures soared more than $3.50 on the news and hit a new intraday record of $112.21 a barrel on the
New York Mercantile Exchange. Crude closed $2.37 higher in New York at $110.87 per barrel — a new Nymex record.
The soaring oil prices come amid a fresh record for gasoline prices, which increased 1.2 cents to $3.343 a gallon, according to a new survey by AAA and the Oil Price Information Service.
Read the whole story on FoxBusiness.com.
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Apr 09
Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Ford
Around 2 AM EST on Monday night, one of our readers sent us a tip about a photo making the rounds on two Taurus-specific forums. We followed both links and came across the spy shot you see above - now rumored to be the 2010 Ford Taurus. Big deal, right? It was, but not for the reasons you think. While we like spy pics as much as the next pistonhead, we have a policy against posting photos taken inside an automaker's design studio. Unlike the shots snapped by Frau Priddy and the crew at KGP, our legal department insists that anything taken on automaker property is illegal to distribute. So after the picture began circulating on several smaller sites, we held off on publishing it... until now. With sites like MotorTrend and InsideLine throwing caution to the wind, despite Ford's attempt to quell the photo's circulation, we feel compelled to bring it to you in all its grainy majesty - until FoMoCo's legal department starts pounding on our virtual door.
With that out of the way, all of us around the Autoblog offices are split about the design direction this one particular exercise (we're sure there's at least a dozen) is taking. The front end is far more dynamic than the current Taurus, with swept-back headlamps, a pointed fascia and the best application of the three-bar grille we've seen yet -- even if it does ape the last generation Lexus IS. The profile is handsome and distinctly Mondeo, a model that may, or may not, underpin the next Taurus. And if there's an SHO variant packing Ford's new turbocharged, EcoBoost V6, we're sure Mr. Neff will have his dirty little way with it when its officially uncloaked (possibly) in Detroit.
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Apr 09
Filed under: Spy Photos, SUVs, Crossovers/CUVs, Honda
Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Honda Pilot.
The 2009 Honda Pilot has been spied in production guise, and unlike the bulldog that inspired the front grille, it's less than lovable. With styling pulled directly from the Honda Pilot Prototype shown in Detroit, the new unibody 'ute from Honda should arrive later this year with ACE safety features, a V6 lump with cylinder deactivation and seating for eight passengers of varying size. The interior is an evolution of the outgoing model, with a massive center stack that's far more butch that the one it replaces, along with a new multifunction steering wheel similar to that found on the redesigned Accord. Overall, we're not entirely smitten with the slap sides and grotesque nose, but you can check the gallery below to make up your own mind.
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Apr 09
Filed under: Green Culture, Ford, Green Daily
Two activist shareholder groups who work together in an attempt to force automakers to care about green issues - the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility and the Investor Network on Climate Risk Network (which includes the Connecticut State Treasurer’s office) - have backed off of Ford. The groups are pleased with Ford’s announcement that details how it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent in the next dozen years. The groups had targeted FoMoCo for a shareholder resolution but Ford’s public comments have put such plans on hold - the two groups even issued a joint press release (pasted after the break) that praises Ford’s actions. Sue Cischke, who’s been more than willing to talk to AutoblogGreen in the past, met with the activist groups last month, Reuters reports, and talked to them about how Ford will green up its offerings through spending most of its $6b annual R&D budget on technology that ups MPG or lowers CO2 numbers.
While Ford has earned a reprieve here, GM remains in the groups’ sights. We’ll know more by the time GM’s annual meeting takes place in June.
Press Release:
Shareholders Laud Ford as First U.S. Automaker to Set ‘Clearly Defined Goal’ For a Major Cut In Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Religious, Pension Fund Shareholder Resolutions Key to Step Taken by Ford
DETROIT and NEW YORK, April 9 /PRNewswire/ — Religious and other institutional investors joined today with Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) in announcing that Ford is the first U.S. auto company to spell out how it plans to reach the goal of reducing by at least 30 percent the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its new vehicle fleet by 2020. The decision by Ford to publish its emission target came in the wake of climate-related shareholder resolutions put forward by members of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) and the Investor Network on Climate Risk Network (INCR) organized by Ceres.
As a result, related Ford shareholder resolutions have been withdrawn by: the Sisters of St. Dominic of Caldwell, NJ and other members of ICCR, which is a group of nearly 300 religious institutional investors representing over $100 billion in invested funds; and the Connecticut State Treasurer’s office, which is active in INCR, a $5 trillion network of investors that promotes better understanding of the financial risks and opportunities posed by climate change. Connecticut holds 565,246 shares of Ford with market value $3,668,446.54 (as of April 7, 2008).
In March, Ford presented concerned investors with a detailed analysis of its fuel emissions goals showing how the 30 percent emissions reduction would be achieved in a manner consistent with the 60-80 percent CO2 reductions by 2050 that Ford and dozens of other U.S. companies have agreed to as part of the U.S. Climate Action Partnership. Previously, the most any U.S. auto company has agreed to do on GHG emissions is to undertake enhanced reporting of climate-related impacts or set a general GHG goal without showing how it would be reached.
Beyond Ford, religious investors are urging General Motors to set specific greenhouse gas reduction targets for its vehicles and operations. A shareholder resolution also filed by The Dominicans of Caldwell is expected to be voted on at GM’s annual meeting in June 2008.
Sister Patricia A. Daly, OP, executive director, Tri-State Coalition for Responsible Investment, and representative for the Sisters of St. Dominic of Caldwell, NJ, the lead resolution filer, said: “Ford breaks new ground here as the first corporation to respond to shareowners by agreeing to pursue a specific and clearly defined target for climate-related emissions in their new products. The target is not even the win here; Ford has wrestled with various analyses to arrive at reduction goals. No other company has entered into this discipline. This goes far beyond acknowledging global warming or disclosing emissions. Even as a leader in the ‘carbon club’ Ford opens the door for other companies and industries to target reductions.”
“Ford has spent more than three years studying a range of potential actions we would need to take to achieve these reductions in CO2 emissions,” said Sue Cischke, group vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering, Ford Motor Company. “We shared our findings with these institutional investors to help them understand our commitments and strategy. We recognize much work remains to be done and we look forward to continued collaboration in addressing the challenges of climate change.”
Connecticut State Treasurer Denise L. Nappier said: “Climate change is a long-term, mounting problem, and for any company to maintain its future shareholder value, it must go from being silent on this issue to moving in the right direction by mitigating the potential financial harm posed by climate change. For this reason, Ford’s welcomed response to our climate change resolution is a defining moment in the automotive industry, and I hope it will challenge industry procrastinators. Others may say they’re focused on future business growth and success, but they need to step up to the plate and likewise take responsive action. By publicly acknowledging that climate change will affect the auto industry and by committing to taking measurable action to increase fuel economy and reduce CO2 emissions over a specified time, Ford is making news. I encourage other auto companies to follow Ford’s lead and help shape a sustainable environment conducive for business growth and success.”
Laura Berry, executive director, Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility said: “ICCR’s model of long-term and persistent engagement by institutional investors who are concerned about all aspects of corporate performance - environmental, social, ethical and financial - is beginning to transform how corporations solve problems and navigate difficult new challenges. Ford’s leadership in this area has emerged as a new corporate governance standard on climate.”
Mindy Lubber, president of Ceres and director of the Investor Network on Climate Risk said: “Ford is taking a critical first step to align its products with the climate change challenge before us. But, let’s not fool ourselves, this step is only a beginning. Ford, as well as General Motors, need to do much more, and quickly, to reclaim their leadership role in the global marketplace.”
The withdrawals come one month after investors announced that a record 54 global warming shareholder resolutions have been filed with U.S. companies as part of the 2008 proxy season, which is nearly double the number filed two years ago. Companies targeted with resolutions include electric power companies, oil and coal producers, airlines and other businesses that investors believe are not adequately dealing with potential climate-related business impacts, whether from physical changes, emerging climate regulations or growing global demand for low-carbon technologies and services.
This year’s filings come on the heels of a record high number of resolutions and record high voting support for global warming resolutions in the 2007 proxy season. Investors filed 43 resolutions with U.S. companies last year and average voting support was 21.6 percent. The shareholder filings are coordinated by the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility and the Ceres investor coalition.
Personal vehicle use accounts for nearly 20 percent of CO2 emissions domestically and represents the second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. From 1990 to 2006, transportation-related GHG emissions rose by 28 percent due in part to increased travel and a vehicle sales mix that included a significant percentage of larger vehicles.
ABOUT THE GROUPS
The Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (http://www.iccr.org) is a coalition of nearly 300 faith-based institutional investors, representing over $100 billion in invested capital. ICCR members bridge the divide between morality and markets by envisioning a civic economy that integrates ethical, environmental and social values. Inspired by faith, committed to action, ICCR members work to build a just and sustainable global community.
Ceres is a leading coalition of investors, environmental groups and other public interest organizations working with U.S. companies to address sustainability challenges such as climate change. Ceres also directs the Investor Network on Climate Risk (INCR), a group of 60 institutional investors with collective assets totaling $5 trillion focused on the business impacts of climate change. For more information, visit http://www.ceres.org or http://www.incr.com.
[Source: ICCR / Ceres, Reuters]
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Apr 09
Filed under: Safety, Tech, Ford, Driving
We've all done it; you're halfway through a lane change and suddenly a horn sounds and snaps you to reality. Whether you failed to check your blind spot adequately, or just plain oblivious, Ford's introducing a two features to help you out. The Blind Spot Mirror and Cross Traffic Alert with Blind Spot Monitoring System will arrive in 2009, and one offers a low-tech solution, while the other appears to be a Volvo feature trickling down.
Elegantly simple, the Blind Spot Mirror cleverly integrates a convex mirror into the regular mirror glass, much like the generations-old side-reducing mirrors available in other markets with a concave area to aid in viewing blind spots. The Cross-Traffic alert system uses radar to monitor traffic perpendicular to the back end when reversing. During forward travel, the radar system is used to detect and warn of vehicles traveling in your blind spot. The radar tricks sound to us like Ford leveraging Volvo's BLIS system, that monitors blind spots and lights a pilot LED when there's a vehicle there, and we worry that it will make drivers even less attentive, but then, we realize nobody is paying attention now, so if this rig raises awareness, road safety should improve. Ford's planning on bundling these new safety features along with reverse sensing and rearview cameras to create a more comprehensive portfolio of electronic safety aids in response to customers indicating a desire for better mirrors and safety systems. Press release after the jump[Source:Ford]
Continue reading Ford to offer new blind spot and hazard detection in 2009
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Apr 09
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in, Nissan, Renault
Deutsche Bank analysts took a serious look at the proposal of Project Better Place for electric cars in Israel and Denmark and came away impressed with its viability. The researchers returned to Germany believing that the Better Place idea would work not only in small countries with extremely high automobile taxes and gasoline prices, but also in the U.S.
As reported at Solveclimate.com, their conclusion states “From checking the Project Better Place business model, we are concluding that a pure electric car should not cost any more than a diesel- or a gasoline-powered car, and in most countries its operating costs should actually be lower.”
The proposal, spearheaded by Israeli-American entrepeneur Shai Agassi, envisions a financial separation of the car from its battery, lowering the initial cost of ownership. Following the cell phone model, a monthly charge would pay for the battery and electricity. The electric cars would be manufactured by automakers. Nissan-Renault has already announced it will produce electric cars for the program in Israel and Denmark.
The report not only adds financial establishment credibility to the idea, it contained some news. It suggests that five to ten additional countries will announce similar programs before the end of the year. Perhaps more significantly, it predicts two more manufacturers will announce their intention to produce electric cars to work with the Better Place model. The Israeli new website Globes was given an exclusive copy of the report which appears on the site in Hebrew only. ABG has been following Project Better place closely, most recently posting a video of CEO and Founder Shai Agassi’s speech on “The Future of Electric Cars.”
[Source: Solveclimate.com]
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Apr 09
Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupes, Wagons/Estates, Paris Motor Show, Hatchbacks, Mercedes Benz, Rendered Speculation
Emerging reports suggest that Mercedes is gearing up to preview the new CLK coupe with a shooting brake concept at the upcoming Paris Auto Salon in October. For those unfamiliar, "shooting brake" is Euro-speak for a three-door estate wagon or extended hatchback, originally coined by coachbuilders for custom motor carriages made for hunting.
Although the CLK Shooting Brake is expected to show up as a concept car, reports suggest that Mercedes could actually build it in that form as an alternative bodystyle to the more conventional coupe and convertible variants replacing the ones we have now. Otherwise styling is expected to follow along the lines laid down by the S-Class sedan, like the E-Class sedan which the CLK is made to accompany in Merc's mid-range line-up.
[Source: Auto Motor und Sport]
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Apr 09
Ford is actively addressing drivers’ demands for increased visibility with the introduction of two new features, the Blind Spot Mirror and the Cross Traffic Alert with Blind-Spot Monitoring System, arriving in 2009.
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Apr 09
This is a post about one of the car market’s most known voices: The Kelly Blue Book. According to KBB’s latest marketing research study, more consumers are changing car shopping habits because of gas prices. And it’s not a small number who are looking for help: KBB’s report states 60 it’s percent. Furthermore, 43 percent stated that they could consider seriously buying a more fuel-efficient vehicle if gas prices goes up another 25 cents over current levels.
This is not the first report that focus on gas prices related to the purchase of more efficient vehicles. What is interesting is that the report clearly says that it’s not an interest in the environment what drives motorist to look for fuel efficiency, but a view of their wallets.
[Source: Kelley Blue Book]
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Apr 09
Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Recalls/TSBs, Hatchbacks, GM, Pontiac, Toyota
Joint manufacturing ventures allow both automakers to share resources and platforms, but unfortunately, it also means they share problems. Such is the case with GM and Toyota, whose NUMMI plant in Fremont, California, put out 540,000 Toyota Matrixes, Corollas and 123,00 Pontiac Vibes with faulty bolts that hold in the glass on the two front doors. The 660,000 2003-2004 vehicles equipped with power windows are being recalled after 500 complaints, 36 claimed injuries and one crash (?!) were reported. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is calling for both automakers to recall the affected vehicles and replace the faulty bolts at no charge.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
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Apr 09
We took the new 2009 Nissan GT-R around Reno-Fernley Raceway in Nevada. We mic'ed the GT-R's engine so you can truly appreciate its 480HP. Enjoy the sound of the engine and exhaust.
Author: roadflytv
Keywords: Nissan GT-R Racetrack 2009 Roadfly Roadflytv Engine Mic'ed Reno Fernley Raceway Nevada Racing Race
Added: April 9, 2008
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Apr 09
Filed under: Lifestyle, Shelby
The newest place to eat in Vegas isn't anywhere close to the strip, unless you are talking about the drag strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Shelby Automobiles will open its new Shelby Corner Cafe at its Las Vegas facility this weekend alongside the NHRA drag races. Mr. Shelby himself will be on hand for the opening, along with well known drag racers like Bob Tasca III, Don Prudhomme, and Robert Height. The 13,000 square foot restaurant, in addition to serving guests visiting the plant, will provide a place to eat for Shelby employees and will serve as an alternative source of grub to race spectators. Carroll's famous chili is on the menu, of course, and the press release is after the jump.
Continue reading Have lunch with the legends at the new Shelby Corner Cafe
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Apr 09
Filed under: Biodiesel, Pacific Region, Middle East
Photo by Soylentgreen23. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.
As we noted when Dubai announced a test of GM Hybrids for taxi and limo service, just because the Emirate has a lot of oil doesn’t mean it isn’t interested in checking out alternatives. News is out today that the Dubai Group has
made a large ($49.5 million U.S.) investment in Malaysian biodiesel company GBD and now has a 30 percent stake in that company. The emirate-owned Dubai Investment Group’s CEO, Abdulhakeem Kamkar, said that renewable energy and biofuels are the “preferred industry focus” for the DIG (the DIG is a subsidiary of Dubai Group). By the end of the year, GBD’s huge biodiesel plant should be able to produce up to 500,000 metric tons of biodiesel a year from palm oil (d’oh) and jathropha.
[Source: Cleantech]
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Apr 09
Filed under: Minivans/MPVs, Japan, Videos, Toyota
Video after the jump
Think drifting's just for the kids? Silly grown-up, didn't you know that it's also something you can do with your kids? At least that's the impression we get from this vid, which features an older-gen Toyota Estima (that's "Previa" in USDM English) out shaking a tail feather with some of the more traditional drifter fare. Odd choice? Yes, but still awesome. So buy yourself a couple of these, throw the youngsters in back, and make getting sideways a family affair. It's totally responsible. No, really. Follow the jump to watch.
[Source: JPCN]
Continue reading VIDEO: Drifting now family-friendly, thanks to Toyota Estima
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Apr 09
Max Mosley's future as FIA president will be decided by a secret ballot on 3 June.
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Apr 09
Filed under: Etc., EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Legislation and Policy, USA
There has been quite a hub-bub about the dangers of hybrids because they are more quiet than internal combustion motivated vehicles. The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) naturally takes these matters quite seriously and in the Spring of 2007 approached SAE International about the problem. Minds can now be put to rest because, according to a press release issued by the SAE, decisive action has been taken.
Immediately following the request, the SAE International Motor Vehicle Council asked the Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) Technical Committee to look into the problem. It was quickly discerned that they lacked the necessary skill sets to offer an expedient solution so they expeditiously passed it to the SAE Safety & Human Factors Committee. They promptly decided to form the Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP) subcommittee. The VSP speedily created three different “Task Forces” to further aid in determining the technical issues of who the benefit should target, which sounds would achieve the most desired and least desired effects and “what combination of vehicle conditions, vehicle status, and ambient conditions are required.” The Task Forces will be meeting independently and reporting back to the VSP subcommittee on a monthly basis. We can be rest assured that the VSP subcommittee plans to issue a technical report or recommended practice by the end of 2008. You can read the press release after the jump for all the exciting details.
If the speed of the effort being put forth by the SAE isn’t reassuring enough you will be happy to hear that various governments are also getting involved. the state of Maryland has already announced it is taking action and just today, Representatives Edolphus “Ed” Towns (D-NY) and Cliff Stearns (R-FL) introduced a bill called “The Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2008″ which requires the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a study on how to protect the blind and others from being injured or killed by vehicles using hybrid, electric, and other silent engine technologies.
While we wait for the outcome of the various studies, recommendations and legislation we suggest people take care around pedestrian traffic, sighted or otherwise.
Press Release”
SAE Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP) Subcommittee
April 9, 2008 9:43 AM EDT
Background:
In the spring of 2007, SAE International was approached by the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) regarding a concern about visually-impaired pedestrians involved in traffic incidents with hybrid vehicles. The concern focused on the quiet operation of hybrid vehicles at low speeds.
Based on the NFB’s request, SAE International Motor Vehicle Council asked the Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) Technical Committee to study this concern. The HEV technical committee concluded that this concern did merit more study, but recognized that it required different expertise than the members of that committee could provide.
The responsibility for this issue was then transferred to the SAE Safety & Human Factors Committee, which formed the Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP) subcommittee at its November 2007 meeting. The VSP subcommittee was formed and has met monthly in 2008. This subcommittee is made up of stakeholders from several different backgrounds and organizations including: representatives of the blind community, government agencies, academics and automakers.
Current Status:
The VSP subcommittee created three Task Forces to gather technical information to assist in determining the technical issues:
– Audience for the Specification (who is the targeted beneficiary)
– Target sound level and type of sound (what types of sounds are necessary to achieve the desired effect, and what types of sound will achieve the desired effect with the least undesirable and unintended consequences)
– Driving Conditions for the sound (what combination of vehicle conditions, vehicle status, and ambient conditions are required)
These Task Forces meet independently and report back at the monthly subcommittee meetings.
The VSP subcommittee is first working to accurately define this issue. While working to define the issues, the subcommittee also is working to understand the conditions where these types of incidents are likely to occur (example: alley and street intersections; at stop lights, etc.) As these factors are better understood, the subcommittee will propose and evaluate different methods and/or countermeasures to address the issues.
Even though the subcommittee’s initial focus is only on hybrid vehicles, any data collected or generated in understanding the issues could eventually include other vehicle types besides hybrids.
By following a systematic approach to this concern, using the “best available” information, understanding the incident problem by identifying the underlying conditions and/or scenarios, while cooperating with stakeholders from different backgrounds and points of view; we believe this subcommittee is well positioned to address the technical concerns quickly — as long as data can support the issue(s) and the most promising subset of countermeasures can be identified.
We recognize that any output from this subcommittee must both address the issues, and minimize the creation of new concerns, unintended consequences, or burden on others.
The VSP subcommittee plans to issue a technical report or recommended practice by the end of 2008 based on its analysis of pedestrian safety issues related to the quiet operation of hybrid vehicles and its identification and evaluation of potential countermeasures to address these issues. By involving a diverse mix of experts and stakeholders and gathering available data or researching new areas as needed, this group is addressing the pedestrian safety concerns associated with hybrid vehicles in a technically sound and responsible manner.
[Source: NFB / Street Insider]
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Apr 09
Filed under: Aftermarket, Time Warp, Etc., Ford, Jaguar
Boats are typically thought of as a hole in the water into which you hurl money. It looks like this Craigslist seller realized that he was really after a boat only after sinking considerable time and money into an extensive automotive gene-splicing experiment gone horribly wrong. Take one Jaguar XJ, add half a Ford Ranger Splash, season with a carbureted 305 and stir in a steering wheel cover that's vaguely reminiscent of calimari. Bake only halfway, frost with black, and serve. In all fairness, the small, limited resolution shots on the listing show a vehicle that actually looks better turned out than the recipe for confusion stew might suggest. Whether it's truly nice, or just another 50/50 curiosity would be interesting to find out. At least you won't have to pay to dock it - and with the GM powertrain, it'll likely be far cheaper to maintain than the Evinrude on your pontoon boat. [Source: Craigslist]
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Apr 09
Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Sports/GTs, Supercars, Porsche
Click above for a high-res gallery of the SpeedART BTR-XS 650.
The Porsche 997 GT2 is the undoubtedly the king of the 911s, but the crew at SpeedART has decided to add a few more jewels onto the GT2's crown. Beginning with the overly competent twin-turbocharged flat-six, the German tuning haus modified the stock snails, replaced the headers, fitted a new exhaust with freer flowing cats, installed larger intercoolers and tuned it all with a Motronic ECU. Output is now up to 650 hp and 634 lb.-ft. of torque, propelling the BTR-XS 650 to 60 in 3.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 216 mph.
In addition to the extensive work underhood, the modified GT2 gets coilovers fitted at all four corners and custom wheels, while inside, customers willing to plunk down the €27,500 can choose from an endless catalog of interior bits, including sports seats, a new steering wheel and acres of Alcantara.
[Source: SpeedART via Motor Authority]
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Apr 09
Filed under: Etc., Green Culture, Lamborghini, Green Daily
If pedaling around in a Buick isn’t enough leg power for you, check out this collection of pedal-powered machines that Oobject has rounded up. We find a true zero emission Lamborghini (pictured, and, while it’s truly pedal-powered, I’m not so sure it’s a true Lambo), a people-powered rollercoaster, lawnmowers (both a John Deere-type bulldozer thing and a push mower mated with a bicycle), and a pedal powered billboard. Plus more. Want to share your leg strength with others? Then give the pedal-powered carnival swing ride a try. If there’s one thing that these art pieces show, it’s that, when we run out of oil and li-ion batteries and hydrogen fuel cells are still a few years out, we won’t need to walk around on our boring old feet. Punch it!
[Source: Oobject]
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Apr 09
Filed under: Trucks/Pickups, Government/Legal, Safety, Toyota
Ever since the CBS 60 Minutes debacle involving the Audi 5000, the terms "sudden acceleration" and "unintended acceleration" have been indelibly beaten into the minds of most Americans. In recent times, vehicles such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee have been labeled with the unintended acceleration tag and have all been summarily dismissed as driver error. In every case so far, demonstrations have shown that standing on the brake pedal, even with the gas pedal to the floor, will always stop the vehicle.
The latest vehicle under unintended acceleration fire is the 2006-2007 Toyota Tacoma, with 33 documented cases on file at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). So far, no proof of mechanical failure has been found, and the most likely scenario, according to the NHTSA and Toyota, is a misapplication of pedals by the driver. Possible culprits remain bunched-up floor mats, debris under the brake pedal or gas and brake pedals closer together than drivers are accustomed to. Still, this case in under investigation by the NHTSA and Toyota is said to be cooperating.
[Source: Detroit Free Press]
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Apr 09
Chrysler on Tuesday announced a global recall of 212,347 Chrysler Sebrings and Dodge Avengers, including nearly 15,000 in Canada, to fix electrical connectors.
Read the rest of Electrical Issues...
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Apr 09
Filed under: UK
When Clean Green Cars took a look at the sales-weighted CO2 averages of UK vehicle sales, they found a little something to smile about. Or breathe cleaner about, I guess. During the first quarter of 2008, overall average emissions were down 2.79 percent (from 165.75 grams per km average to 161.13). This is a bigger improvement than what happened between the same time frame a year earlier (then, there was only a 1.23 percent improvement). Of course, 160+ is still a lot when you think about the sub-120 targets coming in 2012. As Clean Green Cars points out, the rate of improvement will need to double once again (to 5.3 percent a year) in order to reach that goal.
When we break down the improvements by manufacturer, we find that MINI is currently winning the low CO2 fight in the UK.
|
Manufacturer |
2007 Q1 | 2008 Q1 |
improvement |
|
Mini |
155.63 |
138.87 |
10.77% |
| Fiat | 141.29 | 139.64 | 1.17% |
|
Peugeot |
147.59 |
141.28 |
4.28% |
|
Citroen |
147.97 |
145.79 |
1.47% |
|
Toyota |
149.38 |
146.41 |
1.99% |
There is much more in the PDFs of all the Clean Green Cars data here.
[Source: Clean Green Cars]
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Apr 09
Filed under: UK
Caterham has released a teaser to follow in the over-powered, stripped-down footsteps of its predecessor, the R400. The Superlight R500 is rumored to be powered by a 2.0- or 2.3-liter Ford four-pot, hits 60 in under 3.4 seconds and tops out at around 150 mph. With a curb weight less than 500 kg (1,100 pounds) and body panels, dashboard and seats made up of carbon fiber, the R500 is expected to crest the 500 hp/per ton mark with ease. Sales will begin later this year with pricing expected to be around £40k.
[Source: Caterham via Car]
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Apr 09
Filed under: Motorsports, Hatchbacks, Mazda, Australia
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Targa Tasmania-ready Mazda3 MPS.
Mazda is heading Down Under to compete in the Targa Tasmania for its eighth campaign. The team, consisting of Rick Bates and Alister McRae, will be charging through the outback in one specially prepped Mazda3 MPS (or Mazdaspeed3 to those of us in NA). The 2WD Showroom Targa rules dictate that the vehicle has to remain somewhat stock, with the carpeting, power windows and audio equipment keeping things civil as the driving duo covers over 2,000 km during the six-day race. Naturally, the Mazda is outfitted with the necessary safety equipment, including a PCD roll cage, racing seats, five-point harnesses and a fire extinguisher, but the performance modifications are kept to a minimum. The MPS is equipped with upgraded springs and struts, brake pads, a new steering wheel, navigation equipment, cat-back exhaust (cats are still fitted), some additional ducting to cool off the brakes and a revised ECU. The race begins on the 15th of April and you can follow the teams' progress at Mazda Australia's Targa site.
Mazda's full press release is posted after the jump.
Continue reading Mazda3 MPS to take on the Targa Tasmania, again
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Apr 09
Filed under: Etc., EV/Plug-in, Transportation Alternatives, On Two Wheels
Click on the image for more shots of the Skidscooter
Here’s a concept that we never would have thought of ourselves: the Skidscooter. This award-winning design melds two transportation methods - a powered electric scooter on land and a swimming-aid in water - into one product. On land, both the front and rear wheels are powered by in-hub electric motors and those same motors provide motive force on water, acting as propellers with their thrust directed towards the rear of the device. Does anybody actually need a device like this? Probably not, with the possible exception of a certain British spy and people who want to cheat in a triathlon. At least it looks like a well-designed answer to one question nobody asked.
Gallery: The Skidscooter
[Source: jieyu-design via Trend Hunter]
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Apr 09
Filed under: Euro, Hatchbacks, Alfa Romeo