Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[VIDEO: Ford Powertrain Director talks EcoBoost]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/video-ford-powertrain-director-talks-ecoboost/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/video-ford-powertrain-director-talks-ecoboost/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/video-ford-powertrain-director-talks-ecoboost/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Autoblog talks EcoBoost with Ford Powertrain Direc

Turbocharging has long been associated with performance, but the 103-year-old technology is also very efficient. A small displacement gasoline engine with a turbocharger can equal or out-perform similarly sized naturally aspirated motors while also saving fuel. Europe is all over turbo engines for everything from high-performance Porsches to family wagons, but here in the States, force-fed engines are mainly sold in low volume sports cars.

Ford intends to jump into the turbocharging arena in a big way with "EcoBoost", and is planning to move up to 500,000 vehicles in the U.S. annually with twin-spool technology. Ford claims its EcoBoost suite of engine technoloies will give customers fuel savings of up to 20% versus a like-powered naturally aspirated engine, and the first samples are scheduled to go on sale in about a year. We wanted to learn more about Ford's plan, so we accepted an invitation to speak with Ford's director of Advanced Powertrain, Dan Kapp. Click play on the video above to see what Dan has to say about EcoBoost.

VIDEO: Ford Powertrain Director talks EcoBoost originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Dan KappDanKappEcoBoostFordFord Explorer AmericaFordExplorerAmericaLincoln MKTLincolnMktPowertrainTurbochargerMon, 31 Mar 2008 20:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Chevy prices Cobalt SS Coupe from $22,995]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/20/chevy-prices-cobalt-ss-coupe-from-22-995/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/20/chevy-prices-cobalt-ss-coupe-from-22-995/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/20/chevy-prices-cobalt-ss-coupe-from-22-995/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Click above for more new images of the 2008 Chevy Cobalt SS Coupe

GM has promised us that it would no longer abuse the SS name, and one of the first examples of that pledge is the Cobalt SS. The turbocharged coupe carries a wallop with 260 hp, and all that power can be used to propel the Cobalt SS to 60 in 5.7 seconds or get you around the 'Ring in a very respectable 8:22. Those are very solid performance numbers, and with a starting price of $22,995, the Cobalt SS delivers a pretty strong value statement, as well.

Besides a toned-down rear spoiler and an improved 2.0L turbocharged powerplant, standard features include air conditioning, stability control, OnStar and XM Satellite Radio. If you're into Cobalt luxury, you can add a sunroof, high-wing rear spoiler, audio system, and limited-slip differential and still keep the price under $26k. We're looking forward to seeing for ourselves if the Cobalt SS is worthy of the Super Sport name, but at $22,995 we can already say the price of entry is competitive.

Gallery: 2008 Chevy Cobalt SS

2008 Chevy Cobalt SS2008 Chevy Cobalt SS

[Source: GM]

Continue reading Chevy prices Cobalt SS Coupe from $22,995

Chevy prices Cobalt SS Coupe from $22,995 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2008 Chevy Cobalt SS2008ChevyCobaltSsChevy Cobalt SS pricingChevyCobaltSsPricingcoupeGMTurbochargerThu, 20 Mar 2008 14:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Daimler wants to be one of the world's largest turbo suppliers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/03/daimler-wants-to-be-one-of-the-worlds-largest-turbo-suppliers/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/03/daimler-wants-to-be-one-of-the-worlds-largest-turbo-suppliers/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/03/daimler-wants-to-be-one-of-the-worlds-largest-turbo-suppliers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Daimler is apparently getting tired of sourcing its turbochargers from outside companies, so it's enacting a three- to five-year plan than will make it one of the top three producers of our favorite power-adder.

The automaker currently gets about 50-percent of its turbos from IHI Charging Systems International in Japan, which produces about seven-percent of snails worldwide. Just Mercedes-Benz diesel models account for over 500,000 turbos used each year, and Daimler is right in thinking that demand for blown engines will continue to grow as consumers look for more fuel-efficient models that create similar power to their naturally aspirated counterparts.

The goal is to produce 600,000 units per year - up from 500,000 in 2006 - in a joint effort with a company based in Italy. The move will solidify Daimler as a leader both in manufacturing and technology that should pay dividends as more consumers look to turbocharged offerings in both North America and Asia.

Follow the jump for a breakdown of the largest turbo producers and their worldwide market share.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Continue reading Daimler wants to be one of the world's largest turbo suppliers

Daimler wants to be one of the world's largest turbo suppliers originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Dec 2007 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daimlermercedesmercedes benzmercedes-benzMercedesBenzturboturbochargerMon, 03 Dec 2007 09:32:00 EST<![CDATA[RR of the Day: 2005 Dodge SRT-4 ACR Edition]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/02/rr-of-the-day-2005-dodge-srt-4-acr-edition/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/02/rr-of-the-day-2005-dodge-srt-4-acr-edition/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/02/rr-of-the-day-2005-dodge-srt-4-acr-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,



The Dodge Neon SRT-4 is the embodiment of domestic compact performance. Take a 2.4-liter inline-four, boost the Hell out of it, send all the power to the front wheels and watch the BFG G-Force KDWs disappear into a smoky cloud of torque steering bliss. It's a hootin', hollerin' good time and it doesn't really come into its own until you take it to the track.

That was the idea when Dodge decided to offer up 1,100 ACR edition SRT-4s into the public's hands back in 2005, and Pearson Hurst was one of the lucky recipients.

Read the rest and see a couple more pics after the jump.

Follow the jump for a few more pics, the car's mod list, and instructions on how to submit your own vehicle to become our Reader Ride of the Day. And next week, our themed RR of the Day will be back and we're looking for beaters. If you've got a decrepit ride that still manages to get your from point A to point B, we want to see it. Rusted, busted or smoking, submit it by following the directions after the jump.

Continue reading RR of the Day: 2005 Dodge SRT-4 ACR Edition

RR of the Day: 2005 Dodge SRT-4 ACR Edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Feb 2007 10:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dodgemoparneonsrt-4turboturbo toysturbochargerTurboToysFri, 02 Feb 2007 10:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbos coming back to F1 in 2011?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/18/turbos-coming-back-to-f1-in-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/18/turbos-coming-back-to-f1-in-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/18/turbos-coming-back-to-f1-in-2011/#commentsFiled under: ,



Way back in the era known as the '80s, Formula One cars outfitted with turbos were making upwards of 1,500 HP, from engines as small as 1.5-liters. As time wore on and power went up accordingly, turbochargers were banned in the never-ending quest to bring power and development costs out of the stratosphere. Fast-forward over two decades later, and environmental concerns have made FIA president, Max Mosley reconsider the snail-ban.

During a conference in Munich this week, Mosley announced that a reintroduction of forced induction might take place by 2011. The lifting of the ban will not result in another horsepower arms race, but intends to make F1 vehicles more environmentally sound. Bio-fuel would become the prerequisite explosive material and revs would be kept above 15,000 RPM.

The article also hinted at Mosley's retirement, likely to take place in 2010.

[Source: Formula1.com]

Turbos coming back to F1 in 2011? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 Nov 2006 17:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bio-fuelbiofuelformula 1formula oneFormula1FormulaOnemax mosleyMaxMosleyturbochargerSat, 18 Nov 2006 17:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Big boost, no waiting! Antonov debuts two-speed supercharger]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/05/big-boost-no-waiting-antonov-debuts-two-speed-supercharger/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/05/big-boost-no-waiting-antonov-debuts-two-speed-supercharger/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/05/big-boost-no-waiting-antonov-debuts-two-speed-supercharger/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Racers and backyard mechanics alike have been searching for years for a forced-induction system that generates boost from idle to redline for years. Pricy sequential turbo systems and their ilk have done the job to this point, but Atonov is proposing an altogether different system: a two-speed supercharger!

The system basically matches a bog-standard, high-capacity centrifugal supercharger unit with a diminutive automatic gearbox. The result is a claimed 85 percent efficiency, versus perhaps 50 percent of a traditional unit.

Of course, innovation usually has a price, and according to FastCar UK, that price figures to be between  £3,000 and £4,000 (that's around $5,500-$7,400 clams, Yankee).

[Source: FastCar UK]

(Great tip, Chuck!)

Big boost, no waiting! Antonov debuts two-speed supercharger originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 May 2006 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Atonovboostcentrifugaleatonforced inductionForcedInductionrootssuperchargerturboturbochargerFri, 05 May 2006 17:28:00 EST