Autoblog

BMW, Toyota outline new tech joint venture, new sports car

Chris Tutor — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Technology, BMW, Toyota, Electric

Back in June, Toyota and BMW announced a "memorandum of understanding" outlining plans for the two companies to join forces on future products and technology development. On Thursday, they signed a more formal and binding agreement that goes further into detail about the partnership, and it all sounds pretty exciting. The two announced they will work together in four main areas:

Joint development of a fuel cell system
"Set up a feasibility study to define a joint platform concept for a mid-size sports vehicle"
Focus on lightweight technology - the agreement mentions reinforced composites that could be used in the aforementioned sports vehicle
Better batteries - the companies will work to develop a lithium-air battery with a much greater energy density than today's cells.

The most intriguing item is the mention of a "mid-size sports vehicle." The vague term had us wondering what, exactly, is meant by "sports vehicle," but we're being assured this feasibility study is centered on a sports car. Is this the first step toward a Supra revival?

Despite our fervor for all things sports car, however, fuel cell research could prove to be the pact's most important point. Both companies have built advanced fuel research vehicles, with Toyota favoring fuel cells and BMW leaning toward hydrogen-powered, internal combustion. The press release specifically lists fuel cell stacks, hydrogen tanks, motors and batteries as areas of interest. If the two can eventually bring a fuel-cell vehicle to market at an affordable price point, it would be huge news, although there's always the problem of infrastructure to support such cars. BMW and Toyota's new deal can't solve everything though, right? Read the full press release below for more information.

Continue reading BMW, Toyota outline new tech joint venture, new sports car

BMW, Toyota outline new tech joint venture, new sports car originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Jan 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Virginia's Gov. McDonnell proposes elimination of gasoline tax

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 09:31:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Earnings/Financials

The assessment of a gas tax and the role it plays in a state's transportation and overall budgets has been a topic of discussion for a while, and Virginia state governor Bob McDonnell is the latest to offer up another way to secure more revenue from the state's residents to pay for their roads and public transportation. McDonnell's proposal would eliminate Virginia's 17.5-percent gas tax entirely, with funds for infrastructure projects coming from an increase in the sales tax from five percent to 5.8 percent and an annual $100 fee assessed on drivers of alternative-fuel and hybrid vehicles. He would leave in place the tax on diesel fuel, and naturally, the federal gas tax would remain untouched.

Much of the response to the proposal has been, "Um... what?" - as well as "bad policy," "a no-brainer for dumb idea of the week" and "'bold' and 'unprecendented." McDonnell is right to suggest that a possible response to "any innovative and comprehensive transportation plan" is dislike. Still, we think there are holes in parts of his plan. Virginia's gas tax is already one of the lowest in the nation, doesn't rise with inflation and hasn't been increased since 1986. According to McDonnell, the revenue from it has 45 percent less purchasing power now than it did 27 years ago, so "It's a tax that's losing its value every year."

Raising it, or getting it adjusted to inflation, is for some reason not on the menu. The 0.8-percent bump in the sales tax would bring in $600 million more per year than the current gas tax does, yet to eliminate the gas tax entirely seems a bit much; it might not pay as much as it used to, but its still a pretty fair and direct usage fee, so why not take advantage of whatever it can provide?

On top of that, to jettison the gas tax but then tax owners of alternative-fuel and hybrid vehicles because "these vehicles generate little federal gas tax revenue and therefore need to contribute their share to fund the roads they use" seems disingenuous. That means the SUV buyer pays for roads at the cash register, while the Honda Insight buyer has to chip in at the register and the Department of Motor Vehicles.

And on top of all that, the move to a sales-tax funded transportation infrastructure unlinks the "fair share" argument from "the roads they use." People who buy more goods will pay more for their roads, not necessarily people who use the roads more. It's only a proposal at the moment so it has a way to go before becoming law, our guess is that it will have a long fight as well.

Virginia's Gov. McDonnell proposes elimination of gasoline tax originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Jan 2013 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi working on new fuels to make cars carbon neutral

Matt DeLorenzo — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Audi

A car can be considered CO2 neutral if the amount of greenhouse gas used in creating the fuel is balanced against the CO2 emitted by the vehicle in operation.

Even as automakers move to increase the number of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), fuel cell vehicles and hybrids, internal combustion technology is not standing still. In fact, Audi believes that the future will see a mix of propulsion technologies and that internal combustion can play a role in producing vehicles that have minimal CO2 impact on the environment. As shown by Toyota's recent announcement to slow-walk EVs, the industry is looking into other alternatives besides pure electrics to meet ever-tightening Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards and zero-emission mandates like those enacted by California.

Rupert Stadler, Audi's chairman, asserts that "the future of mobility will be multi-faceted." And while Audi will offer pure electrics, like the R8 E-Tron, officials from the company insist that the combustion engine still remains an important element in the overall picture. Key elements in this strategy include more fuel efficient gas and diesel engines using such advanced technology as electric forced induction and stop-start technology that includes shutting the engine off when the vehicle is coasting. Audi will also offer a unique dual-fuel A3 that uses both compressed natural gas (CNG) and gasoline power that promises a range of around 750 miles in an A3.

Beyond the approach of upgrading the hardware, Audi is also looking at vehicle fuels themselves as a means to reduce carbon emissions. The company believes that an internal combustion car can be considered CO2 neutral if the amount of greenhouse gas used in creating the fuel is balanced against the CO2 emitted by the vehicle in operation. The argument goes that a BEV is only CO2-free if its electricity comes from nuclear, hydro, wind or solar sources and actually contributes to CO2 emissions if the electricity comes from a coal- or gas-fired generator. Following this line of reasoning to its logical conclusion, Audi is now involved in several projects to make ethanol, diesel and natural gas that uses CO2 in the production process.

Matt DeLorenzo is the former editor-in-chief of Road & Track and has covered the auto industry for 35 years, including stints at Automotive News and AutoWeek. He has authored books including VW's New Beetle, Chrysler's Modern Concept Cars, and Corvette Dynasty.

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Audi working on new fuels to make cars carbon neutral originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Alt-fuel cars unsustainable without government assistance

Zach Bowman — Fri, 25 May 2012 09:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Etc., Government/Legal, Technology, Electric

According to the 2012 U.S. Automotive Industry Survey and Confidence Index by Booz & Co., alternative vehicle powertrains may take up as much as 10 percent of the total market by 2020, but only if the federal government continues to support development.

Without a helping hand from Uncle Sam, only 30 percent of the researchers, executives and consumers who participated in the survey believe alternative-fuel machines will be able to carve out that small slice of the market. Specifically, federal tax incentives for potential buyers could help push the technology forward in the future.

According to Wards Auto, further development faces a double hurdle. First, additional urban planning is required to demonstrate plug-in hybrids and EVs will be viable options for buyers, but at the same time, government agencies also need to see fuel cell and battery costs come down before being willing to pony up for chargers or incentives.

Even so, 70 percent of those surveyed said they were more confident about future hybrid demand than they were in 2011. Take a look at the full survey results here.

Alt-fuel cars unsustainable without government assistance originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 May 2012 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Denver Zoo shows off tuk tuk powered by animal poo

Chris Tutor — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Etc., Technology, Videos, Toyota

When you run a zoo, we imagine there's a large quantity of animal excrement to dispose of. Fertilizer is the first thing that comes to mind. But there are only so many zoo gardens in need of nutrients. Sooner or later, you're faced with surplus of tiger turds, camel crap and snake, um, shizzle.

The Denver Zoo has decided the best use of its panda poop is to power a 20-year-old tuk tuk, or motorized rickshaw. Actually, the zoo takes all its animal waste and most human-produced trash and makes "gasified pellets" that are then subjected to very high heat in a no-oxygen environment. The pellets then give off syngas, which is burned in a generator to produce electricity used to charge the batteries for the tuk tuk's electric motor. Got all that?

The zoo says the tuk tuk is its second prototype to test the technology. The first was a syngas-powered blender used to make margaritas for zoo events. Mmmm. Tasty.

When its new elephant exhibit opens June 1, the zoo hopes to have it powered by syngas. Eventually they hope to take 100% of the zoo's animal waste and most of the human garbage from the zoo to produce at least 20% of their power needs. Check out the video after the jump.

Continue reading Denver Zoo shows off tuk tuk powered by animal poo

Denver Zoo shows off tuk tuk powered by animal poo originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Mar 2012 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Global auto execs don't see electric cars making big inroads for at least a decade

Jeff Sabatini — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Marketing/Advertising, Technology, Electric

A new survey by audit powerhouse KPMG suggests auto executives don't see electrified car sales passing 15 percent of global sales until at least 2025. Yet despite the slowly developing market, these same execs foresee substantial increased investment in electric and hybrid car production along with research and development. Given very limited consumer acceptance of hybrid cars since their U.S. introduction back in late 1999 (gas-electric new car sales are still around two percent), cautious sales estimates seem like par for the course.

Among the many highlights of the survey that polled 200 executives is word that 83 percent expect an increase in electric motor production, 81 percent think automakers will increase investment in battery technology, 76 percent see more power electronics investment, and 65 percent see increased investment in fuel cells. The survey results didn't show any conclusive winner as to which sort of alternative fuel technology might win out, with 20 percent choosing fuel cell vehicles, 16 percent picking battery-powered electrics, 22 percent choosing hybrids, 21 percent weighing in on plug-in hybrids, and 18 percent opting for battery-powered electrics with range extenders.

Perhaps the most interesting nugget we see is that 61 percent of the executives surveyed agreed that "the optimization (so-called downsizing) of internal combustion engines (ICE) still offers greater efficiency and CO2 reduction potential than any electric vehicle technology based on the current energy mix."

Click past the jump to read the full press release results.

Continue reading Global auto execs don't see electric cars making big inroads for at least a decade

Global auto execs don't see electric cars making big inroads for at least a decade originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Modified motorcycle burns vegetable oil in record-setting run

Autoblog Staff — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 13:31:00 EST

At the Loring Timing Association in Maine, John Petsche drove a highly modified motorcycle into the record books.

Powered by a six-horsepower industrial diesel engine and fueled by store-bought vegetable oil, Petsche's two-wheeler hit a top speed of 56.535 miles per hour, sufficient to set a record in the the 350-cc Alternate Fuel class.

The donor bike uses a single-speed drive with a centrifugal clutch, which limits its performance, but Petsche plans to upgrade the drivetrain to improve acceleration and surpass his record-setting top speed next year.

Petsche says he built his motorcycle to demonstrate the potential of off-the-shelf technology (and, literally, off-the-shelf fuel). By combining preexisting components from generators, go-karts and junked vehicles, Petsche built a low-cost bike that he says gets 100 miles to the vegetable oil gallon.

Modified motorcycle burns vegetable oil in record-setting run originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Sep 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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International racing organizations meet to discuss environmental responsibility

Eric Loveday — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 15:33:00 EST

2009 24 Hours of Le Mans Start - Click above for high-res image gallery

Aside from the thrill of the race, motorsports are useful because the race cars they showcase often pass their genes down to the everyday vehicles that we drive. In an effort to perhaps hold its position as a trendsetter, or just to be more green, the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) held a meeting to discuss alternative energies that can be utilized in all major categories of racing. The meeting, held at the Automobile Club de Monaco, brought together the heads of four international of motorsport federations, including motorcycles, powerboats, automobiles and aeronautics. FIM chairman Robert Rasor commented on the gathering by stating,

This was an interesting meeting and we expect to work together with the other motorsport federations and join forces to develop a common strategy towards the environment and its protection and promote the use of alternative energies.

Understanding that even motorsports can have an impact on the environment, either directly or indirectly, is a step in the right direction. Working together, the groups will draw from learned expertise and move towards a greener racing environment quickly. Here's hoping their efforts do more than slowly trickle down into vehicles that we drive day in and day out.

[Source: Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme]

International racing organizations meet to discuss environmental responsibility originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 04 Apr 2010 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Grounds for Celebration: TV scientists convert VW Scirocco to run on coffee

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Technology, Volkswagen, UK

This is what we mean when we say that the future of alternative fuels isn't anywhere close to being decided. A team from the BBC program Bang Goes the Theory has rigged an older Volkswagen Scirocco to run on coffee pellets. It's a bit complex, with the coffee grounds needing to be heated to 1,292 degrees Fahrenheit, and the resulting concoction cooled, separated and filtered before it's run to the engine. Because coffee contains carbon, however, it works.

It's expensive, though. The trial run the Starbucks Scirocco will make from London to Manchester and back will cost more than 25 times what the same trip on gasoline would because the car goes just three miles on a kilo of coffee. The 209-mile trip is also take ten hours, due to the number of stops required to refill the fuel canister and regularly clean out the system.

So, on second thought, this is not what we mean when we talk about the future of alternative fuels. But it is really neat, and it's for the kids, and those sorts of things count for a lot in our book. Hat tip to Joviocoe!

[Source: The Daily Mail]

Grounds for Celebration: TV scientists convert VW Scirocco to run on coffee originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Nissan Leaf electric car: In person, in depth - and U.S. bound [*UPDATED w/vids & live photos]

Chris Paukert — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 21:48:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Japan, Technology, Hatchback, Nissan, Design/Style, Electric

2010 Nissan Leaf EV - Click above for hi-res gallery

It would be easy to paint Nissan as late to the burgeoning U.S. green party, as the company essentially only counts the Altima Hybrid to sell among its alt-fuel offerings - and that sedan utilizes technology borrowed from Toyota, and it's only sold in a few states in small volumes. While that may be the case, Nissan says their near-term prospects are really quite different. While the company has admittedly been cautious in marketing alt-fuel vehicles in North America, they have been hard at work developing electric vehicles - as well as the advanced lithium-ion batteries to support them - since 1992. What's more, officials say they are now singularly well-placed to leapfrog "transitional" powertrain solutions like gas-electric hybrids in favor of genuine zero-emissions vehicles, and they are promising that their first pure-electric car will reach U.S. shores late next year.

That car, the Nissan Leaf shown here, is the reason we find ourselves in the company's brand-new Yokohama headquarters today. Designed as a four-to-five seat, front-drive C-segment hatchback, Nissan says the Leaf is not just for use as a specialty urban runabout, but rather, it was designed as an everyday vehicle - a "real car" whose 160-kilometer+ (100 mile) range meets the needs of 70% of the world's motorists. In the case of U.S. consumers, Nissan says that fully 80% of drivers travel less than 100km per day (62 miles), making the Leaf a solid fit for America's motoring majority, even taking into account power-sapping external factors like hilly terrain, accessory draw, and extreme temperatures.

We were afforded an advance look at the Leaf ahead of the car's unveiling today, and while it was a hands-off affair, we did have the chance to formulate some in-the-metal first impressions and take a deep dive into the car's technology. Click through to the jump to learn all about it.

Gallery: 2010 Nissan Leaf EV

Gallery: 2010 Nissan Leaf EV - Yokohama Introduction

Continue reading 2010 Nissan Leaf electric car: In person, in depth - and U.S. bound [*UPDATED w/vids & live photos]

2010 Nissan Leaf electric car: In person, in depth - and U.S. bound [*UPDATED w/vids & live photos] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 01 Aug 2009 21:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A Call for Green: AT&T to add 15,000 alt-fuel vehicles to fleet

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:56:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Electric

Click above to watch video after the jump

Although AT&T claims it wants to be more sustainable, today's announcement from the telecom behemoth is more about cutting operating expenses as fuel costs climb. Whatever the reason, the addition of 15,000 alternative fuel vehicles to the company's fleet over the next decade is a good thing. The phone company will be spending as much as $565 million over that time period to turn over much of its fleet of service and support vehicles. The lucky automaker who will get this big order hasn't been named yet, but AT&T has said it will be a domestic automaker and a domestic supplier will be used to convert the vehicles to run on CNG.

Approximately 8,000 compressed natural gas fueled trucks and vans will be deployed, starting mainly in California where there are already a significant number of CNG filling stations available. AT&T will also work with suppliers to install up to 40 more CNG stations in the areas where it operates.

Passenger cars that are used by customer service personnel will also be replaced with new hybrid vehicles. The first 800 vehicles will be put into service this year. Check out the video and press release after the jump.

UPDATE: The Detroit Free Press reports that Ford will be the lucky recipient of AT&T's large order of vehicles. Thanks for the tip, Fadi!

[Source: AT&T]

Continue reading A Call for Green: AT&T to add 15,000 alt-fuel vehicles to fleet

A Call for Green: AT&T to add 15,000 alt-fuel vehicles to fleet originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota seriously considering separate Prius brand

Chris Tutor — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 11:19:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Scion, Toyota

This isn't the first time we've heard that Toyota might spin off the Prius as a separate brand much like Scion. But we now have the most concrete news about the automaker's plans we've seen yet.

Micheline Maynard of The New York Times talked with James E. Lentz, president of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. recently who said he was actively lobbying Toyota for the Prius brand spinoff and that the company was working on future models to expand the lineup. Lentz said he was pushing for a Yaris-sized Prius and a "Prius on steroids." He wouldn't comment on rumors of a Prius crossover, however. Lentz also said the new line would be sold alongside Toyota vehicles instead of separately like the company's Lexus brand.

When might this new Prius brand be approved by Toyota? Lentz would only say that he has a meeting in Japan next month.

Maynard writes that in all her years covering Toyota, "...I can say that executives rarely talk this much about an idea unless it is under active discussion, so the chances of a Prius brand are probably pretty good."

[Source: The New York Times]

Toyota seriously considering separate Prius brand originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 11 Oct 2008 11:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Could U.S. become net exporter of gasoline?

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:32:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Etc., Green

A number of factors are conspiring to create a situation that recently would have been unthinkable: the United States as a supplier of gasoline to world markets. According to Booz & Company, those factors are the rise of biofuels in the West, the introduction of plug-in electric and other alternative fuel vehicles, and the growth of the really cheap car, like the Tata Nano.

The United States imports oil to feed its gasoline habit, but the U.S. has refining capacity that developing nations cannot match. The U.S. is also lowering its reliance on traditional gasoline due to the price, states' mandates on switching to biofuels, and the dawn of mass market alternative fuel vehicles. This adds up to the United States importing oil, and then selling it to nations like India and China to feed their larger appetites for gasoline.

In the middle of all of this are the refineries, who made predictions for today's business plans two decades ago. Sure, no one is crying for them -- they need extra pages to include the zeros on their profit statements -- but they have to start figuring out who's going to need which products and how they are going to deliver them. And, by refining company standards, they need to do it quickly, which is a method of operation they aren't well versed in.

[Source: Green Car Congress via Kicking Tires; Photo CC 2.0 - National Archives]

Could U.S. become net exporter of gasoline? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ronn Motors' Scorpion: 450 horses, 40 miles to the gallon

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Green

Hydrogen has been touted as a viable fuel source for decades, and seemingly every day, some new or upcoming hydrogen-powered milestone is reached or discussed. However, in nearly every case, hydrogen is being touted as a standalone fuel source. But what about using pure hydrogen mixed with gasoline to increase fuel economy and reduce emissions?

Ronn Motors, of Texas, has built a car it claims will do does just that. Called the Scorpion, the engine is a 3.5-liter, six-cylinder VTEC from Acura, equipped with two turbos and an intercooler to take it from 280 hp to 450 hp. The turbo'd six is connected to an on-demand hydrogen system that breaks down water molecules and holds them in a non-pressurized tank which doesn't necessitate the need for a hydrogen refueling station. The hydrogen is drawn through the intake manifold and between 30 and 40 percent hydrogen is mixed with the gasoline. As less gas is used, Ronn Motors says the Scorpion can do 40 mpg.

DuPont Registry just named the Scorpion a Publisher's Choice as "one of America's first premium eco-exotics." True, the Tesla might be more eco, but to our eyes the Scorpion (rendering) has got the exotic thing properly nailed. But when can you get one? According to Ronn, the car will be out this fall. And when you want to get it off the lot, the 2,100-pound Scorpion will supposedly take you to 60 in no more than 3.5 seconds. Ronn will probably even throw in a full tank of gas... and water. You'll need to provide the take-home money: $150,000. Click the link to get the full story, and check out the gallery of hi-res images below.

Gallery: Ronn Motors Scorpion

[Source: Ronn Motors]

Ronn Motors' Scorpion: 450 horses, 40 miles to the gallon originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM tells the Feds that the Volt and plug-ins aren't going to help with CAFE

Michael Harley — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:56:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal

With the Feds eager to keep raising the bar on CAFE standards, and apparently doing so based on proposed future technologies, General Motors Corp. bluntly told federal regulators not to count on the Chevrolet Volt, or other planned plug-in hybrids, when proposing new rules. GM is maintaining the position that those vehicles will be built in such low numbers through 2015, that they won't make a significant enough impact on the fleet. As it stands, Chevy plans to be build 10,000 Volts in 2011 (the first year of production), and 60,000 the following year... and meeting those numbers is highly dependent on outside suppliers for battery and technology delivery (let's hope they don't mimic the problems Toyota is having with the Prius battery supply). It was earlier this year when the NHTSA proposed a 25 percent increase in fuel economy rules from 2011 through 2015. It has been estimated that meeting those standards would cost GM about $17.3 billion. Although GM isn't trying to skirt tougher regulations, it is their goal to set "reasonable perspectives" with regulators. At a time when GM is struggling to survive (and they are not alone), the CAFE noose just may need to be loosened a bit.

Gallery: 2011 Chevy Volt - spy pics

[Source: Freep]

GM tells the Feds that the Volt and plug-ins aren't going to help with CAFE originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW working on internal combustion 2.0

Dan Roth — Sat, 16 Dec 2006 13:21:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Etc., Technology, Volkswagen

Picture this: we're no longer beholden to energy resources from unstable regions and we're no longer burning petroleum-based fuels in our cars. Despite the radical change in fuels, engines are largely the same, as is the fuelling infrastructure. While it sounds like a nice dream, Volkswagen has been hard at work making it reality. They've combined aspects of diesel and gasoline engines into their Combined Combustion System, realizing efficiency gains and emissions reductions.

Using Bosch piezo injectors that operate like those in diesel engines, providing multiple squirts of fuel directly into the cylinder prior to top dead center and after ignition, the CCS engine can achieve a long burn while keeping cylinder temperatures and pressure at bay. Holding the cylinder temps down also reduces oxides of nitrogen in the exhaust, the main problem with lean-burning engines' emissions. VW also has plans to use this engine technology as part of a hybrid drivetrain.

The most exciting part of the whole project is the new fuel that Volkswagen co-developed with German firm Choren Industries. The new fuel is synthetic and based on a combination of planted crops, bio-degradeable trash and waste from forest industries. That's right, it runs on trash, gets better mileage, doesn't pay a power penalty, can be filled up from conventional-style pumps and doesn't help fund unstable tinhorns. Put that in your tank and burn it!

More pictures after the jump

[Source: Autocar]

Continue reading VW working on internal combustion 2.0

VW working on internal combustion 2.0 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 Dec 2006 13:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris Preview: methane-powered Fiats

Noah Joseph — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 19:03:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Budget, Hybrid, Green, Technology, Paris Motor Show

In addition to the higher-output Panda Sport, Fiat will be showing two new methane-powered vehicles at the Paris show at the end of the month. Over the past year, across Europe, Fiat has sold 24,000 methane-powered cars; the major advantage being reduced CO2 emissions.

The rather oddly-named Panda Panda (shown) is a flexible-fuel vehicle that can run on either methane or conventional gasoline, going on sale in Italy beginning January. Using the floor-plan from the four-wheel-drive Panda but driving only through the front wheels, the supplemental methane tanks are placed where the 4WD mechanicals would be, giving the Panda Panda the bonus of increased range.

The Multipla Multi-eco concept, meanwhile, runs on methane, gasoline or E85 bioethanol. Like the Panda Panda, the methane is stored in separate tanks, while the main tank takes either gas or bioethanol, leaving the ECU to switch modes automatically according to the fuel used.

We're still waiting for our flying DeLorean that runs on either plutonium or garbage, with a flux capacitor pumping out 1.21 gigawatts!

(More pics of the Panda Panda after the jump.)

[Sources: Fiat, Autocar]

Continue reading Paris Preview: methane-powered Fiats

Paris Preview: methane-powered Fiats originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Sep 2006 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BP announces $500 million biofuels research center

Stuart Waterman — Sat, 17 Jun 2006 19:54:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid

BP plans to make a major investment in alternative energy sources, funding "radical research" at a new bioscience energy research lab. Outlining a ten-year program costing $500 million, BP chief executive Lord Browne said Wednesday that the company plans to site the lab at a major academic center in the U.S. or the U.K., with talks already underway with several universities.

The BP Energy Biosciences Institute intends to launch its first research programs by late 2007, with initial focus in three areas:

developing new biofuel components and improving the efficiency of petroleum/biofuel blends
more efficient extraction of biofuels from feedstock
developing plant species with higher biofuel yield, that can be grown on land not suited for food crops

[Source: BP]

BP announces $500 million biofuels research center originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 17 Jun 2006 19:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cadillac Escalade leading charge as gas guzzlers flourishing despite fuel prices?

Chris Paukert — Thu, 18 May 2006 11:32:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Trends, Hybrid, SUV, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

Despite all the carping about gasoline prices these days, sales of Cadillac's new Escalade and their ilk are boomin' louder than the gigawatt stereos they often house.

So says MSNBC, which points out that despite post-Katrina price shocks and media outlets trumpeting hybrids and new small car offerings, U.S. consumption of unleaded hooch is actually rising. In fact, fully one-in-four new cars sold in America houses a V8 engine under its hood. SUVs outpoint hybrid sales 23-1. The 'King of Bling,' Cadillac's Escalade saw its sales jump a whopping 127 percent last month.

So what gives?

While it appears that MSNBC is basing its assertions about the surprising resiliency of SUVs squarely on the load points of General Motors' massively improved GMT900 trucks, it has a point. For all of the hype surrounding the newer generation of crossover vehicles and more fuel efficient body-on-frame SUVs, conventional cars and wagons with smaller displacement engines remain significantly better when judged by a fuel gauge. And yet a good portion of American consumers won't touch them, despite their inherently superior driving dynamics and often greater cargo capacity.

So... has the death knell of the SUV been prematurely sounded? Is the American motoring lifestyle inextricably linked to large, high horsepower vehicles? Or are GM's revised full-sizers riding a wave soon to reach the shore? Have your say in 'Comments.'

[Sources: MSNBC.com; Skeptically.org]

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GM, DaimlerChrysler, BMW debut new full hybrid system

Stuart Waterman — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 06:56:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Technology, BMW, Daimler, GM

The Global Hybrid Cooperation partnership - a joint venture of General Motors, DaimlerChrysler and BMW - took the wraps off its new state-of-the-art "full hybrid" system Thursday.

The system integrates electric motors with a fixed-gear transmission into a unit comparable in size and complexity to a conventional automatic transmission. The magic happens via the unit's combination of four fixed gears with two electric continuously variable transmission (ECVT) modes, granting a total of six distinct operating modes:

Input-split ECVT mode, or continuously variable Mode 1, operates from vehicle launch through the second fixed gear ratio.
Compound-split ECVT mode, or continuously variable Mode 2, operates after the second fixed gear ratio.
First fixed-gear ratio with both electric motors available to boost the internal combustion engine or capture and store energy from regenerative braking, deceleration and coasting.
Second fixed-gear ratio with one electric motor available for boost/braking,
Third fixed-gear ratio with two electric motors available for boost/braking.
Fourth fixed-gear ratio with one electric motor available for boost/braking.

In comparison to conventional hybrid systems, the GHC design is claimed to provide better combined city/highway fuel economy, better performance, and better towing capability.

More details in the full press release after the jump.

[Source: DaimlerChyrsler]

Continue reading GM, DaimlerChrysler, BMW debut new full hybrid system

GM, DaimlerChrysler, BMW debut new full hybrid system originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Apr 2006 06:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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