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[Suzuki's Hungarian production halts due to Russia/Ukraine gas dispute ]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/07/suzukis-hungarian-production-halts-due-to-russia-ukraine-gas-di/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/07/suzukis-hungarian-production-halts-due-to-russia-ukraine-gas-di/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/07/suzukis-hungarian-production-halts-due-to-russia-ukraine-gas-di/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Suzuki SplashRussia and Ukraine are presently in the midst of a natural gas pricing dispute. Russia wants Ukraine to pay closer to market price for the commodity. Ukraine says that Russia should pay more for the use of its pipelines, through which the bulk of the EU's Russia-sourced natural gas flows. Russia has escalated matters by cutting off its gas shipments via Ukrainian pipelines completely, and the EU is scrambling as it deals with shortages. Obviously, there's zero love lost between Russia and Ukraine, and political finger-pointing continues apace. Pricing negotiations resume tomorrow, and EU monitors are likely to get involved.

In the meantime, the effect is already being felt in the European industrial sector. Hungarian government restrictions on industrial gas usage have forced Magyar Suzuki to cease production entirely. The automaker's Esztergom plant, located around 30 miles outside Budapest, produces the Suzuki Swift; the Suxuki SX4 and Fiat Sedici; and the Suzuki Splash / Opel Agila twins. Suzuki hopes to get Esztergom back online this coming Monday.

[Sources: WaPo, WSJ, Reuters]

Suzuki's Hungarian production halts due to Russia/Ukraine gas dispute originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hungarynatural gasNaturalGasrussiasuzukiukraineWed, 07 Jan 2009 16:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Geneva 2008: Volkswagen Passat Variant TSI EcoFuel]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/04/geneva-2008-volkswagen-passat-variant-tsi-ecofuel/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/04/geneva-2008-volkswagen-passat-variant-tsi-ecofuel/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/04/geneva-2008-volkswagen-passat-variant-tsi-ecofuel/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above image for gallery of live shots of this high mileage Passat from Geneva

The Passat Variant (aka Estate, Wagon, Family Truckster) TSI EcoFuel popped up in Geneva today, joining Volkswagen's other super efficient headline grabber, the Golf TDI Hybrid. This particular VW uses the company's first natural-gas powerplant. If you look closely, you'll see that VW put a mirror at the rear of the display to show the natural gas storage tank mounted where a regular old gas tank would normally be on petrol versions. And as we learned from the press release (after the jump), it doesn't sacrifice power in the name of economy. This Passat pumps out 110-kW / 150-PS from its TSI engine. That's a direct-injection turbo, in case you weren't paying attention. It should sip just 5.2 kilograms of gas for each 100 kilometres of motoring fun. Look for this "concept" to appear in sedan and wagon versions by the end of the year.

The press release after the jump and check the gallery below.

Gallery: Volkswagen Passat Variant TSI EcoFuel

Continue reading Geneva 2008: Volkswagen Passat Variant TSI EcoFuel

Geneva 2008: Volkswagen Passat Variant TSI EcoFuel originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Mar 2008 05:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ecofuelGenevaGeneva 2008Geneva Motor ShowGeneva2008GenevaMotorShownatural gasNaturalGasPasat EstatePasatEstatePassat EcoFuelPassat VariantPassat WagonPassatEcofuelPassatVariantPassatWagonVolkswagen PassatVolkswagen Passat TSI EcoFuelVolkswagenPassatVolkswagenPassatTsiEcofuelTue, 04 Mar 2008 05:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Oil companies and USGS to look for oil under receding polar caps]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/20/oil-companies-and-usgs-to-look-for-oil-under-receding-polar-caps/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/20/oil-companies-and-usgs-to-look-for-oil-under-receding-polar-caps/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/20/oil-companies-and-usgs-to-look-for-oil-under-receding-polar-caps/#commentsFiled under: ,

As the Arctic ice caps shrink due to the warming of the planet, it's expected that vast reserves of additional oil and gas will become available, as approximately 25 percent of the planet's petroleum is thought to lie under the polar ice caps. In an effort to map these hydrocarbon resources, the US Geological Society (USGS), BP, and Statoil will be heading far north to conduct widespread surveys next year.

What is frustrating a few people is that the survey activity will take place in conjunction with the International Polar Year, which is a large scientific project intended to establish benchmark polar environmental data so that the future effects of global warming can be understood. To critics, this seems a bit like joining the World Wildlife Federation to help collect data on endangered species, only to bring a hunting rifle just in case something looks tasty.

[Sources: Taipai Times; International Polar Year]

Oil companies and USGS to look for oil under receding polar caps originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Apr 2006 17:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ArcticdrillingexplorationGeologicalGeological surveyGeologicalSurveyglobal warminggreenhouse effectice capIceCapinternational polar yearInternationalPolarYearnatural gasNaturalGasoilpolar icePolarIceThu, 20 Apr 2006 17:23:00 EST<![CDATA[New York Auto Show: Honda to NY Civic buyers: "Phill 'er up!"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/13/new-york-auto-show-honda-to-ny-civic-buyers-phill-er-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/13/new-york-auto-show-honda-to-ny-civic-buyers-phill-er-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/13/new-york-auto-show-honda-to-ny-civic-buyers-phill-er-up/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Honda announced today that it is bringing to market a compressed natural gas (CNG) motivated Civic GX to New York buyers this fall.

According to the automaker, the GX will put out 'near zero emissions,' giving owners access to tax credits and home refuelling via an optional Phill home refueling apparatus.

In CNG guise, the green Civic nets an EPA fuel economy rating of 28/39 (city/highway), while meeting federal Tier 2-Bin 2 and ILEV zero evaporative emission standards. It does so via a 1.8-liter four-banger putting out 115 horsepower and 109 ft-lbs. of twist (a 10 percent increase) and 5-speed automatic.

The home refueling appliance, "Phill" is a product of the FuelMaker Corporation, and is usually garage-resident. The system allows overnight refueling, which nets owners natural gas at a rate about 50 percent cheaper than buying traditional gasoline from a station. GX owners on the road can get fuel at select CNG stations around New York State and still save an estimated 25 percent over petrol buyers. Phill must be professionally installed.

Continue reading New York Auto Show: Honda to NY Civic buyers: "Phill 'er up!"

New York Auto Show: Honda to NY Civic buyers: "Phill 'er up!" originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Apr 2006 15:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CivicCNGEarth DayEarthDayECofuel economyFuelEconomygreen motoringGreenMotoringGXHondanatural gasNaturalGasNew York CityNewYorkCityTax CreditTaxCreditThu, 13 Apr 2006 15:36:00 EST<![CDATA[VW kicks off BlueMotion sustainability initiative]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/28/vw-kicks-off-bluemotion-sustainability-initiative/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/28/vw-kicks-off-bluemotion-sustainability-initiative/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/28/vw-kicks-off-bluemotion-sustainability-initiative/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Volkswagen announced Monday that it will launch a BlueMotion sustainability initiative at Auto Mobil International 2006 in Liepzig next week.

VW's AMI booth will showcase its Polo BlueMotion, Golf GT with the new TSI engine, and the Concept A with a TSI engine fuelled by natural gas.

The Polo BlueMotion, which debuted at the Geneva Motor Show, is the first production vehicle badged under the program. The new model will be launched in Switzerland, Austria, Sweden and Germany this summer. The diesel Polo includes a particulate filter and has been fine-tuned to increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions, with a taller final-drive ratio, enhanced aerodynamics and engine modifications. The 80-horsepower BlueMotion will go 100 km on only 3.9 liters of diesel.

The TSI "dual-charged" engine technology debuted in the Golf GT, as part of a VW campaign to marry maximum power with minimum fuel consumption. The CNG-powered version shown in the Concept A is a next-generation version that demonstrates what Volkswagen believes is an "important bridge technology" on the path to petroleum independence.

Full press release after the jump.
[Source: Volkswagen AG]

Continue reading VW kicks off BlueMotion sustainability initiative

VW kicks off BlueMotion sustainability initiative originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Mar 2006 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cngconcept adual chargergolfnatural gaspolotsitwin chargervolkswagenTue, 28 Mar 2006 15:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Bosch launches new tri-fuel injection system]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/11/bosch-launches-tri-fuel-injection-system/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/11/bosch-launches-tri-fuel-injection-system/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/11/bosch-launches-tri-fuel-injection-system/#commentsFiled under: ,

With the future of automotive fuels a bit less certain, Bosch is hedging its bets and will offer a tri-fuel version of its NG-Motronic engine management system.

Operating on gasoline, natural gas, or ethanol, the system will allow on-the-fly switching between each of different fuel types. Natural gas appears to be an attractive alternative fuel in Europe and Asia, while the addition of the ethanol option is said to be driven primarily with a nod to Brazil's use of that fuel. Considering the United States' recent interest in ethanol, Bosch's timing on the introduction of this system looks to be quite fortunate.

[Source: AutoSpectator]

Bosch launches new tri-fuel injection system originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 11 Mar 2006 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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