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[Gesundheit! All Volvo models now allergy-friendly]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/26/gesundheit-all-volvo-models-now-allergy-friendly/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/26/gesundheit-all-volvo-models-now-allergy-friendly/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/26/gesundheit-all-volvo-models-now-allergy-friendly/#commentsFiled under: ,



Ursäkta! It's how you say "Excuse me!" in Swedish, though you might not be hearing it much anymore as Volvo has managed to get Oeko-Tex certification for all of its interior fabrics including the roof lining, floor mats, luggage compartment mats, upholstery, door panels, leather-trimmed steering wheels and seat belts. This means the entire Volvo line-up is now completely allergy friendly and won't make any of your friends break out in hives.

Seriously, this is why we love Volvo, which had embarked on a quest to reduce harmful pollutants from the inside of its cars a few years back. That "new car smell" so many covet is actually rather toxic and made up of Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs. Those are pretty nasty things, and the Swedish automaker has been working to eliminate them, and its new certified textiles only serve to improve the people-friendliness quotient of these stylish Swedish automobiles. And if it means a few extra sales to longtime allergy sufferers? Icing on the cake, as long as you're not allergic to icing or something.

[Source: Volvo]

Continue reading Gesundheit! All Volvo models now allergy-friendly

Gesundheit! All Volvo models now allergy-friendly originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allergy friendlyallergy friendly carAllergyFriendlyAllergyFriendlyCarhypoallergenicnew car smellNewCarSmelloekooeko-tekvocsvolatile organic compoundsVolatileOrganicCompoundsvolvovolvo oeko-texVolvoOeko-texWed, 26 Nov 2008 16:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder wins for Most Toxic New Car Smell]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/30/mitsubishi-eclipse-spyder-wins-for-most-toxic-new-car-smell/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/30/mitsubishi-eclipse-spyder-wins-for-most-toxic-new-car-smell/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/30/mitsubishi-eclipse-spyder-wins-for-most-toxic-new-car-smell/#commentsFiled under: , ,



That envious "new car" smell, the unique scent that makes all of your friends jealous as they check out your new ride, is actually quite toxic. The potent brew of freshly released bromine, chlorine, lead, and other heavy metals are responsible for a variety of acute and long-term health concerns that adults, and especially children, should be concerned about. That being the case, the Ecology Center has released its annual consumer guide to the most toxic (and cleanest) new cars on the market. Taking the tallest podium as the worst offender is the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spider GT. Following in second is the Suzuki Reno, while the BMW 128i Convertible lands third. The least offensive new vehicle, as researched by the Center, is the Acura RDX SH-AWD. The Smart Pure Coupe and Chevrolet HHR LT take second and third cleanest, respectively. While the Ecology Center is quick to point out that the offenders aren't as bad as last year's group, they offer little information as to how consumers can limit their exposure... short of not buying a new car.

[Source: HealthyCar via The Car Connection]

Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder wins for Most Toxic New Car Smell originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jul 2008 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Ecology CenterEcologyCenterharmful smellHarmfulSmelllistnew car smellNewCarSmelloffenderstop tenTopTentoxictoxic carstoxic chemicalsToxicCarsToxicChemicalsWed, 30 Jul 2008 17:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Kia engineers specific smells just for Europeans]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/01/kia-engineers-specific-smells-just-for-europeans/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/01/kia-engineers-specific-smells-just-for-europeans/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/01/kia-engineers-specific-smells-just-for-europeans/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

While some people love "that new car smell", others are more worried about the health dangers of breathing in the noxious VOCs. Oddly enough, not all noses are created equally. It seems that, like their cars, European sniffers are tuned a bit differently than the schnozes in Korea. Accordingly, before Kia introduces new models into the European market, interior components are sealed up in jars and sent to Europe to be smell-tested.

The ideal Euro-smell is apparently difficult to define (we imagine it assaults the nostrils like a hunk of Limburger), but Kia has "developed odors for the car's interior that were pleasing to Europeans," according to David Labrosse who hails from Kia's European Research and Development Center. If an objectionable odor is found, a sample is heated up to locate the source of the sordid scent, at which time, the offending ingredient is eliminated. This is certainly a case where the nose knows.

NOTE: Despite being sourced from a UK news outlet (again, the Brits are known pranksters on this particular day of the year), we actually don't think is an April Fools joke.

[Source: What Car]

Kia engineers specific smells just for Europeans originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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