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[New roof-crush standards reported to cost automakers $1.4 billion annually]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/04/new-roof-crush-standards-reported-to-cost-automakers-1-4-billio/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/04/new-roof-crush-standards-reported-to-cost-automakers-1-4-billio/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/04/new-roof-crush-standards-reported-to-cost-automakers-1-4-billio/#commentsFiled under: ,



It's been almost 35 years since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) enacted its roof strength standards, but come late 2012 the new requirements will be in affect and in addition to saving around 135 lives each year and preventing over 1,000 injuries, it's going to cost automakers around $1.4 billion annually.

The new standards up the current crush force from 1.5-times the vehicle's unloaded weight to 3.0-times, along with maintaining sufficient head-room for an average-sized adult male held in place by a seat-belt. The same standard will eventually extend to vehicles up to 10,000 pounds - from the current 6,000-pound requirement - and eventually, the regulation will mandate that vehicles weighing 6,000 pounds and under should withstand three-times their unloaded weight.

Naturally, the additional strengthening is going to add weight, thus increasing fuel use - another hurdle automaker will have to overcome when striving to achieve new CAFE standards. The phase-in will begin in September 2012, with total compliance required for all new vehicles in 2017.

[Source: Detroit News]

New roof-crush standards reported to cost automakers $1.4 billion annually originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 May 2009 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crushnational highway traffic safety administrationnational highway transportation safety administrationNationalHighwayTrafficSafetyAdministrationNationalHighwayTransportationSafetyAdministrationnhtsaroofroof crush standardsRoofCrushStandardsstandardsMon, 04 May 2009 18:33:00 EST<![CDATA[BLUETEC diesels to be in all Mercedes SUVs by 2008]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/25/bluetec-diesels-to-be-in-all-mercedes-suvs-by-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/25/bluetec-diesels-to-be-in-all-mercedes-suvs-by-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/25/bluetec-diesels-to-be-in-all-mercedes-suvs-by-2008/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Mercedes-Benz announced today that 2008 models of the M-, R- and GL-Class will be offered with BLUETEC diesel engines that meet the Environmental Protection Agency's tough BIN5 emissions standards in all 50 states. Astute Autoblog readers will remember that not long ago the 2007 Mercedes-Benz E320 BLUTEC failed to meet emissions standards in California and four other states. These 2008 models will use more advanced urea-injection technology to ensure that they earn the right to be sold nationwide. While Mercedes didn't mention which BLUTEC engine(s) will be available when these 2008 models go on sale, the likely candidate is the same 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel used in the E320 BLUETEC that's been tweaked to pass muster in California and other states with stricter standards. There's also an option in Europe for a more powerful 4.0-liter V8 diesel engine, but Mercedes debuted a GL320 BLUETEC at the 2006 Detroit auto show, so our bet's on the diesel six.

[Source: Mercedes Benz]

BLUETEC diesels to be in all Mercedes SUVs by 2008 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Sep 2006 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BLUETECdieselemissionsEPAstandardsMon, 25 Sep 2006 15:29:00 EST<![CDATA[BLUETEC diesel fails to meet 50-state emissions requirement]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/29/bluetec-diesel-fails-to-meet-50-state-emissions-requirement/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/29/bluetec-diesel-fails-to-meet-50-state-emissions-requirement/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/29/bluetec-diesel-fails-to-meet-50-state-emissions-requirement/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Despite telling us back in January that its Mercedes-Benz E320 BLUETEC would be compliant with emissions standards in all 50 states, DaimlerChrysler has announced that it has not reached that goal and the vehicle will only be sold in 45 states when it goes on sale this fall. The five states in which the E320 BLUETEC will not be sold include California, Maine, Massachussets, New York and Vermont. The high emissions standards required by these five states represent a major hurdle for any manufacturer that plans to introduce diesels-powered light-duty vehicles in the U.S. If DaimlerChrysler, a vocal proponent of diesel in the U.S., couldn't meet their requirements, we're certain it will be at least a year or two for other automakers to either convert their current diesel engines or develop all-new ones to meet the stiff requirements.

An E320 BLUTEC prototype tested by the EPA in 2004 narrowly missed meeting the EPA's new Tier 2 Bin 5 standard for 50-state compliance. When the car does arrive it will use an NOx absorber to reduce the output of the harmful emissions. Future BLUETEC models will use a urea-based injection system, which the EPA has yet to approve and regulate but promises to do so soon. Urea-based injection technology appears to be the best solution for getting diesels on U.S. soil as fast as possible, but the EPA has concerns over adding another fluid to vehicles that needs to be actively checked and refilled by the driver.

[Source: Green Car Congress]

BLUETEC diesel fails to meet 50-state emissions requirement originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Aug 2006 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>45-state50-stateBLUETECCaliforniadieselE320emissionsEPAlawrequirementsstandardsureaTue, 29 Aug 2006 15:25:00 EST<![CDATA[GM announces revised Duramax 6.6L and new light-duty diesel]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/24/gm-announces-revised-duramax-6-6l-and-new-light-duty-diesel/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/24/gm-announces-revised-duramax-6-6l-and-new-light-duty-diesel/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/24/gm-announces-revised-duramax-6-6l-and-new-light-duty-diesel/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



General Motors made two big announcements today about the state of its current diesel engine offerings. The company was forced to make a move in the face of upcoming stricter emissions standards that require a 90-percent reduction in particulate matter compared with the current standard, which was introduced in 2004, and a 50-percent reduction in NOx. The first big news is that the Duramax 6.6-liter turbo-diesel V8 used in various heavy-duty applications has been revised to meet the new standards.

Changes to the 2007 Duramax 6.6-liter V8 engine include:
  • Additional combustion control, including an even more efficient variable-geometry turbocharging system, cooled (enhanced) Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) and closed crankcase ventilation to reduce NOx
  • Additional exhaust control, including oxidizing catalyst and new Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) to reduce soot and particulate matter
  • Increased-capacity cooling system
  • New engine control software
  • Use of low-ash engine oil

While GM is not telling us how much power the new Duramax will produce in the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 HD pickups, it has revealed that versions will be available producing 300 hp and 520 ft-lbs. of torque and a new option that produces 330 hp and 620 ft-lbs. of torque.

But GM didn't stop there. The company announced that a new, light-duty V8 turbo-diesel will be available after 2009. The dual-overhead cam, four-valve V8 will fit in the same space as a small-block V8, meet even more stringent 2010 emissions standards and be 50-state legal. GM states explicitly the engine is for pickup trucks under 8,600 lbs. gross vehicle weight, which means the new diesel engine will find a home in GM's half-ton pickups and probably its GMT900 full-size SUVs.

(Both press releases can be found after the jump)

[Source: GM]

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Continue reading GM announces revised Duramax 6.6L and new light-duty diesel

GM announces revised Duramax 6.6L and new light-duty diesel originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Aug 2006 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dieselDuramaxemissionslight-duty dieselLight-dutyDieselstandardsturbo-dieselThu, 24 Aug 2006 17:04:00 EST