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[Why a boat-tail semi isn't as silly as it might sound]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/why-a-boat-tail-semi-isnt-as-silly-as-it-might-sound/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/why-a-boat-tail-semi-isnt-as-silly-as-it-might-sound/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/why-a-boat-tail-semi-isnt-as-silly-as-it-might-sound/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Sure, a six-foot protrusion sticking off the rear end of any vehicle is kinda funny looking. Unless we're talking about a Porsche 917/30 or a Plymouth Superbird. Those cars have some very fine rear extensions. Okay, fine - a six-foot protrusion looks a little bit weird when growing out of a semi-truck's rear. Happy?

But a boat-tailed tractor trailer might be just what we need. Why? Because when fitted with such a piece of aerodynamic kit, total fuel-consumption reportedly drops by 7.5%. The tests in question were conducted by the Dutch PART (Platform for Aerodynamic Road Transport) public-private partnership platform on public roads. One truck without any aero-aid was driven around for a year, as was another truck with the boat-tail.

Not only did the boat-tailed machine get a 7.5% fuel economy bump, but at the same time, emissions were slashed by about the same margin. Even though these numbers are indeed promising, PART wants to figure out a way to reduce semi truck fuel consumption and emissions by 20%.

[Source: Science Daily]

Why a boat-tail semi isn't as silly as it might sound originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>18-wheeler18-wheelersbig rigBigRigBoat TailsBoat-TailBoat-TailsBoatTailsrigSemiSemi TrucksSemisSemiTruckstractor trailerTractorTrailerFri, 13 Nov 2009 08:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Cleanup on I-80: Oreo spill snarls traffic in IL]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/19/cleanup-on-i-80-oreo-spill-snarls-traffic-in-il/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/19/cleanup-on-i-80-oreo-spill-snarls-traffic-in-il/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/19/cleanup-on-i-80-oreo-spill-snarls-traffic-in-il/#commentsFiled under: ,

Oreo SpillSnacks should be readily available for crews cleaning up an overturned tractor trailer 50 miles south of Chicago on Interstate 80. The rig in question was hauling fourteen tons of Oreo cookies, and when it tipped, the trailer's roof ripped open, spilling cases of the cookies onto the median. As you can see in the video we've embedded after the jump, a traffic backup thicker than a Double Stuf's filling ensued. Local authorities are still investigating the cause of the accident, but Autoblog has received unconfirmed reports that Keebler elves were spotted fleeing the scene.

[AP via Breitbart]

Continue reading Cleanup on I-80: Oreo spill snarls traffic in IL

Cleanup on I-80: Oreo spill snarls traffic in IL originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 May 2008 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>i-80oreo spillOreoSpilltractor trailerTractorTrailerMon, 19 May 2008 12:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Build your own big rig: International launches configurator for LoneStar]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/04/build-your-own-big-rig-international-launches-configurator-for/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/04/build-your-own-big-rig-international-launches-configurator-for/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/04/build-your-own-big-rig-international-launches-configurator-for/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Truckers are like motorcycle riders in the way that they invariably customize their rides. It's probably just as challenging to find a bone stock tractor as it is an unembellished Fat Boy. When you're plying the roads as much as the big rigs do, why not have some fun and stand apart from the rest of the crowd and their mudflaps decorated with conformist chrome silhouettes of questionable taste? International's new LoneStar truck will be factory trickable with a new line of Navistar accessories called DoubleSix Customs. While the Autoblog Garage isn't quite big enough to hold an 18-wheeler, we did dedicate the better part of an hour to International's website designing the perfect vehicle for hauling our tricked out fleet of Zastavas.

With International's online configurator, you can start with a basic truck and add a splash of color, a dollop of flames, lots of chrome, and nearly as many lights as Vegas. The DoubleSix name takes its inspiration from the mother road, Route 66, which International is hoping still resonates with those who keep our economy rolling. Our only problem? Lack of the proper license. Try it yourself, you can even upload logos and graphics to design your perfect LoneStar. Press release after the jump.

[Source: International]

Continue reading Build your own big rig: International launches configurator for LoneStar

Build your own big rig: International launches configurator for LoneStar originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Apr 2008 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>18 wheeler18Wheelerbig rigBigRigconfiguratorcustomdesigninternationalinternational lonestarInternationalLonestarsemitractor trailerTractorTrailerFri, 04 Apr 2008 09:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Wheeled Spaceship - Volvo BeeVan concept]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/12/wheeled-spaceship-volvo-beevan-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/12/wheeled-spaceship-volvo-beevan-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/12/wheeled-spaceship-volvo-beevan-concept/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



They're going to have to change the name of this thing to NCC-1701, because piloting it will definitely make you feel like you're boldly going where no one's gone before. As part of the Michelin Design Challenge competition, Volvo has revised the design of the the traditional big-rig tractor. Serious thought was given to improving driver safety and some semi-radical changes to convention were made. The driver is front and center in the cab, just like F1 cars. The central seating position gives an expansive 180 degree field of vision; Volvo calls it the Full View Driver Position. There are blind spot cameras, as well as sensors to detect other vehicles, lane tracking, and driver alertness. The doors open by sliding, rather than flapping out into traffic, and a set of steps comes out from hiding, allowing ease of ingress. The seat motors back and rotates toward the opened door, making the driver feel like a transportation deity.

More after the jump.

[Source: dexigner.com]

Continue reading Wheeled Spaceship - Volvo BeeVan concept

Wheeled Spaceship - Volvo BeeVan concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Jan 2007 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BeeVanBibendumChallengeconcept carConceptCarconcetpDesigndesign conceptDesignConceptDetriotMichelinMichelin Design Challenge BibendumMichelinDesignChallengeBibendumNAIASTractor TrailerTractorTrailerVolvoVolvo BeeVanVolvo TrucksVolvoBeevanVolvoTrucksFri, 12 Jan 2007 12:32:00 EST