New VW Touran – Most Efficient Volkswagen ever
The domination of petrol variants will soon come to an end. A new era of highly efficient and less emission diesel engines are developed which will soon help the diesel variants dominate. The BlueMotion technology from Volkswagen is one of those technologies that have helped reduce emissions.
Volkswagen new MPV, the VW Touran has hit British shores and it looks promising. The Touran was first unveiled at the Leipzig Motor show in April. The Touran comes with a range of petrol and innovative diesel engines. It also comes in the BlueMotion technology form.
The Touran is priced between 17,585 – 25,535 Euros. The new Touran is bigger, better and has a lot of new features. The Touran derives the design from the new Polo, Golf and Touareg. The new Touran gets alloy wheels and touches of chrome everywhere.
BMW unveils sketches of EV Megacity
BMW has released the sketches of its new electric car, the BMW Megacity. The BMW Megacity vehicle will be sold in the market around 2013. This EV will be a class apart as it will offer performance, comfort, style and luxury never seen in an electric car before.
Currently, the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Volt (other than its pricing) is getting the spotlight on the green car category and 3 years from now, there will be no doubt that the German rival will create a position for itself. But according to sources, BMW is planning on creating a new brand for its electric vehicles.
The Megacity will come with 100KW electric moter producing around 150 bhp which will be powered by a 35kWh lithium ion battery. On the aspects of engine and power, the BMW Megacity is proving to be impressive. With specs like these, the consumers will be willing to buy EVs instead of a fuel burning vehicle.
CO2 Emissions dropped in the first half of 2010!
Carbon dioxide emissions from the new cars are continuously reducing. This has been possible thanks to the continous efforts of the vehicle manufacturers who have contributed to the fall of 4.7% of new car CO2 emissions in the first half of 2010 itself compared to the previous year. This data has been released by the Society of Motor manufacturers and Traders.
In June, the data shows that the average for the new vehicles emissions were reduced to 145.2 grams/kilometers. The increase in sales of alternatively fuelled cars and hybrids have a major role in the achievement of this figure.
Manufacturers have developed engines that produces less CO2 emissions and provide more efficiency. The rise is fuel prices and the concern to the global climatic issues are the main reasons for consumers to want cars which run more and smoke less.
GM and Bright Automotive Announce Strategic Relationship
Bright Automotive and General Motors Co. announced Tuesday they have agreed to pursue a strategic relationship and that GM has provided funding to the Indiana automaker, the first funding action by the newly formed General Motors Ventures LLC.
The funding will help accelerate Bright’s production of the IDEA, a revolutionary plug-in hybrid commercial vehicle.
“This relationship is an important step forward for Bright, and a strong endorsement of our highly experienced automotive team and our incredible vehicle,” said Reuben Munger, Bright Automotive Chairman and CEO. “With this deal, Bright gets financial support that puts us on the fast track toward mass production of the IDEA. And perhaps just as importantly, we gain a strategic partner that is a world leader in electrification.”
The companies signed a memorandum of understanding in July. GM Ventures provided funding to Bright this week, and the two companies intend to complete the formal agreements later this year. Upon completion of the agreements and other terms, General Motors Ventures would have a minority stake in Bright Automotive and Bright would have access to GM technologies, and advanced engine and transmission systems, for its vehicle. Read more
The green advantages of fleets and changes in Ford purchasing
Automotive News Enterprise Editor Dave Guilford’s story reveals that fleet managers are prime customers for green vehicles. Many fleets have a built-in advantage over individual users. Their vehicles roll out from a central depot in the morning and rack up predictable mileage. Then they roll back into the depot, where they can be refueled or recharged overnight.
That means fleet buyers, unlike individual consumers, don’t have to wait to see when — or whether — a fueling infrastructure appears. Also, fleet managers are under pressure to cut their carbon footprint and fuel costs.
Fleets offer a sharp contrast to the retail market, where automakers selling green vehicles must overcome serious obstacles, such as enormous fueling infrastructure needs and ingrained consumer habits.
In a second story, Automotive News Contributor David Sedgwick reports that Tony Brown, Ford Motor Co.’s purchasing chief, is splitting duties of his top two lieutenants so as to provide “a single point of contact” for suppliers.
Birgit Behrendt has been appointed executive director of Ford’s global programs and Americas purchasing. Burt Jordan has been named executive director of global vehicle and powertrain purchasing. Both report directly to Brown; their assignments took effect July 1.
Brown, 54, said the reorganization will simplify his purchasing operation, which should be a plus for suppliers. “It will be easier for suppliers to communicate with us because it will be clearer who is responsible for what,” Brown told Automotive News. Suppliers, he said, “will have a single point of contact.”
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Ten Ways to Cut Fuel Costs- Ask The Fuel Expert
Remember the good old days…about a year and a half ago? Prices at the pumps were hovering below one dollar per litre and they stayed the same for weeks. Well the good old days are gone forever and today we live in a world where fuel prices seem to go up by the hour. Now pundits speculate on living with oil prices running up to $200 US per barrel.
As consumers many of us have adjusted our lifestyles. We try to drive less. Some have chosen to car pool, while others get rid of their gas-guzzlers and opt for more fuel-efficient vehicles including hybrids.
For companies, the good old days meant fuel up and go. Little attention was paid to managing fuel. But in the past year the price of oil has doubled cutting deeper than ever into profits causing owners and managers to adopt a new fuel consciousness. Fuel Management is a necessity.
You can’t control the price of fuel, but you can control your fuel consumption. The answer is Fuel Management.
Any company can improve their fuel efficiencies. It takes work and commitment from the head office to your people on the road and at the job sites. More and more companies are making changes in their operating practices to cut costs now and to be prepared for even higher costs in the future.
To help you adjust, here are Ten Ways to Cut Fuel Costs: Read more
The Best 3 Environmental Automotive Advancements
Green cars are now hitting production lines, and the waves are hitting the marketplace. Every major manufacturer is developing electric cars, most are looking at hybrids in some form. If you’re a driver, this could be the best thing to happen to your wallet since customizable car insurance.
Ideas are now the big issue in auto technology. The old petrol monsters are definitely on the way out, and the race is now to see which technology triumphs. The main criteria are range, performance, battery efficiency and recharging.
The new species of cars are providing a running commentary on the transport of the future:
Peugeot iOn: electric car
This is a full size family car, with a CO2 output of 0. Created in partnership with Mitsubishi, the iOn is a suburban runabout, with a range of 100km, or to the local mall and back 20 times, on one charge. Recharge of lithium batteries is a 3 point pin system, and takes 6 hours. Top speed is said to be 110kmh.
What’s important about this design is that it’s clearly a purpose built design working on an obvious market segment. This is the family workhorse, the shopping cart and kid’s taxi. Functional designs like this are always successful, and form a huge part of the retail market.
Nissan LEAF electric car
In the same demographic, but with extras and expected to be expensive, the LEAF is a high response vehicle which behaves like a “normal” car. It has a quick charge capability which means it can be 80% recharged in half an hour.
Range and performance are similar to the iOn, and design factors indicate it’s targeted to the same market. The technology has been ramped up a lot, to include the performance factors. The LEAF will be the suburban showcase type of electric car when it hits the market.
(It will be noted that “features” and “extras” are already creating a dichotomy in high and low range electric cars. This is a typical branding approach to vehicles, and you can expect a lot more of these additions in future.)
Audi 1- First full conversion from diesel to electric?
The Audi 1 is a new diesel car which is being realistically touted as the basis of an electric version. This is a particularly important design technology issue for electric cars. The Audi 1 is a direct challenger to the new Mini. Its frame is therefore very well suited for conversion to both electric and hybrid designs. That also minimizes retooling for manufacturing purposes, reducing cost to produce.
That’s a particularly relevant issue in the production of green cars, reducing the need for outlay on specialized production. Car manufacturers have been understandably unenthusiastic about the possible costs of tooling up to produce the new electric cars, and this is definitely one of the solutions. Don’t be surprised to find Audi 1 electric and hybrid models coming onstream soon, because this car is an obvious prototype for future production.
AutoMD.com’s Top Fives for Fuel-Efficient Summer Drives
As the summer driving season approaches and summer gas prices are projected to average $3 a gallon, AutoMD.com, the most comprehensive and unbiased free online auto repair resource, has released its Top Fives for Fuel-Efficient Summer Drives, a series of ‘Top Five’ things that any car owner can do to make his/her summer driving more fuel efficient. The tips include Top Five Easiest Mechanical Fixes and Top Five Driving Habit Changes, as well as some tips for dedicated DIYers and those who are willing to go the extra mile to make their engine sip rather than guzzle.
“With gas prices at $3 this summer, and the oil spill in the gulf creating more uncertainty just as the summer driving season starts, AutoMD.com has released its Top Fives for Fuel-efficient Summer Drives to help every car owner save money at the gas pump – while also reducing emissions,” said AutoMD.com President Shane Evangelist. “Converting your engine to a plug-in or driving on vegetable oil is not for everyone – and, whether it is tightening the gas cap, easing up on that lead foot or removing a ski rack, our team of mechanics has provided a series of simple, tried and true tips to help anyone start driving more cost-efficiently!” Read more