eRUF Stormster EV Based on Porsche Cayenne
RUF Automobile GmbH, located in the small Bavarian town of Pfaffenhausen, the manufacturer of high performance automobiles, introduced the first electric sports car (eRUF) from Germany in October 2008.
During the Geneva Motor Show, in March 2009, RUF presented an evolution of the first eRUF, widely known as “Greenster”.
The eRUF family continues to grow with the unveiling of the “Stormster”, the very first electrically driven SUV based on the Porsche Cayenne.
The Stormster is driven by a Siemens electric motor, with 270 kW (367 bhp) as in the eRUF sports car. The total weight is 2,670 kg which makes it capable of reaching 100 km/h in only 10 seconds. The top speed is 150 km/h, being able to reach a range of 200 km at one charge.
The lithium ion accumulators are supplied by Li-Tec Battery GmbH. Li-Tec is the first manufacturer of lithium ion battery cells in Europe, designed for the automobile industry using ceramic storage technology.
Hankook developed the winter tires for the all wheel drive Stormster which is fitted to RUF classic 5 spoke lightweight wheels. Tires of size 295/30 R 22 allow the best possible road grip.
The Stormster will have its first public debut during the European Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, (COP 15), Denmark from December 7th to 18th.
Volkswagen Up! Lite Concept t
Volkswagen – Europe’s strongest automotive brand – is setting standards worldwide when it comes to efficiency with its clean high-tech TDI and TSI engines. Now this is being followed up by latest coup at the Los Angeles Auto Show (December 4 to 13): the world premiere of the Up! Lite A progressive, fuel efficient and in all details cleverly designed four-seater with a hybrid drive. Combined fuel consumption: 2.44 l/100 km or 70 mpg/highway! No other car is more sustainable. With a drive concept consisting of a TDI (turbo-diesel), electric motor and 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) as well as top aerodynamics (Cd value: 0.237), Volkswagen is driving CO2 emissions down to a sensational 65 g/km. This makes the three-door concept the world’s most fuel efficient car – and from the perspective of its overall CO2 footprint the world’s most environmentally friendly four-seat car as well. Both technically and visually, the Up! Lite is a preview of the future. The image of the car body with its clean lines, as though sculpted from a block of aluminium, underscores just how fascinating a car tuned to aerodynamic perfection can look. Read more
DRIVe Around The World in 80 Days
Volvo launches unique Facebook game.
Volvo Cars has released its first ever game on Facebook. Promoting its fuel-efficient C30 DRIVe, the game challenges people to virtually drive the car all the way around the world in 80 days using only their network of Facebook friends. Volvo will donate €15,000 to a project that fights global warming in the name of the team that drives around the world the most efficiently. Launched November 16 the game will run until February 4, 2010.
Six Degrees of Separation
Is your network of friends global enough to get you around the world in 80 days? Based on the concept of six degrees of separation, DRIVe Around The World challenges you to virtually drive your C30 to a Facebook friend who lives as close to 828 miles away as possible; that’s the distance the thrifty C30 DRIVe makes on just one tank of fuel. Then the car is passed on from friend to friend, moving from country to country, until it makes its way around the world back to you.
A Prize For Everyone
And for the winning team that drives around the world within 80 days and in the most efficient manner, Volvo will donate €15,000 in their name to an environmentally-friendly wind farm in Izmir, Turkey. Such an impressive donation is enough to offset the amount of carbon an average person creates in a lifetime. And, for everyone who plays DRIVe Around The World, Volvo will additionally offset 99 grams of CO2; so the more people play the game the better it is for everyone.
The Most Well Connected Person In The World
Launched on Facebook on November 16, 2009, DRIVe Around The World will be a unique social experiment. Can a team made up of friends-of-friends work together to win a prize that benefits the environment? And when the competition finally closes in February 4, 2010 Volvo will have found arguably the world’s most well-connected person in the winning team’s captain. The winning team will be announced early February.
Volkswagen presents world’s most eco-friendly one-make cup
ollowing the successful debut of the compressed natural gas-powered Scirocco GT24-CNG at the Nürburgring 24-hour race, Volkswagen is launching a one-make Bio-CNG-powered race series in 2010. With a CO 2 reduction of 80 per cent being achieved in combination with Bio-CNG, the Scirocco Cup will demonstrate that major innovative strides are still being made in motorsport and make it the most eco-friendly one-make championship in the world.
The Cup version of the Scirocco is designed to enable eco-friendly motorsport. Based on the TSI unit fitted in the Scirocco, the Bio-CNG-racing version of the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine develops 203 lbs ft of torque and up to 223 PS. A push-to-pass system provides a short burst of increased power of 30 PS to create additional overtaking opportunities and action throughout the race. Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifts operate a six-speed DSG gearbox and, as with the road-going Scirocco R, power is channelled through the front wheels. Read more
Ford stuffs 400-hp EcoBoost motor in ’34 Hot Rod
Hot rodders have always lived by the motto “There’s no replacement for displacement,” indicating that the more cubic inches an engine has, the better the resulting performance. Ford Powertrain and Detroit Street Rods are out to prove that thinking out-of-date with their EcoBoost™-powered ’34 Ford hot rod.
To be introduced at this year’s Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show, the Ford hot rod will be the “first” rear-wheel-drive application of the 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6 delivering an estimated 400 horsepower and 400 ft.-lb. of torque – power numbers that easily rival a typical hot rod’s 302-cubic-inch V-8 or even a modern-day V-8 of similar size.
“EcoBoost technology shows that there is a viable replacement for displacement,” said Dan Kapp, director of Ford Powertrain Research and Advanced Engineering, who will be part of a SEMA “Driving Green” technology briefing panel discussion during the show. “As consumers’ demand for fuel efficiency continues to grow, and our commitment to delivering best-in-class fuel economy remains steadfast, it’s important to show that performance does not need to suffer as a result.” Read more
GM Plants in Greater Flint Area Tool Up for 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and Volt
GM is investing more than $230 million in four greater Flint, Mich. plants to support production of the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and Volt
FLINT, Mich. – General Motors Company is investing more than $230 million in four GM plants in the greater Flint area to support the production of the fuel-efficient 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and Volt, representing more than 500 jobs. The four GM plants include Flint Engine South, Flint Metal Center, Flint Tool & Die and Grand Blanc Weld Tool Center. Read more
Volkswagen MK VI Golf BlueMotion – 99 g/km of CO2
The second generation Golf BlueMotion is ready on the starting grid: with TDI, start-stop function and braking energy recovery, it is the top of its class. It is already available to buy in Germany from € 21,650.
The new Golf BlueMotion now comes with an optional package of various hi-tech components and applications which allows it to reach extremely low levels of consumption and emissions. With an average fuel consumption of 3.8 l / 100 km and CO2 emissions of just 99 g/km, this is the most economical Golf of all time. The superbly efficient 1.6 TDI contributes greatly to this. The new Common Rail engine delivers a power output of 77 kW / 105 PS yet is still even more efficient than the first generation Polo BlueMotion. This comparison just goes to show how hard Volkswagen works to increase efficiency in all of its models. The engine’s power is transmitted via a long-ratio five-speed manual gearbox. What’s more there is a gear recommendation function so that the Golf BlueMotion is always driving in the gear best suited for optimum consumption. Read more
eco-driving techniques at the IAA 2009
When is the best time to shift into the next gear? When does it make sense to switch the engine off? Visitors to the 63rd International Motor Show (IAA) Cars can get answers to these and other questions in the free Eco-training. An anticipatory driving style not only helps to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, but is also good for your wallet and your nerves. During the Eco-training, visitors to the IAA will learn from experienced driving instructors how they can reduce fuel consumption and emissions by up to 20 per cent, by observing a few basic rules and making the best use of modern vehicle technology – and at the same time arrive at their destination more relaxed and more safely. Read more