With the passing of Assembly Bill 511 in the Nevada Senate, the U.S. Department of Transport will now have to draw up rules governing autonomous vehicles on the state’s roads.
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Greenpeace went ahead with the attack to draw attention to its concerns over the German company’s ecological record.
The environmental activist group claims that the car giant is “spending millions of Euros every year funding lobby groups who are trying to stop Europe increasing its commitment to greenhouse gas reductions from 20% to 30% by 2020” and calls Volkswagen to turn away from the Dark Side.
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Advances in technology concerning engine downsizing, turbocharging, direct fuel injection, more efficient cooling, electric power steering and variable valve timing will help achieve this, according to the 23-page study.
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Some 700 four-seat Autolib’ vehicles will be rolled out from December of this year, offering green motoring for both residents and tourists alike. The Italian-built four seaters come with a 250 km battery range, radio and GPS navigation system.
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It’s just one of many entries into the 2011 Michelin Challenge Design Showcase we’ve reported on previously. There is something surprisingly masculine about Eskeli’s fluid, organic design; like cavorting dolphins or an Antarctic glacier.
At the AMI Leipzig Motor Show in Germany that runs from March 28 to April 5, 2009, Ford will pull the covers off a new tri-fuel variant of the Mondeo capable of running on gasoline, bio-ethanol (E85) or any mix of these two, as well as on LPG (liquefied petroleum gas). Available in four-door sedan, five-door liftback and in station wagon forms, the tri-fuel Mondeo uses a 2.0-liter Duratec petrol engine and comes equipped with two gas tanks, one with a volume of 70-liters for petrol and E85 and one with 48.8 liters (40 for the Estate) for LPG.
According to Ford, the 2.0-liter Duratec engine produces an output of 145HP when running on petrol and/or E85, and 141HP on LPG. With LPG, the Mondeo Sedan and Liftback models can cover an estimated total of 460 km (286 miles) while the Estate, 380 km (236 miles), before running dry. When running on conventional fuel and/or E85, the Mondeo has a range of 850 km (529 miles), meaning that the combined range is over 1,200 km (746 miles).
Ford said that its tri-fuel Mondeo cars will go on sale in selected European markets from April with prices starting in Germany from €27,500 ($35,150 with today's rates). This means that the tri-fuel Mondeo is €250 cheaper than the comparable diesel-powered, Mondeo 2.0-liter TDCi 140HP.
(Photos: Standard Mondeo)
Bentley has revealed the fastest and most powerful model in its 90-year history, the new 621HP Continental Supersports that will make its premiere in Geneva with sales following in most markets from autumn 2009 and in the U.S., in the summer of 2010. The Continental Supersports, whose name is inspired by the firm's 1925 two-seater 3-litre Supersports model, is powered by a 6.0-liter W12 engine capable of running on either petrol and E85 biofuel or any combination of the two. Bentley supports that the E85 biofuel can offer a reduction of up to 70 per cent in CO2
So does that make the Supersport "green"? Well, definitely not compared to a Prius or even a conventional family car for that matter, but it's supposed to be green for the levels of performance and luxury it offers. For the record, the Continental Supersports has a combined fuel economy of 17.3 mpg UK which comes to 14.4mpg US or 16.3 lt / 100km, with CO2 emissions of (ahem...) 388 g/km.
The Superports' 6.0-litre W12 twin-turbocharged engine produces 621-horsepower at 6,000 rev and a massive 800Nm (590 lb/ft) of torque at 1,700-5,600 rev. The W12 is matted to a revised ZF6HP26 automatic transmission with 'Quickshift' system that cuts shift times by 50% and enables double downshifts, helping the flex-fuel Continental accelerate from 0-60mph in 3.7 sec (0-100km/h in 3.9 sec) onto a top speed of 204mph or 329 km/h.
Bentley's engineers also put the Supersport on a strict diet achieving a weight reduction of 110kg or 243 lb compared with the Continental GT Speed. For example, the Supersports is a strict two-seater featuring all-new lightweight sports seats with carbon fibre clamshell rear panels. In the rear compartment, the seats are replaced by a stowage deck with a carbon fibre luggage retaining beam.
To better the coupe's driving dynamics, the engineering team performed an array of chassis enhancements including retuned steering and suspension, utilizing lighter weight components, retuned dampers and anti-roll bars. Additionally, agility is further sharpened by the 40:60 rear-biased torque split for the all-wheel drive system, a wider rear track, bespoke lightweight 20-inch alloy wheels and a unique electronic stability programme.
The Supersports is distinguished from its Continental coupe stable mates by the newly designed bonnet, the flared wings and new dark-smoked steel finish to all exterior 'brightware', including front grilles, lamp bezels, window surrounds and wheels. Inside, the cockpit is adorned with carbon fibre and Alcantara.
Commenting on the new Supersports model, Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen, Bentley's Chairman and Chief Executive said; "The Continental Supersports reflects the passion and enthusiasm of Bentley's engineers and designers. This is the fastest, most extreme Bentley ever, dramatically styled to underline its supercar character. Importantly, it also pioneers the use of FlexFuel technology in the luxury sector."
The fastest most powerful Bentley in the company's 90-year history
6-litre W12 engine twin-turbocharged now produces 630PS (621 bhp/463 kW) at 6000 rev/min and 800 Nm (590 lb ft) of torque at 1700-5600 rev/min
- 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds (0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds)
- 0-100 mph (0-160 km/h) in 8.9 seconds
- 50-70 mph in 2.1 seconds
- 80-120 km/h in 2.6 seconds
- Top speed of 204 mph (329 km/h)
Continental Supersports reaffirms Bentley's environmental commitment by pioneering the use of biofuel in the luxury sector
- Capable of running on petrol and E85 biofuel or any combination of the two
- Power and torque remain constant whatever the ratio of petrol to E85 biofuel
- A Fuel Quality Sensor detects the blending ratio of the fuel in real time sending a signal to the engine control unit (ECU), initiating the correct engine mapping. This ensures all performance parameters remain balanced and consistent
- Offers a reduction in CO2 emissions of up to 70% (well-to-wheel), a measure of a fuel's net contribution to the atmosphere, not just tailpipe emissions
Continental Supersports is the extreme Bentley, delivering a highly focused driving experience
- Revised ZF 6HP26 transmission with 'Quickshift' system that cuts shift times by 50% and enables double downshifts
- New 40/60 rear-biased torque split for the all-wheel drive system reduces understeer when powering out of bends and provides for better modulation of line and attitude by 'throttle steering'
- Uprated front suspension with aluminium forward levers, stiffer bushes together with retuned antiroll bar and Servotronic steering for sharper turn-in
- Revised Continuous Damping Control (CDC) for improved body control
- Unique lightweight, 20-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels offer 10 kg (22 lb) weight saving per car, reducing unsprung and rotating mass and improving brake cooling. Increased 25 mm (I inch) offset on rear wheels improves grip and stability
- 275/35 ZR20 Pirelli Ultra High Performance tyres
- Advanced ESP system fully exploits potential of the most powerful W12 engine and improved chassis
- Standard-fit carbon-ceramic brakes – the largest and most powerful brakes ever fitted to a production car – contribute 20 kg (44 lb) weight saving
- 110 kg (243 lb) weight saving compared to Continental GT Speed
Continental Supersports combines the looks of the iconic GT with a distinctive style that reflects its supercar character
- Form follows function: distinctive centre air intake and vertical grilles feed larger volume of air (+ 10%) to turbocharger intercoolers while bonnet vents extract hot air from engine bay
- Subtly curved rear wheel arches with newly tooled side panels accommodate increased rear track of the uprated chassis and provide muscular stance
- Distinctive 'smoked steel finish' to all exterior 'brightware', including the first automotive application of 'Physical Vapour Deposition' to stainless steel
- Larger, twin elliptical exhaust tailpipes and rear valance with discreet vertical divider
- 2 new pearlescent and 2 new matt finish colours
- Unique driver-focused, two-seater cabin with lightweight sports seats, giving a 45 kg (99 lb) weight saving
- Rear seats replaced by stowage deck with carbon fibre luggage retaining beam
- AlcantaraTM, carbon fibre and 'Soft Touch' leather provide a very different interpretation of Bentley craftsmanship with choice of Single Tone and Duo Tone combinations
The past few years, we've seen hydrogen fuel-cell passenger cars, light-commercial vehicles, trucks even motorcycles but for some reason, no tractors. Until now, that is, as New Holland presented a prototype model of a hydrogen-powered tractor called NH2. The zero-emissions agricultural tractor is equipped with a fuel-cell system that creates energy to power a 106HP electric motor which then sends the power through a splitter to all four wheels.
For the time being, the NH2 remains a prototype as New Holland has to sort out a series of problems including a limited range (the hydrogen tank holds enough fuel to power the tractor for a mere 1.5-2hours) and a very, very high price. However, the company said that it plans to have the fuel-cell tractor out for testing in two years with production models following as soon as 2013.
Source: FWI , Via: Autobloggreen
Volkswagen of America announced today that it has 'imported' 16 Passat Lingyu fuel-cell vehicles from China to use in fleet demonstrations at the California Fuel Cell Partnership in Sacramento, California. These prototype fuel-cell vehicles that are based on the domestic version of the Passat were developed in China as part of a joint effort between VW Shanghai, Tongji University and Volkswagen Group Research. They were first revealed at last summer's 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing."These vehicles logged nearly 50,000 miles in Beijing - with zero harmful emissions. We can think of no better place to next exhibit this environmentally-friendly technology than at the California Fuel Cell Partnership," said John Tillman, program manager for Volkswagen's U.S. Advanced Powertrain Research Program.
The hydrogen fuel cells are located in the car floor of the Passat Lingyu. The fuel cell system develops a peak power of 55 kW. The energy obtained by converting hydrogen (H) into water (H2O) is fed into a lithium-ion battery which is located under the rear bench seat and has a capacity of eight Ampere-hours (Ah) at 376 Volt (V).
VW claims that the Passat Lingyu is capable of traveling at highway speeds up to 90 mph (145 km/h) and as far as 146 miles (235 km) on a single tank of fuel with the only byproduct released from the tailpipe being water and oxygen.
It may sound bizarre, but there are many people out there who suffer from chrome-allergy - I myself being one of them. As Volvo points out, chrome is a frequent skin sensitiser and for those that are allergic to it, touching leather tanned with chrome can cause contact eczema. Unfortunately, the only treatment is avoidance. With this in mind, Volvo has decided to treat its leather interiors with a chromium-free tanning process, using either natural or synthetic tanning materials.
According to the Swedish automaker, in addition to benefit those with chrome allergy, the new treatment also reduces environmental impact from the tanning process.
"At Volvo Cars, we have worked a long time with our suppliers to reduce chrome in the passenger cabin. Also hexavalent chrome, a well-known allergen, has been phased-out all through the car, in all Volvo models", says Andreas Andersson, responsible for clean car interiors at Volvo Cars.
There are a myriad of ways for companies to go green these days. One of the most popular solutions is the use of solar panels. Ferrari chose this solution and installed a new photovoltaic system on the rooftop of its Engine Mechanical Machining facility in Maranello. The solar panels are expected to reduce the amount of power Ferrari takes from the national grid by over 210,000 kWh annually and thus trimming its CO2 emissions in 2009 by 25-30 percent compared to the present levels.The installation comes as part of Ferrari's ongoing environmental sustainability and renewable resources investment programme that has included the increase of the size and number of green areas both inside and outside its various industrial pavilions. Currently, Ferrari's complex boasts around 165,000 square metres of green areas with more than 200 trees planted there in the past six months alone.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF THE PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM
• Installed by: EnerRay
• Type of system: not integrated – installed on flat roof
• Orientation: SOUTH-FACING
• Number of modules: 1075
• Module type: 185 Wp Mitsubishi Electric
• Peak power: 198.85 kWp
• Annual electrical output: 213,985 kWh
• Number of inverters: 2
• Inverter type: Siemens Sinvert Solar 100, master/slave configuration
