Archive for February, 2010
What was everyone doing when Toyota developed the Prius? With its hybrid technology, the Prius was hailed as the answer to our problems. A cleaner, greener alternative for those who wanted to save the world but still wanted, or needed, a car to drive round it. Other manufacturers seemed to be slow to develop hybrid technology. So what have they been doing while Toyota surged ahead? Well, one manufacturer, BMW, have been taking some of the best bits off the hybrid and combining them with existing technology, to produce much more fuel efficient and therefore much cleaner cars. Cleaner cars that seem to be able to out perform the hybrids in almost all departments.
When you look at it BMW seem to have had one of the harder jobs when it comes to reducing their overall Co2 emissions. They’ve been known for producing large 4 x 4’s and luxury sports cars. Not the type of cars that offer the best solutions to our environmental problems. However, with this clever mix of existing technology and the development of better engines they have managed to reduce their average Co2 emissions by 26g/km, a saving of over a third of a tonne per year for vehicles fitted with EfficientDynamics. So, how have they done it?
Well, first you have to look at the engines. BMW have developed a high precision injection system, that alongside the ultra-light aluminium crankcase and variable twin turbo technology have allowed the models fitted with EfficientDynamics to increase power whilst reducing emissions. Formula One technology that has been developed and proved in the hardest arena in the world.
Stop start technology is another major factor in reducing emissions. Pull up at the traffic lights and the engine on the BMW stops, press your foot on the accelerator and the engine automatically kicks back into life, saving you money and not choking the planet whilst standing still. This clever bit of kit also tells you when the optimum time is to change gear, also adding to the BMW’s frugality.
Lighter materials have not only been used under the bonnet, they’ve also been used in the manufacture of the boot and the roof on some models. Cutting down on the overall weight of the car is not rocket science and it will obviously impact on the performance of the vehicle. Previously, performance was equated with speed, fortunately performance now covers all aspects of the car, including efficiency and economy.
Brake energy regeneration, electric power steering, an electric coolant pump and small flaps that open and close in the front grille to improve aerodynamic efficiency have all contributed in reducing emissions, making BMW a leader in the luxury car market when it comes to complying with the new Euro V legislation that will come into force in the next decade.
So, do we need full hybrids? Well if you break it down to figures alone it is not quite so clear cut. The BMW 1 Series118d EfficientDynamics achieves 62.8 miles per gallon on the combined cycle as opposed to the Prius that manages 65.7 mpg. Co2 emissions are 119 g/km for the BMW, 104g/km for the Prius. However, take into account the batteries that are used to power the Prius and it becomes slightly hazier. Manufacturing processes and the disposal of spent batteries will obviously have an environmental impact and produce plenty of Co2. Is that impact greater than the small advantages gained? The UK government and the British media would certainly like to know and as a result have asked Toyota to supply them with the figures. As of yet Toyota have not been forthcoming.
With all this in mind, BMW will no doubt continue to refine their EfficientDynamics range, no doubt producing more and more frugal variants, with the gap already small does this mark an end to full blown hybrids? Only time will tell.
Dave Foord
http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/bmw-efficientdynamics-is-it-the-end-of-the-hybrid-675181.html
We’re fresh into the new year and talk about 2010 models has surfaced. Indeed, the 2010 Mercedes GLK350 is already in showrooms while a number of new models from a variety of manufacturers will begin to show up over the coming months. It seems that the auto world just can’t wait for 2010!
The Ford Motor Company will soon be leading the charge to 2010 when the all new Ford Mustang makes its debut this Spring. That car will hit Ford showrooms just about the same time that the revived Chevrolet Camaro returns, one of three pony cars (including the Dodge Challenger) which will be available this year.
But it is Ford’s trio of midsize sedans which has all of the attention as the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ have been redone and will also show up in showrooms this Spring. Of the three, the Fusion is getting the most attention as it the volume leader, with the Milan sharing the same components. The Lincoln MKZ is the upscale version of the three, offering much more luxury and top of the line technology compared to the others.
Recently, Ford announced that the Fusion Hybrid received its fuel economy ratings from the Environmental Protection Agency, figures which show that the car will get 41 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. The city mpg or miles per gallon figure is most noticeable as it is a full 8 mpg higher than the competing Toyota Camry Hybrid.
Even more recently Ford announced that the standard four cylinder 2.5L DURATEC engine paired with a six speed transmission would return 23 mpg city and 34 mpg highway, the latter some 3 mpg better than the standard Honda Accord or Toyota Camry. Again, Ford has stolen the buzz away from the Camry, which is America’s most popular car.
“Take your pick: Whether you want a gas-powered or hybrid mid-sized sedan, the new Fusion offers the best fuel economy in America,” said Barb Samardzich, Ford’s vice president of Powertrain Engineering. “We promised to offer best-in-class or among the very best fuel economy with every new vehicle we introduce, and we are making good on that pledge with hybrids, new high-tech gasoline engines, new six-speed transmissions and other fuel efficient technologies.”
Clearly, Ford is going in the right direction with its all new Ford Fusion as well as with its Mercury and Lincoln twins. With the most fuel efficient models in the midsize car segment, Ford is once again showing leadership by raising the fuel efficiency bar.
Matthew C. Keegan
http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/2010-ford-fusion-takes-mpg-laurels-718107.html
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has recently named the twelve cleanest cars in the US today. The agency named the best fuel efficient cars in the market today to aid consumers who are in the market for a car that will give them great fuel economy and would be able to take a part in the drive to protect the environment.
For ten years, the council has compiled the twelve greenest cars for every model year. And for only the second time in the history of the council, every single car included in this year’s list comes from Asian car makers. The list also featured four new models which show the increasing number of green cars being produced. The reason mainly is the rising prices of gasoline and the increasing environmental awareness in the public.
Leading the list is the Honda Civic GX which runs on compressed natural gas. The GX looks just like the ordinary Civic model but its fuel efficiency is much better. The car is Honda’s answer to the demand for cleaner cars and with this car, they have set a new standard in the clean car segment. While hybrid electric cars are the most popular cars in terms of fuel efficiency, the Honda Civic GX proves that there is a better alternative to using electric motors to drive a car. The use of compressed natural gas can still be enhanced with aftermarket parts like a DC Sports cold air intake component that will cool the air going into the combustion chamber. The Honda Civic GX is only rated at 100 horsepower and 98 lb-ft of torque but the continuously variable transmission employed by the GX efficiently transfers all those power to the wheels.
Following the Honda Civic GX in the list is the popular Toyota Prius. This Toyota hybrid has become an instant hit when it was introduced to the US market. The soaring gas prices prompted a huge number of American motorists to go for a car such as this. The Prius uses an electric motor to ease the load carried by its engine. This translates to better fuel economy since during idling and low-sped driving, the electric motor takes over the operation of the car.
The third car in the list is another hybrid and another car from Honda. The Honda Civic Hybrids also makes it as one of the cleanest cars in production today. The inclusion of the second Honda model in the top three shows and reflects the dedication of Honda in developing and producing cars that are environmentally friendly. The top three cars are rated as PZEV or Partially Zero-Emission Vehicles.
Another Asian car manufacturer that made it to the list of the top twelve cleanest cars is Nissan. Their Nissan Altima Hybrid is the fourth cleanest car in production today. The Altima Hybrid is also rated as a partially zero-emissions vehicle.
The fifth car on the green list is another Toyota model which is the Toyota Yaris. The Yaris is rated as an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle II. Two other Toyotas follow the Yaris in the list. These are the Toyota Corolla and the Toyota Camry Hybrid. Toyota also has been making progress in the production of clean vehicles which is evident in the entry of four of their models in the top twelve green cars.
The Honda Fit which recently won Best of The Year Award at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show also appeared as the eighth cleanest car. Kia, another Asian brand has also a car in the top twelve list, this being the Kia Rio/Rio 5. Other cars which made the list are the Hyundai Accent and the Elantra. The conventional Honda Civic is the twelfth cleanest car.
Lauren Woods
http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/twelve-greenest-cars-named-105813.html
Utilizing the latest in advanced technology, hybrid cars might just provide a glimpse into the future of automobiles. Hybrid cars sport sleek and futuristic looks, but these cars aren’t just for show. These scientific marvels make use of both electric and gas power to make for a cleaner, more cost efficient, and environmentally friendlier car.
As the world’s supply of oil inevitably runs out and the prices of gasoline continue to skyrocket to staggering new heights, more and more people have begun to look for an alternative way to power their cars, as well as to save some money. Thankfully, the rise of hybrid cars are providing a much needed solution to these problems and more. The popularity of hybrid cars continue to grow as more people begin to realize the many advantages that hybrid cars hold over conventional ones.
So, what is a hybrid car and how does it work?
As the name suggests, hybrid cars utilizes a combination of different technologies. Hybrid Cars use an electric propulsion system together with of a gas propulsion system to great effect.
Hybrids cars consist mostly of the same basic parts as normal gas cars. They contain a gasoline engine, a fuel tank, batteries, and a transmission. The difference is that hybrid cars also contain an electric motor and in some cases a generator, that work in conjunction with the gasoline engine to run the transmission.
A hybrid car can work in different ways.
In a parallel hybrid system, both the gasoline engine and the electric motor are connected to the transmission. The car alternates between the two and sometime uses them together. It typically works by using the electric motor to power the car at lower speeds and once the car reaches a certain speed, the car will automatically switch to the gasoline engine to give it extra power.
Other cars use what is called a series hybrid system. In this method, the gasoline engine is used to power a generator. The generator is responsible for charging the batteries that power the electric motor, which in turn, turns the transmission causing the car to move. The gasoline engine in a series hybrid never actually runs the car directly.
Some of the later hybrid models have a feature that stores up the kinetic energy that is built up when braking and uses it to further charge the car’s batteries.
The biggest advantage of a hybrid is that it uses a lot less fuel than normal cars. Hybrid owners will be very happy with the mileage that these cars are capable of.
It also helps that hybrid cars tend to be built with lighter materials like aluminum and plastic. The engine is also typically smaller and specially designed to consume less fuel.
Environmentalist will also be very pleased with hybrids seeing as how they emit far less air pollution. Using a hybrid car helps makes our world a cleaner and more beautiful place to live in.
The government is also very fond of hybrid cars. So much so that they’re offering buyers tax incentives and other benefits. In some states, hybrid car owners can drive their hybrids in the high occupancy lane, even if they’re all alone in their cars.
The earlier hybrid car models tended to have unique and special designs, but as more and more manufacturers are catching on to the hybrid craze, they have begun to create hybrid versions of their normal cars. The Honda Civic Hybrid for example, looks more or less exactly like a regular Civic.
Buying a hybrid car will inevitably cost more than a regular one. However, the money that is saved from the lower fuel consumption, along with the tax deductions will eventually make up for the extra cost of a hybrid. Those who drive frequently will be the ones that benefit most from this.
With all the of the benefits that hybrid cars give, it’s no wonder that they’re so quickly gaining in popularity. Hybrid owners figure that it’s an excellent way to save money on gas and it gives them a good feeling, knowing that they’re making a difference in the environment.
So those who are in interested should go seriously consider owning one and join the ever growing number of people who are stepping into the future with hybrid cars.
Lee Dobbins
http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/take-a-ride-to-the-future-in-a-hybrid-car-68286.html
Are you worried about soaring gas prices and your environment? Are you looking for a reasonable priced vehicle which looks good and is easy to drive? Well then, the 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid is definitely for you. As you may have guessed Honda Civic Hybrid is a hybrid as it uses petrol and electricity. It is therefore fuel efficient hybrid sedan which makes it an assist hybrid.
Using a gas powered engine and an electric motor, the Honda Civic Hybrid is really efficient in giving its owner the best gas mileage. Aside from that, Honda Civic Hybrid also lessens air pollution due to the fact that its emissions are lower. Basically, the 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid is a four door, five passenger vehicle which achieves 40mpg when driving in the city and 45mpg when driving on the highway. With this vehicle, you will not need to sacrifice aesthetics for a better gas mileage.
Honda Civic Hybrid boasts of its Satellite-Linked Navigation System TM with voice recognition and its 160 watt CD audio system. The exterior of the Honda Civic Hybrid is sleek and sophisticated. Long windshields, not to mention, a deck spoiler gives it a more defined and modern look. Buying a Honda Civic Hybrid means that you are guaranteed to save money and still drive in style.
When it comes to safety, the 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid is also up to date with its side curtain airbags, dual stage airbags, in the front, side impact beams, anti lock braking, a latch system for the safety of children and a tire pressure monitoring system. This vehicle does not need to be plugged to recharge its battery; it also does not need any special gas. And what’s best is its warranty is also the same as the warranties of other Honda cars.
At Peter Warren Honda, they have a friendly and professional team who are ready to assist you with the following motor vehicle needs including sales, finance and insurance, vehicle servicing and spare parts.
The Peter Warren Group is a strong believer of equal opportunity rights; therefore they have a very multi cultural sales team that can cater to the diverse Australian culture.
Visit http://peterwarrenhonda.com.au/ for latest deals on Honda Civic Hybrid.
Benard Worseley
http://www.articlesbase.com/sales-articles/buy-the-honda-civic-hybrid-and-help-save-the-environment-677222.html
