VW New Compact Coupe Concept Unveiled for Detroit Debut HD

December 8, 2010 by  
Filed under Hybrid Cars


VW New Compact Coupe Concept Unveiled for Detroit Debut HD Song: Mishon – Rock My Chain Instrumental Enjoy & Comment! VW will be debuting the New Concept Coupe (NCC) at the Detroit auto show today. The New Concept Coupe is a full hybrid car, which in European media has been referred to as a Golf Coupe prototype. The car is likely based on the same platform as the Golf/Jetta and, although still in the concept stage, it will most probably come to be called the Jetta Coupe if it ever goes to market in North America. The vaguely named New Compact Coupe comes with VW’s 1.4 liter TSI engine, a turbocharged 4-cylinder dialed up to 150 hp and 220 Nm of torque (177 lb-ft), coupled to a 7-speed DSG gearbox (a dual-clutch sequential transmission), as well as an electric motor with 20 kW/27 hp. Powered by a lithium-ion battery pack, the electric motor is able to propel the car on its own, which allows the vehicle to be classified as a full-hybrid. When the TSI engine is shut down, it is also disengaged to reduce any drag effect. Performance numbers on the coupe are impressive – with only 98 g/km in CO2 emissions, the NCC does the 0 to 100 km/h sprint in just 8.6 seconds and has a top speed of 227 km/h (141 mph), all the while delivering 4.2 liters/100 km (45 mpg) in fuel economy. The NCC comes in “Tungsten Silver Metallic” with bi-xenon headlights and LED daytime running lights, turn signals and tail lights. The NCC is 4.54 m (178.5 inches) long, 1.78 m (70.1 inches) wide and 1.41 m

Kubota Introduces New L-Series Standard Compact Tractors

December 2, 2010 by  
Filed under Fuel Economy

The new Audi A6 Sedan: setting the standard in innovation
Audi has redesigned its flagship executive class model. The new A6 is set to make its market debut in early 2011. With its light body, sporty chassis and a wide array of new assistance and multimedia systems, the full-sized sedan is packed with innovative solutions in every area of technology. The range of available engines and drivetrains is equally extensive. Combining the power of a V6 with …

Read more on Press Release Network

Aramco: Saudi gas demand rising at 5-6% a year
Aramco: Saudi gas demand rising at 5-6% a year

Read more on MENAFN

Coca-Cola Hellenic Wins International Fleet Safety of the Year Award
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – The International Fleet Safety Award recognized the successful implementation of a safety project for Coca-Cola Hellenic’s fleet. During the operation of the pilot program, no collisions were recorded, driver performance increased significantly, and fuel efficiency was improved.

Read more on Fleet Financials

New wings take more thrill-seekers to the skies
A bigger aircraft capable of carrying more passengers means NZONE (pronounced n-zone) can take more thrill-seekers to the skies above Queenstown, improving the experience for customers without increasing effects on neighbours.

Read more on Scoop.co.nz

Kubota Introduces New L-Series Standard Compact Tractors
TORRANCE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Kubota Tractor Corporation adds power and new deluxe features to its Standard L-Series with the introduction of the L3200 and L3800. Available in two-and-four wheel drive models, the L3200 and the L3800 deliver 31.9 and 37.4 gross horsepower, respectively. New deluxe styling, operator control features, and performance-matched loader and backhoe bring …

Read more on Business Wire

Horizon’s NEW MiniPak – compact fuel cell power supply for your power-hungry portable electronics

October 14, 2010 by  
Filed under Going Green


Horizon is proud to announce the start of shipments of MiniPak – its first handheld fuel cell product, powered by mass-produced Horizon micro-fuel cells and new low-cost hydrogen storage cartridges. The MiniPak addresses the power gap created by increasingly power-hungry devices and limited improvements in the batteries that power them. It also helps bring myriads of low cost USB devices traditionally designed to be linked to the PC – into portable off-grid settings. This disruptive development is now available and other important announcements should follow shortly – WATCH THIS SPACE!

Which is the Better Buy; Subcompact, Hybrid or Compact?

August 14, 2010 by  
Filed under Fuel Economy

                Honda motors offer quite a few economical options to its consumers.  I test drove each one of the following after reviewing them online.

                The 2008 Honda Fit is a sub compact car that has adequate room for 5 smaller passengers and a small 1.5 liter 4 cylinder engine with an estimated 30 miles per gallon.   This car is great for transporting large items with its oversized hatch space and fold down seats.   This vehicle has an actual estimated cost to own of about $32,290 over 5 years.   The estimates show that this cost goes up and down, but the car is a bit cheap and may start to show its age after the 5 year period.   The 109 horsepower Fit is adequate for highway driving but for “lead foots” like myself it may not be enough.   It seemed to have a bit of trouble when passing other cars at 55 mile per hour on the highway.  The car is comfortable to drive and has many great features for the price tag.    Some consumers complain that the car is noisy and not powerful enough for the a/c to work, but as the old saying goes, “You get what you pay for.” 

                The 2008 Honda Civic sedan is a compact car with decent room for 5 passengers and has a small 1.8 liter 4 cylinder engine with an estimated 29 miles per gallon.   This vehicle actual has an estimated cost to own of about $34,453 over 5 years.   The estimates show that this cost does go down over the 5 year period and it may be worth it to keep it longer.  The 140 horsepower Civic is more than adequate for the average driver on both highway and city driving.  This is a comfortable and fun to drive car with many great features.  There is a drawback given the smaller trunk space, the seats fold down but you lose the extra space of the Fit hatchback. 

                The 2008 Honda Civic hybrid sedan is a compact car with decent room for 5 passengers and has a small 1.5 liter 4 cylinder engine with an estimated 42 miles per gallon.   This vehicle actual has an estimated cost to own of about $36,079 over 5 years.    The estimates show that this cost goes up and down and since hybrids have not been around long enough to judge the long term reliability issues, it may be wise to trade it in after the 5 year period.   The Civic hybrid has 110 horsepower, which is low, but it does have much higher gas mileage than the other two models according to the manufacturer.   The Civic hybrid does lack the 30 extra horsepower the regular Civic has, which is very noticeable on the road, but is still as comfortable.  Many consumers have noted that the actual gas mileage is not the same as stated; some only get an average of 31.  You may also want to consider the effect of all three cars on the environment.  The Civic hybrid has the least harmful effect on the environment with its gas/electric powered engine. 

                Consumers rated the Fit  9.1 out of 10, the Civic sedan 8.9 out of 10 and the Civic hybrid 8.9 out of ten while the editors at Edmunds rated the Fit 7.9 out of 10, the Civic sedan 7.8 out of 10 and the Civic hybrid 7.9 out of ten.  The editors’ only get a short period with the cars, while the consumers have had more time with them.   All three received overall good ratings, but I would have to go for the higher horsepower in the Civic sedan. 

                When I last shopped for a car, I had many choices; sporty, economical and many in between.  I test drove everything from small trucks and mini-sport utilities to subcompacts and sporty cars.   I went for the middle of the road when I chose the Honda accord over the smaller Honda Civic.  The extra interior space and larger, more powerful engine outweighed the higher costs of gas consumption and overall price.  The accord has a stated average fuel economy of 26 miles per gallon.  It’s a 10 year old car now and still gets an average of 24 miles per gallon even with my heavy foot on the gas.  I found that I also take advantage of the good sized trunk which holds everything from luggage for 4 people to a large desk.

 

I am an accounting student at West Chester University. I also run a small ebay business which helps me pay for tuition. I am also interested in computers and the automobile industry.

The Explorer Box by Compact Camping Concepts

July 29, 2010 by  
Filed under Fuel Economy


A DIY or ready to roll tent topped camping trailer for smaller fuel efficient vehicles at a dry weight of 350 to 400 pounds!

4S Compact Fast Reactor : DigInfo

July 26, 2010 by  
Filed under Going Green


DigInfo – www.diginfo.tv Toshiba presented technology for its 4S compact fast reactor at the ECO Products 2008 Exhibition. Toshiba began developing the compact, sodium cooled 4S fast reactor ten years ago based on nuclear power generation technology cultivated in the development of the Joyo and Monju reactors. The 4S, which is an abbreviation for Super-Safe, Small and Simple, can generate 10 megawatts of power and doesnt require refueling. The 4S design exhibits advanced performance in terms of nuclear nonproliferation because the 4S doesn’t require refueling. In addition, the adoption of an electromagnetic pump that has no rotating mechanisms enabled a design that requires no maintenance inside the reactor itself, and with this design, the 4S can be used as a source of heat and electricity to supply energy in nations throughout the world that are lacking sufficient energy sources. The 4S features superior safety performance and is designed to automatically shut down in the event of an emergency with natural cooling of the reactor core. Hope is rising for the 4S as a supply source for clean, safe energy. In addition, a production system that uses the waste heat that is generated as a byproduct by the nuclear power plant to extract hydrogen fuel also contributes to reducing CO2 levels. Toshiba will submit an application for licensing to the US government in the spring of 2009.

Ford Picks Compact Power To Supply Batteries For Electric Focus

July 20, 2010 by  
Filed under Hybrid Cars

The Little 57-mpg Engine That Could
Fiat says the TwinAir 875cc will be the world’s most fuel-efficient gasoline automobile engine — getting 57.4 mpg — when it appears in the 500 this fall. It meets Euro 5 emission regs and will allow Fiat to retain its position as the European automaker with the lowest overall fleet CO2 emissions.

Read more on Wired News

Camaro’s launch tops all rivals
The Chevrolet Camaro, which is built in Oshawa, has outscored all other new models for its launch, according to a major auto consumer information website.

Read more on Toronto Star

Honda plans electric vehicle, plug-in in 2012
Honda will start selling an electric vehicle as well as a plug-in hybrid in 2012 in the U.S. and Japan, joining the race to manufacture green cars in which rivals have already taken slight leads.

Read more on AP via Yahoo! Philippines News

Korea’s LG Chem wins Ford Focus battery pack deal
Ford Motor Co. has picked a subsidiary of Korean battery maker LG Chem to supply battery packs for an electric version of the Ford Focus that will hit showrooms sometime next year.

Read more on Louisville Courier-Journal

Ford Picks Compact Power To Supply Batteries For Electric Focus
Ford Picks Compact Power To Supply Batteries For Electric Focus

Read more on FOX Business

Environmental Ep. 2 – Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

May 22, 2010 by  
Filed under Going Green


The compact fluorescent light bulb… -They last longer -They can be MUCH brighter! -THEY CAN BE RECYCLED -They contain a lot less mercury than incandescent light bulbs. -They last about 7 times as long. -They use a lot less electricity! So seriously!!

Purely Products PA15 15-Watt Green Energy Efficient Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb

May 15, 2010 by  
Filed under Going Green

  • Helps save both energy and money
  • Reduces Carbon Dioxide (Global Warming) Sulphur Dioxide (Acid Rain) and reduced Landfill Pressure
  • Four to six times more efficient than incandescent bulbs
  • 10,000 hour lifespan
  • Helps protect the environment

Product Description
The Clean, Green Light Bulb by Purely Anion is a new revolutionary energy efficient light bulb with built-in negative ionizer. These compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs use 1/5th the energy of a traditional incandescent light bulb while generating negative ions into the air and removing smoke from cigarettes and other sources. Also eliminates pet dander and many other airborne contaminants within the rooms they are operated. Purely Anion light bulbs deliver white light immediately without any delays when turning on light. By replacing a single incandescent bulb with a Purely Anion bulb it will keep a half-ton of CO2 out of the atmosphere over the life of the bulb. If everyone in the U.S. used energy-efficient lighting, we could retire 90 average size power plants. Saving electricity reduces CO2 emissions, sulfur oxide and high-level nuclear waste. Features: -Compact fluorescent light bulb with ionizer. -15-Watt (Incandescent 60-Watt). -10,000 hour light bulb. -Built-in negative ionizer. -Generate 980,000 negative ions per cubic centimeter. -Single bulb will keep a 1/2 ton of CO2 out of the atmosphere. -Use only on 110 Volt 60 hz circuits. -Not recommended for outdoor applications or to be used in a sealed light fixture. -Dimensions: 4” H x 2.5” W x 2.25” D.

Purely Products PA15 15-Watt Green Energy Efficient Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb

Affordable, Fuel Efficient Compact Cars Steal the Spotlight

May 5, 2010 by  
Filed under Fuel Economy


Chevy Cruze Eco takes on Hybrids at The New York Auto Show At this year’s New York Auto Show, green rules. And with the unveiling of several new fuel efficient cars that are easy on the pocket, you don’t have to be Leo DiCaprio to be eco-friendly. Without using costly hybrid technology, Chevrolet debuted green-worthy competition to the reigning Kings of fuel economy. GM showed-off its 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco, which powered by an Ecotec turbocharged engine, gets an estimated 40 miles per gallon. Designed with better aerodynamics and advanced technologies, the Cruze Eco has hybrid-like efficiency without the price tag.

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