CAR, TRUCK, ENGINE, MOTOR BLOG

10 Most Efficient Cars

2009-11-07T04:15:00.000-08:00

Luxury cars are often considered merely an expensive and cool to win it, but drank fuel wasteful or inefficient.

Yet of the many high-priced cars sold in the global market, there are also many cars that fuel efficient.

As quoted from detikOto Cars, Friday (6/11/2009), manufacturer of luxury cars from Germany, BMW became one of the most efficient luxury cars in the world through the BMW 335d is not only attractive from the appearance, but also economical in terms of fuel consumption .

Cars BMW 335d according to an efficient luxury cars, because this car consumes fuel only about 23 MPG in the city and 36 MPG on the highway.

Meanwhile, Audi A4 and Hyundai Genesis are also included in the list of most-efficient luxury cars because they only consume fuel respectively in the 23 MPG 30 MPG city and outside the city and 18 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the way out of town.

Similarly, hybrid sedan from Lexus 250h which are also HS in the list because in addition to already carry the hybrid engine, this car also passed the test in a city where only consumes about 35 MPG fuel only. Although the test was out of town car with a BMW 335d lost because only able to consume fuel only about 34 MPG.

Of the 10 most-efficient luxury cars are made this Cars, luxury car manufacturers from Japan, Lexus, looked dominant for donating the car 3 in the list followed by Audi who took the product 2.

Here's a list of luxury cars are fuel efficient version of the Cars.

1. BMW 335d - 23/36
2. Audi A4 - 23/30
3. Hyundai Genesis - 18/27
4. HS Lexus 250h - 35/34
5. Cadillac CTS - 18/27
6. Lexus RX 450h - 32/28
7. Acura TSX - 21/30
8. Lexus EX 350 - 18/27
9. Audi A3 - 30/42
10. Volvo C30 - 20/31

Problem Fuel Cell Vehicles, Indonesia Missed

2009-11-06T08:06:00.000-08:00

JAKARTA - When to electric-powered cars begin to socialize our country through a number of hybrid vehicles, turned out to Indonesia fuel cell vehicles far less than other countries.

This was revealed to the Head of Materials Technology Center BPPT, Barman Tambunan in an opportunity at FX Plaza, Jakarta.

According to him, the fuel cell vehicle technology is still a long way to be applied in Indonesia. "Because to make a tube where the hydrogen we are still limited," he said.

This limitation is due to the number of available raw material to make hydrogen fuel cell tubes are. For, if the hydrogen is made by not careful, it is very dangerous for human survival and the environment.

"This technology is actually very good for the environment, but if the tube where the store is not hidroden good and easy to leak, it's certainly very dangerous," he said.

Conditions in this country in contrast to several countries in the world. Especially developed countries like Japan, Europe, and America, the fuel cell fuel currently being actively developed automotive companies as an alternative fuel in addition to using the fossil.

"Well if that is here there cellnya fuel fuel elements," he stated.

For this reason, fuel cell vehicles are still very much developing in the country. "We do have a prototype for the motor fuel cell technology, but have not found how the hydrogen storage to be safe and comfortable for the rider," added Barman.

Mercedes-Benz SLR Mclaren

2009-01-31T07:40:00.000-08:00

Mercedes-Benz SLR mclaren is a sport and super cars developed by DaimlerChrysler and mclaren Cars. He built on the mclaren Technology Center in Woking, England. Many people consider "SLR," is an abbreviation of "Sport, Light, Racing" (Sports, Light, Racing).

SLR engine has a supercharger 5.5 liter V8 that produces 460kW (626 horse power) and torque 780 Nm (575 lb.ft). Mercedes-Benz claims that the car can berakselerasi from 0 to 100 km / h in just 3.8 seconds and has a maximum speed of 334 km / hour (208 mpj). Rem cakramnya made of carbon-ceramics that provide a good energy release and hold longer than a steel disc. This car has a five-level speed automatic transmission with three different modes, sports, super sports and racing.

Toyota Celica

2009-01-31T07:16:00.000-08:00

Toyota Celica sport coupe is a car manufactured by Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan from October 1970 until April 2006. During 36 years, have 7 generation Celica, with a total cumulative production of more than 4.1 million units.

Handling and styling are important from the point Celica, where this car comes with exterior design is interesting and fun to be steered wheel because of its communicative and responsive, handling is steady, and the distance the brake to stop short. A large market for Celica is the USA, Japan, Europe, and Australia.

Celica is the official car used by Toyota in the world rally championship / World Rally Championship (WRC) from 1972 to 1986 model with rear wheel, and from 1988 until the 1997 model for GT-Four berpenggerak 4WD. Celica for WRC made by Toyota Team Europe in Cologne, Germany.

After the Celica ceased production in 2006, its position sebgai sport compact car made by Toyota Scion TC replaced in North America. For other regions, Toyota has not been prepared successor.

First generation (1970-1977)
Toyota Celica coupe was first shown at the 1970 Tokyo Motor Show in October, and began to be marketed in December 1970 in Japan. Model which is marketed 1400ET, 1600LT, 1600ST, 1600GT, and 1600GTV. Model 1600GT and motorized 1600GTV high ability Twincam 2T-G. Year 1972 was launched with the 2000GT model 18R-G engine. In April 1973, line up with the Celica in the form of a more practical Liftback with a glass back door that can be opened up and the rear seats can be folded. Liftback version is 1600ST, 1600GT, 2000ST, and 2000GT.

Second generation (1977-1981)
Celica launched in August 1977 designed by Calty Design Research in California, United States. Model coupe and Liftback still available with the engine in 1600, 1600 Twincam, 1800, EFI 1800, 2000, and 2000 Twincam for Japanese market. Variantnya ET, LT, ST, XT, SE, GT, and GTV. In 1978 replaced by GTV GT Rally. In the United States, and the Celica GT ST 20R 2200 motorized fixed cc.

Third generation (1982-1985)
Following the trend in 1980-an, Celica comes with a box body design, but elegant. Coupe and Liftback still available, and in 1984 added to the model with the roof can be opened, that is convertible to be made by American Sunroof Corporation (asc).

As before, the engine is installed on the Celica is a 1600 cc, 1800 cc, 2000 cc and 2400 cc for the United States. For the 1800 cc engine is a new 1S, 3T, and 3T-equipped turbo GTEU. Using the first Celica turbo GT-T is the only sold in Japan. And also made the GT-TR luxurious, and GT-TS which only 200 units for the rally homologasi Group B. Celica GT-TS is the basis for a car rally Celica Twincam Turbo to be the champion Safari Rally and Rally Ivory Coast between the years 1983-1986.

Fourth generation (1986-1989)
Major changes in a fundamental shift from the Celica rear wheel drive to front wheel drive. Coupe model only to the United States and export to some countries. Most basic model is inexpensive and ST. GT equipment in the United States has more than ST, but the same plant 2S-FE for the year 1986, which was then replaced by 3S-FE engine for 1987. GT is available in the form of a coupe, convertible, and Liftback. In Japan, all shaped Liftback. GT-R (or GT-S in the United States / GTi in Europe) motorized 3S-GE is a terkencang with front wheel drive.

Fifth generation (1990-1993)
There are four types of body form for fifth-generation Celica, the coupe, convertible, normal body Liftback, Liftback and wide body. Liftback wide body has front and rear Fender wider, this is only the form of a body model for the GT-S, GT-Four A (All-Trac), and GT-Four RC (Carlos Sainz Limited Edition). In Japan, GT-Four also have a normal body for the years 1990-1991.

For Japan, Celica offered three options with the 2.0 liter engine Twincam, 3S-FE for the SR and ZR, 3S-GE to GT-R, Active Sports, and convertible, and the 3S-GTE for the GT-Four.
4-wheel steering (4WS) where the rear wheels can turn with a small corner on the standard GT-R and Active Sports, or optional on SR and ZR. Auto tilt-away steering wheel standard on the ZR, GT-R, and GT-Four where the rudder will be increased if the revoked key contacts, and to return to the position of the key set if the contact is placed.

Sixth generation (1994-1999)
Sixth generation Celica has 4 fruit-shaped front lights a large rounded. Bodynya slightly larger but lighter than the fifth generation. Model for the United States only coupe, convertible and Liftback sold on the world market. There are 5 kinds of machines to Celica, the 7A-FE 1.8 liter, 3S-FE and 3S-GE 2.0 liter, 5S-FE 2.2 liter, and the 3S-GTE 2.0 liter turbo.

Trim levels for the Japanese market is the SS-I, SS-II, SS-III, convertible, and GT-Four. Model SS-I is equipped with 4-wheel steering. Model SS-II diexport to Europe and some Asian countries as a GT. SS-III plant-3S GE BEAMS with high ability, Super Strut Suspensi sport, and specifically to have a manual transmission is also equipped Helical Limited Slip Differential.

Seventh generation (2000-2006)
Basically there are only two last-generation model Celica that is ZZT230 motorized 1ZZ-FE VVT-i, and the plant's ability ZZT231 high 2ZZ-FE VVTL-i. VVT-i version called the GT in the United States, or the SS-I in Japan, while the plant is VVTL-i GT-S in the United States, or the SS-II in Japan. In Australia, all motorized model VVTL-i, for both SX and ZR models.

Transmission model for a motorized 1ZZ-FE is a 5 speed manual, 6 speed manual or 4 speed automatic. While the motorized 2ZZ-GE using the 6 speed manual transmission or 4 speed tiptronic automatic with shift buttons on the wheel.

Lexus ES series

2009-01-31T07:12:00.000-08:00

Lexus ES series is a luxury sedan produced by the Lexus division of Toyota since 1990. Now the car series this generation has been shown to-5, this series is based on a Toyota Camry platform with a V6 engine and automatic transmission. Since the beginning, ES series is a series of luxury cars until the beginning of the introduction of Lexus IS in 2001. To 5-generation ES350 introduced in the third quarter of 2006.

Wood Gas - The Future Biomass-Derived Fuel

2008-12-10T06:05:00.000-08:00

Let's assume, that you own a farm. You produce grain and have a lot of straw. You'd like to make your energy on site from the biomass you have available. You might plant your fields with rapeseed or canola and produce biodiesel. But you'd need to get methanol and lye first, since both of them can't be made there! And you can use your biodiesel only in compression ignition (diesel) engines. And what if you have an old genset powered by spark-ignition (gasoline / petrol) engine? I think I might have a solution for you...

You'll make use of a technology that's more than 200 years old. It's greatest development took place during World War II in 1940s in Europe. At that time most of petroleum-derived fuels were used by military and there was no fuel left for civilians. So they made their own fuel, the wood gas from wood or charcoal. In some countries 95% of civilian transport (trucks, buses, even fishermen's boats) were fueled with this gas.

What is this wood gas? From chemical point of view it's a mixture of combustible carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H2) and methane (CH4), dilluted with some water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen (N2). This gas can be easily used for almost every internal combustion engine. Well... except for the most modern ones, they'd require to have their electronics to be modified.

How wood gas is made? When you heat wood it is pyrolysed, i.e. all the tars vaporize. When you add some oxygen, the carbon bound within the wood cells is burnt to carbon dioxide. The vapors burn too. When those burnt gasses pass through a layer of very hot char, they are reduced to carbon monoxide and hydrogen. A small amount of methane is also produced. When the gas is cooled and cleaned of any tars and particles, it can be used in internal combustion engine, boiler or any other device!

What do you need to produce your own wood gas? You'd need a device that's called gasifier. It consists of fuel hopper, gasifying chamber and a set of filters. It's very easy to build, the people during WWII made it out of old water heaters and stuff like that.

Is wood gas safe? Well, if you don't inhale it, you'll be OK. Carbon monoxide is very toxic and poisonous, so caution is required when using wood gas. From the engine point of view, if it's clean, it's safe. The tars might condense inside the engine, for example on valves, which might cause the engine to fail. The particles would probably destroy the contact surfaces on pistons and cylinders. If the gas is too hot the engine will not work (hot gas is diluted and has small energy content per unit volume), but it will not harm it.

Any drawbacks? One that's worth mentioning. Petrol engines will suffer 1/3 power loss -- the wood gas does have small heating value. Diesel engines will not suffer such power loss, since they work on stratified mixtures and because of that you can introduce more wood gas to recover the power loss. You'd need to leave some small amount of diesel to be injected to the cylinders to ignite the wood gas.

Interested? One liter of petrol / gasoline can be replaced with 2.5 - 4 kg (5.5 - 9 lbs) of wood. How cool is that!

by: Krzysztof Lis

The BWM HP2 Sport

2008-12-10T05:52:00.000-08:00

The BWM HP2 Sport is the latest iteration of the Bavarian Motor Company's foray into producing performance driven motorcycles. The quiet, staid, and lets just admit it boring motorcycles that came out of BMW in years past is history.

The HP line is BMW's new high performance, cutting edge line up. It's the motorcycle equivalent of their M line of performance cars.

The HP2 Sport is the third motorcycle in the HP line following the releases of the HP2 Enduro and the HP2 Megamoto.

The HP-2 Sport is based on the R1200S but is out and out designed for sports riders who are looking for a machine that has performance as well as endurance.

The HP2 Sport keeps some of the concepts that BMW motorcycles have become known for such as the BMW Motorrad Telelever front suspension and the EVO Paralever rear suspension. Other components have been newly developed or highly modified for use in the motorcycle.

The HP-2 Sport is powered by a twin Boxer motor that has a capacity of 1170 cc. The engine's cylinder heads were completely redesigned which allows the engine to rev as high as 9500 rpm. The engine has a 101 mm bore and a 73 mm stroke and produces a maximum of 130 hp at 8,750 rpm and 85 lb-ft of torque at 6,000 rpm.

The bike has a close ratio six speed gear box, with first and second gear having higher ratios. This puts the gear increments closer to each other and results in less of a rev drop when progressing up through the gears.

The bike also has a gear shift assistant which allows the rider to shift gears without using the clutch. It works by sensing when the gear lever is activated. If it senses gear lever activation without the use of the clutch, it electronically reduces power to the engine which puts the engine in a low load state and makes it possible to shift without the clutch. If the rider uses the clutch, the system becomes inactive.

The riding position of the HP-2 sport can be described as relaxed. BMW has extensive experience with endurance racing and knows that for racers to be fast over a long period staying power is more important than a full racer's tuck.

The dashboard was developed by 2D Systems, which also provides analytic recording systems to Moto GP racing.

The dashboard has two modes and is switched by two controls on the left handlebar. In road mode, typical information such as speed, rpm, time, and distance are displayed. In race mode data such as top speed, circuit times, number of gearshifts and rpm is shown.

The HP2 Sport will push BMW further into the world of performance motorcycling.

Mazda BT-50 gets facelift

2008-12-10T05:44:00.000-08:00

Mazda has given its BT-50 pickup truck a minor change and announced that the new model will help it achieve a total pickup truck sales of 12,700 in 2008, up from 11,000 units in 2007.

Produced at the AutoAlliance Thailand (AAT) plant in Rayong, the BT-50 is also exported to 130 global markets from Thailand. The facelifted BT-50 maintains its sporty appeal, with the new design adding a more dynamic and robust look.

There is a new front pentagonal grille, along with new front bumpers, multi-reflector headlights and turning lights. Meanwhile, the rear lights are larger and come with chrome trim. The side profile is highlighted by a new wheel fender kit, as well as 15-inch or 16-inch 5-spoke wheels. There are 11 colours to choose from as well.

Mazda Sales Thailand Co Ltd marketing director Sureethip La-ongthong says that the company will focus on two-wheel-drive pickup models this year. As much as 97 per cent of Mazda pickup truck sales are made up of two-wheel-drive models, while the remaining 3 per cent are four-wheel-drive models for fleet customers.

"Previously the ratio between two- and four-wheel-drive models was 85/15, but presently the popularity of thr four-wheel-drive models have grown," she daid.

Sureethip said the company will emphasize on the 4x2 2.5-liter and 3.0-liter models, with prices starting at Bt489,000 foi the standard cab and Bt541,000 for the Freestyle cab. The 4x2 Hi Racer starts at Bt602,900 and the 4-door model at Bt612,900.

Mazda is also planning to spend Bt20 million for a countrywide roadshow to 12 provinces from March to June. Caravans of the BT-50 and Mazda3 will be shown along with special activities including special stunt shows, concerts, games and prizes. Sureethip said the automobile market should finish the year at 650,000 units, and Mazda plans to sell 16,000 units, which is approximately 2.5 per cent of the market.