Suzuki Splash: One Byproduct of Suzuki/GM Coupling

Reading like a reenactment of German and Japanese diplomacy during WWII, Volkswagen continues to consolidate its status as the world’s most dominant automaker with discussions of acquiring a stake in Suzuki while the Japanese automaker relaxes ties with former affiliate GM.

Image: Autoblog

BMW is doing a round of upgrades to the European-spec versions of its excellent twin-turbo 3.0L diesel engines, which we only just received in the States in late 2008. Two main technologies have been updated to allow more power and efficiency. First, the common-rail fuel injection system now supports a whopping 29,000 PSI injector pressure, up 6,000 PSI over the last version, allowing greater control over the mixture. The turbos have also been tweaked to scavenge power more efficiently. What does it all add up to?

A British charity organization that focuses on helping the environment by reducing the use of cars has released a report showing that the Dodge SRT-10 Roadster (how they badge the Viper across the pond) is the worst car in Britain (from an environmental standpoint). Which is clearly no great surprise – the 8.3L pushrod two-valve motor is a dinosaur, and it’s up against a load of tiny French cars and other assorted European nonsense.

2009 Honda Insight

According to the Wall Street Journal, based on the rate at which it is currently selling, Honda is happily bracing themselves and shareholders for huge sales figures of their Insight Hybrid in the coming year. In the U.S. alone, this may amount to between 50,000 and 60,000 new Insights sold this year alone.

Ford Bobcat Engine

The ongoing dance around CAFE and EPA standards has created another example of mechanical Darwinism. Ethanol Boosting Systems, LLC, an engineering partner of Ford, has cross-bred a traditional gasoline engine with E85 Direct Injection and thrown in a couple of turbochargers for good measure. The resulting mutation provides diesel-like performance on demand with improved emissions and increased fuel economy. Code-named “Bobcat”, it could be the future of engines or the next vaporware coffee table in the engineering lounge. Why so cynical? Thank you for asking.

Audi Implementing New Technologies

Audi is the latest automaker to announce its adoption of technology that could improve fuel efficiency of as much as 20%.  Like Mazda, Audi is addressing one of the most wasteful areas of gas consumption in cars; idling.

E10, 10% ethanol, on sale in the US.

A group of ethanol industry representatives has requested that the EPA approve a gasoline blend that increases the ethanol content, up to a possible 15%. This new blend could be called E15, although a lower percentage could be approved. What does this mean for your warranty?

Natural Gas Fueled Honda Civic GX

The future of compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles as envisioned by T. Boone Pickens has inched back from oblivion following an announcement that the only producer of CNG refueling technology in America will be acquired by Fuel Systems Solutions.  Though not finalized yet, Fuel Systems Solutions announced yesterday that it has agreed to acquire specific assets and technology for compressed natural gas (CNG) refueling products manufactured by FuelMaker Corporation, a company that Honda had recently forced into bankruptcy.  Honda’s decision was met with a lot of head scratching and conspiracy theories given that the Honda’s own Civic GX is the only vehicle in this country capable of running on CNG. 

TTXGP, or Time Trials Xtreme Grand Prix, is a 37.75 mile motorcycle race of international competitors set to kick off on June 12th, 2009, on closed public roads on the Isle of Mann, and it’s this type of race that is starting to push the envelope on new, clean, powerful vehicular technology.

Although all of the motorcycles entered in the TTXGP look like normal motorcycles, none of them have an internal combustion engine, exhaust, or fuel tank, and the overall CO2 usage (to charge the batteries) is about 50 percent less than a gas or diesel powered bike.

Let’s look at just a few of the motorcycles that are entered in the TTXGP:

1) Mission One (US)

The Mission One zero-emissions motorcycle is a wicked looking bike out of the United States that can apparently hit 150mph and go for 150 miles on a single charge of its lithium-ion battery configuration.

America’s Only CNG Vehicle: Honda Civic GX

Confirming many allegations, both here on Ridelust and elsewhere in the industry that Honda has engaged in a series of intentional acts to withhold or stall its compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle program, the company has now put into bankruptcy its CNG refueling company, Fuelmaker.