One of my close friends really does love concept cars. Not only because of their unique styles and unique features but because of the fact that these concept cars are produced only once in a lifetime and there are very rare cases when these become production vehicles. More often than not, concept cars continuously become concept cars and later on museum displays.
Making its rounds in the auto industry is the rumor of a new vehicle from Volvo that is cooler than the cool air the Volvo cooling system parts can produce. What is cool about this new concept vehicle is not how it looks like but actually because of its environmentally friendly feature. Volvo calls the new concept car the Volvo XC60 and it has been said that it is combination of a coupe and a sports utility vehicle.
The vehicle comes with a bio ethanol engine with six cylinders. Volvo says that this engine has the capacity and capability to cut down on emissions of fossil carbon dioxide not only by some twenty or fifty per cent but actually of a whooping eighty per cent. In fact, the company does say that with the Volvo XC60, you not only get a safe ride (which is a trademark of the company) but you also do get a vehicle that does not add up to Mother Nature’s problems.
City Safe. This is what Volvo describes the Volvo XC60 concept vehicle. It has got an active collision avoidance system which has been specially engineered and designed so as to lessen or even completely avoid damage from low speed rear impacts. What happens is that when the Volvo XC60 is following a vehicle which suddenly brakes, the City Safety feature is the one that senses that a collision is imminent. What this one would do would be to actually pre charge the brakes of the vehicle so as to avoid any kind of accident. The City Safe feature can also make the car brake automatically if it senses any accident happening.
If the company does continue on with its plans on making the Volvo XC60 as a production vehicle, you should expect the vehicle to come to the nearest showrooms in your area in the year 2009.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Sunday, December 24, 2006
How to make your Neon Car Lights look the Part!
It's one thing to grab a set of neon car lights and whack them on your vehicle, expecting them to work great, but the fact is, because you rushed the job to show your friends tonight, now their not working for some reason and there appears to be sparks flying out from under the dash, and on top of that, now your car won't start because you've shorted out the ignition! But on the other hand, as an experienced auto mechanic by trade and owner of All-Neon-Car-Lights.com I can tell you that if you only take your time when doing any kind of car customising, the end results will look so much better and they will work more efficiently too then if you just rush it.
When it comes to gaining optimal performance from of your neon car lights, its best when installing them to consider the amount of glow that the light tubes are going to emit so as to be sure that nothing is going to block out the glow of the tubes. Meaning if your installing under car lights, then you'll want the tubes to be mounted "level" with the under carriage of the vehicle and not positioned too far up inside the under carriage where it will block most of the potential glow from your tubes, and also not to far down or else you'll loose the tubes on high ground if you have a low car.
Also, many of the under car kits have special mounting brackets that allow you to "rotate" the tubes so you can direct the glow where you want. For example, you may want the glow to be directed straight towards the ground, or you may want to direct the light towards the outside of the vehicle, so that the glow is actually wider then the car. These neon car lights and their brackets have been made like this for that reason, so be sure to utilize them for best performance.
For the interior car lights, well... only the limit of your imagination can stop you here! However, it's always good to mount these tubes in locations where they will not get repeatedly kicked or broken from people that get in and out of your vehicle and that they will not interfere with you while you're driving. That includes any interior tubes that may be mounted at the back of the car that could reflect in the "rear view" mirror at night, preventing you from seeing behind you because of the glare.
Another good point to remember when installing your neon car lights for the best all round performance, is to "solder" all the wiring joints (if this is required for your type of installation) and seal the joints with duck tape or similar insulation tape to ensure a good connection and to prevent a voltage drop at connection point. If you hurry too much with the install and you only "twirl" the wires together, as a result, your neon lights will end up being too dull in brightness or even worse, they could cause a fire.
Speaking of dull, unfortunately, some colors, whether you get LED or neon tubes, are naturally already dull due to the light color. Some of these colors include pink, aqua, and amber to name a few, so be sure to keep this in mind when choosing your desired color weather it be for the interior or exterior car lighting.
One other major tip, and one that's often forgotten about when a person wants the best performance from their neon car lights, is if you've got neon under car lights, then over time, the tubes under the vehicle are going to get very dirty due to water, dirt, grease, oil and grime that comes off the roads, which in turn, blocks the glow of the lights. So when ever your meeting your friends out one night to show off your cool rides, always make it a habit to clean the tubes under the car when you wash your vehicle, that way, they will always be running at optimal brightness.
Many of the online dealers for major Manufactures of neon car lights such as Plasmaglow, Streetglow, Liteglow and numerous other quality car light accessory makers will deliver the goods when it comes to best all round quality, durability and performance. However, be warned, if it's not a big brand name neon car light product, then you may be asking for trouble due to the lack of quality in some of the kit components, but this too, is not always the case.
Hopefully these few little tips have inspired you to take your time when installing your car lighting accessories, or to maybe give your existing neon or LED car lights an overhaul to bring them alive again. What ever it is that this article has done for just, just be sure to have a good one, and enjoy your neon car lights at all times.
When it comes to gaining optimal performance from of your neon car lights, its best when installing them to consider the amount of glow that the light tubes are going to emit so as to be sure that nothing is going to block out the glow of the tubes. Meaning if your installing under car lights, then you'll want the tubes to be mounted "level" with the under carriage of the vehicle and not positioned too far up inside the under carriage where it will block most of the potential glow from your tubes, and also not to far down or else you'll loose the tubes on high ground if you have a low car.
Also, many of the under car kits have special mounting brackets that allow you to "rotate" the tubes so you can direct the glow where you want. For example, you may want the glow to be directed straight towards the ground, or you may want to direct the light towards the outside of the vehicle, so that the glow is actually wider then the car. These neon car lights and their brackets have been made like this for that reason, so be sure to utilize them for best performance.
For the interior car lights, well... only the limit of your imagination can stop you here! However, it's always good to mount these tubes in locations where they will not get repeatedly kicked or broken from people that get in and out of your vehicle and that they will not interfere with you while you're driving. That includes any interior tubes that may be mounted at the back of the car that could reflect in the "rear view" mirror at night, preventing you from seeing behind you because of the glare.
Another good point to remember when installing your neon car lights for the best all round performance, is to "solder" all the wiring joints (if this is required for your type of installation) and seal the joints with duck tape or similar insulation tape to ensure a good connection and to prevent a voltage drop at connection point. If you hurry too much with the install and you only "twirl" the wires together, as a result, your neon lights will end up being too dull in brightness or even worse, they could cause a fire.
Speaking of dull, unfortunately, some colors, whether you get LED or neon tubes, are naturally already dull due to the light color. Some of these colors include pink, aqua, and amber to name a few, so be sure to keep this in mind when choosing your desired color weather it be for the interior or exterior car lighting.
One other major tip, and one that's often forgotten about when a person wants the best performance from their neon car lights, is if you've got neon under car lights, then over time, the tubes under the vehicle are going to get very dirty due to water, dirt, grease, oil and grime that comes off the roads, which in turn, blocks the glow of the lights. So when ever your meeting your friends out one night to show off your cool rides, always make it a habit to clean the tubes under the car when you wash your vehicle, that way, they will always be running at optimal brightness.
Many of the online dealers for major Manufactures of neon car lights such as Plasmaglow, Streetglow, Liteglow and numerous other quality car light accessory makers will deliver the goods when it comes to best all round quality, durability and performance. However, be warned, if it's not a big brand name neon car light product, then you may be asking for trouble due to the lack of quality in some of the kit components, but this too, is not always the case.
Hopefully these few little tips have inspired you to take your time when installing your car lighting accessories, or to maybe give your existing neon or LED car lights an overhaul to bring them alive again. What ever it is that this article has done for just, just be sure to have a good one, and enjoy your neon car lights at all times.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Porsche 911 Bags Top Sports Car Commendation
Consumer Reports, one of the most valued authorities when it comes to reviews and comparisons regarding different models of cars has announced the top high-performance sports car – Porsche 911. The commendation was released after a number of reviews and comparisons were pored over and analyzed.
Consumer Reports made an in-house testing laboratory. It also considered several aspects aside from the aforementioned. Other aspects include the car’s actual performance, acceleration, braking and other capabilities and features.
The famous magazine used different scoring system than that of the accustomed system used to rate minivans, sedans and other vehicle. This fact was stated by David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports Auto Test Center. Champion added “While the scoring was still heavily weighted toward safety, including emergency handling, factors like acceleration were given more importance than, for instance, trunk space.
Consumer Reports has also anonymously purchased all the vehicles it tested from retail auto dealers. This is to preclude qualms involving the results of the testing. Though the scoring system employed was different from that of the customary, said scoring is reliable and more efficient.
According to the testing Porsche 911 beat the Chevrolet Corvette Z06, the Dodge Viper and 11 other high-performance luxury sports cars. It was mentioned in CNN that the prices of the cars used ranged from $45,545 for a Lotus Elise to $105,855 for a Mercedes-Benz SL550.
The impressive award is nothing new to Porsche. In fact, said automaker has also bagged the first place as the most prestigious luxury automobile brand. Said award was given by Luxury Institute, New York. The survey of the Institute was conducted in May this year.
Porsche is continuing its legacy as the most luxurious brand and its models complement said label. For Porsche that is the way to go – and the way up is still favorable to said automaker.
Ford Gets 2 in Wards Auto World's 10-best Engines
Ford Motor Co. continues to amass awards and accolades despite the turmoil of running on the bumpy financial road of the auto industry. Lately, two of Ford's engine made it to 10-Best Engines by Wards Auto World.
New 3.5 liter Duratec DOHC 24-valve V6 and 4.6 liter 3-valve SOHC V8 are the power engines that made the automaker stand out from others. In addition, this is V8's third year to receive such commendation from the company. Ford power engines are included in the list of world class engines. Joining the list are the powerful engines from Audi, BMW, Daimler Benz, and Toyota.
“This is an exceptional accomplishment and a testament to our powertrain development process." said Barb Samardzich, vice president, Ford Motor Company, Powertrain Product Development Operations. "The 3.5-liter engine class is one of the most competitive in the industry, so it is high praise to have our new engine stand out and be among the 10 best in the industry."
The 3.5 liter V6 is rated at 265 horsepower. Said engine is incorporated with the auto parts for Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX and MKZ. It will soon be incorporated to 302 Ford engine parts of Five Hundred, Freestyle and Fusion. There is also a great possibility of featuring the 3.5 liter V6 as part of Ford Mustang parts accessories. On the one hand, the award-winning 4.6 liter 3-valve V8 from Mustang, Explorer, and Mountaineer, proved its power once again by making it to the list for the third time in a row. Both the 3.5 liter V6 and the 4.6 liter 3-valve V8 deliver an improved power mated to better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.
Ward's 2007 10 best engines are Audi AG 2L turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Audi A3), BMW AG 3L DOHC I-6 (Z4 3.0si), BMW AG 3L turbocharged DOHC I-6 (335i), DaimlerChrysler AG 3L DOHC V-6 turbodiesel (MB E320 /Jeep Grand Cherokee), DaimlerChrysler AG Hemi 5.7L OHV V-8 (Chrysler 300C), Ford Motor Co. Duratec 35 3.5L DOHC V-6 (Ford Edge/Lincoln MKX), Ford Motor Co. 4.6L SOHC V-8 (Mustang GT/Mustang Shelby GT), Mazda Motor Corp. 2.3L DISI turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Mazdaspeed3), Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. 3.5L DOHC V-6 (Infiniti G35), and Toyota Motor Corp. 3.5L DOHC V-6 (Lexus IS 350).
New 3.5 liter Duratec DOHC 24-valve V6 and 4.6 liter 3-valve SOHC V8 are the power engines that made the automaker stand out from others. In addition, this is V8's third year to receive such commendation from the company. Ford power engines are included in the list of world class engines. Joining the list are the powerful engines from Audi, BMW, Daimler Benz, and Toyota.
“This is an exceptional accomplishment and a testament to our powertrain development process." said Barb Samardzich, vice president, Ford Motor Company, Powertrain Product Development Operations. "The 3.5-liter engine class is one of the most competitive in the industry, so it is high praise to have our new engine stand out and be among the 10 best in the industry."
The 3.5 liter V6 is rated at 265 horsepower. Said engine is incorporated with the auto parts for Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX and MKZ. It will soon be incorporated to 302 Ford engine parts of Five Hundred, Freestyle and Fusion. There is also a great possibility of featuring the 3.5 liter V6 as part of Ford Mustang parts accessories. On the one hand, the award-winning 4.6 liter 3-valve V8 from Mustang, Explorer, and Mountaineer, proved its power once again by making it to the list for the third time in a row. Both the 3.5 liter V6 and the 4.6 liter 3-valve V8 deliver an improved power mated to better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.
Ward's 2007 10 best engines are Audi AG 2L turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Audi A3), BMW AG 3L DOHC I-6 (Z4 3.0si), BMW AG 3L turbocharged DOHC I-6 (335i), DaimlerChrysler AG 3L DOHC V-6 turbodiesel (MB E320 /Jeep Grand Cherokee), DaimlerChrysler AG Hemi 5.7L OHV V-8 (Chrysler 300C), Ford Motor Co. Duratec 35 3.5L DOHC V-6 (Ford Edge/Lincoln MKX), Ford Motor Co. 4.6L SOHC V-8 (Mustang GT/Mustang Shelby GT), Mazda Motor Corp. 2.3L DISI turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Mazdaspeed3), Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. 3.5L DOHC V-6 (Infiniti G35), and Toyota Motor Corp. 3.5L DOHC V-6 (Lexus IS 350).
Top 3 Picks For Hybrid Cars
Hybrid cars are fast becoming more and more popular due to the rising fuel costs and the prices of hybrid cars are becoming more and more affordable. The performance of hybrid cars are also comparable to diesel/petrol cars so there’s no reason not to get it.
There are plenty of new hybrid car models introduced every year but here are my top 3 picks that offers the best performance and features for the price.
#3 Honda Civic Hybrid
The Honda Civic hybrid is not a new model and has been on the market for some time. The price retails around $20,000 and the fuel performance is 47 city mpg and 48 highway mpg.
Though it isn’t terribly fast, what I like about the honda civic hybrid is that it can carry up to 5 people. It is more functional and is suitable as a family car. It also pass the crash test rating with a good score of 5.
If you have a family and do not need to get anywhere fast, then going with a honda civic hybrid is a good buy.
#2 Honda Insight
The honda insight is a two seater hybrid car which have fuel performance of 57 city mpg and 56 highway mpg. The price is about the same as the honda civic hybrid. It is a very reliable car which I have owned for a couple of years. So far, it has not given me such problems.
There are a couple of disadvantages, firstly it is 2 seater which means it’s not a family type of car. Secondly, the horsepower isn’t that great with only 71 hp.
It is my second top pick because I like its reliability and when you compare price to performance, it is pretty good.
#1 Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius hybrid car is my top pick because it offers the best performance for the price you get. It cost around $19,000 which is the cheapest out of the three. It has more horsepower at 110 hp and can do 60 city mpg and 51 highway mpg. It is a family sized car which can hold 5 people quite comfortably with some space left in the trunk.
It also get a 4.5 score for it’s crash test rating. For price and performance, you can’t beat the toyota prius.
There are plenty of new hybrid car models introduced every year but here are my top 3 picks that offers the best performance and features for the price.
#3 Honda Civic Hybrid
The Honda Civic hybrid is not a new model and has been on the market for some time. The price retails around $20,000 and the fuel performance is 47 city mpg and 48 highway mpg.Though it isn’t terribly fast, what I like about the honda civic hybrid is that it can carry up to 5 people. It is more functional and is suitable as a family car. It also pass the crash test rating with a good score of 5.
If you have a family and do not need to get anywhere fast, then going with a honda civic hybrid is a good buy.
#2 Honda Insight
The honda insight is a two seater hybrid car which have fuel performance of 57 city mpg and 56 highway mpg. The price is about the same as the honda civic hybrid. It is a very reliable car which I have owned for a couple of years. So far, it has not given me such problems.There are a couple of disadvantages, firstly it is 2 seater which means it’s not a family type of car. Secondly, the horsepower isn’t that great with only 71 hp.
It is my second top pick because I like its reliability and when you compare price to performance, it is pretty good.
#1 Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius hybrid car is my top pick because it offers the best performance for the price you get. It cost around $19,000 which is the cheapest out of the three. It has more horsepower at 110 hp and can do 60 city mpg and 51 highway mpg. It is a family sized car which can hold 5 people quite comfortably with some space left in the trunk.It also get a 4.5 score for it’s crash test rating. For price and performance, you can’t beat the toyota prius.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
New Infiniti Vehicles has All the Features to take away your Breath
The new infiniti vehicles are creating quite a stir in the automobile world. Admirers have even gone to the extent of naming these new infiniti vehicles as the best looking vehicles. This is quiet a compliment and the new Infiniti deserves all the praise that is heaped on it from all quarters. Infiniti vehicles are very high on demand in the United States simple because it has all the features which people look out to have in their dream car.
So if you are really captivated by the new models of Infiniti and are captivated by its looks and various features, just make sure that you buy it from a good Infiniti dealer in your city. Buying and owning a car is a dream for many people so you must be prepared to spend some time exclusively for this. After all, you are buying something with your hard earned money and you will surely want to get the best value for your money. So make sure to take some time out of your busy schedule to find out and buy your dream machine.
The new Infiniti vehicles have many features that have made them a very big hit with all people. The QX56 is one Infiniti vehicle that is a great hit with many people. The vehicle has the capacity of adjusting about seven to eight people at a time. The car is very smooth and easy to drive, and this ensures that the owner does not face any kind of problem at all from the Infiniti vehicles. The vehicles come equipped with the latest electronic stability control and are thus very easy and efficient to handle.
The plush interiors of the car and the opulent leathered cabin are a sure attraction for many people. In fact, many people want their cars to be really classy just like the new Infiniti vehicles. So, this is the best bet for anyone who has been eagerly searching to buy such vehicles. All the new Infiniti vehicles come with the latest accessories like power folding mirrors, sound system that has MP3 playing capacity, a 40/60 split third row seat and a hands free phone system that has Bluetooth features. This will help you in making use of your car in the best possible manner.
Latest safety features have also been included in these new Infiniti vehicles for the safety of the owner and the occupant of the car. Latest generation of front airbags are deployed at different rates in the vehicles. Main reason behind this is to protect an occupant during a crash depending on the severity of the crash. Side bags are also provided to help a person guard his torso in the event of an accident. However, fastening the seatbelt is the first line of defense which passengers can take against their safety.
Though the new car has many features, it will be better if you actually go and check out all these features. After all, you will be purchasing your dream car and you must take outmost care for this. Also make sure to take a test drive and see for yourself if the car is working properly or not.
So if you are really captivated by the new models of Infiniti and are captivated by its looks and various features, just make sure that you buy it from a good Infiniti dealer in your city. Buying and owning a car is a dream for many people so you must be prepared to spend some time exclusively for this. After all, you are buying something with your hard earned money and you will surely want to get the best value for your money. So make sure to take some time out of your busy schedule to find out and buy your dream machine.
The new Infiniti vehicles have many features that have made them a very big hit with all people. The QX56 is one Infiniti vehicle that is a great hit with many people. The vehicle has the capacity of adjusting about seven to eight people at a time. The car is very smooth and easy to drive, and this ensures that the owner does not face any kind of problem at all from the Infiniti vehicles. The vehicles come equipped with the latest electronic stability control and are thus very easy and efficient to handle.
The plush interiors of the car and the opulent leathered cabin are a sure attraction for many people. In fact, many people want their cars to be really classy just like the new Infiniti vehicles. So, this is the best bet for anyone who has been eagerly searching to buy such vehicles. All the new Infiniti vehicles come with the latest accessories like power folding mirrors, sound system that has MP3 playing capacity, a 40/60 split third row seat and a hands free phone system that has Bluetooth features. This will help you in making use of your car in the best possible manner.
Latest safety features have also been included in these new Infiniti vehicles for the safety of the owner and the occupant of the car. Latest generation of front airbags are deployed at different rates in the vehicles. Main reason behind this is to protect an occupant during a crash depending on the severity of the crash. Side bags are also provided to help a person guard his torso in the event of an accident. However, fastening the seatbelt is the first line of defense which passengers can take against their safety.
Though the new car has many features, it will be better if you actually go and check out all these features. After all, you will be purchasing your dream car and you must take outmost care for this. Also make sure to take a test drive and see for yourself if the car is working properly or not.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
6 Tips For Saving Gas
In the past months we have seen the price of gasoline soar higher than ever before, and this can be hard on people who have a budget that is tight. Even though gas prices have come down a slight bit, you still will want to do everything you possibly can to save on the money you have to pay out for gas. There are a variety of ways that you can save gas, and save money.
Tip#1 - Start Carpooling
Carpooling is a great idea for fellow students and fellow employees both. If you can find people that are going to the same place you are you can save gas by riding together. It may be a good idea to trade off on who is driving from week to week so no one person gets stuck having to drive all the time. If you have to take your children to school or other functions you can also work on trading off with your friends and neighbors to take them there.
Tip#2 - Public Transportation
If it is possible you can take public transportation to work instead of driving your car. Not only will this save you money on gas, but you will also be able to relax and not worry about having to drive through all that rush hour traffic. You may even be able to fit in a quick nap on your way to work or on your way home.
Tip#3 - Price Shop
Often it may be so convenient to buy your gas at the small gas station just up the road, but to save some money on gas you may want to check the prices at other gas stations that are nearby as well. Even if the difference is only a few cents, after putting hundreds of gallons of gas in you vehicle each year, those few cents are going to add up to quite a sum of money.
Tip#4 - Get Moving
You can save some money on gas if you start walking to where you are going, or you can ride a bike as well. You will not have to worry about paying to park your car, and the exercise will be great for you body. If you are walking or biking you will not have to worry about those huge traffic jams either.
Tip#5 - Take Care of Your Car
It is always important to take care of your car so it gets the best gas mileage possible. Also be sure to plan where you are going before you go so you will not have to backtrack and waste gas. If you can, you should use your air conditioning as little as possible because using it takes more gas. Roll down your windows and you will use less gas.
Tip#6 - Check your Tires
It is important that you check the air pressure in your tires as often as possible. If your tires are too low, or the pressure in them is unequal it can make your car burn more gas. You should also be careful how you drive. If you take off from every red light very fast you are going to burn more fuel, so it is best to take off a little slower.
These are a few tips that can help the money conscious person to save money on gas. Even as gas prices drop, these tips can still help you to save more money. Conservation is important, so take advantage of these tips, save money, and save gas.
Tip#1 - Start Carpooling
Carpooling is a great idea for fellow students and fellow employees both. If you can find people that are going to the same place you are you can save gas by riding together. It may be a good idea to trade off on who is driving from week to week so no one person gets stuck having to drive all the time. If you have to take your children to school or other functions you can also work on trading off with your friends and neighbors to take them there.
Tip#2 - Public Transportation
If it is possible you can take public transportation to work instead of driving your car. Not only will this save you money on gas, but you will also be able to relax and not worry about having to drive through all that rush hour traffic. You may even be able to fit in a quick nap on your way to work or on your way home.
Tip#3 - Price Shop
Often it may be so convenient to buy your gas at the small gas station just up the road, but to save some money on gas you may want to check the prices at other gas stations that are nearby as well. Even if the difference is only a few cents, after putting hundreds of gallons of gas in you vehicle each year, those few cents are going to add up to quite a sum of money.
Tip#4 - Get Moving
You can save some money on gas if you start walking to where you are going, or you can ride a bike as well. You will not have to worry about paying to park your car, and the exercise will be great for you body. If you are walking or biking you will not have to worry about those huge traffic jams either.
Tip#5 - Take Care of Your Car
It is always important to take care of your car so it gets the best gas mileage possible. Also be sure to plan where you are going before you go so you will not have to backtrack and waste gas. If you can, you should use your air conditioning as little as possible because using it takes more gas. Roll down your windows and you will use less gas.
Tip#6 - Check your Tires
It is important that you check the air pressure in your tires as often as possible. If your tires are too low, or the pressure in them is unequal it can make your car burn more gas. You should also be careful how you drive. If you take off from every red light very fast you are going to burn more fuel, so it is best to take off a little slower.
These are a few tips that can help the money conscious person to save money on gas. Even as gas prices drop, these tips can still help you to save more money. Conservation is important, so take advantage of these tips, save money, and save gas.
Future of the car
There have been many efforts to innovate automobile design funded by the NHTSA, including the work of the NavLab group at Carnegie Mellon University. Recent efforts include the highly publicized DARPA Grand Challenge race.
A picture of the Lexus LF-A concept car at the 2006
Greater Los Angeles Auto Show
Relatively high transportation fuel prices have not seriously reduced car usage but do make it more expensive.One environmental benefit of high fuel prices is that it is an incentive for the production of more efficient (and hence less polluting) car designs and the development of alternative fuels. At the beginning of 2006, 1 liter of gasoline cost approximately $0.60 USD in the United States and in Germany and other European countries nearly $1.80 USD. With fuel prices at these levels there is a strong incentive for consumers to purchase lighter, smaller, more fuel-efficient cars, Greenpeace or to simply not drive. These changes are resisted by those with an interest in maintaining the massive economy of car culture. Individual mobility is highly prized in dominant societies so the demand for automobiles is still strong. Alternative individual modes of transport, such as Personal rapid transit, cycling, walking, skating, and organised cargo movement, could serve as an alternative to automobiles if they prove to be socially accepted.
Electric cars operate a complex drivetrain and transmission would not be needed. However, despite this the electric car is held back by battery technology - a cell with comparable energy density to a tank of liquid fuel is a long way off, and there is no infrastructure in place to support it. A more practical approach may be to use a smaller internal combustion (IC) engine to drive a generator- this approach can be much more efficient since the IC engine can be run at a single speed, use cheaper fuel such as diesel, and drop the heavy, power wasting drivetrain. Such an approach has worked very well for railway locomotives, but so far has not been scaled down for car use.
A picture of the Lexus LF-A concept car at the 2006Greater Los Angeles Auto Show
Relatively high transportation fuel prices have not seriously reduced car usage but do make it more expensive.One environmental benefit of high fuel prices is that it is an incentive for the production of more efficient (and hence less polluting) car designs and the development of alternative fuels. At the beginning of 2006, 1 liter of gasoline cost approximately $0.60 USD in the United States and in Germany and other European countries nearly $1.80 USD. With fuel prices at these levels there is a strong incentive for consumers to purchase lighter, smaller, more fuel-efficient cars, Greenpeace or to simply not drive. These changes are resisted by those with an interest in maintaining the massive economy of car culture. Individual mobility is highly prized in dominant societies so the demand for automobiles is still strong. Alternative individual modes of transport, such as Personal rapid transit, cycling, walking, skating, and organised cargo movement, could serve as an alternative to automobiles if they prove to be socially accepted.
Electric cars operate a complex drivetrain and transmission would not be needed. However, despite this the electric car is held back by battery technology - a cell with comparable energy density to a tank of liquid fuel is a long way off, and there is no infrastructure in place to support it. A more practical approach may be to use a smaller internal combustion (IC) engine to drive a generator- this approach can be much more efficient since the IC engine can be run at a single speed, use cheaper fuel such as diesel, and drop the heavy, power wasting drivetrain. Such an approach has worked very well for railway locomotives, but so far has not been scaled down for car use.
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