Ford Shelby Cobra Gt 500 Conmemoration
31 Mar 2009
Archive for March, 2009
Saudi Arabia’s oil minister, Ali Al-Naimi, is nervous. Speaking earlier this month, he said that alternative fuels should be called “supplemental” and that “These sources cannot contribute meaningfully to the world’s energy mix until they have attained levels of affordability, accessibility, acceptance and sustainability.” So far, so good. Kind of dismissive of the biofuels’ potential, kind of realistic. But, he went on:
We frankly court disaster if these supplemental resources on which such high hopes for energy security and sustainability are pinned do not fulfill the high expectations. While all viable energies will ultimately have a role in meeting world demand, many of these sources are either in their infancy or face too many unresolved sustainability issues to serve as more than supplemental resources for some time. Just as the oil industry needs a long-term horizon, so do many alternatives.
In years to come, if traditional energy supplies should prove inadequate because capital expenditure was curtailed due to unsustainable prices, unreliable indications of future demand, or hopes for a substitute for oil cannot deliver, such a supply crunch would be catastrophic.
“Court disaster.” “Catastrophic.” “In their infancy.” These are logical statements for someone who represents the Saudi oil industry, but it sure sounds like someone is working hard to dial down expectations for anything that threatens the dominance of oil. You can watch Al-Naimi’s comments here (starting at minute 9 in the video).
[Source: New York Times via Domestic Fuel]Photo by nightthree. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.
Filed under: Biodiesel, Ethanol
Saudi oil minister: you be careful with those dangerous alternative fuels, OK? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 19:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Motoczysz to enter TTXGP?
31 Mar 2009
A rather cryptic message has appeared on the website for Motoczysz, the fledgling would-be motorcycle manufacturer that’s been hard at work developing an American-made, race-ready two-wheeler. It’s been months since the last update, which, according to The Kneeslider, is apparently due to an accident that badly damaged the firm’s prototype.
Under the title TTXGP, a quote that seems to be attributed to Michael Czysz indicates that the company may enter a zero-emission vehicle in the upcoming time trial:
“It became very apparent to me that I was working to catch up in an era coming to an end – maybe I should set off and try to lead in an era arriving.” -MC
Our guess would be that Motoczysz has shifted its efforts towards the development of a fully-electric or hybrid motorcycle, but that’s currently just speculation. We’ll know more soon, as April 8th is the day that the TTXGP plans to spill the beans on all 20-25 teams that are taking part in the event. Stay tuned.
[Source: Motoczysz via The Kneeslider]
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, On Two Wheels, Green Daily, Racing
Motoczysz to enter TTXGP? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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When the current generation of General Motors’ Zeta platform was conceived and developed by the company’s Holden division in Australia, we lived in a very different world when it came to life. Gas was still cheap, and GM was planning to revive a range of rear wheel drive performance cars for Pontiac, Buick and Chevrolet. Ultimately, the Pontiac G8 and Chevrolet Camaro were the only North American models to come to fruition, with every other variant canceled as GM teeters on the brink of bankruptcy. Now the crew at Holden is looking at what to do next and smaller and lighter are the order of the day. The Holden Commodore is expected to get an updated version of the Zeta architecture with mass reductions and smaller engines coming in 2013. That platform should run through the end of the decade.
Direct injected V6s and and turbocharged fours will likely supplant V8s with transmissions getting six ratios across the board. Meanwhile hybrid and diesel powertrains may be put on ice due to cost reasons.
[Source: GoAuto.com.au]
Filed under: MPG, Lightweight, Holden
Holden to shrink next-gen Commodore but keep rear drive originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Click above for a high-res image gallery of the Land Rover LRX
Land Rover is set to unveil a newly-revised line of SUVs at the New York Auto Show in a couple of weeks, and we’re expecting to see the latest version of Jaguar’s excellent 5.0L all-aluminum V8 engine underhood, mated up with a 6-speed automatic transmission from supplier ZF. That powertrain combination should be a thorough improvement over the current 4.4L naturally-aspirated and 4.2L supercharged offerings, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see at least a mild improvement in fuel efficiency along with the added power.
According to Channel 4 in the UK, Land Rover is hard at work developing a new 8-speed automatic that should boost fuel economy by over 10 percent over the current 6-speed. Unfortunately, stop/start technology is reportedly still a few years away. Other fuel-saving modifications that are likely to make it to production in short order will include improved aerodynamics and low rolling-resistance tires.
Land Rover is also expected to show off the latest version of its LRX concept in New York, which will reportedly be “the smallest, lightest, most efficient Range Rover ever.” It’s interesting that the LRX will be badged as a Range Rover, which is the firm’s highest-end line of vehicles, so we’d expect it to be extremely well equipped and full of luxurious touches if it does indeed make it into production.
[Source: Channel 4]
Filed under: MPG, Land Rover, New York Auto Show
Land Rover working on new 8-speed automatic transmission, refinements for fuel economy originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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