Ohio University is Wee Bit Ahead in Fuel Research

I have always had an interest in alternative fuels. Don’t get me wrong, I am no tree hugger. However over time I have realized that there can be cheaper ways to power your car, rather than simply pumping it full of gas (petrol). For instance I have been running my Valiant on propane for 10 years. Before I converted it my weekly commutes cost me $100. The conversion cut my fuel bill in half! I commute by train these days, but hate to think what it would cost to do the trip on gas at today’s prices. That’s why I was interested to hear that the folks at Ohio University were conducting research to turn waste water into hydrogen. Apparently they convert waste water into ammonia which in turn is converted to hydrogen. As long as it’s cheap it sounds good to me. Get the full story here.

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Do you know your MPG?

Do you want to? If so there is a free Website that will help you do exactly that. My Mile Marker is a great site that will keep track of your fuel use and give you a complete record of your fuel usage and mpg. Naturally some people would say that this could easily be done by making a note of your mileage at the beginning and end of the month, add up all of your fuel receipts and then divide on by the other. But this is not hi tech; it does not involve computers and lovely graphics.

With My Mile Marker you make a not of the mileage of your car when you visit the service station and make a not of the fuel added, plus the price per gallon, you can do this by making notes an adding to your PC when you get home, laptop if you have it with you or you can even send off an SMS to the system via Twitter.

On the site you get some glossy charts and figures, that will show to you exactly how much fuel you are using, what your MPG is and how much each mile is costing you.

This is a useful tool for company vehicles to keep track of the costs of running different types of vehicles in different areas, with fuel and terrain being different all over the country; the results would be very interesting to see. We find out the most expensive and the cheapest places to drive in. I wonder where they are?

Source [Auto Blog]

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2010 Audi A5 Sportback

Audi is presenting a new vehicle concept – the Audi A5 Sportback. The five-door model with the long, flowing rear end unites the best of various vehicle genres: the emotion and elegance of a coupe, the comfort of a sedan and the practicality of a station wagon. The Sportback joins the Coupé and Cabriolet as the third member of the A5 model family.

The engine options for the Audi A5 Sportback include the following diesels: 2.0 TDI with 170hp and 350 Nm of torque, 2.7 TDI with 190hp and 400 Nm and Audi's popular 3.0 TDI. For the petrol customers, the Audi A5 Sportback offers two engine options: the 2.0 TFSI with 210 hp and the 3.2-litre V6 engine with 265 hp.

[Source: Audi]

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2008 Lexus IS-F Confirmed with 417 Horsepower

Lexus unveiled the high-performance version of the Lexus IS back in January, but the automaker remained tight lipped about the actual power figures of the V8 powered sedan. Well the official launch of the IS-F in Japan has finally revealed what we have been waiting months to hear.

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Ford/GM post 2nd Quarter Profits, yet both restructurings have a long way to go

As quarterly reports began to emerge at the end of the second quarter we see that both Ford and GM posted positive numbers. For GM it was their third profitable quarter in a row, while Fords second quarter profits came as a mildly pleasing surprise to market anaylists.

Both Ford and GM are still deep in their individual restructuring schedules that have resulted in numerous plant closings and early retirements. The process is expected to take time as shedding the gluttony of decades past is a messy business, and the recovery from such system shocks requires patience.
GM’s profits ($891 million for the 2nd quarter) are credited to their strength in foreign markets and their cut-back in fleet sales and less incentive spending, which have helped to retain a higher sales value. The improved sales value of their cars is helping to off-set the lower sales figures of their truck/SUV division; the bread and butter of profits in the 1990’s and earlier this decade.
Fords profit shocker ($750 million for the 2nd quarter) has a lot to do with the sale of Austin Martin and was aided by a cut-back similar to GM’s in fleet sales. While no one with Ford is under the impression that they are out of the water, it does give some credence to the path they have taken.

The next hurdle ahead of Ford and GM is the contract negotiations that are underway with the United Auto Workers Union (UAW). If Detroit is to compete with the Asian and European auto manufacturers they will need the UAW to come down to an equitable level. And if the UAW wants to continue working in the automotive industry some concessions will be necessary.

Ford and GM are reshaping the way America builds cars, but it is still to early to prognosticate what that shape will be.

Source[DetroitNews - Ford - GM]

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The Fonz promotes reading, Lexus hybrids and his own books

click to enlarge

Take one baby boomer favorite - The Fonz - stick him in a boomer dream car - a Lexus RX 400h - and send him off on a cross-country trip through the UK, teaching kids the value of reading. This is the idea behind an effort between Lexus and First News to support the Government's 2008 National Year of Reading.

Yes, Henry Winkler and Nicky Cox, editor of First News, are touring schools across the country in a Lexus RX 400h for the next week or so, visiting almost a dozen schools to promote reading - especially Winkler's series of children's novels about Hank Zipzer, the World's Greatest Underachiever.

While he's cruising through the British countryside, Winkler should feel pretty much at home as he drives an RX 400h in the U.S. Read more about the tour at this site.


[Source: Lexus]

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Dodge Viper SRT 10: Deal with the Venom

Nothing compares to the unmatchable looks and performance of the Viper SRT 10 by Dodge. Aside from the sleek and stylish exterior, the Viper boasts its satin chrome-accented dash with a 7,000 RPM center-mounted tachometer and an easy-to-reach gear shifter. The performance hood features larger air extractors and louver screens, and an enlarged center scoop that provides true ram-air capacity. The Viper’s 8.4-liter V10 engine delivers 0 to 60 mph acceleration in less than four seconds with a six-speed manual transmission that handles a torque of 560 lb-ft. Brace yourself as you step inside the Viper and feel the speed without going anywhere yet.

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Chrysler PT Cruiser: Distinctive Retro

Roam the streets with the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser, one of the most unique vehicles on the road displaying a distinct design. Once you step inside, the PT Cruiser’s retro-inspired interior begin to resonate with its satin silver accents that highlight the instrument panel and center stack. For your convenience, Chrysler provides you with versatile storage area to load up almost everything you need plus its multi-position rear shelf can act like a table for a tailgate. As per the PT Cruiser’s engine, the 2.4-L was built for ambitious power and fuel efficiency. $18,700+.

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Ferrari Branded Binoculars & Telescopes

The Ferrari Visio binoculars are red, include the familiar horse logo and include some carbon fiber, of course. They are available for $199 and can provide up to 8x magnification.

The Ferrari ZenithStar telescope provides up to 50x magnification and can attach onto camera with a special adapter. It’s available for $699.

The Ferrari ZenithStar Anniversary Edition is just like the regular model, except it is cast carbon fiber and can magnify up to 65x. It is available for $1599.

[Source: WilliamOpticsRacing.com via Josh McRae]

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Rumormill: 2009 BMW Z4 rumored to debut next month, Z2 on the way

Filed under: Convertibles, Coupes, BMW, Rumormill

One of the vehicles that was teased in the run-up to the LA Auto Show, but never made it to the floor, was the redesigned 2009 BMW Z4. Rumors of the Z4's impending arrival have been circulating for months, and according to a source inside BMW, the automaker might reveal the restyled coupe and convertible next month.

Drivetrain choices will include either a naturally aspirated or twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, found in the 328i and 335i, respectively, with an M version packing the M3's V8 and a carbon fiber roof. In addition to new front and rear fascias, a lower roofline and a ducktail spoiler, BMW is expected to employ a handful of stylistic differences to separate the Z4 coupe from its folding hardtop sibling. For 2009, BMW is expected to drop the soft-top Z4 and only offer the folding hardtop.

The rumored Z2 is currently in the works and could be available in both coupe and cabrio variants, and equipped with some form of BMW's EfficientDynamics system. The 1-series-based two-door is expected to be powered by either a naturally aspirated or turbocharged 2.0-liter four, and there's also talk of a hybrid version utilizing BMW's eDrive system.

UPDATE: BMW has put together a Dexter-inspired teaser site for a new model set to be revealed in 19 days. We'll know what's up on December 14th.

Gallery: BMW Z4 and 7 series - spy shots

[Source: GermanCarZone via BMWBlog]

Rumormill: 2009 BMW Z4 rumored to debut next month, Z2 on the way originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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