ForUsToBe » Cars & Transport

India Offers New Car If You Get Sterilized

ForUsToBe — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 11:20:25 +0000

The medical and health department of Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu has found a new method to boost interest in sterilization clinics offering a new car for every procedure.

India is the second most populous country in the world. Where over 1.21 billion people (a sixth of the world’s population) live on just 2.3 percent of the planet. India is projected to be the world’s most populous country by 2025, surpassing China. This alone is a problem for the Health officials in India.

“The prizes include a Nano car, five motorcycles, five 21-inch colour TVs and seven mixer-grinders” said Jhunjhunu CMO Sitaram Sharma.

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Europe’s First Green Train

ForUsToBe — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 09:35:48 +0000

First passenger “green train” in Europe, powered by solar energy, went on its ride from Belgium to Netherlands.

On its route from Paris to Amsterdam, this solar train should use energy generated from 16,000 solar panels installed on the roof of a high-speed rail tunnel in Antwerp, Belgium.

The installation covers a total surface area of 50,000 m², about the size of 8 football pitches. The solar energy is used to power the railway infrastructure (signalling, lighting, heating of railway stations etc.,) and also the trains using the Belgian rail network.

The installation should generate an estimated 3.3 MWh of electricity per year, equivalent to the average annual electricity consumption of nearly 1,000 homes, and decrease CO2 emissions by 2,400 tons per year. Looking ahead, 4,000 trains per year – equivalent to one full day of rail traffic – will be able to run entirely on solar energy.

Porsche‘s New Supercar

ForUsToBe — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 09:00:59 +0000

Porsche‘s new hybrid supercar takes design cues from classic racers like the 908 and the 917, fusing these classic profiles with cutting-edge hybrid technology. The vehicle’s carbon fiber-reinforced plastic monocoque shell is emblazoned with the starting number 22, recalling the 1971 Le Mans victory of Helmut Marko and Gijs van Lennep.

An endurance racer at heart, the 918 RSR has a clever trick up its sleeve to keep it ahead of the competition. Whenever the vehicle brakes, a flywheel accumulator located next to the driver’s seat captures and stores energy. This energy can then be directed to the vehicle’s twin 102 hp electric motors to provide a burst of speed, allowing the vehicle to rocket ahead of other cars during critical overtaking maneuvers.

A total of 563 of those ponies are provided by a 6.2-liter V8 that revs to an atmospheric 10,300 rpm.

Porsche also announced plans to produce diesel and hybrid versions of the Panamera this year as well as a limited number of the 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid super sports car, making this a banner year for the luxury auto manufacturer.

Mercedes-Benz Announced Electric Version of the Gull-Wing Supercar

ForUsToBe — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 21:00:38 +0000

Shortly after introducing the SLS AMG last year, Mercedes-Benz announced that it was also developing a battery electric version of the gull-wing supercar.

The first prototype is now ready to be shown to the world, resplendent in bright yellow paint (AMG Lumilectric Mango to be exact – the Mopar Boys would be proud).

The SLS E-Cell is propelled by a quartet of electric motors with the pair at each axle integrated with reduction gears to drive all four wheels.

Those motors, which top out at a screaming 12,000 rpm, combine to apply 526 horsepower and 649 pound-feet of torque to the wheels – sufficient to push the coupe to 60 miles per hour in just four seconds.

The installation of the front motors necessitated the replacement of the double-wishbone suspension with a multi-link setup with push-rod dampers.

The German magazine Bild has posted a video of their first drive in the electric supercar. Unfortunately for us, it’s all in German so we have no idea what is being said. We do however, get a good look under the hood where the former engine compartment has been packed full of electronics, motors and high-voltage cabling.

The lithium polymer batteries are split between the center tunnel and a box mounted behind the cockpit, and can provide a combined output of 480 kilowatts (643 horsepower).

Two separate cooling circuits can manage the temperature of the battery packs and related power electronics by either heating or cooling the units as needed.

An extendable front splitter works with the reshaped rear diffuser to increase available downforce beyond what’s possible with the standard 6.2-liter-V8-powered SLS. Inside, the electric SLS gets a 10-inch touch screen in the center console.

According to reports, this is a drivable prototype, so expect driving impressions to arrive before the production model goes on sale in 2013.

Scorpion, Supercar of The Future

ForUsToBe — Fri, 28 May 2010 17:50:15 +0000

Have you ever thought about using pure hydrogen gas mixed with gasoline to increase fuel economy and reduce emissions?

Ronn Motor Company, Texas, has proposed a new use of this gas: to blend it with gasoline.

It all started when Ronn Motors teamed up with the Hydrorunner G3, which is an onboard water and electrolysis unit.

The result was named Scorpion, a revolution to a new generation of “green cars”.

Scorpion has a 3.5-liter, six-cylinder VTEC engine from Acura, equipped with two turbos and an intercooler to take it from 280 hp to 450 hp (there’s even a 600 hp option).

Combined with the ultra-efficient V6, Ronn Motors claims a boost in mileage of around 20 to 30% and a substantial drop in C02 output.

Most of the hydrogen powered vehicles use fuel cells. Hydrogen is pumped into a tank in the car, just as gasoline. The hydrogen gas is then fed into the fuel cell where it is electrochemically converted into electricity–with no combustion, no moving parts and no emissions other than water vapor. The electricity is used to power the vehicle.

The Scorpion takes another approach – real time Hydrogen Injection fuel delivery system.

This technology consists of a system that generates hydrogen and oxygen from distilled water in real time as the Scorpion moves down the road and delivers these gases to the air intake of an internal combustion engine.

With only 2,200 pounds weighing the Scorpion down, the company estimates fuel mileage at around 40 miles-per-gallon and a price tag of US $250 000.

Spy Shots: Land Rover LRX

ForUsToBe — Mon, 24 May 2010 19:39:47 +0000

When the new LRX compact crossover hits the market, it’s goal is to change the way the world perceives Land Rover. Unlike the rest of the marque’s range, the LRX isn’t likely to boast unbeatable off-road prowess with fuel-sucking power – quite the contrary, in fact.

Land Rover has officially announced that in addition to the previously rumored front-wheel drive model, a diesel hybrid version of the LRX will be on the road in 2013. These two new-to-Land Rover features should go a long way in broadening the brand’s attractiveness to new sets of buyers interested in smaller vehicles like the new LRX, though the move might risk alienating traditionalists, particularly if the model’s off-road ability is severely compromised.

Near the end of this year, Land Rover will start testing its first diesel hybrid prototype, which has been dubbed “range_e.” This development vehicle, which rides on a Range Rover Sport platform, will use LR’s existing 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6 and a ZF eight-speed automatic mated to an electric motor.

The goal is to produce a powertrain that can achieve a range of around 20 miles solely on electric power, while emitting less than 100 g/km of CO2 emissions. A conventionally powered production-bodied LRX was already spotted testing just earlier this week.

While this technology is still a few years away, Land Rover has assured us that the front-wheel-drive LRX will be available right away when the range launches next year. Never fear, though – Land Rover will still offer the LRX with an honest-to-goodness four-wheel drive system, and we look forward to getting both some on- and off-road time in the new baby Rover.

What Do a GT, Limo And a Bug have In Common?

ForUsToBe — Fri, 14 May 2010 17:51:38 +0000

Who says that chinese can only copy things? Not only that they can make quite appealing cars, but with the built in technology, prepared for the star wars, they can take it to the next level. Don’t believe it, then continue to read…

One of the entries that Geely is planning for its new Emgrand premium sub-brand is the GE limousine. Like many of Geely’s other new models, the GE has a very prominent grille but otherwise the rest of the design looks well proportioned and attractive. With a 214-inch body sitting on a 124-inch wheelbase, the GE is a big car. Like many other big Chinese cars, this is targeted at executives who prefer to be driven rather than get behind the wheel. The GE can be equipped with either a rear bench contoured for two passengers or a single large seat flanked by extra storage compartments.

Underneath the hood, the GE has the same plug-in hybrid powertrain featured in the GT coupe. That means it gets a 2.4-liter inline-four that churns out 160 horsepower and 165 foot-pounds of torque. The electric drive consists of a pair of 27.5 kilowatt, 132 foot-pound hub-motors for all-wheel-drive capability. The GE is targeted for 2015 introduction.

The Geely Emgrand GT is another example of the automaker’s apparent seriousness about being considered a top-flight player in the industry. This coupe features classic sports car proportions and, aside from the over-done grille, looks quite attractive. The GT emanates from Geely’s new top-level Emgrand sub-brand and scores some impressive specs. It is reportedly a plug-in hybrid with a 2.4-liter inline-four that churns out 160 horsepower and 165 foot-pounds on its own.

That output is supplemented by a pair of 27.5 kilowatt hub-motors that give the GT all-wheel-drive capability. Those motors each add 132 foot-pounds of torque. It’s not clear which axle is being driven by the engine and which gets the motors. The Emgrand GT is targeted for a 2014 introduction.

It’s not often that we need to look up the definition of a word in a press release – but we admit to not knowing what “eclosion” meant. Turns out, it’s “The emergence of an adult insect from its pupal case, or the hatching of an insect larva from an egg. From the French eclosion, from eclore, to open.” So, world, meet China’s latest bug car, Geely IG.

Tips To Save Gas And Be Green

ForUsToBe — Tue, 11 May 2010 21:36:59 +0000

As the prices get higher, there are things that we all can do to save fuel. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite ways that everyone can test drive to drive greener.

Controlled Accelerations

By accelerating slowly and steadily to our cruising speed, we let the vehicle work more efficiently at becoming an object in motion from an object at rest. If we gun the gas and try to get to speed quickly, then we stand the greater chance of needing to slow down again, losing all of that momentum.

Empty Out The Trunk

An extra 100 pounds in the trunk will reduce your fuel economy by 1 to 2 percent in the typical vehicle.

Turn Off The Air Conditioning

It has been suggested that air conditioning in a vehicle can increase fuel consumption by up to 10 percent.

Keep the Vehicle Maintained

It is important that a vehicle gets serviced at regular intervals. Dirty oil is not only bad for your vehicle, but it requires more energy to work an engine through sludge.

Lose the Clown Shoes

Driving footwear must have a sole thin enough to feel the amount of pedal pressure needed to meet the necessary braking and accelerating. One of the most important tools you have in driving greener is making the connection between your foot and the response of the car. A big shoe with a few inches of padding removes the sensitivity of the foot, making that connection harder to make.

Keep the Vehicle Streamlined

A vehicle that moves through the air more efficiently takes less energy to push, and this translates to less fuel consumption. One good way to do this is to keep the windows rolled up. Another way to keep the vehicle streamlined is to remove those roof and bike racks when not in use.

Slow down

In a typical family sedan, every 10 miles per hour you drive over 60 is like the price of gasoline going up about 54 cents a gallon.

Coasting To a Stop

When you see a red light or stop sign coming up, then let of the gas and coast to the stop instead of remaining accelerated and hitting the brakes when you get there.

Know when to use Cruise Control

Cruise control can be a valuable tool on the highway to maintain a steady speed (and to save from speeding), but it lacks the tools that you have in your head.

Choose the Best route

It is interesting to note that the most efficient route to take in your driving may not be the shortest.

Turn It Off

If you are stopped on the road for an extended period of time – such as a train passing, road construction, or an accident – then consider turning the vehicle off after 20 seconds or more.

Avoid the Drive Thru

A fast food drive thru requires you to waste fuel as you wait in line for the pickup. But parking the vehicle and walking in you save that fuel.

Check Your Air Pressure

Properly inflated tires can reduce fuel consumption by up to 3 percent.

Make Driving Count

One of the best ways to drive greener is to, simply put, not drive. By combining chores to a single trip it can save greatly on the fuel requirements as well as saving your valuable time.

Make It a Game

Make saving gas a game. Track fuel used or miles driven this week, and see if you can beat it next week. Set goals for yourself along with the rewards.

BMW 5 Series Hybrid

ForUsToBe — Mon, 03 May 2010 19:55:15 +0000

It hardly seems worthy of BMW’s distinctively swirly camouflage – after all, we pretty much know exactly what it will look like after seeing the latest 5 Series sedan a number of times and even gazing at the ActiveHybrid Concept from the Geneva Motor Show.

Assuming that the production car will get a similar drivetrain to what was shown off in the aforementioned concept, we can expect to see a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine mated up to an eight-speed automatic transmission with a 40-kilowatt electric motor sandwiched between.

We can’t say for certain what kind of fuel mileage this combination would provide (best guess would be about a 20 percent improvement), but we do know that a lithium ion battery pack should be nestled right near the rear axle for optimum weight distribution.

That pack not only allows the car to operate on electric power, it also provides short bursts of added performance when called upon.

Metropolis Hybrid Concept

ForUsToBe — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 20:15:28 +0000

This week’s focus on automotive industry was on China or to be precise Beijing Motor Show where a spectrum of new production and concept cars will be previewing.

Following the Beijing festivities, the Shanghai Expo will open and Citroen is bringing a new concept to the event. Long wheelbase sedans are popular in China, where many executives prefer to be driven than to get behind the wheel. Thus, Citroen has created the 17.4 foot long Metropolis concept.

The Metropolis is propelled by a hybrid powertrain with a 2.0-liter gasoline V6 and an electric motor that can produce 55 hp continuously and up to 95 hp peak for acceleration. Citroen hasn’t released details yet, but we would assume the Metropolis is using PSA’s Hybrid4 through-the-road system.

The V6 is probably turning the front wheels and the motor is likely at the rear axle for on-demand all-wheel-drive. Carbon dioxide emissions are estimated at just 70 grams per kilometer.