Download: 9 May 2012

Wednesday, 9 May 2012

Electric Vehicle Industry Descends on Los Angeles

Electric Vehicle Industry Descends on Los Angeles:

The 26th annual Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS26) is currently under way in Los Angeles. It’s a large gathering of engineers and marketers involved in the growing EV industry.
Toyota for example, took the opportunity to finally unveil the production RAV4 EV yesterday. This all-electric SUV has an expected driving range rating of about 100 miles and is a joint development between Toyota and Tesla. It will have a sticker price of $49,800.
According to Toyota the front wheel drive RAV4 EV allows drivers to select from two distinctly different drive modes, Sport and Normal. In Sport mode, the vehicle reaches 0-60 mph in just 7.0 seconds and has a maximum speed of 100 mph. Normal mode achieves 0-60 mph in 8.6 seconds with a maximum speed of 85 mph. Maximum output from the electric powertrain is 154 hp(115kW) @ 2800 rpm.

The major theme at ESV26 was charging systems and eight auto manufacturers – Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Porsche and Volkswagen – jointly announced that they have agreed to support a “harmonized single-port fast charging design” that will allow charging from a variety of sources.
The combined charging system integrates one-phase AC-charging, fast three-phase AC-charging, DC-charging at home and ultra-fast DC-charging at public stations into one vehicle inlet. This will allow customers to charge at most existing charging stations regardless of power source and the manufacturers hope it will speed adoption of a more affordable standardized infrastructure.
The manufacturers say combined charging stations are projected to be available later this year and that all the committed OEMs have vehicles in development that will use the Combined Charging System. The first vehicles to use this will become available next year.

While the Germans and Americans have agreed to support this harmonized single-port design for future EVs (with SAE International blessing), Japanese manufacturers and others continue to promote their existing CHAdeMO alternative for DC quick charging.
In many ways the most shocking announcement at ESV26 was a concept for electrification of heavy-duty trucks. No kidding – Siemens announced its ‘eHighway of the Future’ concept. The eHighway concept is the electrification of trucks and select highway lanes via overhead electrified wires similar to how modern day streetcars are powered on city streets. Here’s a screen grab from a video demonstrating the electrifying idea.
The hybrid diesel-electric truck will automatically connect to overhead wires when it detects their availability and switch off the diesel engine. The system is currently being tested in Germany and pilot projects are already being planned for the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to connect to cargo centers. When you think about it ‘electric’ trucks make a lot of sense as they are heavy consumers of diesel fuel and pollute more than cars.

Source : Google Reader

2013 Dodge Dart – Wireless Smartphone Charging

2013 Dodge Dart – Wireless Smartphone Charging:

There’s your smartphone again, dangling at the end of its power cord in your car. Messy.
If you buy a 2013 Dodge Dart, for an additional $199.99 (plus installation) you can do away with the cord. In the bin at the bottom of the center stock will be a charging mat. Anytime the Dart is running, just drop your phone onto the mat to let the wireless charging begin. The only catch is that you will have to use the special phone case that goes along with the wireless charging mat for it to work. Cases are available for a variety of smartphones, including iPhone, Blackberry, Droid-based devices and some MP3 players.
Simple as that.

Source : Google Reader

Ford Focus ST Headed to China – 2012 Beijing Auto Show

Ford Focus ST Headed to China – 2012 Beijing Auto Show:

The Ford Focus ST continues its world tour, with the 247-bhp blue oval-badged hot hatch scheduled to make its next appearance during the upcoming 2012 Beijing Auto Show. Originally unveiled during last year’s Frankfurt Auto Show, the Focus ST has been busy traveling the globe ahead of a launch that will include more than 40 markets. Powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine coupled to a 6-speed manual gearbox, the Focus ST looks to be an excellent ambassador for the Ford brand.
The sprint from 0 to 60 mph should take approximately 6.0 seconds, which is more than enough to keep up with rivals like the Volkswagen GTI, Mazdaspeed 3 and Subaru WRX. In addition to its straight-line urge, Ford has fitted the Focus ST with Torque Steer Compensation, which works in conjunction with the variable ratio electronic power steering system. The goal is to eliminate torque steer, a common problem with powerful front-wheel-drive cars, while providing precise and perfectly weighted handling.

“The ST will be the performance flagship of our new Focus range, and we are excited to provide our enthusiast customers the opportunity to see it Beijing,” said Nigel Harris, vice president, marketing, sales and service, Ford Motor China. “The ST represents an ultimate expression of Focus driving quality and performance.” This is the first time Ford will release one of its performance-oriented models for a worldwide audience. U.S. sales begin this summer.
More:

Exclusive Photos of the 2012 Beijing Auto Show

Full Coverage: 2012 Beijing Auto Show >>

Photos: 2012 Beijing Auto Show >>

Source : Google Reader

Driven: 2012 Alfa Romeo Giulietta TCT

Driven: 2012 Alfa Romeo Giulietta TCT:

The latest generation Giulietta proves that when Alfa puts its mind to it, it can manufacture good solid cars that can rival market leaders like the Ford Focus and VW Golf. In fact, according to J.D. Power’s customer satisfaction rating the Giulietta ties for tenth place alongside Toyota and VW. It is also class leading in EuroNCAP safety ratings, scoring 87 out 100 ahead of key rivals like the Golf, Focus and BMW 1-series.

All this, of course, is important for the U.S. as the Alfa provides the underpinnings for the 2013 Dodge Dart that debuted at the Detroit show.
This version I recently drove comes with Alfa’s own in-house developed Twin Clutch Transmission or TCT which, claims Alfa, helps to reduce fuel consumption over conventional autos or CVTs as well as weighing 22 lb. less at 178.5 lb. including oil, wiring harness and control unit.

Its most important characteristic is the adoption of a coaxial pull-rod for actuating the odd-gear clutch. This pull-rod is connected to a hydraulic piston actuator located on the rear face of the transmission housing.
The odd gear clutch is normally closed, as in conventional manual transmissions, and features an integrated wear compensation mechanism. The adoption of a normally closed odd gear clutch was dictated by energy saving considerations; since odd-gear driving exceeds 50% of the vehicle’s mission and is used more frequently in urban and extra-urban conditions, the operation of the hydraulic system to maintain the odd-clutch closed was considered inefficient.
The even gear clutch is actuated with a comparatively conventional hydraulic cylinder and is force-controlled. This choice was again made on the basis of packaging considerations.

2012 Alfa Romeo Giulietta TCT Transmission

The Alfa TCT implements various driving modes, depending on the desired performance and driver requirements (Alfa D.N.A.), both in manual and in automatic mode: Dynamic / Natural / All Weather and Automatic / Manual (tip). It also incorporates stop-start facility as well.
On the road the TCT, which has a class-leading torque capacity of 258 lb.- ft., delivers smooth rapid changes, especially in the manual mode. One of the challenges for these boxes is the tip-in from standstill, but Alfa’s engineers seemed to have overcome that so the box delivers smooth take-off from standstill.

What’s of particular interest is that it has the potential to be upgraded to a 7-speed and with a maximum torque output of just under 3100 lb.-ft. means it is engineered for possible all-wheel-drive application in Jeep badged products.

Source : Google Reader

BMW Stretched 3-Series – 2012 Beijing Auto Show

BMW Stretched 3-Series – 2012 Beijing Auto Show:

For those of us in the U.S. and most places in the world a BMW is The Ultimate Driving Machine. In China though it appears it might be The Ultimate Chauffeured Machine. That probably explains why the newest BMW, which will get its world première at the upcoming 2012 Beijing Auto Show, is a stretched 3-Series.

Yes, BMW is stretching the normally svelte car by 4.3 in. just for the Chinese market. It will be built in the new BMW production plant in Shenyang and BMW claims it will have the best rear seat travel comfort of any car in its class in order to “fulfill precisely the expectations of Chinese automobile customers”.

There will be three models – the 320Li, the 328Li and the 335Li – each featuring BMW’s TwinPower Turbo Technology. The regular wheelbase 3-Series will also be shown as well as the ActiveHybrid3. All in all, it means Chinese buyers will have a longer list of 3-Series models to choose from than we enjoy in the U.S.

Of course, the long-wheelbase 3-series joins the stretched 5-series already offered in China. If you want a stretched BMW in the U.S. you’ll have to settle for a LWB 7-series, which can be quite a stretch financially from a 3-series.

More:

Full Coverage: 2012 Beijing Auto Show >>

Photos: 2012 Beijing Auto Show >>

Source : Google Reader

Second-Time Hybrid Buyers are Rare

Second-Time Hybrid Buyers are Rare:

While the number of available hybrid vehicles has more than doubled since 2007, not too many owners are buying a second hybrid. According to R.L. Polk, a company that gathers and interprets such automotive information, only 35 percent of hybrid owners purchase another when they again bought a new car in 2011. If you don’t consider Toyota Prius buyers, the repurchase number falls below 25 percent.
The good news for automakers that sell hybrids is that buyers who had one of their hybrids tend to remain loyal to the brand. Polk reports, for instance, that 60 percent of buyers who owned a Toyota hybrid bought another Toyota.
“Having a hybrid in the product lineup can certainly give a brand a competitive edge when it comes to attracting new customers,” noted Brad Smith, director of Polk’s Loyalty Management Practice. “The repurchase rates of hybrid vehicles are an indication that consumers are continuing to seek alternative solutions to high fuel prices.”
Polk points out that just 2.4 percent of new car purchase are hybrids, down from 2.9 percent in 2008.
Interestingly, of the 15 top markets for hybrids, three of the supposedly eco-friendly cities – Portland, OR, San Diego, CA and Los Angeles, CA – had the lowest hybrid loyalty rate. The highest? None other than West Palm Beach, FL.

Source : Google Reader

European Rallycross – Rockstar Foust Defeats Monster Doran in UK

European Rallycross – Rockstar Foust Defeats Monster Doran in UK:
Photos by Jan Kare Rafoss/ERC24

Tanner Foust, one of the hosts of Top Gear USA, upset the locals in the UK today by winning the SuperCar class in the first round of the 2012 FIA European Rallycross Championship in his Ford Fiesta.

It was quite an achievement considering Foust was going up against the best European drivers including Liam Doran who is the son of a former British rallycross champion Pat Doran, and has been competing in rallycross for almost ten years. Doran also lives near the Lydden Hill rallycross circuit where today’s race took place and it just happens to be the track where the spectacular sport first was first established 45 years ago.

Foust won the first heat, took tenth in the second heat and grabbed first again in the third heat. This earned him pole position in the final. Under extremely wet and slippery conditions he took an immediate lead and was able to hang on to it as he slid around the track in his 600+ horsepower Fiesta sponsored by Rockstar. Third place went to Doran in his Monster-sponsored Citroen DS3. You can check out plenty of action photos and more details on the ERC24 rallycross website.

You may recall that Doran had an upset win in the first round of the X-Games last year in Los Angeles. He will return to the Global RallyCross Championship series this year and also compete at Pikes Peak. So the intense competition between a US star and a UK star will continue on both sides of the Atlantic this year.

Source : Google Reader

Mobile Radio Transmitters

free-bander | Mobile Radio Store Blog
Anyone may operate the radio transmitter, whether mobile or base station.
FM transmissions are not allowed on this band, nor is data allowed to be
transmitted.
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Nokia Apps

Verizon Apps

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Android Apps

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