SoCal to Vancouver On Hydrogen–And We’ll Do Some Of The Driving!
The California Fuel Cell Partnership has announced a Hydrogen Road Tour 2009 event, aimed at informing the public about hydrogen-fueled vehicles. From May 26 through June 3, the tour will travel nearly 1,700 miles, from Chula Vista, California, to Vancouver, British Columbia.
Twelve different fuel cell vehicles from seven automakers will caravan in the event, with stops in 28 communities along the way and organized public showings or ride-and-drives in many of them.
With a total of 30 members now, including automakers, energy companies, fuel-cell tech companies, and government agencies, the California Fuel Cell Partnership aims to work toward commercialization of hydrogen vehicle technology.
In last year's Hydrogen Road Tour, which went cross-country from Maine to California, vehicles were trucked for some segments of the trip where the distance between refueling stations was too great. Vehicles in this year's tour will cover the entire distance on their own, with a mobile refueling station along for segments where it's needed, and to educate people on how quick, simple, and safe the process is.
Look for updates from your truly as I pilot the Honda FCX Clarity—the model that's now being delivered to a few select California lessees—on an 85-mile stretch into Portland, Oregon, on May 31.
Visit www.hydrogenroadtour.com for more info, including when the caravan might stop near you.
Here are some of the vehicles:
Daimler F-Cell
Chevy Equinox FCV
Honda FCX Clarity
Hyundai Tucson FCEV
Kia Borrego FCEV
Nissan X-Trail
Toyota FCHV-adv
Volkswagen Tiguan HyMotion
Volkswagen Caddy Maxi
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Honda Rolls Out Safety And Eco-Driving Simulator
Grab some coffee, or a Red Bull; here's a racing game that almost certainly isn't going to deliver a surge of adrenaline. Especially if you're the parent of a soon-to-be teen driver, take note.
Pretty much the polar opposite of Grand Theft Auto or Gran Turismo and their ilk, this new package from Honda in Japan, called Honda Safety Navi, includes two modes of driving-simulator play—or instruction, depending on how you see it.
'Eco-Drive' explains key points for how to be most efficient and reviews the user's driving, with somewhat complex graphs of acceleration and fuel-efficiency. Altogether it looks to be a cross between what you get from some performance-analysis packages and the fuel economy histograms you can select in some hybrid vehicles.
The other half of the package, 'SD Coacher,' sounds more like part of a conventional driver's ed program. It asks questions about traffic laws, teaches about relative risks, and tutors on merging and lane changes—all stuff that could help avoid accidents and save lives. There are also special courses for snowy and rainy conditions, as well as night driving, which most driver's ed programs likely omit.
The new simulator isn't cheap. Prices for the software alone, which runs on a conventional PC outfitted with steering wheel and pedals, start at 210,000 yen (more than $2,000), while software and hardware together cost 298,000 yen (more than $3,000).
Honda hopes that the system will be used by a wide range of customers including companies with fleets, dealerships, and of course, driving schools.
For now it appears that the Honda system is just for Japan, but now that many states have completely done away with traditional driver's ed programs, and some kids approach sixteen having practiced being Colin McRae or street-racing in LA countless times, we hope to see more products like it here.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
BMW: U.S. Four-Cylinders Possible, Not Yet Certain
BMW has for a decade kept its four-cylinder engines out of the U.S. market. Instead, the product line has been heavily stocked with the company's best asset: in-line sixes. For the most part, TheCarConnection.com is happy with that choice, as BMW's straight-six engines are among the smoothest, most refined engines of their size. And they're surprisingly fuel-efficient; on a long highway trip with a manual-gearbox '07 530i and some right-foot discipline, this tester averaged 32 mpg—way better than most other vehicles its size.
But with the volatility of fuel prices, tightening fuel-economy standards, and a growing interest in more frugal engine choices—even in the luxury segment—we have to wonder if BMW won't become a little more open-minded about smaller, even more fuel-efficient engines.
Martin Birkmann, BMW's manager for product planning and motorsports, told TheCarConnection.com last week that the automaker has made no decision yet to include four-cylinder engines in its U.S. product portfolio, though he agreed that attitudes might be changing and the automaker is considering a future turbocharged, direct-injected four-cylinder for some of its products.
Such an engine, if brought to the U.S., Birkmann added, would need to bring significant performance and efficiency advantages.
Rival German brand Audi has offered its 200-horsepower, FSI (2.0T) four-cylinder engine for several years on the A3 and A4, but Mercedes-Benz has also balked at the possibility of bringing four-cylinder models back to these shores.
BMW's potential return to four-bangers has been reported by a number of sources, including Automotive News, in recent weeks although officials have remained mum. BMW last offered a four-cylinder engine in the U.S. market for 1999, on the Z3 and 318ti, but the powerplant at that time was neither that perky of a drive nor even much more fuel-efficient than the six. However, such an engine, making in the vicinity of 250 to 300 horsepower and getting EPA highway ratings of more well over 30 mpg highway, would make sense in the 1-Series, and perhaps in an upcoming smaller Z2 roadster.
Meanwhile, visit TheCarConnection.com's overview page on the 2009 BMW Z4 for our fresh driving impressions on this more grown-up roadster.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Lotus Exige S Sports Improved Aerodynamics, Reduced Mileage
Looks like fuel price instability has had a permanent effect on automotive design, even where high performance cars are concerned. Lotus is no different, announcing at the Geneva Motor Show that its new Exige S now earns 26 mpg on the highway.
The lightweight Exige has never been an extremely thirsty vehicle, but aerodynamic tweaks have reduced fuel consumption, cut emissions, and improved the downforce that puhes body to tarmac for more stable handling at speed. Revised front end styling and a new rear wing are responsible for both reduced drag and the improved downforce.
Details of the new front end include a more angular, larger air intake for more flow through the radiator, and two added intakes specifically to route air to the car's twin oil coolers. Residing below the three new air intakes is an aerodynamic splitter that envelopes the entire front end and also reduces drag.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
2010 Chevrolet Equinox Unveiled; Next Up, Detroit Show
TheCarConnection.com is proud to present continuing coverage of the new models coming to the Detroit Auto Show. Next on the catwalk? Well, it's something that General Motors just showed us, the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. This is a good news/bad news story.
First, since everybody could use a little good news these days, we'll tell you the positives first. The new Equinox has two new engines, and both of them feature efficient direct injection technology. The smaller is a four-cylinder that displaces 2.4-liters and produces 182 horsepower. This engine is the first four-cylinder available in the Equinox, and is yet another member of the Ecotec family of four-bangers. It features a new head (among other components) that utilizes direct injection, a fuel delivery system where the fuel injector is actually in the combustion chamber instead of being in a less efficient location somewhere upstream of the intake valve.
With the 2.4, Chevy claims the 2010 Equinox will deliver expected best-in-segment estimated highway fuel economy of 30 mpg (EPA certification pending) a 25-percent improvement over the base pushrod 3.4-liter V-6 from 2009 that produced nearly the same power (185 horsepower). Chevrolet expects nearly two-thirds of customers will choose the efficient, 2.4L engine. (A valid comparison is the 2009 Ford Escape with a 171-horsepower 2.5-liter engine that without direct-injection achieves 28 mpg with a six-speed automatic.)
A V-6 engine is still available in the 2010 Equinox, and it's a good one. Instead of the 3.6-liter V-6 that was available in 2009, the re-done crossover gets this engine's little brother that displaces 3.0-liter. This smaller version of GM's high-feature V-6 is so good that you'll find the same engine powering Cadillac's new, smaller SRX for 2010. GM estimates that the new 3.0-liter V-6 will produce 255 horsepower, and 25 mpg highway, 18 mpg city.
Both engines will direct their power to six-speed automatic transmissions, and coupled with a large fuel tank (approximately 20 gallons on front-wheel drive miles), cruising range should be a camel-like 500 miles.
Some other good news about the 2010 Equinox include that the airbag count is now at six, with these being standard; dual frontal air bags; head curtain side air bags and pelvic/thorax seat-mounted side air bags. Those looking for safety will also like having standard four-wheel disc brakes with StabiliTrak electronic stability control and traction control. OnStar is also standard.
New interior features include XM Satellite Radio, a "Smart" remote starting system that also activates the HVAC system and optional heated seats depending on the outside temperature, and a new interior with rear seats that adjust fore and aft a full eight inches. Engineers from Chevy say the new interior not only looks better but is also quieter. They pointed to things we could see (triple door seals) and things we couldn't (the new windshield that has a layer that deadens sound).
According to Chevrolet, the new Equinox draws its exterior design inspiration from the Chevrolet Traverse full-size crossover. Well, we did notice that the grille looks like the Traverse, but thankfully the new sheet metal that wraps around the Equinox is much better looking than its bland stable mate. We particularly like the bold wheel arches and the strong character line that begins ahead of the front door and continues straight off the end of the hatch.
Now for the bad news. While GM is presenting the Equinox as all-new, it isn't. The truth is that the 2010 Equinox is only mostly-new. The vehicle still rides on what engineers call the Theta platform, the same as the previous Equinox. This has not been a chassis that we've generally enjoyed driving.
While the platform has been stiffened, one engineer admitted that not much was done to improve ride dynamics. This makes us worry about squeaks and rattles, a problem with several Theta vehicles we've driven. Our engineer did note that the standard suspension calibrations are soft enough that this shouldn't be an issue. We'll let you know about ride and handling after we drive one.
The 2010 Equinox goes on sale in mid-2009 and will be available in the standard Chevy trim levels; LS, LT and LTZ trim. Front- and all-wheel-drive configurations will be available.
Look for more on the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox from the 2009 Detroit auto show--and see more photos over at our 2010 Chevrolet Equinox page.
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Make sure you check out our partner sites dedicated to focused news, reviews and more for Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda, and the Toyota Prius.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Big Three Bailout: The Votes Aren’t There
The heads of Detroit's automakers are in Washington, D.C., today with a revised--and more PR-friendly--appeal for desperately needed loans, but the Senate's majority leader says the votes aren't there.
The AP reports Sen. Harry Reid (D.-Nev.) as saying, "I just don't think we have the votes to do that now."
The Big Three automakers and their leaders--Ford's Alan Mulally, GM's Rick Wagoner, and Chrysler's Bob Nardelli--caravaned to the nation's capital seeking a bailout package worth $34 billion, up from the initial $25 billion proposed a few weeks ago when the executives arrived in D.C. famously on corporate jets. This time around, GM and Chrysler are warning they could be insolvent in a matter of weeks--and to underscore their commitment to rapid change, arrived in Washington in their most fuel-efficient vehicles.
The Congressional deadlock on loans for the automakers is caught up in no small amount of politicking. Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson doesn't want automakers rolled into the $700 billion bailout fund he presides over; senators like Alabama's Richard Shelby are avowed against any Detroit bailout, more than likely because their constituents have nothing to lose (Alabama is home to transplant factories for Mercedes, Honda, Hyundai, and Toyota). If nothing passes from Congress before the holidays, it will be up to President Bush to approve a major financial package, although the Treasury has the authority to loan the automakers money.
GM says it needs $4 billion immediately, and Chrysler $7 billion, to stay in business until the end of the month.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
L.A. Show: 2008 Honda FC Sport Concept
Part Storm Trooper, part Vector W8--and all fuel-cell vehicle?
Honda's showstopper at the Los Angeles auto show is the FC Sport, a sportscar that borrows the fuel-cell powertrain from the FCX Clarity and wraps it in a dramatically wedgy body that looks like Jerry Weigert's been given a day pass to the Honda design studios in Pasadena.
The official press release follows, along with live shots from the L.A. show floor:
Honda today revealed the Honda FC Sport design study model, a hydrogen-powered, three-seat sports car concept, at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.
The FC Sport emphasizes the design flexibility and potential of Honda's V Flow fuel cell technology - already deployed in the Honda FCX Clarity sedan - and reconfigures it into a lightweight sports car design with an ultra-low center of gravity, powerful electric motor performance and zero-emissions. The design study concept is inspired by supercar levels of performance through low weight and a high-performance, electrically driven fuel cell powertrain.
"The Honda FC Sport explores how to satisfy automotive performance enthusiasts in a world beyond petroleum," said Dan Bonawitz, vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "People who love sports cars will still have a reason to love in a hydrogen-powered future."
The high-output Honda fuel cell powertrain and a sleek, aerodynamic body contribute to the vehicle's performance potential. A modular approach to fuel cell component packaging and the electric drivetrain contribute to the FC Sport's low center of gravity with the majority of vehicle mass distributed between the axles, creating the balanced weight distribution sought after in sports cars.
The ideal placement of the Honda V-Flow fuel cell stack and related components demonstrates the benefits of a platform-specific, hydrogen-powered fuel cell powertrain. The FC Sport is configured to accommodate a custom-formed high-power fuel cell stack, located between the rear seats, and a battery pack placed low in the middle of the vehicle. The electric motor resides just forward of the rear axle. Two fuel storage tanks, visible from above, are located above the rear axle.
The optimal placement of fuel cell components for performance also allows for a relatively large passenger cabin by conventional supercar standards with enough space for three seating positions. The interior layout focuses primarily on the driver with a racecar-like center driving position. The enclosed canopy opens upward from the rear to allow for entry and exit. Two rear passenger seats flank the driver's left and right side.
The sleek, low-profile body is designed to convey a high-technology appearance with sculpting that combines angular shapes in the front of the vehicle that taper into geometric, hex forms in the rear. The rear hex forms house cooling radiators for the fuel cell. Formula 1-style barge boards behind the front wheels enhance high speed aerodynamics and convey the vehicle's racing pedigree. The hydrogen storage tanks, visible from the rear deck, showcase the FC Sports fuel cell technology in much the same way that a "naked bike" motorcycle showcases its engineering technology.
The glacier white body color conveys the FC Sport's clean environmental aspirations while the dark wheels and deeply tinted glass provide a symbolic contrast befitting of the vehicle's unique combination of clean power and high performance. Green construction techniques further contribute to a reduced carbon footprint. An organic, bio-structure theme is carried through to the body construction where exterior panels are intended to use plant-derived bio-plastics.
The Advanced Design Studio of Honda R&D Americas, in Pasadena, California, developed the FC Sport design study with the primary objective of using existing fuel cell technology as the basis for an ultimate Honda sports car. Designer Jason Wilbur led the design efforts.
Honda R&D Americas, Inc. began its operations in California in 1975 with local market research activities and has steadily grown its capabilities over the past 33 years to include all aspects of new vehicle design and development. Recent development efforts include trend-setting products such as the Honda Pilot, Ridgeline, Element, Civic Coupe and Civic Si.
In 2008, the company opened two new design centers in Southern California: the Acura Design Studio (Torrance), for the research and design of new Acura products; and the Advanced Design Studio (Pasadena), for the exploration and development of advanced design themes for both Honda and Acura.
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Make sure you check out our partner sites dedicated to focused news, reviews and more for Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda, and the Toyota Prius.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Green Car of the Year: The Finalists
The alt-electric-bio-fuel experts over at Green Car Journal have their finalists for the Green Car of the Year award, and a broad range of powertrains are represented in this year's talent pool.
The finalists include:
2009 BMW 335d: The 335d is BMW's first diesel in the United States in a long time; it has the speed and handling of the standard 3 Series, with 36-mpg highway fuel economy .
2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid: Ford's first sedan hybrid (along with the Mercury Milan Hybrid) promises class-leading fuel economy and some interesting tech tweaks to help drivers learn more fuel-efficient driving techniques.
2009 Saturn Vue 2-Mode Hybrid: GM's two-mode hybrid system, already found in its big SUVs, makes an appearance in the compact Vue crossover.
2008 Smart Fortwo: It's powered by a gasoline engine--how unconventional!--but the smart rings in 40-mpg plus fuel economy in a two-seat, parking-friendly package.
2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Volkswagen's new clean diesels show up in sedan and wagon bodies this year, and the TDI sports fuel economy rated in the 30s--with VW demonstrating that mileage in the 40s isn't just possible, it's easily attained.
GreenCarJournal says it picks new models that "provide real answers for new car buyers looking for a personal stake in lessening environmental impact." The car must also be in production by January 1.
The winner will be announced at the Los Angeles auto show on November 20.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
