Driving the Hydrogen B-Class On F-Cell World Drive

Mercedes-Benz marked the 125th anniversary of Carl Benz’ invention of the automobile not by looking back, but by looking to the future of transportation with the F-Cell World Drive.

Three Mercedes Benz F-Cell cars have been circumnavigating the globe to illustrate the viability of hydrogen fuel cell cars for the future and to raise media and public awareness of this promising technology. The F-Cell World Drive will ultimately cover more than 20,000 miles of driving across 14 countries and 4 continents, returning after 125 days to its kick-off point in Berlin.

We drove the first North American leg of the Drive from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to New Orleans, Louisiana. The route of nearly 1,000 miles proved to be both extraordinary and seamlessly unremarkable. It was eye-opening to experience just how far hydrogen fuel cell technology has come in the last decade.

The current F-Cell is quiet, refined, comfortable, and quite fun to drive. The fuel cell, hydrogen tanks, and electric drive components are packaged so well in the car that most people can’t tell the difference between the F-Cell and the standard B-Class Mercedes.

The fuel cell’s missing link is the lack of a hydrogen fueling infrastructure. To drive around the world, the F-Cell World Drive relies on an entourage of 14 support vehicles. In major metro areas, Mercedes takes advantage of high-pressure fueling from commercial hydrogen pumps, a process that takes about the same amount of time as filling up a gasoline car. In remote areas, however, a Sprinter Van with a big pump is employed to pressurize the hydrogen from a Linde tanker to 10,000 psi for maximum range.

Due for a 2015 rollout, the Mercedes F-Cell seems ready for prime time. Now visionary leadership and more fueling stations are needed to make this clean domestic future fuel a reality.

Indus Motor Introduces New Car Toyota Corolla EcoTec

Indus Motor Company (IMC), also known as Toyota Pakistan, has launched the new environment friendly Corolla Ecotec XLi / GLi.

The vehicle has been specifically designed and approved by Toyota Motor Corporation for Pakistan. Corolla ecotec is the first Toyota Corolla which has factory fitted CNG system with Safety and Performance as per Toyota standards in 1.3 L grades.This makes it economical and environment friendly while delivering the same performance and durability as that of petrol variant. The development of this variant was in response to high consumer demand for factory fitted CNG in Toyota Corolla.Giving details about the new Corolla, IMC has issued the following statement: In response to the strong consumer demand we have developed Corolla Ecotec keeping in view the local driving conditions.

Corolla ecotec features a 2 Year or 50,000km warranty with Toyota standards. It is also features driving comfort as rear coil springs are reinforced to handle the additional CNG load

Indus Motor Company is pleased to introduce first time in Pakistan "Corolla ecotec". "Corolla ecotec" is the first Toyota Corolla which has factory fitted CNG system with Safety and Performance as per Toyota standards in 1.3 L grades. The vehicle has been specifically designed and approved by Toyota Motor Corporation for Pakistan. The development of this variant was in response to high consumer demand for factory fitted CNG in Toyota Corolla. "Corolla ecotec" features a 2 Year or 50,000km warranty with Toyota standards. It is also features driving comfort as rear coil springs are reinforced to handle the additional CNG load.

Gas Inlet

Gas Tank Protector

Gas Tank

Automatic Solenodial Valve

Refill Valve

Sequential Injection System

Engine Cylinder Head

Gas Tank 60 Liters

High Pressure Tube ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY "Corolla ecotec" is 16 Bit ECU based technology with i-spark advancer which monitors VVT-I engine for better performance. This variant contains a Bi-fuel system which gives the driver the option of driving on either petrol or gas. SAFETY FIRST Gas Inlet located near fuel inlet with especially designed rubber shield to protect fuel or other liquid from entering luggage compartment. Gas Tank protector for effective use of space, good appearance and safety. Gas Tank with built in support to avoid gas tank shaking and leakage. Automatic Solenodial Valve to prevent gas leakage in high pressure tube. Refill Valve to avoid flow back of gas for safety. INTELLIGENT PERFORMANCE Sequential Injection System to Control CNG injection by ECU to provide optimum vehicle performance. Engine Cylinder Head designed by Toyota especially for CNG to improve durability. Gas Tank 60 Liters made from Chromium Molybdenum Steel and is capable of receiving high pressure. High Pressure Tube

Citation CJ3

The Cessna Citation CJ3 (Model 525B) is part of the Citation business jet family. It is a stretch extension of theCJ2, which itself was a stretch of the CJ1. The aircraft was unveiled in September 2002 at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) convention. It took its first and second flight on the same day on April 17, 2003. It wasFAA certified in October 2004 and delivery of the CJ3 began in December of that year.

The CJ3's cabin comes standard with six club seats in a center-style configuration, although it is customizable to the owner's specs. The cockpit was originally designed for a single-pilot operation, but it can accommodate up to two crew members. Its flight deck is composed of a state of the art avionics system, which was built by Rockwell Collins. It has external baggage access for added convenience. There is also a cabin baggage compartment which is accessible in flight. It also features a trailing-link tricycle landing gear.

pontiac g8

According to Edmunds Inside Line, Pontiac has decided to dump their Holden Commodore-based G8 after only a ultra-limited run. If they’re right, then I’m flabbergasted. The G8 was Pontiac’s most exciting car in years, it’s on track to win the 2009 North American Car of the Year award for god’s sake. If they’re really flushing it, that just proves that the American auto industry deserves to be in the shite position it’s in right now.

Along with the elimination of the Solstice, that leaves nothing but FWD cars in Pontiac’s line-up, which is a sad state of affairs for a formerly great brand. So what happens now? I wager Pontiac will be non-existent in 5-7 years. The G8 was the savior of Pontiac, and dumping it will spell their doom. Mark my words. See you back here in 7 years.

Check out some pictures of the G8 after the jump, get a good look while it’s st

The Pontiac G8 is a rear-wheel drive sedan that was produced by Holden, the Australian General Motors (GM) subsidiary. The G8, a rebadged Holden Commodore, was released in early 2008 for the 2008 model year in the United States, and in 2008 for the 2009 model year in Canada. Production stopped in mid-2009, following the GM decision to suspend the Pontiac brand. While available, the G8 took the place in the Pontiac lineup of both the Pontiac Bonneville, which ceased production after the 2005 model year, and the Pontiac Grand Prix, which ceased production after the 2008 model year. The G8 was Pontiac's first full-size car since the Bonneville and the GTO coupe last sold in 2006.

By December 2008, the rear-drive G8 had not become the expected sales replacement for the previous front-drive models, with 11,000 unsold G8s in the inventory and just 13,000 sold. During the 2009 global economic downturn, market prices had dropped by $3000–5000 below GM's sticker price for the car. By July 2009, there were only 5,000 unsold G8s in inventory, with almost 30,700 sold.

With the imminent demise of the Pontiac brand, a result of GM's Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the 2009 model year marks the end of all Pontiacs, including the G8. However, in July 2009, Bob Lutz made an off-hand comment during a press review that the G8 would be revived as the Chevrolet Caprice. Subsequently, Lutz retracted this statement, citing market conditions.

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BMW 7 SERIES

The BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October 2008. In August 2009 BMW announced the production versions of the ActiveHybrid 7, together with BMW ActiveHybrid X6.

The 2011 ActiveHybrid 7 is a mild hybrid and features a 0.4-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. The electric motor is combined with BMW’s 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 and new 8-speed automatic transmission to accelerate from 0 – 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds. Estimated EPA fuel economy is 17 miles per US gallon (14 L/100 km; 20 mpg-imp) city and 26 miles per US gallon (9.0 L/100 km; 31 mpg-imp) for highway, which represents almost an 18% improvement over the non-hybrid 750i/Li.

US sales began in June 2010 with a base MSRP price of $103,125 for the ActiveHybrid 7 and $107,025 for the long wheelbase ActiveHybrid 7L. The ActiveHybrid 7 qualifies for a $900 U.S. Federal Tax Credit.

In 2007 the 7 series received minor updates both inside and out. On the exterior, new wheel designs were made available and power folding mirrors became standard. On the inside, an update to the iDrive system (but still no RTTI: Real Time Traffic Info) was also made standard. 2007 also saw the installation of an auxiliary input for connecting an audio source. Engine options remained the same as with the 2006 model, but the short wheelbase 760i, was no longer available for the North American market.

 

MINI Cooper Clubman

2011 MINI Cooper Clubman Review The 2011 MINI Cooper Clubman was introduced with relatively few changes for the new model year. It is a vehicle with great handling, a unique look, and seating for four. For 2011 model Mini Cooper Clubman is offered with powerful powertrain, modified steering, optional adaptive headlights and minor interior and exterior updates. Even this small car competes with Ford Mini adds new JCW pack, Clubman Hampton, Cooper SD for 2011 Mini has confirmed a slew of upcoming models, including the Clubman Hampton special edition that recently leaked onto the web. The company says that the tricked out .

daewoo nubira

The Daewoo Nubira is a compact car produced by South Korean automaker Daewoo Motors from 1997 to 2008.
The first generation car, model J100, was released to the market in 1997 as Daewoo Nubira, and it was sold until 1999. It was developed as a replacement for the GM T platform-based Daewoo Nexia and designed by Italian I.DE.A Institute. Engineering was carried out at Daewoo's now defunct Worthing Technical Centre in the United Kingdom. Sedan, hatchback and station wagon models were available.
In 2000, the first generation underwent over 90 improvements and was re-released as model J150. In the Korean market, J150 was marketed as Daewoo Nubira II. Examples of these include an increase in passenger space and reduction in noise, harshness and vibration, particularly from the engine by adding a fourth engine mount and by tuning the intake resonators. In addition, the exterior design was reworked by Daewoo's Worthing Technical Centre in the United Kingdom, creating a more dynamic image.
All Nubiras had a choice of 1.6, 1.8 or 2.0-litre L4 petrol engines: no diesel version was ever offered, although the Worthing Technical Centre installed Renault's F8 1.9-litre engine in a small number of test vehicles, under a development programme known as J151.
In 2004, Nubira was replaced by Daewoo Lacetti (model J200), a new Pininfarina-designed sedan, was unveiled, and the expansion of the lineup followed by a presentation of the new station wagon in 2005. However, in some European market, the Nubira name was kept for the sedans and the station wagons.
The Nubira was sold in the United States and Canada from 1999-2002, when it would be replaced by the 2004 Suzuki Forenza/Reno in the United States, and in Canada as the Chevrolet Optra (also introduced in 2004). The hatchback is one of the rarest models of the Daewoos sold in the United States.
The Nubira was briefly produced from CKD kits on Taganrog, Russia TagAZ factory; it was marketed as the Doninvest Orion.
Until 2008, Daewoo Nubira was produced in Romania in a former Daewoo factory which had the licence from GM Daewoo. The Daewoo Nubira is still produced in Egypt, 2008 , in a former Daewoo factory which has the licence from GM Daewoo.

tata nano

The Tata Nano is an inexpensive, rear-engined, four-passenger city car built by the Indian company Tata Motors and is aimed primarily at the Indian domestic market.
Tata Motors began selling its "one-lakh car" in March, 2009. The cheapest car in the world today,[ though the price continues to rise due to increasing material costs, it is an exemplary example of Gandhian engineering, a concept involving deep frugality and a willingness to challenge conventional wisdom.
In 2008 the Financial Times reported: "if ever there were a symbol of India’s ambitions to become a modern nation, it would surely be the Nano, the tiny car with the even tinier price-tag. A triumph of homegrown engineering, the $2,200 (€1,490, £1,186) Nano encapsulates the dream of millions of Indians groping for a shot at urban prosperity." "Homegrown engineering" is a relative term here as much of the systems and parts used in the Nano may not have been developed or produced in India.
The nickname, "one-lakh car" is due to the Nano's low price point, near 100,000 (one lakh rupees).
Seeing an opportunity in the great number of Indian families with two-wheeled rather than four-wheeled vehicles, Tata Motors began development of an affordable car in 2003. The purchase price of this no frills auto was brought down by dispensing with most nonessential features, reducing the amount of steel used in its construction, and relying on low-cost Indian labor.
The introduction of the Nano received much media attention due to its low price.
While the car has sold over 200K units, disappointing November, 2010, sales figures have made some rethink current opinion that selling no frills products to the poor will be a winning strategy in the future.
The Nano's development was foreshadowed by the 2005 success of the affordable, 4-wheeled Tata Ace truck.

volkswagen beetle

The Volkswagen New Beetle is a small family car, introduced by Volkswagen in 1998, drawing heavy inspiration from the exterior design of the original Beetle. Unlike the original Beetle, the New Beetle has its engine in the front driving the front wheels and luggage storage in the rear. In May 2010, Volkswagen announced that production of the current body of the New Beetle will cease in 2011. A redesigned model will replace it.

At the 1994 North American International Auto Show, Volkswagen unveiled the Concept One, a "retro"-themed concept car with a resemblance to the original Volkswagen Beetle. Designed by J Mays and Freeman Thomas at the company's California design studio, the concept car was based on the platform of the Volkswagen Polo.

head gasket

A head gasket is a gasket that sits between the engine block and cylinder head in an internal combustion engine. Its purpose is to seal the cylinders to ensure maximum compression and avoid leakage of coolant or engine oil into the cylinders; as such, it is the most critical sealing application in any engine, and, as part of the combustion chamber, it shares the same strength requirements as other combustion chamber components.


Head gasket types


MLS - stands for "Multiple Layers Steel,". Most modern head engines are produced with MLS gaskets. These typically consist of three layers of steel. The contact faces are usually coated with a rubber-like coating such as Viton that adheres to the cylinder block and cylinder head while the thicker center layer is left bare.
Solid copper - A solid sheet of copper, and typically requires special machining called 'o-ringing' that places a piece of wire around the circumference of the cylinder to bite into the copper. When this is performed copper gaskets are extremely durable. Recently companies have started producing copper gaskets with integral sealing wires permitting their retrofit into engines without the removal of the engine block for machine work.
Composite -- an older technology. Typically these are made from asbestos or graphite but are more prone to blowouts than newer gaskets. Asbestos gaskets are becoming increasingly rare due to health concerns.
Elastomeric - a gasket type used by Rover on their K Series engines. It utilised a steel core plate with molded in place silicon rubber beads to seal oil and coolant passages. The bores were sealed by rolled steel fire rings in a more conventional manner. The idea behind the gasket design was to produce a production version of the technology used in F1 engines at the time. The original application of the gasket on the smaller versions of the K Series was very successful. However, an engine redesign resulted in persistent problems with the design - the joint interface became unstable and the gasket could not cope.


Gasket problems


Occasionally, the compression in the cylinder will cause a leak to form in the gasket and the gasket will have to be replaced, or severe damage can take place (a "blown" head gasket). This problem has been exacerbated by the use of aluminum rather than iron cylinder heads; while lighter than iron, aluminum has a much greater thermal expansion rate, which in turn causes a great deal more stress to be placed on the head gasket. Engine makers have responded to this by adding a non-stick coating such as Teflon to the surface of the head gasket.
If the gasket fails, a variety of problems can occur, from compression loss (leading to power reduction, or a rough engine), to exhaust gases being forced into the cooling system, leading to the engine overheating and increased engine wear due to the motor oil being mixed with antifreeze. Coolant can leak into the cylinders, causing the exhaust to issue steam[3] and the catalytic converter to be damaged. If a very large amount of coolant does this, hydrolock can occur, causing extensive engine damage. Sometimes, all that may happen when a head gasket is blown is excessive steam erupting from the tailpipe; yet the engine may act and drive like normal, until all the coolant is gone and the engine overheats.




A damaged head gasket can cause compression to leak between cylinders.
The condition of a head gasket is typically investigated by checking the compression pressure with a pressure gauge, or better, a leak-down test, and/or noting any indication of combustion gasses in the cooling system on a water-cooled engine. Oil mixed with coolant and excessive coolant loss with no apparent cause, or presence of carbon monoxide or hydrocarbon gases in the expansion tank of the cooling system can also be signs of head gasket problems. A good sign of head gasket failure on water cooled engines is the presence of a substance that resembles mayonnaise in the oil, often to be seen on the dipstick, or oil filler cap. However, the presence of this substance is not conclusive proof of head gasket failure, since oil could mix with the coolant via other routes.
Driving with a blown head gasket (if possible) can cause additional extensive damage due to overheating or loss of lubrication.
Blue exhaust smoke may be indicative of oil burning. White exhaust smoke is an indicator of coolant burning, another sign of head gasket wear.