2012 Honda Civic a Model of Efficiency and Innovation

Ever since the first Honda Civic appeared in 1972, this top selling model has earned a reputation for economical, reliable driving and technical innovation. For example, in 1975 the first generation Civic featured Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion (CVCC) technology that allowed Honda to meet the increasingly stringent emission standards of the day without a catalytic converter.

Honda’s redesigned, ninth generation 2012 Civic continues this innovative tradition with improved fuel economy, alternative fuel and hybrid variants, and an array of high-tech features. They are powered by a choice of engines featuring Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (i-VTEC) technology. For the first time, the natural gas Civic GX variant – the only OEM-built, dedicated CNG passenger sedan built in the U.S. – is being sold nationwide. The Civic GX was previously marketed only in California, New York, Utah, and Oklahoma.

Most 2012 Civic models have Honda Eco Assist technology, already available in the Honda CR-Z and Insight hybrids. This is the first application of Eco Assist in gasoline-only powered cars. EcoAssist is a real-time feedback system designed to help drivers develop efficient driving habits When a green ECON button is pressed, the system controls certain vehicle functions to maximize fuel economy.

The Civic Hybrid uses the latest generation Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) gasoline-electric hybrid system. The big change here is that previous iterations used nickel-metal-hybrid (NiMH) batteries while the new one is powered by lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery technology, a first for Honda.

Honda has also shown its next-generation plug-in hybrid platform concept featuring a two-motor hybrid system. This system can operate in three modes – all-electric, gasoline-electric hybrid, and a unique engine direct-drive mode. In the concept’s all-electric mode, the vehicle is powered by a 6 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery and 120 kilowatt electric motor to provide an all-electric range of 10 to 15 miles and a top speed of 62 mph. A 2.0-liter, i-VTEC four-cylinder, Atkinson cycle engine mated to an electric continuously variable transmission (E-CVT) is paired with the electric motor for the hybrid mode. The gasoline engine alone drives the front wheels for efficient high-speed, long-distance cruising in the direct-drive mode.

Natural Gas Vehicle Activities Signal NGV Choices Ahead

Honda, still the only automaker to offer a factory-built, compressed natural gas (CNG) passenger vehicle in the U.S., plans to promote its 2012 Civic Natural Gas model more aggressively. Besides changing its model designation from the previous ‘Honda Civic GX’ to highlight its use of CNG, American Honda has selected environmental consulting firm Gladstein, Neandross & Associates to help market it in 19 states in the Midwest, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic plus the District of Columbia. The Honda Civic Natural Gas is currently available in 33 states and will be offered in five additional states by the end of the 2011.

Newly redesigned for 2012, the CNG-version uses the same 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine as the Civic sedan and coupe, but with unique fuel injectors and intake exhaust valves for operating on natural gas. Stronger connecting rods and special pistons are used to handle the higher 12.7:1 (versus the gasoline variant’s10.6:1) compression ratio. A five-speed automatic transmission is standard. Civic Natural Gas models are produced at Honda Manufacturing of Indiana.

The Civic Natural Gas has an estimated fuel economy rating of 27 city/38 highway mpg on a gasoline-gallon equivalency basis. Compared to the 2011 model, city fuel economy is improved by 12.5 percent and highway fuel economy is up by 5.5 percent. Better fuel economy is achieved partly through aerodynamic features like flat underbody construction and strakes in front of the tires. The 3600 psi, aluminum-lined composite CNG fuel tank located between the rear wheels carries the equivalent of 7.8 gallons of gasoline.

The Civic Natural Gas engine is the cleanest internal-combustion vehicle certified by the EPA. California rates it as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV), which is achieved by meeting SULEV standards and maintaining emissions durability for at least 150,000 miles or 15 years. Purchase incentives currently pending under legislation HR 1380 (the NAT GAS Act) would make the Civic Natural Gas more affordable than its as-yet unannounced base price, which is expected to be in the $26,000 range.

Ford says half of all its vehicles will be capable of running on alternative fuels, especially natural gas, by 2012. Of course these are commercial vehicles like Transit Connect and E-Series vans, E-Series stripped chassis and cutaways, E-Series wagons, F-Series Super Duty trucks, F-350 through F-750 Super Duty chassis cabs, and F53/F59 stripped chassis. Ford does not build natural gas vehicles, but rather has developed and tested a CNG/LPG Gaseous Engine Prep Package to be installed by third party upfitters that handle the CNG/LPG tank and hardware installations.

General Motors, which began selling vehicles with natural gas engines to U.S. fleet buyers last year, has entered into an agreement with Westport Innovations to bolster its place in the natural gas vehicle field. Both GM and Westport will bring their extensive expertise in developing CNG engine control, emissions, and performance strategies.

Westport will open a new Technical Center in Michigan to develop technologies for CNG vehicles aimed at business, government fleets, and personal use. This includes applying hybridization, smaller-displacement with turbocharging, direct injection, and other fuel-saving technologies now used in gasoline and diesel engines.

Chrysler Group plans to start selling CNG vehicles by 2017. Chrysler, partly own by Fiat SpA, is in an ideal position to develop and market NGVs. Fiat is a CNG market leader in Europe with 80 percent of the market for methane gas-powered cars and 55 percent of the light truck market. For example, Chrysler is looking at the possibility of adding CNG powered engines to its Ram truck line.

Honda FCX Clarity Zero Emissions Fuel Cell Car

Did you think you wouldn't see fuel cell vehicles and the realization of zero emissions hydrogen power in your lifetime? The hydrogen reality may be closer than you've hoped. Honda, the quiet technical innovator, will be leasing its FCX Clarity production fuel cell car to select customers much sooner than expected. Like the EV Plus electric car and the first-generation FCX fuel cell vehicle that came before it, this is a limited production vehicle that's manufactured like other Honda vehicles, but not yet in mass market volume. Even so, this is clearly a next step toward commercializing an advanced technology vehicle and a milestone in our path to a more environmentally compatible future.

An evolution of Honda's tireless efforts in zero emission electric drive vehicles, the FCX Clarity blows the smoke and mirrors off the futuristic concept and engineering vehicles shown on sci-fi pages and instead presents a sleek, stylish, and decidedly Main Street America sedan powered by "tomorrow's" clean fuel: hydrogen. In this case hydrogen combines with atmospheric oxygen in the Clarity's advanced fuel cell, converting chemical energy into electricity to power the sophisticated electric powertrain.

Moving beyond fleet testing under relatively controlled conditions, in a few short months the Clarity will be delivered into the hands of regular consumers. For $600 monthly, a lucky group of forward thinkers in Southern California will be able to lease an FCX Clarity fuel cell sedan for three years. The deal gets sweeter, too, since that six-hundred also includes collision insurance and maintenance. Honda obviously wants to keep close tabs on consumer interaction with the Clarity as part of the development process.

The Clarity is not a baby step in the production-ready consumer fuel cell evolution, but rather one giant leap. Honda's new V Flow fuel cell stack pushes technology boundaries on every level. The vertically oriented V Flow stack is 65 percent smaller than the Honda FC fuel cell stack it replaces. Its compact size allows the V Flow to be positioned in the center tunnel between the front seats. The entire powertrain packaging is 45 percent smaller than the previous generation, which Honda points out is equivalent to the space required for a modern gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain.

Small but mighty, V Flow delivers 100 kilowatts of output compared to the 86 kW produced by the current FC stack and also offers a 50 percent increase in output density by volume. Clarity employs an advanced lithium-ion battery pack that is also 50 percent smaller and 40 percent lighter than the ultra-capacitor design used in the current FCX. Packaging of the entire powertrain benefits from the V Flow design, which allows Honda to engineer the Clarity as a sporty and very functional sedan.

On the road, Clarity provides performance improvements over the previous FCX as well. Part of this is comes from a 400 pound weight reduction realized by the V Flow platform, which brings a 25 percent improvement in overall power-to-weight ratio. Fuel economy is said to be 20 percent better, which Honda estimates to be the equivalent of 68 mpg for combined city/highway driving. With a single 5,000 psi hydrogen storage tank, Clarity has an estimated range of 270 miles, a 30 percent increase over the current FCX and a driving range that's likely to be acceptable to consumers.

Honda will begin limited retail marketing of the FCX Clarity in the summer of 2008 in Southern California. Alongside further development of the car and fueling infrastructure, Honda is working on a service system that provides customer convenience while allowing Honda to track the ownership experience. When service is required, a customer simply drops off the Clarity at the nearest Honda dealership and American Honda transports the vehicle to its Los Angeles area service facility. Here, qualified technicians handle the needed work and then the vehicle is delivered back to the customer's local dealership for pick-up.

Honda is relentless in moving fuel cell technology forward. Real-world tests in small fleets are one avenue to proving the viability of advanced technology vehicles. In this case, Honda goes some steps further because the FCX Clarity is a limited production car that's going to regular consumers. It's a bold move and Honda will surely benefit from the program as much as the Southern California drivers lucky enough to lease the Clarity for three years.

When you look at the Clarity, it's difficult not to imagine you're taking a sneak peek at an Accord of the future. This stylish four door sedan represents a major milestone in design, fuel cell development, and the future of zero emission hydrogen as an important fuel alternative. We're breathlessly awaiting the next development in this hydrogen car's drive to the mass market.

Electric bicycle

An electric bicycle is a conventional bicycle that has been fitted with an electric motor. Converting an existing bicycle by retrofitting it with a "conversion kit" is the simplest and least expensive electric vehicle conversion option. Most often electric bicycles or "e-bikes" are powered by rechargeable batteries however some experimental electric bicycles run directly on or recharge their batteries via solar panels, fuel cells, gas generators or other alternative energy sources. Some experimenters have even used super capacitors to store energy. Using an on-board generator may impact the legal jurisdictional definition of an electric bicycle. A few types of electric bicycles are able to re-capture a small amount of energy from braking and can re-charge the batteries while braking or traveling down hills (regenerative braking).

Some electric bikes have features where the motor can move the bicycle by itself (immediate start) if the rider chooses not to pedal with a button or throttle controller, while others require the rider to pedal at all times (pedal assist). This latter type may in some jurisdictions allow the vehicle to be used on bicycle trails that otherwise prohibit motorized vehicles of any kind (See motorized bicycle).
Many battery technologies are available for powering electric bikes. The most common and least expensive battery technology is sealed lead acid but LiFePO4 is fast becoming the battery of choice for the e-bike.
Converting one's bike to electric with a conversion kit is an easy and affordable solution for most people interested in learning more about electric vehicle conversion. E-Bikes are the cleanest, most affordable and most energy efficient form of transportation on the planet.
There may be some problems with the warranty however on the original bicycle being converted, if an electric bike conversion kit is added.

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.

 

Porsche Cayman

Latest Vaian Porsche Cayman R 2011 from two seats to bring the concept car from Germany. Cayman R 2011 has a new chassis that is lighter, only about 120 pounds and a few other tweaks. Porsche vehicles are also bringing new features to the interior Cayman R 2011.

Cayman R 2011 has new features such as Alcantara and leather upholstery, sport seats, door handles and console rope dicata key color for the exterior. This vehicle suspension parts also increases to be lower, if viewed from the front wheels and rear axle distance is 20 cm lower than the Cayman S. series Motivation comes from Porsche’s 4.3-liter flat-six, bumped slightly to 330 horsepower, while the transmission options including Porsche MDD excellent automatic gearbox six-speed manual or traditional. According to carmakers, the Cayman 2855-pound R will hit 62 miles per hour in less than five seconds and top out at 175 mph. Find R Cayman at the dealer to charge $ 66,000 before the end of the year. Follow the jump for the official press release from Porsche.

Porsche would reveal a new Cayman at the LA Machine Pretence – Porsche Cayman R, is 121 lb light and has ten more horses than the Cayman S. It’s the perfect Crocodilian for those who suppose it requisite upright a hint solon power and a ghost fewer unit. The refer pays extortion to the low Porsche with the “R” determination, the 911 R of 1967. It give go on marketing in Feb 2011, at a damage of $66,300.

With the new Cayman R, Porsche also focused on reducing the car’s unit. For that the set misused only lightweight components and renounced to any suitability equipment. There is also a new set 19 progress feathery wheels. The lead is a numerate weight of 2855 lb and a power-to-weight apportion of 8.6 lb per h.p..

The Porsche Cayman R is supercharged by a tuned-up 3.4 liter six-cylinder engine, develops an spectacular 330 horsepower. In the classical plan it transmits its noesis to the place wheels via a six-speed exercise casing. The the velocity from 0 to 60 mph, now prefabricated in 4.9 seconds (or 4,7 seconds with the facultative Athlete Chrono packages) and the top quicken of 175 mph with practice case, or 174 mph with PDK.

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mitsubishi lancer

The Mitsubishi Lancer is a family car built by Mitsubishi Motors. It has been known as the Colt Lancer, Dodge/Plymouth Colt, Chrysler Valiant Lancer, Chrysler Lancer, Eagle Summit, Hindustan Lancer, Soueast Lioncel, Mitsubishi Carisma, and Mitsubishi Mirage in various countries at different times, and has been sold as the Galant Fortis in Japan since 2007. It has also been sold as Lancer Fortis in Taiwan with a different facelift compared to Galant Fortis.
Between its introduction in 1973 and 2008, over six million Lancers had been sold.
With the exception of the Lancer Evolution X, the Lancer is marketed as the Galant Fortis (Latin for strong, steadfast and courageous) in the Japanese domestic market. It comes in 3 trim levels: Exceed, Super Exceed, and Sport.
The new Lancer was released on September 15, 2007 in Taiwan and has been named Lancer Fortis. It's powered by a 4B11, 2.0 litre DOHC engine outputting 157 hp (117 kW) and the transmission is a 6-speed (fixed gears in sport mode) version of the CVT. However, unlike other Lancer models in USA and Japan, Mitsubishi has changed the front and rear ends to make it look like a family car.
Due to popular demand of the 7th-gen Lancer in Singapore, it will continue to be sold alongside the new Lancer which will be called the Lancer EX to differentiate itself from the former. The 1.5l, 2.0l and the GTS (marketed as the GT) variants are available in Singapore. For MY2009, the GT has been refreshed all around with updated front grill, darkened clear tail lamps, and chrome lining with an additional floor console internally. Rear brakes has also been upgraded for the 2.0 variants to disc brakes for better stopping power.
In Malaysia, only the GTS is offered and is marketed as the GT. However, Proton has renewed cross-licensing and technology transfer agreements with Mitsubishi as of October 2008, and a second-generation Proton Waja replacement called the Proton Inspira (codenamed the Proton P3-90A[26]) will be a rebadged ninth generation Lancer with 3 variants - a 1.8 manual, a 1.8 CVT automatic and a 2.0 CVT automatic.
In Indonesia, like Malaysia, only the GTS is sold and is badged as the GT using the new 2.0L engine and is sold alongside the Evolution X, and like Singapore the previous generation Lancer is still sold, marketed as the Lancer Cedia using the same 1.8L engine as the 7th generation Lancer. With the agreement with Proton finalized on October 2008, it is expected that the Lancer-based Waja will be exported to Indonesia.
Hong Kong received its unique edition of the Lancer in 2008, dubbed the Lancer 2.0. The car comes in two trim levels, without a name for either of them. Both are equipped with the 4B11 2.0 4 cylinder engine, 7 airbags, 8 speaker stereo system (manufacturer not known), Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) with HID as well as 18" alloy wheels. The upper trim has Ralliart style body kit which includes a revised front bumper, side skirt, rear bumper with diffuser and the addition of a correct-to-Evolution-X rear spoiler,while the lower trim make do without the abovementioned features.
In Philippines the Lancer arrived in Mid 2008 known as the Lancer EX to differentiate it from the 7th-generation Lancer still sold in the Philippines. For the 2010 MY, the Lancer EX underwent a facelift, and is now available with 4 trims, the Ralliart paired to the 6-speed TC-SST, which is essentially the Lancer Ralliart from the USDM, the GT-A, now with a redesigned front grille resembling the Lancer Ralliart from the USDM, the GT, essentially identical to the GT-A but is paired to a 5-speed manual, the GLS which is essentially identical to the USDM ES model but with dual SRS airbags and standard front foglamps, and the GLX, which is essentially identical to the USDM DE, but with the same rims as with that of the GLS and with dual SRS airbags. All models sport clear-type black taillamps, ABS, EBD and share the same 2.0L 4B11 MIVEC powerplant, with the Ralliart's engine similar to the USDM Ralliart.