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Futuristic Cars of NASCAR & OSCA - Going Green

Updated on October 7, 2012

Cars of The Future

APRIL 3, 3000, NASCAR

"GENTLEMEN, START YOUR ENGINES!"

Cars have never looked so good! Not only fast and green but, also something else .... As the fans join in a full-throated cheer, 43 of the world's best drivers reach down and press a button.


What follows is an unprecedented, pin-dropping:

SILENCE

(except for 43 small clicks)

"AND .. THEY'RE OFF!!"

If NASCAR goes electric, this fan wonders, will other fans stick around? Do they love the roar of the engines or the speed at which the cars move? Will they be satisfied with one but not the other? I'm inclined to think half of the fun is the roar of the engines.

Will the new green machines still be sweated over by ace wrench grease monkeys in the pits or will clean-overalled executive engineers slip clean, quiet eco-systems into a slot, change a chip or two and send the driver on his way around the track at a full-throttled speed of 50km? Will the crowd be yelling, "Go Green Machines Go?"

VROOM!

Green no longer means slow, these are the fastest green machines on earth.

Fastest Green Machines -

Go to NASCAR



Most fast cars are tried and tested and then eventually, if they are truly fast and reliable, are entered with a tried and tested driver in NASCAR.

NASCAR NOW - This is sort of exciting!

Fast Green Machines

I have my eyes on a couple of these.

Photo Credit for Fast Green Machines: Wikipedia

JCB DIESELMAX became the world's fastest diesel when it hit an FIA-sanctioned speed of 563.418kph (350.092mph) after two passes in opposite directions, within one hour.

The Buckeye Bullet holds the distinction of being the world's fastest electric car. It holds the U.S. Land speed record at 508.485 km/h (314.958 mph), and has a top recorded speed of 517.942 km/h (321.834 mph). It also holds the International record at 437.318 km/h (271.737 mph), set October 3, 2004. The car was designed and built by engineering students at The Ohio State University at the university's Center for Automotive Research (CAR)

.

Eliica (or the Electric Lithium-Ion Car) is a battery electric vehicle prototype designed by a team at Keio University in Tokyo, led by Professor Hiroshi Shimizu. The 5.1 metre (16.7 feet) car runs on a lithium-ion battery and can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in four seconds. In 2004, the Eliica reached a speed of 370 km/h on Italy's Nardo High Speed Track. The team's goal is to exceed 400 km/h.

X1, an electric car built by Silicon Valley's Ian Wright, that blows away a Ferrari 360 Spider and a Porsche Carrera GT in drag races, and whose 0-to-60 acceleration time ranks it among the fastest production autos in the world. In fact, the only car that beats the $100,000 electric from 0 to 60 is the 1,000-horsepower $1.25 million Bugatti Veyron.

eXasis is powered by an extremely lightweight, 150 bhp Weber engine driven by CO2-emission-reducing bioethanol. In view of the fact that the car weighs only 750 kg because of its lightweight plastic construction, one horsepower has to shift only 5 kg. Giving it an unheard of power-to-weight ratio.

The CCXR can run on E85 and E100 Biofuel as well as normal 98 octane gasoline. When run on regular gasoline, the 4.7 litre twin-supercharged Koenigsegg engine delivers 806 Bhp, but this figure rises to an astonishing 1018 Bhp when the car is run on E85 Biofuel.

The Dodge Viper (tuned by SVS Power) is powered by a 8.3L V10 engine using E85 ethanol, producing 1,200 horsepower. The SVS Power Viper holds the standing-mile speed record and boasts a top speed of 354 km/h.

Fisker Karma plugs into the wall and can drive for 50 miles without using a drop of gasoline. Then, a small gasoline-powered generator kicks on to recharge the battery so that you can keep driving without needed to recharge. It has a slower 0-60 time than any other car on the Fisker list (6 seconds) but a faster top speed over 202km/h.

The Lightning GT is built by British manufacturer Lightning and funded in part by the UK government. The car has four separate wheel-motors, providing all-wheel drive and regenerative braking, with a total output of 700 bhp. The battery system, which should give a 402 km range, is a 35 kWh fast-charge lithium-ion battery pack, taking just 10 minutes to achieve a 90% charge. The expected performance is 0-60 mph in 5 seconds, with a top speed of 241 km/h.> (source: PML Flightlink)

Lexus LF-A Supercar Rumors of a hybrid LF-A first surfaced in late August 2006, when it was reported that a version of LF-A would be offered with the same hybrid system as the Lexus LS 600h L sedan. The 5.0-liter V8 coupled with an electric motor which produces 438 horsepower.

Challenge Inspiration This one-seater car from British Steam Car Challenge, runs off a liquid-propane steam generator with a two-stage Curtis turbine and makes 300-plus hp. Estimated top speed of the Inspiration is 346 km/h.

Ford Fusion Hydrogen 999 A hydrogen fuel-cell car with a 770-hp electric motor and a top speed of 333 km/h.

Audi R10 TDI The first diesel-powered car to win a race in the Le Mans series, the Audi is powered by a 650-hp 5.5-liter twin-turbo V12, running on Shell V-Power Diesel and has a top speed of 329 km/h.

Toyota Landspeed Prius This gas-electric hybrid vehicle runs on a stock "Hybrid Synergy Drive" powertrain, which integrates a large electric motor with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine. It tops 209 km/h.

Tesla Roadster is Tesla Motor's first fully electric sports car and is able to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in about 4 seconds, and reach a top speed of over 210 km/h. The car travels more than 322 km on a single charge of its 248 hp lithium-ion battery system.

Lexus LS 600h L The world's first V8-powered full-hybrid is equipped with a 5.0L V8 engine, mated to a high-output electric motor with nickel-metal hydride battery packs, which produces 438hp. The Lexus reaches 210 km/h (without a limiter, its rumored top speed is 273 km/h).

Solar powered Nuna4. This single-seater runs on photovoltaic cells, a lithium-polymer battery pack, and a 7.5-hp direct-drive electric motor in the rear wheel, which reaches a top speed of 128 km/h. It was built by Holland's Delft University of Technology for the Panasonic World Solar Challenge.

Volvo Aria Powered only by gravity, this fiberglass bullet-shaped one-seater is 9 feet long, 3 feet wide and reaches 86 km/h.

I was a stockcar driver - Really!

The video below brings back many fond memories. These are the kind of cars I used to race. We didn't drag race (often) and although some of the cars were musclecars, we called them stockcars. We raced around a dusty, dirt track, not in the streets. There were a lot of upsets and crashes but the cars were sturdy, we were strapped in and we had a rollbar for protection if we rolled. It was fun and not really, really dangerous.

The girls' races were called, "Powder Puff" races ... some of us acted anything but genteel when we got behind the wheel of our stockcars. When the day was over, the only thing clean about us were the circles around our eyes where our goggles had been.

Great memories!

OSCA Drag Racing

Montage of Domestic musclecar drag racing at Toronto Motorsports Park "Ontario Streetcar Association" OSCA

Music by: Tijuana Bibles

Twin Jet Funny Cars - Feel the noise

I doubt if this is a green machine ... but maybe.

This was taken at the Santa Pod Raceway.

NASCAR - 1952 - Daytona Beach

Hilarious .. compared to today's NASCAR. Just maybe I prefer then to now. What do you think?

An unforgetable racing year ..

Monte Carlo - 1964

The racing year 1964 went down as particularly memorable. Paddy Hopkirk and his co-driver Henry Lidding powered to a Monte Carlo Rally victory in a Mini Cooper S, to the astonishment of the rest of the field and the racing fraternity.

This initial Mini victory was repeated in the following year and in 1967, but it's the first victory that sticks in the mind. The Grimaldi clan of Prince Ranier, Princess Grace and the rest greet the winning car.

The win established the Mini as both racing and styling legend; there are few designs which remain absolutely contemporary year in and out without major changes, and Mini is one of them.

Credit: Paddy Hopkirk's Mini

A SPORTS CAR SO GREEN IT'S ENVIABLE - This car has it all!

A prototype of the Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid.

MONTEREY, Calif. - Even as Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Rolls-Royces prowled the avenue, the obscure silver sedan parked at the curb gathered its share of stares and curiosity. The Fisker Karma, as it is called, has looks that rival a Mercedes-Benz roadster. Yet the key to what makes it different is emblazoned on the sides in chrome letters: Plug-in Hybrid.

Photo Credit: Fisker Automotive

FM-4 HumanCarWell. Fully human-powered and designed by inventor Charles Greenwood of Seattle, this is basically a steel-tube-chassis, high-tech rowing machine that hits 48 km/h.

Venturi Eclectic

Shopping for the future

Venturi Eclectic is a wind/solar-powered vehicle with a 22-hp electric motor driving the rear wheels. The French vehicle has a roof-mounted wind turbine and photovoltaic cells in the roof that charge its nickel-metal-hydride batteries, and it also plugs into a standard household electrical outlet. Top speed is limited to 50km/h, and there's a 50km range between charges.

When you shop for a new vehicle, compare fuel economy. Bear in mind how bigger vehicles, bigger engines, four-wheel drive and lots of optional equipment can add to a vehicle's weight and, as a result, reduce its fuel efficiency. Even larger tires can have an effect. A tire with a larger "footprint" on the road that doesn't have a special rubber compound designed to improve fuel economy has more rolling resistance than a comparable smaller tire, and this can lower fuel economy.

You don't always have to avoid popular vehicles in order to save money at the gas pump. Some smaller trucks and sport-utility vehicles rank better in fuel economy than do some cars. For example, the Ford Ranger 2WD with a 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine and manual transmission is the "most efficient standard pickup truck," according to Natural Resources Canada.

Watch for New, High-Tech Solutions

Check out the newest automotive technology. It's getting more mainstream with each passing year.

Virtually all automakers are researching ways to build a commercially viable fuel-cell vehicle.

Even if you don't decide on a new-technology vehicle, you should carefully consider whether you really need a V6 or a V8 in your next car or truck. Consumers should test drive models with various engines in a range of driving conditions to determine what fits them best, and to assess the tradeoffs.

Photo by thrig. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.

Deciphering the new vocabulary of the green car movement can sometimes be a real head scratcher. To alleviate as much confusion as possible, "Greenlings" presents us with a list of common acronyms and what they mean, with plenty of links for more information.

B5 (also: B20, B99) - Petroleum diesel fuel mixed with biodiesel. The number is the percentage of biodiesel in the liquid, so B5 is 95 percent petroleum and five percent biodiesel.

BEV - Battery electric vehicle. That is, an electric vehicle without a range extender, like an engine or a hydrogen fuel cell, of any type.

CAFE - Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards. A system used in the United States to define the mileage requirements of new vehicles. More details here.

CARB - The California Air Resources Board. It's mission is, "To promote and protect public health, welfare and ecological resources through the effective and efficient reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and considering the effects on the economy of the state."

More common acronyms here: A Guide To Common Green Vehicle Acronyms

* If you have some TLAs (that's three-letter acronyms) that you'd like to add to their glossary, just let them know.

My grandfather was a very talented blacksmith who invented products and gadgets for which he sold the patents. Some of his inventions are still being used today.

For many years I have been telling people, what I know to be true, my grandpa invented a process for an engine to run on gas fumes. A car company purchased the patent (I won't mention the name of the company) and they "buried" the patent. Why? The family have their suspicions.

I think that is what is happening today. Not the patents being buried, necessarily, but people are putting down and downplaying various processes that just might work. Why?

** Photo by PDH999

A Water-fueled car - Can It Be True? - Not a gas guzzler or a hayburner

With oil prices soaring and fuel protests spreading across the globe, it almost sounds too good to be true, a car that runs on nothing but water. And all kinds of water will do, whether rain or sea, they all make this car mobile. Even tea works. With car users around the world looking for alternative fuels to power their vehicles, this may well be the solution we've been looking for.

Convert your car to run on vegetable oil?

Sounds like there may be a problem.

The SVO problem

The central problem in using vegetable oil as diesel fuel is that vegetable oil is much more viscous (thicker) than conventional diesel fuel (petro-diesel, DERV, "dino-diesel"). It's 11 to 17 times thicker. Vegetable oil also has very different chemical properties and combustion characteristics to those of conventional diesel fuel.

If the fuel is too thick it will not atomise properly when the fuel injectors spray it into the combustion chamber and it will not combust properly -- the injectors get coked up, leading to poor performance, higher exhaust emissions and reduced engine life.

There are many different approaches to solving the problem -- including not admitting that there is a problem in the first place.

Just Put It In And Go - It's a Myth

Myth: Just put it in the tank -- any inline injection pump is happy on cold veg-oil, they don't mind starting on cold oil, especially with an older Mercedes.

"We hear it every summer, we don't hear much of it in winter though." An experienced SVO'er summed it up on one of the Internet mailing lists:

"I am tired of hearing people say that they can dump veg-oil in an old Mercedes, do nothing, and it will be fine. It's abuse of a fine engine, it causes poor, smoky cold starts, the emissions will not be as favorable as they should be, and the starter, glow plug, lift pump, battery, and injection pump will all be subjected to higher than usual stresses."

Mixing Fuels

Veg-oil and ...

Just Put It In And Go - Another Myth

Myth: Mix it with diesel fuel or kerosene, then just put it in and go.

Some have said:

~ "I've been running a vegoil/diesel mix, 50/50 winter 70/30 summer."

~ "I'm running on about 50% petro-diesel to 50% veg-oil, no problems!"

~ "I use 90% WVO and 10% kerosene as my standard summer fuel."

Responses from seasoned SVO users:

"Your cold starts will begin to deteriorate, your filter will probably start plugging, your injectors will get coked up, setting the stage for ring sticking, glazing of the cylinder walls, increased lube oil consumption and eventual engine failure -- if you can continue to get the thing started in the morning. More than 20% or so veg-oil in the diesel is not a good plan for more than short term 'experiments."

"Mixing veg-oil and diesel isn't advisable unless you heat all the fuel."

I've said much the same:

You'll need what amounts to an SVO system with fuel pre-heating.

A Veggie Conversion

Justine's 1986 Volkswagen Jetta

Perhaps these cars do work! .... At least for a little while. ahummm

Demand Destruction to Lower Gas Prices

Will It Work?

Here's an interesting concept for lowering gas prices. What is the reason for putting down this process? Who is behind it? What is to be gained and by whom? Perhaps the following may shed some light on why, who, what and when.

Fund manager expects this reaction to the energy sector as oil hits record highs.

Demand Destruction

X Prize

PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE

AUTOMOTIVE X PRIZE

10 Million Dollars

Who will win?

An exciting ad for the X PRIZE - 2004

This gave me goosebumps!

Teams Get Green Light to Advance in Multimillion Dollar Competition

This competition is now over but I will leave this information here so that you can tell that a great deal of effort and planning went into this event and the results were not predictable.

APRIL 26 - MAY 7, 2010: SHAKEDOWN STAGE (CLOSED DOOR COMPETITION EVENT)

Location: Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn, MI

The purpose of this first stage was to conduct safety inspections and on-track dynamic safety evaluations of competition vehicles. Teams submitted their cars to on-the-ground challenges for the purpose of shaking out problem areas and preparing their vehicles for the Knockout Qualifying Stage that followed, all without risk of elimination by the judges. Vehicles were tested on braking speed, lane change ability, acceleration and refueling/recharging time, among other elements.

APRIL 29, 2010 COMPETITION OPENER & WELCOME (PUBLIC EVENT)

Location: Michigan State Capitol, Lansing, MI

Up to ten competition vehicles were on display at the state capitol for the public and media to view, including opportunities to interact with the teams.

JUNE 20-28, 2010 KNOCKOUT QUALIFYING STAGE (CLOSED DOOR COMPETITION EVENT)

Location: Michigan International Speedway

To narrow the field of competitors, Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE officials re-conducted inspections and certified readiness for knockout stage challenges. In order to pass this stage, teams had to demonstrate that their vehicles could achieve at least two-thirds of the stated 100 MPGe (miles per gallon or energy equivalent) goal while also meeting expectations for range, emissions, and real world performance. Achieving emissions thresholds proved a significant hurdle for teams in this stage as did the "hill climb" challenge.

JULY 2010 OPEN HOUSE Exact Date TBD (PUBLIC EVENT)

Location: Michigan International Speedway

The greater Michigan community will be invited to a free one-day event to see some of the vehicles close up, meet and learn about the finalist teams in the DASH+ national high school contest- an element of the competition's national education program, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy- and explore a variety of interactive and informative booths and displays focused on innovation around fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. They will also have access to the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE technical team, which will provide insight into what each scoring leg is designed to calculate and explain how the competitors are challenged to prove that their vehicle can average the targeted 100 MPGe.

JULY 19-30, 2010 FINALS STAGE (CLOSED DOOR COMPETITION EVENT)

Location: Michigan International Speedway

To identify the top finalists in each class, after a quick repeat of the static and dynamic safety checks, the remaining teams will compete in scored on-track challenges, and close with a coast exercise to gain key performance information about the aerodynamics and rolling resistance properly prepare vehicles for validation speed will be important maximum/minimum time events.

AUGUST 2010 VALIDATION STAGE (CLOSED DOOR COMPETITION EVENT)

Location: EPA Labs (Ann Arbor, MI) and Argonne National Labs (Chicago, IL)

In this final technical event, the top finalists in both the Mainstream and Alternative classes will undergo dynamometer testing under controlled laboratory conditions at certified labs to verify technical performance results. The results of this testing, combined with the speed, efficiency and emissions results from the earlier events at Michigan International Speedway, will determine the winners of the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE.

The Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE, with title sponsor Progressive Insurance, intends to announce winners and present checks at a special award ceremony in Washington, D.C. in September 2010. Specific details on this event will be announced at a later time.

Automotive X Prize members and world-class advisors came together to create the competition, and, after thousands of hours, they finally agreed upon specific details of what the competing teams must achieve when building their viable, fuel-efficient vehicles.

1. The competition requires significant energy and emissions goals (most importantly, fuel economy) with at least 100 mpg or its equivalent. The guidelines are replacing the outdated MPG with this new standard, MPGe, which takes into account energy equivalents, no matter what the energy source.

2. Production capability is another important requirement: Vehicles will be judged on specific market production criteria detailed in key areas such as safety, cost, features and business plan. So this X Prize will only open to practicable cars capable of reaching the marketplace-no concept cars or science projects.

3. Vehicles that meet the strict requirements will compete in two different categories: mainstream and alternative. The four-wheeled "mainstream" cars must carry four passengers; the "alternative" vehicles must carry two or more passengers with no minimum wheel requirements. While both categories will feature the same requirements for fuel economy and emissions, the vehicles will have different design constraints.

4. This challenging, multi-year competition will test the qualified vehicles in two rigorous, long-distance stage races in 2009. The two races-a qualifying round and the grand prize final-test the vehicle under real-world driving requirements and conditions. The courses will reflect typical consumer driving patterns during numerous stages, in varied terrain, communities and weather conditions.

5. In order to win, vehicles must complete both races with the lowest overall time averaged over all scoring stages while still meeting the Automotive X Prize requirements for fuel economy and emissions.

While the competing teams might have their mind on how to win and their eyes on the money, the overall purpose of this competition is to capture the public's imagination to solve economic, international and environmental problems.

X - PRIZE Cars Progress Report

In the year 2009, 30 teams from across the globe took advantage of the 2009 SEMA Show to introduce visitors to some of the creations that are further along in their development.

Winning $10 million is pretty sweet, especially when you can use the money to develop a car that may end up solving the world's sustainable energy problems. That's what the Progressive Automotive Xprize contest is all about: rewarding a team that has found the best compromise for a modern, efficient and environmentally-friendly automobile.

Unique cars

The teams on hand were able to show industry representatives where their projects currently stand. For most, there is still a lot of work to do before they can say "Mission accomplished."

Each vehicle will be assessed on specific criteria, particularly real-world fuel economy (at least 100 mpg), emission control and the company's ability to produce at least 10,000 units at an affordable price.

The eVaro is a unique three-wheel vehicle with two seats and a small trunk capable of storing a pair of golf bags Whether the company wins the grand prize or not, the eVaro will likely hit the Canadian market by 2012 at a price hovering around $43,000.

Great news for X PRIZE Competition - Greater news for Michigan

Watch the full press conference that ran on Jan 12, 2009 at the Detroit Auto Show, when the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE announced that Michigan would become the State for the Competition phase with the support of the Michigan Economic Development Corp (MEDC) and the Michigan Intl Speedway. Present at the press announcement were Peter Diamandis, Chairman & CEO, X PRIZE Foundation; Lt. Governor John D. Cherry, State of Michigan; Greg Main, President & CEO, MEDC; Roger Curtis, President, Michigan Intl. Speedway; and Patrick Davis, Program Manager, Vehicle Technologies, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, US Dept of Energy

Category: Science & Technology

ANOTHER MAJOR BOOST FOR X PRIZE

X PRIZE Foundation to Partner with MOREY Corporation

on Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE Competition

Company Implements a Signature Data Acquisition

System to Transmit Feedback on the Performance of Competition Vehicles

Prior to the start of on-track vehicle testing in April 2010, a MOREY Data Acquisition System (DAS) was installed on each one of the competing vehicles. The system transmitted a range of vehicle data such as accelerator position, vehicle speed, fuel economy, and battery power - from each vehicle to a local event server, www.FuelOurFutureNow.org, developed in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy and Discovery Education.

Vehicles in the competition - Country and Auto listed below.

I realize that these cars are hard to see so I have listed them in order of rows back to front, left to right.

TOP ROW:

1. WIKISPEED - USA - Powertrain: Internal Combustion Engine - Class: Mainstream

2. Edison2 - USA - Powertrain: Internal Combustion Engine - Class: Mainstream

3. American HyPower - USA - Powertrain: Hybrid Elec. Vehicle - Class: Mainstream

4. Cornell 100+ MPG Team - USA - Powertrain: Plug-in Hybrid Elec. - Class: Mainstream

5. Team HydroPhi - USA - Powertrain: Hybrid Elec. Vehicle - Class: Mainstream

6. Urbee - Canada - Powertrain: Plug-in Hybrid Elec. Vehicle - Class: Alternative

7. Combined Technology Solutions (CTS) - USA - Powertrain: Plug-in Hybrid Elec. - Class: Mainstream

MIDDLE ROW:

1. SS1 Racing - USA - Powertrain: Battery Electric Vehicle - Competition Class: Alternative

2. Team EVl - USA - Powertrain: Battery Electric Vehicle - Competition Class: Alternative

3. omp - USA - Powertrain: Battery Electric Vehicle - Competition Class: Alternative

4. Team EVX - USA - Powertrain: Battery Electric Vehicle - Competition Class: Alternative

5. X-Tracer Team - Switzerland - Powertrain: Battery Elec. Vehicle - Class: Alternative

6. EnerMotion - Canada - Powertrain: Hybrid Electric Vehicle - Class: Mainstream

BOTTOM ROW:

1. TW4XP - Germany - Powertrain: Battery Electric-Human - Competition Class: Altrnative

2. FVT Racing - Canada - Powertrain: Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle - Class: Alternative

3. RaceAbout Association - Finland - Powertrain: Battery Elec. Vehicle - Class: Alternative

4. Team ULV-3 - USA - Powertrain: Hybrid Electric Vehicle - Competition Class: Alternative

5. Tango (Commuter Cars) - USA - Powertrain: Battery Elec. Vehicle - Class: Alternative

6. Delta Motorsport - UK - Powertrain: Battery Elec. Vehicle - Class: Mainstream

7. Global-E - USA - Powertrain: Battery Electric Vehicle - Competition Class: Mainstream

More vehicles in the competition - Page 2

These cars are hard to see so I have listed them in order of rows top to bottom, left to right.

TOP ROW:

1. Enginer - USA - Powertrain: Plug-in Hybrid Elec. Vehicle - Competition Class: Mainstream

2. Envera - USA - Powertrain: Hybrid Electric Vehicle - Competition Class: Alternative

3. Spira - Thialand - Powertrain: Internal Combustion Engine - Class: Alternative

4. BITW Technologies - USA - Powertrain: Internal Combustion Engine - Class: Mainstream

5. TTW Italia - Italy - Powertrain: Hybrid Electric Vehicle - Competition Class: Alternative

6. Team FourSight - USA - Powertrain: Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle: Class: Mainstream

MIDDLE ROW:

1. SABA Motors - USA - Powertrain: Battery Electric Vehicle - Class: Alternative

2. Tata Motors - UK - Powertrain: Battery Electric Vehicle - Class: Alternative

3. Gomecsys - Netherlands - Powertrain: Internal Combustion Engine - Class: Mainstream

4. West Philly Hybrid X (EVX) -USA -Powertrain: Plug-in Hybrid Electric Class:Alternative

5. OptaMotive - Canada - Powertrain: Battery Electric Vehicle - Class: Alternative

6. Eltra - USA - Powertrain: Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle - Competition Class: Mainstream

BOTTOM ROW:

1. Western Washington University - USA - Powertrain: Hybrid Electric - Class: Alternative

2. ZAP - USA - Powertrain: Battery Electric Vehicle - Competition Class: Alternative

3. BDCOTSRUS - USA - Powertrain: Hybrid Electric Car - Competition Class: Mainstream

4. Aptera Motors - USA - Powertrain: Battery Electric Vehicle - Class: Alternative

5. VePerformance - Canada - Powertrain: Battery Electric Vehicle - Class: Mainstream

6.Illuminati Motor Works - USA - Powertrain: Battery Electric - Class: Mainstream

RESULTS OF THE X-PRIZE - The shake-down

Photo: Michigan International Speedway where the tests were performed.

WINNERS - X PRIZE COMPETITION! - September, 2010

How very exciting! The votes have all been added up. 111 teams with 126 vehicles have taken part in this competition. Everyone knew that only three teams would walk away with the money but ... all the competitors are all winners!

For the surprising results please watch the X PRIZE WINNER AWARD CEREMONY captured on YouTube.

This six-seater, which should be available in India next year, is powered entirely by a tank filled with compressed air.

India's largest automaker is set to start producing the world's first commercial air-powered vehicle.

The Air Car, developed by ex-Formula One engineer Guy Nègre for Luxembourg-based MDI, uses compressed air, as opposed to the gas-and-oxygen explosions of internal-combustion models, to push its engine's pistons.

Barring any last-minute design changes on the way to production, the Air Car should be surprisingly practical. The $12,700 CityCAT, one of a handful of planned Air Car models, can hit 68 mph and has a range of 125 miles. It will take only a few minutes for the CityCAT to refuel at gas stations equipped with custom air compressor units; MDI says it should cost around $2 to fill the car's carbon-fiber tanks with 340 liters of air at 4350 psi. Drivers also will be able to plug into the electrical grid and use the car's built-in compressor to refill the tanks in about 4 hours.

MDI has signed deals to bring its design to 12 more countries, including Germany, Israel and South Africa.

UPDATE

The CityCAT, already being developed in India (pictured above), will be available for U.S. production in three different four-door styles. But it's the radical dual-energy engine, with a possible 1000-mile range at 96 mph, that could move the Air Car beyond Auto X Prize dreams and into American garages.

The Air Car caused a huge stir when we reported last year that Tata Motors would begin producing it in India. Now the little gas-free ride that could is headed Stateside in a big-time way.

Zero Pollution Motors (ZPM) confirmed to PopularMechanics.com that it expects to produce the world's first air-powered car for the United States by late 2009 or early 2010.

Company officials want to make the first air-powered car to hit U.S. roads at $17,800, 75-hp equivalent, six-seat modified version of MDI's CityCAT (pictured above).

MDI's new dual-energy engine-currently being installed in models at MDI facilities overseas-is still pretty cool in concept. After using compressed air fed from the same Airbus-built tanks in earlier models to run its pistons, the next-gen Air Car has a supplemental energy source to kick in north of 35 mph," ZPM says. A custom heating chamber heats the air in a process officials refused to elaborate upon, though they insisted it would increase volume and thus the car's range and speed.

ZPM spokesman, Kevin Haydon, estimated that a vehicle with one tank of air and, say, 8 gal. of either conventional petrol, ethanol or biofuel could hit between 800 and 1000 miles.

Those figures would make the Air Car, along with Aptera's Typ-1 and Tesla's Roadster, a favorite among early entrants for the Automotive X Prize, for which MDI and ZPM have already signed up. But with the family-size, four-door CityCAT undergoing standard safety tests in Europe, then side-impact tests once it arrives in the States, could it be the first 100-mpg, nonelectric car you can actually buy?

A Flying Car - Really impressive!

Have you ever seen a flying car?

I saw one built like a flying saucer but I like this one better.

Rinspeed sQuba An all-electric to ensure that it can run in an environment that has no oxygen (the bottom of a lake.) The car is completely emissions-free and uses biodegradable lubricants. Wouldn't it be fun to have one of these!!

More scoop on the sQuba - Underwater car - WOW! This looks like fun!

Rinspeed presented its new sQuba, at the Geneva Motor Show (March 6-16). The car is not only able to drive on roads autonomously with a push of a button (thus without a driver, passenger or further assistance), but can also transform into an amphibious vehicle which can be submerged in water up to 10 meters (33 feet).

An electric motor with powerful torque drives the rear wheels, while the propulsion on the water is ensured by two propellers in the stern and two powerful jet drives in the bow propelling the vehicle under water while diving. When underwater, the driver and passenger are enclosed in the vehicle thanks to light weight body components made of futuristic Carbon Nano Tubes and are supplied with fresh breathing air by the self-contained on-board system.

2009

GREEN CAR COMPETITION

The top three contenders announced in the 2009 World Green Car competition were: the Honda FCX Clarity, the Toyota iQ and the Mitsubishi i-MiEV. These three were selected from a list of five first-round finalists - pared from an original list of more than 20 cars - by an international panel of 59 automotive journalists.

Contender #1

Honda FCX Clarity

Honda has a long history of environmental leadership, including the introduction of America's first mass produced hybrid, the Honda Insight, and the first vehicle to meet California's low emission vehicle standards, well in advance of regulatory requirements. Acknowledgement of their commitment to innovation can be seen by Honda's topping the rankings as the country's greenest automaker by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) for the fourth time in a row.*

* Based on a 2007 U.S. emissions study by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS)

Contender #2 - 2010 Toyota iQ

Toyota is out to get Smart with a clever new microcar. Though designed for Europe and Japan, the iQ could come stateside with Scion badges to help us cope with growing urban congestion.

Contender #3 - Mitsubishi i-MiEV

Tear-drop shaped i MiEV SPORT enhances the "driving" image of Mitsubishi's electric vehicles. The car features Mitsubishi Motors' unique in-wheel motor in the front plus S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control) to achieve high maneuverability as well as high levels of both environmental and running performance.

Solar power cells are embedded in the lower portion of the windshield and the removable glass roof.

THE WINNER - Honda FCX Clarity - 2009 World Green Car

Prestigious award

chosen by jurors from 25 different countries

TORRANCE, Calif., April 9, 2009 - Recognizing Honda's commitment to environmental leadership in the area of alternative fuels and hydrogen-powered fuel cell technology, the Honda FCX Clarity was declared the 2009 World Green Car.

The FCX Clarity, a sleekly styled hydrogen fuel cell-powered sedan is propelled by an electric motor that runs on electricity generated by an on-board fuel cell stack. The vehicle's only emission is water, and its fuel efficiency is up to three times that of a modern gasoline-powered automobile and two times that of a gasoline-powered hybrid vehicle.

2010

Green Car Competition

2010 Green Car of the Year - 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show

The five finalists for Green Car of the Year:

The Volkswagen Golf TDI

Audi A3 TDl

Honda Insight

Mercury Milan Hybrid

Toyota Prius.

What made these strong contenders?

Volkswagen Golf TDI - Remember, it was the VW Jetta TDl with the diesel engine that was the L.A. Car Show's Green Car of the Year in 2009. On the highway it gets 42 mpg.

Audi A3TDl - Another diesel car gets 42 mpg on the highway.

Honda Insight - This 4-door hatchback achieves 40 City/ 43 mpg on the highway. The asking price starting at less than $20,000. beats all the other nominees.

Mercury Milan - Is a beautiful sedan introduced by Ford Motor Co. Achieves an estimated 41 City/36 Hwy mpg.

Toyota Prius - Has a combined 50 mpg record.

The Toyota Prius is my personal favorite and, in my humble opinion, should have won hands down, but, obviously it was not the choice of the judges. Now with all of Toyota's re-calls, I have to say that perhaps they were right.

2010 Volkswagen Golf GTl

From the 2009 New York Auto Show, Cars.com's Joe Wiesenfelder takes a look at the 2010 Volkswagen Golf GTI.

2010 AUDI A3 2.0 TDI

2010 Honda Insight

Hondas all-new hybrid takes direct aim at the Toyota Prius. 2010 Honda Insight.

Watch for the Grand Sale April 22nd, "Earth Day."

2010 Mercury Milan

2010 Toyota Prius

From the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, Cars.com's Kelsey Mays takes a look at the 2010 Toyota Prius. It competes with the Honda Insight and Ford Fusion Hybrid.

Vote here

Which car deserved to win the Green Car of the Year award?

If you were the judge, which car would have had your vote?

Speak your mind

See results

The 2010 Audi A3 TDI was awarded the 2010 Green Car of the Year Award at the Los Angeles Auto Show by Green Car Journal, which has presented the award for five years.

It follows last year's winner, 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI, to make two clean diesels in a row to win the award.

The 2010 Audi A3 TDI is a compact five-door hatchback, powered by a 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine.

The sporty A3 TDI is meant to appeal to the frugal side of Audi's affluent buyers, with a base price of $30,000.

DETROIT INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW - 2010 NORTH AMERICAN CAR OF THE YEAR

The Ford Fusion Hybrid was named 2010 NORTH AMERICAN CAR OF THE YEAR at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

BUT ...

The 2006 documentary "Who Killed the Electric Car?" castigated General Motors Co. for perpetuating the internal combustion engine by pulling the plug on its EV1 electric car in 1999.

A follow-up movie could be called, "Who's Not Building an Electric Car?"

Hybrids: plug-in hybrids and pure electric vehicles weren't just the major theme of this year's North American International Auto Show in Detroit -- they were the only theme.

The 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit was all about electric.

Sure, there's plenty of gasoline-drenched muscle to go around, but nearly every automaker was showcasing their current or future entries into the electric market.

There was even a 37,000-square-foot Electric Avenue area dedicated to displaying the latest in EV technology.

1. Chevy Volt charges again in 2010 ..

The Chevy Volt starred in last year's show, but with production ready to begin this year, it's once again the belle of the ball.

2. Toyota FT-CH could join Prius family ..

The 8-bit styled Toyota FT-CH compact hybrid is a concept at this point, but it could join Toyota's upcoming Prius line.

3. Tesla Model S looks to move from vaporware to reality ..

Tesla already made waves with its Roadster, but its Model S sedan could be its chance to compete with the big boys in the domestic auto industry.

Toyota PRIUS Plug-in Hybrid

The Toyota Prius is again the leader in fuel efficiency among 2010 cars, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy.

Nine of the top-10 most fuel efficient vehicles in the U.S. are hybrids. The agency, which sets guidelines and gives estimated fuel costs and mileage standards each year in its Fuel Economy Guide, released the following EPA ratings for 2010 models:

1. Toyota Prius, 51 mpg city/48 mpg highway;

2. Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan, 41/36;

3. Honda Civic Hybrid, 40/45;

4. Honda Insight (hybrid), 40/43;

5. Lexus HS250h (hybrid), 35/34;

6. Nissan Altima Hybrid, 35/33;

7. Ford Escape Hybrid FWD, Mazda Tribute Hybrid 2WD, Mercury Mariner Hybrid FWD, 34/31;

8. Smart fortwo Cabriolet (automatic) Smart fortwo Coupe (automatic),33/41;

9. Toyota Camry Hybrid, 33/34

10. Lexus RX450h (hybrid, 2WD), 32/28.

The Japanese daily newspaper, The Nikkei, report the manufacturer's highly successful Prius hybrid will include solar-powered air conditioning in its 2010 models. The solar panels on the roof of the new Prius model will provide two to five kilowatts of electricity, according to the newspaper.Toyota plans to increase Prius production to 1 million in 2011.

Toyota FT-CH Concept Auto

2010 Detroit Auto Show - Excerpt from Detroit Free Press

Photo: Turner Labadie (3 yrs old) of Ypsilanti, gazes at the Acura race car today at the North American International Auto Show at Cobo Center in Detroit. "He loves that car," said his dad, Brad Labadie. "This is our third time here." (SUSAN TUSA/Detroit Free Press)

More than 95,000 people attended Sunday, bringing the total to nearly 715,000 visitors since doors opened to the public on Jan. 16th (more than last year's total of 650,000).

The debut of Electric Avenue, spanning 37,000 sq. ft. and displaying hybrid and elctric cars was very popular!

Toyota's FT-EV Concept - 2012

Toyota's FT-EV concept imagines an urban dweller, driving up to 50 miles between home, work and other forms of public transportation, such as high-speed rail. The FT-EV II made its debut at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show.

Futuristic cars / transportation - & Odd Things

Designs or real cars that look futuristic or just some odd things I found, the pontiac Fierro Shell is a real thing and so is the Moped.

Try to guess which cars are real and which are not.

Song: Technologic by Daft Punk

Future Cars - "Imagine" them.

Cars have come a long way since I was a girl.

I hope that I'm around when these are on the road.

Future Cars

Some of the latest concept cars of the future. The Slide Show Consisted of Pictures From the Internet (Google, Discovery Channel & Daily Planet).

Is one of these cars your future car?

Would you like to have one of these futuristic cars?

See results

Futuristic Japanese Cars

Cool designs and bizarre concept cars take the stage at Japan's motor show, including Honda's 'organic' car skin and a rotating Nissan that talks you out of a bad mood.

Or would you prefer one of these?

Would you like one of these cars?

See results

End of the line for the S.U.V.? - Closure of 3 plants.

Photo Credit: Andy Manis

JANESVILLE, Wis. - Even a federal bailout could not save three of the last remaining plants in the United States still making sport utility vehicles.

Reeling from its financial problems and a collapsing S.U.V. market, General Motors closed its factories in Janesville, Wis. and in Moraine, Ohio, marking the passing of an era when big S.U.V.'s ruled the road. This followed the shutdown of Chrysler's factory in Newark, Del., which produced full-size S.U.V.'s.

The last Chevrolet Tahoe rolled off the line in Janesville in the 90-year-old plant, which had built more than 3.7 million big S.U.V.'s since the early 1990s.

Out Of Work

Photo Credit: Andy Manis

It looks like the time has come for the SUV to be towed off to that great junkyard in the sky.

Drivers struggling with high gas prices are steering away from buying SUVs and other gas guzzlers. Rising gas prices ... and a greater understanding that Fuel will probably never be cheap again ... appears to be killing off the gas-guzzling SUV. Sales of the vehicles are plummeting, and those drivers who already have them are finding it increasingly difficult to sell or trade-in their old SUVs.

Jack Nerad, executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com, has been asked for years about the future of the SUV. "Up until now, we've said it's not dead," Nerad said. "But right now, it's probably on life support."

Can a Hummer be green? The brand that most obviously represents American excess in the minds of environmentalists - though Hummer's vehicles aren't actually any worse than any other large SUV - has seemingly been fighting off its negative stigma since shortly after the introduction of the larger-than-life H2.

Part of the brand's hopeful transformation includes giving each model a flex-fuel variant, and the latest application of that principle is seen on the 2010 H3 and H3T.

Not green enough for you? Baby steps, people... Hummer CEO James Taylor (no, not THAT James Taylor) promises bigger eco steps in the near future.

In related news, the 2010 Hummer H3 and H3T will be offered with three new premium exterior colors for 2010: Red Rock Metallic, Silver Stone Metallic, and Canyon Metallic. Huh, no green?

Hummer color - Silver Stone Metallic

Obama's green-car 'Gestapo' - I'm thinking scooters!

The Toyota Prius is pictured above, in the green Napa Valley, California.

Photo by Mark Elias/Bloomberg News.

Rush Limbaugh fielding a note from someone who wrote: "Rush, you're wrong. Obama is not going to be able to sell the Prius. He's not going to be able to go out there and make people buy a hybrid."

"Oh, he won't use the word 'hybrid,' folks,'' Limbaugh explained. "When it comes time for Obama to convince you -- those of you who have already given up your individuality, those of you who have already joined the cult -- he'll simply say, 'We need to buy green cars.' The word 'green' will make it acceptable.

"It's going to be a 'green car.' Not the color, but it's going to be the kind of car that will 'save the planet' and so forth.''

This report got me thinking "scooters!"

Imagine filling up your gas tank for less than $15. Some are doing it - and they're doing it on two wheels. Motorized scooters have emerged as the new transportation of choice for some fed up with gas prices that have surged past $4 a gallon.

Though the small, zippy vehicles aren't ideal for every purpose,some owners say they're great for short trips and running errands. The scooter gets 50 to 60 miles a gallon in town.

The most popular scooter is a Piaggio three-wheel model known as the MP3. Customers like it, because they don't have to put their feet down at the street light.

I think that the best part of owning a scooter must be the feeling they get when they finally have to pull into a gas station after getting about 60 miles per gallon.

Electric scooters

"Zero gas. Zero pollution. It's like an appliance. You can park it on the carpet and not worry about oil dripping."

Scooter Safety

Bad weather is one obstacle owners have managed to surmount. "I invested in cheap rain gear and covers so unexpected weather is not an issue," she told me.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, it's good idea to invest in other gear too - the kind that keeps you safe. An estimated 7,244 people suffered scooter-related injuries last year, the commission reports. It recommends scooter riders wear helmets, knee pads and elbow pads to avoid injury.

Some riding safety tips from the commission:

~ Wear sturdy shoes

~ Avoid gravel and uneven pavement, which can cause falls.

~ Don't ride scooters at night - riders can't see where they're going or be seen by others.

~ Riders wear bright colors. Conspicuity is key.

NOTICE: Scooters that have engine sizes exceeding 50 cubic centimeters and travel 30 miles per hour or higher require a motorcycle license. Contact your state's motor vehicles office for details.

Dream a little. - Oh, come on!

I have given you a brief run-down on quite a few green machines. Now it's up to you to choose. Please take a few moments to check out the list below and vote on the most likely choice you would make if everyones dreams could come true and all of the above inventions actually work.

There is nowhere here to put an explanation for your choice so if you want to explain in my guestbook below, please do.

Your choice is?

See results

Please look for the answer below.

Answer:

You can save gas & drive further by shifting down into

"bull" low.

"WhatGreenCar" - Car of the Year 2010 - Toyota Prius

EPSOM, UNITED KINGDOM - November 30, 2009: "WhatGreenCar" has awarded its prestigious Car of the Year Award to the 2010 Toyota Prius.

The 2010 Prius was chosen from a short-list of 10 green car finalists and the judging was independently conducted by "WhatGreenCar." To be eligible for the Award, models had to be commercially available in the U.S. and have a "WhatGreenCar" Environmental Rating of 45 or less.

Buy a House/Get a Car - What will they think of next?

Developers of high-efficiency home offer high-efficiency car as part of real estate deal in Leverett, Massachusetts

Developers behind a high-end, high-efficiency home here hope a high-efficiency Volkswagen can rev up interest in a down real estate market.

Vintage Green announced that if someone buys their 3,500-square-foot, eight-room home with acres of land near Long Plain Road for $749,900, they'll include a Volkswagen Jetta TDI diesel.

"We'll put it in the garage for you," said Jonathan M. Gross, co-owner of Vintage Green. "The car is part of the deal."

The Jetta TDI diesel was named 2009 Green Car of the Year by Green Car Journal and the Web site GreenCar.com.

Gross said he thinks he's the first home seller, certainly the first in the region, to try offering a house with a car.

What an incentive!?!? What will they think of next? I'm not sure, but I think the price of the car is probably built into the price of the house somewhere. Don't you?

New "Vehicular" Words

Exemplify the Spirit of the Times

The word of the year for 2008 was hypermile. To maximize gas mileage by making fuel-conserving adjustments to driving techniques.

Over the last two years, the dictionary has crowned environmental terms such as carbon neutral and locavore as words of the year. They wanted to get away from the environment, though, and validate a word that would encapsulate the world of 2009.

Hypermile was to reflect the the stunning downturn in the global economy, skyrocketing gas prices and the debate surrounding America's dependence on foreign oil.

But in choosing a term about fuel-efficiency, lexicographers underscored -- for the third year in a row -- just how pervasive the environment has become in modern vernacular. More importantly, it also serves as a poignant reminder that the environment and the economy are not mutually exclusive.

They came up with hypermiling from an economic standpoint. It is interesting that hypermiling covers both common sources of angst: The environment and the economy.

The term "hypermiling" was first coined in 2004 by Wayne Gerdes who runs the website cleanmpg.com, an online community dedicated to raising a car's fuel economy and lowering emissions.

Words which made the shortlist this year include more green terms,like ecohacking, staycation and frugalista.

They're words that have become central to the happenings of the year, words that capture the Zeitgeist.

ARE YOU TOO OLD TO DRIVE THIS CAR?

Concept car

that we are probably too old to

drive?????

NO JOKE! "

The

new Benz - Very different....really different!?

SCROLL DOWN...

This

is the new Mercedes Benz SCL600

That's

not what

is different about it.

That

either..

.....and now for the

'really different'

part:

Here is

what is different...

No steering wheel,

you drive it with a joystick.

No pedals either.

Can you drive with a joystick??

Your kids and grandkids probably can.

The influence of video games in our lives

has really arrived, wouldn't you say??

SCARY

THOUGHT THAT NOW A

7-YEAR-OLD COULD ACTUALLY TEACH YOU HOW TO DRIVE YOUR CAR!

100% compostable ... Is this a dream? - Ford to go bioplastic?

Decomposition is one of the 3 main challenges that Ford is trying to overcome since bioplastic (e.g. polylactic acid) is designed to decompose quickly.

Ford researchers are hoping to develop 100% petroleum-free automotive plastics to make cars totally compostable.

Other challenges that Ford researchers are looking for solutions include less moisture absorption and odor problems.

Despite those challenges, biobased/recycled materials are already being used in several Ford vehicles:

Soy-based polyurethane foams - seat cushions and seatbacks on the Ford Mustang, Expedition, F-150, Focus, Escape, Escape Hybrid, Mercury Mariner and Lincoln Navigator and Lincoln MKS.

Soy-foam - headliner on the 2010 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner.

Post-consumer recycled resins such as detergent bottles, tires and battery casings - underbody systems, such as aerodynamic shields, splash shields and radiator air deflector shields.

100% postindustrial recycled yarns - seat fabrics on vehicles such as the Ford Escape. The 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan Hybrids feature 85% postindustrial yarns and 15% solution-dyed yarns.

Ford researchers said they are looking more at plastics, rubber, foam, film and fabric to develop alternative bio-based materials that are functional, durable, cost-effective, and decreases use of petroleum oil.

Possibilities include replacing glass fibers with natural fiber reinforcements made from cellulose, soy protein, hemp fiber, flax fiber and other bio-based materials; and PLA bioplastics for vehicle carpeting, floor mats, upholstery, and nondurable auto applications such as protective wrappings used during vehicle manufacturing and transit.

Looks like a nice car, as long as it doesn't decompost while being driven.

SUGGESTION: Maybe bioplastic developers can design a time-activated material where vehicles have an expiration date and that's when the decomposition process starts? :)

Car Repair Books - Do it yourself

Does anyone repair their own car any more. We can still change the filters, batteries, lightbulbs and rotate our own tires. I decided to look into a few books to see if there is anything else we can do. And there is!

Popular Mechanics Complete Car Care Manual: Updated & Expanded
Popular Mechanics Complete Car Care Manual: Updated & Expanded
We always had a subscription to Popular Mechanics when I was growing up. I loved to read it. With 5 brothers around, my turn didn't come until it was tattered.
 
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Car Care and Repair Illustrated
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Car Care and Repair Illustrated
With many of the cars functions being controlled by computer, I thought I'd start by getting this book.
 
Auto Repair For Dummies
Auto Repair For Dummies
I've had these 'Dummy' books before and they're pretty good. Very clear directions.
 
Family Handyman Simple Car Care and Repair
Family Handyman Simple Car Care and Repair
It does say handyMAN doesn't it? This one I'll buy for my hubby. :)
 
Clueless About Cars: An Easy Guide to Car Maintenance and Repair (The Clueless series)
Clueless About Cars: An Easy Guide to Car Maintenance and Repair (The Clueless series)
This book is more what to do .. when. A good book to have on hand.
 

A fun little car, the "Cabriolet" photo by -Autonet.ca

Since surging to a record $147.27 a barrel on July 11, 2008 crude has tumbled by over $40, or more than 27 percent.

In 2010, 2011 and on into 2012 it is on it's way up again!

Are we all going to run out and buy a gas-guzzeling SUV? No, I don't think so. Really, when you think seriously about it, if there was no oil yesterday, how can there be an overabundance of it tomorrow. So, with an eye to the future, it makes sense to me ... the little "Cabriolet" or other fuel-efficient vehicle getting 48/59 mi./gal. would be a smart purchase. After all that is why they call them "Smart" cars, right?

Think about how your fuel conservation efforts benefit the earth and future generations. Scientists say global warming and its projected disastrous effects on weather, rising sea levels and heat deaths are due, in part, to the burning of fossil fuels.

So every litre of gas or fuel you don't use can help ease global warming. And, that's a good thing.

GM to build own motors for its electric vehicles - Automaker expects it can improve powerplants faster

Paul Turnbull, General Motors' electric motor development manager, checks the status of an electric drive test at the GM Powertrain Engineering Development Center. Jan.15 in Pontiac. GM says it will build electric motors starting in 2013 for its hybrids and battery-powered vehicles. (JOHN F. MARTIN/GENERAL MOTORS)

An excerpt from:

FREE PRESS WASHINGTON STAFF - BY JUSTIN HYDE

"General Motors says it will spend $246 million to launch electric motor production in 2013 at a factory in Baltimore, becoming the first large U.S. automaker to build its own electric motors for hybrids and battery-powered vehicles."

Rising gas prices leaving you helpless?



Think you're helpless when it comes to rising gas prices? Think again. Become a fuel-efficient driver and you'll go farther without having to fill 'er up as often. Here's how:

1. Leave the car at home, take public transportation, cycle or even walk to where you need to go. While that helps protect the environment and does a 'body' good, it just isn't possible for everyone.

2. If you must drive, know that you can beat the rising pump prices by keeping your car in tip-top shape (as outlined in your owner's manual) and making small adjustments to your driving style.

Green Driving Tips

by Natural Resources Canada's Office of Energy Efficiency

If you make the following ten changes the numbers ... all supplied by National Resources Canada's Office of Energy Efficiency will speak for themselves.

1. Start off slower

Being first to zoom ahead at the green light doesn't get you there any quicker. Countless studies by universities, highway authorities and engine manufacturers prove it. Jackrabbit starts save less than three minutes over 60 minutes of driving but end up using 40 percent more fuel and increase toxic emissions by 400 percent

2. Slow down

It's not just dangerous but speeding wastes fuel. Highway speeds over 100 km/h drastically impact fuel efficiency ... cars travelling at 120 km/h instead of 100 km/h use 20 percent more fuel to cover the same distance. Trucks travelling at 120 km/h instead of 100 km/h use 50 percent more fuel. Both emit 100 percent more carbon monoxide, 50 percent more hydrocarbons and 31 percent more nitrogen oxides.

3. Tune-up!

Be sure to provide your vehicles with frequent tune-ups. A well-maintained vehicle performs better on the road, decreases maintenance costs and improves fuel efficiency.

4. Smooth move

Changing the oil regularly is another double bonus for your car and the environment: when your engine is running in top condition, it is burning fuel most efficiently. The average recommendation for oil changes is every three months or 5,000 km. Ask the mechanic to see that your old engine oil gets recycled, and check the replacement oil: the best oils for fuel efficiency are labelled "Energy Conserving" and can reduce your fuel consumption by 3 percent. Consider using a bio-based transmission oil for your car. Read more about them in 'Getting your engine moving with bio-based oils.'

5. Stop idling

Letting your engine idle for more than three minutes not a good idea. Idling quickly consumes fuel and can add 50 percent to fuel costs while shortening the effectiveness of your engine oil by 75 percent. And it's not doing anything for the longevity of your engine either. Idling runs your engine below peak temperature, which means that over time you're actually doing damage to it. There's also no need for that morning warm up since our cars are now electronically controlled. An engine actually warms up faster while driving.

6. Tire pressure

There's a lot more than the environment riding on your tires. For safety reasons alone, you should make a regular habit of checking your tire pressure but do so when tires are cold, not fresh from use. In addition or under-inflated tires increase fuel consumption and cause premature wear on the tires. Transport Canada studies show that 70 percent of the tires on the road are under-inflated. Are yours part of the statistics?



7. Lighten your load

Carrying excess weight places unnecessary strain on your vehicle's engine and greatly affects its fuel efficiency. A loaded roof rack can decrease your fuel efficiency by up to 15 percent on smaller cars and up to 5 percent on SUVs or trucks. Even driving with an empty rook rack wastes gas.

8. Cut back on your driving

Save gas by driving less. Combine several errands into a single trip, take a minute before you leave home to plan multiple errands and map out your route. Start using public transit as much as possible. Leave the car at home if you can get there by walking, cycling or taking the bus, train or metro.

9. Trade in the off-road vehicle

Sporty utility vehicles and trucks pollute over twice as much as the average new car. Do we really need that SUV on city streets, where the extra weight and friction caused by four-wheel-drive equipment guzzles up gas? SUVs use 30 percent more gas than other cars. So, opt for a lighter, two-wheel-drive vehicle -- they're easier to park anyway!

10. Buy a fuel-efficient vehicle

While the best choice by far for clean driving is a hybrid car, which runs on a combination of battery power and gasoline and uses far less gasoline. But there are also traditional vehicles with respectable fuel-efficiency ratings. A typical car produces roughly three times its weight in carbon-dioxide emissions every year, so a good general rule is the lighter your car, the better its fuel efficiency.

Re: COMMENTS - Deleted In error. Sorry!

Here are the original comments.

JenOfChicago I dream of owning a Prius some day!

ols Great lens, worth the 5*. I never knew going green could be so much fun!

HenryE What a fun lens! You have organized it so well and it's a pleasure to read. Great job!

Millertime WOW! VERY cool lens. It's probably where we're headed for sure but I think the old internal combustion engine will be around for a while yet... Even if we have to run them on alcohol! Fantastic job on this lens. 5 stars and fav'd.

mbgphoto Very interesting! Love those cars.

BarbRad You've sure got a lot of information and you've shown us some fantastic cars. Good Job! 5*

Irenemaria One day soon we might be driving our car on a sun beam=) I hope I can get a red one then... like red.

AndrewShim OMG. I am swimming in drool looking at these nice wheels. You really made my heart go vrooom!

Webcodes What a great lens. Amazing cars.. and good for the environment. 5*

motorpurrrA fantastic lens of cars, such nice pics. Thanks for visiting my lens too. This looks like you put a lot of hard work into it. Thanx

spirituality Great lens - you've been blessed by a squidoo angel :)

hempnecklace You are cordialy invited to join my shopping group if you havn't done so already.

My Squidoo Shopping Group Thank you.

OhMe Oh me! These fancy vehicles really make my old Dodge look bad. I treat my car like a Giant Pocketbook and File Cabinet. I have got to get it cleaned out and shined up a bit and this lens has inspired me to do just that. I know I won't be getting one of these new cars so will just have to work to make mine look the best it can look and I have a long way to go. My neighbor has an electric car and it is so neat. I enjoyed this very informative lens. Thanks

Cop-Speak I love your lens... What a wonderful expression of talent. I can't imagine what kind of car I'll be driving next>>>

SemperFidelis Blessed by a SquidAngel today! www.squidoo.com/squid-angel ~ Colleen :o)

Senora_M My husband is way into cars and would love this lens! Nice job--5*s!

JaguarJulie Just stopping by to say hi--dee--ho my dear -- wishing you the best in the new year!!! Say ... did you know that we actually had a staycation last summer???

Margo_Arrowsmith WOW you have answered a huge complaint of many people! I will now have ammunition! yea and 5* to you!

dc64 Wow, where did you find all this awesome information? I had no idea most of these cars existed. I look forward to a greener future.

TheGreenerMe Very nice work! I'm lensrolling this to my Chevy Volt lens (which hopefully I'll own someday!)

PattB Great lens, Laraine! Going green is the way to go. I bicycle as much as I can, but am still addicted to getting around in a vehicle. The new green versions of motorhomes and campers really excite me. But these vehicles you have here are a peek at the amazing ingenuity around us! Thank you...5*****and a favorite!

JaguarJulie It'll definitely be interesting to see what you and I might be driving in say 20 years! I'm thinking greener and greener every day. Great lens my dear.

The_Homeopath I want a Vespa. Maybe when the kiddos are older - lol, it would take too much duct tape to keep them all on!

spirituality These are some mean green machines :)

SherryHolderHunt Super lens, Laraine, and Thank you! 5*s

mulberry Living in a rural area, mass transportation isn't an option, and walking for about 6 hours might get us to the store. Right now we consolidate our trips. We've been whining about getting at least a hybrid for years now, I'm thinking next year it will happen. Great lens!

And last but definitely not least:

WillBorden Another terrific and entertaining lens of substance, Laraine! This lens is sure to go VROOM!

Love ya and wishing you every success,

Will

Thank you, dear friends, for all your comments.

LaraineRose

Lens of the Day
Lens of the Day

Awarded Lens of the Day

I'm very proud that the CAN IT lens was made Lens Of The Day.

I thank all who helped me to achieve this great honor.

Check out this lens.

That's me!
That's me!

Another Lens of the Day Winner

I know you're going to love this one!

Our quail family started with a mumma and poppa quail and multiplied until now. We have about 100 wild quail skitting around our property at present.

This lens is written by one of the newest of our quail family. Come have a peep. I'm sure you will find what he has to say enlightening as well as entertaining. Getting a Quail's-eye View of Things

Bear Cubs in Canada's Boreal Forest
Bear Cubs in Canada's Boreal Forest

And yet another winning lens!

Purple Star and Lens of the Day

This is my most recent lens and much to my delight it won a Purple Star and the Lens of the Day Award.

This lens was created to answer the Hot Potato Challenge. I hope that you find it interesting, educational and motivational. Canada's Boreal forest needs our protection.

If you haven't read it yet, please read this lens regarding a most important subject: Canada's Boreal Forest

You can make a page like this.

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If you are interested in learning how to publish a page like this, it is really quite easy. Just Click Here to begin...open a free account and start your own "lens" here on squidoo on a topic of your choice.

You get assistance from other lensmasters when you ask for help and there is a lot of information on tap to learn HTML and other interesting things to make your lenses fabulous.

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come on give it a try!

**If you haven't already, please take a moment to rate this lens at the top of the page. Thank you.

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I hope that you have enjoyed this lens.

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