Hybrid Tax Credit To Expire Soon

By Anthony Fontanelle

The popularity of hybrid cars such as the Toyota Prius and the Honda Civic Hybrid is due to the eco-friendliness and fuel economy of such vehicles. Aside from that, consumers are choosing hybrids over conventional gasoline-powered vehicles because of the tax credits given by the government.

The strong selling point of a hybrid is its fuel economy. With the price of gasoline skyrocketing, consumers would surely prefer hybrid vehicles which consume less fuel. But the drawback is that hybrid vehicles are priced thousands more than their conventional counterparts. The reason for this is the higher cost of production since hybrid vehicles use advanced powertrain technologies. The government, in an effort to popularize the use of hybrid vehicles, gave tax credits for consumers who buy hybrids.

But this tax credit offered by the government is not unlimited. There are already a set number of hybrid vehicles from a particular automaker which will be qualified for the tax credits. And now, those tax credits are diminishing and will soon expire completely.

Toyota is the leader in hybrid sales and tax credits for the Prius, the Camry Hybrid, Highlander Hybrid, and the upscale Lexus RX400h are now diminishing. By the end of October, tax credits offered with these hybrids will be gone. This means that if you are planning to buy a Camry Hybrid later this year, or after October, you will have to pay thousands more than what you would pay for a Camry. This expiration of the tax credit may push consumers away from buying hybrid cars. This might be the case unless Congress steps in and extends the tax credits offered to hybrid car buyers.

Honda already sold 60,000 hybrids in the United States auto market. That means that the $2,100 tax credit for their hybrids will be halved by January next year. Even with the Accord Hybrid discontinued, the tax credit will still diminish as the Civic Hybrid gains popularity. Honda is planning to release a new hybrid car for 2009 and it is not clear whether that hybrid will still be qualified for the tax incentives that are currently being offered.

Not all automakers though have already reached the threshold where their hybrid cars are no longer qualified for the federal tax credits. Mazda has the Tribute Hybrid and the hybrid vehicle recently qualified for tax credits. For the 2WD variant of the Tribute Hybrid with its Mazda air filter is qualified for a $3,000 credit while the 4WD version qualifies for a $2,200 tax incentive. The Tribute is essentially the same as the Escape Hybrid which means that if you are looking to buy a Ford Escape Hybrid and is now thinking twice of doing so because of the tax credit expiration, the Tribute Hybrid is a logical alternative.

Although Ford has shares in Mazda, the Japanese automaker is considered as a separate manufacturer. This means that the tax credit for the Tribute Hybrid will be around for a long time. And if Congress steps in and extends the tax credit scheme, auto buyers will be given more reasons to buy hybrid cars over conventional gasoline or diesel powered vehicles.

Cleanest Volvo To Be Unveiled

By Anthony Fontanelle

Swedish automaker Volvo recently announced that they will be unveiling their cleanest car model ever at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show next month. The automaker announced that they will be calling the new unit as the Volvo C30 Efficiency - a variant of the automakers’ newest car model. This variant of the smallest Volvo car will have less greenhouse gas emissions and will have a better fuel economy.

According to the automaker, the C30 Efficiency will consume a gallon of fuel for every 62.8 miles covered. And since it has less greenhouse gas emissions, it will have less tax and will be exempted from London’s Congestion Charge which will be enforced next February.

Four areas of the C30 have been improved to come up with the Efficiency variant. According to the automaker, these are aerodynamics, rolling resistance, gearing and engine efficiency.

In terms of aerodynamics, the C30 Efficiency is equipped with a roof spoiler, a new bumper and a blanked off front grille. All these modifications increased the ease of which wind flows against the vehicle. Other changes to its aerodynamics includes the 16-inch wheels and underbody panels which similar to skid plates deflect not only stones or gravel but also facilitate the smooth flow of air underneath the car. The C30 Efficiency’s ride height is also lower compared to its siblings.

Rolling resistance is reduced by the use of the new tires which are special compound low friction tires. Other improvement made to the C30 is the re-engineering of the car’s five-speed manual transmission. The third, fourth, and fifth gear ratios have been adjusted to provide more fuel efficiency during cruising speeds. A new transmission fluid is also being used on the revised five-speed manual transmission. The use of this keeps the transmission in its most efficient operating temperature just what like a Volvo S70 radiator does for a Volvo engine.

The power steering mechanism for the C30 Efficiency was also redesigned to make it more energy efficient. An engine management system which involves the use of advanced electronics is also part of the automaker’s revisions on the C30 to come up with the Efficiency variant.
Volvo announced that the improvements that they have made to the C30 resulted to the reduction of power output. The Efficiency’s powerplant produces 104 bhp, 4 less than the conventional C30. But this reduction in power output is not a setback since the improvements made to the C30 were done to make it more fuel efficient and eco-friendly and not to be a more powerful car.

According to experts, the C30 Efficiency may be the answer of the Swedish automaker to Volkswagen’s BlueMotion models. According to Magnus Jonsson, the chief of Volvo’s R&D team in an interview with Autocar, Volvo is “firmly committed to lowering the fuel consumption of its conventional petrol and diesel engines, and continuously reducing the overall CO2 emission level for its whole model range.”

Thus, it is possible that just like BlueMotion, the efficiency badge will be carried by Volvo vehicles and not only the C30.

Green Activists Get Tough On 4x4 Users

By Andrew Regan

German activists operating under the banner of the green lobby have taken to slashing tyres on high performance vehicles in Berlin in order to 'educate' the drivers of such vehicles. Each owner of the 80-plus vehicles that were subject to an attack in the last week of July found a hand-written note under the windscreen wiper detailing the dangers of carbon emissions, in particular from their type of preferred vehicle.

Police investigating the incidents believe that they are the work of organised groups allied to international activists in France and Belgium who prefer to smear the vehicles with manure, rather than slash the tyres. In what effectively amounts to war being declared on sports and utility vehicle drivers by self-styled environmentalists, the 4 x 4 wheel vandalism highlights the frustration felt by the activists in the difference in the speed of progress on green issues between the majority of German society and the German motor industry. While the population has readily adopted renewable policies, the car industry appears to be dragging its heels. Porsche recently came under attack from Greenpeace, being labelled a “climate pig” by the environmentalists for concentrating on power and performance over green issues in its product range.

However, despite recently introducing a hybrid engine which promises to cut carbon emissions by 20%, the German auto giant's own research shows that demand for the green cars will be limited. Their V6 sports utility vehicle is highly sought after by consumers, who obviously still remain to be convinced of the benefits of buying a green hybrid car. So, despite targeting the manufacturer, it looks like they are not to blame as they are only responding to consumer demand, and the market in Germany is currently demanding high performance, high carbon emitting vehicles.

And it's not only Porsche who are the targets of the car terrorists; Daimler and BMW are also accused of putting performance ahead of green issues. The fact that a lobby of all three German manufacturers have been successful in getting the EU to change their minds on carbon emission targets for vehicles doesn't help their cause in the eyes of the green lobby. In a co-ordinated drive, the trio have managed to effect a change in the EU draft legislation resulting in carbon emissions being categorised by vehicle size as opposed to the original absolute target for all vehicles. This means that the future for high performance vehicles in Germany and the rest of the EU looks bright, despite the best efforts of the green lobby to effect change.

However, whether wholesale slashing of 4x4 tyres will really persuade car-loving Germans to abandon their prized performance assets, or make them even more determined to not be brow-beaten by a minority of vandals remains to be seen.

2008 VW Golf BlueMotion To Debut At Frankfurt

By Anthony Fontanelle

Volkswagen will officially launch its newest economical diesel offering at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt this September. Fresh from its collaboration with Mercedes-Benz diesel technology dubbed as Bluetec, the German automaker will unleash the Golf BlueMotion, a line of ultra fuel-efficient cars that qualifies by achieving 52.26 mpg.

The world's fourth-largest automaker’s diesel salvo boasts its 4.5 liter fuel consumption and 119 g/km CO2 tapping the environment-friendly benchmarks in the compact segment. After the Polo, Passat and Passat Variant, the Golf is now the fourth product line from VW to flaunt the new BlueMotion environmental badge on its radiator grille and rear hatch that identifies it as the most economical model of the car series. According to the automaker, the Golf BlueMotion is run by a TDI with 77 kW or 105 PS and a hefty 250 Newton-meter of torque that has already achieved recognition as an efficient engine.

As revealed by Jalopnik, a software intervention in engine management reduces the idling speed of this diesel combined with a particulate filter and simultaneously improves its emission behavior. With longer gear ratios in third, fourth and fifth gears, engine speed levels are also lower while driving. These actions alone reduce consumption by about 0.2 liter. Enthusiast can now expect a different ambiance and performance from Golf. The Volkswagen Side Marker Lens and other auto parts are enhanced to meet the most stringent standards in emissions and mileage.

Aside from the Golf, the German automaker will be presenting five other BlueMotion models. Overall, six new models with technology that is as economical as it is environmentally friendly, will debut at the world's largest car show. The new Golf BlueMotion. At just 4.5 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers, its fuel consumption has been reduced by a full 0.6 liters as compared to the original model.

Likewise, carbon dioxide emissions have been dramatically slashed from 135 g/km to 119 g/km. Actions taken on the BlueMotion make it so efficient that now distances of more than 1,200 kilometers are possible on just one Golf tank of fuel (55 liter), the report added. Market launch of the Golf BlueMotion in Germany is set for the end of this year.

In the chase for every gram of CO2 VW is also relying on light-running tires, size 195 / 65 R 15, optimized for low rolling resistance; they are driven at higher air pressure, raised by a 0.3 bar. When all of the modifications come together, the top speed of the Golf increases from 187 km/h to an electronically limited 190 km/h.

The Golf BlueMotion features effective dual fan to supply enough cooling air and cutting-edge aerodynamic design measures such as lowering of the chassis, the cW value of 0.32, which in itself is a fine value, was further improved to 0.30.

When it comes to equipment, the car offers a range from Trendline and Comfortline. In addition to basic equipment, special Blue Motion specification is also on board. Besides the aerodynamic modifications, standard equipment includes the Multifunctional Display Plus (MFA Plus) with gear recommendation arrow and a sports chassis.

Separately, the German automaker reported a 10.5 percent increase in July vehicle sales at its core brand, its strongest month in terms of sales growth in 2007. The 310,000 units delivered to customers brought the year-to-date figure to 2.11 million vehicles, a gain of 7.9 percent, Reuters reported. Of the brand's ten largest individual markets world-wide, Brazil showed the biggest improvement with sales rising nearly 31 percent in January through July, followed by the 25 percent gain in China and a 21 percent increase in Argentina.

2007 Saturn Aura Green Line in Detail

By Noah Scott

General Motor's Saturn division has released the details and the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line Hybrid. The car is now beginning to arrive in Saturn dealerships straight from General Motor's assembly plant in Kansas City.

Jill Lajdziak, Saturn General Manager commented: "The Aura Green Line is a great value among the hybrids in the mid-size car segment. With a starting sticker price over $2,000 less than any mid-sized hybrid sedan and a $1,300 tax credit, it makes true hybrid fuel savings available to more people than ever before."

Because the Aura Green Line is a hybrid model, consumers expect that the vehicle will have a clean and lower exhaust emissions and low fuel consumption. The 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line Hybrid received an official fuel economy rating of 28 mpg city and 35 mpg highway, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). According to GM's Saturn division, "The Aura Green Line's EPA fuel economy rating of 28 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway represents up to a 30 percent improvement in EPA combined fuel economy compared to the non-hybrid Aura XE model."

With a starting manufacturer's suggested retail price of $22,695 USD, Saturn said the 2007 Aura Green Line Hybrid has the lowest price in the hybrid vehicle segment for 2007.

As a hybrid vehicle, the 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line is equipped with a powertrain package that combines a precise electric motor or generator with a 2.4-liter petrol engine. Overall powertrain output is 164 hp (122 kW) at 6400 rpm and 159 lb.-ft. (215 Nm) of peak torque at 5000 rpm, mated to a 4-speed automatic gearbox, and GM thermostats. With this powertrain feature, the 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line provides better fuel economy, thanks to the electric motor that assists the engine to produce power output during acceleration. The electric motor can obtain and replenish its electrical energy by regenerative breaking.

Key standard features found on the 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line Hybrid include 16-inch alloy wheels, SBRP215/60R16 BSW touring tires, daytime running lights automatic headlights with automatic on/off, rear window defroster, front dual sunvisors, front and rear body color bumpers, front air dam, and halogen headlights.

Interior and safety features include body color folding power adjustable exterior rearview mirrors, power windows with driver one-touch up and one-touch down, dual-stage front air bags, side head-curtain and front-seat thorax protection air bags, StabiliTrak electronic stability control (ESC), four-wheel disc brakes with anti lock braking system (ABS), and GM's OnStar safety and security system.

Meanwhile, Saturn has announced that it will launch the Vue Green Line SUV featuring front-wheel-drive (FWD) platform and GM's new 2-mode hybrid powertrain system by 2008.

Audi To Launch The Cleanest Diesel Technology

By Anthony Fontanelle

Audi AG will be launching the cleanest diesel technology in the industry. The Ingolstadt, Bavaria-based automaker will be putting the technology into series production from mid-2008.

The new TDI engines boast of ultra-low emission system that harmonizes superior pulling power and spontaneous performance of the current power units. As a result, unbeatably low emissions and superb fuel consumption figures are reached. The engines are designed to undercut the most stringent emissions standards that are to be enforced in Europe at some future time.

The latest TDI engines sees Audi reaffirm its headship claim in the arena of ultra-sophisticated diesel technology. As a fact, when the automaker started up a series of productions of the first passenger-car TDI engine in 1989, it etched a pivotal milestone in auto advancement.

The German auto manufacturer is determined to congeal its role in the industry as the pioneer of cutting-edge technology. To stress, Audi complied with the Euro 4 standard and the upcoming Euro 5 emissions limits years in advance. Eventually, Audi car parts have established a reputation for quality, performance, and style.

As for the automaker, the trendsetting TDI engine is a core element of its integrated technology strategy. “We intend to consolidate the status of the TDI as a highly efficient form of propulsion on a sustained basis. And in future we will be launching ‘e’ model variants designed for optimized fuel consumption in the high-volume model series – either in TDI guise or as petrol models with state-of-the-art TFSI technology,” said Rupert Stadler, the chairman of the Audi board of management.

“Audi is a trailblazer when it comes to diesel power. Since 1989, over 4.5 million cars have rolled off the production line with the highly efficient TDI technology under the bonnet. By equipping the R10 TDI sports prototype with this technology, we have just won the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a diesel-powered car for the second time,” noted Michael Dick, a board member for technical development at Audi.

“The Audi R8 racing cars with TFSI petrol direct injection took victory on five occasions at Le Mans. We have been incorporating the key findings from the world of motorsport directly into series-production development,” he added. “By so doing, we are demonstrating how TDI and TFSI represent the ultimate in efficiency, driving pleasure and economy both on the road and on the racetrack.”

Currently, diesel fuel is the most commended in motoring. This is because the fuel delivers better driveability and mileage with less emission. It packs around 15 percent more energy per liter than petrol but it also comes at a cost of 15 percent more greenhouse emissions, reported Bangkok Post. However, with a 20 to 40 percent better mileage in a modern diesel engine offsetting the emission, you get less CO2 per distance traveled, the report continued.

In motorsport, diesel application has already come a long way. But the most remarkable success came in 1998 when BMW won the 24 Hours of Nurburgring with a 320d. More recently in WTCC, diesel-powered Seat Leon landed eighth place outright on its launch in Sweden. But the most famed success is the 24 Hours of Le Mans-winning Audi R10 TDI last year. The notable success was repeated this year.

Experts say diesel may find its niche in future WRC. According to them, the new generation Subaru Impreza with its first in-house diesel boxer unit may become one of the first contenders. In this weekend's WRC Rally Germany, four entries are diesel-powered BMW, Seat and Volkswagen. But before it reaches stardom in the auto industry, diesel has to overcome some hurdles.

Volvo Cars to Offer Flexifuel Models

By Evander Klum

Catalytic converters like the International catalytic converter have played major roles in reducing carbon dioxide emission. However automakers did not stop there they continued developing new technologies that will further eliminate, if not reduce the emission of harmful gas.
And speaking of new technologies, Volvo Cars will introduce in the first half of 2008 its five-cylinder 2.5 liter turbocharged Flexifuel engine that produces 200hp. The new Flexifuel engine particularly a 2-liter variant is to be equipped on the V70 and the S80.

Five Volvo models namely C30, S40, V50, V70, and S80 are to be equipped with one or two Flexifuel engines. According to Lex Kerssemakers, Senior Vice President Brand, Business and Product Strategy at Volvo Cars, "Flexifuel has considerable potential in larger models too. That is why we plan to continuously expand the implementation of this technology over the coming years. It's a move that is being driven by the extended availability of biofuels throughout Europe. Biofuel standardisation and guidelines for sustainable production within the EU would make the fuel's development even smoother."

The Felxifuel variants for the V70 and S80 will be made available by the end of 2007 equipped with a four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine. The 2.0F has been altered to run on E85 and to produce 145hp and 185 Nm of torque.

For the S40, V50, and C30 Flexifuel variants, they will be given a four-cylinder 1.8 liter naturally aspirated engine. The 1.8F will produce 125hp and 165 Nm of torque.

There were modifications made on the five Volvo models in order to make them E85 capable. Like for instance, their fuel hoses together with the valves and gaskets have been altered to withstand ethanol’s corrosive properties. The injection valves have been toughened and designed for E85. Likewise, the on-board software was also calibrated for E85. The engine management system also automatically senses the current mixture of fuel in the tank and basing on that will employ the necessary combustion process.

The fuel consumption when running on E85 is 10.31/100km (for the C30 1.8F), 10..41/100km (for the S40 1.8F and V50 1.8F), 11.61/100km (for V70 2.0F beginning figure), 11.31/100km (S80 2.0F beginning figure).

Bioethanol is a renewable fuel that comes from biomass sources such as wheat, corn, sugar-beet, and cellulose. The usage of E85 orthe combination of bioethanol with 15 percent petrol doesn’t mean that there won’t be anymore carbon dioxide emission. There would still be CO2 emission but the type that is regarded as part of nature’s own carbon cycle.

Volvo Cars is planning to launch its Flexifuel cars in a number of markets including Sweden, France, Norway, Finland, Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Spain, Britain, Ireland, Belgium, and Switzerland. The Swedish automaker is also planning to make its Flexifuel cars available to countries across Europe.

Volvo is hoping to sell around 10,000 of its Flexfuel cars for this year.

Dust To Dust Study Refuted

By Anthony Fontanelle

It can be remembered that last week, a study conducted by CNW Marketing Research reported that hybrid cars are not as green as they appear to be. The study focused on the amount of energy a vehicle would need in its lifetime. The result of the study conducted over two years shows that hybrid cars uses up more energy than conventional gasoline engined vehicles.

In fact, the study claims that compact and midsized SUVs consume less energy than hybrid vehicles. More interestingly, the Hummer is considered ‘greener’ than hybrid cars. When the eco-friendliness of cars is concerned, environmentalists and points to the gas-guzzling capability of the Hummer. But with the result of the study conducted by CNW gives Hummer lovers an argument in the ongoing battle of words.

Environmentalists though have found an ally in Dr. Peter H. Gleick of the Pacific Institute. Dr. Gleick recently published his study entitled “Hummer versus Prius: ‘Dust to Dust’ Report Misleads the Media and Public with Bad Science”. The said paper refuted the study published by CNW Marketing Research.

According to the result of Dr. Gleick’s study, the ‘Dust to Dust: The Energy Cost of New Vehicles From Concept to Disposal’ uses poor assumptions. The data pointed out by Dr. Gleick, which shows that the study conducted by CNW Marketing is erroneous, is the usable life of a Prius and the Hummer.

According to the expert, the original study put the usable lifespan of a Prius at only 11 years while the Hummer’s lifespan was placed at 35 years. This disparity in lifespan is also being argued by Prius owners. With the reliability that Japanese automakers are known for, it is indeed surprising that the Toyota Prius was given an expectancy of only 11 years while the Hummer H1 was given an expectancy as high as 35 years.

Another figure being questioned by Dr. Gleick’s study reflects the seemingly erroneous lifespan of the vehicles in question. The original study released by CNW Marketing shows that in its lifetime, the Prius covers about 109,000 miles while for the Hummer H1, it was placed at 379,000 miles.

The disparity is being questioned especially by Prius owners who have already covered more than the 109,000 miles assumed by CNW Marketing. The paper released recently by Dr. Gleick does not necessarily show that the Prius uses less energy than conventional vehicles but it points out that the public should be aware of the fact that the study conducted by CNW Marketing may have some erroneous data.

According to CNW, the reason why hybrid vehicles such as the Toyota Prius use more energy in their lifetime is that they are more complex than conventional vehicles. A hybrid uses a powertrain that includes an internal combustion engine and an electric motor powered by a battery pack. The presence of the electric motor alone means that it has more parts thus more energy is being used up in the production of these auto parts.

Another concern is the material used in the manufacturing of hybrid car batteries. Nickel, a major component of the Prius’ battery pack, is mined in Canada and shipped to China than to Japan. During the transportation of the said material, petroleum fuels are used by cargo ships and trucks. The study conducted by CNW took this into consideration.

Meanwhile, Hummer H1s even with Hummer car covers uses considerably fewer auto parts than advanced hybrids. This debate though is far from being over even with the ‘dust to dust’ study being refuted.