Sebastian Blanco
Filed under: Diesel, Legislation and Policy, European Union

Back in November, the European Commission published an initial proposal for the upcoming Euro VI emission standards. Those initial numbers have now been confirmed as the ones the EC will enforce beginning in April 2013. Compared to the Euro V emissions, Euro VI will require an 80 percent reduction in NOx (down to 0.4 g/kWh ) and a 66 reduction in the PM emission limit (to 0.01 g/kWh). It is likely that all diesel vehicles will need a particulate filter to meet these goals.

According to a story in DieselNet, the Euro VI levels are “aligned with US 2010 emission standards” and will only affect new type approvals in April 2013. All models will be affected in October 2014. There’s more at Wikipedia.

[Source: DieselNet]

Source: Europe’s Euro VI emission standards formally announced

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Noah Joseph
Motorsports, Ferrari

Click on the images to view in high resolution

With its principal rival McLaren scheduled to follow tomorrow, and the others (accept for Williams) in the coming days and weeks, Ferrari kicked off the unveilings of the 2008 F1 cars when it took the wraps off its new F2008 today in Italy.

If you’re thinking that the F2008 looks a lot like the F2007 it’s replacing, you’re not very far off. Aside from the fact that most F1 cars look the same to the untrained eye, rather than go with a completely new package like they did last year, Ferrari’s racing engineers and designers opted to go for an evolution of the F2007 with the new car, code-named Project 659.

Despite the constantly-evolving technology in F1, the F2008 is actually heavier than last year’s car, due to new regulations coming into play for the upcoming season that include the elimination of traction control, a new standardized ECU and additional safety structure. While the aerodynamic package has been significantly revised, Ferrari has been quick as ever to point out that all those wings and spoilers will be significantly revised again before the car begins its campaign to defend its world titles at the Australian Grand Prix in March.

The F2008 is scheduled to hit the track for the first time tomorrow at the company’s private Fiorano test facility in Maranello. For more images, check out the gallery below. For those interested in the technical details, we’ve got the full press release after the jump.

[Source: Ferrari]

Gallery: Ferrari F2008

Press Release

F2008: Description and technical specifications

Maranello, 6th January 2008 - The F2008 is the fifty fourth single-seater built by Ferrari specifically to take part in the Formula 1 World Championship.

The design, codenamed internally as the 659, represents the Scuderia’s interpretation of the regulations in force in 2008. A major new element of these is the introduction of a new electronic system to be used by all teams, known as SECU (Standard Electronic Control Unit) and produced by MES (McLaren Electronic Systems.) It consists of a single control unit and a software system, the development of which ends as the season begins. Other areas affected by rule changes are: gearbox, which must be used for four consecutive events; safety, with the introduction of higher side protection around the driver’s helmet; materials, with a limit to the type of composites that can be used. As a result of these rules, there has been an increase in the weight of the car. All aerodynamic surfaces have been completely revised, however the current version will be replaced by a completely different configuration in time for the first race. In fact, an intensive and all encompassing development programme is planned to run throughout the season. The monococque has been further cut away under the driver’s legs and the side pods and engine cover are more tapered. The suspension system has been reworked and developed around the new aerodynamics.

The wheelbase and weight distribution have been adapted to meet the challenge of the new regulations and on the basis of lessons learned last year in terms of the performance of the Bridgestone tyres. Changes to the technical and sporting regulations in terms of electronics, alongside the introduction of the SECU, have led to the removal of a host of a driver aids, such as traction control and engine breaking and the electronically assosted starting system, and also mean that management of the differential, engine and gearchange are much simpler. The gearbox casing is produced in carbon, while the transmission continues to be mounted longitudinally. For the second consecutive year the gearchange is fitted with a quick shift system, adapted to the SECU software and further speeded up. In dealing with the reliability aspect of the new regulations, Shell has played a key role in defining the lubricants for the gearbox. The braking system has been updated with new callipers and innovative concepts regarding cooling.

The 056 engine is mounted longitudinally and continues as a load bearing element. Its basic structure remains unchanged compared to the unit homologated at the start of last season, while its auxiliary systems, air and fuel intakes have been further developed. The technical regulations also call for the use of fuel corresponding to European Union norms, with a content of components derived from biological sources equal to 5.75%. As usual, during the design and development stages of the entire car, our technical partners played an important role. Apart from previously mentioned significant input from Shell , also worthy of note is the contribution of the Fiat Research Centre, especially in providing simulation systems and Brembo for its work in developing the braking system. As is now traditional, a great deal of attention was paid to the performance and optimising of the materials used at the design stage and through quality control, striving to maximise performance levels while attaining the highest possible safety standards.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Chassis

Carbon-fibre and honeycomb
composite structure

Ferrari longitudinal gearbox
Limited-slip differential

Semiautomatic sequential
electronically controlled gearbox
quick-shift

Number of gears: 7 + Reverse

Ventiled carbon-fibre
disc brakes
Independent suspension,
push-rod activated torsion
springs front and rear

Weight (with water, lubricant and driver): 605 kg

BBS Wheels (front and rear): 13”

Engine

Type: 056

Number of cylinders: 8

Cylinder block in cast
aluminium: V 90°

Number of valves: 32

Pneumatic distribution

Total displacement: 2398 cm3

Piston bore: 98 mm

Weight: <95 kg

Magneti Marelli digital electronic injection

Magneti Marelli static
electronic ignition

Fuel: Shell V-Power ULG 64

Lubrcant: Shell SL-1098

Source: Ferrari unveils F2008 Formula One race car

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Dan Roth
Detroit Auto Show, SUVs, Etc., Kia

We’ve already seen some undisguised pictures of Kia’s handsome new midsize SUV, but the vehicle just launched officially in Korea as the Mohave. Official launch means official pictures, and that’s what we have here, a ton of really beautiful images of what we’ll soon know as the Borrego. Not that Borrego, this one sports a full frame, seating places for seven, and the choice of Kia’s strong-like-bull V6 or their first V8. The wisdom of introducing a new body-on-frame SUV at this point, especially in light of the coming new CAFE rules, might be questionable, but the vehicle itself is handsome and it’s hard to deny the inherent value that Kia bakes into its cars. We’ll check the Borrego out in person when it makes it’s US debut at the Detroit Auto Show. In the meantime, Carscoop unearthed a lot of great pictures to tide us over.

[Source: Kia via Carscoop]

Gallery: Kia Borrego offical shots

Source: Pics Aplenty: Kia Mohave/Borrego launches in Korea

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Tom McCall sent this awesome photo. Wow! He says:

The yellow 1965 FJ45 shorty has been a seven year project that is just now ready for road testing. The yellow 1977 FJ45 was purchased already complete. The green 1966 FJ45 shorty will be ‘RED’ after restoration.

Source: A few Montana FJ45 pickups

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Simona Alina
Filed in: | industry news

The end of a year and the beginning of a new one is usually the perfect time for analyzes. Some their lost, some their winnings, but all trying to find better solutions for the year to come. Mazda had the best year, with sales up 9.8%, Mitsubishi also reported best sales year since 2004, Kia had the 14th consecutive year of record sales. 2007 was a good year also for BMW with sales up 7.1%, Nissan up 4.5%, Toyota up 2.7% and Honda up 2.5%. It was a not so good year for GM with sales down 6%, Ford down 12.1% and Chrysler down 3%. But 2007 was the worst year for Jaguar with sales down 24.4%.

GM delivered 3.87 million vehicles in 2007, down 6 percent compared with 2006. GM’s retail market share is anticipated to be flat for the year, with daily rental share down significantly, as planned.

The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) today reported its best-ever annual sales for both its brands of 335,840 vehicles, an increase of 7.1 percent over the 313,603 vehicles sold in 2006.

Audi set a sales record in the U.S. during 2007, according to the company. Audi dealers sold 93,506 new vehicles during 2007, up 3.8% over 2006, which will aid Audi globally as the company has its sights set on a record year.

For 2007, total Chrysler LLC sales were 2,076,650, a decrease of 3 percent from the 2,142,505 units sold in 2006.

The 253,433 vehicles sold by MBUSA in 2007 mark the 14th consecutive year of annual sales growth in the U.S. market. The C-Class — the gateway to the Mercedes-Benz brand for younger and first-time Mercedes-Benz buyers — was the volume leader for the year with sales of 63,701 vehicles, a 26.9 percent increase over last year. Behind the C-Class, the E-Class family of sedans and wagons

Toyota Motor Sales reported best-ever year-end sales of 2,620,825 vehicles, up 2.7 percent over 2006. Lexus achieved best-ever year-end results of 200,334 units, up 9.1 percent over 2006.

Source: 2007 with ups and downs

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Simona Alina
Filed in: Lexus | sedan | racing prototype | concept cars | Lexus IS

Lexus will unveil at the Tokyo Auto Salon a racing version of its IS-F sedan. next to the IS-F Racing Concept, Lexus will present the IS-F sedan and the SC430 Super GT.

The Tokyo Auto Salon will take place from 11 to 13 January and it is the Japanese version of the American SEMA. So, stay tuned to find out more about it, as all the major Japanese car manufacturers will be offering modified versions of their stock models.

Source: Lexus IS-F Racing Concept to be unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Salon

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Sam Abuelsamid
Filed under: Etc.

What had been set to be the longest edition yet of the Dakar Rally now won’t happen at all. A day before the race was due to kick off in Lisbon on Saturday, organizers decided to cancel the entire event. A series of terrorist attacks, including the Dec. 24 killing of a French family in Mauritania and another where several soldiers were killed along with direct threats against the race, triggered the first cancellation in the race’s thirty year history. Both Mitsubishi and Volkswagen were expected to campaign squads of clean diesel-powered off-road racers. In total, 550 cars, trucks and motorcycles were expected to compete. The race has long been considered one of the most difficult rallies in the world and in the past individual stages have been canceled for various regions. At this point the future of the race is uncertain.

[Source: Associated Press]

Source: Dakar Rally canceled after terror threat

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It appears rumors about Ford transforming the Explorer into a rugged crossover might well be true. Ford will showcase a new concept at the Detroit auto show this month called the Explorer America Concept. Rather than typical body-on-frame SUV construction, the vehicle features a crossover-style unibody design.

Despite its underpinnings, the Explorer America Concept has an agressive truck-like appearance. The concept has seating for six, although a production version of this vehicle would probably have room for seven. Ford says the crossover has "moderate" towing and off-roading capabilities.

While it's not known if the concept directly foreshadows the next-generation Explorer, the vehicle appears to match rumors about the Explorer's future. According to insiders, Ford revealed plans to replace the truck-framed Explorer with a unibody crossover during a private exhibition in December 2006.

If rumors are true, a production Explorer crossover will arrive in one or two years.

The Explorer America Concept might also provide the first glimpse at Ford's all-new global design language. Ford is widely expected to scrap its U.S.-specific "Bold American" and Europe-oriented "Kinetic" design languages in favor of an all-new look for its global range in the coming years.

Fuel-saving technologies

Ford is also using the Explorer America Concept to showcase a number of fuel-saving technologies.

The powertrains have been tested in the concept — a 4-cylinder 2-liter engine with EcoBoost technology delivering 275 hp and 280 lb.-ft. of torque or, as a premium engine, a 3.5-liter V-6 delivering about 340 hp.

Most of the focus will be on the EcoBoost motor, which is new to the Ford engine family. The powerplant aims to do more with less, thanks to direct injection, smaller engine blocks, turbocharging. Ford says the EcoBoost engine delivers 20 better fuel economy, 15 percent less CO2 emissions, and improved performance.

Combined with a lighter body and more efficient mechanical design, the Explorer America Concept promises an overall fuel consumption improvement of 20 to 30 percent, compared with today’s V6 Explorer.

Fuel-saving electric power assisted steering (EPAS) and other engine actions that deliver a fuel savings benefit of about 5 percent. Between 80 to 90 percent of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles will have EPAS by 2012.

Source: Ford Explorer America Concept: The future of Ford’s iconic SUV?

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Jonathon Ramsey
Etc., Volvo

A guy in Washington had a 1996 Volvo 850R he wanted to sell on Craigslist. To make sure that he got noticed, he invoked the aid of Benjamin Franklin, a video game, a large Montana ranch and the Blue Angels — just for starters — to do it.

Anyone who’s sold a high-mileage car that’s been taken well care of and will run until the Apocalypse should appreciate the ad. You’ll also appreciate his efforts to keep people from calling and saying, “Hmm. The miles seem high.” Not only does he mention the fact that it has 218,000 miles nine times in the ad, but just to make sure, he writes, “If you don’t know that Volvos go to like half a million miles without maintenance than your personal savior must be modern medicine and your ignorance would have been the death of you in the middle ages. DO not call if this is you.”

But the car is still so fast it will “smoke the doors off of e30 m3’s in econ mode.” On top of all that, it’s a bit of a chick magnet. This isn’t cited as the reason for sale, but the seller got “sick and tired of getting hit on by milfs in their sexual prime because they think I’m some suave interwebs mogul as I am rearranging my golf clubs to fit more groceries in the massive trunk.” Click the link to get the rest of the story on the Volvo born from space shuttles. Really.

Thanks for the tip, Mike!

[Source: Culture Garage]

Source: The funniest ad for a 1996 Volvo 850R you’ll ever read