Report: 2011 Audi Le Mans Prototype could switch to V6 diesel with KERS
Filed under: Diesel, Hybrid, Audi, Racing
Audi R15 TDI – Click above for high-res image gallery
At some point in the coming months, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), the organizing body for the the 24 hours of Le Mans, is expected to release a new set of technical regulations for the prototype classes. Among the changes the ACO is likely to aim for are improved fuel efficiency as well as a continued emphasis on alternative drive and fuel technologies. The ACO and its partners at the American Le Mans Series have been more open to alternatives than any other major racing series. The ALMS, in fact, is the only place where you can find race cars running on E10, cellulosic E85, diesel and hybrid powertrains.
For four years, Audi has been at the forefront of this arena with its R10 TDI and, more recently, its R15 TDI. Audi is expected to create an all-new car next year for these new rules and will likely stay with diesel. However, instead of the R10′s V12 or the R15′s V10 engines, the new car is expected to use a twin turbocharged V6 diesel. The car may also feature a kinetic energy recovery system (KERS). Audi will be launching its first production hybrid in the Q5 in 2011 but it’s unknown if Audi would use a battery electric hybrid system or an electro-mechanical flywheel like the new Porsche 911 GT3 R hybrid. Audi is unlikely to say anything publicly until after the ACO announces the new rules package.
[Source: Race Car Engineering]
Report: 2011 Audi Le Mans Prototype could switch to V6 diesel with KERS originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Toyota reportedly mulling longer warranties, cash incentives to rekindle consumer confidence
Filed under: Car Buying, Government/Legal, Recalls, Toyota
In light of the litany of recall-related problems Toyota is facing right now, executives at the Japanese automaker are predictably being very selective about what they say – and when they say it. But while Toyota brass is playing its cards close to the vest, dealers are apparently starting to spill the beans about the automaker’s plans to spur sales. Bloomberg is reporting that three executives from retailer groups with Toyota franchises reveal that the Japanese automaker is mulling the idea of extending warranties to as long as 10 years to gain back customer trust. If the extended warranty materializes, the Hyundai-like coverage could add quite a bit of money into Toyota’s warranty costs, but that cost could be made back in augmented consumer confidence and higher sales totals.
Toyota is also reportedly looking into ways to get metal moving again, and cash incentives of thousands of dollars may be used to accomplish the feat. Toyota sales suffered in a big way (down 16 percent for the month of January) in part because it couldn’t sell eight models affected by a stop sale related to the recall of 2.3 million vehicles covered under the sticking gas pedal recall. Toyota will reportedly wait until after its meetings with Congress from February 24 though March 2 to make any announcements.
[Source: Bloomberg]
Toyota reportedly mulling longer warranties, cash incentives to rekindle consumer confidence originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Report: Euro tuner king Uwe Gemballa missing in South Africa
Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Etc., Safety, Porsche
Porschephiles and automotive enthusiasts the world over recognize the name Gemballa. The German tuning house has been responsible for some of the most extreme creations on four wheels and has been a well-respected brand for decades. Now reports indicate that Uwe Gemballa, founder and head of the namesake aftermarket tuner, has gone missing.
According to the reports, the 51-year-old Gemballa was on a trip to South Africa when he went missing. The suspected site of his disappearance is Johannesburg, long known as one of the most dangerous cities in the world due to the rampant violent crime rate in its downtown core. Investigators in Germany are reportedly in contact with law enforcement authorities in South Africa in an effort to recover Uwe, and for our part, we hope his safe return comes as quickly as his record-breaking supercars.
Gallery: Gemballa Cayman GT 4.0L RS
Study: Dynamic plug-ins key to cost-effectiveness
Simply more expensive compared to conventional and hybrid cars, despite energy savings
The US National Renewable Energy Laboratory is prepared to release a new study on ways of achieving plug-in hybrid and EV cost-effectiveness. Like most studies, the NREL study also finds that under essentially every scenario possible, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles simply are not going to be cost-effective compared to conventional and hybrid vehicles.
However, the NREL study concludes that there is a promising new approach to plug-in vehicles called “dynamic plug-ins” that could be a difference maker. Essentially, dynamic plug-ins would recharge while moving, enabling smaller battery packs, yet more electricity consumption.
Of course, such an infrastructure for mobile charging is currently non-existent, but if developed, it would be a game-changing technology for plug-in vehicle cost-effectiveness, even with the limitations of current lithium-ion technologies.
