EcoloCap claims successful testing of 99% efficient nano lithium battery
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in
We’ve never heard of EcoloCap before, but the company is claiming a major breakthrough in battery technology. The Barrington, IL battery maker claims to have developed a carbon-nanotube lithium battery that uses much smaller quantities of lithium in powdered form while at the same time exhibiting much higher energy density. The cells have reportedly been “independently” tested by a Phoenix, AZ lab called Exponent.
According to EcoloCap, its cells produce a minimum of 200 amp-hours, although the voltage is not mentioned anywhere on its site. By way of comparison, some of the best current 18650 cells (the same type used in the Tesla Roadster) produce about 2.4-2.6 Ah at about 3.6 volts. We have no idea what the format or size of EcoloCap’s cells are since the only images on the site are generic shots of clouds, wind turbines and solar panels. A press release indicates that early testing of the cells shows 99 percent efficiency, although exactly what that means is not spelled out.
EcoloCap subsidiary Micro Bubble Technologies also claims to be able to produce a liquid fuel called M Fuel from heavy oils. The description of this product contains all manner of puffy language that leaves us very skeptical of any claims from this company. We’re always willing to be convinced, but frankly EcoloCap looks as if it could be headed down the same vaporware path as EEStor.
[Source: EcoloCap]
EcoloCap claims successful testing of 99% efficient nano lithium battery originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Why GM Killed the Cadillac Converj
It was my favorite design at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The Cadillac Converj concept was the obvious choice to be the next product in General Motors’ Voltec lineup, after the Chevrolet Volt and its European-market clone, the Opel Ampera. What a great image leader! I imagined Converjes lining up at the 2014 Academy Awards to disgorge producers, directors and Hollywood stars. Leo DiCaprio could finally trade in his Toyota Prius.
We got a tip some time after GM’s bankruptcy last year that management had approved the car for production. GM denied it, but in any case, engineers and designers were proceeding with a production version. Just before his first announced retirement, Vice Chairman Bob Lutz hinted that it might find more production traction as a coupe-like four-door.
Whether two- or four-door, the Cadillac Converj could absorb much more of the range-extended electric’s development and production costs. GM hinted the sticker price would be some $15,000 north of the Chevy Volt’s anticipated $41,000 sticker. I suggested that if the Converj concept’s styling and interior translated to production, as much as $70,000 would be reasonable. Why not charge CTS-v money?
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Humvee orders about to end, have you met the MRAP?
Filed under: SUV, Truck, Government/Legal, Military, Off-Road
United States Army HMMWV (Humvee) – Click above for high-res image gallery
We never really thought of the HMMWV (aka the Humvee) as a military vehicle with a “flat bottom, low weight, low ground clearance and aluminum body,” but to American soldiers using the heavily-armored machines as their main source of transportation, those descriptors apparently apply all too well. In fact, the Humvee is downright dangerous in certain situations, namely when facing a roadside explosion from a remotely-detonated Improvised Explosive Device, or IED, which are the number one killer of soldiers in Iraq.
As such, the military went looking for a vehicle more appropriate for modern warfare, and what it found is called the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle, or MRAP for short. These heavily armored machines are raised high up off the ground and sport a V-shaped hull underneath to help divert blasts away from the passenger compartment.
The result: “Commanders consistently report that MRAPs, with their V-shaped hulls and added armored protection, are saving lives and reducing casualties,” reports Major General Thomas Spoehr in testimony he recently submitted to Congress. The Pentagon expects there to be 5,250 MRAPs in use in Afghanistan by September.
So, 2010 marks the end of an era in military Humvee use. The Army will reportedly purchase about 2,600 more Humvees in 2010, which will be added to the current fleet, rounding the total number of units to 150,000. The last new Humvee will be ordered sometime in April. These remaining Humvees will be used primarily in non-combat situations and in parts of the world where IED use isn’t an established battle tactic.
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A tale of low octane fuel, a grenaded Cadillac SRX and GM’s response
Filed under: Crossover, Cadillac, Luxury
2010 Cadillac SRX 2.8T – Click above for high-res image gallery
Apparently, under certain circumstances when gasoline with lower than the required 91 octane rating is pumped into the 2010 Cadillac SRX with the available 2.8-liter, 300 horsepower turbocharged V6, a “mega knock event” can be induced, leading to a complete grenading of the engine. Not good.
The worrisome issue was discovered by Automobiles De Luxe, which happened to be road testing one of Cadillac’s latest ‘utes. The driver inadvertently pumped in 88 octane fuel, which led to the aforementioned mega knock event and subsequent destruction of the engine. General Motors says it wouldn’t have happened if the correct grade of gasoline had been used.
So, open-and-shut case, right? Better use the premium. Not so fast. GM expedited the vehicle to its test center in Warren, Michigan, tore down the engine and came up with a “new calibration” for the engine’s computer that will eradicate the possibility of such an event. Six 2010 Cadillac SRX turbos are being field tested in Death Valley to ensure the problem is solved.
The fix will be applied to all new 2010 SRXs and customers will get the revised calibration during regular dealer servicing. Nicely done, Caddy. We hold out hope that this is a sign that the New GM reacts much faster to potential problems than the Old GM.
Porsche releases new option package for Boxster, Cayman in Europe
Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Europe, Porsche
Porsche Boxster and Cayman Packages (Euro) – Click above for high-res image gallery
Our friends across the pond have four new individualization packages to choose from when they start ticking the option boxes for their new Boxster or Cayman, and while Porsche isn’t offering any additional performance upgrades, the kit adds a bit more flavor to Stuttgart’s entry-level convertible and coupe.
The appearance elements include a range of interior and exterior color combinations, new 19-inch, blacked-out wheels and matching tailpipes, mirrors, air vents and, on the Boxster, roll bars. A new front lip and rear spoiler are also included in the Design Package.
The optional Comfort Package comes complete with bi-xenon headlamps, dynamic cornering lights, rain-sensing wipers and climate control, while the droptops benefits from a redesigned wind deflector.
The Infotainment Pack brings Porsche’s Communication Management system, and the Sound Package includes either a 185-watt, seven-speaker setup on the Boxster or a 235-watt, nine-speaker system on the Cayman. Pricing and availability details are available in the translated press release after the jump, and you can check out all new hues and body elements in the gallery below.
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Skoda Fabia Specifications
Price: Rs Rs. 4,99,914/- to Rs 7,82,079/- ex showroom Bangalore (As of Feb 2010)
Variants: 1.2 MPI Active, Classic, Ambiente (Petrol) / 1.4 MPI Elegance (Petrol) / 1.4 PD TDI Active, Active, Classic, Ambiente (Diesel)
Dimensions
Length: 3992 mm
Width: 1642 mm
Height: 1513 mm
Wheel Base: 2462mm
Ground Clearance: 146 mm
Front Track: 1436 mm
Rear Track: 1426 mm
Kerb Weight: 1090 Kg
Gross Weight: NA
No. of Doors: 5 Door Hatch
Seating Capacity: 5
Fuel Tank Capacity: 45 liters
Engine
Type: MPi Petrol / Pumpe Duse Diesel
Displacement: 1198cc / 1.4L
Power: 70 PS @ 5400 rpm
Torque: 123 Nm @ 3000 rpm
Bore x Stroke: 76.5 x 75.6
Compression Ratio: 9.5:1 (Petrol) / 19.5:1 (Diesel)
No Of Cylinders: 3 (Petrol)/ 4 (Diesel)
Cylinder Configuration: Inline
Valves Per Cylinder: 2(Petrol) / 4(Diesel)
Transmission
First photos of racing 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS GT3
In the Internet appeared the first photos of the racing version of Mercedes-Benz SLS supercar, also known as the Gullwing. In selling a new car will be closer to the next racing season. At this point the Mercedes-Benz SLS GT3 virtually nothing is known except that the eight-V-engine, mounted at the factory version of the model, “gives” 600 hp instead of 570 hp Also reported that a racing version would be much easier road.
How much will it cost supercar is still unknown, but for the sake of comparison BMW Z4 GT3, whose value is equal to approximately 300 thousand euros.
