Archive for July 9th, 2010

Filed under: Etc.

Researchers at the Eindhoven University of Technology (EUT) may be on the brink of discovering a breakthrough that will lead to reduced pollution and cleaner air for all. According to the EUT, a roadway made of concrete blended with titanium dioxide can effectively remove up to 45 percent of the nitrogen oxides that it comes in contact with. The titanium dioxide, a photocatalytic material, captures airborne nitrogen oxides and, with the aid of the sun, converts it to nitrates that are harmlessly washed away by the rain.

The EUT conducted real-world studies on a 1,000-square-meter section of repaved road in the Netherlands. Such testing showed that the laced pavement could reduce nitrogen oxides by 25 to 45 percent more than traditional concrete. As Jos Brouwers, professor of building materials at the EUT remarked, “The air-purifying properties of the new paving stones had already been shown in the laboratory, but these results now show that they also work outdoors.”

Additional testing is still underway and although the pavement laced with titanium dioxide does cost some 50 percent more than regular cement, overall road-building costs only increase by a marginal ten percent. Costs aside, the advantages of the titanium dioxide are readily apparent, but the implementation of such a product requires repaving our roadways, a time consuming endeavor for sure.

[Source: Eindhoven University of Technology]

Roads laced with titanium dioxide could help us breathe easier originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 09 Jul 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Via Autoblog Green

There are plenty of things in Europe that we Americans unfortunately don’t get to enjoy here on home soil: Monstrous medieval castles. No speed limits. Beer stronger than Coke Zero. Of course, some pretty damn cool rides, too.

Like many of my cohorts, I have drooled over Ford’s Focus RS (and RS500) from afar. And now, thanks to Continental Tire, I’m happy to report that I’ve driven the snot out of a Performance Blue example during a recent stay at the brand’s Contridrom test facilities near Hanover, Germany.

To experience one of the world’s hottest hatches first hand — on a track, no less — was a completely unexpected treat. I travelled to Deutschland for a test of the latest German tires, not cars. But when the Focus rolled up to the tightly twisted wet handling course (Imagine a regular circuit with small sprinklers constantly dousing the pavement, and you’ll get an idea of the Slip ‘n Slide-like environment), I had to see if it was worth all the international hype. Strapped into the snug Recaro bucket, I was giddier than a thirteen year old during The Twilight Saga: Eclipse premiere.

The modern, simple cabin impresses with its soft leather and handsome plastics. The interior is a step above most U.S.-market Blue Oval products in terms of design, but lacks in pizzazz and quality compared to say the Volkswagen GTI.

The sexy skin makes everything below your beltline tingle as if a scantily-clad Adriana Lima just passed by. To glance once does the complex form no justice. Details are numerous and command further scrutiny; from the vented and muscular nose, to the chiseled flanks, venturi diffuser, and bold hatch wing, the functional build screams nothing but pure, hardcore WRC.

For an all-too-brief time, I flogged the RS through 14 corners and two short straights, putting it through some exhaustive and wet paces. Even on such a limited compact circuit, I riled the RS up to 80 mph in the middle of third gear. Its 13-inch front brakes never faded under the constant stressful use.

The RS I piloted wore Conti’s new ContiSportContact 5 P, a brilliant high performance tire that, during this particular test, quickly and efficiently shoveled gallons of water away from the vital contact patch (I’ll delve into the tire’s performance and tech in a later report).

Aside from the non-OEM rubber, stock-size 19-inch Borbet rims, and less than ideal testing grounds/conditions, the RS stuck hard to the slick surface with a Porsche GT3-esque flatness and an Audi quattro-like grip no matter how hard I pushed, delicately balancing its taut 3300 pound mass at each challenging kink.

Provoke the 305-horsepower 2.5-liter five-cylinder to just over 4000 rpm and the best combination of brute turbocharged power and torque throws head and shoulders smack into the embroidered “RECARO” badge. This enthusiastic little hatch is beyond quick, having an input responsiveness superior to any U.S.-spec Subaru WRX STI or Mazdaspeed3.

The engine’s tuning is superb. No real turbo lag to speak of, just an eager giddy-up that hurls the Focus faster with each foot of tarmac covered. And with the trick RevoKnuckle underneath the front axle, there is nary a hint of ugly torque steer. The Focus RS is one of the most solid rides I’ve ever driven and was ready and able to take on the aggressive abuse for which it was carefully bred.

My short drive was not only fun, but thought provoking. I kept reminding myself of Ford’s many excuses for not bringing a vehicle as entertaining and unique to its home market — a place yearning for something of the sort. A revised Focus RS would follow its current UK sibling’s suit and sell out in days. Maybe even hours. Hopefully the higher-ups will give the go-ahead to a future RS version based on the next-generation Focus that’s set to debut here next year. We can only hope if they do that it turns out as good as this car.

Via MotorTrend Magazine Blogs

Kia has introduced special editions of the Picanto city-car, Rio supermini and Soul crossover.

The Kia Soul Echo is united by the Picanto Domino and Rio Domino, all of which can be ordered in white or black metallic paint.

The Domino special editions offer additional equipment for less money, including front fog lamps, air conditioning and electronic stability control (ESC). The Picanto Domino is priced at £7,995 for the manual, £8,895 for the automatic, while the Rio Domino starts at £9,295 for the 1.4 litre manual. The Rio Domino automatic and 1.5 CRDi manual both start at £10,395.

The Soul Echo adds equipment as 18” alloy wheels, contrasting painted door mirrors and body stripe, leather cockpit and an upgraded sound system. The Soul Echo starts at £14,600 for the 1.6 litre petrol while the diesel starts at £15,609.

Via Cars Of The Future® Blog

More and more global automakers are using the Internet for releases or announcements of their new models before the car will be face to face before the public.

At this time, Nissan showed the network externality of the new Quest minivan, 2011, which should go on sale early next year. Based on the concept car Nissan Forum, presented as early as 2008.

In earlier communications Nissan said that Quest offers new levels of quality, reliability and versatility. And judging by the proposed images, minivan received an innovative exterior and family-oriented internal space.

Debut of 2011 Nissan Quest is scheduled for October this year, under the car dealership in Los Angeles.

Via Cool Cars

Can the Government make it happen?

Can we do it?

Under Energy Secretary Dr Kristina Johnson recently told the Institute for International and European Affairs in Dublin that the US could have up to 100 million hybrid and electric cars on the road by 2030 thanks to policies being driven by the Obama administration.

But, is that just political hyperbole or a real world reality?

Highlighting the need to reduce America’s $300 billion per year foreign oil tab Johnson stated that the first goal had to be a strict focus on efficiency. Then, “Over the next 10 years, we need to utilise all the technologies that can be developed. The government’s role in funding research and development as well as deployment will be crucial,” noted Johnson.

Nonetheless, Johnson acknowledged that getting off coal, for instance, would be hard and cited the need for carbon sequestration, again acknowledging that such a technology was a long way from reality.

On the other hand, Johnson promoted solar, geothermal, hydro, wind and nuclear power, as well as the decarbonization of energy, especially transportation energy.

A little disappointingly, however, Johnson acknowledged that there was no replacement for diesel in the transport sector. I guess as far as the Obama Administration is concerned, the Pickens Plan is dead. Apparently, natural gas is significantly more evil than foreign oil.

Ultimately, while I hope that the under secretary is correct, the real world data and projections from the people that make their money off such forecasts doesn’t currently concur with the secretary’s optimistic projection. Perhaps if Obama passes cap and trade, all cards are off the table, and such a forecast is plausible.

Until then, a little more honesty regarding the extreme difficulty of achieving even just foreign oil dependence would be refreshing. For decades Administrations have been touting the great changes just around the corner for the American energy paradigm, and for decades those claims have fallen fall short.

Hopefully, this time around is different because this decades long fairy tale is beginning to get old.

Via Hybridcarblog