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Motor Authority - blog Tag: emissions

  • Chrysler cars could get Fiat's efficient Multiair technology

    Chrysler cars could get Fiat's efficient Multiair technology August 3rd, 2009 By Nelson Ireson Nelson Ireson, Author, August 3rd, 2009 Nelson Ireson 5 Comments

    Chrysler cars could get Fiat's efficient Multiair technology Getting more out of the current generation of hardware is becoming increasingly important for the major carmakers as fuel and emissions standards tighten, but getting more power out of smaller, less expensive engines is also advantageous from a cost perspective. That's what makes Fiat's Multiair technology so attractive, and explains why Chrysler might get the technology in the very near future.

    It's actually surprisingly easy to retrofit the Multiair valve system to an existing engine, Lucio Bernard, director of Fiat Powertrain Technologies, told Automotive News. Internally, the groundwork is already being laid for Chrysler's use of... Getting more out of the current generation of hardware is becoming increasingly important for the major carmakers as fuel and emissions standards tighten, but getting more power out of smaller, less expensive engines is also advantageous from a cost perspective. That's what makes Fiat's Multiair technology so attractive, and explains why Chrysler might get the technology in the very near future. It's actually surprisingly easy to retrofit the Multiair valve system to an existing engine, Lucio Bernard, director of Fiat Powertrain Technologies, told Automotive News. Internally, the groundwork is already being laid for Chrysler's use of Multiair tech. But what exactly is Fiat's Multiair system? Put simply, it's an electronically controlled valvetrain that enables more efficient and dynamic control of the air coming into the engine. That, in turn, improves efficiency for a given displacement and load, and reduces emissions. Power gains of up to 10% are normal as well. Like most modern automotive innovations, it's not the hardware that's the tricky part. The software that controls the intake valve events and how they change dependent upon driving conditions is quite complex, and Fiat says it could take competitors two to three years to catch up. That would mean Chrysler's inclusion in the technology loop could be a huge boon to the company, giving it a selling point not available to any other domestic manufacturer. So far, only the Alfa Romeo MiTo hatchback has the Multiair technology, but Fiat is planning to roll the technology across its brands and engines over the coming year. If Chrysler does take advantage of the technology, expect it to start on the company's smaller four-cylinder engines before moving to V6 or V8 solutions.Fiat MultiAir engine technology Read More

  • EPA gives California and 13 other states waiver to regulate greenhouse gas emissions

    EPA gives California and 13 other states waiver to regulate greenhouse gas emissions July 1st, 2009 ByJames Martinez James Martinez, Author, July 1st, 2009 James Martinez 1 Comment

    EPA gives California and 13 other states waiver to regulate greenhouse gas emissions The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week granted California a long-anticipated Clean Air Act Waiver. Under the plan, California - along with 13 other states - will enforce its own emissions standards until the 2012 model year, when the federal government will begin phasing in new national standards that will require a fleet average of 35.5mpg by 2016.

    The issue dates back to 2004, when California adopted standards that were then significantly tighter than those of the federal government. Under the Bush administration, California had been denied the permission by the Environmental Protection Agency to enforce the new rules, after... The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week granted California a long-anticipated Clean Air Act Waiver. Under the plan, California - along with 13 other states - will enforce its own emissions standards until the 2012 model year, when the federal government will begin phasing in new national standards that will require a fleet average of 35.5mpg by 2016. The issue dates back to 2004, when California adopted standards that were then significantly tighter than those of the federal government. Under the Bush administration, California had been denied the permission by the Environmental Protection Agency to enforce the new rules, after a long, intentional delay, but the decision to uphold them has been expected for some time under the Obama administration. In 2007, Congress had proposed a 35-mpg standard by 2020; with the anticipated slow ramp-up of the rule, it would have created more than a decade in which automakers would have to deal with complying with two disparate standards - costing the industry tens of billions of dollars, by some accounts. The new federal standards will be in step with California's effort to achieve another 30% reduction in tailpipe emissions - effectively avoiding the need for automakers to comply with two different standards, and hopefully keeping vehicle cost down. As part of the agreement, California retains its rights to develop future emissions standards independent of the federal government, but it won't impose tougher standards on greenhouse gas emissions until 2017; and in return automakers are expected to drop remaining lawsuits against the state. Although this means that automakers will have to comply with stricter standards in the 14 California-emissions states in the interim, this likely won't have much if any effect on the current market. Most automakers have already been issuing lower-emission PZEV versions of vehicles for these states. The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (AAM) responded to the decision cautiously. "We are hopeful the granting of this waiver will not undermine the enormous efforts put forth to create the national program," said Dave McCurdy, the group's president and CEO. Read More

  • BMW launches new efficient 316d ES for Europe

    BMW launches new efficient 316d ES for Europe June 24th, 2009 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, June 24th, 2009 Ralph Hanson 3 Comments

    BMW launches new efficient 316d ES for Europe The U.S. resurgence of diesel may finally be shifting into high gear, but some of the world's best diesels still aren't even offered here. In Europe, however, carmakers such as BMW are introducing new models to meet ever-stricter emissions requirements, and the latest volley is the BMW 316d ES sedan.

    Billed as BMW's most efficient 3-series ever, the 316d ES manages just 118g/km of CO2 emissions - just 9g/km more than a second-gen Toyota Prius - while also returning 52.3mpg US in the combined European cycle. That's good enough to beat the current Prius. It's also good for 10.9 seconds 0-62mph (100km/h) and a top speed of 125mph (201km/h).

    ... The U.S. resurgence of diesel may finally be shifting into high gear, but some of the world's best diesels still aren't even offered here. In Europe, however, carmakers such as BMW are introducing new models to meet ever-stricter emissions requirements, and the latest volley is the BMW 316d ES sedan. Billed as BMW's most efficient 3-series ever, the 316d ES manages just 118g/km of CO2 emissions - just 9g/km more than a second-gen Toyota Prius - while also returning 52.3mpg US in the combined European cycle. That's good enough to beat the current Prius. It's also good for 10.9 seconds 0-62mph (100km/h) and a top speed of 125mph (201km/h). It does these feats with a compact 116hp (86kW), 192lb-ft (260Nm) 1,995cc four-cylinder diesel that takes advantage of all of BMW's EfficientDynamics techniques and technologies, including a six-speed manual gearbox. The 316d is otherwise specified identically to the 318d ES sedan, which has previously won awards for its balance of green motoring and executive appointments. Prices start in the UK from £23,330 or about $38,450 - but don't expect to see this car on American roads anytime soon. BMW has made it clear that more expensive technologies like turbocharging and diesel won't be made available on entry-level four-cylinders here for some time yet. Read More

  • California already working on tougher fuel standards

    California already working on tougher fuel standards May 21st, 2009 ByJames Martinez James Martinez, Author, May 21st, 2009 James Martinez 1 Comment

    California already working on tougher fuel standards President Barack Obama may have just taken the wraps off his new national fuel policy, but according to the state of California it’s not too soon to already begin work on the next stage of clean car regulations. The infamous California Air Resources Board (CARB) is known for being passionate about the environment, and this aspect of its character shone through when its chairman stated that despite Obama's California-inspired federal regulations the board "will be immediately getting to work on what the standards should be for beyond 2016".

    Despite big strides from the federal government, California says it will be implementing a more... President Barack Obama may have just taken the wraps off his new national fuel policy, but according to the state of California it’s not too soon to already begin work on the next stage of clean car regulations. The infamous California Air Resources Board (CARB) is known for being passionate about the environment, and this aspect of its character shone through when its chairman stated that despite Obama's California-inspired federal regulations the board "will be immediately getting to work on what the standards should be for beyond 2016". Despite big strides from the federal government, California says it will be implementing a more stringent standard in the future beyond 2016 and the state is still working on its own vehicle emissions laws rather than adopting a larger national framework, Reuters reports. Obama has already set the national fleet target a fairly high standard of 35.5mpg that must be achieved by 2016, as well as a requirement to cut average CO2 emissions to 250g/mile. Currently, carmakers are nowhere near these figures when examining their entire fleets, and with a time frame of just seven years we should see many more companies adopting hybrid and diesel technology. Nevertheless, CARB insists that the government should be doing more to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption. California's status as an aggressive policymaker in environmental regulation is nothing new, and the state realizes just how much power it wields when it comes to the global auto market. The chair of CARB stated earlier that because of its large market share the state can move much on policy initiatives quicker and more aggressively than the federal government. Read More

  • UK buyers swap clunkers for Nissan GT-Rs

    UK buyers swap clunkers for Nissan GT-Rs May 19th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson Nelson Ireson, Author, May 19th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 0 Comments

    UK buyers swap clunkers for Nissan GT-Rs In a move that can only be described as brilliant by anyone with a love of all things four-wheeled and fast, at least two buyers in the UK have swapped their clunkers in for cash, and used that cash to buy Nissan GT-Rs. They were among the very first to take advantage of the new scrappage initiative, acting in the first 5 hours of its availability.

    The new scheme started this morning, and offers £2,000 ($3,096) for older, less-efficient cars, essentially just like the program proposed here in the U.S. The standard for cars that replace the clunkers in the UK? None, in terms of CO2 emissions, reports the British Auto Trader. France and... In a move that can only be described as brilliant by anyone with a love of all things four-wheeled and fast, at least two buyers in the UK have swapped their clunkers in for cash, and used that cash to buy Nissan GT-Rs. They were among the very first to take advantage of the new scrappage initiative, acting in the first 5 hours of its availability. The new scheme started this morning, and offers £2,000 ($3,096) for older, less-efficient cars, essentially just like the program proposed here in the U.S. The standard for cars that replace the clunkers in the UK? None, in terms of CO2 emissions, reports the British Auto Trader. France and Italy, which have similar initiatives, also included CO2 maximums for the replacement cars. While the 485hp twin-tubro V6 supercar may not be the exact vehicle UK lawmakers had in mind when they proposed the initiative, it's potentially still a savings over many cars. Lawmakers thought it would simply be enough that buyers replace their existing cars with newer versions. Rated at 298g/km of CO2 and a combined 18mpg here in the U.S. (22.8mpg under the UK system), the GT-R certainly isn't an economy car, however, and it falls into the UK's highest pollution tax bracket. Most buyers won't be looking for GT-Rs, though, and so the scrappage scheme is still likely to have a net positive effect. The intrepid use of the plan to purchase the GT-Rs does show that, like all human endeavors, it is prone to abuse. Whether that abuse will endanger the program isn't yet clear. Cash for clunkers plans in the U.S. have been criticized for loopholes that would allow people to buy the cars intended for the scrap heap at salvage auctions and potentially put them back on the road.2009 Nissan GT-R Read More

  • Spy shots: Bentley Continental Supersports in production trim

    Spy shots: Bentley Continental Supersports in production trim May 11th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, May 11th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 2 Comments

    Spy shots: Bentley Continental Supersports in production trim Bentley's flex-fuel Continental Supersports recently broke ground as the first ethanol-burner from the brand, and this week the car took a step closer to arriving in showrooms as the first production models have started undergoing real-world testing. Having debuted in concept form at March’s Geneva Motor Show, the new Continental Supersports is scheduled to go on sale early next year as the carmaker’s most powerful and fastest production model ever.

    It won’t be the most expensive Bentley - that honor falls to the Arnage - and the Azure is also more expensive, but a $267,000 base price tag for the Continental Supersports... Bentley's flex-fuel Continental Supersports recently broke ground as the first ethanol-burner from the brand, and this week the car took a step closer to arriving in showrooms as the first production models have started undergoing real-world testing. Having debuted in concept form at March’s Geneva Motor Show, the new Continental Supersports is scheduled to go on sale early next year as the carmaker’s most powerful and fastest production model ever. It won’t be the most expensive Bentley - that honor falls to the Arnage - and the Azure is also more expensive, but a $267,000 base price tag for the Continental Supersports will put it about 33% above the Continental GT Speed's starting price of $203,600. Add on top the $3,700 gas guzzler tax (it's still a big, powerful, gasoline-capable car) and the $2,595 delivery fee and you're nudging up against $275,000. Bentley says the price is fully in line with the car's nature, and notes that many features that are standard on the Supersports are pricey options on the rest of the lineup. Delivering 621hp (463kW), the latest addition to the Continental GT range is capable of accelerating from 0-60mph in just 3.7 seconds and reaching a top speed of 204mph - despite its hefty 4,939lb (2,235kg) curb weight. Peak torque stands at 590lb-ft (800Nm). The 'Supersports' name is inspired by the original two-seater 3.0L Supersports model introduced in 1925, itself an evolution of the 3.0L Speed. The original Supersports was the first production Bentley to reach 100mph and was also recognized at the time for its race-inspired technologies. For more on the Supersports at the recent Geneva event, check out our debut story here.Bentley Continental Supersports2010 Bentley Continental Supersports spied in production trim Read More

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