Part of the new proposed CAFE rules is that they will be applied on a scale that varies with a vehicle's "footprint", which is defined as its wheelbase x track. Vehicles with larger footprints will be allowed to have lower fuel economy than vehicles with smaller footprints; this is a way to (sort of) account for vehicle size. The NHTSA decided to use a sort of s-shaped curve called a constrained logistic curve, to map the footprint to the fuel economy target.
For cars, here is the proposed set of curves for 2011-2015 (copied from here, the NHTSA Notice For Proposed Rulemaking, p. 278). To get some idea of what this curve does to actual vehicles, I calculated the footprint of four vehicles and put them on the chart.
I think a possible side effect of this regulatory pressure could be that carmakers will increase the wheelbase and track of their vehicles, particularly vehicles with poor inherent fuel economy such as sports cars.
For example, if the BMW added added about 1.5" to its track and 2" to the wheelbase of the 328, it would go from a footprint of 44.8 ft^2 to 47 ft^2, and therefore from a 2015 CAFE requirement of about 37MPG to about 33MPG, or about a 10% reduction.
Interesting CAFE Implication
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2010 Taurus Spy Photo
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This photo is making the rounds on the net as a purported spy shot of the 2010 Taurus redesign.
Assuming it is, this a sharp looking car, and portends for a much livelier Ford in the future. From this view it looks like very little sheet metal is carry-over from the current Five Hundred/Taurus, although the pronounced arch of the roof line is still there.
It also signals that the tightly packed vertical grilles with large amounts of chrome are going away, and that Ford will go more towards its European design style, which is not a bad thing.
I do see a bit of Honda in the front end, and also, and maybe some Lexus. The shape is sharp, but somewhat generic. One good thing about the current 3-bar chrome grille that Ford is using is that it is a unique design.
It is amazing, to compare the 2010 with the 2008, how bland the 2008 looks.
Update: Someone pointed out to me, that this is probably not a concept car, but is probably a clay styling model. That is, a life size model of a proposed design made from clay and painted to look like a car. One hint is the "glass", which is painted glossy black. Also notice what appears to be another clay model, still clay colored, in the distance.
The point is, this car may be nothing more than a proposal by one group of designers, competing with other proposals. The final car may look very much like this, or it may look not much like it at all!
The next Taurus? (Courtesy of Edmunds.com)
The Current Taurus
The Ford (Europe) Mondeo
Honda Accord
Lexus IS
Styling dead end? The Interceptor concept
2007 Lamborghini Reventon
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Lamborghini Reventon is a road vehicle with an extreme specification and, at the same time, a limited edition masterpiece – a coherent style, angular with sharp lines, inspired by the very latest aeronautics. Reventon possesses the entire technical and dynamic competence of the twelve cylinder Lamborghini. Lamborghini guarantees, an astounding 650 bhp at 8,000 revolutions per minute (rpm). The huge torque, equal to maximum 487 lb-ft, ensures a powerful switch from any number of revolutions: even the slightest pressure on the accelerator is spontaneously transformed into thrust. The robotised e.gear changes gear faster than even the most expert driver. In addition, the permanent Viscous Traction four-wheel drive system ensures that every force is constantly translated into movement. With just 20 produced, each 1 Million Euro (without taxes) Lamborghini Reventon is a symbol of extreme exclusivity.
2007 Lamborghini Reventon Wallpaper
2007 Lamborghini Reventon
2007 Lamborghini Reventon So Cool
2007 Lamborghini Reventon Wallpaper
2008 Ferrari 430 Scuderia
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The new Ferrari 430 Scuderia will join the road-going V8 line-up alongside the F430 coupe and the F430 Spider. The 430 Scuderia is a truly high-performance 2-seater berlinetta which demonstrates how Ferrari's Formula 1 know-how is carried across to its production cars. The new model is a special series based on the F430 and is aimed specifically at Ferrari's most passionate and sports-driving oriented clients. Development focused on light weight, minimum trimmings and innovative technology. All this to exalt the car's extremely high-performance and ability to thrill the driver. The new car can count on an extremely low weight-to-power ratio of just 2.45 kg per bhp thanks to a low dry weight of just 2755 lb - 220 lb less than the F430 - and to the naturally-aspirated 4308cc V8's 510 bhp at 8500 rpm.
2008 Ferrari 430 Scuderia
2008 Ferrari 430 Scuderia Wallpaper
2008 Ferrari 430 Scuderia Hot Wallpaper
2008 Ferrari 430 Scuderia Wallpaper 2
Privacy Policy
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Dream Car Wallpaper
Tasting 3.5 Year Old Budweiser
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So Passover is coming up and my wife says to me, "Are you finally going to get rid of the old cans of Budweiser you keep saving for beer-can chicken? They must be stale by now". As I am sure you know, beer is chametz, and as such, must be consumed, destroyed, or sold to a non-Jew before Passover.
In the past, I had "sold" the Budweiser ceremonially by putting it in with our other non-discarded grain products. I could never drink the stuff, being a certified Beer Snob, and somehow I kept forgetting to use it to make beer-can chicken. Every time I needed beer for chicken, I reached for whatever I was drinking at the time.
So, as a zymurgilogical* experiment, I decided to crack open and consume one of my Budweiser cans, which according to the handy "born-on date" stamp, was 3.5 years old. It had been stored on the floor of my basement, in a plastic crate, at a near constant temperature of about 70 degrees.
Here are my observations:
The pour:
Fizzy, lots of head. Good straw color, perfectly clear. Fierce bubble formation (dirty glass?)
Nose:
Hardly any smell at all. Slight notes of rice. Surprisingly, no metallic odor.
Taste:
Hardly any. The good news is that the can did not impart any noticeable flavor to the beer (I think the cans are plastic coated these days). Any trace of hops that was in the original beer, which would have been very little, is now completely gone. The stuff tasted just a little bit more beer-like than Zima. There is a hint of malt, some sweet rice, and a bunch of carbonation. Lots of mouth fizz.
Finish:
Slight rice sweetness. Very little aftertaste.
Overall, I was surprised and pleased with the results of my experiment, and I can offer this conclusion: if you don't like beer that tastes too much like beer, cellar some Bud for a few years to take the edge off. Serve cold, with a slice of lemon.
The other can was used to make beer-bread.
*Zymurgy is the science of beer.
$52,500.00 - $63,000.00
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BMW X6 costs of reliability
BMW X6 passenger compartment
BMW X6 control display
BMW X6 baggage
BMW X6 price.
MSRP: $52,500.00 - $63,000.00
Bodystyles: Sport Utility
Drivetrains: All Wheel Drive
Pricing Announced
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BMW will offer two models of its X6 "Sports Activity Coupe," the xDrive35i and xDrive50i. The xDrive35i features BMW's 300-hp, twin-turbocharged in-line six engine and has a base price of $54,000. Buyers with a little more spare change can opt for the xDrive50i that comes equipped with the new twin-turbocharged V-8 that will develop 400 hp; 50i models start at $64,500.
There is a long list of options for both models, including active steering ($1400), comfort access system ($1000), head-up display ($1200), and rear seat entertainment ($1700). There are also an assortment of packages with names like Cold Weather ($900), Premium ($1750), Premium Sound ($2000), Rear Climate ($900), and Technology ($2,000 for 35i, included on 50i). Fully optioned, a V-8 X6 can easily top $80,000.
We'll get our first chance to drive BMW's newest SUV offering very soon. For more preliminary information, click the links below.
2009 BMW X6
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We saw the X6 and Active Hybrid concepts in Frankfurt and have now learned that the production version will roll onto the show floor in Detroit this January. With it, BMW brings a fresh pot of alphabet soup and what may be their most convoluted naming scheme yet. The new "Sports Activity Coupe" will come in two flavors, the X6 xDrive 35i and the X6 xDrive 50i.
Let's take a moment to break down those names. Both models are equipped with BMW's xDrive permanent all-wheel-drive system and standard Dynamic Performance Control active rear differential - what varies is the engine used to turn the four wheels. You may have already guessed the X6 xDrive 35i makes use of the same twin-turbo 3.0-liter in-line six that sees duty in the 1-series, 3-series, and 5-series cars that bear the 35i suffix. The surprise here is a new engine for the top-of-the-range 50i - it's not the 4.8-liter engine that's found in the 5-series, 6-series, and 7-series cars that use the 50i suffix. It is instead a twin-turbocharged, direct-injected 4.4-liter V-8.
Output for the 35i is the same 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque we've come to expect - and thoroughly enjoy - in its other applications. The new turbo V-8 makes a similarly welcome 400 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque - far better figures than that old normally aspirated 4.8-liter V-8. Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic that drivers can shift themselves if the mood should strike.
BMW has somehow managed to package the turbos and catalytic converters within the valley of the V-8 block - a hint that the engine may wind up in other models not originally designed for it. The resulting short intake and exhaust manifold lengths should also help to reduce turbo lag.
The exterior design is nearly identical to what we saw in Frankfurt. BMW has extended the four-door coupe concept that little bit further to create what it calls a Sports Activity Coupe. The look of the bottom half is all X5 while the top says Porsche 911. From pictures, it appears the X6 has a longer rear overhang than the X5, which may help offset some of the cargo capacity lost with the sloping backlight. We're interested to see how much this affects real-world stuff-carrying ability.
Look for our coverage of the 2008 Detroit show in January, where we'll get our first chance to see this new Bimmer in 3D. Or, as BMW would call it, X6 x3D ActiveViewing.
2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
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Chevrolet officially announced the 2009 Corvette ZR1 – an American supercar that brings the technology and engineering refinement of carbon-fiber, ceramics and electronics together in a distinctive design.
Supercharged LS9 Engine
The new LS9 6.2L small-block engine is the power plant the supports the ZR1’s performance capability. The enabler of the LS9’s performance and refinement is a large, positive-displacement Roots-type supercharger with a new, four-lobe rotor design. It is augmented with an integrated charge cooling system that reduces inlet air temperature for maximum performance. A sixth-generation supercharger developed by Eaton helps the LS9 make big power and torque at lower rpm and carries it in a wide arc to 6,600 rpm, as it pushes enough air to help the engine maintain power through the upper levels of the rpm band – the area where supercharged performance tends to diminish. Heavy-duty and lightweight reciprocating components enable the engine’s confident high-rpm performance. The LS9 engine is backed by a new, stronger six-speed manual transmission and a twin-disc clutch that provide exceptional clamping power, while maintaining an easy clutch effort. ZR1-specific gearing in the transmission provides a steep first-gear ratio that helps launch the car, and top speed is achieved in sixth gear – a change from the fifth-gear top-speed run-outs in the manual-transmission Corvette and Corvette Z06.
2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Wallpaper
2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Wallpaper 2
2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 - Cool
