Eaton's fuel saving hydraulic hybrid systems put traditional drivetrains in jeopardy

Eaton, which is better known for its involvement in supercharging muscle cars, has a thing for saving fuel, too. According to a writeup on the outfit's website, it's working up a series hybrid hydraulic system to replace the conventional driveline. The SHH system will wed a high-efficiency diesel engine and a custom hydraulic propulsion system, and by operating at its "sweet spot," it stands to reason that lots of gasoline will be saved as it runs. Better still, the setup involves regenerative breaking in order to recover and reuse energy that's typically wasted, and the engine can safely be shut off when not needed in order to save additional fuel when waiting at a stoplight. So, where is this stuff headed first? UPS trucks, naturally.

[Via: Autoblog ] [Tag: Eaton, hybrid hydraulic, HybridHydraulic, hydraulic, hydraulic hybrid, HydraulicHybrid ]

2010 Mercedes Benz SL65 AMG Black Series Hits the Dyno

It costs $100,000 more than a regular SL65 AMG, so buyers of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series had better get a little somethin' for their money. And they do-with carbon-fiber body panels, a fixed roof, and styling that makes the Black Series look as though it's an escapee from a DTM race.We covered the Black Series in depth here, but Mercedes asked us not to perform instrumented tests on it during our initial drive. Tech editor Don Sherman is suspicious that the Black Series' quoted 3.6-second 0-60 mph time is a little ambitious given that the lighter (by half a ton) but similarly powerful Corvette ZR1 hits 60 in the same amount of time.The truth of the matter is that with a twin-turbocharged torque monster of a V-12 under the hood of the Black Series, 0-60 numbers are less about power than they are about the launch. The Black Series can (and will happily) spin its tires at any point up to 60 mph, so the result of any off-the-line timed run speaks more about available traction than it does about grunt.To that end, we took a Black Series to a chassis dyno to see what kind of power, exactly, it puts down. We were also looking forward to see the shape of the curve. AMG fitted the 6.0-liter V-12 with larger turbos to help maintain boost at higher engine speeds. If the engineers have done their job well, we should see big gains at the top of the rev range.But the first thing everyone asks: "What did it put down." Answer: 573 hp @ 5300 rpm and 682 lb-ft @ 3620 rpm in third gear. That's wheel horsepower, remember. And the result is right where it should be given the engine's rating of 651 hp @ 5400 rpm and 738 lb-ft @ 2200 - 4200 rpm. [Via: Automobilemag ] [Tag: ]

In-car fingerprint scanner keeps drunks, thieves from starting your car

How's this for dual purpose? Zhao Wencai and Li Zhoumu, two graduate students at the China University of Geosciences, have concocted a prototype device which checks for two important bits of information before allowing a car to start. First, it scans your fingerprint to make sure you're on the authorized driver database; second, it takes a long, hard look (okay, so maybe 20 seconds isn't all that long) at the sweat on your digit to determine just how sober or inebriated you are. There's no telling when this will hit motorcars en masse, but we'd say the whole thing needs to get a whole lot smaller before it's a viable option.

[Via: Wired ] [Tag: alcohol, china, driving, drunk driving, DrunkDriving, research, safety, scanner, university ]

Chinese University Students Want Me To Diddle My Car to Start It [Cars]

It's dark. There's a box. It beckons. You stick your finger in and curl "your index finger towards you in a summoning motion". Congratulations, you've just started your car. Two students, Zhao Wencai and Li Zhoumu, invented this gesture-based car interaction as a presentation for the third China-International Road Safety Expo. Not only can you pleasure your car to start it, you can shove your middle finger in there onto a fingerprint scanner to read how high your blood alcohol level is. Another possible use is as a security system, so the car wouldn't start unless your finger belonged to one of the registered drivers. Our prediction? These two students HAVE to be girls, or else they'd be more aware of the gesture they were promoting for this device.


[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ] [Tag: ]

The Ex-Wall Streeter's Guide to Recession Rides

You and your investment banker colleagues made piles of money creating indecipherable financial instruments, got your friends at the ratings agencies to give them their stamp of approval, and just like that, all the risk magically disappeared and, not incidentally, your firm reaped huge fees selling the stuff to every financial institution in town. Now, sadly, the scheme has all come hideously undone. You no longer work on the Street; instead, you're out on the street. And, worse, your car lease is up. What to do? Of course, you're not destitute - you couldn't possibly have spent all the money you've raked in over the past few years - but you need to curb expenses. And yet, you want to keep up appearances. Allow us to help . . .Instead of: a Ferrari F430, consider: an Audi R8Oh, there's nothing like a Ferrari in terms of achieving the sports-car pinnacle. Nothing can touch its snob appeal. But the Audi R8 offers a strikingly similar mechanical package, highlighted by a mid-mounted V-8 engine, with a plexiglass engine cover to drive the point home for jealous observers. Trust us when we say that the beautiful bodywork is every bit as exotic and head turning as the F430's. And the interior, in characteristic, overachieving Audi style, is just as beautifully crafted as anything to come out of Maranello. The R8's manual gearshift even moves through a Ferrari-style metal gate; or there's the option of a paddle-shifted automated manual that allows you to indulge your Michael Schumacher fantasies.
F430: $191,775
R8: $114,200
Savings: $77,575 (plus a few hundred more on Ferrari jackets and related sportswear)
[Via: Automobilemag ] [Tag: ]

2009 Ford Flex Limited AWD

I really, really like the Flex, mostly because I am absolutely taken with the design: the shape, the proportions, and yes, the squareness. This is the american people mover boiled down to its pure, classic element. It is the utter antithesis of every jacked-up, pseudo-macho SUV and every bloated, trying-to-be-swoopy crossover.It also helps that the interior is almost as fresh as the exterior. There's loads of space under the low roofline, and the electronic interfaces are as user-friendly as can be. The driving experience isn't scintillating, but it's hardly unpleasant, and the cabin is almost eerily quiet.The only real negatives are a driving position that's awkward for the long-legged (I'd happily trade away the power-adjustable pedals for a telescoping steering column) and a price that's pretty steep (well into the $40Ks loaded up). I suspect the latter is to blame for the car's relatively slow start out of the gate.Joe Lorio, Senior Editor
[Via: Automobilemag ] [Tag: ]

JE Design throws its Scirocco into the mix

Click above for a high-res gallery of the JE Design Scirocco Volkswagen's new Scirocco seems to be the hottest new platform for Euro tuners, with Abt and MTM already coming out with tuning packages. JE Design has developed their own line of parts and accessories, starting with a subtle three piece aero kit that includes a new front spoiler, side skirts, and a rear spoiler extension. A performance kit boosts the turbocharged 2.0L inline-four to 244 bhp and 258 lb-ft torque, while an upgraded exhaust system adds another 11 more horsepower. Also available are lowering springs and multispoke wheels in a variety of finishes. Now if we could only get Volkswagen to once again reconsider its decision to not bring the Scirocco stateside. [Via: www.je-design.de ] [Tag: JE Design, JE Design Scirocco, JeDesign, JeDesignScirocco, Scirocco, Volkswagen, Volkswagen Scirocco, VolkswagenScirocco, VW, VW Scirocco, VwScirocco ]

Nissan Japan offering "stylish package" for 370Z

Nissan 370Z w/Stylish Package
[Via: Carscoop ] [Tag: 370, 370 z, 370z, nissan 370z, nissan z, nissan z stune, Nissan370z, NissanZ, NissanZStune, s tune, s-tune, stune, stylish package, StylishPackage, z appearance, z stune, ZAppearance, ZStune ]

PPI unleashes Razor GTR in Essen

The GT3-spec LMS racecar wasn't the only Audi R8 to grace the show floor in Essen. PPI Design brought their latest version of the Audi supercar dubbed the Razor GTR. The standard version of the Razor made its debut at the show last year, featuring an additional 40 horsepower, 19-inch wheels, custom leather interior, and a full carbon fiber aero kit. The GTR takes the R8 to yet another level, with more power, reduced weight, and improved aerodynamics. PPI has fitted a supercharger to the 4.2L V8 which now puts out 580 horsepower and 443 lb-ft torque, good for a 3.7-second sprint to 100 km/h and a top speed of 206 mph. The widebody kit is constructed completely of carbon fiber and feeds cool air to the brakes and radiators, while the engine cover, also constructed of the lightweight material, includes integrated ram air inlets. The wider body also allows for wider rims and tires -- lightweight MAG11 forged wheels wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport 2 rubber. Other performance upgrades include a KW coilover suspension, and larger brakes: 15-inch discs with six-piston calipers in the front, and 14-inch discs in the rear. Carbon fiber also coats the interior, alongside custom leather seats and a PPI steering wheel. [Via: MotorAuthority.com ] [Tag: Audi, Audi R8, AudiR8, PPI, PPI Audi R8, PPI R8, PPI Razor, PPI Razor GTR, PpiAudiR8, PpiR8, PpiRazor, PpiRazorGtr ]