Mazda Motor Corporation has strengthened its popular Mazda Demio compact car line-up with the addition of an hybrid mechanical/electric four-wheel-drive (e-4WD) transmission.
The Mazda Demio e-4WD system uses a motor powered by a dedicated generator to drive the rear wheels. Available on 1.3-liter and 1.5-liter models, the system is compact and designed for smooth. The electronically-controlled system responds to road conditions engaging four-wheel drive on slippery or snow-covered roads. Furthermore, a switch located on the instrument panel allows the driver to select front-wheel drive when additional traction is not required, thereby providing best fuel efficiency.
By employing a compact e-4WD system that eliminates the need for a propeller shaft and transfer gearbox, the four-wheel drive Demio secures the same cabin space and luggage room as that of its front-wheel drive counterpart.
When no slippage is detected and when the vehicle has reached a constant speed, the e-4WD system disengages the electromagnetic clutch on the rear wheel drive unit and only powers the front wheels.
Toyota Avensis D-4D D-CAT, the cleanest Diesel car, arrives at the showroom
"Europe is the first market to receive the world's cleanest diesel car" have announced Toyota. Sales of the Toyota Avensis D-4D D-CAT start today in Germany. This new version of Avensis is equipped with the exclusive Toyota D-CAT system that reduces NOx and particle emissions to record low levels.
The car promises to tackle two of the most pressing problems of diesel engines: NOx and PM (Particulate Matter) emissions. Cars equipped with particle filters perform well in terms of PM reduction but still do not manage to address the problem of NOx. Toyota D-CAT presents a solution to this delicate problem: when equipped with this system, the Toyota Avensis D-4D's NOx and PM emissions are respectively 50% and 90% below the EURO IV levels.
Unfortunately, this car is only available in Germany, where the Diesel has a low sulphur rate.
DaimlerChrysler is launching a new public-private joint enterprise in India for the production of environment-friendly biodiesel. The project is setting out to test the production of biodiesel from jatropha plants on eroded ground and its preparation for subsequent use in internal combustion engines.
This program with a five-year timeframe will investigate a wide variety of topics: the conversion of jatropha oil into biodiesel, the assessment of this substance with regard to its chemical suitability as a fuel, the binding of CO2 in plantations, possible use of the resulting byproducts, and the estimated revenue to be generated by production. With the establishment of this plantation, wind erosion will be alleviated and the roots of the plants will help reduce water erosion. The biscuits created as a byproduct of the oil extraction make an excellent organic fertilizer that helps improve the quality of the soil. It is envisaged that the plantations will later be operated by the municipal authorities. The project is expected to serve as a model that can be transferred to further regions of India and beyond the country's borders.
Jatropha biodiesel is characterized by particularly favorable ignition performance. It also contains no sulfur and is thus a clean, low-emission fuel.
The two jatropha plantations are located in different climatic regions of India; it can thus be determined which local conditions are more advantageous for cultivation.
This technological concept vehicle powered by the Mazda RENESIS hydrogen rotary engine is now undergoing running tests. By making the most of the unique rotary-engine technologies, Mazda was able to develop this powerplant as one proposal for alternative-energy vehicle technologies aimed at a future hydrogen-based society.
In addition to direct hydrogen injection into the intake chambers via two electronically-controlled injectors per rotor, the Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE features a dual-fuel system allowing one-touch switching between either hydrogen or gasoline, promoting the car's versatility as a hydrogen fuel infrastructure is developed.
Mazda is also presenting advanced technologies including a hybrid system with electric torque assist and start-stop technology, and a turbocharger with electric motor assistance-technologies that will contribute to future enhancement of hydrogen rotary engine performance.
Monte-Carlo international electric, hybrid and fuel cell vehicles show 2004
The Monte-Carlo international electric, hybrid and fuel cell vehicles show 2004 will be in April 1-4. It will keep the same orientation than this year, an international " business to business" meeting.
2004 News : in partnership with the Municipality of Monaco, the "Village of Cities" in order to welcome international cities, leader in clean urban mobility, to exhibit their actions and to share their experience.
More information on the web site: www.ev-mc.com
Development of new engines for synthetic fuels - Volkswagen
Conference in Weyhausen: "Biofuels - the emergence of a new industry".
Volkswagen is engaged in the development of engines powered by synthetic fuels based on biomass. In ten to fifteen years time, these engines will unite the fuel-consumption benefits of today's diesel engines with the emissions potential of spark-ignition engines.
In the course of today's conference on the subject of "Biofuels - the emergence of a new industry" in Weyhausen near Wolfsburg, Matthias Rabe, Head of Group Research, explained the company's strategy: "With the new Combined Combustion System, we can clearly see how immense the efficiency potential of the internal combustion engine is. This will enable us to fully reconcile individual mobility with the requirements of protecting the environment and climate. We can do this with new synthetic fuels currently being developed on the basis of natural gas and biomass. This process will close the carbon dioxide cycle."
"The use of biofuels is a central subject for our future development activities. They hold the promise of environmental, social and economic sustainability", explained Klaus Volkert, Chairman of the Volkswagen AG Group and General Works Councils. "They will enable us to reduce emissions and conserve resources even during production. They will secure employment potential in agriculture and contribute to the reduction of agricultural subsidies. In this way, these innovative fuels will support the viability of rural areas and provide a link between agricultural and industrial production. For this reason I consider it to be essential for biofuels to be granted a significant tax advantage over conventional fuels."
New Honda Fuel Cell Stack Operates at Low Temperatures
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced the development of the Honda FC Stack, a remarkably compact, next-generation fuel cell stack that delivers high performance, yet operates at temperatures as low as -20ºC (-?ºF). It is the world's first fuel stack to feature a metal press separator structure and newly developed electrolyte membranes. The FCX equipped with the Honda FC Stack was certified on September 24, 2003, by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
Conventional fuel cell stacks have a complex structure in which carbon separators are fastened together with bolts. The Honda FC Stack, however, has a simplified structure composed of stamped metal separators, with rubber seals that are attached in a unique molding process and enclosed by panels. This reduces the number of components by almost 50% (compared to a conventional unit) and more than doubles the output density, resulting in world-leading high performance. Further, use of newly developed aromatic electrolyte membranes greatly improves durability and allows for power generation at temperatures ranging from -20ºC (-4ºF) to +95ºC (+203ºF)- a difficult achievement for stacks that employ conventional fluorine electrolyte membranes. The driving range of the FCX with a Honda FC Stack also has increased by 40 km, from 355 km to 395 km, while fuel economy has improved by over 10%.
Mazda Motor Corporation has strengthened its popular Mazda Demio compact car line-up with the addition of an hybrid mechanical/electric four-wheel-drive (e-4WD) transmission.
The Mazda Demio e-4WD system uses a motor powered by a dedicated generator to drive the rear wheels. Available on 1.3-liter and 1.5-liter models, the system is compact and designed for smooth. The electronically-controlled system responds to road conditions engaging four-wheel drive on slippery or snow-covered roads. Furthermore, a switch located on the instrument panel allows the driver to select front-wheel drive when additional traction is not required, thereby providing best fuel efficiency.
"Europe is the first market to receive the world's cleanest diesel car" have announced Toyota. Sales of the Toyota Avensis D-4D D-CAT start today in Germany. This new version of Avensis is equipped with the exclusive Toyota D-CAT system that reduces NOx and particle emissions to record low levels.
Mazda is also presenting advanced technologies including a hybrid system with electric torque assist and start-stop technology, and a turbocharger with electric motor assistance-technologies that will contribute to future enhancement of hydrogen rotary engine performance.
Conference in Weyhausen: "Biofuels - the emergence of a new industry".
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced the development of the Honda FC Stack, a remarkably compact, next-generation fuel cell stack that delivers high performance, yet operates at temperatures as low as -20ºC (-?ºF). It is the world's first fuel stack to feature a metal press separator structure and newly developed electrolyte membranes. The FCX equipped with the Honda FC Stack was certified on September 24, 2003, by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.