Environmentales

• An industry-first multi-format disc player which has the capability of reading and playing all type of media: CDs, DVD audio discs, DVD video discs, Super Audio CDs, MP3s, AAC and practically every other format available on recordable CDs and DVDs.
• It also has the Bose uMusic intelligent playback system that uses tags to identify listener "moods" and calls up similar songs from the hard drive.
• Aside from that, it also has speakers have been optimized for the 612, as well. The system looks fairly easy to control with two large knobs and an upper and lower bank of preset function.

Hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) are obviously popular nowadays and evidently, they just keep on growing and growing in number each day across all countries around the planet. And one of the top global electric vehicle markets is the UK! Oh yeah, they are placed at the top 5 best HEV markets across the world today!

UK is considered as a prominent and developed country that promotes HEVs instead of great Saturn cars with their radical Saturn wheels. On the other hand, today’s developing countries find it so hard to implement the use of these totally eco-friendly vehicles. The rising demand of gas, environmental concerns and the fuel price hike are motivating a different kind of market that will provides alternative solutions.

According to TheAutoChannel.com, the expansions in the hybrid market extensively went beyond all the hybrid sales projections according to latest study from Frost & Sullivan World Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Battery Market. This market has been observing a stable increase pattern seven years ago, without even a small reduction in growth pace.

“The advantage that a HEV offers with regard to construction and design aspects is that the engine designed in a HEV is small, which makes these vehicles more efficient,” says Suba Swaminathan, Frost & Sullivan’s Team Leader Power Systems Group.

HEVs merges the advantages of electric motors and gasoline engines that can be organized to attain superior fuel economy, amplified power, and best of all, an improved performance as the effect of very small amount of green house gas emissions.

“Although hybrids are available in the automobile market for the past 10 years and are not as popular as conventional vehicles, the advantages of using hybrids are more with regard to economical and environmental aspects,” explains Frost & Sullivan analyst Suba Swaminathan. “One of the advantages of using HEVs is: improved fuel economy. Hybrids require much lesser fuel than conventional vehicles, offering greater savings on fuel costs. Another advantage is improved efficiency. In fact, they offer more mileage compared with conventional vehicles, which makes HEVs require minimal gas. They are environment friendly; hybrids have much lesser greenhouse gas emissions, and are therefore capable of reducing the smog-forming pollutants in the atmosphere; tax credits and incentives. Finally, many governments across different countries promote HEVs by offering tax credits and incentives that make HEVs affordable.”

• West Coast debut of the Vectrix, the world’s first high-powered, two-wheel, zero emission vehicle
• White Lightning, a 245 mph electric race car
• Unveiling of the University of California at Los Angeles’ (UCLA) cutting-edge air hybrid engine—improving fuel efficiency and reducing manufacturing costs of the more common electric hybrid
• Ecological and carbon footprint charting courtesy of 3 Phases Renewables and Sustainable Works
• California Energy Commission climate panel featuring a review of their 2007 alternative fuels report, the most comprehensive look at alternative technologies thus far
• Screening of two episodes from the energy series of PBS program e2: the economies of being environmentally conscious, produced by kontentreal and sponsored by Autodesk. The screening of “State of Resolve” covering California’s progressive energy policies will follow a panel of featured experts including former California EPA Secretary Terry Tamminen, former Assembly member Fran Pavley and the Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies Executive Director V. John White. “Paving the Way,” about mitigating the environmental impact caused by cars, also will be screened.
  

Recently, greatcarstv.com reported that German automaker Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a diesel powered sedan - a version of the E320 BLUETEC. These vehicles are designed to produce very little greenhouse gas. California residents who have been looking forward to owning a clean diesel car can now buy the Mercedes-Benz diesel as it has met the stringent California emission standards.

The BLUETEC engine according to Wikipedia is "Daimler AG's name for its two nitrogen oxide (NOx) reducing systems, for use in their Diesel automobile engines. One is a urea-based reductant called AdBlue; the other is called DeNOx and uses an oxidizing catalytic converter and particulate filter combined with other NOx reducing systems. Both systems are designed to reduce pollutant emissions." The ability of the engine to produce very little greenhouse gases for a diesel engine makes the E320 the 2007 World Green Car.

Dr. Leopold Mikulic, the head of powertrain development at Mercedes-Benz Cars, said: "In order to be able to provide the power and economy of diesel technology throughout the world, we had to make the diesel version as clean as the gasoline model. With BLUETEC, nitrogen oxides can be reduced to such an extent that our diesel vehicles will satisfy the strictest emission regulations in the world – even in the future. This makes Mercedes-Benz the first manufacturer in the world to fully bring all exhaust gas components under control." Aside from being equipped with a green engine, said vehicle will also come with reliable components just like the Mercedes E300d radiator.

Tom Cackette, the executive director for the California Air Resources Board, has this to say about the Mercedes-Benz diesel: "The E320 is testimony to demanding nothing but the cleanest vehicles for California. Mercedes-Benz has developed a diesel emission control system that results in a car as clean as comparable gasoline vehicles being sold here. This vehicle has shed the reputation of diesel as a dirty technology. And we hope California has shed its anti-diesel reputation by certifying this vehicle as the first diesel passenger car to meet the most stringent smog emission standards in the world."

Automakers like Mercedes-Benz should be commended for their dedication towards development of vehicles which will be of great help towards protecting the environment.

Lexus is not the maker of Bilstein shocks but we knew about how impressive their cars are and with the fact that they are a part of the Toyota Motor Corporation, we know their cars are made with excellence and quality.

Lexus is revealing another car which they added with greener pigments. Yup, finally the LF-Xh concept will shown off at the upcoming 40th Tokyo Motor Show. The new car will be standing as the LF-A concept along with the six more production units at the International Convention Complex (Makuhari Messe) located at Makuhari, Chiba Prefecture.

Lexus have also pursued his basis of "pursuit of perfection" philosophy and now reveals another quality product filled with comfort and exhilaration. This car concept is maybe made up of quality materials but may not come with a high price. The Lexus LF-Xh concept will be showing itself at the Tokyo Motor Show to be set as an icon of the future. Aside from that, Lexus also plans to reveal the new SUV as well as a premium two-seater sports car.

Meanwhile, these following specifications are found on theautochannel.com: 

Lexus LF-Xh Concept: a concept SUV based on the Lexus design philosophy of L-finesse and equipped with an advanced hybrid system.

• The combination of a powerful body and elegant interior gives this next-generation SUV a dynamic look and feel.
• Application of “Lexus Hybrid Drive”, which features a sophisticated fusion of superior environmental and power performance, seeks to achieve outstanding driving performance, quiet operation, high fuel efficiency and low emissions.
• All-wheel drive is backed by a V6 petrol engine and high-output electric motor hybrid system.

Lexus LF-A Concept: a premium two-seater sports car that represents the impressive Lexus driving performance

• Manifestation of the Lexus “F” premium sports car concept, which offers new Lexus performance through the combination of enhanced fundamental performance and cutting-edge driving technology, pursues the pinnacle of sports car performance.
• Use of L-finesse design creates an elegant and a solid presence.
• A high-performance V10 engine (up to 5.0 litres) and a body made of light yet sturdy carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) combine to provide unprecedented driving performance.

You don’t make it bounce. You simply drive the ball-shaped concept car dubbed as Pivo 2.

Eccentric yet a real stunner, Nissan’s concept car isn’t just about appeal and jaw-dropping loveliness. The concept is also designed to be functional. Can you name a compact that can fit into tight spots? Well, the Nissan Pivo is all that and more.

Without backing up, the Pivo can fit into those spots. Why? Because its wheels can turn 90 degrees. What’s more, its cabin part can rotate in a complete circle. Isn’t that amazing?

The Pivo 2, displayed at the Tokyo Auto Show later this month, is a 3-seat ecological commuter car that's fully working but too expensive to go on commercial sale yet, according to Nissan. In a demonstration Friday, the concept car rolled up next to a tiny parking space, turned its wheels at an angle, then scooted into the space without the back-and-forth jockeying that most cars would need.

Just a glimpse of the car made me fall for it. It’s chic, neat, and obviously captivating. When Pivo is placed right in front of you, would you care a second to think of that damaged VW Jetta fuel injector of yours that needs a timely repair? Hmm. I won’t care a bit. I’ll just think about it later. But in the interim, I’d seize my Pivo moment.

Nissan designers added robotics functions to the Pivo 2, an upgrade of a car shown a couple of years ago, so that a bobbing mechanical head near the steering wheel speaks in a cute electronic voice to provide companionship, reported MSNBC.

The Japanese automaker claims the robot can detect the driver's mood by analyzing changes in facial expressions picked up by its digital-camera eyes and using a microphone that picks up the driver's voice to detect volume and speaking speed. Pivo 2 can be recharged by plugging a cable into a regular home socket and travels 125 kilometers (78 miles) on a single charge, said Nissan.

The robotic head said preprogrammed phrases to deal with various emotions, such as, "Relax, don't worry," if the driver seems upset. "We want people to feel how cars can be so much fun," said Shiro Nakamura, Nissan's head designer.

Nissan also plans to introduce its flagship sports car Nissan GTR at the Tokyo Motor Show, set to open to the public Oct. 27. Nakamura added Nissan wants to emphasize cuddly, less brawny offerings, like the Pivo 2.

Masato Inoue, the chief designer for Pivo 2, said that he wanted the car to be more than just an inanimate object, perhaps something with which people can grow emotionally attached. “Japanese culture has always been more open than other nations to seeing robots and other machines as friends,” Inoue said, “and Pivo 2 is likely to appeal to Japanese of all ages.”

"Design used to be about the shape," Inoue concluded. "These days, it's also about how a car relates to its surroundings, how it communicates with and is recognized in society."

For some motorists, driving a hybrid car is a whole lot different from the usual vehicles. It is expressed as an extraordinary experience when you are behind the wheel of a green car. There are countless stories accounted by hybrid car owners about their greatest experiences in owning and driving a hybrid car. I guess it’s more interesting than a Dodge brake caliper or any cool car in the market!

Insurance.com shares a story on how hybrid cars capture the fancy of some drivers. Check this out.

Debbie Perea, a marketing representative shares her thoughts about having a hybrid car. The story says that Debbie is very proud and enthusiastic in having a Honda Civic. Apparently, this model is popular. But the best thing about her car is that it’s a hybrid Civic that is powered by both gas and electricity.

"I love it! It's a great little car, and it definitely saves me money on my daily commute to and from work. I drive 20 miles each way, five days a week, and I spend $20 a week on gas. I drop about $50 every time I fill the tank on my Sequoia (Toyota SUV)," says Perea about her 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid.

"But it gets up to the speed of freeway traffic pretty quickly. I don't mind giving up a little bit on a car's pep when I'm saving as much as I am at the gas pump. Gas prices have been going up and up, and there's no end in sight. So, I think that I'm coming out ahead by driving a hybrid. I don't see that many hybrids around when I'm driving, but I'm sure there will be a lot more out there on the roadways very soon," explained Perea.

Perea's boss, Bruce Norman, said, "Obviously we insure at least a few hybrids, including my secretary's, but so far there are relatively few of her type of car out there on the road today. I know Debbie sure likes her car. The numbers out there could increase in time. We'll know more in a few years in terms of how they gain in popularity and their insurance claims experience, but it's a little early at this point to give any hard and fast underwriting or claims opinions." Norman is the senior vice president of marketing at Mercury's corporate headquarters in Brea, Calif.

Only the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic hybrids have enough data for IIHS to rank them in terms of losses, and both came out in 2004. "Right now, we would have to say they're a little better than other vehicles of similar size and type. People are willing to pay extra for the hybrid, so they might be a different breed of driver than those who are buying a gas-driven Civic that is less expensive," says Kim Hazelbaker, senior vice president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, in Arlington, Va.