cars

Is diesel the answer to more stringent emission standards?

Apparently it is, at least from the perspective of automakers.

Ford India announced Wednesday that it is launching a diesel version of the Ford Fiesta, the latest in a string of similar announcements in the industry.

"(This car) will dramatically change customers' perceptions about the traditional diesel vehicle. The car is designed to deliver responsive acceleration, outstanding fuel economy, and reduced emissions consistent with future norms," Scott McCormack, vice president of Ford India, said in a statement.

While environmentalists, consumers and politicians continued to discuss ethanol, hydrogen and electricity, … Read more

DaimlerChrysler, looking to meet tighter emission standards, on Tuesday announced a deal with Fiat for diesel engine technology.

The German-American company said the partnership will result in Fiat supplying 80,000 diesel engines per year beginning in 2009 to DaimlerChrysler's truck group, Mitsubishi Fuso. The group includes the Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner, Sterling, Western Star and Fuso trucks brands.

Daimler said that it saw the deal as a way to more easily save money and accommodate future emission standards as they come due.

"Today's and future emission regulations demand a high level of investment and technological specialization. This agreement … Read more

Is Apple looking to compete with Garmin or Alpine down the road?

German magazine Focus has reported that Apple is developing something that would combine maintenance, entertainment, communication and navigation for cars into one device and that Mercedes will be the first to feature it.

A dashboard system for Mercedes from Apple, or an iPhone integration system for the Mercedes, seems like a logical probability given the fact that the two partnered on the first iPod integration kit for cars in 2006.

Appled refused to comment directly on either possibility.

"We have not announced plans yet," said Tom … Read more

Audi has once again proven that diesel can win, when it comes to speed and endurance.

For the second time, the German automaker took first place at 24 Hours at Le Mans, the legendary French endurance race, with its diesel-powered Audi R10 TDI.

TDI, which, according to Audi, stands for "direct injection turbocharged diesel engine," is technology that the company introduced in 1989 and has continuously been developing. Audi claims that its TDI cars offer better fuel economy, power and performance, as well as reduced emissions.

Some speculated that Audi's win last year with the Audi R10 … Read more

General Motors looks like it is serious about this whole hydrogen fuel cell business. The company announced today that it had moved over 500 engineers from development duties over to groups focused on the production of fuel-cell-powered vehicles.

According to GM, more than 400 of its fuel cell engineers will now report to its Powertrain Group to begin production engineering of fuel cell systems. A further 100 fuel cell experts are being moved to a separate group focused on integrating fuel cells into future models.

While GM has already committed itself to putting 100 fuel-cell-powered Chevy Equinoxes on the road … Read more

The Garmin Nuvi family of GPS devices just keeps growing and growing, and today the company added two new members to the crew: the Garmin Nuvi 200W and the Nuvi 250W. Both models are similar to the Garmin Nuvi 200 we just reviewed, except they boast larger 4.3-inch touch screens (versus 3.5 inches). The 200W comes preloaded with maps of the contiguous United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, while the 250W throws in maps of Canada and Alaska to boot. Like the rest of the Nuvi series, the pair offers tools for the traveler, including currency and unit … Read more

Toyota plans to announce specifics next month regarding collaboration with Isuzu on diesel engines.

Toyota has been in discussions with Isuzu, a company known for its expertise in diesel engine technology, since November, said Tina Ewald, assistant manager for media and investor relations at Toyota Motor North America.

Earlier Friday the Nikkei, Japan's leading business daily, reported that Isuzu has invested in a plant in Hokkaido, Japan for the purpose of supplying Toyota with 200,000 low-emission diesel engines per year. The report said the plant will be operational by 2012.

Toyota would not confirm or deny the report.… Read more

If there's one childhood gadget fantasy that's endured through adulthood, it would be the car boat. But the few we've always seen have looked too weird to ever drive on the road, kind of like a canoe with wheels. U.K.-based Gibbs Technologies, however, has one that looks convincing on both land and sea.

Not only that, but Popular Mechanics says the "Aquada" has a 175-horsepower engine that can reach 100 mph on the road. Then, in less than 13 seconds, the amphibious wonder can retract its the wheels and switch to water-jet propulsion, … Read more

If you want to get the bargain price on the Tesla Roadster, the all-electric sports car, act now.

The company is raising the price. The 2007 model sold for $92,000, and the 2008 model will sell for $98,000. Of course, the 2007 model isn't even out yet. It won't hit the streets until November or December of this year, but the company has already booked a couple hundred deposits. You can still get a 2007 model for $92,000 if you book now.

The company didn't say what consumers will get for the extra money. … Read more