General Motors, the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) and the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) announced today that they are joining forces to encourage drivers to follow their vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations on oil changes, which for millions of GM vehicles could be much longer than the decades-old standard of 3,000 miles between changes.
This summer, General Motors will support public outreach efforts by the Cal/EPA and the CIWMB to help motorists understand how frequently they need to change their engine oil, and the proper methods of doing so.
The traditional 3,000-mile oil change recommendation was based on engine and oil technologies of the past. Today’s engines are built to stricter tolerances using advanced technology that reduces or eliminates contaminants that might enter the engine. In-vehicle technologies such as the GM Oil Life System can also reduce the frequency between oil changes by determining each engine’s oil “life.”
“Driving conditions vary from one driver to another,” said Peter Lord, executive director of GM Service Operations. “The GM Oil Life System is a sophisticated technology that determines the ideal time to change your oil. A driver whose fuel tank is still half full wouldn’t empty the tank just to refill it. This same logic applies to oil. We should not waste motor oil that still has life.”
According to the American Petroleum Institute, more than 1 billion gallons of motor oil are sold each year in the U.S. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that about 185 million gallons of used motor oil are improperly disposed of each year - dumped onto the ground, tossed into the trash or poured down the drain.
According to research conducted for the state of California, the need to reduce waste oil is significant. “Today, California generates more than 150 million gallons of used oil. If that oil isn’t recycled it can find its way into our lakes, streams and oceans,” said CIWMB Chair Margo Reid Brown. “And just one gallon of oil can contaminate a million gallons of drinking water.”
Starting on 5 July, Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is introducing the next generation of the 911 model series. The four new models – two Coupés and two Cabriolets – with classic rear-wheel drive offer an even higher standard of dynamic performance thanks to their all-new flat-six power units displacing 3.6 and, respectively, 3.8 litres. And the introduction for the first time of direct fuel injection on a Porsche sports car, together with the optional double-clutch gearbox Porsche-Doppelkupplung (PDK), makes the new 911 even more sporting and dynamic.
CONSUMPTION:
At the same time these new technologies enhance the already outstanding efficiency of the 911 to an even higher level than before: Featuring PDK, the Carrera Coupé offers outstanding fuel economy of 9.8 litres/100 kilometres, equal to 28.8 mpg imp. And with all new Carreras remaining significantly below the fuel consumption benchmark of 11 litres/100 kilometres, equal to 25.7 mpg imp, CO2 emissions are down by up to 15 per cent.
PERFORMANCE:
Maximum output of the 911 Carrera with its 3.6-litre power unit is up by 20 bhp to 345 bhp (254 kW). Output on the 911 Carrera S with its 3.8-litre power unit is equally impressive, up by 30 bhp to 385 bhp (283 kW). With this extra power, the Carrera S Coupé now offers a top speed of slightly over 300 km/h or 186 mph.
GEARBOX:
The new generation of the 911 is available for the first time with the new Porsche-Doppelkupplung (PDK), Porsche’s double-clutch gearbox. Offering no less than seven forward gears, the new gearbox combines the driving comfort of a converter automatic transmission with the dynamic gearshift of a sequential racing gearbox. And since PDK also boasts an automatic gearshift function, it replaces the former Porsche Tiptronic S automatic transmission on both the Carrera and Carrera S. Through its optimised and adaptive gearshift programs, PDK improves the car’s acceleration and reduces fuel consumption to a level even lower than before.
LED LIGHTS:
The new generation of the 911 stands out clearly at first sight through innovations in design both front and rear as well as new lights with LED technology. LED daytime driving lights and bi-xenon headlights now standard on all new models in the Carrera range give the silhouette of the 911 even more distinctive style and a truly unique look, interacting with new LED rear lights to ensure an unmistakable and striking appearance also at the rear. And as a further safety option, Porsche now also offers Dynamic Bending Lights on all models.
I’m proud to announce the newest feature on our site: The car of the month. We will select a car every month for a more detailed look into its life, and the first car is quite a rally legend. One of the most popular and successful rally cars ever: the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX!
The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, colloquially known as the Evo, is a car manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors. There have been ten versions to date, and the numerical designation of the model is most commonly a roman numeral. All of them share a two litre, turbocharged engine and four-wheel drive system. Evolution models prior to version V were the officially-approved models for Mitsubishi’s efforts in the World Rally Championship’s Group A class and SCCA ProRally Championship. In order to follow these rules, the Evolution is based on the same platform as the Lancer. However, it is much more powerful than the standard Lancer, with the unibody being the only major part in common between the two.
The Evolution was originally intended only for Japanese markets but demand on the ‘grey import’ market led the Evolution series to be offered through limited type-approval in the United Kingdom and in various European markets from around 1998 (Evolution V-VI).[citation needed] Mitsubishi decided to export the eighth generation Evolution to the United States in 2003 after witnessing the success Subaru had in that market with their Impreza WRX, a direct competitor in other global regions.[1] The current version of the Lancer Evolution is 2008 Evolution X (US market) which includes a turbocharged 291 hp (217 kW) inline four-cylinder engine and a full-time all wheel drive powertrain. Japanese-spec cars were limited by a gentleman’s agreement to advertise no more than 280 hp (206 kW), a mark already reached by the time of Evolution IV; however, each generation of Evolution’s power has clandestinely evolved above the advertised number, with the Japan-spec Evolution IX having real output of about 320 PS (316 hp/235 kW), and various versions available in other markets, particularly the UK, have official power outputs up to 405 bhp (302 kW). Even standard components are considered “tuned” compared to other vehicles. For instance, the flywheel on normal cars weighs about 12-15 kilograms(26 - 33 lbs) but the Lancer flywheel weighs a mere 6 kilograms (13 lbs) for very quick engine response. The Evolution has, however, been evolving into a heavier and heavier vehicle with each generation in face of tougher worldwide safety and emission regulations.
Mitsubishi introduced the Lancer Evolution IX in Japan on March 3, 2005, and exhibited the car at the Geneva Motor Show for the European market the same day. The North American markets saw the model exhibited at the New York International Auto Show the following month. The 2.0 L 4G63 engine got MIVEC technology (variable valve timing), boosting official power output to 286 hp (213 kW) and torque to 289 ft·lbf (392 N·m). The Evolution VIII first offered in 2003 would produce dynamometer readings of approximately 225 WHP and 225 lb·ft (305 N·m). WTQ with a flywheel power rating of 271/273 respectively. The Evolution IX typically pulls 255 WHP and 250 WTQ on a dynamometer, a difference of 30 hp (22 kW).Three trims were available for Japan, Asia and Europe. Although all models used the same 286 hp (213 kW) engine, the torque differed from one model to another. In Europe, however, the Evolution IX was advertised to have 280 hp (206 kW). The GSR produced 295 ft·lbf (400 N·m) of torque, while the RS and GT produced 300 ft·lbf (407 N·m).
GT - revised 5-speed, this is basically the RS mechanically, but with some of the GSR’s features (mainly interior pieces).
GSR - 6-speed, Bilstein monotube shocks, aluminium roof, gauge pack, SAYC (Super Active Yaw Control), and double-din radio (this is roughly equivalent to the USDM MR).
Mitsubishi also developed the Evolution MIEV, based on the Evolutions IX’s chassis but with four electric motors connected to the wheels as a test bed for the Mitsubishi In-wheel Electric Vehicle (MIEV) next-generation electric vehicle. The in-wheel motors used a hollow doughnut construction to locate the rotor outside the stator, unlike other electric motors where the rotor turns inside the stator. The result of this was a lighter motor which translated into lower unsprung weight than a system with the motors mounted in the wheels. Each in-wheel motor produced a power output of 68 hp (51 kW), thus giving a combined output of 272 hp (203 kW), comparable to that of regular, petrol powered Lancer Evolutions. The car competed in the Shikoku EV (Electric Vehicle) Rally 2005.Similar posts: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X
Max Mosley has apologised after allegedly being caught embroiled in a Nazi-style sex orgy and insisted he has no intention of standing down as FIA president.
In his first statement since the News of the World published pictures of a man it claimed was Mosley involved in what Planet-F1 can only vaguely describe as sadomasochistic activities, a defiant Mosley claimed that he had been the victim of a smear campaign. The FIA boss, the son of the Fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley, also denied that there had been any ‘Nazi connotation to the matter’.
In a letter sent to all FIA members, Mosley wrote: “From information provided to me by an impeccable high-level source close to the UK police and security services, I understand that over the last two weeks or so, a covert investigation of my private life and background has been undertaken by a group specialising in such things, for reasons and clients as yet unknown. I have had similar but less well-sourced information from France.
Renault introduces the new Twingo RS. The small, performance-minded hatch will fit in along side the Cilo and Mégane RS. The Twingo Renault Sport is based on the Twingo Concept shown at the 2006 Paris Motor Show. It features a specially tuned chassis that is tuned to provide precise, balanced sports handling, but still capable to handle everyday driving duties. Power is provided by a 1.6L four-cylinder, producing 133 horsepower. The Twingo Renault Sport will make its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
The Tesla Roadster has passed its FMVSS crash tests and is now certified for production. This is one of those items that should please both lovers and haters of the forthcoming electric sports car. Those that love it can get excited about the fact that it’s one significant step closer to production. The Roadster benefits from that car’s massive bonded aluminum chassis, so this certification shouldn’t come as a surprise. The Roadster also passed all the less-exciting headlight position, rear-view, windscreen defrosting tests with flying colors and is expected to enter production, on time, in March.
