GM hiring to push electric effort beyond Volt

General Motors said today it would hire 1,000 engineers and researchers in Michigan over the next two years to develop more electric cars and hybrids as it launched its battery-powered Chevrolet Volt.

"Volt clearly demonstrates that we are well on our way and it is especially true when it comes to the electrification of the automobile," GM Chief Executive Dan Akerson said at a ceremony marking the start of production of the plug-in hybrid.

The Volt, which tops the Toyota Prius for fuel economy, is a first-of-its-kind vehicle that GM has touted as a symbol of its commitment to pushing for gains in fuel efficiency and developing new technology.

Akerson drove on stage in the first commercially made Volt at the ceremony to mark the start of the car's production, three years after the automaker announced the closely watched project.

Akerson said GM wanted to be in the forefront of new vehicle technology--starting with the development of powerful battery packs and electric motors--that promises to reduce oil consumption.

The Volt is designed to run for 35 miles on a full charge of its 400-pound lithium ion battery pack supplied by a unit of Korea's LG Chem.

After that, the car is powered by a 1.4-liter engine that gives drivers an estimated 379 miles of driving range.

Some critics had questioned whether the Volt would survive GM's restructuring in bankruptcy in 2009 because of its high cost and the low profit margin on the first shipments of the $41,000 car.

GM North American chief Mark Reuss compared the development of the Volt to a NASA "moon shot." He said the effort, including more than $700 million in new investment, had "created the new soul of GM."

GM will begin shipping the Volt in limited numbers in December. The automaker plans to expand shipments of the Volt to more markets in 2011 and will also start to export the vehicle, Akerson said.

The Volt, which has won honors as Motor Trend Car of the Year and Green Car of the Year, is the first in a number of electric or partly electric cars to arrive over the next two years.

The growing segment also includes the all-electric Nissan Leaf and upcoming rechargeable cars from Toyota and Ford.

GM introduced a concept version of the Volt at the Detroit auto show in 2007 and started production this month at a plant that straddles Detroit and the city of Hamtramck, Mich.

The automaker started development work on the vehicle that would become the Volt in 2006 at the urging of then product development chief Bob Lutz.

The event to mark the start of Volt production is the first major event for GM since its record-setting $23 billion initial public offering of shares earlier this month.

Michael Schumacher vs. Sebastien Loeb Race of Champions 2010 Tesla Roadster

Michael Schumacher and Sebastien Loeb challenge each other at the Race of Champions 2010 in two Tesla Roadster Sport 2.5 RoC Editions.

NHTSA investigate '06 CR-V compact SUV (U.S)

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened up an examination into reports of fires in the doors of the ‘06 Honda CR-V. The investigation involves approximately 150,000 vehicles.

The probe was driven by three reports "alleging a fire occurred in the driver's door related to the driver's master power window switch," said.

"We are aware that NHTSA has opened a preliminary evaluation based on three reports of fires in the doors of the 2006 model year CR-V vehicles," said Honda in a statement. "Honda will fully cooperate with NHTSA once they begin the investigation."

Jeep Compass replacement to be produce in Italy (IT)

Chrysler and Fiat will be investing more than $1.3bn into Fiat’s dated Mirafiori plant as part of a joint venture.

The factory will be assembling future Jeep and Alfa Romeo models – including replacements for the Compass & Patriot compact SUVs — for international distribution, starting in late 2012.

Fiat said the plan is to bring "a new platform from the U.S. to produce cars and SUVs for the Jeep and Alfa Romeo brands."

Those models will include the midsize Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan and wagon, replacing the 159 and will be sold in both Europe and North America. Mirafiori also will construct compact premium SUVs for Alfa and Jeep. Alfa Romeo is aiming at the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes GLK.

These models will centre on a new Compact Wide platform, borrowed from Fiat's Compact platform, which underpins the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. The Compact Wide architecture is currently being equally engineered in Italy and North America.

The Mirafiori assembly plant currently manufactures a verity of vehicles, from the Fiat Multipla to the Alfa Romeo MiTo. Its annual capacity will be increased from 250,000 to 280,000 units.

Volvo recalls 6,046 S60, S80, XC60 and XC70 models (U.S)

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Volvo is calling back 6,046 2011 S60, S80, XC60 and XC70 vehicles because of unexpected engine stalling.

"The software calibration for the fuel cutoff functionality in the engine control module is too sensitive," said NHTSA. "Sudden engine stall could occur, increasing the risk of a crash."

Volvo clarified that the problem arises when the driver is braking "during city driving and/or releases the accelerator pedal."

"The engine idle speed may drop, resulting in a sudden engine stall without any prior warning," it said. "If this condition occurs, the transmission control unit will enter a temporary protection mode in order to prevent damage to the vehicle's transmission. When starting the vehicle again, the driver can operate the vehicle safely home or to an authorised Volvo repair facility, but may experience a louder than usual transmission and a harder gear engagement."

The recall is expected to begin on 10th December.

Mandrel Bent Exhaust Tubing.

I discussed in my last post about the implications because of installing an aftermarket sports exhaust system which are obviously great for your car. The performance of the exhaust system is mainly dependent upon its bent of tubing so first I will discuss what types of tubing you may find in the market. There are two types of bents. Crush Bent and Mandrel Bent. The later is much appreciated by the car enthusiasts however the crush bent is generally found in factory fitted exhaust systems of the cars. Making the story short, coming quickly to the merits and demerits of mandrel bent exhaust tubing.

Advantages:

As I said mandrel bent exhaust tubing is much appreciated by those who love to drag their cars beyond its limits. The reason is fair enough. Exhaust tubing with mandrel bent have an even diameter through out their piping system and due to this evenness, the gases produced in the engine bay easily pass through the system and outside the car without the restrictions as they have to face in crush bent exhaust tubing where the diameter of the inside becomes smaller and uneven as it is caused to "crinkle" by pressure bent.

Mandrel bent are similar to crush bend to the extent that they are also pressurized but an additional die is added which prevents the tubing to crinkle and hence the surface remains even. As a result, a constant circle allows a smooth flow of gases and better power and efficiency of the car. The mandrel bent are also adored because they also create the famous growling sound of the car which reflects the power of its engine.

Disadvantages:

The demerits of such type of exhaust tubing would definitely be the cost factor. Generally these type of sports exhaust system are more expensive than normal, factory fitted, stock exhaust system. Similarly an advantage of it can also be regarded as a disadvantage. i.e. the sound it produces. This sound can be disturbing for many "peace lovers" and can deem it as a mere "sound pollution". In the end, its not necessary that every car will compliment the mandrel bent exhaust tubing (system). Some power loss has been observed in the cars and apparently the exhaust system did not work as it was suppose to. So car keeping in mind the engine's specifications are necessary otherwise all your hard work and wealth will go in vain.

Cars and sexy girl BMW, LAMBOGHINI, MERCERDES....(part 11)

Above left looks like an old Chevrolet Impala, and a new Volkswagen Bug in the center. A Fast and the Furious looking Toyota on the top right. And a country girl ready for the mountains directly above. Pretty women and fast cool cars like the Chevrolet Corvette, Ford Mustang GT, SVT Cobra, Saleen, Roush, S7, Shelby GT500, GT40, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Lotus, BMW, Honda, Acura, Lexus, Bugatti, Mercedes Benz, Cadillac, Yukon, Chrysler, Dodge Hemi, Audi, Bentley, Fiat, Infiniti, Jaguar, Porsche, Mazda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Subaru, Saab, VW, Land Rover, Hummer, Classic American muscle cars, Antique vehicles, Street Rods, Low-riders, 4X4's, SUV's, Motorcycles, like Harley Davidson, Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, Buell, Triumph, BMW, limousines, and other luxury sedans, look so good together, not to mention so many other vehicles that beautiful women can be posed with to make a nice picture.

Cars and sexy girl BMW, LAMBOGHINI, MERCERDES....(part 10)

Cars and sexy girl BMW, LAMBOGHINI, MERCERDES....(part 09)

Top row is a Mercedes SLK 230, second row is a Plymouth Prowler, and above is a 911 Porsche, and on the right column is a Ford Mustang convertible, some very cool cars, and beautiful women.