The Mini Cooper Countryman is the only small car to earn a good rating among the latest group of 12 small cars subjected to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s small overlap front crash test.
Two electric models and a hybrid are in the mix, with varied results. The electric-powered Chevrolet Volt (with a gasoline engine “range extender”) earns an acceptable rating, while its battery-electric rival, the Nissan Leaf, earns a poor rating. The Ford C-Max Hybrid, a small four-door wagon, earns an acceptable rating. Another small four-door wagon, the gasoline-powered Mazda 5, is rated poor.
Industry leaders attending the first Smart China Expo (SCE 2018) in China’s western city of Chongqing have articulated a new vision for how the world’s digital economy will evolve at the event’s Global Digital Economy Summit, a forum that brought together 650 participants under the theme “New Digital Economy, New Growth Engine.” Speakers projected a future in which Big Data reshapes the way businesses and governments operate, cooperate, and compete.
New forces being unleashed by current innovations threaten to disrupt the existing economic growth models of many industries, as digital information will rise to the same status as land and capital as a key element of productivity. Meanwhile, governments around the world are building “smart infrastructure” as they seek to use technology to upgrade power grids, railways, ports and toll roads, and seek to integrate everything. Big Data technology also helps build “smart cities,” boost consumption, and improve social welfare programs ranging from education to philanthropy to healthcare.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8389751-smart-china-expo-sce-2018/
Lake Research Partners and Bellwether Research and Consulting recently released a new national poll sponsored by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) that finds likely 2016 voters have widespread and serious concerns about ethanol’s unintended consequences—including damage to engines, land conversion and food prices.
“Voters across party lines express grave concerns for the impacts of the corn ethanol mandate from the Renewable Fuel Standard that touch many parts of their lives from the cars they drive to the food they buy,” said Celinda Lake, president of Lake Research Partners. “They strongly support bi-partisan proposals that would reduce the impact of corn ethanol, and particularly support the Environmental Protection Agency reducing the amount of corn ethanol required by law.”
As the EPA recently closed the comment period on its proposed ethanol volumes for 2014, 2015 and 2016, the poll also shows that 67 percent of people favor the agency setting ethanol volumes below what is required by law, with 68 percent of Democrats and 71 percent of Republicans supporting volumes lower than the statute.
To view the multimedia release go to: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7576751-ama-national-ethanol-voter-poll/
2017 Renault Zoe
Renault has introduced a new Z.E. 40 battery for ZOE. At the same, ZOE owners can benefit from a range of new connected services and equipment upgrades. Order books for the new ZOE line-up are open. The new ZOEs fitted with the new Z.E. 40 battery are made at Renault's Flins plant in France and will be available for delivery before the end of 2016.
Double the range for even longer journeys
As the pioneer of all-electric mobility and Europe's number one seller of electric vehicles, Renault has stepped up its innovation programme and the deployment of its Zero Emissions strategy.
Fitted with the new Z.E. 40 battery, the Renault ZOE now delivers a record NEDC driving range of 400km, which is twice the distance delivered by the model at the time of its original launch.
The new Z.E. 40 battery has a real-world range of 300 kilometres in urban or suburban areas, for example.
The range permitted today by the ZOE is the longest of any mainstream all-electric vehicle and motorists can take advantage of this step forward now.
The ZOE is the best-selling electric vehicle in Europe and provides a real alternative to internal combustion-engine cars, since average daily commuting distances are well within the ZOE's capabilities.
The new battery removes the final psychological barrier that stands in the way of buying an electric car since ZOE users can now travel further and enjoy a wider variety of driving situations without worry about charging. This makes weekend trips a real possibility.
The Z.E. 40 battery's charging rate is similar to that of the standard battery, so 'topping up' doesn't take long at all. For example, just 30 minutes are required on average to charge the battery for an extra 80 kilometres of driving range when plugged into one of the many public charging points in operation in Europe. The ZOE continues to be equipped with the Quick Charge function to take full advantage of the maximum capacity of fast charging points located predominantly along motorway corridors.
An innovation that doubles battery capacity with no increase in size
The ZOE's new Z.E. 40 battery boasts 41kWh of useful energy, equivalent to almost double the storage capacity of the ZOE's standard battery (22kWh of useful energy).
Developed in close partnership with LG Chem, the battery uses high-energy density lithium-ion technology.
Renault and LG engineers have succeeded in increasing storage capacity without making the battery any bigger or a lot heavier. It was optimised by working on the chemistry of the cells in order to increase their energy density, rather than stacking additional battery modules, a commonly used technique.
This major new technology has been developed while ensuring the battery's reliability or safety.
The battery's large storage capacity ensures longer range for the ZOE thanks to the meticulous work that went into integrating the battery in the vehicle. The electronic management system of the battery optimises the ZOE's energy use on the move, while the new air circulation system maintains the temperature of the ZOE's battery at a constant level, making the car economical to run in very hot or very cold weather.
Consistent, reliable starting, smart load sensing technology, fuel protection and fuel savings are hallmarks of a new 27-gross hp1 Briggs & Stratton Commercial Series Engines with electronic fuel injection (EFI) now available on Simplicity’s Prestige garden tractor. Available at Simplicity dealers this spring, EFI brings several added benefits to a garden tractor model already known for its impressive power, performance and reliability.
“The new Commercial Series V-twin engine with EFI provides more reliable starting,” says Ryan Fredrickson, product manager for consumer rides, Briggs & Stratton Turf & Consumer Products. “Hot or cold, regardless of conditions, the addition of electronic fuel injection offers car-like starting. And because it uses a closed fuel system, EFI helps preserve the fuel, preventing it from going bad and reducing starting issues.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8092851-briggs-and-stratton-electronic-fuel-injection-simplicity-prestige-garden-tractor/
On American roads ethanol is saving consumers money at the pump and improving overall engine performance. In 2011, the use of ethanol helped reduce the average price of gas by $1.09 saving American families $1,200 over the year. Additionally, as a high octane additive, ethanol helps car engines run cleaner and reduces engine knock and pinging.
LEARN MORE: http://www.mnbiofuels.org/
John Deere launches the Easy Change™ 30-Second Oil Change System for quick and easy oil changes on select lawn tractors. With the new system, owners can change oil by simply twisting on a new cartridge that contains both the oil and the filter – no engine oil drainage needed. This revolutionary technology makes changing the engine oil easy, quick, and clean. Changing the filter removes the captured contaminants and replaces about 0.8 qt (0.76 L) of the engine oil.
This integrated system is exclusive to John Deere and reduces the skill and effort traditionally required for oil changes – no fuss, no mess. There is no draining required, and it takes one quarter turn to remove the old cartridge and another quarter turn to install a new cartridge. This makes is easy for nearly anyone to change the oil in their lawn tractor, empowering more owners to take tractor maintenance into their own hands.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8261651-john-deere-easy-change-30-second-oil-change-system/
Renault ZOE is the first car to be designed as an all-electric model. A city car ideal for everyday use, it boasts the latest technology. Renault ZOE ships with six world firsts, designed to make it an easy-to-drive connected car with significant range. Revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in 2012, Renault ZOE will be available in three versions (Life, Zen and Intens) at end-2012.
Driving Renault ZOE is a new and enjoyable automotive experience. The wound rotor synchronous electric motor develops 65 kW with maximum torque of 220 Nm delivered instantly. ZOE combines strong acceleration and pick-up from the lowest engine speeds with a range of 210 km over an NEDC cycle.
// Renault ZOE est la première voiture conçue pour être 100 % électrique et idéale pour les usages quotidiens. Cette citadine intègre la technologie la plus avancée à travers six premières mondiales au service de la simplicité d'utilisation, de l'autonomie et de la connectivité. Révélée au salon de Genève 2012, Renault ZOE sera commercialisée dans trois versions différentes (Life, Zen et Intens) fin 2012.
Conduire Renault ZOE est une nouvelle expérience automobile, source de plaisirs. Le moteur électrique synchrone à rotor bobiné d'une puissance de 65 kW délivre instantanément un couple maximum de 220 Nm. Les accélérations et les reprises sont franches dès les bas régimes. Elle affiche par ailleurs, une autonomie de 210 km en cycle NEDC.
Messe Frankfurt looks back on a 45-year-long tradition of success in the automotive industry and takes this opportunity to thank its long-term and loyal exhibitors. It has come up with something special for this occasion: the artist and photographer Rafael Neff has converted several customer products into theme worlds that are featured in the 2016 Automechanika calendar: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG, BBS GmbH, Brembo S.p.A., Continental Aftermarket GmbH,Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH,Hella KGaA Hueck & Co, Johnson Controls Autobatterie GmbH & Co. KGaA, Liqui Moly GmbH, Mahle GmbH, MANN+HUMMEL GmbH, RECARO Automotive Ltd. & Co. KG, Schaeffler AG, ZF Friedrichshafen AG. The high-quality calendar was presented at the ‘We say THANKS’ ceremony in the Klassikstadt Frankfurt, to which Messe Frankfurt issued an invitation.
Automechanika is certainly the most exciting success story in 45 years. The story began in 1971 with the first Automechanika in Frankfurt, which was christened when the IAA was cancelled. In subsequent years, the trade fair has made outstanding progress, advancing to the world’s leading trade fair, which is now held in fifteen locations worldwide. In the meantime, Messe Frankfurt is also organising a series of new B2B trade fairs for trucking and logistics and B2C events for automobiles, bikes, and boats.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7668651-messe-frankfurt-expands-logistics-sectors/
Iceland, known for its welcoming spirit has today launched a unique internet service with a difference; Ask Guðmundur, the world’s first human search engine.
The decidedly Icelandic and truly personable service will see special representatives from each of Iceland’s seven regions offer their insider knowledge to the world via Inspired By Iceland’s social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook and YouTube). Each representative shares the name Guðmundur or Guðmunda, currently one of the most popular forenames in the country with over 4,000 men and women claiming it as their own.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7512351-ask-guomundur-human-search-engine/
Months of speculation ended today after Volvo Cars unveiled its all-new Volvo XC90, delivering on its promise to introduce a visually striking, premium quality seven seat SUV with world leading safety features, new powertrain technologies, an unrivalled combination of power and fuel efficiency and a superlative interior finish.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7276259-volvo-XC90-world-premiere/
http://www.osv.ltd.uk/jaguar.php The Jaguar XK is a car with an impeccable pedigree, fantastic looks and an engine that looks and sounds sublime. It just so happens that the Jaguar XK is a real pleasure to drive as well. This is achieved with the help of a clever automatic gearbox and Jaguar’s all-singing, all-dancing Active Dynamics system....See more http://www.osv.ltd.uk/jaguar.php
