"Greener" engines are on the way in Formula One, which could be enough to lure Volkswagen, while Renault has reverted to being only an engine supplier in the sport, and there's double vision on Lotus
Turbos -- and fuel efficiency -- in from 2013
Another car manufacturer is out of Formula One as a team entrant, but an even bigger one finally may be enticed to enter -- by the introduction of "green" engines from 2013.
The Volkswagen group has been party to the framing of the new regulations from that year and its motorsport adviser, German former F1 driver Hans-Joachim Stuck, is delighted with them.
This is sure to increase anticipation that VW will enter F1 [Formula 3 car pictured], using either the Audi or Porsche brands. In any case, it may stop short of outright team ownership, perhaps preferring to be purely an engine supplier.
That is what Renault has reverted to, although its name will remain -- for now at least -- on what has been its team in recent years.
F1 has lost BMW, Honda and Toyota in the past couple of years and would welcome another manufacturer, especially VW.
The 2013 engine rules announced in recent days stipulate 1.6-litre, four-cylinder turbos, with fuel efficiency targeted to increase by 35 per cent.
There are plans for advanced "compound" turbos to be introduced in later years and for the power of kinetic energy recovery systems (KERS) to increase from 60kW when reintroduced next year to 120kW in 2013.
The new engines will not do more than 12,000 revs per minute, compared with the existing normally-aspirated V8s that spin at 18,000rpm.
Ferrari is not happy about the new engine rules -- it wanted 1.8-litre V6s if they had to be turbos.
And F1 commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone wanted to stick with the existing 2.4-litre normally-aspirated V8s.
Among other changes from next year will be the introduction of moveable rear wings in the hope of producing more overtaking -- they will be activated when one car is within a second of another in front of it.
And the written ban on "team orders" has been abolished, although there is still scope for penalties under a clause that forbids "any fraudulent conduct or any act prejudicial to the interests of any competition, or to the interests of motorsport generally".
Ferrari, historically the main user of "team orders", is delighted at the development.
"Finally, we have said goodbye to this pointless hypocrisy. For us, F1 is a team sport. We've always maintained that it should be treated as such," Ferrari team chief Stefano Domenicali said.
British F1 telecaster the BBC's website has kept a close tab on the formulation of the new rules and has a comprehensive wrap on them here, making the point that the changes are "an attempt to mirror the trend towards fuel-efficiency in road cars and to popularise it, increasing public demand for such engines".
However, it does not mention what we understand to be the new limits on the number of engines drivers will be allowed -- five in 2013 and four beyond that, compared with eight this year.
VW has hinted for some time at entering F1 as either an engine supplier or team entrant if a "world engine" was introduced -- and it now seems the way is clear for it from 2013.
European reports suggest an announcement could come even before the start of next season.
"We are delighted and welcome this decision -- this is not just great for F1, but for the whole of motorsport and will push it in right way," Stuck told Motorsport-Total.
Audi's head of engine technology, Ullrich Baretzky, participated in the negotiations that preceded the engine announcement by the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA).
While Audi is seen in some quarters as the most likely VW brand to promote if the group decides on an F1 campaign, others see Porsche as more obvious.
Porsche's new chief, Matthias Mueller, has told the Westfalen Blatt newspaper: "F1 is a drivers' world championship, with the focus on the sponsors and the manufacturers only secondary. For us, this is a clear drawback. However, if the VW Group was interested, then Porsche would surely be the brand that would work best."
Now it's double vision on Lotus
The entry list for F1 next year has two Lotus teams -- the one that entered the sport this year bearing the legendary Team Lotus name and which didn't score a world championship point, and now Lotus Renault GP.
This is the former Benetton and Renault factory team in which European investment group Genii Capital already held an effectively controlling stake.
Genii now has Lotus Group, the sports car maker owned by Malaysia's Proton, as a partner and sponsor.
This team will field its cars in the black and gold colours that Lotus sported during the days of the John Player tobacco sponsorship.
Team Lotus had also intended running in black and gold next season but instead has decided to stick to green and yellow -- the original Lotus colours, and which team principal Tony Fernandes claims will be more appropriate in view of F1's move towards "green" engines.
Both teams will use Renault engines, as will Red Bull Racing again.
There is a lot of angst already between the two Lotus teams -- and concern on the part of David Hunt, brother of late 1976 world champion James Hunt and who held the rights to the Team Lotus name for years until selling it to Fernandes.
Webber made for Ferrari, says Ecclestone
We're pretty certain Mark Webber will remain with Red Bull Racing next season, as he is contracted, but yet again his name has been linked to Ferrari -- this time by Bernie Ecclestone.
The F1 supremo has said, curiously, in the foreword to the Official Formula 1 Season Review 2010, that the Australian is the kind of driver the Old Man -- the late Enzo Ferrari -- would have approved of, and that he could have been world champion given the right machinery in the past.
"Had Webber been in a good car five years ago, maybe he would have been world champion five years ago," Ecclestone said.
"I think he's a Ferrari driver as he's got the sort of character the Old Man would have liked."
Piquets winners in 'Crashgate' case
Renault has apologised in to Brazilian triple world champion Nelson Piquet and his son, Nelson Junior, who drove for the manufacturer for 18 months, over claims in the infamous "Crashgate" affair that the pair had made up allegations against its team.
Renault has paid a six-figure sum in costs and libel damages.
In a press release issued in September last year Renault accused Piquet Junior and his father of concocting the allegation that the driver had caused a deliberate accident at the 2008 Singapore GP to benefit his teammate, Fernando Alonso.
Renault has now accepted that the allegations "were wholly untrue and unfounded" and withdrawn them "unequivocally".
Former Renault team boss Flavio Briatore was effectively banned from motorsport for life at "Crashgate" but that ruling was overturned last year by a French court and he was in the paddock at several GPs this year.
And in the V8 Supercar off-season...
On the V8 Supercar front:
>> New champion James Courtney's switch from Dick Johnson/Jim Beam Racing to Toll Holden Racing is expected to be confirmed sooner rather than later, although it may be delayed a little by the death of Holden Special Vehicles boss Tom Walkinshaw in Britain overnight.
>> Under the headline 'What a waste: how NSW blew $2m a day', Sydney's Sun-Herald newspaper reported yesterday that "$10 million (was) dropped on the bungled handling of the V8 Supercars contract (for the Sydney Telstra 500 at Homebush) by former minister Ian Macdonald", see here
>> In New Zealand, the Waikato Times has reported, under the headline '$27 million shock for ratepayers', that the staging the Hamilton 400 over the last three years has cost more than double the amount previously understood, see here
>> And The Australian newspaper today reports extensively on V8 Supercar chief Tony Cochrane's views on the sport's TV future, including some rounds perhaps going to secondary digital channels, see here
Variety the little spice in little field
A disappointing entry for the first Eastern Creek Eight-Hour production car race at the weekend, with only 15 starters and eight finishers -- but five different makes of car in the top five.
Jim Hunter, Barton Mawer and Gavin Bullas won in a Subaru WRX STi, completing 249 laps of the Sydney circuit.
Second was the BMW 335i driven by Barry Morcom, Nathan Morcom and Garry Holt.
The pace-setting Mitsubishi Lancers had reliability issues, with all three of Bob Pearson's Pro-Duct Motorsport Lancers retiring with fuel leaks.
The Lancer driven by Glenn Seton and Neil Crompton spectacularly caught fire in the fifth hour.
However, Tony and Klark Quinn claimed third place in their Lancer after leading most of the first 175 laps before a long delay when the car refused to fire after a pitstop.
The Terry Conroy, Bob Hughes, Gerry Burges Honda Intergra Type R finished fourth, ahead of the Richard Gartner, Francious Jouy, Ken Booker, Carl Schembri Renault Clio 197.
Speed sees red over sacking
American driver Scott Speed is suing Red Bull for US$6.5 million after it cut him from its NASCAR campaign.
Speed, who drove for the energy drink maker in F1 before taking up stock car racing, is bitter that his deal was severed after it was extended for next season. However, his results hardly warranted him being retained.
SceneDaily reports on the dispute here
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Thứ Hai, 26 tháng 3, 2012
Opel decision imminent: Holden
General Motors' Australian division prepares for the German brand's arrival
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A decision on the return of Opel cars to Australia is imminent, according to Holden boss Mike Devereux.
He told a media gathering in Melbourne on Friday that Holden was in daily and weekly negotiations with the German-based General Motors brand.
An introduction date has not been set but the Carsales Network understands that Opel cars will be in Australia in 2012.
"There is no secret that we are talking to Opel about bringing to Opel to Austalia," said Devereux, "and we continue to talk to them to make sure that if we end up doing it, we make a smart business decision for GM and for Holden. We will make a decision pretty quickly one way or the other."
He again confirmed that Opel cars would not wear Holden badges -- as they did last time -- and would be priced to take-on other European rivals. The Carsales Network also understands that Opel wants to keep the high performance OPC models for itself, rather than badge them as HSV models, as was the case with the Astra VXR.
"Opel would definitely be positioned above Holden, right smack dab at VW," Devereux said.
The Holden boss would not be drawn on whether Holden dealers or stand-alone dealers would be appointed. "I have no comment on how we would go to market," he said.
Devereux's most recent comments mark a stark turnaround in attitude from Holden towards the Opel brand's re-introduction. When Opel boss Nick Reilly told journalists in October that Australia was part of a global export push for the brand, the announcement was initially met with a lukewarm reception. Holden already has mapped out its small-car future with budget-priced, Korean-made vehicles.
"We're talking with them every week, sometimes every day," Devereux said. "We're trying to figure out what the best course is. If we do this we're going to do it right."
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A decision on the return of Opel cars to Australia is imminent, according to Holden boss Mike Devereux.
He told a media gathering in Melbourne on Friday that Holden was in daily and weekly negotiations with the German-based General Motors brand.
An introduction date has not been set but the Carsales Network understands that Opel cars will be in Australia in 2012.
"There is no secret that we are talking to Opel about bringing to Opel to Austalia," said Devereux, "and we continue to talk to them to make sure that if we end up doing it, we make a smart business decision for GM and for Holden. We will make a decision pretty quickly one way or the other."
He again confirmed that Opel cars would not wear Holden badges -- as they did last time -- and would be priced to take-on other European rivals. The Carsales Network also understands that Opel wants to keep the high performance OPC models for itself, rather than badge them as HSV models, as was the case with the Astra VXR.
"Opel would definitely be positioned above Holden, right smack dab at VW," Devereux said.
The Holden boss would not be drawn on whether Holden dealers or stand-alone dealers would be appointed. "I have no comment on how we would go to market," he said.
Devereux's most recent comments mark a stark turnaround in attitude from Holden towards the Opel brand's re-introduction. When Opel boss Nick Reilly told journalists in October that Australia was part of a global export push for the brand, the announcement was initially met with a lukewarm reception. Holden already has mapped out its small-car future with budget-priced, Korean-made vehicles.
"We're talking with them every week, sometimes every day," Devereux said. "We're trying to figure out what the best course is. If we do this we're going to do it right."
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Thứ Sáu, 23 tháng 3, 2012
Caterham pricing does the timewarp
Strong Aussie dollar sees Caterham pricing return to 1997
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Caterham has shaved thousands of dollars from every model in the range with pricing now at levels not seen since 1997, thanks to the Australian Dollar currently performing well against the British Pound.
Caterham, Britain's second largest and second oldest car games company after Morgan, will offer its entry-level Caterham Seven Roadsport SV 120 for less than $60,000 drive-away -- a reduction of over $10,000 from last year's sticker price.
Technically speaking, the Caterham range has changed little from the proven formula with the Superlight SV R300 the only model to receive significant upgrades.
For 2011 the track-ready Superlight adds a limited slip differential, dry sump lubrication system, tonneau cover, carbon fibre front guards, aero whisker, track day roll-over bar and battery isolation switch to the already impressive package.
Incidentally, the entire Caterham range is now Euro 5 compliant.
2011 Caterham pricing:
Roadsport SV 120 $54,480 (reduced by 16.1 per cent)
Roadsport SV 175 $73,510 (reduced by 11.4 per cent)
Superlight SV R300 $85,355 (reduced by 7.8 per cent)
CSR 175 $85,435 (reduced by 10.6 per cent)
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discount new cars » Get the best price on a new Caterham
Caterham has shaved thousands of dollars from every model in the range with pricing now at levels not seen since 1997, thanks to the Australian Dollar currently performing well against the British Pound.
Caterham, Britain's second largest and second oldest car games company after Morgan, will offer its entry-level Caterham Seven Roadsport SV 120 for less than $60,000 drive-away -- a reduction of over $10,000 from last year's sticker price.
Technically speaking, the Caterham range has changed little from the proven formula with the Superlight SV R300 the only model to receive significant upgrades.
For 2011 the track-ready Superlight adds a limited slip differential, dry sump lubrication system, tonneau cover, carbon fibre front guards, aero whisker, track day roll-over bar and battery isolation switch to the already impressive package.
Incidentally, the entire Caterham range is now Euro 5 compliant.
2011 Caterham pricing:
Roadsport SV 120 $54,480 (reduced by 16.1 per cent)
Roadsport SV 175 $73,510 (reduced by 11.4 per cent)
Superlight SV R300 $85,355 (reduced by 7.8 per cent)
CSR 175 $85,435 (reduced by 10.6 per cent)
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the carsales mobile site
Detroit: Chrysler 300 to get new ZF 8-speed auto by year's end
Chrysler's US manufacturing deal for ZF's new transmission bears its first fruit
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Chrysler has unveiled its new 300 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, as we reported earlier this week. But there was one element missing -- the ZF eight-speed automatic transmission Chrysler contracted to source from the German specialist. Buyers of the new 300 will need to wait six months for the eight-speed box, which is being built in the US and will roll out in the Chrysler before year's end.
The deal was worked out between Chrysler and ZF six months ago -- not soon enough for the transmission to be ready for the introduction of the new Chrysler. As it is, the updated 300 has gone to market with the five-speed inherited from the car it supersedes. But on Chrysler's press day at the Detroit show, CEO Olivier Francois said the car will get the new transmission late in 2011. No mention of whether it will come standard or optional, or with which of the three engines -- V8 and V6 petrol and V6 diesel -- it will be offered.
What Francois did say is that the box should make the 300 good for 30 mpg (7.8L/100 km) on the highway cycle.
ZF released the 8HP70 eight-speed auto in 2010 as successor to the six-speed that has dominated the market since 2001. That unit has found its way into millions of vehicles over the decade, most notably high-end Ford product from Aston Martins and Jaguars. Eventually it trickled down locally into high-spec Falcons. Jaguar, now owned by Indian company Tata, has retained it for the new-generation 2010 XJ, but will undoubtedly shift to the eight-speed in time.
The new unit is already in upper-end BMWs, Rolls Royce's upcoming Ghost and Bentley's new Mulsanne. With its potential to deliver mass-market economies of scale, Chrysler's announcement points to a far quicker run downmarket for the eight-speed unit than its six-speed predecessor.
ZF has designed the eight-speed for longevity by maximising its flexibility in accommodating multiple powertrain types. A modular housing allows auto makers to install a torque converter for conventional petrol and diesel engines or electric motors for micro, mild or full hybrid options.
The two extra speeds serve both to pull the ratios closer together and to extend the top ratio by about 15 per cent for better highway cycle fuel economy. ZF designed it to minimise its moving components, helping reduce energy dissipation and slicken up shifts.
At the time of its release, the German manufacturer claimed it reduces fuel consumption by an average six per cent in a conventional petrol or diesel engine, and as much as 25 per cent in hybrid powertrains.
The transmission and the home turf production deal play a critical role in Chrysler's bid to cut overall corporate fuel consumption by more than 25 per cent by 2014. It also opens the door to myriad tax break opportunities from the Indiana city of Kokomo, where the plant is located.
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...
discount new cars » Get the best price on a new Chrysler
Chrysler has unveiled its new 300 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, as we reported earlier this week. But there was one element missing -- the ZF eight-speed automatic transmission Chrysler contracted to source from the German specialist. Buyers of the new 300 will need to wait six months for the eight-speed box, which is being built in the US and will roll out in the Chrysler before year's end.
The deal was worked out between Chrysler and ZF six months ago -- not soon enough for the transmission to be ready for the introduction of the new Chrysler. As it is, the updated 300 has gone to market with the five-speed inherited from the car it supersedes. But on Chrysler's press day at the Detroit show, CEO Olivier Francois said the car will get the new transmission late in 2011. No mention of whether it will come standard or optional, or with which of the three engines -- V8 and V6 petrol and V6 diesel -- it will be offered.
What Francois did say is that the box should make the 300 good for 30 mpg (7.8L/100 km) on the highway cycle.
ZF released the 8HP70 eight-speed auto in 2010 as successor to the six-speed that has dominated the market since 2001. That unit has found its way into millions of vehicles over the decade, most notably high-end Ford product from Aston Martins and Jaguars. Eventually it trickled down locally into high-spec Falcons. Jaguar, now owned by Indian company Tata, has retained it for the new-generation 2010 XJ, but will undoubtedly shift to the eight-speed in time.
The new unit is already in upper-end BMWs, Rolls Royce's upcoming Ghost and Bentley's new Mulsanne. With its potential to deliver mass-market economies of scale, Chrysler's announcement points to a far quicker run downmarket for the eight-speed unit than its six-speed predecessor.
ZF has designed the eight-speed for longevity by maximising its flexibility in accommodating multiple powertrain types. A modular housing allows auto makers to install a torque converter for conventional petrol and diesel engines or electric motors for micro, mild or full hybrid options.
The two extra speeds serve both to pull the ratios closer together and to extend the top ratio by about 15 per cent for better highway cycle fuel economy. ZF designed it to minimise its moving components, helping reduce energy dissipation and slicken up shifts.
At the time of its release, the German manufacturer claimed it reduces fuel consumption by an average six per cent in a conventional petrol or diesel engine, and as much as 25 per cent in hybrid powertrains.
The transmission and the home turf production deal play a critical role in Chrysler's bid to cut overall corporate fuel consumption by more than 25 per cent by 2014. It also opens the door to myriad tax break opportunities from the Indiana city of Kokomo, where the plant is located.
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...
Australian factory that turns rubbish into petrol will be world's first
Holden-Caltex facility inches closer to reality, but is still at least four years away
The Melbourne factory that will do the automotive equivalent of turning water into wine -- turn household waste into fuel-grade ethanol -- will be a world first if it gets the go-ahead.
The Australia consortium which includes the Victorian government, fuel company Caltex, car maker Holden and waste management company Veolia, is expected to take another year to raise the required capital -- said to be close to $400 million. The factory itself will then take a further three years to complete construction.
But, despite the high cost and long lead time, officials representing the project told Australian journalists in Detroit overnight that the Australian factory -- to be built on the outskirts of Melbourne at a location that is yet to be determined -- will be the first ethanol refinery of its type in the world.
Although there are two ethanol factories in North America that use similar technology -- with a third to be built in the coming years -- they are primarily powered by woodchips and other biomass. The Australian plant, however, will primarily be fuelled by household and municipal waste, from nappies to old car tyres, the first to do so in commercial quantities.
The new Australian joint venture factory plans to produce 200 million litres of ethanol annually from trash. The other three main ethanol factories in Australia, which derive the fuel additive from sugarcane, produce about 400 million litres annually, or about 2.2 per cent of Australia's fuel supply.
North American biofuel specialist Coskata, which invented the technology and is a lead partner in the Australian factory, says its revolutionary method of turning waste into ethanol is at least three times more effective than burning sugarcane to create the fuel additive.
A tonne of sugarcane crop waste typically produces about 85 litres of ethanol, according to figures supplied by the Shell oil company in Brazil, one of the world's biggest producers of ethanol. But Coskata says one tonne of municipal waste typically produces between 320 and 400 litres of ethanol, depending on the quality of the waste.
"When you make ethanol from sugarcane, you're only extracting the cellulose, the sugar, which at best is half of the crop," said Wes Bolsen, the vice president of Coskata based in Chicago, and a bio-fuels consultant to the White House. "But when we make ethanol from biomass or waste, we take the lot because we want the carbon, so we get a much bigger return from what we burn. That's what's so exciting about this technology."
Bolsen also said the Coskata process was much cheaper than creating ethanol from sugarcane.
"Our entire ethanol production cost is equal to or only slightly more than the cost to just get the sugars in some cases," he said. "It costs about 25 cents per litre just to extract the cellulose from sugarcane, not including all the other processes that have to take place afterwards. With our system, it costs between 25 and 40 cents to do the whole process. That's total cost, maintenance, everything, top to bottom."
He said the cost to produce ethanol could be even cheaper in Australia because the factory will get paid to take the municipal waste.
"In North America, we pay for the wood chips, but the brilliant part about the Australian factory is that it will get paid to take the waste, so that also brings the cost down."
In an attempt to increase ethanol production in Australia, the Federal Government has waived the 38 cents a litre fuel excise on ethanol while producers get established, but it is unclear how long this exemption will remain.
While E10 fuel -- regular unleaded blended with ethanol -- has been rolled out across Australia in recent years, oil company Caltex is in the process of installing up to 100 pumps across Australia that can dispense E85 fuel -- regular unleaded petrol that's been mixed with between 70 and 85 per cent ethanol (depending on the season). Until recently, there were fewer than 10 pumps across Australia dispensing E85.
For now, though, in Australia only a handful of cars are able to run on E85.
Swedish car maker Saab has had "Bio Power" E85 models available since 2008 (the 9-5 sedan and wagon with a 2.3 turbo engine, and the 9-3 sedan, wagon and convertible with the 2.0 turbo engine).
Since late 2009, the Dodge Journey 2.7 V6 people mover and Chrysler Sebring 2.7 V6 convertible have been able to run on E85 (as identified by their yellow fuel caps). The new Dodge Caliber small sedan and Jeep Grand Cherokee 4WD, both due later this year, are also expected to run on E85.
And on models made since October 2010, the Holden Commodore 3.0 V6 and 6.0 V8 -- in sedan, ute or wagon guise -- have been able to run on E85.
E85 cars are still able to run on regular unleaded, E10 and premium unleaded -- or any combination of the above, including any E85 that may be swilling around in the tank -- because the car's engine management computer constantly monitors the quality of fuel going through the system, and makes adjustments accordingly.
But E85 should not be used in cars not specially designed for it, and it is difficult to retro-fit the technology.
Holden's E85 expert Richard Marshall says: "[E85] won't cause an immediate engine failure like putting petrol in a diesel car would, but it is certainly not good. E85 in a car not prepared for it will damage the fuel system because the material is not compatible and, ultimately, the fuel pump and its ancillaries will fail. The hardware in the engine won't be harmed but the engine will run very rough, especially on a cold morning. If you accidentally put E85 in a car not prepared for it you will notice a rough idle. Stop the engine and drain the tank."
A statement from Caltex says: "At this stage, very few cars on Australian roads are capable of running on high ethanol blend fuels like [E85]. This fuel is not suitable for use in any motor vehicles other than those designed or modified specifically to use it. Caltex only endorses the use of Bio E-Flex in vehicles originally manufactured to use fuels containing up to 85 per cent ethanol."
There is one other issue with E85 -- the car will consume 33 per cent more fuel than when running on regular unleaded because, although it has a higher octane rating, ethanol has less energy density.
But, Holden says, there are environmental benefits: C02 tailpipe emissions are reduced by between 2 and 10 per cent depending on driving style and the fuel mix.
Holden spokeswoman Emily Perry said the Australian consortium was in the process of looking at appropriate sites for the local Coskata factory, but it was too early to speculate the likely location.
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The Melbourne factory that will do the automotive equivalent of turning water into wine -- turn household waste into fuel-grade ethanol -- will be a world first if it gets the go-ahead.
The Australia consortium which includes the Victorian government, fuel company Caltex, car maker Holden and waste management company Veolia, is expected to take another year to raise the required capital -- said to be close to $400 million. The factory itself will then take a further three years to complete construction.
But, despite the high cost and long lead time, officials representing the project told Australian journalists in Detroit overnight that the Australian factory -- to be built on the outskirts of Melbourne at a location that is yet to be determined -- will be the first ethanol refinery of its type in the world.
Although there are two ethanol factories in North America that use similar technology -- with a third to be built in the coming years -- they are primarily powered by woodchips and other biomass. The Australian plant, however, will primarily be fuelled by household and municipal waste, from nappies to old car tyres, the first to do so in commercial quantities.
The new Australian joint venture factory plans to produce 200 million litres of ethanol annually from trash. The other three main ethanol factories in Australia, which derive the fuel additive from sugarcane, produce about 400 million litres annually, or about 2.2 per cent of Australia's fuel supply.
North American biofuel specialist Coskata, which invented the technology and is a lead partner in the Australian factory, says its revolutionary method of turning waste into ethanol is at least three times more effective than burning sugarcane to create the fuel additive.
A tonne of sugarcane crop waste typically produces about 85 litres of ethanol, according to figures supplied by the Shell oil company in Brazil, one of the world's biggest producers of ethanol. But Coskata says one tonne of municipal waste typically produces between 320 and 400 litres of ethanol, depending on the quality of the waste.
"When you make ethanol from sugarcane, you're only extracting the cellulose, the sugar, which at best is half of the crop," said Wes Bolsen, the vice president of Coskata based in Chicago, and a bio-fuels consultant to the White House. "But when we make ethanol from biomass or waste, we take the lot because we want the carbon, so we get a much bigger return from what we burn. That's what's so exciting about this technology."
Bolsen also said the Coskata process was much cheaper than creating ethanol from sugarcane.
"Our entire ethanol production cost is equal to or only slightly more than the cost to just get the sugars in some cases," he said. "It costs about 25 cents per litre just to extract the cellulose from sugarcane, not including all the other processes that have to take place afterwards. With our system, it costs between 25 and 40 cents to do the whole process. That's total cost, maintenance, everything, top to bottom."
He said the cost to produce ethanol could be even cheaper in Australia because the factory will get paid to take the municipal waste.
"In North America, we pay for the wood chips, but the brilliant part about the Australian factory is that it will get paid to take the waste, so that also brings the cost down."
In an attempt to increase ethanol production in Australia, the Federal Government has waived the 38 cents a litre fuel excise on ethanol while producers get established, but it is unclear how long this exemption will remain.
While E10 fuel -- regular unleaded blended with ethanol -- has been rolled out across Australia in recent years, oil company Caltex is in the process of installing up to 100 pumps across Australia that can dispense E85 fuel -- regular unleaded petrol that's been mixed with between 70 and 85 per cent ethanol (depending on the season). Until recently, there were fewer than 10 pumps across Australia dispensing E85.
For now, though, in Australia only a handful of cars are able to run on E85.
Swedish car maker Saab has had "Bio Power" E85 models available since 2008 (the 9-5 sedan and wagon with a 2.3 turbo engine, and the 9-3 sedan, wagon and convertible with the 2.0 turbo engine).
Since late 2009, the Dodge Journey 2.7 V6 people mover and Chrysler Sebring 2.7 V6 convertible have been able to run on E85 (as identified by their yellow fuel caps). The new Dodge Caliber small sedan and Jeep Grand Cherokee 4WD, both due later this year, are also expected to run on E85.
And on models made since October 2010, the Holden Commodore 3.0 V6 and 6.0 V8 -- in sedan, ute or wagon guise -- have been able to run on E85.
E85 cars are still able to run on regular unleaded, E10 and premium unleaded -- or any combination of the above, including any E85 that may be swilling around in the tank -- because the car's engine management computer constantly monitors the quality of fuel going through the system, and makes adjustments accordingly.
But E85 should not be used in cars not specially designed for it, and it is difficult to retro-fit the technology.
Holden's E85 expert Richard Marshall says: "[E85] won't cause an immediate engine failure like putting petrol in a diesel car would, but it is certainly not good. E85 in a car not prepared for it will damage the fuel system because the material is not compatible and, ultimately, the fuel pump and its ancillaries will fail. The hardware in the engine won't be harmed but the engine will run very rough, especially on a cold morning. If you accidentally put E85 in a car not prepared for it you will notice a rough idle. Stop the engine and drain the tank."
A statement from Caltex says: "At this stage, very few cars on Australian roads are capable of running on high ethanol blend fuels like [E85]. This fuel is not suitable for use in any motor vehicles other than those designed or modified specifically to use it. Caltex only endorses the use of Bio E-Flex in vehicles originally manufactured to use fuels containing up to 85 per cent ethanol."
There is one other issue with E85 -- the car will consume 33 per cent more fuel than when running on regular unleaded because, although it has a higher octane rating, ethanol has less energy density.
But, Holden says, there are environmental benefits: C02 tailpipe emissions are reduced by between 2 and 10 per cent depending on driving style and the fuel mix.
Holden spokeswoman Emily Perry said the Australian consortium was in the process of looking at appropriate sites for the local Coskata factory, but it was too early to speculate the likely location.
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Thứ Năm, 22 tháng 3, 2012
What's in the works for Optima?
Kia is considering a raft of new drivetrains for its mid-size sedan
discount new cars » Get the best price on a new Kia
There's an insatiable global demand for the new Kia Optima, we're told -- a demand barely slaked by the best efforts of the South Korean factory building the car. games
The ratio of demand to supply will balance out once the American market establishes its own plant in Georgia to manufacture the car. In the meantime, the one factory assembling the Optima is producing the cars at the fastest possible rate... and limited to one basic specification powered by the 2.4-litre Theta II direct-injected petrol engine for Australia.
Kia never planned for the Optima to be a one-trick pony, and according to National Public Relations Manager for Kia Australia, Kevin Hepworth, there's an opportunity begging for the Optima range to be expanded in the local market with a range of different drivetrains.
A new 2.0-litre 'NU' engine is to go into production in May or June, Hepworth told the Carsales Network during the promotional event for the new car.
"It would make a perfect fleet car [in the Optima]," he said, "but you have to get it [first]." It's not certain how long and hard Kia would pester the factory for such a variant -- with the low profit margins that go hand-in-hand with fleet vehicles.
Hepworth seemed more interested in the possibility of a turbocharged engine for the Optima. Hybrid power is a possibility too for the Australian market. Production of the petrol/electric Optima is due to commence in April and Kia will decide then whether the car will be engineered for right-hand drive application also -- which would leave the door open for the Optima Hybrid to reach Australia.
One version we're fairly unlikely to see here -- although it does exist -- is a diesel variant. As we reported earlier, there are two turbodiesel engines available for the Optima, one of which will be marketed in New Zealand. There's no automatic option to go with either diesel, which would limit the sales appeal of the compression-ignition Optima, and Hepworth was doubtful that either one (1.7 or 2.0-litre) would make it here. He also explained that Kia has set aside as much diesel output as it can currently spare for its SUVs. There's little left over for auto-driving right-hand drive markets that only import a handful a year.
For the handful of drivers willing to give the Optima a go with diesel power that's sad, because the torque of a 2.0-litre turbodiesel -- allied to the Optima's excellent six-speed automatic transmission if possible -- would elevate what is already an impressive car to a whole new level of competence.
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...
discount new cars » Get the best price on a new Kia
There's an insatiable global demand for the new Kia Optima, we're told -- a demand barely slaked by the best efforts of the South Korean factory building the car. games
The ratio of demand to supply will balance out once the American market establishes its own plant in Georgia to manufacture the car. In the meantime, the one factory assembling the Optima is producing the cars at the fastest possible rate... and limited to one basic specification powered by the 2.4-litre Theta II direct-injected petrol engine for Australia.
Kia never planned for the Optima to be a one-trick pony, and according to National Public Relations Manager for Kia Australia, Kevin Hepworth, there's an opportunity begging for the Optima range to be expanded in the local market with a range of different drivetrains.
A new 2.0-litre 'NU' engine is to go into production in May or June, Hepworth told the Carsales Network during the promotional event for the new car.
"It would make a perfect fleet car [in the Optima]," he said, "but you have to get it [first]." It's not certain how long and hard Kia would pester the factory for such a variant -- with the low profit margins that go hand-in-hand with fleet vehicles.
Hepworth seemed more interested in the possibility of a turbocharged engine for the Optima. Hybrid power is a possibility too for the Australian market. Production of the petrol/electric Optima is due to commence in April and Kia will decide then whether the car will be engineered for right-hand drive application also -- which would leave the door open for the Optima Hybrid to reach Australia.
One version we're fairly unlikely to see here -- although it does exist -- is a diesel variant. As we reported earlier, there are two turbodiesel engines available for the Optima, one of which will be marketed in New Zealand. There's no automatic option to go with either diesel, which would limit the sales appeal of the compression-ignition Optima, and Hepworth was doubtful that either one (1.7 or 2.0-litre) would make it here. He also explained that Kia has set aside as much diesel output as it can currently spare for its SUVs. There's little left over for auto-driving right-hand drive markets that only import a handful a year.
For the handful of drivers willing to give the Optima a go with diesel power that's sad, because the torque of a 2.0-litre turbodiesel -- allied to the Optima's excellent six-speed automatic transmission if possible -- would elevate what is already an impressive car to a whole new level of competence.
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...
First pics: Ferrari FF 'wagon'
Maranello confirms unveilling of its revolutionary concept model at upcoming Geneva Motor Show
prestige new cars » Get the best price on a new Ferrari
Ferrari first revealed its plans was to unveil a unique shooting brake model a fornight ago. Now comes confirmation from Maranello that a new GT sports car concept will indeed be unveiled at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.
Dubbed Ferrari FF -- an acronym for four seats and four-wheel drive – the all-new Pininfarina designed model represents a decisive break in tradition for the Italian sports car maker. Said to combine shattering supercar performance with incredible versatility, superb comfort and sophisticated elegance, FF features the company's first ever four-wheel drive system.
The in-house developed 4RM four-wheel drive system weighs 50 per cent less than conventional rivals' systems. According to Ferrari the new system has enabled the FF to offer perfect weight distribution (53 per cent over the rear axle).
4RM also integrates all of Ferrari FF's electronically-controlled dynamic systems -- including the latest magnetorheological damping system (SCM3) and Brembo ceramic brakes -- allowing it to adapt to "all terrains and all conditions" via continuous and intuitive torque distribution to all four wheels.
Powered by Ferrari's direct injection 6.3-litre (492kW/683Nm ) V12 engine, FF is mated exclusively to a transaxle dual-clutch F1 transmission for 0-100km/h times of just 3.7 seconds.
The new car also promises exceptional standards of passenger space, comfort, in-car spec and equipment -- comfortably accommodating four people and their luggage. FF boasts a 450-litre cargo capacity that is extendable to 800-litres with the rear seats flipped forward.
As with every model in the prancing horse range, FF will offer a vast array of personalisation options and accessories including six model-specific exterior colours and sumptuous interior trims.
The FF will make its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show (March 3 to 13) and is scheduled to arrive in Australia early in 2012, when full local pricing and specification will be announced.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Engine
Overall displacement: 6262cc
Cylinders: V12 (65-degree)
Power: 492kW @ 8000rpm
Torque: 683Nm @ 6000rpm
Dimensions and weight
Length: 4907mm
Width: 1953mm
Height: 1379mm
Weight: 1790kg (dry)
Weight distribution: 47:53 (front-to-rear)
Weight/power ratio: 2.7 kg/CV
Performance
Maximum speed: 335 km/h
0-100 km/h: 3.7 seconds
Fuel consumption: 15.4L/100km (combined)
CO2 emissions: 360g/km
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the carsales mobile site
prestige new cars » Get the best price on a new Ferrari
Ferrari first revealed its plans was to unveil a unique shooting brake model a fornight ago. Now comes confirmation from Maranello that a new GT sports car concept will indeed be unveiled at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.
Dubbed Ferrari FF -- an acronym for four seats and four-wheel drive – the all-new Pininfarina designed model represents a decisive break in tradition for the Italian sports car maker. Said to combine shattering supercar performance with incredible versatility, superb comfort and sophisticated elegance, FF features the company's first ever four-wheel drive system.
The in-house developed 4RM four-wheel drive system weighs 50 per cent less than conventional rivals' systems. According to Ferrari the new system has enabled the FF to offer perfect weight distribution (53 per cent over the rear axle).
4RM also integrates all of Ferrari FF's electronically-controlled dynamic systems -- including the latest magnetorheological damping system (SCM3) and Brembo ceramic brakes -- allowing it to adapt to "all terrains and all conditions" via continuous and intuitive torque distribution to all four wheels.
Powered by Ferrari's direct injection 6.3-litre (492kW/683Nm ) V12 engine, FF is mated exclusively to a transaxle dual-clutch F1 transmission for 0-100km/h times of just 3.7 seconds.
The new car also promises exceptional standards of passenger space, comfort, in-car spec and equipment -- comfortably accommodating four people and their luggage. FF boasts a 450-litre cargo capacity that is extendable to 800-litres with the rear seats flipped forward.
As with every model in the prancing horse range, FF will offer a vast array of personalisation options and accessories including six model-specific exterior colours and sumptuous interior trims.
The FF will make its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show (March 3 to 13) and is scheduled to arrive in Australia early in 2012, when full local pricing and specification will be announced.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Engine
Overall displacement: 6262cc
Cylinders: V12 (65-degree)
Power: 492kW @ 8000rpm
Torque: 683Nm @ 6000rpm
Dimensions and weight
Length: 4907mm
Width: 1953mm
Height: 1379mm
Weight: 1790kg (dry)
Weight distribution: 47:53 (front-to-rear)
Weight/power ratio: 2.7 kg/CV
Performance
Maximum speed: 335 km/h
0-100 km/h: 3.7 seconds
Fuel consumption: 15.4L/100km (combined)
CO2 emissions: 360g/km
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the carsales mobile site
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