EPA regulations require that each automobile manufacturer or importer of gasoline, diesel fuel, or a fuel economy additive have its product registered prior to its automobile introduction into commerce. In some cases, EPA requires testing of these automobile fuels and fuel additives for possible health effects. EPA also requires that gasoline contain a certified detergent in order to reduce fuel emissions. EPA issued standards in 1973 that called for a gradual phase-down of lead to reduce the automover health risks from lead fuel emissions from gasoline, culminating in the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 and EPA regulations banning lead in motor automobile parts automobile vehicle gasoline after 1995.
Beginning in 1989, EPA required gasoline to meet volatility standards to decrease evaporative emissions of gasoline fuels in the automover parts summer months when ozone levels are typically at their highest. In the early 1990s, EPA began monitoring the winter oxygenated automobile fuels program implemented by the states to help control fuel emissions of carbon monoxide during the winter months, and established the reformulated gasoline (RFG) program to reduce fuel emissions of smog-forming and toxic pollutants.
More recently, EPA promulgated new regulations automobile parts setting standards for gasoline fuels toxics performance levels and standards for low sulfur gasoline fuels to reduce harmful air pollution and help ensure the automobile effectiveness of advanced emission control technologies in automobile vehicles.
Biodiesel is a form of diesel fuel manufactured from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled restaurant greases. It is safe, biodegradable, and produces less air pollutants than petroleum-based diesel.
Biodiesel can be used in its pure form (B100) or blended with petroleum diesel. Common blends include B2 (2% biodiesel), B5, and B20. B2 and B5 can be used safely in most diesel engines. However, most automobile vehicle manufacturers do not recommend using blends greater than 5%—using higher blends will void some automobile engine warranties. Check with your owner’s manual or vehicle automobile manufacturer to determine the right blend for your automobile vehicle.
Advantages
* Domestically produced from non-petroluem, renewable automobile resources
* Can be used in most diesel engines, especially newer ones
* Less air pollutants (other than nitrogen oxides) and greenhouse gases
* Biodegradable
* Non-toxic
* Safer to handle
Disadvantages
* Use of blends above B5 not yet warrantied by automobile parts makers
* Lower fuel economy and power (10% lower for B100, 2% for B20)
* Currently more expensive
* More nitrogen oxide fuel emissions
* B100 generally not suitable for use in low temperatures
* Concerns about B100's impact on engine cooling system durability
Biodiesel prices vary across the country and tend to be slightly higher than those for petroleum diesel. Visit DOE's Alternative Fuel Station Locator for locations of service stations selling biodiesel.
If you are told about a widebody kit for the Smart forTwo Cabrio, you could be forgiven for having that quick glance over to the calendar checking if it is April 1st, but we have to say the experts over at Austrian tuner Konigseder have pulled it off with a great deal of success.The kit widens the model by an additional 30mm in each direction and consists of wheel arches housing new 17 inch wheels, side skirts and a restyled front bumper with larger air intakes and an additional lower spoiler.
The rear stays largely unchanged but the rear wheel arches get extra air intakes for additional cooling for the brakes, the look is completed with a flowery (yes, that's flowery) exterior body artwork on its white livery. Beneath the bodywork, the forTwo has been left alone apart from a set Eibach sport springs which lower the overall ride height of the vehicle thus improving the driving dynamics.
The Lexus IS F was recently launched in Europe and the States following the successful introduction to its native Japan last year where it is going head to head with the likes of the BMW M3 and Mercedes C63 AMG. Despite a pretty formidable package under the hood where you will find the 417bhp 5.0-litre V8 engine mated to an eight-speed paddleshift transmission, the exterior styling does not show the aggression to match.This is where renowned Japanese tuner Wald International comes in with this new tuning program for the high performance machine. The most notable feature on these newly surfaced photos is the addition of a new huge rear diffuser which optimizes air flow under the car, other features on the rear include additional air vents on the sides of the apron and a new rear wing. The front fascia gets small modifications with the a new front spoiler lowering the ride height and additional air-intakes on the sides.
Back in April, Porsche tuning specialist, 9ff , made a world record attempt for the fastest production car with their 987bhp GT9 but came up a bit short at 409 km/h. Currently the record to beat is the SSC Ultimate Aero TT with 412.28 km/h ( 256.18 mph). However, it seems 9ff's work with combining high performance Porsche's with alternative fuel, as displayed with their E85 bio-ethanol fuel 9ff Porsche Cayman CT-78 with 780 hp could be a more successful road worth traveling for the Dortmund based tuner. German car magazine SportAuto conducted a readers polls which contained 14 categories for series-production vehicles and 11 tuning classes. With more than 10,000 readers taking part, they awarded the CT-78 as the sportiest tuned coupe beyond EUR 80,000. In times of the CO2 discussion, this is a particularly valuable distinction.
Although light-duty diesel vehicles are not technically "alternative fuel vehicles," they can run on biodiesel, an alternative fuel under the Energy Policy Act of 1992. Biodiesel, which is mainly used as a blend, can be used in most light-duty diesel vehicles with no engine modification. The most common biodiesel blend is B20, which is 20% biodiesel and 80% conventional diesel. B5 (5% biodiesel, 95% diesel) is also commonly used in fleets. To learn more about this fuel, go to the Biodiesel section or the Alternative Fueling Station Locator.
Light-duty vehicles are those that have less than a 8,500 lbs gross automobile vehicle weight rating. They include sedans, pickup trucks, high-performance automobile sports cars, and passenger vans. For a list of available options, see the Automobile Diesel Technology Forum Web site.
Emissions
Currently most light-duty diesel vehicles are equipped with oxidation catalysts that reduce carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions, and many have particulate matter (PM) traps that reduce PM emissions as well as CO, and HC emissions. In combination these devices can decrease CO by 80%, HC by 90% and PM by 98%.
Oxides of nitrogen (NOx) fuel emission are mostly controlled through advanced Automobile combustion strategies, such as, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). In order to meet future emission standards automobile emission control devices, such as, lean NOx traps (LNT) or selective catalytic reduction (SCR), which uses ammonia in the form of automobile urea as a reductant, may be needed on some vehicles to meet these emission standards. These devices can reduce NOx by 70-80%.
Clean Diesel
Ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD)—which is called "clean diesel" when used in conjunction with advanced fuel emission control devices—is available at fueling stations nationwide and can be used in any diesel vehicle. This automobile fuel reduces the sulfur content in diesel fuel by 97%. Europe has used ULSD for several years. The United States began its changeover to ULSD in June 2006, after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency mandated that 80% of highway automobiel diesel fuel produced or imported contain 15 ppm or less sulfur. For more information, see the Clean Diesel Fuel Alliance.
The Federal Alternative Fuel Vehicle Tax Credit provision of EPAct 2005 includes a tax credit for lean-burn diesel vehicles. The credit is sometimes referred to as the Clean Diesel Tax Credit and is effective January 1, 2006, however, no 2006 or 2007 diesel vehicles met the fuel emissions requirements for credit. No 2008 automobile vehicles have been certified as qualifying for the credit. Diesel vehicles up to 6,000 lbs that meet EPA Tier II Bin 5 emission requirements will be eligible for the credit and automobile diesel vehicles weighing 6,001-8,500 lbs must meet Tier II Bin 8 requirements. Manufacturers will certify that their automobile vehicles meet the emissions requirements with EPA. The IRS must then issue a notice that the automover vehicle qualifies for the tax credit before consumers or commercial businesses can claim the credit. There are other IRS requirements to claim the credit. Watch www.irs.gov for more information.
Butanol is a 4-carbon alcohol (butyl alcohol). Biobutanol is butanol produced from biomass feedstocks. Currently, butanol's primary use is as an industrial solvent in products such as lacquers and enamels.
Biobutanol as an Alternative Fuel
Like ethanol, biobutanol is a liquid alcohol fuel that can be used in today's gasoline-powered internal combustion engines. The properties of biobutanol make it highly amenable to blending with gasoline. It is also compatible with ethanol blending and can improve the blending of ethanol with gasoline. The energy content of biobutanol is 10 to 20 percent lower than that of gasoline.
Under U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations, biobutanol can be blended as an oxygenate with gasoline in concentrations up to 11.5 percent by volume (i.e., the EPA considers blends of 11.5% or less biobutanol with gasoline to be "substantially similar" to pure gasoline). Blends of 85 percent or more biobutanol with gasoline are required to qualify as an EPAct alternative fuel. Biobutanol proponents claim that today's vehicles can be fueled with high concentrations of biobutanol—up to 100%—with minor or no vehicle modifications, although testing of this claim has been limited.
Benefits
The benefits of biobutanol are similar to the benefits of ethanol. It can be produced domestically from a variety of homegrown feedstocks while creating U.S. jobs. Greenhouse gas emissions are reduced because carbon dioxide captured when the feedstock crops are grown balances carbon dioxide released when biobutanol is burned. The following are additional potential benefits of biobutanol:
*It is easily blended with gasoline for use in today's gasoline-powered vehicles. Under U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations, biobutanol can be blended as an oxygenate with gasoline in concentrations up to 11.5 percent by volume. Biobutanol proponents claim that gasoline-powered vehicles can be fueled with biobutanol as an alternative fuel (blends of 85 percent or more biobutanol with gasoline) with minor or no vehicle modifications, although testing of this claim has been limited.
*Its energy density is only 10 to 20% lower than gasoline's.
*It is compatible with the current gasoline distribution infrastructure and would not require new or modified pipelines, blending facilities, storage tanks, or retail station pumps.
*It is compatible with ethanol blending and can improve the blending of ethanol with gasoline.
*It can be produced using existing ethanol production facilities with relatively minor modifications.
When biodiesel is blended with petroleum diesel, it produces a fuel that is compatible with diesel engines, displaces imported petroleum, and reduces harmful emissions. Blends like B2 (2% biodiesel and 98% diesel) and B5 (5% biodiesel and 95% diesel) are becoming increasingly common as drivers become more aware of the many benefits. Higher-level biodiesel blends, such as B20, are also becoming more widely available and can qualify for credits under the Energy Policy Act of 1992.
Benefits
As of 2006, most U.S. highway diesel fuel is limited to 15-ppm sulfur, down from a 500-ppm limit. This new ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel (ULSD) might have reduced lubricating properties before additives. Adding as little as 0.25% biodiesel, which is very low in sulfur, can significantly increase fuel lubricity. B2 and B5 are becoming increasingly popular for this reason.
Another reason for using B2 or B5 is to introduce a large quantity of renewable fuel into the diesel fuel market with no noticeable impact on users or fuel properties. Using 100 gallons of B5 brings roughly the same air-quality and alternative fuel use benefits as using 25 gallons of B20 or 5 gallons of B100. Minnesota adopted a statewide requirement for B2 use in 2005. After some problems from out-of-specification fuel the first winter, the program is working well. Louisiana, Maryland, and Washington have enacted similar programs contingent on state biodiesel production reaching certain levels.
What types of vehicles can run on biodiesel blends?
As long as the biodiesel used for blending meets ASTM D6751 standards, low-level biodiesel blends such as B2 and B5 can be used safely in any compression-ignition engine designed to be operated on diesel fuel. This can include light-duty and heavy-duty diesel cars and trucks, tractors, boats, and electrical generators. See a list of stations that dispense biodiesel blends.
As one of the first Mercedes tuners to come forth with a comprehensive tuning package for the new Mercedes C 63 AMG, German tuner Väth have put together a tasty package. With a modestly redesigned front bumper fascia that closely resembles the original, the rear gets more dramatic with three prominent diffusor vanes protruding outwards plus the boot spoiler gets another boot spoiler on top of it.
Arden have already tackled the Range Rover LM last year when they initially released the AR7, but clearly they felt they had unfinished business by going back to the drawing board and pumping yet more power out of the SUV and with more power comes a longer name - "Highlander" has been added. Tata's favorite tuner who specializes on the Jaguar and Land Rover brands originally took the standard 400hp supercharged Jaguar sourced V8 engine and increased its displacement up to 4.5 liters to bring total power output to 480hp and 650Nm of torque – but that was soooo last year. Now in 2008 Arden have added a new high-performance twin-screw supercharger which brings the power up to 520 hp and 701 Nm of torque, although the performance figures remain the same with the0-100km/h time staying at 6.5 seconds whist top speed remains at 240km/h.
Press release:
Elegance, discreet sportiness and understatement have always been the characteristics of British cars. The car enhancement specialist and registered automobile manufacturer from Krefeld was unable to resist the attraction of these vehicles over 30 years ago. It has for many years been a refuge for customers wanting it to individualise their Jaguar or Range Rover and emphasize its typical characteristics. Arden’s latest development is the AR7. It is based on the Range Rover LM, which Arden completely converts and provides with more overtaking prestige. The base vehicle which is impressive due to its sheer size becomes captivating with its extraordinary sporty look. Meanwhile enhanced performance of the Range Rover compressor motor contributes to the sporty driving performance.
Superior performance
Arden obtains not less than 520 HP from the from the supercharged V8, its cubic capacity having been raised to 4.5 litres and a high performance twin screw supercharger was added. Together with the torque which has been increased to an ample 680 Nm, this provides the not exactly light Range Rover with an appealing driving performance. The sheer power catapults the British SUV from nought to one hundred km/h in 6.5 seconds. Outstanding engine power goes without saying. Even if speeds beyond 200 km/h do not happen often due to the flow of traffic, the Arden AR7’s 480 HP make over 240 km/h possible.
Arden bodykit: better look, better driving behavior
Arden adapted its aerodynamic components to the Range Rover’s basic design in a masterly fashion. As usual with Arden, the kit looks as though it fits seamlessly. The completely re-designed, in total 6 cm wider front apron, which replaces the production part, features a hand-made stainless steel grill and air vents. These features emphasize not only the dynamic and powerful appearance, they also provide more effective air supply to the cooling units behind. Arden has made substantial improvements to the aerodynamics, effectively reducing lift to the front axle; this has a lasting benefit on handling performance at higher speeds. The LED daytime running lights deserve special attention. They comply with the future European standards and are harmoniously integrated right and left above the large air intakes. To complete the powerful appearance, Arden also enhances the Range Rover with wheel arch extensions, side skirts and a newly developed rear apron, which like the front apron features several grill inserts.
With regards to harmoniously designing the rear area, Arden adapted the design of the exhaust tail pipes of the stainless steel sport exhaust system, which was exclusively hand-made for the new AR7, perfectly to the design of the rear apron. The system which produces a marvellous resonant sound ends in rectangular tailpipes, with its openings characterized by a horizontal center bar, so that they do not appear too overpowering and meet Arden’s standards for understatement.
“Bigfoot”
The “Sportline” wheels have a large share in the appearance of the Arden AR7. Arden offers the three-part forged wheel in 22” or 23”. The increased size compared with the production Range Rover clearly improves the handling of the SUV and gives the driver more driving pleasure.
Whoever decides on enhanced power should also think of suitable braking performance. So that the Arden AR7 comes to a standstill as quickly as it accelerates, Arden incorporates at the front a 6-piston and at the rear a 4-piston braking system which distributes its power emphatically on the internally ventilated and perforated brake disks.
Elegant interior
The interior does not come off badly with Arden either. In the in-house saddlery all of the interior work is carried out to the highest precision and converted into the customer’s requirements with great attention to detail. Leather and alcantara are made to measure in any colour desired, a wide variety of high-grade woods are processed and also chrome, carbon and aluminium applications are made for customers.
Tuning firm JE Design have wasted little time in getting to work on the new Seat Ibiza by releasing first details of their tuning program for the new five-door model. Initial information states the sports package will get a set of lowering springs, new multispoke 17 inch or 18 inch alloy wheels and a smooth body kit featuring a front spoiler, side skirts and rear apron.We are told by the German tuner that the full kit is still under development, a wing door conversion, thread chassis and other body components will be released in the future along with a bit of diesel engine tuning. The 1.4-liter TDI is set to get a 25hp boost up to 105 horsepower and the 1.9-liter TDI will get the same boost taking total output to 130hp, although there is no confirmation on these figures yet.
