Gas 2.0 |
- Brabus “Tunes” Tesla Roadster
- California’s High-Speed Rail Off to Awful Start
- GE Debuts Electric “Bus of the Future”
| Posted: 08 Dec 2010 02:33 PM PST
Many a performance Mercedes has been tuned and tweaked by Brabus. They specialize in high-end German automobiles, often adding some kind of forced induction to increase power output. For example, they have taken your standard, run-of-the-mill Mercedes E-class, removed the V8 engine and dropped in a 6.2 liter V12 engine. As though that wasn't enough, they added two turbochargers and four intercoolers, making a monstrous 788 horsepower and 811 ft-lbs of torque. This is the sort of car they are known for. So what's this have to do with Tesla? Well Brabus teamed up with German electricity company RWE to produce the "Green Package" for the Tesla Roadster. In terms of actually tuning the powertrain, nothing has been done, though Brabus has added interior and exterior enhancements to the electric roadster such as a carbon fiber lip and rear spoiler, LED-running lights, a rear diffuser, and your choice of color. In addition, RWE will provide the purchaser of this package with 30,000 kilometers (over 18,000 miles) of free electricity as well as a quick charge station that can fully juice the roadster in just six hours. Buyers also get a free year of use at any of RWE's 160 public charging stations. Honestly, I was hoping for a bit more in the way of performance, even just suspension upgrades. A few more years though and I predict dedicated electric vehicle tuners will start popping up. There's a lot of performance potential in EV's like the Tesla Roadster after all, and fast cars are a great way to get a lot of attention. Source: CarScoop Chris DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to Hemis. You can follow his slow descent into madness at Sublime Burnout. |
| California’s High-Speed Rail Off to Awful Start Posted: 08 Dec 2010 11:25 AM PST
California has plans for an 800-mile high-speed rail system running the length of the Golden State, and initial estimates place the cost somewhere around $45 billion (though I wouldn't be surprised if it cost twice that by the time it is finished). Even a 800 mile journey begins with the first step, and California has been trying to find the area most receptive to the idea of a high-speed rail line. They found that place in the Central Valley, between Borden and Bakersfield, with stations to be built in Fresno and the Hanford area of Kings County. In total, the plan calls for 65 miles of track and stations at a cost of about $4 billion. Sounds good, right? That is, until you realize that this section will be completely un-powered and un-supported until more lines are built. No trains, no maintenance facilities, just empty tracks and stations. Que? This is a very, very bad idea. From an engineering standpoint, I guess it makes sense to lay the infrastructure first in an area receptive to HSR. But why is it they can't put even a single train on this line, to give people a chance to try HSR out before committing a few billion bucks to it? Build a word-of-mouth campaign from the people who get to use it regularly. Instead, it’ll be just empty tracks and stations, not exactly the best way to build support for a massive project like this. Instead of quieting skeptics, this plan will give them more fuel for the fire. “Look at all the empty stations your tax dollars paid for!” They’ll say. Then there is the distinct possibility that politicians in either California or Washington could cut funding (this project is only possible with the Fed's help after all). $45 billion isn’t exactly chump change, especially for a state that can’t even balance its budget. If funding gets cut after the first 54 miles are finished, well, what then? You've got a few billion dollars worth of HSR track that can't even be used between a few small towns. Come on California, you can do better than this. Source: San Francisco Chronicle Chris DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to Hemis. You can follow his slow descent into madness at Sublime Burnout. |
| GE Debuts Electric “Bus of the Future” Posted: 08 Dec 2010 07:27 AM PST
Electric buses are an important step to eliminating our dependency on oil, and over the long haul they actually save money (and eardrums) despite their high upfront costs. In tight times like these though, that high upfront cost keeps many municipalities from purchasing said electric buses. So what makes General Electric's dual-battery bus so special? According to GE, the bus uses both a lithium-ion and a sodium metal halide battery for power, rather than just one huge lithium-ion battery. The result, GE claims, is a battery system that is 20% less expensive than just a single big, advanced battery, but with the same range and power. The lithium battery focuses on high power acceleration and braking (such as a run up a highway entrance ramp) while the sodium metal halide battery stores power to extend range, all for less money than similar electric buses. Simply brilliant. While just a working researching project now, if GE"s claims hold true, I wouldn't be surprised to see these buses on the road in a few years time. Source: GE Chris DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to Hemis. You can follow his slow descent into madness at Sublime Burnout. |
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