According to the American Chemical Society, seven gallons of crude oil go into each one of approximately a billion car tires that are produced every year worldwide. Today, however, scientists announced a development that could drastically reduce oil usage in tires. It involves isoprene, a hydrocarbon that is currently obtained as a by-product from refining crude oil, and that is a key ingredient in the production of synthetic rubber. Using sugars from renewable sources such as sugar cane, corn or switchgrass, the scientists have been able to create a “green” isoprene, trademarked as BioIsoprene. They expect it could start being used to produce tires within five years. Continue reading ‘Tires could be on the road to a greener future’
Today, Audi introduced another “e” vehicle to their future. Based on the original e-tron shown in Frankfurt. You could call this version its little brother. Slightly shorter but packs 204hp with an outstanding 1954tq. 204hp does not sound like much but TQ is where its at combined with a curb-weight of 2976lbs. 0-100 in 5.9sec. We are still not fond of the “e” design but it will change when production versions go on sale in 2012, we hope.
Audi is showing an uncompromising purist compact sports car with all-electric drive at the first major auto show of 2010. The Detroit showcar Audi e-tron is the name of this 3.93 meter (154.72 in) long and 1.78 meter (70.08 in) wide but just 1.22 meter (48.03 in) tall two-seater; just a few months after the debut of the Audi e-tron at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, this is now the second electric concept vehicle from the brand with the four rings. Continue reading ‘Audi debuts e-tron compact variant sports car at NAIAS’
Updated
- New Compact Coupe unites 4.2 l/100 km (45 mpg) with top dynamics
- Concept of an entirely new compact coupe emits just 98 g/km CO2, can go 227 km/h if necessary and accelerates to 100 km/h in 8.6 seconds
For Volkswagen this marks the beginning of an action-packed year, in which more new models will be introduced than ever before in the company’s history. Number 1 on the spectacular list of new products for calendar year 2010 is a car based on entirely new concepts and technology, a coupe with a hybrid drive that is extremely fast and yet futuristic in its fuel economy. Continue reading ‘Volkswagen premieres New Hybrid Compact Coupe today at the Detroit Auto Show’
- 7.3 billion euros total investment from 2009 through 2012
- Around 5.9 billion euros for new products and future technologies
- Number of models to increase from 34 now to 42 in 2015
Audi will continue to invest heavily in new products and forward-looking technologies in the future: plans for 2009 through 2012 envisage total investments of 7.3 billion euros for fixed assets.
In coming years the Audi Group will continue to invest strongly in its future. Approximately 5.9 billion euros, in other words about 80 percent of its total investment in fixed assets, will be devoted to new product development, further optimization of conventional drivelines and the development of electric and hybrid models. (continue reading…)
- Car manufacturer makes 11,600 square meters (124,861 square feet) of space available for photovoltaic systems at headquarters in – Practical testing of innovative technologies
- Plant Manager Kössler: ‘A key part of our environmental strategy’
AUDI AG sets new standards in the field of photovoltaics. On its plant premises in Ingolstadt, the car manufacturer has made numerous roofs available for practical testing of innovative new technologies by the Munich-based company Green City Energy. Photovoltaic modules will be installed there over a surface area of 11,600 square meters (124,861 square feet) in the weeks ahead. Continue reading ‘Audi AG adds 124,861 square feet of solar power from factory roof’
