haypops

Their giving a lifetime warranty on that CVT transmission and Hyundai engine!!

From the article I assume that this would be the Saturn Lambda?

That is an interesting question. I think if there were infinite, even a reasonable amount, resources then it wasn't a mistake. However, resources are severely restricted. That shortfall is obvious now, but was probably always in place for the research end of things.

I'm just talking out of my butt, but I think that in thirty years from now the money spent on hybrid technology and especially hyfrogen will be thought of as a mistake.

GM is working on a gas fired compression ignition engine that we know of. Probably working on lots of this stuff that we don't know about too.

click here Mercedes Dies-OttoRewriting the rules of internal combustion By JEFFERY P. VETTRAINO AutoWeek | Updated: 07/25/07, 4:02 pm et The demise of the internal combustion engine has been greatly exaggerated, or so Mercedes-Benz thinks. The company’s position stems from empirical observation, based on all rational evidence: Internal combustion will remain the workhorse in transportation and power equipment for decades to come. Beyond this conclusion, Mercedes’ advanced engineering staff believes the efficiencies in both spark-ignition and diesel engines are a long way from tapped out, even after 100-plus years of development. To demonstrate its point, Mercedes is developing a new, small-displacement engine known internally as the Dies-Otto. The Dies-Otto will debut in an S-Class sedan at this year’s Frankfurt motor show and could be in production long before alternatives like fuel-cell propulsion. “The deepest potential in internal combustion has yet to be exploited,’’ says Herbert Kohler, vice president of advanced engineering and chief environmental officer at Daimler AG. “We have diesels that are as clean as gasoline engines, and we expect gas engines as efficient as diesels. Dies-Otto is one of several possible next steps.” The Dies-Otto is fueled by direct gasoline injection and operates as both a four-stroke (Otto Cycle) spark-ignition engine and compression-ignition (diesel) engine. While the dual-mode ignition is its defining trait, the Dies-Otto actually integrates and optimizes nearly every significant internal combustion development of the last 20 years, including direct injection, piezo injectors, variable valve operation, serial turbocharging and advanced electronic controls, with a new twist called variable compression. According to Mercedes, the Dies-Otto delivers a previously unattainable mix of horsepower, torque and efficiency, with several advantages over conventional diesels. This four-cylinder engine displaces just 1.8 liters, or considerably less than we’d expect in a hefty S-Class sedan. Mercedes expects to bury the old, “no-replacement-for-displacement” adage with an advanced turbocharging system. Yet the Dies-Otto’s two turbos are neither sequential nor parallel. Each one is optimized to work at certain engine speeds, with either one or the other pumping air into the cylinders at a given moment. The big news is something Mercedes calls auto ignition, or compression ignition with gasoline fuel, at a substantially lower temperature than the latest-generation diesel engines. The process involves a host of parameters, including injection timing, variable valve operation and a shorter exhaust stroke that leaves a high quantity of exhaust gas inside the combustion chambers. The key is a variable compression system, which changes compression ratio on the fly. For now, Mercedes is keeping the specifics to itself. Maximum output comes with spark ignition, while maximum economy comes with compression ignition. The Dies-Otto cycles between the two as conditions or driver demands warrant, though development is currently focused on maximizing time during which the engine operates with auto-ignition. As presented in the S-Class, the 1.8-liter Dies-Otto delivers specific output of 134 horsepower per liter and torque at 160 lb-ft per liter, with about 40 miles per gallon. Mercedes says it motivates the 4500-pound S-Class from 0 to 62 mph in 7.5 seconds. Moreover, it generates almost no nitrogen oxide and less carbon dioxide per liter of fuel consumed than current diesel engines, according to Mercedes. Because it runs on ordinary gasoline, it could also eliminate the infrastructure or capacity bottlenecks posed by diesels. It would be cheaper to build than the latest passenger-car diesels, largely because it uses a conventional three-way catalyst and requires no expensive particulate treatment. Finally, it could run on biofuels like ethanol, though Mercedes is not yet sure in what ratio. Mercedes’ Kohler says transportation’s future includes a combination of electric power, hybrids, biofuels and, perhaps within a decade, the first fuel cells. Still, whether it is spark ignition, diesel or a combination of the two, internal combustion will remain the primary source of transportation power for decades beyond that. The next stage, according to Kohler, might need to be a focus on vehicle efficiencies. In many respects, as manufacturers have focused on engine development and emissions, vehicles have gotten short shrift. It could require similar investment to reduce the amount of energy that various vehicle systems drain while maintaining the level of safety, comfort and performance the market has come to expect.

You should have some one take you in and have your timing ADVANCED. By the way the tailpipe on the rear shot of the H3T looks quite large. Could this be a diesel?

1. The Corolla must be a low profit vehicle. Transaction price for reasonably equipped CE is $11800, the upscale LE is just a thousand more. This is exactly the class of car that supposedly can't be produced here at a profit. 2. expensive area: The lowest price home that I could find in Fremont is2 bedroom, 786 sq ft home for $449,888. Surrounding communities are even more expensive. The area has notorious electricity rates, etc. 3. Poor labor relations prior to Toyota taking the plant over? I have read this several times but have no link. It is not an unreasonable assumption though.

It may be just one plant now, but it wasn't that long ago that it was THE North American plant. In no way is this an irrelevant question.

interesting article that discusses domestics future The above article refers to GM and Toyota as the big two going forward. Everyone's discussion brings two questions to mind. 1. Job banks -- Doesn't GM's massive buyouts of workers negate job banks as much of an issue for either management or the unions? 2. If the UAW is the problem why is Toyota able to make a profit using UAW workers producing what must be one of Toyota's lowest profit margin vehicles (Corolla) out of an old factory in an expensive area with one of the worst reputations in labor relations in all of GM?

What part of the country are you from? A black Cobalt sedan passed me up on the freeway and it was quite "substantial" looking. I am not sure that I really meant that the LS not be sold as much as it transition into an LS1.5. $100 more spent on the details would mean fewer prospects being turned off.

That would be me; your slightest wish is my command. I would point out however, that this form of communication is typing not talking.

click here launch cast allows one to build up their own station click on the yellow ear phones tab labeled haypops7 for mine right now its bolero (classical) but it changes all the time. Warning there is a lot of Cajun music too.

Blind Willie Johnson "everybody ought to treat a stranger right"

The Saturn ION is a much improved car since it switched from the 5 speed automatic to the 4 speed automatic. There is plenty of performance with the 2.2 l. engine even in my heavier HHR. Even with almost 550 pounds of passengers it accelerates briskly up a rather short and steep freeway on ramp. I agree with those that mention comfort as my daughter and wife took the ION on 10 hour one way drive several months ago and there were absolutely no complaints. The base Cobalt needs better upholstery and hub caps. BTW I bought a two new Mitsubushis in the past and they were good cars but the Delta triplets are better in the long run. Just my opnion and experience.

That is exactly my thoughts on the issue.

Styyx "come sail away"

Bawitdaba by Kid Rock

I saw that interview also. She commented that she had gained 5 pounds of late (went rom 60 to 65 pounds??) by drinking a lot of chicken soup. That weight gain was probably water retention from the salt in the soup. It may have actually hastened her death which may have been a relief for her and her family.

If you look carefully at the pictures you will see that the seller has a early 50's Ford pick up on one side of the Crosley and a Chevy pick up of the same vintage on the other side. How fun is that? About 10 years ago I visited my nephew in Santa Cruz, CA and his next door neighbor had 5-6 Crossly sedan and wagons parked in the street. All were in excellent shape. Latter we went into town and I saw a Volvo 544 wagon (the ones that look like a hearse almost).

Aida: Triumphant March

1. A very mature and reliable but still improving drive train some well known detail here before I get to #2 (improvements) a little background of where I am coming from. 18 months ago I went shopping for my baby daughter's first new car to replace her '94 Cavalier. Our first choice was the Cobalt. She disliked it saying it was worse than the Cavalier and felt like a rental car. We drove A PT cruiser and a Hyundai Elantra. The final drive and easy winner was the base level Saturn ION. Last week my wife and I bought a new HHR. Both of these cars are of course more than a Little related to the Cobalt. The answer to your question of where to go with the next cobalt is kill the LS. Make the Cobalt at least a little more upscale. In some respects I agree with Oldsmoboi (Astrazie it, but keep the American "style".

Bob Dylan's new Rollin and Tumblin

The auto business IS hell. Not everything is so rosy in Japan's home market either. quote cheery picked from here Also you mention I read that the Saturn brans has a total of ONLY 31 employees. While I agree with many of your points, I do think the glass is only 75% empty, not 99%. I've been wring before.