NURBURGRING GERMANY - - Round the 'Ring : We've already brought you shots of the CL 63 AMG coupe (to be launched at the Paris Motor Show this autumn) and now it looks as if that car's engine is going to make it into Mercedes' small saloon: this is the C 63 AMG, snapped out testing on the Nurburgring in Germany.
Source: 4Car
7.21.1926 Frederick John Mancheski of Echlin Inc. is born in Stevens Point, WI
7.21.1936 The 1934 DeSoto “Winged Goddess” mascot is patented by designer Herbert V. Henderson
7.21.1949 The first Jaguar XK120 released for public sale (serial #66002) is shipped to Sydney, NSW, Australia
7.21.1965 Racer Jovy Marcelo is born in the Philippines
7.21.1991 Racer Paul Warwick is killed at age 22 when he crashes during the Gold Cup race at the Oulton Park circuit in England
Source: Automobile History Day By Day, by Douglas A. Wick
Photo Credit: http://oldcarandtruckpictures.com/Airflow/1934_DeSoto_Airflow_Coach.jpg
HEMIBLOG UPDATE ARIZONA - Yes, more captured spy shots of the 2007 Dodge Caliber SRT4 that were taken at a local gas station in Arizona.
SRTFORUMS.COM user ElJefe, was very foruntate to capture these images of the manufacture production test vehicle [#133] while under going 'severe weather testing'.
Congrats my man.
Photo Credit: El Jefe
dward Lapham Automotive News / July 20, 2006 - 11:28 am When you're No. 1, you expect competitors to come gunning for you. It's true in most endeavors, including sports, business and especially the auto industry.
For decades, General Motors was numero uno, the biggest automaker in the world. It was unthinkable that any other company would overtake GM.
But that could change this year or next if Toyota continues to grow … and can overcome the nagging quality problems that have started to tarnish the company's image.
In the luxury market, BMW is the global big dog, though Toyota's Lexus brand has made steady progress since it was introduced 17 years ago at the Detroit auto show.
Back then, German executives laughed out loud if you suggested that Lexus could ever compete with Mercedes-Benz or BMW. But Lexus has done well in America, where it now outsells every German brand. Some of its cars are premium models, not true luxury vehicles, but that doesn't diminish what the brand has achieved.Last August, Lexus was launched in Japan and rang up about 10,300 sales by year end, compared with about 45,000 for BMW.
According to our sister publication Automobilwoche, outgoing BMW CEO Helmut Panke expects Lexus to make a serious run at his company by building a factory in Germany within the next three years. That's something Norbert Reithofer will need to watch after he succeeds Panke on Sept. 1.Toyota says it has no immediate plans to build Lexus brand vehicles in Europe. But even if you listen carefully, you won't hear anyone laughing in Germany.
Photo Credit: http://auto.paginablog.nl/auto/images/lexus.jpg
FORBES, STUTTGART GERMANY - - For the accountants among you, Forbes is reporting today that DaimlerChrysler AG will dissolve Smart GmbH as a separate legal entity by the end of the year, in an effort to better integrate smart's production activities with the Mercedes Car Group.According to Ulrich Walker, head of smart: "Smart GmbH will no longer exist by year-end." Walker added that dissolving smart GmbH will have no immediate effect on smart's employees or on Boeblingen town, home of smart's research center as well as 1,300 smart employees.
[Source: eMercedesBenz]
STUTTGARRT, GERMANY - - Mercedes-Benz is coming to the tail end of a comprehensive overhaul of its lineup. The latest new models to be introduced are the 2007 CLK550 coupe and cabriolet. There’s not much different to the eye, but under the hood the CLK550 gets Merc’s new 5.5-liter V-8 and 382 hp. That should satiate those who need something more than the CLK350’s V-6 powerplant. More impressive is the marked improvement over the 302-hp V-8 offered in the 2006 CLK500; it’s even better than the 362-hp V-8 in the $82,500 AMG version of the car.
That’s a big deal because the 2007 CLK550 convertible is $63,675 (the coupe is $55,675). This is one example where a buyer can actually see a huge difference in value from one model year to the next; granted, it's at the luxury level. But by buying the 2007 CLK550 consumers are getting an improved model and saving almost $20,000 over last year’s comparable version. And the year-to-year improvements only cost $1,000 or so more than the 2006 sticker price.
Of course, there will be a new 475-hp AMG 63 as well, because you always need more horsepower. But for almost everyone looking for a high-class two-door, the CLK550 should do the trick.
The CLK550 should be arriving at U.S. dealerships now.
[Source: Mercedes-Benz]
NEW CAR NET NEWS LONDON- - The UK has been selected to run a market trial for the introduction of a fully electric version of the smart fortwo two-seater city car.
According to the company, the smart ev will be available only on lease, and, worse still, will be restricted to '…selected UK corporate customers'.It is claimed that the smart ev 'sets a new benchmark' in the electric vehicle sector. The electric motor has 30kW output and a top speed of 70 mph. It offers even better in-town performance than its petrol-powered stablemate, with 0-30 mph in 6.5 seconds. With a range of up to 72 miles, the smart ev is exempt from vehicle excise duty and congestion charge.
The drive train for the smart ev is produced in the UK by technology partner Zytek Group who undertake final assembly of the smart ev in Fradley, near Litchfield.Dermot Kelly, Managing Director Mercedes Car Group, said: "A market trial of the smart ev is a significant step for the Mercedes Car Group as it is an important part of our commitment to sustainable mobility."Kelly continued: "We expect to deliver up to 200 units in this market trial phase and will work with corporate partners, to find suitable applications for the ev, and with green energy suppliers to deliver zero emissions from well to wheel." The smart ev (electric vehicle) will make its UK debut at the British Motorshow at ExCeL and deliveries will commence in November.
7.20.1904 Racer Harry Harkness wins the Climb to the Clouds in Mount Washington, NH in a Mercedes, beating the Stanley of F. E. Stanley and setting a record for the event
7.20.1926 The Apperson Brothers Automobile Company of Kokomo, IN is liquidated at auction after 25 years of production
7.20.1945 B. W. Burtsell, Production Manager for the Packard Motor Car Company 1910-1916 and later an independent consulting engineer, dies in North Tonawanda, NY at age 63
7.20.1960 Racer Claudio Langes is born in Brescia, Italy
7.20.1968 Jo Siffert, driving a Lotus 49B, wins the British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch to record his first Grand Prix victory and the first by a Swiss driver since 1949
Source: Automobile History Day By Day, by Douglas A. Wick
Photo Credit: www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/
* Dodge Brand Delivers Superior Performance in Upcoming Ivan
Reitman-Directed
Film
* Stars Uma Thurman and Luke Wilson Joined by the Red-Hot 2006
Dodge
ChargerAUBURN HILLS, Mich., July 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Driving into
theaters July 21, 2006, "My Super Ex-Girlfriend" features a 2006 Dodge
Charger in the film's storyline.The Dodge Charger appears alongside the film's Uma Thurman and Luke Wilson in a key movie sequence. The filmmakers selected the Charger for the scene because the vehicle matches the sensibility of Wilson's character, an architect who dates and then breaks up with a gorgeous superhero.
A scorned woman, she unleashes on her ex the full fury of her super-powered wrath.
"Incorporating the Dodge Charger in this film was the perfect tie-in for our brand.Like Ivan Reitman who wanted to take a fresh look at the romantic/action film genre, Dodge wanted moviegoers to take a fresh look at the Dodge Charger, a modern American muscle car that offers a powerful choice in the passenger car market," said Tom Loveless, Director -- Dodge Marketing and Global Communications.
Television advertising has already begun for this film, complemented by efforts across all marketing platforms, including print, Internet, television and dealer promotions.
The 2006 Dodge Charger also makes a significant appearance on the film's advertising poster, where its hood is being crushed by Uma Thurman. The movie poster and 9-foot standee will appear in 3,000 plus theaters across the country.
"With the Dodge Charger playing a prominent role in the film, we are allowing consumers to experience the vehicle by watching the movie," said Loveless. "We are seeking opportunities for our vehicles to be more than just products, but rather characters involved in the plot."
"My Super Ex-Girlfriend" is a New Regency/Pariah Production, directed by Ivan Reitman and written by Don Payne, and will be released by Twentieth Century Fox on July 21.
SOURCE Chrysler Group
[click for large image] == PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE REPORT ==
Region: NEW BRITAIN REGION, P.N.G.
Geographic coordinates: 5.293S, 150.603E
Magnitude: 5.7 Mb
Depth: 25 km
Universal Time (UTC): 19 Jul 2006 18:09:00
Time near the Epicenter: 20 Jul 2006 04:09:00
Local time in your area: 19 Jul 2006 19:09:00
Location with respect to nearby cities:
158 km (98 miles) NE (49 degrees) of Kandrian, New Britain, PNG
212 km (132 miles) SW (236 degrees) of Rabaul, New Britain, PNG
304 km (189 miles) S (184 degrees) of Kavieng, New Ireland, PNG 430 km (267 miles) ENE (68 degrees) of Lae, New Guinea, PNG
597 km (371 miles) NE (39 degrees) of PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea
ADDITIONAL EARTHQUAKE PARAMETERS
________________________________
event ID : US qibl
This event has been reviewed by a seismologist at NEIC For subsequent updates, maps, and technical information, see:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/usqibl.php
or
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/
I made a correction to Matt’s 2006 NHTSA Vehicle Recall analysis from the Business Week article – see link for Matt's article. Sorry Matt for be the bearer of bad news.
http://www.businessweek.com
Wednesday, July 19, 2006 7:27:22 AM ET
Dresdner Kleinwort Wasser.
LONDON, July 19 (newratings.com) - Analysts at Dresdner Kleinwort upgrade DaimlerChrysler (DCX.ETR) from "add" to "buy." The target price has been reduced from €52 to €49.
In a research note published this morning, the analysts mention that Chrysler has restructured its business successfully and new products and engines differentiate its brands from those of GM and Ford. Although Chrysler is likely to post losses in 2Q and 3Q, the volatility in its inventory appears temporary, the analysts say. Chrysler is poised to benefit from its new Minivan and Jeep models from 4Q onwards, Dresdner Kleinwort adds. Chrysler’s implicit current value does not reflect the unit’s potential, according to the analysts.
== PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE REPORT ==
Region: NEW BRITAIN REGION, P.N.G.
Geographic coordinates: 5.468S, 150.674E
Magnitude: 6.2 Mw
Depth: 25 km
Universal Time (UTC): 19 Jul 2006 11:48:58
Time near the Epicenter: 19 Jul 2006 21:48:58
Local time in your area: 19 Jul 2006 12:48:58
Location with respect to nearby cities:
152 km (95 miles) NE (56 degrees) of Kandrian, New Britain, PNG
217 km (135 miles) SW (230 degrees) of Rabaul, New Britain, PNG
323 km (201 miles) S (182 degrees) of Kavieng, New Ireland, PNG 430 km (268 miles) ENE (71 degrees) of Lae, New Guinea, PNG
587 km (365 miles) NE (41 degrees) of PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea
ADDITIONAL EARTHQUAKE PARAMETERS
________________________________
event ID : US qia8
This event has been reviewed by a seismologist at NEIC For subsequent updates, maps, and technical information, see:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/usqia8.php
or
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/
A ShakeMap has been produced for event #51172658.
PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE SUMMARY:
DATE: 07/19/2006
TIME: 11:41:43 GMT
LOCATION: 40.2807 N -124.4262 W
MAGNITUDE: 4.7
The California Integrated Seismic Network (CISN) has posted a ShakeMap for the above earthquake at:
== PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE REPORT ==
Region: SUNDA STRAIT, INDONESIA
Geographic coordinates: 6.495S, 105.415E
Magnitude: 6.0 Mw
Depth: 44 km
Universal Time (UTC): 19 Jul 2006 10:57:36
Time near the Epicenter: 19 Jul 2006 17:57:36
Local time in your area: 19 Jul 2006 11:57:36
Location with respect to nearby cities:
115 km (72 miles) S (172 degrees) of T.-Telukbetung, Sumatra, Indonesia
153 km (95 miles) WSW (255 degrees) of JAKARTA, Java, Indonesia
163 km (102 miles) WNW (287 degrees) of Sukabumi, Java, Indonesia
ADDITIONAL EARTHQUAKE PARAMETERS
________________________________
event ID : US qia3
This event has been reviewed by a seismologist at NEIC For subsequent updates, maps, and technical information, see:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/usqia3.php
or
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/
BBC AUTO NEWS, WALES ENGLAND - - Wales has been chosen as the preferred location for a new car assembly plant, BBC Wales has learned.
A group under the name of Project Kimber bought the rights to produce DaimlerChrysler's Smart Car roadsters earlier this year.
Since then the group has been looking for a suitable location.
An announcement is due at the British International Motor Show in London that Wales has beaten Germany and the West Midlands to be the preferred location.
A source close to the project has told BBC Wales that a deal to bring the assembly plant to Wales has taken a major step forward.
Project Kimber will not as yet confirm where in Wales they want to set up the plant, or how many jobs will be created.
But if all goes to plan, it is understood it will be making 8,000 cars by next year.
== PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE REPORT ==
Region: SOUTH OF JAVA, INDONESIA
Geographic coordinates: 9.552S, 107.230E
Magnitude: 5.6 Mw
Depth: 10 km
Universal Time (UTC): 19 Jul 2006 07:25:07
Time near the Epicenter: 19 Jul 2006 14:25:07
Local time in your area: 19 Jul 2006 08:25:07
Location with respect to nearby cities:
201 km (125 miles) ENE (59 degrees) of Christmas Island
272 km (169 miles) SSW (205 degrees) of Tasikmalaya, Java, Indonesia
292 km (181 miles) S (187 degrees) of Bandung, Java, Indonesia
384 km (238 miles) S (172 degrees) of JAKARTA, Java, Indonesia
ADDITIONAL EARTHQUAKE PARAMETERS
________________________________
event ID : US qiau
This event has been reviewed by a seismologist at NEIC For subsequent updates, maps, and technical information, see:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/usqiau.php
or
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/
National Earthquake Information Center
U.S. Geological Survey
http://neic.usgs.gov
INSIDE LINE STUTTGART GERMANY — Mercedes-Benz has quashed long-standing rumors that it would discontinue the C-Class sport coupe after just one generation. The company has announced that production of the second-generation model is due to begin in Brazil, at its underutilized Juiz de Fora manufacturing plant, during the first quarter of 2007.
The new premium-priced liftback is planned to make its public premiere at next year's Geneva Motor Show. It will be produced on the same production line now used to assemble the C-Class sedan, which is due to stop production in January in preparation for the introduction of an all-new third-generation model from Germany for the NAFTA market.
The C-Class sport coupe, sedan and wagon had been built together in Sindelfingen, Germany, since 2000. With this announcement, Mercedes appears to be sending a signal to powerful German unions: Get flexible or risk losing more production to low-cost plants such as Juiz de Fora, which was originally set up for A-Class production in the mid-1990s. "It no longer makes economical or logistical sense to continue producing the C-Class sports coupe in the same factory," a high-ranking Mercedes-Benz source told Inside Line.
Despite using the same basic underpinnings as today's six-year-old model, the second-generation C-Class sports coupe will receive a new steel body shell and a heavily reworked interior, both sharing styling cues with next-year's C-Class sedan and wagon. Engine options are likely to range from a base turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder gas engine to a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 common-rail diesel. Unlike the first-generation model, however, the new one will be sold exclusively with rear-wheel drive in a bid to streamline operations.
Mercedes-Benz insiders indicate the new model will be marketed as a stand-alone model in the same way the C-Class-based CLK is differentiated from its more mundane siblings.The German carmaker remains tight-lipped about plans to sell the new car in North America. Sales of the first-generation C-Class sport coupe failed to live up to expectations when it was launched in the U.S., and it was subsequently dropped from the lineup.
What this means to you: Mercedes-Benz's pressing need to lower development and production costs means the second-generation C-Class sport coupe will have a high percentage of carryover components. Does this portend a trend for other models in the future?
MALCOMM GUNN, Wheelbase Communications - - The next-generation Jeep Wrangler might be a touch more civilized than before, but it's no less athletic and no less suited to being your outdoor play thing. And to literally drive home that point at the recent Detroit Auto Show, a prototype was driven on stage in spectacular fashion ... through a plate-glass window.
Fun, indeed. Parent DaimlerChrysler has a lot riding on the future of its quintessential rock hopper that will be ready for release this fall. The Wrangler is the poster child of the Jeep brand and loyalists would never accept wholesale changes that would turn their baby into anything less than the rugged workhorse it has become. Although it might not look it, most of the vehicle is brand new.
More proof is just under the surface as the new Wrangler rests on a frame that is 100 percent stiffer than that of the previous model. Then there's the track (the distance between the left and right wheels) that's 3.5 inches wider. The off-road crowd is treated to improved ground clearance, perhaps partly due to larger wheel sizes ranging from 16 inches on base models to optional 18-inch rims.
Jeep is also making available a top with easy-to-remove panels above the driver and front passenger plus a removable single rear-seat panel. Also on the order form is a soft top that can be folded, convertible style, behind the front passengers.
Gone is the base 147-horsepower four-cylinder engine as well as the 4.0-liter inline six-cylinder that can trace its ancestry back to the days when Jeep was owned by American Motors.
In their place is a 3.8-liter V6 that makes 205 horsepower and 240 lb.-ft. of torque. That's a gain of 15 horses and five lb.-ft. of torque over the departing 4.0 six-cylinder. Looking for more space?
The big news, quite literally, is the Wrangler Unlimited. Unlike last year's two-door stretched Unlimited model, the 2007 version features four doors for easier access and, according to the manufacturer, more cargo space than a Toyota FJ Cruiser or Hummer H3, the Jeep Unlimited's chief competitors.
All Wranglers are available in base X, Sahara and Rubicon trim. The first two models feature part-time four-wheel-drive with optional limited-slip rear differential, while the Rubicon uses the Off-Road Rock-Trac unit with its extra-low-range gearing, front/rear locking differentials for greater agility and 32-inch off-road rubber. In addition, the Unlimited can be ordered as a rear driver (no 4x4).
Regardless of size, all Wranglers arrive with stability control (to help keep this Jeep travelling in the direction you point it) that can be turned off or left partially functioning, depending on terrain. Since the new Wrangler aims to be more friendly on the street and just as capable off road, the situation is win/win.
Jeep's lead position among 4x4 fanatics is reinforced while providing a more civilized experience for buyers looking to spend just as much (or more) time on the road as off it.
7.19.1904 Automotive parts manufacturer Vernon C. Hoover is born in Sunbury, PA
7.19.1930 Automobile historian Charles Edward Edwards is born in Charleston, SC
7.19.1952 The Connaught makes its Formula 1 debut at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone, with cars driven by Dennis Poore, Eric Thompson, Ken Downing, and Ken McAlpine finishing 4th, 5th, 9th, and 16th
7.19.1969 S. H. Grylls retires from Rolls-Royce Ltd. after 39 years with firm
Source: Automobile History Day By Day, by Douglas A. Wick
Photo Credit: www.f1.sk
IAFRICA.COM AUTO NEWS LONDON ENGLAND - - A Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren powered into history by setting the first London Land Speed record at 283km/h on July 15, 2006.
Autocar Editor-at-Large Steve Sutcliffe was behind the wheel at London City Airport as the magazine lined up 10 of the country’s fastest production cars against each other to set a new benchmark — which is being sent to Guinness for consideration for the Book of Records.
At 1319m, City Airport has the shortest main runway of any of the UK’s 23 major airports, and it’s the only one to be surrounded by water. That didn’t deter Sutcliffe, who had to accelerate from a standing start, only hitting the brakes at a predetermined point around three-quarters of the way along the course.
The SLR McLaren super sports car combines the engineering skills and production processes of Mercedes-Benz and the construction expertise of McLaren.
Hand-made at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, Surrey, the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren has a carbon fibre composite body making it stiff and strong, as well as relatively light.
Power comes from a 5.5-litre supercharged V8 Mercedes-AMG engine developing 466kW at 6500rpm and 780Nm between 3250 and 5000rpm.
This means it can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds, reaching its 333km/h top speed shortly afterwards. The SLR McLaren has the braking performance to match its power, with internally ventilated fibre-reinforced ceramic discs all round, aided by a boot-mounted airbrake.
A five-speed automatic gearbox and speed-sensitive power-assisted steering come with the £317 500 SLR.
This blend of power and precision engineering helped Steve Sutcliffe set the record – despite never having driven an SLR before.
"The SLR McLaren has the power, the technology and the stability to hit those high speeds with incredible control. This is the fastest any production car has ever been driven legally in London," he said.
== PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE REPORT ==
Region: FIJI REGION
Geographic coordinates: 19.950S, 178.516W
Magnitude: 5.7 Mw
Depth: 581 km
Universal Time (UTC): 18 Jul 2006 16:02:17
Time near the Epicenter: 19 Jul 2006 04:02:17
Local time in your area: 18 Jul 2006 17:02:17
Location with respect to nearby cities:
367 km (228 miles) WNW (291 degrees) of NUKU'ALOFA, Tonga
497 km (309 miles) WSW (252 degrees) of Neiafu, Tonga
3056 km (1899 miles) W (260 degrees) of PAPEETE, Tahiti, French Polynesia
ADDITIONAL EARTHQUAKE PARAMETERS
________________________________
event ID : US qhbg
This event has been reviewed by a seismologist at NEIC For subsequent updates, maps, and technical information, see:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/usqhbg.php
FRANKFURT REUTERS-- DaimlerChrysler will get around $376 million (300 million euros) from the sale of real estate to French property group ICADE, the automaker said on Tuesday.
The deal is expected to boost the U.S.-German carmaker's operating profit by about $125 million (100 million euros), it added.
"The cash inflow and profit contribution accrue in the third quarter (two thirds) and the fourth quarter (one third)," DaimlerChrysler said in a statement.
The 13 German properties -- comprising office buildings, business premises and land reserves -- are located in Munich, Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Duesseldorf, Ahrensdorf and Bad Homburg.
"These properties were assessed as being not required for operating purposes during an audit of DaimlerChrysler's stock of real estate," it said, adding the review was part of an effort to improve the group's return on net assets.
DaimlerChrysler has said for months it is reviewing its real estate holdings with a view to divesting non-essential properties.
AUTO-INDUSTRY NEWS, LONDON ENGLAND - - An electric drivetrain developed by the Lichfield-based specialist company Zytek has allowed DaimlerChrysler to introduce “Europe’s first high quality, high efficiency electric commuter car”, the new smart ev (electric vehicle) shown at the British International Motorshow, which provides zero tailpipe emissions and fuel costs cut from the petrol smart’s €0.06 per km (6.3p per mile) to €0.02 per km (2.1p per mile).
The smart ev is claimed to be the only electric vehicle with two airbags, ESP, ABS, pre-tensioned seatbelts and a sturdy safety cell. Up to two hundred electric smart evs will be built by Zytek at its technical centre in Fradley, Staffordshire, for use in UK market trials. The vehicles will be leased to selected corporate customers from November.
Zytek’s new electric drivetrain for the car uses rare-earth magnet technology to deliver ‘exceptional’ power density and efficiency. The brushless DC motor (which can deliver up to 125Nm peak torque and 55kW (74bhp) peak power in other applications) is calibrated to produce 120Nm peak torque and 30kW (40bhp) peak power in a package that weighs 70kg including the motor, gearbox, inverter and control electronics.
The standard car’s cooling system is modified to control internal temperatures, using the existing front-mounted radiator with water flow assisted by an electric pump. The new drivetrain module interfaces with all existing vehicle systems including ABS and ESP.
Zytek believes that this is the only EV powertrain in production that delivers such a high level of integration with other vehicle systems.
Power is provided by a Zebra liquid sodium nickel chloride battery, mounted under the floor near the centre of the vehicle. Running at 180-310V it has a specific power density of 194W/kg, giving a range of up to 72 miles in a standard EUDC test. The high voltage charger, 12V charger, battery cooling fan and brake vacuum pump are installed on a purpose-designed ancillaries frame at the rear of the powertrain bay.
Because electric motors produce maximum torque throughout a large rev range a single ratio equivalent to second has been selected. To help maximise the driving range, the maximum speed is electronically limited to 70mph. With up to 50 percent more torque than the standard 50bhp petrol car, acceleration from low speeds is brisk.
To charge the vehicle’s battery from 30% to 80% capacity from a standard 13A socket takes two and a half hours. The battery is also charged by a regenerative braking system, which works with the ABS and ESP systems.
Zytek has worked with smart on a range of projects since 1998, but the integrated drivetrain fitted to the smart ev is the first to enter production from a range that will eventually provide vehicle manufacturers with power options from 30kW up to 100kW.
7.18.1893 Benjamin Richard Donaldson of the Ford Motor Company is born in Grand Rapids, MI
7.18.1927 The Hudson Motor Car Company announces plans to construct an assembly plant in Berlin, Germany
7.18.1946 Fred L. Eberhardt, President of Gould & Eberhardt, Inc. for 45 years, dies at age 78
7.18.1958 Henri Farman, pioneer racer, luxury automobile manufacturer, and airplane designer, dies in Paris, France at age 84
Source: Automobile History Day By Day, by Douglas A. Wick
Photo Credit: memoireairfrance.canalblog.com
== PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE REPORT ==
Region: SOUTH OF JAVA, INDONESIA
Geographic coordinates: 9.394S, 108.760E
Magnitude: 5.6 Mb
Depth: 10 km
Universal Time (UTC): 18 Jul 2006 04:18:22
Time near the Epicenter: 18 Jul 2006 11:18:22
Local time in your area: 18 Jul 2006 05:18:22
Location with respect to nearby cities:
235 km (146 miles) SSE (167 degrees) of Tasikmalaya, Java, Indonesia
253 km (157 miles) SW (225 degrees) of Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia
293 km (182 miles) S (175 degrees) of Cirebon, Java, Indonesia
425 km (264 miles) SSE (149 degrees) of JAKARTA, Java, Indonesia
ADDITIONAL EARTHQUAKE PARAMETERS
________________________________
event ID : US qhat
This event has been reviewed by a seismologist at NEIC For subsequent updates, maps, and technical information, see:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/usqhat.php
or
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/
== PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE REPORT ==
Region: MOLUCCA SEA
Geographic coordinates: 0.169S, 124.966E
Magnitude: 5.8 Mb
Depth: 25 km
Universal Time (UTC): 18 Jul 2006 03:27:51
Time near the Epicenter: 18 Jul 2006 12:27:51
Local time in your area: 18 Jul 2006 04:27:51
Location with respect to nearby cities:
184 km (114 miles) S (176 degrees) of Manado, Sulawesi, Indonesia
224 km (139 miles) ESE (111 degrees) of Gorontalo, Sulawesi, Indonesia 290 km (180 miles) WSW (248 degrees) of Ternate, Moluccas, Indonesia
938 km (583 miles) N (356 degrees) of DILI, East Timor
ADDITIONAL EARTHQUAKE PARAMETERS
________________________________
event ID : US qhan
This event has been reviewed by a seismologist at NEIC For subsequent updates, maps, and technical information, see:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/usqhan.php
or
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/
Alex GaryROCKFORD REGISTER STAR BELVIDERE — The Belvidere-built Dodge Caliber earned more high marks for safety from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The 2007 Dodge Caliber received the top rating — five stars — for protecting the driver and rear passenger in a side impact collision, the company said Monday.
In May, the Caliber also received five stars from the NHTSA for protecting the driver and passenger in head-on collisions.
That means the Caliber received top ratings in four of the five safety tests by the NHTSA. It received four stars in rollover testing.
The Caliber is equipped with several safety and security technologies, including high-strength steel structure, all-wheel-drive capability, electronic stability program with traction control, driver and front passenger air bags, side-curtain airbags and a driver’s side inflatable knee blocker.
Reuters / July 15, 2006 - 11:00 am FRANKFURT (Reuters) -- DaimlerChrysler's luxury Mercedes brand plans to market its first hybrid car in 2008.
"We're well on track and will bring a competitive concept to the market at the start of 2008," DaimlerChrysler's research chief Thomas Weber told the Wirtschaftswoche magazine.
Hybrids combine an electric motor and batteries with petrol or diesel engines to boost fuel economy and cut emissions.
Japanese carmaker Toyota Motor Corp. has aggressively promoted its top-selling Prius hybrid model.
The magazine said Mercedes was planning to launch a "mild" hybrid version for its S-class model line in 2008.
A "mild" hybrid can boost acceleration and make engines work more efficiently in stop-and-go traffic, but costs less than a full hybrid.
== PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE REPORT ==
Region: SOUTH OF JAVA, INDONESIA
Geographic coordinates: 9.133S, 107.653E
Magnitude: 6.1 Mb
Depth: 46 km
Universal Time (UTC): 17 Jul 2006 09:13:10
Time near the Epicenter: 17 Jul 2006 16:13:10
Local time in your area: 17 Jul 2006 10:13:10
Location with respect to nearby cities:
211 km (131 miles) SSW (199 degrees) of Tasikmalaya, Java, Indonesia
243 km (151 miles) S (178 degrees) of Bandung, Java, Indonesia
262 km (163 miles) SSE (160 degrees) of Sukabumi, Java, Indonesia
348 km (216 miles) SSE (163 degrees) of JAKARTA, Java, Indonesia
ADDITIONAL EARTHQUAKE PARAMETERS
________________________________
event ID : US qgal
This event has been reviewed by a seismologist at NEIC For subsequent updates, maps, and technical information, see:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/usqgal.php
or
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/
== PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE REPORT ==
Region: SOUTH OF JAVA, INDONESIA
Geographic coordinates: 9.295S, 107.347E
Magnitude: 7.2 Mw
Depth: 48 km
Universal Time (UTC): 17 Jul 2006 08:19:30
Time near the Epicenter: 17 Jul 2006 15:19:30
Local time in your area: 17 Jul 2006 09:19:30
Location with respect to nearby cities:
228 km (142 miles) NE (54 degrees) of Christmas Island 240 km (149 miles) SSW (205 degrees) of Tasikmalaya, Java, Indonesia
262 km (163 miles) S (185 degrees) of Bandung, Java, Indonesia
358 km (222 miles) S (169 degrees) of JAKARTA, Java, Indonesia
ADDITIONAL EARTHQUAKE PARAMETERS
________________________________
event ID : US qgaf
This event has been reviewed by a seismologist at NEIC For subsequent updates, maps, and technical information, see:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/usqgaf.php
or
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/
== PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE REPORT ==
California Integrated Seismic Network
http://www.cisn.org
USGS/Caltech/CGS/UCB/UCSD/UNR
Version 1: This report supersedes any earlier reports about this event.
This is a computer-generated message and has not yet been reviewed by a seismologist.
PRINCIPAL EARTHQUAKE PARAMETERS
_______________________________
Magnitude : 3.6 Ml (A micro quake)
Event Date & Time : 7/16/2006 07:37:33 AM PDT
7/16/2006 14:37:33 UTC
Coordinates : 32.2635 N, 114.9705 W
: (32 deg. 15.81 min. N, 114 deg. 58.23 min. W)
Depth : 3.9 miles ( 6.3 km)
Location Quality : Fair
36 mi. ( 59 km) SW of Yuma, AZ
36 mi. ( 59 km) SW of Yuma, AZ
33 mi. ( 52 km) SW of PLT (quarry)
35 mi. ( 57 km) SE of the Imperial Fault
More Information about this event and other earthquakes is available at http://quake.wr.usgs.gov/recenteqs/latestfault.htm
ADDITIONAL EARTHQUAKE PARAMETERS
________________________________
rms misfit : 0.72 seconds
horizontal location error : 4.5 km
vertical location error : 25.9 km
maximum azimuthal gap : 246 degrees
distance to nearest station : 51.0 km
event ID : 14240572
SOURCE OF INFORMATION/CONTACTS
________________________________
CISN Southern California Management Center
Caltech Seismological Laboratory
U.S. Geological Survey
http://www.cisn.org/scmc.html
Diana T. Kurylko Automotive News / July 17, 2006 - 6:00 am NEW YORK -- Mercedes-Benz dealers urged DaimlerChrysler AG CEO Dieter Zetsche not to launch the Smart micro-car brand in the United States, says Doug Callahan, chairman of the luxury brand's dealer council.
"We asked them not to bring it to the United States because we did not think it was commensurate with the Mercedes-Benz image," says Callahan, owner of Helms Bros. Inc. He has Mercedes-Benz stores in Bayside, N.Y., and New London, Conn. Dealers also told Zetsche that if DaimlerChrysler, Smart's parent company, chose to launch Smart here, franchises "should be offered to all the Mercedes-Benz dealers and let the dealers make the decision," Callahan says.
But Zetsche went ahead with a plan to bring the tiny Smart ForTwo hatchback to the United States using Roger Penske's UnitedAuto Group Inc. as an independent distributor. Former Mercedes executive Dave Schembri will head Smart USA.Schembri says UnitedAuto stores will be "given preference" when selecting the 30 to 50 stores to sell Smart, with other DaimlerChrysler dealers receiving consideration. He said last week that UnitedAuto has been deluged with requests for Smart franchises.
Showdown in StuttgartDuring a June luncheon at the Mercedes-Benz museum in Stuttgart, members of the dealer council's board told Zetsche they didn't want Smart in the United States.
Paul Halata, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, was also there but did not comment on the dealer stand, says Callahan. This was the dealer group's first formal meeting with Zetsche.
The board had voted on Smart before going to Germany because "there was some talk about a third party handling Smart for months," says Callahan. Dealers did not know UnitedAuto was given the distribution rights until the June 28 announcement, he says. Zetsche told dealers that no decision had been made about Smart but that DaimlerChrysler was "leaning toward a third-party distributor," says Callahan.Since the announcement, Callahan and the board informally polled dealers and found reaction to UnitedAuto's getting Smart "split about 50-50." They realize the decision is final, he says. Sales start in '08
The ForTwo goes on sale in the United States in 2008. Schembri, who is launching the brand for publicly held UnitedAuto, would not give a timetable for choosing dealers.UnitedAuto has 296 franchises representing 40 brands, but only seven sell Mercedes-Benz.Two years ago, DaimlerChrysler was setting up a network of about 80 Mercedes-Benz dealers to sell the brand beginning this September. But in early 2005, former Mercedes-Benz Car Group CEO Eckhard Cordes pulled the plug on Smart's coming to the United States. Schembri, then at Mercedes, was preparing to select which dealers would sell the cars.
== PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE REPORT ==
Region: OFF COAST OF ATACAMA, CHILE
Geographic coordinates: 28.663S, 72.394W
Magnitude: 6.0 Mw
Depth: 35 km
Universal Time (UTC): 16 Jul 2006 11:42:45
Time near the Epicenter: 16 Jul 2006 06:42:45
Local time in your area: 16 Jul 2006 12:42:45
Location with respect to nearby cities:
177 km (110 miles) NW (324 degrees) of Coquimbo, Chile
247 km (153 miles) SW (233 degrees) of Copiapo, Chile
492 km (306 miles) NW (310 degrees) of San Juan, Argentina
562 km (350 miles) NNW (343 degrees) of SANTIAGO, Chile
ADDITIONAL EARTHQUAKE PARAMETERS
________________________________
event ID : US qfah
This event has been reviewed by a seismologist at NEIC For subsequent updates, maps, and technical information, see:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/usqfah.php
A shortcut to help you reach your final destination
FREEP, CATHY PAYNE, DETROIT MI - - Which way? Thanks to navigation systems and maps, women don't have to ask. Here is a rundown of units and maps to help you get moving.
Navigation systems
Women are turning to the latest technology for safety and convenience.
"Women drivers are busier in a car than most people are, especially if they are taking children somewhere," says Nick Cappa, manager of advanced technology communications for DaimlerChrysler. Chrysler is set to roll out My Gig, a touch-screen unit for navigation and entertainment, in the 2007 Sebring.
Women are showing interest in the technology. "A lot of guys, when you tell them a car has OnStar, they say, 'I don't need that,' " says Jim Nelson, a salesman at Gordon Chevrolet in Garden City. "Women tend to listen." General Motors' OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation lets a driver talk to an adviser and sends directions through the stereo.
Drivers find the systems easy to use. Ford's navigation system is user-friendly, says Mike Barren, a Romeo Ford salesman. "We haven't had anyone come back baffled about how to use this."
In-vehicle navigation systems are expected to bring $20 million in global annual sales by 2011, according to the Telematics Research Group, which has offices in Minnesota and Asia. Sales of portable devices are expected to be $100 million.
Online mapping services
"Women are using more and more of the Internet," says Nancy Cain, public relations manager for the American Automobile Association of Michigan.
• AAA has http://www.aaamaps.com/ for everyone and AAA Internet TripTik for members. Both sites offer maps that show AAA-approved lodgings, restaurants and attractions. The sites let you add and remove notes on maps.
• GOOGLE MAPS (http://www.google.com/) offers detailed satellite images with street names so that you can see landmarks.
• MAPQUEST (http://www.mapquest.com/) has a route builder that allows users to include up to 10 locations.
• YAHOO! MAPS BETA (http://maps.yahoo.com/), which has hybrids of maps and satellite images, provides information about traffic incidents and speed.
Maureen Tulip, a driving instructor at Sears Authorized Driving School in Flint, says she compares maps. Because some maps may have inaccuracies, verify information with someone at your final destination, she adds.
== PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE REPORT ==
Region: BANDA SEA
Geographic coordinates: 4.451S, 126.222E
Magnitude: 5.8 Mb
Depth: 375 km
Universal Time (UTC): 15 Jul 2006 07:10:49
Time near the Epicenter: 15 Jul 2006 16:10:49
Local time in your area: 15 Jul 2006 08:10:49
Location with respect to nearby cities:
232 km (144 miles) WSW (248 degrees) of Ambon, Moluccas, Indonesia
416 km (258 miles) ENE (74 degrees) of Baubau, Sulawesi, Indonesia
465 km (289 miles) N (9 degrees) of DILI, East Timor
ADDITIONAL EARTHQUAKE PARAMETERS
________________________________
event ID : US qeaf
This event has been reviewed by a seismologist at NEIC For subsequent updates, maps, and technical information, see:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/usqeaf.php
Gregory Cancelada, ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH - - Frustrated by contract disputes, the United Auto Workers union is considering a strike at DaimlerChrysler AG's South plant in Fenton, a source of the automaker's popular line of minivans.
The minivan workers will vote Thursday on whether to authorize a strike, although the UAW hopes to resolve the disputes without resorting to a work stoppage. DaimlerChrysler executives couldn't be reached Friday for comment. At issue is the local contract between the automaker and UAW Local 110, which represents the minivan workers. Assembly plants organized by the UAW operate under a set of two contracts: a national contract that covers wages and benefits, and a local contract that governs each plant's workplace rules and procedures.
Though the local contract doesn't expire until 2009, the union says DaimlerChrysler hasn't fulfilled its part of the contract.
The union accuses the automaker of violating the local contract in numerous areas, including overtime, the arbitrary use of discipline, and health and safety issues.
"Day to day, we deserve to get what we agreed upon," Local 110 President Glenn Woemmel said Friday. The union says it has tried to resolve the dispute, and accuses DaimlerChrysler of bargaining in bad faith. "These problems are solvable," Woemmel said.
"It just takes movement on their part." If workers do vote next week to grant authorization for a strike, there will be time for further negotiations. The facility will close for four weeks starting July 24 to prepare for the 2007 model year. The South plant employs about 3,300 people to build the Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan and the Chrysler Town & Country minivans. Beside the South plant, DaimlerChrysler builds these vehicles at Windsor, Ontario.
The disputes don't extend to the adjacent North assembly plant, which employs about 2,300 workers to assemble Dodge Ram pickups.
