NASCAR Releases New Rules For Drivers Getting Out Of Cars

In response to the sprint car crash that ended with NASCAR driver Tony Stewart running over and killing 20-year-old Kevin Ward Jr., NASCAR has some new rules for drivers: Basically, stay in your car.

Here's the whole release explaining the new rules:

 My first reaction to the whole accident was how terribly horrible that it happened in the first place but then, surely there must be procedure in place which states drivers are not to exit their car in less than dire circumstances.  Apparently there were not but now there are.

Dodge Charger Pursuit Puts on New Clothes for 2015

Since the Charger has received a substantial refresh for the 2015 model year, it was about time that Dodge applied the makeover to the Charger Pursuit as well.

The police vehicle features an all-new exterior styling for 2015 similar to the “civilian” version, as well as a refreshed driver-focused cockpit and police-duty upgrades.

Dodge says the Charger Pursuit V8 and V8 AWD models deliver best-in-class output (370 hp) and best-in-class acceleration performance, with the 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) sprint taking less than 6 seconds. The Charger Pursuit is also offered with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine producing 292 hp and featuring E-85 flex-fuel capability. The latter returns up to 26 mpg (9 l/100 km) highway.

Besides the police-specific exterior features, the design is not different from the standard Charger. However, the interior is described as a “mobile command center”, with the 2015 Charger Pursuit featuring a new vehicle systems interface module for easy equipment integration, police-duty front seats with unique bolstering to accommodate officers’ belt-mounted gear, as well as column-mounted shifter with Auto Stick to free up space for center-console mounted controls.

Improvements over the 2014 model include a new Dodge steering wheel with re-mappable auxiliary buttons programmed to operate aftermarket police equipment, larger 14.5in (368mm) front and 13.8in (350mm) rear pursuit-rated brake package, additional front suspension bushing durability improvement for RWD models, uniquely designed fascia brake cooling ducts, LEDs in front headlamp assembly and an improved Vehicle System Integration Model, among other things.

Worldwide gasoline demand going to drop after 2021

Even as electric vehicles gain in popularity, we're told again and again that internal combustion engines aren't going away. While that may be true, it would still be nice to kick our addiction to gasoline. Pollution, international turmoil and energy insecurity are getting a bit tiresome. It's good news, then that Navigant Research is predicting a decline in the amount of gasoline we use.

In a report titled "Transportation Forecast: Global Fuel Consumption," Navigant Research concludes that gasoline consumption will begin to decline after 2021, and will decrease by four percent worldwide between 2014 and 2035. While it might not be time to break out the champagne yet, the forecast is promising. And it's not just a fluke or natural, cyclical event, either. This is the result of conscious effort by actual humans who are concerned about the effect gasoline use has on the Earth and its inhabitants.

"The anticipated effects of climate change are driving international cooperation on mitigation efforts," says Navigant Research analyst Scot Shepard, "including reducing oil consumption in the transportation sector. Markets for both vehicles and fuels have gradually begun to respond to these efforts, and alternative fuels - including electricity, natural gas, and biodiesel - are beginning to have an impact on global oil demand." Okay, maybe just a little champagne.

Navigant credits electric vehicles to a small extent for the eventual decline in gas use, as well as development of biofuels and the like. The group says, though, that the main factors are improvements in cars and the internal combustion engines they use, which lead to better fuel economy. Check out the press release from Navigant Research, below, or see more at the group's website.

Worldwide Gasoline Consumption Will Fall by 4 Percent from 2014 to 2035
August 4, 2014

Gasoline consumption will start to decline after 2021, report concludes

The costs of dependence on oil for transportation, which affects energy security, environmental security, and economic stability, have become increasingly clear to governments around the world. As a result, a number of policies aimed at reducing oil consumption have been initiated in many countries, including subsidizing alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles, biofuels mandates, and higher fuel economy requirements for new vehicles. According to a new report from Navigant Research, gasoline consumption for road transportation will continue to rise through 2021, reaching 367.3 billion gallons a year, but then start to fall thereafter, declining to 348.1 billion gallons a year in 2035.

"The anticipated effects of climate change are driving international cooperation on mitigation efforts, including reducing oil consumption in the transportation sector," says Scott Shepard, research analyst with Navigant Research. "Markets for both vehicles and fuels have gradually begun to respond to these efforts, and alternative fuels ‑ including electricity, natural gas, and biodiesel ‑ are beginning to have an impact on global oil demand."

While the market for electric vehicles is growing at a healthy pace, according to the report, the most impactful fuel savings strategy is likely to come from fuel efficiency improvements in the conventional vehicle platform and the internal combustion engine (ICE). To meet the increased fuel economy requirements for new vehicles, automakers have made major investments in engine downsizing, reducing vehicle weights, and vehicle electrification.

The report, "Transportation Forecast: Global Fuel Consumption", analyzes the global road transportation fuels market by alternative fuel and vehicle segment (light duty vehicles and medium and heavy duty vehicles). Analysis and data are provided for the following fuels: gasoline, diesel, ethanol, biodiesel, drop-in biofuels, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, electricity, and hydrogen. Global market forecasts for energy, oil, and fuel consumption, segmented by country and vehicle segment, extend through 2035. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the Navigant Research website.

John Beltz Snyder RSS feed Google+
Posted Aug 6th 2014 7:58PM

Nissan Promises "Iconic" Design to Make Up for Cube’s Termination

With the demise of the Cube and Murano CrossCabriolet, Nissan’s lineup suddenly lacks eccentric models, perhaps with the exception of the Juke crossover.

But that will change in the future, as Nissan pledges to add an iconic design to keep its lineup quirky.

Nissan’s chief planning officer Andy Palmer says the brand needs a head-turner to capitalize on its innovative image. That role has been played by the boxy Cube compact since 2009, with Nissan launching another controversial design in 2011, the Murano CrossCabriolet, which was a convertible version of the Murano crossover.

Both these models have been dropped from Nissan’s 2015 lineup in the United States, but Nissan promises another offering that will generate just as much buzz.

“To be clear, we will morph this space in our portfolio into something iconic. The space is held to make sure we have something iconic,” Palmer told Autonews. However, the executive didn’t offer additional details about what the company is preparing.

Still, if we look at Nissan’s recent concept cars we may find an answer. The wedge-shaped BladeGlider would no doubt be the most striking as a production car but it won’t be easy for Nissan to build it as DeltaWing Technologies, the company which first used the unusual design, is pursuing legal action against Nissan. Furthermore, DeltaWing has already hinted at a production car, which will no doubt make it hard for Nissan to bring the BladeGlider to market.

Another Nissan concept that may be produced is the IDx, a Datsun 510-inspired sporty coupe concept. However, according to recent report the IDx would be too expensive for Nissan to build on its own, which is why it may be delayed or even cancelled.