Mercedes-Benz intends to jump into the hybrid “green” pool next year with what is described as a lithium-battery and diesel-electric GLK in its S400 Bluetec hybrid. European sales are slated for mid-2009, with U.S. plans for next fall.
This battery project may open a new lineup of hybrid models.
Hybrid vehicles are powered by rechargeable battery packs within the engine, allowing the engine to act like a motor as well as an electric generator. The major benefit over widespread classic internal combustion engines is fuel efficiency. This technology is more environmentally friendly and is paving the road with greener transportation.
Pioneering Toyota’s Prius still leads the passenger car pack by a wide margin, with 60 miles per gallon in the city and 51 on the open road. The four-door sedan was first produced in 1997.
Next among nine models is the Honda Civic, checking in at 47-48, then the Toyota Camry at 43-37.
Among the eight gas-eating SUVs, Ford’s Escape comes in with 36-31, followed by Mazda’s Tribute (34-30) and Mercury’s Mariner (33-29). Two trucks are on the rolls: Chevrolet’s Silverado 1500 and GMC’s Sierra, both at 18-20.
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For Tony George, major domo of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, it was a waiting game of 12 years for the rivaling Champ Car series to patch up differences and consolidate open-wheel racing.
Gerald Forsythe, co-owner of Champ Car, signed an agreement in principle in Chicago, joining his partner Kevin Kalkhoven while George signed in Indianapolis for his IRL group.
Will this merger allow the open wheelers to gain on leading NASCAR in the popularity poll? Probably not, but it’s a restart.
Champ Cars, then known in 1979 as CART, formed when activist car owners became disenchanted with the sanctioning United States Auto Club’s “promotional weakness.” In 1996, George resigned from CART’s board, formed IRL and banned CART teams from the Indy 500. Battle lines were drawn.
So much must be done with the major expense for Champ Car owners to switch engines, from the powerful Cosworths to a tuned-down Honda power plant plus new chassis. Estimated cost is $30 million.
Currently, IRL’s Honda engines are rev-limited to 10,300 rpm, and produce approximately 650 hp. They are normally aspirated with a displacement of 183 cubic inches.
It does give George the prospects of a larger and possibly more challenging entry field for this year’s Indy 500. Over the past four or five years, he’s been hard-pressed to get 33 cars in the race
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Noteworthy ” While Danica Patrick accepted a sixth-place finish March 29 in the season-opening Indy 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, 2,740 miles away in Los Angeles she was the winner of another contest. The Andretti Green Racing driver was named “Favorite Female Athlete” during the 21st Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards show. Winners in 18 categories of entertainment were determined by 88 million votes on the channel’s official Web site. Also in the category were tennis players Venus and Serena Williams and WNBA player Cheryl Ford … Meanwhile, Helio Castroneves, winner of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” last November, resumes his day job, pursuing an IndyCar driving title … The 92nd Indianapolis 500 will skyrocket to record totals of at least $13.4 million and $2.5 million, respectively. Every driver who races in the 500 will earn at least $270,000, with full-time IndyCar Series drivers earning at least $300,000 “¦ The eighth annual Cajon Classic Cruise, reportedly the largest weekly classic car show in Southern California, commences June 4, 5 to 8 p.m. on Main Street in the heart of downtown El Cajon. Admission is free. The weekly car show will continue each Wednesday through Sept. 24.
