Inside The Mind Of An Automotive Geek

German automaker Mercedes-Benz is known for being the engine supplier of Formula One team McLaren. But aside from that, the company is also known for their great looking cars made for performance and aesthetics. And then, there’s diesel technology. Although not a maker of trucks and buses, the German automaker is making headway in the development of diesel engines, after all, European automakers are creating new generation of diesel engines which are more fuel efficient than gasoline engines.

Recently, the automaker announced that they have developed an engine with the characteristics of a diesel engine but does not run on diesel fuel. Pretty confusing, right? But once you learned about the engine, the DiesOtto as they call it, you would be enlightened.

Although new diesel engines are known to be more efficient and cleaner than gasoline engines, Mercedes-Benz believes that gasoline engines are not as environmentally harmful as we were led to believe by other automakers. And the DiesOtto is concrete proof of that.

The engine, which I believe is named after auto greats Rudolf Diesel and Nicolaus Otto, the former being the inventor of diesel engines and the latter being the one who conceptualized four-stroke engines, is an engine which runs on gasoline but uses the injection characteristics of a diesel engine.

According to Mercedes-Benz, the gasoline, or as they call it, petrol engine will have ‘extremely clean emissions’. Aside from injecting the fuel into the compressed air inside the combustion chamber, the engine will also be turbocharged, and will have variable valve timing thus reducing fuel consumption and increasing power output.

The DiesOtto is said to have an output of 238 horsepower while at the same time consuming only 6 liters of fuel for every 100 kilometers. Or in miles, that would be 39.2 miles per gallon. The engine though is not yet being mass produced as the automaker is still making adjustments to the engine.

According to Mercedes-Benz, these are what they need to work on:

• Downsizing with fewer cylinders and a smaller displacement
  
• Turbocharging for superior performance
  
• Direct petrol injection as a further fuel economy measure
  
• Controlled auto ignition, a combustion process similar to that of a diesel
  
• Variable valve control
  
• A variable compression ratio leading to even better fuel economy and, depending on customer needs and the type of operation,
  
• A hybrid module with an integrated starter/generator, which makes the drive unit even more economical

Life is more important than any of your BMW 3 Series parts or your 2009 Chevrolet Camaro! Life should not be taken for granted and that’s the best thing we should all do - care for yourself and care for others! Be a responsible driver! I know you’re going to ask me why I’m so concerned about this matter. Well, actually this is a serious issue that’s why I’m here to remind you about responsible driving!

From one of the latest news published on autochannel.com about the most recent survey from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), it was revealed that distracted driving is dangerous and deadly as caused by extreme outrageous behavior!

"These examples, along with hundreds of others we all see on a regular basis, highlight how important of an issue distracted driving really is. The steel safety cage in a car is the last line of defense for vehicle occupants in the event of a crash, but we as an industry advocate safe, non-aggressive driving and an extra dose of common sense to avoid a crash from even occurring. Everyday we are hearing about more and more accidents caused by distracted driving, so it's time that this issue becomes front and center in our everyday conversations," explained Bill Heenan, the president of the Steel Recycling Institute (SRI) group.

Here are the helpful and effective tips to avoid distracted driving! These pieces of info are courtesy of the Loyola University Health System and Insurance Bureau of Canada. So what are you waiting for? Read, read and read! (And don’t forget to remember these when behind the wheel.)

1. Ask passengers to keep conversation to a minimum and help you navigate.
   
2. Deal with potential distractions before you hit the road, such as eating, putting on make-up, combing your hair, reading and checking messages.
   
3. Be well rested before getting behind the wheel.
   
4. Make sure you have clear directions and double-check the map before you leave.
   
5. Familiarize yourself with your dashboard controls before you go. Make sure your seat, headrest, seatbelt, rearview mirror, temperature controls, radio, etc., are adjusted to your liking.
   
6. Manage your music ahead of time. Pre-program your car radio, and adjust your channels, CDs or iPOD only when the car is stopped.
   
7. Pull over somewhere safe if you need to make an urgent call, check a message, deal with the kids, eat or drink, etc.
   
8. Change your cell phone voicemail message to let callers know that you may be driving and you will call them back later.
   
9. Tell everyone that for safety reasons, you no longer take calls while driving. If you call someone and find out that they are driving, let them go and call them later.
   
10. Turn off your cell phone and PDA when you get into your car. Lock it in the trunk if it helps!

I know some of you have attended awesome concerts with your favorite artists performing on stage. But have you ever been to a fund raising concert which lasted for about twenty-four hours straight with hundreds of your favorite celebrities and artists? I don’t think so! And so am I! Actually, this kind of event just happened three days ago. And if I could turn back the time, I would exchange my Ford Bronco parts and my Ford bumpers just to have enough cash to buy myself a ticket to Stuttgart, Germany.

I’m talking about the greatest and biggest event took place last July 7, 2007 at Stuttgart, Germany! The countdown for the world’s most historical and biggest fund raising occurrence in pop and rock music is over and everybody’s ready to party in all of the eight concerts sponsored by smart!

The Live Earth concerts against global warming started with life music performances from Bon Jovi, The Police, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Madonna, Genesis and hundreds of top international acts to rally against such a sizzling topic broadcasted for a period of twenty-four hours straight across eight cities and on all seven continents around the globe! Definitely the event that rocked the world! How I wish I was there too. Together with smart, the only manufacturer to support the cause is the SOS, “Save Our Selves”, initiative started by Kevin Wall and Al Gore which is the official associate of the world-rocking concerts. A range of activities were accompanied by smart as a part of climate protection project. For the eight concerts, smart provided service shuttles.

“We care” – this is the motto the automobile manufacturer is using in its support for the climate protection initiative. “In environmental protection what matters most is what people do as individuals. It's about making conscious decisions and asking questions about specific matters. Initiating this movement is the fundamental idea of the smart brand. smart came about because we asked ourselves what the car of the future should look like – how much space it can take up in our cities and how fast it should be able to drive, what kind of stress can it place on the environment. For this reason it is simply consistent that we are committing ourselves to an event such as Live Earth,” said Dieter Zetsche, the CEO of DaimlerChrysler AG and the head of the Mercedes Car Group.

Okay, so the Solstice is the star from Pontiac’s range of cool cars - that’s undeniably true. Who could ever ignore the beauty of this Transformer car also known as Jazz? None!

Anyway, were not here to talk about that stuff but something relatively linked with the Pontiac Solstice. It’s its brother or sister I guess, whatever you want to call it. Yeah, without any further chit-chats, I present to you the Pontiac G6 Convertible!

This gorgeous ride exemplifies the real definition of a luxury convertible! Packed with a 3.5L V6 engine with 217 horsepower with a maximum torque of 217 lb-ft, all the cool stuff you need is on the G6 Convertible. You won’t definitely ask for more with this kind of vehicle! I won’t doubt it if everyone will be stunned when you pass by driving this sexy ride downtown! Check out some of the cool standard features of the Pontiac G6…

Standard Features:

• Air bags, frontal, dual-stage frontal, driver and right-front passenger with Passenger Sensing System
  
• Air bags, seat mounted side-impact thorax
  
• Air conditioning, single-zone automatic climate control
  
• AM/FM stereo with 6-disc in-dash CD changer, seek-and-scan, digital clock, auto-tone control, Radio Data System, Theftlock, random disc function, graphic equalizer and Driver Information Center
  
• Audio System feature, Monsoon high-performance 8-speaker system with high-mounted tweeters and subwoofer
  
• XM Radio With a wide variety of programming, XM has something to excite any driver. Whether you want to be entertained or informed, to laugh, think, or sing, XM has the perfect channel for you - coast-to-coast, and in digital-quality sound. 3 trial months - no obligation
  
• Console, floor, with floor shifter, integral armrest, lighted shift indicator, parking brake and storage compartment
  
• Cruise control, electronic with set and resume speed
  
• Defogger, rear-window, electric
  
• Door locks, power programmable, with lockout protection and delayed locking
  
• Instrumentation, analog with speedometer, temperature, fuel, tachometer and trip odometer
  
• Lighting, interior with illuminated entry and theater dimming
  
• Map pocket, seatback, front driver and passenger-side
  
• OnStar Fuel Station Location,† if you are running low on gas, OnStar can provide you with directions to the nearest fueling station
  
• OnStar Hands-Free Calling,† allows you to make and receive voice-activated phone calls in your vehicle
  
• OnStar Information/Convenience Services,† get service recommendations and directory information from an Advisor
  
• OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation,† simple, audio-based directions to safely get you to your destination
  
• Remote Keyless Entry, extended range
  
• Remote vehicle starter system, included in key fob

The new generation of top-class cars has emerged with a trembling impact on the industry today. One of the crowd favorites is the MX-5 Miata from Mazda. The 2007 model has earned recognition and praises from automobile eyes as it was chosen as one of the top cars of 2007 according to Cars.com.

This roadster promises a brand new driving experience to new car buyers. The class and convenience in a premium car is very evident in this ride. Talk about auto performance, convenience, quality and sporty, the 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata has it all. The quality parts are totally splendid from the Mazda cold air intake up to the gorgeous auto body parts!

Check out some of its dazzling standard features:

• Panel: Vinyl (black) w/silver handle
  
• Panel: Faux leather (black or tan) w/silver handle
  
• Inner pull-handle cap trim Black Black Black Silver
  
• Speaker ring Black Black Black Silver
  
• Floor tunnel net pocket
  
• Front door storage pockets with bottle holders
  
• Gauges, black with white lettering & red nighttime illumination
  
• Instrument panel gauge trim - Silver
  
• Courtesy overhead lamp with dimming
  
• Locking glove box
  
• Locking rear center console
  
• Vanity mirrors/ driver & passenger
  
• Rear view mirror day/night
  
• Power windows with driver's one-touch-down feature
  
• Passenger one-touch-down feature
  
• Remote keyless entry with retractable key
  
• Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry
  
• Bucket with reclining and forward/back slide feature
  
• Driver's seatback storage pocket
  
• Integrated headrests
  
• Upholstery, cloth (black)
  
• Upholstery, leather (black or tan)
  
• Leather wrapped steering wheel
  
• Steering wheel w/audio and speed controls
  
• 12-V power outlet
  
• Shift knob, leather wrapped w/silver ring
  
• Storage - driver and passenger back panel (uncovered)
  
• Storage - driver and passenger back panel (covered)
  
• Windblocker - mesh aero board
  
• 4-speaker sound system
  
• 6-speaker sound system
  
• 7-speaker sound system
  
• AM/FM stereo w/single CD player w/digital clock
  
• Bose audio 7 speaker sound system (includes Audiopilot TM)
  
• Speed - sensing automatic volume control
  
• Sirius satellite radio-compatible audio system

I also did find some really interesting thoughts on the vehicle. Check ‘em out.

Edmunds Comparison Test, Edmunds.com: "But the biggest reason the Miata took this one is the simple fact that it's 10 billion times more fun to drive. It's more responsive. Its engine is livelier and its gearbox feels like it was plucked from a shifter kart. It also has more steering feel, and it stops better."

AUTOMOBILE Magazine: "Managing weight, improving antidive and antisquat, stiffening steering, and improving brake response and rigidity are among the most important factors in making the new Miata feel as sensational to drive as it ever did, with everything operating in perfect harmony at a higher level."