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Posts Tagged ‘Honda hybrid cars’

Honda Hydrogen Car - A Step in the Right Direction : New hydrogen Honda review

Monday, January 12th, 2009

Honda Hydrogen Car - A Step in the Right Direction : New hydrogen Honda hybrid cars 2009

Honda Hydrogen Car - A Step in the Right Direction
by Michael Cooper

In November of 2007, Honda announced its next generation eco-friendly vehicle, the Honda FCX Clarity. Unlike many of the other eco-friendly cars such as hybrids and other hydrogen cars, the FCX Clarity hydrogen car uses what is called a fuel cell.
A fuel cell is a device that creates electricity from the fuel, in this case hydrogen. The Honda V Flow fuel cell is a revolutionary breakthrough that generates enough electricity to power a real world car. The fuel cell combines hydrogen from the fuel tank with oxygen in the air to produce two things: electricity and water.
That is correct; water is the only byproduct of the Honda FCX Clarity!
This amazing system allows the Honda FCX Clarity to be ranked as what is known as a ZEV (Zero Emissions Vehicle). It has absolutely no harmful emissions of any sort.
The wheels are driven by a quiet, compact electric motor that draws power from the fuel cell and from the lithium-ion (Lion) battery that like a gas hybrid is also charged when braking and driving downhill.
Comparative Gas Mileage
There is no direct way to compare gas mileage as hydrogen is a compressed gas and is measured in kilograms of fuel weight. The tank holds 4.1kg of fuel (about 9 pounds) which is enough to give the car a range of 280 miles. Miles per gallon is calculated using the GGE (Gasoline Gallon Equivalent) which determines the comparative energy used to move the car.
Miles Per Gallon (GGE)
- City: 79
- Highway: 68
- Combined: 74
Miles Per Kilogram
- City: 77
- Highway: 67
- Combined: 72
Yes, you read that correctly; Miles per Kilogram. Since the fuel storage is measured in kilograms MPK will be an increasingly common method of measuring your mileage as hydrogen powered cars become more common.
The Honda FCX Clarity drives just like any other Honda, with on exception, it has virtually no engine noise. With its super quiet engine it has ample pick-up and produces 134 horsepower, more than enough to move its light, aerodynamic frame around the road. The vehicle also sports a lot of Honda’s upcoming features and technology with a very advanced, yet comfortable and convenient interior.
Honda plans to produce a limited of the 2008 FCX Clarity models and offer them on lease at $600/month. They are available in southern California in areas near pre-existing hydrogen refueling stations. Honda has also created a Hydrogen Dealer Network where the cars are to be sold and serviced.

Will Hydrogen Cars Replace Hybrid Cars? :New honda cars 2009 review

Thursday, December 25th, 2008

Will Hydrogen Cars Replace Hybrid Cars?
by Wendy Gorman

Wouldn’t you just know it, just as the Hybrid Car begins to make its presence felt as the saviour of tomorrows motorist (and the world) along comes another young pretender to the throne - The hydrogen fuelled car. Some people say that hydrogen cars will have pure refeshment water on tap. We shall see, in theory it could happen with a Hydrogen Car but they are way behind the Hybrid Car in their development program and forecasting is impossible. Hydrogen cars do however, have the potential to be better cars than Hybrid Cars in several ways so we need to compare their known characteristics.
Hydrogen cars use a chemical reaction rather than a burning process for motive power
Conventional cars burn fossil fuel and Hybrid Cars use smaller amounts of the same fuel to charge their batteries. Hydrogen Cars do not use fossil fuel at all. Instead Hydrogen Cars depend upon a chemical reaction between Hydrogen and Oxygen that produces a lot of energy plus pure water residue - a completely pollution free process. Hence the earlier reference to water on tap in Hydrogen cars. It is not possible for Hybrid Cars to achieve the same thing without breaking the Laws of Chemistry.
The reaction process in Hydrogen Cars produces up to three times the energy output from the equivalent gasoline based process in conventional and hybrid cars.
Hydrogen fuel burns both hotter and faster than fossil based fuel and is therefore much more efficient. In theory therefore it should be possible to design Hydrogen Cars that canreach incredible speeds with as yet unrealised acceleration compared to Hybrid Cars. There is simply no way that Hybid Cars, dependent as they are (in all their forms) on battery power, will be able to compete on this level.
The question arises “Is the hydrogen car concept for real?
Many people believe that Hybrid Cars reflect reality much more than Hydrogen Cars do. Hybrid Cars exist on our roads now and have already cut pollution emmissions by some 30% to 50%. Why then do we need to indulge in a possible flight of fancy such as the Hydrogen Car by investing vast sums of money to try to achieve the impossible?
The Hydrogen used in Hydrogen Cars is defined as a fuel carrier. It is not considered to be a fuel source in itself.
Indeed, it is hoped by some proponents of this type of fuel process, that in the future it will be possible to produce hydrogen with the use of such sources as wind power and other renewable energy sources.That means that hydrogen has to be produced from other sources. And people are hoping that hydrogen will be able to be produced from things such as wind power or other types of renewable sources. Right now, it looks like all we have is natural gas. That is the most efficient way to get hydrogen. And if that’s the case, then there’s no need to make hydrogen cars. Hybrid cars already cut down on how much gas people use. Who needs hydrogen cars that may end up costing us more in natural gas?
It will be hard create a lot of stations to fuel hydrogen cars
People are saying there is an overwhelming amount of challenges when it comes to creating the multitudes of hydrogen fueling stations that would be needed if millions of people suddenly started owning hydrogen cars. Hybrid cars use gas. And we already have gas stations.
But president Bush has made it clear that he wants hydrogen cars to be on the roads in significant numbers by the year 2020. So it seems that those who oppose hydrogen cars might just have to hold their breath and see if hydrogen cars actually live up to the lofty promises people associate with them. If they don’t live up to their promises, people will probably start running back to hybrid cars in droves. And that’s not too bad. Hybrid cars or hydrogen cars, one of them is going to get us to cleaner air.

Honda CBR1100XX - Super Blackbird

Saturday, July 19th, 2008
Honda CBR1100XX - Super Blackbird  
by InsureMyRide

There is something just so utterly intoxicating about the way Honda’s Super Blackbird blends such enormous raw power with such velvety-smooth refinement.
By rights, 152 claimed horses - which still equates with over 130bhp at the rear wheel - should make the 223kg Blackbird a big handful, yet somehow Honda’s wizards have managed to break those horses, and train them to perform a synchronized ballet that would be the envy of Spain’s famed dancing stallions…
Then there’s the fact that some 10 years after its introduction, the Blackbird is still on the pace despite receiving very little in the way of modifications or upgrades.
Released late in 1996, the CBR1100XX went from carburettors to electronic fuel injection in 1999, and then received a catalytic converter and updated headlights, instruments and screen in 2001 - throw in the odd change in colour scheme here and there, and the Blackbird has really undergone very little in the way of tinkering.
And really, why would it? Pointing the bike down Victoria’s Great Ocean Road recently, it showed it can still hold its head high, with a formula that really hasn’t dated since its inception.
The Blackbird’s turbine-like four-cylinder engine develops big torque and big power, with crisp fuel injection that places both at your beck and call. There are no flat spots to speak of, in fact there’s nothing but bulk oomph pretty much throughout its entire rev range, from just off idle to its indicated 10,750rpm redline.
On the road this translates to a pure delight, although it’s perhaps not as involving as other less-powerful machines, as even on a road with quite a variation of turns you can simply pick a gear and stick with it.
The Blackbird was the world’s fastest production bike when it first hit the streets, a mantle it retained for over two years until Suzuki introduced the GSX1300R Hayabusa in May of 1999.
While it’s not quite as strong as the ‘Bus or Kawasaki’s ZX-14 or even ZX-12R, there’s still plenty here to keep you entertained, and you’ll need to watch that right wrist like a hawk if you want any chance of retaining your license…
Stopping is a particularly important issue on a bike like this, and the twin-disc, three-piston Nissins are right on the money. Honda’s Dual Combined Brake System (DCBS) is employed, which won’t please everyone but will be appreciated by others. If you’re not looking to break lap records at Phillip Island, it shouldn’t be an issue - and if you are you should really be looking for something lighter anyway, like a Fireblade.
The suspension, though relatively low-tech, does a beautiful job, but tends towards the plusher end of the spectrum, at least in terms of sportier hardware.
The ‘Bird’s on the money in the comfort stakes too, with a firm but supportive seat, a good screen and slippery bodywork to allow you to scythe through the air. Those on the tall side may find legroom a bit wanting, but there’s still enough there to ensure multi-day tours will still be on the agenda, aided further by the ‘Bird’s optional factory panniers ($1750). So what exactly is the Blackbird’s focus? At 223kg (dry) it’s too heavy to be a pure sportsbike, yet it’s too fast and has too sporty a ride position to be a true tourer.
Really, it’s a power-packed all-rounder and a hyper-tourer on the open road - provided you can find roads on which you can actually explore its potential (try Germany).
But even at legal speeds, that engine will always see you coming back for more. Happy birthday Blackbird - may your reign in the Honda stable continue for many years more.
SPECS: Honda CBR1100XX Super BlackbirdEngine: 1137cc, liquid-cooled, four-stroke, DOHC, 16-valve, inline four-cylinderBore and stroke: 79 x 58mmCompression: 11.0:1Fuel system: electronic fuel injectionPower: 152bhp @ 9500rpmTorque: 119Nm @ 7250rpmTransmission: six-speedFrame: alloy twin-sparFront brake: twin 310mm discs with three-piston Nissin calipersRear brake: single 256mm disc with three-piston Nissin caliperFront suspension: 43mm forks, non-adjustableRear suspension: Pro-Link monoshock, adjustable for preload and reboundWheels: three-spoked alloyTyres: Dunlop D205 Sportmax; 120/70ZR17 front, 180/55R17 rearSeat height: 810mmWheelbase: 1490mmClaimed dry weight: 223kgFuel tank: 24LPrice: $18,790 plus ORCColours: Iron Nail Silver Metallic or Darkness Black MetallicWarranty: 24 months/unlimited kilometresContact: (03) 9270 1111Web: Honda Motorcycles (www.hondamotorcycles.com.au/)

Keeping Your Car Cool with Honda Water Pump : New Honda hybrid cars 2008 review

Thursday, May 29th, 2008

Keeping Your Car Cool with Honda Water Pump : New hybrid car 2008 reviews
by Anthony Fontanelle
We know your Honda car delivers the kind of horse power and torque you’ve always wanted. Overheating troubles, though, may set you back. So to keep things nice and cool, every Honda car is equipped with the Honda water pump. The water pump is an integral component of your Honda car’s cooling system. Your Honda water pump delivers liquid coolant or water to your radiator from your engine to avoid overheating.Your water pump is composed of an inlet valve. This enables the water or coolant to hit the pump vanes, eventually allowing the water to return to the engine. A faulty water pump causes engine overheating which might (and probably will) lead to the following wrinkles and pickles: a warped head, a blown head gasket, as well as premature engine wear and tear. Save yourself from these unnecessary problems, replace your old, faulty, worn-out water pump with a Honda water pump.With a Honda water pump you are rest-assured your car’s cooling system and combustion engine are safe. That is because every Honda water pump comes with a quality guaranteed to last a long, long, long time. In this site you will find an extensive array of Honda water pumps. Our selection includes stock water pumps, high-flow water pumps and reverse-rotation water pumps. Using our site, you can find the right Honda water pump, fast and easy. Not only that, we carry a wide range of cooling system parts. We know that as a consumer, you are wary of buying imitation or second-class car parts. Our site guarantees that you get every penny’s worth with our top-of-the-line genuine car components. In addition, our site not only provides one of the most comprehensive line-ups of Honda products in the market today, we also offer them at the most affordable prices. Keep your engine cool without burning a hole in your pockets. Order your Honda water pump here.



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