22 replies to this topic

[MG Brown]

Spotted at Chicago Auto Show. Not your traditional "Autos".

 

Toyota i-Road

 

 

 

One would think that the i-Road is a typical show prototype made for attracting attention to the brand. However, Toyota claims that's not the case here. A spokesperson said: "In 2014 the first i-Road for consumer use starts with 70 models being deployed in a mobility project in and around the Grenoble region. What Toyota in fact states with this i-Road is that the company doesn't believe in 'ordinary' electric cars. Toyota sees a more realistic future for electric mobility with so-called Personal Mobility Vehicles made for one or two riders. They are affordable and fit for usage in urban areas."

 

Toyota FV2

 

 

 

 

The Toyota FV2 is a concept car that can express Toyota’s “Fun to Drive” philosophy even in a future world in which vehicle technology has greatly progressed. The vehicle enhances the driving experience by connecting physically and emotionally with the driver, becoming more fun to drive the more it is used.

[TSR]

Actually, they are cool. All they have to do now is fit them with all the new electronic self-guidance goodies and install a big-screen TV for the inert passenger to get the latest propaganda from the Supreme Highway Command.

 

"You Will Be Assimilated"

[MG Brown]

2015 Corvette Z06
 

 

 
Not to be outdone, Ford had their own new plastic sports cars at their exhibit... the 2015 Mustang in 1/25 scale "make and take" provided by Revell. Unfortunately, unlike at the Detroit Auto Show, you must be 14 years old or younger to get one of these Auto Show Edition kits.
 

 
It was heartwarming to see young people and adults working together to build something instead of having video simulators like at many of the other manufacturer areas.
 
Quite unusual was that Ford had 7 Stern Electronics "Mustang" pinball machines set to "free play" in their area for show attendees to enjoy also.
 

 




 



ABOUT MUSTANG PRO

(From the Stern Electronics website)
 
Players will experience the thrill of building an amazing collection of the most desirable Mustangs; including GT's, Mach 1's, Cobras, Boss Mustangs and the 2015 Mustang
 
Take your Mustangs racing against an array of colorful game characters in 8 different racing scenarios including drifting, drag racing, road races, rallies and police pursuits
 
Take down the "GEARS" drop targets to shift your way into gear shift multiball
 
Shoot around the playfield to earn Ford Racing parts and customize, modify and tune your Mustangs
 
Advance thru the challenge ladder to race in the Silverball Stampede, an all-out coast-to-coast run against all of the wacky opponents in the game
 
5 bank "GEARS" drop targets with 15 LED interactive shift grid feature 
 
2 "Shift" rectangular stand up targets behind "GEARS" drop targets
 
"Donut Time" captive ball feature
 
Player selectable driving music - four generational cruising tunes in collaboration with Sony Music 
 
Custom speech by Tanner Foust professional race car driver and TV host
 
Actual Mustang engine sounds
 
All LED general illumination and control lamps
 
M U S T A N G "game carry over" feature spell-out in back panel
 
103 playfield icon inserts featuring controlled LED's 
 
2 Mustang illumination spot lamps
 
1/24 scale Mustang mounted above GEARS drop targets
 
Provisions for installing 1/64 scale Mustangs on ramps
 
Install your own Mustang feature - car turntable is predrilled to accept either Maisto or M2 brand 1/24 scale Mustangs as replacements
 
Stainless steel shooter lane ramp
 
2 twin stacked supercharged vacuum-formed plastic ramps featuring actuated stainless steel entrances
 
360 degree bonus bowl at the right ramp exit
 
Post-style diverter to top lanes
 
"Mustang store" scoop 
 
Pony spinning target 
 
2 high powered sling shot mechanisms
 
2 flippers
 
4 pop bumpers
 
3 "R P M" 1" square stand up targets
 
1 "N2O" 1" stand up target in shot lane
 
3 "N2O" 1/2" stand up targets 
 
Simulated carbon-fiber-texture speaker display panel decal
 
Powder coated steel and plywood backbox with color themed t-molding 
 
Backbox secured from outside with new mounting bolts that use same tool as leg bolts
 
Black ABS plastic bottom arch
 
Dual latch lockdown bar
 
Exclusive Pro translite art by Camilo Pardo
 
Exclusive Mach 1 themed Pro high definition cabinet art by Camilo Pardo
 
6 pinballs
 
Traditional coin door
 
Easy-to-follow game rules for casual players, with depth for experts.

[MG Brown]

Honda's FCEV is more like what we generally feel an "Auto" should look like...while using a bold new third generation Hydrogen Fuel Cell / Electric power plant.

 

 

 

The FCEV concept hints at Honda's next generation of fuel-cell vehicles, which are expected to launch in the U.S. and Japan in 2015, followed by Europe. Hydrogen Fuel Cell vehicles are particularly environmentally friendly as their "stacks" produce only electricity and (a byproduct) water.

[TSR]

I LOVE the new Vette and it might be my next car...

[MG Brown]

Cadillac Elmiraj Concept

 

The newest expression of Cadillac Art & Science emerges with the Elmiraj grand coupe concept. The design is expressive and agile, the Cadillac DNA unmistakable in this fresh exploration on the sheer pleasure of performance driving.

[John Streisguth]

That i-Road reminds me of the "Cyclops" cars that were a series of cartoons in (I think) Road and Track magazine

[MG Brown]

What's not that unusual is seeing GT Sports Racing autos at the Chicago Show. It is somewhat of a tradition due to the show being just after the annual 24 Hours of Daytona endurance race.

 

Corvette C7-R

 

 

 

Viper SRT

 

 

[TSR]

That i-Road reminds me of the "Cyclops" cars that were a series of cartoons in (I think) Road & Track magazine.

 

[Samiam]

Honda's FCEV is more like what we generally feel an "Auto" should look like... while using a bold new third generation Hydrogen Fuel Cell/Electric power plant.

 

Only problem is most of our hydrogen is derived from natural gas. So there is no great benefit to this technology.

[TSR]

Only one problem with hydrogen: at this time it causes four times the air pollution than the use of equivalent gasoline-generated energy to produce.

 

With really nothing in sight since hydroelectric seems little in the cards in the USA and nuclear is a no-no despite hardly ever killing anyone.

 

A typical example of the media-induced panic in this is that of Fukushima:
 

Although no short term radiation exposure fatalities were reported, some 300,000 people evacuated the area, approximately 18,500 people died due to the earthquake and tsunami, and as of August 2013 approximately 1,600 deaths were related to the evacuation conditions, such as living in temporary housing and hospital closures. The World Health Organization indicated that evacuees were exposed to so little radiation that radiation-induced health impacts are likely to be below detectable levels, and that any additional cancer risk from radiation was small—extremely small, for the most part—and chiefly limited to those living closest to the plant.

 
In reality, there have been... zero deaths due to the most advertised nuclear accident since the Soviet-era Chernobyl, where there were 56 death attributable to the radiation leakage, mostly because of the arrogance of the Soviet engineers who never even considered capping the power plants as all others are on the planet. Thousands die every year of adverse effects in the environment from conventional oil, coal, or gas power plants, especially in China. Never mind, as long as the extremists are kept happy.
 
Net result of such panic... the Germans closed down their nuclear reactors and are now dependent on Russia for... gas and oil, and Russia has them by the testicles.

Until such dumb policies are ended, the future of hydrogen is strictly show, no go.

[Cheater]

... since hydroelectric seems little in the cards in the USA...

This is a little misleading, P.

Hydroeletric power generation is a non-trivial method of power generation. Here's what its contribution to US power generation was in 2006:
 

 

The problem is that most of the good locations for hydroelectric dams have already been used, primarily in the first half of the 20th century.

 

One source says this:

 

Gosh, hydroelectric power sounds great -- so why don't we use it to produce all of our power? Mainly because you need lots of water and a lot of land where you can build a dam and reservoir, which all takes a LOT of money, time, and construction. In fact, most of the good spots to locate hydro plants have already been taken. In the early part of the century hydroelectric plants supplied a bit less than one-half of the nation's power, but the number is down to about 10 percent today. The trend for the future will probably be to build small-scale hydro plants that can generate electricity for a single community.

 

As this chart [below] shows, the construction of surface reservoirs has slowed considerably in recent years. In the middle of the 20th Century, when urbanization was occuring at a rapid rate, many reservoirs were constructed to serve peoples' rising demand for water and power. Since about 1980, the rate of reservoir construction has slowed considerably.

 

 

Hydro power generation hasn't really even been mentioned in recent years, because it is clearly not going to be a growth industry going forward.

[Samiam]

It is sad that most people don't understand how our electric energy is produced. And plug-in electrics can be charged off the grid also.

 

Even when plugged into the grid more coal isn't being burned. The grid is just looking for a load in the middle of the night. That's why so many lights are left on in NYC sky scrapers. And it gives the city its skyline.

[TSR]

The problem is that most of the good locations for hydroelectric dams have already been used, primarily in the first half of the 20th century.

 

Greg, this is why I said "none in the cards" because we are pretty much maxed out already in that sector. The (damn) French are getting over 80% of their electricity from nuclear, and this for the past 50 years, with very few accicents and zero death imputable to radiations leaks.

 

For hydrogen, the ONLY economical future is nuclear, which is the only non-polluting source other than hydro-electric, wind and solar. Problem is, the extremists do not want hydroelectric because "it kills species", nuclear because "it kills people" (both, for the most part falsehoods), they want solar that is still quite inefficient and wind that kills birds by the thousands. That's OK, I guess birds are not people, too.
 

[chaparrAL]

Any of you follow lake levels in the Colorado Basin? 

Hydroelectric? 

[James Wendel]

Baaaack on topic... those small personal intra-city vehicles may be one of the best applications for battery/electric powered vehicles. Small, light, short-range... should be good for dense urban application... for the world, perhaps less so, here in the USA.

[Cheater]

I've been very surprised at how many electric vehicles like the Nissan Leaf and the Tesla I am seeing in the Atlanta area now.

They're not as prevalent as the hybrids, but the adoption level is much higher than I would have thought it would be considering the distances most here typically drive.

[Pappy]

I LOVE the new Vette and it might be my next car...

Say it ain't so, Dokk.
 
Government Motors. 
 
Get a Shelby Mustang, you'll sleep better at night.

[MG Brown]

I've been very surprised at how many electric vehicles like the Nissan Leaf and the Tesla I am seeing in the Atlanta area now.

I started seeing a LOT of Tesla vehicles in the northern Chicago suburbs about July of 2013 - then near the end of the year it was announced that Tesla was in the midst of building a substantial regional sales and service center in the Highland Park area off of Highway 41.

http://www.teslamoto...om/highlandpark

[TSR]

As long as Elon Musk is throwing money at a company that may never show a profit, everything will be fine for Tesla.
 

Say it ain't so, Dokk.

 Government Motors. 

 Get a Shelby Mustang, you'll sleep better at night.

 
Butch,

The government is now out of GM, and we (the ones who pay for the others not to work) are out over $10 billion.

So I have no problem buying the only GM car I would ever consider at this time. At $52K, that car is the bargain of a lifetime.

A Shelby Mustang is, in comparison, an unsophisticated wild beast with poor road manners and little in the amenities such as comfort and driving enjoyment. I would prefer a standard Mustang as it is a better car than the current Shelby, even with less power.

But for the price diff, the Vette just buries both.

Besides Reeves Callaway is a buddy of mine and I can get the car and the hot parts for a heck of a deal... 

[Pappy]

What the hell difference does it make if a Corvette will out-run a Mustang; you aren't going to be racing it anyway are you?

[TSR]

Butch,

 

I would use the car at Porsche Cub events to humble the Boxters, Caymans and 911s... 

 

And all the 'Stangs. 

You can do things with that Vette that can only be done by full-out racing cars.

Plus the drive home is a LOT more comfortable and quiet than in a Shelby.
 

[MG Brown]

It is my understanding that Hyundai is somehow involved with this hydrogen recovery from Orange County waste water treatment plants.

Hydrogen for 200 Million Vehicles: Air Products/Orange County Open Wastewater-Hydrogen Fuel Plant

Anyone have any more information?