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Honda Develops Revolutionary Rail Car

Honda is a big company which works on cars, planes and even trains. Yes, you read it right. And now Honda develops the Auto-Max railcar.

Today Honda transports 82% of all its soon-to-be-sold autos via rail in the United States. It's for sure that it's more environmentally responsible than using trucks. But the current rail cars can only hold 10 cars and operate for 20 years. So Honda developed the Auto-Max, which will hold 22 cars and run for 50 years. And now its got a fleet of 400 operating in the U.S.

The Japanese automaker also upgraded the rail infrastructure around its Marysville and East Liberty, Ohio assembly plants so trains can pull in and out faster and shipments get on their quicker.

Japanese Company Makes Water Powered Car

It was a dream for all people to have a car which can run on water. Especially today, with these kind of gas prices. Well it's not a dream anymore.

Japanese company Genepax claims to have invented a fuel cell system that uses water to obtain hydrogen. It has shown last week two devices, a 120 W fuel cell stack and a 300 W fuel cell system that powered a REVA based minicar. The little car can run at 80 km/h using only a litre of water, but any kind of water, even from the sea. - Continued after the jump...

Gallery: Water Powered Car






But it is just a claim for now. Because critics claim that this is impossible because it contradicts the First Law of Thermodynamics, which states that “the increase in the internal energy of a system is equal to the amount of energy added by heating the system, minus the amount lost as a result of the work done by the system on its surroundings”. In other words, the energy that would be necessary to break the water molecules would be higher than what WES would generate for the car’s electric engine, hence the energy would come from somewhere else. A battery, for example.

So there is a good chance Genepax is a big liar. If not, it will have created something mankind has been seeking for a long time: the perpetual motion engine. Since all the car needs to run is water, and since the product of hydrogen reactions in the fuel cells is also water, the WES system could refuel itself with what it generates and could run forever with the same quantity of water. Hopefully Genepax has had a major breakthrough, but that does not seem to be the case for now.

Future Of The Car Freaks Blog

Hi Friends,

I wanted to let you know something about the future of my blog. Despite the fact that I really like writing about cars and posting the latest auto news for you, because of my education I have to stay away from the internet for a while.

So, Car Freaks Blog will no longer be updated on a regular basis as of March 1 unless I found a Co-Author ( If interested look here). I will update the blog now and then and all old post will remain.

Bye,

CarFreak

Volvo Produces Its 15 Millionth Car

In 1927, the year that Ford's fifteen-millionth Model T was produced, the first Volvo ÖV4 was built. On February 20th, Volvo will finally produces its 15 millionth car, a C70. The Swedish company has sold only 297 cars that first year. It took the company twenty-three years to produces its first 100,000 cars, and these days it'll build that many in about three months--but the iron symbol that graced the first ÖV4's radiator grille still decorates modern Volvos and the company's reputation for safety and reliability continues to attract a cadre of loyal customers.

Volvo's contributions to the industry include the three-point seatbelt, introduced on Volvo production cars in 1959, and the three-way catalytic converter in the mid-1970s. The iconic Volvo 240 sedan is still a common sight on U.S. and European roads fifteen years after production ended.

Bugatti To Build A More Exclusive Car

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 is the fastest, quickest and most powerful sport car in the world. The Veyron was an expensive experience for the company. With scheduled 300 and delivered only 125 so far, there wasn't any money that return to parent company Volkswagen. But VW is bold enough to do it again.

Bugatti media communications manager Julius Kruta told Emirates Business that Bugatti plans to create a more axclusive sport car. “Even though it is not economically viable for us, we will do it again,” said Kruta, “We have bigger plans for the future and the next one from our stables will be even more expensive than the Veyron.”

At this point there is no word to confirm the new super saloon's name. What we do know is that the new car will be in addition to a smaller version of the Veyron, to be made to compete in the Ferrari F430/ Lamborghini Gallardo space. Then appears a smaller version of Royale itself, created to attack the Audi RS 6/ BMW M5/ Mercedes-Benz E AMG/ Cadillac CTS-V/ Jaguar XF-R/ Porsche Panamera Turbo crowd.

What Can You Buy With $2,500 ?

Tata has finally revealed its $2,500 car. The Tata Nano was unveiled at the New Delhi Auto Expo. The car has a 30-horsepower 624-cc engine; a four-speed manual transmission; a disc/drum brake setup; room for five; and claimed fuel economy of 54 US miles per gallon. There will be tw0 versions: Standard Nano and Luxury Nano.

Tata claims that the car meets safety and environmental standards (such as Euro IV emissions compliance).

Gallery: Tata Nano

Tata's $2,500 Car To Be Unveiled Next Month

Tata Motors is expected become the winning bidder for Jaguar and Land Rover in the coming weeks. While the Indian automaker could soon be selling expensive British luxury cars and SUVs, it's also hard at work developing the world's most cheap car.

The cheap car under development is expected to sell for around 100,000 rupees or around $2,500 USD, and it has just announced that it will be unveiled early next month at the Auto Expo in New Delhi. The car is expected have an engine in the rear powering the rear wheels, four doors.

Hyundai Wants An Iconic Car

Everybody knows now Hyundai can make high quality and reliable cars that rival mainstream brands like Toyota and Chevrolet. Now it wants to prove it can build an iconic sports car and boost its image. At least say to the world that Hyundai is exciting and dynamic.

Last week at Sydney Motor Show Hyundai's general manager of European design Raphael Bretecher revealed his desire to launch such a car:

"As a car designer I would like to make the icon, that is obvious. But this company looks at what is most profitable and that is what must be delivered first," he said.

Gallery: Hyundai Velostar Concept

Frankfurt 2007: Volkswagen Up

The rear-engine, three-door, four-seat city car from Volkswagen aims the Smart with a small footprint (3,450mm long and 1,620mm wide) and inoffensive design. The 50-year old rear-engine drivetrain allows the right balance of size and cargo space. All the seats, except the driver's, fold down and can be removed, and once out they can be stored in the front-trunk or in the rear cargo area.

There aren't more information because VW hasn't released the official release yet.

Chinese's Brilliance BS6 Sedan Fails Miserably

Brilliance's BS6 Sedan ,which positioned as a premium-style import sedan at a budget price, shows in crash tests that buyers get what they pay for. This tests were made by ADAC Test Center which uses Euro NCAP guidelines.

The A-pillar collapses and folds up.the driver's door to pop largely out of its frame, like it's made of recycled pop cans. ADAC notes that the pedals intruded 32 cm into the driver's space. There's no doubt that the BS6 failed the test, garnering just 1 star.

2008 Peugeot 308

Some photos of Peugeot 308 leaked earlier in this week. But official pictures will come on June 5.The 308 will come with the 120-horsepower 1.6L four cylinder. A range of diesels will also be available. As previously reported, diesel-electric Hybride HDi system is also going to be in the mix. A wagon and coupe+convertible will join the hatchback later.

A Fourth Model Is Possible For Scion

Scion is an unqualified success having sold 170,000 units of the xA, xB and tC last year.Scion's corporate manager Steve Haag told: "We have to offer more products, (though) we want to remain small." With a new model can Scion sell 200,000 units a year.But the question is can Scion achieve this with its current three-model lineup .

Though a fourth vehicle, if produced, would still have to be an entry-level model to be called a Scion.Haag hinted that it would likely be something bigger and more expensive than what Scion currently offers.

Updated Kia Picanto

Kia will be debuting its updated Picanto city car.Picanto is a big seller for Korean automaker.The refreshed Picanto gets a more organic front.The new front clip and rear bumper manage to grow the Picanto's overall length by 40 mm.The interior has also been upgraded.It'll be sold with same old engines: 1.0 L, 1.1 L gasoline and 1.1 L diesel...

New Suzuki Splash

Yesterday we told you about the Opel/Vauxhall's new city car Agila.Like its predecessor, a rebadged Suzuki Wagon R+, the new Agila is Suzuki-based (it's on the Swift platform).So it's natural, therefore, that Suzuki gets its own version of the car.

That car is the Splash, a name that first appeared on the concept that teased the forthcoming city car at the Paris Motor Show.The production version of the Splash will be built in Hungary and will offer the identical powertrains found in the Agila. Aside from a mildly different front fascia (and the Suzuki badges), it looks no different than its Opel/Vauxhall sibling. It'll also debut at this year's Frankfurt show.

2008 Saab 9-3 Officially Released

Saab officially released the first photos of the facelifted 2008 Saab 9-3.This is basically a teaser ahead of the full release that's coming next month, when we can expect to see the convertible and the rear ends of the sedan and wagon.It'll bow with gasoline, diesel, and BioPower engines.

Opel/Vauxhall Releases New Agila City Car

Opel/Vauxhall has just unveiled its newest entrant into the city car class, the Agila.Set to be sold under the Opel and Vauxhall banners, the 5-door will get its pomp-and-circumstance intro this September in Frankfurt and hit European showrooms next spring.

A trio of economy-minded small engines will be available.A 1.0L 65-horsepower three-cylinder will serve as the base,the top engine offered will be a 1.2-liter four with 86 horses.Finally, a 1.3L diesel with 75 horses.The car's styling is current and eye-catching, and it has a simple, clean interior.

Daimler Sold Its Majority Stake In Chrysler

Daimler sold Chrysler to Cerberus Capital Management.Cerberus Capital Management will take an 80.1-percent chunk of Chrysler, while DCX holds on to the remaining 19.9-percent.Cerberus Capital Management will pay $7.4 billion for the majority stake.The entire deal is expected to close by the third quarter of this year.

Hyundai Developing Ultra Budget Model

Hyundai's developing an ultra budget model.Hyundai's vice chairman, Kim Dong-jin saying that, "Development is under way to produce an ultra-cheap car.".The aim is to match models with Renault.The upcoming model is expected to be priced far below the $10,000 mark.

Toyota FT-HS Coming In 2009

According to Automobile magazine Toyota has given the FT-HS hybrid sports car the green light and it will make its debut in 2009.It's being billed by Automobile as the spiritual successor of Supra.Like the concept, the two-seat FT-HS will pair the company's Hybrid Synergy Drive with an as-yet-undetermined gasoline engine (the concept utilized a 3.5-liter V6).