Environmental awareness has spread all over the population.  Countries especially those that belong to the first world (which has contributed more to the green house problem due to their technological advancement) have been consciously doing what they can to address pollution.  The people in Volvo Cars have invested SEK10billion ($2billion) in environmental research and development over a five-year period.  This research is aimed at reducing the fuel consumption and environmental emissions of Volvo cars.

Two years ago, Volvo Cars teamed up with the Ford Motor Company and established the European Hybrid Technologies in Göteborg.  The centre is staffed by engineers from Volvo Cars and other companies in the Ford Motor Company.  With the two companies combined in their devotion to the development of hybrid technologies, it is likely that they get to come up with something out of the box.

Sometime late in 2006, the Volvo Car Corporation has decided to concentrate on developing three emerging fuel technologies: bio-ethanol, diesel engines with particulate filters and other options, such as hybrid technology. 

In the year before that, Volvo Car launched bio-ethanol-powered Volvo FlexiFuel cars in Sweden.  These cars have the capacity to deliver up to 80 percent less emissions of fossil CO2.  As a matter of fact, the Volvo S40, V50 and C30 models can be powered by bio-ethanol E85.  Since 2006, these models have been available in FlexiFuel versions in nine European markets.  The all-new Volvo V70 with oxygen sensors designed to be environment-friendly is rumored to be available in a FlexiFuel version later in 2007 in Europe.

British motor sports tuner RML Group (Ray Mallock Ltd) gives the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 a touch of their engineering ingenuity. Out of the McLaren 722 came the a new breed of a super car model, called the SLR 722 GT. The said vehicle got some enhancements in its suspension, braking system and aerodynamic parts as well as an exhaust system equipped with an oxygen sensor. In a press release, it is said that the vehicle was made due to the request of the SLR CLUB for a new SLR 722 model.

The new SLR 722 GT received a supercharged AMG 5.5-liter V8 engine, capable of 500 kW / 680 PS and has a torque of 830 Newton meters. The vehicle also comes with a five-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel shift paddles. For added performance, a mechanical locking differential with a locking effect of 70 percent was integrated. The new SLR 722 GT boasts to easily get from 0 to 62 mph in a mere 3.3 seconds. It can also reach the top speed of 315 km/h or about 196 mph.

The suspension system is well taken care of with new wheel location system, modified stabilizer at the front axle, adjustable wheel camber, and shock absorbers with variable compression. Meant for racing, the SLR 722 GT features wheels equipped with central locks for fast tire changing.

The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 GT won’t be complete without distinguishable exterior features, which include the front apron with front splitter, wide wings and prominent side skirts. Meanwhile, the large rear diffuser and the fixed rear spoiler accent the rear as well as give an aerodynamic look and performance. Inside, more racing qualities are incorporated through the rollover cage, redesigned instrument panel with a racing display, racing steering wheel, bucket seats, and six-point seat belts for safety.

Expect that many will want the SLR 722 GT in their garage, but RML Group will only be producing 21 units and those who ordered are members of the SLR CLUB.

Source: http://www.pr-usa.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=40731&Itemid=9

All new vehicles, and most cars fashioned after 1980, have an oxygen sensor. This sensor is integrated at the emission system and sends information to the engine management computer. The primary function of the sensor is to aid the engine to run as smoothly as possible with the least amount of combustion by products and emission.

Engine burns fuels with the use of oxygen and there is a correct amount of air to fuel mixture depending on the amount of hydrogen and carbon in that fuel. If there is less air than needed in the correct ratio, the resulting mixture is considered rich – with left over fuel after combustion. Rich mixtures tend to create pollution because of the by-products. If there is more air than the intended ratio, the resulting mixture is considered lean since there is a surplus in oxygen. A lean mixture produces nitrogen oxide by-products and can be detrimental to the car’s engine and catalytic converters.

The oxygen sensor is located in the exhaust pipe to detect rich or lean mixtures. These components work by a chemical reaction that produces voltages. The Electronic Control Unit then interprets the signal voltages and adjusts the fuel to air ratio in the engine to the correct proportion. When the oxygen sensor fails either because of natural aging or pollutants that damage the sensor there would be an erroneous reading, poor car performance and increased fuel consumption.

Since the introduction of the oxygen sensor in the 1980s, this staple auto part has continuously evolved to become more efficient in boosting the engine’s performance. Just recently, an oxygen sensor that is smaller than a lighter by Delphi Powertrain Systems was unveiled in this year’s International Bicycle and Motorcycle Industry Trade show in Italy.

The Milan-based event showcased the precision-engineered oxygen sensor that aids engines not only of automobiles but as well as other mode of transportation like motorbikes. Those automobiles equipped with the oxygen sensors are more likely to pass emission standards set by certain agencies. With this small but effective auto part, the vehicle’s power plant gets the right mixture of air and fuel inside it. The oxygen sensor analyzes the emission being produced by the engine and then the readings are transmitted to the engine management computer. From there, the necessary adjustments for the fuel and air ratio are done. What sets this Delphi oxygen sensor is that it is relatively smaller than the other makes that allows flexibility.

Getting the right mixture with the help of the Delphi oxygen sensor does not end there. With the right combination, the engine manages to burn fuel more efficiently, thus nothing is wasted. This will equal to the production of more horsepower. Moreover, the oxygen sensor also helps achieve an improved fuel economy.