The new BMW Hydrogen 7 has been implemented into the cross-country journey the 2008 Hydrogen Road Tour. This event produces the worlds most highly recommended hydrogen powered cars around from the worlds automakers.

The huge hydrogen convy travels from Portland, Maine to Santa Monica, California, with one goal on there mind. To influence the congressional leaders to support a nationwide hydrogen fueling infrastructure. The Hydrogen Road Tour is a partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Department of Energy, the California Fuel Cell Partnership and the National Hydrogen Association.

“BMW has already logged nearly 2 million miles in our fleet of 100 BMW Hydrogen 7s. Being on this tour will show more people that hydrogen is truly the best alternative transportation fuel. An internal combustion engine, powered by hydrogen should play an important role in the future of sustainable mobility,” said Tom Baloga, BMW Vice President of Engineering.

© dave82689 for Modded Autos, 2008. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: BMW, Event, Hydrogen, Hydrogen Road Tour

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The motorsport division for Nissan will be revealing the NISMO tuning package to owners of the R35 on August 20th. Engineers at Nissan motorsports have been working around the clock to bring together these tuning packages – which range from circuit kits to street kits.

Each package will also be offered by themselves or as comprehensive combinations and will contain carbon fiber aero parts, wheels and tires, exhaust systems, more refined ECU’s, and cooling kits that have been upgraded. Nissan has put all parts through various tests (many of which were during the NISMO/MOTUL’s campaign for the R35 GT-R that was in the Tokachi 24 hour endurance race).

We don’t know whether or not these parts will be available in the United States – but we are sure to have more information as it is released.

© Naomi West for Modded Autos, 2008. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: gt-r, nismo, nismo package, nissan gt-r, r35, tuning package

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Formula 1 teams switched to the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (also known as KERS) and they are now thinking about reconsidering this decision due to failures in the system. There have been two known incidents.

The first incident involved the U.K. Red Bull team when they were forced to call the fire department. The second incident was caught on tape. In the video a mechanic for BMW was literally shocked – but thankfully he was not injured. Check out the video.

© Naomi West for Modded Autos, 2008. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: bmw mechanic, f1, f1 mechanic, kers, kinetic energy, kinetic energy recovery system, mechanic

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When the Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z06 went into production in the latter half of 2005, critics everywhere gawked at the unbelievably fast lap times it posted around Germany’s world known track, the Nurburgring. Beating cars more than 5 times it’s own price tag, the C6 Z06 lapped the Nurburgring in just 7:42.99. With a retail price of $70,000, it’s no secret that this car was the best money could buy.

All of that is in the past though, and Chevrolet is ready for a new challenge. If you thought Chevy was going to cease production of it’s fast, sporty models of their line to focus more towards fuel economy like most manufacturers, you were wrong. Coming out in 2009 is the all-new Corvette ZR1, and we all know better than to have low expectations for this car.

Just this past Saturday, while driving the Corvette ZR1, in completely stock form, including the tires, Jim Mero, GM’s development engineer, achieved an outstanding lap time of 7:26.4 on the Nurburgring. It looks like the new Nissan GT-R may not be as much of a threat to the ZR1 as people originally thought it would be.

© BWAL09 for Modded Autos, 2008. | Permalink | 12 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Chevrolet, corvette, Germany, Nurburgring, Z06, zr1

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Known as one of the most demanding races in the world, the Nurburgring 24 is the perfect place to test both man and machine, or if your Volkswagen, make a name for your latest sports coupe. Last Thursday, May 22nd, Volkswagen introduced the Scirocco GT24 at the legendary GTI Meet at Worther Lake. As Chairman for Development Dr. Ulric Hackenberg put it, “This car doesn’t need to be driven to look fast.”

The power for this little beast comes from a 2-liter turbocharged four cylinder engine putting out 321 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque. Volkswagen decided to put there trademark six-speed DSG transmission in the GT24 as well as deciding to leave it front wheel drive. The GT24 is also a little bigger then the production Scirocco measuring 227mm longer 61mm wider and sitting 75mm lower.

Though this car was not as powerful as many of the other competitors at the race, it did have quite a few big names behind the wheel. The Volkswagen works team managed to get a hold of legendary drives such as Carlos Sainz, two-times rally world champion, and Hans-Joachim Stuck. These duo helped pilot two of the three Scirocco to a 1-2 finish in there class as well as an 11th place and 14th place overall finish. The third Scirocco was piloted by Dr. Hackenberg and his team, coming in 5th in class and 32nd overall.

“We gave the Volkswagen Scirocco a really fantastic debut with the class victory,” said Stuck after the race. “It was an extraordinary experience shared with extraordinary team-mates.” Hopefully after the Sciroccos great success at the race, Volkswagen of America will guarantee bringing the car to America, but there are no promises.

© omz for Modded Autos, 2008. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Carlos Sainz, Dr. Ulric Hackenberg, GT24, GTI Meet, Hans-Joachim Stuck, May 22nd, Nurburgring, Scirocco, Volkswagen, Worther Lake.

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