drivemecrazy

This is not just a boat or just a car. This is both! This amazing amphibious car, named the Aquada, was developed by the U.K.-based Gibbs Technologies. Though amphibious cars are not anymore new to the world, the Aquada, unlike other first cars of this kind, is designed by its maker not just to be another car that can swim. The company had incorporated auto, marine, and propulsion technologies to bring the Aquada to reality. This mighty vehicle is a product of seven years of engineering and development programs.

The Aquada is proud to get the record of being the world’s first High Speed Amphibian (HSA). It also is a record holder for amphibian vehicle speed. On land, it is capable achieve over 100 mph while it can go 30 mph on water. To be maneuvered in water, any of these entry points could be chosen: beach, boat ramp, slipway, or directly from the water’s edge. Once it has a successful entry to the water, a button is simply pressed and then the wheels will automatically rise. After that, you can already drive straight to the water! You just need to press the accelerator and you’re off to driving on water at over 30 mph. The amazing part is that all the things you should do before you can find your Aquada traveling in the water could be operated in just a matter of 12 seconds!

What’s more about this amazing amphibious vehicle? It is powerful enough to tow a water-skier. You can have a breathtaking experience with its open top! Such a sporty appeal!

All in all, it has a superb quality design that will surely catch the attention of people. It’s safety and performance, both on land and water, are tested by extensive testing programs. Also, the Aquada has complied with all the appropriate road and marine safety regulations.

However, other auto experts say that Aquada’s dual purpose machines are heavier and less efficient. Therefore, they said that we all should wait still for the production of the best dual purpose machines so as to ensure Aquada’s great performance. Still, it is seen that most of the potential owners of Aquada are secret service agents and rich people who would love being sighted in this toy during summers.

Four years ago, a different set of buses had come running down the roads of King County, Washington. That was the year when General Motors (GM) delivered its first 235 buses here. But what makes those buses newsworthy? Well, those buses are hybrid units. Yes, hybrid!

The GM had developed a commercial parallel hybrid system that is a combination of a diesel engine with an electric motor to power for transit buses. The bus is 60 feet long and it was assembled by New Flyer in Winnipeg. It is powered by the system of Allison Electric Drive that uses the technology that was developed by GM’s Powertrain Division.

Its technology combines an 8.9 liter Caterpillar diesel engine with two 100 kilowatts electric motors that can give up to 60 percent fuel economy than ordinary buses. It also emits lesser hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide than traditional diesel-powered buses on the road. More than that, it also lessens particulate emissions such as tiny pieces of soot and dust by 90 percent and nitrogen oxide emissions are lowered by 50 percent.

Also, its capacity to improve fuel economy is remarkable. 235 buses alone could save up to 750,000 gallons of fuel per year compared to the buses that they replaced. In a twelve-year span, the expected total savings will reach up to eight million gallons of fuel. It was also calculated that if all nine of the largest cities of America will replace 13,000 transit buses into this kind of hybrid buses, these cities would save up to 40 million gallons of fuel annually.

One factor that makes these hybrid buses give better fuel economy is that it has the capacity to convert and reuse energy. For example, when the brake pedal is stepped on, the braking energy is converted into electrical energy and is stored in the battery. This electrical energy can then be used for accelerating. Also, with that, the acceleration is increased by almost 50 percent.

To sum up these buses’ details, these have guaranteed low emissions, great fuel economy, smooth and quiet operation, and faster acceleration. I hope that sooner, all the buses in the road will be hybrids so as to help better the worsening situation of our environment. I hope GM had made it right in initiating this kind of vehicle.

If you happen to be living in Toronto or visiting it, better watch out for their EcoCabs. These are three-wheeled vehicles that are pedal-powered but are supported with a rechargeable electric battery. Whichever power will be used to run it, both are guaranteed to be environmentally friendly. It has the capacity to run at a speed of 12 kilometers per hour making it perfect for urban travels.

There are a total of 28 EcoCabs in the Toronto streets today. These cabs could accommodate three persons: a driver and two adults at the back seat. So better not to be in group of threes because for sure, one will be riding solo in another cab! Though it could only accommodate such a small number of passengers, a ride in it is free of charge. This is because these vehicles are supported by corporate advertisers. You would look like one of the campaign materials while you are riding one of these. Nevertheless, it’s free from emitting hazardous substances to the environment making it a wise idea after all.

Still, the EcoCabs would not be available in the Toronto streets all year round. You should watch out for these cabs on certain occasions only. It is only accessible during the summer and during special events. When you buy this kind of vehicle, it would amount to only 13,000 dollars each. It’s definitely cheap so would be its maintenance.