Scary USA Today editorial

USAToday gave me a Halloween scare with their editorial:  Say yes to building the Keystone oil pipeline. 

Then I noticed that the USA Today editorial was written by James Taylor, who fits the description of what Joe Romm calls "climate zombies".  Taylor edits the Heartland Institute's Environment and Climate News publication.  Nature magazine, one of the stalwart defenders of climate science, says that the Heartland Institute is "happy muddying the waters" when it comes to global warming (see SourceWatch for more details).  And then I remembered that the mainstream media is controlled by Big Oil, so, what could I expect?

Actually, to be fair to USA Today, they did allow Bill McKibbin to write a rebuttal.  (See McKibben's article here.)  But this still reflects an irrational "balance" by USA Today.  Would they give equal weight to articles that uphold the flat earth theory?  How about the talking snake story of creation?  Climate change denial is nonsense and should not be given equal weight to those trying to solve the problem.

Nonetheless, since the article is out there, it's worth considering Taylor's points. 

• Spills:  I'm not in a position to know whether he is right when he says that the environmental dangers of oil spills from the pipeline are "overblown".  The disastrous impacts of mining the tar sands on the environment in Canada, however, are well known.  The point is that we should not be part of promotoing this environmental destruction.
• Energy Security:  His major point is that Canada is one of the United States' "closest and most reliable allies," and that not building the pipeline would "undermine U.S. energy security."  McKibben responds that the pipeline oil is planned for export--i.e. it won't even help the energy security of the U.S.  Taylor denies that point, but he does admit that there is no guarantee that the oil will be used in the U.S.  Taylor goes on to add, in a condescending tone,

  "In a different world, we might be siding with the protesters. In that world, Canada wouldn't mine its tar sands, the U.S. wouldn't import tar sands oil, refineries here wouldn't process it and U.S. consumers wouldn't use it. Instead, everyone would drive electric cars and trucks powered by sun and wind and other renewable energy."

  But that is just the point.  He and his allies are blocking this very solution.  With a proper price on fossil fuels, we could make the shift to renewable energy and solar power in a short time.  There is no need for the pipeline or mining the tar sands, and most importantly, we have to stop global warming.
• They'll Mine the Sands Anyway:  He argues that the Canadians will simply route the tar sands oil to the west coast and sell it to China.  This sounds like telling the highway patrol, "But officer other people were speeding too."  Or telling your parents, "All  the other kids are doing it", even though you know it's wrong.  If we are going to save civilization, we can't mine the tar sands.  It's that simple. 

So, I'm planning to be part of the demonstration November 6 at the White House demanding that President Obama NOT approve the Keystone XL pipeline (See Tar Sands Action to join up).  And in addition, I subscribe to Joe Romm's cure for the climate zombies:

"In summary, a zombie outbreak is likely to lead to the collapse of civilization, unless it is dealt with quickly. While aggressive quarantine may contain the epidemic, or a cure may lead to coexistence of humans and zombies, the most effective way to contain the rise of the undead is to blog hard and blog often. As seen in the movies, it is imperative that zombies are dealt with quickly, or else we are all in a great deal of trouble."

Happy Halloween!

Abarth 500 Cinquone Modigliani race car by Romeo Ferraris

Italian tuning and race firm Romeo Ferraris has made a street legal version of their Abarth 500 Cinquone Modigliani race car.
Unveiled at Autodromo Vallelunga recently, the Cinquone Stradale maintains the same body appearance as the race car. It includes a new hood with large dual air scoops, front bumper with a large central air intake, integrated wide body fenders and skirts, and a rear bumper with central mounted exhaust and diffuser.
The engine which is the same Fiat 1.4-liter turbo four cylinder from the stock 500 has a new exhaust system with metal catalytic converter, remapped ECU and a bigger turbo that now delivers 300 PS - only 60 PS less than the race car.
Inside, the rear seat bench has been removed and replaced with a roll bar. The dash pad is covered in suede while carbon fiber race seats are draped with OMP 4-point seat harnesses.
The Cinquone Stradale weighs just over 1,000 kg (2,205 lbs) compared to the race car's 900 kg (1,984 lbs).

Mercedes-Benz R230 SL-Class Sports Line Black Bison Edition by Wald

This is the Wald R230 SL-Class SPORTS LINE Black Bison Edition from Wald International based on the facelifted Mercedes-Benz R230 SL-Class.
The Japanese tuner fits an aerodynamic kit to the R230 that includes a front bumper fascia, front sports fenders, side skirts, rear bumper fascia, quarter panel wheel arch extensions and a trunk spoiler. Also fitted is a DTM sports muffler with twin exhaust pipes.
Wheels on the car shown here are the Renovatio R12 in sizes 9J x 20-inch at the front and 11J x 20-inch at the back.
The model will make it to the SEMA show next month courtesy of U.S. distributor Jonari Corporation.

Mercedes CLS 63 AMG by VÄTH

 VÄTH has introduced a new tuning program for the Mercedes CLS 63 AMG.
For improved performance, the €12,800 ($17,620) V63RS package adds an optimized ECU, an intercooler and a stainless steel sport exhaust system. Thanks to these changes, the engine develops 658 PS (484 kW / 649 hp) and 960 Nm (708 lb-ft) of torque. This enables the car to rocket from 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and hit a top speed of 325 km/h (202 mph).
On the styling front, the model can be equipped with a trunk-mounted spoiler, a rear diffuser and 20-inch wheels with high-performance tires. Other goodies include lowering springs and an upgraded braking system.
Lastly, the cabin can be outfitted with a sport steering wheel, carbon fiber trim and a revised speedometer that goes up to 360 km/h (224 mph).

Press release:

C218 CLS63 V8 BITURBO BY VÄTH

The second generation of CLS-Class hides behind this name. It was first introduced to the public in Paris in 2010. This four-door coupé features improved performance, as well as correspondingly refined interior and exterior. This upgrade was made by a long-standing Bavaria-based VÄTH company from the town of Hösbach not far from Aschaffenburg.
A V63RS tuning kit features individually fine-tuned engine electronics and Vmax which increases the the capacity to 5.461 cm³ and the maximum torque is 484 kW or 660 HP, 960 Nm. This new tuning will delight you with acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and from 0 to 200 km/h in 12.0 seconds, as well as maximum speed of 325 km/h (don't worry you get four tires as a gift with the car!). The kit price, including optimized charge air cooler system and sports exhaust system consisting of stainless steel catalysts, middle and tail muffler systems costs € 12,800.
The suspension in CLS 63 AMG by VÄTH features the front axle lowering springs of 20 to 40 mm plus rear axle electronic adjustment, it will cost you € 980.00. In order to improve overall performance it also makes sense to optimize the brakes which will cost € 590.00 with flexible steel brake lines, Technical Supervision certificate and Castrol SRF racing brake fluid included. Another € 6,337.88 you would have to pay due to the forged 3 piece 9x20 inch wheels with 265/30ZR20 tires for the front axle or 10,5x20 inch with 305/25ZR20 tires for the rear axle.
Even a layman will notice that an airflow front spoiler (€ 1,490.00), a trunk-lip spoiler (€ 1,480.00) and a rear diffuser with fins and underfloor extension (€ 1,490.00).
Certainly the interior was also hasn't been untouched. VÄTH provided a car with a sports steering wheel in leather/leather design, also available with carbon or finewood applications upon request. For another € 1,450.00 the tachometer scale can be extended up to 360 km/h. And last but not least, for 3,300.00 € you can choose improved interior design in classy black carbon - high-precision manufacture and perfect fit are VÄTH hallmarks. Finally, it should be noted that the indicated prices include VAT.

Hartge H35d based on BMW 535d

German tuner Hartge (which, like Alpina, is officially certified as a manufacturer in Germany) has turned the 300 PS (220 kW / 296 hp) BMW 535d (F10) into the Hartge H35d with 354 PS (260 kW / 349 hp) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque.

Hartge also adds its own sport springs which lower the suspension on the car by 30 mm and fits its with 21-inch, ten-spoke wheels.

The stainless-steel rear silencer with 80 mm dual tailpipes helps provide this oil-burning powerhouse with just the right muted diesel sound.

The outside gets a few delicate touches such as the carbon casings for the side mirrors. For the interior are several other light trims which include the aluminum pedals and stainless-steel door sills.

Life On Cars, Issue Seven!

THE LATEST edition of the Life On Cars magazine is ready!

Packed with the latest motoring reviews, news and features, it's an edition with winter in mind, and there's plenty behind the snowy cover to keep you entertained as the nights draw in.

Enjoy the read and let us know what you think...

Open publication - Free publishing - More cars

2nd hand Tyres ! Pros and Cons

With the rising price of commodities, tyres too are not exempted from the laws of economics. When there is abundant supply, prices are cheap; however, this is not the case in Malaysia, where tyres are relatively expensive. A set of 17 inch standard 215/45/17 cost approximately USD$500 or RM300-400 per set new. For 18 inch and above, the price is even more expensive. 18 inch tyres generally cost roughly double of a 17 inch tyre. This makes the prices of 2nd hand very tempting. The same set of 215/45/17 2nd hand tyres cost roughly RM400! 

Available treads are usually 60-80% upon inspection. However, one must be careful about these 2nd hand tyres, as the tyres may be retreaded. When tyres are bald, say 40 percent tread left, what the sellers may do is to dig into the old tread and make the "holes" deeper, thus enabling it to have "more" treads. Finished off with a nice tyre polish, they can appear to be relatively new! This can be dangerous as the thickness of the tyre decreases, and becomes thinner. At high speed, the pressure build up within the tyre may cause it to burst. Another method is to add a new layer of rubber (tread). The risk of this is that the rubber may disintegrate from the tyre itself at high speed.

This is one the reasons lorries and trucks seem to burst their tyres quite frequently. Usually, these tyres cost A LOT, and trucks can use up to 18 of them ;) To save cost, they will use retreaded or 2nd hand tyres... and well its a risk they have to take! 

For a summary, here are the pros and cons:


Pros: 
Cheaper! Usually up to 1/4 percent of the cost
Great for short journeys
Can be used for drifting
Get better tyres (can be safer if you manage to source for a good set of 2nd hand tyres)
Environmental friendly in a way (recycling)

Cons:
If it is retreaded, may be dangerous
Different tyre wear may occur (e.g. left side 80% tread, right side 50% tread)
Can have less grip compared to new tyres
Uncertainty in terms of the durability

When buying 2nd hand tyres, always look at the inside to make sure it is not retreaded. Usually those tyres which are retreaded will much thinner, and you can observe the insides which can be greyish. Also look out for the year the tyres are made, generally 3-5 years old is "acceptable". 

Maybach 57 by Jay-Z + Kanye West

V12 / 5.513 cc / 550 PS / 664 lb/ft (900 Nm) @ 2.300 - 3.000 / 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h): 5,2 s / Vmax: 155 mph (250 km/h)

(click images for a larger view)

Dirac's Antipermeability hypothesis

Dirac Road, off Ashley Down. Named after Paul Dirac, Nobel Prize winner for hypothesizing the existence of "anti matter"; something that was later proved to exist.

Dirac Road is named after him. Sadly, due to the large amounts of energy involved when antimatter collides with conventional matter, they cannot put any on display. Instead they have to focus on anti-permeability, the idea of making open space opaque to people on foot or bicycle

First on this corner we can see the car making the pavement antipermeable

Nothing profound there, you can see it anywhere in the city. What is more unique is this barrier over the footpath between Dirac Road and Lilstock Avenue -which connects with the famous "farm pub path". There is a risk that people might use this so called "access point" between the two roads to get to this path -or worse, come up here and then proceed safely on foot or bicycle to Brunel Technical College (scene of the "do not cycle on the pavement" signs and the Happy Road incident), or Sefton Park Primary school.

This barrier makes that hard, so ensuring that there are few high-energy collisions between conventional matter "cars" and anti-society matter "people on foot or bicycle".

It could be alleged that this is a temporary feature while the primary access point to the Farm Pub Path -station road- is closed for roadworks. Yet look at the base of this feature: it is embedded into the concrete

The allegation can be even more firmly disproved by looking in the opposite direction, and observing that the dropped kerb is actually placed to the side of the path.

This is a permanent fixture to celebrate Dirac's work on antimatter, by showing how Antipermeability can improve things.

Speaking of which, we hear rumours of a new Antipermeability project underway in South Gloucs. We will delegate this work to the People's cycling front of S. Gloucs, as an inspection up there would involve getting stuck in traffic jams in the newly widened A4174 ring road, which is a waste of our time.

Police Waja in Malaysia gets clamped!

Not even the authority is exempted from the clamp! :P

Polis Waja in Malaysia

BMW M3 Carbon Edition for China

V8 / 3.999 cc / 420 PS / 295 lb/ft (400 Nm) @ 3.900 / 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h): 4,8 s / Vmax: 155 mph (250 km/h) / Limited Edition only for the chinese market (111 cars)

(click images for a larger view)