Vw Polo Bluemotion Headed for Sexy Green Car Show

Starting from March 30 to April 15, the international automotive market will witness the first ever grand display of the most fuel efficient and alternative fuel vehicles around the world called the Sexy Green Car Show that will take place at Eden Project in Cornwall, England.

In addition, the Sexy Green Car Show will be the stage for the public debut of the much-awaited Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion in the United Kingdom. Moreover, the VW Polo BlueMotion will roll out in dealer showrooms all over UK starting this summer.

According to Gus Grand, Producer of the Sexy Green Car Show, “It’s great news that Volkswagen will be joining us at Eden. These greener versions of already established models show just what the car-makers can do to make significant changes to the fuel efficiency of their vehicles.”

The VW Polo BlueMotion will feature its fuel efficient and low fuel consumption powertrain components under its sleek hood. VW Polo BlueMotion is equipped with a 1.4-liter 3-cylinder TDI engine capable of delivering a maximum of 80 hp (59 kW) at 4,000 rpm and produces 144 lb.-ft. (195 Nm) amount of peak torque output rotating at approximately 1,800 rpm. The engine is combined with a 5-speed manual gearbox along with VW fan and VW fan clutch on the cooling system. In addition, the engine also features some of the advanced powertrain technology like the electronically controlled direct injection system as well as exhaust gas turbo charger, improved Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR), EGR cooler, and electrically activated EGR valve. These engine parts help to provide fuel efficiency and lower exhaust emissions.

Furthermore, the Polo BlueMotion’s 1.4-liter TDI engine is also equipped with a standard diesel particulate filter along with oxidizing catalytic converter to reduce harmful CO2 emissions. The engine under the VW Polo BlueMotion has proven its significant contribution to the environment when it complied with the most stringent EURO 4 emissions standard. Fuel consumption for the VW Polo BlueMotion is at 3.9 liters per 62 miles of distance, with only 4.45 Euros (about $6 USD) of driving cost, according to the Wolfsburg-based automaker.

In spite of the improved fuel efficiency and low fuel consumption, the VW Polo BlueMotion still offers powerful performance. The vehicle can sprint from zero to 62 mph 12.8 seconds and can reach an electronically limited maximum throttle speed of 109 mph.

Outside, the VW Polo BlueMotion features an improved aerodynamics. The vehicles comes

with a front spoiler for fluid dynamics along with a new grille design. Other features include a roof edge spoiler and 14-inch exclusive alloy wheels with low rolling resistance 165/70 R 14 performance tires.

For British car enthusiasts, watch out for this vehicle when it take the center stage at the Sexy Green Car Show in Eden Project.


- Benjamin Hudson

Thinking About Car Loans, Where To Start

The cost of a new car is unavoidable. Many of us wish for a new car but so many of us also just can’t afford to purchase one. This becomes a problem. But by taking out car loans we are able to easily purchase the car we really would like.

When you are looking to take out a car loan, you are not limited to taking it out at your dealership or local bank. There are simply hundreds of online financing companies who are able to offer you a great deal. You are best off taking a couple of hours to request quotes, then go through the quotes, compare the rates and terms until you are able to select the best deal for you.

With so many car loans available it makes shopping for a new loan so easy. You can choose to go to the individual lenders’ websites or use a car loan broker instead. Brokers for car loans will provide you with multiple quotes from many different lenders. You can go to the individual lenders sites but it takes more time and in the end you will come up with the same results.

Online car loans have a higher rate of interest to offset the risk they are taking by the insurance company. This does not mean that you can’t find a very good rate for your car loan online, but you are more likely to find a more competitive rate from a local broker.

If you are financing your next car or automobile, then getting the best deal is a priority. Every year, many, many drivers get bad car loans. These can include upside down loans, loans with very high rates and the list goes on. Before you go out and get a car loan, you need to make sure that you understand the terms of the loan. Read the small print or if it doesn’t make much sense to you, then get someone to read it who can explain it to you so that it does make sense.

It is a shame that so many people don’t know how to go about getting the best car loans. There are so many businesses that make a lot of money on what customers don’t know. You must be careful as nowadays nobody has enough money that they can afford to get tied into a bad loan.

If you are struggling to get a car loan as you have bad credit, then there is no need to worry as there are still options available out there for you. Recently, many lenders are beginning to specialize in lending to those with bad credit. This makes getting car loans accessible to almost anyone with a steady income. Bad credit used to be such a drawback when it came to getting more credit, but nowadays it just determines a higher rate of interest that you will be paying on the new loan.

Be sure to work out that you are able to afford the new monthly payments before taking out a new loan.


- Shelley Green

Can Car Insurance Help you Save Money as Well as the Environment?

It seems that as a nation we’re increasingly environmentally conscious about our motoring. However, should this apply to our car insurance too?

According to research from a price comparison website, the number of green car purchases rose by 70% in the UK last year from 10,000 to 17,000. Although they still account for less than one per cent of all Britain’s cars, the numbers are set to rise thanks to a series of financial incentives.

Not only do green cars emit at least one sixth less carbon dioxide than conventional vehicles, but they are more economical to run helping drivers cut fuel bills by around £165 a year. Road tax can also be slashed by around £125 and the greenest vehicles are exempt from congestion charges.

Nevertheless, despite the merits of green cars, it’s questionable as to whether we would be better off buying green car insurance.

Many providers have jumped on to the green bandwagon by offering products that contribute towards environmentally friendly initiatives and causes. You can now secure car insurance that offers carbon neutrality as high as 100% and some insurers specialise in offering policies for green cars.

However, many experts suggest green car insurance policies are little more than a marketing ploy by the providers and are often more expensive to cover the cost of environmental contributions.

If you want to make a serious donation to environmental causes you may be better off shopping around for cheap car insurance and putting the money you save towards a green cause.

Green car drivers should enjoy cheap car insurance because generally they are less likely to make short journeys and are more socially responsible. So if you want to do your bit for green causes shop around for car insurance – save your money first and then the environment.


- LuckySeven

Green presidential picks - part I, Democrat

In a presidential election, we can put our environmental values into action on a large scale. When we vote for a candidate who supports renewable energy, conservation, and environmental protection, we’re doing our part to help the planet.

For researching our choices, the major parties’ conventions are a good place to start.

The Democrats just finished theirs in Denver this week. While I was watching on TV, I noticed that a lot of speakers mentioned clean-tech jobs and renewable energy projects. After the event was over, I went through the speech archives and counted up all the references to  terms like “clean energy,” “renewable energy,” “climate change,” “global warming,” “green-collar jobs,” and “environment.”

I found about 148 references to these green ideas. From Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer’s fiery call for a “new [...]

Orginal post: Trystan L. Bass

Green celebrities and their epic fails: Cracked cracks wise

Filed under: Cars and Transportation, Celebrities, Polit-eco, Travel and Vacation, Activism, Plants and Wildlife

Cracked has a list of 7 ways that “celebrities have tried to go green” and failed miserably. Basically, they make fun of some famous folks whose best intentions are offset by their lack of common sense.

It happens.

Below is the list, you’ll have to go over to Cracked to see the justification behind the inclusion of each. It’s pretty funny.

I’ll throw out one little piece of spoiler, because I can. The caption under Al Gore’s photo reads, “Guys, check it out, I invented a car that runs on pandas.” That is even funnier than his guest spot on “30 Rock,” which was pretty darn funny.

Here are the Cracked [...]

Orginal post: Whit Honea

“Natural” means nothing for food products

Filed under: Food

Barry Estabrook, of Gourmet, asks the million dollar question…How does the FDA define “natural” for food products?

Answer: The FDA can’t be bothered to define the term.

Estabrook notes that this hasn’t stopped food manufacturers from slapping a “natural” label on anything to everything. He talks about a stroll through the juice aisle, brimming with products labelled “natural.” Some were, some weren’t.

The loose use of the label “natural” contrasts sharply with the label “organic,” which is highly regulated. Eighty-three percent of consumers want the FDA to come with regulation for the term “natural” for food products, and even the Sugar Association has been lobbying for a change. Once again, if you’re out food shopping, and you see the term “natural” on the label, don’t assume a thing.

For more on labels, be sure to [...]

Orginal post: Patricia Mayville-Cox

Protection zones actually aren’t protecting coral reefs

Filed under: Climate Change, Plants and Wildlife

Yesterday a survey of 66 coral reef sites in 7 countries was released. The good news is that conservation zones around coral reefs are helping the fish stock rebound. The bad news? The zones aren’t doing anything to help the coral reefs.

Back in 1998, El Nino destroyed a about half of the coral in the West Indian ocean. Some places actually lost 90% of the coral! Coral reefs are a critical part of the eco-system, so conservation efforts focused on reducing the impact of fishing and human contact with the reefs.

It turns out that the increasing water temperatures that are keeping the coral from recovering, more than boats and people. In areas with colder water, like Southern Tanzania, Reunion Island and Mauritius, the [...]

Orginal post: Cat Lincoln

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