Auto Trends

How much smaller? We are talking a 1.4 liter engine folks. That is touching upon Smart ForTwo lawnmower engine folks, which means that great fuel economy will undoubtedly be one of its main features (28 percent more fuel efficiency than the old MK5 generation). But we are actually not hear to talk only about the efficiency of this new engine, but also its technological performance.

But can a 1.4 liter engine really be called a performance engine?

The new Golf, will be quite economical, which is all part of Volkswagens plan to overturn Toyota and take their spot as one of the leading manufacturers in the country. Now wouldn’t it have been better if they had pursued this plan without telling every journalist and trade magazine in the world, then Toyota wouldn’t have seen them coming?

All New 1.4 liter “Twin Charged” Engine

But anyhow, part of this “non-secret” plot is going to wrap around this new 1.4 liter power plant, which has both a supercharger and turbocharger, giving the little engine some big power. If you are at all familiar with Volkswagen’s beautifully executed 1.8 liter, then you will understand just how much confidence that we have in the new Volkswagen Golf.

Volkswagens 1.8 liter turbo was capable of anywhere from 150horsepower on up to 300-plus horsepower with a big after market turbo in place of the OEM unit. It was as bullet-proof as the Muncie M-22 “Rock Crusher” manual transmission, and has been used in everything under the sun including the New Beetle and Audi TT.

It has been a boyhood (and girlhood) dream for many of us to have a vehicle that is both supercharged and turbocharged… the problem has always been balancing out the two power adders to keep the engine from harm. Volkswagen has done it and in its design almost completely rid itself of any turbo lag that their previous turbo models were guilty of.

It accomplishes this by allowing the supercharger to build its boost by 1,800 rpm, thus giving it plenty of off the line grunt. Then by the time the turbo kicks in at 3,500 rpm, the turbo’s full potential is released and the little 1.4 liter has been pulling like a jet engine all along without the driver even aware of all the technological communication that is going on in the process.

Another bonus of the 1.4 liter, is the pistons are so darn small, the golf is practically free from the usual vibration and buzzing that comes from small displacement four-cylinders. They have also added the option of a seven speed, that will take advantage of the gearing to ensure the Golf gets up and moving at a good pace and then can level off in cruise and gain some rather impressive mpg.

Even more impressive for the enthusiast will be the actual horsepower numbers, which are well within the 180 horsepower range in stock form. This means that with a little after market performance help, you could see numbers well into the 200’s.

So to answer the previous question, can a 1.4 liter engine really be called a performance engine? The answer is yes, absolutely, without hesitation it can!

Performance

The 0-60 with the Golf will run you about 8 seconds flat, which is not too spectacular… but its 137 mph top speed certainly is. This is not 137 mph with the engine revved to the point of explosion while going downhill either. We’re talking a rather smooth, comfortable and rattle-free 137 mph.

Handling Characteristics

The rest of the Golf chassis is just as smooth as the engine. It has great handling and that world-class tight rack and pinion steering that Germany has become famous for. Power steering assist will keep you on the straight and narrow during aggressive cornering using its electric ESP perception, which monitors the vehicle at all time during sudden crosswinds or emergency maneuvers.

Interior

The engineering of the build is also top notch, with tight well fit body panels which keep the ride smooth and quiet, even over uneven roadways. The seats are comfortable and stylish, as is the slightly updated instrument panel.

All-in-all the new Golf looks like a technological marvel that will have its owners grinning from ear to ear by its spirited performance and noteworthy fuel economy. Now we just have to wait for it to be boated over from Germany in the next year or so…

If you are any kind of a fan of the Ford Mustang, chances are you have heard that the season premier of Knight Rider (2008) is airing tonight on NBC. Several months ago the pilot of the new series aired and must have been successful enough to give it a go on Wednesdays evenings.

Not to snub Justin Bruening, but we are sure he already knows that the true star of the show will undoubtedly be Val Kilmer (the voice), err, we should rather say “KITT”, the multi-transforming Ford Shelby Mustang.

What Will the New KITT be able to do in the New Series?

While the Shelby Mustang alone would almost be cool enough to lead the show (as in the Dukes of Hazzard), but in a world of talking GPS units and high-tech drivers licenses, they couldn’t leave things too simple. The new KITT has far more abilities than the old 1983 Trans Am, change the paint color gag. The new and improved (unless you don’t like Mustangs, then it’s the new and degraded) KITT now has shapeshifting abilities.

Shapeshifting-

The new KITT now has several transportation modes.

• Regular stealth Mustang mode- Like an all black Ford Shelby Mustang GT-500 could ever be considered inconspicuous anywhere it goes.
• Attack mode- which adds a more aggressive body kit to the Stang to make it look more ferocious and powerful.
• 4X4 truck mode- For those times when that aggressive body kit would drag all over the mountainside, the Mustang can shift itself into a truck.

Windshield Touchscreen Technology-

A simple LED touchscreen in the dash would never do with a super high tech Shelby Mustang. Instead the new KITT has a windshield 3-D screen that allows information to be passed through the driver while they can also keep their eyes on the road. This technology is currently in the making, so we may see similar designs someday in the future.

Artificial Intelligence-

While some of us could use a little bit of this feature ourselves, the new Shelby is equipped to learn and grow as an individual. This has said to be the main mystery of the first season. KITT has been given this great gift for a reason and it will take the whole first season (to Episode 13), to figure out why. Will this be enough reason to keep us glued to our seat for the remainder of 12 episodes after tonight?

Maybe not… but watching the grace of the Shelby Mustang just might!

That’s right folks, the environmental friendly people over at Green Earth Technologies (GET) have managed to put together an oil product which is just plain amazing. Now we aren’t too sure how good this stuff tastes, but the word is, this motor oil is completely non-toxic (for the most part).

… other than the belly ache that is bound to come from digesting a few pints of cow fat.

Instead of the typical petroleum arrangement that goes into your everyday motor oil, GET has found a way to process cow fat, liquefy it, color it green, and then package it in recycled containers for us to purchase and put into our engines.

How well does it work?

Looking at the preliminary studies of the product, called G-oil, it appears as if it can stand up to the rigors of driving just as well as any other oil. In fact, it works better in many ways, such as not burning or smoking.

G-Oil, will not smoke or burn in the same capacity as regular motor oil. It is also biodegradable and carbon neutral. In fact, any vehicle running this oil is claimed to reduce emissions by quite a sizable amount. Carbon monoxide is reduced by up to 50 percent, nitrous oxide by 80 percent, and hydrocarbons by up to 30 percent.

They have a grade of oil for just about any engine, and are even recommended for high turbocharged and supercharged applications. Available motor oil weights will be:

• 5W-20
• 5W-30
• 10W-30
• 10W-40

• 15W-40
• 20W-50
• SAE-30

How much does it cost?

Well, your first problem is going to be locating the stuff, as it is fairly new, and therefore not sold in most auto part stores. We found some of their two-cycle engine oil on Amazon.com for $4.88 per 16 ounces, which is comparable to high end synthetic oils, of which they claim their product is every bit as good.

We may have to be patient until we can actually get our hands on the automotive motor oil formula’s, as many stores may be hesitant of stocking a product for high performance engines made out of cow fat. It sure does sound cool though!

Imagine changing your oil in your own driveway and then dumping the old oil straight into your fry daddy for that nights dinner… “green” chicken fried steak!