All posts by M.K.

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Goodyear tires made of sustainable materials

Goodyear has set a goal to produce a tire made entirely of sustainable materials by the end of the decade. The current prototype is 70 percent made of sustainable materials which is a clear indicator of progress towards the ultimate goal.

The current prototype consists of 13 ingredients in nine different rubber components, including three different types of soot made from methane, carbon dioxide and vegetable oil, thus reducing carbon emissions compared to traditional manufacturing processes. Soot is usually used as a filler to strengthen tires, as well as other rubber products, but also to extend their life.

Soybean oil was used in the production, which allows the tires to remain flexible, as well as various types of silica (from rice husk), which improves tire grip and helps reduce fuel consumption. The company’s intention was to use soybean oil in the production of four types of tires, but the plan was postponed due to the pandemic.

Goodyear chief technologist Chris Helsel said the rubber prototype is an exciting achievement that demonstrates the company’s commitment to using sustainable materials.

Source: Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

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The end for the Passat sedan in Europe

The sad news comes from VW. According to Autocar, VW will no longer produce its popular Passat sedan, and Volkswagen has stopped offering this model on its website.

Although the end of production in North America was announced earlier, it seems that the production of Passat sedan in Europe has come to an end. It all started back in 1973 when Giorgetto Giugiaro designed the first model. Since then, eight generations have been produced and marketed as Dasher, Santana, Quantum, Magotan, Corsar and Carat.

The ninth generation Passat will be built on the MQB platform and will only be offered as a station wagon. The plug-in hybrid will be powered by a combination of a 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbo petrol engine with 150 hp (110 kW) and 184 lb-ft (250 Nm), and a 2.0-liter turbo petrol engine with 187 hp (140 kW) and 236 lb-ft (320 Nm) of torque. There will also be diesel engines with a range of 122 to 250 hp (90 – 184 kW).

Source: Autocar

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2022 Chevy Menlo EV Mickey Kung Fu Edition

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The fusion of Chevrolet and Disney in China resulted in the 2022 Chevy Menlo EV Mickey Kung Fu Edition. This is not the first model these two companies have developed, as the Mickey Magic Edition and Mickey Space Edition have been introduced before.

The Mickey Kung Fu Edition is the result of a collaboration between Chevrolet and Disney in China. Painted in white with Mickey silhouettes on the back door, the car is designed for families with children who want fun. The Mickey sign can also be found on the five-spoke wheels, as well as on the rear window. The interior is designed in black, with seats upholstered in black leather and contrasting orange parts.

The car is powered by an electric motor with 174 hp (130 kW) and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) of torque. It is equipped with a 61.1 kWh lithium-ion battery that provides a range of 322 miles (518 km). The price of this fun car is $ 28,000 (179,900 CNY).

Source: GM Authority