Particularly due to the metal content of catalytic converters that make them continuously prone to being stolen, the people from Mazda has searched for ways to reduce the metal content of their catalytic converters without sacrificing the said component’s functionality. Through making use of nanotechnology, Mazda has now developed a catalytic converter catalyst that has around 70 to 90 percent less platinum and palladium in its composition. Although these two metals help a lot in the purifying process, a considerable reduction of these metals, surprisingly, does not reduce the catalyst’s efficiency.

In the past, the costly metal particles are attached to the base material and will come together upon contact with heat that considerable reduces the surface of the particles are located and along with it, the catalyst’s efficiency. In order to prevent so much loss of the surface that is covered, auto manufacturers resulted to using more of these purifying materials on the catalytic converter. In so doing, when the area heats up—as it normally would upon continuous exposure to the vehicle’s emission—more area will be covered even if these metal particles clutter together.

With the catalytic converter catalyst that Mazda recently came up with, Mazda makes use of these metal particles with five nanometers in diameter that makes it possible for these metals to be securely embedded in the base material. This, in turn, enables these particles to stay put and not to cluster. With this breakthrough, Mazda is able to make use of less of the platinum and palladium metals that makes the catalytic converter the perfect target of thieves. With this new Mazda catalytic converter, the people in Mazda hopes that catalytic converter theft will considerably drop in the future.

There are still no announcements on the time Mazda will start mass producing their new catalyst. However, with the urgent need for it, it will only be a matter of time before Mazda releases their innovation.

Source: Motortrend.com

Japanese car maker Honda has a lot of great ideas and concept vehicles for their line up of environmental cars that it presented during the recently concluded Frankfurt Motor Show. Honda’s ‘Environment’ area focuses on the automaker’s revolutionary environmental technology employed by Honda which will be present on its Small Hybrid Sports Concept, its next generation clean diesel engine i-DTEC, Honda Civic Hybrid, and the fuel cell technology incorporated in its Honda FCX Concept.

Honda’s next generation clean diesel engine is continually being developed. It makes use of a world-first technology which aims to decrease diesel emissions so that they could be equal to the emission level of petrol engines.

The first goal of the development program of the diesel engine is to reach the Euro 5 requirements and Honda is proud to report that its 2.2-liter i-DTEC engine has already reached beyond the Euro 5 requirements. This new engine will soon be available as car enthusiast will be seeing it in the models of next year’s Accord range. Though the engine complies with the Euro 5 requirements, performance has not been compromised. It continues to have incredible power and torque, both of these were even increased together with the improvement of its fuel economy.

However, Honda does not want to stop with the achievement of the Euro 5 requirements as it aims to meet US Tier II/Bin 5 requirements as well. To attain this, its second phase of development for the said diesel engine includes an innovative catalytic converter. What’s innovative about this catalytic converter is that it makes use of the reductive reaction of ammonia to ‘detoxify’ the nitrogen oxide (NOx) by converting it into non-toxic nitrogen. But it does not make use of the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems which employs urea injection that stored in the storage tank; instead, it uses ammonia that’s produced directly within the catalytic converter.

A report from the Auto Spectator explains the innovative catalytic converter that Honda has. It features a two-layer structure. The first layer takes in the nitrogen oxides from the exhaust gas. This then reacts with the hydrogen taken from the exhaust gases to produce ammonia during the periodic rich-burn controlled by the engine management system. The latter will then be absorbed by the second layer. The ammonia produced by the reaction of the hydrogen and the nitrogen oxide is then used to convert the remaining nitrogen oxide residing in the exhaust. Ammonia is the perfect tool for this since it is a highly-reactive reagent for converting the nitrogen oxide into just nitrogen in oxygen-rich and lean-burn atmosphere. This system also makes way for an improved nitrogen oxide reduction efficiency even in the most serious temperature range of 200-300°C for the exhaust gas systems of diesel engines.

Catalytic converter theft is rampant nowadays. A lot of motorists now fear that the next time they park their car in a public place; their car’s performance may not be the same by the time they leave. But catalytic converter thieves are no longer getting just any kind of catalytic converters; they are now specifically targeting those of the Toyota 4Runner. Such incident has been reported in Chesterfield. This county of Virginia has been having continuous problem regarding stolen catalytic converters, but recently, the theft have been pertaining to a specific vehicle.

One may ask, “What is it with the Toyota 4Runner’s catalytic converter?” Aside from the precious metals in all catalytic converters, the SUV’s catalytic converter is very easy to reach. Other pickup trucks’ cat cons are also relatively easy to reach, since all they have to do is slide under the vehicle and cut the pipe where the precious metals are and get it. It would be very easy for them especially if they know their way around a certain vehicle. Familiarity of which part they need to target and its location is very important for them.

Police reports that aside from the Toyota 4Runner, Tundras and Tacomas are also prime targets, because their catalytic converters are easy to remove.

The three most commonly used precious metals in catalysts are platinum, palladium, and rhodium. According to a police official, these materials are used in the manufacturing electronics, jewelry, glass, and medical and dental equipment. According to some reports, Platinum is the most valuable metal. Reports say that the latest market price is about $1300 an ounce.

The new 2008 Hayabusa has now released its Suzuki GSXI300R. This new bike from Suzuki has an engine capacity increase to 1,340cc, a major power rise to 194bhp and torque up to a massive 114lb ft. Its chassis has been revised, the suspension renewed, the swing-arm is significantly stiffer. The said bike is able to meet the latest Euro 3 emissions regulations because of its big catalytic converter. On the other hand, its massive catalytic converter is accountable for the 7 lb weight gain compare to its previous edition.

The added weight, however, helps a lot when one needs to turn the twist grip. Its added weight helps to make easier for one to make a turn. The new Suzuki GSXI300R Hayabusa is fast. It is so fast that the people in Suzuki highly recommend that one takes it for a ride on a race track. In doing so, one could really experience the full capacity of the GSXI300R Hayabusa. The said bike is so fast that some even recommends that one drives it only on the race track. This, of course, could only be an exaggeration on their part.

Similar to the B-King and GSX-R1000, the Hayabusa features variable power outputs that are attained by pushing a button on the bars. What the Hayabusa considerably improved is its rider wind protection. The old model’s screen was far too low, leaving the driver out in a windblast. This new version, however, is so much better for the protection it gives to the driver.

Takeo Fukui, Honda’s President and CEO, proudly introduced two new clean diesel engines at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show.

The said engines belong to Honda’s well-developed second generation diesel family that carries on the name i-DTEC (intelligent Diesel TEChnology). The i-DTEC makes use of the world’s finest technology in order to reduce emissions to a level equal to that of a petrol engine.

Set to make an appearance in the United States within the next two years, Honda’s next generation super-clean diesel engine features an innovative Lean-burn NOx-reducing Catalyzer. This catalyzer makes use of ammonia to ‘detoxify’ NOx. Upon detoxifying the NOx, it turns into harmless nitrogen. Not like Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems, which makes use of Urea supplied from a storage tank, Honda’s technology uses ammonia generated directly within the catalytic converter.

It has a two-layer structure: one layer absorbs NOx from the exhaust gas. The NOx during periodic rich burn controlled by the engine management system reacts with hydrogen from the exhaust gas. This produces ammonia that is then absorbed by the second layer.

During lean burn operation, the ammonia is utilized to convert the remaining exhaust NOx into nitrogen. One may wonder why ammonia. It is because ammonia is a great reagent for reducing NOx into nitrogen in oxygen-rich, lean-burn atmospheres. The system also has the capacity to provide for more efficient NOx reduction in the most critical temperature range of 200-300°C for diesel engine exhaust systems.

The rising market price of some precious metals has made local auto dealers and repair shops the perfect target of looters. Since last month, more than 50 catalytic converters have been looted from SUVs particularly from vehicles that are parked on Augusta County sales lot. Apparently, the thin coating of obscure metals such as the platinum, rhodium and palladium on catalytic converters can be priced for over thousands of dollars when sold in high quantities.

Melting down the metals can be quite a difficult task but it is possible. An ounce of rhodium was valued at $6,000 as of the second week of September, according to market quotes. The average catalytic converter is coated with $50 worth of the metal. This means that dozens of converters are needed so as to have a hefty profit. New and used catalytic converters can fetch as much as $130 from salvage yards, industry experts said. Some experts suspect that to resell parts is the main objective behind the burglaries and not to melt the obscure metal.

Slightly more than 30 vehicles at Staunton Hyundai on Lee Jackson Highway were targeted over the weekend, reports the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office. “It’s quite a loss to the car dealership,” Capt. Dwight Wood said. Authorities estimate the loss at more than $800.

It is quite easy to know what a critical metal is. Basically, critical metals are metals that one cannot do without in building certain things. As for catalytic converters, one simply cannot do without the rhodium. One of the most effective ways in which the catalytic converter is able to meet the legally mandated emissions reduction of nitrogen oxides is by having the hot exhaust gases pass over a finely divided rhodium. Without the rhodium, the catalytic converter will be unable to function the way it is supposed to. Aside from this, the vehicle that is equipped with a catalytic converter that does not have a rhodium as one of its component may not be sold in the US, Japan, and Europe legally.

The American OEM automotive industry, accounts for more than three-fourths of the actual annual demand for rhodium. This amounts to over a million ounce supply of newly produced rhodium. This demand for rhodium is solely used for manufacturing catalytic converters. On a sad note, it has been projected that with the increase in car production from a total of 75 million units per annum in 2007 to a projected 100 million vehicles in 2012, there could be a growing rhodium deficit. For this reason, rhodium has increased its value and hence the looting of catalytic converters.

The new 2.0 TDI e Concept is able to show the effectiveness of Audi’s new Modular Efficiency program. The said vehicle has the capacity to undercut the consumption limit of five liters per 100 km by using just 4.9 liters for 100 km on the EU cycle. With the A4, Audi is able to bring forward its whole package of innovative engineering solutions. As for the start/stop system or the energy recuperation system that is still being developed, Audi enthusiasts can expect future Audi vehicles to exhibit it.

The people behind Audi’s diesel engine development combined a whole package of innovate measures to come up with the latest developments in TDI generation. The new piezo common rail system with an injection pressure of 2,000 bar, highly efficient exhaust gas recirculation and the optimized turbocharger produce greatly reduced raw emissions. The presence of combustion chamber sensors, the first of its kind, serves as one of the highlights. These sensors allow the combustion processes inside the engine to be regulated even more precisely.

When combined with the ultra low emission system, the latest TDI engine in the end becomes the clean high-tech diesel. This combination is able to reduce nitric oxides by up to 90 percent. It uses the additive AdBlue, which is a biologically degradable water-based solution. A minute dose is injected into the system upstream of the DeNOx converter.

The A4’s ultra low emission system comprises the catalytic converter and a metering module, the AdBlue tank and heated lines, and an extensive system of sensors. The additional oxidation catalytic converter and the highly efficient regulated diesel particulate filter complete the comprehensive exhaust emissions control system.

The second-generation 2008 Toyota Highlander is a new SUV that is quite larger, faster, and more efficient than the one that came before it. The Toyota Highlander was first launched in 2001. This first-generation Highlander was able to answer the growing need for car-based SUVs. The first-generation Highlander catered to those who are looking for crossovers.

The 2008 edition of Toyota Highlander offers about the same room a mid-size sedan does. It has a more rugged looking package than the original Highlander. Also, the 2008 Highlander has lots of inside and outside space. Formerly, the Highlander used to be of the same size as the Ford Escape, now it is quite closer to the Ford Explorer. The Highlander’s overall length of 188.4 inches just about matches its arch-nemesis, the Honda Pilot. But, the Highlander’s efficient packaging yields an interior space that surpasses the Honda’s and actually compares favorably to larger SUVs like the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, Ford Explorer, and Dodge Durango.

On the inside, it features the Toyota catalytic converter, which is the main reason for Toyota Highlander’s exceptional exhaust. It has a 3.5-liter V-6, engine with 270 hp/248 lb-ft, a drivetrain of five-speed automatic, front- or all-wheel drive, and the length-width-height of 88.4 x 75.2 x 69.3 in.

Mazda’s 2008 new 6 sedan is on the Frankfurt show. This latest addition to Mazda vehicles feature a more fluid, rounded shape vehicle that is near the lines of the RX-8. This new Mazda is already out in the market and has a two inches longer wheelbase than most vehicles nowadays. It is powered by Ford’s 3.5 liter V6 and has a 180 horsepower four cylinder engine. Would-be buyers of this Mazda will have the option of having an all-wheel drive. The Mazda 6 features the Mazda catalytic converter. This would be the reason behind Mazda’s good exhaust and call for greener vehicles.

According to Mazda, “the all-new Mazda6 arrives as a full redesign of Mazda’s first model to embody the Zoom-Zoom product philosophy, offering a thrilling drive to all those who still remember the love of motion first experienced as a child. Following the all-new Mazda2, the new Mazda6 is the second Mazda new generation product to evolve to the next stage, further deepening the emotional connection between man and machine - Mazda calls it ‘Kizuna.’”

“Inheriting Mazda’s tradition of responsive handling and performance that has become recognized around the world and evolving the original model’s distinctive design and exceptional functionality, the all-new Mazda6 takes a step forward in quality and offers strengthened environmental and safety performance. The result is an exciting and delightful experience that only the all-new Mazda6 can deliver.”