Catalytic Converters are some of the hottest loot goods for car thieves. The pro-environment auto part is a favorite among sneaky people because the most of the materials that are used are semi-precious – the platinum metals. Some automakers planned to looking for alternative cat con components but these still work the best.

The materials that play major roles for a catalytic converter to function well are the platinum metals: Rhodium, Platinum, and Palladium, which all work as catalysts. Rhodium is tasked to break down the Nitrogen oxide before it comes out into the atmosphere. Once this platinum metal worked, Nitrogen and Oxygen are the end result. These two are friendlier to the environment than the Nitrogen oxide. Palladium and Platinum, on the other hand, play more demanding roles in keeping the emission at a safe level. Carbon dioxide and water vapor are the result once Carbon monoxide and Hydrocarbons are already broken down into simpler forms.

Aside from breaking down harmful elements into simpler ones, the platinum metals found in catalytic converters are also capable of enduring too much heat and pressure. These semi-precious metals can bear as much as 900 degrees Celsius or so temperature produced in the exhaust system of a vehicle.

Until catalytic converter makers found alternatives, which are also efficient in breaking down elements, these special auto parts will still be costly and will still be targets of thieves.

Some details from Nature News.

It is always good to hear that further developments are being made in order to lessen air pollution from vehicles. Researches are continually being made and recently, the Environmental Solutions Worldwide, Inc. has given a statement that its subsidiary, which is the ESW Canada Inc., already signed an Emissions Control and Technologies Provider and Cooperation agreement with the International Truck and Engine Cooperation (ITEC). The ITEC is a company in line with the Navistar International Corporation that has a site in Warrenville, Illinois.

Recently, the ESWC has been operating with the International’s “Green Diesel Technology.” Word has it that the EDWC’s campaign, which is the Clean Cat™ Level I High Performance Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (HP-DOC) as well as the company’s Therma Cat™ Active Level III technology for catalytic converters are still being verified. The one tasked to verify these products are the Environmental Protection Agency or also known as the EPA and the California Air Resources Board or the CARB. Upon approval, this diesel catalytic converter of an International brand will be tagged as the “Green Diesel Technology.”

Although the new technology is said to benefit International’s bus as well as truck applications, it will also be made available for retrofit installations on OEM vehicles. The new catalyst technology will serve as a part of the portfolio for retrofit and service parts. According to David J. Johnson, who is ESW’s President and CEO, “[the] International will be a tremendous addition to our Company’s growing base of OEM customers and is another example of our desire to build strong partnerships in the diesel engine and vehicle manufacturing sector of the industry. This agreement is the next critical step in ESW’s continuing efforts to grow in the on-road emissions controls market and we believe marks a major event in our Company’s history. International, North America’s biggest diesel engine, truck and bus manufacturer, will provide our group with the largest demographic for retrofit, as well as first fit opportunities for our emissions reduction technologies. The agreement with International extends ESWC’s product distribution and provides a single source for specific technologies and services. It truly is a win-win relationship.”

Source: home.businesswire.com

A somewhat European flavor has been added to the 2008 Saturn Astra as it has been equipped with a lot of safety features and standard equipment, coupled with a notable fuel economy and sporty performance. This model comes in three-door and five-door versions, both supported by a European-bred suspension that offers drivers with great handling ability because of it being sharp and responsive.

The powertrain propelling the 2008 Saturn Astra is a 1.8-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine. This is quite a notable engine as it is energetic and economical as well. It also delivers an impressive maximum power output of 140 horsepower.

Saturn’s General Manager, Jill Lajdziak, said, “In Europe, the Astra’s combination of style, performance, safety technology and fuel efficiency have made it a hit with owners and auto critics alike. Now, Saturn brings the newly restyled Astra to North America and marries it with our celebrated customer experience.”

The standard engine of the 2008 Saturn Astra makes use of valve timing in order to optimize both economy and power with its impressive 10 horsepower and 126 pound-feet of torque.

There are a lot of notable and innovative features making up the beauty and performance of the Saturn Astra. These goodies include two continuously variable camshafts, a map-controlled thermostat, and a highly effective oil/water heat exchanger. Aside from that, one can also find a deep-drawn exhaust manifold which fits in a catalytic converter and a two-step intake manifold. This intake manifold makes use of rotary sleeve rather than the conventional flaps to activate the transition between low revolutions per minute (rpm) and high-rpm airflow. This allows the reduction of the flow loss for optimal performance.

The standard gearbox connected to the 1.8-liter Ecotec engine is a five-speed manual transmission which assists the Astra in achieving a great fuel economy. But there’s also an Aisin electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission available. This type of gearbox is well-known for allowing the smooth shifting of gears and having low noise and high durability.