Azure Dynamics Corporation today announced AT&T has agreed to purchase two of the first Ford Transit Connect Electric vans, the latest addition to AT&T’s growing fleet of alternative-fuel vehicles.The Ford Transit Connect Electric — the all-electric version of the 2010 Ford Transit Connect, the North American Truck of the Year — will be powered by Azure Dynamics’ patented Force DriveTM electric drivetrain with an advanced lithium-ion battery from Johnson Controls-Saft. The vehicle, which goes on sale later this year, has a range of up to 80 miles on a single charge and will be rechargeable using either 240-volt or standard 120-volt outlets. It has a top speed of 75 miles per hour.

“Cleaner, alternative-fuel vehicles are the future of our corporate fleet, and the Transit Connect Electric represents a real breakthrough and will be a strong addition to our range of alternative-fuel vehicles,” said Jerome Webber, vice president of fleet operations at AT&T. “It’s exactly the kind of vehicle we envisioned when we mapped our long-term vision to invest up to $565 million to deploy more than 15,000 alternative-fuel vehicles through 2018.” AT&T currently operates more than 77,000 vehicles in its corporate fleet, including 15 gasoline-powered Ford Transit Connect vehicles AT&T began piloting in 2009.

Scott T. Harrison, CEO of Azure Dynamics, said Transit Connect Electric project is in line with his company’s mission.

“Our business is built on great technology, committed partners and customers who want to improve efficiency while reducing their environmental footprint,” Harrison said. “The Transit Connect Electric brings all of those elements together in a single package and is exactly on target with our goal at Azure of ‘driving a world of difference.’”

According to Harrison, commercial vehicles are ideal candidates for electrification due to typical duty cycle characteristics like predictable drive routes and a return to a central location each night for recharging. The zero tailpipe emission Ford Transit Connect Electric also will help protect air quality in the urban environments where it operates.

By combining car-like driving dynamics with truck-like cargo capacity, Ford Transit Connect Electric is well-suited to the demands placed on urban delivery vehicles for small businesses and larger, corporate fleets.

The Transit Connect Electric is expected to offer lower cost of operation because recharging with electricity is generally less expensive than refueling with gasoline. Additionally, customers will benefit from lower maintenance costs as the electric drive train has far fewer moving parts to maintain.

“Ford Transit Connect was first introduced in the U.S. last year as a new fuel efficient alternative to larger commercial vehicles. Adding the electric option addresses a growing demand from our customers for sustainable vehicles for their fleets,” said Gerry Koss, Ford fleet marketing manager. “This Transit Connect Electric represents the first in a family of electrified vehicles, including new hybrids, plug-in hybrids and all battery electric vehicles, which Ford will deliver over the next three years.”

AT&T plans to take delivery of the Transit Connect Electric in late 2010.

About Azure Dynamics
Azure Dynamics Corporation (TSX: AZD)(OTC: AZDDF) is a world leader in the development and production of hybrid electric and electric components and powertrain systems for commercial vehicles. Azure is strategically targeting the commercial delivery vehicle and shuttle bus markets and is currently working internationally with various partners and customers. The Company is committed to providing customers and partners with innovative, cost-efficient, and environmentally-friendly energy management solutions. For more information please visit www.azuredynamics.com.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 198,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.

About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world’s most advanced IP-based business communications services, the nation’s fastest 3G network and the best wireless coverage worldwide, and the nation’s leading high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of their three-screen integration strategy, AT&T operating companies are expanding their TV entertainment offerings. In 2009, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE®magazine’s list of the World’s Most Admired Companies. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com.

2011 F-Series Super Duty
•The all-new 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty features all-new diesel and gas powertrains that deliver best-in-class torque and horsepower as well as class-leading fuel economy
•The Ford F-Series Super Duty equipped with the 6.7-liter Power Stroke® V-8 turbocharged diesel engine averages an 18 percent improvement for pickup models and up to 25 percent improvement for chassis cabs versus 2010 models. Trucks equipped with new base 6.2-liter V-8 gas engine average a 15 percent improvement versus 2010 models
•The new diesel engine is B20 biodiesel compatible and the new gas engine is E85 compatible, providing customers a wide range of fueling options
•Best-in-class fuel economy and class-leading capability – towing of 26,400 pounds and a 6,520-pound payload – is due largely to the all-new 6R140 heavy-duty TorqShift® six-speed automatic transmission, providing more than half the overall improved fuel economy
ST. LOUIS, March 9, 2010 – The all-new 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty delivers best-in-class torque, horsepower, towing and payload capability – and does it all more efficiently, resulting in less fuel usage and extended maintenance intervals that can translate directly into bottom-line savings for customers.

“The 2011 Super Duty is not only the most powerful, most capable and fuel-efficient heavy-duty pickup truck on the road, it performs the tough jobs with even more efficiency than ever before,” said Doug Scott, truck group marketing manager. “Customers can be confident that Super Duty’s class-leading capability comes with Ford’s ‘and solution’ of best-in-class fuel economy.”

All-new diesel and gas engine powertrains are the backbone of the 2011 Super Duty’s best-in-class towing (26,400 pounds for F-550 chassis cab with fifth-wheel hitch) and payload capability (6,520 pounds for F-350 dual rear-wheel pickup). The Ford-designed, Ford-engineered and Ford-built 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbocharged diesel engine produces best-in-class 735 ft.-lb. of torque at 1,600 rpm and best-in-class 390 horsepower at 2,800 rpm. The new engine is compatible up to B20 biodiesel fuel as well.

The new 6.2-liter V-8 gasoline engine also boasts best-in-class numbers of 405 ft.-lb. of torque at 4,500 rpm and 385 horsepower at 5,500 rpm. The new engine is E85 compatible.

Mated to each engine is the all-new 6R140 heavy-duty TorqShift six-speed automatic transmission. The added feature content and overall efficiency of the transmission are the main reasons for the improved fuel economy. The all-new 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty equipped with the 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel averages an 18 percent improvement for pickup models and up to 25 percent improvement for chassis cabs versus 2010 models. Trucks equipped with new base 6.2-liter V-8 gas engine average a 15 percent improvement versus 2010 models.

“The new transmission is a ‘clean-sheet’ design, developed specifically to handle the significantly increased torque produced by the new diesel engine and the higher rotational speeds produced by the new gas engine, and to deliver the power to the wheels seamlessly and efficiently for heavy-duty truck customers,” said Al Bruck, transmission engineering manager. “Each system and component was scrutinized to deliver optimum performance.”

Here’s a closer look at what was achieved and the benefits to the customer:

•New torque converter that locks at a far lower rpm than the competition: The new, stronger torque converter is core to the improved transmission performance. One key component is the long-travel turbine damper that allows the transmission to lock earlier, at a lower rpm, which translates to less slip and more fuel efficiency. The new transmission locks down to 900 rpm, which is about 200 rpm less than the outgoing product and more than 100 rpm less than competitors. The second key component of the torque converter is the closed-piston design. This design allows for better control of the lock-up clutch, which enables controlled converter clutch slip during lock-to-lock upshifts that are seamless to the customer.
– Customer fuel economy benefit: Locked converter operation at lower speeds means less wasted heat energy and better fuel economy.

•Optimized shift and converter lock-up schedule: After analyzing the entire shift schedule, Ford calibration engineers fine-tuned it by measuring and optimizing the fuel flow. The system recognizes light or heavy throttle use, and puts the transmission in the right gear for best performance and efficiency. The entire operating range has been optimized to get the best fuel economy by locking up the converter as soon as possible and as much as possible.
– Customer fuel economy benefit: Optimizing the shift schedule and lock schedule ensures customers automatically operate in the most efficient gears and save fuel.

•Gearing and double-overdrive: The 6R140 transmission has a ratio span of about 5.9, which is quite a bit wider than competitors. This wider span means the transmission has a deeper first gear that allows customers to get the load moving quicker, and a tall overdrive ratio for good highway efficiency. While the gearing itself is important, the key to overall efficiency is matching that gearing to the correct axle. With the diesel engine, up to four axle ratios are available on the pickups – 3.31, 3.55, 3.73 and 4.30. Matching up the gearing with the right axles means better overall efficiency.
– Customer fuel economy benefit: The double-overdrive gear means even if a customer gets a downshift on the highway, the transmission remains in overdrive. Also, the F-450 pickup went from a 4.88 axle to a 4.30 axle at launch for the 2011 model mated to the wide ratio span of the transmission. This and other optimizations mean the F-450 now has about a 30 percent improvement in fuel economy.

•Optimized pumping pressure: A certain amount of pressure is required to hold the clutches together so they don’t slip. The trick is to have the right amount of pressure to do the job. Too much pressure wastes fuel. The solution is to optimize the size of the pump and precisely control the pressure for all operating conditions.
– Customer fuel economy benefit: At highway speeds, for example, the line pressure is reduced, which helps save fuel. The system maintains the right amount of pressure for any given speed range. The less energy needed for internal pump pressure means less fuel used.

•Optimized drainback to reduce spin losses: A main objective is to get the fluid through the main barrel to lubricate and cool components, and get it back to the sump as quickly as possible. This reduces windage and parasitic loss. The clutch friction plates were designed to allow fluid to flow through them efficiently for cooling and reduced drag. Clutch housings, connecting shells and the main case housing were optimized to quickly drain the fluid out of rotating components and back into the sump.
– Customer fuel economy benefit: Fewer parasitic losses due to reduced churning of fluid increases fuel economy.

•Warmer operating temperature: Tied in with spin losses, the 6R140 cooling system has been optimized to allow for the proper amount of cooling when towing heavy loads in high ambient temperatures, while running at an overall higher stabilized temperature. This higher stabilized temperature lowers the viscosity and helps the fluid flow more easily, which reduces parasitic losses and saves fuel. The fluid also warms up faster because it does not flow to the cooling circuit until properly warmed up. Faster warm-up also reduces overall parasitic losses.
– Customer fuel economy benefit: Fewer parasitic losses due to reduced fluid viscosity translates to less internal drag on the system and increases fuel economy.

Lighter, more efficient than competition
The 6R140 transmission is about 25 pounds lighter than those of competitors. The new engines are lighter than the outgoing products as well, which altogether means much more efficient power flow on a pound-for-pound basis. The 6R140 also has a 150,000-mile fluid change interval, which is 2½ times greater than the outgoing product. A patent-pending high-efficiency dual-media filter is the main reason for the extended maintenance interval, which is another savings for customers.

Cleanest Power Stroke ever
The new 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbocharged diesel employs an aftertreatment system to help comply with 2010 federal regulations to reduce NOx levels in diesel emissions by more than 80 percent compared with the previous standard. The Ford aftertreatment system is a three-stage process; a key component is the use of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF).

Injection of DEF to reduce NOx is a proven technology that’s been used throughout the automotive industry. Unlike other strategies used to control NOx, the DEF system allows the diesel engine to run at its optimum range in terms of fuel mixture. Some systems require the engine to run richer – which can be harmful to diesel engines – in order to control the NOx.

The aftertreatment system works like this:

Step One: Cleaning and Heating – The first step in cleaning the diesel exhaust occurs when the exhaust stream enters the Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC). The role of the DOC is twofold. First, it converts and oxidizes hydrocarbons into water and carbon dioxide. This conversion happens at about 250 degrees Celsius.

Second, the DOC is used to provide and promote heat, using specific engine management strategies, into the exhaust system. Through appropriate thermal management, this heat increases the conversion efficiency of the downstream subsystems in reducing emissions.

Step Two: Knocking Out the NOx – The next step in the process is what’s known as Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR). In this process, the NOx in the exhaust stream is converted into water and inert nitrogen, which is present in the atmosphere and harmless. Before the exhaust gas enters the SCR chamber, it is dosed with DEF, an aqueous solution that is approximately 67.5 percent water and 32.5 percent pure urea.

When heated, the DEF splits into ammonia and carbon dioxide. These molecules are atomized and vaporized, then enter a mixer that resembles a corkscrew. This twist mixer evenly distributes the ammonia within the exhaust flow. The ammonia enters the SCR module, which contains a catalyzed substrate, and through chemical reactions combines and converts the NOx and ammonia into the harmless inert nitrogen and water. Dosing occurs between 200 and 500 degrees Celsius.

Step Three: Scrubbing Away the Soot – The final part of the cleansing system for the diesel exhaust gas involves the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). The DPF traps any remaining soot, which is then periodically burned away, known as regenerating, when sensors detect the trap is full. The regeneration process sees temperatures in excess of 600 degrees Celsius to burn away soot.

This industry-proven technology ensures that the new 6.7-liter diesel is the cleanest Power Stroke ever, as well as the most fuel-efficient.

“Having this diesel designed in-house at Ford meant we were able to work on optimizations and refinements right from the start,” said Tim Ogilvie, vehicle energy supervisor. “We’re able to deliver to customers a more refined, more fuel-efficient Super Duty, with class-leading torque and horsepower and the class-leading capability they demand.”

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 198,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.

The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Street Course has been around since 1977. Highlighted by IndyCar, American Le Mans Series, The Toyota Pro/Celebrity race, Speed GT, and now Formula DRIFT.

The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Street Course has been around since 1977. Highlighted by IndyCar, American Le Mans Series, The Toyota Pro/Celebrity race, Speed GT, and now Formula DRIFT.

Formula DRIFT is now it’s 5th straight year at the famous Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Street Course and has expanded to have their own event one week prior to the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. The annual Team Drift event will follow the following weekend during the Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 16-18.

Utilizing Turns 9, 10, and 11 of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Street Course, Formula DRIFT slides its way on the only actual street course utilized for drifting. With a high-speed entry and very tight spacing between the cars and walls, there is no room for mistakes, making the opening round of the Formula DRIFT season one of the most exciting drift events of the year.

The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Street Course is the only track on the circuit that is held on actual city streets making it a one of a kind event. This event also features: the new Fatlace One of One Showcase car show, a huge vendor village, give-aways, driver autograph sessions, Open Pits to see the cars and stars up close and personal, and much much more!

Round 1: Streets of Long Beach will kick-off the 2010 Professional Championship season in style with new cars, new drivers, and all the sideways excitement that Formula DRIFT is known for. Champion Chris Forsberg will be back to defend his title against all competitors including 2-time champions Tanner Foust and Samuel Hubinette along with Vaughn Gittin Jr., Ryan Tuerck, Tyler McQuarrie, Rhys Millen, and the rest of the talented pool of drivers.

Don’t miss out on the exciting 2010 Formula DRIFT Season Opener on April 9-10!

Schedule of Events

Friday, April 9, 2010 – Preview Day

10:00 am – Box Office Open – Long Beach Arena Box Office
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm– Gates Open to the Public – Venue
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm – Autograph Signing Session – Formula DRIFT Trailer
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm – Open Practice – Track
5:00 pm – Gates Close to Public

Saturday, April 10, 2010 – Main Event

9:00 am – 5:00 pm – Box Office Open – Long Beach Arena Box Office
10:00 am – Gates Open to the Public – Venue
11:30 am – 1:00 pm – Main Competition: Round of 32 – Track
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – “Half-time” Break – Venue
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm – National Anthem / Opening Ceremonies – Track
2:30 pm – Main Competition: Round of 16 to Finals – Track
4:30 pm – 5:00 pm – Trophy Ceremony and Closing – Main Paddock
5:00 pm – Box Office Close – Long Beach Arena Box Office
6:00 pm – Gates Close to Public

*SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

TOKYO, Japan, March 2, 2010 – Honda Motor Co., Ltd. began sales throughout Japan of an all-new automobile driving simulator, which underwent a full model change, developed for the purpose of traffic safety education.

Honda automobile driving simulator

To further enhance the ability of driver trainees to recognize and understand potential risks, a new function was added to provide easy-to-understand graphics and/or written descriptions of conditions where the driver should be cautious. Further, the driver is also provided with advice on how to ensure safe driving in potentially dangerous situations that have a high possibility of occurring in the real world. This new function also helps the trainer provide more detailed and precise instructions. Moreover, the newly adopted high-definition LCD (liquid crystal display) enables trainees to experience a sense of driving that is closer to real-world conditions.

Leveraging the know-how it has accumulated about safe driving, Honda developed the automobile simulator as a traffic safety educational device which provides users a safe environment in which to experience the risks inherent to real-world traffic situations. Since it was first introduced in 2001, Honda has sold approximately 200 units of the automobile driving simulator in Japan and overseas countries. Honda also develops and sells motorcycle simulators globally, and bicycle simulators as well as a PC-based automobile driving simulator in Japan with the goal of improving drivers’ ability to predict risks and increase safety awareness for a wider range of people who operate mobility devices.

• Major changes made for the all-new automobile driving simulator:

· A new function was added to provide easy-to-understand graphics and/or written descriptions of conditions where the driver should be cautious, as well as how the driver can ensure safe driving in potentially dangerous situations that have a high possibility of occurring in the real world.

· A more affordable 2-axis motion base type was added to the original 6-axis motion base type.

· A high-definition 42-inch LCD display was adopted for the simulator.

· An easy-to-operate touch-panel monitor was adopted.

· The function that displays the driving result after the simulation driving is now a standard setting.

· “Night mode,” “Fog mode” and “Highway experience version” are now standard software options for the automobile driving simulator.

March 9, 2010 – Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (Pvt.) Ltd. (HMSI), Honda’s wholly-owned motorcycle production and sales subsidiary in India, announced plans to build a second motorcycle production plant to meet increasing demand in the rapidly growing motorcycle market in India.

To build the second plant, HMSI will acquire approximately 240,000 square meters of land within the Tapukara Industrial Area, Rajasthan, which is approximately 40km from the existing plant and approximately 90km from Delhi. The new plant is scheduled to become operational in the latter half of 2011 with annual production capacity of 600,000 units. Further, HMSI is expanding annual production capacity of its existing plant from the current 1.25 million units to 1.55 million units by the end of this month, with a further expansion to 1.6 million units already scheduled for next year. As a result, HMSI’s total annual production capacity will be 2.2 million units when the second plant becomes operational. The new plant will employ approximately 2,000 associates at initial stage of full capacity. The total investment will be approximately 4.7 billion Rupee (approximately 8.9 billion yen*1).
*1 1 Rupee = approximately 1.9yen

Utilizing production technologies refined at the existing plant as a starting point, HMSI will strive to improve process ergonomics and employ more advanced automation and other measures to its second plant. It will also be more environmentally responsible plant by proactively reducing energy consumption during production and by employing other environmental measures such as water recycling.

India represents the world’s second largest motorcycle market behind only China, and industry-wide motorcycle sales in India for 2009 reached 8.78 million units (up 19% compared to 2008). HMSI was established as a wholly-owned motorcycle production and sales subsidiary of Honda in 1999 and began production in 2001. HMSI’s sales have grown steadily with 2009 sales of approximately 1.09 million units (up 11% compared to 2008) achieving a record high for nine consecutive years.

In order to fulfill the diversifying needs of customers in the growing market of India, HMSI is enhancing its product lineup with last year’s full model change of the Activa 110cc scooter, one of the company’s best-selling products, and by introducing the CB Twister 110cc motorcycle in February 2010 in the 100-110cc market segment, which accounts for approximately 50% of total motorcycle market. The decision to build the second motorcycle production plant was made to better accommodate a further increase in demand in India.

[ About HMSI’s plants ]
First plant (existing plant)

Second plant
Location IMT*2 Manesar,
Gurgaon District, Haryana

Tapukara Industrial Area,
Alwar District, Rajasthan
Employment Approximately 6,500 associate
(as of the end of February 2010) Approximately 2,000 associates
(at initial stage of full-capacity)
Annual Production Capacity 1.55 million units
(as of the end of March 2010) 600,000 units (initially)
Land Size 210,000 m2 240,000 m2
Production Models · Scooter: Activa, Dio, Aviator
· Motorcycle: Unicorn, Shine,
CBF Stunner, CB Twister
Motorcycle models (plan)

Location: IMT Manesar, Gurgaon District, Haryana state, India
Capital: 3 billion Rupee (approximately 5.7 billion yen)
Capitalization Ratio: 100% Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
Representative: Shinji Aoyama, President & CEO
Business Activities: Production and sales of motorcycles and scooters
Dealership locations: 725 locations (as of February 2010)

That’s right, W.E.ROCK is hitting Oroville, CA on March 27-28. This year should be bigger than the last as W.E.ROCK has seen a big increase in Teams Participating from last year. Furthermore, Some big news hit the waves as Jesse Haines is scheduled to move into the Pro Modified Class to challenge teammate and National Champion Brad and Roger Lovell. Other Torchmate news has a possible new driver standing in for past Rookie of the Year Bill Kunz. Will Tracy Jordan and the Spidertrax Rock Bug as well as Shannon Campbell from Mosnter Energy move back into the Pro Mod class to battle for the title again?
In the Unlimited Class, Brent Bradshaw is the ongoing favorite for the season championship this year, can he pull it off or will the new emergance of young talent knock him off the top teir? Mod Stock Class has battle written all over it as Justin Hall is pitted up against Rivals “Those Guys” and “Those Gals” as well as a slew of new drivers. Formula Toy has had an ongoing champion with John James, but last season found Brian Ellinger and Dave Cole (Once Teammates for the World Championship) take gold against him on several occasions. No matter the outcome, the temos are to be more specator friendly than last season’s Oroville, event, so make sure you come check us out at Surplus City on March 27th and 28th…

W.E.ROCK Pro-National West Series

2010 Kickoff

Oroville, CA

Event Itenerary

EVENT ITINERARY:
EVENT NAME: 2010 Pro-National West Series Kickoff
SERIES NAME: W.E.ROCK Pro-National West Series
EVENT LOCATION:

Surplus City Jeep Parts

4514 Pacific Heights Road

Oroville, CA

530-533-2500

Tech Inspection Location:

Gold Country Casino

4020 Ovile Highway

Oroville, CA

530-538-4560

March 26th, 2010 Friday

11am: Vendor/sponsor set-up
Call Rich for Detiails (530) 417-5333

1pm: Tech Inspection (See above)

1pm: Registration Opens

8pm: Close Registration and Tech Inspection

9pm: After Rock and Draw Party “TBA”

March 27th, 2010 Saturday

7:30-8am: Last chance Tech Inspection and Check-in @ the competitors parking area. (Late tech a $20 fine and is only for those that have pre-registered, NO LATE REGISTRATIONS, call Rich Klein for details)

8am: Start positions posted at Comp site on W.E. ROCK Trailer

9am: Spectators gate opens

9am: Driver’s Meeting, Main W.E.ROCK Stage at the comp site

10am: Competition begins. Competitors must be staged (see rules)

March 28, 2010 Sunday

9am: Spectators gate opens.

10am: Competition begins

3pm: Projected end of competition.

Results: Posted within minutes of the end of competition.

Awards Ceremony: Within minutes after end of competition.

DIRECTIONS

Mapquest Link

Call Rich Klein @ 530-417-5333

***Advisory***

Dogs will not be allowed at the competition area by property owner’s request. However, if you are camping in the campground, dogs will be allowed. Provided the dogs stay at your camp site.

i-flow’s dynamic, elegant lines not only portray a futuristic silhouette, but also contribute to exceptional aerodynamics. Sporting intentions are emphasised through radical ideas, such as the arch-like roofline and streamlined front, which are supported by innovative active aero elements, such as the adaptive front spoiler and side rocker blades. A boat-tail shape and kick-up lines force the airflow to separate at the rear of the vehicle, leading to an impressive aerodynamic drag coefficient of just 0.25 Cd.

The fluidic forms of the exterior are echoed in i-flow’s cabin, where continuous lines sweep from the dashboard, through the doors to the open storage area at the rear. The seats were developed in conjunction with BASF using advanced stress analysis. ‘Steron’, (a BASF material), gives seats a highly-resilient quality, excellent breathability and a high-tech touch. The upper dashboard is treated with BASF’s ‘Elastoskin’, a sprayed skin which gives a sophisticated, shimmering finish. Finally, the cockpit’s main interface centres on an expansive contoured screen, which recognises not only touch, but also gestural inputs along its fascia-wide display.

Hyundai’s first diesel-electric hybrid powertrain integrates a new ‘U2’ 1.7-litre two-stage turbocharged engine and the company’s Lithium Ion-Polymer battery technology provides an efficient and advanced combination, enhanced by a six-speed, dual-clutch transmission. In addition the i-flow incorporates numerous new technologies – including the use of innovative lightweight materials, solar cells, energy conservation and harvesting techniques as well as excellent aerodynamics – all assisting in weight reduction and efficiency improvements which reduce the car’s CO2 output to an extraordinary 85g/km and fuel consumption to just 3L/100km.

The ix35 Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) is another exciting model on display and the latest addition to the Hyundai Blue Drive™ line-up of eco-focused vehicles. ix35 FCEV moves Hyundai closer to the commercialisation of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles, and incorporates several important innovations including the adoption of metallic separators (bipolar plates) in the fuel cell stack, and the use of 21kW LiPoly electrical storage batteries (already in mass production) which dramatically reduce cost and simplify the fuel cell manufacturing process.

Advances in modularisation reduce the time required in the final assembly process, and this combined with the Introduction of induction motors instead of permanent magnet-type motors assist greatly in achieving cost efficiencies and improving production scalability making FCEVs more economically feasible. By 2012, Hyundai plans to begin series manufacture of FCEVs for delivery to fleet customers in South Korea.

Other Blue Drive™ models on display include i10 blue, i20 blue and i30 blue, all offering sub-100g/km range CO2 emission levels, driving the company towards its target of global automotive leadership in environmentally-sensitive technologies.

“I am really looking forward to returning to the team that gave me my debut in Daytona Prototypes, with the McDonalds / South African Airways Doran Racing #77,” said Dion von Moltke. “I really can’t wait to kick things off at Homestead as it is my home race, and will have even more fan support here pushing me on. Since Daytona I have never trained harder for a race. I am really looking forward to working with Memo and getting Doran Racing back to where it belongs, running up front!”

“South African Airways has been thrilled to be a part of Dion’s quest to conquer Grand Am Racing,” said Marc Cavaliere, Executive Vice President of North America for South African Airways. “As South Africa’s national carrier, we take particular pride in supporting South Africans abroad, as they serve as ambassadors of our culture. Through Dion’s hard work and dedication, he makes us proud to be South African. We look forward to seeing him race at Homestead.”

Driving under the South African flag, Dion was born in Texas, and lived in Sydney and Los Angeles before moving to his current home in Miami. Following a racing career with multiple championships in karting and open wheel racing, Dion competed in 2009 in both the Continental Tire Challenge Series and Rolex Sports Car Series. In seven rounds of the Continental Tire Challenge Series, he managed 3 wins and helped his co-driver, Mike Sweeney, to a top-10 in the season Driver Points Championship while turning many heads in the Rolex Series in both GT and DP classes. His goal is to conquer the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series in 2010. His story is even more remarkable as he balances professional racing with a full course load of studies at FIU, whilst also trying to spend as much time as he can manage in his beloved South Africa.