The Road is Greener on Either Side
While petroleum and alternative-fuel interests duke it out in legislatures and the marketplace, there's a growing recognition on both sides that there might be room for more than just one fuel on the highway. That's why a balanced approach to mitigating tailpipe emissions, including research and development programs for both alternative-fuel and cleaner gasoline-fueled vehicles, has been followed by virtually every major automaker here and abroad.
Regardless of how clean alternative fuels might be, they really can't be viewed as replacements for gasoline in the short term. There's significant activity in the alternative-fuel field, and alternative-fuel vehicles likely will play an important role in our driving future, but their short-term impact is relatively small since these vehicles are just now coming to market in limited numbers.
The most measurable and immediate emissions gains are being made because of technological improvements in conventional engines and the fuels that power them. Reformulated gasoline is at the top of the list because of the significant emissions improvements achieved where this fuel is sold. California state officials claim that the new reformulated fuel mandated for sale last June provides the most smog reduction of any emissions-reduction measure since the introduction of catalytic converters more than 20 years ago.
Automakers also are rising to the challenge. A case in point is the engine powering Honda's '96 Civic CX, DX, and LX models, a snappy 1.6-liter four-cylinder producing 106 horsepower and 103 pound-feet of torque. Several thousand miles behind the wheel of an LX variant have proven this car to be comfortable, responsive, and quite adept at handling everyday driving needs, including the types of evasive maneuvers required in heavy traffic. That this car also happens to be the first LEV (low-emissions vehicle) certified in California seems simply a bonus.
Honda engineers achieved this milestone by improving fuel distribution to allow for burning a leaner fuel mixture. The multiport electronic fuel-injection system also has been programmed to compensate for throttle operating transients to decrease lean-mixture, high-NO2 emissions. A close-coupled catalyst connected directly to a thin-wall cast iron exhaust manifold quickly heats an improved catalytic converter to operating temperature, serving to mitigate hydrocarbon emissions during the cold-start phase, when most emissions are created.
What's Ahead On "Motor Trend Television"
Join us each Sunday on TNN (The Nashville Network) for "Motor Trend Television." If it's happening in the automotive world, you'll find it here. Every show is packed with vehicle tests, comparisons, new product reviews, the latest industry news, and lots more. Check your local TV listings for broadcast times in your area. Here's a preview of what's ahead.
October 6: '97 Jeep Wrangler road test; Fun-runner face-off: Mazda Miata versus Honda del Sol.
October 13: Secret Chevys, Part 1: We take you behind the wheel of some of Chevrolet's hottest high-performance engineering vehicles.
October 20: Secret Chevys, Part 2: We pay a return visit to the ultimate automotive toy box for a second helping of high-performance fun.
October 27: First test: '97 Viper GTS Coupe; Musclecar classic: American Motors AMX.
Motor Trend Online:Be sure to visit the Motor Trend Web site at http://www.motortrend.com