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What Is Start Stop System? How Does It Save Fuel?

Posted: 31 Jul 2010 12:30 AM PDT

Innovations come along with new products including cars and motorcycles and are necessary in terms of advancement and consumer satisfaction. In today's world innovations grow like mushrooms with almost every brand offering you a sophisticated technology which you may not understand but is important. If one has to make a choice between luxury and running cost, many of the customers will be inclined towards the running cost or the fuel consumption of the vehicle and to suppress it, numerous innovations and inventions have been done.

Image Credit – Bosch

Today we will talk about the Start Stop System, which is a system designed to make the optimum use of the fuel in Start-Stop conditions. In 1980s Volkswagen Polo and the Fiat Regta were the first cars to flaunt this new technology which forwarded to Volkswagen Golf in 1994, VW Lupo and Audi A2 3.0 L. Though initially the technology failed to impress many drivers due to its high cost, it was later accepted whole heartedly.

Talking about the Indian manufacturers, the Mahindra & Mahindra has used this technology in Mahindra Scorpio, Bolero MaxiTruck and will soon re-introduce it through its to-be launched Mahindra Xylo Micro Hybrid

What Is Start Stop System?

The Start Stop system is based on a simple principle of not burning the fuel when it is not required. The system automatically detects occasions during your drive when the vehicle is idle & stops the engine thus conserving fuel. Thus it aids in attaining better fuel efficiency & reducing running costs.

How Start Stop System Works?

Vehicle has come to halt due to traffic signal/jam, is in neutral gear.
The engine will shut down automatically after 10 seconds. Just before stopping, the indicator in the cluster will blink indicating the engine is going to stop shortly.
The indicator will glow on your instrument cluster indicating the engine has stopped due to stop start device.
Once the Signal turns green, press the clutch pedal & engine starts immediately.
The indicator on the cluster goes off indicating that engine has started again & you are ready to drive on with the vehicle.

Image Credit - Mahindra

Benefits Of Start Stop System

Since the engine is switched off during traffic signals/jams, considerable amount of CO2 release to the atmosphere is avoided and eventually reduces global warming.
Less Fuel Consumption

Development Cost

A few lakh rupees. The technology certainly has value for money and do hope that other brands consider it an important part for their products as well.

Honda VFR1200F India Launch – Specifications Features Colours And Price

Posted: 30 Jul 2010 11:50 PM PDT

Honda has grown from a small sapling who sprouted its roots into the Indian automobile sector, to a tree whose branches are still expanding and rising towards the sky. The brand along with its technology brought cut-throat competition for the existing manufacturers and the to-be entering ones.

Honda's subsidiary responsible for two-wheeler manufacturing, has offered some of the greatest scooters and bikes, and is continuing its work of getting better every day. Honda Activa, Honda Dio, Honda CBF Stunner , Honda Unicorn ,Honda CBX 250 are a few names who have done a great job for the company, in shooting its sales figures and showing its potential against the other manufacturers competing for the 1st spot.

The Japanese automaker stuns the world once again with the all new Honda VFR1200F, promising cutting edge technology and serious competition for all those brands planning to introduce their superbikes in the Indian two wheeler segment.

The bike looks fine from the front resembling a standard BMW with some nice sharp features. From the rear the only distinctive feature is the new exhaust which looks like a musical instrument when viewed from the side. The company calls the sound a distinctive growl which is an off-beat bass-rich sound at low RPMs, but changes to a distinctive V4 growl at speed.

Technical Specifications Of Honda VFR1200F

Engine

Engine Type: 1237cc liquid-cooled 76° V-4
Bore and Stroke: 81mm x 60mm
Compression ratio: 12.0:1
Valves: SOHC; four valves per cylinder
Induction: PGM-FI 44mm throttle bodies
Ignition: Digital electronic

Transmission

Transmission: 6-speed (VFR1200F) / Six-speed automatic with two modes and manual mode (VFR1200F with Dual Clutch Automatic Transmission)
Final Drive: Shaft

Suspension

Front: 43mm; 4.7 inches travel
Rear: Pro Arm single-side swingarm with Pro-Link® single gas-charged shock; 5.1 inches travel

Brakes

Front: Dual 320mm discs, CBS 6-piston calipers with ABS
Rear: Single 276mm disc, CBS two-piston caliper with ABS

Tires

Front: 120/70 ZR17 radial
Rear: 190/55 ZR17 radial

Other Details

Wheelbase: 60.8 inches (1545mm)
Rake: 25-deg
Trail: 101.0mm (4.0 inches)
Seat Height: 32.1 inches (815mm)
Fuel Capacity: 4.9 gallons

Curb Weight: 591 lbs (VFR1200F) / 613 lbs (VFR1200F with Dual Clutch Automatic Transmission)

Available Colors

Candy Red

Price Of Honda VFR1200F

Honda has priced the bike at Rs 17.5 Lakh (Ex-showroom Delhi), so lets see how this new machine performs in the bike sector.

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