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+Mazda USA has taken an interesting approach with the design of their new SkyActiv-D… 4

+Mazda USA has taken an interesting approach with the design of their new SkyActiv-D diesel engine. Because diesels use the heat generated by high compression ratios to ignite the fuel, they generally are built from beefier components like pistons, blocks, heads and crankshafts to withstand the additional stresses. 

Those same high compression ratios also contribute to higher combustion temperatures which causes more NOx production in the exhaust gases, the big bugaboo for diesel emissions. 

For this new engine, Mazda has reduced the compression ratio to just 14:1 (compared to as much as 20:1 in traditional diesels) thus allowing for lighter internal components and lower combustion temperatures. As a result, Mazda claims they can meet exceptionally tough US emissions standards without resorting to a urea-injection system that converts NOx to nitrogen and water. Thus the overall cost of using a diesel is significantly reduced. 

Volkswagen is having great success with diesels in the Passat, Jetta and Golf and +Chevrolet is launching a diesel Cruze soon. It will be interesting to have another diesel option in the hotly contested midsize segment.

2014 Mazda6 First Drive – Motor Trend
The toughest gig in town? If you’re a mainstream automaker, it’s the midsize sedan segment, now the absolute heartland of the American new car market. Read on to learn more on the 2014 Mazda6 in this …

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Maybe +Dick DeBartolo's TV has low T

Maybe +Dick DeBartolo's TV has low T

Reshared post from +Dick DeBartolo

What?? According to the Display Research Blog, the average Size of LCD TV Panels Increased by 2 Inches in 12 Months. ..Well I wish someone would tell my TV that! I just measured it, and it hasn't grown at all in 12 months. I guess I never should have bought that Lazy-Sonic brand! It just sits there 24/7.

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I'm betting you won't find one of the words in this headline — "Lying"…

Reshared post from +Dan Gillmor

I'm betting you won't find one of the words in this headline — "Lying" — in any traditional newspaper story this morning, which is unfortunate. The so-called mainstream media are still afraid to call things for what they are.

Romney’s Successful Debate Plan: Lying
He avoided defending his unpopular positions by pretending they weren’t his positions. Smart!

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I attended a dinner with Bob Lutz several years ago before the sales launch of both… 4

I attended a dinner with Bob Lutz several years ago before the sales launch of both the +Nissan Leaf and +Chevrolet Volt. At the time Nissan/Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn was laying out his aggressive plans to offer at least different electric vehicles and sell many hundreds of thousands a year. 

I asked Lutz if he thought Ghosn was a madman or a genius based on these plans. To my surprise, he replied that he thought it was a bit of both. If EVs took off, everyone would consider him a genius for jumping in with both feet. On the other hand, you have to be a bit crazy to make such a multi-billion dollar bet on battery powered cars. 

It's still way too early for a definitive judgement on electric vehicles, but I'm inclined to think that hybrids, plug-in hybrids and extended range EVs will be far more successful than pure BEVs. 

We Hear: Nissan Executives Disappointed By Slow Leaf Sales – WOT on Motor Trend
Nissan Executives Are Disappointed That Sales Of The Leaf Electric Car Remain Slow.

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This could get very interesting 2

 I think most judges and juries in patent litigation are probably predisposed to assume that granted patents are valid. If this case gets overturned based on the actions and words of the jury foreman, it could (AND should) have far reaching implications going forward.

Reshared post from +Koushik Dutta

The foreman also told the jury to assume the patents were valid. Even though the judge had instructed to look into prior art claims and make a decision on the validity themselves.

Samsung claims foreman lied about his past to get on Apple v. Samsung jury
Juror defends himself to the press; Samsung wants him hauled back into court.

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