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EPA: Four 2014 Mini Cooper models need to drop mpg numbers

After the huge problems that Hyundai/Kia experienced with its mislabeled fuel economy labels, you'd think that any time an automaker has to adjust its mpg numbers, heralds would be shouting from the rooftops. But, after Ford admitted to three big mistakes with its numbers for the 2013 C-Max Hybrid and Mercedes-Benz had to lower the fuel economy rating for the C-Class, we understand if those heralds are a bit tired by now. The models affected include the 3-door and the 3-door S. Still, today's news is that BMW has to lower the fuel efficiency numbers for four versions of the 2014 Mini Cooper thanks to an audit conducted by the EPA and then some joint re-testing. The models affected include the 3-door with the 1.5-liter engine and the 3-door S with its 2.0-liter powerplant, with both manual and semi-automatic transmissions. As with the Benzes, the rating changes are not big ones, around one or two miles per gallon. The big exception is the manual S 3-door's highway number, which lost four mpg from 38 to 34. You can see all the numbers, new and old, in the press release below, but the EPA isn't saying what caused the problem this time. The Agency's new test procedures can't come fast enough. It should be noted that the 2015 Mini Cooper was recently delayed a bit because of the extra time it took to get the EPA numbers right. There's no confirmation that these two items are connected, but we would not be surprised to hear they were. EPA Requiring BMW to Correct Fuel Economy Labels for Four Mini Cooper Vehicles Washington - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is revising estimates for four 2014 BMW Mini Cooper vehicles to ensure consumers are given accurate fuel economy values. The EPA performed a fuel economy audit on the BMW Mini Cooper and obtained values that differed from those BMW submitted to EPA for certification. With EPA oversight, BMW conducted new emissions and fuel economy testing, and EPA conducted its own testing at its National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan. As a result of this subsequent testing, EPA is requiring BMW to relabel four of its 2014 Mini Cooper models with lower fuel economy values. The specific changes to fuel economy stickers are listed in the table below.

BMW M1 poised to set new records at auction

A rare BMW M1 with exceptionally low mileage is set to break records when it goes up for auction next month. The Bavarian supercar is one of just 450 examples made. It has only 424 miles on the clock after decades in storage, putting it in prime position to draw heavy bidding. The legendary M1 was the first vehicle made by the M division and brought together some of the biggest names in the business. The chassis was designed by Dallara, the body by Giorgetto Giugiaro, and development was carried out (at least initially) by Lamborghini. It was the first mid-engined supercar BMW made. The original idea was to homologate the M1 for racing. But when the FIA changed the rules, BMW started the Procar series that put F1 drivers behind the wheel of racing-spec versions of the M1 ahead of the European grands prix. That put BMW and its M division on the map, earning the M1 a special place in the history books. BMW only made 450 examples, of which 399 were road-going versions like the one you see here. And it's a gem, to be sure. Chassis number WBS59910004301426 was delivered new in Arctic white with black checkered upholstery to a dealer in Italy, which never sold it. A broker in Pennsylvania acquired it for baseball legend Pete Rose, who never took delivery. And so it sat in the dealer's warehouse for over three decades. A friend finally managed to convince that US dealer to part with it. And after replacing a handful of soft components (with only original parts, of course), the current owner is now putting it up for sale at RM Sotheby's upcoming auction in New York. Given the pristine condition of this particular example and its low mileage, the auctioneers expect it will fetch between $800,000 and $1 million. That could stand to make this the most expensive M1 ever sold. According to Sports Car Market, the current record for an M1 stands at $854,000 paid in 2011 for a racing-spec Procar with livery designed by Frank Stella. The most ever paid for a road-going example, however, rests at $605k. This example, then, stands not only to obliterate the M1 auction records, but elevate the iconic supercar into 507 (and even 328) territory among the most valuable BMWs ever made. It may, however, have a tough time getting the attention it deserves, considering some of the other machinery RM has lined up for the Driven By Disruption sale.

Hydrogen could deliver one fifth of world carbon cuts by 2050, industry says

BONN, Germany — Increasing the use of hydrogen in power, transport, heat and industry could deliver around one fifth of the total carbon emissions cuts needed to limit global warming to safe levels by mid-century, a report by the Hydrogen Council said on Monday. To encourage industries to use hydrogen, Toyota and Air Liquide helped set up the Hydrogen Council, a global lobby launched in January this year. Its 27 members include automakers Audi, BMW, Daimler, Honda and Hyundai, and energy firms such as Shell and Total. The council said using hydrogen for transport, energy generation, energy storage, industry, heat and power could cut annual carbon emissions by 6 billion tonnes by 2050. "This would ... contribute roughly 20 percent of the additional abatement required to limit global warming to two degrees Celsius," the council said in a report released on the sidelines of a U.N. climate conference in Bonn. To achieve a two-degree limit this century agreed by governments in Paris in 2015, the world must reduce energy-related carbon emissions by 60 percent by 2050. The report said one in 12 cars sold in California, Germany and Japan were expected to be powered by hydrogen by 2030. By 2050, hydrogen could power 400 million cars, 15 million to 20 million trucks, around 5 million buses, a quarter of passenger ships and a fifth of non-electrified train tracks, as well as some airplanes and freight ships. Achieving this shift in transport and other sectors would require investment of $280 billion by 2030, with about $110 billion to fund hydrogen output, $80 billion for storage, transport and distribution, and $70 billion to develop products. Fuel cell vehicles combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity to power an electric motor, producing water as a byproduct. However, making hydrogen from fossil fuels, a common route, also produces some greenhouse gas emissions. So far the take-up of hydrogen vehicles is tiny and industry experts say their wider use is years away, with high purchase prices and a lack of refueling stations the major barriers. But some firms, such as miner Anglo American and carmaker Toyota, are pushing for fuel cell cars to play a role even with the rise of battery-powered electric vehicles (EVs). Woong-chul Yang, vice chairman of automotive research and development at Hyundai said EVs and hydrogen fuel cell cars were needed because EVs were better for city driving and fuel cell vehicles better for longer journeys.