The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

Panda Monster

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It looks like Fiat and Ducati are getting cozy. Fiat has introduced the Panda Monster, a special edition Panda available only through online reservations beginning today. It's inspired by the Ducati Monster 695 and will be limited to 695 units. Ducati Press Release: An exclusive product “Made in Italy” Fiat celebrates the Ducati Monster 695 with a new exclusive … [Read more...]

Car Companies – Big Oil – Energy

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A couple of days ago, Jason Vines, vice president of communications for DaimlerChrysler, blasted the oil companies for allegedly manipulating prices and maximizing their profits instead of keeping prices low to help consumers. He said the car companies are developing new technologies and vehicles that are very energy efficient and yet the oil companies are just running to the … [Read more...]

VW GX3 Spy Photos

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The Volkswagen GX3 looks to be headed for production. When the 3 wheeler showed up at the LA Auto Show, VW said they would gauge public reaction before deciding whether to make it. I guess when they saw people pulling out checkbooks they decided they might be on to something. Christa Lehman, one of those spy photographers, was loitering about the Lotus works and saw the GX3 … [Read more...]

New X Prize for High Mileage

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After yesterday's post about expanding our proven oil reserves, some seem to think The Kneeslider is an unrepentant gas guzzler. No comment. However, everyone may like this new Automotive X Prize that offers $25 million dollars for a car that gets 250mpg. Previous X Prizes for human powered flight and private space flight are done and claimed, the logical extension is to offer … [Read more...]

Smartuki Kits Now Available

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The very popular Smartuki is now available in kit form. The Smartuki, as you'll recall, is the GSX-R powered Smart car originally built by Z Cars for Peter Bee. Although the Smartuki was an incredible little beast, Z Cars didn't have the time to turn out a kit and sold the whole project to Bill Allen. Allen, who was involved in building the original Smartuki, took the time to … [Read more...]

Pivotal piston water cooled two stroke engine

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Pivotal Engineering of Christchurch, New Zealand has designed and built a new two stroke engine. The pivotal engine utilizes a pivoting wedge shaped piston that pivots on a shaft while the driving force is transferred by a connecting rod from the bottom of the piston to the crankshaft. The piston itself is directly cooled by water which circulates through the piston from the … [Read more...]