Newly unveiled the new Pilot Sport 3 (PS3) of Michelin will replace the PS2 as well as the Pilot Exalto- a new merged lineup. Here’s some of the ‘features’ of the new PS3:

• Green Power Compound – a rubber formula that includes silica particles that is designed for good wet grip. Silica helps reduce heat build up.
• Anti Surf System – a specially shaped shoulder that evacuates large volumes of water. It reduces risk of hydroplaning.
• Programmed Distortion Tyre – improves steering precision while at the same time increasing tread life. It keeps the rubber tread at an optimal temperature in all circumstances. At low speeds, the tread heats up quickly to attain the level of flexibility required for good traction. At high speeds, it stiffens to prevent excessive temperature build-up.

According to Michelin, the new PS 3 stops a good 3 meters shorter than its predecessor during full on hard braking, which means higher levels of grip. The 3 meter result was performed last year by TUV using 245/40ZR18 size PS3 rubber.

Among other improvements, it includes better wet road holding, a more precise steering, and better fuel economy as well. The tyre itself is a rather high end tyre so the sizes that it is available in are also some of the larger ones.

The range expected to be available by end 2010 is from as small as a 195/45R16 up to a 275/40ZR19. The PS3 is already standard equipment on a few cars in some countries such as the Audi A4, the Audi A5 and the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG.

This development engine doesn't need spark plugs or a head gasket.

Recently Lotus released the test results for the Omnivore engine along with the kind of detail on how it operates only an engineer could love. These test results cover the first phase of testing the Omnivore engine with gasoline. Presumably, testing with fuels derived from alcohol and other sources are in the next phases.

In Lotus’ lab, the Omnivore engine brought in 10 percent better fuel economy than current direct-injection engines, which are the most efficient on the market.

The Omnivore engine is a monoblock design, with the head cast as part of the engine block. Pushing the engineering envelope even further, the Omnivore uses homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI), meaning that instead of igniting its fuel charge with a spark plug, the compression of the cylinder causes the charge to ignite, similar to a diesel engine. Lotus managed to get HCCI working at engine speeds below 2000 rpm and in cold start conditions.

Omnivore also uses a two-stroke, rather than a four-stroke cycle, but it still manages to turn in emission levels equivalent to modern production engines.

Part of the engine’s efficiency comes with its variable compression mechanism, what Lotus calls a puck at the top of the cylinder that dynamically changes the displacement depending on running conditions.

Omnivore is currently being run as a research engine at Lotus, with no automotive application. As such, it is a single-cylinder, 500 cc engine, making any guesses to actual fuel economy speculative.