Sponsor's Message

Well that may be true but it seems that relief is already at hand!

I'm not talking about the wonderfully useless magnetic fuel saver that took Jim Anderton's fancy (and taxpayer's resources) back in 2000 (as revealed by Aardvark).

No, I'm talking about a new wonder fuel-saving device I saw advertised on TV last night and which is now being pitched here in NZ.

So run, don't walk, to get your very own Hiclone, a device that "will not only decrease your fuel consumption but will also give you up to 10% more power".

Woo hoo!

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This wonder of modern automotive engineering and design is, we're told, an amazing device that "simply changes the flow of air into the combustion chamber causing a swirling, cyclone-like motion that better atomises the fuel into the air".

But wait -- it gets even better!

Not only does this thing claim to hike your power while reducing fuel consumption, it also significantly reduces pollution by reducing carbon monoxide levels by "up to 20%".

Is there no end to this thing's abilities?

You know, it almost sounds too good to be true doesn't it?

[Sound of alarm bells ringing]

Now, if you're a little bored and have a few minutes to burn, I invite you to go Googling for more information on the Hiclone and its effectiveness.

You'll find that there are two camps: those who have observed (or think they've observed) actual improvements in the power and economy of their vehicles as a result of fitting this (or a similar) device -- and those who are adamant that they are nothing more than snake oil.

One thing you will find missing are hard, independently verified, scientifically measured results -- which speaks volumes for the claims being made.

Even on the NZ website they offer a list of testimonial letters from seemingly independent users -- but are they really?

Remember that in the case of the magnetic fuel saver touted by Anderton, one of the most glowing testimonials for that system came from a seemingly independent source that (revealed by Aardvark) was later found to be a relative of the local distributor.

Remember that testimonials, without independently verified scientifically conducted tests, are merely anecdotal evidence and can't be relied on.

So, what's the guts? Do these intake vortex spiral generators like the Hiclone and similar devices actually work?

Well, despite what some may claim (and let's be honest, it takes a brave man to admit that the little piece of metal he's just spent $165 on does absolutely nothing), I see no scientific evidence to support the claims being made.

Even if this device does offer some small gain in a few cases, I would wager heavily that exactly the same results (or better) could be obtained simply by having the engine to which it's fitted properly tuned and/or the air-filter replaced.

But hey, who knows -- maybe Jim Anderton will hear about this device and, before you know it, the entire public service vehicle fleet will be fitted with them (and the magnetic device). After all, this would have to save taxpayers at least 25%-30% on the fuel-bill for that fleet.

Or why not dictate that all vehicles in NZ must be fitted with these devices in order to get a warrant of fitness? The "up to 20% reduction in emissions" would surely go a long way to reducing the bill we get as a result of the Kyoto Protocol.

Surely government has a responsibility, to the public and the environment, to test these devices and (if they work as claimed) demand they become standard equipment on all vehicles. And if they don't work -- well they ought to be subjected to Commerce Commission action.

Finally, I find it amazing that the likes of Ford, Toyota, Honda and a raft of other companies at the leading edge of automotive engine design didn't think of this wonderful device first -- don't you? :-)

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