Mobil 10,000 battery handphone

Monday, September 20, 2010

Planet biru dan penghuninya sudah sampai di tepi bayang-bayang habisnya cadangan bahan bakar fossil. Harganya yang melambung tinggi menyiratkan bakal tiba masanya bahan bakar fossil tidak akan terbeli, berapapun harganya karena memang sudah habis disedot untuk memutar peradaban modern dalam seratus tahun terakhir.

Sejarah menuturkan, industri otomotif dunia bisa bergerak cepat karena bahan bakar fosil yang murah dan mudah didapat saat itu. Pada tahun 1900 di USA baru ada 8000 mobil ("America Start Your Engines." US News and World Report. (27 December 1999). Seiring gencarnya ekplorasi dan eksploitasi cadangan minyak diseluruh dunia, pasokan bahan bakar fosil membanjir. Industri otomotif ikut bergerak kencang. Pada tahun 2001 jumlah mobil yang beroperasi diperkirakan 450 juta unit ("Automobile." World Book Encyclopedia. Chicago: World Book, 2001.) Pada tahun 2030 diperkirakan bakal ada 1,200 juta unit mobil (Cars Emit Carbon Dioxide. Global Warming, Focus on the Future, 1997).


Sebagian besar menggunakan mesin pembakaran dalam (internal combustion engine) yang mengemisikan gas CO2, NOx dan HC yang memberi dampak buruk terhadap lingkungan. Efek rumah kaca, ozon bolong, perubahan iklim dan pemanasan global menjadi terminologi yang semakin populer di masyarakat. Cuaca bertambah terik, banjir pasang air laut, badai dan angin topan, kebakaran hutan jadi menu berita sehari-hari yang membenarkan prediksi para ahli lingkungan.

Di negara-negara maju, mobil adalah tertuduh utama penghasil emisi berbahaya, meskipun perusahaan pembangkit energi juga menyumbang dalam jumlah signifikan. Tekanan di arahkan ke produsen otomotif dunia untuk mengembangkan teknologi mobil yang ramah lingkungan. Sejak awal dekade 70-an, produsen otomotif dunia harus menginvestasikan dana yang tidak sedikit untuk mengembangkan teknologi macam ini. Ironisnya, perusahaan minyak dunia justru menikmati keuntungan besar tidak peduli berapa besar emisi gas buang yang dihasilkan.

Sejak itu muncul inovasi-inovasi baru untuk meningkatkan efisiensi mesin. Kapasitas ruang bakar makin kecil tapi produksi daya lebih baik dan emisi gas buang lebih sedikit. Perkembangan selanjutnya adalah mobil listrik, mobil hybrid dan mobil fuel-cell. Pada era 90-an, General Motors pernah menyewakan mobil listrik. Tapi gagal karena tidak praktis. Setelah itu diakhir 90-an, Toyota dan Honda meluncurkan mobil hybrid mesin konvensional dengan motor listrik. Lebih praktis dari mobil listrik era itu, tapi tetap mengemisikan gas buang meskipun sedikit. Mobil fuel cell juga menggunakan motor listrik yang dibangkitkan oleh fuel cell tapi infrastruktur pengisian hidrogen yang sedikit jadi kendala.

Inovasi Mitsubishi




Teknologi mobil listrik ternyata belum tamat bahkan kini memiliki momentum untuk bangkit kembali. Semakin banyak produsen otomotif yang menawarkan teknologi mobil listrik. Umumnya masih dalam tataran konsep dan segera diproduksi termasuk Mitsubishi i MiEV yang Selasa (27/11) diperkenalkan pada jurnalis di Jakarta sebelum public expose pada Rabu (28/11) dan puncaknya di pameran "Clean Air, Clean Fuel, Clean Vehicle" di Nusa Dua, Bali (3-14 Des 2007). Acara pendukung Konferensi PBB tentang Perubahan Iklim/United Nations Framework for Climate Change Conference (UNFCC). Yang menarik, PT Krama Yudha Tiga Berlian Motors, agen tunggal Mitsubishi di Indonesia menjanjikan memasarkan mobil ini pada 2010.

Mitsubishi i MiEV merupakan kendaraan listrik berbasis Mitsubishi i yang aslinya menggunakan mesin 660cc. Kei car ini berkapasitas empat orang ini menggunakan plaform bermesin belakang (rear midship) dengan penggerak roda belakang. Dengan mengganti tangki bahan bakar-mesin-transmisi-rear differential dengan battery-motor listrik-inventer-rear differential, jadilah i MiEV. Jadi perbedaan hanya di organ dalam, tidak terlihat dari luar.

Ketika mesin dihidupkan, perbedaan dengan versi bensin mulai muncul. Mitsubishi i MiEV tidak mengeluarkan suara. Kecuali bila di simak benar-benar, terdengar suara denging dari bagian belakang. Tidak ada emisi gas buang alias zero emission karena memang tidak menggunakan mesin. Listrik dipasok dari colokan rumah atau quick charger -sedang dikembangkan di Jepang.




Mitsubishi i MiEV tampil perdana di 22nd International Battery, Hybrid and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Symposium & Exposition di Yokohama. Sejak 2006 Mitsubishi melakukan riset kerjasama dengan tiga perusahaan pembangkit listrik di Jepang yaitu Tokyo Electric Power Co., The Chukogu Electric Power Co. dan Kyushu Electric Power Co. Mereka mengevaluasi kepraktisan dan seberapa cepat infrastruktur quick charge bisa dikembangkan untuk mobil-mobil listrik.

Setara 10,000 batteri ponsel

Mitsubishi i memiliki wheelbase panjang menyediakan cukup ruang untuk pemasangan battery Lithium ion (Li-ion) berkapasitas tinggi dibawah lantai kendaraan. Motor dan inverter diposisikan dimana biasanya tempat mesin dan transmisi berada. Bateri Li-ion berkapasitas tinggi. Satu modul terdiri dari empat sel, setiap batteri terdiri dari 22 modul. Pemasanganya bisa vertikal maupun melintang sehingga bisa dipasang secara pas dibawah lantai kendaraan. Menurut Kenichiro Wada, project manager MiEV, batteri ini bisa tahan 10 tahun tanpa perawatan. "Batteri dimobil ini setara dengan 10,000 battery handphone,"katanya tertawa.




Disinggung soal rumor yang beredar bahwa battery Li-ion tidak cukup aman untuk mobil, Wada menggelengkan kepala dan serius menegaskan bahwa itu tidak benar. Battery ini cukup aman katanya. Pihaknya melakukan pengujian berulang kali sebelum dipakai di mobil. Ditambah lagi dengan beragam sensor untuk memonitor kondisi battery. Seperti sensor yang mengukur suhu battery. Juga serangkaian sensor yang otomatis cut-off tegangan listrik bila mobil tabrakan atau ada arus yang bocor.

Battery Li-ion ini bisa menyimpan daya hingga 16kWh. Pengisiannya dilakukan dengan tiga cara yaitu menggunakan colokan 100Volt, 200Volt atau quick charge 200V. Untuk colokan rumah ada di kanan belakang mobil dan colokan quick charge ada di kiri belakang mobil.Butuh waktu 14 jam untuk penuh bila menggunakan colokan 100V, 7 jam untuk 200 Volt dan 30 menit (80% kapasitas) dengan quick charge. Yang terakhir inilah yang serius dikembangkan Mitsubishi dengan perusahaan pembangkit listrik. "Kelak proses pengisian tidak terbatas dirumah saja. Bila infrastruktur quick charge sudah terbangun, pengisian bisa dilakukan di supermarket, di kantor dimana-mana. Cukup sebentar saja dan tidak harus penuh," tuturnya. Di Indonesia, menurut Wada cukup 6.5 jam saja untuk mengisi battery. Ini sudah dicobanya. Dengan tersenyum Wada mengakui untuk tahap sekarang ini pengisian listrik mobil ini masih mahal.

Dengan kapasitas penuh, daya jelajah i MiEV mencapai 160km. Top speed-nya bisa 130km dan kemampuan menanjaknya tidak berbeda dengan mesin bensin. Kapasitas angkutnya empat orang dewasa. Wada bercerita, i MiEV pernah ditumpang empat orang Amerika bertubuh ekstra dan oke saja. Di tanjakan, i MiEV bisa menajak selayaknya mobil konvensional. "Bila ditanjakan, bila dirasa kurang tenaga tinggal tekan gas lebih dalam lagi. Dalam kasus seperti ini tenaga mesin tidak bermasalah. Hanya jarak tempuhnya akan berkurang," terangnya. Uniknya, ketika melewati jalan menurun, sistem secara otomatis memasok listrik.

Mobil mungil, torsi raksasa

Karena posisi battery di bawah lantai, stabilitas mobil lebih baik dan handling juga lebih baik dari versi bensin. Akselerasinya juga lebih cepat dari versi bensin turbo. i MiEV juga lulus dari tes banjir setinggi 30cm. Berat mobil i MiEV 180kg lebih berat dari versi bensin. Demikian pula dengan penggunaan AC akan mengurangi daya jelajah, turun sekitar 20%. Karena itulah Mitsubishi terus menyempurnakan mobil listrik ini. Termasuk daya jelajah, waktu pengisian hingga soal suara. Motor listrik yang dipakai sangat efisien dan lebih kecil dari mesin bensin. Produksi daya 64hp dan torsinya 180Nm atau setara mesin bensin 1.5 - 1.8 liter.



Menurut dirjen industri, alat transportasi dan telematika, Budi Darnadi yang mencoba i MiEV diseputaran kantor pusat KTB di Pulomas Jakarta mobil ini excellent. "Handling-nya sangat enak, akslerasi baik, lebih powerful dan ini mobil hantu, ndak ada suaranya," katanya sambil tersenyum lebar di damping petinggi KTB dan Mitsubishi.

Presiden Direktur KTB, Fumio Kuwayama yang fasih berbahasa Indoesia, menjanjikan setelah i MiEV diluncurkan di Jepang, rencananya 2009, maka pihaknya akan mengimpor ke Indonesia. Tapi karenan harganya masih cukup mahal -2 juta- 2.5 juta Yen di Jepang-, Rizwan Alamsjah, direktur pemasaran KTB memperkirakan 24 bulan setelah peluncuran harganya bisa lebih terjangkau.

Sekarang tinggal keseriusan pemerintah untuk menciptakan kondisi dimana mobil-mobil dengan bahan bakar ramah lingkungan bisa diakses dengan mudah dan terjangkau.
READ MORE - Mobil 10,000 battery handphone

Portugal smash seven goals past North Korea in World Cup rout

Monday, June 21, 2010

(CNN) -- Portugal took a big step to escaping the World Cup's so-called "group of death" by crushing North Korea 7-0 in a rematch of the two nations' famous 1966 clash in South Africa on Monday.

Forty-four years ago, the communist country's team shocked the soccer world by taking a 3-0 lead after only 24 minutes of their quarterfinal in England, but the Europeans hit back to win 5-3 with four goals from star forward Eusebio.

There was to be no repeat in rain-drenched Cape Town, as Portugal found form after the disappointing opening draw with the Ivory Coast and claimed second place in Group G ahead of Friday's final round of matches.

Carlos Queiroz's team led just 1-0 at halftime thanks to a 29th-minute strike from Raul Meireles as the North Koreans again showed the fighting spirit that tested Brazil in their opening 2-1 defeat

But the floodgates opened in the second spell as Simao Sabrosa, Hugo Almeida and Tiago scored in the space of eight minutes, then substitute Liedson netted to clinch the biggest winning margin of the tournament so far.

Captain Cristiano Ronaldo and then Tiago again compounded the Koreans' misery, giving the Portuguese a massive goal-difference advantage over the Ivorians ahead of their eagerly-anticipated showdown with leaders Brazil.

The Brazilians have already qualified for the second round, with six points from two victories, while the Portuguese have four points and the Ivory Coast one।

"We got seven goals but only three points. We need to be more ambitious and determined for the next phase," Queiroz told AFP.

"We were very determined to win this game but the game we played today will not help us overcome Brazil. We don't want Brazil to score any goals because this will put our reputation, our prestige, into question."

Portugal went close to opening the scoring in the seventh minute when defender Ricardo Carvalho hit the post with a powerful header from a corner.

Meireles, who scored the winner in the second leg of Portugal's qualifying playoff against Bosnia, broke the deadlock when he ran onto a fine threaded pass from midfielder Tiago and slotted coolly past Ri Myong-Guk.

Eight minutes after halftime, winger Simao fired a shot through the goalkeeper's legs after being set up by Meireles and Almeida.

Striker Almeida, recalled after missing the first match, then headed in Fabio Coentrao's left-wing cross on 56 minutes before Ronaldo laid on the third goal for Tiago on the hour mark.

Ronaldo, the world's most expensive player, hit the crossbar in the 71st minute as he was denied his first goal of the tournament -- a similarly spectacular effort against the Ivory Coast also smashed into the woodwork.

Liedson made it 5-0 after the besieged Korean defense failed to cut a cross by fellow substitute Duda 10 minutes later.

Ronaldo finally found the net with two minutes to play, showing his trademark cheeky skill as he pushed the ball past the keeper and then juggled the rebound on his back before slotting into the empty goal.

Tiago added his second just a minute later with a powerful header from a cross by another replacement, Miguel Veloso.

READ MORE - Portugal smash seven goals past North Korea in World Cup rout

Crisis-stricken French squad resumes training

(CNN) -- France's crisis-stricken World Cup squad resumed training on Monday a day after the players went on strike in protest over forward Nicolas Anelka's expulsion following an angry bust-up with coach Raymond Domenech.

French sports minister Roselyne Bachelot is due to hold talks with Domenech and his players on Monday and said the nation felt "great indignation" over the collapse of the team's World Cup challenge into infighting and allegations of treachery, according to Agence-France Presse.

The former world champions face a humiliating early exit from the tournament if they fail to beat hosts South Africa on Tuesday, or if group A rivals Mexico and Uruguay draw in the day's other game.

Chelsea striker Anelka flew home to London on Sunday after being dropped from the squad following an angry confrontation with Domenech at halftime in France's 2-0 defeat by Mexico.

But French captain Patrice Evra was reported to be incensed that details of the incident were leaked to the media, claiming there was a "traitor" in the French camp.

A public training session on Sunday was halted after Evra was involved in a shouting match with fitness coach Robert Duverne, who reacted by angrily throwing down his official accreditation badge.

Pedro Pinto: Heads should roll for French farce

The squad, who said they only turned out to greet fans, promptly walked off and were joined by Domenech on the bus, who then emerged to read a statement on behalf of the players to declare their unanimous opposition to the decision of the French Football Federation to send Anelka home.

"They made a decision without consulting all the players, only on the basis of the 'facts' reported by the press. Accordingly, and to mark their opposition to the highest level of French football, all players decided not to participate in the work-out."

But the players said they would "do everything individually and in a collective spirit so that France regains its honor against South Africa on Tuesday."

To add to the confusion, French team director Jean-Louis Valentin publicly announced his resignation to the media.

"Ask the players, they do not want to involve themselves any more. It's unacceptable," he told AFP. "They don't want to train. It's a scandal for the French, it's a scandal for the federation and the French team. It is a shame. As for me, it's over. I'm leaving the federation. I'm sickened and disgusted."

France's leading sports newspaper, L'Equipe, criticized Manchester United defender Evra on Monday, questioning his behavior as captain, AFP reported.

"Patrice Evra definitively showed that he confused the role of captain with being a leader of a gang. He has neither the capacity, nor the charisma nor the qualities to don the captain's armband," hew newspaper said.

Domenech meanwhile said the decision to expel Anelka was the right one but said he could have stayed if he'd apologized the next day.

"He does not have the right to say such things," said Domenech who is stepping down as national coach after the World Cup.

French bank Credit Agricole said Monday it had canceled planned television ads featuring the national team, according to AFP. French hamburger chain Quick has already canceled ads featuring Anelka.

READ MORE - Crisis-stricken French squad resumes training

Kaka sent off as Brazil dispatch Ivory Coast

(CNN) -- Kaka was controversially sent off as his Brazil team comfortably beat Ivory Coast 3-1 in Johannesburg on Sunday night to seal qualification to the last 16 of the World Cup finals.

Luis Fabiano scored twice and Elano added the other, but with two minutes left at Soccer City the Brazilians lost their talisman to a second yellow card.

In an off-the-ball incident, Ivory Coast's Kader Keita collided with Kaka and dramatically fell to the ground clutching his face, even though it had appeared the Brazilian had pushed him in the chest with his forearm.

With Real Madrid's Kaka protesting his innocence, referee Stephane Lannoy -- who appeared not to have seen the incident -- brandished a yellow card.

Having already been booked for a clumsy challenge on Yaya Toure, it meant marching orders for Kaka, who could face more than his automatic one-game ban if world governing body FIFA rules it was violent conduct.

Following an earlier 2-1 win over North Korea in Group G, this was a far more convincing performance from the five-time champions, sparked by Fabiano's superb 25th-minute opener.

Robinho and Kaka combined to leave the Sevilla striker with a shooting chance which he struck perfectly from the angle to leave goalkeeper Boubacar Barry flailing at thin air as it whistled into the roof of the net.

Fabiano's second, five minutes after the break, came after an audacious run, but television replays showed it should have been ruled out for a double handball.

Didier Drogba, who played with a cast on his fractured arm, came close to a quick response for the Africans as his header went narrowly wide with goalkeeper Julio Cesar beaten, but a third Brazilian goal was not long coming.

Kaka was sent away on the left and found space to cut the ball back for the unmarked Elano, who easily beat Barry on 63 minutes.

Elano was stretchered off shortly afterwards, caught on the shin by the studs of Cheik Tiote, to be replaced by Dani Alves.

Brazil were playing flowing football, but they were caught upfield by a quick break by Gervinho.

He was forced out, but the ball was played back in by Yaya Toure for Drogba to beat the offside trap and head his first goal of the finals for the Elephants.

The 79th-minute strike proved merely a consolation for Sven-Goran Eriksson's men, but may be important if goal difference decides the group's runner-up spot.

Portugal face North Korea on Monday.

READ MORE - Kaka sent off as Brazil dispatch Ivory Coast

French players in revolt after Anelka sent home

(CNN) -- France's World Cup squad boycotted training on Sunday in protest at the decision to send home star striker Nicolas Anelka.

In a bizarre twist, coach Raymond Domenech had to read out a statement from the team to explain their decision.

"All players without exception want to declare their opposition to FFF (French Football Federation) decision to exclude Nicolas Anelka," he said.

"For its part, the FFF has at no time tried to protect the group.

"They made a decision without consulting all the players, only on the basis of the 'facts' reported by the press."

"Accordingly, and to mark their opposition to the highest level of French football, all players decided not to participate in the work-out."

Anelka sent home after Domenech row

Despite their refusal to train, the players added that they would "do everything individually and in a collective spirit so that France regains its honor against South Africa on Tuesday."

France must beat the hosts and hope the result of the other match in Group A between Mexico and Uruguay goes their way to have any chance of qualifying for the last 16।

Their hopes were dealt a near fatal blow by a 2-0 defeat to the Mexicans on Thursday, after which it emerged that Chelsea star Anelka and under fire coach Domenech had a massive row at halftime.

Anelka was substituted but reports of his tirade against Domenech were picked up by the media, prompting the French Football Federation to take the decision to send him home on Saturday.

Captain Patrice Evra was incensed by the leak, claiming there was a "traitor" in the French camp।

As the squad came on to the training ground at Knysna on Sunday, Domenech and Evra were still in discussion on the team bus.

The pair eventually emerged, but Evra then became involved in a shouting match with fitness coach Robert Duverne, who reacted by angrily throwing down his official accreditation badge.

The squad, who said they only turned out to greet fans, promptly walked off and were joined by Domenech on the bus, after which he emerged to read out the statement.

To add to the chaos, a distraught France team director Jean-Louis Valentin publicly announced his resignation to the media.

"Ask the players, they do not want to involve themselves any more. It's unacceptable," he told AFP.

"They don't want to train. It's a scandal for the French, it's a scandal for the federation and the French team.

"It is a shame. As for me, it's over. I'm leaving the federation. I'm sickened and disgusted."

Mexico sink sorry France

2006 runners-up France have picked up just one point from their two games, a dull goalless draw with Uruguay.

But it was the lackluster display against Mexico which provoked a storm of criticism, much of it directed at Domenech, who is standing down after the World Cup finals.

Domenech, who is being replaced by Laurent Blanc, told the French Football Federation official website that Anelka could have stayed had he apologized for his halftime remarks.

"I had another chat with him (Anelka) the next day and I left open the possibility for him to apologise, something which he did not want to do," he said.

"The decision to exclude him was the right one. He does not have the right to say such things."

READ MORE - French players in revolt after Anelka sent home

New Zealand hold Italy; Paraguay outclass Slovakia

(CNN) -- Reigning world champions, Italy have been held to a 1-1 draw by New Zealand in their World Cup Group F match at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

The All Whites took a shock lead after seven minutes when Shane Smeltz turned in Simon Elliot's free kick from close range.

Replays showed that Smeltz was offside when Kiwi defender Winston Reid flicked the ball on to him, but the lineman's flag stayed down.

The goal instigated a frenzied period of Italian pressure which eventually told when referee Carlos Batres awarded a penalty after defender Tommy Smith tugged at Daniele De Rossi's shirt in the Kiwi's penalty area.

Striker, Vincenzo Iaquinta stepped up and sent keeper Mark Paston the wrong way to level the scores.

Italy continued to press in the second half but found no route through a spirited and steadfast defense expertly organized by Kiwi captain Ryan Nelsen.

Despite throwing on all his three substitutes by the 61st minute, Italian coach, Marcello Lippi and his players found their attacking edge continually blunted.

Even their long range efforts were dealt with.

In the 70th minute, Riccardo Montolivo's 25-yard drive fizzed towards goal only for keeper Paston to produce the save of the match and push the ball to safety.

The stalemate continued, but New Zealand's Chris Wood could have won it for the All Whites in the 83rd minute when he shot narrowly wide of Federico Marchetti's left post.

The result leaves Italy progression to the knockout stage in doubt. A win against Slovakia would ensure qualification, but they must rely on New Zealand getting a result against Paraguay to have any chance of topping their group.

Coach Lippi said his team lacked "lucidity."

"The result is 1-1 so we just have to pull up our socks and win our next game because we don't want to go home early," Lippi said, AFP reported.

"We are in a difficult situation but we are not in a panic situation. We will have to win the next match."

For New Zealand, a team ranked 73 places below Italy in FIFA's official world rankings, the result is one to savor.

"It's an incredible result and it's way above anything we have achieved before against the stature of our competitors," New Zealand's coach Ricki Herbert said, AFP reported.

"Anything is possible and we're doing okay for a team who some say shouldn't be playing at this World Cup," he added.

Paraguay outclass Slovakia

In the other match in Group F, Paraguay beat Slovakia 2-0 at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.

Cristian Riveros' 86th minute strike sealed a comfortable victory for the South American team after midfielder Enrique Vera had given them the lead in the first half.

The result leaves Slovakia needing to beat Italy in their final group match this Thursday to have any chance of progressing to the next round.

Paraguay, meanwhile, are almost certain to qualify and need just a point against New Zealand to reach the last 16.

Paraguay's win was never really in doubt as they pressed forward from the opening whistle, while Slovakia was content to sit back and defend.

Paraguay took a deserved lead in the 26th minute.

Lucas Barrios picked up the ball outside the Slovakia penalty area before slipping the ball through to Enrique Vera who, with Zendo Strba and Jan Durica bearing down on him, clipped the ball with the outside of his boot past Slovak keeper Jan Mucha.

The goal stirred a defensive-minded Slovakia into life forcing them onto the front foot, but their new found urgency failed to create any chances of merit as a succession of promising moves came to nothing.

Roque Santa Cruz should have doubled Paraguay's in the 38th minute, when he latched onto a loose ball on the edge of Slovakia's penalty area. The Manchester City striker fired low, but straight at Mucha, who comfortably saved with his feet.

Santa Cruz turned provider in the second half, breaking down the left past Slovakia's Vladimir Weiss in the 72nd minute.

His cross found an unmarked Vera in the penalty area but he directed his header inches wide of Mucha's right post.

But the win was confirmed when Paulo Da Silva was given an age to tee up Riveros on the edge of the box who wasted no time in smashing the ball past Mucha.

Weiss went close for Slovakia in injury time, but he and his team toiled fruitlessly in search of a goal for most of the game while Paraguay, who with Santa Cruz, Nelson Haedo Valdez and Barrios had class to spare in midfield.

READ MORE - New Zealand hold Italy; Paraguay outclass Slovakia

Lorenzo takes charge in MotoGP title race

(CNN) -- Spain's Jorge Lorenzo extended his lead in the MotoGP title race with a commanding victory in the British round at Silverstone on Sunday.

The Yamaha rider was claiming his third win of the season and had a near seven seconds advantage over runner-up Andrea Dovizioso of Italy on his Honda.

Ben Spies of the United States took the final podium position.

It leaves Lorenzo with a 37-point lead over Dovizioso in the title race for which he now looks a warm favorite after his teammate Valentino Rossi broke his leg at Mugello a fortnight ago.

Defending champion Rossi is set to be sidelined for at least three months and Lorenzo is aware that Yamaha hopes now rest with him.

"It was a very important day. It was a race where it was easy to crash and make a mistake but I concentrated hard and won the race," he told the official MotoGP website.
Lorenzo, who started from pole position, swapped the lead twice with fellow Spaniard Dani Pedrosa on the opening lap, but had things his own way thereafter.

Pedrosa faded to finish eighth while other established big names were also out of the leading positions.

2006 world champion Nicky Hayden held third place on his Ducati until being passed by compatriot Spies on the final lap.

Casey Stoner, the 2007 title winner, finished just behind his teammate Hayden, with Frenchman Randy de Puniet in sixth.

France's Jules Cluzel won the earlier Moto2 race with Spaniard Marc Marquez, riding a Derbi, winning the 125cc category.
READ MORE - Lorenzo takes charge in MotoGP title race