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Automotive
KITT makes an appearance at CES 2009
By Tim Hanlon
00:27 January 11, 2009 PST
Mio needed a little help promoting their Knight Rider GPS at CES 2009, and we can't complain about their choice of KITT - it's certainly holding up a lot better than David Hasslehoff. Whether you're a fan of the TV show or not, you'd be hard pressed to convince any of the team at Gizmag that this isn't a gorgeous machine. Having said that, two things disappointed us - the fact that no-one was keeping it clean, and the fact that we weren't allowed to jump in the driver's seat! Don't miss the gallery. Read More
Volvo premieres world’s most powerful truck
By Mike Hanlon
18:10 January 10, 2009 PST
January 11, 2008 With its 700 hp and 3,150 Nm of torque, the new Volvo FH16 is the most powerful commercially-produced truck in the world. Its turbocharger and intercooler 16-litre 6-cylinder diesel D16G engine is derived from Volvo’s previous 16-litre engine and has more torque and an additional 40 bhp. Quite spectacularly, the truck achieves the same economy as the previous 660 bhp version, and fewer emissions. Read More
Reynard Inverter: something very special
By Mike Hanlon
13:40 January 10, 2009 PST
January 11, 2009 Reynard is a name familiar to all motorsports enthusiasts – founded by the brilliant automotive engineer Adrian Reynard, it quickly grew to become the world's largest racing car manufacturer before some financial disasters led it to bankruptcy in 2002. No-one ever questioned Reynard’s abilities to produce remarkably competitive race cars though and now he’s back with a ballistic, road-registerable, two-seater named the Inverter. Powered by either a Honda Fireblade 1000cc motorcycle engine, or a Suzuki Hayabusa 1300cc motor, the Inverter weighs in at 400kg with all fluids and is so named because it has been designed to generate F1-levels of downforce – enough to deliver 4G cornering forces. Given a Hayabusa produces 250 bhp, the Inverter has a power-to-weight ratio in the stratosphere – equivalent to or better than cars that cost an order of magnitude more money. So that’s the equation – F1-levels of downforce, a stellar power-to-weight ratio , oh, and it has been designed to be manufactured VERY cheaply. The Inverter will be very special and very very affordable. Form a queue to the right please! Read More
BRM name for 800 bhp AWD electric race car
By Mike Hanlon
21:15 January 8, 2009 PST
January 9, 2009 Yet another famous British automotive name is to be resurrected in 2009, with the news that Bee Automobiles’ recently announced 250 mph AWD electric racing car will compete as the BRM Bee Four ERV in the British Hill Climb Championships this year. The car should be an awesome beastie as it is reportedly using a new topology of electric motor featuring a segmented armature and the novel use of materials. Each 13 kg motor (one for each wheel) delivers a peak torque of 130Nm (10Nm/kg) and peak power of about 50kW. Simulations show that the same motor, developed by the Electronic Power Group within the Engineering Department at the University of Oxford, is capable of achieving a peak torque of over 200Nm and a peak power of over 150kW. Read More
Eight-wheeled Japanese electric supercar shooting for 250mph land speed record
By Loz Blain
00:42 January 8, 2009 PST
January 8, 2009 What's the land-speed record for an electric eight-wheeler? It seems we're soon going to find out. A team of electron-heads at Japan's Keio University have built two of these oddly-shaped supercars, powered by Lithium-Ion batteries and an 80 horsepower electric motor for each wheel. Top speed is expected to be in excess of 230mph, with 0-60 times around 4 seconds already recorded. Power's not an issue, then... What about range? The Eliica's claimed 200 miles per charge puts it right at the pointy end of the field. While each of the prototypes has cost around US$320,000, the team plans to produce 200 units with the right backing. Read More
Breakthrough infra red sensor provides accurate tyre data
By Mike Hanlon
13:48 January 7, 2009 PST
January 7, 2008 With each new sensor man invents, we find a way to a greater understanding of how physics plays out in the real world. Sometimes the value of the data revealed by a new sensor gives access to is very important – this new system uses IR sensors to measure the inside temperature of an F1 tyre at all times and it will make life much easier for the thousands of race teams around the world attempting to understand what their tyres are doing on the racetrack. Tyre temperature sensors are normally fitted to the rim as part of the valve and the readings are often distorted by heat soak from the rim and brakes. The new sensor from BERU also allows race engineers to receive data remotely, even when the wheels are not fitted to a vehicle such as in dynamometer testing or other test beds. It has already been tested by F1 teams in the first winter tests and with new tyres in 2009 plus a dramatic reduction in testing and a subsequent ban on tire warmers in 2010, all F1 teams will want this … and that’s just the starting point for applying this technology. Read More
ENERGYA: two seater, three wheeled ultralight racecar for the road
By Loz Blain
01:32 January 7, 2009 PST
Designers from The Creative Unit have spent time working with Bombardier, so it's no coincidence that the work they've done on the Higgins-Aube ENERGYA looks a lot like a two-seater version of a Can-Am Spyder. But the purpose of this Canadian concept is quite different; since three wheelers are registered as motorcycles in many states, and motorcycles have fewer regulatory restrictions imposed on them, the ENERGYA is designed to bring racecar levels of ultra-low weight, big power and massive grip to the road that would be impossible if it was registered as a car. As such, it's got a much wider front wheelbase, enclosed seating, roll protection and double the horsepower of the Can-Am roadster. Read More
ECLIPSE car entertainment unit features removeable standalone GPS navigation unit
By Loz Blain
01:11 January 7, 2009 PST
Fujitsu Ten Limited's latest all-in-one car entertainment system incorporates CD, DVD, MP3, WMA, iPod audio and video, Bluetooth phone integration and a fully-featured TomTom navigation system - all mounted in the dash so no part of the driver's line of sight to the road is obscured. The unit's touch-screen is removeable, and acts as a standalone GPS nav system when it's not attached to the main unit. Read More
Innovative new Portable Power Products for Vehicles
By Mike Hanlon
16:37 January 6, 2009 PST
Here’s a solution with what we anticipate is massive latent demand – two strong names (Energizer and UPG) have allied to produce a line of energy-related automotive products that can charge portable devices, run kitchen appliances, jump-start a car and even inflate a tire. There’s even a US$140 all-in-one product that includes an inverter that will allow motorists to convert power from the vehicle’s DC adapter to AC and USB outlets, a jump starter that jump-starts vehicles without a second vehicle, and an air compressor for inflating, tires, airbeds, inflatable toys ad infinitum. Read More
The Bentley GTC Speed - not quite 200 mph with the roof down
By Mike Hanlon
13:24 January 6, 2009 PST
Bentley’s brand values haven’t changed much in the last century – exclusivity, design, craftsmanship and performance akin to no other. Key to this performance is the characteristic Bentley wave of torque and in creating the GTC Speed to build on the success of the Continental GTC, the company has strengthened what was already its biggest strength. Both Continental GTC models are powered by Bentley’s 6-litre, twin-turbocharged W12 engine with its 48 valves , four camshafts and continually variable valve timing but the Speed model has 9 per cent more power (600bhp) and 15 per cent more torque. This means the GTC Speed’s output of 750 Nm (553lb ft) is achieved across virtually the complete rev range, from just 1700 to 5600 rev/min. The experience will set you back UKP146,000 (US$218,000). Read More
Honda's Hybrid Billboards
By Mike Hanlon
20:00 January 4, 2009 PST
January 5, 2009 Primary among Honda’s brand values are its role as a leader in creating low emission, fuel efficient vehicles, and its most recent promotional efforts have taken Hybrid technology to new heights, quite literally. The massive billboards featuring the new Honda Accord Euro are illuminated by green solar power; with green energy electric backup. Just like a Hybrid. Outdoor advertising specialists, APN Outdoor have installed solar panels on several of the billboards being used in the Australian launch. Read More
Unique opportunity to watch entire restoration in 3 days
By Mike Hanlon
20:15 January 3, 2009 PST
Fear of the unknown often prevents us from fulfilling ambitions, and one aspiration common to many males is to lovingly restore an automobile. Coming up in Coventry in March is a rare opportunity to see how it’s done from go-to-whoa when a team of experts will restore a mid-1940s Allard L Type to its former glory on the Race Retro 2009 show floor in just three days. Sheet metal experts Contour Autocraft will demonstrate how to repair and recreate steel panels for the body, Jonspeed Racing will be rebuilding engines and restoration experts David A.C. Royle and Co will offer a unique insight into the craft of Ash Frame making. For those who appreciate craftsmanship, it’s an absolutely unique opportunity to time-lapse a process normally undertaken over years into a three-day tertiary course in rare craftsmanship, not to mention a weekend of auto nostalgia for the lads. Read More
Audi R8 V10 becomes first all-LED car
By Mike Hanlon
17:20 January 3, 2009 PST
January 4, 2009 The order books have opened for the 196mph Audi R8 making it the first car in the world with all-LED (light emitting diode) headlamps, daytime running lights and turn indicators. LEDs are the headlight of the future due to their power, homogenous light distribution and the agreeable, daylight-esque colour and Audi can rightfully boast a technological edge with headlights four times more energy efficient than halogen headlights in addition to having a practically indefinite service life. LEDs can be made more or less bright electronically and hence able to be precisely adapted to conditions. In the future, headlights will react to variables such as weather conditions, speed and the distance between vehicles. Audi already has a pre-production headlight which offers exceptional visibility at night without irritating oncoming drivers, by measuring the distance of the approaching vehicle and adapting the shape of the beam continuously. Read More
Regeneration no longer just about braking
By Paul Evans
20:25 January 1, 2009 PST
Recent developments in regeneration technology are almost ready for prime time. Both Hydraulic Hybrid Vehicles and Power Generating Shock Absorbers are both being field tested and may be soon headed for mass production. UPS have committed to purchasing seven "series" hydraulic hybrid delivery vehicles while Electric Truck, LLC has exclusively optioned commercial rights to a technology from Tufts University that uses Regenerative Shock Absorbers to recharge the batteries of any hybrid electric and electric-powered vehicle while it is driven. Read More
Ford to introduce Active Park Assist in 2009
By Paul Evans
17:38 January 1, 2009 PST
Ford is introducing a new Active Park Assist technology on its 2010 Lincoln MKS flagship sedan and new Lincoln MKT seven-passenger luxury crossover. Available in mid-2009 as an option, Active Park Assist uses an ultrasonic-based sensing system and Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) to position the vehicle for parallel parking, calculate the optimal steering angle and quickly steer the vehicle into a parking spot. As described in the technical review of the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, the EPAS system utilizes a steering column mounted electric motor that provides steering power assistance on demand and typically consumes less than 7% of the energy of a conventional hydraulic rack and pinion power steering system. Read More
2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
By Paul Evans
23:50 December 29, 2008 PST
The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid includes some significant advances in mass production hybrid automotive technology. Although details released by Ford are technically incomplete many of the features announced to date point to the Fusion being the first to market with a second-generation parallel hybrid. Read More
Aptera EV opts for front-wheel drive
22:33 December 28, 2008 PST
The already unmistakable Aptera 2e three-wheeler is continuing to evolve as it approaches its promised 2009 release with the latest development being the introduction of front-wheel drive to replace the original belt-driven rear wheel set-up. Front-wheel drive will now be used in all production vehicles with the company citing improved traction, stability and greater efficiency at high-speed as the key reasons for making the switch. Read More
The Reiter Gallardo GT3 Strada: roadgoing race car
By Mike Hanlon
22:27 December 28, 2008 PST
December 29, 2008 Reiter Engineering’s factory-backed Lamborghinis run at the forefront of GT racing, which makes its latest offering a bit special – the Gallardo GT3 Strada is a roadgoing version of the company’s Gallardo GT3 race car. Everything you’d expect is there including more horsepower and much less weight, but the the cleverest bit is the exhaust system devised by German Formula 1 supplier MHG. Around town it delivers a sedate 75 db, but at the push of a button, remote control butterfly valves bring in high pass filters and the full symphony of the 535 bhp V-10 comes into play. You can be fairly confident that in one of these, you won’t find much out there capable of racing you to the shops and back successfully. Read More
The iChange shape-changing concept car
By Mike Hanlon
18:27 December 28, 2008 PST
Each year for the last three decades, Swiss-based Rinspeed has presented a new concept car at the Geneva motor show – customizing Porsches might be the company’s bread and butter, but synthesizing highly inventive and original concept cars is the company’s forte. This year’s concept car is entitled the iChange, and its defining feature is its ability to change shape from a streamlined teardrop one-seater, to a three seat compact sportsvan. The iChange car makes the most of its 130 kw electric propulsion system by having very low weight and high aerodynamic efficiency. Read More
The Danish Zenvo ST1 supercar – 1104 bhp and 1430 nm of torque
By Mike Hanlon
17:16 December 23, 2008 PST
December 24, 2008 The numbers and specifications of the newly announced Danish-built Zenvo ST1 sports car put it in elite company. With 1104 bhp and a weight of 1376 kilograms, the Zenvo has a power to weight ratio only bettered by a handful of cars on the planet – the Caparo T1, SSC Ultimate Aero TT, Koenigsegg CCXR, Caterham Levante and the LeBlanc Mirabeu – plus a few supersport motorcycles. The 7 litre V8 engine uses a novel forced induction set-up featuring both supercharging and turbocharging to give it a staggering maximum torque figure of 1430 nm at 4500 rpm (Bugatti Veyron = 1250 nm), making it one of the fastest accelerating cars in existence – 0 to 100 in 3 seconds fast. Only 15 will be built with what we expect will be a price tag in seven figures, commensurate with its electronically-limited 375 kmh top speed. Read More
Nissan NV200 to go into production
By Mike Hanlon
01:31 December 23, 2008 PST
Nissan moves into the United States light commercial vehicle market in 2010 with a strategy for creating bespoke personalised commercial vehicles via a chain of pro shops. This news was brought clearly into focus this week with the news that an all-new NV200 compact van based on the NV200 Concept from Tokyo Motor Show (pictured) will go on sale in 2009 serves to offer an interesting glimpse of the future. Just how many of the NV200’s innovative features will be incorporated in the production version is not known just yet but the press release hints that it will include Nissan’s sliding cargo pod. The pod is latched inside the shell of the load area when the van is being driven, but at rest, it slides out to allow easy access to the customisable storage zones. The pod is deployed using hydraulic rams, and rests securely on drop-down legs. With the pod extended, the area left behind is transformed into a mobile office or other customisable environment. Given the recent showing of the NV2500 mobile site office concept by Nissan U.S., it’s clear that some very practical and space-efficient, purpose-built vans will become available in 2010. Read More
Toyota to show battery-electric concept vehicle in Detroit
00:19 December 23, 2008 PST
There's no images and no details, just a tantalizing two line press release, but given that this news comes from the world's largest car maker and manufacturer of the first mass produced hybrid vehicle, we think it rates a mention. Here's the release in full - "Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. will display a battery electric vehicle concept at the 2009 North American International Auto Show. This display marks the world debut of this concept vehicle". Read More
The new visually unique SLR Stirling Moss
By Mike Hanlon
13:54 December 19, 2008 PST
December 20, 2008 Mercedes Benz and McLaren today released details of the US$1,000,000 SLR Stirling Moss, a limited edition supersports car that almost instantaneously goes down as a landmark in sports car design. The 650 bhp open top supercharged V8 is essentially a modern reinterpretation of the SLR 500 of the fifties, the car which dominated racing in the hands of Moss and Fangio. Available in June 2009, the puristic high-performance sports car might look spartan, but the technology, including the airbrake system, is all bleeding edge. Only seventy five units will be built, ensuring the EUR 750,000 price tag represents a solid investment. Read More
Volvo S60 Concept drives itself in stop-start traffic
By Mike Hanlon
15:59 December 17, 2008 PST
Volvo has finally released images of the Volvo S60 Concept car which will be unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show in January. The Concept, which we originally previewed here, gives an indication of what the all-new Volvo S60 will look like when launched in 2010. Apart from the previously mentioned floating centre stack made out of handmade, solid Orrefors crystal, the car features a four-cylinder 1.6-litre petrol engine using high-efficiency GTDi (Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection) technology and producing 180 horsepower. In a conventional petrol engine, fuel is injected into the inlet manifold ahead of the inlet valves. With direct injection, however, the fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber under high pressure. The vehicle also has an upgraded version of Volvo's Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with a queue assist function. The radar-based Adaptive Cruise Control maintains the set time gap to the vehicle in front all the way down to standstill, meaning the car can drive itself in slow-moving queues with repeated starting and stopping. Read More
The new BMW Z4 Roadster
03:36 December 17, 2008 PST
BMW's latest addition to its roadster family is set to make its North American debut at the 2009 NAIAS in January packing more power, versatile storage options, and a host of goodies not previously seen in the range including a two-piece, electro-hydraulically operated retractable hard-top roof and adjustable drivetrain and suspension which enable the driver to choose between three different ride heights as well as different throttle and steering response set-ups and gear change times. Read More
Terotech
- November 21, 2009 @ 19:38 UTC
