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Automotive
BMW's GINA concept car features a flexible skin instead of solid body panels
By Loz Blain
04:35 June 17, 2008 PDT
What if the exterior of a car wasn't made of heavy, rigid metal? What if it was made from flexible fabric stretched over a moveable structural subframe? Based on a 2-seater roadster platform, BMW's future-focused GINA (Geometry and Functions in 'N' Adaptations) Light Visionary concept explores the design possibilities opened up when the traditional body panel approach is dropped to make a car's exterior completely flexible - from variable lines to hingeless doors to eyelid headlights. It's one of the most fascinating design studies we've seen in years. Read More
ProNav GPS software for heavy goods vehicles
By Kyle Sherer
17:36 June 16, 2008 PDT
Navevo has developed GPS software for heavy vehicles that keeps drivers informed about the unique obstacles they face on the road. The £199.99 ProNav system offers dynamic routing and navigation optimization based on vehicle dimensions, legal restrictions, and weather and road conditions. Read More
New Mazda Nagare concept car to debut in Moscow
03:13 June 16, 2008 PDT
Mazda has announced that the latest member of its Nagare design series will be revealed at the Moscow International Automobile Salon. The pursuit of the Nagare design philosophy - the term is Japanese for ‘flow’ and the embodiment of motion - has resulted in several compelling concepts hitting the auto-show circuit in recent years including the futuristic Taiki and the 180mph Furai Concept. Read More
225mph Stealth supercar: BRABUS BULLIT BLACK ARROW
23:09 June 10, 2008 PDT
German auto-performance specialist Brabus has again pushed the envelope with its latest creation - the wickedly styled BULLIT BLACK ARROW. Read More
It's a bird, it's a plane... it's a Lamborghini
18:53 June 10, 2008 PDT
Residents of Turin, Italy were treated to an unique spectacle earlier this week as the € 1 million euro Lamborghini Reventón supercar made its way to a conference hosted by the company courtesy of a helicopter lift from the Italian marines. Read More
Porsche celebrates 60 years
23:42 June 5, 2008 PDT
One of the world's best-known sportscar marques is turning 60. Created by Ferdinand Alexander “Ferry” Porsche, in a small workshop in the Austrian Alps, the first Porsche prototype identified as 356-001 received official approval for road service on June 8, 1948. Read More
Hydrogen burning Scorpion sportscar unveiled
20:27 June 3, 2008 PDT
Texas based Ronn Motor Company has lifted the wraps on a new environmentally friendly hybrid vehicle that features an in-built hydrogen on demand system. Currently in pre-production and due for release before the end of the year, the sporty “Scorpion” runs on a 30-40 ratio blend of hydrogen and gasoline, promising reduced emissions and 40 mpg plus efficiency. Read More
Audi offers SmartBeam headlight system
By Kyle Sherer
18:13 June 2, 2008 PDT
June 3, 2008 Audi will offer the Gentex SmartBeam system as an option on the A4, A5 and Q7 models, to be released this spring. The SmartBeam High-Beam Headlamp Assist system, or “Fernlichtassistent”, uses a miniature camera to automate a vehicle’s high beams at night. Read More
First UK showing of Citroën’s C-Métisse concept supercar
22:33 June 1, 2008 PDT
June 2, 2008 Citroën’s C-Métisse concept will be among the smorgasbord of automotive eye-candy on offer at this year's Festival of Speed at Goodwood. The appearance will be the first in the UK for the 155mph supercar which debuted at the Paris Motor Show in 2006. Read More
Major auto manufacturers commit to eco-friendly development
19:31 May 29, 2008 PDT
Two separate announcements from the automotive world this week have given further impetus to the growth of energy efficient vehicles. Volkswagen has teamed up with Sanyo to develop high-performance lithium-ion based storage systems for use in its hybrid diesel and electric-drive systems and the ongoing Renault-Nissan Alliance has resulted in the Scenic ZEV H2 - a prototype based on a Renault Grand Scenic which features Nissan’s in-house developed fuel cell stack, high-pressure hydrogen storage tank and compact lithium-ion batteries that will be shown in Barcelona in June. Read More
Tata Motors joins race for $10milion auto X PRIZE
By Emily Clark
23:42 May 28, 2008 PDT
Making headlines earlier this year for its creation of the world’s cheapest new car, Tata Motors from India is the latest car maker to join the race for the multimillion dollar automotive X PRIZE. Read More
Europeans buses trial road safety sensor systems
By Emily Clark
19:51 May 28, 2008 PDT
Vehicle-based sensors that link back to centralized infrastructure are seen as a promising solution to traffic management and road safety in our increasingly clogged cites. Last year we reported on Nissan's efforts, now European researchers are trialling a similar system on buses. Read More
RR4: First taste of new Rolls-Royce model
20:02 May 27, 2008 PDT
Luxury car maker Rolls-Royce has revealed the first design sketches of its next new model which is due to be launched in 2010. The two teasing sketches released thus far reveal little detail of the car to be known as the the RR4, although a streamlined design direction that builds on the current Phantom model line-up is clear. According to Rolls Royce Chief designer Ian Cameron, the RR4 will be smaller than Phantom with a "more informal presence" and a "greater emphasis on driving". It will also be powered by a completely new engine and the company plans to ramp up production at its Goodwood manufacturing facilities, adding a second assembly line and moving to a two shift system to cater for the new model. Read More
Audi's A3 TDI clubspot quattro
By Kyle Sherer
20:28 May 25, 2008 PDT
May 26, 2008 Shown over the weekend at the 27th annual Lake Wörther Tour in Austria, the Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro is a one-off show car featuring "the most extreme incarnation to date of Audi’s four-cylinder TDI engine", a powerplant which propels the car from 0-62mph in 6.6 seconds and achieves a top speed of 149mph. Read More
Ferrari world record price - US$11 million
By Mike Hanlon
21:18 May 22, 2008 PDT
It is perhaps appropriate that just a few days after Ferrari released details of its delectable new California model, that a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder should set a world record auction price of EUR 7,040,000 (US$11,070,000). No doubt buoyed by its "celebrity provenance" (it was owned by Academy Award winner James Coburn), the Nero Black covered headlamp Spyder caused a frenzy of bidding on the auction block. Read More
London’s iconic black cabs to go green
By Darren Quick
20:54 May 22, 2008 PDT
May 23, 2008 While improvements in engine technology have led to a marked improvement in fuel efficiency and carbon emissions in vehicles running on internal combustion engines in recent years, even greater cuts in emissions need to be made to tackle the global environmental problems associated with them. We’ve seen commercial airlines turning to biofuels, trucks running on liquefied natural gas and buses using ethanol engines. One of the most promising solutions for the humble car of the future could is hydrogen fuel cell systems, with a number of car manufacturers investing heavily in development. Read More
Electric supercharger promises instant power boost
By Mike Hanlon
16:08 May 21, 2008 PDT
Now here’s an idea that begs the question as to why someone hasn't thought of it before. Controlled Power Technologies (CPT) has come up with a clever technical solution for the problem of ‘downsizing’ engines without compromising driveability and performance – the electrical supercharger. The company’s low-cost, production-ready, Variable Torque Enhancement System (VTES) employs an electrically-driven supercharger to significantly improve low speed torque response for naturally-aspirated or turbocharged gasoline and diesel engines. Unlike traditional mechanically-driven superchargers and exhaust-driven turbochargers, it doesn't suck power all the time because it is only engaged when needed, and delivers an immediate boost within 350 milliseconds. Most significantly, CPT claims the VTES can be implemented on current vehicles, using existing 12 volt electrical architecture, and when used in series with a turbocharger, the 2kW of electrical power translates into 20kW at the crankshaft. Read More
TVA Gazelle - 4-wheel tilting car/bike hybrid
By Loz Blain
02:23 May 21, 2008 PDT
We are on the brink of a new commuting age; cars are too heavy, too inefficient, too dirty and too big to be viable in tomorrow's traffic-clogged cities - and motorcycles are too dangerous and too hard to ride to be a real option for many. The new TVA Gazelle tilting 4-wheeler could be the answer, capable of over 100mpg, incredibly agile in the corners and with a price tag of less than US$10,000. Read More
Antonov develops low cost gearbox for the low cost car
By Mike Hanlon
02:17 May 21, 2008 PDT
Antonov is developing an interesting new transmission for the next generation of ultra low cost cars. Such a transmission must be simple, low cost, reliable and repairable without no pneumatic or hydraulic controls, minimal components and only the simplest of electrical systems. Some innovative thinking was required ... Read More
The missing link prototype Jaguar ‘E2A’ goes up for sale
By Mike Hanlon
22:38 May 19, 2008 PDT
It is the missing link – the prototype Jaguar ‘E2A’ that bridged the gap between D-Type and E-Type, being raced along the way by Sir Jack Brabham, Bruce McLaren and Dan Gurney. Timed at 194 mph down the Lumsanne Straight at Le Mans, the totally unique, one-off piece of history is up for sale. Since leaving Jaguar, it has been owned by one family. It is in effect a one-owner car ex-works. Expect to part with at least USD$7 million. Read More
New Ferrari California (UPDATED - new images)
02:12 May 15, 2008 PDT
Ferrari has released three enticing photographs of the California in the build up to the car's official unveiling at the Paris Motor Show. The new stablemate for the 612 Scaglietti and the 430 Scuderia features the marque's first mid-front mounted engine. Read More
Limited edition SL 63 AMG Edition IWC
17:11 May 13, 2008 PDT
May 13, 2008 Mercedes' high-performance division AMG has developed a new limited edition version of the SL 63 roadster. WIth only 200 destined to see the light of day, the SL 63 AMG Edition IWC combines its specially tuned, naturally aspirated, 386 kW/525 hp 6.3-litre V8 engine with a designo magno Kashmir white finish, an exterior carbon package and a a range of handling and performance enhancements in a vehicle that can hit 100 kmh 4.6 seconds from a standing start and has an electronically limited top speed of 300 kmh. Aside from the luxury timepiece that comes with the car, the "IWC" refers to the design collaboration between Mercedes-AMG and Swiss watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen, a relationship which began in 2004 with the CLS 55 AMG “IWC Engineer". Read More
A1GP's Ferrari Race Car
By Mike Hanlon
07:44 May 13, 2008 PDT
The single car A1GP race series has released details of the Ferrari to be used next season. The car employs a 600bhp V8 in a derivative of the highly successful F2004 F1 chassis. Read More
Keating: the next British supercar brand makes a double debut
By Loz Blain
03:20 May 8, 2008 PDT
With British performance car brands being sold to overseas interests left, right and center, it seems it's up to enthusiasts to create the next truly British supercar. And after an eight year development process, here it is: the Keating SKR and its racetrack-only, all-carbon TKR brother offer continental good looks, lightweight snappy handling and stonking power, from 400hp on the 6-litre V8 base model to a ridiculous projected 1500hp for the twin-turbo top dog. With sensible service intervals and a bespoke approach to supercar-building that will see everything from the dash instruments to the seat coverings and interior tailored to each buyer's specifications, Keating hopes to rekindle the British performance auto industry. Tally ho! Read More
Rinspeed’s spectacular zero emission amphibious concept car
00:28 May 7, 2008 PDT
May 7, 2008 Following its preview late last year and head turning debut at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, it's time we took a closer look at the sQuba - a James Bond inspired, zero-emissions, electric aqua-car from Frank M. Rinderknecht and the concept magicians at Rinspeed that "moves like a fish in water" to depths of up to 33 feet (10 meters) and still manages to reach speeds of around 75mph (120kmh) when on terra firma. Continuing its ongoing relationship with Rinspeed, Swiss engineering firm Esoro was hired as the general contractor on the project - which amazingly took only six months complete - and replacing the combustion engine with a series of electric motors was the first task. Read More
Robert Ferry
- July 3, 2009 @ 15:42 UTC
