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Automotive
Volvo's new high-tech wind tunnel
00:38 October 1, 2008 PDT
Volvo has invested 20 million Euro in complete refurbishment of its in-house wind-tunnel, making it the first car manufacturer to own a facility which combines a moving road simulation system with the ability to fully reproduce the airflow around and underneath the car's body... and it's already delivering results in the quest for greater fuel efficiency and lower emissions. Read More
Toyota to introduce rear-window curtain airbag
19:49 September 30, 2008 PDT
Toyota has developed a world first rear-window curtain shield airbag designed to protect the heads of back seat passengers in the event of a rear-end collision. The new system is slated for inclusion in the iQ ultra-compact four-seater due on the market next year. Read More
Simple device uses electrical field to boost internal combustion engine efficiency
By Mike Hanlon
20:04 September 27, 2008 PDT
September 28, 2008 This sounds almost too simple to be true, but a university physics professor has developed a simple device which could improve automotive fuel efficiency by 20 percent. The device creates an electric field that thins fuel, or reduces its viscosity, so that smaller droplets are injected into the engine which in turn leads to more efficient and cleaner combustion. Six months of road testing in a diesel-powered Mercedes-Benz showed the device improved mileage from 32 mpg to 38 mpg.The results of the laboratory and road tests were published this month in Energy & Fuels, a bi-monthly journal published by the American Chemical Society. Read More
Tesla to build luxury US$60,000 four seater luxury EV
By Mike Hanlon
01:17 September 27, 2008 PDT
September 27, 2008 The Tesla Brand of luxury electric vehicles is certainly capturing a lot of the limelight as the era of the EV dawns. The company has announced a state-of-the-art US$250 million assembly facility in the heart of Silicon Valley. The facility will build a new US$60,000 five-passenger luxury sedan with exceptional performance and a lithium-ion battery pack capable of delivering 240 miles per charge. The first sedans are likely to roll off the assembly line in late 2010. Read More
Paris debut for Kia Soul Hybrid concept
19:27 September 25, 2008 PDT
The Soul Hybrid concept will be one of four world premiers from Kia at the Paris Motor show next week. Powered by Kia’s Gamma 1.6-liter petrol engine combined with a 15 kW, 105 Nm AC synchronized electric motor and the company's CVT (continuously variable transmission), the concept promises fuel efficiency of 57.6 mpg and CO2 emissions of 117 g/km. Read More
Chrysler shows new Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge Electric Vehicles
By Jack Martin
17:55 September 24, 2008 PDT
If what you’re doing doesn’t work, do something different. There have been quite a few people concerned for the future of the iconic Chrysler brand since it was cut loose from the Daimler Chrysler organization but the first signs of genuinely radical change arrived today when it announced that it has new production-intent, advanced electric-drive technology packaged in three different vehicles – one for each of its brands, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge. Chrysler will select one electric-drive model to be produced in 2010 for consumers in North American markets, and European markets after 2010. A new consumer web site has been created for Chrysler’s electric vehicles. Read More
World’s fastest production car to go electric – with “several years between charging”
By Mike Hanlon
04:37 September 24, 2008 PDT
September 24, 2008 Last week saw the one year anniversary of SSC’s Ulimate Aero becoming the fastest production car in the world at 256.18 mph, pushing past marks set by Koenigsegg’s CCR and Bugatti’s Veyron. It’s the first time the top speed record has stood for a whole year since McLaren’s F1 held it for seven years with 386.4 kmh (240.1mph). Now comes news that an Ultimate Aero EV (Electric Vehicle) is in development. A 500 bhp EV is planned for late 2009 and a 1000 bhp 4WD EV is also under consideration. Now here’s the kicker – the press statement reads: “The drive train under development will feature a revolutionary power source allowing for extended time between charging intervals with the possibility of several years between charging.” Read More
Volvo testing “birds-eye-view” awareness system for truck drivers
By Jack Martin
21:01 September 23, 2008 PDT
The concept of computer-synthesized bird’s eye view for drivers has been gaining a lot of ground with Japanese automotive manufacturers in recent times, with many concept cars emanating from Japan featuring the advantages of an at-a-glance situational awareness solution. Now Volvo has developed its own Overview Surveillance System (in conjunction with Toshiba), which gives drivers a view of the vehicle and its surroundings from above. It is designed primarily to support the driver in slow speed situations, such as when backing, parking or driving down narrow city streets. With the advanced driving assistance system installed, the driver can quickly grasp the situation for greater control and safety. Read More
Chrysler's 2009 GEM Peapod neighborhood electric vehicle
20:18 September 23, 2008 PDT
A decade after its launch and with 38,000 zero-emission electric vehicles produced and in use, Chrysler LLC's GEM brand has launched the first of its next-generation designs - the Peapod. Scheduled for production in 2009, the low-speed neighborhood commuter can cover up to 30 miles without recharging at a top speed of 25 mph. In keeping with the company's "lots of love" slogan, the new fully-enclosed pod design uses eco-friendly recycled and recyclable materials in its construction and should keep a lid on road rage by virtue of its smiling facade (both front and rear), as well as keeping those inside the car happy with new ergonomic mesh seating and a freshly designed center console featuring iPod integration and hands-free iPhone support. Read More
Mercedes-Benz to market S 400 BlueHYBRID next year
By Mike Hanlon
10:03 September 18, 2008 PDT
Mercedes-Benz is to bring its first hybrid drive passenger car to market in summer 2009. Based on the S 350, the S 400 BlueHYBRID combines a 205 kW (279 bhp) 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine with a 15 kW (20 bhp) electric motor for a combined output of 220 kW (299 bhp) and a combined maximum torque of 385 newton metres. The new Mercedes will be the world's most economical (7.9 l/100 km) luxury saloon with a spark-ignition engine and will have the world's lowest CO2 emissions in this vehicle and performance class at just 190 grams per kilometre. The motor will use a particularly efficient high-voltage lithium-ion battery specially developed for automotive use and a 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission specially configured for the hybrid module. Read More
Saab reinvents the convertible with the 9-X AIR CONCEPT
By Mike Hanlon
06:19 September 18, 2008 PDT
Just over a quarter century ago, Saab showed the first four-seater convertible to the world, creating a new class of luxury automobile. Now it’s set to do it all over again with the 9-X Air concept car and a visually-distinctive newly-designed Canopy Top designed to aerodynamically cocoon the passenger cell. The design incorporates prominent raked rear pillars that curve upwards to mount a flat folding roof – essentially a development of the Targo roof principle – with a separate rear screen located between them. Instead of having a manually detachable roof section, the Saab Canopy top is fully powered in operation and folds away in the storage trunk. With the top down motorists can enjoy open-top motoring free from buffeting, and with the top up the 9-X Air assumes the appearance of a true coupe. Saab has filed a patent on the convertible roof design and hence the 9-X Air provides a glimpse of what a future convertible from Saab could look like. Read More
GM takes wraps off Chevrolet Volt production model
20:09 September 16, 2008 PDT
General Motors has officially unveiled the production version of the Chevrolet Volt. We first encountered this electric-vehicle as a concept in early 2007 and following a first glimpse last month, we now have a much clearer picture of the what it will look like when it hits showrooms in the US in 2011. The four-seater represents a clever compromise by GM engineers in balancing fully-electric, zero local emissions driving with the need for greater range. The Volt has a full-time electric drive and can cover 40 miles on purely electric power, which is ample for the day to day driving most of us do, but when the battery runs low, a gasoline/E85-powered engine generator kicks-in to maintain power supply and extend the range by "several hundred miles" according to GM. Read More
Porsche Panamera Gran Turismo makes its first appearance
By Jack Martin
05:37 September 16, 2008 PDT
Porsche began the public roll-out of its new luxury four-door “without the portliness” Panamera today with an image of the front end and a clever web site designed to capture the names of potential customers. The Panamera Online Magazine is offering a wide range of information about the latest member of the Porsche family, including videos of disguised prototypes on test drives. This is accompanied at the same time by an elaborate mailing campaign directly addressing potential customers. Read More
Bang & Olufsen BeoSound DBS
By Jack Martin
05:31 September 16, 2008 PDT
Aston Martin and Bang & Olufsen have collaborated to produce the BeoSound DBS audio system – it’s one of the most expensive audio systems on the planet, mainly because you have to purchase an Aston Martin DBS to get your hands on one. The system is seamlessly integrated into the DBS’s bespoke interior, providing the driver with an unrivalled audio experience. Consisting of 13 individual speakers and Bang & Olufsen’s unique Digital Signal Processing system, the system transforms the DBS into an acoustically sophisticated venue, capable of conveying subtle and striking musical dynamics from every source. Read More
The Peugeot PROLOGUE hybrid
By Jack Martin
05:29 September 16, 2008 PDT
September 16, 2008 It’s Paris Auto Show time again and not surprisingly, we’re seeing a rash of new announcements of concept cars and new production models. In a radical departure from the normal full disclosure of details, Peugeot has been quite circumspect in the information it has released about the PROLOGUE Concept due for a full unveiling in Paris. The 147kW (200 bhp) PROLOGUE, according to the press release “proposes an innovative combination of ideas at a number of different levels: its architecture, its style, its interior ambience, its modularity, its original high-tech equipment and also its new generation hybrid technology.” Read More
Peugeot’s Kinetic Energy Recovery System
By Jack Martin
04:39 September 14, 2008 PDT
September 14, 2008 The quest for ever more efficient use of the energy gleaned from the internal combustion engine will see F1 using a kinetic energy recovery system from 2009, but it appears the innovative forces of motorsport competition may also extend to the Le Mans Racing Series. Peugeot Sport will use the final round of the 2008 Le Mans Series at Silverstone to unveil a 908 HDi FAP equipped with hybrid power featuring a kinetic energy recovery system. Currently, every racing car in the world wastes most of the energy it has used in reaching maximum speed down the straight when that energy is dissipated in the form of heat via the brakes. Peugeot’s HY technology enables a proportion of the kinetic energy produced under braking to be either recovered or stored. Read More
Mercedes-Benz ConceptFASCINATION design study
00:16 September 12, 2008 PDT
The latest design study from Mercedes-Benz is Concept FASCINATION - and it looks pretty swish. Under its skin, the highly-sculpted hatchback coupé is based on E-Class technology with drive provided by a new four-cylinder BlueTEC diesel engine which develops 150 kW/ 204 hp from a displacement of 2.2 liters. It's mostly about the looks though. Designed to pull on the heartstrings of coupé lovers with a healthy dose of practical usability thrown in, the concept makes extensive use of luxurious hand-crafted materials on the inside including a load compartment made of wood with brushed aluminum protective rails and built-in refrigerator and humidor. From the outside the car's dynamic profile is highlighted by its forward-sloping rear, glass roof, frameless side-windows, an eye-catching front apron and slightly new take on the dual headlight theme. Read More
Four-door MINI with a twist
05:16 September 11, 2008 PDT
Previews from the upcoming Paris Motor Show keep rolling in, this time from MINI in the form what it calls a 4 x 4 x 4 x 4 Crossover Concept design study - four doors, four drive wheels, four single seats and four meters long. With the wheels pushed to the corners and familiar styling it looks like a MINI, but the unique four is the doors - three of the doors are stock standard but the rear drivers' side door slides backwards. The rear door also swivels to one side to ease process of getting your gear into a MINI which boasts more storage space than any other. If the reaction to the debut is positive there's a good chance it will hit the showroom floor in the not too distant future. Read More
Renault to reveal high-end Ondelios concept (UPDATED - NEW IMAGES)
20:53 September 10, 2008 PDT
Renault has placed the emphasis on style, interior space and long-haul comfort in its new luxury crossover concept offering which is set to debut at the Paris Motor Show next month. The 15.7 feet (4.8 m) long, 5.2 feet (1.6 m) high Ondelios - the name being an amalgam of the French 'onde' (wave) and 'helios' (the Greek god of the sun) - is powered by a by a hybrid system combining a 205hp (150kW) version of the 2.0 dCi engine with two 20kW electric motors at the front and rear which give it the capability of a 4WD vehicle. The initial pics reveal the standout elements of the design - a striking inset aluminum-finish grille, inwardly curved tail lights, seven-spoke, 23-inch aluminum alloy wheels and butterfly-style side doors hinged to the roof to enable easy access to the three rows of seats. There's also plenty of technological goodies on show including a collaboration with Samsung that lets the driver use a cell phone to unlock the door and engage personal settings like seat-adjustment and music. Read More
e-mobility Berlin project to provide 500 EV charging points
23:20 September 9, 2008 PDT
The implementation effective infrastructure seems to be to lagging behind the development of electric vehicles themselves, but a new joint project announced by Daimler AG and energy provider RWE AG could be another sign that the tide is turning in terms of developing widespread systems that will allow EV's to make the transition to the mainstream. Read More
Mitsubishi to switch to diesel for Dakar 2009
By Jack Martin
04:58 September 9, 2008 PDT
September 9, 2008 The once poor cousin of the gas-burning internal combustion engine, the diesel, is slowly but surely invading the world of motorsport. In recent years the all-conquering Audi team led the diesel assault on sports car racing and diesel now dominates these events. Now Mitsubishi will enter a new, turbodiesel 'Racing Lancer' in next year's relocated-to-South-America Dakar Rally. The new car has an aeronautic steel multi-tubular frame, honeycomb body floor and carbon fiber body powered by a 280PS 3-liter V6 diesel engine producing a prodigious 650Nm peak torque. The engine uses an innovative two-stage turbocharger with both a small and large diameter turbine, one on each side of engine, employed according to engine revolution and load. Read More
VW Golf BlueMotion concept car delivers 74 mpg
By Jack Martin
04:26 September 9, 2008 PDT
September 9, 2008 Volkswagen has taken the wraps off a Golf BlueMotion concept car capable of a combined 74.3 mpg while emitting just 99 g/km of CO2. The concept is powered by a highly-efficient and refined 1.6-litre TDI common rail diesel engine developing 105 PS and 184 lbs ft of torque at 2,000 rpm. Despite the focus on economy the Golf BlueMotion concept can reach 62 mph from rest in a respectable 11.3 seconds before going on to a top speed of 117 mph. Read More
Economic slowdown improves commute times
By Jack Martin
20:54 September 8, 2008 PDT
As we learn to monitor and analyze what really happens out there, some complex and quite fascinating relationships are beginning to come to light. An example of this came when the latest Trafficmaster/RAC Foundation Journey Time Index was published in the U.K. It seems that high fuel prices, the credit crunch and the economic slowdown have resulted in decreasing traffic congestion, with jams down 12 per cent compared to 2007. It also found that the average speed on Britain's motorways has slowed from 63.3 mph to 62.2 mph as motorists aim to conserve fuel, and despite slowing speeds, journey times have improved by 0.3%. Read More
Mazda’s Smart Idle Stop System uses Direct Injection Engine Technology
By Jack Martin
20:12 September 8, 2008 PDT
September 9, 2008 The imperatives of better fuel economy and reduced emissions are breeding some fascinating developments of the good ol’ Internal Combustion Engine (ICE). One of the most logical ideas could have been invented by any schoolboy – turn off the engine when it isn’t being used. VW was the first to trial the idea and BMW, MINI, smart, Citroen and Peugeot have followed suit, all using electrical power to restart the engine, requiring beefed up starting systems to cope with ever-more-congested urban conditions (25% of European driving time is now spent at standstill). Now Mazda has come up with a better idea - restarting the engine through combustion. Mazda’s system initiates engine restart by injecting fuel directly into the cylinder while the engine is stopped, and igniting it to generate downward piston force. Read More
The remarkable first race for wind-powered vehicles
By Mike Hanlon
04:48 September 7, 2008 PDT
September 7, 2008 Over 2000 years ago, the Frisians who first settled the Netherlands began to build the first dykes to hold back the water in the Netherlands. Having battled adversity from the elements since AD/CE (Anno Domini/Common Era) year numbering began has created the type of proactive mindset required for survival on a planet with finite resources and some large scale challenges. It has enabled the Netherlands to embrace sustainable technologies and business practices far more readily than other countries. In recent times the Dutch have conducted the first Hydrogen Fuel Cell Racing event, the first solar boat race and a fortnight ago the Dutch town of Den Helder held the “Aeolus Race”, the first for wind-powered vehicles. The winning Ventomobile from Stuttgart University was the clear winner, running at an amazing 64% of wind speed directly into the wind. Read More
Gary Noel
- November 22, 2009 @ 06:20 UTC
