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Automotive
The affordable, 100mpg, carbon-composite passenger car
By Loz Blain
11:12 July 17, 2008 PDT
Britain's Axon claims that its newly patented mass-production techniques will make carbon composite car frames and bodywork even cheaper than their metal counterparts - and only 40% as heavy. What a revolutionary technology this could be - the power to weight ratio of any vehicle on the planet could be dramatically increased for no extra cost! The company plans to release a highly affordable 500cc passenger car making at least 100mpg from a basic petrol engine in 2010, and Axon is confident its simple, lightweight solution to the fuel economy challenge will be highly competitive against the big competition in the Progressive Automotive X-Prize contest. Read More
Toyota employs noise-canceling tech on hybrid
By Darren Quick
16:01 July 15, 2008 PDT
Toyota has taken the principle behind noise-canceling headphones and applied it to its Toyota Crown Hybrid. The company’s ‘Active Noise Control’ system uses three microphones located on the roof of the interior of the car to detect the muffled noise of the engine and then generates antiphase signals from three speakers – two located on the right and left front doors and one rear woofer on the rear shelf – to counter the noise. The system, which was implemented after the car’s engine was found to be noisier than expected, reduces the interior engine noise by about 5 to 8dB, the company said. Read More
Goodwood 2008 - three day auto fest draws to a close
17:29 July 13, 2008 PDT
July 13, 2008 The 2008 Goodwood Festival of Speed wrapped up today with burnouts from F1 star Lewis Hamilton, a spectacular aerial show from the RAF Red Arrows and more sideways rally action, ear shattering antics and delectable samples of automotive excellence of almost every flavor. Read More
Goodwood Festival of Speed takes off
15:29 July 11, 2008 PDT
Gizmag's editor Noel McKeegan is at Goodwood this week rejoicing in the atmosphere of what is unquestionably the most influential and respected celebration of all things motorsport. Noel's thoughts, pics and vidz from a number of major events will grace our pages over the coming weeks. This is his first filing Read More
Lotus shows hemp-based Eco Elise
By Loz Blain
23:24 July 9, 2008 PDT
Lotus has taken a different approach to 'green' car building with the announcement of its Eco Elise - featuring hemp-based bodywork and other renewable materials. Taking the position that too many 'green' cars concentrate solely on CO2 emissions at the tailpipe, Lotus has overhauled its entire manufacturing process to reduce energy and water usage, boost recycling, use locally-sourced, renewable and carbon-neutral materials, and provide dash instrumentation to encourage greener driving habits. It's an unique 'holistic' approach to environmentally friendly car building - and the stunning Eco Elise should make at least two sales when the news reaches Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong. Read More
Hyundai LPG hybrid production car
By Mike Hanlon
05:28 July 8, 2008 PDT
July 8, 2008 Hyundai’s world first Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) hybrid will go on sale in Korea twelve months from now with operating costs poised to be lowest of any hybrid currently available, despite being largely based on the existing Elantra model. It will also be the first to use Lithium-Polymer batteries to power its electric motor. The novel internal combustion powerplant is a Liquefied Petroleum Injected (LPI) 1.6 litre four cylinder assisted by a 15kW electric motor driving through a continuously variable transmission. Read More
Gordon Murray's T.25 car reaches halfway development milestone
By Kyle Sherer
15:32 July 6, 2008 PDT
Gordon Murray Design’s T.25 concept car has reached the halfway point in development, with the first prototype build scheduled to begin in early 2009. Though Murray, (the brains behind the McLaren F1 road car), has remained tight-lipped about the specifics, he is adamant about delivering a small car that will be more cost-effective at every stage: cheaper to produce, purchase and run. Read More
New BMW 7 series gets pedestrian recognition
By Mike Hanlon
16:33 July 5, 2008 PDT
The launch of the fifth generation of the BMW 7 Series will include several technical innovation firsts, including the World’s first Night Vision system with individual pedestrian recognition, the first production car with front side view camera, the first BMW Saloon with speed-related Integral Active Steering and the first BMW with Lane Change Warning. It will go on sale later this year. Read More
Toyota’s premium ultra-compact iQ concept becomes a reality
By Mike Hanlon
16:18 July 5, 2008 PDT
Toyota showed its iQ Concept at last year’s motorshows, creating a new class of premium ultra-compact vehicle, capable of carrying three adults plus a child in comfort. Now, in a move that foretells a coming era of much smaller cars, the iQ is set for production in 2008 and availability in 2009. The iQ was a sensation, proving emphatically that small does not mean basic, and drawing huge crowds – the message sunk in quickly, and now the production version (pictured) offers a completely new proposition for urban motoring that is stylish, sophisticated, technically advanced and kinder to the environment. Read More
Tesla to build new all-electric car in California
20:08 July 2, 2008 PDT
Tesla Motors will build the follow up vehicle to the Tesla Roadster in California. The plan to manufacture the 4-door, 5-passenger sedan was announced earlier this week by Ze’ev Drori, CEO of Tesla Motors, and California Governor Schwarzenegger Read More
The Overfinch Country Pursuits Concept Car
By Mike Hanlon
20:51 July 1, 2008 PDT
Making its debut today at Salon Prive Luxury and Supercar Show at the Hurlingham Club in London is the Country Pursuits Concept (CPC) car from Overfinch Bespoke Vehicles – an extensively modified Range Rover aimed at the upper echelons of sports-loving society. The no-expense-spared CPC comes with a 470 bhp 4.2 litre engine and an enhanced suspension system to lower the car 20cm at speed or raise it 25cm under extreme off road conditions. There’s also a fully integrated fridge and the pictured Olive Ash removable gun box with three sliding drawers which will hold a bespoke gun case, cartridges and crystal glass drinking set. Read More
Greener motoring at the 2008 British Motor Show
23:32 June 29, 2008 PDT
With soaring oil prices hitting hard at the bowser and low-emissions, energy-efficient vehicles evolving rapidly from a fringe sector to a mainstream concern, it's no surprise to learn that this year's British International Motor Show will include a pavilion devoted to the future of greener motoring. Read More
The 717 bhp 348 km/h NOVITEC ROSSO Ferrari 430 Scuderia
By Mike Hanlon
20:27 June 29, 2008 PDT
If your 510 hp Ferrari 430 Scuderia isn’t quite fast enough at its 320 km/h top speed, you can always add a bit more courtesy of a NOVITEC ROSSO Supersport Bi-Kompressor engine. The special twin-supercharger version of the Scuderia’s four-valve eight-cylinder engine bumps power output from the standard 510 bhp (375 kW) to 717 bhp (527 kW) and increases top speed from 320 to 348 km/h. Read More
The Dot.Car Era begins – Chrysler to offer internet access in all models
By Mike Hanlon
22:32 June 25, 2008 PDT
June 26, 2008 The era of the dotcar appears set to begin with the news that Chrysler is planning to turn all its vehicles into hotspots with 2009 models, making it the first manufacturer to offer Wi-Fi in the car on a mass scale. The move is certain to precipitate competitive response from other manufacturers and … the dot car era appears ready to begin. The newly renamed (from UConnect to uconnect) Chrysler infotainment system will use Autonet Mobile’s router (full story here) and will be available in all 2009 model Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep models. The unit will cost US$450 plus US$50 installation, plus US$29 a month, but for that, your vehicle will have robust internet access of 600-800 kilobits per second. Read More
Porsche announces all-wheel drive 911 Carrera 4 and 4S
By Loz Blain
01:40 June 25, 2008 PDT
Porsche has announced the launch of all-wheel drive models of its 911 Carrera 4 and 4S sportscars, including an engine, gearbox and drivetrain makeover that the company claims delivers up to 8.5% more power, 12.5% better gas mileage, and over 15% less CO2 emissions than the models they replace. Read More
Mazda's plans for a greener future
By Kyle Sherer
18:03 June 24, 2008 PDT
June 25, 2008 Mazda has committed to cutting the fuel consumption of its vehicles by an average of 30% by 2015. The company is exploring a combination of fuel-cutting initiatives, including the development of lighter-weight technologies aimed at reducing vehicle weight by 100 kilograms from 2011, carbon neutral bioplastics, an Idle Stop system and an advanced version of the emissions-reducing Three Layer Wet Paint System fist introduced in 2005. Integral to the plan is the renewal of its entire powertrain lineup by 2015, with tests of its hydrogen hybrid system continuing ahead of plans for release in Japan in the coming fiscal year, as well as plans for a new gasoline rotary engine and new diesel engines. Read More
Honda improves railcar fleet
20:19 June 23, 2008 PDT
Honda has taken steps to minimizing the environmental impact of its cars before they hit the road with the introduction of its fleet of Auto-Max railcars. Read More
ZR1 balances price, performance, economy
By Mike Hanlon
16:58 June 21, 2008 PDT
Chevrolet 2009 ZR1 was first shown in January, but until the on-road performance figures were released this week, we weren’t fully aware of how the vehicle’s specs would translate to tarmac performance. The US$103,300 ZR1 does 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds, 0-100 mph in 7.0 seconds, has a top speed of 205 mph (330 km/h), and puts a quarter-mile behind it in 11.3 seconds. And the racetrack isn’t the only place where the ZR1 trumps its super-car competitors – it beats them at the gas pump, too. According to fueleconomy.gov, the ZR1’s EPA-rated 14 mpg city and 20 mpg highway mileage ratings beat 2008 competitors such as the Ferrari 599 GTB (11/15); the Lamborghini Murcielago (8/13) and the Aston Martin V8 Vantage (12/19). Read More
DARPA Grand Challenge winner returns to Silicon Valley
22:57 June 19, 2008 PDT
The pioneering autonomous vehicle that won the 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge will complete its world tour with a visit to its home town before taking its place at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Dubbed "Stanley", the robotic Volkswagen Touareg developed by the Stanford Racing Team will be on show at the Silicon Valley The Tech Museum of Innovation from June 20 through July 17. Read More
The world's most extravagant rental car?
By Loz Blain
20:27 June 19, 2008 PDT
The Saleen S7 supercar: 7 liters and 550 horsepower of the most exclusive hand-made V8 American metal. Proof positive that sex itself can tear up tarmac, and a genuine contender amongst the very top echelon of the world's performance cars. It will happily accelerate through 200mph (322kmh), and rocket you to 60mph in around 3.4 seconds if you can find enough traction. At US$400,000 per unit it's one of the most expensive cars around, and it's so exclusive that apparently even Jeremy Clarkson can't get a test drive. But you can, if you're willing to stump up the US$4000 per day charge to take what may be the world's most extravagant rental car out for a spin. We recommend the extra insurance. Read More
Bumper stickers, road rage & digital messaging
By Mike Hanlon
02:42 June 19, 2008 PDT
If you tend to shy away from cars covered in bumper stickers, you now have good reason. New research has unearthed an interesting correlation between drivers who personalize their cars with bumper stickers and personal markers of private territory, and those prone to road rage. Now the bumper sticker is going to new levels with personalized electronic messaging able to display messages such as the insulting gesture pictured. Is this a positive thing? Will our roads be enhanced by our newfound ability to communicate our feelings more effectively to other road users? Read More
The fully automated Infinistor tonneau cover opens at both ends
By Mike Hanlon
21:49 June 17, 2008 PDT
Saleen is best known as a producer of very fast cars, and often pioneers new ways of doing things. This one is different however, because we expect this functionality to become a feature on a lot of pick-ups over the coming decade. It’s an auto sliding and self-locking tonneau cover that opens from both front to back and back to front, effectively increasing usable luggage area and security and by just being so very clever and convenient. Saleen is the first, but the capability will be OEMed into most vehicle fleets in the coming year or three. Like most “firsts” the automated system comes as part of a premium model first up, in this case the S331 Supercrew, named for its 331 CID (5.4 litre), three valve SOHC V8 engine which produces 450 bhp and a colossal 500 lb-ft of torque at 4000 RPM. Read More
3 billion cars on the road by 2035 - is mobility as we know it sustainable?
By Mike Hanlon
17:51 June 17, 2008 PDT
Leading economic forecaster Global Insight has released a white paper exploring the potential future demand for vehicles to 2035. The paper predicts the global fleet could reach 3 billion vehicles by 2035, four times the current 800 million. It suggests that personal transport of the future will probably be very different having been through decades of ever-lengthening commutes, gridlocked roads, increasing parking issues, soaring fuel prices, road congestion regulations, air-quality concerns and climate change. Clearly, non-conventional solutions are needed. Read More
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
gadgetmind
- November 9, 2009 @ 09:47 UTC
