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Automotive
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
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
windykites1
- November 24, 2009 @ 19:38 UTC
