Automotive

Three-wheeler handling meets 1930s racecar style: Seattle's ACE Cycle Car

By Loz Blain

00:03 March 17, 2008 PDT

March 17, 2007 If you don't have the cash for a Caterham Levante, and the Can-Am Spyder's looks are a bit modern for you, you could do a lot worse than check out Liberty's ACE Cycle Car, a classically styled open-top three wheeler with twin open front wheels. Powered by a loud, strong and beautiful Harley-Davidson engine, the ACE offers a classic racecar-style driving experience as it hugs the corners around your favourite twisty road. Read More

IdleAire cuts down on truck fuel wastage in driver rest zones

By Kyle Sherer

17:14 March 13, 2008 PDT

March 14, 2008 IdleAire addresses the economic and environmental consequences of unnecessary idle time with its Truck Stop Electrification, and Advanced Travel Center electrification systems, which provide truck drivers with the power required for climate control, as well as television and web-connectivity. Read More

BRABUS SLR McLaren roadster gets a smart tender

By Noel McKeegan

02:53 March 13, 2008 PDT

So the traffic's a little heavy and you don't feel like taking the SLR McLaren roadster BRABUS to the shops. The solution: take the high-performance smart fortwo "tender". The yachting term has made its way into the automotive world via the latest offering from German performance specialist BRABUS. On World debut at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, the BRABUS “tender to the SLR” package consists of two identically painted and equipped vehicles - an aerodynamically enhanced, finely tuned, 211mph SLR McLaren Roadster BRABUS (the yacht) and the BRABUS ULTIMATE 112, a drop-top two-seater based on the latest smart fortwo Cabrio that puts out 112 hp and achieves 0-62mph in under ten seconds (the tender). Read More

Pilot program investigates link between driving behavior and emissions

By Emily Clark

18:07 March 12, 2008 PDT

The City of Denver has launched a pilot programmed designed to quantify the impact of driving behavior on fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The Driving Change initiative will identify ways for drivers to reduce their emissions by measuring the environmental impact of driving behavior. Read More

Real-time oil quality monitoring set to enter automotive industry

By Noel McKeegan

17:51 March 12, 2008 PDT

March 13, 2008 The theory is simple: once your engine oil gets too dirty, change it. In practice though, striking a balance between changing the oil too early (wasting money and maintenance time) and changing it too late (potentially damaging the engine) can be difficult. This is a particularly important consideration in road transport and fleet management situations. A bit like Goldilocks' porridge, it has to be "just right". The solution is on the way with systems that provide real-time analysis of oil quality that can be monitored from inside the vehicle progressing on several fronts. Daimler Chrysler is developing an oil quality monitoring system for application in commercial vehicles that it says could extended maintenance intervals by as much as 25 percent and Flowtronics has announced that its fluid quality sensors will be used for the DiMora Motorcar Volcano V16 engine, the 1200hp powerplant driving the $2 million Natalia SLS 2 sport luxury sedan. Read More

City Slicker: Lumeneo Smera tilting EV concept

By Noel McKeegan

21:16 March 10, 2008 PDT

Like a number of vehicle concepts we've encountered in recent years such as the NARO Tilting Car and the VentureOne plug-in hybrid, the Lumeneo Smera aims to create a "best of both worlds" blend of car and motorcycle by combining the protection of an enclosed driver capsule with the small-footprint and maneuverability of two-wheeled transport. On debut at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, the four-wheel, fully-electric Smera concept boasts a top speed of 80mph (130kmh), a 93 mile (150km) range on a single charge and can achieve 0-60 mph in around 8 seconds with an on-board computer automatically controlling the vehicle's tilting function to an angle of up to 25 degrees by taking into account on the turning angle, speed and road conditions. Read More

First steel-bodied school bus donated to Henry Ford museum

By Noel McKeegan

23:38 March 9, 2008 PDT

March 10, 2008 An unique slice of American automotive history has been acquired by the The Henry Ford museum. Using a steel body instead of wood and incorporating a Ford Model T chassis, the 1927 Blue Bird No. 1 proved a pioneering vehicle, with all major school bus manufacturers move to steel-bodies within a decade of its appearance. Read More

Power tool drag-racing back for 2008

By Noel McKeegan

22:01 March 9, 2008 PDT

March 10, 2008 The event that last year spawned the chainsaw powered wheelbarrow and ride-on garden blower will return to the UK in August. The rules of the Silverline Power Tool Drag Racing event are straight forward - take any hand-held power tool, tinker with it to create a drag-ready machine and then race it down a 75 foot track. Read More

Infiniti EX37 luxury coupe crossover destined for Europe

By Noel McKeegan

19:54 March 9, 2008 PDT

March 10, 2008 Well recognized in North America after two decades in the market, Nissan's luxury auto brand Infiniti is gearing up for entry into Europe with a presentation at the Geneva Auto Show spearheaded by the new EX37 luxury coupe crossover. Looking to blend coupé style with four-wheel drive crossover versatility, the Infiniti EX37 is powered by a 3.7-litre, twin cam V6 that puts out over 300 horses and 350Nm of torque via a seven-speed automatic transmission and intelligent four-wheel drive system. Among the standout technology features is an Around View Monitor system that takes rear-view parking assistance to a new level, using a series of cameras positioned all around the vehicle to provide a bird’s eye view of the vehicle on the in-car monitor. Read More

The TH!NK Ox electric crossover Concept

By Noel McKeegan

22:44 March 6, 2008 PST

March 7, 2008 It's a trend that's been underway for some time, but if you need evidence of the snowballing progress of the alternative powered vehicle market look no further than the array of electric and hybrid cars on show at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show. Among them are two offerings from Norwegian auto designer and manufacturer TH!NK - the fully electric five seater crossover concept known as the TH!NK Ox and the new TH!NK city concept, a plug-in electric urban commuter that boasts advanced telematics, a range of over 100 miles and is 95% recyclable. Read More

MILA Alpin Concept: compact off-road climbing specialist

By Noel McKeegan

22:17 March 5, 2008 PST

The term compact 4WD can occasionally be a little misleading with some vehicles in the segment lacking the vital statistics required for serious off-roading, but this latest Concept from Austrian based Auto engineering firm MAGNA STEYR looks to have the goods in terms of all-terrain capability with ample ground clearance, large overhang angles, low crawling speed and exceptional climbing characteristics that allow it to scale slopes of up to 45 degrees. A flexible, modular design that can accommodate different types of alternative drives, the MILA Alpin also boasts environmental friendliness with emissions of under 100 g CO2 per kilometer and the ability to run on a hybrid drive using compressed natural gas or CNG - the fuel used in the company's impressive MILA single seater Concept shown at the IAA in 2005. Read More

Chevolet's Equinox Fuel Cell vehicle to be used at Virgin Atlantic Airways

By Kyle Sherer

15:43 March 5, 2008 PST

March 6, 2008 Chevrolet’s hydrogen powered, zero emission Equinox fuel cell will be used at Virgin Atlantic Airways for complimentary ground transfer service for passengers. The partnership will occur in the middle of Project Driveway, Chevrolet’s 30-month initiative that involves placing more than 100 zero emission, hydrogen powered electric vehicles on the streets of key cities around the world to gather detailed feedback from users – the world’s largest fuel cell market test. Read More

Economical dual-fuel TSI concept from Volkswagen

By Mike Hanlon

21:02 March 4, 2008 PST

March 5, 2008 In the quest for making the internal combustion engine go further on less fuel, we’ve seen many different combinations of normal and forced aspiration and alternative fuels, but this is a new take on combining the seemingly contradictory virtues of performance and economy. Volkswagen showed a new concept car in Geneva a few hours ago that uses both natural gas and petrol. That’s not new, but it’s the first time it has been combined with the VW TSI engine which uses both a supercharger and a turbocharger operating sequentially to provide high power (150 bhp), great economy, exceptional range and meet Euro 5 emission standards from a small capacity (1.4 liter) engine. Read More

A new type of car door? – the dragonfly wing

By Mike Hanlon

20:23 March 4, 2008 PST

The common car door has seen many designs in the century-long history of the automobile, with distinctive looks such as the gullwing, scissor, suicide and butterfly each conjuring a landmark car. Now Renault has a new variation and perhaps a new landmark car - its Megane Coupe Concept showcar released in Geneva last night, has twin, two-part “dragonfly wing” doors. The quite beautiful design - which will form the basis of an upcoming model - also incorporates a wide array of technological features including mobile-phone operated ignition and door locks, plus four-zone climate control, touch-screen multi-media players and ‘stop and start’ system. Read More

New colors, button-shift and accelerated market expansion for 3-wheel Can-Am Spyder roadster

By Noel McKeegan

18:44 March 4, 2008 PST

March 5, 2008 The much anticipated roll-out of the 3-wheel Can-Am Spyderroadster is continuing apace according to the latest news from the company behind the project, BRP. Strong market demand has led BRP to expand deployment with ordering now open to 35 states, five provinces and 20 international markets. Read More

Geneva Motor Show highlights: Saab 9-X BioHybrid (NEW IMAGES)

By Noel McKeegan

18:57 March 3, 2008 PST

March 4, 2008 Showcasing a range of technologies that will underpin the brand's future compact car offerings, the Saab 9-X BioHybrid combines the aircraft-inspired design of the Aero X coupé concept shown at Geneva two years ago with a 200 hp (147 kW), 1.4-litre BioPower turbo engine that employs GM’s next-generation Hybrid system. Shape-shifting aerodynamics, active safety measures - including automatic light dimming courtesy of a front-mounted camera that monitors light sources on the road ahead - touch-sensitive keyless entry and the use of a solar power to supplement charging of the hybrid battery pack are among the standout innovations presented in the three-door 9-X BioHybrid Concept as it makes its world debut at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show. Read More

Audi's diesel sportscar: new TT Coupe and Roadster debut at Geneva

By Kyle Sherer

16:54 March 2, 2008 PST

March 3, 2008 The terms "sportscar" and "diesel engine" don't exactly go hand in hand, but Audi has brought the two together by adopting a diesel powerplant for its latest TT Coupe and Roadster models which will debut at the Geneva Motor Show. The 140mph TT 2.0 TDI quattro has a 50mpg-plus fuel economy, is EU5 compliant, and shows a 23% reduction in CO2 output compared to the pertrol equivalent. The six-speed Coupe achives 0-62mph in 7.5 seconds, with a top speed of 140mph while the Roadster can go from 0-62km in 7.7 seconds, with a top speed of 138mph. The cars on show in Geneva are "production ready" with first deliveries expected in summer 2008. Read More

Preview pictures of Mitsubishi Prototpe-S

By Noel McKeegan

18:42 February 29, 2008 PST

March 1, 2008 With the 2008 Geneva International Motor Show almost upon us, Mitsubishi has released images of its Prototype-S sports hatchback concept. Read More

Cars from The Sopranos up for auction

By Noel McKeegan

00:18 February 29, 2008 PST

February 29, 2008 It's not exactly an example of emerging technology, but our interest in collector cars combined with a slight obsession with the Soprano's has prompted us to bring you this piece of news. A total of eight Cars and SUVs from the popular TV series are set to go under the hammer in March including Tony Soprano’s 2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV. Read More

Coca-Cola Enterprises orders 120 hybrid trucks from Eaton

By Kyle Sherer

23:29 February 28, 2008 PST

February 29, 2008 Coca-Cola Enterprises will purchase 120 Eaton diesel-electric hybrid trucks this year – the largest single order placed to the Cleveland-based firm. CCE bought 20 trucks last year, when the program was in a test phase, and found they reduced emissions by 32%, and reduced fuel consumption by 37%.

The Eaton Hybrid trucks use both a diesel engine and an electric motor to power the vehicle. According to the Eaton website, this configuration can slash emissions by up to 70%, and reduce fuel consumption by up to 60%. Read More

Zero Pollution compressed Air Car set for U.S. launch in 2010

By Loz Blain

15:03 February 28, 2008 PST

The Zero-Pollution MDI Air Car, invented in France and licensed by Tata Motors in India, is coming to American shores. Zero Pollution Motors have announced they will begin taking reservations for the first U.S. deliveries in the next couple of months, but it will be 2010 before Americans get their first taste of the ingenious compressed-air motor, which runs to 35mph entirely on air, or uses a trickle of petrol to heat and compress more air to reach higher speeds up to 90mph. It'll cost next to nothing to run (how do 30,000km service intervals sound?), have a range of up to 1000 miles, and retail for well under US$20,000. Read More

250mph Koenigsegg Edition set for world premiere

By Noel McKeegan

18:51 February 27, 2008 PST

February 28, 2008 Swedish supercar manufacturer Koenigsegg will debut its latest gob-smacking creation at the upcoming Geneva International Motor Show - the Koenigsegg Edition. Featuring a striking black clear carbon body, red leather interior and new forged, machined and polished aluminum wheels, the Edition will be available in two versions - the 4.8 litre 888bhp CCX Edition and the CCXR Edition, a biofuel burning variant that achieves 1018 bhp at 7000rpm when run on E85 fuel, making 0-62 mph (0-100 kmh) in under 3 seconds and reaching a top Speed of 254+ mph (410+ kmh) along the way. Those in the market will have to dig deep and act fast to get behind the wheel of the Edition - pricing for the CCXR version is listed at 1.5 million Euros and according to Koenigsegg "only a very few models will be produced". Read More

Legendary Caterham road/race car now making twice the Bugatti Veyron's power to weight figure

By Loz Blain

22:30 February 26, 2008 PST

February 27, 2008 When Jeremy Clarkson declares a car "without any doubt, the ultimate driving machine," and when that same car has a 30-year history of being banned from racing against the most expensive supercars because it routinely thrashes the pants off just about anything around a racetrack, you might suspect that car's got something going for it. So when a special edition is released with an all-new super-lightweight 500hp motor in a package that delivers more than twice the power-to-weight ratio of a Bugatti Veyron, for around a tenth of the price, it must rate as a significant moment in motoring history. Making around 1 horsepower per kilogram, rocketing to 60mph in less than 3 seconds, and yours for only UK£115,000, it's the RS Performance Caterham Levante. Read More

Maserati Gran Turismo S debut

By Noel McKeegan

22:20 February 26, 2008 PST

February 27, 2008 Following on from last year's world premiere of the GranTurismo, Maserati is set to return to the Geneva Motor Show with another sleek Pininfarina designed coupe in tow - the 440 hp V8 GranTurismo S. Read More

Mercedes-Benz bionic car: automotive design meets modern art

By Noel McKeegan

23:55 February 24, 2008 PST

February 25, 2008 One of the stand-out automotive design concepts from back in 2005 has re-emerged in the guise of modern art. With a highly-aerodynamic design based on what at first seems an unlikely candidate - the tropical sea-dwelling boxfish - the Mercedes-Benz bionic concept car is appearing as part of the "Design and the Elastic Mind" exhibition at New York's Museum of Modern Art. Read More