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Automotive
Nissan GT-R takes new Nurburgring Record
By Mike Hanlon
22:21 April 15, 2009 PDT
We recently wrote up the Nissan GT-R Spec V with its lofty price tag, but proof it is good enough in lesser trim is the news it has set another lap record at the famous Nurburgring Nordschleife in Germany. Nurburgring was nicknamed The Green Hell by Jackie Stewart, and is widely considered the toughest and most demanding purpose-built race track in the world. A Japanese specification GT-R, running on Dunlop tyres with RAYS forged alloy wheels (V-spec equipment) recorded a blistering 7min 27.56 secs yesterday. Only eight cars have ever gone faster, and they all cost a lot more than a GT-R, though the Radical SR8 is probably the best on a bang-per-buck basis. Read More
First shots: BMW's 400 kW 6.0-litre all-aluminium V12 engine with TwinPower Turbo Technology
By Mike Hanlon
15:37 April 15, 2009 PDT
BMW's new 7 series is presently arriving in showrooms around the world, so BMW has digitally unveiled the new range-topping 760Li to create extra interest. Due for showrooms in the final quarter of 2009, the BMW 760Li will be powered by a completely new 400 kW 6.0-litre all-aluminium V12 engine with TwinPower Turbo Technology, High Precision Injection with fuel injected directly into the combustion chambers, and BMW’s infinite double-VANOS camshaft adjustment all running through an eight-speed automatic transmission. There are some exceptional shots of the new engine in the image gallery and needless to say, we can't wait to see what it can do when it gets an M badge. Read More
Aston Martin Rapide: four-door sports car
By Mike Hanlon
20:22 April 14, 2009 PDT
April 15, 2009. The Aston Martin Rapide (first pic at top) has moved into the final stages of its development programme, on course for a public debut in late 2009, with the first customer cars due to be delivered in early 2010. First revealed as the Aston Martin Rapide Concept at the Detroit Auto Show in 2006 (pic at bottom), the Rapide is Aston Martin's first true four-door production sports car. The Rapide encapsulates the core values of the brand within an elegant, high-powered sports grand tourer, with four full-sized seats, generous accommodation and luggage space and trademark Aston Martin performance. Powered by a version of Aston Martin's 6.0 litre V12 engine producing 470bhp and 600Nm of torque and, hand built at the company's engine facility in Cologne, the Rapide's rear wheels are driven through a highly responsive Touchtronic gearbox. Read More
45th anniversary of the Ford Mustang
By David Greig
20:43 April 12, 2009 PDT
On April 17, 2009, Ford and the Mustang Club of America will commemorate the 45th anniversary of the legendary Ford Mustang with a four-day celebration in Birmingham, Alabama. Based originally on the Ford Falcon, the brand has gone through many changes over its 45 year history, but still retains the essence of the breed. Ford released the first Mustang in 1964 (dubbed Mustang 1964½ because it came out at the unusual half way point of the year) and since then it has become one of the most iconic muscle cars in American automotive history, selling 9 million units along the way. Read More
Working prototype generates electricity from moving vehicles
By Darren Quick
17:05 April 12, 2009 PDT
The United States has about 250 million registered vehicles, which adds up to a lot of pollution and burning of fossil fuels. New Energy Technologies, Inc. prefers to look at it another way, however – they see those 250 million vehicles as a potential energy source and have developed a prototype engineered to harness some of the kinetic energy being generated, and wasted, by moving cars and light vehicles. Read More
Citroen tests the world’s first hybrid WRC rally car
By Mike Hanlon
03:25 April 10, 2009 PDT
Citroen Racing has started testing its Citroen C4 Hybrid World Rally Car, proving that its technological showcase is much more than just a motor show model and that it is paving the way for low consumption, low emission, low noise motor sport cars of the future. Just hours after winning its fourth World Rally Championship event of the season, Citroen driver Dani Sordo took the new car testing in Portugal. Read More
World's top 5 fastest street legal electric cars
By Paul Evans
02:40 April 10, 2009 PDT
Cars like the million dollar Porsche Carrera GT and Ferrari Enzo are rightly considered supercars with their lightweight carbon fiber construction and 650 hp (477 kw) thoroughbred mid mounted engines making them capable of 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds. The amazing thing is that electric vehicles like the 250 hp (183 kw) Tesla Roadster, which produce 100% instant torque from zero rpm, can accelerate to 60 mph in the exact same time, and at costs as low as $0.02 per mile. Paul Evans takes a look at the leading lights of this new breed of speed demon - the top 5 fastest Electric Vehicles in the world. Read More
Ford explores the future of the family car - the Transit Connect Family One concept
By Jude Garvey
01:03 April 9, 2009 PDT
As part of the lead up to the release of the Transit Connect utility vehicle this year Ford has unveiled the Family One Concept. Packed with added extras that will appeal to the whole clan, the Concept showcases the versatility of the platform and explores what's possible in designing a car specifically for one purpose. Innovations include digital entertainment screens, in-dash technology that is programmed with all the family's requirements and even sunscreen and hand sanitizer dispensers. Kids are sure to love the door-mounted scooters and the walkie-talkie radios while Moms are catered for by the inclusion of a stroller stored under the floor, in-built rear awning and an integrated first aid kit. Read More
Raser to unveil 100 mpg SUV at SAE World Congress in Detroit
By Mike Hanlon
17:07 April 8, 2009 PDT
April 9, 2009 Raser Technologies will unveil a 100+ mpg SUV at the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress later this month. The vehicle will be powered by Raser’s E-REV powertrain and was developed in conjunction with Raser’s integration partner, FEV and an as-yet-unnamed global automaker. The full-size SUV is a four-wheel drive Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV) designed to achieve over 100 mpg in typical local daily driving with near zero emissions by driving up to 40 miles per day in all-electric mode. Read More
What Diesel Car of the Year Awards 2009
By Mike Hanlon
00:59 April 8, 2009 PDT
The UK's What Diesel magazine is celebrating its 21st year of publication and focuses on one of the few growth areas of the automotive market – the diesel world. Each year its writers and readers vote to award the best diesel car in each category and this year the Car of the Year honour has gone to Ford's new “world car” the Ford Fiesta. Jaguar scored the best executive diesel and second overall with the XF, Volkswagen got three awards (Medium car, coupe and the green award), Citroën grabbed two gongs with the C3 Picasso (best MPV) and C5 Tourer (Best Estate Car) and the Land Rover Freelander 2 won the 4x4 class for the third year running. Read More
Formula One Double Deck Diffuser explained
By Paul Evans
06:59 April 7, 2009 PDT
Only two rounds into the 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship and the largest number of rule changes in the history of the sport have well and truly reshuffled the deck. We took a close look at the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) before the opening round got underway in Melbourne, Australia, but it turns out the biggest news in Formula One at the start of the season is the rear diffusers being used by the Brawn, Toyota and Williams teams. The diffusers in question were cleared by the FIA as long ago as January but the matter will again be considered by the FIA's International Court of Appeal on April 14. Paul Evans investigates. Read More
The new E 63 AMG sports saloon
By David Greig
06:51 April 6, 2009 PDT
AMG, the high performance brand within Mercedes Benz, has just launched the new E63 AMG sports saloon. The 6208 cc fast-revving, naturally aspirated power plant delivers a sizzling output of 525hp and torque of 630Nm, reaching 0-62 mph in 4.5 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. The E63 AMG further distinguishes itself from the regular E-class with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7-speed sports transmission featured recently on the SL 63 AMG high-performance Roadster. Also featured is the newly developed AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension with electronically controlled damping, a new front axle and a reduction in fuel consumption of 12 percent. Read More
Closer look: the Tesla Model S
By Paul Evans
01:31 April 3, 2009 PDT
There is much excitement and publicity surrounding the launch of the long awaited all electric sedan from Tesla Motors and more details have emerged since the Tesla Model S was unveiled. The specs that have officially been announced are not yet substantial enough for a full technical review at this stage, but we do know that the EV sedan has a top speed of 130 mph, is capable of 0-60 in 5.6 seconds, charges in 45 minutes and has a 160 mile (256 km) range with the standard battery option. According to the company's website we can expect to see an AWD option somewhere in the future and although it's not not officially stated, according to reporters at the the unveiling who were able to question Tesla engineers the Model S will be rear wheel drive (RWD) in its standard configuration. Gizmag's Paul Evans takes a closer look at what we know, and what questions remain unanswered. Read More
The Virgin Brawn GP team's spectacular first up effort
By Mike Hanlon
16:03 March 31, 2009 PDT
The feats of Brawn GP at Albert Park in the team's inaugural race at the first round of World Formula One Championship on March 29, 2009 will surely go down in the pantheon of spectacularly successful first-up sporting efforts. A month ago they were all unemployed, but in just 28 days they put two cars on the track, tested them over a normally-inadequate 2000 km and qualified them 1-2 for the first race, at the same time announcing a heavyweight backer in the form of Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and involvement with a new Virgin Fuel, reportedly a clean-burning petroleum replacement. Next day, success fueled more success with a 1-2 finish for the team, and engine supplier Mercedes. Mastermind Ross Brawn was in tears after the race, as no doubt were Honda. Read More
Mazda begins commercial leasing of Premacy RE hybrid rotary hydrogen vehicle
By Darren Quick
21:36 March 29, 2009 PDT
Mazda is providing another green option in Japan by commencing commercial leasing of their Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid, a hydrogen hybrid vehicle that combines Mazda’s hydrogen rotary engine with an electric motor. The Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid improves on the RX-8 Hydrogen RE – the first model to be commercialized - with the hydrogen fuel range of the doubled to 200 kilometers and the maximum output increased by approximately 40 percent to 110 kilowatts. Read More
Solar car travels more than 12,500 miles to break world distance record
By Paul Evans
17:36 March 29, 2009 PDT
A Solar car called Power Of One (Xof1) claimed a new unofficial world distance record for a solar powered car when it arrived in Los Angeles on March 6th having driven over 12,5000 miles (20,000 km) using only sunshine as fuel. Read More
Predictive Cruise Control unveiled for trucks
By Mike Hanlon
19:41 March 26, 2009 PDT
March 27, 2009 Daimler Trucks North America showcased an innovative "Predictive Cruise Control (PCC)" system in the "Freightliner New Innovation Truck" study at the Mid-America Trucking Show last week. The PCC assistance system uses map and satellite-based route previews and saves substantial amounts of fuel. Unlike a conventional cruise control system that tries to maintain a preset speed, regardless of how the terrain changes, the PCC system looks for its route a mile in advance and adjusts engine output to the uphill and downhill gradients ahead. Based on this information, the on-board computer calculates the optimum speed to use the momentum of the truck to maximize fuel economy. Read More
Tesla Model S unveiled!
17:12 March 26, 2009 PDT
Tesla has just pulled the wraps off its eagerly awaited EV sedan - the Model S - and on first impressions, it doesn't disappoint. Gizmag's Dave Weinstein has brought us these first pics from the coal-face. Read More
Formula One KERS explained
By Paul Evans
01:33 March 26, 2009 PDT
The 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship starts this weekend with round one in Australia where we are about to witness the biggest number of rule changes in the history the sport. The front and rear wings have been significantly changed in size and height to reduce the aerodynamic effect on cars following each other. Many of the aerodynamic 'extras' added by teams last season around the side pods will be banned and after 11 years of grooved tires slicks will make a return. The aerodynamic changes include a first in F1, driver adjustable front wing flaps, but the rule changes we're most interested in are those concerning the introduction of the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) that will eventually make every future Formula One race car a hybrid. Read More
Back to the Future: Mercedes-Benz F-CELL Roadster
By Paul Evans
20:17 March 25, 2009 PDT
Mercedes Benz has released pictures of an intriguing (if not practical) design study where century old tradition meets transport technologies of the future. The historical roots of the F-CELL Roadster are immediately recognizable in its large spoked wheels that hark back to the the first car developed by Karl Benz in 1886. Pair this with a modern-day hybrid drive system with a 1.2 kW (1.6 hp) electric motor powered by small fuel cell and you have one very modern roadster in a classic quadricycle package. Read More
First pics of Hyundai's BLUE-WILL concept
18:40 March 25, 2009 PDT
Like all of the major international auto shows in recent times, Seoul 2009 looks set to be a showcase for low-emissions, eco-motoring technologies. Among them is Hyundai's new BLUE-WILL plug-in hybrid concept which features a 1.6-liter gasoline engine combined with a 100kw electric motor powered by Lithium-Ion batteries. The car's raised hatchback body design incorporates eco-friendly plastics along with integrated dye-sensitized solar panels in the roof to increase battery range. Read More
Mercedes Benz releases new truck navigation system
By David Greig
03:41 March 25, 2009 PDT
Mercedes Benz has just released its new truck navigation system available on the Atego, Axor and Actros models. The system has maps available for 26 European countries, with a choice of 15 European languages for voice instructions. It takes into account the specific requirements of commercial vehicles (e.g. by providing information on weight restrictions, limited overhead and width clearances, special routes into town centers, etc.) and provides guidance to drivers in unfamiliar surroundings via arrow navigation on the instrument cluster and via arrow and/or map navigation on the 6.5" monitor. The dynamic route guidance courtesy of TMC (the Traffic Message Channel) enables traffic jams and problems to be bypassed, thereby potentially saving time. Read More
The Tata Nano goes on sale
By David Greig
18:01 March 24, 2009 PDT
The Tata Nano has arrived. The world's cheapest new car at around USD$2500 was first announced in January last year and is now available for sale... but you may have to join the queue. The car is currently being manufactured in limited numbers at the company's Pantnagar plant in Uttarakhand while a new dedicated plant in Gujarat with an annualized capacity of 350,000 cars will not come online until 2010. In the meantime, the first 100,000 cars will be allocated at random to those who've put down a deposit. Read More
Rolls Royce RR4: further details emerge
23:32 March 23, 2009 PDT
As promised last year when Rolls Royce revealed the first sketches of its planned new model - the RR4 - more details are beginning to trickle through about the exact make-up of this new luxury road-liner. There aren't many numbers in the latest release, the most notable being 500, namely 500bhp, this courtesy of a new 6.6 litre turbo charged V12 engine and a new 8-speed gearbox. Read More
The BMW ALPINA D3 Bi-Turbo - 450Nm of torque and 52 mpg
By Mike Hanlon
00:43 March 23, 2009 PDT
March 23, 2009 450 Nm ( 332 lbs-ft) of torque was once considered V8 territory, which just goes to show how times change. The BMW ALPINA D3 makes 450 Nm from a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-charged diesel engine. The D supposedly stands for diesel, but could equally stand for Drehmoment, German for torque – just off idle, at 1500 rpm, the little monster is already producing an impressive 400 Nm of torque thanks to the smaller of its twin turbos already bringing serious induction pressure to bear, and while the car is capable of 152 mph and 0-100 km/h in 6.9 secs, the official fuel consumption and emission figures tell a very different story: 52.3 mpg (overall EU) and 143 g/km (manual gearbox version). Read More
windykites1
- November 24, 2009 @ 19:38 UTC
