Automotive

Britain's Lightning GT electric supercar

By Loz Blain

21:28 March 26, 2008 PDT

March 27, 2008 It seems a transatlantic battle is brewing in the high-performance electric sportscar market. As America's Tesla moves into the production phase with its 130+mph Roadster, Britain's Lightning GT is hot on its heels, with prototypes expected to hit the road later this year. The Lightning's power figures are very impressive - 700 horsepower, and 4 second 0-60mph times to almost rival the Tesla's 3.7 seconds. But it's the GT's revolutionary battery technology that might give it the upper hand: Nanosafe's Li-ion cells using nano titanate structures instead of traditional graphite give the GT an incredible 250-mile range, a full recharge time of only 10 minutes, and a life expectancy of 12 to 20 years, or 15,000 charge cycles before the battery performance drops significantly. Read More

The self-inflating tire

By Noel McKeegan

23:16 March 24, 2008 PDT

March 25, 2008 How often do you check your tire pressure? For most of us the answer is "not often enough". Gradual tire deflation over time is a key factor in relation to on-road safety and reduced fuel economy, not to mention the expensive exercise of replacing tires that wear out before the end of their expected life-span. The solution from Czech Republic based CODA DEVELOPMENT s.r.o. is to take the human out of the equation entirely with an integrated system that inflates itself using atmospheric air as you drive. Read More

Prototype completed for new ZAP electric truck

By Noel McKeegan

20:26 March 24, 2008 PDT

March 25, 2008 In the latest news from electric vehicle specialists ZAP, a running prototype has been completed for the low-speed, 770 pound payload ZAP XL Truck ahead of expected delivery of the vehicle in Q3 2008. Reservations are also now being accepted for the much anticipated, 100mph, 3-wheeled Alias highway electric car which is expected to hit the market next year at a cost of USD$32,500. Read More

Scion's Hako Coupe concept: 'the sporty version of a box.'

By Loz Blain

21:08 March 19, 2008 PDT

March 20, 2008 "Scion's Hako Coupe Concept embodies a distinct global perspective on today's youth," said Jack Hollis, Scion vice president. "This type of forward thinking complements the Scion philosophy of intently listening to our customers and being willing to take risks to help us see where our brand should be. We took the xB's iconic boxy shape and explored something more vivacious, yet just as emotionally appealing. This concept is the sporty version of a box." 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

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

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

Nestt: a car seat designed for the 21st century

By Jude Garvey

17:24 March 5, 2008 PST

March 6, 2008 Innovative industrial design company think/thing has designed a car seat which is not only functional but also ticks all the boxes in terms of beauty and design. The colorful egg-shaped Nestt is a safe and easy-to-use car seat for your baby or toddler. Made from a closed cell polymer material that's easy to clean, breathable and soft due to the incorporated air-pockets, the unique shock absorbent design provides side impact protection and features a cast-metal base which snaps into the car’s latch system and allows you to swivel the seat with one hand and rotate it towards the car door. If you’ve ever tried to put a squirming child into a car seat you will immediately see the benefits of being able to swivel them towards you to secure or release them. 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

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

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

Mazda Advanced Safety Vehicle 4 to begin public road trials

By Noel McKeegan

16:33 February 22, 2008 PST

February 23, 2008 Mazda has announced it will put new vehicle-to-vehicle safety technology to the test in the Hiroshima area from March 11 as part of the fourth phase of its Advanced Safety Vehicle project. Read More

Fiat unveils a juiced-up 135hp Abarth performance version of its 500 towncar

By Loz Blain

22:19 February 20, 2008 PST

February 21, 2008 51 years ago, the Fiat 500 was first launched. A rear-engined mimic of the hugely popular Volkswagen Beetle, the 500 was one of a small stable of cars designed to be perfect for city driving. Small, economical, practical, fun and manoeverable, it struck a chord with European drivers, selling nearly 4 million units and surviving until 1977 when it was replaced by the far less popular Fiat 126. Read More

Rolls-Royce to unveil Phantom Coupé

By Noel McKeegan

00:14 February 20, 2008 PST

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will unveil its new Phantom Coupé at the Geneva Motor Show next month. Billed as the most driver-orientated model in the Phantom line, the car is powered 6.75-litre V12 that produces 453 bhp, 720 Nm of torque and achieves 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds. A 25 per cent increase in fuel capacity compared to the

Drophead Coupé plus improved fuel economy adds to its driving range. Access to the expansive rear lounge seats is enhanced by the use of rear-hinged coach doors and for the ultimate picnic, the rear compartment provides 395 liters of space (that's enough for four sets of golf clubs) with the tailgate doubling as a comfortable seating platform for two adults when lowered. Read More