Gizmag: Automotive

Boxster Spyder - 166mph Porsche roadster to debut in LA

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:44:37 +1100

Porsche will roll out a new incarnation of the Boxter Spyder at the Los Angeles auto show next month. The flagship mid-engined model is the lightest sporstcar in the company's range at 1,275kg and more powerful than the Boxster S, topping 235kW from its direct-injection 3.4-liter flat six-cylinder powerplant. All this adds up a hair-piece destroying top speed of 166mph (267kmh) with the roof open, making it Porsche's fastest Roadster...

Tags: LA Auto Show, Porsche, Roadster, Spyder

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Ford introduces inflatable seat belts

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:03:44 +1100

Most seat belts are designed to stretch during a crash to reduce the force of impact on the wearer while still preventing contact with the interior of the vehicle. Ford has gone one step further with plans to introduce inflatable seat belts designed to reduce the pressure on the chest and help control head and neck motion in rear seat passengers, spreading the crash force across five times more of the occupant’s torso than conventional seat belts...

Tags: Airbag, Crash, Ford, Impact, Inflatable, Safety, Vehicle

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Boat tail reduces truck fuel consumption by 7.5 percent

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:57:39 +1100

European tests have shown that a boat tail – a tapering protrusion mounted on the rear of a truck – leads to fuel savings of 7.5 percent. The fuel savings, which also means a cut in emissions, were realized by the boat tail dramatically reducing the drag caused by the lower-pressure effect that occurs in the wake of a vehicle...

Tags: Aerodynamic, Aerodynamics, Consumption, Emissions, Transport, Truck, Wind

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Subaru WRX STI TRAX hits the backcountry

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:57:00 +1100

We've seen this approach to Arctic off-roading at a concept level, but this snow-eating Subaru WRX STI is most definitely for real. The 400bhp TRAX was built by Subaru Rally Team USA's technical partner, Vermont SportsCar from a rally-prepared 2009 WRX ST. EXE-TC Group N competition rally dampers were added, the drivetrain lowered three inches and the wheels tossed in favor of a Mattracks rubber track system...

Tags: Concept, Off-road, Snowboard, Subaru

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599 Ferrari fetches $2 million - despite cracked paintwork

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:01:32 +1100

A buyer has paid US$2 million at a charity auction for a unique Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano painted by leading Chinese artist, Lu Hao. The Ferrari supercar is decorated with Song Dynasty Ge Kiln “cracked” glaze pattern. ..

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Ferrari theme park on track for 2010

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:21:22 +1100

Supercar aficionados will undoubtedly be salivating at the thought of a visit to Ferrari’s Theme Park. Now set to open in 2010 it will be home to a range of multi-sensory experiences ranging from rollercoasters to displays and driving experiences...

Tags: Ferrari, Racing, Simulator, Supercar

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Axon Automotive shows off lightweight plug-in hybrid

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:42:00 +1100

UK car manufacturer Axon Automotive has used the Milton Keynes Science Festival to preview its plug-in hybrid lightweight passenger car. The car combines carbon fiber composite construction with a full electric mode for short-run local travel and a petrol or bioethanol-powered engine for longer distances or highway travel. ..

Tags: Carbon fiber, Electric, Electric vehicle, Hybrid, Plug-in, Recycled

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EV record: Tesla Roadster travels 313 miles on a single charge

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:58:57 +1100

The Tesla Roadster has set a new distance record for a production electric vehicle by traveling 313 miles (501km) on a single charge. The milestone took place during the 2009 Global Green Challenge in Australia where eco-friendly vehicles have been battling it out over a formidable 1800 mile course. The distance achieved is well above the 244 mile range Tesla quotes in its specs... and on top of that, the electric sportscar reportedly had 3 miles worth of charge left in its batteries when it finished the record breaking run...

Tags: Battery Electric Vehicle, Electric vehicle, global green challenge, Roadster, Tesla

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California gets world first 'green' heavy duty truck - the zero emission Tyrano

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:38:37 +1100

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has introduced Vision Industries’ Tyrano semi truck – a hydrogen-powered zero emissions vehicle designed to replace diesel and LNG short haul trucks in California. Vision says the Tyrano is the world’s first “green” heavy duty class 8 truck with zero emissions (zero CO2, zero fossil fuels, zero noise pollution and a zero carbon footprint). What’s more, the company claims the Tyrano is twice as powerful as a conventional diesel-powered vehicle. ..

Tags: California, Greenhouse gas emissions, Hydrogen, Hydrogen-powered, Schwarzenegger, Truck, Vehicle

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The Lexus LFA supercar – the long awaited production version arrives

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:29:11 +1100

It’s been a long time coming. The Lexus LFA that first appeared as a concept car at the 2005 Detroit Auto Show is finally production ready. Lexus made the announcement at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show where a prototype of the production car was on display along with a full-scale see through model in the company's “art gallery” - and the stunning 202mph V10 supercar is indeed worthy of a place in an art gallery, although keen collectors will still have to endure a bit more of a wait since the car isn’t expected to reach garages until early 2011, with only 500 units being produced...

Tags: Automotive, Carbon fiber, Cars, Coupe, Lexus, Supercar, Tokyo Motor Show, Tokyo Motor Show 2009, Vehicle

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Inside the box: Daihatsu Concepts at the Tokyo Motor Show

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:37:24 +1000

Daihatsu's stand at the opening day of the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show featured six mini concept cars focused very much on practicality in an urban environment. Somewhat strangely, the company's concepts stood out because, unlike many other vehicles on the showfloor, none of the cars are electric or electric gasoline hybrid. Daihatsu has instead tried to refine existing technology both in lightweight manufacturing and engine efficiency to improve on fuel economy, but that's not to say the company isn't aiming for a zero-local emissions future - this is only the first step in its road map for powertrains that will culminate in a switch to a fuel cell based system...

Tags: Caravan, Cargo, Concept, Concept Cars, Fuel Cell, Fuel efficiency, Hydrogen

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Video: Suzuki fuel cell vehicles at the Tokyo Motor Show

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:16:17 +1000

Suzuki’s carbon free mobility effort at the Tokyo Motor Show used three existing models to demonstrate the benefits of its growing hydrogen fuel cell expertise: the SX4 fuel cell car, a two-wheeler based on the existing Burgman 125 feet-forward enclosed scooter, and the fuel cell powered Mio Electric Wheelchair. Although Suzuki also showed a plug-in hybrid version of the Swift, another existing car being adapted to a future power train, the company is clearly staking a claim in the Fuel Cell technology arena. Check out the video to see what Suzuki has planned for our garages in the coming years...

Tags: Fuel Cell, Hydrogen, Mobility, Scooter, Suzuki, Tokyo Motor Show, Tokyo Motor Show 2009, Vehicle, Vehicles, Wheelchair

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Promising tests for MotionPower system to generate electricity from traffic

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:22:00 +1000

Apparently, the ongoing testing of the MotionPower system for generating electricity from the movement of cars and light trucks - as reported here previously - is paying dividends. New Energy, the company developing the technology, reports it can produce a 25-fold increase in the system’s capacity to capture kinetic energy from moving vehicles, bringing the commercialization of the MotionPower system another step closer to reality...

Tags: Cars, Electricity, Energy, Kinetic energy, motion, Motionpower, Prototype, Testing, Traffic, Vehicle, Vehicles

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Putting the brakes on running red lights - Mercedes Benz 'Smart Stop' technology

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:16:14 +1000

Taking driver-assist technology to the next level is the “Smart Stop” system currently in development by Mercedes Benz. The wireless safety system, which allows intersections to communicate with vehicles, would automatically cause a car to stop at a red light should a driver fail to heed it. ..

Tags: Cars, Infrastructure, Mercedes, Research, Road, Road Safety, Safety, Smart, Traffic, Wireless

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eWolf unveils the e-2: a battery-powered car with attitude

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:19:12 +1000

With electric powered vehicle development picking up pace in a big way, German based company e-Wolf is looking to take things one step further after unveiling its “e-2” EV prototype. Boasting an expected acceleration of 0-60mph in under four seconds, e-Wolf is set to deliver an Italian-inspired electric “supercar” that puts the mean in green. ..

Tags: Battery, Car, Cells, Electric, Electric vehicle, eWolf, Frankfurt Motor Show, green, Power, Prototype, Recharge, Supercar, Supercars, Vehicle, Vehicles

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EVs to get improved mileage from redox flow batteries

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:41:25 +1000

German researchers say a new type of electric vehicle battery that runs on electrolyte fluid can be recharged as easily as refilling a petrol tank. When the redox flow rechargeable batteries are low, the discharged electrolyte fluid can simply be exchanged at the gas station for recharged fluid...

Tags: Batteries, Cars, Electric, Electrolyte, Fluid, Fraunhofer, rechargeable batteries, Redox

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West Philly Hybrid X high school team in race for Auto X Prize

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:04:35 +1000

The Automotive X Prize is a competition aiming to “inspire a new generation of viable, super – efficient vehicles that help break our addiction to oil and stem the effects of climate change”. With a $10 million prize pot and over 100 teams from 12 countries contributing entries, an unlikely contender has emerged in the form of West Philadelphia High School’s Hybrid X Team, which is applying its experience and knowledge to two entries including the Factory Five GT based EVX GT sports car. ..

Tags: alternative, Auto X Prize, Automotive, Biodiesel, Car, Competition, Emissions, Engine, Ford, green, Hybrid, Motor, Vehicle

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Like a fish out of water - Nissan unveil EPORO robot car concept

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:13:12 +1000

Taking its cue from under the sea, Nissan has revealed the latest offering in its ongoing Safety Shield line of research and development, aimed at making our roads and vehicles safer and smarter. Programmed to think and move like a school of fish, Nissan’s EPORO robot car prototypes move in unison as a group while communicating to avoid collision. ..

Tags: Concept Cars, Eporo, Fish, Nissan, Prototype, Research, Robot, Safety, School, Smart, Traffic, Vehicle

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Nissan to show half-width 'Land Glider' tilting electric vehicle at Tokyo Motor Show

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:25:21 +1000

The term convergence normally refers to the merging of consumer electronics, entertainment and media, but if recent trends are anything to go by, it could equally apply to the melding of the car and the motorcycle. BMW’s enclosed C3 motorcycle is now emerging as a road safety pin-up vehicle and at the Frankfurt Motor Show last month both Volkswagen and Renault exhibited tandem half-width cars that looked for all the world like four-wheeled motorcycles. Now comes news that Nissan is to unveil an electric tandem four-wheeled “Land Glider” concept at Tokyo Motor Show, and the wording of the press statements looks like Nissan is very confident the vehicle will reach showrooms...

Tags: Battery Electric Vehicles, Frankfurt Motor Show, iaa 2009, Land Glider, Lithium-ion, Motorcycle, Nissan, Renault, Tokyo Motor Show, Tokyo Motor Show 2009, Volkswagen

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MAX: An almost Lotus that runs on vegetable oil

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:05:21 +1000

Even before entering the Progressive Automotive X-Prize competition, Jack McCornack had started to pull together all the things needed to knock out a sporty two-seater car capable of achieving 100 miles per gallon. Fueled by the desire to make his creation a template for others to repeat and determined to bring it together within a strict budget, the race was on to bring MAX into the world - a Lotus Seven replica which just happens to run on vegetable oil. Paul Ridden traces the history of this fascinating project...

Tags: Automotive, Biodiesel, Design, Diesel, Fuel efficiency, Lotus, Sports, Vegetable oil, X-Prize

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Toyota to show very futuristic FT-EV compact concept

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:41:12 +1000

Toyota is set to show a new compact four-seat electric vehicle concept at the Tokyo Motor Show which is even smaller than the iQ. The FT-EV II is designed primarily for urban driving with drive-by-wire technology controlled by a joystick which incorporates the accelerator, brakes and steering to free up legroom in the space currently used by those components. This is a very futuristic vehicle with a second windscreen below dashboard level, and see through tailights for greater rearward visibility...

Tags: Electric vehicle, Environmental, Ft-ev, Futuristic, Tokyo Motor Show, Tokyo Motor Show 2009, Toyota, Transport

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Test drive: the all-electric Tesla Roadster

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:55:43 +1000

While the big news recently from Tesla has been its Model S vehicle, U.S. government loans to the company, and a plan for using the Model S platform for several new products including a minivan, crossover vehicle, and a utility van, we decided it was worth a closer look at the Tesla vehicle that you can buy now. Dave Weinstein climbs aboard the Roadster for a test drive...

Tags: Battery Electric Vehicle, Battery Electric Vehicles, Electric vehicle, Lotus, Roadster, Tesla

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Mechanical bolt-on KERS hybrid for buses offers 30% fuel saving

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 20:05:57 +1000

It seems that the lessons learned in developing a mechanical KERS system for F1 may yet hold the key to a low-cost, high-efficiency hybrid system particularly suited for the stop-start patterns of buses, which are quite similar to the distances between capturing and delivering energy of those of a race car. Torotrak will deliver a paper at the SAE Commercial Vehicle Congress in Illinois next week showing how flywheel KERS for buses can offer more than 30 percent fuel saving over the London bus test cycle, yet package around an existing transmission...

Tags: Automotive, CVT, F1, KERS, Kinetic energy, Mechanical, Recovery, Torotrak, Transmission

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Drawing power from the road

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:59:11 +1000

It’s starting to look like roads will become much more than simple thoroughfares made of concrete and asphalt in the not too distant future. As we’ve seen, work is already underway to embed them with solar panels and piezoelectric generators to generate electricity. Now engineering company Ingenieurgesellschaft Auto und Verkehr (IAV) is looking to embed them with electrical conductors that would “refuel” the electric cars of the future while they are driving or parked...

Tags: Cars, Charging, Contactless, Electric, Electric vehicle, Electricity, Electromagnetic, Fuel, Induction, Road, Technology

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Volvo Trucks tackling the problem of roadside pirates

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 10:54:26 +1000

Being a long-haul truck driver is by no means the safest job in the world, but it could be a lot more dangerous than most of us think. Figures released by the commercial drivers’ International Road Transport Union, the IRU, show that 17 percent of Europe’s long-haul truck drivers are victims of robbery during work-hours at some time over a five-year period. And thefts from long-haul trucks total in the region of EUR€8.2 billion (US$12 billion approx.) – every year. New initiatives by Volvo Trucks and the EU are being undertaken to improve driver safety and prevent these thefts. One particular anti-theft device in development is a lockable fifth wheel that can be remotely controlled, thus preventing the trailer from being separated from the truck and disappearing...

Tags: Driver, Europe, Long-haul, Safety, Security, Thefts, Truck, Vehicle, Volvo

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