Gizmag: Automotive

Smart braking system joins list of firsts for Mazda CX-5

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 23:01:26 -0600

The CX-5 Crossover SUV marks a few firsts for Mazda. It will be the company's first production vehicle sporting the new KODO - Soul of Motion design language seen originally in the Shinari concept vehicle, the first vehicle featuring Mazda's efficiency-boosting Skyactiv technology, and the first to feature Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - a system designed to avoid or reduce the damage from low speed collisions... Continue Reading Smart braking system joins list of firsts for Mazda CX-5

Section: Automotive

Tags: Braking, Collision, Crossover, Mazda, Safety, Skyactiv, SUV

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2013 Ford Shelby GT500 convertible debuts in Chicago

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 19:19:22 -0600

It was at the 1992 Chicago Auto Show that Ford's high performance arm, the Special Vehicle Team (SVT), entered the automotive scene with the debut of the 1993 SVT Mustang Cobra and SVT F-150 Lightning. In the 20 years since, more than seven different SVT vehicles have been produced around the attributes of "Performance, Substance, Exclusivity and Value." To mark the 20th anniversary of SVT, the company has decided to let its top down by debuting the new 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 convertible at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. The topless version packs the same 650 horsepower powerplant as the hardtop model that debuted in L.A. late last year... Continue Reading 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 convertible debuts in Chicago

Section: Automotive

Tags: Chicago Auto Show 2012, Convertible, Ford, Mustang, Shelby

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Bertone Nuccio concept car to reinterpret iconic HF Zero

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 16:45:40 -0600

Italian auto design house Bertone will introduce a new concept car at the Geneva Motor Show. Named Nuccio after Nuccio Bertone, the long-time chief of the company who passed away in 1997, the car will not only honor Nuccio, but it will also pay homage to Bertone's design heritage in recognition of its 100th anniversary. Judging by the teaser sketches that have surfaced, the Nuccio looks to be a reinterpretation of classic wedge-shaped, mid-engined supercars from the 1970s best exemplified by the Lancia Stratos HF Zero ... and it could be one of the most interesting concept car debuts of the year. .. Continue Reading Bertone Nuccio concept car to reinterpret iconic HF Zero

Section: Automotive

Tags: Bertone, Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show 2012, Supercars

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Tesla unveils Model X crossover electric car

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:40:46 -0600

Tesla has unveiled its latest electric car, the Model X, at its California Design Studios. Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the prototype crossover vehicle on display was the company's most advanced to appear at a launch so is unlikely to differ significantly from the vehicle that will be put into production. The vehicle will be available in both rear- and four-wheel-drive versions. The latter packs two independent electric motors - one on the rear axle and the other in the "engine bay" - with a "Perfromance" all-wheel drive model able to accelerate from 0 - 60 mph (96.5 km/h) in under five seconds... Continue Reading Tesla unveils Model X crossover electric car

Section: Automotive

Tags: Battery Electric Vehicles, Crossover, Electric Vehicles, Tesla, Tesla Motors

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DoubleBack adds a sliding pod to VW's Transporter van

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:36:18 -0600

It was over thirty years ago that Volkswagen first started offering “pop tops” on its camper vans. In the years since, the soft-sided interior height-extenders have become a common sight on VW vans parked in campgrounds all over the world. Now, Welsh company Overlander Motorhomes is offering what it sees as the logical compliment to the pop top – it’s the DoubleBack, a sliding insulated pod that extends the interior length of Volkwagen’s T5 Transporter van... Continue Reading DoubleBack adds a sliding pod to VW's Transporter van

Section: Automotive

Tags: Campervan, Camping, Van, Volkswagen

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Kia presents the bulldog-like 4WD Track'ster concept

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:20:23 -0600

The Chicago Auto Show got underway on Wednesday, and Kia had one of the noteworthy debuts of day one. The company's Track'ster concept is essentially a race-inspired hot hatch version of its popular Soul. The car gets a potent powertrain and aggressive look. Kia is clearly empowered by its recent success. Once essentially the baby brother of Hyundai, a brand that itself has a historical reputation as a cheap, entry-level automaker, Kia is really starting to come into its own. According to the company's numbers, it launched more new models in the US between 2009 and 2010 than any other automaker and was one of the world's fastest growing auto brands... Continue Reading Kia presents the bulldog-like 4WD Track'ster concept

Section: Automotive

Tags: Car, Chicago Auto Show 2012, Concept, Kia, Performance

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Red Bull unveils 2012 Formula One car

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:23:19 -0600

Current world F1 champion Red Bull Racing has unveiled the car with which it will defend the title in 2012 - the Renault-powered RB8. With No. 1 driver Sebastian Vettel looking for a hat-trick this year, Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey OBE is taking no chances with the design, which traces it roots back to the RB5 of 2009... Continue Reading Red Bull unveils 2012 Formula One car

Section: Automotive

Tags: F1, Mark Webber, Pirelli, Racing, Red Bull, Renault, Sebastian Vettel, Sebastian Vettel

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GM's Mokka compact SUV to hit showrooms this year

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:14:43 -0600

General Motors is joining the sub-compact SUV B-segment with an all new car - the Mokka. While it's to be shown as the Opel/Vauxhall Mokka Concept at the Geneva Show in March, GM has announced that it will be available before the end of this year with a pick of three engines and a host of new technologies... Continue Reading GM's Mokka compact SUV to hit showrooms this year

Section: Automotive

Tags: Concept Cars, General Motors, Geneva Motor Show 2012, Opel, Vauxhall

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Gibbs unveils two new "Amphitrucks"

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:18:53 -0600

The folks at Detroit’s Gibbs Technologies are no strangers to aquatic vehicles. In the past several years, they have brought us the zippy Aquada sports car, the Quadski ATV/personal watercraft hybrid, and the four-wheel-drive Humdinga SUV concept. Yesterday, they announced the addition of another two vehicles to their fleet – the Phibian and Humdinga II high-speed Amphitrucks. .. Continue Reading Gibbs unveils two new "Amphitrucks"

Section: Automotive

Tags: Amphibious, Military, Watercraft

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Mercedes puts the squeeze on passengers with new active seat-belt buckle

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:58:00 -0600

Anyone who has done a bit of traveling in the rear seat of older model cars will likely have encountered the case of the missing buckle, where the seat-belt buckle has wormed its way down in the gap between the upholstery. While that may not be so much of a problem nowadays, Mercedes-Benz has developed an active seat-belt buckle that not only emerges from the upholstery when the rear doors are opened to make finding the buckle easier, but also improves safety by reducing the belt slack once the passenger is strapped in... Continue Reading Mercedes puts the squeeze on passengers with new active seat-belt buckle

Section: Automotive

Tags: Mercedes-Benz, Safety, Seat-belt

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Ferrari launches 2012 Formula One tilt with F2012

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:48:38 -0600

With the northern Italian town of Maranello draped in snow, Ferrari Scuderia's launch of its 2012 F1 contender - the F2012 - had to rely on the internet. It may not have had the same pizzazz, but the show did go on. Along with repositioned radiators, the most obvious change is to the rear, where exhaust flows, both engine, radiator as well as aerodynamic air flows have been impacted by the new regulations that stipulate the exhausts must now exit within a very tight space at the rear of the car in order to minimize their aerodynamic influence... Continue Reading Ferrari launches 2012 Formula One tilt with F2012

Section: Automotive

Tags: F1, Ferrari, Pirelli, Racing

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Stanford system could allow EVs to recharge from the road, while moving

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:46:55 -0600

The greatest obstacle standing in the way of electric-vehicle adoption - besides crafty, deceitful right wingers - is limited range. Electric vehicles can only travel 100 miles (161 km) on their best day. Because of the lack of electric charging stations and the amount of time involved in charging a battery, they just can't go as far as gas vehicles. A team of researchers at Stanford University recently made an important discovery in wireless charging technology. Their work could one day help solve the limited-range dilemma. .. Continue Reading Stanford system could allow EVs to recharge from the road, while moving

Section: Automotive

Tags: Electric Vehicles, Stanford University, Wireless, Wireless Charging

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Nissan's Invitation Concept car

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:34:18 -0600

Nissan's next mainstream B-segment contender will be previewed at the upcoming Geneva Auto Show, in the form of the Invitation Concept. The sleek hatchback will hit showrooms in 2013... Continue Reading Nissan's Invitation Concept car

Section: Automotive

Tags: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show 2012, Invitation, Nissan

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New bonsai 100 bhp Hybrid Synergy Drive for Toyota Yaris

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:21:47 -0600

The littlest Toyota, the Yaris, is about to become hybridized too, and the engineering job to reduce the size of its Hybrid Synergy Drive system for the diminutive car is worth a look. The system uses a new 1.5-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine that weighs 16.5kg less and is 10 per cent more compact than the 1.8-litre unit used in the Prius and Auris. Likewise, other major components such as the electric motor, power control unit and transaxle were also made lighter and smaller, but the power has remained robust at 99 bhp (74 kW) - most importantly, the hybrid Yaris will go on sale mid-year with very low fuel consumption, emissions, and ownership costs... Continue Reading New bonsai 100 bhp Hybrid Synergy Drive for Toyota Yaris

Section: Automotive

Tags: Hybrid, Prius, Toyota, Yaris

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Mercedes new commercial van - the Citan

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 02:23:28 -0600

Mercedes-Benz is to launch a new urban delivery van later this year named the Citan (“city” and “titan”) - the little brother to the Sprinter and Vito. The Citan will be first seen at the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover in September. The new van will be available with petrol, diesel and electric drivetrains, and with panelvan, crewbus and mixed use bodies, and in a variety of lengths and weights. My bet is that there's an ideal base for a small campervan there too. .. Continue Reading Mercedes new commercial van - the Citan

Section: Automotive

Tags: Campervan, Citan, Electric Vehicles, Mercedes, Mercedes-Benz

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A compact five-seat people carrier based on the Fiat 500

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:35:15 -0600

The Fiat 500 dynasty is expanding once more. Recent additions include the Abarth and Cabrio versions, and now the 500L (the L stands for Large) is something completely different again. It's a compact five-seat people carrier, combining the passenger space of an MPV with the feel of a small SUV on the road and the restrained dimensions and efficiency of a B segment car. The 500L will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March and will hit European markets in late 2012, with a choice of two petrol engines and the 1.3 liter MultiJet II turbodiesel engine... Continue Reading A compact five-seat people carrier based on the Fiat 500

Section: Automotive

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McLaren the first of the big F1 launches

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:21:03 -0600

The Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 team combines the strong driver pairing of Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton for the third year running in 2012, along with a substantially revised car to meet the FIA's rule changes. The most noticeable change between last year and the new MP4-27 is at the rear, where tighter rear carbon-fiber composite body shaping has been designed to meet the new-for-2012 exhaust rules, whilst smoothing airflow to and from the coolant and oil radiators... Continue Reading McLaren the first of the big F1 launches

Section: Automotive

Tags: F1, McLaren, Mercedes, Pirelli, Racing

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1600 hp monster diesel firing up at R�tromobile 2012

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:37:18 -0600

Hey, you like really big engines? Well, here’s one that’s not going to fit under the hood of your F-150. This 30-ton (27-tonne) Type 9 V.O.S. engine is one of just three built by the French company Duvant in 1962. It’s over 18 feet (5.5 meters) long, 11 feet (3.4 m) tall, and gulps down 350 liters (92.5 US gallons) of diesel fuel per hour. With its four valves per cylinder and turbocompressor, it is capable of producing 1600 horsepower. Best of all, should you happen to be in Paris this week, you can see the thing running... Continue Reading 1600 hp monster diesel firing up at Rétromobile 2012

Section: Automotive

Tags: Diesel, Engine, Show

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The stinkers list - 10 model series that were less reliable than the previous model

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:22:48 -0600

When the likes of Jaguar, Porsche, Ford, GM, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Volkswagen, Renault and Chrysler introduce a new model series, it is equally or more reliable than the model it replaces. Right? Wrong! New information has been released this week which indicates all of the above companies have replaced major models with less reliable models in the last decade - the worst three examples were 60%, 54% and 40% more likely to break down than their predecessor. .. Continue Reading The stinkers list - 10 model series that were less reliable than the previous model

Section: Automotive

Tags: Audi, Automotive, BMW, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Holden, Jaguar, Jeep, Mercedes, Opel, Porsche, Renault, Tata, Vauxhall, Volkswagen

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Skoda to debut five-door Citigo subcompact in Geneva

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:03:35 -0600

Following hot on the heels of Volkswagen’s announcement of a five-door version of its up! subcompact vehicle, the Czech Republic-based Volkswagen subsidiary Skoda has announced that a five door version of its Citigo subcompact will make its public debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March. The three-door Citigo was introduced in Skoda’s home market late last year, marking the company’s first entry into the growing subcompact segment. The five-door model will be successively launched alongside the three-door model in European markets from mid-May... Continue Reading Skoda to debut five-door Citigo subcompact in Geneva

Section: Automotive

Tags: Geneva Motor Show 2012, Skoda, Volkswagen

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Solar car hits U.S. in round-the-world jaunt

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:14:40 -0600

Last October, the SolarWorld GT solar-powered car set out from Darwin, Australia on a drive around the world. It has since driven 3,001 kilometers (1,865 miles) across Australia, logged 1,947 km (1,210 miles) crossing New Zealand, and been shipped across the Pacific Ocean. This Friday, it will embark on the U.S. leg of its journey, as it sets out across America from the University of California, Santa Barbara... Continue Reading Solar car hits U.S. in round-the-world jaunt

Section: Automotive

Tags: Automotive, Electric Vehicles, Record-breaking, Solar Powered

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Invis-A-Rack is a pop-up ladder rack for pick-ups

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:30:43 -0600

If you need to transport things like building materials, boats or construction equipment, then having a ladder rack over the bed of your pick-up truck can prove invaluable. Such racks also add to your vehicle’s aerodynamic drag, however, plus they can get in the way when loading certain cargo items, and they make your truck look like ... well, like a work truck. That’s why Donny McCall invented the Invis-A-Rack. It’s an aluminum ladder rack that can reportedly support up to 500 pounds (227 kg) when in use, but that folds away in seconds when not needed... Continue Reading Invis-A-Rack is a pop-up ladder rack for pick-ups

Section: Automotive

Tags: Cargo, Pickup, Rack, Truck

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MINI adds a roadster to the range

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 03:21:35 -0600

The MINI continued its remarkable evolution overnight with the news there will be a sixth derivative of the breed, this one likely to set the hearts of enthusiasts beating with anticipation - the first open-top two-seater in its history. For a car already voted the second most significant model in the century of the automobile, the MINI is having a stellar year, having just won the Dakar Rally. .. Continue Reading MINI adds a roadster to the range

Section: Automotive

Tags: MINI, Roadster

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Crazy Car Project converts iconic 2000GT into solar-electric sportster

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:49:38 -0600

There are those who have said it's an unforgivable and monstrous way to treat an iconic sports car. For solar transport enthusiasts looking for a beautiful alternative to the three-wheeled flat top designs though, it's just what the doctor ordered. The object at the center of this controversy is a classic Toyota 2000GT that's undergone a complete solar conversion at the hands of Japan's Crazy Car Project. .. Continue Reading Crazy Car Project converts iconic 2000GT into solar-electric sportster

Section: Automotive

Tags: Electric Vehicles, Panasonic, Solar, Sports Cars, Toyota

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BMW gives X6 Sports Activity Coup� a refresh

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:10:36 -0600

BMW launched its X6 in 2008 dubbing it "the world's first ever Sports Activity Coupé." The SAC moniker was adopted because the vehicle combined the high ground clearance and all-wheel drive attributes of an SUV, with the body styling of a coupé. Despite mixed reviews regarding its styling upon launch, BMW says the vehicle has since racked up sales of over 150,000. Now the German automaker has announced it is giving the X6 a facelift - although you'll have to look pretty closely to pick the changes... Continue Reading BMW gives X6 Sports Activity Coupé a refresh

Section: Automotive

Tags: BMW

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