Automotive
Nissan's All-Around Collision Free prototype
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Nissan has unveiled an "All-Around Collision Free" system that rolls two new safety technologies in with those already developed under its Safety Shield program. The new additions are a Side Collision Prevention (SCP), which assists the driver when changing lanes, and Back-up Collision Prevention (BCP), which automatically sounds a warning and applies the brakes if a collision is imminent during a reversing maneuver.
TAG HEUER Night Vision eyeglasses for safer driving
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August 7, 2008 Driving at night is far more dangerous than driving in daylight according to the statistics. Though only 10% of road miles are driven in the dark, 48% of road fatalities occur at night. That’s primarily because at night our pupils dilate, and we become short-sighted, though glare, halos, and reduced peripheral vision all contribute to ocular tiredness. TAG Heuer has released a set of ophthalmic Night Vision glasses specifically designed to correct dark-induced myopia, reduce glare, contrast the dark blue surroundings without changing colour perception and ultimately offer safer driving after dark.
ECO Pedal to reduce car fuel consumption
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With rising petrol prices and a focus on climate change, the automotive industry is looking to pioneer new methods of fuel consumption, both in terms of developing new propulsion systems and making existing technology more efficient. News on the latter approach comes from Nissan, which has unveiled technology designed to help drivers use less fuel by using an "eco-pedal" system that resists excess pressure being applied to the accelerator.
High-tech low-cost Mexican Sportscar
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One of the most interesting debuts at the British Motor Show was the Mastretta MXT, the first car to be designed and built in Mexico, and it promises to make it’s home country very proud indeed. The mid-engined, two-seater coupe uses aircraft construction techniques to create an ultra-lightweight 900kg car with bonded aluminum semi-monocoque chassis, a balanced 56-44 weight distribution with a turbocharged 240 bhp Cosworth engine supplying the herbs. The end result is a 150mph car with a power-to-weight ratio of 267bhp/tonne. The best bit though, is the price - UKP33,000 (US$64,500).
Opel Insignia World Premiere
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One of the biggest debuts at the 2008 British International Motor Show - and certainly the most floorspace - was claimed by the Opel Insignia, a new mid-size sedan that will offer seven different engine configurations and a number of technical innovations when it hits the showroom floor in Germany late this year and other markets from January 2009. The technology packed Insignia includes a new Eye camera system that reads speed and no-passing signs and displays them on the instrument panel, coupled with a Lane Departure Warning system that provides an extra level of awareness to the driver.
The world’s biggest production tire – the 63-inch Titan
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July 31, 2008 Mine operators are increasingly adopting larger equipment to lower operating costs and a new class of ultra-large machinery is demanding bigger tyres. Earlier this week, Titan Tire shipped its first giant 63-inch off-the-road (OTR) tire and wheel assemblies. The tires, each measuring nearly 14 feet tall and weighing approximately 12,500 pounds, are being shipped to Canada’s oil sands for use in mining applications and Titan envisages a worldwide market of 900 tires a year.
Elektrobay: EV recharging infrastructure expanding in the UK
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The number of electric and hybrid vehicles on the road is growing rapidly in response to rising petrol prices and climate change awareness. As with any alternative to petroleum based transport, the key issue is infrastructure, or lack of it. Already rolling-put in the UK, Elektromotive's solution for drivers of electric cars and motorcycles is an on-street recharging network called “Elektrobay” that allows you to re-charge while away from home.
Azentec SmartMirror with inbuilt GPS
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Another clever product that caught our eye at the British Motor Show is the Azentec SmartMirror - a Bluetooth enabled GPS unit complete with touch screen functionality that's been rolled into a the rear-view mirror.
Honda's sporty take on low emissions motoring
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One of the big attention grabbers at the 2008 British International Motor Show is Honda’s low-emission sportscar dubbed OSM (for Open Study Model). The open top two seater design out of the company's R&D facility in Offenbach, Germany, is being shown alongside the CR-Z sports hybrid which was unveiled at Tokyo last year and the Honda FCX Clarity which is being produced in Japan and available in the US under a lease plan. While a version of the CR-Z has been confirmed for production, there are no plans to bring the OSM online anytime soon.
KIA's KEE concept car featured at British Motor Show
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Kia is exhibiting its KEE concept car at the British International Motor Show, from July 23 to August 3. Designed by Peter Schreyer, the re-interpreted 2 + 2 coupe embodies the company’s new design philosophy – sleek, light and sporty.
British Motor Show opens its doors for 2008
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July 22, 2008 Honda's Open Study Model sports concept, debuts aplenty from the likes of Alfa Romeo, Lotus, SEAT, Ford, Cadillac and Vauxhall, a swag of supercars and not surprisingly a focus on greener leaner motoring marked the first day of the 2008 British Motor Show at ExCel in London today. A number of concept cars shown on the world circuit over the past year also made their UK appearance for the first time at the show including Peugeot's 308 RCZ concept (which will enter production in 2010), Nissan's Denki Cube, Mazda's stunning Furai and Renault's Megane. The all-electric motoring charge includes exhibits by TH!NK, ZEV, GEM, UK based NICE (No Internal Combustion Engine) and the 125mph Tesla Roadster.
The affordable, 100mpg, carbon-composite passenger car
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Britain's Axon claims that its newly patented mass-production techniques will make carbon composite car frames and bodywork even cheaper than their metal counterparts - and only 40% as heavy. What a revolutionary technology this could be - the power to weight ratio of any vehicle on the planet could be dramatically increased for no extra cost! The company plans to release a highly affordable 500cc passenger car making at least 100mpg from a basic petrol engine in 2010, and Axon is confident its simple, lightweight solution to the fuel economy challenge will be highly competitive against the big competition in the Progressive Automotive X-Prize contest.
Toyota employs noise-canceling tech on hybrid
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Toyota has taken the principle behind noise-canceling headphones and applied it to its Toyota Crown Hybrid. The company’s ‘Active Noise Control’ system uses three microphones located on the roof of the interior of the car to detect the muffled noise of the engine and then generates antiphase signals from three speakers – two located on the right and left front doors and one rear woofer on the rear shelf – to counter the noise. The system, which was implemented after the car’s engine was found to be noisier than expected, reduces the interior engine noise by about 5 to 8dB, the company said.
Goodwood 2008 - three day auto fest draws to a close
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July 13, 2008 The 2008 Goodwood Festival of Speed wrapped up today with burnouts from F1 star Lewis Hamilton, a spectacular aerial show from the RAF Red Arrows and more sideways rally action, ear shattering antics and delectable samples of automotive excellence of almost every flavor.
Goodwood Festival of Speed takes off
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Gizmag's editor Noel McKeegan is at Goodwood this week rejoicing in the atmosphere of what is unquestionably the most influential and respected celebration of all things motorsport. Noel's thoughts, pics and vidz from a number of major events will grace our pages over the coming weeks. This is his first filing
Lotus shows hemp-based Eco Elise
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Lotus has taken a different approach to 'green' car building with the announcement of its Eco Elise - featuring hemp-based bodywork and other renewable materials. Taking the position that too many 'green' cars concentrate solely on CO2 emissions at the tailpipe, Lotus has overhauled its entire manufacturing process to reduce energy and water usage, boost recycling, use locally-sourced, renewable and carbon-neutral materials, and provide dash instrumentation to encourage greener driving habits. It's an unique 'holistic' approach to environmentally friendly car building - and the stunning Eco Elise should make at least two sales when the news reaches Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong.
Hyundai LPG hybrid production car
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July 8, 2008 Hyundai’s world first Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) hybrid will go on sale in Korea twelve months from now with operating costs poised to be lowest of any hybrid currently available, despite being largely based on the existing Elantra model. It will also be the first to use Lithium-Polymer batteries to power its electric motor. The novel internal combustion powerplant is a Liquefied Petroleum Injected (LPI) 1.6 litre four cylinder assisted by a 15kW electric motor driving through a continuously variable transmission.
Gordon Murray's T.25 car reaches halfway development milestone
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Gordon Murray Design’s T.25 concept car has reached the halfway point in development, with the first prototype build scheduled to begin in early 2009. Though Murray, (the brains behind the McLaren F1 road car), has remained tight-lipped about the specifics, he is adamant about delivering a small car that will be more cost-effective at every stage: cheaper to produce, purchase and run.
New BMW 7 series gets pedestrian recognition
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The launch of the fifth generation of the BMW 7 Series will include several technical innovation firsts, including the World’s first Night Vision system with individual pedestrian recognition, the first production car with front side view camera, the first BMW Saloon with speed-related Integral Active Steering and the first BMW with Lane Change Warning. It will go on sale later this year.
Toyota’s premium ultra-compact iQ concept becomes a reality
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Toyota showed its iQ Concept at last year’s motorshows, creating a new class of premium ultra-compact vehicle, capable of carrying three adults plus a child in comfort. Now, in a move that foretells a coming era of much smaller cars, the iQ is set for production in 2008 and availability in 2009. The iQ was a sensation, proving emphatically that small does not mean basic, and drawing huge crowds – the message sunk in quickly, and now the production version (pictured) offers a completely new proposition for urban motoring that is stylish, sophisticated, technically advanced and kinder to the environment.
Tesla to build new all-electric car in California
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Tesla Motors will build the follow up vehicle to the Tesla Roadster in California. The plan to manufacture the 4-door, 5-passenger sedan was announced earlier this week by Ze’ev Drori, CEO of Tesla Motors, and California Governor Schwarzenegger
The Overfinch Country Pursuits Concept Car
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Making its debut today at Salon Prive Luxury and Supercar Show at the Hurlingham Club in London is the Country Pursuits Concept (CPC) car from Overfinch Bespoke Vehicles – an extensively modified Range Rover aimed at the upper echelons of sports-loving society. The no-expense-spared CPC comes with a 470 bhp 4.2 litre engine and an enhanced suspension system to lower the car 20cm at speed or raise it 25cm under extreme off road conditions. There’s also a fully integrated fridge and the pictured Olive Ash removable gun box with three sliding drawers which will hold a bespoke gun case, cartridges and crystal glass drinking set.
Greener motoring at the 2008 British Motor Show
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With soaring oil prices hitting hard at the bowser and low-emissions, energy-efficient vehicles evolving rapidly from a fringe sector to a mainstream concern, it's no surprise to learn that this year's British International Motor Show will include a pavilion devoted to the future of greener motoring.
The 717 bhp 348 km/h NOVITEC ROSSO Ferrari 430 Scuderia
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If your 510 hp Ferrari 430 Scuderia isn’t quite fast enough at its 320 km/h top speed, you can always add a bit more courtesy of a NOVITEC ROSSO Supersport Bi-Kompressor engine. The special twin-supercharger version of the Scuderia’s four-valve eight-cylinder engine bumps power output from the standard 510 bhp (375 kW) to 717 bhp (527 kW) and increases top speed from 320 to 348 km/h.
The Dot.Car Era begins – Chrysler to offer internet access in all models
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June 26, 2008 The era of the dotcar appears set to begin with the news that Chrysler is planning to turn all its vehicles into hotspots with 2009 models, making it the first manufacturer to offer Wi-Fi in the car on a mass scale. The move is certain to precipitate competitive response from other manufacturers and … the dot car era appears ready to begin. The newly renamed (from UConnect to uconnect) Chrysler infotainment system will use Autonet Mobile’s router (full story here) and will be available in all 2009 model Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep models. The unit will cost US$450 plus US$50 installation, plus US$29 a month, but for that, your vehicle will have robust internet access of 600-800 kilobits per second.
Porsche announces all-wheel drive 911 Carrera 4 and 4S
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Porsche has announced the launch of all-wheel drive models of its 911 Carrera 4 and 4S sportscars, including an engine, gearbox and drivetrain makeover that the company claims delivers up to 8.5% more power, 12.5% better gas mileage, and over 15% less CO2 emissions than the models they replace.
Mazda's plans for a greener future
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June 25, 2008 Mazda has committed to cutting the fuel consumption of its vehicles by an average of 30% by 2015. The company is exploring a combination of fuel-cutting initiatives, including the development of lighter-weight technologies aimed at reducing vehicle weight by 100 kilograms from 2011, carbon neutral bioplastics, an Idle Stop system and an advanced version of the emissions-reducing Three Layer Wet Paint System fist introduced in 2005. Integral to the plan is the renewal of its entire powertrain lineup by 2015, with tests of its hydrogen hybrid system continuing ahead of plans for release in Japan in the coming fiscal year, as well as plans for a new gasoline rotary engine and new diesel engines.
Honda improves railcar fleet
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Honda has taken steps to minimizing the environmental impact of its cars before they hit the road with the introduction of its fleet of Auto-Max railcars.
ZR1 balances price, performance, economy
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Chevrolet 2009 ZR1 was first shown in January, but until the on-road performance figures were released this week, we weren’t fully aware of how the vehicle’s specs would translate to tarmac performance. The US$103,300 ZR1 does 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds, 0-100 mph in 7.0 seconds, has a top speed of 205 mph (330 km/h), and puts a quarter-mile behind it in 11.3 seconds. And the racetrack isn’t the only place where the ZR1 trumps its super-car competitors – it beats them at the gas pump, too. According to fueleconomy.gov, the ZR1’s EPA-rated 14 mpg city and 20 mpg highway mileage ratings beat 2008 competitors such as the Ferrari 599 GTB (11/15); the Lamborghini Murcielago (8/13) and the Aston Martin V8 Vantage (12/19).
DARPA Grand Challenge winner returns to Silicon Valley
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The pioneering autonomous vehicle that won the 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge will complete its world tour with a visit to its home town before taking its place at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Dubbed "Stanley", the robotic Volkswagen Touareg developed by the Stanford Racing Team will be on show at the Silicon Valley The Tech Museum of Innovation from June 20 through July 17.
The world's most extravagant rental car?
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The Saleen S7 supercar: 7 liters and 550 horsepower of the most exclusive hand-made V8 American metal. Proof positive that sex itself can tear up tarmac, and a genuine contender amongst the very top echelon of the world's performance cars. It will happily accelerate through 200mph (322kmh), and rocket you to 60mph in around 3.4 seconds if you can find enough traction. At US$400,000 per unit it's one of the most expensive cars around, and it's so exclusive that apparently even Jeremy Clarkson can't get a test drive. But you can, if you're willing to stump up the US$4000 per day charge to take what may be the world's most extravagant rental car out for a spin. We recommend the extra insurance.
Bumper stickers, road rage & digital messaging
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If you tend to shy away from cars covered in bumper stickers, you now have good reason. New research has unearthed an interesting correlation between drivers who personalize their cars with bumper stickers and personal markers of private territory, and those prone to road rage. Now the bumper sticker is going to new levels with personalized electronic messaging able to display messages such as the insulting gesture pictured. Is this a positive thing? Will our roads be enhanced by our newfound ability to communicate our feelings more effectively to other road users?
The fully automated Infinistor tonneau cover opens at both ends
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Saleen is best known as a producer of very fast cars, and often pioneers new ways of doing things. This one is different however, because we expect this functionality to become a feature on a lot of pick-ups over the coming decade. It’s an auto sliding and self-locking tonneau cover that opens from both front to back and back to front, effectively increasing usable luggage area and security and by just being so very clever and convenient. Saleen is the first, but the capability will be OEMed into most vehicle fleets in the coming year or three. Like most “firsts” the automated system comes as part of a premium model first up, in this case the S331 Supercrew, named for its 331 CID (5.4 litre), three valve SOHC V8 engine which produces 450 bhp and a colossal 500 lb-ft of torque at 4000 RPM.
3 billion cars on the road by 2035 - is mobility as we know it sustainable?
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Leading economic forecaster Global Insight has released a white paper exploring the potential future demand for vehicles to 2035. The paper predicts the global fleet could reach 3 billion vehicles by 2035, four times the current 800 million. It suggests that personal transport of the future will probably be very different having been through decades of ever-lengthening commutes, gridlocked roads, increasing parking issues, soaring fuel prices, road congestion regulations, air-quality concerns and climate change. Clearly, non-conventional solutions are needed.
BMW's GINA concept car features a flexible skin instead of solid body panels
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What if the exterior of a car wasn't made of heavy, rigid metal? What if it was made from flexible fabric stretched over a moveable structural subframe? Based on a 2-seater roadster platform, BMW's future-focused GINA (Geometry and Functions in 'N' Adaptations) Light Visionary concept explores the design possibilities opened up when the traditional body panel approach is dropped to make a car's exterior completely flexible - from variable lines to hingeless doors to eyelid headlights. It's one of the most fascinating design studies we've seen in years.
