Automotive
The launch of the Williams F1 FW28
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January 27, 2006 The WilliamsF1 team launched its 2006 season race car, the FW28, at the team headquarters near Oxford this afternoon. The FW28 is a manifestly purposeful race car, its defining visual cue being the aggressive barbed sting on the back of the engine cover. The car is both a response to circumstance, including the shifting technical regulations and the new primary partnerships the team has forged with engine supplier Cosworth and tyre company Bridgestone, as well as being its own clear statement of intent. Clearly the biggest transition is the shift away from 3.0l V10 motive power in favour of a 2.4l V8, and in Williams’ case, the new partnership with Cosworth. With the associated power losses all teams will encounter, all Formula One designers have been tackling a demand for higher aerodynamic efficiency to help compensate. In the case of the FW28, this became a fundamental design parameter for the car and is reflected in many ways across the aerodynamic strategy of the car, visible particularly in the design of the rear wing with its decambered tips. The target in this area was to maintain downforce while shedding drag at the wing tips.
Concept cars move to the forefront of collectables
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January 27, 2006 Collecting rare automobiles has long been one of the more rewarding forms of investment as it has the added bonus of owning and driving a fine automobile while your asset appreciates. As the successful baby boomer generation begins to retire and cash in decades of endeavour, this appreciation of fine automobilia and the wonderful camaraderie which surrounds the collector scene is driving prices ever higher … and with it, a new star has emerged among automotive collectables - the concept car. Concept vehicles are vehicles with an instant and easily verifiable history – in the same way that cars owned by celebrities fetch a higher price, the concept car is usually created as a one-off, by a team of experts as a showcase of future technology (the first car with … electric windows, fuel injection, ad infinitum) and hence it has its own celebrity status, having been the focal point of massive media promotion at a major public event. Last week’s Barrett-Jackson Auction was a prime example – it attracted record attendance, broke numerous world records, had total sales of more than US$100 million and saw US $4,320,000 paid for a General Motors Futureliner concept bus, US$3,024,000 for a 1954 Pontiac Bonneville Special concept car and US$648,000 for Shelby Cobra GT500 Concept car just nine months old.
Honda unveils new F1 challenger
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January 25, 2006 The Honda Racing F1 Team unveiled its challenger for the 2006 Formula One season in Spain this morning with the new driver line-up of Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello. This marked an important milestone for Honda as it is the first Formula One car launched by a Honda works team since 1968. Two identical RA106 race cars were delivered to the launch to enable Button and Barrichello to begin testing at the same time. The RA106 sported its new base canvas of Honda Racing White, a colour which has been synonymous with the Honda motorsport identity since the company’s F1 debut in 1964. The rest of the livery has the more familiar feel of the Lucky Strike brand, which remains as title sponsor for the 2006 season. The new cars and their RA806E engines are the product of a single, unified team which combines the resources of the Honda Racing F1 Team Operations Centre in Brackley, England, Honda Racing Development’s engine base in Bracknell, England, and Honda R&D in Tochigi, Japan.
Ferrari's new 248 F1 - not the end of an era says di Montezemolo
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January 25, 2006 To say Ferrari had a bad year in racing in 2005 is an understatement. Going into the year with six consecutive constructors titles and five consecutive drivers titles, Ferrari finished a distant third in the constructors championship and Schumacher’s claim on being best ever slipped when he too finished a third with Alonso more than doubling his points haul. Ferrari's President, Luca di Montezemolo was very clear in his pronouncement as the 2006 Ferrari F1 machinery and staff were introduced to the media at Autodrome Mugello yesterday: "After having lost two titles at the last round, in 1997 and 1998, and six consecutive world crowns, I don't want the 2005 results to seem like the end of an era. We have lived through some incredible years. Last year we suffered a little from the successive rule changes but now we are looking ahead. We want to get back to winning ways.” Accordingly, Ferrari showed a completely new car.
Toyota discloses unprecedented details of F1 development
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January 23, 2006 There are just two environments akin to the acute excellence required to compete successfully at Formula One level – a space launch and the battlefield. All three areas are so close to the edge of human understanding that the technology developed in their pursuit often filters down to consumer products and introduces a better way. Panasonic Toyota Racing officially kicked off its 2006 Formula 1 campaign with a special event at the Toyota manufacturing facility in Valenciennes, France earlier this month, at the same time as disclosing an unprecedented amount of information about the Toyota production process and how it has been applied to the former art, and now decidedly scientific process of Formula One. Incredibly, the company has applied knowledge developed in manufacturing production cars to improve its Formula One competitiveness . If you’re into car racing or manufacturing, this is a “must” read!
Start-up plans 330 MPG hybrid for under US$20,000
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January 19, 2006 Accelerated Composites is a Carlsbad-based startup that aims to disrupt the car design status quo by developing a low cost, 330 MPG hybrid car to be manufactured in Southern California and sell for under US$20,000. The company’s two-seat passenger car is constructed from lightweight composite materials and is extremely light, which according to the company, will enable the diesel/electric hybrid to post 330 MPG fuel efficiency in normal city and highway driving and demonstrate acceleration and handling similar to that of a Honda Insight. Dubbed the Aptera, the vehicle achieves these remarkable numbers through the use of cutting-edge materials, manufacturing methods, the lowest drag coefficient of any production car and a maverick design mantra.
BMW Sauber F1 rolls out in Valencia
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January 18, 2006 BMW officially entered Formula One in its own right yesterday with the unveiling of the BMW Sauber F1.06 before more than 500 journalists and guests in the futuristic Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (CAC) in Valencia (Spain). BMW purchased a majority shareholding in the Sauber Formula One team which became official on January 1. Without doubt the most interesting aspects of the F1 launch season is not the champagne and parties, but the information released by the various camps on their technical development. This year in particular, the reduction of engines from 3.0 litre V10 to 2.4 litre V8 will pose some interesting technical challenges, as explained by BMW at the launch.
Prodrive creates the P2 sports car
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January 13, 2006 Prodrive has unveiled the P2, a unique two-seater sports car with some exciting credentials. The P2 uses a modified 344 bhp, 575 Nm, Subaru Impreza STi engine and all wheel drivetrain, which incorporates innovative ALS (Anti-Lag System) and ATD (Active Torque Dynamics). If you haven’t heard of Prodrive, it’s probably because you don’t read the fine print. The company has won more than 100 international rallies and six World Rally Championship titles for Subaru, the British Touring Car Championship five times (with BMW, Alfa Romeo and Ford) and is also involved in numerous other international racing series, including managing the BAR F1 team. Prodrive also consults and develops road cars, such as the NARO and Tango, and has developed numerous cars for the likes of Aston Martin, Ferrari, Ford, General Motors, Subaru, Range Rover et al and despite the obvious focus on performance, the P2 has all the comforts of a luxury car, with a six speaker stereo system, power assisted steering and electric windows. The company’s Motorsport involvement becomes obvious when viewing the specifications of the P2 though, as it weighs just 1100 kg and has a power to weight ratio of more than 350 bhp/tonne, reaches 100 km/h in under four seconds and tops out at 280 km/h. The jury is out on whether the P2 will be produced in quantity, but with an anticipated UKP40,000 price tag, we expect the queue would be quite lengthy for a car of such remarkable real-world ability.
New MINI production model announced - inspired by Traveller Concept
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January 12, 2006 BMW will be enhancing the MINI family with a further model. The new MINI model will offer increased interior space and increased functionality in order to appeal to the distinctively experience-oriented and active MINI customer. The new car will take its inspiration from the MINI Detroit design concept shown at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) this week. Although it has yet to be defined which of the unique ideas and design features presented on the concept will be implemented for series production, Dr. Michael Ganal in his speech at the NAIAS stated a time frame of three years for the realization of the new MINI model.
MBR 3-seat supercar
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January 12, 2006 The F1-inspired three-seater MBR supercar will make one of its rare public appearances at the Autosport International Show in Birmingham (UK) this week. The 550bhp V8-engined Exigence Of Speed combines the latest in aerospace and motor sport technologies, with a lightweight, high-strength composite monocoque chassis and body panels assisting in keeping the kerb weight below 1000 kg without compromising structural rigidity. The Mecachrome V8 engine and six-speed gearbox are mid-mounted longitudinally for optimum weight distribution, and its 550 bhp give the supercar a power-to-weight ratio of 0.5bhp per kg. The double-wishbone unequal length suspension features inboard spring/damper units activated by pushrod as on modern racing cars for best in-class handling characteristics. The final pre-production car and first rolling prototype is planned to be unveiled before the end of 2006 and an assault on the Le Mans 24 Hour race is planned for 2007.
Mitsubishi unveils hybrid MIEV 4WD sport compact concept
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January 10, 2006 Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) used the NAIAS to unveil the Concept-CT yesterday, a groundbreaking concept for a hybrid-powered small car that may influence future development of Mitsubishi models. The key to the Concept-CT's roomy packaging, performance potential and fuel efficiency is the Mitsubishi In-wheel Electric Vehicle (MIEV) hybrid powertrain, which employs an electric motor in each of the vehicle's four wheels. The ultra-compact four-door hatchback combines practicality, fun-to-drive performance and low fuel consumption.
Ferrari 599 GTB - most powerful V12 production car of all time
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January 10, 2006 There are few automotive announcements that could turn attention from the new model frenzy currently underway at the NAIAS (Detroit) Show, but overnight news from Maranello has done just that, when Ferrari announced the forthcoming Pininfarina-designed 599 GTB. To be shown for the first time on February 28 at the Geneva Motor Show, the 599 GTB will be the most powerful V12-engined production car of all time. The latest interpretation of a theme that has seen such classics as the 250 GT, the 275 GTB, and the 365 GTB4, the 599 GTB replaces the most recent in that great line of berlinettas, the 575M Maranello. The new car is a concentration of Ferrari's most innovative and technologically advanced engineering solutions applied to a mid-front engined two-seater coupe.
Chrysler Imperial Concept – flagship material
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January 9, 2006 Like the great Imperials of Chrysler’s storied past, the 2006 Imperial concept vehicle is designed as Chrysler’s flagship, a luxury sedan that is elegant, provocative, aspirational, yet attainable. For inspiration, the designers looked not only to the classic Imperials of the 1930s and 1950s but also to Chrysler’s long tradition of creative concept cars, from the earlier Chrysler d’Elegance and Falcon to the more recent Chrysler Chronos and Firepower. This rich heritage is expressed in the crisp line that parallels the sill, then arches up over the rear wheel and flows to the rear of the car, signaling that this is a powerful rear-drive automobile.
Kabura Concept: Sports Coupe with innovative 3+1 layout
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January 8, 2006 Research shows Mazda has one of the youngest new-car buyer groups (average age 41 years) in North America. Based on this research, the latest Mazda concept car is designed to enhance its appeal to Generation-Y buyers, who are several steps ahead of the latest trends and constantly on the lookout for affordable possessions that satisfy their hunger for stylish, insightful and spirited designs. The Kabura design concept ventures beyond the compact sports coupe norm to support youthful lifestyles and explore several fresh ideas that could appear in future production models, with one of the most interesting aspects being the interior versatility. Replacing the typical 2+2 layout is a clever 3+1 arrangement which establishes a new interior concept giving greater passenger comfort versus a traditional coupe without increasing weight or size. Obliging spur-of-the-moment adventures and shopping sprees, all passenger seats fold flat to make way for snow boards, shopping bags and all the tools of an active life.
Infiniti Debuts Coupe Concept
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January 8, 2006 Infiniti today unveiled a dramatic new concept vehicle, the Infiniti Coupe Concept, at the 2006 North American International Auto Show. Among the Coupe Concept’s exterior design features are a full-length glass panel roof, modulated front fenders and hood, deep front spoiler and large projector headlights, polished bare metal-look paint, compact camera outside rearview mirrors, hidden door handles and large 20-inch, 9-spoke painted aluminum-alloy wheels.
Ford's V10 Super Chief concept runs on hydrogen, ethanol or gasoline
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January 8, 2006 – The Ford F-250 Super Chief concept uses what the company calls "Tri-Flex fueling", enabling the supercharged V-10 to run for 500 miles between fill-ups on hydrogen, E85 ethanol or gasoline. The tri-fuel flexibility is one possible innovation by Ford to help pave the way for hydrogen vehicles, as the nation's ethanol and hydrogen fueling infrastructure continues to develop. The concept truck and its name are inspired by the bold, American Super Chief trains of the nation's past. Super Chief is Ford's most advanced, well-appointed pickup ever – designed to build on the standard for interior excellence established by the new F-150.
Dodge Challenger Concept is a thoroughbred in 1970 “Pony Car” tradition
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January 8, 2006 As with all pleasurable memories, you remember the good and screen out the bad. In creating the Dodge Challenger concept car, the designers at Chrysler Group’s West Coast Pacifica Studio knew they had a rich heritage to draw upon. “Challenger draws upon the initial 1970 model as the icon of the series,” said Tom Tremont, Chrysler’s Vice President- Advanced Vehicle Design. “The 1970 model is the most sought after by collectors. But instead of merely recreating that car, the designers endeavored to build a Challenger most people see in their mind’s eye—a vehicle without the imperfections like the old car’s tucked-under wheels, long front overhang and imperfect fits.
Ford's diesel-electric hybrid Reflex Concept features solar panelling
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January 8, 2006 Concept cars are designed to showcase technological capability and to test market opinion. As such, the Ford Reflex concept car shown to the media for the first time today scores maximum points on both counts. The subcompact-sized Reflex is a technological showcase with its advanced diesel-electric hybrid engine, a liberal sprinkling of solar panels and advanced safety features as inflatable safety belts. More importantly, the advanced diesel-electric hybrid engine and new-generation lithium-ion batteries help deliver up to 65 miles per gallon, offering guilt free performance.
Hyundai NEOS 3 Crossover concept and technology showcase
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January 7, 2006 The 2006 Greater Los Angeles Auto Show offers an opportunity to peek into Hyundai’s future in the form of the NEOS 3 Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV) concept. The CUV is the third in a signature series of futuristic concept cars to be styled at the company’s Chiba Design Center in Korea. The NEOS 3 offers the utility of a 4WD, but thanks to its unibody construction and opulent appointments, it retains the feel of a luxury sedan. Scratch the surface and you’ll find an array of remarkable technology including side mirrors that auto-dip in reverse gear to improve downward visibility, pre-crash sensors and proximity control using Extended High Frequency radar, an infrared night vision system, a Heads-Up Display and a trackball that offer centralized control of the climate regulation, navigation and entertainment systems.
Hyundai HCD9 Talus concept - a new direction in sports car design
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January 8, 2006 Hyundai Motor America’s stand at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit will today see the world debut of the new HCD9 Talus concept, a car which the company describes as for the person who “has grown accustomed to the needs and benefits of an SUV, but desires the emotional gratification of sports car styling and performance."
Kia bears its soul concept car
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January 6, 2005 Kia today unveiled the all-new Soul concept car during a press conference at the North American International Auto Show (N.A.I.A.S) in Detroit. The Kia Soul concept is a crossover utility vehicle (C.U.T) with a sporty, bold look that builds on design cues from the Kia Mesa concept vehicle introduced at the 2005 N.A.I.A.S.
Lamborghini Miura Concept launch
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January 8, 2006 The House of the Raging Bull has reprised the legendary name and beautiful shape of the Muira with the introduction of a Lamborghini Miura concept car. The daring design study dubbed the "Miura Concept" was secretly unveiled at the Museum of Television & Radio in Beverly Hills, California to an elite group of auto industry insiders and car enthusiasts last Thursday evening. Arguably the most beautiful car ever created and long considered company founder Ferruccio Lamborghini's favorite Lamborghini of all-time, the new Miura Concept brings back the legendary Miura name on the eve of the car's 40th Anniversary. The original Miura quickly became one of the hottest cars of its day with a long list of past and current celebrity owners like movie star Nicholas Cage, Tonight Show Host Jay Leno, rock star legends Elton John and Rod Stewart, and Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, the epitome of cool from The Rat Pack. The new concept penned by Lamborghini design head Walter de'Silva brings back the sensuous styling of the original Miura that raised the benchmark in supercar design and instantly won the admiration of car enthusiasts worldwide.
VW's 3-wheel sportcar
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January 6, 2006 Volkswagen dropped a bombshell of significant magnitude in the automotive market overnight by showing a new three wheeled vehicle concept machine which it has billed as a crossover between sports car and motorcycle. That the mighty Volkswagen company should consider such a vehicle is surprising, but in an unprecedented move for any major manufacturer and a concept machine, the company has specified a price, indicating that the extreme performance and economy of the three wheeler could be delivered to market for under US$17,000 and inviting consumer response to the concept. Considering that the three wheel, two seater will deliver supercar performance while offering access to the carpool lane and delivering 46 mpg (5.2 l/100 km), we suspect the public response might be positive. We’ve reported on a number of three-wheel concepts recently, including the Aprilia Magnet , Mercedes-Benz Life-Jet , the Peugeot’s 20CUP, Toyota’s I-Swing and the Phiaro Eternity.
New design process results in Lincoln concept wheel
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January 5, 2006 Blending the latest digital design technology and rapid prototyping with a method as simple as child’s play, Lincoln designers have developed an exquisite luxury wheel with high-performance attributes which will be one of the more interesting aspects of the company’s stand at next week’s 2006 North American International Auto Show. The substantial 20-inch wheel, with its five/five spoke configuration and multiple finishes, will turn heads whether the wheel is turning or not. Designers know because they decided on the ultimate design after attaching miniature models of their six favorites on a wall and spinning them to see which looked best in motion.
Aston Martin’s “practical” exotic, four-seater sports car concept
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January 12, 2006 Exotic four seater sportscars have not exactly been plentiful in the history of automotive evolution, though there’s a definite trend towards four berths in recent times with the Maserati Quattroporte, Porsche Panamera and now Aston Martin has shown a 4-seat concept car at the 2006 Detroit Motorshow. To be known as the Rapide, the 6.0-liter V12, 480 hp coupe is the work of Aston Martin Design Director Marek Reichman, in conjunction with CEO Dr Ulrich Bez. P The Aston Martin Rapide concept is a four-door, high performance coupé of remarkable grace and poise. Based on Aston Martin's unique VH (Vertical/Horizontal) architecture, the Rapide combines the company's commitment to power, beauty and soul with space and practicality for every eventuality. It stands for stylistic excellence, market innovation and flexible manufacturing. The Rapide is the epitome of Aston Martin’s low-volume, high-technology approach, the synergy of modern methods and materials with traditional skills to create a new form of craftsmanship for the 21st century.
New Porsche Cayenne Turbo S Unveiled
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January 5, 2005 A new, supreme top-of-the-range model is taking over the leading position within the Porsche Cayenne range; second only to the Carrera GT, the Cayenne Turbo S is the most powerful Porsche homologated for road use. Benefiting from careful improvement and on-going development of the turbocharger system, the eight-cylinder bi-turbo power unit develops maximum output of 383 kW (521 bhp) at 5500 rpm, 52 kW or 71 bhp more than the Cayenne Turbo. Maximum torque of 720 Newton-metres or 531 lb-ft, in turn, is maintained consistently all the way between 2,750 and 3,750 rpm. This impressive output is reflected by truly outstanding performance on the road. The Cayenne Turbo S accelerates to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.2 seconds, sprints from 80 – 120 km/h (50 – 75 mph) in fifth gear in 5.4 seconds, and has a top speed of 270 km/h or 167 mph.
Mazda CX-7 Crossover SUV
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January 7, 2006 EXTENSIVE IMAGE LIBRARY ADDED Mazda Motor Corporation (MC) today revealed the much awaited 2007 Mazda CX-7 crossover sport-utility vehicle (SUV) at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show. This breakthrough model also will be displayed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. CX-7 is a clean break from the fleet of traditional SUVs currently offered. It is engineered with Mazda’s trademark, “Soul of a Sportscar” and built entirely on Mazda-derived platform architecture. Program manager Shunsuke Kawasaki shows his confidence by stating, “there is no doubt this SUV reflects Zoom-Zoom. CX-7 skillfully blends sports car verve with SUV practicality. It is a vehicle that brings together performance and design like never before and this deviation from the crossover norm is inviting to look at, entertaining to drive, and fun to use.” The CX-7 is just right for adventurous couples seeking a new challenge and driven by the urge for discovery.
Volvo's sporty C30 two-door concept
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January 4, 2006 Volvo is revealing a sporty two-door concept car at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on 9 January, which gives a strong indication of the design of an exciting, new smaller Volvo C30 model it will launch at the Paris Motor Show in September. The C30 Design Concept has a compact, sporty design with two doors, four individual seats and a distinctive glass tailgate. It is capable of 0-62mph in six seconds thanks to a high performance 260bhp, five-cylinder, 2.4-litre engine producing 350Nm of torque for plenty of flexibility from 2,100rpm.
EDAG shows three new concept cars on two continents
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January 3, 2005 One of the problems facing a company as diverse and international as automotive design and manufacturing consultants EDAG Engineering + Design AG, is which major automotive exhibitions it should miss. EDAG is not a household name in the automotive sense, but it is a name which is fast growing in importance inside automotive manufacturers worldwide and hence when two of its most important flag-waving exercises occurred simultaneously, it simply upped the ante and will show three new automotive concepts at the same time at the Auto-Expo in New Delhi (India) and the Detroit Motor Show (USA) next week. At the NAIAS in Detroit, EDAG will exhibit two show cars - a hardtop version of the Pontiac Solstice and an extravagant, extroverted and high-priced SUV 2005 concept. Meanwhile, at Auto-Expo 2006 in New Delhi, EDAG will be presenting the “EDAG Show Car No. 8” as a symbol for the EDAG philosophy of “networked engineering” of product and production.
The World’s Most Powerful Series Production Car
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December 29, 2005 At the extreme outer limits of automotive performance, several marques continually push the boundaries. For a long period of time, the MacLaren Mercedes F1 was the world’s fastest car, before Koenigsegg lifted the crown. The specifications of the outrageous Veyron waited some time before going into production, but now the mantle of the world’s fastest roadgoing car rests safely with Bugatti. The title of the World’s Most Powerful Series Production Car will change in 2006 though when the new Mercedes-Benz S 65 AMG becomes available. Its ultra-powerful AMG 6.0-litre V12 biturbo engine delivers performance that many sports car drivers can only dream about: it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and 0 to 200 km/h in just 13.3 seconds. The compelling top-of-the-line model of the brand new S-Class delivers 450 kW and reaches peak torque of 1000 Nm – more than any other vehicle in this segment.
Britain to monitor EVERY car journey
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December 27, 2005 When George Orwell’s book Nineteen Eighty-Four was published in 1949, he wrote of a world where humanity’s every movement was monitored by Big Brother – recent developments in the UK suggest his landmark work may prove chillingly prophetic. Two recently syndicated articles by journalist Steve Connor serve to highlight just how far the British Government has progressed in its quest to monitor the movements of its citizens. The articles entitled Britain will be first country to monitor every car journey and Surveillance UK: why this revolution is only the start begin by detailing the UK Government’s plans for a network of tens of thousands of cameras that automatically read the number plate of every car passing them, hence constructing a massive database of every vehicle’s movements so police can analyse any journey a driver has made in the previous five years – computers capable of adding together thousands of exact times and locations of a vehicle every time it takes to the roads. Within three months, the computers will be storing 35 million number-plate reads per day and the plan calls for the network to be massively increased in the number of data collection points, with service stations, local traffic authority cameras and supermarket carparks to be added. The second article suggests the scheme will inevitably be broadened to incorporate facial recognition and a much greater number of data points. Of course if you never do anything wrong, you won't have anything to worry about - but if the authorities should ever get on your case, with tens of thousands of data points, you might end up with a few million pounds worth of speeding fines - just for a start!
Toyota Launches Car-shaped Music Player
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December 26 , 2005 Toyota announced today that it has begun nationwide sales in Japan of the completely redesigned bB passenger vehicle through "Netz" dealers. The first-generation bB, launched in 2000, was developed as an individualistic, compact hatchback—a completely new genre. Its sense of presence, apparent at a single glance, and its spacious, comfortable interior suitable for a diverse range of uses proved popular among younger customers. The New bB retains the strengths of the previous bB and strives to embody the lifestyle of people who want to be surrounded by music everywhere they go, adopting the development theme of "A Car-shaped Music Player" to satisfy the preferences of the younger generation.
BMW unveils the turbosteamer concept
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A large percentage of the energy released when petroleum is burned disappears out the exhaust system as heat. This has always been the case but the amount of energy released looks set to be cut by more than 80% thanks to a new system devised by BMW. BMW’s announcement of the new technology is somewhat of a technological bombshell as it adds yet another form of hybrid automobile – a turbosteamer. The concept uses energy from the exhaust gasses of the traditional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) to power a steam engine which also contributes power to the automobile – an overall 15 per cent improvement for the combined drive system. Even bigger news is that the drive has been designed so that it can be installed in existing model series – meaning that every model in the BMW range could become 15% more efficient overnight if the company chose to make the reduced consumption accessible to as many people as possible.
The world's most powerful diesel car
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December 14, 2005 The prospect of a diesel-engined racing car competing at the highest level became reality in Paris yesterday when Audi pulled the wraps off the new R10. The R8 it replaces has been dominant in its sphere of global sportscar racing and Audi has set itself a monumental challenge in attempting to maintain its winning form with a totally new 5.5-litre, 12-cylinder twin-turbo TDI engined racecar. Diesel engines are very different to those normally associated with car racing – they are quiet, economical, with broad mid-range torque. The R10’s usable power band apparently lies between 3,000 and 5,000 rpm, an unusually low rev range for a racing engine and one which needs far less gear changes – but hey, it’s a diesel and diesels have never been raced successfully against their petrol-engined cousins … but the Audi R10 produces over 650 hp and a colossal 1,100 Newton metres of torque and promises fascinating high tech gawking as the team prepares for its race debut at the Sebring 12 Hours (USA) in March. If Audi can pull off a win in the race for which its is built, the twice-around-the-clock Le Mans 24 Hour Race in France on June17-18, 2006, it will be a unique triumph ... and one which might mark the beginning of an exciting new ear for the once much maligned diesel.
Citroen C6 becomes the world's safest car
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December 13, 2005 In a world of testosterone and adrenalin, it’s easy to concentrate on how powerful a car is rather than how clever. Well, we’re about to address that by bestowing our highest on order of merit upon the new Citroen C6 executive saloon which recently became the first car to be awarded a maximum 4 star Euro NCAP pedestrian safety rating, as well as a maximum 5 stars for occupant protection, making it arguably the safest car on the road. The decision to award the highest combination of pedestrian, occupant and child (4 stars) protection for the Citroen C6 is largely thanks to the debut of its Active Bonnet system. During an accident, the lack of space between the bonnet and the engine increases the likelihood of a serious head injury for the pedestrian. In the C6, intelligent software automatically raises the bonnet by 65mm in the event of an accident to provide previously unavailable impact absorbing space. The whole process takes less than 0.04 second.
