Latest Technology Advice: Automotive

Showing posts with label Automotive. Show all posts

Showing posts with label Automotive. Show all posts

Top 10 Concept Cars At Frankfurt 2011 | Automotive

6:00 AM

The concepts of the Frankfurt Motor Show 2011 are some of the best we have seen in years. Some are far-out experiments, some preview a possible direction for a car maker's design themes - but others preview production cars we could be able to buy in the near future.

Here's our pick of the best here at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2011.

rammu

UK's first open access hydrogen refueling station opens

2:54 AM

If you live in Britain and are debating whether or not you should purchase a hydrogen-powered Honda FCX Clarity, well ... your decision may now be a bit easier to make. In order to encourage development of fuel cell vehicles such as the FCX, Honda has just opened the UK's first open access station for hydrogen-powered vehicles. It's located on the grounds of Honda of the UK Manufacturing in Swindon, and everyone who needs a little hydrogen in their lives is welcome.

The commercial-scale station can fill vehicles at either 350 or 700 bar, which are the two standard pressures used by major vehicle manufacturers. Filling up an FCX is said to take less than five minutes, and due to the fact that the station uses multiple hydrogen cylinders, cars can fill up immediately after one another - at stations with less cylinders, users might have to wait for more hydrogen to be generated.

rammu

Pininfarina 2uettottanta And Range Rover Evoque Take Car Design Awards

6:40 AM

There is no greater accolade than to be judged the finest by your peers. This year the car design fraternity has delivered an overwhelming verdict for the concept design of the year to the Pininfarina – 40% of all the voters (all car designers) voted for the Pininfarina 2uettottanta ahead of some quite outstanding competition in the form of the Jaguar C-X75 and Renault DeZir.

The Car Design of the Year 2010 Production category gong went to Range Rover's Evoque ahead of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta and Audi A7.

rammu

The 1100 Bhp Koenigsegg Agera R – With The World’s Fastest Roof Box

2:11 AM

Christian von Koenigsegg has once again created a hypercar of the highest order – the new Agera R features so much innovation that we're not going to even attempt to squeeze it all into the introductory paragraph.

The 5 liter, V8 bi-turbo engine is the lightest and most compact hypercar engine in the world, and produces 1100 hp on E85 bio fuel with peak torque of 1200 Nm spread over over a 3300 rpm rev range. It's most notable feature though, is a Thule Roof Box which ensures you can take all your gear as well as having a show car with the standard roof when you get there.

rammu

The World's First Hybrid Automobile Goes On Show Again - 111 Years Later

2:02 AM

We're a little non-plussed on Porsche's announcement of a reconstructed Semper Vivus, which it is claiming was presented at the Paris Show of 1900. There's a video of the construction of the vehicle, but it is at odds with previous Porsche historic information on the Lohner Porsche and the normally fastidious Porsche press department hasn't issued any details of the Semper Vivus.

The Semper Vivus was a series electric hybrid with its two engines charging the batteries and Porsche electric hub motors delivering the power. More details as they come to hand, though an excellent photo gallery in the meantime.

rammu

Volkswagen's Bulli Concept Revives Memories Of The Kombi

10:37 AM

Volkswagen has had two of the most loved models in the history of the automobile, both originally built on the same chassis. It's not surprising then, that the company keeps reprising them, bringing their relevance into focus. The latest evolution of the iconic Microbus/Kombi wagon surfaced in Geneva.

The new 'Bulli' concept offers a flexible layout, seating for six, a 40 kWh lithium-ion battery, an 85 kW electric motor with 260 Nm torque,140 km/h (87 mph) top speed and a range of 300 km (186 miles).

rammu

Morgan Reinvents The Cyclecar With 115bhp Three Wheeler

10:31 AM

The cyclecar was a cross between a motorcycle and a car that popular a 100 years ago, mainly because the extremely light weight and powerful big V-twin motorcycle engine gave it sporting performance. Only one of the original cyclecar manufacturers still exists today – Morgan – and in a remarkable announcement, the entire concept has been updated and will sell for GBP25,000 powered by a big 115 bhp S&S V-twin, a five-speed Mazda gearbox and a cockpit modeled on a WW1 fighter plane.

Indeed, the whole aero and sporting heritage relationship with yesteryear is to be part of the marketing with very high quality decals including US military and British Air Force inspired logos, oval racing numbers and stripes, a shark nose, checkered winner's bonnet, official national flags and the Morgan wings.

rammu

Tata Displays Impressive European City Car Concept - Low Cost, High Tech Pixel

3:08 AM

Growing Indian powerhouse Tata emphatically announced itself a player in European personal mobility at the Geneva Motor Show when it announced the Tata Pixel, a car built for European cities based on the Tata Nano. Tata claims the Pixel to be "the most package efficient four-seater in the world".

The company's use of high-tech in the new vehicle includes connected services and Tata's own human-machine interface (HMI) concept, an infinitely variable transmission from Torotrak and a 1.2 liter turbo diesel offering 3.4 l/100km, but its biggest point-of-difference is that it is ultra maneuverable thanks to moveable wheels which give it a turning circle of just 2.6 meters.

rammu

Volvo S60′S India Launch On March 10th 2011

7:54 PM

Volvos are as safe as say the Reserve Bank’s vaults but calling them fun to drive might earn you a bullet right though your skull. Alright, all ghastly things apart, here’s a Volvo that could actually be called both safe and fun to drive in a single sentence, the 2011 Volvo S60. But why, you may ask. Here’s why.

First of all, the 2011 Volvo S60 looks way more better than any Volvo we’ve seen in India thus far. Even though the car cannot hold a candle to say a BMW 3 Series, the mildly under stated styling will do just fine for the middle aged crowd.

rammu

A New Honda Accord

7:30 PM

The car you see in these pictures is the face-lifted Honda Accord. It's hard to spot the difference at first glance though, as the changes are easy to miss. The stretched-out proportions, the planted stance and the crisp detailing are all the same, and this car does look very similar in the flesh. But look closer and you will home in on some new bits.

The new grille of the car, of course is the first noticeable difference, which has changed from a slot-like opening to a more aggressive ‘V'. The most visible changes however are the twin chrome bars that flank the attractive-looking Honda ‘H'. And the front bumper is less sporty and more grown up; those sunken machine gun pod-like fog lamps have been excluded.

rammu

Smart Breaks Out Forspeed Concept Ahead Of Geneva Motor Show

10:14 PM

A World War I issue flying cap and goggles might be standard equipment if smart's latest concept offering ever makes it to the showroom floor. The smart forspeed dispenses with a roof, adds in a bunch of intelligent electricity-saving features and offers an open-air driving experience coupled with the silence of a not-so-modest electric drive souped up and borrowed from the smart fortwo electric drive. Interestingly, it's essentially an electric version of the smart Crossblade Limited Edition, which singer Robbie Williams championed back in 2002.

Dubbed as a "study", the forspeed is a tailor-made electric solution for those climates where it is warm and doesn't rain much, and where the alternative is to lock yourself inside an airconditioned metal box when travelling, or risk life and limb on a motor scooter. Probably more to the point, it's perfect for those climates which have predictable weather.

rammu

Subaru Boxer Sports Car Takes Shape

9:58 PM

Subaru will be showcasing a 'BOXER Sports Car Architecture' Concept concept vehicle at the Geneva Motor Show next week and released a darkened image of the vehicle to the media earlier today. A bit of a play with Adobe Photoshop and a great deal more about the shape of the forthcoming vehicle has been revealed.

Not much more is known about the vehicle at this stage, even though the company has a preview web site already operating.

rammu

Renault Kangoo Van Maxi LWB Z.E. Looks A Winner

8:27 AM

Probably the vehicle with the most marketplace impact at next weeks Geneva Show will be the Renault Kangoo Van Maxi Z.E.. It's a viable electric commercial vehicle with orders being taken now and will be available before year's end in short and long (an extra 40 cm) wheelbase in two seat or a clever five seat crew van version offering four different interior layouts and a rear bench seat that folds into the floor for a completely flat deck.

The 22kWh lithium-ion battery is located beneath the floor, is leased by the van owner at GBP59 per month regardless of whether you buy or lease the vehicle, and drives a 44kW electric motor for a range of 105 miles.

rammu

MINI Rocketman Concept to Land at Geneva Motor Show

10:20 PM

With the number of MINI concept vehicles that have been rolled out in recent times, you'd be forgiven for thinking the company is overcompensating for the Mini's diminutive size. But MINI says the concept vehicles, many of which – such as the Paceman – have made the transition from concept to production, are one of the keys to the brand's success, with their creative use of space one of the driving principles of the vehicles.

This principle is evident in the latest MINI Rocketman Concept that will be unveiled to the public at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, which kicks off next week. With its length of 3.4 m (11 ft. 3 in.), which is just a few centimeters more than the original 1959 Mini, width of 1.9 m (6 ft. 3 in) including the exterior mirrors, and height of 1.4 m (4 ft. 7 in.), the 3+1-seater, 3-door Rocketman Concept's exterior dimensions hark back to the classic Mini.

Unlike the original Mini though, the concept vehicle features a weight-minimizing carbon spaceframe construction, which is exposed at the front end of the car, around its doors and in the interior.

rammu

Nissan Shows Ultra Frugal Micra DIG-S (Direct Injection Gasoline - Supercharger)

9:41 PM

While electric, hybrid and diesel power trains have been grabbing headlines in recent times, work continues unabated on the good ol’ gasoline internal combustion engine and some significant headway has been realized with the news of a new Nissan Micra which will run a supercharged, direct injection 1.2 litre power-plant.

The lightweight, low-friction, three-cylinder engine emits just 95g/km, produces 72kW (98PS) and 142Nm, and delivers combined cycle fuel economy figures of a staggering 68.9mpg. The car will debut in Geneva, will be available in both manual and CVT transmissions and will have a healthy top speed of 112mph.

rammu

Thought Controlled Car Demonstrated

8:05 PM

Since its formation in 2006, Freie Universität Berlin’s AutoNOMOS team has been researching and developing systems that could someday result in driverless, autonomous cars. Previously, they have successfully used an iPhone, an iPad, and an eye-tracking device to maneuver their Volkswagen Passat MadeInGermany test car.

Now, using a commercially-available Emotiv EPOC brain-machine gaming interface, they have demonstrated that the car can be controlled by mind power. AutoNOMOS’ system, known as BrainDriver, acquires bioelectric signals from the driver via 16 EEG sensors on the EPOC neuroheadset.

rammu

Rolls-Royce Set to Show Experimental Electric Vehicle for the Ultra-Luxury Segment

7:59 PM

Rolls-Royce, one of the most enduring brands of automotive excellence, is developing a fully electric Phantom. The 102EX experimental vehicle will be shown in Geneva on March 1, and will tour Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America this year to evaluate the opinions of its key stakeholders. The brand is launching a special web site which will be used to deliver information about the vehicle, the tour and to elicit stakeholder response.

rammu

Volkswagen Plans to Launch Passat 2011 in March

7:42 PM

Volkswagen plans to launch the all new Passat in March this year. The Passat will get the new VW family look with the new grille and headlamps and will be the 7th generation of the Passat.

Enhanced safety features one among them being the Automatic Distance Control system will find its way into the Passat. Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in 2010 this car will finally be launched in India.

rammu

Audi RSS Any Better Than The Bmw M3 - 2011

7:39 PM

Audi India just announced that the company will sell the new Rs5 sports coupe in India. The 2011 Audi RS5 will hit Indian roads as early as June this year. Before we begin, here is a lesson in Audi nomenclature.

The Audi A5 is a two door version of the A4 sedan we are familiar with. What Audi does, is they add a bit of spice to the A5 and call it the S5, a powerful version of the standard coupe. With the RS5 badge comes even more power and so you have a 444 bhp sports coupe that is conceived to take on the mighty BMW M3. But, has it worked? That’s what we are going to find out.

rammu

Maserati’s new 285 km/h Grancabrio Sport

9:37 AM

Another high horsepower premium soft top will debut in Geneva in the form of the 331 kW (450 bhp) Maserati Grancabrio Sport. The hard-edged Grancabrio uses the same 4.7-litre V8, driving through a ZF six-speed automatic though the engine has benefited from Maserati's Friction Reduction Program to achieve a 6% reduction in fuel consumption.

The new six-speed 285 km/h automatic will debut at the upcoming Geneva Auto Show in a new colour (Rosso Trionfale) inspired by the Italian national colours used on 1950s racing Maseratis such as the 250F in which Juan Manuel Fangio won his fifth F1 World Title in 1957.

rammu