Eaton's fuel saving hydraulic hybrid systems put traditional drivetrains in jeopardy

Eaton, which is better known for its involvement in supercharging muscle cars, has a thing for saving fuel, too. According to a writeup on the outfit's website, it's working up a series hybrid hydraulic system to replace the conventional driveline. The SHH system will wed a high-efficiency diesel engine and a custom hydraulic propulsion system, and by operating at its "sweet spot," it stands to reason that lots of gasoline will be saved as it runs. Better still, the setup involves regenerative breaking in order to recover and reuse energy that's typically wasted, and the engine can safely be shut off when not needed in order to save additional fuel when waiting at a stoplight. So, where is this stuff headed first? UPS trucks, naturally.

[Via: Autoblog ] [Tag: Eaton, hybrid hydraulic, HybridHydraulic, hydraulic, hydraulic hybrid, HydraulicHybrid ]

2010 Mercedes Benz SL65 AMG Black Series Hits the Dyno

It costs $100,000 more than a regular SL65 AMG, so buyers of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series had better get a little somethin' for their money. And they do-with carbon-fiber body panels, a fixed roof, and styling that makes the Black Series look as though it's an escapee from a DTM race.We covered the Black Series in depth here, but Mercedes asked us not to perform instrumented tests on it during our initial drive. Tech editor Don Sherman is suspicious that the Black Series' quoted 3.6-second 0-60 mph time is a little ambitious given that the lighter (by half a ton) but similarly powerful Corvette ZR1 hits 60 in the same amount of time.The truth of the matter is that with a twin-turbocharged torque monster of a V-12 under the hood of the Black Series, 0-60 numbers are less about power than they are about the launch. The Black Series can (and will happily) spin its tires at any point up to 60 mph, so the result of any off-the-line timed run speaks more about available traction than it does about grunt.To that end, we took a Black Series to a chassis dyno to see what kind of power, exactly, it puts down. We were also looking forward to see the shape of the curve. AMG fitted the 6.0-liter V-12 with larger turbos to help maintain boost at higher engine speeds. If the engineers have done their job well, we should see big gains at the top of the rev range.But the first thing everyone asks: "What did it put down." Answer: 573 hp @ 5300 rpm and 682 lb-ft @ 3620 rpm in third gear. That's wheel horsepower, remember. And the result is right where it should be given the engine's rating of 651 hp @ 5400 rpm and 738 lb-ft @ 2200 - 4200 rpm. [Via: Automobilemag ] [Tag: ]

In-car fingerprint scanner keeps drunks, thieves from starting your car

How's this for dual purpose? Zhao Wencai and Li Zhoumu, two graduate students at the China University of Geosciences, have concocted a prototype device which checks for two important bits of information before allowing a car to start. First, it scans your fingerprint to make sure you're on the authorized driver database; second, it takes a long, hard look (okay, so maybe 20 seconds isn't all that long) at the sweat on your digit to determine just how sober or inebriated you are. There's no telling when this will hit motorcars en masse, but we'd say the whole thing needs to get a whole lot smaller before it's a viable option.

[Via: Wired ] [Tag: alcohol, china, driving, drunk driving, DrunkDriving, research, safety, scanner, university ]

Chinese University Students Want Me To Diddle My Car to Start It [Cars]

It's dark. There's a box. It beckons. You stick your finger in and curl "your index finger towards you in a summoning motion". Congratulations, you've just started your car. Two students, Zhao Wencai and Li Zhoumu, invented this gesture-based car interaction as a presentation for the third China-International Road Safety Expo. Not only can you pleasure your car to start it, you can shove your middle finger in there onto a fingerprint scanner to read how high your blood alcohol level is. Another possible use is as a security system, so the car wouldn't start unless your finger belonged to one of the registered drivers. Our prediction? These two students HAVE to be girls, or else they'd be more aware of the gesture they were promoting for this device.


[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ] [Tag: ]

The Ex-Wall Streeter's Guide to Recession Rides

You and your investment banker colleagues made piles of money creating indecipherable financial instruments, got your friends at the ratings agencies to give them their stamp of approval, and just like that, all the risk magically disappeared and, not incidentally, your firm reaped huge fees selling the stuff to every financial institution in town. Now, sadly, the scheme has all come hideously undone. You no longer work on the Street; instead, you're out on the street. And, worse, your car lease is up. What to do? Of course, you're not destitute - you couldn't possibly have spent all the money you've raked in over the past few years - but you need to curb expenses. And yet, you want to keep up appearances. Allow us to help . . .Instead of: a Ferrari F430, consider: an Audi R8Oh, there's nothing like a Ferrari in terms of achieving the sports-car pinnacle. Nothing can touch its snob appeal. But the Audi R8 offers a strikingly similar mechanical package, highlighted by a mid-mounted V-8 engine, with a plexiglass engine cover to drive the point home for jealous observers. Trust us when we say that the beautiful bodywork is every bit as exotic and head turning as the F430's. And the interior, in characteristic, overachieving Audi style, is just as beautifully crafted as anything to come out of Maranello. The R8's manual gearshift even moves through a Ferrari-style metal gate; or there's the option of a paddle-shifted automated manual that allows you to indulge your Michael Schumacher fantasies.
F430: $191,775
R8: $114,200
Savings: $77,575 (plus a few hundred more on Ferrari jackets and related sportswear)
[Via: Automobilemag ] [Tag: ]

2009 Ford Flex Limited AWD

I really, really like the Flex, mostly because I am absolutely taken with the design: the shape, the proportions, and yes, the squareness. This is the american people mover boiled down to its pure, classic element. It is the utter antithesis of every jacked-up, pseudo-macho SUV and every bloated, trying-to-be-swoopy crossover.It also helps that the interior is almost as fresh as the exterior. There's loads of space under the low roofline, and the electronic interfaces are as user-friendly as can be. The driving experience isn't scintillating, but it's hardly unpleasant, and the cabin is almost eerily quiet.The only real negatives are a driving position that's awkward for the long-legged (I'd happily trade away the power-adjustable pedals for a telescoping steering column) and a price that's pretty steep (well into the $40Ks loaded up). I suspect the latter is to blame for the car's relatively slow start out of the gate.Joe Lorio, Senior Editor
[Via: Automobilemag ] [Tag: ]

JE Design throws its Scirocco into the mix

Click above for a high-res gallery of the JE Design Scirocco Volkswagen's new Scirocco seems to be the hottest new platform for Euro tuners, with Abt and MTM already coming out with tuning packages. JE Design has developed their own line of parts and accessories, starting with a subtle three piece aero kit that includes a new front spoiler, side skirts, and a rear spoiler extension. A performance kit boosts the turbocharged 2.0L inline-four to 244 bhp and 258 lb-ft torque, while an upgraded exhaust system adds another 11 more horsepower. Also available are lowering springs and multispoke wheels in a variety of finishes. Now if we could only get Volkswagen to once again reconsider its decision to not bring the Scirocco stateside. [Via: www.je-design.de ] [Tag: JE Design, JE Design Scirocco, JeDesign, JeDesignScirocco, Scirocco, Volkswagen, Volkswagen Scirocco, VolkswagenScirocco, VW, VW Scirocco, VwScirocco ]

Nissan Japan offering "stylish package" for 370Z

Nissan 370Z w/Stylish Package
[Via: Carscoop ] [Tag: 370, 370 z, 370z, nissan 370z, nissan z, nissan z stune, Nissan370z, NissanZ, NissanZStune, s tune, s-tune, stune, stylish package, StylishPackage, z appearance, z stune, ZAppearance, ZStune ]

PPI unleashes Razor GTR in Essen

The GT3-spec LMS racecar wasn't the only Audi R8 to grace the show floor in Essen. PPI Design brought their latest version of the Audi supercar dubbed the Razor GTR. The standard version of the Razor made its debut at the show last year, featuring an additional 40 horsepower, 19-inch wheels, custom leather interior, and a full carbon fiber aero kit. The GTR takes the R8 to yet another level, with more power, reduced weight, and improved aerodynamics. PPI has fitted a supercharger to the 4.2L V8 which now puts out 580 horsepower and 443 lb-ft torque, good for a 3.7-second sprint to 100 km/h and a top speed of 206 mph. The widebody kit is constructed completely of carbon fiber and feeds cool air to the brakes and radiators, while the engine cover, also constructed of the lightweight material, includes integrated ram air inlets. The wider body also allows for wider rims and tires -- lightweight MAG11 forged wheels wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport 2 rubber. Other performance upgrades include a KW coilover suspension, and larger brakes: 15-inch discs with six-piston calipers in the front, and 14-inch discs in the rear. Carbon fiber also coats the interior, alongside custom leather seats and a PPI steering wheel. [Via: MotorAuthority.com ] [Tag: Audi, Audi R8, AudiR8, PPI, PPI Audi R8, PPI R8, PPI Razor, PPI Razor GTR, PpiAudiR8, PpiR8, PpiRazor, PpiRazorGtr ]

Honda's color-changing speedometer to drive out bad driving habits

So, you've a lead foot? What of it, right? Honda's hoping to make that bad little habit vanish by using the tried and true guilt trip method, or more specifically, the Ecological Drive Assist System. For starters, the technology's ECON Mode works with the CVT and engine to "support more fuel-efficient driving." The real kicker, however, is the color-based "guidance function" -- drive like a granny, your speedo lights up green, drive a little wilder, and things get a bit blue, and if you toss fuel economy to the wind and let 'er rip, expect a full-on blue screen and the voice of God to come thundering through your sound system instructing that those horses be held. The EDAS should appear in the automaker's Insight hybrid as early as Spring 2009, though there's no word if it'll be standard equipment on the rumored S3000.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: CVT, eco-friendly, Ecological Drive Assist System, EcologicalDriveAssistSystem, ECON, EDAS, fuel economy, FuelEconomy, gas mileage, GasMileage, green, honda, hybrid, hybridcar, in-car, Insight, InterNavi, japan, safety, transmission, transport ]

eBay Find of the Day: Rolls-Royce RR4 already for sale

RR4 Replica
[Via: eBay Motors ] [Tag: ebay, ebay find of the day, ebay motors, ebayauction, EbayFindOfTheDay, ebaymotors, rolls royce rr4, RollsRoyceRr4, rr4 ]

Chicago 2008: MotorWeek announces 2008 Drivers Choice Awards

Last year, we were surprised by Motor Week's choice for its 2007 "Best Of The Year" , the Honda Fit. This year, we were simply shocked that its choice for 2008 is the Scion xB. It's not that the xB is a bad car, it's that there are so many better choices. In fact, peruse the list below of winners in other categories. Almost any of the other cars on the list would be a better choice, save for the Sebring Convertible and possibly the minivans. Lexus makes fine vehicles, but its LS 600h L does not belong on a "Best Dream Machine" list.

• Best Small Car - Scion xB
• Best Family Sedan - Honda Accord
• Best Minivan - Dodge Grand Caravan/Chrysler Town & Country
• Best Convertible - Chrysler Sebring Convertible
• Best Luxury Sedan - Mercedes-Benz C-Class
• Best Sport Sedan - Cadillac CTS
• Best Sport Coupe - Infiniti G37
• Best Performance Car - Volkswagen R32
• Best Small Utility - Nissan Rogue
• Best Large Utility - Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon
• Best Crossover Utility - Buick Enclave/GMC Acadia/Saturn Outlook
• Best Pickup Truck - Ford F-Series Super Duty
• Best Eco-Friendly - Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid/GMC Yukon Hybrid
• Best Dream Machine - Audi R8/Bentley Continental GT Speed/Lexus LS 600h L

We can agree with a few of the choices, like the Audi R8, the Cadillac CTS and even the R32, although the new Evolution or STi might have been a better choice. These types of lists are never easy, but MotorWeek seems to have gone out of its way to make this one irrelevant.PRESS RELEASE:MotorWeek Honors Scion xB as 2008 Drivers' Choice "Best of the Year"
Scion xB's versatility and value appeal to the young and young at heart;
GM recognized for pioneering technology giving full size vehicles functionality and fuel efficiency
Chicago, IL – Delivering the perfect mix of fun, fuel efficiency and usefulness the Scion xB eclipsed the
competition to capture MotorWeek's coveted "Best of the Year" 2008 Drivers' Choice Award. The honor was
announced today at the Chicago Auto Show. Without abandoning its roots as a funky, compact urban utility
vehicle, the xB offers more versatility, more power, unique customization options, a thrifty sticker price and
frugality at the pump. MotorWeek's Drivers' Choice Awards have been presented since 1983, and are among
the auto industry's most prestigious honors.
"Our Scion owners asked for a bigger and better 'box' and we responded with the 2008 xB," said Jack Hollis,
Scion vice president. "We're flattered MotorWeek finds the xB just as appealing as our Scion enthusiasts and
has named the xB 'Best of the Year.' "
"Scion has made an interesting first concept into a great second generation car," said John Davis, MotorWeek
host and executive producer. "With the xB, Scion has broadened its appeal to every intelligent consumer out
there. It's amazingly roomy, stylish, fuel efficient and entertaining to drive. A compact this versatile should be
in everyone's garage. The Scion xB is a smart choice, a great value and a fun one too. It appeals to the
young, and the young at heart."
Recognized as the best overall among winners in 14 categories, the xB is the first Scion to win a Drivers'
Choice Award. Scion, a marque of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Inc., began its national rollout of vehicles in
2004. The entire winners' list will be featured on a special MotorWeek episode airing on PBS beginning
February 9 (check local listings) and on cable's SPEED beginning February 11. The Drivers' Choice Awards
and MotorWeek are nationally sponsored by Cars.com, Valvoline and Goodyear.
GM's Tahoe and Yukon won "Best Large Utility," but also proved bigger can be better -- and greener -- by
also taking top honors as "Best Eco-Friendly" for their new hybrid models. It is the first time in MotorWeek
history that a large utility has won in both categories. "GM should be commended for putting hybrid systems
where they belong, in the biggest vehicles that use the most fuel," said Davis. "GM's two-mode hybrid system
improves fuel economy by up to 30%, without compromising performance or utility."
GM also swept the "Best Crossover Utility" category with newcomer Buick Enclave and repeat winners GMC
Acadia and Saturn Outlook, demonstrating that domestic automakers still dominate the large vehicle market.
MotorWeek also recognized GM's successful efforts to take on the Europeans. With its power, sharp styling
and amazing interior quality, the Cadillac CTS captured the title of "Best Sport Sedan."
Import brands maintained their supremacy in the family and luxury car segments. MotorWeek awarded first
place honors to the Honda Accord as "Best Family Sedan," the Nissan Rogue as "Best Small Utility," and the
Scion xB as "Best Small Car". Mercedes-Benz's redesigned C-Class did not disappoint, taking the "Best
Luxury Sedan" category. A trio of rare import brands won as "Best Dream Machine," Audi R8, Bentley
Continental GT Speed and Lexus LS 600h L.
Capturing the essence of the Drivers' Choice Awards, the Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Caravan
shared top honors as "Best Minivan." "With a new seating system, more entertainment options and more
space, they've got everything a minivan should have, plus a couple of things that are unexpected. That's what
we're looking for with these awards," said Davis.
The annual MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Awards are unique for their consumer focus and represent the
definitive list of best automotive picks for a range of lifestyles. This year, a team of 15 judges, comprised of
the writers, producers and staff of MotorWeek evaluated more than 150 cars and trucks. Decisions are based
on performance, technology, practicality and dollar value. The resulting 14 categories reflect the most popular
vehicle segments, and the winners represent what MotorWeek considers to be the best in each class.
Drivers' Choice Awards Individual Categories:
1. Best Small Car - Scion xB
2. Best Family Sedan - Honda Accord
3. Best Minivan - Dodge Grand Caravan/Chrysler Town & Country
4. Best Convertible - Chrysler Sebring Convertible
5. Best Luxury Sedan - Mercedes-Benz C-Class
6. Best Sport Sedan - Cadillac CTS
7. Best Sport Coupe - Infiniti G37
8. Best Performance Car - Volkswagen R32
9. Best Small Utility - Nissan Rogue
10. Best Large Utility - Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon
11. Best Crossover Utility - Buick Enclave/GMC Acadia/Saturn Outlook
12. Best Pickup Truck - Ford F-Series Super Duty
13. Best Eco-Friendly - Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid/GMC Yukon Hybrid
14. Best Dream Machine - Audi R8/Bentley Continental GT Speed/Lexus LS 600h L
MotorWeek, the original television automotive magazine series, is one of the nation's leading sources for
automotive industry news, new car information and driving entertainment. The award-winning series, seen
nationwide on PBS, PBS HD, SPEED and V-me, is sponsored by Cars.com, Valvoline and Goodyear. The
weekly series is produced by Maryland Public Television. For more information on MotorWeek and the

[Via: Autoblog Scion ] [Tag: chicago, chicago 2008, chicago auto show, Chicago2008, ChicagoAutoShow, drivers choice awards, DriversChoiceAwards, motor week, MotorWeek, scion xb, scion-xb, ScionXb ]

Fujitsu's in-car safety tech senses drowsiness, reacts to wake you up

Not that we haven't seen similar technology from other outfits before, but we'll take as many in-car safety advancements as we can get. It's bruited that Fujitsu is conjuring up a sophisticated sensor system that can actually detect when a driver gets drowsy or begins to sink into a deep, dark wonder-world of sleep. Put simply, the system would detect specific changes in the motorist's heart rate via the steering wheel, and once it determined that you weren't exactly "with it" any longer, the car could then roll its own windows down, blast the stereo or jolt the wheel in order to get your attention. In our minds, the biggest issue here is to not cause an accident by spooking a sleepy driver out of their slumber, and we presume that's exactly what the company is working on in its R&D labs.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: automotive, dozing, driver, driving, drowsy, feedback, Fujitsu, heart rate, HeartRate, safety, sensor, sensors, sleep, sleeping, sleepy ]

Google Android open-source OS could come to cars

It's no secret that our cars are quickly becoming extensions of our data-crazed lives. Everywhere we go, we surround ourselves with electronics meant to make our lives more convenient. Plus, most of these gadgets are just plain cool. Microsoft and Ford started something with the SYNC system and Apple has the market cornered with its iPod and iPhone, with integration of those i-devices now becoming popular options with car shoppers. Don't expect Google to sit back and watch. The internet giant has teamed up with an impressive list of major players, including Intel and Wind River Systems. These companies are actively working on getting their Android open-source operating system integrated into cars as we speak. If we had to wager a guess, it would be BMW that's most likely to roll out a new Android-powered infotainment system first, possibly as early as next year according to John Bruggeman, chief marketing officer at Wind River. For an early look at the first device with the Android OS, check out Engadget's recent feature.
[Via: CNET ] [Tag: android, android open source, android os, AndroidOpenSource, AndroidOs, google, google android, GoogleAndroid, open source car, open source os, OpenSourceCar, OpenSourceOs ]

Knight Rider-themed GPS system with authentic KITT voice

Click above to view more shots of the Mio Knight Rider GPS
"Michael, you're going the wrong way, you ninny." For all you Knight Rider fans no longer moved by finding a perfect 45 rpm single of "A Knight Rider Christmas," Mio has a brand new toy that's capable of Knight Industries Two Thousand level antics. The Knight Rider-themed GPS unit has voice prompts recorded by the one-and-only William Daniels (thankfully not Val Kilmer), the original voice of KITT, and asks cordially "Hello Michael, where do you want to go today?" when powered up. The LCD display is also flanked by a series of red LEDs reminiscent of KITT's nose-mounted lights. Once the unit is available for sale, about $270 is all it'll take to get KITT in your KARR. Thanks for the tip, Dan!
[Via: Next Autos ] [Tag: knight rider, knight rider gps, KnightRider, KnightRiderGps, mio gps, mio knight rider, mio knight rider gps, MioGps, MioKnightRider, MioKnightRiderGps ]

BMW pushes for in-car open source platform

At the Convergence 2008 automotive electronics conference this week, BMW has revealed that it is looking for partners to develop an open-source car computing platform that would allow third-party suppliers to develop plug-and-play applications for their vehicles. The company is enthusiastic about the potential for such a system, particularly mentioning how open platforms are able to keep pace with the rapid advances in technology.
Though no other car makers are yet officially on board, it seems BMW will be moving ahead with or without any assistance, claiming it plans to have the open-source system in a vehicle selling 200,000 or more units over the next five to seven years. It’s good to see BMW is keeping an open mind with the software they use in their cars, not to mention this could be an important development for Linux in the mobile and embedded system markets.
A number of other automakers have also expressed interest in open platforms, including Honda and Ford, which currently use Microsoft-developed systems for their vehicles.
[Via: Jose Vilches ] [Tag: ]

Ruf Automobile's electric Porsche concept gets real, pictured

Look out Tesla / Lightning -- a new competitor just rolled out, and it's sitting pretty. Ruf Automobile has gone public with its stunning electric eRUF concept car, which is obviously based on a Porsche 911. The automobile packs a three-phase electric motor that puts out around 200-horsepower and 480 lb.-ft. of torque, and it can reportedly go from nothing to sixty in under seven ticks. The juice is provided by a Li-ion phosphate battery pack that produces 317-volts / 480-amps and is constructed from 96 individual cells, and combined with the power garnered by the regenerative braking system, it can cruise up to 180 miles before needing a ten-hour recharge. Production, pretty please?
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: concept, eco-friendly, electric car, ElectricCar, eRUF, eRUF Model A, ErufModelA, green, Porsche, Porsche 911, Porsche911, Ruf Automobile, RufAutomobile ]

Audi confirms pure electric car, will likely be based on VW Up! concept

With an electric MINI Cooper just around the bend, a Twin Drive hybrid Volkswagen landing in 2010 and Chevrolet's Volt rolling into showrooms in a matter of months, Audi's ten-year plan is looking a little awkward. Though we've yet to hear that it's actually speeding things up, Peter Schwarzenbauer, who sits on the management board at Ingolstadt, recently confirmed that the company would be offering "a pure electric car" sometime in the future. Additionally, rumors of it being based on the A1 were dashed, opening the door for speculation that it will instead be built around the VW Up! (Lupo) concept. Here's hoping we find our prior to 2018.
[Via: Autoblog ] [Tag: a1, Audi, car, concept, eco-friendly, electric car, ElectricCar, green, Up, vehicle, volkswagen, VW ]

Ford MyKey lets parents control their kids' driving habits

There's not exactly a shortage of options out there for parents that want to keep watch on their kids' driving, but Ford looks to be taking things a bit further than most with its new MyKey system, and it's making it standard issue, no less. Set to debut in the 2010 Focus Coupe and plenty of other Ford vehicles shortly thereafter, the key-based system will let parents limit their car's top driving speed to 80 miles per hour, cut off the stereo's volume at just 44% of its max output, and set a persistent chime to go off if the seatbelts aren't being used (the stereo also gets muted until everyone buckles up). As if that wasn't enough, it'll also provide a low-fuel warning at 75 miles to empty, start issuing a surely annoying reminder as the driver inches up past the 45 mph mark, and make it impossible to disable some of the Focus' usual safety measures like Park Aid and Cross Traffic Alert. Also not able to be disabled: your kid's resentment.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: ford, ford focus, ford focus coupe, FordFocusCoupe, mykey ]

Vehicle-to-grid will turn suburbs into power plants, won't help undertones of repression

We've been hearing about vehicle-to-grid (V2G) for quite a while, and now a team at the University of Michigan is conducting an extensive study on the technology as part of a national sustainable energy solution. While current electric plants are good at generating power, they often fall short when it comes to storage -- which can be a problem when there's a power surge or when demand increases. V2G will let hybrid-electric owners sell the power their car generates to the electrical power grid whenever the car is not in use. The research team envisions a time when millions of hybrid vehicle owners will come together to create one large battery, allowing us all to play a small part in building our nation's energy independence. And sure, this all sounds good in theory. But wouldn't that mean relying on the neighbors to provide a key piece of the nation's infrastructure? Have you met the neighbors? Doesn't that seem a little... iffy?
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: electric car, ElectricCar, hybrid, hybrid cars, HybridCars, Jeff Stein, JeffStein, plug-in hybrid, Plug-inHybrid, pluginhybrid, university of michigan, UniversityOfMichigan, v2g, vehicle to grid, VehicleToGrid ]

Solar powered motorcycle now an impractical reality

Why is this guy smiling? Unlike your Zero, his electric motorcycle is solar powered. To build the bike, Jim Corning started with his wife's Ninja 250, adding a front wheel cover and extending the back end for aerodynamics. The motor is powered by lithium-ion phosphate batteries, which are recharged by four 800-watt solar panels mounted to the roof of his house (so it's not like you can just sit out in a field somewhere and charge up). The current design gets up to 70 mph and a range of about 50 miles: no power cord required. Want to make one yourself? Hit the read link for more details, and don't forget to be super rich and totally insane.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: electric motorcycle, electric vehicle, ElectricMotorcycle, ElectricVehicle, Jim Corning, JimCorning ]

Tesla CTO talks Bluestar, the affordable electric auto

Despite not making any lusty noises when tearing away from a stoplight, Tesla's eco-friendly supercar the Roadster still sets our hearts aflutter. Its price, however, makes our bank accounts sad, so we're happy to report the company is still working hard to develop an affordable option dubbed "Bluestar." Tesla CTO JB Straubel recently spoke about green transportation at MIT's Emerging Technologies Conference, elaborating on earlier plans to build a $20,000 - $30,000 family car that, he hopes, could some day result in hundreds of thousands of sales per year. Given the company thus far has shipped just 27 cars, a partnership with some major automotive player will almost certainly be required, and as SUV-dependent 'Merican manufacturers continue to suffer we think any of them would be wise to play along.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: Bluestar, electric car, electric vehicle, ElectricCar, ElectricVehicle, JB Straubel, JbStraubel, tesla, tesla motors, TeslaMotors ]

China takes the leap: Emdrive aka Infinite Improbability Drive now in development

While the rest of the world was in some kind of mass coma over the past year, China decided to have a hand at building the highly controversial Emdrive (electromagnetic drive) -- an engine that uses microwaves to transform electrical energy into thrust, all in a comparably light-weight, efficient package. The end result could mean 41 day journeys to Mars, not to mention terrestrial vehicle propulsion and satellite applications. Perpetual motion malarkey you say? British scientist and originator of the concept, Roger Shawyer of Satellite Propulsion Research Ltd. (SPR), assures you it's nothing of the kind, and Chinese Professor Yang Juan concurs. Research headed by Juan at Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU) in Xi'an commenced in June 2007, and a thruster now being built based on Shawyer's theories is scheduled for completion by the end of this year. Meanwhile in the US: cue the sound of crickets.
[Via: Wired ] [Tag: electromagnetic drive, ElectromagneticDrive, Emdrive, Impossible Space Drive, ImpossibleSpaceDrive, Northwestern Polytechnical University, NorthwesternPolytechnicalUniversity, NPU, perpetual motion, PerpetualMotion, Roger Shawyer, RogerShawyer, Satellite Propulsion Research Ltd, SatellitePropulsionResearchLtd, SPR, Yang Juan, YangJuan ]

Honda bringing 360-degree multi-view camera system to Odyssey

Honda's been trying for months now to convince you that "the van is back in style," and while we're still not entirely sure that line isn't just marketing hoopla (okay, it is), at least the company is working to make the thing more technologically advanced. Starting next month in Japan, the automaker will debut a multi-view camera system for its Odyssey minivan, which will utilize the same 360-degree overhead cam tech that Nissan picked up last year. The system will give drivers the ability to see more as they prepare to back out, and the biggest boon is the ability to view ninjas adhered to parking garage ceilings prior to opening the sunroof and facing The Reaper. Unfortunately, there's no word on when it'll be available in other corners of the globe, but we'd guess 2009 if we had a Katana put to our throat.
[Thanks, JagsLive]
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: automobile, camera, honda, japan, Matsushita, minivan, multi-view camera, Multi-viewCamera, Odyssey, overhead, panasonic, safety, van ]

MIT developing autonomous wheelchair that listens when you speak

Oh MIT, do the wonders that come from your halls ever cease? Yet another remarkable development is emerging from the fabled institution, and this time it's an autonomous wheelchair that can remember important places in a given building (read: the hospital ward, your house, the local arcade, etc.) and then take you there on command. In other words, the voice recognizing chair could understand phrases of direction, such as "head to the kitchen," and it would take on the burden of navigating the halls while letting the rider chill. The researchers are implementing a system that can learn and adapt to the individual user, and in the future, they'd like to add in a collision-avoidance system and mechanical arms to help patients lift and move objects. Say, can regular joes / janes buy these? We're totally feeling this over the Segway.
[Via: medGadget ] [Tag: autonomous, autonomous wheelchair, AutonomousWheelchair, disabled, handicap, handicapped, medical, mit, research, transport, transporter, university, voice command, VoiceCommand, wheelchair ]

Chevy Volt hits the road, video style

The Chevy Volt had its big debut last week, and although the official pictures were far cooler than those leaked dudes-in-suits shots we saw a while ago, there's something about this slow-motion video of the all-electric-drive car in motion accompanied by some soaring Coldplay that pulls at our jaded heartstrings -- now if Chevy would just add in one of those fake engine sounds audio systems, we'd be in heaven.

[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: chevy, chevy volt, ChevyVolt, electric car, electric vehicle, ElectricCar, ElectricVehicle, ev, volt ]

Custom Toyota MR2 carputer presents the ultimate distraction for drivers

This insanely kitted out Toyota MR2 is being put up for sale by its owner somewhere in Germany -- he's a highly motivated seller, provided you have the prerequisite electronics and programming (especially Visual Basic) skills. The standard gauges and indicators in the car have been removed, replaced with touch screens and a console mounted iDrive knob, offering the pilot of this machine control over almost every aspect of its operation: climate control, GPS, fuel consumption, mirrors, radar/laser, wireless transfer of music from a home computer, lights, fog lights... and the all-important VCD playback. Also listed on the original posting is something called the "police button" which "virtually controls the police." This might have been something that Google mistranslated, but we prefer to think otherwise.
[Via: Autoblog ] [Tag: automobiles, carputer, cars, hack, idrive, mod, smart car, SmartCar, toyota, Toyota M2, ToyotaM2, vcd ]

Plug-in Prius demoed tomorrow in London

If you've been hoping to get your hands around the wheel of one of those eco-friendly plug-in Priuses (Priuii?), maybe it's time to bite the bullet and finally move to the UK... just like you've been telling all your friends you're going to do one of these days. According to a report, Toyota is gearing up for the first trials of the ultra-high-MPG car starting tomorrow at an event in London's Hyde Park. An invite mailed to select members of the media (British media, we assume) states: "the purpose of our UK trial is to evaluate not only vehicle performance, but also the electrical infrastructure required, as well as driver behaviour and expectations. The results will play a key role in preparing for the future commercialisation of Plug-in Hybrid technology." So if you've ever wanted to watch one of these planet-huggers race silently around a British landmark, here's your chance.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: demo,hybrid,hyde park,HydePark,london,plug in,plug-in,PlugIn,prius,toyota ]

Tesla readies new transmission, ramping production

To date, since production began in March, 27 Tesla Motors Roadsters have been delivered. Now the production rate is expected to ramp considerably thanks to a deal with BorgWarner to build the enhanced "Powertrain 1.5." The Telsa designed, single-speed gearbox is expected to help provide 30% more power allowing the Roadster to once again accelerate from 0 to 60 in 3.9 seconds as it did with the original, flawed, two-speed transmission. It's also more efficient resulting in an extended, 244-mile range (221 miles currently) from a single charge. All Roadsters equipped with the interim transmission will be upgraded free of charge. Tesla says that it will now ramp production to 10 Roadsters per week, hitting 20 per week within a few months, and 40 per week by early 2009. Most of which we expect to find riding the PCH in total, luxurious, battery-powered silence.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: BorgWarner,gearbox,powertrain 1.5,Powertrain1.5,roadster,tesla,tesla motors,TeslaMotors ]

Chevy Volt rolls out into the open at long last

It's official public debut may still only be coming next week, but it looks like GM has finally decided to give up on the carefully-chosen teaser shots and let the hotly-anticipated Volt out in the open for all the internet to see. No doubt to the dismay of some, the would-be next Prius sure looks a good deal different than the far more angular prototype we've all come to know over the past little while, although we can't say we're exactly surprised given GM's mass-market hopes for the car. Still, it is quite the milestone for the auto industry, and hopefully only the start of things to come. Be sure to hit up Autoblog for a gallery full of more pics of your favorite GM execs -- and the Volt, too.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: chevy,gm,hybrid,plug-in hybrid,Plug-inHybrid,volt ]

STRUT creates jewelry for your Gallardo

Click above for hi-res shots of STRUT's Gallardo collection
Has that yellow Lamborghini Gallardo been sitting on the lawn for a while because it's simply not getting you the attention you want? Or have all those other LP560-4 owners made it too hard for you to use the Phone Number Collecting Set? If so, STRUT could have just the right bit of jazz to put the rage back in your bull.
An 11-piece accessory kit in carbon fiber and steel includes grilles for the front, side, and rear intakes, and the engine cover and bumper vents, as well as a STRUT shield for the front of the car. According to STRUT, the accessories give the Lambo "a disctinct, personalized appearance," because pulling up to the party in a Gallardo just wasn't distinctive enough. The price of personalization: $25,000 for the basic set, $35,000 if you gotta be a baller and choose the titanium edition. And no, that doesn't include the STRUT wheels -- those are $9,000 extra. [Via: STRUT ] [Tag: accessories,aftermarket,aftermarket accessories,AftermarketAccessories,car accessories,CarAccessories,gallardo,lamborghini,lamborghini gallardo,LamborghiniGallardo,strut,strut wear,StrutWear ]

G-Power builds twin-supercharged M6 Hurricane drop-top

We were highly impressed with G-Power's M5 Hurricane. After all, it's twin-supercharged V10 produced nearly 50% more power than stock and it had a top speed of 211 mph, which G-Power claims to be faster than any other street legal Bimmer. With the BMW M6 packing the same 5.0-liter V10, it was only a matter of time before it received the same treatment. Behold the G-Power M6 Hurricane! While the twin blowers are set for lower boost, only 6 psi compared to the M5's 10 psi, the M6 still produces a healthy 635 bhp @ 7300 rpm and 469 lb-ft torque @ 6300 rpm. This is good for a 4.5 second sprint to 60 mph and a top speed of nearly 200 mph. Not one to forget that appearance matters, G-Power also provides a new front and rear fascia, rocker panels, and carbon fiber rear diffuser along with 21-inch wheels that make room for a 15-inch brake system up front. M6 owners can drop off their car at G-Power's German headquarters or can order a fully assembled car starting at a mere 183,000 Euros. Full details can be found in the press release after the jump.

[Via: Tags: BMW ] [Tag: BMW,G-Power,Hurricane,M6 ]

Väth V63RS latest tuning option for AMG fans

There's no shortage of Mercedes-Benz tuners, and we're used to having news tips in our email box regarding BRABUS, Kleemann, Lorinser, Carlsson, etc. That's why we were curious when we received a tip about a company taht we'd never heard of called Vath. The German aftermarket company has products for the entire Mercedes-Benz lineup, the latest of which is the V63RS Clubsport based on the C63 AMG that you see here. Vath essentially leaves the exterior untouched and focuses on the performance including an upgrade of the V8 to 585 bhp and 509 lb-ft torque that will power the car to a top speed of 202 mph. Other upgrades available include a sport suspension, high performance brakes, 19-inch wheels, and sport seats. Complete cars are available at a hefty 125,000 Euros, although components can be purchased individually, as well. Just like the BRABUS Bullit Black Arrow we showed yesterday, black seems to be the color of choice.

[Via: eMercedesBenz.com ] [Tag: AMG,C63,C63 AMG,C63Amg,Mercedes-Benz,Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG,Mercedes-benzC63Amg,Vath,Vath V63RS,VathV63rs ]

SEMA Preview: 600 hp, twin-turbo Fox Marketing/Artisan Lexus IS-F

The 2009 Lexus IS-F is slated to get some serious attention at SEMA, and Fox Marketing and Artisan are out to prove that show and go aren't mutually exclusive.
The plan is to create an IS-F that has the power to match its presence, and to that end, Artisan developed a twin-turbo setup that huffs compressed oxygen into a 5.0-liter V8 equipped with JE pistons and Crower rods. With a Mishimoto radiator, an Artisan exhaust, a healthy amount of boost and a thorough tune, Artisan is estimating over 600 hp at the rear wheels.
Aesthetically, the team sought to compliment the stock IS-F's styling, so they've fitted a bespoke body kit consisting of custom front and rear bumpers, and a set of side-skirts that cleanly integrate into the blistered rear fenders. iForged rollers fill the wheel wells, sized 20x9.5-inches in front and 20x11.5-inches in the rear, and wrapped in Toyo T1R tires (255/35R20 front and 305/30R20 rear). The Glasurit Sunset Orange hue is courtesy of BASF, and according to Brian Fox, they'll be blacking out the headlamps, grille and emblems to tie everything together.
Artisan plans to have its IS-F exhaust on sale next month, and when we check out the Lexus booth this November, we'll be able to see Fox/Artisan's efforts in person, along with a handful of other tuned and tweaked IS-Fs. [Via: Autoblog (Aftermarket) ] [Tag: 2009,artisan,fox marketing,fox marketing artisan lexus is-f,fox marketing artisanlexus is-f,FoxMarketing,FoxMarketingArtisanlexusIs-f,is f,is-f,isf,lexus,sema ]

Solar Powered Car Attempts to Circle Globe as Slowly as Possible [Solar Taxi]

Another day, another golf cart size, three-wheeled solar-powered car with style ripped from the 1980's. At least with this one, the Solar Taxi, there's a record at stake, as Swiss "adventurer" Louis Palmer is taking the car on a trip across the planet without using a drop of gasoline. He'll be the first to do it, and we're hoping his example will inspire more alternative energy cars (hopefully a few have that elusive fourth wheel). The 35 MPH top speed is going to be a tough sell with us Yanks. Palmer, my man, haven't you heard? Women and men alike get hot and bothered by power and speed. The Solar Taxi gets its juice from a $5,000 solar panel trailer provided by German company Q-Cells. Weather permitting, the trailer provides the Taxi with 60 miles of oompf. Longer runs are powered by a pair of $15,000 250-lb. recyclable batteries from Zebra Battery. They store energy from the sun and from whatever electrical socket Palmer can find at night (it's just like searching for a socket at a conference, but bigger, and people will still manage to trip awkwardly over the cord). Altogether, Palmer said the rig gets about a 200 mile range between charges. As of this weekend, Palmer and his crew had traveled 27,000 miles across 28 countries, so that's a lot of stop and go driving—or is that charging? The trip is scheduled to conclude in December, but Palmer won't be finished just yet. He's also in the middle of planning an 80-day solar powered race around the world for sometime in 2009. [ABC News]
[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ] [Tag: ]

Titan's air jack lifts your car with hot air, can't be used for a game of volleyball

The only thing worse than getting a punctured tire is trying to use a flimsy scissor jack to change it. Break down on a dirt or snow-covered road and you probably have as good a shot at losing your hand as you do fixing a flat. Not so with the Titan, which may look like an exhaust-powered whoopee cushion, but can actually haul cars (even lifted rigs) up into the air on nearly any surface. Just run a hose to the exhaust of a running car, and the $120 (and up) balloon will gently raise the vehicle aloft -- and by "gently" we mean "really, really slowly." It's probably a little faster than calling AAA, but not as easy as Superjack's remote-controlled kit for lazies. If you have the patience, check out the vid after the break for six minutes of tire-changing action.

[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: aaa,air jack,AirJack,automobiles,car,cars,flat tire,FlatTire,repair,titan,trucks ]

Oregon begins building first "solar highway" project

Just over a year ago, we passed off a far-out proposal that would turn highways into wind farms. Now, however, the state of Oregon is proving that such feats are actually within reach as it breaks ground on the first so-called "solar highway" demonstration project. The project will be installed at the Interstate 5 and Interstate 205 interchange in Tualatin, where it will cover around 8,000 square feet and produce 112,000 kilowatt hours per year. The total cost for the 104-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system is $1.3 million, and believe it or not, it should be completed and operational in December of this year.

[Via: Digg ]
[Tag: eco-friendly,green,highway,oregon,road,solar,solar highway,solar power,solar-powered,SolarHighway,SolarPower,Tualatin ]

Segway hits car at full speed, results unsurprisingly painful looking

Our Deutsch is a little rusty, but Spiegel's got a hard-hitting, um, sounding story on Segway safety -- specifically regarding what happens when one hits a stationary object or falls off of one while riding it at full speed. Hey der Spiegel, why don't you try the same test with one of those bicycle contraptions we hear Europeans are so in love with? We have a feeling you might be slightly more horrified by the results.

[Via: AutoblogGreen ]
[Tag: safety,segway ]

Defcon duo: how-to shut off a pacemaker, almost get free rides on the T

Defcon already delivered by exposing California's FasTrak toll system for the security hole that it is, but that's not nearly all that's emerging from the Las Vegas exploitation conference. For starters, a plethora of medical device security researchers have purportedly figured out a way to wirelessly control pacemakers, theoretically allowing those with the proper equipment to "induce the test mode, drain the device battery and turn off therapies." Of course, it's not (quite) as simple as just buzzing a remote and putting someone six feet under, but it's a threat worth paying attention to. In related news, a trio of MIT students who were scheduled to give a speech on how to hack CharlieCards to get free rides on Boston's T subway were stifled by a temporary restraining order that the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority snagged just before the expo. Don't lie, you're intrigued -- hit up the links below for all the nitty-gritty.

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: black hat,black hat 2008,BlackHat,BlackHat2008,defcon,defcon 2008,Defcon2008,hack,health,lawsuit,mass transit,MassTransit,medical,MIT,pacemaker,sue,suit,university ]

Nissan shows off two more collision avoidance prototypes

Nissan has a knack for pumping out novel safety advancements every few months, and the latest two are in the same vein as a few previous efforts. Two new technologies, Side Collision Prevention and Back-up Collision Prevention, fit into the auto maker's Safety Shield concept to "help protect the vehicle and its occupants from potential risks coming from multiple directions." As for the first, the tech utilizes side-mounted sensors to activate a warning if an approaching vehicle is detected in the drivers intended lane; from there, a yaw mechanism is "activated through brake control of individual wheels to help prevent a potential collision." For the second, an array of sensors detect potential obstacles and triggers an alarm / puts on the brakes if a collision is about to happen. Per usual, there's no mention of when these brilliant ideas will be implemented into production vehicles, but our insurance bills are pleading for "soon."

[Via: Gizmag ]
[Tag: automotive,Back-up Collision Prevention,Back-upCollisionPrevention,COLLISION FREE,CollisionFree,Nissan,prototype,safety,Safety Shield,SafetyShield,Side Collision Prevention,SideCollisionPrevention,vehicle ]

FasTrak toll system exposed, could use a serious dose of security

Ah, Black Hat. How we adore you. Each year there's always one speaker who shows up and completely undermines something that most people assume is rock solid. This year, our pals at Hack-A-Day were in attendance to hear Nate Lawson expose California's FasTrak toll system for the security hole that it is. Essentially, toll transponders that are purchased and slapped onto vehicles offer up exactly no authentication, meaning that anyone with an ill will and an RFID reader could wander through a parking lot and lift all sorts of useful information. Think it can't get worse? The transponders reportedly support "unauthenticated over the air upgrading," which means that each tag could be forced to take on a new ID if the right equipment was present. We don't have to spell out "potential disaster" for you, now do we?
[Image courtesy of Mindfully]

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: black hat, Black Hat 2008, BlackHat, BlackHat2008, california, FasTrak, hack, RFID, toll ]

Google.org invests $2.75M in Aptera Motors

Google.org, the search kingpin's philanthropic wing, has just added another notch to its eco-friendly belt with a recent (and sizable) investment in Aptera Motors -- makers of that absurdly futuristic gas-sipper we've been following. Along with ActaCell (an electric car battery maker), Aptera received a $2.75 million infusion via Google.org's RechargeIT investment program. Hopefully, some of the cash will be put to use bringing Aptera's Typ-1 vehicle to market, where its $30,000 estimated price tag and outrageous 230+ MPG fuel economy will be a welcome relief from rising fuel costs and concerns... and our lack of a fresh ride.

[Via: SMASHgods ]
[Tag: aptera motors,ApteraMotors,electric car,ElectricCar,fuel,google,google org,google.org,GoogleOrg,hybrid,typ-1 ]

Lightning GT caught rolling around the track

The all-electric Lightning GT sports car might have just had its formal debut yesterday, but that doesn't mean prototypes haven't been tooling around for a while -- check out this video of the swoopy two-door doing the track thing in ultra-dramatic slow-mo. Of course, there's no sound, so there could totally be a nasty 5.0L Windsor V8 block under that hood, but we'll give 'em the benefit of the doubt for now. Video at the read link -- and be honest, is this thing enough to sway your feelings from the Tesla Roadster or the Fisker Karma?

[Via: Autoblog Green ]
[Tag: cars,electric car,electric cars,ElectricCar,ElectricCars,gt,lightning,lightning gt,LightningGt ]

Magic Tricycle: Chopper Meets Big Wheel [Motorcycles]

The Magic Tricycle (horrible name) concept is designed around a reasonable idea. On the highway, you may want to drive a car. So the Magic Tricycle (horrible name) road rages through traffic with three wheels. But when you just want to cruise around town, it transforms into motorcycle mode:

The designers claim that the top wheel adds stability to the 2-wheel mode, but we're not absolutely certain that we'd want more weight so high on the bike (then again, we're not engineers for a reason). And either way, it's a pretty neat idea—one the will lead many of us to promise, "No honey, we won't drive the car in motorcycle mode, we just always really wanted a three-wheeler..." But before we'd even consider a purchase, they'd have to tweak the name "Magic Tricycle" (horrible). It's like Peter, Paul & Mary sodomized Harley Davidson. [Car Design News via DVICE]

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

Lightning's ВЈ120,000 all-electric sports car unveiled in London

Well, would you have a look at that. That, dear friends, is Lightning's immaculate GT -- a ?120,000 ($239,400) motorcar that is just one of two vehicles in the world to rely on lithium-titanate battery technology. Said innovation enables the vehicle to go from dead to fully charged in "just minutes," though you will have to find a location that provides three-phase industrial power in order to see the benefits over traditional Li-ion cells. The firm's Chris Dell asserts that the nearly exclusive quick charge tech more than justifies the exorbitant price tag, and he's even looking to UK-based businesses to hopefully strike a deal in which motorists can swing by, juice up and be on their way while traveling. Anxious to take delivery? Looks like you'll be waiting until sometime next year.

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: car,electric car,ElectricCar,fast charge,FastCharge,Lightning,roadster,uk,vehicle ]

Electric MINI hitting US streets in summer 2009

Not that electric MINIs are anything new, but unless you were willing to pay for all the mods yourself, procuring one wasn't exactly simple. Now, however, we're hearing that MINI itself will be bringing scads of these buggers to American streets in the summer of 2009. Yeah, like, one year from right now. MINI USA VP Jim McDowell was the source of said statement (so it's pretty much official, yeah?), though he didn't mention whether all of them would be reserved for California or if they would be available sold out nationwide. Hey MINI, we'd say you've got a hit on your hands.

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: 2009,bmw,car,eco-friendly,electric car,electric mini,ElectricCar,ElectricMini,green,mini,mini cooper,MiniCooper,vehicle ]

Audi pilot program tells drivers how to squeeze the lemon

Though we're hesitant to believe something this fantastic could actually be implemented in real life, word on the pavement has it that Audi is currently running a pilot program that informs motorists "how fast to drive to catch a green light." Over in Ingolstadt, Germany, 50 traffic lights have been equipped with sensors that beam information to specially equipped whips; the network of "smart" signals not only "adapts to traffic patterns to deliver optimum light switching," but gives drivers a heads-up in order to get 'em through lights and cut down on idling / pollution / road rage. We can just hear those red light camera appeals now: "But judge, my car told me to do it!"
[Image courtesy of NOLA]

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: audi,driving,green,pilot,pollution,sensor,sensors,stop light,stop lights,stoplight,StopLights,test,traffic,trial ]

SUV Sculpture Unintentionally Sends the Wrong Message [Land Rover]

Constructed of 3500 part, connected by 4,900 bolts and standing 112 feet in the air, this sculpture commissioned by Land Rover is certainly an idolatrous addition to the Festival of Speed. But, uhh, does anyone else see the piece as less a triumph and more an indicator of our inevitable future—one where SUVs are good for little else than standing proudly/uselessly on a scrapheap? [Gerry Judah via Core77]

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

E7 electric taxi makes its debut in the UK

While New York taxis are set to go hybrid by 2012, at least one company in the UK looks to be doing its part to take things one step further, with it now showing off an all-electric taxi that it says will be available as soon as October of this year. Dubbed the E7, this one packs a bundle of lithium ion batteries that promise to give it a range of 100 miles on a single charge and a decent enough top speed of 60 miles per hour, as well as a price tag of ?39,450 (or just over $78,000). It seems that not everyone's sold on the vehicle, however, as it recently got the thumbs down from London's taxi licensing division, meaning that Londoners won't be able to catch this particular near-silent ride anytime in the foreseeable future.

[Via: AutoblogGreen ]
[Tag: all-electric,e7,electric taxi,electric vehicle,ElectricTaxi,ElectricVehicle,taxi ]

Shelby sets out to build Ultimate Aero EV, the world's fastest electric car

Who needs to be "green" when you can go really, really fast? Well, Shelby Supercars figures it can have it both ways, with an all-electric version of the Ultimate Aero, the Ultimate Aero EV. Seeing how the Ultimate Aero is already the world's faster production car (at least officially, sorry Buggati), they don't see it as much of a leap of faith for this new version to carry that mantle into the electric space: "I think we can do it faster, leaner and cleaner than any other manufacturer," says the ever-modest SSC founder Jerod Shelby. The new car will be powered by a single 373kW electric motor, with a dual-motor "high performance" version being considered, which should give its gas guzzling sibling some serious competition around the track. Testing will begin in February next year, with full production supposed to commence in Q4 2009.

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: electric car,ElectricCar,shelby supercars,ShelbySupercars,ssc,ultimate aero,ultimate aero ev,UltimateAero,UltimateAeroEv ]

Valmet Automotive announces plans to build Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid

It may still be squabbling with Tesla over some allegedly stolen secrets, but it looks like Fisker is still moving full steam ahead with its Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid, with Valmet Automotive now announcing its intention to manufacturer the car en masse in Finland. As Fisker itself had announced way back when, they're expecting to churn out 15,000 of the cars annually, with the first of 'em sent to land in North America sometime in the fourth quarter of 2009, and Europeans getting theirs shortly thereafter in 2010. Apparently, Valmet was chosen to manufacture the car after an "extensive global search," with its location in Finland in particular working in its favor given that more than half of Fisker's cars are expected to be sold outside of North America.


[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: fisker,fisker automotive,FiskerAutomotive,valmet ]

Tricycles Are Just Bicycles from the Future [Concepts]

While the tricycle/Big Wheel are both throwbacks to our past, one designer believes that three wheels are the future. Felipe Tolomei designed this three-wheeled Rabbit bike with a clever idea—put two small electric motors on each back tire. Now if we would only widen each of those motorized wheels to dragster dimensions and stick in a carbon-spewing dual exhaust, I think we'd have ourselves a serious concept. [coroflot via gearfuse]

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

Nissan pledges electric car in U.S. by 2010

Car companies have been promising fully electric autos for decades, but it seems like we're finally on the cusp of fuel-free, silent running. The Tesla, Zap, and Six50 EVs will all be on the road within the next year or so (we're betting on "so"), and GM's much-anticipated Volt plug-in will come a year after that. Nissan would like to politely remind you that it too plans to have an all-electric auto in U.S. by 2010, all the while lining up charging stations at places like commuter parking lots and train stations. The company recently showed off an all-electric version of its popular (in Japan) Cube at the NY Auto Show, so it's a safe bet that the above is Nissan's vision for the all-electric future of American highways. Shame they couldn't have picked something a little sportier.

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: cube,electric,electric vehicle,ElectricVehicle,nissan ]

GM dropping Volt's range from 600 to 360 miles

The gas tank in the Chevy Volt is probably the least interesting thing about GM's hybrid concept, but it's causing some waves today, with reports that GM is trimming it in size, effectively dropping the vehicle's range from 600 miles to some 360. Apparently GM found that consumers rarely travel more than 40 miles a day (the range of the Volt's battery pack) and that longer trips didn't require a 600 mile range because "most bladders can't go 600 miles" -- so cutting down the 12-gallon fuel tank saves weight and cost. Sure, we can see that -- most of our cars can only go 300 or so miles before needing gas -- but it sure seems like the Volt is going from marvel of hybrid technology to just another hybrid in a much cooler skin.

[Via: Autoblog ]
[Tag: chevy,chevy volt,ChevyVolt,general motors,GeneralMotors,gm,hybrid,hybrid vehicle,hybrid vehicles,HybridVehicle,HybridVehicles,volt ]