As Europe’s emissions restrictions tighten and pollution awareness climbs even higher, many customers are eager to adopt alternative fuel platforms. Ethanol - or at least E85 - is one such fuel, and Volvo has been among the leaders in offering a full line of flex-fuel engines. The new engine for the V70 and S80 increases […]
Lightweight body panels, engine under covers and other parts can be made from carbon fiber composites to save weight, which saves fuel by decreasing the mass to be accelerated by the engine. The implications for the future of fuel consumption and regulations are obvious. The only major problem facing the widespread adoption of carbon fiber […]
The Volkswagen Group’s small car platform forms the base for the VW Polo, Skoda Fabia and Seat Ibiza, all of which are currently only available in front-wheel drive. The next generation of the platform will get an AWD option, although not all VW Group cars will employ AWD in their cars.
Seat’s Ibiza won’t get AWD, […]
Previously we reported on a new technology dubbed homogeneous charge compression ignition, or HCCI, which allows petrol cars to improve fuel efficiency by as much as 15% by achieving combustion with only compression of the air-fuel mix rather than using a spark plug. The technology was pioneered almost 30 years ago but has only recently […]
The pinch of significantly higher U.S. fuel economy standards is beginning to get automakers talking about how they plan to meet the challenge, and Hyundai has announced a two-pronged approach. Better engine and drivetrain technology will get the company half way to its goal, and the rest will be handled by lighter materials and more […]
As fuel economy standards tighten and prices rise, more car makers are turning to forced-induction solutions to improve the efficiency of existing engines. Turbochargers are the most efficient way to do so, and Detroit firm BorgWarner sees rising demand in North America, Europe and China as its ticket to increased sales. A partnership with Ford […]
Brabus, well known for its exercises in automotive excess, is now dabbling in the ecologically-aware arena of automotive accessories. The company’s new ECO PowerXtra kit claims to offer better fuel economy and lower emissions for Mercedes diesel engine-powered vehicles through the addition of a simple tuning module.
The science is sound, so the benefits should prove […]
ZF’s latest entry into the ever-escalating automatic transmission wars, an eight-speed unit, has just been updated to include compatibility with stop-start technology. This will allow the close-geared system to shut the engine down when the vehicle comes to a stop, yet fire the engine back up and drive off at a moment’s notice when the […]
X-by-wire technology, a feature that uses wires and electrical impulses to replace mechanical linkages for the control of major systems such as steering, braking and gear changes, has been used in the past by Mercedes-Benz and Toyota but has never really taken off because of safety concerns and the poor reliability of electronic systems as […]
Today marks the unveiling of the production version of Volkswagen’s U.S.-targeted diesel powertrain. First debuted in Volkswagen’s Tiguan BlueTDI early in March at the Geneva Motor Show, the BlueTDI technology has been developed specifically for the North American market. With its clean emissions, smooth power and good fuel economy, VW hopes the BlueTDI will help […]
Starting in 2009, the introduction of the energy recovery system KERS in formula one will be gradual, the governing body has confirmed.
In a letter to teams that was seen by the German magazine Auto Motor und Sport, Max Mosley said the implementation of the ground breaking Kinetic Energy Recover Systems will be in three phases.
Following […]
American engineering firm Scuderi is expecting to license a new ultra-efficient engine design called the ‘split-cycle’ within the next 12 months. The design uses a revolutionary new system to provide engines that release significantly less emissions than current offerings and is claimed to be one of the most efficient internal combustion engine designs in the […]
There are many publications, organizations and companies that hand out awards to the automotive industry for its various technical and design achievements, but few are so lauded as the winner of the International Engine of the Year competition. Judged by a panel of 62 of the world’s top automotive journalists from around the globe, the […]
Parking brakes are often overlooked, less-than-glamorous parts of most cars. After all, most of us live in areas that hardly justify their use, especially on automatic transmission cars. But pressure in the industry to drive prices ever-downward means no part can be overlooked when it comes to simplification and cost-reduction. This new electric parking brake […]
BMW has unveiled a new internal combustion engine design that not only produces near zero emissions, but it apparently absorbs and burns ambient air pollutants as well. The ultra-clean engine debuts in the new mono-fuel Hydrogen 7 saloon and is on display at this week’s SAE World Congress meeting in Detroit.
Based on the original V12-powered […]