the BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics production car

For all the things BMW has done to showcase their Vision Efficient Dynamics vehicle, there are still a lot of questions surrounding it, especially when it comes to details on the production version.

For one, we still don’t have an official name for it. Rumors have floated around saying that it’s going to be called the “Project i Coupe,” but no official announcement has been made. By the same token, despite the plethora of teaser photos, videos, and renderings done on the car, we’ve barely scratched the surface on knowing exactly what the car is going to look like. So while we’re excited about the production version of the VED, we’d appreciate it if BMW answered at least some of our questions.

Thankfully, BMW has finally relented, and though it still didn’t budge on giving the official look and the name of the car, it did give us an idea of how much it’s going to cost.

The fiture of Lexus will include more hybrid and sport


Lexus wants to survive in the current automotive world, then the Japanese luxury brand is going to have to make a lot of the same changes many of the other brands have already made, and luckily, they recognize that. This is why they have come up with a new global theme called "progressive luxury." This idea provides a greater focus on hybrids, advanced telematics, and sporty packages which the company intends on using to enter new market segments and offer bolder designs for their models.

In an interview with Automotive News, Karl Schlicht, General Manager in Charge of Global Lexus Marketing and Product Planning, said: "There was a need to make sure we were all on the same page. It’s very simple when you have one market. You have multiple regions now — like Europe wanting one direction, Japan another and China coming on. That gets more complicated."

To get down to the nitty gritty, Schlicht says that future Lexus models will be more expressive, have daring designs, an aggressive application of hybrid technology, advanced use of onboard telematics, and expanded use of F and F Sports packages, following the IS-F and IS-F Sport performance variations. The first models to receive this said treatment will be the CT and RX ranges.

Extreme motorcycle modification


motor modification is very extreme but if observed so funny, because the bike is like a mustard modifications such as rats are happy so seems to be very funny at all. said motor is sometimes used to go to work, wao clear so many people's attention

Yamaha Super Tenere First Ride

Yamaha Super Tenere

Yamaha Super Tenere
Yamaha Super Tenere is assuredly on US shores…almost. Yamaha hosted moto-journalists afresh in admirable Sedona, Arizona, area we were able to put the Tenere through its paces on paved anchorage and dirt. The new chance tourer fast became a admired of RoadBike Editor Steve Lita. Upright ergos and an all-day adequate bench accumulated with acceptable wind aegis and a absolute apparatus console to accomplish the ride go by quick. The Tenere (pronounced TEN-aray) has ABS, adjustable absorption control, and two drive modes; Sport and Tour. Put a drop bottomward at your bounded Yamaha banker today and you could be one of the aboriginal to accept his Super Tenere back they alpha accession in the US in May of 2011. Read all about it in the March 2011 affair of RoadBike, area you can additionally access our Caption Contest to win the analogous Tenere Casio Watch.

honda motorcycle new mega pro





Not long ago Honda released its latest motorcycle in Indonesia that is the motor that given the nickname mega pro megapro new Honda, real street fighter. as you see in the image pro mega motor looks bigger and looks like honda tiger, here I only just give a little picture of his latest pro mega motor for those who want to see the look of this new pro mega motor.

Honda VFR1200F - the sports a new block

2010 Honda VFR1200F



There was a large number of motorcycles expected protector over the years but the excitement and speculation which emerged on VFR1200F New Honda V4 powered must certainly rank up there with the most fervent

Honda showed the bike originally from V4 concept in late 2008 in the annual exhibition for trade Intermot, which was held in Cologne. Group to model the distinctive tongues wagging and speculation - fueled by the experience of a number of humor sites and leaked information - was rife on what was next in the pipeline.The company has developed finally fans out of their misery in 2009, when VFR1200F officially announced and unveiled for the entire device in that year the Tokyo Motor Show. The production of the sport bike tour of October 2009 and the beginning of 2010 saw the delivery of prototypes of the merchants.

So, what is it about the VFR1200F enthusiasts so excited? Well, one of the main reasons is that while the bike is available for a hierarchical system of traditional manual transmission, and can also be equipped with automatic transmission binary - which, although well established in like BMW and Volkswagen, the first of its kind bike bursts in the world.

Dual-clutch system one sees working grip, third and fifth gears, while the other is responsible for the second, fourth and sixth. Is a choice of three modes: fully automatic, sports, and a guide.

On the one hand engine, and uses the V4 VFR1200F Unicam overhead camshaft distribution system, and one already for a walk in Honda motorcycles off-road. Has also been positioning the crank pins and the cylinder firing in a specific way, so as to reduce vibration.

Has taken a dual combined braking system on the show in previous models IFR jump to more than 1200F, while the included anti-lock brakes as standard.

Aesthetically, the bike is a winner, with the design of lending gift layers form a unique shape while maintaining the optimum air flow and heat management. And potential buyers can choose from three color options - Candy emergence of the Red, Pearl White, Sunbeam and seal Metalliic silver.

Costs VFR1200F £ 11,596 on the road, and comes with a three-year roadside breakdown cover and warranty for a period of three years. With cheap insurance motorcycle Honda available to drivers willing to shop around seems to be a good deal-General of the machine is enormous.

modification of waste motor


Modifying motorcycle, was not only supplement it with additional new ornament. Waste big bike (MOGE) can be used to beautify motor.owner Thanks to Motor shares tips for you who are interested in 'marry' moge with motor pet waste.
"Waste MOGE in question, such as application rims, tires, rims other than the legs, such as discs, brake, swing his arm and shock absorber,"
Moge, known as motor berbody big, not only wastes could be used to modify the motorcycle such as Honda Tiger, Scorpio Yamaha, Kawasaki Ninja and the like. "Motor duck can, stay later we adjust here and there, which according to how," he added.
Moge wastes were directly imported from Singapore, Australia and the United States. Currently, advanced Rudi, price moge waste is experiencing an increase to 30 percent. What is the cost required to modify the motorcycle with MOGE waste? "Minimal Rp 11 million, for the legs only. If the spec was even higher, more expensive yes," he said.
Tips from Rudi for those who want to modify the motorcycle with waste moge, first, knowing the desired flow. For example, sport, sport touring, or a classic chopper. Second, after knowing the flow, adjust to the budget and the pocket that you prepared. Next, submit to the modifiers that will turn your motor display. "Anyway, you know the flow, budgetnya how we (modifier) know, then we will adjust

Tesla and Toyota Formalize Agreement to Develop New RAV 4 EV


TOYOTA and Tesla Motors today announced that the two companies have signed an agreement to initiate the development of an electric version of the RAV4 as announced in May of this year by Elon Musk and Akio Toyoda. With an aim to market the EV in the United States in 2012, prototypes will be made combining the Toyota RAV4 model with a Tesla electric powertrain. Tesla plans to produce and deliver a fleet of prototypes to Toyota for evaluation within this year. The first prototype has already been built and is now undergoing testing.

In May, Tesla and TMC announced their intent to cooperate on the development of electric vehicles, parts, and production system and engineering support. Tesla seeks to learn and benefit from Toyota’s engineering, manufacturing, and production expertise, while Toyota aims to learn from Tesla’s EV technology, daring spirit, quick decision-making, and flexibility.

TMC has, since its foundation in 1937, operated under the philosophy of “contributing to society through the manufacture of automobiles,” and made cars that satisfy its many customers around the world. TMC introduced the first-generation Prius hybrid vehicle in 1997. The company also plans to introduce EVs into the market by 2012.

Tesla’s goal is to produce increasingly affordable electric cars for mainstream buyers – relentlessly driving down the cost of EVs. California-based Tesla designs and manufactures EVs and EV powertrain components, and is currently the only automaker in the U.S. that builds and sells highway-capable EVs in serial production.

Toyota working on 500 hp Wheel Motor powered Electric Sports Car



Motortrend says an insider close to Toyota tells us that plans have been put in motion to develop a supercar that would rival the E-Cell and e-tron, and even the Citroen Survolt concept first seen at this year's Geneva show.

The car is expected to produce more than 500 horsepower and would sprint from 0 to 60 mph in around 4 seconds. Like the E-Cell, the Toyota is expected to route power through four electric motors, one at each wheel. It will also incorporate a switch that allows drivers to select between driving programs such as comfort, sport and super sport, thus permitting drivers to regulate battery use.

It's expected to debut around 2015, and we are first to reveal how one artist in Japan sees the as-yet-unnamed vehicle as it might look attacking the Nurburgring in Germany. The vehicle would reportedly borrow undisclosed know-how from Tesla and utilize aerodynamic expertise gained from the Lexus LFA project.

The fact that company CEO Akio Toyoda just signed a deal to invest some $50 million in electric sports car maker Tesla adds significant weight to the story. Toyoda is said to have dined recently with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, and he reportedly took the Tesla Roadster for a spin during the evening.

We were told he left suitably impressed, so much so that he's said to have given the green light to the feasibility study into the production of the all-electric sports car. In addition, Tesla has announced that it will deliver two as yet unidentified EV prototypes to Toyota by the end of July, which are believed to be EV versions of the RAV4 and Lexus RX.

Citroën Survolt as driven by Vanina Ickx (w/Video)



Finally a colour video of the Citroën Survolt EV Proto-type as driven around the Le-Mans circuit by Vanina Ickx.

The Survolt features a tubular chassis and carbon bodywork; it uses two electric motors with a combined power output of 300bhp, with full torque available between 0-5000rpm. Powering the motors is a 31kw lithium-ion batteries that allow for a 124-mile range and can be recharged in two hours.

Citroen claims the Survolt is capable of getting from 0-62mph in less than 5.0sec and reaching a top speed of more than 160mph. Curb weight is no specified.

Brammo announce 100 MPH EV motorcycles with 100 mile range



Brammo, Inc. announced today it will begin production of an electric sportbike, calling it the "Empulse." It demonstrated a pre-production prototype today and all three production models of the Empulse will be capable of sustaining 100 mph. The three models will have different battery capacities, all utilizing an innovative proprietary array, the Brammo Power™ battery and vehicle management system. The Empulse is available for immediate order and deliveries will commence in 2011.

Craig Bramscher, Founder and CEO of Brammo said "motorcycle riders have been requesting increased speed and range and I am proud and delighted to reveal these game changing Brammo electric motorcycles. Our customers expect Brammo to design and produce the world's most exciting (and affordable) electric motorcycles and that's exactly what we have done." Bramscher continued, "today's announcement promises no more range anxiety for Brammo customers."


The Empulse Trio
All three models of the Empulse will be freeway capable and will enjoy a top speed in excess of 100mph. Each of the three models will offer customers a different average range from a single charge. The Empulse 6.0 is capable of 60 miles average range , the Empulse 8.0 is capable of 80 miles average range and the top of the line Empulse 10.0 is capable of a travelling 100 miles on a single charge. Range of all three models can be extended by travelling at lower speeds.

Estimated MSRP for the Empulse trio when deliveries start next year are; Empulse 6.0 $9,995, Empulse 8.0 $11,995 and Empluse One Hundred $13995. All three models will be eligible for Federal and State tax incentives. For example, the Empulse 10.0 may cost as little as $7000 in certain states after Federal and State incentives.


Empulse Technology
Todays announcement sees the first application of Brammo's innovative electric powertrain system including the Brammo Power™ battery pack and Brammo Power™ vehicle management system. Brammo's breakthrough in price/energy density is at the heart of today's announcement and is unequalled in the electric vehicle industry. The Empulse is also the world's first production electric motorcycle to have a water cooled motor.

Brian Wismann, Director of Product Development at Brammo and designer of the Empulse said,

"The Empulse reveals the significant price performance that we can deliver using Brammo Power™ technology. Just like it did with the Enertia Powercycle, Brammo has again raised the bar in terms of electrical drivetrain innovation and time to market."


Empulse Availability
Customers can place their order for an Empulse by visiting the Brammo website www.brammo.com . Deliveries are expected to commence in mid-2011 and orders will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Customers placing an order will receive a production number and will be expected to pay a fully refundable $99 deposit once their motorcycle is within 90 days of delivery. The Brammo range of motorcycles will be available globally through select motorcycle dealerships and participating Best Buy stores.


Brammo Distribution

Brammo is expanding its dealership network both within the USA and in Europe and Asia. Organizations interested in selling and servicing the Brammo range of motorcycles, which includes the award winning Enertia, can register their interest by visiting www.brammo.com/dealerapplication

Adrian Stewart, director of Sales and Marketing at Brammo said "We are always looking for individuals and organizations that want to enter into a long term business partnership with Brammo to sell and service our range of electric vehicles. JCAM ,our distributor/dealer in Hong Kong and Singapore is an excellent example of such an organization. "


Forged in the Heat of Competition

Brammo Power™ technology employed in the Empulse is race proven in the Brammo Empulse RR race bike. You can see the Empulse RR in action at the 2010 Red Bull Grand Prix Mazda Raceway, Laguna Seca. Brammo will race the Empulse RR in the FIM e-Power series which will see 15 electric motorcycle teams from around the world compete on this demanding circuit.


Meet the Empulse

Brammo CEO Craig Bramscher will be unveiling the Empulse at the 2010 Red Bull Grand Prix at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California, on Saturday July 24th 2010.

Later this year the Empulse will be on display at EICMA in Milan, Italy and at the Macau Grand Prix in China.

Obama says electric car battery prices to tumble 70%


The cost of the high-powered batteries needed for a coming wave of electric cars is projected to drop by as much as 70 percent over the next five years, according to a U.S. government forecast.

The forecast was released as President Barack Obama attended a groundbreaking ceremony for a battery plant being built here by a U.S. unit of South Korea's LG Chem and funded in part by the U.S. Department of Energy.

The Obama administration has provided more than $5 billion in grants and low-cost loans to battery manufacturers and auto companies to support projects intended to spur the development and sale of rechargeable electric cars and plug-in hybrids.

But the high cost of the lithium-ion batteries to power those vehicles has been seen as one of the biggest barriers to their widespread adoption.

The U.S. government had never set a target for the kinds of cost reductions it expected to see in the fast-developing industry it is attempting to jump-start with taxpayer funding.

"Because of advances in the manufacture of these batteries, their costs are expected to come down by nearly 70 percent in the next few years. That's going to make electric and hybrid cars and trucks more affordable for more Americans," Obama told an audience of politicians, business leaders and representatives of the 300 workers building the new plant.

Optimistic forecast?

The battery price declines projected by the Obama administration, which has set a target of putting 1 million plug-in hybrids on the road by 2015, run deeper and faster than most forecasts by outside analysts.

LG Chem CEO Bahnsuk Kim told Reuters his company sees a 50 percent drop in battery prices by 2015, and he expected that would be enough to drive increased demand.

"In the next five years we see the prices in half. Our target is half," Kim said on the sidelines of the event today.

In the terms tracked by the emerging electric vehicle industry, the Department of Energy said it expected battery costs per kilowatt hour to drop from about $1,000 in 2009 to $300 in 2015 and $100 in 2030.

Major U.S. automakers have set a long-term target of reducing costs on that basis to near $250, a price that would be in line with the cost to produce batteries for laptops and cell phones.

The lithium-ion battery that powers Tesla Motors Inc.'s $109,000 Roadster cost more than $33,000, according to the Department of Energy report.

The smaller battery LG Chem is supplying for the upcoming Chevrolet Volt from General Motors Co. cost $13,000 last year but will drop to $4,000 by 2015, the report said.

More deals won

Both GM and Tesla have received Energy Department funding.

LG Chem's Compact Power unit has won deals to supply batteries for the Chevy Volt and the upcoming all-electric version of the Ford Motor Co. Focus.

It said that it had also been selected to supply batteries for hybrid systems which Eaton Corp. is developing for commercial trucks and buses.

Compact Power's Holland plant will have the capacity to supply batteries for up to 250,000 electric vehicles once completed and will employ 400 workers, the company said.

LG Chem and the U.S. Department of Energy split the costs of building the $303 million plant. The Korean chemical and battery maker invested $151.5 million and $151.4 million came from a U.S. government grant.

White House economists estimate that the United States accounted for 2 percent of global production of batteries for electric cars and hybrids in 2009. That share is expected to rise to 40 percent of global production by 2015.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Future Plans Rumored


It’s no covert Mercedes-Benz is working on revamping their A-Class and B-Class lineups, as the company has confirmed they’ll be redesigning the entry level range from the ground up in a diversity of body types.

Speculating on what precisely might be in store for the models, Auto Express has published a rather extensive look at Mercedes upcoming models, starting with the fact a recently designed hatchback is in the works set to rival the Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3. According to the publication, the latest model will be based on a new front-wheel drive platform, and it will take its design cues mainly from the F800 Style concept in either a three or five door design. Launching in 2012, the hatchback will possible maintain the A-Class moniker, and it will serve as one of four new key vehicles making use of Mercedes’ latest front wheel drive architecture.


View this site: Auto Shipping | car transport

Demand for MiEV in Australia 3x Supply


Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) has three times as many applicants to lease the i-MiEV electric vehicle as available vehicles at this point, according to MMAL’s CEO and president, Masahiko Takahashi. “We could not have wished for a better response,” Takahashi said.

MMAL recently announced members of the inaugural Mitsubishi i-MiEV Foundation Group—organizations which have successfully applied to lease one of the company’s electric vehicles when the first shipment arrives in Australia later this month. With the arrival of the vehicles, MMAL will officially become the first volume-production manufacturer to market electric vehicle technology in Australia.

While Mitsubishi announced that 40 vehicles would be available in initial shipments, the company reported applications for more than 100 vehicles from more than 40 companies and government departments.

The announcement of the Foundation Group members will be supported by a wide-ranging advertising campaign, commissioned by MMAL.

i-MiEV Foundation Members include:

Department of Climate Change
Department of Environment
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government
New South Wales Government
Queensland Government
South Australian Government
Victorian Government
City of Adelaide
City of Brisbane
City of Gold Coast
City of Marion
City of Sydney
NRMA
RAA SA
Better Place
Carsales.com
ChargePoint
Energex
Energy Australia
Ergon Energy
ESCO Energy Solutions
ETSA Utilities
GE Custom Fleet
Google
Hume Building Society
Leaseplan
Mitsubishi Australia Limited
Ozgene
Rock Constructions
Roche Products
St George Bank
Western Power

Chevrolet Stands Behind Volt With Standard Eight-Year, 100,000-Mile Battery Warranty


The Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle with extended range will provide customers with an unprecedented, standard, eight-year/100,000-mile warranty on its advanced, lithium-ion battery. It is the automotive industry’s longest, most comprehensive battery warranty for an electric vehicle, and is transferable at no cost to other vehicle owners.

“The Chevrolet Volt’s batteries have exceeded our performance targets and are ready to hit the road,” said Micky Bly, GM executive director, global electrical systems. “Our customers are making a commitment to technology that will help reduce our dependence on petroleum. In turn, we are making a commitment to our customers to deliver the highest standards for value, safety, quality, performance and reliability for an unprecedented eight years/100,000 miles.”

The Volt’s comprehensive battery warranty covers all 161 battery components, 95 percent of which are designed and engineered by GM, in addition to the thermal management system, charging system and electric drive components.

The Volt is the only electric vehicle that can operate under a full range of climates and driving conditions without limitations or concern about being stranded by a depleted battery. It has a range of about 340 miles and is powered with electricity at all times. For up to the first 40 miles, the Volt is powered solely by electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery, using no fuel and producing no emissions. When the Volt’s lithium-ion battery runs low, an engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 300 miles on a full tank of fuel. (see Volt Freedom Drive)

The Volt’s advanced, lithium-ion battery is designed to deliver the value, safety, quality, performance, durability and reliability Chevrolet customers expect. Key battery features include:

  • Thermal management for durability and reliability: The Volt is the only mass-market electric vehicle with a battery that can be warmed or cooled. The battery is designed to provide reliable operation, when plugged in, at temperatures as low as -13 degrees Fahrenheit (-25 C) and as high as 122 degrees Fahrenheit (+50 C). In cold weather, the battery will be preheated during charging to provide full power capability. In hot weather – the most challenging environment for a battery – the Volt’s battery can be chilled during charging. The Volt’s liquid thermal management system can also be powered during driving by the battery or engine/generator.
  • Diagnostics for safety and performance: The Volt’s battery management system continuously monitors the battery real-time for optimum operations. More than 500 diagnostics run at 10 times per second, keeping track of the Volt’s battery pack; 85 percent of the diagnostics ensure the battery pack is operating safely, while the remaining 15 percent keep track of battery performance and life.
  • Cell design and chemistry for performance and efficiency: GM’s selection of a prismatic cell design and LG Chem’s manganese spinel lithium-ion chemistry is designed to provide long life and high power output, with a properly maintained temperature. This enables better vehicle acceleration and increased regenerative braking capability for improved vehicle efficiency.
  • Energy management for durability: Fully charging or fully depleting a battery shortens its life. The Volt’s energy management system never fully charges or depletes the battery. The Volt’s battery has top and bottom “buffer zones” to help ensure long life.
Testing for durability, reliability, safety and performance

GM engineers have completed more than 1 million miles and 4 million hours of validation testing of Volt battery packs since 2007, as well as each pack’s nine modules and 288 cells. The development, validation and test teams have met thousands of specifications and validated each of the Volt battery’s components.

Tests include short circuit, corrosion, dust, impact, water submersion, crush and penetration, and extreme temperature swings combined with aggressive drive cycles, also known as “Shake, Bake and Roll.”

Ready for production

GM’s Brownstown Township plant, which began building prototype batteries in January, soon will begin regular battery production. (see GM First Battery Build)

"We’re moving fast to deliver for the customer and ensure the Volt launch stays on track,” said Nancy Laubenthal, plant manager of the Brownstown Battery Plant. "Last August we announced the investment in the Brownstown facility and in January built our first completed battery pack. Now we are finishing pre-production batteries and soon we will begin building production batteries for Chevrolet Volts that will be delivered to dealers before the end of the year."

Last year, the U.S. Department of Energy selected 45 companies, universities and organizations in 28 states – including GM’s Brownstown plant – to share more than $2 billion in awards for electric drive and battery manufacturing, and transportation electrification. Nearly half of the awards are designated for cell, battery and materials manufacturing facilities in Michigan.

Daimler to introduce electric scooter


Automaker Daimler plans to enter the electric scooter market with a latest prototype expected at the Paris Auto Show in September.

According to a report in British website Auto car, the German manufacturer will unveil a latest electric scooter under the company’s Smart brand.

The Daimler Corporation, which owns Mercedes-Benz, Maybach and elegant, lately entered a partnership with energy supplier EnBW to ascertain charging stations in Stuttgart, Germany, providing an infrastructure for electric vehicles. The project was initially slated to support 200 Smart and Mercedes-Benz cars, but Auto car reports the project will also support 500 electric scooters, with field testing of the fresh Smart scooters to begin within the next year.


View this site: Auto transport | car transport

Mercedes-Benz puts electric cars to the test at the Silvretta E-Rally



Montafon, Austria. At the renowned Silvretta Classic Rally in Montafon, Austria, 24 electric cars drove amongst the vintage cars that typically compete in this mountain race. The rally, cutting through the Austrian alps is demanding for the drivers and cars alike.

The initial lineup runs across the gamut, from concept cars to production vehicles. Daimler sent three electric vehicles of its fleet - The e-smart, the B-Class Fuel-Cell and its latest edition, the electric version of the super sports car SLS, the SLS AMG E-Cell.

(hat tip to Byron)

Ford Selects Compact Power to Supply Ford Focus EV Battery Pack



Ford Motor Company today announced it has selected Compact Power, Inc. (CPI), a subsidiary of LG Chem, (the same company supplying GM Volt batteries) to build lithium-ion battery packs for the Ford Focus Electric, which will go on sale in the U.S. in 2011.

The Focus Electric battery packs will leverage CPI and parent company LG Chem’s deep expertise in advanced flat format lithium-ion cells and advanced liquid-cooled modules and battery management systems.

“CPI is an emerging leader in the lithium-ion battery field and we are pleased to have them as a strategic supplier as we prepare to bring the Ford Focus Electric to market,” said Sherif Marakby, Ford director, Sustainable Mobility Products and Hybrid programs. “We are moving aggressively with our electrification strategy and our work to help make Michigan a center of excellence for a range of electrified vehicles.”

CPI, based in Troy, Mich., will begin battery pack assembly for the Ford Focus Electric next year and is finalizing production site selection for the U.S. The lithium-ion cells for the packs will initially be sourced from Korea through LG Chem. LG Chem and CPI will be localizing cell production at their new site in Holland, Mich.

“We are very excited to be partnering with Ford on their new battery electric-powered Ford Focus,” said Prabhakar Patil, CEO of CPI. “It tells us we are on track in developing high-power and high-energy lithium-ion batteries that the industry needs as it moves toward the electrification of vehicles that lessen our dependence on foreign oil.”

The cells will incorporate LG Chem’s proprietary chemistry and its industry-leading safety-reinforced-separator technology that provides unparalleled safety performance.

Focus Electric will have a targeted range of up to 100 miles per full charge with zero tailpipe emissions. It is one of five electrified vehicles Ford is bringing to market in the U.S. in the next two years. These include the Transit Connect Electric, a small commercial van in 2010; Focus Electric in 2011; two new lithium-ion battery-powered hybrids; and a plug-in hybrid in 2012.

Focus Electric, a full battery electric passenger car, will be produced at Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich., which will begin producing gasoline versions of the all-new 2011 Focus later this year.

Ford previously announced plans to invest $550 million to transform Michigan Assembly Plant from a large SUV factory to a modern car plant to build the new Focus and Focus Electric. The plant also will produce a next-generation hybrid and a plug-in hybrid in 2012. All of the vehicles will be built off the company’s new global C-car platform.

This complements Ford’s overall strategy to establish a center of excellence in Michigan for electrification of a broad range of vehicles, including lithium-ion battery-powered hybrids, plug-ins and pure electric vehicles. Ford is committed to delivering electrified vehicles as part of its overall vehicle portfolio designed to deliver both the fuel efficiency and the performance customers demand.

Toyota to launch green-car barrage in 2012


Japan--Toyota plans to introduce three new-to-market green vehicles in 2012, a company source says.

An electric vehicle, a plug-in version of the Prius hybrid and an as-yet-unveiled variant of the Prius will arrive in U.S. dealerships in the first half of 2012, said the source, who spoke last week on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the plans.

The second Prius vehicle will begin the creation of an ongoing family of vehicles that will carry Prius badging but will not be a separate brand. The electric vehicle probably will be similar to the electric version of the iQ, which Toyota unveiled at the 2009 Detroit auto show.

Toyota may sell the electric vehicle only in markets that provide sufficient infrastructure to support the vehicle. It plans to track those markets' sales and infrastructure progress on the Web site toyota.com/esq.

Toyota also will launch a viral marketing campaign on that site as it approaches the launch dates of the green vehicles, the source said.

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK AMG caught testing


After the subsequently generation Mercedes-Benz SLK, what we have now are the spy shots of its sibling the AMG while it underwent road tests.

By the sound that came to the spy photographers it was a V8 engine that had been fixed to the car. The engine would most possibly be a 5.5 liter twin turbo V8 as per the photographers. The power output is predictable to be 450 hp in AMG trim which is a jump of 90 hp from the present SLK 55 AMG. The present AMG is powered by a logically aspirated 5.5 liter V8. There could be chance of the next AMG coming up with a naturally aspirated V8 or a twin turbo V6.

Apart from a latest engine that the new SLK will be equipped with, no matter what type Mercedes eventually settles for, there is also a major overhaul that the AMG is undergoing as far as looks go and that would be the new SLK AMG. There would be an better hood and nose shape and there would also be quad tipped tailpipes. A full body treatment along with new set of front spoilers and air dam would help in improving the cars recital. Wheels are expected to be great in size and shiny forged alloy make. The brakes also would be big and the AMG logo would come along with a inimitable paint scheme.


View this site: AutoShipping | car transport

electric cars and the coming lithium shortage



Shai Agassi wants to put the world into electric cars whose batteries can be swapped out at one of his futuristic "gas" stations. But just as the cells in flashlights and laptops need lithium to run, so do -- swappable batteries or not -- electric cars. And some are now saying that will make lithium, in our increasingly battery-dependent society, increasingly hard to come by.

There are rumblings in the press that the auto industry switching from petroleum to lithium is simply shifting from one finite resource to another, and even that the U.S.'s real reasons for invading Afghanistan were to secure its massive deposits of the alkali metal. Also, electric skeptics think there might be trouble accessing enough lithium to fuel the shift. Agassi, unsurprisingly, is not among them.

"That was one of the biggest myths perpetuated by the oil guys," says Agassi, the founder and CEO of a company called Better Place, which is positioning itself as the architect of the network needed to support swappable battery cars and all the attendant infrastructure.

According to the latest numbers from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), current producers are providing enough lithium to fuel the projected number of electric vehicles for the next ten years. After that, the major factor that will drive competition between players in the energy industry might not be mining lithium, but recycling it.

It doesn't make sense, financially, to recycle lithium now. Producers are mining way too much of it for the demand. Lithium isn't currently used for car batteries in any significant way -- it's used for batteries in laptops, cell phones and cordless tools. All of these products took a hit during the recession, which meant a surplus of lithium existed in 2009, along with a fall in price. The only way the demand for lithium will surge is if electric vehicles roll out successfully in massive enough numbers to require a significant increase in manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries.

Battery surge

Agassi wants to be the man behind that surge. His company, Better Place, is based on the principle that manufacturers don't need to wait for battery technology to improve to roll out consumer-grade electric cars. Instead, Agassi hopes to build networks of switching stations where drivers can change used batteries for fresh ones much like they fill up at gas stations now.

Agassi has started to introduce the project in contained environments. Better Place has partnered with car companies Renault in France and Chery in China to build vehicles. In Tokyo this year, Better Place built a battery swapping station and deployed four electric taxis to demo that the system works. Israel should have a fully operative system by next year, says Agassi, who signed a deal with Renault to build 100,000 electric cars for Israel and Denmark by 2011. He's also planning to build networks in Australia and Hawaii.

He's aiming high, and plenty of factors stand in the way of creating an automobile fuel infrastructure in a decade when the petroleum system took a century to create. However, it looks like lithium isn't one of the limiting factors.

As of 2009, the U.S. had 2.5 million tons of lithium in reserve, and there were an estimated 23 million tons in other countries. Lithium-ion batteries for cars only need under 15 kilograms of the element per battery pack by a conservative estimate.

"Producers right now will keep up with capacity in terms of the demand of the lithium," says Brian Jaskula, lithium commodity specialist with the USGS. He adds that producers are only at 60% right now, and if demand does increase, they've got plans in place to expand.

Reports of large lithium reserves in Bolivia and Afghanistan have caused a stir in the media -- the idea being that there could be a resource grab for lithium in both countries. But foreign miners are unlikely to take the element from either place. Bolivian president Evo Morales won't sell Bolivian lithium, and Afghanistan is still too dangerous. But forecasted issues in these countries are based on the assumption that lithium will follow a similar pattern as another finite energy resource -- oil.

Lithium isn't oil - it's transistors

First of all, it isn't in high enough demand to be as valuable yet. Potential controversies about the lithium reserves in Bolivia and Afghanistan depend on lithium becoming a hot commodity. But if the electric car industry takes off, people won't need to tap into new sources of lithium for about ten years, says Jaskula. That's assuming that the technology doesn't improve to make Lithium-ion batteries more efficient. Agassi thinks it will.

"Every five years, you need half as much lithium to create the same battery," a pattern of advancement that echoes Moore's Law for transistors. "But if you stayed on the same technology," Agassi says, "we'd [still] have three billion batteries. That's about two centuries of cars even with growth, so lithium is not the problem."

Lithium doesn't combust like oil either. Because it doesn't chemically change while it provides energy, it can be recycled. Only one company recycles lithium now, since saving it is more expensive than mining. The company is called Toxco, and it received a $9.5 million grant from the Department of Energy in 2009 to boost its lithium recycling abilities. More players will step on the scene, says Jaskula, if electric vehicles take off. Then it will make economic sense to recycle car batteries not only for lithium but also for other more valuable materials, like cobalt.

This could mean that the people who will hold the power in the lithium industry of the future will be the companies with the best recycling technology. According to a report by the Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago, virgin lithium won't dominate the market in 2040, by which time this technology should be cheap. When electric vehicles roll out, the race to recycle better will likely be on.

Of course, there's a risk in racing to ramp up recycling capabilities now, says Jaskula. That technology is only valuable if electric vehicles do well and scientists don't find a better metal for batteries in the next 30-40 years. It's going to be tough to predict what actually happens next.

Toyota to bring back the RAV4 EV, with Tesla Power



Toyota and Tesla will develop battery-powered test versions of the Japanese carmaker’s RAV4 and Lexus RX in the first stage of a partnership in electric vehicles, a person familiar with the matter said.

Tesla said that it will deliver two prototypes vehicles to Toyota this month without identifying the models. While Toyota also aims to test an electric Corolla compact car, the RAV4 and RX light trucks are better suited to the weight of Tesla’s battery pack, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the vehicles haven’t been announced yet.

Toyota’s President Akio Toyoda said last week the partnership with Tesla, maker of the $109,000 electric Roadster, is the first of several the Toyota City, Japan-based company wants to pursue in advanced auto technologies. Toyota, the world’s largest seller of hybrid autos, bought a $50 million stake in Palo Alto, California-based Tesla this month.

“We anticipate range and acceleration exceeding that of other announced electric vehicles of this class,” Elon Musk, chief executive officer of Tesla, said today in an e-mailed message. He declined to discuss project details.

Keisuke Kirimoto, a Tokyo-based spokesman for Toyota, said he couldn’t confirm the models. Toyota bought its stake in Tesla July 2, he said.

The target for a model developed with Tesla would be for a car that costs about $40,000 with 150 miles (240 kilometers) of driving range per charge, the person familiar with the plans said.

Unlike Toyota, Nissan Motor Co., and other companies readying battery models, Tesla vehicles use thousands of the same type of small lithium-ion battery cells that power laptop computers.

Toyota Executive Vice President Shinichi Sasaki told reporters Friday in Nagoya, Japan, that the company wants to study that approach to see if it has advantages over using larger types of battery cells.

Panasonic Corp., which has a joint venture with Toyota that makes nickel-metal hydride batteries for hybrid autos and lithium-ion batteries for plug-in models, said in January it would work with Tesla to develop modified lithium-ion cells for use in electric cars.

“Since Tesla didn’t develop its battery pack from scratch, there’s a cost advantage,” said Hiroshi Ataka, an analyst at consulting company IHS Global Insight in Tokyo.

“While Toyota may be studying Tesla’s technology, Toyota has been researching its own electric car batteries, so it may not use Tesla’s,” Ataka said.


Near misses and close calls in the air


With more planes flying than ever before, the number of incidents has risen. Should anxious passengers be worried?

Not to fright anybody, but the number of near collisions between profitable aircraft is going up.

In the past year, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, the rate of what it considers grave airspace incursions in the United States rose from 2.44 per million flights to 3.28 per million flights. That works out to fewer than 10 incidents per year, but still the trend is a perturbing one, especially as the number of smaller infractions has risen more sharply.


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Tesla confirm working on two Toyota EV prototypes



We reported Friday that Toyota president Akio Toyoda confirmed that they and Tesla were "working towards a prototype."

According to a report over at CNN, Tesla Chief Technology Officer JB Straubel has been quoted as saying that the two outfits have "made a lot of progress in a short amount of time." Straubel confirmed Tesla will be delivering two prototypes to Toyota "by the end of the month," with the vehicles using "Tesla's electric motors and battery packs and the bodies of Toyota vehicles."

Tesla also confirmed to Edmunds that a drivable prototype combining "a high volume Toyota vehicle with a Tesla electric powertrain...has already been built and is undergoing testing. It will be unveiled to the public later this year."

The speed of these developments looks like Toyota are doing some hard pedaling to make up lost ground on Nissan. Perhaps the demand already demonstrated for the Nissan Leaf, where the first years production quota sold out in just 35 days, without so much as a test drive, has finally convinced the world's largest auto maker they are potentially missed the boat by not offering a Plug-in EV.

As for Tesla, we've been saying for a while that the quickest and easiest way to the mass market would be for Tesla to team up with an established manufacture, most of whom still have idle capacity following the Global Financial Crisis, and scale up what they were doing with Lotus.

If Toyota start selling Corolla's with 185 Kw 3 Phase AC Tesla motors in them with 200 miles range, Toyota will certainly trump Nissan and they'll have such a hot ticket on their hands they won't be able to keep up with demand for years to come.

CNN

Porsche GT3 R Hybrid driven by autocar.co.uk (w/Video)



Autocar's Steve Sutcliffe got the chance to lap the German Eurospeedway in the Porsche GT3 R Hybrid.

Sutcliffe gives running commentary on what it's like to drive, notably explaining how he has to make sure not to add that extra 160-horsepower electric boost coming out of corners. As hitting the boost button instantly turns the car into an All Wheel Drive, I would have thought more traction out of corners is an advantage?

Illustration of the flywheel system operating is provided by an on-screen telemetry graphic. It shows how the energy used to 'boost' an extra 160 hp down a straight is immediately re-collected while braking at the other end of the same straight. It's not hard to imagine how this helped the 911 Hybrid avoid having to make 5 full pit stops for fuel during the Nurburgring 24 Hour, Brilliant!

Solar Plane Lasts All Night Long



Swiss researchers yesterday marked a major milestone in the development of a solar-powered, single-pilot aircraft that they hope will eventually circumnavigate the globe. They kept their craft aloft through an entire night on stored solar energy.

In the wake of the event, the pilot, André Borschberg--CEO and cofounder of the Solar Impulse project--declared: "I have just flown more than 26 hours without using a drop of fuel and without causing any pollution!" The plane took off from a Swiss airbase early Wednesday and landed there at dawn Thursday.

Of course, it is a long way from this stunt to an aviation industry that isn't reliant on energy-dense jet fuel to hoist hundreds of thousands of pounds of cargo and passengers to cruising altitude. Unlike cars--which can today drive respectable distances on stored electrical energy--commercial aircraft will be dependent on liquid fuels for a long time.

But the Solar Impulse plane does include some novel engineering feats. Its wings are covered with 11,000 solar cells, and it uses lightweight composite structural parts and has a wingspan of 210 feet, not far from that of the world's biggest commercial jet, the Airbus A380, which has a wingspan of 260 feet. Keeping the plane's weight down to 3,500 pounds required optimizing electrical components in order to keep battery size as small as possible. The design was honed with computer modeling help from the European Space Agency and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. Still, the plane must fly at a pokey 28 miles per hour to save electricity. The lessons learned from the test flight will be used to develop an improved version of the plane that would attempt to fly around the world.

"It's good engineering, as you would expect from a Swiss team," said John Hansman, professor of aeronautics at MIT. But while the project is interesting, he says: "Solar will be a niche application for aircraft. It's hard to have enough energy capture to use for transportation, and solar cell efficiency is not high enough."

Despite their dubious commercial potential, lightweight solar-powered planes could be crucial to conducting long-term surveillance, and that's why various governments, including that of the United States, have been researching the technology. NASA's solar-powered Helios aircraft, one such unmanned effort, disintegrated due to turbulence during a 2003 test flight.

The unmanned solar powered record, set by QinetiQ's Zephyr UAV in 2008, stands at 82 hours 37 minutes or 3 1/2 days, exceeding the current official world record for unmanned flight which stands at 30 hours 24 minutes set by Global Hawk in 2001.

In 1999, the leader of the Solar Impulse project, Swiss adventurer Bertrand Piccard, became the first person (along with his copilot) to fly nonstop around the world in a balloon. "This is a highly symbolic moment," he said in a statement yesterday. "Flying by night using solely solar power is a stunning manifestation of the potential that clean technologies offer today to reduce the dependency of our society on fossil fuels."

Taiwanese Automaker LUXGEN Introduces Electric MPV


Taiwan-based LUXGEN has introduced a battery-electric MPV, the LUXGEN7 MPV EV+. Working with AC Propulsion (ACP), LUXGEN developed the core technologies for the LUXGEN7 MPV EV+ including the 180 kW (240 hp) and 265 N·m (196 lb-ft) torque AC induction motor.

The lithium-ion battery packs supports a 200-mile (322km) cruising range at a fixed speed of 25 mph (40 km/h) on a single charge. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 8.6 seconds, and top speed is 145 km/h (90 mph).

LUXGEN, an automobile brand established by Taiwan’s Yulon Group, is a full automobile manufacturer and a dedicated integrator of automotive and smart IT technology. Yulon Group’s automobile manufacturing operation began in 1953; it has become Taiwan’s largest automobile manufacturer with production plants located in Taiwan, Mainland China and Philippines supplying the local markets with more than 2 million vehicles produced in association with Nissan, Mitsubishi, GM, Chrysler, Mercedes Benz and others.

Chevrolet Volt Gets a Bath in the Water Trough



One of the many development tests done on the Chevrolet Volt is to ensure the lithium-ion battery pack is protected from water. Watch as the car drives through a water trough at different depths and speeds.

Bosch airs all-electric vehicle strategy


Automotive tier one supplier Robert Bosch GmbH has announced it will invest about € 400 million (about $ 508 million) annually in the development of all-electric powertrains and associated electronics. The company also reiterated its avowal to the internal combustion engine and hybrid drives.

After having successfully established its hybrid drive technology at the market, Bosch said it plans to increasingly invest in electric cars. According to Bosch manager Rolf Bulander, electric vehicles are particularly suited for operation in megacities while medium distances will remain the domain of conventional gasoline and diesel driven vehicles. HEV vehicles meet the requirements of both short and long distances, he said, adding that the company still sees a future for fuel cell drives in long-distance operation.

During the past months, the first vehicles globally equipped with Bosch's parallel hybrid concept have hit the markets: The Porsche Cayenne and the Volkswagen Touareg. In addition, Bosch has launched a development cooperation with PSA Peugeot Citroen focusing on HEVs with electric four-wheel drive. In the context of this project, Bosch is providing power electronics components and electric motors.

In the meantine, globally 800 engineers and technicians are developing technologies for HEVs and all-electric vehicles. Another 650 persons are working for SB LiMotive, a joint venture of Bosch and Samsung. SB LiMotive develops lithium ion batteries for electric cars, with BMW being the first customer. The Bavarian luxury car maker recently announced its electric 'Megacity Vehicle' using batteries from this company.

Bosch said it currently is establishing production sites for power electronics and electro motors, both serving markets for e-vehicles. In this context, the company pointed out that “electromobility is more than just powertrain components”. In order to explore and create the environment required for electromobility, the company collaborates with other participants in several government-funded projects which cover the most significant aspects of electromobility. Among the research topics are integration of the vehicles into a future battery charging infrastructure, and new mobility services.

For 2020, Bosch expects e-cars to have a market share of some 3 percent. HEVs will have a share of 6 percent, the company predicts.

Toyota working with Tesla toward vehicle prototype


Toyota Motor Corp is working to develop a prototype electric vehicle with Tesla Motors as it continues work on a battery-powered small car the Japanese automaker plans to launch in 2012, senior executives said.

"We're at the stage of working towards a prototype and once that's completed and we've reached that milestone, I'd like to announce more about what we're working on together," Toyota president Akio Toyoda told reporters.

Toyoda said Toyota was interested in experimenting with Tesla's approach to using lithium-ion battery cells developed for the electronics industry as a potential alternative to developing batteries tailor-made for its own vehicles as it had been doing.

"We'll see which better meets the needs of consumers. We're taking a multifaceted approach," Toyoda told a group of US reporters invited to tour Toyota's facilities this week.

The comments represent the most detail Toyota has provided about the scope of a still-developing partnership with Tesla announced in March by Toyoda and Tesla chief executive Elon Musk.

Toyota invested $US50 million in Tesla in a private placement after the electric vehicle maker's initial public offering in June. After zooming 40 per cent on their first day of trading on June 29, Tesla shares have come back to earth and are trading slightly below their initial public offering price of $US17.

Toyota executive vice president Shinichi Sasaki said the world's largest automaker was open to other partnerships like its Tesla deal since it believes a number of alternatives to traditional gas engines could find a market in the next few years.

"It's hard for a single company to take on environmental technology all alone because of the need for infrastructure. I think cooperation is going to be increasingly important," Mr Sasaki said.

Toyota's tie-up with Tesla was seen as a strong endorsement of the seven-year-old start-up and credited with driving investor interest in the company best known for its $US109,000 electric Roadster.

Musk has said Toyota would be a customer for Tesla, which also has a deal to supply battery packs to an electric version of the Smart mini-car for Daimler AG.

But in the absence of a contract, it had been less certain what Toyota aimed to gain from the tie-up, which was negotiated in less than a month after Toyoda met Musk for the first time in Los Angeles.

The Roadster is powered by more than 6,800 laptop battery cells and can accelerate to 60 miles per hour from a standing stop in less than four seconds, faster than all but a handful of luxury sports cars.

Toyoda said he was impressed by the car and by Tesla's start-up culture, which he said he hoped would contribute to his effort to revitalize Toyota after a safety crisis earlier this year marked by the recall of about eight million vehicles.

Tesla's approach

Mr Sasaki said he considered Tesla's approach to using off-the-shelf battery components "shocking," but suggested that it could open the door to lower costs for Toyota if the Tesla battery system holds up to quality standards.

"At Toyota we have a lot to learn from this partnership. We've just begun working with Tesla but I believe that we've taken an important first step," Mr Sasaki said.

A team of Toyota engineers is continuing to work on a small, urban car powered by batteries for launch in 2012, company officials said. Toyota showed off a prototype of that car based on its IQ mini-car in 2009.

Toyota dominates the market for traditional hybrids with its Prius and had been less enthusiastic about the size of the developing market for pure electric cars than rivals led by Nissan Motor Co.

Toyota will assemble a team of engineers from its US research and manufacturing arm to work with Tesla on the joint prototype the companies will develop, a Toyota spokesman said.

Separately, Toyoda said the automaker had taken the first steps toward winning back consumer trust in the wake of its recent safety crisis.

The automaker has slowed product development, dispatched more engineers to work on safety issues and given its US management team a stronger voice in making the determination on whether to recall a vehicle.

US safety regulators said Toyota was too slow to react to safety problems and the recalls hurt Toyota's sales and damaged its reputation for quality.

"We are listening hard to what our customers have to say and we are working hard to earn their continuing trust," Toyoda said.

Fort Worth officer injured in crash shows 'promising signs'


A Fort Worth police officer remains hospitalized today in grave condition after he crashed during a highway chase.

Officer Richard Lambing, 37, suffered head injuries Thursday afternoon in the accident on Interstate 30, close to the Loop 820 interchange.

Lambing was taken to John Peter Smith Hospital with life-threatening injury, police said. Doctors say he showed improvement later than surgery and was transferred to the intensive-care unit.

We are relieved that Officer Lambing is showing promising signs of potential upturn, Police Chief Jeffrey Halstead said today in a written statement.


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Audi Enter R8 E-TRON in “Silvretta e-auto rally"


Audi has entered an e-tron technology platform wrapped in the skin of an R8 in the Silvretta E-Auto Rally Montafon 2010. Michael Dick, Member of the Board of Management of AUDI AG for Technical Development, and factory driver Lukas Luhr will pilot the electric sports car along the 167.5 kilometer (104.08 miles) route through the Austrian state of Vorarlberg. After debuting with a demonstration run at “Le Mans vers le futur” as part of the 24-hour race, the Audi R8 e-tron will now be competing in three stages.

“We already received very good feedback on the Audi R8 e-tron in Le Mans,” says Michael Dick, Member of the Board of Management of AUDI AG for Technical Development. “In Montafon, the e-tron will put its potential to the test in ten different mountain, valley and timed special stages. This is a good opportunity to showcase Audi’s integrated approach and to experience the fascination of electromobility in a sports car on the road.”

Four motors – two each on the front and rear axles – power the wheels of the Audi R8 e-tron, making this test vehicle a true quattro. With 230 kW (313 hp) and 4,500 Nm (3,319.03 lb-ft) of torque, the two-seater accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.8 seconds. The technology platform is designed for a top speed of 200 kilometer per hour (124.27 mph).

The technology platform vehicle wrapped in the skin of an R8 demonstrates that the Audi e-tron belongs in the major leagues of electric sports cars. The package does justice to all of the specific realities of an electric vehicle: The water-cooled, lithium-ion battery is located directly behind the passenger cabin for an optimal center of gravity and axial load distribution.

With the R8 e-tron technology platform, Audi is providing an insight into the development work. The requirement specification for the production concept goes far beyond battery technology and the replacement of a combustion engine with an electric drive system. The interaction of all components has a decisive influence on efficiency, range and practicality.

Design and package

One glance is all it will take for the fans at the Silvretta E-Auto Rally Montafon 2010 to recognize the caliber of the car: Based on the R8, this Audi e-tron has a wide, powerful road stance. The trapeze of the single-frame grille dominates the front end and is flanked by two large air intakes.

1.90 meters (6.23 ft) wide, just 4.43 meters (14.53 ft) long and 1.25 meters (4.10 ft) tall – those are the proportions of a supercar. The wheelbase of 2.65 meters (8.69 ft) leaves plenty of room between the axles for people and technology. The sporty proportions offer enough room in front of the rear axle for the battery unit and the power electronics.

The special package of the Audi e-tron technology platform provides for a 42:58 distribution of weight between the front axle and the rear axle, and thus for optimal balance and driving dynamics.

Because systematic lightweight construction is also a crucial prerequisite for the efficiency and range of electric cars, the Audi designers tapped into one of the company’s core competences for the R8 e-tron technology platform: The body structure is based on Audi Aluminum Space Frame (ASF) technology.

Driving dynamics

The normal distribution of torque is clearly biased toward the rear axle and is similar to that of the production R8 mid-engine sports car, sending roughly 70 percent to the rear and 30 percent to the front. If an axle slips, this balance can be varied by means of the four centrally controlled electric motors. The electric vehicle from Audi thus enjoys all of the advantages of quattro technology.

The R8 e-tron also uses the four individual motors, which as wheel drives are connected directly to the respective wheel via a short shaft, to control the lateral dynamics. Similar to what the sport differential does in conventional quattro vehicles, they enable torque vectoring – the targeted acceleration of individual wheels – and thus active distribution of the torque. This improves driving dynamics while at the same time increasing driving safety. Understeer and oversteer can be corrected by not only targeted activation of the brakes, but also by precise increases in power lasting just a few milliseconds. The concept car remains extremely neutral even under great lateral acceleration and hustles through corners as if on the proverbial rails.

The chassis has triangular double wishbones at the front axle and a trapezoidal-link rear suspension made of forged aluminum components – a geometry that has proven in motorsports to be the optimal prerequisite for high agility, uncompromising precision and precisely defined self-steering behavior. A taut setup was chosen for the springs and shock absorbers, but still offers a high level of comfort.

The direct rack-and-pinion steering gives finely differentiated feedback. Boost is varied electromechanically as a function of speed. Fittingly, the technology platform rolls on 19-inch wheels.

Power supply

The energy storage unit is charged with household current (230 volts/16 amperes) via a cable and a plug. What used to be fuel cap covers the socket. With the battery fully discharged, charging time is between six and eight hours. High-voltage (400 volts, 63 amperes) reduces this to around 2.5 hours.

The battery isn’t only charged when the car is stationary, but also while driving. The keyword here is recuperation. This form of energy recovery is already available today in a number of Audi production models. During braking, the alternator converts the kinetic energy into electrical energy and feeds it into the onboard electrical system. This relieves the load on the alternator during the next acceleration phase, which enhances driving dynamics and improves efficiency.

Interior and control concept

The interior evokes motorsports ambience on a luxury level. As with the R8, its distinctive element is the monoposto: a large arc sweeping around the dashboard instruments. Unlike the R8 production model, however, the Audi R8 e-tron has a graphic display to indicate the driving mode. It is located between two dial instruments that indicate the recuperation and the boost level, respectively. Similar to the new A8, the driver of this high-performance sports car can select the various driving modes using a stalk that is based on shift-by-wire technology.

BMW's electric Megacity revealed

BMW released the first sketch of its Mega city electric vehicle last week, but currently we can reveal the car in all its glory.

Our computer image is based on the sketch and shows what BMW's first electric car could seem like when it goes on sale in 2013.

The four-seater will be based on technology already being trialed in the battery-powered Mini E and 1 Series. It will also utilize a carbonfibre passenger cell to keep weight down.

The car is likely to be expensive as a result, so BMW might lease it rather than sell it to customers.

The rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive car has a 100Kw motor beneath the floor and is anticipated to have a variety of between 100 and 130 miles. It's bigger than a Mini, but lesser than the 1 Series.

The project is the first in a string of electric cars that the company says will ultimately account for up to 12% of its sales by 2020.


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