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Data Recording Black Boxes Likely in All Cars by 2015: Senate Passes Bill
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Black boxes in cars? We’ve reported on it before, but a bill requiring such devices has recently passed the U.S. Senate and is expected to fare the same in the House. If it goes all the way, cars built after 2015 will all have tattlers to give specific information on a car’s activity. If implemented,…
Cadillac Developing Self-Driving Car, Could be Ready by 2015
Super Cruise will essentially take this technology to the next level and according to Cadillac, has been designed to ease driving stress on the freeway by gleaning information from ultrasonic sensors, radar, cameras and GPS map data.
Future Toyotas to Use Drivers Mood for Safety Systems
The days of having our personal Knight Rider are quickly approaching. Toyota is currently working on a mood detection system that will alter how the warning systems in its vehicles work. While some vehicles are giving owners the ability to set their own ambient mood lighting, Toyota is hoping to develop the first auto-sensing system…
Mobile App Makes Cats into Sports Cars
Gentlemen, start your felines. In a hilarious marketing campaign, the developers behind the XLR8 app that makes acceleration noises as you drive, strapped an iPhone to their kitty and sent it running.
Fuel Mileage Testing Rethought by United Nations and European Union
Gas mileage is a growing concern. Recognizing that fact, the United Nations and European Union are partnering to create a new series of tests to rate fuel consumption in new vehicles under a worldwide standard. The tests that are currently run to determine mpg are outdated and not realistic to the way that most of us drive….
Ford Launches Sustainability Campaign With Series of Short Videos
Ford announced the launch of a new campaign encouraging people to adopt a lifestyle devoted to environmental sustainability. The program includes a national electric vehicle education program, a multi-city tour, and finally the debut of a 10-film short documentary series. Ford’s documentary series, The Big SHFT: 10 Innovators Changing Our World, goes beyond the automotive sector…
Chrysler Town & Country Plug-In Hybrid Specs Revealed
Last week, Chrysler announced delivery of four plug-in hybrid Town & Country minivans to the Auburn Hills city of Michigan as the initial part of an extensive two-year hybrid development project worth $25.8 million. Today, company delivered eight more units to the Duke Energy utility company as part of the two-year project. As the only minivan to boast a…
Nissan Powered DeltaWing Racer Begins European Testing Phase
The DeltaWing project brings together some of the biggest names in US motorsport circles, including famed race car builder and team owner Don Panoz, Dan Gurney’s legendary All-American Racers (AAR) and Highcroft Racing. Further tests have already been scheduled, including a two-day track evaluation next week.
Electric Vehicle Batteries Drop in Price, EV Prices Might Follow
Prices might be falling soon on the cost to produce electric vehicles, which means (hopefully) that the MSRP will fall soon as well. A new report by Bloomberg New Energy Finance shows the cost of lithium ion batteries falling 14 percent over this time last year. Furthermore, prices took a 30 percent swan dive since…
High Oil Prices Spur Recycled Interior Material Components
The potential to reuse some of the country’s paper currency once it has been taken out of circulation is a great example of research we’re doing,” remarked Ford’s global director of Sustainability and Vehicle Environmental matters John Viera.
Honda Plans to Extract Rare Earth Metal from Used Hybrids
Honda announced today that it will start a mass-production recycling program to extract rare earth metals from used car parts. Partnering with Japan Metals & Chemicals Co., the automaker will begin extracting the materials, which are 95 percent controlled by China. The majority of material harvesting will be from nickel-metal hydride batteries collected from used hybrid…
Ferrari Hybrid System Detailed by Patent Applications
Patent applications from Ferrari have revealed some details on a new hybrid system for its performance road cars. Ever since the FIA motorsport governing body permitted the application of a KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) in Formula 1, Ferrari had intended to trickle down its latest racing technology and apply it to its line of…
Lexus RX450h Joins Google Autonomous Vehicles Fleet
A car that drives itself might seem cool — until you realize it’s probably a Toyota Prius. What if you prefer something a more upscale automated chauffeur? It seems Google feels the same way by giving a Lexus RX450h the autonomous treatment. The vehicle was spotted testing in Southern California and seems to be sporting a…
Ford Focus Electric Will be First EV Pace Car for NASCAR
On April 28, the Ford Focus electric will lead the pack as the Richmond 400 NASCAR race pace car — the first all electric car to do so. NASCAR is clearly a sport where fuel economy isn’t a major concern, so Ford wants to educate the fans on how their EV technology works. “Ford research shows…
Zero Emissions Requirements Could Expand Beyond California
Consequently, there are concerns within the auto industry that given the sluggish demand, sales of zero emissions vehicles won’t grow fast enough to meet the mandated targets, meaning that automakers could risk facing hefty fines.
Electric Cars May Pollute More than Gas Models: Study
Electric vehicles probably seem to have a tiny carbon footprint at the surface, but a recent study suggests environmental impact varies in gravity according to where the vehicle is charged. Automakers tout EVs as zero-emission transportation but that doesn’t mean they don’t have an environmental impact. The issue is that charging creates green house gases,…
Chrysler Town & Country Plug-Ins Cost More Than $1 Million Each
As brands go, Chrysler isn’t much for making hybrids and EVs, but that’s changing. The automaker just announced that it delivered four plug-in hybrid Town & Country mini vans to the city of Auburn Hills, Mich. as a two-year demonstration project. Chrysler says it’s pouring $15.8 million into the project, which will be supplemented by another…
Michael Schumacher Explains Formula 1 Steering Wheel in Video
When it comes to the pinnacle of motorsports, things get very expensive and very complicated at Formula 1. A Formula 1 steering wheel, a tiny carbon fiber control panel that places every electronically adjustable parameter of a Formula 1 race car into the palm of the driver’s hands, can cost $50,000 alone. With more buttons, toggle…
2012 Ford Focus Electric Road Trip Facebook Game Released
Ford is introducing its latest social media product, the “Plug N Play in Electric City with the 2012 Focus Electric,” a Facebook-based game, ahead of the official release of the Focus Electric EV. The Facebook game gives users and four of his or her friends the opportunity to create a short virtual trip in the new…
Expensive Fuel Saving Tech to Cause Dramatic Decline in New-Car Buyers: Study
Sales of smaller cars are on the rise as the average transaction price for a new vehicle continues to climb, recently hitting an all-time high of $30,748. In response to these trends, the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) has conducted a study revealing the proposed 54.5 mpg CAFE standards for 2025 will cause a significant…
German Amphicar For Sale in Maryland Handles Land and Lake
It is a known fact that boats are not designed to travel on land, and cars are not very capable in the water. But with the summer approaching and a vast number of cottages available for rent by lakes, it would be ideal to have a combination of the two. The solution would be an…
Road Inc. Smartphone App is a Car Museum on the Go
Devoted to celebrating the history and the culture of automobiles, car museums allow enthusiasts to admire the rarest and most iconic of cars, but don’t forget the “do not touch” sign. Now, thanks to the Road, Inc. classic car app, you can touch these cars to your heart’s content… on your iPad. A car museum…
Mercedes-Benz Cars Aim to Keep Drivers Fit and Alert
Mercedes-Benz cars can already navigate through traffic without driver input, the infotainment systems can be controlled by uttering a sentence and the seats will even massage your back for you, but how about a car that keeps you physically fit, and mentally rested? The company is developing what it calls “performance enhancing comfort,” which will…
Subaru iPad App Offers Customized Virtual Car Tours
Subaru just released a series of “Dynamic Brochure” iPad apps for the 2012 Subaru Impreza, Impreza WRX/STi, Outback, Legacy and Forester. These fun and interactive apps feature new, fully photographic exterior and interior 360-degree views that let you experiment with paint colors and interior trims. They also include interactive feature demos, videos and comprehensive specifications. You’ll…
