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Volte face
Not long ago it was hard to find a mainstream car-maker with more than a passing interest in electric cars. At the Paris Salon it was a different story with OEMs stumbling over each other in the race to be greenest. Ian Adcock reports |
01/01/2009
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The hard cell
Intense development is making fuel cells more viable, says Andrew Noakes, but there are still financial and environmental questions to answer |
01/10/2008
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An open and shut case
Camless valvetrains offer numerous benefits, says Andrew Noakes, but their drawbacks are proving difficult to overcome |
01/09/2008
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Lower Expectations
Suppliers are facing increasing demands for materials and systems that help the OEMs reduce the environmental impact of their products. Steve Snook looks at some of the results |
01/09/2008
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The common touch
Common rail technology has brought greater efficiency and refinement to millions of small diesel engines over the past 10 years – and there is more to come, says Andrew Noakes |
01/08/2008
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Hybrid hyperbole?
Do hybrid powertrains really deliver the best of two worlds, asks Andrew Noakes, or are they just environmental window dressing? |
01/05/2008
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What’s the alternative?
Economic and environmental pressures are driving a move to non-fossil fuels, says
Andrew Noakes, but there is still no dominant technology in the field |
01/04/2008
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The MUSIC makers
Roger Bishop reports on a gasoline engine with a combustion process that has the potential to compete with diesels on fuel economy but will have dramatically reduced HC and NOx emissions in urban driving |
01/03/2008
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Charging ahead
Homogenous charge compression ignition is the subject of much research for its ability to control emissions and its promise of fuel efficiency. Jeff Daniels looks at developments |
01/02/2008
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DC-DC converter reclaims wasted hybrid energy
A consortium led by motorsport specialist Prodrive is developing a DC-DC converter for hybrid and electric vehicles. It is being designed to be more efficient, smaller and lower cost than those currently available. |
01/11/2007
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Laser remelting strengthens pistons
Diesel engine design has taken a further step forward with a new generation of aluminium-based piston materials combined with a laser technology for configuring the piston bowl lip, accoring to Kolbenschmidt Pierburg. |
01/10/2007
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Show and tell
Europe’s biggest car show takes place in Frankfurt from 13 to 23 September. We look beyond the gloss of the show cars and concepts to preview some of the technologies that will be on display |
01/09/2007
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Hybridising a brand
Porsche is one of the strongest brands in the automotive sector, so how does it go about adopting hybrid technology without affecting driver perceptions? Ian Adcock took a ride in its Cayenne hybrid to find out |
01/09/2007
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Drop-in’ module transforms hybrid drives
In a development that must rate as one of the finest examples of technology integration seen this year, ZF has designed an electric motor module into its new eight-speed automatic gearbox using only the space normally occupied by the torque converter, writes Roger Bishop. |
01/09/2007
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Burning questions
Pressure is mounting on engine designers to increase specific power output, deal with emissions and make their products burn a wider range of fuels. They are responding to the challenge with a range of materials, gas control techniques and fuel strategies. Jeff Daniels reports |
01/02/2007
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Diesel hybrid has a ‘software’ gearbox
Software and control techniques replace clutches and gears in a new type of high-efficiency diesel hybrid drivetrain, writes Roger Bishop. Developed by a UK automotive engineering consultancy, it is said to be highly cost-effective compared with current systems and can be quickly implemented within the constraints of a compact European passenger car. |
01/02/2007
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Heavy on the electricity
In the second of two articles, Jeff Danilels looks at ‘heavy hybrids’ and finds the US market picking up for petrol-electric vehicles while Europe looks to the longer term with plans to combine the benefits of diesel and electric motors to provide spectacular fuel efficiency |
01/09/2006
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Silent running
The diesel V8 for the Range Rover was designed to beat its big rivals from BMW and Mercedes for torque and power, and its designers say it also has class leading NVH properties. Ian Adcock describes the development process |
01/06/2006
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Small benefits
Hybrid electric vehicles are starting to proliferate, at least in terms of models available – it has yet to be seen whether the public will buy them in significant number. In the first of two articles, Jeff Daniels explains micro and mild systems |
01/06/2006
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Optocoupler designed for hybrids
Avago Technologies’ high-speed optocoupler has been designed specifically to meet the performance requirements of the automotive market, especially for hybrid electric vehicles. Systems in these vehicles will require isolation in the electrical systems to prevent unwanted interference and provide reliable operation. |
01/06/2006
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Special tubing is key to fuel cell humidifier
As fuel cell technology develops, the need for efficient fuel cell humidification has increased.For demanding automotive applications, Perma Pure has introduced the FC-400 high pressure fuel cell humidifier.Part of the company’s FC series, it provides durable, self-contained humidification in a package that withstands the temperature, corrosion and high operating pressures of automotive fuel cells. |
01/06/2006
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Hot compression ratio changes with engine running
A system for varying the compression ratio of an engine while running has been developed in France, writes David Scott. This allows performance to be optimised according to speed and load, and enhances more complete combustion of the fuel mixture with benefits to economy and emissions. |
01/02/2006
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Powertrain priorities
For all the publicity surrounding hybrids and the fledgling hydrogen economy, powertrains are still firmly rooted in traditional technologies. However, that does not mean any lack of interesting developments, as Jeff Daniels reports |
01/04/2005
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