Apparently the new spindle grille is here to stay. According to the Kaizen Factor blog, has filed numerous trademarkapplications in both the United States and Canada for various spindle grille designs.
The main differences in the designs are the inserts, either a zig-zag mesh like the current F Sport models of the , , , and , or a horizontal pattern like the non-F Sport models. But there’s also a new “vertical bar” design revealed by the filings, which the report speculates may be applied to the next-generation IS.
Toyota has also filed paperwork to trademark the basic spindle outline with no insert, according to the report. For what it’s worth, Lexus isn’t the only Japanese automaker that’s …
The current has soldiered on since the 2009 model year with few updates, so it is about time for a design change. But how much longer do we have to wait? Inside Line reports that the new G will arrive next spring with a new design, fresh engines and a possible hybrid variant.
VP Andy Palmer reportedly let loose the G’s tight time line, while providing room for us to speculate what engineering changes could come with the redesign. The high-ranking executive told IL that the partnership between Nissan and is progressing as planned, and we know that a four-cylinder engine is among the . In fact, Autocar reported that the next G will feature diesel and four-cylinder engines with Mercedes DNA.
Such a powerplant could replace the 2.5-liter V6 under the hood of the G25, and turbocharging could be on order as well. Palmer added that a turbocharged six could also be in the cards, noting that there is a business case for blown sixes that deliver V8 power with V6 fuel economy. Given that the entry Infiniti sedan doesn’t currently feature a V8 option, we’re all for more G-power for 2014.
The last interesting tidbit is the possibility of a G hybrid model. The addition of a battery-assisted G makes sense given that the automaker already features a hybrid option in its , and using the powertrain in more applications helps lower development costs.
The minds at Car and Driver recently took a moment to speak with Robert Davis, senior vice president of U.S. operations, about the automaker’s plans for the future. According to Davis, the rotary engine will continue to play a role in the company’s products moving forward, with engineers applying the lessons learned through the SkyActiv program to the powerplant. That means the next-generation rotary will likely feature reduced internal friction and lightweight internals in a quest to reduce emissions and increase fuel economy. But the engine may find applications outside of its traditional role.
Not only is Mazda pursuing a rotary engine to power a vehicle, Davis admits Mazda is also investigating ways to use the design in tandem with an electric motor, with the pistonless engine responsible for charging an extended-range EV’s batteries. Given the compact size and relatively low torque supplied by a rotary, this application would seem to hold promise. Of course, we’ve heard .
And what of a SkyActiv V6? Davis makes it clear there’s no room in the SkyActiv stable for a six-cylinder, saying that the company will focus on lighter platforms and forced-induction four-cylinder engines instead.
is getting religion when it comes to light-weighting its vehicles. The company has entered into a new partnership with to develop carbon fiber that can be manufactured at affordable prices for high-volume applications. That, of course, is the holy grail of weight reduction, which is why other manufacturers like General Motors are also to try and achieve the same ends.
Now before you get too excited about the carbon-fiber in the photos, understand that it was just a limited-production car shown at in 2009, and it carried a price tag of $135,000. That’s the problem with carbon fiber parts – they are expensive because they are much more difficult to manufacture in volume than steel.
But if Ford and other carmakers are going to achieve the sorts of fuel economy improvements required by new regulations, they’re going to have to either scale carbon fiber or dramatically shrink the size of most vehicles. Ford says it’s targeting a 750-pound weight reduction per vehicle by the end of the decade.
Automation, the game that allows players to build their own car company from the ground up, has made a big step forward by releasing a engine-builder demo. Those who have already pre-ordered the game can download a preview of the designer right now by heading over to the , while the rest of the world gets to wait until April 22. So far, the glimpse is limited to four-cylinder applications, though players can tweak nearly every aspect of the four-pot’s design. Block, crank and head material are all up for grabs as are intake, exhaust and fuel design and cam profile.
The company was kind enough to slide us an early copy of the demo filled with tutorial videos explaining the intricacies of each engine system. While incredibly involved, the program seems to be a great way to expand one’s knowledge by eeking ever-better horsepower out of an engine. Though all of the options can be a bit overwhelming, even for those of us with grease under our fingernails, Automation offers clear explanations on each variable. for a quick video and the press release, and be sure to check out the game’s on the 22nd for your own free demo.
General Motors has just unveiled its facelifted at the today. The big crossover has abandoned the company’s corporate grille in favor of a new design that’s expected to eventually make its way to the rest of the utility vehicle stable. With three chrome-finish bars across the upper grille inlet, more expressive headlamp arrays and a new foglight design, the 2013 Traverse looks a bit more conservative and polished than it did before, at least from up front. Move past the A-pillar, however, and the vehicle looks plenty familiar. Even with a new hatch, redesigned taillamps and a modestly massaged rear valance, the 2013 Traverse hasn’t strayed too far from its family-minded original recipe.
Likewise, the 2013 model’s drivetrain remains untouched as well. The same 3.6-liter V6 puts down 288 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque through either the front wheels or an all-wheel drive system and the six-speed automatic has been reworked for quicker shifting.
Buyers will be able to opt for Chevrolet’s new MyLink system, complete with Internet-based applications like Stitcher and Pandora as well as Bluetooth voice and audio capability. Like its fellow Lambda-platform sibling, the reworked , the Traverse will also be available with a new center airbag that bisects driver and front-seat passenger. for the full press release and peruse our live shots for more views of this Chevy staple.
As and , the Environmental Protection Agency today approved the first applications to make E15, a blend of gasoline with 15 percent in it. This means that E15 is now a “significant step” closer to production and sale in America.
For decades, gasoline in the U.S. has had up to 10 percent ethanol in it, but the extra five points were enough to generate resistance. The and the both took steps to prevent E15 from entering the national supply. Even the EPA admits not every vehicle should use the new blend, saying it is approved only for Model Year 2001 vehicles and newer.
Many automakers have been hesitant about E15, fearing fuel system and engine damage, so a number of them through the Auto Alliance. Some have even gone so far as to say that . The EPA’s rules say that any pump dispensing E15 must be clearly labeled. The EPA is not requiring any station to sell E15 in any way, but the Obama Administration does want to encourage its use, and thus wants to help get 10,000 blender pumps installed in the U.S. over the next 5 years.
In late 2011, the U.S. Congress ended a 30-year tax subsidy on corn-based ethanol while also stopping tariffs on ethanol imported from Brazil. Since 1980, the ethanol industry has received an estimated $45 billion in subsidies. Check out the official EPA press release for further details .
, a company known largely for its aftermarket navigation systems, will officially debut its first factory-installed in-car infotainment system at this week’s . In the past, Garmin has partnered with some automakers to offer pop-up navi systems as an affordable solution to buyers who want the functionality in their vehicles. This new system, which will be available in most 2013 model year , now offers a full suite of infotainment tech.
The Garmin interface uses a 6.1-inch touch-screen display that fully incorporates all audio functions, as well as Bluetooth, backup camera support and, of course, navigation. There’s even a way to operate Pandora, though the app will run via a connected smartphone. The system also has full voice control functionality for all of its applications.
Additionally, this new infotainment system can provide real-time information such as traffic, weather, dynamic parking and fuel prices via the Android-based Garmin Smartphone Link app. The company says that Smartphone Link works off of the customer’s existing data plan, so users don’t have to shell out any extra money for additional data.
We’ll be checking out the new Garmin infotainment system this week at the New York Auto Show, so stay tuned for more impressions. For the full details, to read Garmin’s official press release.
may be out to improve the fuel economy of its powertrains by throwing extra gears into the transmission. Automobile Magazine reports the Japanese automaker is currently working to use a new nine-speed gearbox developed by ZF in its products as soon as 2014. If you’re keeping track, this is the same transmission set to debut in a host of products, including the replacement for the .
Despite the additional gears, ZF says the transmission is surprisingly compact, thanks in part to the fact that it uses planetary gears in place of a traditional design. Called the 9HP, the German transmission can be used in either front- or all-wheel drive applications and handle up to 354 pound-feet of torque.
All told, ZF claims the 9HP can improve a vehicle’s fuel economy as much as 10 to 16 percent. Given the torque capacities and relatively small size, the transmission could show up in nearly everything Honda makes, but odds are the company will debut the gearbox in models like the and as well as the and .
Infiniti’s rival to the is known by just one letter – that letter, of course, being G – but the range is expanding beyond the solitary G35 that had been the mainstay of the line for years. The G35 was succeeded by the (pictured above) and recently supplemented by the smaller-displacement G25, but emerging reports indicate that has a whole raft of new versions on their way.
The report from Car and Driver is bolstered by tell-tale trademarkapplications for the nameplates G35h, G30t and G22d. The numbers tell us something, but it’s the lower-case letters that follow which really indicate what to expect. The G35h, then, could seemingly adapt the hybrid powertrain currently found in the , coupling a 3.5-liter V6 with electric assist. The G30t suggests a turbocharged engine is in the pipeline, though it’s too early to tell if the spool would be fitted to a four- or six-cylinder engine. Finally, a G22d could join the range of diesel models which Infiniti currently offers in Europe.
We’ll have to wait and see if and when the Nissan premium marque rolls out these model variants on its mainstay line of sedans, coupes and convertibles, but the trademark filings at least give some guidelines to our anticipation.
Aftermarket smartphone integration leaves plenty to be desired. Most systems limit the usability of your device and require a tangle of cords or battery-sucking Bluetooth. Then there’s the headache of trying to figure out how to access your files and applications via the stereo’s cryptic controls. A new Kickstarter project aims to fix all that. Dash is a standard double-din head unit that uses a unique magnetic CNC-aluminum faceplate to dock your phone straight into your vehicle’s dashboard. From there, accessing GPS, sending texts (by voice, of course) and playing music is as simple as swiping your screen. Pretty slick.
Dash features a video pass through so users can play video on external monitors, and the system keeps your phone charged while in use. The unit pumps out 4×50w of power and includes two preamps for front and rear subwoofers.
We typically get antsy any time we see technology that encourages distraction. To that end, Dash also includes an app to make all of your auto-themed applications easily accessible from one home screen. While that should cut down on the amount of time spent flipping through the main menu, it still appears that drivers will have to squint at their phones from behind the wheel.
The system features some interesting innovations, too. In addition to carrying the traditional FM tuner and an AUX in, Dash will eventually allow users to connect to their vehicle’s computer. That, we can get behind.
The system is expected to begin shipping in June 2012. At first, Dash will only support the iPhone 4 and 4S, but Devium, the company behind Dash, hopes to support other smartphones in the future. Check out the for more information, and click for a quick video of the system in action.
is a topic that’s on everybody’s minds these days, and for good reason. Every new car and truck sold today is packed with more technology than every before, from touchscreen LCDs that offer myriad audio and infotainment options to voice-controlled applications and various forms of smartphone integration.
It comes as little surprise, then, that U.S. Department of Transportation head has announced a new set of proposed distracted driving guidelines for automakers that would limit the use of in-car tech solutions that are “not directly relevant to safely operating the vehicle, or cause undue distraction by engaging the driver’s eyes or hands for more than a very limited duration while driving.”
Specifically, DOT is recommending that automakers not introduce technology packages that require both hands to operate or that could take a driver’s eyes from the road for more than two seconds. Further, DOT wants technologies that require detailed input from the driver to be disabled while the car is out of park. That would include text messaging and internet browsing along with such tasks as address entry into navigation systems and manual phone dialing.
Future guidelines may include recommendations to manufacturers of aftermarket devices like smartphones, portable GPS units and tablet computers. It’s important to note that these guidelines are recommendations, not mandates. Feel free to read the entire press release, which includes specific guidelines, . The public will have 60 days to comment on this proposal before final guidelines are drafted.
The may be nearing the end of its line, but over the course of its lifetime it has become the go-to vehicle for any number of off-road applications. They’re used on safaris and expeditions, by military forces and humanitarian organizations. And yes, they’re used by hunters. That’s why German firearms manufacturer Blaser has outfitted this special edition Defender for just such a market.
The Blaser edition Defender includes roof rack, underbody skid plates, trailer hitch, power winch, spotlight, snorkel intake, custom-embroidered leather seats and more. It’s decked out in what’s called Keswich Green, but to us looks more like Panzer green, and packs a 2.2-liter turbodiesel four with 122 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque on tap. But the party piece is the custom armory built into the back that can carry as many as five hunting rifles plus ammunition. Only 60 examples will be made available exclusively in Germany, each carrying a €49,500 ($64,400) price tag.
It isn’t every day that offers an electric vehicle, but the ActiveE is just that. The German luxury car maker is now accepting applications for 700 ActiveE “Electronauts” in the test markets of Boston, Hartford, New York, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego and San Francisco.
The hand-raisers will need to complete a charging station consultation with BMW Partner AeroVironment to make sure the house of the perspective lessee can handle a charger. The meeting will also serve as a teaching session to make sure the user understands the charging and maintenance of an electric vehicle.
Once the perspective lessee meets those criteria, they will be given the opportunity to lease the
4,000-pound, electrified 1 Series Coupe for 24 months at $499 per month, plus $2,250 down. to look over the BMW press release, and head over to if you’re interested in learning more about the ActiveE.
Our friends at Engadget got up close and cozy with the new Ford Sync Applink interface at CES 2012. has put plenty of time ironing out some of the wrinkles in the voice-command system, and the company’s work has paid off. Applink is designed to allow users to access certain applications on their compatible smartphones without ever having to take their hands from the wheel. It sounds nice in theory, but Ford has had its fair share of issues getting the technology to produce desired results. Judging by the quick video, that’s a thing of the past.
Ford demonstrated how the revised system easily pulls up the new NPR app and how users can easily shuffle through the application’s various features. The app even lets users chose any NPR station in the country. How’s that for snazzy?
Just when you thought manufacturers couldn’t cram any more technology into a vehicle, CES rolls through Las Vegas to show off all-new levels of car-bound gadgetry. A company by the name of Rydeen hopes to produce a new range of stereo head units that run the Androidoperating system. The double-DIN units partner up with a touch-screen enabled rear-view mirror serve up all of the relevant applications we’ve come to know and love from our Android devices. Currently, Rydeen says it’s just using the touchscreen rear-view mirrors as research tools, though a production version may hit the market by 2013.
That version will likely boast a more simple interface that should be easier for drivers to use without killing everyone else on the road. We’re big fans of that plan, though we have to wonder about the viability of putting the touch screen in the rear-view mirror to begin with. Here’s hoping Rydeen will turn to a traditional dash-mounted system in the future. to check out a video of the mirror for yourself.
The never fails to deliver when it comes to concept cars. Unveiled alongside the latest production models, concepts represent a way for automakers to showcase where their heads are at and where they want to be going in the future. But it’s not always automakers that present the concepts. Sometimes they come from design houses like Pininfarina.
These independent styling studios and engineering firms have come into some trouble lately as the automakers that used to contract their services for a variety of applications are increasingly relying on in-house departments. But Pininfarina has been resilient. Where others have closed, Pininfarina soldiers on. And this is its latest design.
Called the Cambiano after the town in which the company is based, this design study was released on Facebook. Now a little over a week later, Pininfarina has released two more, showing part of the side in profile and the top from above. We’ll have to wait a little longer to see more, but from what we’ve seen so far, the Cambiano has our interests suitably piqued.
The next big in-car infotainment feature probably won’t come from an automaker; it will be the work of an outside developer with access to the vehicle’s infotainment system. With that fact in mind, OnStar is opening its API to select devs to create new apps utilizing the system’s Advanced Telematics Operating System (ATOM).
To be clear, OnStar’s API is still closed, but telematics service will accept applications from developers and based on what they submit, will then grant them access to OnStar’s 1s and 0s.
So what can we expect to see? Not much until OnStar opens the doors in the first half of this year. But it has announced a partnership with , a peer-to-peer car-sharing service that lets owners of OnStar-equipped vehicles to rent out their rides when they’re not being used. By using the OnStar API, RelayRides will be able to approve a vehicle for use and then using an iPhone or Android app, the renter can unlock the doors to a vehicle that’s been reserved in advance.
It’s one of many products that will be hitting the market this year and you can read about a few more in the release .
Automakers are being pinched to increase safety and improve fuel efficiency, but those two goals often work against each other. That could change thanks to a material that is 99.99-percent air.
Ward’s Automotive reports that the California Institute of Technology, HRL Laboratories and the University of California-Irvine have combined to develop a micro-lattice material that is said to be 100 times lighter than Styrofoam and strong like steel. We’d call this material paper-thin, but the truth is even more impressive: the material is comprised of tiny woven tubes that are 1,000 times thinner than a human hair.
The is obviously interested in this material for top-secret projects like next-generation aircraft, but the micro-lattice is also of great interest to the auto industry. The material could greatly reduce weight and drag, which would in turn significantly increase efficiency. At the same time, the material can reportedly almost completely recover after stress of up to 50 percent and has impressive energy absorbing characteristics. That means the material could also be a safety asset, which is good news for automakers and consumers.
Cal Tech Professor Julia Greer adds that the material could ultimately replace any non heavy-steel component that isn’t already light in weight. A material with less air would reportedly be the next step in the evolution of lightweight metals, and the scientists are working on a nano-lattice that can do just that.
We don’t know much about these micro and nano materials, but we’re guessing it will be a while before the materials are inexpensive enough for automotive applications. But if the U.S. government and airplane manufactures can jump aboard and bring down the manufacturing costs, we could see this type of material helping automakers achieve those 50+ mile per gallon fuel economy standards. For more information and a demonstration of the micro-lattice’s properties, check out the videos after the jump.
There are plenty of “find my car” apps for both Android and iOS, but all of them require you to launch the app, drop a pin and hope the GPS signal is strong enough to be pinpoint accurate.
But a new project listed on the crowd-funded site Kickstarter aims to change that by using the power of the newest version of Bluetooth.
Find My Car Smart incorporates the new Bluetooth 4.0 standard that’s currently used on the iPhone 4S. Bluetooth 4.0 is the new low-energy, low-latency version of the connectivity standard, which will see widespread adoption in the next year. The possible applications range from proximity sensors to health monitors, or in this case, finding your car at the airport.
By installing a small, USB-powered Bluetooth adapter in your vehicle, all you need to do is walk away, and Find My Car Smart tracks where you left your vehicle in the background.
The app has already been approved by Apple and is , but until FMC reaches its $10,000 funding goal on Kickstarter and the Bluetooth dongle is available, it’s not functional. Learn more at the .
