Finally the Tesla Model S is here! It is sleek, but somehow it is heavily inspired from Maserati designs and has an Alfaesque or Mazdaesque butt. I much prefer the initial proposal with the massive low air intake and the gorgeous wide rear. Huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh, why do designs always get fiddled and overcooked? I am sure [...]
In principle, Neil Young had a very good idea. Basically you keep your beloved (old) car but make sure that the technology that moves it is more environmentally friendly. How to do that? By replacing its poison spewing engine by electric motors drawing their power from natural gas or hydrogen. For this reason, Young has started Linc [...]
MAG car with electromagnetic propulsion at the back wheel, by Matus Prochaczka. Winner of the Unseen Technology Award at the Interior Motives Design Award 2007. Feasible? At the moment no, but a nice glimpse at a possible automotive future [Source: Designblog via Inhabitat]
ElectronRun has already talked about the progress of Project Better Place in Israel and Denmark. Portugal is quite restless these days and apart from renewable energy sources is looking at other ways to become environmentally friendlier.
Despite the huge limitations of Project Better Place, Portugal will investigate its viability for the near future. Again we are [...]
Following its success in exceeding the Bugatti Veyron’s top speed record, Shelby Supercars (SSC) goes one level up to establish itself as a green supercar champion. Tesla’s statement has certainly not gone unnoticed. We have for example written about the Hybrid Technologies sports car, as well as Audi’s electrical aspirations. But Shelby’s plans are on [...]
Many accuse large companies of overusing green terminology as a fashion term to win new customers without their products necessarily being helpful to the environment. The automotive industry however has entered a difficult period, with cars indeed being responsible for a part of the planet’s problems. Despite some sectors -see shipping for example- doing nothing [...]
The automotive industry has been many times described as old and out of fashion. It is not a secret that in many cases automotive companies had to be virtual dragged by customer demand or sheer competition for new innovations and features. In the last two decades the value percentage attributed to car electronics is steadily [...]
It is certainly easier to use new and expensive technology in a luxury product package for rich people that are desperately seeking an expensive green image. Hybrid Technologies intends to compete head on with Tesla for sports car fans that are willing to pay a bit extra for startling acceleration and near perfectly quiet motoring.
The [...]
[Source: Gumpert]
In recent years, there has been a growing number of people that are repulsed by the technical stalemate plaguing motorsport. Regulation versions refer mostly to horsepower limits, aerodynamic details, electronic aid systems and driver safety. It is difficult to forget the rally group B monsters that were banned in the eighties after a long [...]
It is encouraging to hear an optimistic prediction from the transport sector, one of the systematic polluters of our planet. Top Audi executive Rupert Stadler has made the heavy prediction that in 5-10 years from now, zero emission cars will be possible. In the meantime, diesels and hybrids will dominate.
The part referring to diesels and [...]
Project Better Place had its first strike of success in Israel, now Denmark becomes the second country that is definitely planning to go ahead with electric cars and the related infrastructure.
The difference between the two? Unlike Israel, Denmark has a huge wind energy generation base that on average provides 20% of the country’s needs. At [...]
Chrysler does not only want to rely on car design for its future. As a result, full Internet functionality will be added to existing models this year and later on will be installed from the assembly line throughout the model range.
It is doubtful that this is a response to BMW’s plans for Internet in its [...]
It was about time! Modern cars are loaded with super advanced audio-video equipment and sophisticated GPS navigation. But what about simple, humble, good old web surfing?
Now things start to move in this front also, and BMW has presented in the Geneva automotive show its X6 beauty with full web browsing capability integrated from the factory! [...]
We have in the past written that internal combustion engines are not going to disappear overnight, despite what battery and electric vehicle companies want you to believe. Unavoidably, one by one, all established car companies will enrich their model ranges with hybrid versions. Mercedes-Benz could not of course be left behind and has released initial [...]
Tesla has shaken the automotive world with its all-electric Roadster and will now build a gas-electric hybrid. The new approach will be applied in its Whitestar sedan that will appear in 2009, the new model will also be available in all-electric form. So is this important news? I think yes because it seems that Tesla [...]
