Latest technology/r&d news and analysis articles 
High-tech innovations and research developments including current and future automotive technologies
June 2013 management briefing: active safety and driver assistance systems (1)
19 June 2013
Active safety systems and driver assistance technologies are a high-growth area of the automotive business. Global OE fitment levels for driver assistance systems (DAS) are forecast to rise sharply, leading to improved safety and an enhancement of the driver experience. Ultimately, the systems arriving now are part of the advancing technology frontier that will lead to the autonomous car. This month we share some of the latest developments in active safety systems, as monitored, analysed and reviewed in our dedicated real-time QUBE research service.
FRANKFURT PREVIEW: Global debuts list [Fiat 500L Living added]
18 June 2013
The media days for the Frankfurt motor show are 10 & 11 September. Each time a vehicle or concept world premiere is confirmed for this biennial event, our preview list is updated.
INDIA: Maruti Suzuki launches CNG Ertiga
18 June 2013
Maruti Suzuki India has launched a CNG version of the Ertiga, a seven-seater utility vehicle. The model will now be available with natural gas, petrol or diesel engines.
GERMANY: Mercedes-Benz announces S-Class Coupe & three other models
13 June 2013
Mercedes-Benz says it will launch not only an "S-Class Coupe" but also "three new models" in addition to the short wheelbase and extended wheelbase variants of the new S-Class sedan.
PRODUCT EYE: Vauxhall Cascada 2.0 CDTI
13 June 2013
Might there be a niche for a mass market convertible that's not only larger than the Renault Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet and Peugeot 308 CC, but also the Audi A5 Cabriolet? Glenn Brooks ponders the question as he tries the new Vauxhall Cascada.
Q&A with TRW: Review of occupant restraint systems
11 June 2013
As we enter the next chapter of occupant restraints - which focuses more on individual safety for different occupants or crash configurations - Matthew Beecham talked with senior executives of TRW Automotive about what we can expect to see on tomorrow's car. Legislation and various NCAP organisations are also playing a key role as vehicle manufacturers selling into Europe and North America and parts of the Asia-Pacific region are looking to achieve top safety results.
ITALY: Alfa Romeo 4C manufacturing processes revealed
11 June 2013
Alfa Romeo has revealed details of how the new 4C is built at Maserati's Modena works using a mix of lightweight materials. The model weighs just 895kg, making it one of the world's lightest cars.
GOODWOOD PREVIEW: Global debuts list [Peugeot RCZ R added]
10 June 2013
The 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed will be held from 11-14 July inclusive.
PRODUCT EYE: Toyota RAV4 2.0 CVT
10 June 2013
Glenn Brooks examines Toyota's attempt to regain dominance of the global C-SUV segment with its new generation RAV4.
GERMANY: Audi automates car park payments
10 June 2013
Up to 13,000 drivers in Audi's home town of Ingolstadt, Germany, are currently participating in an automatic car park payent pilot project. The system will be available to all from the end of 2013.
UK: Rotary engines still on Mazda’s agenda
10 June 2013
Mazda has not given up on its unique rotary engine despite the car industry's drive towards alternative fuels and powertrains.
INTERVIEW: Russian Machines CNG director, Peter Zolotarev
7 June 2013
GAZ Group parent Russian Machines, claims CNG is the cheapest of commonly used motor fuels, with costs per 100km almost 60% lower than for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). It also says CNG is more than twice as cheap as a diesel-powered car and 2.5 times lower price than a gasoline vehicle. Russian Machines CNG project executive director, Peter Zolotarev, spoke to Simon Warburton from the company's Yaroslavl plant about the possibility of using the gas in the country and some of the infrastructure challenges associated with it.
PRODUCT EYE: the Citroen C1 created by Facebook
6 June 2013
Glenn Brooks found a lot to like about the Citroën C1 Connexion, the first production car on UK roads resulting from an app created in collaboration with Facebook.
PRODUCT EYE: Audi RS 5 Cabrio & SQ5 TDI
4 June 2013
Two new high performance Audis have just gone on sale in the UK. Glenn Brooks tries them both.
Q&A with Federal-Mogul Corp: Review of spark plugs
3 June 2013
The key factors driving spark plug innovation include emissions legislation, engine design and longer service intervals. Still plugging away for just-auto, Matthew Beecham caught-up with Sandro Pino, European Application Engineering Manager, Powertrain - Ignition Products, Federal-Mogul Corp to find out how the sector is taking shape.
Q&A with CAP-XX: Supercapacitors for stop-start applications
3 June 2013
Australia’s CAP-XX Ltd is developing supercapacitors to provide high power support to automotive stop-start systems, protecting and extending the operating life of the car's battery in the process. Supercapacitors are lighter than a battery, can operate at low temperatures and be charged and discharged almost without limit. To find out more, Matthew Beecham talked with CAP-XX’s CEO Anthony Kongats and Pierre Mars, Vice President Applications Engineering & Quality.
UK: New product manager for the just-auto/QUBE team
3 June 2013
Calum MacRae, once head of PwC Autofacts, has joined just-auto to head up the development of its rapidly evolving QUBE automotive intelligence service.
JAPAN: Toyota to launch 'Big Data Traffic Information Service'
3 June 2013
Toyota Motor (TMC) has announced the development and upcoming launch in Japan of the "Big Data Traffic Information Service", a new kind of traffic-information service utilising 'big data' including vehicle locations and speeds, road conditions, and other parameters collected and stored via telematics services.
US: NHTSA unveils guidelines for driverless cars
31 May 2013
The US The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has unveiled new guidelines to US States for self-driving cars.
FRANKFURT PREVIEW: BMW retains platform, claims 90kg weight reduction, for new X5
30 May 2013
BMW has revealed details and images of project F15, the third generation X5. The new model will have its public debut at September's Frankfurt motor show.
UK: 150bhp power rise for next Vauxhall VXR8
30 May 2013
General Motors Europe's Vauxhall brand is to launch the next VXR8 GTS in December, its version of Holden's just-announced HSV GEN-F GTS. Both are powered by the 576bhp supercharged V8 from the new Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.
Q&A with Ambixtra Sustainable Technologies
29 May 2013
Over the past few years, South Africa's Ambixtra Sustainable Technologies has been plugging away developing its Variable Spark Ignition system that is capable of replacing conventional spark plug technology. To find out how this novel technology is shaping-up, Matthew Beecham talked with Deon Smit, CEO and James Mackenzie, vice president of product development, Ambixtra Sustainable Technologies.
GERMANY: Audi 'ruling out nothing' with electric powertrains
29 May 2013
Audi will continue to develop every kind of electrified vehicle, despite appearing to turn its back on pure battery power with next year's A3 e-tron.
INDIA: Johnson Controls buys out JV with Tata
28 May 2013
Johnson Controls has acquired full ownership of Tata Johnson Controls (TJC), its former 50/50 joint venture with Tata Automotive Components (TACO).
Q&A with TRW Automotive: Electronic braking systems
28 May 2013
Electronic braking systems are rapidly gaining share in the automotive industry as automakers seek benefits of improved performance at low cost. These braking technologies are also being driven by regulatory bodies such as Euro NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme). To find out how, Matthew Beecham talked with Vince Austin, Director, Product Planning, Global Braking Systems, TRW Automotive.
PRODUCT EYE: The GBP35,000 Kia Sorento
27 May 2013
The claim of 'an all-new platform' by Kia Motors was something I challenged when the company first made this statement last year. To the credit of Kia Motors' UK importer, the facts did indeed seem to stack up: the floor was lowered and there are additional front, side and rear structures as well as a more rigid monocoque (torsional stiffness is said to be improved by 18%).
GERMANY: Federal-Mogul outlines DuroGlide piston ring coating
22 May 2013
Federal-Mogul's powertrain segment says it has developed an application in piston ring coating, known as DuroGlide, for gasoline and heavy-duty diesel engines.
SOUTH KOREA: Hyundai names next Tucson as first fuel cell production car
21 May 2013
Hyundai Motor has announced that the fuel cell vehicle it will build at the rate of 10,000 units a year will be a version of the next Tuscon.
PRODUCT EYE: Honda CR-Z
21 May 2013
It isn't often that a three-year old car, albeit one that was facelifted not long ago, attracts admiring glances in car parks. Glenn Brooks was surprised to learn that few people know what a Honda CR-Z is.
US: Harman delivers NTG5 infotainment system for Mercedes-Benz S Class
21 May 2013
Harman says it has delivered the new NTG5 infotainment system for Mercedes-Benz S-Class vehicles.
