Automotive innovation

Wolfsburg, 27 June 2008 -- Volkswagen has won the international competition "Golden Drop of Oil 2008" for its innovative engine-gearbox combination, the powerful 90 kW TSI engine and the new 7-speed DSG gearbox. The energy and environment prize is awarded annually by the German automobile club "Kraftfahrer-Schutz e. V. (KS)". The club awards this prize for technical developments in passenger cars which make a significant contribution towards reducing fuel consumption and safeguarding the environment.

The jurors honoured the two new technical developments from Volkswagen as an intelligent combination which, together, achieve noticeable savings in fuel and emissions. It was emphasised that this technology is used in numerous models from the compact class through the small car segment.

Opel Cars Can See

Rüsselsheim, 2008-06-18 -- Opel introduces a first: A camera that aids drivers in two different ways. The Traffic Sign Recognition function reads speed limit and no-passing signs and displays them on the instrument panel. The Lane Departure Warning alerts drivers when they unintentionally veer out of their lane. Together, these two systems improve driving safety, reduce stress and can even prevent costly speeding tickets.

Opel Eye

Highlights:
* Leading Technology: Two-in-one system available early 2009
* Opel Eye informs drivers about speed limits; warns when they veer out of their lane
* First in Opel Insignia and soon in other models

PITTSBURGH, June 19, 2008 — General Motors Corp. (GM) and Carnegie Mellon University today announced a new Collaborative Research Lab (CRL) and a renewed commitment to work jointly on technologies that will accelerate the emerging field of autonomous driving — a family of electronics and software technologies that could influence the way drivers and their vehicles interact in the future.

The GM-Carnegie Mellon Autonomous Driving Collaborative Research Lab is being established under the terms of a five-year, $5 million agreement. The lab will operate as an extension of GM's Global Research & Development network and will be located at Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh. Faculty from the university’s School of Computer Science and College of Engineering will participate.

June 2008 -- Transmission technology specialist Xtrac says the flywheel kinetic energy recovery systems (KERS) currently being developed for Formula One could be applied to road vehicles in a number of ways.

By providing an additional boost of power, the F1 technology is particularly relevant to the trend to fit cars with smaller engines in pursuit of better fuel efficiency and lower CO2 output. The technical challenge with engine downsizing is compensating for the loss of engine torque and driveability, which could be restored by applying flywheel technology. It is also possible that a mechanical KERS system could be used as a range extender in a battery electric hybrid vehicle or even to power vehicle auxiliaries.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ, June 16, 2008 -- In recognition of its innovative developments in automotive technology, German automaker BMW received the Best Telematics Component Solution and Global Car Manufacturer Innovation awards during a dinner reception at Telematics Update’s 2008 International Telematics Awards, which took place in Detroit, MI last month.

Lotus Engineering Invests in Low Carbon Vehicle Programmes

June 16, 2008 -- Lotus Engineering, the world renowned automotive consultancy division of Lotus has won two contracts as part of winning project consortia announced by the UK Government Technology Strategy Board. These two project consortia will be allocated part of a total £23 million for 16 innovative low carbon vehicle development programmes. Including investments from companies such as Lotus, these projects collectively represent a total value of £52 million.

Zero Emission London Taxi Commercialisation

Challenging established concepts, hazarding visions.

06/10/2008 -- Successful design arouses desire. In order to achieve this, it is more crucial than ever before that car manufacturers create the conditions that allow customers to establish a close relationship with their cars. Therefore, designers seek ways to promote and intensify people's identification with their car that reach beyond pure aesthetics. In the premium segment in particular, customers demand cars that stir emotions and allow them to express their individuality.

BMW GINA Light Visionary Model

Dynamic partnership between the Volkswagen Group and Sanyo

Wolfsburg, 28 May 2008 - Agreement has been reached on a co-operation which sees Volkswagen joining forces with Sanyo, one of the world’s leading developers of rechargeable batteries, to work on new and extremely efficient high-performance storage systems based on lithium-ion technology.

The Ohio State University awarded third place for its power-split hybrid electric vehicle

Washington, D.C., 2008-05-21 - Mississippi State University, for the second consecutive year, has earned top honors in General Motors (GM) and the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Challenge X student engineering competition. Over the past nine months, the 2008 Challenge X: Crossover to Sustainability competition challenged 17 university teams from the U.S. and Canada to reengineer a Chevrolet Equinox that employs advanced powertrain technologies.

LOS ANGELES, April 20, 2008 – A century after the Model T put the world on wheels, Ford continues building on its tradition with industry-leading, high-volume technologies including SYNC and EcoBoost engines, a new fuel-efficient powertrain lineup, a new small car for the world as well as America’s most head-turning crossover and most-capable pickup.

Highlights: