Car Tech
T.27: World's most efficient electric car? 
Good news, nature-fondlers: Gordon Murray -- the designer responsible for such supercars as the McLaren F1 and Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, has teamed up with Zytek Automotive Design to help develop the T.27 -- the world's most fuel-efficient electric vehicle.
A total of four prototypes will be built before the project's February 2011 deadline. It would seem the T.27 is based on Murray's hideous petrol-powered T.25 (did this guy really design the McLaren F1?), so there's a good chance the T.27 could also end up being the world's ugliest vehicle -- electric or otherwise. Continue reading...
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi takes pole position as world's biggest and fastest theme park
On the day of the first Abu Dhubai Formula 1 Grand Prix, we take a look at the progress of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the first-ever Ferrari theme park and the biggest indoor theme park in the world.
Ferrari World is under construction on Yas Island, the 2,500-hectare development that's also the site of the Yas Marina circuit, where today's race takes place. Attractions will include the world's fastest rollercoaster, and dual rollercoasters that allow visitors to race each other. A 200ft tower will fire visitors high into the air to simulate F1-level G-forces. Continue reading...
MIT Affective Intelligent Driving Agent: Robotic backseat driver
Researchers at MIT are in the process of developing the Affective Intelligent Driving Agent, an in-car robot with an intelligent navigation system.
AIDA can identify the best route between your commonly visited destinations, taking into account environmental factors, like traffic, and your habits, such as popping out for a biryani on Thursdays. It can also give feedback on your driving, and responds to your facial expressions with its emotive 'eyes'.
Continue reading...
Nissan fish robots move in driving schools
Nissan has shown off cute new robots that can move in a group and avoid crashing into things -- and each other. The fish-like Eporos move in a school by sharing their position and other information. The idea is to incorporate this technology into cars, to prevent accidents and traffic jams by giving the driver more information. Continue reading...
Top Gear showing in HD from November
It's one of the most pirated TV shows on the planet, and now it's being shot in HD. Yes, Top Gear -- the BBC's version of CNET UK's Car Tech (arf!) -- will be broadcast on BBC HD from November this year.
The Beeb's Danielle Nagler confirmed that after receiving "several hundred emails" the show is now being captured on hi-def cameras. Though not for the first time: the famous polar special, which saw the team race to the Magnetic North Pole, has been available in HD since it was first broadcast in 2007. Continue reading...
Audi R8 Spyder: Microphones? In the seatbelts, you say?
The electric Audi R8, aka the e-tron, took our breath away earlier this week, but Audi hasn't forgotten about its petrol-powered brethren. It's been busy with the hacksaw, creating a convertible Spyder version of the R8, along with a chrome-finished version of its 5.2-litre V10-sporting R8 quattro coupe we spotted at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
There's not a lot that can be said about the chrome coupe -- aside from the fact it's awesome and we've got photos of it. You can check it out in our gallery. The Spyder, however -- despite being more sensibly hued -- is just as eye-catching. Continue reading...
Renault Twizy, Zoe, Fluenz and Kangoo electric cars due in 2011
Renault and Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn shocked the world last year when he said, "we must have zero-emission vehicles. Nothing else will prevent the world from exploding." Holy carp! Luckily, his company has now unveiled four (count 'em) electric car concepts due for release in 2011 -- just in time to save us all, if rather too late for the French manufacturer's battered reputation.
The first of these is the Twizy Z.E Concept, an ultra-compact 1+1 city car that's only slightly larger than a scooter. It measures 2.3m long by 1.1m wide and should run rings around most city cars thanks to its 3m turning circle, top speed of 47mph and acceleration comparable to that of a 125cc motorbike. Continue reading...
Ford Focus Battery Electric Vehicle set to electrify London
Electric cars usually take one of two forms -- the small, cutesy runabout or the insane tarmac-shredding hypercar. Ford, however, is dipping its toes in the middle ground, having recently unveiled an electric version of its long-running Focus.
The Focus BEV -- battery electric vehicle -- is essentially an 'electrified' (Ford's wording) version of the current petrol-powered car. As a result, it'll happily ferry five passengers in relative comfort -- something most electric cars can only dream of. Continue reading...
Audi e-tron: Electric R8 charges wirelessly
Audi boosted its green credentials at the Frankfurt Motor Show this week by unveiling an electric-only version of its iconic R8 supercar. Dubbed the e-tron, this futuristic coupe looks set to give its petrol-powered grandfather a run for its money, and bring real innovation to the world of electric cars.
Whereas most electric cars need to be plugged into the mains, this bad boy can be topped up over the air. That's right, folks, Audi is developing a secret inductive charging station that hurls electricity through the air and safely into the e-tron's 42.4kWh (53kWh peak) lithium-ion battery pack. Finally, an electric supercar that doesn't discriminate against poor garageless people who live in high-rise tower blocks! Continue reading...
Volkswagen E-Up! electric car is all smiles
Volkswagen poked its hypothetical finger into the metaphorical electric car pie today, with a vehicle named after a casual northern English salutation. Gather round, our environmentally conscious kids, for the E-Up!
Stylistically, Volkswagen is is referring to the E-Up! -- that's VW's exclamation mark, not ours, and we won't be using it again -- as the Beetle of the 21st century. We don't really see any resemblance, but it's a cute little car, whose endearing, cheeky smile makes it slightly easier on the retina than many of its rivals. Continue reading...
