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Report: Patent shows Porsche working on pop-up hood for next 911

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Safety, Technology, Porsche

Porsche emblem

Europe is a dangerous place to be a pedestrian. With crowded cities characterized by gridlock and narrow streets, you have to be on your game every second to avoid getting bowled over by a raging, overzealous motorist. All too often, that spells tragedy.

With one-sided car-on-human accidents on the rise, automakers are feeling increased pressure from their governments to make their cars safer, not just for the guy behind the wheel, but the guy they might hit.

Porsche is apparently working on a pop-up hood for the upcoming 911, which would raise up in the event of a collision with a pedestrian and, with any luck, reduce the severity of their injuries. The system works via a set of time delay-controlled actuators, which helps ensure that the system protects unfortunate passerby as effectively as possible.

Patent shows Porsche working on pop-up hood for next 911 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 May 2011 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Honda working on hybrid Goldwing?

Filed under: Hybrid, Etc., Technology, Motorcycle

2012 Honda Goldwing

It looks as if Honda may be toying with the notion of bringing hybrid technology to the motorcycle world. According to Motorbiker, the Japanese manufacturer filed a patent for a hybrid bike complete with a detailed drawing of the machine. The interesting part is that the line sketch fits pretty well with the profile of the company’s Goldwing; a bike that’s built for sucking up mile after mile of comfortable interstate cruising. As Motorbike points out, most hybrids are happiest off of the highway, which makes the big cruiser an odd platform choice for a battery pack.

We would have thought that the company’s CBR250R would have been a more fitting bike to bestow the glory of electric motivation upon, but that’s just us. The small commuter is built to spend time in stop and go traffic and field quick runs about town, which would be perfect for the fuel-economy optimizing attributes of a hybrid. Of course, all of those battery packs have to fit somewhere and a Goldwing has plenty of space on board. Head over to Motorbiker to check out the patent drawing and the full patent for yourself.

[Source: Motorbiker]

Report: Honda working on hybrid Goldwing? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Swedish gov’t. working on freeing up Saab loan

Filed under: Government/Legal, Plants/Manufacturing, Saab, Earnings/Financials

Saab sign at auto show in a blur

The last few weeks haven’t been easy for Saab, as the Swedish automaker has had to stop production twice due to supplier issues. Not just any problems, either, as the suppliers wanted to get paid, and Saab simply didn’t have the cash. That led to widespread speculation that the automaker was destined to shutter only a year after Spyker purchased the company from General Motors.

Now Bloomberg is reporting that the Swedish government is looking into getting a bank loan to float the company for the short-term. The loan will most likely come from Bankas Snoras in Lithuania, which is run by Russian investor Vladimir Antonov, who has attempted to buy into the brand since GM originally put it up for sale.

The Swedish government is fighting for more than just a few thousand, albeit important jobs as well. Sweden backed Saab’s 400 million-euro ($577 million) loan from the European Investment Bank, likely leaving the Swedish taxpayers on the hook for a hefty bill if the automaker goes south.

Bloomberg sources say lawyers are working on a deal that would float the automaker $48 million while the government approves the involvement of Antonov. Once approved, the Russian investor would then add 50 million Euro ($72 million in U.S. funds) to Saab’s coffers in exchange for a 30 percent stake in the company.

We’re thinking this deal will get done and Saab will be able to pay its suppliers. But whether the Swedish government and Antonov are throwing good money after bad is another matter. We’ll continue to follow this situation as it unfolds.

[Source: Bloomberg | Image: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty]

Report: Swedish gov’t. working on freeing up Saab loan originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series caught working out in the cold

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Performance, Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series spy shots

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

Hold on to your hats, folks. As if the current 451-horsepower Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG weren’t hardcore enough, the folks in Stuttgart are working on an even hotter Black Series version of Merc’s BMW M3 killer.

The bulgier fender flares you see here won’t be the only visual upgrades – our spies tell us that a new front spoiler will be on deck, as well as a revised rear diffuser with some Formula One-inspired cues. This development car still uses the old front fascia not found on the new-for-2012 car, but we’ll probably see the updated headlamps and LED running lights as part of the new package.

The automaker’s 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 will still be the powerplant of choice, current intelligence reports suggest we can expect about 510 horsepower on tap – 29 more ponies than the already-potent C63 with the P31 Development Package. That grunt runs through Mercedes-Benz’s seven-speed AMG Speedshift transmission, and even with the added Black Series bits, we’d expect that a few pounds have been shaved off of the AMG’s curb weight.

Our spies even suggest that a C63 AMG Black Series Coupe is in the works, and it will bow shortly after the sedan’s official debut. Consider that a proper successor to the shockingly great CLK63 AMG Black Series that debuted in 2007.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series: Spy Shots

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series spy shots

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series caught working out in the cold originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Roland Sands working on custom Ducati Desmosedici street tracker

Filed under: Aftermarket, Motorcycle

Roland Sands, champion motorcycle racer and founder of Roland Sands Design, is turning his wrenches and sketchpad loose on the Ducati Desmosedici RR – the very rare and expensive street version of the MotoGP racer.

At $72,500 apiece, Ducati’s entire North American run of 500 bikes sold out in five hours. One of Sands’ customers has three in his collection, and one of those is getting a flat-track makeover.

The bike in question has zero miles on it, so performing this transformation is an act of sacrilege in the eyes of the Ducati faithful. The tear-down and fabrication process on the Desmo is only just underway. The final product will be either an amazing machine gone nuclear-hot or a trashed masterpiece. We can’t wait to see how things turn out.

[Source: Roland Sands Design]

Roland Sands working on custom Ducati Desmosedici street tracker originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 12 Mar 2011 16:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari working on its own version of Fiat’s MultiAir?

Filed under: Performance, Technology, Ferrari, Fiat

Ferrari MultiAir

The flow of technology under the Fiat umbrella typically moves from Ferrari to the other brands. After all, between its road and race car programs, Maranello spends an inordinate amount of time and money on research and development. But it looks like the latest bit of technology in Italy is about to go the other way.

Rumor has it that Ferrari is working on a high-performance version of Fiat’s acclaimed MultiAir system – one of the biggest assets that Fiat brought to the Chrysler deal. The system allows for an infinitely variable valvetrain setup altered on the fly through hydraulic actuators to optimize performance and efficiency. According to industry speculation on the reportedly leaked schematic above, Ferrari’s system could also incorporate the type of pneumatically-actuated valve control used by the Scuderia to allow its F1 engines to redline over the 20,000 RPM mark, far beyond what a conventional spring-driven system could allow.

Combined, the systems could stand to simultaneously improve the efficiency and the output of Ferrari’s already high-revving powertrains.

[Source: autoblog.nl via MotorAuthority]

Ferrari working on its own version of Fiat’s MultiAir? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 20 Feb 2011 14:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Mini working on road-going version of WRC Countryman?

Filed under: Performance, Crossover, Mini, Rumormill, Off-Road

Mini Countryman WRC

Mini Countryman WRC – Click above for high-res image gallery

Tail-slidin’, bump-jumpin’ heroics are all good and fun, but one of the things we love most about rallying is that the cars are closely based on production models. Often rather ordinary ones at that, like Ford Fiestas, Subaru Imprezas and the like. And what turns easily from a road car into a rally racer can just as easily be turned back into a road car.

Look no further than examples like the Subaru WRX and Mitsubishi Evo X for evidence. And now that Mini is getting into the World Rally Championship, rumors are beginning to circulate that they’re planning a rally-derived performance model as well.

Since the Mini WRC is based on the Countryman crossover, word has it that a showroom-ready, performance-oriented Countryman could be in the works. Something with even more power than the existing JCW version and a wide-body kit for an extra dose of attitude. Even with all the Mini variants on the road and in the pipeline, this one has us particularly intrigued.

Gallery: Paris 2010: Mini Countryman WRC

Photos by Zach Bowman / AOL

[Source: AUSmotive via MotoringFile]

Rumormill: Mini working on road-going version of WRC Countryman? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler working on hydraulic minivan hybrid with the EPA’s help

Filed under: Hybrid, Minivan/Van, Technology, Chrysler

Chrysler Group CEO Sergio Marchionne and Lisa Jackson, Agency Administrator for the EPA, announced a new research project to bring hydraulic hybrid technology to the marketplace. The new hybrid will be based on Chrysler’s Town & Country minivan, although this shouldn’t be confused with the other minivan hybrid Chrysler is working on for 2013.

Hydraulics in vehicles have been tested in larger vehicles by FedEx, Ford (with its hydraulic-launch-assist) and others. What Chrysler and the EPA plan to do is produce a running demonstration vehicle (yes, just one) in 2012 using a hydraulic hybrid system the EPA developed in Ann Arbor, MI. The T&C will use a 2.4-liter, inline four-cylinder gasoline engine that will share motivation duties with a 117cc engine pump, a 45cc drive electric motor and a two-speed automatic transmission.

The hydraulic fluid will be stored in a 14.4-gallon high pressure accumulator that can reach pressures as high as 5,000 psi. If there’s enough energy in the accumulator, the motor will shut down until it’s needed again. If it all works as advertised, then overall fuel economy will be improved around 30-35 percent, while city miles per gallon will be improved by up to 60 percent. Although we’ve heard rumors of a hybrid Chrysler minivan for years, it sounds like something real will finally arrive – in one form or another.

[Source: Chrysler, Detroit News]

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Chrysler working on hydraulic minivan hybrid with the EPA’s help originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: BMW working on range of front-wheel-drive concepts

Filed under: Europe, Crossover, Hatchback, BMW, Rumormill

BMW Roundel

When BMW began making noise about bringing front-wheel drive to the table, purists, enthusiasts and fans of the brand immediately busted out the pitchforks and torches. Visions of front-wheel drive 3 Series and 1 Series models were almost enough to induce frenzy (not that a huge number of owners would know the difference…), but if the latest word from BMW Blog is to be believed, the company’s front-wheel drive efforts will be contained to a handful of all-new models.

The news comes courtesy of a BMW insider posting on German Car Forum. Supposedly, the main impetus behind delving into a FWD platform isn’t to increase the company’s average fuel economy as some have guessed. Instead, BMW is looking to make the Mini brand more profitable by sharing platforms with other models under the Roundel.

Those include a new compact BMW roughly the size of a Cooper, as well as an MPV that the insider calls a Compact Gran Sport Tourer. Additionally, there may be room for a crossover-sized front-wheel drive beast as well. Interestingly enough, the report says that the new BMW compact will have proportions similar to those of the Honda CR-Z.

At this point, it’s difficult to say whether or not the source from German Car Forum has their facts straight or not, but so far, this is the most detailed glimpse we’ve gotten into what BMW is up to with its FWD program.

[Source: German Car Forum via BMW Blog]

Rumormill: BMW working on range of front-wheel-drive concepts originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Project Kahn working on Cosworth-powered Range Rover Evoque

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, SUV, Land Rover, UK, Luxury, Off-Road

It’s not every day that a new Range Rover is introduced. But when one is, you can count on Azfal Kahn and his crew to go to work on it. And the new Evoque appears to be no exception.

Beyond the photo above, all Project Kahn has released so far about its tuning program for the Evoque is that (a) it’s working on one, (b) it’s coming some time in the new year and (c) it’ll be powered by Cosworth. Kahn has worked with the racing engine manufacturer on previous projects, so that’s no big revelation by itself, but it’ll be interesting to see what the two British firms have got in store for the new baby Rover beyond a set of flashy rims.

[Source: Project Kahn via autoblog.nl]

Project Kahn working on Cosworth-powered Range Rover Evoque originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Dec 2010 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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