Vehicles: Page 187

GMDAT Introduces Diesel Tosca

The diesel-equipped Tosca has a modified grille and distinctive twin tailpipes that distinguish it from its gas-powered sibling.

By Vince Courtenay • Dec. 7, 2006

Lending Helps Imports

While it is clear that many Americans are giving up their long-time commitment to domestic vehicles in favor of Asian and European competitors, not all of the forces driving the change are understood. It is commonly thought that American consumers are choosing imports with greater frequency due to real or perceived advantages of quality, value, and fuel efficiency. Whether these advantages are real

By Dale Pollak • Dec. 1, 2006

Electronic Menus, e-Credit Applications Are Streamliners

Electronic menus and online customer credit applications are being touted as streamliners and regulatory compliers for the dealership finance and insurance process. But an estimated two-thirds of dealers are still reluctant to use electronic menu selling, says Chris Morris, senior director of F&I solutions for dealer management systems provider Reynolds and Reynolds. The interactive approach has been

By Mac Gordon • Dec. 1, 2006

Software Soaring

New functions fueling the growth of European automotive electronics depend more on software than hardware, and in the next decade software likely will pass wiring harnesses as the second most expensive component of a car after the engine, industry experts say.

By William Diem • Dec. 1, 2006

Ford to Demonstrate Fuel-Cell Explorer With 350-Mile Range

The SUV set a world record in Dearborn, MI, when it was driven 1,556 miles in a single 24-hour period, Ford says.

By Byron Pope • Nov. 29, 2006

Prius Engineer’s Influence on Auto Industry to Live On

David Hermance was the early point man for hybrid-electric vehicle technology in America, a familiar face at auto industry conferences around the country.

By Barbara McClellan • Nov. 29, 2006

Aura HEV Priced as Mid-Level Hybrid

The Green Line will improve Aura fuel economy 25%, GM says.

By Scott Anderson • Nov. 29, 2006

G35 Prepped for Luxury-Sport Battle

With expressive yet subtle styling, sterling interior and a world-class powertrain, Infiniti G35 does everything asked of it – and more.

By Tom Murphy • Nov. 6, 2006

Biofuel Crossroads

Oil prices may have retreated from recent record highs, but that has not stalled a sudden consumer shift away from gas-guzzlers and toward smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.The panic at the pump, along with growing alarm over the role vehicles play in global climate changes, has prompted major auto makers and government policy makers in 2006 to turn their mutual attention to a variety of alternatives to crude oil.

By Barbara McClellan • Nov. 1, 2006

CPI Lands Lithium-ion Contract

The development of the hybrid-electric vehicle moves forward as Compact Power Inc. announces a $6.3 million contract with the U.S. Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC) to develop lithium-ion battery technology for HEV applications.

Nov. 1, 2006

BP, NextEnergy Open New Hydrogen Station in Detroit

The refueling station, located at the NextEnergy Center, will serve as a test bed for hydrogen infrastructure developments and a fuel depot for fuel-cell vehicles in the area.

By Mike Sutton • Oct. 25, 2006

Auto Makers Disagree on Future of Common Electrical Architectures

A panel at the Convergence conference signals the pulse of ongoing attempts to standardize automotive electrical architectures.

By Bill Visnic • Oct. 17, 2006

ZF Improving Automatic Transmission With ‘Smart’ Features

New mechatronic improvements will increase the fuel efficiency of ZF's next-generation automatic transmissions.

By Bill Visnic • Oct. 17, 2006

Michigan Company Announces Lithium-ion Battery Contract

Compact Power announces a $6.3 million contract awarded by the U.S. Advanced Battery Consortium to develop lithium-ion battery technology for HEV applications.

By Drew Winter • Oct. 17, 2006

NEC Aims to be No.1 in Automotive MCUs

NEC Electronics is aiming to leapfrog two major competitors to become the No.1. automotive MCU supplier by 2010.

By Drew Winter • Oct. 16, 2006

Altima Hybrid Sets Sights on Camry

Nissan says the Altima Hybrid will be priced near its primary competitor, the Camry Hybrid, although Toyota will have a slight fuel-economy edge.

By Tom Murphy • Oct. 13, 2006

Ford, PSA Developing HCCI Diesel

The experimental diesel uses a combination of Homogeneous Charge Combustion Ignition cold combustion and ordinary diesel combustion.

By William Diem • Oct. 11, 2006

Making The Case

Arguably the world's most diverse auto supplier, Magna International Inc. has expertise in just about every segment from electronics and metalforming to full interiors and complete vehicle assembly. Yet, one piece remains lacking in Magna's mission to develop and manufacture low-volume niche vehicles for an auto maker in the U.S.: a contract. Even without that crucial piece of the puzzle, Magna continues

By Tom Murphy • Oct. 1, 2006

eBay Motors Sells 2-Millionth Vehicle Online

eBay Motors has sold its two millionth passenger vehicle online. Kelly Joyce purchased an 05 Jeep Liberty. Six years ago, the thought of going online and buying a car was an unfamiliar concept to most people, says Rob Chesney, senior director of eBay

Oct. 1, 2006

New Rules for Head Restraints

U.S. motor vehicle regulations pertaining to occupant head restraints have gone unchanged for about two decades, but soon they will get a massive overhaul. Seat suppliers currently are studying and scurrying to meet the new code, FMVSS 202A, and U.S. auto makers are in the throes of deciding the best way to satisfy the new mandate. The code applies to front seats for all vehicles produced on or after

By Tom Murphy • Oct. 1, 2006

Audi Q7 to Get 500-hp V-12 Diesel

The cross/utility vehicle sprints to 62 mph in 5.5 seconds and bolsters Audi's efforts to create a premium image for diesel technology.

By Mike Sutton • Sept. 13, 2006

Saleen Open to New Niche-Vehicle Partnerships

"Ford is not causing us problems, but its problems are something we're watching closely," Steve Saleen says.

By Byron Pope • Sept. 11, 2006

Aura Aglow

Editor's note: This story is part of the WardsAuto digital archive, which may include content that was first published in print, or in different web layouts.Sporting acoustic laminated glass and strategically placed sound damping, Saturn Corp. engineers say they tried to make the new Aura the qui...

By Scott Anderson • Sept. 6, 2006

Reinventing In-Vehicle Infotainment

The entire area of infotainment fits well with the overall theme of Convergence 2006: "Reinventing the Automobile."

Sept. 6, 2006

Fueling Optimism

A funny thing is happening in the race to find a fuel-efficiency solution for North America: One of the world's oldest engines is in position to become the front-runner. Hydrogen may indeed be the ultimate fuel of the future, and hybrid-electric vehicles and ethanol grab headlines. But in the next 10 years, the diesel engine promises to be by far the most rapidly adopted alternative powertrain. Driving

By Mike Sutton • Sept. 1, 2006