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Category Archives: engineering
2014 Corvette Sticks with A Revised LT1 V8 Engine
When Chevrolet Corvette arrives late next year, most of the sports car will be all new, but not the 6.2L V8 engine. The latest Corvette LT1 engine, the first of the so-called Gen 5 family of Small Block engines, combines several advanced technologies, including direct injection for the first time, cylinder fuel shut off and continuously variable valve timing to support an advanced combustion system. Zero-to-60 mph times of less than four seconds are predicted for the base car. The new LT1 is the third engine in the Corvette’s history to be so-named, with previous versions introduced in 1970 (Gen 1) and 1992 (Gen 2). Continue reading
Water Absorbing Porous Asphalt Pavement Use Increases in 2012
Porous asphalt pavement has been around for years, but its strength and durability have been improved by the use of high-performance materials and better road engineering practices. As a result, more high profile projects are underway, including one planned in New York’s Adirondack Mountains. Continue reading
Honda Expands Acura TL Fire Recall to add 573,000 Accord Cars
Honda is expanding an Acura recall for defective power steering hoses that can cause fires to a combined total of more than 625,000 vehicles, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration filing revealed today. This is an additional recall since the initial Acura one last May. Affected are 2007-2008 Acura TL and now – far more numerous – 2003-2007 Accord V6-powered cars. Honda in Japan eventually decided to recall the Accords after a fire was reported by a U.S. dealer in early June. However, parts are not yet available for Accord owners. They will have to wait until early 2013 because replacement parts for Accord V6 vehicles are different from the parts for the recalled Acura TL models. The supplier was not identified. Continue reading
GM Claims Aluminum Spot Welding Innovation
General Motors Research & Development has invented what it claims is an industry-first aluminum welding technology, which it predicts will increase the use of the lightweight metal on future vehicles. The latest fuel economy regulations are forcing automakers to improve efficiency. Simple Newtonian physics explains that the force needed to accelerate a mass decreases with weight reduction, for example, less fuel is needed to move a lighter vehicle – if the weight reduction is not used to increase performance, a traditional industry response. Continue reading
Union Pacific Unveils Low Emissions Hybrid Locomotive
Union Pacific Railroad (NYSE: UNP) today unveiled an experimental locomotive that will test three emissions-reducing technologies – exhaust gas recirculation, diesel oxidation catalysts and diesel particulate filters. While automotive enthusiasts might snicker about how far behind the heavy-duty diesel engine industry is lagging what are now virtually emissions free automobiles, the new locomotive is a significant step toward meeting EPA Tier 4 emission standards that are finally addressing large commercial vehicles. Continue reading
SAE Convergence 2012 offers Telematics Courses on Connected Cars
SAE International will hold three professional development courses in conjunction with Convergence 2012 this October 16-17 in Detroit. In a focus on the latest technology now used in automotive electronics, seminars will be on Autonomous Vehicle Positioning Systems, Wireless Communications in the Autonomous Connected Vehicle, and Software Architectures and Security for Connected Vehicular Systems. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, engineering, news, transportation
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, connected cars, gps, Ken Zino, sae, telematics, wireless communications
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First Look – 2013 Range Rover SUV
Land Rover has released the first photos of what it says is an all-new 2013 Range Rover. The fourth generation version drops its steel body for an all-aluminum monocoque design that is somewhat lighter. The upshot is total vehicle weight savings of about 700 pounds on what will remain about a 5,000 pound (or more) SUV in its two V8-powered U.S. versions. Currently the $80,000-$100,000 sport ute is rated by the EPA a 12 mpg city, 18 highway and 14 mpg combined, which is at the lower end of the class and requires a 28-gallon tank of premium fuel to provide a decent range. Continue reading
GM Invests in NanoSteel, Claims New Class of Light Weight Materials
General Motors has invested an undisclosed amount in The NanoSteel Company because it claims the firm is a leader in light weight steel materials design. Through the development of patented alloys, NanoSteel has created a new class of steel that in theory allows automotive engineers and designers to reduce weight with thinner, higher strength gauges while maintaining the structural integrity needed for safety. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, energy, engineering, fuel economy or emissions
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, cafe, GM, Ken Zino
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More than 640,000 Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute SUVs Recalled for Unintended Acceleration after NHTSA Opens Defect Probe
Ford and Mazda are recalling Escape and Tribute SUVs from the 2001 up to the 2008 model year because a cruise control cable can stick and cause unintended acceleration. Since repair parts are not available, dealers will disconnect the cruise control as an interim measure for the safety defect.
The recall was forced when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration two weeks ago opened an unintended acceleration investigation on 2001 through 2004 Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute SUVs after receiving 99 reports of unintended acceleration from owners. At least one fatality and nine injures are alleged in multiple accidents. Sixty-eight stuck throttle reports are from Ford Escape owners; thirty-one reports are from owners of Mazda Tributes. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, engineering, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, ford recalls, Ken Zino, mazda recalls, nhtsa, recalls, unintended acceleration
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Ford of Europe Names Gunnar Herrmann V.P. of Quality
Ford of Europe has named Gunnar Herrmann, vice president of quality. Herrmann, 52, will be responsible for all aspects of quality at Ford of Europe, effective 1 September. Herrmann, a no nonsense, but affable engineer, also joins Ford of Europe’s management board and Ford of Germany’s supervisory board. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, engineering, manufacturing, people
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, c-car, c-max, focus, ford Europe, ford quality, Ken Zino
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GKN Purchase of Getrag Complete – $3.9 B Business Results
GKN has produced 250,000 drive systems for electric vehicles, but the current forecast for the EV business shows it growing much slower than early boosters such as President Obama hoped. Obama predicted there would be a million EVs on the roads by 2015, something that clearly is impossible. Sales of the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt totaled 10,000 ytd. The Fiat 500 EV produced in Mexico will be GKN’s first eDrive application in the Americas starting late this year. Total program volume is planned at 5,478 Fiat EVs. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, engineering
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Kia Recalls Rio for Defective Airbag Sensor
Kia Motors is recalling more than 72,000 Rio subcompact cars because the passenger side occupant sensor can fail with the possibility that a child could be hurt if the airbag deploys. Model year 2006-2008 cars are affected by the safety defect although no injuries have been reported. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, engineering, recalls, safety
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, Ken Zino, kia recalls, nhtsa, recalls, rio recalls
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GM, Toyota Computer Problems Cause Latest Safety Recalls
The ongoing computerization of vehicle systems has caused safety recalls at GM and Toyota. In the latest round of software malfunctions, brand new 2013 model Chevrolet Malibu cars can blow up the roof rail airbag for no reason or prevent the air bags from going off in a severe accident. Toyota’s Lexus luxury division is recalling its 2013 model GS performance sedans because a sensor can cause the steering wheel to be wildly out of place to where the front wheels are actually pointed. Continue reading
Posted in engineering, news analysis, recalls, safety
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, electronic recalls, gm recalls, Ken Zino, lexus recall, nhtsa, recalls, toyota recalls
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NHTSA Jeep Fire Probe Prompts Wrangler Recall
A preliminary national Highway Traffic Safety Administration evaluation of Jeep Wrangler fires opened in March has resulted in the recall of 70,000 2010 Wrangler trucks that were sold with automatic transmissions. The skid plate directly under the catalytic converter traps debris, which the hot converter then ignites. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, engineering, recalls, safety
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, jeep recalls, Ken Zino, nhtsa, recalls, wrangler fires
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