Section: Hydrogen
Written By: Evan McCausland
March 10th, 2008 12:00 PM
.
Steam engines? Turbine cars? Handling radioactive materials without HAZMAT suits? All was par for the course in GM’s research labs four decades ago - or so it seems from Progress of Power, a 1969 propaganda promotional film showcasing the company’s advances in alternative powertrain - including early stabs at fuel cell and hybrid vehicles with the ElectroVan and 612, respectively.
Although it’s got plenty of that stereotypical ’60s promo-reel feel (dig that peppy elevator music), it’s worth sitting through the “advances” in combustion-engine emission reductions (commonplace these days) in order to see these experimental wonders - including a steam-powered Grand Prix, an electric Corvair, a Stirling-Hybrid Kadett, and a gas turbine-powered bus - take to the streets of GM’s Tech Center.
Written By: Evan McCausland
March 4th, 2008 4:30 PM
.
Ever build a jigsaw puzzle, only to be disappointed with the result? Thankfully, that didn’t happen when we saw Pininfarina’s Sintesi concept sedan this morning at the Geneva Motor Show. Having been fed small pieces of photography over the past month, we’re glad to say that in its entirety, it’s a neat looking car.
Demonstrating what Pininfarina deems as “Liquid Packaging,” the Sintesi was designed to envelop its occupants, but also make room for advanced powertrain technologies. Powering the car is a hydrogen fuel cell system supplied by Nuvera, delivering up to 80 kW of total power. The clamshell doors (reminiscent of Lamborghini’s forgotten Portofino concept) give way to an airy interior, sporting individual bucket seating clad in bright white leather.
Although there are certainly features we’d like to see reach production (we’re all for luxury sport sedans), many features of the Sintesi - including the solar cells on the cowl, LED lighting and translucent instrument panel - are certainly show car touches. That said, Pininfarina has - and still - is about the style, and this concept certainly has that.
Written By: Seyth Miersma
February 28th, 2008 12:30 PM
.
This powered unicycle called the Embrio Advanced Concept, was designed by Canadian recreational vehicle company Bombardier, and is said to represent a vision of commuting fun from 2025.
With a riding position similar to that of a traditional two-wheeled motorcycle, the Embrio concept uses a system of gyroscopes and sensors to balance up to two passengers while on the move. The strange bike is also able to keep stable at low speeds, and while motionless, thanks to a pair of two small wheels that deploy when the pace drops below 12.5 mph. There are triggers on the left and right handlebars that accelerate and brake the vehicle, and riders turn by leaning to the left or right.
The Embrio is also aimed at a greener future for commuters, and is motivated by an electric motor running on hydrogen power. Take a closer look at the Embrio with our gallery below, and then tell us what you think of the bike in comments.
+ The Contaminated: EMBRIO - One-Wheeled Motorcycle
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: Dustin P. Walsh
February 25th, 2008 11:00 AM
.
Despite President Bush pushing hydrogen as the automotive technology of the future five years ago, his latest would trim the budget for the federal program funding hydrogen research.
Automotive execs say that the constant changing of technology sources is what’s hindering its progress. They call it “technology du jour” – a constant seeking of new cures for the industry’s ills, according to Automotive News.
John German, manager of environmental and energy analysis at American Honda Motor Co., said the constant changes in priorities are “extremely disruptive and wasteful”.
(More details after the jump)
continued →
Written By: Seyth Miersma
February 15th, 2008 2:30 PM
.
Small British automaker Morgan will be bringing an innovative, and rather beautiful concept car to its stand at the Geneva Motor Show, a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle based on the Aero 8 called the LifeCar Concept.
LifeCar is a project that was started all the way back in 2005, with the goal of designing a zero emissions vehicle that is still exhilarating to drive. The car’s architecture is designed around the needs of a fuel cell, with a great emphasis put on reducing vehicle weight. The resultant design is one that is said to minimize fuel cell cost while providing a range of around 200 miles.
(Click on the thumbnails below to view our Morgan LifeCar Concept images.)
continued →
Written By: Eric Moretti
January 26th, 2008 9:00 AM
.
There are many ways to use your car for cooking, jiffy pop on the intake, plug in microwaves, and now burgers from your exhaust. Though we’re not quite sure if exhaust fumes qualify as char-broiling, the debate of the nuances of diesel versus gasoline flavoring has caused somewhat of a stir.
Although this may be an idea before its time, as certainly exhaust fumes don’t carry the nicest of chemicals. You might consider holding off ’till hydrogen-powered cars become more practical and this device becomes a steamer instead of a smoker. At least that way your vegetables won’t take on a funky flavor.
The device works simply by attaching it to your exhaust pipe and driving around. This of course, could lead to a line of hungry drivers following you around in search of the nearest burger joint. No word yet if a version for cooking fries or baked potatoes is available for those of us with dual exhausts.
+ TrendHunter.com -Tailgate Dining - The Exhaust Cooked Burger
Written By: Seyth Miersma
January 24th, 2008 9:00 AM
.
Environmentalists can breath a sigh of relief; the encroaching threat of toy car CO2 emissions is about to take a big hit thanks to Corgi.
The famed toy manufacturer has actually said that it has “beaten Detroit to the punch,” by signing an agreement to build hydrogen fuel cell powered toy cars. Corgi, quite rightly, states that it is now in front of the U.S. carmakers in terms of bringing green technology to market. 1/16 scale green technology that is.
(Click through the jump to read on about Corgi’s fuel cell toys.)
continued →
Written By: Evan McCausland
January 16th, 2008 2:45 PM
.
Seeing a concept in person for the first time usually delivers one of two impressions in contrast to the press photos - is it better- or worse-looking in reality? Sadly, with Chrysler’s ecoVoyager concept, now starring at the Detroit auto show, we can’t answer the same way. Is it worse-looking in person? No, but it’s certainly not better, either.
Perhaps the one thing to truly be impressed with is the interior. Normally, concept cars tend to have uncomfortable seating, designed to look good at all costs, one of them being ergonomics. Not so in the ecoVoyager; the four large bucket seats have beautifully-stitched leather skins, and padding is more than sufficient. We’d advise you to go sit in your favorite leather lounge chair; the feeling isn’t dissimilar to what the ecoVoyager offers its passengers.
Those passengers, however, will be limited to whomever Chrysler officials actually let into the vehicle. Word is although some of the hybrid technology used in these concepts will eventually trickle their way into production, the ecoVoyager is merely a flight of fancy. If that’s the case, it’s a shame a little more thought wasn’t put into the exterior.
Written By: Evan McCausland
January 15th, 2008 10:14 AM
.
With every automaker attempting to out-green each other with hybrid vehicles at the Detroit auto show, we’re unsure how this one flew underneath the radar. As we attempted to squeeze our way out of the Mitsubishi press conference, we stumbled upon this Mazda5 Hydrogen Rotary Engine (HRE) Hybrid tucked in a hidden corner of Mazda’s stand.
It’s not the first time a 5-based hydrogen hybrid has been shown in Detroit; the original concept was on display - in a similar locale - nearly two years back. Although at that time, the system was merely a concept, Mazda tells us they’re now ready to lease limited numbers of the alt-fuel hybrid van to select customers.
(Click through for a gallery of live shots, more on the hybrid and a release from Mazda)
continued →
Written By: Evan McCausland
January 14th, 2008 12:01 AM
.
We’re learning more about Chrysler’s triad of environmentally-friendly concepts they’re dropping at Detroit, starting with Chrysler’s ecoVoyager. The four-door, four-passenger crossover attempts to blend luxury with ecology in a fashion similar to the Cadillac Provoq, but we see it more as a hydrogen-powered, four-door Renault Avantime.
At the basis of the ecoVoyager – and also the Dodge Zeo and Jeep Renegade concepts – is a platform and propulsion system developed by Chrysler’s Environmentally Responsible Electric-Drive – or ENVI - group. The components used in each are designed to be modular and adapted to vehicles of different shapes, sizes and markets, but a number of parts – including a 200-kilowatt electric motor, power electronics and battery technology, are shared among the three concepts.
(Click through for a gallery, release, and more on Chrysler’s ecoVoyager concept)
continued →
Written By: Evan McCausland
January 8th, 2008 3:27 AM
.
Headlines touted the fact that GM would bring a concept car to the Consumer Electronics Show, but we’re now getting our first glimpse at it. The Cadillac Provoq concept, a fuel-cell driven, techno-laden compact SUV, will bow today at the Las Vegas show before heading its way to Detroit next week.
At the heart of the Provoq lies GM’s E-Flex system, making it the fourth concept to theoretically use the plug-in series hybrid powertrain (following the two Volts and the Flexstreme). This iteration is the closest to the fuel cell-based Volt shown in Shanghai, but GM claims this particular fuel cell stack is its most production-ready design yet. Many of the required assemblies, including cooling and venting systems, are integral to the stack; previous stacks from GM used hand-built systems with separate components.
(Click through for more on the Provoq and a release from GM)
continued →
Written By: Evan McCausland
December 31st, 2007 3:00 PM
.
We’ll give UK auto-mag Autocar major props - for its latest series of conceptual renderings, they not only produced exterior sketches, but actually contracted with an engineering firm to speculate on a feasible design.
But what’s it of? The next Lotus supercar? A Jaguar sedan that could actually revive the marque? Nope. Associate editor Hilton Holloway sent artists and engineers at Caporo Design scrambling to revive nothing less of the most iconic London double decker bus - the Routemaster.
(Click through for more on the Routemaster revival)
continued →
Next >
Nissan Confirms Upcoming G37 Convertible, 'Mini SUV' 
Ford Readies 2009 Focus Coupe for American Idol Reveal
Ford Planning to Revive F-100?
Ferrari California Revealed!
Lamborghini Picks L.A. for U.S. Headquarters
