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Time to get personal Industry engineers are combining apps, voice, the cloud, and other technologies such as artificial intelligence to enable drivers to customize their vehicles and anticipate their needs. Technology report GM and TARDEC co-developing fuel cell powered Chevrolet Colorado for military evaluation vehicles and anticipate their needs. Global vehicles Sports cars take center stage in Tokyo

Hot-stamping process Hot-stamping process from Schuler employs flexible 'pressure controlled hardening' Fuel cell futures no longer a dream Fuel cell technology is catching up with the hype as fuel cell vehicles become reality. Hot Technologies 2016 Our annual review of significant, innovative, and just plain cool technology applications for the new model year.

Active in aero Several automakers-notably Mercedes-Benz and Audi - used the Frankfurt Motor Show stage to reveal sleek vehicles that aggressively employ active aerodynamic elements and other advances to reduce drag. Composites permeate inside and out Composite materials are gaining popularity for both unseen structural components and for exterior eye candy. Powertrain testing: coping with complexity With increasing use of electrical components to extend the performance of conventional combustion engines, powertrain development has never been more complicated. The good news is that test and development engineers are harnessing advanced simulation techniques and computer processing to develop the most efficient and fun powertrains ever. Can ads help in vehicle-to-vehicle rollout? Porsche unveils new downsized, boosted 3.0-L boxer six. Johnson Controls, Faurecia envision interiors for autonomous driving. Jaguar enters performance crossover SUV segment.

2016 Malibu sheds 300 lb, adds new hybrid system More wheelbase, style, fuel economy, and comfort aim to move GM's volume midsize sedan from the sidelines to the fast lane. Lighter, more powerful 2016 Honda Pilot The third-generation SUV gets a sleek new look and plenty of slick technology for enhanced performance and safety. 2016 Mazda MX-5 stays true to its roots Mazda engineers give the industry a lesson in getting more from less. 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport spearheads more efficient Land Rovers JLR's space-efficient, flexible SUV moves to JLR's new Ingenium modular engines. Audi chooses high technology, cautious design evolution for new A4 In addition to lighter weight and significant improvements in efficiency, the new car employs plenty of technology and driver support.

Driving EVs toward lower cost The race is on to reduce battery and electric-drive systems costs while improving efficiency. Seeking ways to make better computer crashes New models and simulations help improve safety as software and hardware provide more realism to iterate designs more quickly. Evaluating aluminum bonds Adhesively joined aluminum alloy sheets present challenges that steel-adhesive joints do not. Ford researchers present a modified technique to inspect Al-adhesive joints in lab and production environments. Leading the attack on engine pumping losses Cylinder deactivation delivers real-world fuel economy gains, helping vehicles to meet and exceed their sticker numbers. That's why the downsized/boosted guys now want it on their engines.

Chipping in to get more from battery packs Power semiconductors help extend range, keeping their cool while improving efficiency at higher voltages.

Future ICEs: What comes after 2025? With 2017-2020 products in the pipeline, what are the over-the-horizon solutions for greater light-vehicle engine efficiency? Plotting the vehicle autonomy revolution Advanced vehicle-technology and future-mobility expert Larry Burns makes a compelling case for driverless, shared vehicles in urban use. It's 'do-or-die time' to plan for open platforms The auto industry needs to open its eyes to open-platform opportunities, warns a European information-systems academic-and the industry looks to respond. Automotive HMIs aren't just for driving any more The auto industry needs to open its eyes to open-platform opportunities, warns a European information-systems academic-and the industry looks to respond. To serve and protect As cars become more connected and automated, cybersecurity concerns are rising.

Balancing GDI fuel economy and emissions Will OEMs have to adopt gasoline particulate filters to comply with stringent new emissions regulations? Top engineers discuss current developments. Cameras look to go the distance Automakers seek vision systems with greater distances, improved reliability, and more functionality, thanks to ruggedized complementary metal-oxide semiconductor technologies. Mixing metals Cadillac pursues aluminum/steel mix for new CT6 luxury sedan, leading to advances in body assembly.

Democratizing hybrid technologies Engineers continue to wring efficiency and mass out of their latest electrified propulsion systems with the aim of mainstreaming the technology. Automakers see possibilities, limits for gesture controls Recent concepts have shown the possibilities of gesture for controlling infotainment functions but the need for industry standards and control simplification complicate development. Ferrari massages 458 to create 488 GTB Ferrari engineers have further refined the 458 Italia model with a new turbocharged and downsized engine and revised aerodynamics to create the 488 GTB.

GM's CTO driving new paths to technology leadership 'We're making actual production commitments regarding our advanced-technology strategy, rather than just talking about it,' says GM's CTO Jon Lauckner. 'We're absolutely going to be among the leaders, if not the leader, in these areas.' Aluminum prepares for its next big leap Ford's F-Series blockbuster was just the beginning. New micromills now in pilot phase aim to bring vastly stronger and more formable light-alloy materials at higher capacity, says Alcoa's Mike Murphy. Slick solutions for friction reduction From new lubricants to 'smart' oil pumps and clever bearing technologies, engine designers are attacking every potential source of spin losses and internal friction in the quest for more mechanical work out of less fuel. Next-gen NSX: a twin-turbo, multi-material Ferrari-fighter The production NSX made its much-awaited global debut at NAIAS in January.

Virtual casting improves powertrain design As designers continue to look for ways to cut weight and increase performance, casting simulations are helping optimize designs through faster, more accurate predictions of the casting process used to create key components. Horse racing America's pony cars are a favorite of racers and fans alike, so racing them against each other is natural. SAE 2015 World Congress Preview Tech trends and exhibitor products are highlighted. Tech trends and exhibitor products are highlighted in this special section, which features an exclusive interview with Honda R&D America's Jim Keller. Replicating the racing experience Professional driving simulators can be successfully exploited to shorten the traditional design-prototype testing-production process relative to a new racecar.

Getting a grip on AWD efficiency The safety and performance benefits of all-wheel drive are undeniable, but so are the penalties of added weight, friction losses, and complexity. Clever axle disconnects and E-axles are driving future AWD developments. E pluribus unum Inputs from many sensors are being combined to give safety systems a true vision of vehicle surroundings, with the resulting sensor fusion becoming a mainstay of autonomous vehicle electronics. Lightweighting poses repair challenges Mass-produced aluminum bodies and mixed-material structures present challenges for assembly and repair, as automakers increasingly pursue these lightweight strategies. Setting the standard Meggitt CTO Emeritus begins term at helm of SAE International, seeks to encourage cross-sector relations, elevate image of SAE as aerospace industry leader.

Hard to answer Technical and personal issues make it challenging to link smartphones to vehicles. New OGeco hybrid transmission is a space-saver Finding space for an electric motor, battery, and all the controls that go with them while still providing sufficient 5-passenger cabin room and trunk/luggage capacity is a challenge. Mazda enters subcompact crossover segment Mazda dove into the burgeoning market for subcompact crossover SUVs with the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show introduction of the CX-3, a stylish new tall wagon built on the platform of the new Mazda2/Demio.

2015 Hot Technologies Our annual year-end review of new and significant technology applications for the upcoming model year's vehicles. Can Toyota's Mirai be the next Prius? Toyota's first fuel-cell car has a range of 300 miles, fills up in 5 minutes, and accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in about 9 seconds. Integrated automotive gateway can enable connected cars One of the biggest challenges connected cars pose is the integration of information and consumer electronics into the car and ensuring connectivity among them.

2015 engines ride a technology tidal wave Powertrain engineers are diving deeper to find new ways to make light-duty power units more efficient without compromising performance. Connectivity for comfort Seat suppliers such as Continental, Johnson Controls, and Faurecia pursue 'networked' seats to enhance safety, personalization, and comfort. Assembling aluminum vehicles in volume Ford's 2015 F-150 pickup pioneers high-volume mass-production of lightweight aluminum car and truck structures.

Outlook for autonomous driving includes cloud Connectivity with off-board data and services and among vehicles will be crucial in maintaining safety and security in future autonomous vehicles. The next wave of crash simulation As computing speed has improved and software itself has made significant speed and performance gains with each release, modeling tools are now quick enough to build high-quality, large, high-detail vehicle models in a very efficient manner. SAE 2014 Convergence preview Interest in advanced driver-assistance technologies is surging, with automotive engineers and decision makers at OEMs and suppliers working feverishly on the convenience vs. safety trade-off and other electronics-related challenges. Cooled EGR shows benefits for gasoline engines Exhaust gas recirculation systems now in use on diesel engines are used mainly to meet emissions regulations. In gasoline engines, they are an appealing way to meet ever more stringent fuel-economy standards

Women in Vehicle Engineering Across the industry, talented women are ascending the engineering-career ladder at higher rates than ever before, but they continue to face challenges in a male-dominated industry. In this Special Report, AE speaks with current and future industry leaders from U.S., European, and Asian OEMs, academia, and other experts, and analyzes data, to assess progress to date and plot the future of this critical and dynamic professional trend. Fuel cells As higher-volume mass production gets underway, OEMs and suppliers are finetuning their capabilities.

2015 New Vehicle & Technology Preview Automotive Engineering editors take a look at some of the more intriguing new models, including GM's full-size SUVs, BMW's i8 plug-in-hybrid sports car, Acura's TLX sedan, and Ford's F-150 full-size pickup truck. Picturing the map for smoother rides Next-gen A/C As conventional vapor-compression cooling technology faces phase-out, what could take its place? The U.S. Department of Energy's ARPA-e has funded research to help answer this question.

Steel red-hot for weight reduction The steel industry's focus to remain a top material choice has not diminished, especially with automakers and suppliers looking for ways to lightweight passenger vehicles to meet the U.S. government's 54.5-mpg fleet average requirement in 2025.

Global Viewpoints The latest strategies are investigated for vehicle development by automakers and major suppliers. Sports cars embrace array of green technology IMSA Tudor United SportsCar Championship promotes a variety of green technologies to link racing to the road. More gears, more challenges Many strategies, as well as key software and hardware aspects related to controllers, networks, sensors, and actuators, must be considered to keep automatic transmissions shifting smoothly as more gears are added to improve fuel economy. Advancing structural composites Industry experts address the opportunities and challenges involved with moving toward composite-intensive vehicles, including Nissan's effort to produce a high-volume, fully recyclable composite liftgate with low metal content.