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Safe and sane Driver distraction, demand for connectivity, and infotainment raise new challenges in combining consumer technologies and cars. Thin on the inside Seat suppliers apply ingenuity to reduce the weight of traditional steel seat frames while trimming away foam to make smaller cars roomier. Early simulation enhances product development While simulating before design may seem to upend the traditional view of product development, many companies are realizing the benefits.

Chrysler's new Tigershark I4s aim for refinement, efficiency Developed in record time, the 2.0- and 2.4-L debut in the 2013 Dodge Dart. The 2.4-L features the first global application of MultiAir II technology. Honda unveils next-gen motorcycle powertrains New engines designed for low-speed torque, fuel efficiency, and riding 'character' are coupled with new DCT and CVT transmissions. Alternative fuels on bumpy road The price of conventional fuels is just one variable that makes it hard to know when fuel-cell, biofuel, and natural-gas technologies will come into their own. Regen braking gets a boost Researchers from Hyundai Mobis detail the development of smart booster brake systems for regenerative brake cooperative control. Efficient & effective leadership Frank O. Klegon, a 30-year SAE member and former product development VP at Chrysler, brings 'customer first' approach to term as SAE International's chief elective officer.

Designing batteries for longer life Engineers at battery makers are striving to boost life by carefully balancing charge rate, cooling, safety margins, casing size, and protection.

Automotive 2030--gateway to the future The next two decades of automotive technology will set the stage for the next evolution in personal mobility.

Driving the pace of change Engineers speak out on software's impact on the automotive industry in online survey. Inside ZF's nine-speed transaxle for 2012 AEI travels to Friedrichshafen for an exclusive look at the development and technology behind the 9HP--the industry's first nine-speed transaxle slated for MY2013 production. Technology crosses industry borders Between the commercial- and military vehicle markets, knowledge sharing and tech transfer benefits both in areas such as vehicle electrification and altenative fuels. Cutting the cost of carbon Automakers streamline production to reduce the price premium for lightweight carbon fiber.

New charging technology comes with no wires attached For now, conductive charging using plugs is state of the art in the world of EV charging, but research and demonstration projects are under way to determine whether wireless charging has a future.

2012 Verano vies for NVH benchmark General Motors 'throws the toolbox' at its new entry-level Buick as it aims to create the quietest compact in the market. Ford charges up Focus EV for 2013 With major engineering support from Magna, Ford's first battery-electric passenger car promises Leaf-blowing features including half the charge time as that claimed by Nissan using a 240-V SAE J1772 Class 2 charge source. Launch of 2012 Camry It was the best of timing, it was the worst of timing As the automotive industry still reels from economic and natural disasters, Toyota looks for blue skies ahead with the introduction of the seventh-generation Camry. New Passat marks VW's return to U.S. production The car is larger than its German-built predecessor but priced thousands of dollars less to match the C/D-class competition. The plant assembly line has 150,000 capacity, over 10 times the 2010 Passat sales volume.

Advancing optical films Researchers look to technology gains made in LCD displays for TVs and other devices to improve the functionality of displays inside vehicles.

Back to the future- the Honda way In a far-ranging discussion, the company's President of R&D opens the curtains a little on the inner workings of research and development from the CVCC engine to the new two-motor hybrid system. Mazda takes off "Skyactiv-ward" Senior Managing Executive Officer Hirotaka Kanazawa, whi is in charge of R&D, discusses the Skyactiv package of technologies that he hopes will lift the company's eco prospects. Chrysler pushes ICE limits with Multi-fuel, MultiAir R&D program Chrysler Powertrain engineers, in a collaborative research program with the U.S. Department of Energy, aim to squeeze a lot more efficiency out of the good old internal combustion engine. No longer a blip on the screen Luxury vehicles have used radar for years, but now systems are poised to enter the mainstream as safety demands rise and costs come down.

Electronics take the lead in the motorcycle race Bike-industry engineers are integrating electronic and electrical technologies in the quest for higher performance, more features-and zero emissions. Engineering everywhere Companies are increasingly leveraging global resources and tools to help develop products faster and more cost-effectively.

CO2 challenges the focus of GM Europe As Europe prepares for the range-extended Ampera, top company executives look further into the future.

What drives Jaguar Land Rover Group Engineering Director, Bob Joyce, reveals how his company's own- and the auto industry's- overarching strategic engineering and business priorities can be met now and in the future. PSA puts weight behind hybrids With their race and rally expertise, company leaders such as Christian Chehab, General Manager of Transmissions and Hybrid Projects, understand the importance of developing technologies to reach the environmental podium. Lotus prepares to blossom again As the company moves ahead with its five-year model plan, CEO Dany Bahar pledges quality, pragmatism, radical weight saving, and added DNA. Multimaterial collaboration Composites and aluminum are at the heart of Audi and lamborghini's multimaterial approach to R&D, production. Taking control of electrification Control systems are key components not only for battery packs in electrified powertrains but also havea big role to play in power consumption throughout the vehicle.

On driver distraction, the 'eyes' have it There is disagreement among researchers about how significant a problem mind-off-the-road is, but everyone agrees it's a good idea to look where you're going.

Small car, big project Vehicle Line Executive for the Fiat 500, Joe Grace, talks about bringing the iconic car to North America and the collaboration between engineers in Turin and Detroit that helped make it happen. Girding the grid for EVs Public electric utilities such as Detroit Edison have a virtual role to play in cultivating the electric vehicle market. Progress, new innovations spur GM;s fuel-cell development Fuel-cell program Executive Director Charlie Freese reveals the ongoing technical progress aimed at making FCVs part of GM's production vehicle portfolio later this decade. Planning the future of PLM and 3-D virtual tools The product-development revolution that began with CATIA is only beginning, says Dassault Systemes' CEO Bernard Charles.

Weathering's day in the sun Before lighter-weight or recycled materials and components can make their way into vehicles, it is essential to understand how they react under the influence of weather.

Big losers Heavy trucks increasingly employ lighter-weight materials and sleeker shapes in an effort to trim fuel consumption and emissions.

AEI Best Engineered Vehicle 2011- Chevrolet Volt General Motors' pioneering E-REV eliminates range-to-empty worries with a cleverly engineered powertrain that makes Volt the right EV at the right time- and AEI's Best Engineered Vehicle for 2011. Government boost key to biofuel future Biofuel companies are determined to become viable on their own but want continued government assistance if oil companies receive assistance, too. More from less Trimming fuel consumption and emissions requires higher voltages, greater computing power, and more money. Finding the right balance Engineers identify key technology trends such as the necessity for lighter, smaller engines and vehicles- and stress that managing trade-offs is an especially tough challenge. Automotive Engineering International 2011 tech awards The editors of Automotive Engineering International preview the most innovative supplier technologies to be displayed April 12-14 in Detroit at the SAE 2011 World Congress.

Tough on the inside Scratch resistance is paramount for interior materials-and is a particular challenge for parts made of polypropylene.

Future testing of active safety systems To speed up the introduction of active safety systems, efficient standardized test programs are needed, including alternatives to test-track testing. Engine management on a budget Tata Technologies engineers at the recent SAE Convergence event provided an inside look at how they developed the Nano's low-cost EMS and reduced development time and cost with extensive use of modern tools. Racing for the green Changes are coming to Indy Car and Formula One to focus on green technology that applies to production vehicles. Taking strides together SAE 2011 World Congress host company General Motors touts teamwork as a way to expand industry knowledge and encourage energy efficiency.

Shifting gears smoothly Richard E. Kleine, a 30-year veteran of Cummins Inc. and former SAE Commercial Vehicle VP, seeks continuity over change as he moves into the driver's seat of SAE International. Top new engines AEI editors highlight the most significant internal-combustion powerplants of the new year and beyond. Riding on in-wheel motors Researchers analyze passive concepts and new mechatronic suspension systems to ensure vehicle comfort and safety when using in-wheel motors with different torque requirements.