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CO2 changing focus The global economic crisis could trigger novel engineering solutions and the need for comprehensive testing. ZEVs, fuel cells, and high-tech engines Only 10% of cars on Europe's roads by 2020 may be zero-emissions vehicles, but Mercedes-Benz is supporting future ZEV and other advanced technologies with an undiminished R&D budget. Warning signs Design and engineering lead-time tightening may be strangling innovative thinking, says Royal College of Art's Harrow. The decade ahead Renault anticipates that a majority of its powertrains will be downsized to the 0.9- to 1.2-L range and that electric cars will appeal to 30% of the buying public. Automatic for the people Automatic-shifting dual-clutch transmissions are poised to grab share from traditional transmissions thanks to their combination of efficiency and convenience.

Composite designs benefit from blending When design teams mesh with manufacturing, the result is better aircraft. On the air with transformational broadcasts Next-generation communications and navigation solutions facilitate green approaches and new flight efficiencies for airlines. Automation in composite manufacturing Technological developments are set to change the way aircraft are made.

An eye for detail Manufacturers hone next-generation designs with advanced measurement and inspection tools. Emissions progress New European research and development efforts aim to achieve step changes in engine emissions performance. Seeing virtually everything Simulating larger systems helps engineers understand more interactions.

Spearheading the EV revolution Tesla Motors' JB Straubel has built an engineering team that is challenging the traditional auto-engineering culture- and may be a blueprint for the future. Truckin' along Alternative power sources, aerodynamic designs, and electronics intergration mark the road ahead for the heavy-truck industry. Roads with something to say With the goal of reducing the accident rate and improving traffic flow, automakers and suppliers are developing new technologies to make intelligent transportation systems even smarter. a new fuel in town A company new to the automotive industry brings fresh ideas and products to the vehicle-electrification party. A featherweight future Hypercar visionary Amory Lovins sees auto engineering following aerospace in its use of advanced structural composites. Virtual revolution Liquid crystal displays are replacing analog gauges to give drivers more information in a reconfigurable format.

Fixing the cracks in the system Nondestructive testing techniques evolve to accommodate new materials and digital capabilities. Looking to the future LCDs, touch-screen technology transform the look and feel of cabs. Advanced combustion near and far Advanced combustion research promises long-term improvements in efficiencies while reducing or eliminating the need for aftertreatment.

Improving power quality Avionics power supplies are being redesigned to reduce harmonic distortion and work with wild frequencies. Think smart As aerospace manufacturers and suppliers continually look for new ways to improve passenger safety and comfort, an increasing emphasis is being placed on the role of advanced, 'smart' interiors. Getting it together The manufacture and assembly of today's aircraft must be in line with market needs and emerging technologies in a challenging business environment.

A winning iQ SAE members voted Toyota's new microcar the Best Engineering Vehicle for 2009. The iQ shows its smarts with brilliant packaging, city-friendly efficiency, and superb overall execution. Diesel or gasoline hybrids? As the global financial crisis deepens, companies must hone their R&D programs and attempt to choose winning technologies with the European OEMs, in particular, debating their hybrid strategies. Engine upgrade With displacements headed downward but output expectations undiminished, evolving sensor technologies and strategies are helping to give a boost to engine performance, efficiency, and emissions. Smooth riding ahead Integration and continuous development are the key words as chassis dynamics head into this century's second decade. Building in smarter materials Technologies that can automatically respond to changing conditions are expected to show up increasingly in future automobiles.

Synchronized driving Tight linkage between engine and transmission increases efficiency. Sensing a change Hydraulic engineers are being pressured to design systems that perform more tasks while taking less space. Steel still king Advanced steels and processes offer better performance and lower cost, particularly in powertrain applications.

Lighten up! Automakers and suppliers accelerate their efforts to reduce vehicle weight by engineering them for greater use of lighter, stronger materials. Combustion research heats up As calls for lower CO2 emissions grow louder, fuel system, valvetrain, electronic control, and analytical technologies are helping to unlock greater efficiences inside the cylinder. Touching the future Sensors and screens are replacing push buttons as touch controls get more sophisticated and user-friendly. Waving the 'green' flag SAE 2009 World Congress host company Honda calls for collaboration and urgency in the race for green mobility.

Toward greener skies Engine designers harness new technologies to embrace the eco-challenge. Going with the flow Advanced balances, pressure-sensitive paint, and wind-tunnel testing streamline aircraft aerodynamics. Orbital drilling goes mainstream for the Dreamliner Boeing and Novator worked together to overcome the obstacles of drilling holes into new material combinations being used in next-gen aircraft.

Going direct in manufacturing Prototyping transitions from one-off components to flight-ready hardware. Traveling light, traveling easy Airplane manufacturers have always tried to avoid unnecessary weight- and today's materials and design tactics combine for stronger structures with less weight. making flying safer Technology is applied to new avionics and ground-based systems to make air operations, military as well as civil, far safer than ever before. Innovative Thinking 101 West Virginia University professor Dr. James E. Smith issues a call for innovation as one of the central themes of his term as SAE's 2009 President.

Whistle down the wire Collaboration between OEMs and suppliers leads to new advances, and challenges, for electrohydraulic system control. Chipping away at drivetrain challenges Chips, sensors, controllers, software all combine to help engineers improve efficiency. Engineering disciplines unite Design tools help disparate groups provide input throughout the development process. Innovative thinking 101 West Virginia University professor Dr. James E. Smith issues a call for innovation as one of the central themes of his term as SAE's 2009 President.

NAIAS concepts Though industry sales projections for 2009 were dire, automakers pushed forward with new environmentally friendly technology in concept vehicles with an eye on sportiness. Electrifying changes for F1 Teams adopt hybrid power and adapt to slick tires. Memorable advances Bigger memories, faster cores let engineers boost efficiency and reduce emissions in engines. Material opportunities Compacted graphite iron, aluminum, and composites have significant roles in engine downsizing, but steel's capability and potential endures. Building blocks Engineering a good engine is half the battle; getting it through the assembly process without introducing flaws is the final victory. Innovative Thinking 101 West Virginia University professor Dr. James E. Smith issues a call for innovation as one of the central themes of his term as SAE's 2009 President. New 7 Series improves all over From better fuel efficiency to more luxury accoutrements, BMW does more than one-up its flagship.