Search Results

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.

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.

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.

Materials become design, design becoems function Once things you could hold in your hand, materials have become more design ideas than entities, and the designs themselves are transforming into operational activity. The next steps in flight A look at sero engine and assembly developments as commercial airframe and engine manufacturers begin the biggest battle of all-for next-generation short-haul jet aircraft sales. NextGen Today and tomorrow The FAA has reached a major milestone on the Next Generation Air Transportation System initiative to modernize America's National Airspace System. Stacking the material deck for the 787 Combinations such as composites and titanium being used in future aircraft programs can be very challenging when drilling holes during manufacturing and assembly operations.

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.

Top new engines AEI editors highlight the most significant powerplants of the new year and beyond. Ferrari V8 The new 4.5-L engine for the 458 Italia challenges turbo units on power and specific output. Ford V6 Significant changes to the Duratec 37 for the 2011 Mustang result in Camaro-beating power with 30-mpg efficiency. Hyundai 2.4 Theta II GDI The company revs output of its four-cylinder family with its first application of gasoline direct injection. Porsche Turbo flat six Direct injection and special dry-sump lubrication boost power and torque of the latest 911 Turbo powerhouse. Toyota V10 Nine years in development by Toyota and Yamaha, the 9000-rpm engine for Lexus' new LFA supercar boasts an abundance of titanium and a unique counterbalancer system.

Hypersonic possibilities When it comes to reviving high-speed air travel, it all comes down to propulsion, propulsion, propulsion. Shrinking electronics help fuel rising usage Integration helps UAVs carry more sensors and send data faster, making unmanned aircraft more valuable. A greener flight path 'Eco-efficient Innovation Leading the Future of Aviation' is the theme of SAE's 2011 AeroTech conference to be held OCt. 18-21 in Toulouse, France. Manufacturing advanced materials A look at some of the challenges of additive layer manufacturing, as well as the advantages it brings to the aerospace industry.

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.

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.

Booking flights on biofuel The aviation industry is now deploying biofuels on commercial flights after years of demonstration test flights, but high costs will keep bookings few and far between for a few more years. Beating brownout A look at a new airborne landing aid that provides safe-flight capabilities for front-line helicopter crews in degraded visual environments. Making battlefield targets disappear The use of 'smart' special materials has the potential to radically alter the way military platforms are defended, and used.

Avionics go to war Advanced helmet sight systems are being designed to help the situational awareness of those pilots who actually still fly aircraft, while also being seamlessly integrated with the aircraft itself. Model military engine behavior While the concept of a variable cycle engine is not new, recent advances in engine architecture technology suggest that adding a second bypass stream to a traditional turbofan can provide significant benefits. Alternative seals for alternative fuels When considering seal compatibility an aircraft from traditional jet fuel to a synthetic fuel presents an interesting technical challenge that has both financial and practical considerations, especially for aircraft that are already in service.

Automotive Engineering International 2012 SAE World Congress Tech Awards The editors of Automotive Engineering International preview the most innovative supplier technologies to be displayed April 24-26 in Detroit at the SAE 2012 World Congress. The top five are highlighted in this edition, but additional technologies and other event coverage can be viewed online at www.sae.org/mags/aei/saewc. The quest for better turbocharger compressors With the prevalence of automotive engine downsizing for better efficiency and emissions, greater emphasis is being placed on turbo aerodynamics to achieve wider-range and high-efficiency single-stage compressors. HCCI: The search for a better burn continues A Bosch-led consortium sponsored by the U.S. DOE, and a research team at Sandia National Laboratories, are pushing to unlock the fuel-efficiency potential of the elusive homogeneous-charge compression ignition engine.

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.

Raj Nair's world's-eye view Ford's new global product-development chief discusses engineering resources to meet Asia-Pacific growth, China's challenges, U.S. CAFE, and lightweighting full-size trucks. Raising the bar on SI engine efficiency Highly boosted gasoline engines with 13:1 compression ratio? BorgWarner is tackling gasoline-engine pumping losses and finding many fuel-efficiency benefits as a result. VP of Advanced Engine Engineering Chris Thomas reveals the methodology-and more. GE makes power play into automotive The iconic American conglomerate sees great potential in electric vehicles, helping utility customers upstream ensure reliable and efficient energy delivery for EV customers downstream, says GE's Mark Little. Hybrid-electrified Le Mans Audi and Toyota bring hybrid-electric racecars to the renowned 24-h race.

A compact Cadillac to beat the Bimmers General Motors engineers were given a clean sheet to develop the 2013 ATS, Cadillac's all-new compact (and light) sport sedan aimed squarely at the 3 Series benchmark. Re-engineered Ram Thermal management-along with other significant changes-improves Ram 1500 fuel economy and earns EPA off-cycle credits. Honda Accord-the 9th generation The all-new 2013 model brings direct injection, a new CVT, MacPherson struts, safety advances, and a plug-in hybrid version./li> Radios expand by turning to micros Versatile systems use microcontrollers, software to meet wide range of requirements. Heavy on the lightweighting Weight reduction is already a significant consideration in companies' product development efforts, and the emphasis is only going to increase in the years ahead, according to SAE-member survey respondents.

Light and mighty Finding innovative ways to reduce vehicle weight while maintaining vehicle safety will be key to achieving the 2025 fuel-economy target. Controllers bulk up to manage engine's intricacies Chips hold more memory and boost throughput to help improve fuel efficiency. Electric Renault also focused on internal combustion Already becoming known in Europe as the 'electric company,' Renault, together with Alliance partner Nissan, is determined to pursue EV solutions but in parallel with intensive ICE programs, says Philippe Klein, Renault's Vice President, Corporate Planning, Product Planning, and Programs. Volvo plugs into high technology The company may be on a high-technology roll with its new plug-in diesel hybrid and its shift to a maximum four-cylinder philosophy-with three-cylinder units likely, according to Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President of Research & Development.

The Lexus rises again Kiyotaka Ise is leading the effort to redefine the Toyota luxury brand with 'Lexus emotionality.' Hyundai powers ahead Dr. Woong-Chul Yang, Vice Chairman, Hyundai Motor, and the head of Hyundai-Kia R&D, explains how his company is striving to be the most-loved, but not necessarily the biggest car company-with the help of technology and powertrain leadership from Seong-Hyon Park, Hyundai's President of Powertrain. Next-generation lithium batteries step forward Developmental solid-state lithium-ion and lithium-air batteries could one day provide ample EV power.

Bright outlook for glass cockpits Cockpits are adopting larger screens and touch input, using modularity to ease upgrades. Composites give copters a lift Design, fabrication, and analysis of a tail rotor blade made of composite laminated materials for a heavy transport helicopter. Taming overruns with simulation For aerospace projects, cost overruns and program delays start in the concept and proposal stage. How could using today's advanced CAE simulations earlier reduce that risk? Going modular with airborne radar Innovative approaches to solving the affordability challenge posed by too many specialist airborne surveillance systems. 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.

Big shifts coming in powertrains During the rest of this decade, many observers expect transmission controls to undergo more changes than in the past 10-15 years. Transmission controls are being revamped to meet tighter fuel economy laws, letting engines run at optimal speeds. Collaborating for cheaper carbon fiber Oak Ridge National Laboratory and several industry partners work together to overcome the challenges to lower-cost carbon fiber. Creating the 54.5-mpg car Part 2 of AEI's three-part series looks at how vehicle engineers are facing a 'stress test' as the countdown to 2025 CAFE begins. How will the aggressive new regulations influence U.S. passenger cars in the next decade-and what will they cost to implement?

New blades turning Industry is in the midst of new initiatives to develop lighter, stronger aero engine fan blades. ATM revolution-on the way at last A look at one of the biggest issues facing the air transport sector: integrating air traffic management policies and solutions. A new positioning system for aircraft structural assembly The EcoPositioner is a modular and reconfigurable positioning technology that takes into consideration the positioning task as well as operational conditions and environmental influences.