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Frankfurt Motor Show concepts Visitors to the 60th IAA held in September were greeted with 125 world premieres, 60 of which were new vehicles by the world's automotive manufacturers. Prior to the public event, AEI editors scoured the show to put together this special section of Global Vehicles highlighting the best-in-show concept cars. Dynamic rollover testing on the way NHTSA announces that the 'fishhook' manuever, along with the static stability factor, will be used to rate vehicles for rollover propensity beginning with the 2004 model year. Shortening the chain Despite the trend toward increased outsourcing, the integration of compounding and molding operations at molded composite parts maker Composite Products resulted in a leaner and more economical supply chain. NASCAR research and development With the help of a new managing director and R&D center, the popular racing series is pursuing technology to improve safety and level competition.

Off-highway CVTs A continuously variable transmission can improve the fuel efficiency of heavy-duty diesels by matching the engine's torque/speed to the applied load through the smooth torque multiplication of the transmission. Hydraulics for economics The design of a digitally controlled hydraulic fan drive from Denison Hydraulics is said to help diesel engines run leaner and cleaner. Telematics boosts productivity Advances in electronic technology enables equipment owners and operators to monitor not only usage, but location of equipment. A dumper on tracks Industrial vehicles featuring composite rubber-tracked drive systems have become increasingly popular over the past 10 years, carving out a respectable niche in many specialized industries.

Body control electronics shapes up The electronics revolution is advancing unabated in vehicle and body control, but the addition of features ranging from electronic power steering to tire pressure monitoring poses numerous challenges for electronics engineers. Telematics comes back on line Interfaces will play a huge role in expected growth. Cadillac XLR The new luxury roadster, designed to go head-to-head with models from Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, and Lexus, uses an all-new 4.6-L Northstar V8 and innovative features such as adaptive cruise control, Magnetic Ride Control, and keyless access. 2005 Ford GT The company's image vehicle helped develop engineering skills in the race to production. Chrysler Pacifica Safety and infotainment features abound in the upscale 2004 sports tourer. 5 Series changes shape BMW adopted an aluminum/steel hybrid body in the interests of light weight and even weight distribution, and worked with ZF Lenksysteme to introduce active steering.

Military engines: cost and capability Industry experts provide a glimpse out at the 2020 vision of military propulsion. Manufacturing propellers Dowty Propellers uses a secure data-logging system for its fabrication process.

No hands with Bluetooth A major effort is underway to implement the wireless specification in cars and cell phones to reduce driver distraction. Sensors proliferate The boom is light on wireless, heavy on intelligence. Water and heat in the fuel-cell balance Researchers from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Millenium Cell, and DaimlerChrysler are working on a sodium borohydride system tha thas the potential to meet FreedomCAR's weight-percent hydrogen-storage targets. Far East optimism Asia's Big Three--Toyota, Honda, and Nissan-- relied to a large extent on their global presence to post strong profits in 2002 as they and other Far East automakers prepare for an upswing in their economies. Models of choice Seven of the eight Japanese passenger car/light truck manufacturers offer various configurations of compacts, which are taking off in Asia.

Fastener industry on fast track of change Technologies developed for fastening of metal aerospace parts are being transferred for bonding of composite parts. Moving toward sensor standardization One of the challenges facing aerospace developers is getting accurate test data from the many sensors used to monitor performance, simplifying setup and calibration. Wing design opens the envelope Technology presented at ACE describes a design process for a lightweight wing with an aerodynamic shape that is optimal for a large part of the cruise flight.

Technology and development in Europe The 21st century is proving a particularly challenging time globally for almost every aspect of aerospace, but in Europe the mood is positive in the face of setbacks. Prosperity in the face of challenge This article examines trends and issues in the regional aircraft industry through the eyes of Aerospace Congress & Exhibition (ACE) host company Bombardier Aerospace. It also takes a look at ACE, which addresses aviation safety, manufacturing, and automated fastening. A new trip down memory lane Interweaving topical technology and historical data, researchers and students submitted the Wright Flyer to simulated wind tunnel testing using software from Pointwise. An eye on UAVs Electronics play an important rule in unmanned aerial vehicles designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance mission areas, as well as for combat.

Appetite for cars growing in China Automakers and suppliers the world over are scrambling to establish or expland manufacturing operations in China as income growth spurs a rapid rise in car sales. "Lighting" the way for bodies Alcan says the most common alternative metal for body applications, aluminum, can be used as a stand-alone material or integrated with steel. Controlling noise, vibration, and harshness Vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers are finding ways to deliver greater passenger comfort in the early stages of design. Why diesels, why now? Participants at the first SAE Executive Management Briefing discuss the possibilities and technical challenges for diesel engines in U.S. passenger vehicles. Virtual powertrain, real results As powertrain control systems require more complex validation testing in less time, Ford is teaming with Concurrent Computer to develop a HIL simulation system that tests real control hardware in the virtual world.

The growth of an industry This second of a three-part series highlighting the centennial of flight focuses on how World War I and II changed the face of aviation technology. Portable test system Boeing uses VXI via KineticSystems to achieve greater dependability, accuracy, and efficiency in its digital distortion analyzer for propulsion systems. Fire-resistant composites for engine nacelles Engineers from Boeing treated fiberglass/polyimide and graphite/polyimide laminates with various phosphorylated polymers to obtain fire-resistant resins for use in harsh environments. Accelerating the design process The use of desktop analysis software can lead to a faster and more efficient process for the design and manufacture of aerospace components, according to SolidWorks.

A different automatic Developed in conjunction with BorgWarner, Volkswagen's DSG automatic six-speed gearbox is aimed at enthusiasts and has fuel consumption superior to a manual gearbox. Accident avoidance GM and Delphi are testing adaptive cruise control and collision-warning technologies in the hope of ultimately increasing driver awareness and reducing driving behaviors that can lead to accidents. Branding vehicle dynamics The use of active systems and common hardware across several vehicle platforms, with different calibrations and control algorithms, can offer variations in character and brand, according to Prodrive Automotive technology. The drive for improved dynamics For the new XJ, Mike Cross, Jaguar's Chief Engineer for Vehicle Integrity, and his team aimed to preserve the isolation and feel of the previous car, but instill the handling precision and steering accuracy of the S-Type.

Designing out emissions Researchers from Michigan Technological University designed and tested a single-cylinder, four-stroke engine with electronic fuel injection and catalytic exhaust treatment for a snowmobile application. Networking to extend equipment life Equipment developers are using local area networks to gather specific usage and maintenance data in response to the needs of off-highway equipment owners and leasing companies to maximize investments. CAE goes off-highway A look at how manufacturers are saving time and improving quality by using computer simulation. Engineering the first 50-ton ADT While it could be said that the articulated frame truck is now a mature concept, Bell Equipment moved the goal posts by redefining both the weight class and application range for this versatile machine.

Paris Air Show: the details The biennial show at Le Bourget is a massive display and parade of global aerospace design, development, and manufacturing capabilities. Horizontal vision and strategy Competing on the current and next generations of defense and civil programs will require aerospace companies to embrace new and increasingly flexible business processes, according to IBM. NASA's Space Launch Initiative The agency's revised plan spells out roles for two programs involving Next Generation Launch Technology and an Orbital Space Plane aimed at providing safe, affordable access to the International Space Station.

New York revival More than 20 of the 30 new vehicle introductions at this year's New York International Auto Show were world debuts, and cars took center stage for the first time in a while at a North American auto show. Safety first Consumers say safety is priority one, but deaths on the highway are rising as government regulators impose tougher--and more costly--safety standards on automotives. Ford turns 100 Pausing to celebrate its many technical achievements of the past century, Ford maintains its focus on being an innovation leader for the next 100 years. Hi-tech Europe Europe's automotive industry is set to apply technology to a greater degree than ever before. Diesels and DCTs Turbodiesel engines may soon power half the cars sold in Europe, and as European roads become ever more crowded, dual-clutch and automatic transmissions are becoming more attractive propositions.

Product is king in North America As it does every year, AEI takes a look at automotive industry trends in the three major regions of the world, beginning in this issue with a look at the North American industry and how domestic OEMs and suppliers are shaping its future. Europe will be the focus in June, Japan in August. A powerful mix Traditional and not-so-traditional power sources will share the roads in North America as OEMs and suppliers continue to research and develop a variety of advanced propulsion technologies. Consumer research drivers interior trends OEMs are giving suppliers greater responsibilities not only for delivering vehicle interiors, but also for consumer research that leads to compelling interior designs. Body and chassis developments Advanced technologies are enabling light trucks and SUVs to close the ride, handling, and safety gap with passenger cars.

Le Bourget trends and issues The 45th Paris Air Show will provide industry players a gathering place to discuss the past, present, and future after two years of seemingly non-stop challenges to the industry. Working on the floor Automated data-capture technologies can obtain, validate, and process time, labor, and other information for improved productivity and efficiency in aerospace manufacturing. Space-age materials A team of researchers are studying the properties of cosmic rays to gain a better understanding of the radiation environment encountered during space travel. Avionics testing IFR has designed a new navigation communications ramp test set to replace its industry-standard workhorse.

Off-highway braking According to Mico, electrohydraulic braking controls can provide improved performance and add system features difficult to obtain with hydromechanical mechanisms. Keeping quiet Targeting off-highway and heavy-truck OEMs, Blachford claims its new acoustics laboratory will offer some testing capabilities previously only available to the passenger-car market. ADT marketing and manufacturing While it is not debatable that articulated dump trucks are a hot commodity, it is debatable how many are technologically unique. Proportional pressure reducing valves Engineers from Thomas magnete have designed pilot valves that work with electrohydraulics to simplify complex machine control systems.

The dawn of the jet age: the first 10 years One of the ironies of aviation history is that the most obvious potential power source for a fixed-wing aircraft was barely considered by the early pioneers. Airflow simulation for winglets Embraer engineers used CFD to visualize flow patterns around wings for a design retrofit. Aircraft-engine-mounting analysis Engineers from Honeywell adapted a rapid analysis approach to develop and validate a complex propulsion system. Reshaping F-16 production Following its contract with the Joint Strike Fighter program, Lockheed Martin is reconfiguring its F-16 assembly line in preparation for long-term JSF production starting later this year.

Phantom materializes BMW's Rolls-Royce Motor Cars unveils its first model, an aluminum-bodied sedan with rear-hinged rear doors and a new V12. Protecting the cabin from powertrain NVH OEMs are getting help from suppliers such as Collins & Aikman and Bayer in damping NVH, thanks to innovation in plastics. Forced induction Environmental pressures prompt renewed interest in turbochargers and superchargers. Collaboration software emerges Interactive product development tools that can decrease design time and cost, enhance quality, and improve engineering processes are now widely available. Validated virtual testing DaimlerChrysler and MTS Systems have verified that component load histories can be predicted before prototypes are built. Automation: a tool, not an end Toyota and its suppliers try to strike a balance between automation and manual labor at their U.S. plants.

NAIAS production vehicles The strength of light trucks and crossovers in North America was on display as a majority of the all-new vehicles debuting at the events were for those segments of the industry. This special edition of Global Vehicles provides highlights of new-vhielce technology for 2003 and beyond. Volvo XC90: AEI's Best Engineered Vehicle for 2003 The new model raises the safety and environmental compatability bars for SUVs. Leading the way Fuel-cell vehicles from Toyota and Honda are hitting the streets for customer use in both Japan and the U.S. AEI Tech 2003 Awards Automotive Engineering International highlights the top products and technologies (submitted as of February 18) from the SAE 2003 World Congress. Introducing Dr. Jack E. Thompson, SAE President for 2003 A change agent with early roots in the automotive industry gets in the Society's driver seat.