The Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid will debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, but only as a virtual presence before its real official debut at the Nurburgring 24 hours. The 911 GT3 R Hybrid is purely a race car with amazing power of its own, subsequently increased in an electric motor booster, with energy recovery during braking sent to the front wheels for all wheel drive.

The hybrid version is based on the GT3 R and will also be equipped with the flat six, four-litre engine with 480 hp. The space originally dedicated to the passenger will be replaced by a flywheel which collects and generates the energy saved in braking, which then distributes it to two motors in the bonnet.

The additional power can be measured as 60 kW for each motor, and is activated by pressing a button on the steering wheel. An extra 160 hp is then produced for a time between six and eight seconds. The KERS flywheel system also keeps fuel consumption down, reducing the need for refilling.

Continue reading: Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid

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According to reports the new Megane C-C will be the first Renualt with twin-clutch technology, to be called EDC or Efficient Dual Clutch. The technology comes from collaboration with Getrag and will appear on the 1.5-litre Dci engine with 105 hp. From there, it will migrate to other Renault motors, and was originally planned to debut on the Megane or the Scenic; with the arrival of the cabriolet in March at the Geneva show, we should see it earlier.

The Megane CC will incorporate the front of the coupe with a large rear to accommodate the folding metal roof. After the debut at the 2010 Geneva show, sales should start in spring, when other versions of the Megan should also start to offer the new dual-clutch transmission.

Source | Autointernationaal

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A new project sees an Audi TT-S computer driven up Pikes Peak, with the first tests completed in this video. The project is one of the works being undertaken by Volkswagen as part of its new VAIL initiative. The Volkswagen Automotive Innovation Lab at the University of Stanford, California, involves young students in design projects, starting with the DARPA work on computer controlled vehicles.

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Here’s a bit of gratuitous publicity from BMW but we’re sure most of the guys out there won’t mind. BMW shows off its wind tunnel technology using the hairdo of Sylvie van der Vaart and two BMW 3-Series cabriolets, separated by 22 years’ worth of technical innovation. If you look very closely, and focus on Sylvie’s blonde hair, you can figure out the results for yourself. All of which means that a girl buying a cabrio today is going to have a much less sexy effect than if she bought it 22 years ago. The video of Sylvie vs the wind tunnel is after the jump.

Sylvie van der Vaart vs BMW wind tunnel

Continue reading: Sylvie van der Vaart: hairdo vs BMW wind tunnel

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Reports that Alfa Romeo is “secretly” working on producing its first Alfa V8 engine in 30 years, have since been denied by the company. Autocar had originally said that a new V8 engine would appear on the Alfa 166 substitute, itself to be based on the Chrysler 300C.

It was supposed to have been a mid-capacity engine of about three litres, developing both naturally aspirated and twin-turbo versions. The guys at Autoblog have, however, cited a source that denies Alfa is working on a V8.

An Alfa spokesperson has reportedly said: “No front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive Alfa Romeo will use an engine larger than a V6.” This however, doesn’t specify rear-wheel drive Alfas, which Autocar had said the new 166 would be since using the Chrysler 300C as a platform. Stay tuned for further developments.

Source | Autocar and Autoblog

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The Alfa MiTo Multiair is here and Italy’s sexiest car just got faster. The MiTo Multiair will be released on the Italian market on September 14 with prices starting at 15,800 euros for the entry level 1.4-litre engine with 105 hp.

The Multiair will make the MiTo more economical, as well as giving it extra performance while reducing CO2 emissions. The aspirated 1.4-litre will be available from debut on Monday, as will the the 135 hp turbo unit.

We’ll have to wait for early 2010 to see the 1.4-litre turbo with 170 hp, which will appear on the MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde model (four leaf clover model).

Alfa MiTo Multiair

Source | Alfablog.nl and Autoblog.it

Continue reading: Alfa MiTo Multiair pics and details

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Here’s a video of the Nissan EV in action. The Electric Vehicle will be the new platform for Nissan’s development of electric cars, and we get to see a few features including the iPhone remote control application and indications on range and recharge stations on the road.

We also get a look at the wireless recharge technology, where the car is parked over a plate, rather than being plugged in. This technology means that recharge is totally automatic. The video is a bit weird, but it gives us an idea of the investment in this technology and just how serious some companies are about developing zero emissions cars. I’m impressed.

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According to data, fuelling air conditioners in cars every year consumes up to 28 million litres of petrol, equal to about six percent of the total consumption of petrol and diesel. American scientists from NREL (laboratory for renewable energies) have released these figures, and also calculated that coolant leaks cause emissions of 50 million tonnes of CO2 a year.

Experts are working to improve the function of air conditioners, so as improve efficiency by about 33 percent. Some ideas are already being tested, including overhauling air conditioning systems and replacing or changing traditional coolant systems. A special paint for cars that reflects solar rays could also be an option, reducing the need for air conditioning.

This summer, Ford will be the major partner in research projects of this kind, with the Department of Energy in the US dedicating a 4.2 million-dollar donation to the company. The money will go to improving car air conditioning systems and to the development of a thermal-electric system.

Source | Ecoblog

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Autobild has tested the 1.4-litre turbo Multiair engine at 165 hp and have been very, very impressed by the performance. The quality of this technological innovation is superior, and won points for its speedy response (at 2,000 rpm) and immediate acceleration.

The Fiat Bravo is equipped with the Multiair, giving it almost a sports style. The motor is quiet and is also happy to run at higher revs. The first Multiair engine to debut will be the 1.4 litre, 135 hp version to appear on the Alfa MiTo in September. It is reported as having an average consumption of five litres for every 100 km. By the end of 2009, other versions os 170 and 105 hp will be available.

Autobild also examined the 0.9 SGE (Small Gasoline Engine) in the turbo version, accredited with 69 hp, a fuel consumption of 3.4 litres per 100 km/hr and only 80 grams of CO2 emissions every 1000 km. It will debut in 2012.

Source | Autobild

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Lamborghini could soon make its Gallardo LP550-2 available with rear wheel drive. We’re waiting from news from the company, but the new-entry could be available in a limited series of 250 models, at a price of ten percent less than the model already in the range.

Eight chrome colours will also be available, all with long white stripes. No news is available on whether it will be lighter than the current model, or others in the Lamborghini family. For exmaple, the Murcielago SV is lighter than previously and now covers 100 km/hr in 3.9 seconds.

Source | NetCarShow

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