Technology
Subaru introduces 3rd-generation Boxer engine
Subaru’s parent company Fuji Heavy Industries has announced that it is developing a new, third generation Boxer engine which will debut in the 2011 Forester, due next year. This would be the first time the company’s boxer engine is updated since 1989. The engine will be produced in the purpose-built Gunma Oizumi plant.
It will be available in two forms: a 2.0 liter and a 2.5 liter. The new engine which is completely brand new features a more compact combustion chamber, a longer stroke, improved intake port configuration, the addition of partitions inside the port, as well as the use of TGV (Tumble Generated Valve) and EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation).
There is also AVCS (Active Valve Control System) on both the intake and exhaust valves. The intake valves in particular benefit from an intermediate lock system that allows valve timing to be advanced or delayed for precise control over intake and exhaust valve timing.
Lightweight components are also used and they include lighter pistons, connecting rods and a compact oil pump which provides approximately 30% reduction in friction loss. The cooling system has been improved as well and it features a separate circuitry for the block and the head. The company claims that overall fuel efficiency has been improved by about 10%. It was also revealed that the 2.0 liter boxer can generate 146hp and 196Nm of torque.
Ford to debut next-gen airbags with new Focus
Ford has developed a new airbag system that is sad to be offer better crash protection. The enhanced system will debut with the all-new Ford Focus before being offered with other vehicles in Ford’s line-up.
First up is a steering wheel airbag with a tether system. Basically the lower part of the airbag will be pulled back to give more space between the driver and the airbag in the abdominal area. Ford says that this will soften the blow of the airbag to the driver’s chest and ribs which in return helps reduce the chances of bodily injuries.
The engineers at Ford have also worked on enhancing the side airbags. They are fitted with shoulder vents that remain open during inflation. The vents will help deliver varying levels of pressure based on the size of the occupant and how much of their shoulder blocks the vent. Taller occupants will block these vents with their shoulders and they should benefit from the higher pressures.
The passenger airbag have been modified as well. It uses adaptive venting technology that diverts some of the gas from the airbag inflators through vents outside of the airbags. There is a pyrotechnic device to force open the vent and it can provide less pressure in the airbag while being sufficient enough to help protect the occupant. Basically its about varying the pressure in the airbag depending on the occupant’s size.
There is a restraints control module which adjusts the level of venting based on seat position. With this, the occupant will have better head and neck protection. Ford has also released a video explaining about the new driver’s airbag. You can watch it after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
Citroen announces on-vehicle WiFi connectivity
Citroen has announced an on-vehicle WiFi connectivity option that is available for the new C3, C3 Picasso, C4, C4 Picasso, C5, C6 as well as the DS3 models. The option which costs £545 is made up by a WiFi box that houses a 3G-enabled SIM card, provided by any mobile internet provider.
The box creates the wireless network and allows connection for multiple devices. Users can also disable roaming on the system to prevent expensive charges when roaming. Citroen also revealed that the option will be made available for other models before the end of the year. There is also a 1 minute 38 second-long video of the system at work after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
New Panasonic catalyst reduce platinum use by 80%
Panasonic Corporation revealed that it has developed a new catalyst to help clean diesel exhaust and it uses 80% less platinum than conventional catalysts.
The company said that its new catalyst uses an alkali-metal compound to coat the filter that holds up and burns particulate matter in the exhaust tailpipe.
This is good news for the automotive sector as currently auto makers have to rely on using a lot of precious metals and each conventional catalytic converter can cost up to US$300.
Panasonic is being tight-lipped about the types of alkali metals used but did say that it aims to put the product into mass production by 2012 with a global sales target of US$220.6 million (in today’s money) by 2018. It was also said that the new catalyst uses less energy than the catalyst it is bound to replace. It can treat exhaust fumes at a temperature that is 20% lower.
Apple iPad in your car!
Apple’s latest product the iPad, which looks a lot like an overgrown iPhone was launched just a couple of days ago where about 300,000 units were sold. It was rather quick for Santa Clarita-based audio shop SoundMan Car Audio to retrofit an iPad to a vehicle, a Toyota Tacoma to be precise.
The iPad was fitted on the car’s centre dash right above the air conditioning/heating controls. According to SoundMan, the iPad’s dock connector was plugged into a cable that runs to a Onkyo ND-S1 device which sends digital signals to another device called the Audison Bit One which acts as a D/A converter and an audio signal processor.
This can then be hooked up to your audio system. You will then be able to play music and videos as well as surf the Internet. Nice! Continue reading to check out a video released by the Californian company. Neat huh? Read the rest of this entry.
Bosch working on a common-rail diesel engine for the Nano
Bosch is developing a new common-rail diesel unit that will be used in the super affordable Tata Nano. Recent reports indicate that the diesel powerplant features a single cylinder design and that the displacement is about 570cc. The compact engine is expected to produce about 27hp with an adequate amount of torque.
This is part of Bosch’s investment in India where the German automotive supplier will inject Rs 2000 crore (US$ 430 million) in India for a period of three years until 2012. The company plans to manufacture up to two million diesel engines a year by 2013. Bosch is already supplying Tata with brake components, starter, alternator as well as a fuel injection system for the Nano.
BMW releases new performance calculation application for the iPhone
BMW enthusiasts (any auto enthusiasts for that matter) who have Apple’s iPhone in their pockets should check this piece of news out.
The German automaker has created a new application for the touch screen mobile device that can be used to calculate various performance figures for a vehicle.
The application which is free and can be found on iTunes enables it’s user to obtain sprint times, distance and g-forces experienced. Just like other applications like this, the M Power Meter uses the iPhone’s built-in accelerometer to make the above calculations.
