With the launch of the 2008 BMW 5-Series, the automaker also introduced a regenerative braking system, which is the first time such a system has been used on a non-hybrid car.

BMW’s Brake Energy Regeneration system works by harnessing the energy currently lost through engine over-run during braking. Using an intelligent alternator, which engages during braking, the system powers the battery to 100 percent with what would have been lost energy. It also reduces drag on the engine by only engaging and charging when required. The system cuts CO2 emissions and fuel consumption by around three percent.

BMW’s Brake Energy Regeneration is part of the company’s Efficient Dynamics program that aims to reduce vehicle weight, lower fuel consumption and improve efficiency in other areas such as aerodynamics, all with the aim of developing more power from less fuel in a lower-weight vehicle.

Video after the jump.

## Source: BMW ##

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Mercedes’ new S-Class comes with the automaker’s new night vision assistance system. Mercedes’ S-Class night-vision drive technology uses two infrared projector and a windshield-mounted camera, and displays and enhanced image onto a screen. With the system, enhanced images of what is in front of the car extend out to the distance of normal high beams, but are available without having the high beams on.

According to a 2003 U.S. Department of Transportation study, more than 20 percent of fatal accidents occur between midnight and 6:00 am, while that period only accounts for only 2.4 percent of traffic volume. About half of all fatal pedestrian accidents also occur at night, despite far fewer people on the roads.

Mercedes’ night-vision is just one of the technologies that help identify hazardous conditions and can help drivers avoid collisions with pedestrians, animals or objects.

Video after the jump.

## Source: Mercedes-Benz ##

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Volkswagen Group CEO Martin Winterkorn has once again confirmed that the automaker is working on a hybrid system for its compact cars, like its Golf and Polo.

Winterkorn has acknowledged that Japanese automakers, especially Toyota and Honda, have a clear lead on VW in the development of hybrid technology. However, Winterkorn believes VW will catch up quickly.

Volkswagen first hybrid will be a hybrid version of Touareg SUV, which will be joined by a Porsche Cayenne hybrid. The Golf and Polo models are expected to be ready sometime around the end of the decade.

## Source: Speigel Online ##

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General Motors unveiled its new 2.9L V6 turbodiesel engine at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show. The new engine features state-of-the-art piezo-electric injection and a closed-loop combustion technology for low emissions and high performance. The engine uses a variable geometry turbo and its exhaust-gas aftertreatment system includes an oxidation catalyst and a particulate filter. The new four-valve V6 engine is the first in a new GM family of diesel engines. The engine can be installed in a longitudinal or transverse layout and can be used in either two- or all-wheel drive vehicles.

The 2.9L V6 turbodiesel engine, which delivers 250-hp and an impressive 406 lb-ft of torque, will make its debut in 2009 2009 in the new Cadillac CTS.

GM’s press release states that the new turbodiesel will be sold “mainly” in Europe, which could leave the door open for U.S. sales if luxury diesel sales take off.

Full press release after the jump.

## Source: General Motors ##

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Toyota is the dominate player in hybrids, but it’s not Toyota’s way to rest on its laurels and let others catch up. That’s why it is working on developing a plug-in hybrid vehicle, said Toyota North America President Jim Press. Toyota hasn’t announced plans for a production plug-in hybrid, but it is in product development and it is open to joining with other automakers in battery development

Press said the biggest challenge for plug-in hybrids is the battery technology, which echoes what others in Toyota and other automakers are saying. Toyota is working on the next-generation battery, but would be willing to cooperate with other automakers its development.

## Source: Reuters ##

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DaimlerChrysler and BMW have announced that they are expanding their hybrid system collaboration. The two German automakers have already worked with General Motors on the development of the two-mode full hybrid system, which will debut in early 2008 on the Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon and Dodge Durango.

DaimlerChrysler and BMW will work together to develop a mild hybrid drive system to be used in both automaker’s rear-wheel-drive premium segment cars. The system is expected to go into production in about three years. The technolgy will be adapted by the companies to fit the different character of the two brands.

Press release after the jump.

## Source: DaimlerChrysler ##

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Mercedes-Benz continues to expand its BLUETEC offerings, and has announced its first four-cylinder BLUETEC model, the Vision C 220 BLUETEC, which it will debut at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show. Mercedes-Benz’s BLUETEC diesel initiative and the associated technology is designed to reduce diesel vehicle emissions, especially nitrogen oxides.

The Vision C 220 BLUETEC follows the Mercedes-Benz E320 BLUETEC, which launched in the U.S. in October 2006. Mercedes-Benz has also announced three further V6 BLUETEC models starting as early as 2008 — R Class, M-Class and GL-Class — which have BIN-5 certification for all 50 states.

The Vision C220 BLUETEC concept features four-cylinder BLUETEC engine developing 170-hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Like the standard-production engines, the BLUETEC engine includes four valves per cylinder, third-generation common-rail direct injection, a turbocharger with a variable nozzle turbine and exhaust gas recirculation. The BLUETEC technology adds an oxidizing catalytic converter, a particulate filter, and a modified NOx storage catalytic converter that includes patented on-board ammonia generation combined with an additional SCR catalytic converter. This system of exhaust-gas treatment requires no additives, like urea injection systems

The Vision C220 BLUETEC concept only requires 5.5 litres of diesel per hundred kilometers — that’s about 43 miles per gallon for us in the States.

## Source: DaimlerChrysler ##

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BMW will offer an eight-speed automatic transmission on the next-generation 7-Series when it debuts in 2009 or 2010, according to industry sources. BMW’s new eight-speed automatic is being developed by ZF Friedrichshafen, who also designed the current model’s six-speed automatic.

BMW was the first to offer a six-speed automatic transmission on the 7-Series back in 2001, but two years later, Mercedes added another speed when it equipped the S-Class with seven-speed automatic. Lexus jumped to the front with its new eight-speed auto in the LS 460.

BMW isn’t the only automaker with an eight-speed automatic on the horizon. General Motors is thought to be developing an eight-speed automatic, which will likely be mated to Cadillac’s new V8.

## Source: Automotive News ##

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Honda announced that it will unveil the “Small Hybrid Sports Concept” at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Following Toyota’s recent debut of the FT-HS Hybrid Sports Concept at the Detroit Auto Show in January, Honda’s concept also merges a hybrid engine and a fun-to-drive, but in a smaller package.

“Honda Small Hybrid Sports Concept represents Honda’s proposal for a future hybrid model. The Concept demonstrates a unique fusion of advanced hybrid technology and fun-to-drive sports car characteristics,” Honda said in a statement. “The Small Hybrid Sports Concept, which has been designed by Honda R&D Europe based in Offenbach, Germany explores the idea that a car can have a low environmental impact yet still deliver all the driving enjoyment expected of a compact sports car.”

There were no details about what hybrid powerplant would be used.

Honda will show its fully driveable FCX fuel-cell vehicle for the first time in Europe. Honda will also unveil a new clean diesel engine, which uses ammonia generated within the catalytic converter, instead of external urea injection, to meet stringent US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier II/Bin 5 requirements.

Full press release and larger image after the jump.

## Source: Honda ##

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Volvo has confirmed that its is developing a hybrid electric plug-in version if its C30 hatchback. A prototype of the C30 plug-in hybrid may compete in November’s Michelin Challenge Bibendum in Shanghai.

The C30 plug-in hybrid prototype is expected to use a small diesel engine and an electric generator. With fully charged batteries, the car will be able to run solely on battery power for up to 45 miles.

The Volvo C30 plug-in hybrid follows Ford’s Edge with HySeries Drive — the world’s first drivable fuel cell hybrid electric plug-in — which debuted at the Washington Auto Show.

## Source: Autocar ##

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Volkswagen is supporting the production of mass biofuel to help ensure a sustainable, environmentally-friendly future. VW is also working to develop a zero-emissions combustion engine technology, called the Combined Combustion System.

“The goal is not just to produce a biofuel, it is to reduce CO2 production,” said Dr. Wolfgang Steiger, Volkswagen’s head of powertrain development.

Steiger added, “that aside from the tangible benefits of improving local air quality and reducing global carbon dioxide emissions” VW also wants to reduce the dependency on crude oil. VW predicts oil prices may become unstable as early as 2020.

Second-generation biofuel — ‘SunFuel’ in VW-speak — produces a closed carbon dioxide cycle, absorbing as much CO2 as it creates.

## Source: Autocar ##

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When BMW’s M5 debuted, it was only available with a seven-speed SMG gearbox, however, due to frequent complaints BMW has finally made a six-speed manual available for 2007. Despite the new manual, the complaints are likely to continue since BMW has removed the ability to completely disable the traction control.

According to Car magazine, the reason for preventing traction control from being completely disabled comes not from the legal department, but from the engineers. With a manual transmission, there is no computer control for clutch plate actuation. And with the M5 V10’s massive power output, full throttle starts would cause significant axle tramp, which would lead to significantly slower acceleration times. Even worse, it would greatly shorten the life of the drivetrain, and that is something that BMW wanted to avoid.

The only way for BMW to control the drivetrain was to make it so you couldn’t completely disable traction control.

## Source: Car Magazine ##

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Volkswagen will unveil its second BlueMotion vehicle — the Passat BlueMotion — at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show in March. VW’s BlueMotion banner is for its most fuel-efficient vehicle in a given model segment. The first car to receive the BlueMotion banner was the Polo BlueMotion, which sips a measly 3.9 liters per 100 kilometer (over 70 miles per gallon). Volkswagen has said it will also have a BlueMotion version of the Golf, and is likely to develop a Touran version as well.

The Passat BlueMotion will be powered by a 1.9L TDI motor delivering 105-hp to acheive best-in-class fuel-efficiency. Other than the engine and transmission, there is no news what other modifications will be made to the car. However, reports say that the differences between the Passat BlueMotion and a standard Passat will be virtually imperceptible to the casual observer, since the Passat will not require the same aero improvements that were needed on the Polo.

The Passat BlueMotion will go on sale in the second half of this year, with initial sales in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

## Source: autoweek.nl ##

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Silicon Valley-based electric car maker Tesla Motors is opening an engineering center in Rochester Hills, MI. Telsa CEO Martin Eberhard has said that the company has already hired a dozen engineers for the new technical center.

In an interview with the Oakland Press, Eberhard said the Rochester Hills staff is focused on Tesla’s “White Star” program — a basic architecture that can be used for its all-electric sedan or future crossovers.

“We’re deep into the engineering on White Star and staffing up like crazy,” said Eberhard. “We’re looking to hire chassis engineers, body engineers and suspension engineers, not so much on the power plant.” He added, “If you want to hire good automotive engineers, you have to come here,”

Tesla’s goal is to produce an electric vehicle that will sell for around $50,000 — about half the price of the company’s $92,000 Lotus-built electric Roadster.

## Source: Oakland Press ##

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Today in his keynote speech at the Washington Auto Show, DaimlerChrysler’s CEO Dieter Zetsche encouraged U.S. lawmakers to support a diversity of approaches to reducing dependence on foreign oil. Zetsche cautioned against policies that favor hybrids over other fuel-saving technologies, pointing out the new generation of BLUETEC clean diesels.

“What we need to avoid in this country is a legislative bias that favors a single technology, be it hybrid or anything else,” Zetsche said. “State and federal governments shouldn’t be in the business to giving certain vehicle drive technologies an edge in the market.”

Zetsche’s speech encouraged legislators to rethink fuel economy policies, with new policies that encourages more technologies and offer a great choice.

While the majority of DaimlerChrysler focus is on clean diesel, it “is not pursuing diesel to the exclusion of other alternate fuel technologies.” DaimlerChrysler has invested more than $1 billion in fuel cell technologies, and, working with GM and BMW, has developed a state-of-the-art, two-mode, full hybrid powertrain.

## Source: DaimlerChrysler ##

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