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Zone, spot HVAC systems could save fuel or extend EV range New Denso system, Hyundai EV project demonstrate efficiencies from separate zones for climate control. A Delphi/General Motors project with a DOE grant evaluates use of thermoelectric modules for spot cooling in front-seat occupant zones. Read full story

Body and soul rule at 2012 Formula SAE The 106 open-wheel racecars vying for top honors at the 2012 Formula SAE Michigan challenge were design originals developed and built by collegiate engineering students. Read full story

Ford’s next-gen EcoBoost aims for 25% vehicle fuel economy improvement Ford’s next-generation EcoBoost engine technology will likely feature some combination of aggressive cooled EGR, further advancements in valvetrain and turbocharger control, and engine downspeeding, with the goal of improving vehicle fuel economy by 25%. Engineers believe up to 40% brake thermal efficiency can be achieved from stoichiometric-regime engines at moderate cost. Read full story

BASF's new U.S. headquarters features sustainable construction Intended to achieve Platinum status in U.S. Green Building Council program, the new building incorporates 30 BASF technologies and is projected to use 20% less energy than would a building made with conventional construction technologies. Read full story

Rough road ahead for EV battery costs Increasing manufacturing scale is critical in getting lithium-ion battery costs down; it will not be nearly enough to reach the U.S. Advanced Battery Consortium target of $150/kW·h by 2020. Read full story

Many benefits, many questions surround vehicle-to-vehicle communications Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) technologies address three key automotive trends: improving safety, conserving fuel, and reducing emissions. But there are still questions about whether this communications technology will ever make it onto vehicles. Read full story

Security will be key factor in vehicle-to-vehicle communications As the U.S. Department of Transportation prepares for field tests that will help it decide whether to mandate vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications, potential suppliers are focusing on safety and security issues. Read full story

Patent revocation, counterfeiting fears cloud A/C changeover to R-1234yf Honeywell patent for R-1234yf revoked by European Patent Office, but company appeals and files additional patents. R-1234yf supply situation unlikely to improve until October. Cost issue creates possible opportunity for blend refrigerants. Refrigerant counterfeiting problems hit military. Read full story

Thermal storage evaporators offer idle-stop cost saving for A/C operation Idle-stop may add to city fuel economy and is eligible for 2.9 g/mi carbon credits, so it is starting to appear as a U.S. option. Need for A/C operation leads to evaluation of evaporators with thermal storage in waxes. Delphi promises U.S. OE installation for 2015, following low-volume Behr system in European BMW 7 Series. Read full story