Design/Styling

Oak Ridge collaborates for cheaper carbon fiber Lightweight vehicles of the future will require strong carbon-fiber composite structures, but low-cost fibers are needed for market viability. Overcoming the challenges to cheaper carbon fiber is exactly what a research team at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is aiming to do at its new Carbon Fiber Technology Facility in Tennessee. Read full story

RAV4 EV races to market After just a 22-month development program, engineers from Toyota and Tesla have produced an all-electric version of the popular SUV. Read full story

DIY fold-up micro-EVs aim for urban mobility on demand Electric two-seaters and charging stations can supply efficient "first- and last-mile" transportation for commuters from homes and workplaces to mass transit. Read full story

Fiat explores multipurpose design with 500L Head of Fiat and Abarth Design, Roberto Giolito, regards multipurpose vehicle design as being "under-explored" and explains what Fiat is doing about it via the new 500L. Read full story

Engineering firm all about functional excellence With the aim of becoming a center of excellence in electric vehicle development, Applus IDIADA is bringing its technical capability in that arena to the SAE 2012 World Congress in Detroit April 24-26. Read full story

Jeep pickup among concepts for Moab The recent reveal of two Wrangler-based concept trucks again raises the question as to whether Jeep will add a production pickup to its lineup. Read full story

Acura shows new flagship concept The upmarket Honda brand has added hybrid power and four-wheel steering to its largest sedan and renamed it the RLX. Read full story

Flying car makes debut in New York With folding wings to reduce width to garageable status, the Terrafugia Transition Roadable Aircraft fits into the “light sport plane” category and delivers 35 mpg fuel economy on the road. The company claims 100 orders with $10,000 deposits for the $279,000 vehicle. Read full story

2013 Buick Enclave makes debut in New York The crossover has freshened front and rear styling, a six-speed automatic with Generation II module and software for improved driveability, and a center front airbag is installed in all models. Read full story