Vehicles

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

Taking on uphill battles As Vehicle Engineering Manager for the Ford Escape, Ron Razzano is used to overcoming obstacles, managing hundreds of often-conflicting vehicle attributes. In his free time, Razzano also goes to great lengths to face challenges, often the peaks of some of the world’s top mountain ranges. 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

College students help TARDEC design hybrid vehicle Military vehicles are adopting hybrid technologies to help reduce oil consumption and carry extra battery capability when warfighters need it. The U.S. Army’s Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center in Warren, MI, is highlighting a demonstrator that performs the functions of a Humvee while consuming far less fuel. Read full story

Infiniti targets true seven-passenger utility with JX crossover With the JX seven-passenger luxury crossover, Infiniti set out to build a family driver that met demands for interior flexibility and roominess, safety, and enhanced hospitality features. 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

Putting the sport in the 2013 Explorer Sport The new performance-tuned model gets its growl from a unique dual exhaust system and its power from an EcoBoost 3.5-L V6 engine and borrows some other upgrades from Ford's Police Interceptor Utility. 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