Powertrain

“Lincoln Motor Company” opened for business New York City’s Lincoln Center served as the backdrop for Ford's “reboot” of its luxury brand as the Lincoln Motor Company. The revival begins with the MKZ midsize sedan, but further differentiation could come from more exclusive high-performance versions of existing powerplants, plus perhaps European engines. And Ford’s rear-drive architecture, used by the Mustang, and it is being evaluated for luxury performance car use. Read full story

Vortex rocket engine reaps the whirlwind Lightweight combustion chamber walls stay cool because hot-burning propellant remains confined to a central cyclone Read full story

Fiat and Chrysler unveil 2014 battery-electric 500e The battery-electric Fiat 500e features a 24-kW·h NiMgCo lithium-ion battery sourced from SB LiMotive and an 83-kW traction motor. The car is not aimed at traditional EV customers, according to Fiat's North American marketing boss. Read full story

Fuel-cell vehicles from Hyundai coming soon 1000 Tucson ix35 hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are to take to the road by 2015, says the Korean carmaker. Read full story

2013 Honda Fit EV applies ‘lessons learned’ from fuel-cell Clarity The electrified powertrain, a newly developed regenerative braking system, and Bio-Fabric seating material in Honda's new Fit EV all stem from developments in the FCX Clarity fuel-cell car and other EV forebears. Read full story

Magnet-based wireless EV charger could be smaller, safer, and cheaper A new noncontact power-transfer technology is under demonstration at the University of British Columbia. Read full story

SEMA panel looks to keep unlicensed teens focused on cars Only 49% of teenagers get a driver’s license when they reach 17, a drop from 79% in 1978. Racing and track panelists explain efforts to keep teens interested in cars until they’re ready to buy. Read full story

Alternative powertrains must survive the 'hype cycle' SEMA VP Waraniak explains the five-step “hype cycle” for such emerging technologies as plug-in electric vehicles. Chrysler VP Gradu sees diesel as the most cost-effective choice for car performance. In the background is “Goodwin Assist,” a prototype concept to provide electric-drive assist in large vehicles, but at obviously higher cost. Read full story

EV charging infrastructure gets close look at NextEnergy Unknowns such as future sales volumes of pure and partial electric vehicles make it difficult to predict how the EV charging infrastructure will be built out. Read full story