Vehicles

UAVs shrink as technology grows AeroVironment says it achieved a technological milestone never achieved before by building and flying a wing-flapping air vehicle, carrying its own energy source and using only two flapping wings for propulsion and control. Read full story

AAA EV mobile fast-charging research project under way Organization finds members’ interest in electric vehicles and looks to develop road service system to provide 15 miles of range in 15 minutes. AAA is working with generators powered by CNG, PTO hydraulic takeoffs, lithium-ion battery packs, and diesel engines. Read full story

NAIAS 2012: VIA Motors shows electric drive system for retrofit to trucks, vans, SUVs Former General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz, now a VIA Director, says work trucks make the most sense for vehicle electrification. Read full story

NAIAS 2012: Falcon Motor Sports introduces production version of F7 “supercar” First-year production run of 10 units in a Series I is planned. Price is $225,000 for model with 7.0-L V8 rated at 620 hp. Ricardo supplies six-speed manual transmission. Read full story

Ford touts Shelby GT500 as world's most powerful V8 Ford lands a bolt from the Blue Oval to stake a 650 hp (485 kW) claim to the world's most powerful production V8 engine with the 200-mph ((322 km/h) 2013 Shelby GT500. Read full story

NAIAS 2012: New Honda Accord to feature next-gen powertrains including plug-in hybrid The 2013 Accord, which goes on sale this fall, will feature three all-new powertrains, including the first U.S. application of both a 2.4-L direct-injected engine and two-motor plug-in hybrid system from Honda’s next-generation Earth Dreams powertrain technologies. The V6 Accord will be the first Honda sedan to feature a new six-speed automatic transmission. Read full story

NAIAS 2012: Toyota shows smaller, lighter Prius and plug-in concept targeted for 2015 To reduce weight, scale, and improve efficiency for the Prius c, every major component of the hybrid system was redesigned and high-strength steels were used in the chassis, while the NS4 signals Toyota’s new direction in design. Read full story

NAIAS 2012: More diesels coming to U.S. More U.S. consumers are buying diesel-powered passenger vehicles, and more diesel-powered vehicle choices are en route for the U.S. market. Read full story

NAIAS 2012: Jetta Hybrid has pure EV mode Volkswagen chose the 2012 NAIAS in Detroit to debut a hybrid version of its new Jetta with a 1.4-L TSI four-cylinder engine, a seven-speed DSG transmission, and a 20-kW electric motor. Read full story