Vehicles

Local Motors uses crowdsourcing to involve many developers The power of Web communications and the capabilities of modern design tools from the likes of Siemens PLM are being leveraged by Local Motors in crowdsourcing the design of vehicles and their components. The company is also using what it calls micro-factories to produce the designs and providing its services to other companies. Read full story

Aluminum Range Rover slims down by 420 kg The possibility of making a vehicle weight saving equivalent to five male adults is the stuff of dreams for most automotive engineers, but that is what Land Rover has achieved with its new generation luxury off-roader. Read full story

Hyundai uses cloud server to remotely check vehicle performance Blue Link data modem transmits onboard diagnostic data to server as soon as vehicle comes off assembly line. Electronic Pre-Delivery Inspection system is in development, post-delivery monitoring requires attention to privacy concerns, and remote reflashing is on “wish list” but poses major challenges. Read full story

Honda's 2014 plug-in hybrid Accord has three drive modes Forthcoming model has 10-15 mi (16-24 km) range on battery pack, and it also operates in hybrid mode and direct drive from engine through gearset into transaxle. Read full story

Deere releases a faster, more powerful Gator John Deere enters the recreational utility vehicle market with the RSX850i, designed with engineering consultants for Formula One and NASCAR to create an all-new vehicle. Read full story

Europe's aerospace sector at a crossroads Europe is facing a massive black hole in its future defense procurement portfolio. Read full story

Safety first at S-E-A A recreational off-highway vehicle roll-over system simulates both untripped and tripped real-world 90° rollovers using actual ROVs on a simulator. Read full story

Porsche boxes clever with the new Boxster Lighter, longer, lower, stiffer, quicker, more fuel frugal, with enhanced dynamics and cockpit comfort all bringing an altogether more “adult” feel; that sums up the new and much improved generation of the mid-engine two-seat sportscar. Read full story

Long-awaited CAFE regs for MY2017-2025 finalized EPA’s Jackson says support and cooperation of automakers, unions, and other stakeholders in development of the new regulations prove they are “achievable and cost-effective.” Read full story