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This paper explains the evolution of Electric and Hybrid propulsion system from its early beginning and the drawbacks faced along the way, explaining why the Internal Combustion Engine turned out to be dominant and the reasons why the fossil fuel model is now in question. It explains the recent developments that allowed its production and the progressive electrification steps leading from conventional Internal Combustion Technology towards the top electrification technologies. It demonstrates how some old-fashioned technologies are reinvented in order to boost performance and efficiency on Hybrid Propulsion systems. The paper explains the evolution on the Hybrid Propulsion Systems architecture in the last 20 years and how it brought a considerable improvement on efficiency and performance leading to the highly advanced hybrid vehicles now in production. It also points out to future new developments on the sector.

Analytical models are very useful to the vehicle dynamics project engineer in order to provide simple solutions that bring at the same time a deep understanding of the physical phenomena being studied. Due to their structure, the input of analytical models are only the variables of interest affecting the concerned handling metrics - this fact reduce the parameters quantity to build the same model, making them proper choices for advanced studies. Additionally, analytical models are more efficient in computational terms, aspect convenient for studies that involve large amounts of calculation iterations like numerical optimization processes. This paper presents analytical model results for the roll gradient, understeer gradient and steering sensitivity metrics and proposes enhancements in order to obtain results with accuracy compatible to the experimental measured variables.

The sheet metal joining through spot welding is the most widely used process for automotive body building, where an average vehicle has around 5,000 spot welding points in its structure. In this sense, the spot welding project is critical to the final product performance and it must be done in a way that can assure both quality and durability of the vehicle, already taking into consideration the fact that the spot weld mechanical properties related to fatigue and rupture resistance are much lower when compared to other available welding techniques like MIG welding for example. These properties have a direct impact in the fatigue durability and crashworthiness properties of the vehicle, as a significant part of the structural resistance goes through these spot welds. With this scenario, the correct application of FEA techniques is very important to assure that the projected joints and spot weld disposition meet the product targets in terms of safety and durability.

For high CG passenger vehicles the body control is a very important parameters for customer perception. The compromise between cornering (body roll) and uneven road (head toss) is the main goal. This paper describes how dampers, spring rate and anti roll bar can influence the desired compromise. Single channel Four Post system and vehicle dynamics measurements give the necessary support for this analysis.