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Cadillac CTS GM's all-new global sports sedan makes no excuses in chassis dynamics, body integrity, powertrain performance, premium materials, and overall craftsmanship. Taking control of hybrids Software must monitor and manage many parameters while coordinating the complex operations of the engine, electric motors, and batteries. LIghter, faster, lower cost Ducati's top engineer brought a "maniacal" approach to developing the 1098 superbike. Diesels' brave new year Lean-NOx catalysts, closed-loop cylinder pressure sensing, and homogenous combustion are making "50-states" diesels a reailty. Behind the curtain AEI takes an in-depth look at how the designers and engineers at General Motors took the company's trio of new crossover SUVs from sketchbook to road. Engineering from everywhere With future growth in car and truck sales coming mainly from emerging markets, companies are realigning their engineering operations accordingly.

Global Viewpoints North America North American automakers and suppliers know that moving the ball forward technologically is their best bet for survival, if not success. In the special section on the following pages, some of the automotive industry's top executives discuss the latest trends and their strategies for game-changing vehicle engineering and development. GM's new battery boss Denise Gray has global responsiblity for bringing the best energy storagte systems to GM's expanding hybrid program. Energy, environment, and engineering The drive toward energy security and environmental responsiblity is leading many automakers, Chrysler Group included, down a variety of technological avenues--diesels, biofuels, and hydrogen fuel cells among them. Investing in future business Delphi has had its ups and downs since departing from the General Motors umbrella in 1999 as a fully independent publicly traded company, but 2007 may reign as the ultimate watershed year for the supplier.

Global viewpoints: technology leads the way From fuel cells to flexible circuitry, advanced technologies are helping North American automakers and suppliers build vehicles that deliver increasingly high levels of safety, reliability, performance, and comfort/convenience. Sensor development for occupant rollover protection Delphi Automotive Systems pursues new devices for the pecularities of rollover conditions. Several steps toward recovery Making new vehicles out of old vehicles--as well as discarded carpeting--enables automakers to do the right thing for the environment, society, and their balance statements. Englightened interiors Product developers at Chicago Miniature Lamp discuss trends and advances in automotive interior lighting. Geneva Motor Show highlights Vehicles on display at the event, held in early March, ranged from the bizarre to the functional.

Spoilt for choice The auto industry's options list includes biofuels, hydrogen, hybrids, fuel cells, and batteries--but will it be all, or nothing at all? Moving eastward The automotive industry spreads and grows, suppliers move to east Europe, environmental issues are crucial--and the companies survive that get everything right. Hands-on solution to reduce emissions Literally driving the environmental necessities home may support technology in engines old and new. Cutting emissions: more answers than questions The European auto industry is struggling with alternative fuels and emissions reduction programs, but potential solutions are many and varied--any may become even more so. Hydrogen, the IC engine, and the future It may be the fuel of the future, but views vary about how hydrogen should be used.

CO2 changing focus The global economic crisis could trigger novel engineering solutions and the need for comprehensive testing. ZEVs, fuel cells, and high-tech engines Only 10% of cars on Europe's roads by 2020 may be zero-emissions vehicles, but Mercedes-Benz is supporting future ZEV and other advanced technologies with an undiminished R&D budget. Warning signs Design and engineering lead-time tightening may be strangling innovative thinking, says Royal College of Art's Harrow. The decade ahead Renault anticipates that a majority of its powertrains will be downsized to the 0.9- to 1.2-L range and that electric cars will appeal to 30% of the buying public. Automatic for the people Automatic-shifting dual-clutch transmissions are poised to grab share from traditional transmissions thanks to their combination of efficiency and convenience.

High on hydrogen Through its Symbio joint venture with Michelin, Faurecia expands far beyond its interior-systems base into the fuel-cell future. Simulating a faster route to ADAS and AV validation With its new cloud-based Simphera platform, dSpace responds to demand from global automated-vehicle development teams to help manage their expanding, complex workload. Innovating the methanol fuel cell Using methanol as the source fuel provides an alternative to a gaseous-hydrogen distribution and storage infrastructure, among other potential benefits. Engineering the 2022 Toyota Tundra Chief Engineer Mike Sweers talks structure, materials and a different approach to hybrid power.

FEV and the Art of EV Testing The legendary powertrain-engineering group has expanded its global footprint into EV testing and development to keep pace with changing technologies and customer demand. EVs expand the testing envelope Horiba builds on its core test-systems expertise as it pivots to battery packs, e-motors, fuel cells and their ancillary technologies. Symphony in the key of C8 Tenneco and GM solve multiple technical challenges to engineer the mid-engine Corvette's sweet-sounding active exhaust system. More air for the hydrogen fuel cell New electric-blower technology aims to enhance HFC efficiency. Aeristech engineering boss Luke Read explains.

Volkswagen reveals its 'people's' EV VW's ID.4 leads the 2021 stampede to electrification for the mass market. Answering the fuel-cell compressor question The optimum compressor device for a fuel cell depends on vehicle application - and a lot more. An Eaton expert explains. Tire pressure's impact on EV driving range A new study shows that tighter control of tire-pressure loss can lead to marked improvement in electric-vehicle efficiency. Editorial Warm socks for the EV options list Supplier Eye For suppliers, a new drumbeat New SAE wireless charging standard is EV game-changer Tula DMD aims for more-efficient e-machines Multiphysics helps transform modeling, simulation Is the camshaft being timed out? New Magna seat puts connectivity in the second row BMW reveals its first "M" performance-badged two-wheeler Volkswagen readies new-generation Golf R Q&A Discussing safety tech, standards and industry trends with Hyundai North America's Brian Latouf

BMW readies mainstream carbon-fiber vehicle structures for MY2014 The partnership with SGL Composites is already making parts for the 2014 BMW i3 and i8. AEI visited the pioneering U.S. carbon-fiber plant and witnessed a potential emerging challenger to aluminum for vehicle lightweighting. Driving a safety 'brake-through' As pressure grows for accident-free travel, EuroNCAP is pushing for widespread adoption of autonomous emergency braking (AEB) systems as a way to avoid accidents caused by late braking or braking with insufficient force. A history of leadership Ten years after completing his term on the SAE Board of Directors, Argonne National Laboratory's Donald G. Hillebrand takes on another role-2013 SAE President.

Global Viewpoints - Europe: Smartening up R&D As every aspect of automotive technology makes rapid advances, R&D becomes ever more complex and faces additional pressures on cost and time. In our annual report from Europe, we spoke to very senior executives about their R&D methods and the demanding criteria they face. LEDs light the way for SuperTruck A research team developed a group of low-energy; high-output LED lamps for forward lighting that could be retrofitted into the truck's current incandescent headlamp housing and lens. Plastic proliferation under the hood Plastic components continue to displace metal engine parts because of cost and weight advantages.

Honda flexes new powertrain muscle Honda R&D's top engineer outlines his company's Earth Dreams powertrain assault that includes more efficient, robust, and refined ICEs; new hybrid drive systems; and further developments in FCEVs, HCCI, plasma ignitions, and Rankine-cycle engine types. Setting Hyundai's fuel cell strategy Hyundai is one of two major OEMs that are still going it alone in developing FCEV technology, rather than collaborating with competitors. The company's head of fuel cell R&D explains the path toward 2015 series production. Volvo Trucks makes a case for DME The truck maker is working with Oberon Fuels and others to bring dimethyl ether-what company execs say is one of the most promising sustainable alternative fuels-to North America in 2015. Sensing a need for creature comforts Automakers and suppliers are turning to new sensors to help make cabins more comfortable and safer while automating some tasks.

Motors play an important EV roles Though lithium-ion batteries grab much of the spotlight, improved electric motor technology is crucial in advancing the operation of battery, hybrid, and plug-in electric vehicles. The quality race continues As end-user expectations continue to rise, and pressure on engineering and manufacturing processes spiral, AEI's European Editor interviewed a number of OEM executives for their thoughts on quality and strategies for better vehicles. The real world Convergence 2008 will place emphasis on the challenges of determining and meeting customer needs in creating better electronic systems. A new generation of engine efficiency New technologies help to maximize fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and deliver market-pleasing performance.

Where intelligence goes Changes in distributed or embedded control as well as processor power are altering automotive computing hierarchy. Making chassis magic Nothing beats veteran ride-and-handling engineers in creating a truly integrated chassis. But simulation is increasingly vital to their seat-of-the-pants development work. Mass reduction--the next frontier Automakers turn their attention to reducing vehicle weight in the quest for greater fuel efficiency. Electricity drives forward Continuous advances in component design and integration are helping to overcome cost and performance obstacles. At your service As cost and human-resource pressures mount, testing and engineering outsourcing heats up and alters roles within the industry. Finding the right Formula The University of Wisconsin-Madison won the annual Formula SAE student competition held in Michigan, beating more than 130 other teams aiming to conceive, design, and fabricate the best, small formula-style racing car.

Fuel cell AUTOnomy General Motors stunned the North American International Auto Show audience with a fuel-cell concept intended to revolutionize the way vehicles are designed, built, and operated. Revving up for diesel With diesel engines having such a large automotive presence in Europe, and such a small one in the U.S., suppliers vie for the diesel of the future. High time for hybrids With two already on the road and at least four others slated for launch within the next couple of years, hybrid vehicles are taking center stage in the automotive industry. Whether the technology becomes a mass-market phenomena or niche-filler is a matter of debate--one that will take place at the SAE 2002 World Congress.

Engines for growth Is this the beginning of the end for IC engines? A view from the inside The selection of materials is one of many choices vehicle interior designers face when addressing issues such as ergonomics, aesthetics, comfort, and safety. Electronics and materials for chassis and body The advent of electronics to enhance ride, handling, and braking, and the application of computer-aided design and engineering to create ever stiffer structures, have together transformed both chassis and body technology. Creating reality together In the creation of concept cars, as in the creation of production vehicles, GM designers and engineers work together. E-safety spotlight This Focus on Electronics section highlights some of the latest applications of electronics and communications technology to improve automobile safety. Technology and the Indy Racing League Rule changes and new participants next season mean the series is going to get much more technically interesting.

Spec Formula One The series is moving forward with new rules to reduce cost and make racing more directly relevant to road-car development. Adding foresight Radar and cameras will work together to help drivers avoid accidents. Lexus LS 460:AEI's Best Engineered Vehicle for 2007 The fourth generation of Lexus' global flagship sets new standards in engineering, technical innovation, refinement, and workmanship. Hot off the grid New interest in plug-in hybrids has sparked intense R&D in battery chemistries and systems integration. Digital developments Ever-improving computer-based tools are helping engineers complete more complex designs in shorter time frames with downsized staffs. Illuminating technology Sensor-linked lighting systems, automatic high-beam control, LED headlights, and brand-identifying cabin lighting are enhancing safety, convenience, and the feel-good factor.

Time for hydrogen No longer '20 years in the future,' hydrogen and fuel cells are a vital, high-growth solution for carbon reduction across the transportation and other industry sectors. Quicker pathways to reduce transportation's climate impact Reducing U.S. vehicle emissions will require policies that support a variety of alternatives to fossil-fuel-burning, non-hybrid vehicles. 'Perfect' should not be the enemy of 'good.' BMW reapproaches hydrogen Top engineers in Munich talk about the vital role of H2 fuel cells in the climate crusade as iX5 pilot-fleet production begins.

Valve controls Imagine a valve control system that is infinitely variable irrespective of engine speed and load. Impossible? Not according to Camcon Automotive's technical director Roger Stone, as Ian Adcock discovers Mother Nature knows best What can the automotive industry learn from nature when it comes to weight saving? Ryan Borroff has been finding out Building up the pressure Tony Lewis reports on the growing trend towards even higher line pressures in injection systems.

When fuel cells fly Emerging hydrogen and fuel-cell-based technologies are being developed for the future replacement of onboard electrical systems in more-electric or all-electric aircraft. Motor controls spin forward Improved power handling and software advances make electrified powertrains more competitive. Multiple controllers adds to EV complexity Model-based design has revolutionized the way products are developed, with design shifting from parts to the whole.

Time to get personal Industry engineers are combining apps, voice, the cloud, and other technologies such as artificial intelligence to enable drivers to customize their vehicles and anticipate their needs. Technology report GM and TARDEC co-developing fuel cell powered Chevrolet Colorado for military evaluation vehicles and anticipate their needs. Global vehicles Sports cars take center stage in Tokyo