Among the foremost challenges in the development of hybrids and electric cars are the size, weight and cost of the current generation of batteries. In order to deliver sufficient capacity using today's technology, it is necessary to fit large batteries, which in turn increases the car's weight. Earlier this year, a materials development project was launched by Imperial College in London that brought together nine European companies and institutes. Volvo Cars is the only car manufacturer participating in the project. With the help of 35 million SEK (approx. 3.5 million EURO) in financial support from the European Union (EU), a composite blend of carbon fibres and polymer resin is being developed that can store and charge more energy faster than conventional batteries can. At the same time, the material is extremely strong and pliant, which means it can be shaped for use in building the car's body panels. According to calculations, the car's weight could be cut by as much as 15 percent if steel body panels were replaced with the new material. The project will continue for three years. In the first stage, work focuses both on developing the composite material so it can store more energy and on studying ways of producing the material on an industrial scale. Only in the final stage will the battery be fitted to a car.
Happenings

Tomorrow's Volvo Car

IN Volvo, Hybrid, Electric, Green

Can body panels serve as a car's battery?


Performance wise, the Eagle EfficientGrip is designed for maximum control in all year round driving conditions and reduced wet-braking distances for rock-solid vehicle stability. With a high number of biting edges gripping the road surface for greater traction, the tyre is built with the maximum ratio of blading in the contact patch to achieve safer cornering and maximum grip in all driving conditions. Based on external tests on wet-braking performance, the Eagle EfficientGrip outperforms a leading competitor in its class. This wet-braking test was conducted by TÃœV SÃœD Automotive GmbH in Mireval, on size 205/55 R16 on a low mu wet asphalt surface, and showed that the Eagle EfficientGrip indeed reduces wet-braking distances of up to 1.7 metres versus a leading competitor. The Goodyear Eagle EfficientGrip is available in 17 sizes in 45 — 65 series, 15-17 inch rims with V, W and Y speed ratings.
Happenings

Goodyear Launches Eagle EfficientGrip

IN Goodyear, EfficientGrip, Tyre

The new Eagle EfficientGrip is Goodyear’s quietest, most comfortable tyre ever.


Toyota Camrys were used for the dry section. No matter how hard the cars were driven, Yokohama tyres kept everyone safe.
Happenings

Yokohama ADVAN dB Test Drive

IN Yokohama, YHI, Tyre, ADVAN dB, Singapore

In anticipation of Yokohama's latest offering - the Advan dB - YHI, local distributor of the Japanese tyre maker, invited media to test drive this premium comfort tyre.


The factory-fitted RNS 510 radio navigation system uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) to provide turn-by-turn route guidance. It features full touchscreen control on its 6.5-inch widescreen display. For added convenience, voice control can be used for certain functions. The device identifies short voice commands like “start route guidance” and immediately begins to calculate the route.
Happenings

Volkswagen Makes GPS A Standard Feature

IN RNS 510, GPS, VW, Volkswagen

The RNS 510 radio navigation system is now a standard issue on 10 Volkswagen models.


At Sepang International Circuit, the RS owners were guided by Denis Lian and other experienced instructors from Wearnes Motorsports in navigating their Renaults on the challenging track. Under the tutelage of these instructors, the RS owners can better understand their Renaults on the track as well as improve their handling of the cars.
Happenings

Renault Trackday For Renault Sports Customers

IN Wearnes Automotive, Renault, RS, R26, R27, Megane, Wearnes Motorsports

Renault Sport (RS) owners were recently invited to test their Renaults on the Sepang International Circuit on 15th October 2010.


Happenings

Nissan GT-R Egoist

Nissan reveals new GT-R face-lift for 2011, and the model to note is the luxury clad GT-R Egoist.


“Saab has already achieved a great deal in a short space of time. We have strengthened our global organization, successfully launched a new flagship model, forged exciting new business partnerships and ramped up the development of future products and technologies. “Over the next 12 months Saab will launch two more premium cars, in addition to the new 9-5 sedan, and will enter at least one new market segment. These vehicles will be engineered and designed as true Saabs. All this activity shows Saab is firmly on track to deliver on its business plan.” Another recognition added to the Saab brand is when TIME Magazine named Saab 9-5, one of the best cars of 2011. Poised to take on competition, this recognition for Saab 9-5 comes very timely as Singapore will unveil the all new Saab 9-5 soon.
Happenings

Saab 9-5 Named As One Of The Best Cars For 2011

IN Saab, 9-5, Victor Muller

Recognition for achievements of Saab Automobile Chairman Victor Muller from major European automotive publication signals the start of a new era for the Saab brand.


Now, iPhone users who are into cars can now watch and listen to sound clips and videos of the various exhaust systems - wherever they are. They can also view the current range of AC Schnitzer demonstrator and press vehicles for sale, which come from AC Schnitzer's own pool at their head office in Neuenhofstraße in Aachen.
Happenings

AC Schnitzer's iPhone App

IN IPhone, App, Ac Schnitzer

Tuning on your mobile, with the new iPhone App by AC Schnitzer.


Virtually all the lines were penned to carve out the dynamic profile. The C-pillar of the all-new S60 stretches sensually all the way to the tail lamps, and the slim coupe-like roof line is accompanied by a new contour on the shoulders on either side of the lower body, creating a gentle yet powerful double wave from the headlamps at the front to the tail lamps at the rear. The dip in the middle of the double wave visually pushes the car down. This enhances the stance and makes the car look sleeker and lower. The sculpted bonnet and the short overhangs front and rear also emphasise the sports car feel.
Happenings

All-New Volvo S60

IN Volvo, S60, Wearnes Automotive

With its extrovert attitude never seen before in Volvo showrooms, the all-new Volvo S60 makes its entry into the highly competitive CD premium segment.


Happenings

SAFRA Motor Sports Club's Defensive Car Control Course

IN SAFRA, SMSC, DCCC, Defensive Driving, Safety

A group of driving enthusiasts recently attended a Defensive Car Control Course organised by SMSC.


Compared to the first generation Touareg, the new Touareg has its dimensions increased in both length and width as well as a lower centre of gravity. And that's not all, for the new Touareg despite its increase in size is now a lighter machine for better power to weight ratio (208 kg lighter) due to targeted body modifications, material selection and a lighter weight power train. And even though the new Touareg is now a lighter machine, its body has a five percent greater torsional rigidity (24,800 Nm/°), making it the leader in its class.
Happenings

New Volkswagen Touareg

IN VW, Volkswagen, Touareg

A luxury class SUV redefined, the Touareg offers a high level of comfort, sporty driving properties and excellent quality in a passenger car on and off-road.


Happenings

All-New Lotus Esprit

IN Lotus, Esprit, Concept, Singapore

The most eagerly anticipated Lotus makes its return. Without doubt, this is the car that the true Lotus aficionados have been waiting for: The ultimate Lotus.


Held in the day, the test drives had the participants' plying their driving routes from Conrad Bali at Benoa to the Peak that overlooks the idyllic Suluban Beach at Uluwatu. In the process of driving to and fro in all 19 spanking new BMWs that ranged from the 325i to the latest X5 xDrive 30d, the participants' fuel efficiency were measured and recorded to see which driver is the most fuel efficient.
Happenings

EfficientDynamics: BMW's Strategy For Sustainable Mobility

IN BMW, EcoDrive, EfficientDynamics

The BMW Group recently hosted the EcoDrive and EfficientDynamics Day in Bali for the media from 30 September to 3 October 2010.


As a global market leader in automotive technology, Bosch believes that the future of electric vehicles will be shaped with innovative solutions. The company is confident that electric vehicles will continuously gain market share, as technological solutions for both vehicles and infrastructure are further developed. Whilst Bosch is already devoting substantial research efforts to electric power trains and batteries, it is also supporting Singapore’s eMobility test bed via its newly setup software and systems unit in Singapore, Innovations Software Technology. Innovations Software Technology’s strength is to develop advanced, modular software solutions that can be customised for a variety of enterprises. Their flexible design offers a comfortable information platform for the drivers of electric vehicles and to network operators, it provides the ability to remotely manage charging stations, including software update, encryption, metering, billing and surveillance. There is also a smart grid control function for utilities to monitor demand and energy distribution. In addition, the open system enables easy integration with other software solutions for supplementary business models and information services which can be easily interconnected. Together with local partners SingTel and Greenlots, this project marks Bosch’s foray into developing urban infrastructure system solutions to achieve an integrated infrastructure for electric vehicles in a mega city environment for the first time in Asia Pacific.
Happenings

Bosch’s “eMobility Solution”

IN Bosch, Electric Vehicles, EMobility

Bosch will be providing charging stations and software to manage mobility in mega cities and support the proliferation of electric vehicles in Singapore.


... and voila, it's done! If only it was that easy.
Happenings

ABT Open-house 2010 at Autovox

IN ABT, Autovox, Audi, Volkswagen, Open-house, Singapore

Autovox welcomed friends and media to the first ABT Sportsline open-house. Set in a casual backdrop of their showroom, guests were treated to ABT tuned demo cars to drive and a yummy buffet to boot


Classy and elegant, the Renault Fluence is Renault’s latest addition to the new Renault Family. The Renault Fluence 1.6A is designed with the aim to stand out as the most attractive sedan of its class. Beneath its elegant silhouette, lies an elegant interior, a long list of equipment and more passenger space than any in its class. With a length of 4.62 metres and its class-leading features, the Renault Fluence is positioned halfway between the C segment, for compact family cars, and the segment immediately above it.
Happenings

Renault Fluence Sneak Peek

IN Renault, Fluence

Renault F1 drivers recently unveiled a new potential volume seller at the Renault F1 media event at the Leng Kee Renault showroom last month.


The main focus for the development of the 2011 Corolla Altis was to improve driving performance and fuel efficiency with the car featuring a new generation engine (1ZR-FE) with improved combustion due to the enhancement of the engine's intake efficiency and reduction of friction in its components. Coupled with the adoption of Toyota's advanced Dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing-Intelligent) technology, the new Corolla Altis now provides more power and torque from the low to mid speed range as well as better fuel efficiency with lower CO2 emissions.
Happenings

New Toyota Corolla Altis

IN Toyota, Corolla, Altis

Borneo Motors (Singapore) Pte Ltd has recently unveiled the new 2011 Toyota Corolla Altis 1.6L with Dual VVT-i.


Happenings

YHI Relocates Temporarily

IN YHI, Pandan Road, Jalan Besut

YHI Corporation Singapore Pte Ltd will be undergoing a total reconstruction due to business expansion plans.


Mercedes-Benz Financial Services launches the iPhone®app 'myStar' that allows users to calculate current financing conditions for Mercedes-Benz cars. All they need to key into the free application is their preferred down payment as well as a monthly payment amount and they will be able to see which model they can best purchase. Together with this calculation, the latest car image, information and specifications of the selected model will be displayed. The iPhone®app 'myStar' is also expected to roll out in other markets namely Australia, China and Korea.
Happenings

iPhone®app “myStar”

IN Mercedes-Benz, IPhone app, MyStar

Mercedes-Benz Financial Services launches iPhone®app 'myStar' which calculates current financing conditions for Mercedes-Benz cars at a touch of the screen.


Happenings

Spyker C8 Aileron In Singapore

IN Spyker, C8, Aileron, Singapore, Auto Palace, Exotic

The order book is open for Spyker's all-new long wheelbase model. Continuing the heritage of performance, craftsmanship and exclusivity, the all-new Spyker C8 Aileron is indeed one-of-a-kind.



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