After three years of co-developing a new-generation fuel cell stack aimed at light vehicles, military, aerospace and other applications, Honda and GM have announced the establishment of Fuel Cell System Manufacturing LLC—the industry’s first joint venture for fuel-cell production.
Replacing the TSX and TL models, the all-new 2015 TLX is positioned at the heart of the Acura sedan lineup, boasting two advanced new powertrains, including a “world’s first” eight-speed DCT with torque converter, and next-generation handling technologies.
Methods 3D introduces the 3D Systems' ProX SLS 500 Selective Laser Sintering production 3D printer featuring fast speeds, high print resolution and a range of engineered composite materials.
To achieve weight savings in vehicles, OEMs and component suppliers are increasingly using ultra-high-strength steel, aluminum, magnesium, plastics, and composites. One strategy is to develop components using a multi-material concept. Ashok Leyland researchers used this approach when developing a bimetal brake drum with cast-iron inner ring and aluminum outer shell.
Lucid Motors' Director, Powertrain, CAE Crash & Safety, discusses the not-really-so-different aspects of EV and internal-combustion engineering, why a powertrain’s still just a powertrain and why he ponied up his own money for a deposit on Lucid’s Air electric luxury sedan.
Colorado-based Boom Technology’s “Baby Boom” XB-1 supersonic demonstrator—a one-third scale stepping stone to a supersonic 40-seat passenger airliner—will make its first test flight late-2017. Although currently under construction, the XB-1 is described as “the first independently developed supersonic jet and history’s fastest civil aircraft.”
Ford Powertrain boss Bob Fascetti previews the WCX Leadership panel discussion, "How, What and IF You Will Drive in the Next Decade," slated for 9:15am April 6 at Detroit's Cobo Hall.