All Entries in the "Auto News" Category

Funny Friday – Camping IN your Prius, What’s Next?

Another installment of our occasional Funny Friday series.

While there are plenty of good reasons to pick a Prius, space for sleeping is not usually one of them. Thanks to a new device that resembles a marshmallow stuck onto the back of the car, outdoor enthusiasts may soon be trekking into the wilderness in Toyota’s eco-friendly sub compact. However, there is no guarantee that a hungry bear will not attempt to eat the puffy white contraption on the back of your car.

Hey look! A sporty camper Prius with a big marshmallow on its back.

Bosch Engineers Push Forward with HCCI Engine

Bosch Engineers have begun work on a new engine that could combine the efficiency and reliability of diesel engines with the lower emissions of gasoline. This new engine called the HCCI engine, Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition, could be the future of automotive engine development.

The graphic shows the difference between HCCI, diesel and gasoline engines. Graphic courtesy of the Robert Bosch Corporation.

Gas Subsidy Ends Could Cause Fuel Prices To Rise

Fuel efficiency and the cost of filling up the tank in E85 vehicles has been a topic of discussion for a while now and it seems that it may get more expensive to drive them. There’s a chance that price of gas is going to be higher at the pump due to the U.S. government ending the 30-year subsidies they have on ethanol.

This sign may not be that far off with current gas subsidies coming to an end.

Toyota excites Auto Show with New NS4 Plug-In Hybrid

Toyota revealed their latest offering in the hybrid market, the NS4 advanced plug-in hybrid concept. The NS4 was introduced to an audience in Detroit during the 2012 North American International Auto Show.

Toyota unveiled their new NS4 Plug-In Hybrid at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show.

GM Says No Magnesium Alloy Truck Frames – At Least Not Yet

As fuel economy regulations force automakers to tighten their belts, manufacturers are looking to pull a few different “levers” to improve efficiency. Those levers are drivetrain efficiency, aerodynamics, friction losses, and weight.

An Automotive News report all but says GM won't be producing lightweight truck frames made from magnesium alloy

General Motors, seeking to make their truck as fuel efficient as possible, researched the possibility of a Magnesium alloy truck frame. However, according to a recent tidbit in Automotive News, those plans are dead…at least for now.