It looks like Jaguar Land Rover is getting more serious about the aerodynamics of its suavely-designed cars, with a patent application revealing a new channelling system to guide airflow along the side of its cars. The application was registered at the United States Patent and Trademark Office back in August, […]
Technology
Dutch students make world’s first biodegradable car, from sugar & flax
A bunch of uni students in the Netherlands have developed the world’s first biodegradable car, sort of. It shows us that cars needn’t be so heavily-ladened with metal, and also shows us the possibilities in the world of alternative construction methods. Created at the Eindhoven University of Technology, the eco-friendly […]
Toyota ‘Dynamic Force’ engine tech to spread across segments
Toyota’s new 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, which will debut in the 2018 Camry, is the first of a new wave of engine families to adopt its latest ‘Dynamic Force’ engine philosophy. The 2018 Camry continues with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder. However, the engine itself is vastly different from the existing 2.5. For […]
Exclusive: Plans for Australian-built electric cars pushing ahead
Although Toyota and Holden are only two months away from closing their Australian manufacturing operations, one company in South Australia is determined to bring a new Australian electric vehicle to market. PerformanceDrive spoke with Paul van de Loo, the director of South Australian engineering consultancy firm Applidyne and Red Automotive […]
Schaeffler develops clutch to allow for manual hybrid vehicles
Those bemoaning the decline of manual transmission and the bleak future it faces in an increasingly electrified world can take solace in this news. German component maker Schaeffler has unveiled a module which enables manual transmission shifting with a hybrid vehicle. Called the ‘P2’, the system consists of two clutches; […]
Geely acquires flying car maker Terrafugia
Chinese company Zhejian Geely has surprised investors with the acquisition of fledgeling flying car company Terrafugia, which is based in the USA. Terrafugia joins Swedish safety and luxury car brand Volvo as well as more recent purchases Lotus and Proton in the list of carmakers now owned by Geely. Terrafugia […]
Elon Musk demonstrates tunnel driving at 200km/h
Last month we reported about Elon Musk’s latest brainstorm – The Boring Company – in which a vessel in the street carries your car into a subterranean tunnel network, where computer controlled sleds on rails can catapult you to your destination at 200km/h. Well, the proof of concept is now […]
Bentley working on animal-free vegan interior
Bentley are renowned for sourcing the most decadent and luxurious materials available for its ultra high-end, bespoke vehicles. The wood panels used in the interiors are sourced only from the root ball of elderly trees, which have the most integrity and decorative pattern. The steering wheel alone takes 15 hours […]