MV-1 van is designed specifically for wheelchair users

The AM General auto assembly plant in Mishawaka, Indiana is where they used to build Hummer H2s. Now, its workers are making something a little less ... controversial. It's a van called the MV-1, MV standing for "Mobility Vehicle," and it's designed specifically for wheelchair-using passengers. Its designers claim that it is better suited to the handicapped than converted conventional vans, and the first factory-built model rolled off the assembly line yesterday.

A product of Miami's Vehicle Production Group, the MV-1 has a large 56 x 36-inch (142 x 91 cm) side door, and a 1,200 pound (544 kg)-capacity deployable ramp that stows under the floor when not in use. It can accommodate two wheelchair-using passengers, or one wheelchair and five additional traditionally-seated occupants, if the optional jump seat is used. Floor tracks are used to secure wheelchairs and scooters. The non-handicapped driver sits behind the wheel in a regular-style seat - perhaps future versions could allow wheelchair users to also drive, using something like RUVID's hand control device?

The vehicle is based around a body-on-frame configuration, and is powered by a Ford 4.6L 2V EFI V8 engine with an electronic four-speed automatic transmission. For the energy and/or environmentally-conscious, however, a factory-installed Compressed Natural Gas fuel system is also available. Vans with the CNG system should have a driving range of approximately 290 miles (466.7 km).

More specs and other information can be found on the MV-1 website, where vehicles can also be ordered. The base SE model is priced at US$39,950, for American customers only.

The following video illustrates how the van accommodates wheelchair-using passengers.-gizmag.com

2012 Honda CR-V concept revealed

The 2012 Honda CR-V Concept has made its public debut at the Orange County International Auto Show in Anaheim, California not in Frankfurt where all the attention currently is.

The all-new, fourth-generation CR-V is set to go on sale in the United States by the end of the year and will debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

“The 2012 CR-V Concept strongly hints at the more dynamic and refined look of the upcoming model,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. “As the best-selling SUV in each of the past four years, the 2012 CR-V promises to build on its highly successful formula with even more style, innovative features and higher fuel economy.”

Compared to the current-generation CR-V, the concept model takes on a more aggressive stance with deeper sculpting of the body lines and a bolder front fascia. The front bumper’s smooth-flowing lines are highlighted by a horizontal three-bar grille and deeply set multi-reflector headlights. The lower front bumper wraps smartly upward to convey SUV capability with a generous approach angle, while the lower front bumper design now integrates more smoothly with the fascia for improved aerodynamics.-globalmotors.net

Fiat Project L-Zero MPV to Be Produced in Serbia in 2012

Back in February, we brought you news of the Fiat B-Segment vehicle called Project L-Zero. Futher light has apparently been shed on the project, as numerous sources indicate the vehicle will be an MPV based on the their B-segment platform platform. Automotive News reports that full production will start in Serbia starting May or June of Next year. The vehicle is likely to be based on a platform shared by the 500 and Panda and could become a successor for the Fiat Idea and Lancia Musa models. The car is intended primarily for the European market, according to Antonio Cesare Ferrara, head of Fiat Automobili Srbija, Fiat's joint venture with the Serbian government. "In a later stage it may also be offered in the United States, but primarily Europe," Ferrara told reporters on Wednesday at the FAS plant in Kragujevac, Serbia. Production figures are unknown, but the facility has enough capacity to produce a quarter of a million cars per year. The L-Zero is expected to be a five-seater in basic form, but a seven-seater will also be made. Fiat's investment in the production facility will reportedly reach 850 million euros ($1.16 billion) by the end of the year, including the cost of cleaning up and rebuilding the decrepit Zastava facilities, and importing "state-of-the art production equipment" from Germany, Italy and Japan. We should see the first prototypes and test vehicles popping up in spyshots by the end of the year.-autoevolution.com

Ford E-Bike Concept From Frankfurt Motor Show Not Far-Fetched

Lost in the shuffle of concept-mania at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show is the newly unveiled Ford E-Bike Concept. It’s not hard to see why Ford’s Eos Concept got all the attention – after all, it is an auto show –  but the modern, minimalist electric-bike design is a gawk-worthy entrant itself.

The E-Bike Concept features a cross-gender design, and a 53-mile range from an electric motor in the front-wheel hub and an integrated lithium-ion battery within the frame. That range is aided by Ford’s F1-inspired “KERS” system, in which magnetostriction sensors convert magnetic energy into kinetic energy. The sensors read the front wheel’s revolutions and relay this information to the control unit, where it activates or deactivates the electric motor, providing a seamless integration of leg and electric motor power.

Ford says the E-Bike is just a concept and that it has no plans for production, but there is a niche market and precedent for an optional bike trim level. Volkswagen offered the Jetta Trek in the late 1990s, and Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, and even Maserati, have all recently offered bicycle trims.

The Ford E-Bike could be a great option for the Edge Hybrid, forthcoming Focus Electric, and the Transit Connect Electric—a utility van in which many of its drivers perform short-distance deliveries.

“The E-Bike market is growing very, very rapidly, with some 30 million units sold globally last year,” said Axel Wilke, director, vehicle personalization, Ford Customer Service Division Europe. “We see E-Bikes as an important element of urban electric mobility. More and more people are using E‑Bikes for short distance commuting and they are becoming comfortable with the concept of electric mobility.”--blogs.automotive.com

Rowan Atkinson on McLaren F1 crash

Rowan Atkinson has unveiled a one-off Rolls-Royce Phantom - complete with secret laser weapon - which features in his latest spy spoof film, Johnny English Reborn.

At the Frankfurt Motor Show he spoke publicly for the first time about the crash that wrecked his own 370km/h McLaren F1 supercar, which can accelerate from 0-100 in 3.2 seconds.

“I can’t blame the car. It was wet,” he said.

Asked if the car was back on the road, the 56-year-old actor, who is also an accomplished amateur racing driver, laughed and said firmly: “No.”

The repair bill will be huge.

“I haven’t had the estimate,” he said. “But I have had the estimate for the estimate.”

The Mr Bean star injured his shoulder when his Woking-built three-seater - which he’s driven for 60,000km - hit a tree at Haddon, near Peterborough, last month. The car caught fire, but he was able to walk away.

Rolls-Royce is owned by German giant BMW, but its cars are still assembled in Britain. Former BMW boss, Dr Bernd Pischetsrieder, wrote off a McLaren F1 in 1995 when he was head of the company. In the film, English drives a specially adapted Phantom he calls “Royce”. It has the personalised registration number “JE 1” and features a giant (and real) one-off, nine-litre, 16-valve engine, which he demonstrated to visitors.

But the on-screen secret weapon is a Spirit of Ecstasy bonnet mascot with metal-cutting lasers mounted in its eyes. In one scene, the beams cut out an exact silhouette of the Phantom on a metal door, before the car drives through it.

Atkinson has owned two £300 000 (R3.5 million) Rolls-Royce Phantoms - a four-door and a two-door coupé - and is awaiting delivery of a third.

The actor has a collection of five cars including a 1964 Ford Falcon, an Eighties Aston Martin V8 Zagato, an Audi A8 and a more thrifty Honda Civic hybrid.

Does he have anything else on his shopping list? My spies spotted him on the Ferrari stand admiring the topless 458 Spyder.

Rolls-Royce used the show to announce a £10million expansion plan at its factory at Goodwood, which is set for a year of record sales.

It is set to exceed 3000 sales this year following a 171 per cent increase to 2711 in 2010.

The boom is accelerating as a result of the new £200 000 (R2.4 milllion) Ghost - the “baby” Roller - which is outselling the bigger £300 0000 (R3.5 million) Phantom at a rate of four to one.

Chief executive Torsten Muller-Otvos said: “We continue to see increased demand from customers all over the world.”

The Rolls-Royce factory is in the grounds of the Earl of March’s estate at Goodwood, West Sussex, which this weekend will host the popular Revival motoring extravaganza.

Rowan Atkinson will be there as usual, but won’t be driving due to his injury.

This year’s Revival will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic E-Type Jaguar, whose two-seater 21st-century successor, the C-X16, stole the show at Frankfurt, where it was unveiled this week.

Dressing up in period costumes to reflect the eras of cars on show - from the Forties to the Sixties - is all part of the fun and truly transports you back in time. - Daily Mail