Delphi Automotive Introduces Wireless Charging System at 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show

Delphi Automotive and WiTricity presented the Wireless Charging System during the recently concluded Frankfurt Motor Show. This system was incorporated into a handful of demo vehicles on display at Frankfurt. Representatives from Delphi noted that the Wireless Charging System was created to remedy common problems with EV charging units. These issues range from the inconvenience of wired charging for drivers in a hurry to safety concerns when the weather turns bad. The Wireless Charging System advances inductive charging technology to increase charging distance, enhance charge speed and improve safety measures.

MIT Professor Marin Soljacic led the design team created by Delphi and WiTricity. Dr. Soljacic was tasked with creating a mid-range charging system that could work even if the vehicle was several feet from the charger. The Wireless Charging System team focused on a non-radiating form of charging using a magnetic field for battery recharging. Most firms dealing with wireless charging have relied on radiating technology that requires close proximity between the vehicle and charge point. The result of the Delphi/WiTricity collaboration is an innovative charger that uses a powerful magnetic coupling to create a sufficient field for recharging.

The Wireless Charging System is designed for home garages as well as dedicated parking spots for corporate employees. Delphi notes that the system can recharge a battery pack at a 3.3.kW rate, which is competitive with the typical plug-in charger. Dr. Soljicac and his engineering team ensured that the magnetic fields created by this system are safe for passengers and pets alike. The system’s lightweight design and remote charging capability creates the opportunity to install systems out of sight. Delphi and WiTricity discussed the potential to bury the Wireless Charging System into walls and floors as a means of preventing structural damage. Users would also avoid charging fluctuations due to precipitation and temperature with the Wireless Charging System.

The convenience of the Wireless Charging System is likely restricted to a small niche of EV drivers for the foreseeable future. Delphi and WiTricity recognize that plug-in vehicles and charging stations represent the current trend in EV infrastructure. The Wireless Charging System could be augmented with portable plug-in units currently developed by Delphi. The Portable Electric Vehicle Charge from Delphi could be reconfigured to turn wireless charging into plug-in charging away from home. Wireless charging might not take the world by storm in the near future but this technology could become commonplace if EVs begin to tip the balance in the transportation industry.-hybridmile.com

Is The 2012 Dodge Hornet The Anti-Caliber?

If you’re a fan of the now-discontinued Dodge Caliber, be prepared to be offended. Perhaps the best example of what happens when accountants design cars, the Dodge Caliber gets my vote for the worst domestic car of the past decade. It was, in fact, the only rental car I ever returned before driving off the lot, and even the SRT guys apologized for the Caliber SRT4, saying essentially, “we did the best we could with what we had to work with.”

Those days at Dodge are gone, and there’s good news on the horizon for Mopar fans with a passion for compacts: the upcoming Dodge Hornet may be good enough to make us forget all about the Caliber. Based on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta (which won’t be coming stateside until 2014), the 2012 Dodge Hornet will come in sedan and 5 door body styles, with engines ranging from frugal to fun. Want 40 mpg from your commuter car? Opt for the Hornet with the 1.4-liter four cylinder, good for 168 horsepower. Want a bit more grunt? Opt for the SRT4 version, which should come packing Alfa Romeo’s 1.8-liter four, good for 232 horsepower.

Left Lane News says to expect both manual and dual-clutch automatic transmissions, and an interior the borrows heavily from the Alfa Romeo and Fiat parts bin. The Hornet’s handling should be “European inspired,” and we’re guessing that the Hornet SRT4 will be able to throw down against any other FWD offering with confidence.

Expect to see the 2012 Dodge Hornet introduced at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.-automotiveaddicts.com

1,088 hp Concept_One Electric Supercar at Frankfurt Motor Show

New Anti-theft Devices for Automobiles Helps to Cut Down on Car Theft

This year there has been a significant decrease in auto theft with around 7.2% less Americans reporting having been targeted by car thieves, compared with the year 2010. These figures were reported by the FBI’s yearly report of uniformed crime.

The Ford Motor Corporation has developed an anti-theft device for vehicles, which is suspected to have been the primary cause of the drop in stolen vehicles. Ford commented that it remains aware that thieves are always looking for new ways to break in or steal cars and it is prepared to provide consumers with the latest technology as well as safety tips on how to prevent property theft.

The anti-theft devices in combination with safety tips and precautions can have a huge affect on how easy it is for a thief to break in and steal a vehicle. Auto thieves however, are known for being persistent and innovative and car theft continues to be a big problem in cities and even in suburban areas.

Ford Motor Corporation is determined to make is as difficult as possible for thieves and has been steadily developing new technology and improving old technology, in order to keep its customers safe from the threat of vehicle theft.

Naturally, no anti-theft device can be 100% full-proof, but the hard it is for a thief to break in, the less chance he/she will have of making off with a vehicle successfully. Ford is improving and developing security features which are meant to deter thieves from trying to break into the car.

Some of the new technology which has been developed by Ford includes, keyless doors, which means they are operated only by the push of a button, which would make it more difficult for a thief to force entry. It also provides more protection for the driver, who can then get into the car more quickly, without have to fumble with keys. Keys can also be kept safe from theft as the driver does not need to take out the key in order to open the door.

Another technology is an entry-passive start. This allows the driver to lock and unlock the engine when turning it off or starting it. Intrusion sensing systems are able to sense when windows are smashed and sets off an alarm and have been helpful against break-ins. The company has also developed a panic alarm which will allow the driver to call attention to the vehicle in case there is a thief. Another alarm system can be used to detect unauthorized entry through areas such as the hood, truck or doors.

Windows and other surfaces are also fitted with registration numbers and engravings which will mean that the thief will not want to steal the car because it will be difficult to resell without completely redoing all surfaces and windows in order to use a false identification number for the stolen vehicle.

Wheel locks have also been shown to be highly effective in preventing thieves from getting away with the stolen vehicle. Vehicle tracking systems are also popular as a way to protect vehicles. -auto-types.com

1.44 milion US dollar Golden Dartz Kombat Unveiled at the 2011 Chengdu Auto Show: Live Video, Specs and Details

Perhaps some of you have never heard of Dartz. Based in the old Russo-Balt factory in Riga, Dartz is a Latvian manufacturer of armored vehicles who has recently achieved notoriety for their line of luxury armored SUVs, including the T-98 Kombat and the Prombron, the latter of which was originally available upholstered in leather made from the foreskin of whale penises.

Well, one of their most recent achievements, the Dartz Kombat debuted last week at the 2011 Chengdu Auto Show in China, the manufacturer also setting the price tag on their unique armored vehicle. Such an impressive car come, as expected with an impressive price: 9.18 milion yuan or 1.44 milion US dollar, at current exchange rates.

For this amount of money you’ll get a bullet proof car, with 7cm full body armored truck. Because of this heavy armor, the Dartz Kombat weighs over three tons, being powered by a 8.0 liter eight-cylinder engine with 456hp, good for a 240km/h top speed, according to Dartz.

Below you can watch the video shooted at the stand at the show, displaying a lovely lady, the gold plated Bellperre mobile phone and a bottle of Wodka, RussoBaltique Vodka to be precise. Why is this vodka so specia? It isn’t. Is just nothing more than 1,7 liter of Vodka inside a 7,8 kilograms Golden bottle. The drink is best served with RussoBaltique Caviar by Mottra, according to Dartz.-speedlux.com