Inside Google's Self-Driving Toyota Prius

The self-driving car that Google revealed to the world last October made an appearance at TED on Thursday, with Sebastian Thrun, one of the developers of the project, speaking to the audience and then taking attendees for a test drive.

The folks at Mashable got the opportunity to ride along as the car whipped around a test track set up outside the conference. Riding at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour, the vehicle maneuvered its way between dozens of test cones that had been set up, making a combination of hard stops, tight turns and quick accelerations.

Not a single cone was hit, and I can verify that the driver did not touch the wheel until the very end to drop myself and two other passengers off (this was planned).

The car itself traveled from San Francisco to Long Beach, California, for the conference as part of Google’s ongoing tests. While Thrun tells me he thinks we’ll see self-driving cars in the hands of consumers within our lifetimes, he notes that at this time, “It’s really just a science project … pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. It’s clearly not something that’s going to make us money any time soon.”

Limitations of the vehicle currently include dealing with weather, as well as capturing the imagery and data necessary to allow the car to do things such as stop at red lights and observe speed limits (most of this work has been limited to the Bay Area for now).

Nonetheless, one can’t help be impressed by what Google has accomplished thus far, with its test drive clearly set up to show off just how far along the technology is.

Toyota unveil Yaris Hybrid Concept @ Geneva Auto Show

The Yaris HSD concept was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show and represents the first down-sizing of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive® technology.

The concept car inherits all the clever DNA of the Yaris as well as the smooth, sophisticated driving experience of Toyota’s full hybrid powertrain. Its new, more advanced and sophisticated style points to the forward-looking design direction for the next Yaris model range.

It offers customers an ingenious combination of small, compact packaging and a spacious, practical interior. Flanked by highly contoured headlamps, the upper grille opening is shallow, helping the air flow smoothly over the upper half of the body.

The Toyota logo is fully integrated within the front lip of the bonnet, adding stylish articulation to its leading edge.

In profile, the Yaris HSD concept’s sleek, monoform shape is emphasised by the long, sweeping roofline and a single, crisp character line which runs smoothly through the length of the vehicle.

Short front and rear overhangs and a long wheelbase maximise passenger accommodation and load space. Several hybrid-specific styling cues indentify the Yaris HSD concept as a Toyota full hybrid model derivative.

Air turbulence has been minimised by flat, vertical ‘aero’ corners housing front foglamps and matching rear reflectors, a large integral rear spoiler, comprehensive underbody covers and 18″ aero wheels featuring enlarged air gaps for improved cooling air flow.

Even the door handles and rear side-view cameras have been carefully designed to the most aero-efficient shape.

The show car’s striking, white pearl paintwork is unique to the Yaris HSD concept. It showcases a further development of this remarkable finish, with highlighting provided by sparkling blue metallic accents.

Requiring specialised, multi-layering application techniques, this hybrid-specific application brings an extraordinary depth and quality feel to the finished paintwork.

The presence of Hybrid Synergy Drive® is further emphasised through hybrid Blue Toyota badges, LED daytime running lights and ‘synergy’ blue illuminated highlight surrounds to both the outer mirrors and door handles.

Toyota’s proven Hybrid Synergy Drive® technology targets demanding urban customers who expect a new driving and ownership experience from their car.

Combining low fuel consumption, emissions and cost of ownership with uniquely relaxed and quiet driving, HSD proves that driving pleasure need not be compromised by environmental responsibility and low running costs.

Introducing full hybrid technology into a car of this size has presented Toyota with several unique engineering challenges.

The new powertrain design must be optimised for installation within the vehicle’s compact, extremely efficient packaging design without detriment to either system quality and performance, or passenger or cargo space.

This comprehensive repackaging of HSD technology is essential for meeting the growing market demand for urban-based family vehicles, without compromising either interior space or hybrid performance.

The production model, following on from the Yaris HSD concept, will be launched throughout Europe in the second half of 2012.

Better Place and Renault release EV subscription plan pricing

Better Place opened, together with its partner Renault, Europe’s first Better Place center. Visitors can place an order for a Renault Fluence Z.E. with the Renault staff and sign up with the Better Place team for a subscription of mobility services.

On the Fluence Z.E. “Prime Time” launched in Denmark from 205,000 DKK (€27,496, US$38,300), including VAT, Better Place will offer consumers a choice of five, fixed-price, packages based on kilometers driven. For drivers who drive more than 40,000 kilometers (24,855 miles) per year, Better Place offers a fixed-price package of ‘all you can drive’ kilometers for 2,995 DKK (€399, US$560) per month.

For drivers who drive less than 20,000 kilometers (12,427 miles) per year, the fixed monthly price offer ranges from 1,495 DKK (€199, US$279) to 1,895 DKK (€249, US$354).

That price range equates to approx $1.00 - $1.50 per kWh which is 10-15x the average US utility rate of $0.10 per kWh and 20-30x the $0.05 kWh cost of off-peak PG&E EV plans.

Each subscription includes a one-time fee of 9,995 DKK (€1,341, US$1,868) for the installation of a private charge spot so that drivers can safely plug in at home. Initial delivery of the Renault Fluence Z.E. with Better Place mobility services will occur in the fourth quarter of this year.

The Renault Fluence Z.E. “Prime Time” will include, as standard features, climate control, navigation and energy management services via the in-car software system, radio-CD, alloy wheels, electric mirrors, 4 electric windows, central locking, and lithium-ion switchable battery pack.

The car will offer Danish drivers a range of up to 185 kilometers (115 miles), measured on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) with a fully charged battery. Switching batteries takes less than five minutes.

Every subscription includes unlimited access to the Better Place network of public charge spots and battery switch stations, electricity usage, personalized energy management and navigation services via in-car and network software, an inventory of batteries with a guaranteed service level agreement, 24-hour access to customer service and support, and a private charge spot.

Source: Businesswire

2011 Hyundai Elantra GLS 1.8L I4 liter engine

The latest 2011 Hyundai Elantra GLS is well designed and entirely updated from old version.The new 2011 Hyundai Elantra GLS is powered with 1.8L I4 liter engine and 2011 Hyundai Elantra GLS car with 6 Speed Automatic gears . the working of engine can produce a 148@6500 hp power.

New Hyundai car gives fuel consumption of 29 / 40 in city/Hwy.2011 Hyundai Elantra GLS is a Gas Engine / Multi-Port Fuel Injected vehicle and cruising range is 422.4 miles.The new car from Hyundai has a compression of 10.3:1 and 1797 / 110 displacement.Hyundai developed their new model 2011 Hyundai Elantra GLS in luxury stile and $17,080 priced.The Bore X Stroke of the 2011 Hyundai Elantra GLS is 3.19x3.43.

2011 Hyundai Elantra GLS stills

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2011 Suzuki Swift S Concept price and features

At this year’s Geneva Motor Show, which begin to the media on March 1, Suzuki unveiled theSwift S-CONCEPT model. The design of Swift S-CONCEPT follows the theme of “more sporty and exciting” and mirrored by its stylish appearance with bold, emphasize body work design and rear roof spoiler.

The Swift S-CONCEPT incorporate the concept of a premium sport concise with uncompromised performance. The body is 30mm lower and 60mm wider than that of the standard Swift and has such a strong visual presence that it doesn’t appear as compact as it actually is. Dynamic-looking front and rear bumpers and a big rear spoiler evoke high levels of acceleration and power and 18-inch wheels give a sense of stability and firmness . The headlamps and rear combination lamps have exclusive designs with high-tech stress.

Suzuki’s sporty DNA is sent back in a Unique Lightning Pearl Yellow body which communicates intensity and depth and agitation one of Suzuki’s core values.For the interior, the steering wheel and instrument cluster have expensive designs with Recaro Sport styled seats in the front, parts of the centre console are made of carbon fibre, which communicate a tuition identity.

2011 Suzuki Swift S Concept Specifications

Overall length	3,890mm
Overall width	1,755mm
Overall height	1,475mm
Wheelbase	2,430mm
Power train	Front engine / front wheel drive
Transmission	6 M/T
Tyres	225/45R18
Body Colour	Lightning Pearl Yellow

2011 Suzuki Swift S Concept wallpapers-stills-images and pictures

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Toyota iQ EV Concept debut @ Geneva Auto Show

Toyota has brought the iQ EV concept to Geneva.

The electric version of the mini iQ model is not yet ready for production but Toyota will be testing this prototype here with an intention of bringing it to market.

The iQ EV comes with a 47kW (64 PS / 63 bhp) permanent magnet synchronous electric motor and 11kWh/270V lithium-ion battery which lies flat in the bed of the car. A new battery layout for Toyota which does not eat up valuable cabin space, especially on a minicar like the iQ.

0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes a long 14 seconds, though, and top speed is a modest 125.5 km/h (78 mph). Range on a full charge is 105 km (65 miles).

The iQ EV features dual 100/200V AC and DC charging sockets - a DC quick charge station delivering an 80 percent charge in about 15 minutes.

Toyota will begin testing the iQ EV in Europe, Japan and the U.S. later this year.

Source: Toyota

TATA PIXEL CONCEPT AT GENEWA MOTOR SHOW 2011

Exhibition of prestigious cars to the 2011 Geneva Auto Show-81 which opened to the public tomorrow (3 / 3) so the arena "war" for the principals of Asia to emulate the host. One of them Tata Motors of India showing the concept car for the European city which they named Tata Pixel.Surprisingly enough, it uses the base city car Tata Nano, but the form is not as stiff as a cheap car of India. Interestingly again, the door design is very innovative diamond shape with the open scissors model that plays to the top of the front. This provides easy access when entering or leaving the car and parking in narrow places.

Pixel able to maneuver in tight areas because equipped with Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT). This system helps the rear wheels go turning (sort 4WS = four wheel steering), so that its radius is only 2.6 meters. In addition scissor doors, the windshield at the same time drawn into the roof, so they can minimize overhangs front and rear. Then, the design of the windows can be replaced if you want to change the exterior appearance.

For cardiac pacemaker, Pixel engine equipped with 1.2 liter turbocharged diesel with fuel consumption of 3.4 L per 100 km and emits only 89 g / kg. Then the little one is equipped of technology "start-stop".