Ever notice that you your bladder seems to shrink when its cold outside? Apparently, the Toyota Prius feels your pain, and while we don’t have any good solutions to report for your own personal problems, Toyota has found an easy fix for its hybrid. Unlike previous generations of Toyota’s fuel saver, the new 2010 model won’t have an underperforming bladder when it’s cold outside.

Since its introduction back in 2001, Toyota has equipped the Prius with a synthetic fuel tank bladder that collapsed as gasoline was slowly pumped out of the tank and into the engine. Due to complaints that the last-gen car wasn’t able to take its full 11.9 gallon fuel allotment whenever the temperature was below 70-degrees, the third-generation Prius comes equipped with a more conventional rigid fuel tank made from lightweight resin. In order to retain its coveted low-emissions rating in California, the latest Prius also reportedly features an improved vapor-recovery system that will help reduce hydrocarbon emissions.

[Source: Chicago Tribune]

The next 1- and 3-Series cars from BMW, as well as the Z2 roadster, are rumored to be getting a new range of turbocharged three- and four-cylinder gasoline engines as part of BMW’s push to cut emissions and fuel consumption. Of the five powerplants reportedly in development, three are 1.35-liter three-cylinder motors developing between 163 hp and 241 hp, with the two 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engines putting out 273 hp and 321 hp, respectively. Sky Motoring says that the four-pots will be reserved for “more upmarket models.”

While a 3-Series with a 3-cylinder engine has a certain poetry, it does give one pause. If Sky Motoring’s numbers are correct, however, the top end 1.35-liter motor would put out 11 more horsepower than the current 3.0-liter in the 328i. That’s a lot of power for such little displacement, and with brand perception issues in the U.S., who knows if we would even get the engines – after all, we don’t get any of Mercedes’ CGI mills. From where we sit, though, the smaller, lighter engine with its commensurately fewer moving parts could also help bring the sticker price of the 1-Series down – one of the major factors that has prevented it from gaining traction in stateside showrooms.

In any case, the new BMW engines are said to be at least two years away, so we look forward to getting more clarifying information in the meantime. Hat tip to Owen!

[Source: Sky Motoring]

[Source:Autoblog]

Detroit traffic can be a real bear, but if a radical new rail line is approved, traveling between Michigan’s largest cities could become faster, less stressful and cleaner all at the same time. Worldwide Hydrogen Super Highways has come up with a design for an elevated railway that will utilize hydrogen-powered cars that can hit 200 mph. The rail cars would be built by Detroit automakers and use solar energy to charge their hydrogen batteries that will power a magnetic field for propulsion. The rails themselves would be stainless steel and run parallel to existing freeways.

The ambitious project, which could cost up to $2.3 billion ($15 million per mile, yikes!) would run between Detroit, Lansing and Ann Arbor. The rail lines would be built using only private funding, and the state of Michigan would get half the resulting profits. Additional funding would also come from leasing the rails for utility lines, advertising and, of course, by charging fares to passengers and freight.

The Michigan House is assembling a task force to study the proposal and will investigate its technological and financial feasability, as well as its impact on the environment. If the project is somehow quickly approved, construction could begin next year. Hydrogen-powered shuttles made in Motown sound pretty Buck Rogers to us, but we’re hoping there’s some substance here. As badly as Michigan could use the cash infusion and the influx of jobs, a $2.3 billion project of this magnitude could be a real winner if it actually works.

[Source:Autoblog]

For all those interested in the progress of Chevrolet’s pivotal 2011 Volt, take note: Autoblog is taking part in a four-way live-chat with Jon Lauckner, General Motors’ Vice President Global Program Management tonight at 6:00pm EST.

The best part? You get to ask the questions. We will be joined in the chat by our esteemed colleagues over at Jalopnik and Cars.com’s Kicking Tires blog, so feel free to plug in with a question about the Volt or GM’s other alt-fuel initiatives in ‘Comments,’ and be sure to log back on to Autoblog at 6:00pm EST to join us in the live-chat!

[Source:Autoblog]

Factory navigation systems might be a popular option on high-end vehicles, but there’s no denying that their astronomical price tag and lack of upgrades make them pale in comparison to aftermarket units available at a fraction of the cost. Automakers contend that the integration with the vehicle’s systems and the lack of unsightly cords are worth it, but when you consider that the technology was locked in three years ago, the choice is clear. Time to go to Best Buy.

Thankfully, Mercedes-Benz and Harman International have recognized the problem and are working on a two-piece solution to solve it. The modular system consists of a screen and a separate control unit mounted in the dash, allowing the system to be upgraded quickly and, more importantly, cheaply. The hidden “processing box” will handle all the heavy lifting, including the GPS, music storage and Bluetooth integration.

If the collaboration works, expect the modular sat-nav systems to be available in the second half of 2010 on eight Mercedes-Benz models.

[Source:Autoblog]

Mercedes-Benz’ in-house tuning arm, AMG, has announced the horsepower wars are over, and the automaker is gearing up to implement a new range of technologies that will help reduce fuel consumption by 2012.

According to AutoTelegraaf, M-B will introduce start-stop technology on AMG models as early as next year, along with launching a direct-injection system based of the second-generation currently employed on the C350 CGI BlueEfficiency. The automaker has set an internal goal of reducing fuel consumption across its line-up by 30% in the next three years. While diesels and new engine technologies will go a long way to achieving that goal, Mercedes plans to begin reducing the weight of its vehicles through the use of more composite materials and other weight-saving assembly procedures.

[Source:Autoblog]

The classic idea of aerodynamics gives rise to mental pictures of vehicles shaped like a smooth suppository. Reality turns out to be different, thankfully. Cars like the Ford Flex may appear weighty and as slippery to the wind as a barn while actually sliding through the atmosphere far more gracefully than one might guess. Aerodynamics studies by all automakers have led to the startling discovery that vehicles like the squared-off Flex actually manage their airflow quite well, thank you, and sanding off the corners hinders, rather than helps.

It’s the same over at Toyota where they’re calling strategically-placed folds “aerocorners.” While it’s long been held that a teardrop shape is the most aerodynamic, that’s not necessarily the case and a droplet-shaped vehicle isn’t terribly practical; just try to put that armoire in your first-gen Honda Insight. The worry that all cars will look the same when aerodynamicists start to take over is unfounded, as discoveries in the wind tunnel show that things aren’t always as they appear, and there’s plenty of room for uncommon design to still cheat the wind.

[Source:Autoblog]

We can think of few better ways to spend our evenings than bending, welding and beating metal into submission to produce our own car and it seems that we are not alone. MAKE reader, Utah resident and Flickr user proximacentuari took the design of the Ariel Atom — currently one of the most desirable track cars in existence — and replicated it in his home garage. What’s more, he documented the entire process with pictures and uploaded the whole thing to the internet. This is the coolest show-and-tell ever.

Powering the beast, known by its builder as z59, is a Honda K-Series four-cylinder engine from a wrecked Acura RSX. It’s an impressive build, taking “15 months and at least 800 hours of work in the garage,” all done without any official Ariel schematics. “The frame is completely custom. I didn’t make a single measurement off the real car… what you see is a series of very educated guesses,” according to the builder. Much of the car is made from scrap parts, including the bodywork from a number of old appliances, a kayak and a doghouse. Check out a few pics in our gallery and click here to see the entire photostream on Flickr. Thanks for the tip, Pedro!

[Source:Autoblog]

Audi’s stoplight detection system, called Travolution, has been given the go-ahead for expansion in the company’s hometown of Ingostadt, Germany. Travolution establishes a connection between a red light and a vehicle, so that as a specially equipped car moves toward a red light at an intersection, stop light gantries fitted with communications modules can let the car know when the light will turn green. The car then lets the driver know what speed he should maintain in order to pass through the intersection without having to brake for the light and then accelerate again.

The system’s promise is in streamlining traffic flow, increasing gas mileage, and reducing emissions. An additional twenty A5 and A6 Avant models are being added to the fleet of cars with the technology, and fifty more stop lights will be fitted with modules. If you’re in Inglostadt and you want to save time and money on your commute, follow the Audis.

[Source:Autoblog]

BMW Assist — essentially the Bavarian’s version of GM’s OnStar — has made BMW Search using Google Maps available on the 1 and 3 Series. Previously, it was only available on BMW models from the 5 series up. If you subscribe to the BMW Assist Convenience Plan, you can use BMW Search to find businesses, then input the information directly into the navigation system, or call with your Bluetooth phone over the service’s AT&T Mobility Network (you don’t need to have AT&T, though).

BMW Search joins BMW’s MyInfo service, which allowed customers and businesses to send listings and street addresses directly to the car. BMW Assist is standard on 5, 6, and 7 Series, and included in the Premium Package or as a stand-alone option on all other models.

PRESS RELEASE

BMW ADDS NEW “BMW SEARCH” SERVICE TO BMW ASSIST(TM) POWERED BY GOOGLE MAPS(TM)

Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey - September 15, 2008… BMW introduces access to Google Maps (http://maps.google.com) search capability within the vehicle on 2009 BMW Assist and Navigation system - equipped 1 and 3 Series. For the first time, subscribers to the optional BMW Assist Convenience Plan can access “BMW Search” to quickly find a desired business with just a key word, benefiting from the world’s most famous online search engine. After finding what you want, you can immediately start route guidance or a hands-free call with your Bluetooth® - linked phone at just a simple push of a button.

Utilizing newly introduced hardware operating on the AT&T Mobility GSM network, this unique service identifies the current location and destination of the vehicle automatically and then displays the local results with details of address, phone number and distance. For example, you can look up business information like the names of restaurants, hotels, service stations, banks, supermarkets, cinemas and public facilities such as schools or city halls, all by the simple use of a key word. You can also easily ask for a search at another location.

In a nutshell, “BMW Search” using Google search technology and intelligence saves time and reduces frustration with destination entry on today’s navigation systems. The information you look up is continuously updated by Google. “BMW Search” is the next logical and consequential development of the link between the automobile and the Internet.

To allow customers to send business listings and street addresses with associated phone numbers from the internet directly to their BMW, Google and BMW began offering “MyInfo” with the introduction of the X6 back in April, now extended to all other 2009 BMWs except for X3. “BMW Search” now opens up access to the Internet directly from the vehicle, representing another building block in the BMW Assist services portfolio.

About BMW Assist:
BMW Assist provides the driver with services that enhance on-the-road security and convenience, for added peace of mind. The BMW Assist and Bluetooth® System is standard on all 5, 6 and 7 Series models, including the M5 and M6, and is included in the Premium Package or available as a stand-alone option on all other models. BMW includes the Safety Plan for 4 years at no additional cost. BMW is the only manufacturer that offers this duration of service as other manufacturers only include the first year of service. The BMW Assist Safety Plan is a subscription based service that is subject to certain limitations.

The in-vehicle equipment integrates GPS technology and hands-free wireless communication functions to deliver emergency and other services, accessed via buttons in the overhead or center console. The BMW Assist system transmits the location and vehicle information to the BMW Assist Response Center. A response specialist speaks with the vehicle occupants to coordinate dispatch, notify emergency contacts on file, and link BMW Roadside Assistance or emergency services as needed and/or requested. A severe accident automatically activates the Automatic Collision Notification function.

The BMW Assist Safety Plan also includes Door Unlock and Stolen Vehicle Recovery services, which can save the driver time and money. New to BMW Assist is MyInfo, which allows users to send business listings and street addresses with associated phone numbers from the internet, directly to their BMW. TeleService automatically notifies the BMW center when the vehicle will need service. A service advisor then proactively calls the customer to set up a convenient appointment and have the needed parts ready.

BMW Assist subscribers can also enroll in the BMW Assist Convenience Plan (available at an additional cost of $199 per year) to avail themselves of BMW Assist concierge services; from finding the lowest fuel price or the best French restaurant in the area to information on flight arrival gates or times, as well as receiving directions, traffic and weather information. On most models produced September 2006 and later, a selected destination and its phone number can be sent directly to the BMW Navigation system and the subscriber’s Bluetooth - linked mobile phone, after a push of the Concierge menu option. New for 2009 is BMW Search, which allows online access to the Google Maps database inside the vehicle to quickly find a desired business with just a key word. The Convenience Plan also includes Critical Calling, a service that can connect the driver to a requested party via a response specialist in case their mobile phone is not in the vehicle or its battery is discharged.

Lastly, the BMW Assist system includes Bluetooth hands-free calling and phone connectivity with phonebook access and speech recognition for dialing by name or number via steering wheel controls. Use of this feature requires a customer-provided compatible Bluetooth mobile phone. To learn more about BMW Assist, please visit www.bmwassist.com.

[Source:Autoblog]