Author: Mehrzad MehrabanpourAll of us like our songs to sound as loud as our favorite CDs in the market, as a matter of fact when you compare your music to other songs, the first difference that is most prominent is the loudness. Loudness masks every other aspect of a piece of music when you compare it to another; brightness, detail, warmth etc..How does a mastering engineer make your song sound louder, and what is the price?As we all know...more
An astonishing bit of kit, the Ferrari F430 is proof that the prancing horse’s well-worn path through Formula 1 is paying dividends. This is a blisteringly fast and stonkingly hi-tech bit of kit, made all the more so by the uncompromising, and uncompromisingly pricey, Scuderia.ComfortThe F430 is entirely useable day-to-day. It rides firmly but well, and is totally tractable in all traffic conditions. Gone are the days of kangarooing through...more
BMW will unveil a concept coupe at the Frankfurt Motor Show with 'Vision Efficient Dynamics,' a combination of futuristic styling, lightweight construction and hybrid technology.By Greg Kable of AutoWeekBMW has revealed a radical vision for its future performance-oriented models in a spectacularly styled concept car whose combination of M3-rivaling acceleration and MINI Cooper-beating fuel economy will likely make it one of the stars of this year's Frankfurt Motor Show.Called Vision Efficient Dynamics, the one-off coupe is a mobile showcase for lightweight construction and plug-in hybrid drive technology, while featuring a variety of futuristic styling, packaging, aerodynamic, lighting and interior ideas under development at the German carmaker's heavily cloaked FIZ development center in Munich. Many of the concepts are planned for use on upcoming BMW road cars, including an exciting Z10 Efficient Dynamics range-topping model due by 2015.At the heart of the concept car is an advanced diesel-electric hybrid system, based on a compact turbocharged 1.5-liter, three-cylinder common-rail diesel engine that will first appear in the second-generation 1-series due in 2011.The front-mounted...more
[attach]59[/attach]Plug-In Supply Inc of Petaluma, California, is pleased to announce the availability of components and assemblies to convert a 40+ MPG Toyota Prius into a 100+ MPG plug-in hybrid. With the conversion system installed, a Prius can be driven for 10–40 miles on electricity (depending on battery size and chemistry) before reverting...more
DETROIT — The Toyota Motor Corporation, which leads the world’s automakers in sales of hybrid-electric vehicles, announced Sunday night that it would build its first plug-in hybrid by 2010. Full Coverage: 2008 North American International Auto ShowTimes Topics: Detroit Auto ShowVideoMore Video » The move puts Toyota in direct competition with...more
By Scott Doggett, Contributor Michelin's revolutionary Active Wheel technology, featuring dual electric motors mounted inside wheels that not only drive the car but also control the suspension, will be implemented in electric vehicles produced by French automaker Heuliez starting in 2010. [attach]55[/attach]----------Michelin's Active Wheel technology.---------- So says the German Website Welt Online in a posting Sunday, attributing the information to Patrick Oliva, Michelin's director for sustainable development and future mobility. Michelin spokeswoman Lynne Slovick confirmed the gist of the report, but deferred details to officials at the company's French headquarters, who were not immediately available for comment. This much we do know: Michelin has been working on Active Wheel for more than a decade, but the technology didn't really receive the attention it probably deserves until the 2008 Paris Auto Show held this past October. There, it appeared in the Heuliez Will Concept (pictured), as well as the Venturi Volage Concept. [attach]56[/attach] The Will will be the first vehicle to enter production with Active Wheel drive. Sadly, it's platform will be nothing sexier than...more