| MAY
2001
In a world
first, Daimler-Chrysler is adopting the use of ultrasound to detect
faults in components, avoiding the need for destructive testing. The technique
can spot faulty welds and cracks in components positioned on a turntable
and immersed in 1800 litres of distilled water. An ultrasound transmitter
rotates around six axes to concentrate on a precise depth within the object.
Toyota has joined the battle to clean up diesels with its DPNR -
diesel particulate NOx (nitrogen oxides) reduction - system. The new system,
which will appear first on European cars in 2003, removes particulates and
oxides of nitrogen from the exhaust. Toyota claims DPNR will be one of the
first single devices to tackle NOx and particulates.
Car interiors could soon be rated according to how they taste, judging
by a new material developed in Germany called Granubi. Ingredients include
soya beans, corn starch, potatoes, sugar cane, wheat, rye and hay. It has
been designed to replace environmentally unfriendly ABS and polypropylene
plastics. When shredded and buried in a landfill site, Granubi will biodegrade
within four months.
FEBRUARY 2001
The first factory-installed in-car MP3 music system has been shown
by Mazda North America. The Z919 unit is a joint effort betwen Mazda and
Kenwood and includes a CD player as well as FM/AM radio. As well as playing
conventional audio CDs, it can use MP3 files downloaded from the Internet
onto CD-Roms. There’s no mention of a slot for compact flash or smartmedia
functions though - options due to be launched by Delphi in two years’
time.
VW’s fuel cell prototype has been unveiled at the California
Fuel Cell Partnership’s HQ in Sacramento. A standard Bora (above) has
been redeveloped with a 100bhp asynchronous electric motor. Called the Bora
HyMotion, it has a 0-110kph time of 12.6sec and a top speed of 140kph. The
Partnership was formed in April ’99 to advance fuel cell technology.
Oil treatment firm STP has developed a new product called STP 6000-mile
Oil Extender, which claims to double the life of your engine oil. STP says
that in the US, oil changes are recommended every 3000 miles (4800km), but
many Americans don’t follow that recommendation. But the oil extender
will increase viscosity and levels of oil additives within an engine’s
oil.
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