Round-the-World Solar Powered Plane Revs Its Motors   07 Nov 2009 00:49 GMT
The Solar Impulse, a prototype aircraft being developed as part of a project to fly around the world on solar power, successfully underwent its first engine run up today in Switzerland. After waiting for calm winds and favorable weather, the team rolled the delicate aircraft out of the hangar Friday. Just before noon local time, test [...]
Source: wired.com

Powertrain Innovation Of The Year Awarded To KERS   06 Nov 2009 20:03 GMT
Autopia has been all over KERS (Kinetic Energy recover System) since it first hit the track. We’ve been avid fans of Corsa Motorsports hybrid that’s been racing in the ALMS, applauded BMW’s decision to bring its KERS hybrid tech from the track to the road, and thought that Lewis Hamilton’s win with KERS at [...]
Source: wired.com

Our EV Conversion Gets A Curvaceous Body   06 Nov 2009 16:14 GMT
My DIY electric car project has officially started: I bought a car to convert, a sky blue ‘67 VW Beetle. I’ve had my eye on it for awhile. Now that I’ve got the title in hand, there’s no turning back. So why a Beetle? Easy. They’re cheap, they’re light and parts are easier to find [...]
Source: wired.com

High Octane, High Art From Mini   06 Nov 2009 13:30 GMT
Mini is looking to gain a space on the coffee tables of artsy gearheads the world over this holiday season. A new book depicts their iconic subcompacts repainted in ways that sure beat any of the exteriors we’ve dreamed up on the Mini website. Titled “Wash Me,” the compilation of photos turns each Mini into what [...]
Source: wired.com

The Duu Is a Two-Liter Motorcycle Monster   06 Nov 2009 13:00 GMT
Keeping a secret in the motoring world is nearly impossible. Maybe that’s why Italian bike manufacturer CR&S let the cat out of the bag just shy of the EICMA Milan motorcycle show on November 10th. The Duu — Italian for two — follows the “two” theme throughout the bike. It’s a two-seater with a V-twin engine [...]
Source: wired.com

Ford Brings Airbags To Back Seats   06 Nov 2009 00:52 GMT
Riding shotgun lost some its luster today when Ford announced the industry’s first inflatable seat belts, which it claims will provide five times the protection of a conventional belt and could increase the number of back-seat passengers who buckle up. The technology is designed to give additional protection to those in the back seat, especially kids [...]
Source: wired.com

A Two-Wheeled Homage to Steve McQueen   05 Nov 2009 23:17 GMT
Beyond starring in some awesome movies, Steve McQueen raced a Porsche, rode a Triumph and wore a Monaco. However tenuously those things might be related, Triumph and Tag Heuer mashed them up in the motorcycle you see here. The Bonneville-Heuer commemorates the 50th anniversary of the iconic Bonneville motorcycle and the 40th anniversary of the Monaco [...]
Source: wired.com

BMW’s Sharpest Corner-Carver   05 Nov 2009 21:58 GMT
We’ve got the full breakdown on the M3 track star that BMW teased us about yesterday, and it looks line one very sharp knife for carving corners. Bayerische Motoren Werke says the M3 GTS, due to hit the market next spring, will not only give most everything on the road a run for the money, but [...]
Source: wired.com

Electric Motorcycle Racing Comes to California   05 Nov 2009 21:22 GMT
Azhar Hussain is bringing his electric motorcycle green grand prix to the United States, and the first race is slated for Northern California. Just two days after unveiling the Mavizen TTX02 electric superbike, the founder of the TTXGP eGrandPrix announced Infineon Raceway will host America’s first running of his zero-emissions race. The race will be May [...]
Source: wired.com

Just Another Day at the Mojave Air and Space Port   05 Nov 2009 14:00 GMT
For a lot of aviation geeks, hanging out at an airport and looking at airplanes is…well…just something you do. Some airports are better than others. KJFK used to have the Concorde, and it’s still great, along with KLAX, if you like 747s. But few airports compare to KMHV. The Mojave Air and Space Port is one [...]
Source: wired.com