This is a repeat of a story on these pages a year ago. Gains new significance a year on ... What price rhodium now? It’s a practice that has been going on in New Zealand for decades – sawing off the catalytic converters in the exhaust system of cars to boost the power of the engine, if only marginally. But now the process has brought in the cops, including America’s FBI … [Read more...] about Gone in 60 seconds … thieves cash in on precious exhaust metals
Speed cameras to quadruple as part of road safety campaign
The Coalition Government is planning to grow by four times the number of fixed speed cameras on New Zealand roads, adding more than 600 to the 190 or so in operation now, says a source in the transport industry. A committee comprising New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) representatives is working on where best to put the extra cameras, apart from obvious road accident … [Read more...] about Speed cameras to quadruple as part of road safety campaign
Aussie looks to build cars again by enticing EV manufacturers
Australia is looking to rebuild its car-making capacity using its abundance of key minerals to encourage major electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers to set up operations Downunder. The federal government last year released its Future Fuels Strategy, identifying opportunities for the country’s reserves of the minerals, rare earths and base metals needed for EV and battery … [Read more...] about Aussie looks to build cars again by enticing EV manufacturers
All-electric expansion: 600kW and 8000Nm from one car alone
First, there’s Citroen offshoot DS Automobiles borrowing from its Formula E race car programme to build a battery-electric (BEV) prototype delivering 600kW and a mind-boggling 8000Nm. Yep, that’s eight thousand newton metres. Then Swedish hypercar company Koenigsegg comes out with what it claims is the most power-dense electric motor ever built. It weighs just 28kg and … [Read more...] about All-electric expansion: 600kW and 8000Nm from one car alone
BEV cooling: Lexus uses one method, its parent Toyota another
In the past couple of years the number of battery-electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) available worldwide has increased upwards of 40 per cent, to around 370. And more are on the way, many from start-ups that have had little to do with the automotive industry until now … Automotive engineers the world over agree: the use of liquids is the … [Read more...] about BEV cooling: Lexus uses one method, its parent Toyota another