Automotive Engineer is the magazine of the EAEC

Automotive Engineer

Features

BMW M5

Simon Bickerstaffe, .

For the first time, BMW’s latest performance sedan gets a smaller engine than its predecessor – fuel consumption is down, output is up, and it’s quicker than ever

Land Rover Defender

Simon Bickerstaffe, .

The benchmark 4x4 gets a cleaner, quieter diesel engine but its replacement must strike a balance between on-road performance and off-road capability if it’s to be as successful

Volkswagen Up

Simon Bickerstaffe, .

Outstanding packaging, sub-1,000kg kerb weight, sub-100g/km CO2 emissions and autonomous emergency braking make this A-segment vehicle the benchmark city car

Opel RAKe

James Scoltock, .

Opel’s electric vehicle concept has been developed entirely in Europe and uses conventional materials, battery technology from the Ampera, and a non-traditional seating arrangement to keep the weight low

Challenging current thinking

Simon Bickerstaffe, .

Weight and cost reduction are essential if electric vehicles are to become competitive. Gordon Murray Design thinks that use of composites and a rethink of the manufacturing process can deliver both

Opel-Vauxhall Ampera

James Scoltock, .

Connecting an internal combustion engine to an electric traction motor is a complex way to improve vehicle efficiency. But the Opel-Vauxhall Ampera uses that powertrain set-up to emit only 40g/km of CO2 on the European drive cycle

Opel-Vauxhall Astra GTC

James Scoltock, .

Opel-Vauxhall’s chassis engineers have developed the Astra GTC so that drivers can keep the accelerator pedal depressed even on the most demanding roads

IAA review

Simon Bickerstaffe, .

We've ignored the luxury SUVs and looked instead at the city car concepts, lightweight materials and powertrain technologies that will cut fleet-average emissions.