CAN helped link ECUs, improving vehicle safety
The protocol allows the fast flow of data around the car, but it wasn't invented until 1980s
Automotive Engineer is the magazine of the EAEC
Automotive Engineer
Milestones
Mary Anderson invented a window-cleaning device in 1903
Keeping the windscreen clear in the rain used to mean drivers leaning out of their vehicles to wipe the glass with their hands
Sergius Vernet's thermostat design helped to improve engine efficiency and reliability
Managing the thermal characteristics of engines helps to boost performance and in the early development of cars decreased cylinder wear
Francis W Davis invented a hydraulic power-steering system
The weight of early cars made them difficult to manoeuvre, and the widespread adoption of pneumatic tyres further hindered driveability
Jonas Hesselman developed gasoline direct injection to help improve his dual-fuel engine
As OEMs downsize engines and boost efficiency gasoline direct injection is a key technology
Giovanni Torozza, an engineer with imagination and flair
Variable valve timing has improved the performance and efficiency of combustion engines, but the technology wasn’t developed until the 1960s
Takehisa Yaegashi's foresight brought hybrids to the mainstream
When Toyota introduced the Prius in 1997, many in the industry lampooned the concept as complex and expensive. But today nearly every OEM is developing hybrid technology
Paul Daimler brought all-wheel drive systems to passenger vehicles
All-wheel drive technology is used on everything from SUVs and sportscars to B-segment vehicles and family cars
Wunibald Kamm helped define modern-day aerodynamics
Modern vehicles with low Cd values owe a lot to an innovation developed in 1930's
John Hetrick inventor of the airbag
Since their invention in 1952 airbags have saved thousands of lives
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Powertrain
Thin end of the wedge
Very low-viscosity oils can improve fuel consumption and emissions but meeting OEMs’ volatility an... more.
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Chassis
Electronic stability control module
Automotive Engineer explains in detail... more.
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Safety
Ford gets to the heart of safety
Prototype seats monitor drivers’ heart condition... more.
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Electronics
Infotainment: Seeing is beleiving
The 3D head-up displays BMW is developing look great but will only reach production if they reduce w... more.
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Hybrids
Alfred Büchi the inventor of the turbocharger
Turbocharging technology made the combustion engine more reliable and efficient, but the first syste... more.
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Body-in-white
Composites will make Audi’s sportscars lighter
The next R8 sportscar will use carbon-fibre reinforced plastic... more.
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Downsizing
Magna Powertrain’s head of global products Walter Sackl
How future powertrain development will affect all-wheel drive technologies and why China is the larg... more.
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Hybrids & EVs
Audi previews lightweight electric city car concept
Carbon fibre 1+1 to appear at Frankfurt IAA... more.
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High Performance
Jaguar F-Type coming in 2012
Aluminium convertible will take on Porsche Boxster in the sports car segment... more.
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Testing
Crash course
Toyota develops new virtual crash test dummies to improve vehicle safety... more.
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Drivetrain
Luxury goods
Daimler’s latest seven-speed automatic transmission has made the four-cylinder S-Class a reality... more.
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Motorsport
Renault 5 Alpine
Retro image gallery... more.
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Commercial Vehicles
Daimler Vito E-Cell
We take a look at Daimler’s first mass-produced electric commercial vehicle, Vito E-cell van... more.
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Design
Mazda's chief designer, Yasushi Nakamuta
A lump of clay can be more useful than a digital model... more.