Download: 27 Jul 2011

Wednesday 27 July 2011

Infiniti is Such a Tease

Infiniti-is-Such-a-Tease

Back in April we got a first glimpse of the luxury JX crossover concept via a flowing, yet blurry side view illustration. There was also word that the new Infiniti concept would be bigger than both the FX and EX35, and would contain a third row of seating, bringing it closer in size to the big daddy QX56. The upcoming crossover also hinted strongly at the design language used in the Essence concept seen back at the 2009 Geneva show.

First Infiniti JX Crossover Concept Teaser

Three months later (July 8), another JX image appeared. This time, Infiniti provided much more defined lines, revealing a headlight and a very low, nearly three-quarter shot, further hinting at the 7-passenger capability of JX as well as a more muscular design. The news this time around was that Infiniti would periodically reveal a new JX teaser shot on their Facebook page until the concepts official unveil on August 18 at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

Second Infiniti JX Crossover Concept Teaser

Next, a shot of the highly-styled taillight on July 15…

Third Infiniti JX Crossover Concept Teaser

Now, we have what may be the most interesting teaser yet, which gives a first look at portions of the drivers side and D-pillar. Take note of the resemblance to the bent lines at the rear from the Infiniti Etherea Concept seen at the 2011 Geneva show.

Forth Infiniti JX Crossover Concept Teaser - Infiniti Etherea Concept

Fourth Infiniti JX Crossover Concept Teaser - Infiniti Etherea Concept

One wonders if the slow, yet consistent hype has the makers of the Audi Q7, Cadillac Escalade and Mercedes-Benz R-Class looking over their shoulder. Only time will tell. Look for the production version of the JX at the upcoming Los Angeles show in November, with a 2013 model expected to hit dealerships in the Spring of 2012.

Source : Google Reader

Wireless Recharging to Make Racing Debut

Wireless Recharging to Make Racing Debut: "

Automotive technology company HaloIPT wants to bring electric vehicles and wireless recharging to the world of racing. Teamed with UK-based Drayson Racing Technologies, a team that purportedly “develops and races green motorsport technology,” the two outfits are looking to fit electric racing cars with dynamic charging systems. Transmitters in the road surface will feed energy to the vehicle’s battery pack, ensuring that time consuming stops to plug-in and recharge are a thing of the past.

It’s pretty exciting technology, especially in terms of real world applications for EVs. Imagine pulling up to a traffic light in your EV and, while waiting for the light to turn green, your car is seamlessly topped up with electricity. Not only do you have a zero emission car, you also own a vehicle that could feasibly never stop running under its own power. That’s a dramatic improvement from the approximate 70-100 miles of range offered by most of today’s EVs.

“Dynamic wireless charging will be a real game-changer, enabling zero emission electric vehicles to race over long periods without the need for heavy batteries,” said Lord Paul Drayson, co-founder of Drayson Racing. “Motor racing is the ideal environment to fast-track the development of this promising technology and to prove its effectiveness.”

HaloIPT says the first electric racing car to demonstrate this technology will hit the track “later this year.” Charging pads will be placed in the pit lane and on the track itself. However, the type of car and the location of the track have not been disclosed. A search on HaloIPT’s website turned up several videos of a Citroen C1 EV-ie and, somewhat ironically, an animated Toyota Prius hybrid demonstrating how Inductive Power Transfer (IPT) works.

Both are fine eco-conscious cars, though neither seems particularly suited for carving corners and smoking the tread off their low-rolling-resistance tires on a racetrack.

Source : Google Reader