Car Tech Articles

A good part of the exhibition space at the 2007 Tokyo auto show is devoted to motorcycles. Manufacturers such as Yamaha, Suzuki, and Honda had some fascinating concept bikes on display, showing how they see the future of motorcycling. From big, high-tech concepts that look like they came straight out of Akira, to green and clean fuel-cell scooters, these bikes show off two-wheelers for every purpose. And there's even a four-wheel motorcycle in the mix.

Click here for photos of motorcycle concepts at the 2007 Tokyo auto show.

For all the times we saw the likes of KITT and Herbie get themselves around the TV screen under their own steam, there is still something simultaneously unnerving and thrilling about watching a car drive right past you with no one on board--for real. To see a driverless car stop at a busy intersection, wait for a gap in the traffic, and then make a left-hand turn makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end.

We were on site yesterday in Victorville, Calif., where 36 teams are participating in the 2007 DARPA Urban Challenge, a contest … Read more

A more high-tech interior may be in store for future Chrysler models, Bob Nardelli, Chrysler's new chief executive officer and chairman, hinted during an interview at the annual conference of the Magazine Publishers of America on Monday.

"Look, I'm not a designer, but I am a consumer," he said at the Webcasted event.

"The interior and aesthetic of a vehicle today has to be your most favorite room under your roof. It has to be tranquil. It has to have all the latest technology onboard and it has to be self-tutorial in the education of … Read more

The latest version of the legendary Nissan GT-R comes to the U.S. next summer. This car hits 60 mph in around 3.5 seconds, putting it in super-car territory. The GT-R looks tough and fast, and is powered by a 3.6-liter twin turbo V-6 mated to a twin clutch transmission.

BMW adds a hallowed model label to its 1-Series Coupe, along with carbon fiber components and a sport interior. The tii concept takes the 135i, which should already be an incredible performer, and tricks it out for the race track.

Audi's metroproject concept presages the Audi A1, set to begin production in 2009. This little car uses a hybrid powertrain, with a gas engine driving the front wheels and an electric motor for the rear wheels. It employs a unique removable smartphone-like device that works as the brains for the car's infotainment systems.

The Tesseract looks like two motorcycles bolted together. This four-wheeled bike, powered by a hybrid engine, employs a unique mechanism that lets it lean to the side when you go into a corner. At stops, it locks into an upright position.

Looking like a giant MP3 player mock-up, the SSC, or Suzuki Sharing Coach, is actually a transporter for two other Suzuki concept vehicles. The SSC can hold two Suzuki Pixys, little personal transporters. Are cars within cars the wave of the future?

There are a lot of people who are convinced that established automakers and oil companies, along with some support from dealers, conspired together to kill electric cars back in the '90s.

One of the most repeated points they try to make is that General Motors only leased its EV1 electric car to consumers. The theory is that the lease existed so that GM could pull them back, in case people really liked the cars.

Ironically, two electric car start-ups are also going to put out their cars under leasing plans. Shai Agassi, a former SAP executive, has finally released some … Read more