Jesse Crosse | Autocar

FIA Formula E motors are the ultimate in EV drivetrains. BMW's iFE has a power-to-weight ratio three times better than an i3 motor thanks to lightweight parts used in the rotor

News

Under the skin: the hierarchy of EV motor technology

Batteries and chargers don't drive an electric vehicle, the motor does. Let's give it some more attention

29 April 2019

Under the skin: the hierarchy of EV motor technology

Toyota's e-CVT multi-tasking hybrid drive is efficient, mechanically simple and electronically complex, and it fits into a small, neat package

News

Under the skin: the latest CVT gearbox technology

Drivers may bemoan the CVT gearbox's notorious droning, but the advantages make the headache worthwhile

22 April 2019

Under the skin: the latest CVT gearbox technology

Mazda SkyActiv-X petrol-compression engine

The Skyactive-X petrol engine realises the Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition-combustion concept that manufacturers have strived to perfect for years

News

Under the skin: How Mazda is changing internal combustion

The Japanese company's new range of Skyactiv-X petrol engines work in the same way as diesel motors. Here's why

15 April 2019

Under the skin: How Mazda is changing internal combustion

News

Under the skin: the technology behind torque vectoring

Defined by the Mistubishi Lancer Evolution, torque vectoring goes one step further than a differential

8 April 2019

Under the skin: the technology behind torque vectoring

Hyundai Nexo fuel cell SUV to go on sale early 2019

Hyundai has revealed more information about the Nexo fuel cell car shown at CES earlier in the month

News

New Hyundai Nexo fuel cell SUV: UK pricing revealed

Hyundai's hydrogen-powered SUV is on sale now priced from £65,995 after the government grant

5 April 2019

New Hyundai Nexo fuel cell SUV: UK pricing revealed

Energy from expanding exhaust gases on the ‘hot side’ drives a compressor on the ‘cold side’ to force air into the engine under pressure

News

Under the skin: how turbochargers have evolved

Where did all the lag go? We look inside the modern turbo to see how it improves engine response and reduces emissions

1 April 2019

Under the skin: how turbochargers have evolved

Behind the scenes at Project 12 - carbonfibre finishers

Hand sanding, or 'blocking', to create a perfect finish and a keyed surface for the topcoat, is done using small compressed air-powered sanders

News

The story behind the perfect carbonfibre finish

Expensively made carbonfibre cars need to look their resplendent best. We meet the man who ensures they do

24 March 2019

The story behind the perfect carbonfibre finish

The latest LSDs have electronically activated clutches instead of mechanical ramps which compress the plates and lock the differential

Opinion

Under the skin: how technology is improving limited-slip differentials

We take a look inside the crucial component in any performance car's drivetrain

18 March 2019

Under the skin: how technology is improving limited-slip differentials

Modular platforms like Volkswagen's MEB architecture can help to streamline production

News

Whatever next? The future of motoring

The world around us is changing – and fast. We examine how the challenges and opportunities will change how we make, buy and drive cars, too

17 February 2019

Whatever next? The future of motoring

Torque vectoring can rescue the enthusiastic driver

News

The story behind Alfa Romeo’s handling reinvention

Italian car maker reveals technical details of return-to-form Giulia and Stelvio models

25 January 2019

The story behind Alfa Romeo’s handling reinvention

Has the advent of electrification brought an end to the days of the road trip?

News

Kona to Edinburgh: 700 miles in Hyundai's new EV for the masses

Is the affordable long range EV finally here? We took a Kona Electric on a round trip of almost 700 miles from Oxfordshire to Edinburgh and back to find out

6 January 2019

Kona to Edinburgh: 700 miles in Hyundai's new EV for the masses