Automotive
Auto Tech Review
High-End Polymers Key to Meet OEMs Weight Reduction Targets
As part of its commitment to the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals, Covestro, the Leverkusen-based materials manufacturer, announced an ambitious sustainability target to reduce its specific CO2 emissions per tonne of product by 50 %, based on a base line of 2005 in April this year. Towards that goal, the company has also been taking significant steps in the Indian market. We recently met up with Ajay Durrani, Country President, India and Managing Director – Indian Sub-Continent, Covestro for a detailed understanding of the company’s approach towards polymers and chemistry in general.
7 min |
October 2016
Auto Tech Review
Accessible Performance With Advanced Electronics
With close to 300,000 units of the Monster having been sold since its launch in 1993, there have been many iterations of the bike over the last two decades. Currently, the Monster family comprises two models – the Monster 821 and its bigger sibling, the Monster 1200. here, we take a look at the suite of technologies underlying the Monster 821, which also make it an excellent sportsbike.
7 min |
October 2016
Auto Tech Review
Future Of Mobility - Smart, Connected, Customisable
The mobility sector has been witness to major disruptions in recent times, so much so that global leaders from the industry have been talking about the pace of development in the last decade being as much as the entire development over the preceding 50 years.
5 min |
September 2018
Auto Tech Review
Paving The Way For Increased Fast Charging Deployment
Mobility of tomorrow will include a gamut of futuristic solutions and technologies. A lot of these would be in the realm of alternate propulsions systems. For now, the one that is most promising is electrified mobility, which is set to witness large-scale adoption globally. While battery cost and their range continue to be high on everyone’s priority, charging mechanism, standards and infrastructure is no less important. We take stock on developments in the fast charging area.
4 min |
September 2018
Auto Tech Review
Design Optimisation Of Automobile Crash Box
Muskan Taneja, a third-year Mechanical Engineering student at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani University, KK Birla Goa Campus, has diligently focussed on developing a solution to minimise im pact on a vehicle and the passenger in case of a car crash. This eye-catching innovation has been widely appreciated within the automotive industry, and helped her win the Indian Automotive Technology and Innovation Awards (IATIA) 2018 ‘Student Innovator of the Year’ award.
5 min |
February 2019
Auto Tech Review
Refinement, Efficiency Hallmarks Of Mahindra's 4D15 Marazzo Engine
SUVs are known to offer a more practical answer to mobility across tough conditions, while vehicles in the MPV segment are essentially large people-carriers offering comfort and convenience. This required Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd (M&M) to develop a vehicle much different from its usual offerings, for which the Mahindra Research Valley (MRV), along with the Mahindra Automotive North America (MANA), Detroit, and Pininfarina carried out collaborative engineering. The Marazzo was thus born as the company’s first multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) in September 2018.
7 min |
February 2019
Auto Tech Review
Mahindra Addressing Climate Change With Smart Manufacturing Initiatives
Climate change today is one of the biggest concerns for humanity. The impacts of industrialisation and global warming have played a definitive role in the evolution of how businesses are done. In India, one of the foremost industrial groups to make strong commitments towards climate protection is the Mahindra Group. Spearheading the movement for the Mahindra Group is its Igatpuri facility, which recently declared its carbon neutral status without the purchase of carbon credits.
7 min |
February 2019
Auto Tech Review
Future Materials To Enable Automotive Industry Move Towards Megatrends
The functionality and robustness of a mechanical component is as good as the materials used to manufacture it. This holds well in the automotive industry, where cost is an important criterion for the selection of materials used in manufacturing.
5 min |
February 2019
Auto Tech Review
Ever-Increasing Penetration Of Electronics In Automotive
Electronics is becoming all pervasive – the way we communicate, what we work on, how we watch entertainment, and also in the way we drive vehicles.
4 min |
June 2019
Auto Tech Review
All-In-One Propulsion Solution For Hevs, EVS
BorgWarner has launched its first eDM (electric drive module) and is expanding the corresponding family by developing the iDM (integrated drive module). The company’s all-in-one propulsion solution for electric mobility combines transmission, electric motor and inverter technologies, while offering a compact, integrated design.
5 min |
June 2019
Auto Tech Review
iNVH 2019 Deliberates On Future NVH Optimisation
The International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) recently organised the fifth edition of its International Seminar on Noise, Vibration and Harshness (iNVH) at its Manesar facility.
6 min |
June 2019
Auto Tech Review
Solutions For The Cockpit Of The Future
New tasks within the interaction between driver and vehicle are brought about by the trends of connectivity, automation, and electrification. Continental is developing various options that can map the expanded requirements to the cockpit as core interface between human and machine.
7 min |
June 2019
Auto Tech Review
Banking On Production Systems For Future Growth
The engine is considered to be the heart of a vehicle – the source of power.
6 min |
June 2019
Auto Tech Review
Avishkar Hyperloop Developing First Fully Automated Self-propelled Hyperloop Pod
Avishkar Hyperloop, a student team of IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) Madras, is riding high after it made it to the finals of the 2019 SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition that will be held on July 21, 2019 in Los Angeles, California, United States. What’s more, Avishkar Hyperloop is the only Asian team to make it to the final. SpaceX has been organising this competition since 2016 at its headquarters in Los Angeles aimed at encouraging student teams to develop their own versions of Hyperloop pods. The event attracts over 1,000 teams globally; out of which only three teams are allowed to test their pods in the track built by SpaceX.
3 min |
April 2019
Auto Tech Review
Futuristic On The Outside & Technology-Centric Within
Toyota Kirloskar Motor, which introduced the Camry in India nearly 17 years ago, has carved out a cosy little spot for itself in the Indian market. Three model changes later, the company recently launched the fourth generation model of the Camry in India at 36.95 lakh (ex-showroom). The new Camry, despite bearing a steep price tag, is packed with several technological advancements in the powertrain as well as in the chassis design. Further, the new saloon now boasts of futuristic looks and voguish interiors. Auto Tech Review got up close with the new Camry on the streets of New Delhi and here is our take on it.
4 min |
April 2019
Auto Tech Review
Additively Manufactured Lightweight Hood Hinge
Edag, voestalpine and simufact have developed the additively manufactured LightHinge+ engine hood hinge. The worthwhile result: as well as being half the weight of conventional designs, it also incorporates a pedestrian protection function. The component can be manufactured without tools, is optimised for warpage and requires only minimum post-processing.
6 min |
April 2019
Auto Tech Review
Improving Performance Through The Use Of Driver-In-The-Loop Simulations
With practical, financial and legislative restrictions on real world testing, Driver-in-the-Loop (DIL) simulation has become one of the cornerstones of professional motorsport. It now plays a vital role in everything from concept design to driver training. Recent advances at Ansible Motion with this tool have made sports car development at Honda R&D Sakura more powerful.
8 min |
April 2019
Auto Tech Review
Important To Build On Fame II Subsidies By Indigenising Electric Vehicle Components
Cleaner mobility is an absolute need, and there’s widespread acceptance that of all alternate fuel technologies available in the market, electric mobility is the most pragmatic solution.
5 min |
April 2019
Auto Tech Review
“India Will Be The Most Diverse Business Model In The World”
In the market for over a decade now, Volkswagen India hasn’t exactly set sales charts afire. Last year, the VW Group launched an ‘India 2.0’ project to drive the next phase of growth in what it recognises as an extremely important market. Auto Tech Review recently spoke to Steffen Knapp, Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars to understand the company’s views on a variety of subjects. Clearly, the company’s commitment to India is unwavering.
8 min |
April 2019
Auto Tech Review
Indo-Pacific Region: An Opportunity In The Making For Engineering R&D
Engineering simulation has evolved significantly over the last few decades.
4 min |
April 2019
Auto Tech Review
Ashok Leyland's Legacy Plant Embraces Technology
For 70 years since it started operations, Ashok Leyland has remained one of the country’s leading players in the commercial vehicle (CV) industry, especially in the truck space, and boasts of a long-standing manufacturing history. Auto Tech Review visited the company’s mother plant in Ennore, Chennai, where operations began wayback in 1948. Auto Tech Review met up with KV Natarajan, Plant Head – Ennore, Ashok Leyland Ltd, to understand the various developments that have taken place at the company’s oldest plant as well as the trends in the commercial vehicle segment in India. Natarajan also provided information on the highly-customisable product portfolio, continuous modernisation of the facility, increased utilisation of automation technologies, sustainable methods of manufacturing and the preparedness for BS VI emission norms.
6 min |
August 2019
Auto Tech Review
Triumph Speedmaster – Retro Cruiser With Modern Manners
The Triumph Speedmaster is not just your average cruiser. It features a 1,200 cc, liquid cooled, parallel twin, high torque motor that can really set your pulse racing. The Speedmaster wears a classic hard tail look that provides the rider a distinct road presence. But how is it on what matters most? We find out.
5 min |
July 2018
Auto Tech Review
Embracing Modernisation to Enhance Manufacturing of Precision Products
Machine tools serve as the backbone of various processes in the manufacturing of critical components for various industries. The automotive industry (OEMs and suppliers) extensively uses such machines for production of precision components that make up the pieces for larger products or modules. Bharat Fritz Werner Ltd (BFW) has been operating in machine tool-building space for over half a century. Auto Tech Review met up with Ravi Raghavan, Managing Director, Bharat Fritz Werner Ltd to understand its journey in this automotive ancillary business, its manufacturing prowess, unique offerings and steps taken to stay relevant in the market.
6 min |
July 2018
Auto Tech Review
2018 Supra SAE India – Creating A Winning Formula For Students
Live as if you were to die tomorrow, learn as if you were to live forever’. These famous lines were spoken by none other than the father of our nation – Mahatma Gandhi, and we consider it rare to witness this coming true. A stroll through the pit garages at the Maruti Supra SAEINDIA 2018 and one could see sagacious students huddled around their student formula cars giving their best shot like there is no tomorrow.
3 min |
July 2018
Auto Tech Review
Two Well-Endowed Sedans Slug It Out On The Open Road
The C segment sedan space in India has been dominated (in terms of sales) by Hyundai Verna, Honda City and Maruti Ciaz for some years now. Taking on the troika was never going to be easy, but Toyota has introduced the Yaris sedan, in what it hopes will tilt the scales in its favour. Toyota has surely been late to the party but has seemingly given it its best shot with the Yaris. The company’s strategy has been simple and somewhere matches with that of Hyundai, ‘pack in features that would set it apart from the crowd’. The Yaris is definitely unique in many ways, but does it have enough to dethrone the Verna? Auto Tech Review finds out.
4 min |
July 2018
Auto Tech Review
Connected - Automated - Autonomous - Where Does The Truth Lie?
Autonomous vehicles have been the biggest buzz in the auto industry for several years, but recent crashes have brought sensationalist tabloid headlines, too. Where does the truth lie, and when will self-driving cars become reality? A Ricardo whitepaper takes a deep dive into the whole complex subject and comes up with some surprising answers.
7 min |
July 2018
Auto Tech Review
Influence Of Dirt On Glare-Free High Beam Systems
Dirt on glare-free high beam systems can reduce the driver’s visibility and at the same time, cause increased glare for other road users. A field test was carried out at the Laboratory of Lighting Technology of the Technical University of Darmstadt that investigates the influence of dirt on glare-free high beam systems. By comparing the dirty and cleaned headlamps, it is possible to draw conclusions about the influence of pollution on the glare for other road users, as well as the detection of objects.
6 min |
July 2018
Auto Tech Review
Minda Kosei Aluminium Wheels Help Make Vehicles Safer, Fuel-Efficient
Rapidly changing customer demands are prompting companies to come up with innovative car wheel designs. Set-up with an initial capacity to roll out 90,000 units per month in 2016, Minda Kosei Aluminium Wheels underwent a capacity ramp-up last year to serve the growing alloy wheel demand in India. Auto Tech Review recently visited the company’s Bawal facility to know more about its manufacturing capabilities.
5 min |
November 2018
Auto Tech Review
Lithium Batteries For Cvs – Workhorses Among Energy Storage Units
Lithium-ion batteries for commercial vehicles have to differ from accumulators for passenger cars. This is due to higher power, longer service life and a multitude of smaller charge increases. Akasol demonstrates further differences and explains advantages of a liquid cooling system in comparison to purely passive concept and active air cooling system at different current rates.
8 min |
November 2018
Auto Tech Review
Fisita 2018 Deliberates On Sustainable Mobility Solutions
The 37th FISITA World Automotive Congress at Chennai served as a platform for the automotive engineering community to deliberate on the changing dynamics, opportunities and challenges in the global automotive industry that is undergoing significant transformations owing to the rapidly changing customer preferences and stringent regulatory requirements.
2 min |