1983 Yamaha Venture Royale Xvz1200 Xvz 1200 Back Rest Backrest on 2040-parts.com

University students learn product development at Eco Car Challenge

The Eco Car Challenge spring workshop had a flavor of cutting-edge environmental technologies in advanced prototypes--developed by students. The event, at the Environmental Protection Agency's laboratory in Ann Arbor, Mich., allowed journalists to get behind the wheel of these test cars. It was part of a competition among 16 North American universities to design, develop and build vehicles that are forward-looking yet practical.

GM to modify Chevrolet Volts to guard against battery fire

General Motors will add a structural reinforcement and devices to prevent overfilling of the battery cooling system in the Chevrolet Volt hybrid sedan to prevent the possibility of a fire after a side crash. The changes come seven months after a Volt caught fire three weeks after being crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The government agency in November opened a defect investigation into the Volt because of the battery fire.

Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid at Geneva

The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid Yes, it’s yet another eco car, this time from Volvo. But as eco cars go the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid does seem to have quite a lot going for it. Volvo confirmed back in 2009 that they would bring a plug-in hybrid to market by 2012, and it looks like they are very much on track as we learn they are planning on taking the V60 Plug-in to Geneva in March in what they say is almost production-ready form.