Mazda confirms new SkyActiv-D 1.5 litre diesel engine for next Mazda2

The next Mazda2, previewed by the Hazumi Concept (pictured) gets a new SKYACTIV 1.5 diesel The Geneva Motor Show this year saw the arrival of the Mazda Hazumi Concept which was the first view of the next generation Mazda2, due to arrive in early 2015. What the Geneva Show also revealed from Mazda was the new SkyActiv-D 1.5 litre diesel engine which is heading for deployment in Mazda’s cars, and now Mazda has confirmed the next Mazda2 will be offered with the new clean and fugal diesel. Similar to the 2.2 litre diesel already available in the Mazda 6 and Mazda 3, the new 1.5 litre offers 103bhp and 185lb/ft of torque and features a bigger homogenous lean burn range, less mechanical resistance and new insulation to improve cooling and efficiency.

VW Golf GTE (2014) first official pictures

By Ollie Kew First Official Pictures 21 February 2014 10:40 This is the VW Golf GTE. As the name suggests, the idea is to mix GTI and e-Golf: teaming GTI levels of performance with e-motor hybrid propulsion. You’ll be able to snap one up from your regular VW dealer from autumn 2014, for around £28,000.

GM and Bezalel Academy of Art and Design develop Windows of Opportunity smart glass tech [w/video]

General Motors' Research and Development has collaborated with Bezalel Academy of Art and Design's Future Lab students to conceptualize new ways in which rear seat passengers – who traditionally feel disconnected from their environment – have a richer experience on the road. The result is the Windows of Opportunity project, a series of applications developed by the Bezalel students and built into full-size prototypes using multi-touch and gesture sensing surfaces developed by ClickEye. The projects were: – Otto an animated character projected over passing scenery that responds to real-time car performance, weather and landscape.