Atp 102102 Harmonic Balancer-engine Harmonic Balancer on 2040-parts.com

Electric cars can become electricity banks

Ever try to store electricity? It won't stay in a bottle, and you can't keep it in your sock drawer. So when you have a lot of it--say, when it's windy and your wind turbines are really spinning, or when it's sunny and your gallium arsenide photovoltaics are lighting up, or at night when the utility's generators can run unhindered--you have to store it somewhere.

Show Review: Design LA

Design LA, the automotive design conference that incorporates the Design Challenge competition, has announced its winners, during this year's LA Motor Show. Chuck Pelly, who set up Design LA last year, introduced the event and the judges for the Design Challenge: Tom Matano , Director, Academy of Art University; Imre Molner, Dean, College of Creative Studies; Steward Reed, Chair, Transportation Design, Art Centre College of Design; and Bill Van Amburg, Senior Vice President, Calsart. This year's nine competition entries had a brief to deliver a 100 percent recyclable, five-year lifespan vehicle with 'accoutrements that add fun or function to represent California's unique green lifestyle.' The Acura FCX 2020 Le Mans is a Le Mans-style race car concept notable for its enclosed wheels and motorbike style forward-inclined driving position between the front wheels (which can just be made out in the translucent illustration shown here).

Ralph Lauren's car collection does Paris

Spring has sprung across much of the country, meaning heavy flannels now give way to white polo shirts--many of which will be crested with the familiar emblem of Ralph Lauren on the front. While we at One AutoWeek Tower prefer greasy T-shirts and ripped jeans, collared apparel does have its place. In that vein, Lauren's fabled car collection is taking center stage at a Paris art museum, and the exhibit will run through Aug.