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New techniques cut cost of carbon fiber

Carbon fiber, once so costly that it was the preferred material only for fighter planes and supercars, is catching the attention of weight-conscious automakers. Carbon fiber's cost is falling dramatically, thanks to production advances that let suppliers speed the material's finicky, and costly, curing process. One technological breakthrough that makes carbon-fiber auto parts more affordable may come from a process used to make carbon-fiber golf clubs.

Seat IBE (2010) at Geneva motor show

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 02 March 2010 08:43 Seat's new IBE concept car provided the thrills on the Spanish firm's stand at the 2010 Geneva motor show. Although more about the tech than the design, the IBE does drop a few clues to the next Leon family.It's based on the running gear of the new Leon and packs a 75kW electric engine capable of daily use around town thanks to lithium ion batteries with 18kWh capacity. The IBE is a classic 2+2 shooting brake design and is teeny tiny; at 3780mm long, it's 10 inches shorter than an Ibiza supermini.Seat IBE concept car: the electrical gubbins The IBE packs an electric motor under bonnet driving the front wheels and fed by rear-mounted batteries.

Detroit auto show 2012 - a video review of the NAIAS

It's CAR's traditional three wise-ish men in a car video review of the 2012 North American International Auto Show. Hear the analysis from our European editor Georg Kacher, contributing editor Ben Oliver and anchorman associate editor Tim Pollard, as they chew over the new cars, surprises, delights and disappointments from the Detroit auto show. NAIAS 2012 was a more sober affair than the previous era of showmanship; there were no herds of cattle being steered down Detroit's streets or wild parties hosted by Chrysler in the old Firehouse.