Chrysler Oem Dodge Drive Motor Inverter Bolt 6101799 Image 4 on 2040-parts.com

Toyota tests chips that improve hybrid efficiency by 10 percent

Toyota announced on Tuesday that it has developed a new semiconductor, claiming it can boost fuel efficiency in hybrid cars by an impressive 10 percent. The semiconductors manage the flow of electricity through the power-control unit that connects the battery to an electric or hybrid car's motor and generator. The newly developed semiconductors are said to consume only a tenth of the energy of today's chips, while allowing the power-control unit to be 80 percent smaller.

Driving the Chevy Volt isn't special, and that's good

We've had our first taste of the drive system under development for General Motors' pioneering Chevrolet Volt, piloting a test mule based on the Chevrolet Cruze at the company's Warren (Mich.) Technical Center, and it left us hungering for more. Yes, it's an electric car, but mostly, it's a car--one you could imagine driving every day without feeling as if you were engaged in a lab experiment. Frank Weber, vehicle line executive for the Volt, gets his nose out of joint if you call the drive system a hybrid.

UP Design Vittoria concept

Former I.DE.A styling manger, Umberto Palermo, unveiled his Victoria concept at the 2012 Qatar motor show. Responsible for both the institute's ERA and Sofia concepts, Palermo has now set up his own design consultancy, UP Design. The Vittoria concept has classical front-engined, rear-wheel drive proportions with a long hood and cab rearward layout.