Clarion Marine Stereo Remote Control on 2040-parts.com

SAE approves new fast-charging standard for EVs, plug-ins

SAE International said it has approved a new technical standard that will dramatically reduce charging times for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles. The global engineering group said the new charging standard, developed with the cooperation of more than 190 automakers, utilities and equipment builders, will allow charging times to be reduced from as long as eight hours to as short as 20 minutes. Automakers want DC direct charging to take less than 10 minutes, or roughly the time it takes to fill a tank with gasoline.The goal is to accommodate currents as high as 500 volts distributed from public charging stations.

2013 Buick Verano Turbo turns up the power

Buick is adding a turbo variant this fall as the premium model for the Verano lineup. While it's meant to be sporty, the idea behind the sedan is to offer buyers a reasonably powerful option that allows for more amusing commutes, but admittedly, it isn't a dedicated performance model. This is a measured approach, which means extra output for expressway merges and launches from lights, but no hard-core suspension or brake packages.

Lexus teases new design direction ahead of Detroit 2012

Lexus Concept Tease Detroit 2012 (click image for full size) Lexus has sent us a teaser photo of a new Lexus Concept heading for the Detroit Motor Show which is said to preview a new design direction. With the 2012 Detroit Motor Show just weeks away, we’re starting to get the big teases from car makers eager to ramp up interest in their offerings. This morning we learnt that Honda will take the new NSX to Detroit, and now we have arch-rivals Toyota teasing a new design direction for Lexus with a tease of a new concept, also Detroit-bound.