Perkins Marine Engine Instruments Panel Custom Made W/ Wiring Harness Terminal on 2040-parts.com

Volvo makes breakthrough in battery tech

Volvo has developed a new way of ‘storing’ energy for its future electric vehicles. The Swedish firm is exploring the concept of lightweight structural energy storage components made from carbonfibre, containing “nano structured batteries and super capacitors.” This technology is said to offer a lighter, more compact solution to the problem of energy storage, potentially removing the need for the heavy, bulky batteries used in current electric vehicles. On Bing: see pictures of the Volvo S80 Find out how much a used Volvo S80 costs on Auto Trader The investigation into the new technology is part of an EU-funded research project, undertaken by Volvo – the only major car manufacturer involved – and nine other organisations.

Renault Twizy RS F1 concept (2013) first official pictures

Renault has given the Twizy electric car a mad twist by bolting on an F1-style KERS system for Megane Renaultsport 265-worrying performance available for the very brave. The Twizy Renault Sport F1 Concept sits on single seater racing wheels, has an F1-apeing front splitter, side-pods, rear wing and even a rear diffuser to make the link to the racing side of Renault’s activities. F1-style KERS in a Twizy?

This day in Autoweek history: The 1976 Chevrolet Chevette

Today in Autoweek history, we look back to the week of September 20, 1975, when Corey Farley gave us a look at the new 1976 Chevrolet Chevette. The B-segment (for 1976, anyway) newcomer weighed in at a scant 1,998 pounds and carried an equally lightweight MSRP of $2,899. Farley described how the Chevette handled some of the rigors of testing, which included hauling four journalists and their camera equipment around the Black Lake testing facility in Milford, Mich.