Studebaker Pulley, 197603, 1939 To 1941 Champion. Item: 2963 on 2040-parts.com

University students learn product development at Eco Car Challenge

The Eco Car Challenge spring workshop had a flavor of cutting-edge environmental technologies in advanced prototypes--developed by students. The event, at the Environmental Protection Agency's laboratory in Ann Arbor, Mich., allowed journalists to get behind the wheel of these test cars. It was part of a competition among 16 North American universities to design, develop and build vehicles that are forward-looking yet practical.

Rinspeed iChange concept (2009): first pics and video

By Alex Michaelides First Official Pictures 16 February 2009 13:00 The boffins at Swiss automotive madhouse Rinspeed – the people behind the Lotus Elise-based sQuba submarine – have announced their latest exercise in Geneva motor show lunacy: the iChange, a concept car that changes shape to accommodate different numbers of passengers. Unlike its aquatic stablemate, the new Rinspeed iChange is strictly meant for dry land, but it does continue the company’s trend of battery-powered exotica, using three lithium-ion power packs. The iChange has radical bodywork that changes the car’s format.

Nissan’s EV onslaught continues with Townpod

Nissan’s Townpod will be the company’s third electric vehicle (a battery-powered version of the NV200 commercial vehicle will slot in after the Leaf) and is slated for a late 2012 arrival in the UK. Looking remarkably like a character from Pixar’s Cars film, the Townpod takes the lithium-ion battery-powered drivetrain of the Leaf and cloaks it in urban friendly sheetmetal. The long wheelbase and zero overhangs results in a huge cabin, accessed by some trick doors – rear-hinged rear doors and a vertically split rear door.