The Environment

Chevrolet Volt’s Voltec Propulsion system

Chevrolet Volt’s Voltec Propulsion system

March 7, 2012: The Volt’s unique Voltec propulsion system combines elements of gas-electric hybrid and pure electric propulsion systems. Read Article

Our electrical future

Our electrical future

January 25, 2012: Technical editor, Jim Kerr, explains the next generation of vehicles: electrics and plug-in hybrids. Read Article

Automobile recycling

Automobile recycling

January 11, 2012: Over 75 per cent of an automobile is recyclable, and in Europe and Japan, they’re aiming for 95 per cent. Read Article

Flood-damaged vehicles

Flood-damaged vehicles

September 21, 2011: Should you buy a vehicle that’s been in a flood or otherwise immersed in water? Technical Editor, Jim Kerr, advises. Read Article

Driving in the future

Driving in the future

August 24, 2011: By 2020, experts predict that advanced internal combustion engines will still be the dominant powerplants in the marketplace, reports Jim Kerr. Read Article

A Mazda mule

A Mazda mule

August 17, 2011: Jim Kerr drives a Mazda “mule”, a prototype used to evaluate technologies to be used in future vehicles. Read Article

Driving for fuel economy

Driving for fuel economy

July 27, 2011: Jim Kerr lists driving techniques that can save you up to 20 per cent in fuel costs. Read Article

Small displacement power

July 20, 2011: By Jim Kerr Small can be good, especially when it comes to the engines that power our vehicles. With the price of fuel continuing to rise, automobile manufacturers are looking to build more fuel-efficient vehicles, and installing a small-displacement engine is one way of improving fuel economy: it simply takes less air and fuel to fill the smaller cylinders. There are other advantages to sma... Read Article

2012 Honda Civic Hybrid powertrain

2012 Honda Civic Hybrid powertrain

June 15, 2011: Changes to the new Civic Hybrid’s powertrain have improved power and fuel economy, says Technical Editor, Jim Kerr. Read Article

Mazda SkyActiv Technology

Mazda SkyActiv Technology

June 1, 2011: Mazda’s SkyActiv is a three-prong technology of engines, transmissions and lightweight chassis to reduce fuel use. Jim Kerr explains how all of these technologies will be used together in upcoming models. Read Article

The Hydrogen Highway

May 18, 2011: By Jim Kerr All filling stations are not equal. On May 10, 2011, the latest in automotive filling stations opened to provide the fuel of the future – hydrogen. It is the first hydrogen fuelling station fed directly from an active industrial pipeline. Located in Torrance, California, the filling station is adjacent to the Toyota Motor Sales USA sales and marketing headquarters, a... Read Article

Hyundai’s Sonata Hybrid

Hyundai’s Sonata Hybrid

May 11, 2011: The 2011 Sonata Hybrid is the first hybrid vehicle on the market to use a lithium-ion polymer battery, reports Jim Kerr. Read Article

Radiator shutters

Radiator shutters

April 6, 2011: A traditional method of adjusting airflow around the radiator and engine is making a comeback, says Jim Kerr Read Article