Autoblog

Tokyo 2009: Suzuki previews three fuel cell concepts

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:59:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Tokyo Motor Show, Hatchback, Suzuki, Motorcycle, Electric

In addition to the plug-in series hybrid version of the Swift subcompact hatchback that Suzuki will display at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show, the Japanese company will also be bringing along three separate concepts powered by fuel cells.

First up is the SX4-FCV, which uses an 80 kW hydrogen fuel cell stack supplied by longtime partner GM paired with a Suzuki-designed hydrogen storage tank that compresses the gas at 10,000 psi. A lightweight capacitor reportedly takes the place of the more common battery pack and helps smooth out the flow of electrons to the 68 kW electric motor and aids in regenerative braking. Road testing is currently underway of the SX4-FCV in Japan.

Next on the list is a version of Suzuki's popular Burgman scooter that's propelled by an electric motor that gets its power from a small hydrogen fuel cell from Intelligent Energy and the first 700-bar storage tank in the motorcycle world. The final fuel cell-powered concept from Suzuki is a personal mobility vehicle called the MIO that uses easily replaceable methanol fuel cell cartridges in lieu of batteries that should theoretically allow for unlimited range. Check out all three concepts in our gallery below and hit the jump for the press release.

Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Suzuki Fuel Cell Concepts

Continue reading Tokyo 2009: Suzuki previews three fuel cell concepts

Tokyo 2009: Suzuki previews three fuel cell concepts originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Fiat courting social media input to develop 2010 concept car

Michael Harley — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:38:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Technology, South America, Design/Style

Nearly all new cars and trucks are developed in secret, hidden from the scrutiny of the public and the competitive eyes of the other manufacturers. Tossing all of that nonsense aside, Fiat has started a Brazilian website with the intent of designing what it says will be the world's first "consumer-generated" concept car. Visitors to the site are encouraged to make suggestions about any component -- including powerplant, materials, and the all-important infotainment center. "We're inviting Brazilian consumers to invent the concept car that Fiat will exhibit in the Salao do Automovel, Sao Paulo's auto show, in October 2010," Abel Reis, the head of agency running the program told Advertising Age.

The site is designed like any familiar social-networking site, with comments, pictures, and feeds from Twitter. Subcategories help organize the content, and readers may vote for their favorite suggestions. While the site is written in Portuguese (Brazil is Fiat's largest market outside of Italy), a simple click translates each post into five different languages, expanding the programs reach.

Since the program started the first week in August, 67,000 visitors have submitted 1,700 ideas. Next month, Fiat will release more refined information about the vehicle based on its collected input. Readers will then be encouraged to get more technical with their questions. Several months before the official unveiling, the automaker will turn the topic towards marketing and branding, thus completing the design program.

[Source: Advertising Age]

REPORT: Fiat courting social media input to develop 2010 concept car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: K.I.T.T. helps sell Knight Rider GPS for Mio

Frank Filipponio — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 12:20:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Gadgets, SEMA Show, Classics, Performance, Pontiac, Celebrities, Specialty

Click above for high-res gallery of K.I.T.T. and the Mio GPS

There were a lot of movie and TV-themed vehicles at SEMA this year, but one of our favorite entertainment tie-ins had to be the Mio Knight Rider GPS system. We told you about this way back in June, played with it when the new K.I.T.T. visited the Autoblog Garage, and messed with it some more in Vegas. It sounds exactly like you'd hope it would. "Michael, you're going the wrong way, you ninny," isn't in the regular playlist, but it did have some attitude. Even better than laying hands on the Mio, however, was the fact that K.I.T.T. ( no, not the Mustang) was actually in the Mio booth selling the product. It was almost too much to handle. As we told you in June, the Mio Knight Rider GPS unit uses the voice the one-and-only William Daniels, the original voice of K.I.T.T., and asks cordially "Hello Michael, where do you want to go today?" when powered up. The 4.3-inch LCD display is also flanked by a series of red LEDs reminiscent of K.I.T.T.'s nose-mounted lights. It's available for sale now at about $270.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: K.I.T.T. helps sell GPS systems

SEMA 2008: K.I.T.T. helps sell Knight Rider GPS for Mio originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Nov 2008 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Radio Shack gets exclusive right to sell Mio Knight Rider GPS

Chris Shunk — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Technology, Ford

Click above for high-res gallery of the Mio Knight Rider GPS

The Mio Knight Rider GPS is coming soon to a store near you, as long as that retailer is a Radio Shack. The tech store and Mio struck an exclusive deal for the $279 navigation system, which features the original voice of KITT, William Daniels. We were able to try out the Knight Rider GPS when we had KITT in the Autoblog Garage, and it scored some extra novelty points while also working well as your standard, run of the mill nav system. Anyone who went for a ride in our KITT Shelby GT500KR tester was almost as interested in the talking nav system as the car itself. It's a little disappointing, however, that you can only get one at Radio Shack, though the sub-$300 price tag makes it all better.

Gallery: In the Autoblog Garage: KITT Shelby GT500 KR

[Source: CNET]

Radio Shack gets exclusive right to sell Mio Knight Rider GPS originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Suzuki unveils MIO: the fuel-cell powered wheelchair

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 18:02:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Suzuki

From sister-blog Engadget comes word of an adorable new Suzuki that should have people rolling in the aisles. Not because it's funny looking, but because it will offer mobility to those who need the aid only a wheelchair can provide. And guess what? It's one of the greenest vehicles on the planet too. Ditching the old-school lead-acid batteries of its forefathers, the new Suzuki MIO uses a so-right-now fuel cell-powered motor. Well, it doesn't forego batteries altogether, using a "large capacity Li-ion secondary battery." Range should be around 25 miles per 4 liter methanol fill-up.

And check out the other slick features on this broken-hip whip. The MIO uses armrests that double as safety barriers, ergonomic handlebars, a ventilated mesh seating surface, and an LCD panel that displays fuel level and power status. Suzuki insists the MIO is simply a prototype, and offers no pricing details while it "judges consumer interest."

[Source: Engadget]

Suzuki unveils MIO: the fuel-cell powered wheelchair originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Sep 2006 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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