100% electric Peugeot’s latest concept car is a visually striking two-seater roadster with a futuristic styling and an original architecture, designed to offer intense driving sensations as a celebration of the Marque’s 200th anniversary.

100% real The EX1 has already broken several world records for acceleration from a standing start.
It owes its stunning performance to its streamlined aerodynamics, its ultra-light structure and its two electric motors, which give the car a cumulative maximum power of 250 kW (340 bhp) and four-wheel drive.

As the preparations for the commercial launch of the iOn near completion, Peugeot demonstrates with the EX1 the exciting possibilities for electric power.

< P>Source:http://www.peugeot.com/en/news/2010/9/21/peugeot-ex1-bat-6-records.aspx?count=270&filterBy=1&page=1

In view of the contribution of Chinese society, especially in road traffic safety, environmental protection and urban mobility to the outstanding contribution made, “Southern Weekend” on Sept. 17 awarded the Peugeot Citroen Group, “Corporate Social Responsibility in China” case Award.

“Southern Weekend • Second Annual Social Responsibility in China” Ping Chu a total of ten areas of corporate social responsibility responsibility responsibility for events and the top ten leaders. This is one of the most authoritative selection. The PSA Peugeot Citroën awarded the “Top Ten responsibility for the event” award, also won the award this year only one car company.

PSA Peugeot Citroen Group has been to build a harmonious society and make the car work. Mainly in three aspects:

Road safety: PSA Peugeot Citroen is the first road traffic safety in China for one of propaganda. Six years, has made unremitting efforts. Established in 2004 in Beijing, including the “Road Traffic Safety Press Club,” gathered experts, journalists and authority to lead the media attention the issue of road traffic safety. Later, after another 9 cities in the country set up the club. Group has also funded several research institutions on Road Traffic Safety of academic research, and funding the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention study.

PSA Peugeot Citroën is the first in China for large enterprises and organizations to provide free road safety training for auto companies. In 2008, the Group and the China Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, organized a road safety theme of Creative Competition, attracted more than 2 million users participate. In addition, the Group also adopted the Central People’s Radio Voice of the economic channels to launch a “road safety for 30 seconds,” the column is designed to provide road users on safe driving advice.

Source: http://www.psa.net.cn/Media/NewsDetail.aspx?newsid=a0LA000000277q8MAA

This first racetrack appearance of the SLS AMG GT3 at the VLN event (VLN = Association of Nürburgring Endurance Cup Organisers, with 10 motorsport clubs) is a fixed part of the development and testing programme which commenced in June 2010. The four-hour race on the legendary “Nordschleife” (“North Loop”) of the Nürburgring will test the gullwing model under realistic racing conditions. The focus will not only be on fast lap times, but also on the durability of all components, service-friendliness and smooth procedures during pitstops and driver changes. During this race on the 20.8-kilometre long Nürburgring “Nordschleife” – which is acknowledged to be the world’s most demanding racetrack – the chosen suspension setup will be assessed under racing conditions for the first time.

Developed according to the GT3 rules of the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile), the SLS AMG GT3 will take to the starting line for the VLN race in prototype class E1-XP.

Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport Norbert Haug: “The Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 will start a new era in Mercedes-Benz customer motorsports. This car is an exciting and spectacular sporting tool for committed private teams and talented private drivers. Together with our well-proven sports and touring car partner HWA, AMG will establish a customer motorsports department, and ensure the usual high level of Mercedes service for its motorsports customers.”

The drivers for this racetrack debut of the SLS AMG GT3 are Bernd Schneider (46) – who has been a Mercedes-Benz works driver for many years and is also an AMG brand ambassador – and Thomas Jäger (33). With five DTM titles, one ITC championship and one FIA GT championship to his name, Bernd Schneider is one of the most successful German racing drivers. Thomas Jäger is the reigning Porsche Carrera Cup (Germany) champion, and drove in the DTM for Mercedes-Benz between 2000 and 2003. This season he is lining up in the ADAC GT-Masters (Germany). Like Bernd Schneider, he is a member of the instructor team at the AMG Driving Academy.

Source: http://media.daimler.com/dcmedia/0-921-1283095-1-1335305-1-0-0-0-0-0-11700-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0.html

Nürburgring – The new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 made its first racing appearance for the 4-hour race held on 25 September 2010 as part of the VLN Nürburgring Endurance Championship. Even though the gullwing car was already involved in an accident during the starting lap, Bernd Schneider and Thomas Jäger were able to demonstrate the potential of the SLS AMG GT3. Developed according to the GT3 regulations of the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile), the SLS AMG GT3 was entered in prototype class E1-XP. A total of 206 cars took part in this eighth VLN race.

Having achieved a third place in qualifying, the SLS AMG GT3 started the race from the second rank bearing start number 738. Bernd Schneider, five-time DTM Champion and now an AMG brand ambassador, was behind the wheel at the start. Schneider was already in second place by the first bend, however contact with the leading car on the second bend caused him to spin and collide with the following car. After a 25-minute break for repairs, Bernd Schneider returned to the race three laps behind the leaders, and was able to hold his own without problems in the lineup of GT3 cars.

When Thomas Jäger replaced Bernd Schneider at the wheel, the SLS AMG GT3 continued the race according to expectations. When the race was ended prematurely owing to numerous accidents, the gullwing was positioned in 91st place, three laps behind.

Bernd Schneider: “I think that despite my accident during the starting lap, we were able to show the potential of the gullwing. The SLS AMG GT3 feels great, and makes very satisfactory lap times possible. Even on the demanding North Loop at Nürburgring, the car drives very well.”

Thomas Jäger: “Today’s race was a valuable test, and provided important data for the planned further development of the SLS AMG GT3. We will use the findings obtained today to fine-tune the car, so that we are well prepared for the next VLN race.”

Source: http://media.daimler.com/dcmedia/0-921-1283095-1-1335689-1-0-0-0-0-0-11700-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0.html

Stuttgart/Hanover – At the 63rd IAA Commercial Vehicles show in Hanover, Winfried Heckt, Head of Bus Sales at Mercedes-Benz Germany, handed over the original Travego M show vehicle to Günter Bohr, Managing Director of Bohr Omnibus GmbH, on September 24, 2010.

The show vehicle is the first Mercedes-Benz Travego touring coach to feature the new generation of seats. The seats are manufactured in-house and set the standard within the industry in terms of safety, comfort and design details. The design of the new seats is both attractive and practical. Aluminum is used for the side trim for instance, providing an overall stylish, high-grade, and lightweight finish. A large, clearly labeled rocker-type switch provides effortless, intuitive lateral adjustment of the aisle seats and adjustment of the backrest angle.

The armrest for the new seats has an elegant shape as well as a large and ergonomic surface. The extremely simple and easy-to-use pivoting mechanism for folding away the armrest is a patented development. The backrest and the seat cushion also have a new shape. The seat cushion rests on a sprung system for the first time and can be easily removed for cleaning or repairs.

Source: http://media.daimler.com/dcmedia/0-921-657305-1-1335628-1-0-0-0-0-0-11700-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0.html

The momentum of stabilizing ridership and a recovering economy, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) called on Congress today to urgently enact a new, six-year transportation bill which will help expand public transportation systems nationwide. APTA made this announcement after releasing a new report that shows ridership in the second quarter of 2010 stabilizing after five quarters of decline.

Nationally, more than 2.5 billion trips were taken on public transportation in the second quarter according to the new report. This represents a slight increase of 0.1 percent compared to the same period in 2009. With nearly sixty percent of transit riders using public transportation to travel to and from work, industry officials said this could be another sign the economy is improving.

“Public transportation simply gets people to work and puts people to work,” says APTA Chair, Mattie P. Carter, commissioner at the Memphis Area Transit Authority. “If we are serious about continuing this recovery, investing in our public transit infrastructure is an important element. We support U.S. Rep. Oberstar’s plan for a multi-year bill to fund transportation which will provide our public transit systems the tools they need so they can grow ridership and assist with creating jobs in our local communities.”

On the heels of the one year anniversary of the expiration of the previous multi-year surface transportation bill (SAFETEA-LU), APTA officials, along with public transportation riders from around the country, shared stories of how public transportation has benefitted their lives at an event at the Federal Center SW Metro station in Washington, D.C., just blocks away from the Capitol building. The stories provided real examples of how public transportation gets people to work and puts people to work while enhancing the quality of life of all Americans.

The citizens and APTA officials presented a national petition to Congress. This petition notes the first stage of a nationwide petition drive to illustrate public support for increasing funding for public transit. In hand to receive the petition was U.S. Rep. James Oberstar, chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and other members of Congress. The riders also took their stories to meetings with the office of the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, as well as with the office of U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, Majority Whip of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Source: http://www.apta.com/mediacenter/pressreleases/2010/Pages/100922_Citizens_and_Transit_Leaders.aspx

Introducing the all-new S60 and V60 R-Design – designed with true sports-car feel and featuring a specially developed chassis to ensure that the driving experience matches the car’s appearance.

“The all-new S60 and V60 are our sportiest models ever. With R-Design they are even sharper. They’re the natural choice for true connoisseurs,” says Magnus Jonsson, Senior Vice President Product Development at Volvo Cars.

Sporty, sportier, sportiest – in order to keep the superlatives in check Volvo Cars has taken an holistic view of the all-new S60 and V60 R-Design, with the design and chassis being developed in parallel into a single cohesive offer.

“These cars have been specially developed for buyers who want to put their very own stamp on their car. And with R-Design, we are attracting a younger target group. We expect that 10 percent of all S60 and V60 customers will choose the R-Design option on markets where it is available. We aim to win over one-third of these customers from competing brands,” says Magnus Jonsson.

Volvo Cars’ chassis experts have taken the next step on the road to a more and more exciting driving experience. “In the R-Design chassis we’ve sharpened the steering, the agility and the solid overall impression still further compared with the dynamic chassis in the all-new S60 and V60,” says Stefan Sällqvist, manager of vehicle dynamics at Volvo Cars.

Source: https://www.media.volvocars.com/global/enhanced/en-gb/Media/Preview.aspx?mediaid=34551

Imagine a car whose body also serves as a rechargeable battery. A battery that stores braking energy while you drive and that also stores energy when you plug in the car overnight to recharge. At the moment this is just a fascinating idea, but tests are currently under way to see if the vision can be transformed into reality. Volvo Cars is one out of nine participants in an international materials development project.

Among the foremost challenges in the development of hybrids and electric cars are the size, weight and cost of the current generation of batteries. In order to deliver sufficient capacity using today’s technology, it is necessary to fit large batteries, which in turn increases the car’s weight.

Earlier this year, a materials development project was launched by Imperial College in London that brings together nine European companies and institutes. Volvo Cars is the only car manufacturer participating in the project. With the help of 35 million SEK (approx. 3.5 million EURO) in financial support from the European Union (EU), a composite blend of carbon fibres and polymer resin is being developed that can store and charge more energy faster than conventional batteries can. At the same time, the material is extremely strong and pliant, which means it can be shaped for use in building the car’s body panels. According to calculations, the car’s weight could be cut by as much as 15 percent if steel body panels were replaced with the new material.

Source: https://www.media.volvocars.com/global/enhanced/en-gb/Media/Preview.aspx?mediaid=35026

A highly modern, environmentally optimised and high-tech factory celebrates its 275th jubilee tomorrow – the Volvo Cars Body Components factory in Olofström truly goes back a long way. On September 24 this historic day will be celebrated and at the same time mark the kick-off for the next 275 years.

In 1735, more specifically on September 24 of that year, during the reign of Swedish King Fredrik I, the Olofström Mill Charter was issued by the Swedish Board of Mines. That was when operations in Olofström gained official recognition. 275 years later and after just over 40 years under the ownership of Volvo Cars, the Olofström factory is a high-tech manufacturer of body panels for all Volvo’s car models. The Olofström factory also delivers to external customers such as Volvo Trucks, Ford and Land Rover.

In the 1700s and 1800s, operations at the site focused primarily on wrought iron and the production of iron-based semi-finished goods such as iron rods and iron plate. Over the years, the production range gradually changed. Enamel-coated household vessels developed into a highly successful operation in the late 1800s, as did the production of separators for renowned Swedish inventor industrialist Gustaf de Laval, who purchased the operation in 1884 and renamed it Svenska Stålpressnings AB.

Enamel coating became obsolete in the 1920s and stainless steel took over both in the home and in the production output of the Olofström steel mill. In parallel, the factory was asked to submit a tender for the manufacture of body parts for the ÖV4 (Jakob), the first passenger car produced by the newly started Volvo Cars. This turned out to be the start of a long relationship.

Since 1927 Olofström has supplied body parts for all Volvo models and for several years in the 1950s and ’60s, complete bodies were delivered to the assembly factory in Göteborg. With the Amazon and the newly built Torslanda factory in 1964, production focused increasingly on body panels. In 1969 the then AB Volvo acquired the operation and renamed it the Volvo Olofström factory.

Source: https://www.media.volvocars.com/global/enhanced/en-gb/Media/Preview.aspx?mediaid=35091

Citroën will use the 2010 Paris Motor Show (2-17 October 2010) to launch its first all-electric car, the Citroën C-Zero, which it says is the first new generation electric vehicle to be sold in Europe by a major European car maker.

Zero fuel consumption, zero CO2 emissions and zero noise: with the C-ZERO, Citroën is broadening its compact vehicle range with a 100% electric solution. The new model is a perfect expression of the “Creative Technologie” that went into its development.

The C-ZERO was designed to make urban mobility easier, with its compact dimensions, rapid battery charge, and generous range for day-to-day car journeys. And all this in a silence that makes occupants forget about the noise of the city. The Citroën C-ZERO is a real concentrate of technology and creativity that meets tomorrow’s challenges today!

The full-electric technology developed by Citroën is part of the brand’s strategy to reduce fuel consumption, pollutant emissions and greenhouse gas emissions.

The first cars will be delivered in late 2010, with deliveries increasing in pace from first-quarter 2011. Citroën C-ZERO, developed in collaboration with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC), is the Marque’s second electric vehicle offering alongside the Citroën Berlingo First Electric.

The Citroën C-ZERO is the first model available in Europe from a new generation of electric vehicles. Designed from the start to be fitted with its electric components, the C-ZERO retains all the safety, comfort and onboard features of a vehicle in its segment, positioned more towards the highest levels in the category (ESP, six airbags, air conditioning, 166-litre boot).

The Citroën C-ZERO proposes a new kind of driving experience with complete peace of mind. It is intuitive to use, surprisingly silent, easy to handle and offers an exceptionally spacious cabin considering its compact body.

Source:http://www.citroen.com.au/default.asp?action=article&ID=1258