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EU must end new petrol and diesel car sales by 2030 to meet climate targets – report

Greenhouse gas emissions Automotive industry risks blowing its carbon budget within 10 years without drastic change, analysis shows As well as a switch to emissions vehicles, increased uptake of cycling and public transport is needed, according to the report. Photograph: Francois Guillot/AFP/Getty Images New petrol and diesel car sales in Europe must be phased out… Continue reading EU must end new petrol and diesel car sales by 2030 to meet climate targets – report

Lime hits 11.5 million bike and scooter rides

Bike and scooter company Lime recently hit 11.5 million rides, a couple of months after it surpassed six million rides. This milestone comes just 14 months after Lime deployed its first bikes. Today, Lime is in more than 100 markets throughout the U.S. and Europe. Last December, Lime brought its bikes to a number of European… Continue reading Lime hits 11.5 million bike and scooter rides

DBZ Centenary Collection: Classic joins contemporary in unique centenary tribute

Published: Sep 18, 2018

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Neil Allison

In 2019, legendary Italian design house Zagato celebrates its centenary. For 58 of those hundred years, Aston Martin and Zagato have enjoyed a remarkable creative partnership. One in which these two iconic brands have created some of the world’s most desirable and stimulating cars, from the first DB4 GT Zagato to the latest Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake.

19 September 2018, Gaydon: In 2019, legendary Italian design house Zagato celebrates its centenary. For 58 of those hundred years, Aston Martin and Zagato have enjoyed a remarkable creative partnership. One in which these two iconic brands have created some of the world’s most desirable and stimulating cars, from the first DB4 GT Zagato to the latest Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake.
To commemorate this landmark year, Aston Martin and Zagato are continuing their historic partnership with a truly unique collaboration. One that will come to fruition in Zagato’s centenary year with the remarkable DBZ Centenary Collection – a unique project that pays tribute to an icon of the past and creates a classic of the future.
Speaking of the DBZ Zagato Collection, Andy Palmer, Aston Martin’s Chief Executive Officer, added: “The partnership between Aston Martin and Zagato is one of the most fruitful and enduring in the automotive world. With Zagato celebrating its centenary next year, what better way to celebrate this landmark – and the long-standing bond between our two great companies – than creating these 19 pairs of cars. As an engineer I would always say my favourite Aston Martin is the next one, but I have to say I’m struggling to think of a finer two-car garage than this!”
Andrea Zagato, the head of the Milan-based design house, founded by his grandfather in 1919, continued: “Great Britain has always appreciated our work. In particular, I must say I’m honoured and very proud that Aston Martin has chosen to celebrate our long-standing partnership with this unique DBZ Centenary Collection.”
With a build run strictly limited to just 19 pairs, this exceptional duo comprises a new, track-only DB4 GT Zagato Continuation and a new, road-legal DBS GT Zagato. The DB4 GT Zagato will be built at Aston Martin Works, Newport Pagnell – the original home of the DB4 – while the new DBS GT Zagato will be produced at Gaydon, Aston Martin’s global headquarters. Perfectly bookending Aston Martin and Zagato’s shared history, the DBZ Centenary Collection will be sure to take their place amongst the most coveted cars in the world.
Built to race against the might of Ferrari in the 1960’s, the DB4 GT Zagato was a thoroughbred machine. Evolved for the rigours of motor racing and blessed with breath taking beauty, just 19 were built. Drawing on Aston Martin Works’ unrivalled knowledge and expertise the 2019 DB4 GT Zagato Continuations will be completely authentic and meticulously crafted cars that are true to those original Zagato-bodied DB4 GTs produced by Aston Martin and Zagato in 1960.
Now the largest, best equipped and most knowledgeable Aston Martin restoration centre in the world, the invaluable and highly specialist skills nurtured at Aston Martin Works are perfectly suited to Aston Martin’s celebrated Continuation projects. Each of the 19 DB4 GT Zagato Continuation cars will be built to the highest possible quality using a blend of David Brown-era old world craftsmanship, with the sympathetic application of modern engineering advancements and performance enhancements.
Originally built as an evolution of the short-chassis DB4 GT, the DB4 GT Zagato Continuation follows the same recipe, with thin-gauge aluminium body panels, dressing a lightweight tubular frame. To improve the accuracy and consistency of the panels, the continuation car’s bodywork uses state-of-the-art digital scanning technology, before being hand-finished in time-honoured tradition. Beneath the bonnet sits a version of the celebrated Tadek Marek-designed straight-six cylinder engine with two spark plugs per cylinder, transmitting its 380bhp to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission and limited-slip differential, for an authentic and unforgettable driving experience.
Paul Spires, Managing Director at Aston Martin Works, said of the DB4 GT Zagato Continuation: “It has been my pleasure and privilege to oversee many exceptional projects here at Aston Martin Works, but creating nineteen DB4 GT Zagato Continuations as one half of the DBZ Centenary Collection is a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We will bring all our hand-craftsmanship and expertise to bear in building these nineteen Continuation cars, sympathetically incorporating the very latest engineering advancements and performance enhancements, but remaining true to the purity and authenticity of the original design”.
The second half of the DBZ Centenary Collection is the DBS GT Zagato, which takes Aston Martin’s most potent series production car – the brand new DBS Superleggera – as the starting point for Aston Martin and Zagato’s latest and most exclusive offering.
Created to embody the next evolution in Aston Martin Zagato design language, the exterior of the car will be characterised by a new proportion featuring a fresh interpretation of the iconic double-bubble roof. Together with a striking front grille treatment and a dramatically truncated tail the DBS GT Zagato will present an amplified physique and an unmistakable presence. One that combines classic Zagato hallmarks with spectacular new signatures. Paired to the build run of 19 DB4 GT Zagato Continuations, the DBS GT Zagato will also be the rarest of all the modern-era Aston Martin Zagatos.
Marek Reichman, Aston Martin’s Chief Creative Officer, said: “Aston Martin and Zagato is a uniquely dynamic union. One that unites the former’s love of proportion and clean, simple forms with the latter’s daring and maverick eye. Never afraid to push the boundaries, the partnership has resulted in some fabulous cars. Most recently the quartet of Vanquish Zagatos, which spanned the extremes of design expression with Coupe, Roadster, Speedster and Shooting Brake versions. However, Zagato’s centenary demanded something extra special, and the Zagato Collection is just that: One car that pays tribute to a timeless icon; another that writes a fearless new chapter for future generations to admire.”
The DBZ Century Collection will be priced at £6m plus taxes. First deliveries to customers will commence QTR 4 2019 for the DB4 GT Zagato Continuation and QTR 4 2020 for the DBS GT Zagato.

Andy Palmer plans charitable foundation to fund apprenticeships

Published: Sep 20, 2018

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Neil Allison

Dr Andy Palmer, President and Group Chief Executive of Aston Martin Lagonda, today announced plans to create the Palmer Foundation, a privately-funded programme to create industrial apprenticeship opportunities for young people in the UK.

20 September 2018, Gaydon, UK: Dr Andy Palmer, President and Group Chief Executive of Aston Martin Lagonda, today announced plans to create the Palmer Foundation, a privately-funded programme to create industrial apprenticeship opportunities for young people in the UK.
Andy Palmer, who began his own automotive career as an apprentice, has undertaken to fund the scheme, which will also be supported by existing shareholders, members of the senior management team at Aston Martin Lagonda and Hitomi Palmer, wife of the CEO.
Andy Palmer said: “Young people can struggle to get on the first rung of the career ladder, so we are creating the Palmer Foundation to help get them “on the ladder” and into high quality apprenticeships.
“A person’s background should never preclude them from achieving their potential, and in this case becoming what could turn out to be some of the best engineers of their generation. This is just the beginning for the Palmer Foundation. In time the engineering scholarship will be joined by other areas such as marketing, design and legal careers.”
Working with partners including the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, the Palmer Foundation will provide a pathway for youth development by inspiring young people and providing the tools they need to tap into their natural talents and reach their potential.
The charitable foundation will operate independently of the apprenticeship scheme at Aston Martin Lagonda, which earlier this month welcomed its biggest ever intake of 50 apprentices and 26 graduates.
“Apprenticeships provide a kick-start to a young person’s chosen career,” said Andy Palmer. “They offer relevant experience, specialist guidance and support as the apprentices study for recognised qualifications, whilst building useful industry contacts. Vitally they can also earn while they learn.”
Andy Palmer began his career as a technical apprentice at UK Automotive Products. Taking his first managerial role two years after completing his four-year apprenticeship. He was only 22 years-old but already had six years of experience under his belt. He continued to study as his career progressed and his qualifications now include a Diploma in Industrial Management, a Master’s Degree in Product Engineering, Chartered Engineer status, and a PHD in Engineering Management. He is a Fellow of The Institute of Mechanical Engineers and a Fellow of The Royal Academy of Engineering.
Details of the scheme and its launch schedule are to be announced later in the year.

Delphi’s ground-breaking micro-valve fuel injector for diesel applications begins pilot production

Delphi Technologies’ new ultra-high-precision fuel injector, with a valve just 1.0mm in diameter, is now in pilot production in response to major orders from Europe and the US. The ground-breaking DFI 21 injector, for medium- and heavy-duty diesel applications, is produced using new manufacturing techniques that enable better than aerospace tolerances to be delivered in conjunction with automotive volumes and pricing.

Achieving robust quality levels with such high precision components, involving sub-micron clearances, required significant innovations in manufacturing technology, according to Delphi Technologies product engineering director James Kewley.

“Our product designers needed levels of accuacy and consistency that could not be achieved using existing techniques,” he explains. “Our challenge was to work with our manufacturing specialists to deliver not just a radically-miniaturised technology with world-leading performance, but also a robust, completely consistent process that allows it to be manufactured with automotive industry pricing.”

The DFI 21 injector is at the heart of Delphi’s new F3 common-rail system, which builds on the proven technology of the F2 Euro 6 system to provide a substantial improvement in emissions, fuel economy and refinement while maintaining exceptional reliability. It was announced as a development concept in 2016 and, following business wins in Europe and the US, will enter volume production in 2021.

The ultra-light weight of the new 1.0mm valve helps the DFI 21 injector deliver up to nine injection events per cycle compared with just two or three for a typical Euro VI system, providing substantially greater opportunities to profile the entire combustion event. The improved control means peak temperatures, and hence NOx, can be reduced; allows multiple pilot injection, which enhances refinement by slowing the rate of pressure rise; and enables multiple post-injection events, reducing soot formation.

“Reducing engine-out emissions gives engine designers much greater flexibility in their aftertreatment strategy, with some significant potential cost savings for the vehicle manufacturer and the vehicle operator,” adds Kewley. “For example, DFI 21 could allow simplification of exhaust aftertreatment and a reduction in SCR fluid consumption, which can be of significant value to long distance truck fleets.”
Closed loop control with no additional wiring
Closed-loop control of combustion is long established but Delphi’s F3 system adds closed-loop compensation for any minute variation between the characteristics of individual injectors. This enables the use of more and smaller injection events because the closed-loop system ensures they will remain accurate throughout the engine’s design life of typically 1.6 million km (1.0 million miles).

The unique performance signature of each individual DFI 21 injector is coded onto a chip within the injector which communicates with the ECU, enabling it to adjust (trim) each pulse. Any change in characteristics over time is compensated, in real time, avoiding the compromises in injector calibration previously required to accommodate drift during the injectors’ considerable service life. If an injector is replaced, the new one is automatically interrogated by the ECU which adjusts to suit.

Kewley says that one of the major benefits of the Delphi Technologies approach to closed loop control is that their system requires no additional wiring. “This will significantly reduce the system cost and the manufacturing and packaging penalties usually associated with the introduction of closed loop sensing,” he explains. “It’s a great example of our ‘clever not complex’ design philosophy.

Applications extended to medium duty diesels
F3 is the first Delphi common-rail system family to cover both heavy duty and medium duty engines, using a range of proven, modular sub-systems that allow applications from 0.7 litres per cylinder up to 3.0 litres per cylinder and beyond. It is compatible with existing packaging dimensions to allow cost-effective integration with existing engine designs.

As with the Delphi F2 systems for Euro 6, three common-rail architectures are available: traditional common-rail with a remote pump, EUI-style with a cam-driven pump in selected injectors, and EUP-style with separate pumps driven by a cam in the engine block. Injector fitment dimensions are also unchanged, allowing integration with engines originally designed for EUI or EUP without costly changes to major engine components.

Manufacturing innovation

Advanced grinding processes using cubic boron nitride (CBN) were necessary to achieve the required quality and throughput, but these had to be developed beyond anything that had previous been achieved. New automation technologies were applied to handle the tiny parts safely and repeatedly and special surface finishing techniques were applied to eliminate burrs at the sub-micron scale.

Delphi Technologies is currently manufacturing beta-level samples of the DFI 21 in batches of several hundred using production-representative processes that are readily scalable. “One of the proven strengths of our team is that we have very robust Start Of Production (SOP) processes, leading to efficient product introductions with consistently high quality from delivery one,” concludes Kewley. “DFI 21 pushes high-precision, high volume manufacturing technology to the limit. Our goal is to make this remarkable achievement seem simple.”

Delphi Technologies says it can provide the entire engine management system including control electronics, software, sensors, smart remote actuator for the wastegate, SCR dosing control, variable cam timing, electric lift pump and compact, high-efficiency power electronics for electrification.

Knorr-Bremse and Continental in partnership for highly automated driving in CVs

VW reimagines the microbus as an all-electric cargo hauler

The slow roll towards electrified vehicles isn’t isolated to passenger cars and SUVs. Manufacturers are investing in commercial vehicles as well — everything from school buses and delivery vans to big commercial trucks. VW Group’s vision for an electrified commercial vehicle future also includes a microbus. The automaker’s commercial vehicles unit unveiled five zero-emission vehicles… Continue reading VW reimagines the microbus as an all-electric cargo hauler

Volkswagen pulls out of Iran, according to U.S. official: Bloomberg

(Reuters) – Volkswagen AG (VOWG_p.DE) will end almost of all its operations in Iran, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday, citing a U.S. official who led the discussions with the carmaker. FILE PHOTO: A car with the Volkswagen VW logo badge is seen on display at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., January… Continue reading Volkswagen pulls out of Iran, according to U.S. official: Bloomberg

Lyft Continues Rollout of Scooters with Launch in Santa Monica

Today, we’re excited to introduce Lyft Scooters in Santa Monica, our second market following the launch in Denver earlier this month. Lyft was founded in San Francisco over six years ago, and Santa Monica is our first market in California where we’re operating scooters (and soon bikes), so we’re thrilled to bring this solution to… Continue reading Lyft Continues Rollout of Scooters with Launch in Santa Monica

Mercedes-AMG Project ONE: Prototype Testing

20.

September 2018

Affalterbach

The development of the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE show car, presented at IAA 2017, had been intensively worked on behind closed doors for several months. In a highly complex, digital development process (“Project ONE Virtual Engineering”), the transnational project team worked towards its common goal: putting Formula 1 hybrid technology on the road.
Hundreds of testing hours have already been spent to master the immense challenge of making the high-performance drive unit ready for series production: the whole powertrain including all hybrid components underwent the toughest race track tests on the high-performance dyno tests of HPP's engine specialists in Brixworth.
The successful completion of the dyno tests was followed by the installation of the highly complex powertrain into the first prototypes, which since then have been driving around unnoticed on a secret test ground in England. But today it turns out to be more difficult to keep this testing confidential: the camouflaged prototypes of the Mercedes-AMG hypercar are still being driven on closed off test grounds and racetracks. However, because of their characteristic F1 sound they are hard to keep from the public.

Press Contact

Birgit Zaiser

Manager Communications Mercedes-AMG

birgit.zaiser@daimler.com

Tel: +49 7144 302-581

Fax: –

Koert Groeneveld

Head of International Product & Technology Communications

koert.groeneveld@daimler.com

Tel: +49 711 17-92311

Fax: +49 711 17-94365

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