A breakthrough in motor and electronics design by Continental AG allows mild hybrids to deliver electric-only driving like a full hybrid for less cost
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Under the skin: Why modern cars need 48V electrical systems

As well as allowing cars to temporarily run on electric power, a 48V system can take care of all the ancillaries

Under the skin: Why modern cars need 48V electrical systems
ZF 9HP gearbox cutaway
Automatic gearboxes like the ZF 9HP have evolved far beyond a box for swapping cogs. They now form part of a super-efficient integrated powertrain
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Under the skin: the evolution of the automatic gearbox

From early three-speed pioneers to today's silky smooth nine-speed set-ups, the automatic gearbox has become a truly advanced piece of kit

Under the skin: the evolution of the automatic gearbox
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Williams reveals lighter yet longer-range EV battery module

New energy-dense cells would be suitable for high-performance electric sports cars; series production could begin in 2020

Williams reveals lighter yet longer-range EV battery module
Audi torque converter-based gearbox
Torque converter-based gearboxes are the original type of automatic transmission and they’re evolving fast
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Under the skin: How torque converters improve refinement

The original type of automatic gearbox, a torque converter unit can provide the most satisfying acceleration curve

Under the skin: How torque converters improve refinement
Tesla Full Self-Driving computer chip
Tesla developed its own processor specifically for neural networking and autonomous driving. It’s called the Full Self-Driving Computer (FSD)
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Under the skin: How Tesla is making cars think like humans

Autonomous cars must interpret and react to situations as a human driver would. Here's how that will work

Under the skin: How Tesla is making cars think like humans
Volkswagen MQ281 gearbox cutaway
The Volkswagen Group’s new MQ281 gearbox shows how far manual gearbox technology has progressed over the years and how it still has a big part to play in cutting fuel consumption and emissions
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Under the skin: Why Volkswagen is bringing back manual gearboxes

New six-speed MQ281 unit is lightweight, compact and shows that the future isn't necessarily automatic

Under the skin: Why Volkswagen is bringing back manual gearboxes
Four-cylinder iVT cylinder head
Four-cylinder iVT cylinder head gives complete individual control of both inlet and exhaust valves
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Under the skin: How valves are taking back control of our engines

Intelligent valve technology (iVT) is reshaping the way camshafts work, and could herald a new era for combustion

Under the skin: How valves are taking back control of our engines
HyundaiKia continuously variable valve duration engine
Variable valve lift and timing in combustion engines has been around for some time. Now Hyundai has found a way to control how long inlet and exhaust valves stay open to gain more efficiency
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Under the skin: How manufacturers are preserving pistons

Hyundai and Kia have unveiled an innovative new petrol engine design, and they're not the only firms committed to saving internal combustion

Under the skin: How manufacturers are preserving pistons
Toyota Mirai platform cutaway
The Toyota Mirai is the first mass-produced FCEV. GM, Daimler, Ford, Hyundai and Kia have also made huge investments in fuel cell tech
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Under the skin: Why hydrogen could be an easy cell

Less wasteful than a petrol or diesel car, easier to use than an EV - is now the time to stop dismissing hydrogen as a load of hot air?

Under the skin: Why hydrogen could be an easy cell
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Under the skin: How acoustic vehicle alert systems make EVs safer

The old "stop, look and listen" mantra isn't much good when it comes to EVs, but there is a solution

Under the skin: How acoustic vehicle alert systems make EVs safer
Jaguar I-Pace electric platform
If solid-state batteries become a reality, range of EVs could double, weight would reduce and batteries, like this one in the I-Pace, would shrink significantly
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Under the skin: Why solid-state batteries are a big positive

Safer and more durable than their lithium ion counterparts, solid-state batteries could be the next big thing in EV development

Under the skin: Why solid-state batteries are a big positive

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