Ford Model T Ignition Coil on 2040-parts.com

Mazda to use regen brakes to boost fuel economy 5 to 10 percent

Mazda is adding a fuel-saving technology that harnesses wasted brake energy in the redesigned Mazda6 sedan due early next year. The approach uses regenerative braking to convert kinetic energy into electricity that is stored in a capacitor. The car later taps that capacitor to power the fuel pump, lights, audio, air conditioning and transmission and engine control systems.

Volvo picks up Red Dot Design Award for new connectivity system

Volvo's Sensus Connected Touch connectivity system with the world's first voice-activated integrated Spotify connection has been awarded a 2013 Red Dot Design Award. The Sensus Connected Touch accessory turns the integrated 7-inch display into an infrared, beam-scanned touch screen that can be used even when wearing gloves. The system can be controlled using the touchscreen, the steering wheel or the center stack, while you can also voice-activate all music sources. Alain Visser, senior vice president of marketing, sales and customer service at Volvo, says, "The Red Dot Design Award confirms that this approach to an intuitive, human-centric user experience fulfils modern car owners' desire to remain constantly connected also when driving." The WiFi connection can be made using either a car-mounted 3G/4G-dongle or the driver's mobile phone, and the data is transferred by the WiFi between the phone and the Sensus Connected Touch.

VW Passat R-Line introduced

The VW Passat R-Line introduced in the new Passat range But the Passat R-Line (which will be available in both saloon and estate versions) is not really an addition to the Passat range, rather a re-working of the current model options. The Passat Sport and Passat SEL are dropped, and the new range now comprises S, R-Line and Highline. But, just as with the Tiguan R-Line, this is not a power upgrade but merely a cosmetic one.