Sailboat Aries Wind Vane on 2040-parts.com

Nike's 'Making' app: helping designers choose most sustainable materials

As we're told more and more frequently about the impact of our environmental footprint on the world, it's no surprise that companies of all disciplines are examining their processes to cut emissions and waste. Now Nike has entered the fray by developing a free app giving designers a deeper insight of how green their material choices are. The sportswear giant's new free ‘Making' app allows designers to examine the sustainability of 22 different product materials such as cotton, silk and grass-fed leather.

Toyota talks powertrain plans

After trailing many of its competitors in the recent engine- and transmission-technology wars, Toyota Motor Corp. will launch a swath of powertrains in the next several years, a top powertrain r&d executive said. Koei Saga, senior managing officer in charge of drivetrain r&d, said that Toyota is investing heavily in turbocharged engines, larger displacement Atkinson cycle engines, continuously variable and fixed-gear automatic transmissions, and new hybrid and fuel cell technologies.

Audi reveals new 70mpg+ models

Audi’s new Ultra range may look like the firm’s standard line-up of saloons, coupes and estates, but don’t be fooled. The German firm has performed some key tweaks to make its new 2014 A4, A5 and A6 Ultra models even more efficient. The new core range of ‘Ultra’ frugal Audis follows on from the firm’s high-efficiency debut model, the A3 1.6 TDI Ultra, which went on sale in autumn last year.