Exotic materials and hybrid powertrains are the hallmarks of today's pioneering car designs. The challenge is to produce a car that is environmentally friendly, but can travel farther than a battery-only vehicle, which is usually limited to a range of under 300 miles (480km). The...
Opinion is divided about whether hybrid cars-which combine an internal combustion engine with electric traction motors-are really the best way to improve fuel economy and reduce exhaust emissions. But while the jury has been deliberating, two major Japanese car makers, Honda and Toyota, have forged...
The 1990s trend for using big 4x4s as road cars developed into large-scale production of big, fast, luxuriously equipped vehicles with four-wheel drive. Some of these "crossover" cars were still good off-road, though many were not. Criticism of "gas-guzzling" sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) eventually led manufacturers...
In the 1980s many thought the sports car could become extinct, but it is now back with a vengeance. Every major car manufacturer today has its own interpretation of the sports car, and legions of small specialists build nothing else. Ranging from cutting-edge concepts to...
The first all-new offering from Morgan since 1936, the Aero 8 combined modern mechanicals and advanced construction with traditional looks. Its structure was based on a bonded and riveted aluminum chassis tub, attached to a wood frame for the body. In 2008-09 a hundred of...
In the last couple of decades, a whole new tier of cars has emerged that bridges the gap between sports cars and supercars. They range from hot versions of affordable coupes and roadsters to entry-level models from prestige manufacturers. Stylish and exciting, their existence proves...
Ever-shrinking microchip technology has allowed more and more functionality to be added to cars, putting a stop to the idea that the smallest vehicles must be stripped of all extra features. Engineers know that lighter cars are the most fuel-efficient, but legislators—and the driving public—insist...
Enzo Ferrari forged his reputation on the race track before becoming a car manufacturer in 1940, so it is no surprise that the marque founded by the fiery Italian has the most successful record in Formula 1. As well as being a major name in...
At the start of the 21st century, the biggest impact on the design and manufacture of racing cars was created by computers. Their influence was so great that they had to be severely limited within the car to stop them from taking over the driving....
After the Ferrari F40 road car passed the 200 mph mark in 1987, this figure became the badge of honor for any supercar to aspire to. Some machines, German ones especially, had factory-fitted speed limiters to bridle owners' enthusiasm. The 250 mph Bugatti Veyron went...