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mitsubishi

Mitsubishi plugs in smart-grid pilot project

Mitsubishi Electric on Monday said it will invest about $76 million in a smart-grid project, part of a companywide push into equipment for modernizing the electricity grid.

The company will create two installations--a residential-size building and a commercial facility--which will have on-site power generation through photovoltaic panels and local energy storage with rechargeable batteries. The flow of energy will be managed and optimized by power electronics and smart meters to test the performance of the equipment.

Mitsubishi Electric said the projects are part of a corporatewide push to supply smart-grid technologies for the electric power industry and meet global demand … Read more

Hate sorting the recyling? Ask a robot

Living in Japan, you have to sort your household garbage into burnable trash, non-burnable trash, recycling, and probably one other category I've forgotten. Each goes to the curb on a different day. I'm tickled to see that Japanese researchers have built a recycling robot that automatically sorts different kinds of plastic by using laser-sensing technology. They call it the first of its kind in the world.

The engineers at Osaka University's Photonics Advanced Research Center and automation firm IDEC, along with Mitsubishi Electric Engineering, say the sorting robot is designed to improve low recycling rates for plastics … Read more

Mini, Nissan, Mitsubishi downsize the SUV

GENEVA--Following the trend in small cars, Mini, Nissan, and Mitsubishi all showed off tiny versions of SUVs at the 2010 Geneva auto show. Called compact crossovers by the companies that make them, these new production vehicles take attributes of the SUV--all wheel drive, a high-riding position, cargo space--and fit them into a very small package.

The Mini Countryman and Nissan Juke compete head-to-head, offering similar engines in bodies that nearly match in dimensions. Both have turbocharged 1.6-liter direct-injection four-cylinder engines, with the Juke getting a one horsepower lead over the Countryman. Both offer all-wheel-drive systems, the Mini's geared … Read more

Mitsubishi's baby Evo and its big butt

Mitsubishi's Lancer Ralliart gets some of the gear that makes the new Evo X such an amazing car, specifically the double-clutch transmission. But this latest version of the Lancer Ralliart also gets what looks like a hastily sketched-out hatchback. The 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart is nearly identical to the Lancer Ralliart sedan, except the rear has been deformed, with C pillars stretched back to bridge the gap between trunk lip and roofline. More practical, but also more ugly, the car still proves fun with its smart all-wheel-drive system and thumpin' Rockford Fosgate audio.

Read our review of the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart. … Read more

Mitsubishi to launch new crossover

With its big snout, this car looks like the new Outlander, but Mitsubishi brings its jet-fighter intake to an all-new car, the ASX cross-over. Smaller than the Outlander, the ASX launches in Europe at the 2010 Geneva auto show. In Japan, the car is called the RVR, and goes on sale in February.

Although the ASX will launch with a number of engine choices, Mitsubishi highlights only one, a new turbocharged 1.8-liter diesel. Cars equipped with this engine also get an idle-stop feature, saving fuel in traffic. The ASX gets a six-speed manual transmission.

Mitsubishi hasn't indicated a … Read more

Road test set for all-electric cars in Quebec

Quebec's power utility is teaming up with Mitsubishi Motors to road-test the performance of up to 50 all-electric vehicles against the rigors of the Canadian climate and measure their infrastructure needs.

The $4.4 million project, which organizers say will be Canada's biggest trial yet of all-electric vehicles, is planned for this autumn near the Boucherville research facility of Hydro-Quebec, the provincial government-owned electricity utility.

"It will allow us to advance our knowledge of the technology and its integration into our grid, which in turn, will help us plan the necessary charging infrastructure for homes, offices and … Read more

Electric cars advance in Detroit

DETROIT--We've seen a growing number of electric cars at auto shows over the last few years, but the 2010 Detroit show has more electrics from major brands than ever before. It is true that most are concepts, but it points to the fact that automakers are preparing for the future.

Nissan and Mitsubishi both had production-ready cars on display, models slated to launch later this year. Tesla also had a significant display at the show, with its Model S sedan showing the company can produce practical electric car with space for family and friends. Audi showed a new version … Read more

2009 Car Tech Awards: And the winner is...

CNET Tech Car of the Year for 2009

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

In December we invited you to vote for the 2009 Tech Car of the Year from our five nominees. And in a unanimous decision between you, the voting public, and our Car Tech judges, the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid wins the award. Although it faced some stiff competition, the combination of an excellent hybrid power train and the most advanced cabin tech in the business gave the Fusion Hybrid the edge. Ford and Toyota hybrid power trains work along similar principles, but Ford raised the bar by tuning it to work under electric power at higher speeds while delivering a very satisfying driving experience, with acceleration you can count on. With fuel economy pushing the 40 mpg mark, this midsize sedan makes trips to the pump infrequent.

On the cabin tech side, Ford complemented the hybrid power train with its Smart Gauge, LCD panels on either side of the speedometer, showing a variety of vehicle operating information. And Ford made Smart Gauge user configurable, a big leap from analog gauges of the past. Sync is standard, providing voice command and the kind of Bluetooth phone and MP3 player integration to which other companies are just starting to catch up. Sirius Travel Link feeds unparalleled and useful data sources into the navigation system, including traffic, weather, and fuel prices. And the Sony audio system is an excellent value, producing impressive sound quality.

… Read more