The placement of the battery introduces new challenges for engineers, such as packaging, structural reinforcement and crash management. Also, heavy battery packs must be offset with lighter and stronger structural components to improve cornering and suspension load.
Consumers want choice, which is one reason why there are so many different type of vehicles to choose from today. Interior and exterior design will play an even more important role in electric cars.
Automakers spend a lot of time focusing on noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). That’s because many consumers demand vehicles that are as quiet as possible.
CHATTANOOGA, TN—Volkswagen has begun the process of hiring 130 engineers and technicians to staff the automaker’s new R&D center here, which will be fully operational by 2017.
The late novelist John Le Carré once said, “A desk is a dangerous place from which to view the world.” As it turns out, what was good advice for spies is equally good for manufacturing and design engineers.
DETROIT—Engineers behind the Chevrolet Corvette, Cadillac CTS, GMC Sierra and Buick Enclave are learning on dealership sales floors and in service bays what customers like and dislike about the cars and trucks they helped create.
BOSTON—GrabCAD, an online community for sharing CAD expertise, is sponsing a contest to design a steering wheel for a supersonic car. A $1,000 prize will be awarded to the winning entry. Designs must be submitted by Jan. 31.
LEUVEN, Belgium—LMS International and a coalition of European research organizations have developed advanced simulation software for chassis and suspension engineering.
