Today, even the most efficient internal-combustion engines use only 30 percent of the fuel’s energy to propel the vehicle. Much of the rest exits out the rear as waste heat. Now, researchers at General Motors are working on an energy-­scavenging device that could convert that exhaust heat into electricity.

The key is the use of a shape-memory alloy (SMA), explains Jan Aase, director of GM’s Vehicle Development Research Lab. “When you heat it up, it shrinks to its original length and gets stiffer,” he says. “When you cool it, you can stretch it out. So if you wrap shape-memory-alloy wire around two pulleys—one hot, one cold—the material will actually cycle the pulleys.”

The hot set is next to the pipe, while the cold one is offset and cooled by fresh air. The SMA wire coils around the pulleys. As the material expands and contracts, it causes the pulleys to spin, which drives a generator. GM is working with California-based Dynalloy, a company that recently developed a process to produce a nickel-titanium SMA capable of repeating millions of heat/cool cycles.

The researchers hope that the unit will produce enough juice to power all of a car’s electrical accessories— including electric power-steering pumps—allowing the engine to burn less fuel. GM R&D last year received a $2.7 million government grant to pursue the technology, which could potentially harness energy from factory smokestacks and house furnaces, as well as from automotive tailpipes. GM hopes to have a prototype ready by late 2010. Maybe in the Volt?

Nominees, presenters and performers arriving to “The 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards” will have an opportunity to help raise money for Haitian relief efforts with a simple signature. Positioned at the entrance of the Beverly Hilton Hotel is President and Chief Executive Officer for the Chrysler Brand, Chrysler Group LLC, Olivier Francois’ personal car, a Chrysler 300C.  Francois donated his vehicle so that attendees to the ceremony could place their signature upon the sedan which could then be donated for auction to specifically raise money for Haiti relief efforts. The Chrysler 300C that will be donated for auction is expected to raise approximately 1 million dollars.

The Chrysler brand, together with Dick Clark Productions, has also partnered with Stars for a Cause to donate six eco-friendly accessorized vehicles that will be auctioned off to select celebrity charities. Nominee Meryl Streep; presenters Christina Aguilera, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Felicity Huffman; and actor Colin Firth will arrive to the Golden Globes in their select Chrysler 300 eco style limited edition vehicle, which will be donated and auctioned to the charity of their choice.

Based off of the Chrysler 300C, the most-awarded vehicle in the industry, the eco style edition vehicles are accessorized with eco-friendly materials such as cork, bamboo, recycled jute carpeting and suede seat inserts and feature refurbished wheels while providing high-end luxury and elegant design.  The vehicles feature a refined interior, premium technology and offer fuel-efficient performance and excitement.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced the recall of some 24,177 late-model Chrysler Group vehicles over potentially faulty brakes. The problem effects the model year 2010 Chrysler Sebring, Jeep Commander, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Liberty, Dodge Avenger, Dodge Nitro, and the 2009-2010 Dodge Ram.

The problem in question involves a retaining clip for the brake booster input rod – part of the brake hydraulics – which could be either be deformed or missing entirely. In such cases, the brakes could fail entirely and, suffice it to say, cause a crash. If you own one of these 24,000 vehicles, the government agency advises that you contact your local Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep dealer for servicing post-haste. Details in recall notice after the jump.

Here is the NHTSA’s Report

Summary:
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2010 CHRYSLER SEBRING; DODGE AVENGER AND NITRO; JEEP LIBERTY, COMMANDER AND GRAND CHEROKEE; AND MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 DODGE RAM TRUCK. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY FORMED OR MISSING BRAKE BOOSTER INPUT ROD RETAINING CLIP.
Consequence:
THIS COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
Remedy:
CHRYSLER WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE BOOSTER INPUT ROD RETAINING CLIP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Notes:
CHRYSLER SAFETY RECALL NO. J37. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

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Subaru of America, Inc. sold 216,652 vehicles for 2009 – a 15-percent jump over calendar year 2008. They have announced new versions of its top-selling Forester compact crossover SUV at the North American International Auto Show, which runs January 11-24 at Cobo Center. The Forester was Subaru’s top-selling model in 2009, with 77,781 sold — a 28-percent increase over 2008.

The new option packages will be available in February and further demonstrate the market agility that allows Subaru to respond quickly to customer trends.  The Forester has a NHTSA 5-Star Ratings and IIHS Top Safety Pick. The Forester 2.5X with Special Edition Package adds 16-inch alloy wheels and roof rails for a discounted package price of $400 over this model’s $20,295 MSRP.

The Forester 2.5X Limited, already luxuriously equipped with leather appointed interior, 10-way power driver’s seat, automatic transmission, panoramic power moonroof and other amenities, offers a new Navigation System and Convenience Package for $2,300. At $500 more than the regular Navigation System, the new option also includes the Forester line’s first-ever HID headlights, plus a tilt/telescopic steering wheel, one-touch folding rear seats and a cargo area cover.

In addition to the new option packages, the Forester also features other enhancements for 2010, including a standard 10-way power driver’s seat for the 2.5X Premium and Bluetooth wireless capability for the available navigation system in Limited trim lines. Forester is offered in five trim lines for 2010. The Forester 2.5X, powered by a 170-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder Subaru Boxer engine, is one of the best values in the crossover SUV segment. The 2.5X Premium adds a 10-way power driver’s seat, large panoramic power moonroof and interior enhancements and offers an available All-Weather Package (heated front seats, heated side mirrors and windshield wiper de-icer). The Forester 2.5X Limited includes the All-Weather Package and offers more luxury and an available navigation system. For powerful, sporty performance, the 2.5XT Premium and 2.5XT Limited are powered by a 224-hp turbocharged/intercooled Boxer engine.

The North American International Auto Show has become home of Chevy’s introduction of the Aveo RS show car – a European-inspired hot hatch aimed at young enthusiasts. The Aveo RS show car provides a glimpse of what designers have in mind for the future production car. One look at the show car’s electric Boracay Blue finish, motorcycle-inspired exposed headlamps and tail lamps, low roofline, fender flares, large wheels and tires, and dual-cockpit interior hints at the next-generation Aveo. Focusing on Aveo’s target audience of young buyers, Chevrolet gave the show car a sporty appearance inside and out. An aggressive front fascia; clean, uninterrupted body side lines; an integrated rear roof spoiler; wide stance; and large, 19-inch, five-spoke wheels with a gun metal Chevrolet logo and Boracay Blue brake calipers suggest upscale style and dynamic handling. The Boracay Blue continues inside, with accent stitching in the instrument panel, dual cockpit, front and rear door panels, gear shift boot, parking brake and seat bolster. The Aveo RS show car features the same small-displacement 1.4L Ecotec turbocharged engine that will be available in the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze in North America. Delivering 138 horsepower (103 kW), it performs like two powerplants in one, with the fuel economy of a small engine and the performance of a larger one. In the Aveo RS show car, the 1.4L turbo is mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

The Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan is already on sale in Asia and Europe with strong market acceptance. In 2011, the Cruze will change the rules in America by bringing a midsize car presence to the compact sedan segment. It will deliver many segment-leading features, more interior room and cargo capacity than the competition and upscale amenities such as Bluetooth, USB and navigation. It offers midsize roominess, safety and amenities with the fuel economy and expected price of a compact car. The U.S. production version of the Cruze was unveiled last month. The Cruze affirms Chevrolet’s commitment the lead in small-displacement, turbocharged four-cylinder engines that are highly fuel efficient. Cruze is expected to deliver segment-leading fuel economy in North America with a new Ecotec 1.4L turbo with variable valve timing – including under 6.0 L/100 km on the highway with a high-efficiency model. The all-new Cruze will be built in Lordstown, Ohio beginning in the third quarter.

The five-door Chevrolet Spark, the smallest member of Chevrolet’s family of cars, brings style, roominess and versatility to a segment of extremely fuel-efficient small cars. Spark will provide great fuel economy, and its trim size makes it very agile in all kinds of driving conditions while still feeling substantial on the open road. The Spark will go on sale in Europe this spring. The U.S. production version will go on sale in early 2012.

The first vehicle to feature Ford’s new MyFord Touch and MyLincoln Touch Technology will be the 2011 Lincoln MKX, which will debut at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. After the MKX, look for this technology in the refreshed 2011 Ford Edge and then the all-new 2011 Ford Focus. Eventually, all Lincoln models will feature this. So what is MyLincoln Touch? MyLincoln Touch brings Ford a generation (or two) beyond the competition. It is a piece of driver connect technology like SYNC, only much more advanced. Ford has gone ahead and broken down all of the possible non-driving-related tasks into four groups: Phone, Climate, Navigation and Entertainment. In the car you will get a large, eight-inch touchscreen display in the center stack, two 4.2-inch LCD screens to the right and left of an analog speedometer and two steering wheel-mounted five-way button controls. Using Ford’s award-winning HMI (human-machine interface) setup, MyLincoln Touch seeks to allow a driver to control in-car technology through either voice, touch or the wheel-mounted controllers. As Ford termed it, VUI (voice user interface), TUI (touch user interface) and GUI (graphic user interface).

Ford has gone ahead and broken down all of the possible non-driving-related tasks into four groups: Phone, Climate, Navigation and Entertainment. As far as the large, eight-inch touchscreen goes, its four corners each contain a button for one of the four groupings. Phone is brown, Navigation is green, Entertainment is purple and Climate is blue. All devices with bluetooth will be able to connect..in addition the system will serve as a wireless hotspot. Users will be able to take all of their MyLincoln Touch settings with them from vehicle to vehicle – just plug in an SD card or flash drive and you’re good to go drive another MyFord Touch-equipped car.

Last year the NAIAS 2009 featured more than 50 vehicle debuts; with over 30 of those being worldwide introductions. Nearly 5,500 journalists attended NAIAS 2009 from nearly 50 countries. More than 650,000 visitors passed through the doors during public days. NAIAS is uniquely positioned to be four shows in one – a media preview, an industry preview, a charity preview and a public show with a 9-day run. Here are the dates for the events:
Press Preview – January 11-12, 2010

The North American International Auto Show 2010 is where the global automotive community comes together to catch up on the latest.  Join more of your peers from around the world at the industry’s most substantive annual event.  In addition to 60 new vehicle premieres – including some of the automotive world’s most eagerly anticipated – you’ll gain unprecedented access to more of the industry’s top leaders and thinkers in one place than anywhere else in the hemisphere.

Industry Preview – January 13-14, 2010

Connect with automotive professionals representing almost 1,000 companies and share insights with over 14,000 of your peers.  Make new connections.  Forge new alliances.  Give yourself new inspiration to lead and succeed.  This unique networking opportunity brings together the latest automotive products and services with the key minds behind them all under one roof.
Charity Preview – January 15, 2010

Enjoy the first views of the spectacular North American International Auto Show 2010. Charity Preview is your opportunity to be a part of one of the most exclusive, high profile events in the nation.  Proceeds directly benefit a wide range of children’s charities.  Funds raised will support services for children of all ages from birth to 18.  Since 1989, the Charity Preview has raised more than $79 million for southeastern Michigan children’s charities – over $35 million of which was raised in the last six years alone.
Public Show – January 16-24, 2010

Experience the next generation of transportation at the North American International Auto Show 2010.  See more than 700 vehicles on display, representing the most innovative designs in the world and experience North America’s largest and most prestigious automotive showcase.