XSR48: 1600hp luxury powerboat

It’s easy to see why it’s been labelled the ‘Bugatti Veyron’ of the sea – the stunning XSR48 is a luxury £1.2m powerboat that takes inspiration for both its performance and styling from the World’s finest supercars. Deriving 1600hp from its two bi-turbo 11.3L diesel engines, the 48ft XSR48 promises extraordinary handling and mid-range acceleration in achieving speeds of 75 knots. And the comparisons don’t end there – supercar DNA is evident from the Kevlar and carbon-fibre hull/deck structure based on an F1 style monocoque right through to the cockpit and dashboard. The first production model is set to be unveiled today at the Monaco Yacht Show and Gizmag will be on the scene to bring you updates and further images – stay tuned.Described as “one of the world’s most technologically-advanced and safest high speed craft”, the XSR48’s structural integrity is derived from the unique F1 style monocoque hull/deck structure that also enabled the inclusion of glass roof down the full length of the deck and an increase in internal cabin space by around 40%.The twin bi-turbo diesel Isotta Fraschini 11.3L engines each provide a minimum of 800bhp and in keeping with the supercar theme, “bells and whistles” have been stripped away leaving clean, stylish lines that continue throughout the interior to emphasize the purely aggressive nature of the craft.

The extraordinary vessel has been developed in collaboration hull designer Fabio Buzzi, superyacht designers Redman Whiteley Dixon – who utilized automotive 3D CAD for the design - and marine structure specialists High Modulus.The first production model is being presented at the Monaco Yacht Show by Founder Directors of XSMG Marine Ian Sanderson and Peter Dredge - both world powerboat champions and multi-world record holders - alongside the prototype that made its debut last December.

The XSR48 will be manufactured at the Berthon Shipyard in Lymington.

Bluetooth Earpiece

Brickhouse Security’s Micro Bluetooth Earpiece is so small it actually fits inside the ear canal to allow covert two-way communication via any Bluetooth mobile phone or two-way radio. Its size means that a battery is out of the question, so the tiny device is powered by magnetism, which is also used to remove the earpiece from the ear canal.The earpiece, which is actually a strong passive magnet, receives the audio signal via vibration from an induction-type neck loop transmitter draped over the user’s shoulders. Working on a vibration principle not only allows for the unit’s small size by doing away with the need for a battery, but also means it has no open sound cavity. Four sizes of magnetic earpiece are included ranging from extra small for pixie-esque ears to Michael Phelps large.The earpiece also comes with a microphone, which can be concealed under clothing, where Brickhouse claims it is still able to pick up the faintest sounds. Meanwhile, for those occasions when you can’t talk there’s the silent SOS Button. The button is attached to a wire that is long enough to run down a pant leg and allow the button to be placed underneath your toe or hidden inside a pocket.Upon pressing the beeper button, a beep tone is sent to your associates over the phone, no matter where they are in the world. The covert SOS button could be used to signal one click for yes, two clicks for no. Any spy worth their salt, however, will be able to get more advanced with full fledged SOS beep communication, without anyone thinking they have anything more than a nervous tic.The microphone, beeper button and neck loop transmitter are all connected to a Bluetooth Board - a PCB board small enough to fit in a pocket that is powered by a 9V battery.The device was originally designed for the Secret Service but is now available to the general public. Some possible uses suggested by Brickhouse include on-camera journalists, actors and actresses who need to be fed lines, and modern day Cyranos looking for some instant feedback on their first date performance. Unfortunately use while gambling or during tests is advised against.

There’s either been a shortage of Brickhouse Security Invisible Bluetooth earpieces rolling off the production line, or there are a lot more spies getting about than I had realized – which I guess would make them good at their job. The earpiece, which is currently out of stock until January 2010 due to “overwhelming demand,” usually retails for US$300, but is currently available for pre-order at $219.95.

World's first hybrid refuse truck

Volvo has announced that Swedish refuse collection firms Renova and Ragn-Sells will begin regular daily testing of two of the company's hybrid refuse trucks ahead of a market launch in 2009. Using a 7 liter diesel engine and an electric motor that utilizes regenerative braking, the trucks are capable of delivery fuel (and therefore emissions) savings of 20 percent.The testing represents the final stage in development the Volvo's hybrid heavy vehicle project.

“Since we presented our first concept vehicle in 2006, we have seen considerably heightened market interest in this technology," says Staffan Jufors, president and CEO of the Volvo Truck Corporation. "What makes our solution unique is that it is sufficiently powerful to drive heavy vehicles and more cost-effective than all other current alternatives. It is these characteristics that determine whether a hybrid can be commercially viable. We will start producing hybrid trucks in 2009.”The trucks utilize their electric motor for acceleration from 0 - 20 km/h with the diesel engine automatically switching off when the vehicle is at rest, saving energy and reducing noise (an important consideration for those of us who find it impossible to sleep through early morning collections). The further energy saved by regenerative braking (also an ideal solution for the repeated stops and starts involved in this scenario) is coupled in one of the vehicles with an extra battery pack that drives the refuse compactor. This additional system is charged via the mains electrical system when the truck is parked overnight and has the potential to deliver increase carbon dioxide emissions reduction to as much as 30 percent according to Volvo.

Low-speed urban applications are just the beginning, eventually Volvo intends expand its hybrid technology beyond and introduce it throughout the heavy vehicle industry.

Volvo FE hybrid refuse truck in brief:

• 7-litre diesel engine producing 320 hp
• Volvo’s I-SAM (Integrated Starter Alternator Motor) serves as a starter motor, electric drive motor and alternator (120 kW)
• Electronic control unit and voltage converter (AC/DC)
• Lithium-ion batteries that are recharged via the energy generated from braking, or via I-SAM
• Volvo I-Shift, automated gearchanging system
• The superstructures are delivered by Norba

Suzuki Twin Hybrid

Suzuki has launched a hybrid powered petrol/electric vehicle for sale on the Japanese market that travels an impressive 34 kilometres for every litre of fuel used - that's around 100mpg! The Suzuki Twin also features an automatic idling stop system shuts the engine down whenever the car stops at traffic lights or when stationary in heavy traffic, minimizing CO' emissions and fuel consumption.

"Although immensely popular in Japan, the mini car market in Australia has not kicked off to date, but Suzuki is known for its development of unique products and niche markets so we're currently investigating whether the Australian market has a place for a hybrid vehicle such as the Twin." Suzuki Australia's General Manager (Automobiles), David Le Mottee, said.

The Suzuki Twin hybrid vehicle is currently only produced for the domestic Japanese market.

World's fastest top open car "Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport"

A new Bugatti goes on sale this week, and like every other automobile to ever bear the revered name, it's so over-the-top you can't help but admire the audacious spirit which permeates all aspects of its engineering. The limited edition open-top Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport will be the world's fastest open top car, capable of travelling at 360 km/h with the roof off, and 407 km/h with it closed. Just 150 will be made of the EUR 1.4 million Grand Sport with the first 40 reserved for existing Bugatti customers. The usual cut-no-corners approach has seen the original Veyron virtually reengineered to accommodate the lack of the roof as a structural component.To say there have been significant modifications made to the vehicle’s complex structure to make open-top driving possible is a huge understatement, as is often the case when we write about Bugatti.

The main challenge in developing the new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport with removable roof resulted from the unique structure of the fixed-roof Bugatti Veyron. An optimum combination of rigidity and lightweight engineering ensures the monocoque passenger cell of the original model is extremely strong while weighing an absolute minimum – it is a central element of the vehicle’s structure. As the roof is an integral part of this, removing it meant the load paths had to be completely redesigned to maintain the vehicle’s rigidity and crash safety, and to offer additional protection from side impacts and rolling.

As a result, the monocoque structure has been reinforced around the side skirts and the transmission tunnel. The B-pillars have been cross-stiffened using a carbon fibre support, and a central carbon plate has been positioned beneath the transmission tunnel to ensure the vehicle suffers from less torsional flexing than any other roadster.The doors of the new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport are made of carbon fibre, and house an integrated longitudinal beam.In the event of an accident, this transfers the load from the A to the B-pillar, thereby dissipating impact energy. Furthermore, the two redesigned air intakes for the 16-cylinder mid-engine now feature 10-centimetre wide carbon-fibre elements to offer protection should the car roll.

Along with moisture-resistant, backstitched leather, a range of new equipment features has been added to the interior, including a reversing camera with 2.7-inch monitor in the rear-view-mirror, and the “Puccini” sound system with digital signal processor.When the roof is closed, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport can reach 407 km/h, while speeds of up to 360 km/h are possible with roof off. Should it rain, an innovative folding roof stored in the luggage compartment can be opened up like an umbrella at any time. When this folding roof is in place, the car can travel at up to 130 km/h. The world’s fastest roadster is immediately recognizable from its roofed brethren by its slightly higher windscreen, stylized daytime running lights, and lightweight, transparent polycarbonate roof.