Volkswagen is bringing an air-conditioning feature previously reserved for the exclusive Porsche Taycan electric car to a more affordable upcoming electric sedan called the ID.7, as well as debuting a feature that Holden introduced to the Commodore years ago. The annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas is increasingly becoming a major part of … Continue reading VW ID.7 has Porsche-style ‘smart’ air-con
Infra-red heaters, often used for customer comfort in outdoor dining areas during winter, will be help save energy in the cabin of the new Lexus RZ electric SUV that goes on sale in Australia and New Zealand mid-year. Rather than warming the air, the infra-red panels in the RZ heat only solid objects in their … Continue reading Lexus to debut infra-red cabin heating
Australian Refrigeration Council chair and former Refrigerant Reclaim Australia general manager Michael Bennett received a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2023 Australia Day Honours, adding to his long list of accolades. Michael’s honour was in recognition of his “significant service to the refrigeration industry, and to the environment”. In addition to being … Continue reading Michael Bennet AM
An informal straw poll of new vehicles on the Australian market suggests that R1234yf is finally becoming more commonplace as vehicle manufacturers begin to send cars here charged with the ultra-low-GWP refrigerant. However, some continue to drag the chain. Continue reading Uptake of R1234yf in cars imported to Australia seemed to accelerate during 2022
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed to ban R134a in new vehicles and most HFC refrigerants from road and marine transport refrigeration from 2025. Continue reading United States proposes sweeping HFC bans for automotive and transport refrigeration
Students at UNSW Sydney have claimed a provisional Guinness World Record by designing and building a solar-powered electric car that travelled 1000km on a single charge in under 12 hours. Continue reading Australian-made, solar-powered electric car breaks 1000km record at average of 85km/h
VASA welcomed three new directors to its board during the organisation’s recent annual general meeting. Incoming president Brett Meads, who has been VASA vice president since 2013, succeeds Ian Stangroome. Mark Rowe, an owner of two auto-electrical workshops who joined the VASA board in 2019 and was recently elected to the board of Capricorn, becomes … Continue reading Meet the new VASA board
If racing improves the breed, controversy over the latest W206-generation Mercedes-AMG C63 S and its four-cylinder hybrid drivetrain may be unfounded as it shares plenty of tech with Lewis Hamilton’s company car. A total system output of 500kW and 1020Nm should also help sway those who think this is some kind of fancy Toyota Prius. … Continue reading New Mercedes-AMG C63 S plug-in hybrid is a thermal management masterclass
Next year’s Autocare convention in Brisbane is shaping up to be Australia’s largest education-led automotive event, its already packed line-up of trainers and speakers now confirmed to include renowned aftermarket diagnostic specialist Brandon Steckler from the United States. A qualified master technician and a world-renowned trainer, author and speaker, Brandon Steckler is an instructor at CarQuest Technical Institute … Continue reading Autocare 2023 training line-up firms for Brisbane event next June
The Auto Innovation Centre (AIC) has been awarded a grant from the Victorian Government’s Zero Emission Vehicles Commercial Sector Innovation Fund to help it become a new Zero and Low Emission Vehicle (ZLEV) hub, supporting the vehicle evolution within the aftermarket manufacturing, service, repair and modification sectors. The grant will help the AIC to break down … Continue reading AIC gets funding to prepare for electrified vehicle modifications and customisation
