Capturing lost energy with regenerative braking systems is one thing. This, however, is another ball-game entirely. Researchers in Israel have been experimenting with power generators placed underneath the road's surface to capture the mechanical energy of cars passing above and turn it into electricity.

The research is being carried out by an Israeli start-up called Innowattech, in conjunction with the Israel National Roads Company and the Technion, Israel's technological institute in Haifa. Referred to as "parasitic energy harvesting", the technology involves small piezoelectric generators placed five centimeters below the asphalt's surface. The weight of the cars passing over the road's surface is captured – 2000 watts an hour in "regular" traffic conditions – and stored in roadside batteries. Drivers reportedly feel no difference in the road, although naturally the initiative is limited by the progress of battery technology (or hydraulics, with the Dragon Power system).

As Better Place discovered, Israel's geographic and economic situation makes it an ideal testing ground for green technologies. The first implementation was over a relatively small ten-meter stretch of road on Israel's main north-south highway, and is now being placed in one-kilometer sections for further study. Further applications are also being evaluated, including pedestrian walkways, airport runways and railroads. It's not just for Burger King any more. Thanks for the tip, Mono!

[Source: Globes.co.il | Image: Uriel Sinai/Getty]

Most of us would be willing to kill for the opportunity to have an Aston Martin as our daily commuter. (Then again, most of us here at Autoblog are writers and don't commute much of anywhere). But the British purveyor of luxury GTs figures some of its customers – those based in major European metropolitan centers like London and Paris, for example – could use something a little more compact for driving into the city. Hence the Cygnet, which as you may recall is essentially a Toyota iQ with some Aston touches.

News of the car's development broke a few months ago, but the latest reports now indicate that the Aston-badged city car could begin shipping as early as next year. Although no mechanical changes are expected to take place, the pre-assembled units are expected to be shopped to AM's plant in Gaydon, England, where the company will give the citycar its own unique interior, slap on an Aston grille and the requisite badging and raise the price up to $32,000 – about twice the price Toyota fetches for a stock iQ.

Whether Aston's customers bite remains to be seen, but for our part, we still want to see one of these face off against the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari for the exotic supermini crown.

[Source: Automotive News – subs req'd]

Hyundai returned to Frankfurt a far bigger player than it was two years prior. The Korean company has leapt up the sales standings to become the world's fourth largest automaker, eclipsing such major players as Ford and Honda. And its product line has long since expanded from diminutive hatchbacks to include crossovers and luxury sedans. What better way, then, to mark its newfound stature than to unveil... a diminutive hatchback/crossover thing?

Of course, Hyundai also unveiled the new ix35 Tucson, but presented along side was the automaker's vision for a compact hybrid. Called the ix Metro, it may be about the same size as the Geo that once bore the same name, but packs more curves and creases into the same plot of real estate than a linen mill. Curiously, Hyundai hasn't provided any details on the electric component of the hybrid drivetrain, but the conventional side of the equation boasts direct injection, variable valve timing and a turbocharger in a tiny 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine, driving through a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. The interior looks like something straight out of Star Trek, but don't take our word for it, check it out for yourself in the gallery below.

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Between storming the Bastille and a national rejection of the Venus razor, the French certainly know the meaning of the word "revolt". Interesting, then, that Citroen knowingly used the word – albeit Francofied with a superfluous E for its hybrid electric drivetrain – for its latest concept car.

The REVOLTe concept is a throwback to the 2CV of yore, which celebrated its 60th anniversary last year. But while the Tata Nano might carry the flame of the bare-bones four-wheeled transport today, the REVOLTe simply borrows the basic shape of its forbearer and gives it a modern twist. That bit comes courtesy of an unspecified "small-capacity conventional combustion engine combined with an electric motor and a battery re-charging function." Measuring just twelve feet long, the REVOLTe seats three – one offset up front and two in the back – accessed by suicide doors. We could go on, but Citroen has waxed poetic enough in its press release after the jump, so we'll let them pontificate and have you skip straight to the photos below.

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If you're one of the many enthusiasts out there oohing and ahhing over the pair of pre-production Mini concepts that debuted in Frankfurt today, know that the BMW division isn't the only one here with a tempting speedster on display. Amidst all the exciting and pivotal new vehicle debuts at the show, Mazda took the wraps off the MX-5 Superlight Version.

Unfortunately it's just a show car, and it's not the first time Mazda's toyed with the idea (and us in the process), but the Superlight goes to show what an inventive mind and a skilled hand or two can do with the iconic Mazda roadster. Characterized by its windshield-less shape, the Superlight also features an exquisitely crafted cockpit of brushed aluminum and saddle brown leather, aluminum and carbon-fiber rolls hoops with integrated brake LEDs, an aluminum rearview mirror mounted on the hood, a wider track, dropped suspension and upgraded brakes.

While the engine essentially carries over from the stock 1.8-liter, 126hp four, the Mazdaspeed intake and exhaust, coupled with the reduced 2,194-pound curb weight, bring the 0-60 run down to 8.9 seconds. Which may not sound like breakneck acceleration, but with the wind rushing at your face, we're guessing this junior Veritas is a real thrill ride. Check it out in the gallery below.

Cars may be getting smaller, but that doesn't mean they're necessarily getting cheaper. As if to prove that point, Fiat has thumbed its nose at the Tata Nano with a special 500 that packs a big price tag in a small package.

Commemorating the first anniversary of Abarth's return to the Dutch market, Fiat's performance division has launched this special-edition 500 Abarth Competizione. It costs nearly $35k and only ten will be made available for exclusive consumption in Holland. The €3,000 premium (nearly $4,200 USD) over the stock 500 Abarth gets enthusiastic buyers a special little hot hatch with a black roof, black 17-inch alloys and matching black graphics, along with special bucket seats inside. The 500 Abarth Competizione also comes equipped with sat-nav, air-con and a premium audio system. Although the Competizione edition packs the 135hp turbo four, buyers can always upgrade with the 160hp EsseEsse kit. For a premium, of course.



[Source: Fiat]

If you want a powerful, fast Porsche Cayenne sport-ute, Stuttgart has no shortage of choices on offer, topping out at the 550hp Turbo S. And of course there are plenty of aftermarket tuners willing to take unreasonable up to downright silly proportions, but if you were looking for power and speed without sacrificing fuel economy, for the most part you were advised to look elsewhere. After all, a big SUV isn't exactly the ideal platform for either. But then along comes Porsche tuner extraordinaire Techart to show you the way with its own custom Porsche Cayenne Diesel.

Boosting output from 240hp and 406 lb-ft of torque to a hefty 290hp and 465 lb-ft, the Techart Cayenne Diesel drops the stock 0-60 time of 8.3 seconds down to an impressive 7.7 seconds, all without altering the vehicle's fuel economy or emissions numbers. Nice work, but the most impressive part is the modified torque curve that gives the big oil-burner accessible grunt from as low as 1000 rpm.

Techart has also crafted a unique Aerokit 1 for the diesel sport-ute, giving it a more aggressive stance while improving airflow, capped by giant 21" rims or optional 22s. The British tuning house offers a turn-key model at £55,500 (~$89k) with the body kit and engine mods, or can fit an existing diesel Cayenne with the Aerokit for £15,000 (~$24k) and the engine kit for £2,500 (~$4k). Find more details in the press release after the jump and images in the gallery below.


[Source: Techart]

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While the intertubes are abuzz with Lamborghini's announcement of a comprehensive carbon emissions reduction plan, arch-rival Ferrari is keen to show it's keeping pace as the company's CEO has reportedly indicated the direction Maranello is heading with regards to its greenification.

Two approaches that Ferrari chief executive Amadeo Felisa confirmed the company is looking into include turbocharging and E85 bio-ethanol. Regarding the former, Felisa assures that the weight of Ferrari's technical know-how will be thrown into ensuring that turbocharged engines retain Ferrari's trademark high-revving feel, while he revealed that the ECU on the company's latest model, the California, is already ready to burn E85. Beyond turbos and corn-fuel, Felisa also revealed that they're working on a hybrid concept, likely to incorporate the F1-derived KERS regenerative braking system, to debut at an upcoming auto show in the United States following the Frankfurt show in September where Ferrari is expected to debut the replacement for the F430 line. Sources suggest Los Angeles as a strong possibility for the hybrid Ferrari's debut.


[Source: Car and Driver]

Both Fisker Automotive and Tesla Motors are bringing electric-powered luxury sedans and convertibles to market, but each is going about it in entirely different ways. Fisker's strategy, steered by former BMW and Volvo sales director Vic Doolan, is to license independent dealerships – some of the biggest in the country – to sell their premium green automobiles on their behalf. Tesla's approach, on the other hand, is to set up factory-owned stores which the company likens to Apple stores.

Each approach, of course, has its benefits and drawbacks. For Fisker, makers of the Karma sedan and upcoming Karma Sunset convertible, selling through existing dealers promises to streamline the process and tap into professionals already savvy to the local market and capable of dealing with customer service and the exchange of used cars. Tesla, on the other hand, which makes the Roadster (pictured right at the company's LA store) and upcoming Model S, wants to more directly manage the sales and service process with its own retail outlets, but that comes at the cost of rapid expansion: so far Tesla's only got stores in California, though additional locations are planned for Chicago, New York, Seattle and Washington, London and more.


[Source: Automotive News – subs. req'd]

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Rinspeed iChange

With automakers pouring into Geneva from around the world, it's largely up to Rinspeed to hold down the home fort here in Switzerland, and the quirkiest of niche automakers never disappoints. So this year we made sure to swing by Rinspeed's show stand right away to take in its latest concoction. Called the iChange, we've already brought you the details and factory photos of this innovative electric vehicle, and it looks no less unique in person. Its low-slung body is punctuated by a forward-hinged canopy, which can be expanded to accommodate a third passenger as needed.

Stay tuned as well for live shots of the E2, a split-personality Fiat 500 that joined the iChange on Rinspeed's show stand here at the Geneva Palexpo.