Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a structural frame for a body of a motor vehicle, the structural frame defining, at least in part, an occupant compartment of the vehicle, the structural frame comprising a pair of spaced pillars joined together at an upper region of each pillar to a roof crossmember and further joined together at respective points below the roof crossmember to a structural cross-brace, the structural cross-brace is further arranged to support a pair of spaced apart vehicle suspension connectors and, wherein the structural cross-brace projects from the pillars beyond the suspension connectors so that the space in the occupant compartment between the pillars is substantially unobstructed by the structural cross-brace and, at least a portion of the structural cross-brace is accommodated within the occupant compartment.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to an active grille shutter vane for an active grille shutter assembly. The vane comprises: a leading edge and a trailing edge whereby, in use, the vane is configured such that airflow passes around the vane from the leading edge to the trailing edge when the active grille shutter assembly is in an open configuration; and a primary surface extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge. The leading edge, primary surface and trailing edge provide a continuous cambered attachment surface for the airflow passing over the primary surface to encourage attachment of the airflow to the vane.

Abstract: A control system (1) for controlling operation of a host vehicle (2). The control system (1) includes a controller (4) having a processor (5) and a memory (6). The processor (5) is operable to receive a signal (S1) from a sensor (7) and to process the signal (S1) to identify a target vehicle (3). The processor (5) determines a vertical offset (?V) between the host vehicle (2) and the target vehicle (3). A target follow distance (D1) may be set based on the determined vertical offset (?V). Also provided is a vehicle (1) incorporating the control system (1); a related method of controlling a vehicle (2); and a non-transitory computer-readable medium.

Abstract: A heat recovery system for an electric vehicle, including first and second switchable heat sources and a controller operable to selectively switch one of the heat sources into thermal communication with a compressor in a thermodynamic cycling system, the thermodynamic cycling system being in thermal communication with a heat sink; and a detector of a temperature differential between each of the switchable heat sources and a fluid entering the compressor; wherein the controller is operable to switch one of the first and second switchable heat sources into thermal communication with the thermodynamic cycling system when a temperature differential is detected between the fluid entering the compressor in the thermodynamic cycling system and the heat available from the switchable heat source, the temperature differential being such that the compressor is operable to upgrade low grade heat from the switchable heat source to a higher grade heat upon operation of the compressor.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a valve seat (20) for a poppet valve of an internal combustion engine, wherein the poppet valve comprises a head and a stem behind the head, the valve seat comprising: an aperture (21) configured to form a seal with the head of the poppet valve when the poppet valve is in a closed position; and a peripheral body (22) defining, at least in part, one or more ports (23) shaped like e.g. grooves and sized to enable injection of liquid or gas from a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine into a gas stream behind the head of the poppet valve.

Abstract: A controller (11) for a vehicle, the vehicle comprising an imaging device for generating image data and the imaging device further comprising an imaging accelerometer (24) for generating imaging accelerometer data for determining the orientation of the imaging device relative to the vehicle, the controller (11) comprising: an input for receiving a signal indicative of the imaging accelerometer data and the generated image data; a processor arranged to identify alignment artefacts in the received image data in dependence on the received imaging device imaging accelerometer data; and an output for outputting an error signal in dependence on the identified alignment artefacts.

Abstract: A first method of predicting the range of an electric vehicle comprises, determining a range value during a current vehicle operating cycle using a first range model, wherein the first range model is dependent on an energy consumption rate value recorded during a previous vehicle operating cycle. A second method of predicting the range of an electric vehicle comprises, monitoring a trailer detecting means of the vehicle; and determining a first range value if the trailer detecting means detects that a trailer is attached to the vehicle.