Abstract: A variable aerodynamic device for a vehicle, comprising: a wing element (1) having a front and a rear; a frame or body (2) for mounting to a vehicle; a linear actuator (4, 5) mounted between the body (2) and a first mounting point or first location (8) on the wing element for moving the rear of the wing element between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the body; and a guide strut or linkage (9) mounted between the body and the wing element, the linkage being pivotally coupled to the wing element at a second mounting point or second location (10) forwards of the first location (8); the linkage being configured such that when the rear of the wing element is moved by the linear actuator between the raised position and the lowered position, the second location moves rearwardly relative to the body.

Abstract: A temperature regulation apparatus for a hybrid vehicle having a forced induction combustion engine and an electric drive motor, the apparatus comprising: a temperature regulating circuit carrying a fluid coolant; a heat exchanger for cooling the coolant; and a first coolant pump for circulating the coolant around the temperature regulating circuit; the temperature regulating circuit having: a first branch serving a charge air cooler of a forced induction combustion engine; and a second branch serving one or more electric drive components and including a second coolant pump for regulating the flow of the coolant through the one or more electric drive components; wherein the first and second branches of the temperature regulating circuit are arranged in parallel and the first coolant pump is arranged between the heat exchanger and the first and second branches of the temperature regulating circuit so as to be operable to circulate coolant from each of the first and second branches of the temperature regulating

Abstract: A collapsible steering column assembly comprising a mounting structure, the mounting structure comprising a first part for connecting to the body of a vehicle and a second part for connecting to part of a steering mechanism, the first and second parts being interconnected to permit relative movement therebetween as the assembly collapses, wherein: one of the first or second parts comprises a slot, the slot comprising a pocket and a channel defined by two opposing sidewalls, each sidewall being the outer edge of a deformable structure; the other of the first or second parts comprises a lug, the lug extending into the pocket when the assembly is in a non-collapsed state and being configured to be driven through the channel to cause plastic deformation of the deformable structure as the assembly collapses; and the assembly comprises a re-enforcement that limits the plastic deformation of the deformable structure during the collapsing stroke to regions of the deformable structure adjacent to regions of the channe

Abstract: An electrical machine comprising: a first component having a first surface; a second component having a second surface, the first and second components being mounted such that the first surface is constrained to be movable in a cyclical path relative to the second surface; and a coil arranged to induce a magnetic field in one of the surfaces so as to, in at least some configurations of the machine, form a magnetic circuit through that surface; the machine being configured so that: a) the first component and the second component can magnetically interact with each other by virtue of magnetic flux through the first and second surfaces; and b) during at least part of the cyclical path the reluctance of the magnetic circuit is changed by relative motion of the first and second surfaces, that change in reluctance being predominantly due to a component of relative motion of the first and second surfaces in a direction parallel to the shortest distance between the first and second surfaces.

Abstract: A variable aerodynamic device for a vehicle, comprising: a wing element (1) having a front and a rear; a frame or body (2) for mounting to a vehicle; a linear actuator (4, 5) mounted between the body (2) and a first mounting point or first location (8) on the wing element for moving the rear of the wing element between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the body; and a guide strut or linkage (9) mounted between the body and the wing element, the linkage being pivotally coupled to the wing element at a second mounting point or second location (10) forwards of the first location (8); the linkage being configured such that when the rear of the wing element is moved by the linear actuator between the raised position and the lowered position, the second location moves rearwardly relative to the body.

Abstract: A vehicle comprises an outer shell having an opening and a cover for the opening. The cover comprises: a housing, a window and a motor for moving the window. The motor management unit stores three predetermined positions of the window relative to the housing. When the housing is engaged with the opening: in the first predetermined position the window is resiliently retained within the seal and the cover can be released from the opening without damage to the cover; in the second predetermined position the window does not engage with the seal; and in the third predetermined position the window extends into the seal and the window is prevented from being released from the seal without the window first being retracted to the first or second positions. The motor management unit causes the motor to extend the window to the third predetermined position when the vehicle exceeds a predetermined speed.

Abstract: A jacket for a multi-cell battery pack, the jacket having: outer walls defining a chamber for coolant fluid; a mid-wall partitioning the jacket into two regions; cell holders for holding the cells in place in the jacket so that each cell extends through the mid-wall; an inlet for coolant fluid on a first side of the mid-wall; and an outlet for coolant fluid on a second side of the mid-wall; the jacket defining a fluid path for the coolant fluid between the inlet and the outlet, the fluid path passing each cell of a set of the cells on both the first and second sides of the mid-wall.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a heat source, a duct system communicating via openings with the exterior of the vehicle and a chamber housing temperature-sensitive components of the vehicle, the openings of the duct system being arranged such that: motion of the vehicle generates a pressure difference between openings of the duct system so as to drive a cooling airflow through the chamber when the vehicle is in motion; and one opening is higher than another of the openings so as to promote a cooling airflow through the chamber by convection when the vehicle is stationary; the chamber being within sufficient proximity to the heat source so as to be capable of reaching temperatures high enough to effectively drive the convection flow and both said airflows being isolated from any airflow to the heat source.

Abstract: A cylinder head for an internal combustion engine, the cylinder head including a region for covering a combustion cylinder, the region including one or more ports for communicating with the cylinder, and the cylinder head including a coolant channel that embraces at least one of the ports for cooling the zone of the cylinder head adjacent the port.

Abstract: A method for forming a vehicle body, comprising: forming a rigid tub; mating the rigid tub to a first mould for a superstructure of the vehicle body; and subsequently rigidifying material in the first mould whilst part of that material is in contact with the tub to thereby form the superstructure of the vehicle body integral with the tub.

Abstract: A controller for controlling a power source in response to a throttle input, the throttle input representing the status of a throttle control in a range from a minimum state to a maximum state, the controller being configured to control the power source in dependence on both the current status of the throttle control and the current direction of change of that status between the maximum state and the minimum state.

Abstract: A damper unit includes first and second chambers, a first piston dividing the first chamber into first and second volumes, and a second piston dividing the second chamber into third and fourth volumes. Each piston is moveable along the respective chamber. The second chamber has a cross-sectional area that is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the first chamber so that the second chamber at least partially slides inside the first chamber and at least part of the first chamber can be located around the outside of the second chamber. The first piston is attached to the part of the second chamber that slides inside the first chamber. The position of the second piston is fixed relative to the first chamber as the second chamber slides relative to first chamber. The length of the damper unit changes as the second chamber slides relative to the first chamber.

Abstract: A moulded structural tub for a vehicle, the tub having: a main compartment bounded by a first lateral wall, a second lateral wall, and a floor extending between the lateral walls; a strengthening member integral with the first lateral wall and projecting in a longitudinal direction from the first lateral wall towards the second lateral wall; the profile of the surfaces of the main compartment being such that, in any cross-sectional plane parallel to the longitudinal direction and perpendicular to the plane generally defined by the floor, the length of a line drawn in that cross-sectional plane between a fixed point on that part of the strengthening member closest to the second lateral wall, and a movable point confined to the profile monotonically increases in length as the movable point on the profile is moved in a generally longitudinal direction so as to trace from the fixed point along the profile of the first lateral wall, the floor and the second lateral wall in an unbroken set of points representing th

Abstract: A moulded structural tub for a vehicle, the tub having: a main compartment bounded by a first lateral wall, a second lateral wall, and a floor extending between the lateral walls; a strengthening member integral with the first lateral wall and projecting in a longitudinal direction from the first lateral wall towards the second lateral wall; the profile of the surfaces of the main compartment being such that, in any cross-sectional plane parallel to the longitudinal direction and perpendicular to the plane generally defined by the floor, the length of a line drawn in that cross-sectional plane between a fixed point on that part of the strengthening member closest to the second lateral wall, and a movable point confined to the profile monotonically increases in length as the movable point on the profile is moved in a generally longitudinal direction so as to trace from the fixed point along the profile of the first lateral wall, the floor and the second lateral wall in an unbroken set of points representing th

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a latching mechanism for securing exterior panels, the mechanism comprising a security element moveable between a plurality of configurations and arranged such that when a first exterior panel is fitted in place: in a first configuration the security element engages a first fixed element to latch the first exterior panel in place; and in a second configuration the security element releases the first exterior panel and physically obstructs the fitting of a second exterior panel in place adjacent to the first exterior panel.

Abstract: A vehicle having a body comprising a grille cover arranged over a cavity comprising rear-facing light and a vent located rearward of the rear-facing light, the grille cover having a plurality of apertures through which air may pass from the vent to the exterior of the vehicle, and the grille cover being arranged such that the rear-facing light is visible to an observer located directly rearward of the vehicle only through the apertures of the grille cover, wherein the grille cover does not extend above the height of that part of the body of the vehicle immediately forwards of the grille cover.

Abstract: A vehicle having a dynamics control system, the vehicle comprising: a first set comprising multiple adjustable sub-systems that affect the performance of the vehicle's powertrain; a second set comprising multiple adjustable sub-systems that affect the vehicle's handling; a dynamics user interface including a first input device and a second input device; and a dynamics controller coupled to the user interface and configured to adjust the operation of the sub-systems of the first set in dependence on the first input device and to adjust the operation of the sub-systems of the second set in dependence on the second input device.

Abstract: An intake sound generator for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, the internal combustion engine having an intake manifold for distributing a combustion mixture to a plurality of cylinders of the engine, and an engine throttle controlled by an electronic engine management system for regulating the flow of the combustion mixture into the intake manifold, the engine management system being coupled to an engine throttle lever whose position indicates the engine throttle position desired by a driver of the vehicle, and the intake sound generator comprising: a sound outlet port at an intake manifold; a first sound transmission tube connected to the sound outlet port and adapted to conduct engine-generated sound pulses from the intake manifold; sound receiving means coupled to the first sound transmission tube and operable to receive engine-generated sound pulses conducting along the first sound transmission tube; a sound throttle connected along the first sound transmission tube at a point intermediate bet

Abstract: A moulded structural tub for a vehicle, the tub having: a main compartment bounded by a first lateral wall, a second lateral wall, and a floor extending between the lateral walls; a strengthening member integral with the first lateral wall and projecting in a longitudinal direction from the first lateral wall towards the second lateral wall; the profile of the surfaces of the main compartment being such that, in any cross-sectional plane parallel to the longitudinal direction and perpendicular to the plane generally defined by the floor, the length of a line drawn in that cross-sectional plane between a fixed point on that part of the strengthening member closest to the second lateral wall, and a movable point confined to the profile monotonically increases in length as the movable point on the profile is moved in a generally longitudinal direction so as to trace from the fixed point along the profile of the first lateral wall, the floor and the second lateral wall in an unbroken set of points representing th