They can provide power to the wheel motors or help recharge the batteries.
But GM says the next-generation technology could power rear-wheel-drive cars as well, such as the Cadillac XTS concept car, which was on display at the recent Detroit auto show.
Controlling steering using electric motors also helps to reduce fuel consumption and hence carbon-dioxide emissions. (Electric motors require power only when the steering wheel is turned, whereas a hydraulic pump drains power from the engine all the time.) Ford reckons 90% of its cars will have electronic steering within three years.
Standard features include leatherette seating, a 7-inch LED color-touch radio display, automatic climate control, remote start, power windows, steering wheel radio controls and no less than 10 air bags.
It also makes the steering more responsive by sending power to the outside front wheel when turning.
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You control the throttle and brake, and electric power assist steering controls the steering wheel.
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"Enough hamsters running on a wheel could displace a power plant, but no one's going to do it, because it's too expensive, " he says.
In the years of early industrialization, companies would develop their own power system, such as a water wheel.
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Journe created this lightweight Octa Sport with 120-hour power reserve and a variable inertia balance wheel for stability even at high speed.
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Rather than faux leather and relatively spartan trimmings (which, I admit, is admirable in many cases), S60 comes with a leather sport steering wheel and gearshift, a power glass moonroof, active dual xenon headlights, dual-zone climate control, illuminated controls, Bluetooth and audio streaming.
Translation: It finds the wheel or wheel with the most traction and applies power there.
"They need to rethink these double-file restarts for open-wheel cars, " Penske Racing driver Will Power said.
But in the case of the E63 AMG, all-wheel drive looks to make better use of all that power on tap.
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The German Aerospace Centre has tested this idea in an aircraft using a fuel cell to power two electric motors built into the hub of an aircraft nose wheel.
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This configuration gives it all wheel drive and also allows the ECU to either send power to or retrieve power from (in the form of regeneration) either motor to recharge the on-board battery pack -- which can also be juiced up by plugging into the wall.
The standard equipment furthermore includes electric windows and electrically adjustable door mirrors, a leather steering wheel, leather gear knob, the entry line radio, power steering, 9-spoke alloy wheels and a luggage compartment cover.
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Its power is transmitted to the road via the 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission and 4MATIC all-wheel drive.
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The wheel itself is simply a batwing-esque shell that you slot a Move into, requiring no battery power of its own.
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Walking into one of the best party hotels for the first time is like getting behind the wheel of your first sports car: Your pulse quickens and your palms get damp as you feel the power and potential for endless fun surging through you.
But what Mr Landau really needs is something that combines the power of EverQuest (and its ability to remove money from people's wallets) with the broad appeal of Wheel of Fortune which is why Sony has bought an exclusive licence from George Lucas to create a Star Wars game, and has handed it over to the division that built EverQuest.
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