Book excerpt: Each year car manufacturers release new production models that are unique and innovative. These cars begin as concepts then go through the process of prototyping. The process of creating a new model can take years, involving extensive testing and refining of aerodynamics, safety, engine components, and vehicle styling. The production model is the result of this lengthy process, and its new technologies reflect the latest engineering standards as well as market trends. The 2014 Passenger Car Yearbook details the key engineering developments in the passenger vehicle industry of the year. Each new car model is profiled in its own chapter with one or more articles that were previously published and written by the award-winning editors of Automotive Engineering International. The novel engineering aspects of each new model are explored in depth. Interviews with key developers and engineers are included for some of the models, providing inside details about how initial ideas evolved in the cars that consumers drive. Published for enthusiasts who are interested in new car models and their technologies, as well as practicing automotive engineers who are interested in new engineering trends such as hybrid systems, powertrain designs, automotive design, lightweighting, and materials, and new engineers who want an overview of current trends, the 2014 Passenger Car Yearbook also: • Provides a single source for information on the key engineering trends of one year. • Allows the reader to skip to chapters that cover specific car models that interest them, or read about all models from beginning to end. • Makes for dynamic reading, with its large number of big, full-color images and easy-reading magazine format.