ave s103 and fastech 360

Recently I read an interesting update relating to the long awaited madrid-barcelona high speed line (known here as AVE = alta velocidad española). It seems the trains doing the partial route tarragona-madrid will be substituted with S103 models. The S103 is a siemens velaro E, a variation of the ICE 3 for the spanish high speed network. There's some more info in wikipedia. Apparently the TALGO developed S102 had a vibration problem that precludes it from running at the planned 350km/h and makes it less comfortable for the passengers. The siemens trainsets are heavier, more powerful and more stable.

On a related note, I saw this information of a newer shinkansen design being undertaken by JR east. The fastech 360 is a shinkansen model capable of running up to 360 km/h. Interestingly it features emergency air brake plates like those for an aircraft similar to the ears of a cat. It has therefore been called the ねこみみ新幹線, meaning "cat-eared Shinkansen". Wikipedia has also some info.