Automotive
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Good vibrations could cut accidents by 15 percent
September 26, 2005 Vibrating the hands, bottoms and feet of car drivers could cut accidents by 15 per cent, according to research at the UK's Oxford University, bringing a whole new meaning to "driving by seat of your pants". Dr Charles Spence, who lead the research team, has predicted that vibrating warning devices, pioneered by Citroen in the C4 and C5 models, could be common within a few years, along with 'earcons', directed audible warnings that will call a driver's attention to the direction of an approaching hazard. Soothing smells - another technology pioneered by the French car maker - will also be used to reduce road rage. (read more...)
Alonso and Renault take World F1 title
September 26, 2005 Fernando Alonso today became the youngest world champion in Formula One history, after his thirteenth podium finish of the 2005 season in the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos. Starting from pole position, the Spaniard drove a consistent race to claim third position and a championship lead of 23 points with two races remaining in the 2005 season - he therefore has an unassailable lead in the drivers’ championship. At 24 years old, he is the youngest world champion in F1 history. While Renault celebrated, McLaren-Mercedes wondered what might have been had the team found consistency to match its speed. Juan Pablo Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen scored a dominant one-two in the race and last year’s champ Michael Schumacher finished fourth for Ferrari. With teammate Rubens Barrichello in sixth place, Ferrari consolidated their third place in the Constructors’ championship, the lead of which was taken by McLaren, now two points ahead of Renault with two races to go. With the title safe, an all-out fight for the constructors’ crown will be the centre of attention of the final two races of the season. (read more...)
Wireless Modus gets a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
September 25, 2005 Most drivers hardly notice the difference if their tire pressure gradually drops over a period of several weeks, and as we reported in our article on Nitrogen tyre inflation, 80% of automobiles on the road are running underinflated tyres and nearly as many drivers don’t even know what the correct tyre pressures are. So it was about time that somebody took the human factor out of the equation. Renault has selected the Johnson Controls tyre pressure monitoring system to constantly monitor the air pressure of the tyres on the new Modus, informing the driver about the air pressure of all four tires via a convenient display. Special technology automatically identifies the positioning of the tires, eliminating the need for any wheel-specific receiving module. (read more...)
A new class premieres – the Sports Utility Cabriolet (SUC)
September 26, 2005 The undeniable trend in world automotive sales over the last few decades has been the rise of the SUV, and in particular, the luxury SUV. The luxury SUV market offers the spaciousness, comfort, technology and customer services of a luxury car without the same price and value-for-money is just one of the reasons why luxury SUVs are increasingly taking the place of the family car. Another key trend of recent times that is gaining strength is the cabriolet – the ability to take the top off a car and drive with the wind in your hair is something people are increasingly prepared to pay for. So why not combine the two trends. German automotive specialist Karmann, best known for the Karmann Ghia Volkswagen, has done just that, and its research suggests the category could be huge within the decade. We agree. We also speak with Jorg Steuernagel, Chief Stylist at Karmann who explains how the idea came about and why the prospects are so bright. (read more...)
FHI and Tokyo Electric Power to Jointly Develop Electric Vehicles
September 23 2005 Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI), the maker of Subaru automobiles, and Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) have announced joint development of an electric vehicle (EV). The two companies will spend approximately one year designing and manufacturing the new EV for commercial uses, basing it on the Subaru R1e concept car. FHI is developing and manufacturing 10 prototype vehicles which TEPCO will use as part of its business and service fleet, and examine their performance and economic benefits. (read more...)
LIFECar project promises an efficient high performance fuel cell sports car within three years
September 23, 2005 A wholly British partnership yesterday unveiled plans to develop the world’s first environmentally clean sports car, powered by a fuel cell which converts hydrogen into electricity. The partnership is made up of legendary British sports car manufacturer, the Morgan Motor Company, QinetiQ, Cranfield and Oxford Universities, BOC and OSCar. The new vehicle, known as LIFECar, will be ultra quiet and its exhaust systems will produce only water vapour. It promises a clean vehicle combined with sound motoring performance and stylish good looks. (read more...)
The first 2006 F1 2.4 litre V8 hits the racetrack
September 22, 2005 Formula One is set for a major shake-up next year when the three-litre V10 engines of the last decade will be replaced by 2.4 litre V8 engines and the technological prowess of Renault, Mercedes, BMW, Cosworth, Ferrari and Honda will be tested to the max in the most expensive, ongoing, combatitive sport man has ever known. On Tuesday and Wednesday at the Silverstone GP circuit in the UK, the 2006 season Mercedes-Benz Formula One engine was tested on the race track for the first time. Pedro de la Rosa was at the wheel of the interim Team McLaren Mercedes MP4-20B, a modified version of the 2005 race car which has been adjusted to fit the new engine. Pedro completed 38 laps on Tuesday and 40 laps on Wednesday and achieved a best time of 1:22.974. Champion-elect Fernando Alonso in a Renault with V10 engine posted the fastest lap of the test with a 1:17.018. (read more...)
Akino Concept Vehicle
September 21, 2005 The unique and artistically sculptured appearance of the Chrysler Akino concept and its one-box, compact size certainly turns heads. However, after the fifth person settles comfortably into vehicle, one clearly gets the idea there is more to this concept than meets the eye. The Akino will take pride of place in the Chrysler display at this year's Tokyo Motor Show. (read more...)
New Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder
September 21, 2005 Two years after the launch of the Coupe version of the Gallardo, Automobili Lamborghini the new Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder began the rounds of the international car shows beginning with the Frankfurt Show last week. Ist next stop will be the 2005 Australian International Motor Show in Sydney. This latest addition brings the marque’s range of supercars to four models. The Gallardo Spyder is not just an open-top version of the Coupe, but is a completely new model. It has an attractive new design and a unique system for opening and closing the fabric roof that utilises the engine compartment to store the folded roof. (read more...)
The N2Revolution: is it actually just a lot of hot air?
September 21, 2005 When we first saw the N2Revolution PR frenzy, we were disappointed that the hype focuses so much on the downside of poorly inflated tyres (which don’t need nitrogen to remedy the situation) and not so much on the actual benefits of the system. Launched in Florida last week, the company’s flagship tyre inflation solution, the PurigeN98, uses 98% nitrogen to inflate tyres instead of air (78% nitrogen, 20% oxygen), and the basic idea is that if everyone used nitrogen instead of air in their car tyres, the world would be a cleaner, better place, with less petrol, oil and tyre consumption and hence less pollution. That’s true and the more we looked into it, the more using nitrogen makes sense. But will it save anybody any money? (read more...)
MILA Concept car: single seater for the road powered by natural gas
September 20, 2005 Magna Steyr has unveiled a new concept vehicle at the IAA 2005. Called the "MILA Concept" (Magna Innovation Lightweight Auto), the single-seater sports car has a mid-engine and rear-wheel drive and is packed with ideas and innovations. The MILA’s technical highlights include an cco-friendly engine that runs on CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) and thanks to the extremely lightweight monocoque construction, offers extremely sporty performance. Given Magna Steyr’s automotive production expertise, the car has been designed using modular design principles that enable different models to be built (single or two-seater, normal or high-power engine, etc.) without much extra effort, as the components and modules have been developed in advance and optimised in terms of cost and weight. Magna Steyr is confident that natural gas will gain more and more ground as an alternative fuel for road vehicles in the future. A study by the German Automotive Industry Association published in Frankfurt recently came to the conclusion that in Germany alone some two million natural gas vehicles will be licensed in the next 15 years. According to the study, natural gas vehicles could reach a market share of around 4% by the year 2020. (read more...)
Enhanced passenger protection: active head restraint and anti-submarining ramp
September 20, 2005 At this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, Johnson Controls revealed some novel occupant protection concepts: two new versions of an active head restraint and an active anti-submarining ramp. The new solutions are designed to reduce the risk of whiplash and of injuries to passengers' pelvis and legs. By contrast with conventional solutions, new technologies have enabled Johnson Controls to optimize the functionality of both the active head restraint and the active anti-submarining ramp. Thus, they can react faster and more reliably to enhance occupant protection. In addition, these products can easily be integrated into existing seating systems. (read more...)
WRC: Tragic end to Wales Rally GB
September 18, 2005 Wales Rally GB came to a tragic end this morning following a fatal accident in which Marco Martin's co-driver Michael Park was killed. The stage was immediately stopped and the remaining two scheduled stages abandoned. World Championship leader Sebastien Loeb was leading the rally at the time and the win would have given him the 2005 title. Rather than win the title in such tragic circumstances, Loeb purposefully took a time penalty. Park was one of the most likeable people in a friendly paddock and will be sadly missed. He leaves a wife, Marie, and two children, William and Victoria. It is a sad day for WRC and Motorsport. (read more...)
The original electric retractable hardtop - can you guess the year?
September 18, 2005 Retractable hardtops have been all the rage this year at the Frankfurt Motor Show with Nissan’s Micra C+C, Opel’s Astra TwinTop, Volkswagen putting the Project C into production and Volvo’s second generation C70 coming with an innovative three-piece retractable hardtop. But the idea is not new. Several cars with retractable hardtops exist on the market today, such as the Peugeot 307 CC. Indeed, Mercedes Benz has had a retractable hardtop, called the vario roof, in production continuously on its SLK-Roadster for a decade. And prior to that, Ford manufactured an electric retractable hardtop for three years in the mid-fifties called the Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner – just wait until you see the size of the trunk on the Skyliner (images and links inside). It’s the size of a football field and when the roof is stowed, it is FULL! But this week we came across images of what is surely the original production retractable hardtop. Peugeot changed the face of the convertible car market when it showed the first production car with an electric folding roof at the Paris Auto show - the Peugeot 401 Eclipse. You won’t believe what year it was! (read more...)
100BHP 500 KG carbon fibre sportscar with retro styling
September 18, 2005 Each year the major motor shows throw up exquisite low volume machines from enthusiast manufacturers and this year at the Frankfurt Motor Show, several came to light from this category, including the Bugatti Type 57-inspired 4-Stroke Rumen. In this case, though the Rumen is powered b a four-stroke motor, it’s also the name of the manufacturer. The style may be 1930's but the technology is pure 21st century and the only thing borrowed from the era is the production philosophy – having personalised vehicles made to individual customer order and specification. The body of the Rumen is crafted from carbon fibre composite which provides an ultra light and rigid structure in conjunction with a tubular steel frame. The Rumen’s 700cc in-line three cylinder turbocharged engine can produce 100 BHP and the entire machine weighs just 500 kg, offering startling acceleration and perfromance via a 6 speed sequential gearbox. In further contrast to its 1930's roots, the car is equipped with ABS, stability control and the leather lined interior is air conditioned as standard. (read more...)
Porsche Plans Cayenne with Hybrid Engine
September 16, 2005 Porsche plans to launch a fourth version of the Cayenne Sports Utility Vehicle by the end of the decade. This vehicle will be powered by hybrid drive (gasoline engine and electric motor) being developed together with Volkswagen Group. This environmentally-friendly drive concept in the Cayenne will be based on a Full Hybrid Drive System, meaning that the vehicle will be powered by both a gasoline combustion engine and an electric motor able to operate both independently of one another and together in a joint process. A second clutch between the two drive units will allow the electric motor to operate fully independently whenever appropriate. The vehicle's power electronics, focusing on the position of the throttle, will determine the level of electrical energy to be supplied by the storage battery fitted at the rear of the vehicle to the electric motor in order to generate the drive power needed. Once the second clutch is closed, both the combustion engine and the electric motor are able to convey their power to the transmission. As soon as the electrical energy available has been consumed, the electric motor is automatically deactivated and the vehicle is driven entirely by the combustion engine. (read more...)
Porsche Cayman S - all the detail
September 19, 2005 As we’ve known for six months now, the Cayman is the name of Porsche’s new Sports Coupe based on the Boxster model series. Ranking between the Boxster S and the 911 Carrera, this mid-engined two-seater sports car is powered by a 3.4-litre 295 bhp horizontally-opposed six-cylinder accelerating the Cayman S to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds and providing a top speed of 275 km/h or 183 mph. The car was publicly shown for the first time at Frankfurt Motor Show and will no doubt be one of the luxury design company’s most popular models in the coming years. Benefiting from its supreme body stiffness and superb balance of weight with the power unit upfront of the rear axle, the Cayman S is a genuine driving machine able to lap the Nord-schleife, the Northern Circuit of Nurburgring, in just 8:20 minutes – faster than the Boxster S and only a bit slower than the 911 Carrera. (read more...)
Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM AMG Cabriolet: The world’s fastest open-top four-seater
September 16, 2005 High technology derived from motorsport, the handling dynamism of the racetrack, a sensational visual appearance and the utmost exclusivity – the new Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM AMG Cabriolet is guaranteed to make the hearts of true car lovers beat faster. A limited edition of 100, the CLK DTM AMG Cabriolet is capable of a fulminating performance with its 428-kW/582-hp AMG 5.5-litre, supercharged V8, a newly developed AMG sports suspension, optional sports tyres and aerodynamics refined in the wind tunnel: this high-performance AMG sports car accelerates to 100 km/h in just 4.0 seconds and has a maximum speed of 300 km/h (electronically limited). This makes the new high-performance AMG Cabriolet the world’s fastest open-top four-seater. (read more...)
Combination Supercharger and Turbocharger for VW Golf GT
September 15, 2005 At the International Motor Show (Cars) in Frankfurt, Volkswagen is presenting to the general public a groundbreaking innovation in the drive sector: The world’s first twinturbocharged FSI engine – the “Twincharger”. The compact 1.4 litre direct-injection engine develops 125 kW / 170 PS and has a maximum torque of 240 newton metres in the range from 1750 to 4500 rpm thanks to the combination of an exhaust turbocharger with a mechanically driven compressor. Furthermore, the “Twincharger” delivers a torque corresponding to a naturally aspirated engine of approximately 2.3 litres. And its fuel consumption is around 20 percent lower. (read more...)
Two new hybrid drive concepts from Mercedes Benz
September 14, 2005 At the International Motor Show (IAA) 2005 in Frankfurt, Mercedes-Benz yesterday unveiled the “DIRECT HYBRID” and the “BLUETEC HYBRID,” two groundbreaking concept cars. Using the new S-Class as an example, the company is exhibiting unique designs for yet again markedly improving fuel consumption and emissions in the near future — while preserving high dynamic ride comfort. The focus is on combining optimised petrol and diesel engines with a hybrid system and with ultra-modern exhaust gas purification. (read more...)
Antara GTC: Opel's Coup at the IAA
September 14, 2005 Opel unveiled a Gran Turismo Crossover concept at the IAA in Frankfurt yesterday. The Antara GTC (Gran Turismo Crossover) offers a distinctively sporty interpretation of the SUV and of the dynamic Opel design language. The Antara GTC features many innovative ideas in its interior and is powered by a 212 hp twin-turbo version of the 1.9 CDTI four-cylinder Opel engine, which ensures outstanding performance. Computer simulations show a top speed of over 210 km/h and acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in around eight seconds in combination with the six-speed automatic transmission. (read more...)
The car "learns" to see and understand
September 14, 2005 Siemens VDO Automotive presents an ergonomic network of driver assistance systems at the 61st IAA Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany. As the volume of traffic on the road increases, will help assist drivers by warning them of potential hazards with such systems as Night Vision, a lane-changing assistant or by making routine operations, such as parking, easier. Siemens VDO's key focus is the interaction between the driver and the system. After all, it is the interface between human and machine that will ultimately decide if future assistance systems are accepted by drivers and can work to help prevent accidents. (read more...)
Siemens VDO plans series production of the wedge brake this decade
September 14, 2005 At the 61st IAA Motor Show in Frankfurt Siemens VDO Automotive is exhibiting future braking technology with the electronic wedge brake, which will enable brake-by-wire production before the end of this decade. The modern wedge brake offers considerable safety and comfort advantages over the hydraulic brake. Future driver assistance systems will not only monitor the current traffic situation, but actively assist the driver in emergencies. Autonomous intervention in vehicle dynamics will increasingly help keep the vehicle under control, even in difficult operating situations. A rapid and intelligent braking system is one of the foundations for advancing the next generation of driver assistance systems. Siemens VDO sees its electronic wedge brake (EWB) brake-by-wire technology as the answer to future vehicle chassis safety, weight, reliability and space requirements. (read more...)
Jeep Patriot and Jeep Compass concepts
September 13, 2005 Jeep designers have gone to the extreme once again, creating two all-new sport-utility-vehicle (SUV) concepts that could expand the Jeep brand into new territory. The Jeep Patriot and Jeep Compass concepts are compact Jeep four-wheel-drives that would deliver fun, freedom, utility, capability, as well as the potential for exceptional fuel economy and interior flexibility — all at a great value. Making their debut at the 2005 International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, these concepts hint at two future compact SUVs that the Jeep brand could build for global markets as soon as next year. (read more...)
Gangster's Roller under the hammer
September 13, 2005 A Rolle Royce with a distinctly shady past will be one of the star attractions of this year’s Shannons Australian International Motor Show Auction on October 23. ‘Cecilia’ is a 1934 model 20/25 Rolls-Royce swept tail sports coupe – named after one of her earlier and most infamous owners, gangster’s ‘moll’, Cecilia Hall. As the story goes, she was a present to Cecilia from her boyfriend, Melbourne gangster John Anderson, who was in a gang with the notorious Australian gangster ‘Squizzy’ Taylor in the 1930s. They were into drugs, prostitution and sly grog, down by the Melbourne dock area. Apparently, Cecilia was an unfaithful mistress who often enjoyed the company of other gangsters. Her sponsors soon tired of this and believing she knew too much, decided to ‘do her in’. But Cecilia was tipped off and quickly fled Australia, leaving her namesake behind her. ‘Squizzy’ Taylor was later killed in a shoot-out with rival crime boss ‘Snowy’ Cuttmore, and the car was re-acquired and used by John Anderson until he was declared bankrupt in 1948. (read more...)
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