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2017-17/2146/en_head.json.gz/16668 | Missouri Car Dealers Trying to Stop Tesla Sales
Monday, May 12, 2014 1:38:00 AM CDT
By: Anders Aarhus, KOMU 8 Reporter
JEFFERSON CITY - The electric-car manufacturer Tesla is set to fight legislation this week that would prevent the company from selling cars directly to consumers in Missouri.
Last week the Missouri Automotive Dealers Association proposed changes to House Bill 1124 to stop Tesla from selling its cars without having to use Missouri dealerships. The bill passed the Senate and has moved to the House for a final vote. Tesla hired lobbyists to fight the new legislation this week, the final week before the legislature ends its current term.
Tesla has a policy of selling directly to customers instead of using a dealership as a middleman, like most car manufacturers do.That's led to similar problems with dealers in New Jersey, New York and Ohio.
The Federal Trade Commission publicly declared its support for Tesla's direct-to-customer model in April.
Tesla called the actions by the Missouri Auto Dealers a "sneak attack" in a blog post on its website. The company also said it employs 15 people at its service center in St. Louis and claims it has invested $2 million in the state so far. View Story Comments | 汽车 |
2017-17/2146/en_head.json.gz/18190 | German HK 101 Utility Vehicle
You saw one of these in 'Saving Private Ryan' if you caught that World War II Tom Hanks flick. One of the handiest vehicles of the war, on a par with the American jeep, and not nearly as clumsy or over-engineered as you might think on first glance. In fact, in Russia, where a Jeep would have bogged down all the time in muddy and dusty roads leading to nowhere, the HK 101 got the job done handily.
The SdKfz 2 aka The Kettenkrad Motorcycle Tank aka “Kleines Kettenkraftrad HK 101." The HK 101 aka SdKfz 2 aka The Kettenkrad Motorcycle Tank aka “Kleines Kettenkraftrad HK 101" is one of the most distinctive vehicles ever to see military action. Designed and patented in 1939 for use by forestry workers, it was adapted for military purposes when the Germans invaded the Soviet Union in 1941.
Powered by an Opel four-cylinder 36 hp engine, it had a top speed of 44 mph (more specifically, the engines were manufactured by NSU Motorenwerke AG, which was acquired by the Volkswagen Group in 1969 and then merged with Auto Union, to eventually evolve into Audi as it is known today). The operator steered the vehicle by turning the handlebars; for sharp turns the track brakes would kick in.
These little buggers could go an astounding 44 mph/60 km/hour.
The Wehrmacht used the HK 101 as a general-purpose utility vehicle, employing it to lay wires, transport soldiers, and tow aircraft. The vehicle came with a separate cargo trailer, enabling it to haul large loads. In muddy terrain it was common to remove the front wheel altogether and rely entirely on the tracks for transport.
German factories turned out 8,345 units during the course of the conflict. In 1944, the Allies bombed the factory where it was built, which brought an end to war-time production. However, there already were so many, and Germany had so little gasoline left to run vehicles, that it probably didn't make any difference anyway.
Besides, the entire purpose of the vehicle was to gain mobility in the wilderness of Russia, and the Wehrmacht by then had lost most of that territory anyway. The HK 101 was of much less use in Western Europe, where roads were plentiful and the need for a tracked vehicle much less.
Germany’s defeat of course led to its governance by Allied officials, who forbade German industry from building military vehicles. As the HK 101 had originally been developed for agricultural purposes, though, it gained a very rare exemption from this rule. As a result, renewed production went on until sometime in 1948 or 1949, during which time between 500 and 600 were manufactured. More importantly, that gave some Germans very good jobs in the wrecked economy. There are rumors that these continued to be manufactured much later in the Soviet bloc countries. Many remain in existence, and here and there one or more may still be in use. If you are lucky, you might find an unrestored one in a barn and buy it for a song. Properly restored, they are quite valuable.
The SdKfz 2, better known as the Kleines Kettenkraftrad HK 101 or Kettenkrad for short (Ketten = tracks, krad = military abbreviation of the German word Kraftrad, the administrative German term for motorcycle), started its life as a light tractor for airborne troops. The vehicle was designed to be delivered by Junkers JU 52 aircraft, though not by parachute. The vehicle had the advantage of being the only gun tractor small enough to fit inside the hold of the JU 52...
The sheer volume of units built during the war and afterward make the HK 101 a common sight among hobbyists and history buffs in Europe (such as at the annual exotic vehicle gathering north of Berlin). You can occasionally see one for sale in the trade magazines. There also are many sitting in the holds of sunken cargo vessels all around Europe, such as in the coastal waters of Norway (one was recovered in Narvik in the '80s that could be driven through the city streets). Many have been restored to their full wartime glory (minus munitions), and the modern German government allows owners to drive them on public streets. Some of these vehicles have even been modified by farmers for use as tractors. The HK 101’s unique design and unconventional profile make it one of the more interesting examples from military history.
HK 101,
Kettenkrad,
Kleines Kettenkraftrad HK 101,
Saving Private Ryan,
SdKfz 2,
The "Goebbels Fortune"
Some Legacies of World War II Live on in a Very Real Way The Goebbels at their wedding, Hitler uncharacteristically in the background ...
Canines of Valor We have a page devoted to cats in World War II , so it only seemed appropriate to include one for dogs who partici...
Paul McCartney Helping to Save Blitz Church
St. Luke's Church in Liverpool St. Luke's Church in Liverpool, England is the famous "bombed out church." Former Beat...
Tales From the Dutch Resistance Part IV
This is a continuation of my " Tales of the Dutch Resistance " series profiling one "Hans." He is an old man now,...
Heinkel He-219 Uhu ('Owl')
A consistent theme throughout our review of wartime Luftwaffe aircraft development by the Reichsluftfahrtministerium (RLM) is that i...
1942 Plane Crash Site Found in Vancouver
Wreckage The 70-year-old mystery of four airmen lost during a World War II training flight has finally been solved after a chance disco...
The Final Solution Hermann Goering's memo to Reinhard Heydrich mandating the Holocaust. "Endlösung der Judenfrage" in th... | 汽车 |
2017-17/2146/en_head.json.gz/18263 | Home / Auto Shows / The next generation of EVs were on display in… The next generation of EVs were on display in Paris
Auto Shows, News | October 3rd, 2016 by Nico DeMattia 8
A few years ago, the selection of electric vehicles on the market was quite slim. We had the Nissan Leaf, Tesla Model S and BMW …
A few years ago, the selection of electric vehicles on the market was quite slim. We had the Nissan Leaf, Tesla Model S and BMW i3. There were a few others, but none that special. After the 2016 Paris Motor Show, though, it seems as if that selection is going to expand. Rapidly.
Almost each and every premium automaker debuted some sort of electric vehicle or concept in Paris. Volkswagen showed off its I.D. concept, proving that it could make an EV with over 200 miles of range that only costs as much as a Golf diesel. But that’s just the beginning, as Volkswagen wants 30 EVs in its lineup by 2025. An ambitious goal, indeed.
But VW wasn’t the only ambitious German in Paris. The Mercedes-Benz EQ debuted as well, foreshadowing the beginning of an EV influx into Mercedes’ lineup as well. “We’re now flipping the switch,” said Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche. “We’re ready for the launch of an electric product offensive that will cover all vehicle segments, from the compact to the luxury class.” Mercedes wants 10 EVs in its model portfolio within the next few years.
BMW Board Member Ian Robertson, the only BMW board member at the Paris Motor Show, claimed that new legislature is changing the automotive landscape, forcing all automakers to push for more EVs. “We’re all facing a legislative framework around the world which is going in one direction and almost converging on the same spot,” said Robertson. “Within the mix of vehicles for the foreseeable future, you will need to have a good proportion of zero-emission vehicles.”
However, not all automakers agree on the direction to take. While Tesla has claimed for years that pure BEV is the only way to go, others have disagreed. BMW and Toyota are the two largest detractors, with investments in hydrogen fuel-cell technology. Maybe BMW and Toyota are being pig-headed because of their investment into hydrogen fuel. Or maybe Elon Musk is bullying hydrogen because its success would be bad for Tesla’s business. Either way, BMW and Toyota seem to be sticking to their guns.
“If there is some need to move in our lineup to a pure [battery] electric car, EV car, we will do it. And we are ready for that.” said Toyota Vice President Didier Leroy. “But today we are really convinced that the fuel cell is much more promising.”
Regardless of the technology involved, we are starting to see the beginning of a new generation of electric cars. Whether they be plug-in hybrids or hydrogen fuel-cell cars, the next-generation of electric cars is coming and quickly.
[Source: Automotive News]
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2017-17/2146/en_head.json.gz/18834 | Chairman's Statement
About Tata Motors
Designed to Deliver
Winners From Tata Motors
Accelerating Green Mobility
Mega Vision into the Future
Pace in Performance
Company (Standalone)
Summarised BS and P&L Statement
Fund Flow Statement
Tata Motors Group (Consolidated)
Financial Highlights - Subsidiaries
Annexure to the Directors' Report
Management Discussion and Analysis
Report on Corporate Governance
Standalone Financials Auditors' Report
Profit and Loss Statement
Cash Flow Statement
Consolidated Financials Auditors' Report
Attendance Slip & Proxy Form
Management Discussion & Analysis
Statutory Reports >> Management Discussion and Analysis
Deterioration in economic conditions: The impact of the global financial crisis and European sovereign debt crisis continues to be a cause of concern, despite concerted efforts to contain the adverse effect of these events on global recovery.
In addition to India, the Company has automotive operations in the UK, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Thailand and in Indonesia (being commissioned). The Indian automotive industry is affected substantially by the general economic conditions in India and around the world. The demand for automobiles in the Indian market is influenced by factors including the growth rate of the Indian economy, easy availability of credit, and increase in disposable income among Indian consumers, interest rates, freight rates and fuel prices. During the global financial crisis in FY 2008-09, RBI had eased its monetary policy stance to stimulate economic activity. Subsequently, as the Indian economy started recovering from the downturn, inflation pressures increased substantially, followed by several interest rate hikes by RBI. With inflation moderating in FY 2011-12, RBI reduced interest rates (repo rate and reverse repo rate) by 50 basis points in April 2012, however, muted industrial growth along with higher inflation
and higher interest rates still continue to pose downside risks to overall growth. The automotive industry in general is cyclical
and economic slowdowns in the past, have affected the manufacturing sector including the automotive and related industries. Deterioration in key economic factors such as growth rate, interest rates and inflation as well as reduced availability of financing for vehicles at competitive rates, may adversely affect our automotive sales in India and results of operations.
Jaguar Land Rover operations have significant presence in the UK, North America, Continental Europe and China, as well as sales operations in many major countries across the globe. The global economic downtown significantly impacted the global
automotive markets, particularly in the United States and Europe, including the UK, where Jaguar Land Rover operations have significant presence. The Company's strategy with respect to Jaguar Land Rover operations, which includes new product launches and expansion into growing markets such as China, Russia and Brazil, may not be sufficient to mitigate the decrease in demand for the products in established markets and this could have a significant adverse impact on the financial performance. In response to the recent economic slowdown, the Company further intensified efforts to review and realign our cost structure such as reducing manpower costs and other fixed costs. Jaguar Land Rover business is exploring opportunities to reduce cost base through increased sourcing of materials from low cost countries, reduction in number of suppliers, reduction in number of platforms, reduction in
engineering change costs, increased use of off-shoring and several other initiatives. While the markets in the United States
in FY 2011-12, have begun to show signs of recovery and stability, the UK and Europe continue to struggle. If industry demand softens because of the impact of the debt crisis, or low or negative economic growth in key markets or other factors, the results of operations and financial condition could be substantially and adversely affected.
Interest rates and other inflationary trends: Due to anti inflationary monetary policy pursued by the RBI, the interest rates continued to be at higher levels and affected the growth of EMI-driven products in India throughout FY 2011-12. The impact of high inflation, interest rates, rising wages and raw material costs, coupled with suppressed aggregate demand in the economy, severely impacted the rate of industrial growth. As the rate of inflation has started to show some easing, the RBI has lowered policy rates (i.e. repo and reverse repo) in April 2012. On April 17, 2012, the RBI reduced the Repo Rate by 50 basis points from 8.50% to 8.00% and Reverse Repo Rate from 7.50% to 7.00%. The current Repo Rate cut comes after the RBI raised it by 375 basis points during the period of March 2010 - October 2011, presumably for anchoring inflationary expectations. Although interest rate and inflation have shown some signs of softening in the recent months, there is an upside risk to inflation, which could stop further softening of interest rate cycle and have an adverse impact on the demand and consequently growth in India.
Fuel Prices: The crude oil price continued at about US$110 per barrel (Brent crude oil) throughout FY 2011-12. There are renewed concerns of rapid growth in oil demand in emerging economics and downshift in oil supply trends. As a result, the oil prices are likely to continue at higher levels. The Indian Government has removed petrol from administered price
mechanism. However, diesel and cooking gas continues to be subsidized by the Government, which has impacted the Government finances due to rising subsidies. There have been discussions regarding removing diesel from the administered price mechanism and imposing levy on passenger vehicles running on diesel. The fuel prices or levies could adversely impact the demand of automotive vehicles in India, particularly passenger vehicles. Increases in fuel costs also pose a significant challenge to automobile manufacturers worldwide, especially in the commercial and premium vehicle segments where increased fuel prices have an impact on demand. The Company's product programs initiatives are aimed at improving fuel efficiency of its products and development of
alternate fuel solutions.
Input Costs/Supplies: Prices of commodity items used in manufacturing automobiles, including steel, aluminium, copper, zinc, rubber, platinum, palladium and rhodium have become increasingly volatile over the past two years. While
the Company continues to pursue cost reduction initiatives, an increase in price of input materials could severely impact our profitability to the extent such increase cannot be absorbed by the market through price increases and/or could have a negative impact on the demand. In addition, because of intense price competition and the considering level of fixed costs, the Company may not be able to adequately address changes in commodity prices even if they are foreseeable.
In addition, an increased price and supply risk could arise from the supply of rare and frequently sought raw materials
for which demand is high, especially those used in vehicle electronics such as rare earths, which are predominantly found in China. In the past, China limited the export of rare earths from time to time. If the Company is unable to find substitutes for such raw materials or pass price increases on to customers by raising prices, or to safeguard the supply of scarce raw materials, the Company's vehicle production, business and results from operations could be affected.
Restrictive covenants in financing agreements: Some of the Company's financing agreements and debt arrangements set limits on and/or require the Company to obtain lender consents before, among other things, pledging assets as
security. In addition, certain financial covenants may limit the Company's ability to borrow additional funds or to incur additional liens. In the past, the Company has been able to obtain required lender consents for such activities. If the financial or growth plans require such consents and such consents are not obtained, the Company may be forced to forego or alter plans, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
In the event that the Company breaches these covenants, the outstanding amounts due under such financing agreements
could become due and payable immediately. A default under one of these financing agreements may also result in crossdefaults
under other financing agreements and result in the outstanding amounts under such other financing agreements becoming due and payable immediately. Defaults under one or more of our financing agreements could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations and financial condition.
Environmental Regulations: As an automobile company, the Company is subject to extensive governmental regulations regarding vehicle emission levels, noise, safety and levels of pollutants generated by our production facilities. These regulations are likely to become more stringent and compliance costs may significantly impact the future results of operations. In particular, the US and Europe have stringent regulations relating to vehicular emissions. The proposed tightening of vehicle emissions regulations by the European Union will require significant costs for compliance. While the Company is pursuing various technologies in order to meet the required standards in the various countries in which the Company sell our vehicles, the costs for compliance with these required standards can be significant to the operations and may adversely impact the results of operations.
To comply with current and future environmental norms, the Company may have to incur additional capital expenditure
and R&D expenditure to upgrade products and manufacturing facilities, which would have an impact on the Company's cost of production and the results of operations and may be difficult to pass through to its customers. If the Company is unable to develop commercially viable technologies within the time frames set by the new standards, the Company could face significant civil penalties or be forced to restrict product offerings drastically to remain in compliance. Moreover, meeting government mandated safety standards is difficult and costly because crash worthiness standards tend to conflict with the need to reduce vehicle weight in order to meet emissions and fuel economy standards.
The Company's product development plan is structured to allow it to develop vehicles which comply with current and
expected future environmental regulations particularly in the United States covered by the CAFE and in other countries such as China.
Intensifying Competition: The global automotive industry is highly competitive and competition is likely to further intensify in view of the continuing globalization and consolidation in the worldwide automotive industry. Competition is especially likely to increase in the premium automotive categories as each market participant intensifies its efforts to retain its position in established markets while also developing a presence in emerging markets, such as China. The factors affecting competition include product quality and features, innovation and product development time, ability to control
costs, pricing, reliability, safety, fuel economy, customer service and financing terms.
The Company also faces strong competition in the Indian market from domestic as well as foreign automobile manufacturers. Improving infrastructure and robust growth prospects compared to other mature markets, are attracting a number of international companies to India either through joint ventures with local partners or through independently owned operations in India. International competitors bring with them decades of international experience, global scale, advanced technology and significant financial resources. Consequently, domestic competition is likely to further intensify in the future.
Exchange and interest rate fluctuations: The Company's operations are subject to risk arising from fluctuations in exchange rates with reference to countries in which it operates. These risks primarily stem from the relative movements of the GBP, the US dollar, the Euro, the Chinese Yuan, the Russian Ruble and the Indian Rupee.
In India, the Company imports capital equipment, raw materials and components from, and also sells its vehicles in
various countries. These transactions are denominated primarily in US dollars and Euros. Moreover, the Company has outstanding
foreign currency denominated debt and is sensitive to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. During the year, the depreciation of the Indian Rupee against the US dollar adversely impacted the borrowing cost and consequently, the results of operations. The Company has experienced and expects to continue to experience foreign exchange losses and gains on obligations denominated in foreign currencies in respect of its borrowings and foreign currency assets and liabilities due to currency fluctuations.
Jaguar Land Rover operations have significant exposure considering the vehicle sales in the US, Europe and China. In
addition, Jaguar Land Rover source a significant portion of input material from European suppliers.
Although the Company engages in currency hedging in order to decrease its foreign exchange exposure, a weakening of
the Indian Rupee against the US dollar or other major foreign currencies may have an adverse effect on the cost of borrowing
and consequently may increase the financing costs, which could have a significant adverse impact on the Company's results of operations.
The Company also has interest-bearing assets (including cash balances) and interest-bearing liabilities, which earn interest at variable rates. The Company is therefore exposed to changes in interest rates in the various markets in which it borrows. New products, emissions and technology- Intensifying competition, reducing product life cycles and breadth of the product portfolio, necessitates the Company to continuously invest in new products, upgrades and capacity enhancement programme. Though the Company employs sophisticated techniques and processes to forecast the demand of new products yet the same is subject to margin of error.
Further the competitors can gain significant advantages if they are able to offer products satisfying customer needs earlier than the Company able is to and this could adversely impact the Company's sales and results of operations. Unanticipated
delays or cost overruns in implementing new product launches, expansion plans or capacity enhancements could adversely impact the Company's results of operations. Timely introduction of new products, their acceptance in the market place and managing the complexity of operations across various manufacturing locations, would be the key to sustain competitiveness.
Customer preferences especially in many of the developed markets seem to be moving in favour of more fuel efficient
vehicles. Further, in many countries there has been significant pressure on the automotive industry to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. In many markets these preferences are driven by increased government regulation and rising fuel prices. The Company's operations may be significantly impacted if there is a delay in developing fuel efficient products that reflect changing customer preferences, especially in the premium automotive category. The Company endeavors to take account of climate protection and the ever more stringent laws and regulations that have been and are likely to be adopted. The Company focuses on researching, developing and producing new drive technologies, such as hybrid engines and electric cars. The Company is also investing in development programs to reduce fuel consumption through the use of lightweight materials, reducing parasitic losses through the driveline and improvements in aerodynamics.
In addition, the climate debate and promotion of new technologies are increasingly resulting in the automotive industry's customers no longer looking for products only on the basis of the current standard factors, such as price, design,
performance, brand image or comfort/features, but also on the basis of the technology used in the vehicle or the manufacturer or provider of this technology. This could lead to shifts in demand and the value added parameters in the automotive industry.
One of the Company's principal goals is to enhance its status as a leading manufacturer of premium passenger vehicles by investing in products, R&D, quality improvement and quality control. The Company's strategy is to maintain and improve its
competitive position by developing technologically advanced vehicles. Over the years, the Company has enhanced its technological strengths through extensive in-house R&D activities, particularly through the Company's advanced engineering and design centers. These centralise the Company's capabilities in product design and engineering. Further, the Company is pursuing various quality improvement programmes, both internally and its suppliers' operations, in an effort to enhance customer satisfaction and reduce future warranty costs.
Underperformance of distribution channels and supply chains: The Company products are sold and serviced through a network of authorized dealers and service centers across the domestic market, and a network of distributors and local
dealers in international markets. The Company monitors the performance of its dealers and distributors and provides them with support to enable them to perform to the expectations. Any under-performance by the dealers or distributors could adversely affect the Company's sales and results of operations.
The Company relies on third parties to supply raw materials, parts and components used in the manufacture of products.
Furthermore, for some of these parts and components, the Company is dependent on a single source. The Company's ability to procure supplies in a cost effective and timely manner is subject to various factors, some of which are not within its control. While the Company manages its supply chain as part of the vendor management process, any significant problems with supply chain in the future could affect the results of operations. Impact of natural disasters and man-made accidents, adverse economic conditions, decline in automobile demand, lack of access to sufficient financing arrangements could have a negative financial impact on the Company's suppliers and distributors, in turn impairing timely availability of components, or increases in costs of components.
The tragic earthquake and tsunami in Japan in March 2011, shows the vulnerability of the automotive supply chain to
external shocks. Several suppliers to the automotive industry, including those to the Company, were severely impacted by the earthquake and tsunami and its after-effects. The Company, however, managed to avoid any production disruption by working with its overall supply base to temporarily resource components and help Japanese suppliers to restart production.
In managing a complex supply chain the Company has developed close relationships with both direct and indirect suppliers. The Company continues to develop long-term strategic relationships with suppliers to support the development of parts, technology and production facilities.
With respect to Jaguar Land Rover operations, as part of a separation agreement from Ford, the Company entered into
supply agreements with Ford and certain other third parties for critical components. Any disruption of such transitional services could have a material adverse impact on the operations and financial condition.
Changes in tax, tariff or fiscal policies and regulations: Imposition of any additional taxes and levies designed to limit the use of automobiles could adversely affect the demand for the Company's vehicles and the results of operations. Changes in corporate and other taxation policies as well as changes in export and other incentives given by the various governments, could also adversely affect the results of operations. The Government of India had proposed a comprehensive national goods and services tax, or GST, regime that will combine taxes and levies by the central and state governments into one
unified rate structure. The same was to be effective from April 1, 2012, but its implementation has been deferred. While both the Government of India and other state governments of India have publicly announced that all committed incentives will be protected following the implementation of the GST, there is no clarity all aspects of the tax regime following implementation of the GST. The implementation of this rationalized tax structure might be affected by any disagreement between certain state governments, which could create uncertainty.
The Direct Tax Code Bill 2010, or DTC, proposes to replace the existing Income Tax Act, 1961 and other direct tax laws, with a view to simplify and rationalize the tax provisions into one unified code. The DTC is currently proposed to come into
effect from April 1, 2013. The various proposals included in DTC are subject to review by Indian parliament and as such impact if any, is not quantifiable at this stage.
Further, Brazil has recently increased import duty for foreign build vehicles which put pressure on margins. The Company is considering a number of options to counter this issue, including discussions with the Brazilian government to exempt
a number of imported vehicles from the increased tariff.
Political instability, wars, terrorism, multinational conflicts, natural disasters, fuel shortages/prices, epidemics, labour strikes: The Company's products are exported to a number of geographical markets and the Company plans to expand international operations further in the future. Consequently, the Company is subject to various risks associated
with conducting the business both within and outside the domestic market and the operations may be subject to political instability, wars, terrorism, regional and/or multinational conflicts, natural disasters, fuel shortages, epidemics and labour strikes. In addition, conducting business internationally, especially in emerging markets, exposes the Company to additional risks, including adverse changes in economic and government policies, unpredictable shifts in regulation, inconsistent application of existing laws and regulations, unclear regulatory and taxation systems and divergent commercial and employment practices
Product liability, warranty and recall: The Company is subject to risks and costs associated with product liability, warranties and recalls, should the Company supply defective products, parts, or related after-sales services, including by generating negative publicity, which may adversely affect the Company's business, results of operations and financial
conditions. Such events also require the Company, expend considerable resources in correcting these problems and could adversely affect the demand for the products. Furthermore, the Company may also be subject to class actions or other large scale product liability or other lawsuits in various jurisdictions in which it has a significant presence.
Jaguar Land Rover Pension obligations: The Company provides post-retirement and pension benefits to its
employees, some of which are defined benefit plans. The pension liabilities are generally funded and the pension plan assets are particularly significant. As part of its Strategic Business Review process, the Company closed the Jaguar Land Rover defined benefit pension plan to new joiners as at April 19,2010. All new employees in the operations from April 19,2010 have joined a new defined contribution pension plan.
Lower return on pension fund assets, changes in market conditions, changes in interest rates, changes in inflation rates and adverse changes in other critical actuarial assumptions, may impact its pension liabilities and consequently increase
funding requirements, which will adversely affect the Company's financial condition and results of operations.
Automobile financing business: The Company is subject to risks associated with its automobile financing business. Any defaults by the customers or inability to repay installments as due, could adversely affect the business, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, any downgrades in the Company's credit ratings may increase the borrowing costs and restrict the access to the debt markets. Over time, and particularly in the event of any credit rating downgrades, market volatility, market disruption, regulatory changes or otherwise, the Company may need to reduce the amount of financing receivables it originates, which could adversely affect the ability to support the sale of vehicles.
Further, Jaguar Land Rover offers residual value guarantees on the purchase of certain leases in some markets. The value of these guarantees is dependent on used car valuations in those markets at the end of the lease, which is subject to change. Consequently, the Company may be adversely affected by movements in used car valuations in these markets. Also, Jaguar
Land Rover has arrangements in place with FGA Capital, a joint venture between Fiat Auto and Credit Agricole (FGAC) for the UK and European consumer finance, Chase Auto Finance in North America, and has similar arrangements with local providers in a number of other key markets. The Company works closely with its commercial finance providers to minimize the risk around residual values which in turn reduces the level of lease subvention.
Labour unrest: The Company's permanent employees, other than officers and managers, in India and most of the permanent employees in South Korea and the United Kingdom, including certain officers and managers, in relation to automotive
business, are members of labour unions. They are covered by wage agreements, where applicable, with those labour unions.
In general, the Company considers labour relations with all of employees to be good. However, in the future the Company
may be subject to labour unrest, which may delay or disrupt the operations in the affected regions, including the acquisition
of raw materials and parts, the manufacture, sales and distribution of products and the provision of services. If work stoppages or lock-outs at the facilities or at the facilities of the major vendors occur or continue for a long period of time, the business, financial condition and results of operations of the Company may be adversely affected.
Jaguar Land Rover operations in key mature market: Jaguar Land Rover, which contributes approximately 63% of the Company's consolidated revenues, has a significant presence in the United Kingdom, North American and continental European markets. The global economic downturn significantly impacted the automotive industry in these markets in FY 2008-09. Even though sales of passenger cars were aided by government-sponsored car-scrap incentives, these incentives primarily benefited the compact and micro-compact car segments and had virtually no slowing effect on the sales declines in the premium car or all-terrain vehicle segments in which we operate. Although demand in these markets has recovered strongly, any decline in demand for the Company's vehicles in these major markets may in the future significantly impair the Company's business, financial position and results of operations. The strategy, which includes new product launches and expansion into growing markets, such as China, India, Russia and Brazil, may not be sufficient to mitigate a decrease in demand for the Company's products in mature
markets in the future.
Growing business through mergers and acquisitions: The Company believes that its acquisitions provide opportunities to grow significantly in the global automobile markets by offering premium brands and products. The acquisitions have provided access to technology and additional capabilities while also offering potential synergies. However, the scale, scope
and nature of the integration required in connection with acquisitions present significant challenges, and the Company may be unable to integrate the relevant subsidiaries, divisions and facilities effectively within our expected schedule. An acquisition may not meet the Company's expectations and the realization of the anticipated benefits may be blocked, delayed or reduced as a result of numerous factors, some of which are outside the Company's control.
The Company will continue to evaluate growth opportunities through suitable mergers and acquisitions in the future. Growth through mergers and acquisitions involves business risks, including unforeseen contingent risks or latent business
liabilities that may only become apparent after the merger or acquisition is completed. The key success factors will be seamless integration and effective management of the merged/acquired entity, retention of key personnel, and generating cash flow from synergies in engineering and sourcing, joint sales and marketing efforts, and management of a larger business.
Inability to protect or preserve intellectual property: With respect to Jaguar Land Rover, the Company owns or otherwise has rights to a number of patents relating to the products, which have been obtained over a period of years. In connection with the design and engineering of new vehicles and the enhancement of existing models, the Company seeks to regularly develop new technical designs for use in its vehicles. The Company also uses technical designs which are the intellectual property of third parties with such third parties' consent. These patents and trademarks have been of value in the growth of the business and may continue to be of value in the future. Although the Company does not regard any of its businesses as being dependent upon any single patent or related group of patents, an inability to protect this intellectual property generally, or the illegal breach of some or a large group of our intellectual property rights, would have a materially adverse effect on the Company's operations, business and/or financial condition. The Company may also be affected by restrictions on the use of intellectual property rights held by third parties and it may be held legally liable for the infringement of the intellectual property rights of others in its products.
Although the Company does not regard any of its businesses as being dependent upon any single patent or related group of patents, its inability to protect this intellectual property generally, or the illegal breach of some or a large group of the company's intellectual property rights, would have a materially adverse effect on the Company's operations, business and/or financial condition.
Inability to manage growing international business: The Company's growth strategy relies on the expansion of its operations by introducing certain automotive products in other parts of the world, including Europe, China, Russia, Brazil, US, Africa, and other parts of Asia. The costs associated with entering and establishing in new markets, and expanding such operations, may be higher than expected, and the Company may face significant competition in those regions. In addition, the Company's international business is subject to many actual and potential risks and challenges, including language
barriers, cultural differences and other difficulties in staffing and managing overseas operations, inherent difficulties and
delays in contract enforcement and the collection of receivables under the legal systems of some foreign countries, the risk of
non-tariff barriers, other restrictions on foreign trade or investment sanctions, and the burdens of complying with a wide variety of foreign laws and regulations.
Insurance coverage may not be adequate to protect us against all potential losses: The Company believes that the insurance coverage that it maintain is reasonably adequate to cover all normal risks associated with the operation of
our business. To the extent that we suffer loss or damage that is not covered by insurance or which exceeds our insurance coverage, our financial condition may be affected.
Manufacturing and engineering: The Company has manufacturing facilities and design and engineering centres, located in India, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Thailand, Spain and South Africa. The Company could experience
disruption to its manufacturing, design and engineering capabilities for a variety of reasons, including, among others, extreme weather, fire, theft, system failures, natural calamities, mechanical or equipment failures and similar risks. Any significant disruptions could adversely affect the Company's ability to design, manufacture and sell the Company's products and, if any of those events were to occur, the Company cannot be certain that the company would be able to shift its design, engineering and manufacturing operations to alternative sites in a timely manner or at all. Any such disruption could therefore materially affect the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations.
Regulation of production facilities: The Company's production facilities are subject to a wide range of
environmental, health and safety requirements. These requirements address, among other things, air emissions, wastewater discharges, accidental releases into the environment, human exposure to hazardous materials, the storage, treatment, transportation and disposal of wastes and hazardous materials, the investigation and clean up of contamination, process safety and the maintenance of safe conditions in the workplace. Many of the Company's operations require permits and controls to monitor or prevent pollution. The Company has incurred, and will continue to incur, substantial on-going capital and operating expenditures to ensure compliance with current and future environmental, health and safety laws and regulations or their more stringent
enforcement. Other environmental, health and safety laws and regulations could impose restrictions or onerous conditions on the availability or the use of raw materials required for the Company's manufacturing process. The Company's manufacturing process results in the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide.
For Jaguar Land Rover operations, the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, an EU-wide system in which allowances to emit
greenhouse gases are issued and traded, is anticipated to cover more industrial facilities and become progressively more stringent over time, including by reducing the number of allowances that will be allocated free of cost to manufacturing facilities. In addition, a number of further legislative and regulatory measures to address greenhouse gas emissions, including national laws and the Kyoto Protocol, are in various phases of discussion or implementation. These measures could result in increased costs to: (i) operate and maintain the company's production facilities; (ii) install new emissions controls; (iii) purchase or otherwise obtain allowances to emit greenhouse gases; and (iv) administer and manage the company's greenhouse gas emissions programme.
Inability to attract and retain skills: The Company believes that the Company's growth and future success depend in large part on the skills of the Company's workforce, including executives and officers, as well as the designers and engineers. The loss of the services of one or more of these employees could impair the Company's ability to continue to implement its business strategy. The Company's success also depends, in part, on the Company's continued ability to attract and retain experienced and qualified employees, particularly qualified engineers with expertise in automotive design and production. The competition for such employees is intense, and the Company's inability to continue to attract, retain and motivate employees could adversely affect its business and plans to invest in the development of new designs and products.
In India, the current year ended with slow growth in most of the critical segments, mainly due to anti inflationary monetary policy pursued by the RBI. The current fiscal has started with a positive action by the RBI of easing of the monetary policy in April 2012, with an expectation of moderating the inflation. However, a series of such cuts would be required to revive
industrial growth. Liquidity in the banking system which remained in the deficit for the whole of FY 2011-12, remains a concern. While the situation is improving in Q1 of FY 2012-13, this remains critical to ensuring sustainable growth
While there continues to concurrence over deteriorating Government finances and slowing pace of reforms, there is
an expectation of fiscal consolidation back on track giving fillip to savings and capital formation. The service sector will continue to contribute positively. On the assumptions of good monsoon, the growth in agriculture is likely to be rebound. The RBI is likely to ease the monetary policy based on review of inflation. The Indian economy is likely to grow moderately at 7.6% (+ –0.25%). These factors could improve investment outlook on disposable income from Q2 of FY 2012-13.
Input costs continue to remain under pressure from increasing commodity prices. With increased intensity in the competitive scenario, pricing power remains limited and margins are likely to be under pressure.
Against this backdrop, the Company will continue to focus on providing new products and solutions to the customer with a view to reduce the Total Cost of Ownership. Along with initial acquisition price, the focus would be on improving fuel
efficiency and reducing maintenance costs of the vehicles. With a view to maintain its advantage of reach and penetration, the Company will also deepen its sales and service network with a focus on up-country markets. Aggressive cost reduction continues to be a focus area to offset the increased input costs and continuously improve margins. The Company is also actively pursuing opportunities in the International markets including the possibility of CKD and SKD assembly to offset high import costs.
The Company will continue its initiative of setting up Nano Specific and UV Specific dealerships to improve reach and
penetration along with providing an added focus to the products as required. It will continue to work with all partners as well as
multiple financiers to work towards a best-in-class sales and service experience.
The European economy continues to struggle, with austerity measures in place in a number of countries. The economic
situation and recent national election results continue to create uncertainty around European zone stability, the Euro and
borrowing costs. Credit continues to be difficult to obtain for customers and the outlook remains volatile. Initial figures
suggest that the UK economy has re-entered recession in the last three months. Trading conditions in the UK remain difficult. The US economy has recovered more favourably than other mature economies since the economic downturn, with GDP growth and falling unemployment, although the position remains fragile.
The Chinese economy has continued to grow strongly throughout FY 2011-12. GDP growth is likely to slow in future,
although may remain above 8%. The Asia Pacific region main markets are Japan, Australia and New Zealand. These regions were less affected by the economic crisis compared to western economies and are recovering more favourably, often due to increased trade with China and other growth economies. The major constituents in other markets are Russia, South Africa and Brazil, alongside the rest of Africa and South America. These economies were not as badly affected by the economic crisis as the western economies and have continued GDP growth in the last few years, partially on the back of increased commodity and oil prices.
Jaguar Land Rover will continue to focus on profitable volume growth, managing costs, improving efficiencies to sustain the growth momentum and continuous sustainable investments in technology and products. It will also focus on increasing its
presence in the growth markets such as China, Russia, India and Brazil along with launching new products and variants.
Internal Control Systems and their adequacy
The Company has an adequate system of internal controls in place. It has documented procedures covering all financial
and operating functions. These controls have been designed to provide a reasonable assurance with regard to maintaining of proper accounting controls, monitoring of operations, protecting assets from unauthorized use or losses, compliances with regulations and for ensuring reliability of financial reporting. The Company has continued its efforts to align all its processes and controls with global best practices in these areas as well.
Some significant features of the internal control systems are:
Preparation and monitoring of annual budgets for alloperating and service functions;
State-of-the-art ERP, Supplier Relations Management and Customer Relations Management, connect its different
locations, dealers and vendors for efficient and seamless information exchange;
An on-going program for reinforcement of the Tata Code of Conduct. The Code covers integrity of financial reporting, ethical conduct, regulatory compliance, conflict of interests review and reporting of concerns.
A well-established multi-disciplinary Internal Audit team, which reviews and reports to management and the Audit Committee about the compliance with internal controls and the efficiency and effectiveness of operations and the key process risks. The scope and authority of the Internal Audit division is derived from the Audit Charter approved by the Audit Committee;
Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, comprising independent directors, which is functional since August
1988, regularly reviews the audit plans, significant audit findings, adequacy of internal controls, compliance with Accounting Standards as well as reasons for changes in accounting policies and practices, if any;
A comprehensive information security policy and continuous upgrades to IT system;
Documenting of major business processes and testing thereof including financial closing, computer controls
and entity level controls as part of compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley Act;
Anti-fraud programme.
The Board takes responsibility for the total process of risk management in the organisation. The Audit Committee reviews reports covering operational, financial and other business risk areas. Through an Enterprise Risk Management programme,
each Business Unit addresses opportunities and the attendant risks through an institutionalized approach aligned to the
Company's objectives. This is also facilitated by internal audit. The business risk is managed through cross functional involvement and communication across businesses. The results of the risk assessment and residual risks are presented to the
senior management.
Material Developments in Human Resources/Industrial Relations
A cordial industrial relations environment prevailed at all the manufacturing units of the Company during the year.
The permanent employees' strength of the Company (standalone) was 29,401 and that of the Tata Motors' Group (consolidated) was 58,618 as on March 31, 2012. The Company entered into a three year wage settlement with its Union at Lucknow and Uttaranchal through amicable process of negotiations.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
Statements in the Management Discussion and Analysis describing the Company's objective, projections, estimates,
expectations may be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws and regulations. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied. Important factors that could make a difference to the Company's operations include, among others, economic conditions affecting demand/supply and price conditions in the domestic and overseas markets in which the Company operates, changes in the Government regulations, tax laws and other statutes and incidental factors.
© Copyright 2012 TATA Motors | 汽车 |
2017-17/2146/en_head.json.gz/19109 | Mercedes-Benz undercuts limits planned for 2017: A-Class petrol engines meet EURO 6 standard
A good two years before the new EURO 6 European emissions standard is due to come into effect for all petrol-engined vehicles on 1.9.2014, the petrol engines of the new Mercedes-Benz A and B-Class have been confirmed as already meeting the required emission limits. More specifically, the engines also already undercut the particulate limits which are being introduced for the first time for petrol engines. Recoding of models which have already been delivered will also be possible.
"With this advance compliance, Mercedes-Benz is once again highlighting its pioneering role when it comes to the environmental acceptability of its vehicles", explains Dr. Thomas Weber, Board Member responsible for Group Research and Development for Mercedes-Benz Cars. "With our diesel vehicles too, since as early as 2009 we have had an increasing number of models on the market which already meet the EURO 6 diesel requirements which will apply from 2014." Mercedes-Benz also played a pioneering role in the automotive industry by reducing nitrogen oxide in the exhaust emissions of diesel passenger cars and trucks with the introduction of BlueTEC technology.
Thanks to advanced Mercedes-Benz technology, the direct-injection petrol engines in the A 180, A 200 and A 250, as well as in the corresponding models in the B-Class, have succeeded in undercutting the new standard since start of production, and as such even undercut the extremely strict particle number limit of 6 x 1011 per km, which will not become compulsory until the second stage of EURO 6 from 2017. For vehicles produced from August 2012 (B-Class: September), this will be documented in the vehicle documentation (COC/Certificate of Conformity). Vehicles produced earlier can be appropriately recoded. Customers will be contacted so that they can obtain a new COC document along with manufacturer confirmation from their Mercedes-Benz service partner.
On 29 May 2012, the European Commission published Directive 459/2012, establishing the EURO 6 emission regulations for vehicles with petrol engines from 2014 for Stage 1, and from 2017 for Stage 2. The new specification stipulates that in the future, petrol models will also have to meet the strict particulate limits of 6 x 1011 particles per kilometre.
a-class,
euro 6,
euro VI,
mbnews, | 汽车 |
2017-17/2146/en_head.json.gz/19182 | Volvo Car Leasing
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Why lease a Volvo?
1927 was the year that the Volvo Group was born in the country of Sweden. Being from Swedish manufacturers the Volvo is a strong car, with plenty of versatility on the roads as Sweden experiences a winter climate for 6 months of the year, which means very low levels of light. This is why all Volvo cars had daytime running headlights and older versions even had little wipers for the headlights for snowy conditions.
Volvo cars are extremely hardy and reliable, and more recently have had a big element of luxury added into the interiors, which means high-quality leather upholstery, technology and engine quality, to name just a few things. But the Volvo range has been altered quite a lot since the new generation of models were released, and so now available are the V40 hatchback, the V60, the V90 estate, the Volvo saloons S60 and S90, and the popular SUV & crossover Volvo segment with the XC60 and the XC70 and XC90.
So what's new this year?
New to the market this year is the long-awaited new estate and Volvos' most famous model, the V90. It has taken over from the V70, which was the long-standing work-horse estate Volvo made much of their revenue from in previous decades. The V90 has brought the latest technology and combined with a timeless, hardy car model to create a genuinely stunning vehicle. Because it is so new there isn't much to say so far, but the Volvo website does tell us that the standard engine will be a 2.0 litre diesel with 190bhp, and the second engine option - the 2.5 litre diesel twin turbocharged engine is said to achieve 235bhp. It looks absolutely beautiful too.
As well as that we've had the recent release of the XC90, Volvos new 4x4, which again has the same consistent design and interior quality to put it in the luxury class along with the likes of the Porsche Cayenne and Jaguar F-Pace. It has proven very popular too, even in the early stages of its release, which is due to a number of qualities in the car such as its amazing safety levels always apparent in older Volvos, as well as it's build quality which could be said to be one of the best around, and finally its value for money is excellent.
Reasons to lease a Volvo
The Volvo range has been developed to encompass all types of car each designed to fill different purposes, so it's very likely you'll find one that fits your lifestyle. As well as that, since the new Volvo range is more high-class than before, it means you're getting a premium branded car for a fraction of what it costs to buy one.
Summarised below are some fabulous reasons to lease a Volvo:
Reliable, hard-wearing yet luxury vehicles which means you'll pay very little to lease one compared to buying
Volvo heritage is paid hommage to in the V70, which stays true to their original ethos of quality, safety and reliablity
Any of the Volvo range could be taken out on a Business or Personal lease, and the V40 and S60 are popular company cars too
The level of detail within each car is stunning, and Volvo claim that everything you see inside one of their cars is there for a reason
Beautiful and sporty-looking, unique designs apply to the range which means you'll be driving a car with personality
Take a look over the range of Volvos we offer, making sure to use the tools provided such as photos, reviews and videos, which will help you decide which one of these exceptional Volvo car leasing deals will fit your lifestyle.
If you have any questions or queries about car leasing please feel free to give our team a call on 01565 880880, or use the online form to place an enquiry and a member of our team will be in contact with you.
£183.30 pm ex VAT | 汽车 |
2017-17/2146/en_head.json.gz/19333 | Environmental carpe diem
Dual Mode trains in Japan
Rails carry more people more quickly than roads, particularly in rush hour. Unfortunately our modern low-density suburban development is not necessarily built around rail corridors, and people hate transferring from buses to trains. In Japan, the Hokkaido Railway Company has introduced a DMV (Dual Mode Vehicle) which can run on roads like a bus in low density areas (they are doing it because of declining populations in Hokkaido) and then on rails in more developed areas. ::Japanrail Newswe quote Japan Railways:In the year 2000, Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido) began developing a prototype DMV (Dual Mode Vehicle) ‘minibus’ that will carry 25 passengers and can operate as a train, running on tracks with steel and rubber wheels, as well as a bus, driving on roads with conventional tires. Now nearing completion this remarkable hybrid will be able to take advantage of existing rail track through more developed areas and then shift to roadways for operation in less-densely populated areas. Overcoming the main obstacle to this kind of service it can change from one type of wheels to the other in 10 to 15 seconds!The first DMV service is scheduled to begin by April of 2007. Although the ultimate goal of the DMV is transport in rural areas, the first application will be on a tourist route traveling round trip from Hamako-Shimizu to Mokoto along the Senmo Main Line on the northeast coast near Abashiri. During this trial period the DMV will go one way on track (11 km) and then return by meandering roads as a bus (21 km). The success of the DMV will be of great benefit to both JR Hokkaido and the declining rural population of the island. At present one third of JR Hokkaido’s routes are unprofitable, carrying less than 500 passengers a day. DMV service may save many thousands of residents from losing their rail transit while providing them with even more convenient ‘door to door’ service. And how do you say Dual Mode Vehicle in Japanese? It’s not too hard: Dyuaru Modo Biikuru!
The Only Nations That Haven't Signed 1997's Global Climate Treaty are Afghanistan, Sudan & the U.S.A. | 汽车 |
2017-17/2146/en_head.json.gz/20166 | Auto News and Events
Latest automotive news
The sale of the first-ever Cobra may break auction records Latest automotive news
The sale of the first-ever Cobra may break auction records By Shawn Molnar
Shelby Cobra serial number CSX 2000 – the first Cobra that Carroll Shelby ever built – will be offered for sale next month, and could become one of the most expensive cars ever sold
The first-ever Shelby Cobra is expected to break multiple auction records when it goes under the hammer late August at an RM Sotheby’s event held in Monterey, California. Serial number CSX 2000, formerly the late Carroll Shelby’s personal Cobra, will be offered for sale at Chatham, Ontario-based RM Sotheby’s August 19 and 20 auction, held during Monterey Car Week. The car, vintage 1962, is the first Shelby Cobra ever built, and, per Shelby’s wishes, has been kept completely original.
It has never before come up for sale, making this auction an historic event. Original Shelby Cobras have tended to easily clear seven-figures prices in the past few years, so, while no estimated sale price has been made public, it is likely CSX 2000 could become one of the most expensive cars sold at auction.
The car’s un-restored state, which imparts a sense of authenticity, is one of the factors that could send its value skyward. A layer of paint can be seen peeling from under the front bumper, and the upholstery and well-worn driver’s seat show signs of spirited driving.
The peeling paint also beckons memories of Shelby’s early days as a shrewd entrepreneur. Before lending his original CSX 2000 Cobra out to the automotive press, Shelby repeatedly painted it a different colour—to fool the press and potential customers into thinking multiple cars existed, and that he was well on his way to series production. The world thought Shelby had six Cobras in circulation – yellow, red, white and blue examples among them – when only one was in existence–the very Cobra up for auction this August. Other factors influencing CSX 2000’s final sale price will be its iconic status—the Cobra is one of the most oft-copied classic cars in the hobby, with dozens of kit car companies offering replicas.
That popularity has been spurred in part by the car’s well-known performance reputation and impeccable racing pedigree. Carroll Shelby’s original recipe for making Cobras was fairly simple, yet included the addition of many advanced technologies that let his creation take multiple race wins. Starting with a lightweight, British-built AC Ace two-seat sports car, Shelby performed a ‘heart transplant,’ shoehorning a 4.2-litre Ford V8 into the diminutive roadster. Further modifications to the AC chassis gave Shelby’s ‘Frankenstein’ a four-wheel independent suspension system; lightweight (for the time) wire wheels; a slick-shifting four-speed manual; and disc brakes all around.
In the words of Carroll Shelby himself, the Cobra was designed to “put the Corvettes in the weeds”–and that it did with a great measure of racing success. As pointed out by RM Sotheby’s, a 1962 road test by Road & Track revealed that Shelby’s original Cobra could run from zero-to–100 km/h in 4.2 seconds, complete a standing quarter-mile run in 13.8 seconds, and go on to reach a top speed of 246 km/h (153 mph). But what really sets CSX 2000 apart is the fact it is the original Shelby Cobra, a car owned by Shelby since its creation, that never left his care, until his passing in 2012. It’s why Jim King, company historian for Shelby American, refers to CSX 2000 as “the real McCoy of a Cobra.”
(All photos by Darin Schnabel for RM Sotheby’s)
These six Ford performance cars cross the auction block in Au...
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The most valuable cars never sold | 汽车 |
2017-17/2146/en_head.json.gz/20336 | Print Email Font ResizePorsche sued over crash that killed Paul WalkerThe Associated PressPosted:
05/13/2014 05:47:59 AM MDTClick photo to enlarge«12»LOS ANGELES (AP) — The widow of the man who was driving a Porsche sports car that crashed and killed actor Paul Walker sued the automaker on Monday, claiming design flaws caused both men to die in a fiery crash in November. The wrongful death lawsuit by Kristine M. Rodas says her husband was driving at 55 mph — not at unsafe speeds as law enforcement investigators determined — before it crashed last year. Roger W. Rodas was driving a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT capable of more than 200 mph, but his wife's lawsuit says the vehicle lacked a proper crash cage and safety features in the gas tank that would have saved both men's lives. The lawsuit also contends that a failure in the car's suspension system forced it to careen out of control and strike three trees while driving down a street in Santa Clarita. "The Carrera GT was unsafe for its intended use by reason of defects in its manufacture, design, testing, component and constituents, so that it would not safely serve its purpose," the lawsuit states. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages from Porsche Cars North America, which did not immediately return email messages seeking comment. Kristine Rodas' attorney, Mark Geragos, said he hired the top experts in the country to evaluate the wreckage and crash. The results, he said, were an unbiased look at the accident that refutes an official investigation that determined the sports car was speeding at up to 94 mph when it crashed.Advertisement
The results of an investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and California Highway Patrol was released in March and concluded that it was unsafe speed and not mechanical problems that caused the crash. That investigation was aided by engineers from Porsche, who evaluated the wreckage of the rare car. The differing opinions on the crash will likely be a part of any trial over the lawsuit, which could take years to resolve. Roger Rodas was trained as a race car driver, according to his wife's lawsuit. He left behind two young children upon his death. Walker, the star of the "Fast & Furious" film franchise, co-owned an auto racing team with Rodas named Always Evolving. Walker's death occurred on a break in the filming of "Fast & Furious 7," and the actor's two brothers are helping complete action scenes in the film. The film's release has been delayed until April 2015.Print Email Font ResizeReturn to Top RELATED | 汽车 |
2017-17/2146/en_head.json.gz/20458 | Home » Motorsport
Lotus bullied over budget cap axe – Lopez
By Mircea Serafim
on April 20, 2014 in Motorsport Apr.20 (GMM/Inautonews.com) Lotus team owner Gerard Lopez on Sunday indicated he was unhappy to have joined the opposition against the introduction of budget caps.
The powerful ‘Strategy Group’ teams – comprising the ‘big four’ Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren but also Williams and Lotus – recently wrote to Jean Todt indicating they would not approve the FIA president’s cap proposal.
Williams is included in the group due to the team’s past success and history, while Lotus is also a member after finishing the 2013 season in fourth place.
But Lopez hinted to Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport that the two smaller teams were bullied into signing the letter.
“Williams and us were pulled over the table,” he is quoted as saying.
The biggest teams, however, argue not only that the proposed $200 million cap would not help their small rivals, but that it could not even be effectively policed.
And Mercedes’ Toto Wolff is quoted on Sunday: “It makes no sense to introduce rules that are not supported by the three major teams.”
The big teams’ counter-proposal is for cost cuts to be achieved by introducing some new technical and sporting regulations.
“We need to find meaningful limits,” Wolff explained, “such as extending the parc ferme or the curfew.
“We need to discuss, for example, whether it is sensible to fly in new parts on every day during a race weekend, or 24 hour shifts before races.”
The small teams, however, are sceptical, believing that the big teams are already finding ways around the existing cost-saving measures, such as limited wind tunnel use.
“When I see the downforce of the big teams, it’s impossible within the allowable limits,” a representative of one small team is quoted as saying. | 汽车 |
2017-17/2146/en_head.json.gz/20483 | USA: The Cobalt Group closes $15 million financing to meet automotive industry's growing E-Business needs
By Press Release | 1 November 2000
Font size Email Print The Cobalt Group (NASDAQ:CBLT) announced today that it has added $15 million in private equity funding to finance the continued development of e-business products and services for its automotive dealer and manufacturer customers. The $15 million investment results from a private equity agreement announced in June with Warburg Pincus Equity Partners, L.P., First Analysis Venture Capital, and Third Point Partners L.P. Cobalt will use the capital for new product development, investments in technology infrastructure, and general working capital. | 汽车 |
2017-17/2146/en_head.json.gz/21024 | ← Auto News for Jan. 10 – Flowers anyone? Auto News for Jan. 12 Update →
Auto News for Jan. 12 – Demon Coming Back!
Dodge is bringing back the Demon, a name first introduced back in 1971, and it is said to be faster than the Hellcat. That would mean something in excess of 707 horsepower. Dodge said the car will make its debut at the New York Auto Show in mid-April. “The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is conceived, designed and engineered for a subculture of enthusiasts who know that a tenth is a car and a half second is your reputation,” said Tim Kuniskis, FCA’s head of passenger car brands. While no pictures were released, Dodge did tease the logo. Fans can check out http://www.ifyouknowyouknow.com website for weekly updates.
A federal judge must now approve a $4.3 billion settlement between Volkswagen and the Justice Department regarding its diesel emissions scandal. Justice said five VW executives have been indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with the case. The automaker entered a guilty plea to charges of violating the Clean Air Act and participating in a conspiracy to defraud the U.S. “The agreements that we have reached with the U.S. government reflect our determination to address misconduct that went against all of the values Volkswagen holds so dear. They are an important step forward for our company and all our employees,” said Matthias Müller, Chief Executive of Volkswagen Group. The Kia Stinger has received the “Production Car Design Excellence” award at the Detroit auto show. The fast and sporty sedan was unveiled last Sunday even before the Detroit show opened to the press. The EyesOn Design Awards honor the best production and concept vehicles making their worldwide auto show debut at the NAIAS. EyesOnDesign is a fundraiser for the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology.
According to a AAA survey, 42 percent of Americans are planning to take a vacation in 2017 – with most planning trips to warm-weather destinations in the U.S. and abroad. Approximately one-third say they are more likely to take a vacation this year compared to 2016, and they’re looking for a new kind of travel experience.
The top destinations for 2017, based on AAA’s travel bookings, are:
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic Rome, Italy Montego Bay, Jamaica London, England Nassau, Bahamas Domestic:
Orlando, Florida Fort Lauderdale, Florida Anaheim, California Miami, Florida Las Vegas, Nevada Advertisements | 汽车 |
2017-17/2146/en_head.json.gz/21266 | Company and Technology Testimonials
Our Formula Opposed-Piston Engine
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Diesel Is Now in the Driver’s Seat
by David Johnson President & CEO, Achates Power, Inc. It’s no surprise that diesel-powered vehicles are growing in popularity. After all, they’re far more efficient than gasoline engines and much more fun to drive. They’re also cleaner than their predecessors, thanks to ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel and new technologies that include particulate filters, SCR and common-rail fuel injection.
What may be surprising to some, however, is that diesels are becoming more popular than hybrids in the United States. Just ask Volkswagen. In late December, the company announced that it sold over 100,000 TDI® Clean Diesel vehicles from the VW and Audi brands in 2013. This was a significant milestone and, despite a reduction in overall U.S. sales, VW’s diesel sales continued to grow last year. They grew so much, in fact, that the company sold more diesels than any other car company sold hybrids—except for Toyota. In addition, VW sold more diesel cars than the U.S. sales of over a dozen plug-in electric vehicles.
The 2014 Volkswagen Passat TDI. Nearly one-third of the Passats sold in 2013 were diesels.That is an especially impressive feat when you consider that there are no tax credits or special incentives for diesels. There are also no Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) incentives, like there are for hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs). In its attempt to increase market penetration of electric, plug-in hybrid (PHEV), fuel cell (FCV) and compressed natural gas (CNGV) automobiles, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has offered vehicle manufacturers greater credit towards CAFE for selling these cars. So, each EV, PHEV, FCV and CNGV equals more than one vehicle in the manufacturer’s CAFE compliance calculation.
Despite this lack of government support, diesel also showed its appeal among the 2014 winners of Ward’s 10 Best Engines. Three diesel-powered vehicles—the BMW 535d, Ram 1500 EcoDiesel and Chevrolet Cruze Diesel—made the 2014 list. And, by Ward’s own account, “six advanced diesel engines in multiple vehicle segments shook up the competition”. While only three of those six made the top 10 list, all of the models scored well. In addition, it was the first time ever that more than two diesel engines made the list in a single year.
The Citroen DS5, a through-the-road hybrid that uses a different powertrain at each axle.In Europe (and India), diesel powertrains continue their popularity, which is due both to their fuel economy benefits and the consistently high cost of fuel in those markets. What’s new, however, is that diesel engines are now being paired with hybrids in what’s known as a diesel-hybrid system. PSA, the French manufacturer of Peugeot and Citroen, just sold its 50,000th diesel hybrid, an engine architecture that is not yet available in the U.S. The diesel-hybrid system combines a 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine—used at the front axle—with an electric motor—setup at the rear. The result is strong city and highway fuel economy combined with low CO2 output of less than 100 grams per kilometer.
At Achates Power, we understand the advantages of diesel and have leveraged those advantages in the design of our opposed-piston, two-stroke engine. After 10 years and nearly 5,000 hours of testing, we’ve proven that our diesel engine is clean and significantly more fuel efficient than today’s conventional four-stroke engines—gasoline or diesel. Unlike hybrid and electric vehicle powertrains, it’s also less costly to manufacture, making it the most viable solution—both economically and environmentally—to meeting consumer and manufacturer demand for lower emissions and better fuel economy at an affordable price (The Achates Power engine is also ready to make hybrid vehicles—gasoline or diesel—even more efficient).
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2017-17/2146/en_head.json.gz/22005 | Car2Go is pulling out from the United Kingdom due to sluggish business
Article by Christian A., on May 31, 2014 Daimler's Car2Go unit is pulling out from the United Kingdom after the business failed to work as expected in London. Car2Go said on its Web site that after listening closely to customer feedback and considering the country’s strong culture and tradition of private vehicle ownership, it is withdrawing from the UK.
Car2Go has been in London since December 2012 and in Birmingham since last year. The car-sharing business, had hoped to set up a network of "free-floating" parking spaces across London, where customers could just pick up and drop off cars.
However, Car2Go said that coordinating 32 separate authorities across different boroughs were more difficult than expected. A spokesman said that Car2Go had aimed to get over 10,000 customers, but failed.
This meant that the company failed to achieve the five to eight daily bookings needed to make the business sustainable in the UK. Its failure in the UK was contrasted by its success in Italy, where it has around 110,000 users in Rome and Milan.
The company also has around 70,000 clients in seven cities in Germany like Berlin and Hamburg. Its global operations have reached 25 cities and boast of 750,000 registered users.
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2017-17/2146/en_head.json.gz/22006 | Cadillac will unveil the new CT6 at the 2015 New York Auto Show
Article by Christian A., on December 1, 2014 Cadillac already confirmed its new flagship sedan, the CT6, and according to the latest reports we will see the vehicle in April at the 2015 New York Auto Show. The new model will also start Cadillac’s new naming scheme and promises to be sized and priced between the BMW 5-Series and 7-Series or the Audi A6 and A8.
The Cadillac CT6 will be inspired by the Elmiraj Concept, unveiled last year at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and according to the company it will be its lightest and most agile car. Its name is derived from the CTS and the “CT” will be used for Cadillac’s name models.
A more luxurious version of the CT6 is rumored to be the CT7 and will compete with the BMW 7-Series long wheelbase or the Mercedes-Benz S500 L. Ellinghaus admitted that the CT6 will be the top of the range, but that doesn’t mean that the vehicle will be the end of their aspiration.
After it will unveil the CT6, Cadillac will focus on the successor to the SRX as well as on the updated versions of the CTS and ATS.
Topics: cadillac, cadillac ct6, new york auto show If you liked the article, share on:
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2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk makes its debut at 2016 New York Auto Show | 汽车 |
2017-17/2146/en_head.json.gz/22042 | AC Schnitzer Debuts Anniversary ACL2S Package for BMW M240i in Geneva
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Celebrating its 30th anniversary, AC Schnitzer has moved “beyond the standard” with a special anniversary edition ACL2S based on the BMW M240i. Set to debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, the ACL2S is said to encompass the AC Schnitzer ethos for high-quality conversions that the company has been doing for the past three decades.
The basic conversion takes the M240i from just 340 hp to “a generous” 400 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque thanks to an ECU reflash, a new exhaust, downpipe, and different intake. Additionally, AC Schnitzer included its fully adjustable RS suspension kit, lowering the car as well as giving the customer the option to adjust height, compression, and rebound.
The majority of the kit, however, is comprised of AC Schnitzer’s special 10-piece ACL2S wide-body kit. Included in the kit is a carbon front spoiler, front slitter, carbon side mirrors, a new set of side skirts, a rear roof spoiler, carbon fiber wing, and a carbon rear diffuser meant to keep the ACL2S planted firmly on terra firma. The company also included a set of AC Schnitzer AC1 Alloy wheels that can be had in either black or silver.
Finishing the ACL2S off, a host of interior trim pieces have been added, including an aluminum pedal set, special “One of Thirty” badging and a three-spoke leather steering wheel with color-matched stitching.
But its performance and upgrades aren’t the real talking point — that honor goes to its price. The total ACL2S conversion kit, including all the fitting and registration, will cost owners $38,000, not including the cost of the car. If you include the cost of the donor car, $44,450, its price comes out to nearly $83,000 for the ACL2S. That’s a lot of money for something that barely makes more power than BMW’s own $55,000 M2.
AC Schnitzer will build only 30 examples of the ACL2S and will debut the car at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.
Source: AC Schnitzer The post AC Schnitzer Debuts Anniversary ACL2S Package for BMW M240i in Geneva appeared first on Motor Trend.
via Motor Trend February 24, 2017 at 08:13AM | 汽车 |
2017-17/2146/en_head.json.gz/22082 | Home / Interesting / “Fierce” competition slows BMW’s 2015 profit gains “Fierce” competition slows BMW’s 2015 profit gains
Interesting | November 3rd, 2015 by Nico DeMattia 8
According to a recent report by Forbes, “BMW AG cautioned that “fierce” competition and higher spending levels will hold back profit gains this year, as aging …
According to a recent report by Forbes, “BMW AG cautioned that “fierce” competition and higher spending levels will hold back profit gains this year, as aging models caused profitability to slide in the third quarter.”
While BMW’s goal is still to record a profit for the fifth consecutive year, it’s getting much more difficult to do so, especially in 2015. Increased competition from Mercedes-Benz and Audi have been eating into BMW’s sales figures across the globe but mainly in China.
Being BMW’s largest market, sales in China can make or break the Bavarian brand’s profit goals for the year. While BMW saw record sales in China over the past year or so, Chinese growth has slowed down dramatically in the past few months, causing sales to drop off as well. When asked about the slowed growth in China, Chief Financial Officer Friedrich Eichiner said “We are working hard to reach these targets, though we are faced with challenges in a number of markets,” when speaking to reporters yesterday.
However, despite BMW’s drop off in China, Mercedes-Benz seems to be thriving in the Chinese market, where its sales rose an incredible 31 percent. Mercedes is crushing its German rivals in China and much of that has to do with the introduction of new models, mainly the new C Class. Cars like the C Class, Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series are very popular in the Chinese market, so popular in fact that they even sell long wheelbase versions of them there, so Mercedes benefits from having the newest car of the bunch at the moment.
Currently, BMW is in the process of revamping its model line. Cars like the new BMW 7 Series and X1 have helped BMW regain some of its sales figures, though the launching of two new models has slightly shrunken the brand’s profit margins. According to Forbes, BMW’s margins have slipped from 9.4 percent, from earlier in the year, to 9.1 percent since the X1 and 7 Series debut.
All of this is happening as Mercedes-Benz has been soaring. BMW is working very hard to sell aging cars like the 3 Series and 5 Series and will likely be offering big incentives on some of these cars. The 5 Series especially, as it’s really starting to show its age now that the new Jaguar XF has debuted and the new Mercedes-Benz E Class is on its way. The 3 Series just got itself an LCI update, but that might not be enough to compete with the newcomers from Mercedes-Benz and even Audi, whose new A4 is almost here. We’ll see how BMW’s profits respond after an injection of more new models, but at the moment, competition is stiff for the Bavarians.
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2017-17/2146/en_head.json.gz/22569 | TrueCar Racing Rally America Driver, Verena Mei, at the First Hawaiian International Auto Show
from TrueCar, Inc. TrueCar Racing. (PRNewsFoto/TrueCar, Inc.) Facebook Twitter Pinterest
TrueCar Racing. (PRNewsFoto/TrueCar, Inc.)
SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- TrueCar Racing Rally America Driver and Pearl City native, Verena Mei, will make an appearance at the First Hawaiian International Auto show this weekend. Mei will be signing her official hero cards and giving away Tokidoki stickers at the Ford booth on Saturday, March 31 from 1-3 pm. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120315/LA71359LOGO)
Mei is one of six female race car drivers in the TrueCar Racing "Women Empowered" Initiative. She signed a 2-year deal with TrueCar to compete in the Rally America series with the Team O'Neil Rally School, Star Girl Racing, and support from Tokidoki. She and her co-driver Leanne Junnila of Calgary make up the only female national team in the Rally America series, competing in the #335 TrueCar Ford Fiesta. "Being part of TrueCar Racing is such an incredible opportunity, as well as an honor," said Mei. "It's amazing to be part of a team with exceptional women who share the same passion, dedication, and goal to win. Throughout my motorsports career, my mission has always been to be a positive role model and empower women through my accomplishments in racing. Together with the TrueCar Racing team, I get to do it in a big way." Mei was introduced to motorsports during her work as a poster model for Toyo Tires and grew a passion for racing. She sent herself to stunt and racing schools to pursue her dream of racing. Verena was the first female to compete in the Formula Drift series, and became the top female drifter in the US. She then moved on to the Time Attack Series, where she became the first female to win a championship in the series. Now, Mei is pursuing her ultimate goal of rally racing and her team is leading the Rally America B-Spec National Championship. "It's great being back home, and reconnecting with Hawaii. I want to show women that they can accomplish anything with hard work and perseverance." Mei's next race, Oregon Trail Rally, is in Portland, Oregon on May 4-6.
***Verena will be available for media interviews following the autograph signing***
About TrueCar, Inc.TrueCar, Inc. is an online automotive information and communications platform focused on creating a better car buying experience for dealers and consumers. Consumers want a hassle-free car buying experience and dealers want high-quality sales velocity. TrueCar helps achieve these goals by providing unbiased market information on new car transactions and by supplying an online communications platform through which dealers and consumers can communicate with each other. TrueCar's market-based information provides both consumers and dealers with an accurate and comprehensive understanding of what others actually paid recently for similar vehicles, both locally and nationally. TrueCar's communications platform then allows informed, ready-to-buy consumers to communicate directly with participating dealers. Some of the nation's largest and most well respected membership and service organizations rely on websites powered by TrueCar to help educate their members and customers who are in the automotive market. TrueCar is headquartered in Santa Monica, CA, and has offices in San Francisco, CA, and Austin, TX. After experiencing dramatic growth since 2006, TrueCar is developing a suite of products and services centered on radical clarity through the comprehensive analysis of market data and information. TrueCar's participating dealer partners have sold over 500,000 new vehicles to TrueCar users nationwide.
You can follow TrueCar on Twitter (@TrueCar) and become a fan of TrueCar on Facebook and Google+. SOURCE TrueCar, Inc. RELATED LINKS
Preview: Ken Potter Joins TrueCar as Vice President, Dealer Development
Preview: TrueCar Racing Team Optimistic About Road Ahead | 汽车 |
2017-17/2963/en_head.json.gz/4077 | Smart car Imagine that a car could drive you from a place of departure to a certain destination without anybody driving it. For some people it is hard to imagine that, but such thing does exist and it is known as a smart car. This example is rarely seen and is common only in scientific laboratories, but the term smart car also refers to cars who have installed vehicular automation in their system. This vehicular automation assists a driver or a vehicle-operator by using artificial intelligence and the mechanics for difficult driving tasks like parking, navigating, adapting the lights to weather conditions or autonomously controlling the cruise.
Smart car automation
The most important thing that contributed to the evolution of a smart car and its automation was the invention of the integrated circuit. After this innovation the technology of automation started to get more sophisticated. Many car manufacturers have started to add numerous automated functions to their new vehicles, making it easier for users to drive. Also, their income started to grow because people are seemed to be fond of it and the prices for this new smart car is much bigger than for some ordinary car. Automation for cars is primarily focused on semi-autonomy of a modern car or lees known robotic cars. Semi- autonomy smart car rely less on their technology and more on the driver, when robotic cars rely only on technology. Some important uses for automation in smart cars include adaptive headlamps, automatic parking, monitoring the blind spot, warning system for lane departure, adaptive cruise control, automotive night vision, pre crash system, traffic sign recognition, and automatic collision notification.
Autonomous smart car
An example of a self-driving of driverless car, which was mentioned in the beginning of the text, is a smart car which is autonomous and which depends only on its technology. It is capable of achieving all the driving capacities like humans achieve with some ordinary car. Technology enables the car to navigate itself and sense environment on its own and to react to certain obstacles. In many examples the only thing that human has to do is to determinate the destination of the car. First known autonomous car represented to the world was Norman Bell Geddes’s Futurama in 1939 at the World’s Fair sponsored by General Motors, and it was navigated by radio signal. There are a few programs around the world that are dealing with the law that concern’s the operation of autonomous smart cars. First country to pass the law for autonomous cars was the state of Nevada in June 2011.
Automated highway systems for smart car
With the automation of smart cars came also the idea of grouping vehicles into lines to increase the capacity of roads. It’s a new and efficient approach of smart car usage. The distance between cars would be controlled by mechanical and electronic coupling. Cars would be able to break and speed up simultaneously. There won’t be the need for reacting distance because there is no need for human reaction. The only problem is that everyone who has a car would have to buy a new smart car.
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2017-17/2963/en_head.json.gz/5948 | Toyota Avensis BTCC a Step Closer to its Racing Debut
The touring car version of Toyota's Avensis sedan has moved a step closer to its competition debut following extensive wind tunnel testing at MIRA's aerodynamic analysis facility. The Avensis NGTC (Next Generation Touring Car) is being constructed by GPR Motorsport and is scheduled to hit the tarmac for the first time in the opening rounds of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) at Brands Hatch on 3 April. As you can see in the photo below, the NGTC specification Avensis was joined in the MIRA wind tunnel by a road-going model equipped with a rear wing as the TOCA technical staff wanted to establish a baseline for the car’s aerodynamics. “We needed to fix a position for the rear wing, based on the aerodynamics of the road car, which gave the levels of downforce we were looking for,” said the championship’s technical director, Peter Riches. “I am pleased to say that this was quickly achieved, and it means that we now have a base line for all cars built to the NGTC regulations and have saved a lot of development time and potential expense for the teams.” The Japanese firm is not competing in the series with a works team, but does supply the donor cars and body shells to GPR Motorsport. Up until now, two private teams - Dynojet and Speedworks - have taken up the challenge to run in the Avensis, but the company said it hoped that their example will be followed by others "looking to take advantage of the reduced costs of development associated with the new car". _______________________________GALLERY_______________________________
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2017-17/2963/en_head.json.gz/6261 | You are currently in: Home > Cars for Sale > Previously Sold Cars > Pagani Huayra Section Links All Cars for SaleFind me a carSelling your carEmail me when new cars arriveFinance and InsuranceCar import, export & transportationPreviously Sold Cars Pagani Huayra
Unique opportunity to buy a Right Hand Drive Huayra, upgraded to 2015 Spec. Can be seen at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. Click image above to enlarge
The Pagani Huayra was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in 2011, as the successor to Horatio Pagani's maiden model, the Zonda. The Huayra was marked as a major leap forward from the more basic Zonda, with additions such as active aerodynamics and a new turbocharged V12 engine, still engineered by Mercedes.
Although there are a number of stylistic similarities with its predecessor, the Huayra's aerodynamic styling and performance upgrades created a car that was far superior to even the latest derivatives of the Zonda.
Powering the beautiful carbon body is a 720 bhp V12, catapulting the rear-wheel drive car to 60mph in just 3.2 seconds. However, the Huayra or "God of Winds" is much more than about raw speed; the new sequential gearbox makes this car much more usable than the Zonda. Further, details such as matching the weave in the carbon-fibre and a beautifully crafted interior, mean that even amongst the efforts of Ferrari and Mclaren, the Pagani Huayra still stands out as one of the greatest production supercars at this moment. The car we are offering is a rare Right Hand Drive example, extremely rare in Europe and has covered only a handful of miles. Further, it has recently been updated at the factory to 2015 spec and has been on display at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. This car would list at around £1.3m and waiting times for Huayras are in excess of 18 months, making this not only great value but a real investment opportunity. Gallery | 汽车 |
2017-17/2963/en_head.json.gz/7940 | The all-new Cadillac ATS-V hits the Saudi roads
The all-new Cadillac ATS-V hits the Saudi roads
Aljomaih Automotive Company (AAC), the sole dealer for Cadillac cars in Saudi Arabia, unveiled the all-new Cadillac ATS-V, 2016, in Saudi Arabia, which is the latest and most exciting model of “V” series.
The launch of this model represents a new era for the luxury car brand “Cadillac” in Saudi Arabia, where major shifts in customers’ choice are being formed to choose a car that combines strong performance and luxury simultaneously "Luxury Sport". Through offering of this great model; AAC introduces the new “V” series, which represents the brand's performance line. The all-new Cadillac ATS-V; will be supported with a strong competitive pricing strategy, which will constitute an important factor to attract clients who wish to own a sports car that enjoys sophisticated features and strong performance such as the all-new Cadillac ATS-V.
Cadillac ATS-V design is based on its true track performance to meet the requirements of sports performance and a sophisticated luxury car on the road. In order to enhance its sports strong performance, the car is equipped with a twin-turbocharged, 3.6-liter engine with reworked internals including a charge-air cooler, titanium connecting rods, and titanium-aluminide turbines. The new engine produces 464 horsepower and a superior torque of 603 NM. In both track driving and around town, this engine is just one part of a wholly exceptional driving experience. The engine is linked to GM’s patent eight-speed automatic transmission, which provides incredibly fast shift times and a shorter first gear ratio to improve off-the-line acceleration.
ATS-V provides high-safety measures for the driver and passengers, including a set of air bags for driver and front seat passenger, the first within the industry, as well as side airbags at the level of the roof covering the front-and rear-seat class, plus front seatbelt holder.
The all-new Cadillac ATS-V features excellent stability features, thanks to the specifically designed for the V-Series, Michelin Pilot Super Sport 19 inch tires with a progressive contact patch and a custom mold shape for maximum grip and stopping power. The wheels are made of light-weight formulated aluminum, with an overall width of 9.5 inches in the front, and 10 inches in the rear. The car, as well, is equipped with Brembo brake system,which is offering race car like braking on the track with six-piston front and four-piston rear fixed calipers stopping vented rotors made of nitro carburized steel to prevent corrosion and enhance performance and appearance.
ATS-V is characterized by its impressive, durable rigid chassis which is made of carbon fiber to reduce the weight. The Carbon Fiber package includes a more aggressive front splitter, hood vent trim and rear diffuser, along with composite rocker extensions and a taller, body-color rear spoiler. A more robust structure gives the car more stability during high speed.
The aura of track-inspired precision carries over to the interior, where the design and the relationship of key components are aimed squarely at performance-driving ergonomics, including a massively thick rimmed steering wheel, beautiful matte carbon fiber detailing and some incredible 16-way adjustable Recaro seats for adjusting the seat and side bolsters.
The ATS-V also features third-generation Magnetic Ride Control and Performance Traction Management. Five driver-selectable settings include the segment’s only competition-level settings for stability and traction control. The car features four distinctive driving modes (Tour, Sport, and Track & Snow/Ice), electronically calibrate a variety of performance features, optimizing and customizing driving to suit all road conditions.ATS-V, also, equipped with a Driver Awareness Package that offers various features including rear-view camera, ultrasound and radar sensors. The Driver Awareness Package monitors attentively the surroundings of the car to alert the driver of any potentially dangerous traffic situations. Alert system includes front-end collisions, change lanes alert, Side Blind Zone Alert, in addition to IntelliBeam headlights.
Noting that Aljomaih Automotive Company (AAC), which began representing General Motors in 1967, is the largest dealer for General Motors in the Middle East,and one of the largest dealers in the world.AAC has a distinct distribution network covering three main areas in Saudi Arabia as well as other small areas.
AAC is the sole dealer for Cadillac in Saudi Arabia. The company offers various services and comprehensive maintenance, plus exclusive services to clients of prime brand, Cadillac. | 汽车 |
2017-17/2963/en_head.json.gz/11579 | About Tesla
Tesla’s mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.
Tesla was founded in 2003 by a group of engineers in Silicon Valley who wanted to prove that electric cars could be better than gasoline-powered cars. With instant torque, incredible power, and zero emissions, Tesla’s products would be cars without compromise. Each new generation would be increasingly affordable, helping the company work towards its mission: to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy. Tesla’s engineers first designed a powertrain for a sports car built around an AC induction motor, patented in 1888 by Nikola Tesla, the inventor who inspired the company’s name. The resulting Tesla Roadster was launched in 2008. Accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and achieving a range of 245 miles per charge of its lithium ion battery, the Roadster set a new standard for electric mobility. Tesla would sell more than 2,400 Roadsters, now on the road in more than 30 countries. In 2012, Tesla launched Model S, the world’s first premium electric sedan. Built from the ground up to be 100 percent electric, Model S has redefined the very concept of a four-door car. With room for seven passengers and more than 64 cubic feet of storage, Model S provides the comfort and utility of a family sedan while achieving the acceleration of a sports car: 0 to 60 mph in about five seconds. Its flat battery pack is integrated into the chassis and sits below the occupant cabin, lending the car a low center of gravity that enables outstanding road holding and handling while driving 265 miles per charge. Model S was named Motor Trend’s 2013 Car of the Year and achieved a 5-star safety rating from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In late 2014, Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled two dual motor all-wheel drive configurations of Model S that further improve the vehicle’s handling and performance. The 85D features a high efficiency motor at the front and rear, giving the car unparalleled control of traction in all conditions. The P85D pairs a high efficiency front motor with a performance rear motor for supercar acceleration, achieving a 0 to 60 mph time of 3.2 seconds – the fastest four-door production car ever made. Tesla owners enjoy the benefit of charging at home so they never have to visit a gas station or spend a cent on gasoline. For long distance journeys, Tesla’s Supercharger network provides convenient access to high speed charging, replenishing half a charge in as little as 20 minutes. Superchargers now connect popular routes in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. Tesla’s vehicles are produced at its factory in Fremont, California, previously home to New United Motor Manufacturing Inc., a joint venture between Toyota and General Motors. The Tesla Factory has returned thousands of jobs to the area and is capable of producing 2,000 cars a week. The company is expanding its manufacturing footprint into other areas, including in Tilburg, the Netherlands, where it has an assembly facility, and Lathrop, California, where it has a specialized production plant. To reduce the costs of lithium ion battery packs, Tesla and key strategic partners including Panasonic have begun construction of a gigafactory in Nevada that will facilitate the production of a mass-market affordable vehicle, Model 3. By 2018, the gigafactory will produce more lithium ion cells than all of the world’s combined output in 2013. The gigafactory will also produce battery packs intended for use in stationary storage, helping to improve robustness of the electrical grid, reduce energy costs for businesses and residences, and provide a backup supply of power. Tesla is not just an automaker, but also a technology and design company with a focus on energy innovation. Press
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2017-17/2963/en_head.json.gz/11909 | Home \ Motoring \ Motoring News \ 200mph Vanda Dendrobium electric supercar unveiled
200mph Vanda Dendrobium electric supercar unveiled
The covers have come off Singapore's first-ever hypercar, the Dendrobium, which has made its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show.
The brainchild of Singapore electric mobility experts Vanda Electrics, Dendrobium is a two seater all-electric sports car concept, which features a striking design and a target top speed in excess of 200mph.
Specializing in battery technology, research, innovation and design, Vanda Electrics is one of Singapore's leading e-mobility companies. Its revolutionary strategy is to develop a range of global electric products that capitalize on the trend towards zero emission mobility and focus on three key segments: luxury, consumer and industrial.
Designed by Vanda's in-house team, Dendrobium's remarkable shape incorporates an automatic roof and doors, which open in a synchronized manner, resembling a fully-opened dendrobium flower, a genus of orchids native to Singapore.
This unique feature is not just for show either - it also improves access to the cockpit, making ingress and egress easier than other hypercars. The tear drop shape that forms around the cockpit and ends in the tail - where the plug-in port is located, just behind a panel above the charging light, which shows the status of the car's battery - is a design feature that has remained a key part of Dendrobium from the initial sketches.
Other highlights of Dendrobium's exterior are the aerodynamic floor, rear double diffuser and front splitter. At the back, the rear light bar elegantly floats over the tail of the car, and throughout the design there is pure, motorsport-inspired functionality, such as the exposed double wishbone front and rear suspension. That motorsport theme is continued in the materials used. In order to meet its target weight of 1,750kg, Dendrobium features a composite monocoque chassis, carbonfibre body panels, carbon ceramic brake discs and lightweight alloy calipers inside 20-inch front and 21-inch rear alloy wheels, wrapped in Michelin high performance tyres.
Carbonfibre is also used extensively in the interior, fitting with Dendrobium's minimalist but functional design brief. Step inside and it is immediately obvious that the driver is the absolute centre of attention. He or she enjoys a bright red body-hugging sports seat - which contrasts dramatically with the predominately black interior. Both driver and passenger seats feature stitching and motifs inspired by muscle fibres.
The interior of the Dendrobium concept has been trimmed using leather from Scotland's Bridge of Weir Leather Company, which sources the best hides from the best heritage breeds and has adopted the very latest technology. The result is the lowest carbon tannery and leather product in the world - the perfect material for a zero emission halo model.
Sitting in the driver's eye line is a digital dashboard flanked by two rear-view displays, which take feeds from wing-mounted cameras. All of the dashboard buttons are hexagon-shaped: a recurring design theme throughout Dendrobium, replicated in the air vents, front grille and headlight bezels.
Although strictly a concept car at this stage, performance targets for Dendrobium are a top speed in excess of 200mph and 0-60mph in 2.7 seconds. The project will feature the latest lithium-ion battery and electric powertrain technology calling on Vanda Electrics' own expertise and, of course, that of technical partner Williams Advanced Engineering.
The Grove-based organization is an electrification world-leader; it is currently the sole battery supplier to Formula E and an electric motor and e-powertrain integration expert thanks to its pioneering F1-bred hybrid systems and its key role in the rapid development of the Jaguar C-X75 supercar.
Should Dendrobium go into production, a layout featuring two inboard-mounted electric motors per axle, with a single-speed gearbox and differential at the front and a multi-speed gearbox and differential at the rear, is envisaged. If Vanda Electrics receives enough positive interest at the Geneva Motor Show, the first model is expected to hit the road by 2020. | 汽车 |
2017-17/2963/en_head.json.gz/12326 | Need help financing or refinancing a home? Click here California lowers auto emissions rule
Posted | Comment | Recommend E-mail | Print | By Samantha Young, Associated Press Writer
SACRAMENTO, Calif. California regulators have drastically cut the number of zero-emission vehicles required to be sold in the state by the year 2014, a decision that frustrated environmentalists but came as a relief to auto manufacturers.
The rules adopted Thursday put the number of electric and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles that automakers sell in California at 7,500 by 2014 -- a 70 percent reduction from the 2003 target.
"We are disappointed. We think this proposal doesn't take us on the road to meeting the state's long-term global warming goals," said Spencer Quong, a senior vehicles analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Auto manufacturers said they could not meet the California standard and needed more time to make affordable hydrogen and battery-powered cars.
"Pushing this technology into the market before they are commercially viable ties up resources that could be better utilized by advancing core technologies," said Sara Rudy, an emissions regulatory manager at Ford Motor Co. "It is important at this stage to be nimble."
The other manufacturers that must comply with the rules are General Motors Corp., Toyota Motor Corp., Honda Motor Co., Chrysler LLC and Nissan Motor Co.
The decision is expected to affect 12 other states that had adopted California's target for zero-emission vehicles.
In essence, the air board took two steps: It cut the number of zero-emission vehicles it wants on state's roads, while at the same time offering an alternative: the gas-electric hybrids.
The air board said the six largest automakers must sell nearly 60,000 plug-in hybrid vehicles in California while they develop the more advanced technology that will allow mass production of pure zero-emission vehicles.
Board chairwoman Mary Nichols described the move as a major step toward putting cleaner cars on the road. The plug-in hybrids envisioned by the air board have yet to be produced but are in development by several automakers.
"We're introducing a whole new category of vehicles to the public," Nichols said. "I don't think it's a step backwards in the real world."
General Motors is developing a rechargeable vehicle it hopes to have on the market in 2010. The Chevy Volt would run on a battery for 40 miles, and then fuel would power the on-board generator, GM spokesman Dave Barthmuss said.
California adopted its zero-emission vehicle mandate in 1990 as part of an attempt to reduce smog-forming emissions such as nitrogen oxide.
The rule required that 10 percent of new cars sold in the state by the country's six leading auto manufacturers be completely nonpolluting by 2003.
The rules have been modified four times since they were introduced. The biggest change came in 2003, when the Air Resources Board significantly scaled back the mandate and ruled that hydrogen cars, hybrids and cleaner-burning gasoline vehicles could meet the state's goals.
The regulators were concerned that battery-powered cars could not be mass-produced and favored hydrogen cars. They also faced a lawsuit from the auto industry.
Although some lower-emission vehicles -- especially hybrids -- have begun making an impression in the marketplace, the main automakers still do not have a commercial zero-emission vehicle.
The revised 2003 rules set a goal of putting at least 25,000 zero-emission cars on the road in California by 2014, far below the original 10 percent mandate. The rules adopted Thursday put the number of zero-emission vehicles required by 2014 even lower.
The changes adopted by the air board will affect just a fraction of the overall fleet in California. About 1.5 million new vehicles are sold in the state each year.
The 12 other states that adopted the California standard are Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. Automakers are required to sell 120,000 of the new plug-in-hybrids in those states by 2014, said Tom Cackette, the air board's chief deputy executive officer.
Arizona, Colorado, Florida and Utah are considering California's standard, according to the Air Resources Board.
California Air Resources Board: http://www.arb.ca.gov
Posted E-mail | Print | Enlarge
by Rich Pedroncelli, AP
Members of the California Air Resources Board, from left, Dorene D'Adamo, Daniel Sperling, Ph.d., Chairwoman Mary Nichols, and Barbara Riordan, right, are seen below the the projected staff recommendations concerning a plan to cut back the state's clean air-program, during a hearing in Sacramento, Calif. Thursday, March 27, 2008. The board discussed a proposal that would cut by 90 percent the number of battery-powered and hydrogen cars sold in California and 12 other states in 2014. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) | 汽车 |
2017-17/2963/en_head.json.gz/12796 | Motor Sport Retro
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The Golden Era of Formula 2 Racing Cars Part 2: The Constructors
Submitted by Marcel Hundscheid on April 4, 2017
by Marcel Hundscheid / Speed-O-Graphica.com
We return to our look back at the golden era of Formula 2 with this piece investigating the many constructors that fought for glory in the formula’s championships.
Over the years cars from about 20 different manufacturers contested the European F2 championship, including Brabham, Cooper, Ferrari, Lotus, Tecno and Surtees.
March had its own workshop and produced up to 20 chassis annually for customers. They were followed by Chevron, Lola and Ralt, but cars produced by them dominated the grids of the European championship until 1984. In addition there were several small manufacturers who produced chassis such as AGS, Martini, Maurer, Merzario, Minardi and Osella. Let’s take a closer look at the different manufacturers that raced in the European F2 Championship.
Heny Julien founded Automobiles Gonfaronnaises Sportives back in 1969. Julien was a French mechanic who created his first car that same year for Formule France, a precursor of Formula Renault. In 1978 AGS started to compete in the European F2 Championship with their AGS JH15 powered by a BMW-engine, although they didn’t manage to score any championship points.
Richard Dallest didn’t score championship points in 1978 and 1979, but in 1980 the French driver scored victories in both Pau and Zandvoort. In 1982 Philippe Streiff and Pascal Fabre scored podium finishes in an AGS JH19. Streiff made history by winning the very last round of the European F2 Championship in 1984.
Jack Brabham and Ron Tauranac founded Brabham in 1960, but had actually begun producing their own single seaters around five years earlier. In 1964 the BT10 was used as their first Formula 2 car. This car was followed by the BT16 in 1965 and the BT18 in 1966.
Jack Brabham and Denny Hulme scored 11 consecutive victories with a BT18 in the Formula 2 Championship. The Brabham BT23 and BT23C followed in 1967 and 1968.
In 1969 the BT30 appeared, without a doubt the most successful car that Brabham constructed for Formula 2. Remarkably Brabham never used the BT30 for its works Formula 2 team. In this BT30s were always driven on behalf of private teams. The BT30 was followed by the BT36 in 1971 and BT38 in 1972. Brabham’s final F2-model was the BT40 from 1973.
Derek Bennett founded Chevron Cars Ltd. in 1965 and was particularly noted for a wide range of single seater racing cars that ran in Formula 2, Formula 3 and Formula 5000.
The constructor produced eleven different cars were for Formula 2, starting with the B10 in 1968. Chevron used the B17 and B18 from 1970 in both F2 and Formula Atlantic. The B20 from 1972 was primarily intended for F2, but was also used in F3 and Formula B. In 1973 the Chevron B73 appeared for use in both F2 Formula Atlantic followed by the B27 in 1974. A commercially successful single seater was the Chevron B29 from 1975, with at least 27 sold cars. In 1976 the Chevron B35 appeared, the F2 version of the B34. Finally the B40 (1977), B42 (1978) and B48 from 1979 were used in F2.
Charles Cooper and his son John founded the Cooper Car Company in 1947 and started building race cars shortly after the end of the second World War.
Cooper introduced the Formula Two Cooper Bristol in 1952, equipped with an engine that was in front of the driver. From 1955 Cooper started to build rear-engined sports cars like the Cooper Bobtail.
As they saw the benefit of positioning the center of gravity closer to the middle of the car, it was decided to build a single seater for use in Formula 2 races. Cooper’s F2 cars equipped with a rear mounted engine were the T41 from 1956, T43 from 1957, the 1958 Cooper T45 and T51 from 1959.
In 1948 Ferrari introduced the Model 166 F2. It was driven by Raymond Sommer, who scored victory at the Grand Prix in Florence.
Aurelio Lampredi designed the Ferrari 500 F2 from 1951, the car which Alberto Ascari used to win his very first world championship. The Ferrari 553 was used from 1953 in Formula 2 and from 1954 in Formula 1, followed by the Ferrari Dino 156 F2 in 1957. In 1960 Ferrari introduced the 156 F2 followed by the Dino 166 F2 in 1967.
Although Lola focused primarily on sports cars, the brand also developed Formula 2 cars resulting in the official works team for BMW.
Lola’s first F2 design became one of their most successful in the class – the T54 from 1964. The T55 appeared later that same year and was followed by the monocoque T60 in 1965. Lola offered the T61 in the following year, although it saw very little success. Motorsports racing legend John Surtees debuted Lola’s new T62 at the end of the ’66 season, achieving significantly better results.
BMW commissioned a chassis in 1967 which was to be powered by a BMW-engine. The car became known as the Lola T100. These cars were largely unsuccessful until John Surtees bought two for his own team. Surtees equipped one car with a BMW engine, whilst the other car used a Cosworth FVA engine. This combination turned out to be successful. Lola developed the T102 for BMW in 1968.
After a three year sabbatical Lola returned to Formula 2 in 1971 with the T240 and the T360B in 1975. Over the following years, Lola introduced the T450 in 1976, T460 and T550 in 1977 and finally the T850.
Another legendary name in the world of motorsports is Lotus. Although Chapman was famous for the different Formula 1 cars he designed, he also created a significant range of Formula 2 cars. Chapman designed the Lotus 18 from 1960, and it went on to be used in Formula Junior, Formula 2 and Formula 1.
In 1964 Lotus introduced model 32, developed from the Lotus 27 that was used in Formula Junior. As the car turned out to be unpopular Chapman decided to create a versatile single seater based on the Lotus 25 and Lotus 33 F1 cars. This resulted in the Lotus 35, which saw use both in F3 and F2. The car was driven by, amongst others, Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart and Graham Hill.
Between 1966 and 1968 the Lotus 41 was used for racing in both F3 and F2. It was followed by the Lotus 44, developed from the earlier Lotus 35, in 1966.
Chapman designed the Lotus 48 in 1967 for use in F2, and it has the sad distinction of being the car in which Jim Clark lost his life in a crash at Hockenheim in 1968.
For the 1969 and 1970 motorsport seasons Lotus developed the Lotus 59. The car was used in several single seater series such as Formula 2 and Formula 3 and was succeeded by the Lotus 69 from 1970. Austrian Jochen Rindt took the Formula 2 drivers championship in 1970 in a Lotus 69.
March produced several cars for the Formula 2 championship, starting with their monocoque March 712M in 1971. Ronnie Peterson claimed the championship with a 712M in that particular year.
More designs would follow, such as the March 722, 732, 742 and 752. In 1976 the March 762 appeared, followed by the March 772 and 782. March ran the BMW works team in 1982 and dominated the European F2 championship with the 782 as Bruno Giacomelli claimed the title.
Martini turned out to be a very successful competitor in Formula 3, although the small French constructor also found success in Formula 2.
Renato Martini entered Formula 2 in 1975 with sponsorship from Elf. Team manager Hughes de Chaunac entered the championship with Schnitzer-BMW powered cars. Martini claimed the Formula 2 title both in 1975 and 1977 thanks to Jacques Lafitte and Rene Arnoux.
Martini returned to F2 in 1983-84, when Michel Ferte scored a third place in the European championship. Although Martini developed many cars it is unclear what different types were used for F2. Amongst others Martini constructed the Mk. 16, 19, 22, 28, 56, 62, 74 as well as the Martini 001-BMW and Martini 002-BMW.
Willy Maurer, a German industriel and racing car constructor participated with his own cars and racing team in the European Formula 2 Championship between 1979 and 1989.
Although Maurer was registered as a car constructor, it was Gustav Brunner who actually constructed the cars. During the early ’70s, Maurer participated in several racing events as a driver. After he finished his short racing career he supported several racing teams who participated in the German DRM-championship, such as Ford-Zakspeed and Kremer-Porsche. Maurer created.
Starting in 1979, Maurer finally ran a works team with some success that had been present for five years in the Formula 2 European Championship. Over the years several drivers raced for Maurer such as Armin Hahne, Eje Elgh, Markus Höttinger, Beppe Gabbiani, Helmut Henzler, Roberto Guerrero, Stefan Bellof, Alain Ferté and Kenny Acheson.
Merzario
Former Ferrari, Williams and March racing driver Arturo Merzario founded his own company in 1977, initially building Formula 1 cars. As Merzario struggled with financial problems he withdrew from Formula 1 in 1980 and fitted a BMW M1 Formula 2 engine into the back of the A4, renaming the car M1.
His M2 followed in 1981 his M2 followed and between 1981 and 1983 he used March 812 customer cars in Formula 2. He also produced with Ernesto Degan – the Merzario M28. Finally in 1984 his M84 entered racing, actually a reworked version of the M28, but he would end his career as a constructor not long after.
In 1980 Minardi competed in the European Formula Two championship using a car designed by Giacomo Caliri and powered by a BMW-engine. Entered as Scuderia Everest, Minardi raced in the European Formula 2 Championship from 1980 until 1984, scoring a single victory in 1981 by Michele Alboreto during a race at Misano. Minardi left Formula 2 at the end of 1984.
During the early ’70s Osella expanded into Formula 2 using a car designed by Antonio Tomaini – the FA2. Giorgio Francia raced the car, as did Doilio Truffi, who joined Francia in 1975. By 1976 the team was running four cars, although they only lasted another few years, withdrawing from F2 in 1979.
Ron Tauranac’s first creation was the Ralt RT1 from 1974, used in Formula 2, Formula 3 and Formula Atlantic. The RT1 saw action for three years, finally succeeded by the RT2 in 1979. Next in line was the Ralt RT3, based on the earlier RT2.
As a works team Ralt used Honda engines and between 1980 and 1984 used RH type designation. (RH6/80-RH6-84). The works cars were very succesful and claimed the F2 championship in 1981 (Geoff Lees), 1983 (Jonathan Palmer) and finally Mike Thackwell in 1984.
Luciano and Gianfranco Pederzani founded Tecno in 1962 initially as go-kart manufacturer. Quickly the brothers also concentrated on Formula 2 cars. In the hands of Clay Regazzoni, Tecno’s F2 car took the 1970 F2 championship.
John Surtees, one of motorsport’s true legends, sadly left us just a few weeks ago at the age of 83. His first F2 car was the TS10, which hit the circuits in 1972 and propelled Mike Hailwood to the 1972 European F2 Championship. In 1973 the TS15 appeared equipped with BMW-engines.
Rebirth of the Formula 2 Championship
In 2009 Formula 2 returned to the sport’s attention thanks to an idea of FIA President Max Mosley to take over the legacy of the Formule 2 European Championship. The rebirth was meant as a low-cost platform for drivers who wanted to compete in Formula 1, and the championship was organised by former F1-driver Jonathan Palmer.
F1 constructor Williams developed the chassis known as JPH, which would receive a Audi 1.8 litre turbocharged engine. Drivers could use a boost button increasing the power from 295 kW to 330 kW for a maximum of 6 seconds, ten times during a race. Although organiser Motorsport Vision signed a five year contract for the implementation of the FIA Formula 2 Championship from 2009 to 2013 it was agreed with the FIA that the series would no longer be carried out in 2013, as none of the F2-drivers made it into Formula 1.
Between 2009 and 2012 the following drivers claimed the FIA Formula Championship: Spaniard Andy Soucek took the first title in 2009, followed by Dean Stoneman in 2010, Mirko Bortolotti in 2011 and finally Luciano Bacheta in 2012. At the beginning of March 2017 it was announced that the GP2 Series would be re-branded as FIA Formula 2.
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2017-17/2963/en_head.json.gz/15518 | Bay Area company bringing HUD displays to cars
July 3, 2012 9:12:50 PM PDT
Dan Ashley
SILICON VALLEY, Calif. -- From mobile phones to GPS devices, we are constantly bombarded with potential distractions while driving, but emerging technology is hoping to put that all on your windshield. The hope is that you'll keep your eyes on the road. In this Assignment 7 report, ABC7 News takes a closer look at heads-up-displays and a Bay Area company that is hoping to change what you see when you drive. F-18 fighter jet pilots use heads-up-displays to land planes on aircraft carriers. It's technology that has gone mainstream from commercial jets to your car. "It's a great feature that allows the driver to keep his eyes on the road while receiving important information," says BMW's Vinny Gozzo. "You know, eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. And, this is the kind of technology that enables people to do that," says Richard James with General Motors. Heads-up displays on cars aren't new. General Motors first started using it in 1998 and BMW has offered it on select models since 2006. It is a relatively simple concept. Information, like the vehicle speed, is projected onto the windshield from a device mounted in the dash board. It's only visible within the driver's line of sight. The equipment adds around another $1,000 to the price, but the benefits may be priceless. Distracted driving is a growing problem whether it's from cellphones, putting on make-up, or portable GPS devices. The U.S. Department of Transportation reported in 2010, that 3,092 people were killed and another 416,000 were injured in car crashes involving a distracted driver. Some 290,000 drivers surveyed reported their GPS device caused an accident or a near miss. Car makers say putting that information on the windshield keeps the driver's eyes on the road. "It is safe because it displays an image within the driver's line of sight going down the road, but it's not displayed in a way that's distracting," Gozzo said. And, a Silicon Valley company thinks it's found a way to make those GPS displays better. "With Virtual Cable, you basically look at it with peripheral vision," says Virtual Cable co-inventor Tom Zamojdo. Manufactured by MVS California, Virtual Cable is a 3-D translucent line in the sky for drivers to follow. "It's sort of line a third lane marker in the sky," Zamojdo says. It is military-grade technology scaled down, made for real people. It's capable of projecting miles ahead of the driver and can even highlight businesses along the way. "Car makers and car drivers are really eager to find something that helps them find their way that's up and ahead of them, rather than down and in front," says Juliana Carnes Clegg with MVS California. The technology was so ground-breaking MVS California recently won an award in the European Satellite Navigation Competition, a first for an American company. The international notoriety has attracted the attention of automakers. "If you see see it on the street, chances are we're talking to them," Clegg says. Car makers say heads-up displays will ultimately be driven by consumer demand and the drive for safer cars. "Anything that would bring what you have to divert your eyes to, to right in front of you, will be a benefit," Gozzo says. MVS California says it expects to have "Virtual Cable" installed in commercial vehicles like big rigs within the next two years and in your car, within three years. Written and produced by Ken Miguel Load Comments | 汽车 |
2017-17/2963/en_head.json.gz/16266 | | Login Motorgliders give you the best of both worlds
You’ve heard of light aircraft, and you’ve almost certainly heard of gliding. But what about motorgliding? Not many people are aware that motorgliders offer the best of both worlds, so if you’re struggling to choose between flying a light aircraft and flying a glider, motorgliding could be for you. In this post, we’re going to introduce you to motorgliding and explain what’s so great about it.
What is a motorglider?
The short answer is: exactly what it says on the tin! It’s a glider with a motor. This means that it has long wings like a glider, but it has an engine, so it can get off the ground of its own accord, without the need for a winch or aerotow. Because it has long wings, you can turn the engine off in flight and use it as a glider. Not only does this mean you can enjoy a quieter flight, but it also saves lots of money on fuel! Because of the extra weight of having an engine on board, it probably won’t fly as far as a glider, so you’d need a nice thermic day to enjoy soaring in a motorglider.
Types of motorglider
Motorgliders come in many shapes and sizes. Some are really just gliders with a small propeller that pops out of the back to get them airborne, and once airborne the pilot retracts the propeller and uses the aircraft as a normal glider. These could be described as ‘self-launching motorgliders’ (SLMG). Other motorgliders – ‘touring motorgliders’ – are basically just light aircraft but with longer wings, and can be used for long-distance journeys, with the engine remaining switched on the whole time, just like any other light aircraft. Unlike gliders, they can be used to get to places because they’re able to take off under their own steam. Here are some of the most common motorglider types in the UK.
Slingsby T61 Venture
First flown in 1971, these basic motorgliders – also known as Falkes or Ventures – were used by the RAF to train new pilots. With a cruise speed of around 60kts, they’re on the slow side, but they make great training aircraft as they’re quite tricky to fly.
Scheibe SF25
The SF25 is similar to the Venture – it’s the earlier German version, first flown in 1963, upon which the Venture was based – but in many ways it’s better. The SF25 comes in several versions, with single, double or tricycle undercarriage and different sizes of engine. They have a cruise speed of 70-80kts, so they’re a bit quicker than the Venture.
Grob 109
Image from Wikipedia
The Grob 109 is very popular in both civilian and military flying schools, and replaced the T61 Venture as RAF cadet training aircraft (it’s known by the RAF as the Vigilant T1). The Grob 109 had its first flight in 1980 and is still used by the RAF today.
Diamond Super Dimona, parked next to a T61 Venture, with a Grob 109 behind
The Dimona is a contemporary of the Grob 109, designed by Wolff Hoffman and manufactured by Diamond aircraft. This fibreglass aircraft comes in ‘taildragging’ (with a tailwheel) and tricycle undercarriage versions. The so-called ‘Super Dimona’ is the same aircraft with a few small differences, the main one being that it has a more powerful engine. With a cruise speed of around 90 to 100kts, these are somewhat speedier than the Venture and SF25, and they have feathering propellers, designed to make them more aerodynamic when soaring with the engine off.
What are motorgliders used for?
The most common use for motorgliders in the UK is as RAF Air Cadet training aircraft and in gliding clubs. Many gliding clubs have a motorglider as part of their fleet as a means of carrying out additional training for glider pilots. They are a convenient way of making the transition from gliding to powered aircraft, and they can also be used for gliding exercises and tests. There are very few flying clubs dedicated solely to motorgliding; our sister company MotorGlide is one, and it comes under the umbrella of the British Gliding Association.
Switching the engine off: should I be scared?
We’ve found that some of our passengers are alarmed at the prospect of switching the engine off in flight. While it does feel counterintuitive to switch off the engine in flight, there really is nothing to be worried about! With those long wings, a motorglider is designed to be flown with the engine off and will go a lot further than a normal light aircraft would without an engine. What’s more, the engine can simply be switched back on when you’re ready to land or if you’re getting too low. In the meantime, your instructor will be looking for thermals, which are rising columns of air that allow the aircraft to gain altitude and therefore time in the air, just like a glider.
5 reasons to try a motorglider experience
In case you hadn’t realised, we’re big fans of motorgliding here at Air Experiences! If you needed any more persuading, here are our top five reasons for trying a motorglider experience…
You’ll be able to say you’ve tried gliding AND light aircraft flights!
Motorgliding is cheaper than a light aircraft flying experience, especially if you come back to fly regularly.
Motorgliders offer a gentler take-off experience than the scarily steep climb you’d get in a glider on a winch launch.
It’s the perfect experience for those looking for something a bit different from the ordinary.
It’s nice and quiet with the engine turned off – just the sound of the wind whistling past.
If you’re interested in experiencing what it’s like to fly a motorglider, try one of our Best of Both flying experiences. We have motorgliding locations at Wellesbourne Mountford Airfield near Stratford-upon-Avon and near Oxford. If you’d like to go a step further and learn to fly one, check out our sister company, MotorGlide.
This entry was posted in Gliding, Learning to fly, Motorgliding and tagged Diamond Super Dimona, Dimona, flying experience, Grob 109, motorgliders, motorgliding, motorgliding at Wellesbourne Airfield, SF25, T61 Venture, types of motorglider, Wellesbourne flying lessons on February 19, 2015 by Rachel.
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2017-17/2963/en_head.json.gz/18647 | Street Rod Download (1989 Simulation Game)
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Download 9573 Games:Action adventure (134)Adventure (965)Amiga (1097)Arcade action (2709)Board (149)Educational (310)Non-English (89)Puzzle (550)Role playing (516)Simulation (868)Sports (874)Strategy (1276)Utility (36)Simulation Games:01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Download full Street Rod:Download (393 KB)Download (403 KB)Download - Easy Setup (1.83 MB)Street Rod screenshots:Year is 1963 and you're one of the hotshots aspiring to be king of the county. You're given a small sum of money to buy your first car. Tune it for maximum performance and off you go. In the diner where other hotshots are waiting to take your prized possession, you race for money and pink slips and if you win, you get to take home their cars! The game's interface is relatively easy and fun to use. You have your own garage as the interface itself. Options are in the form of the garage's elements such as the clock for the game's main menu and the newspaper as your source for buying cars and parts. Add to that a third person with an attitude that talks to you as you play It's really a neat idea by which up to now, no other racing games have that style. You feel that you're living a virtual world as opposed to just going from menu to menu. Another realistic part is the ability for you to sell your car and haggleThis game is a true classic. You start out as a petty street racer who wants to be the king of the road. With a small amount of money you buy a car (actually more a piece of junk) and start racing. As soon as you start winning some races you will get more money and cars. Keep racing till you have the best car possible and then challenge the King in order to become the number one street racer!There are more then enough racing games around. The thing that makes this racing game different is the fact you can totally change your car as you wish. Change the engine, carburator, roof, wheels etc. You can even toss a fancy sticker on the side of your car.When racing other racers you can either race for cash, or pink slips. When racing for pink slips you can win the opponents car or loose yours, so watch out who you are challenging!The fact this game doesn't get perfect score is the miss of different race tracks. It's either a drag race or a circuit (which won't change btw). The game compensates with the fun of pimping your ride.In any case, if you are in the mood for some streetracing, download this little gem!The 1960s - the century of good music and beautiful cars. And it's up to you to acquire one of those beauties, tune it up and become the king of the road. You start of with only a few bucks - just enough to get a cheap car. Now get out on the street and win some races. You can bet your money or your car. As you don't have a lot of money in the beginning betting your car will probably be the best - but make sure you win! You can either do a road race or a drag race. The latter is easier - however having 4 gears helps a lot on a short track. Both aren't TOO hard though, although I strongly recommend using a joystick. You can win the drag race with the keyboard, but it will be a LOT more difficult to win the road race with the keys. I didn't even manage to complete the track...If you like building on your car (you can exchange a few parts...) and competing for fame and fortune then this is your game. The creators put a lot of efforts into the atmosphere of the game - it's nice. Original 60s feeling. Apart from that it cannot really be seen as a serious racing sim. It's fun though.Street Rod is California Dreams's masterpiece and one of the very best racing games ever made for the PC. What set the game apart from other racing games of the era (and even now) is the addition of gameworld: instead of letting you pick a car, then drive it in various tournaments, the game lets you live the life of a street rod lover in the '70s. Instead of winning the championship, your goal is beat the King and his black '63 Corvette. You can only afford an old car at the start, but as you win races, you will gradually be able to upgrade for better components and cars.The car customization screen in Street Rod is undoubtedly the game's best feature, and one that hasn't been duplicated successfully since. You can replace engine and transmission, chop your roof for that open-air look, and strip the bumpers. You can even change the decals and color to personalize your hot rod. After you find an opponent (from hanging out in front of a local fast food joint), the view shifts to a standard first-person view, with very good level of detail that rivals Accolade's Test Drive 1. You can drive a drag race or Mulholland race (along LA's famed scenic road of the same name), for money or with your car as the stake.The only "weak" point in the game, and this depends on personal preferences, is the fact that most races are very easy, and the King himself is not hard to beat. This obviously makes the game ideal for beginners, but experts will be able to finish it in a few sittings. The excellent customization options and solid gameplay more than make up for this, though, and make Street Rod one of the few racing games that you can play over and over again without getting bored. If you are a racing enthusiast looking for something different from your run-of-the-mill F1 games, Street Rod is a must-have.How to run this game on modern Windows PC?This game has been set up to work on modern Windows (10/8/7/Vista/XP 64/32-bit) computers without problems. Please choose Download - Easy Setup (1.83 MB).
People who downloaded Street Rod have also downloaded:Street Rod 2, Street Rod, Stunts, Street Rod 2, Gearhead Garage, Sim City 2000, Sim City, Detroit ©2016 San Pedro Software Inc. Contact: , done in 0.002 seconds. | 汽车 |
2017-17/2963/en_head.json.gz/20625 | Jaguar XJ6 Wins Best Luxury Car at the "What Car?"Car of the Year Awards 2005
The Jaguar XJ6 has picked up the award for 'Best Luxury Car' for the second year running at the prestigious UK magazine What Car?'s annual Car of the Year Awards held last night in London. A panel of judges from What Car? magazine voted the XJ6 as the best in its class because of its looks, driving dynamics, quality, ample performance and impeccable refinement. David Motton, editor of What Car? magazine, commented: "The Jaguar XJ6 does everything a luxury car should, it's a modern twist on a classic theme and there's substance to back up the style. Excellent body control and a lightweight aluminium construction make the XJ more agile than any of its rivals. There's all the luxury equipment you'd expect, the fit and attention to detail are immaculate and the drive is everything you would expect of Jaguar's flagship saloon." Bibiana Boerio, Managing Director of Jaguar Cars, said: "We are delighted with the reaction the aluminium XJ continues to receive from both the media and our customers. The XJ had a tremendous year in the UK, where it accounts for 1 of every 3 cars sold in its segment. We're looking forward to building on this strength with the introduction of the new 2.7 diesel XJ later this year." The XJ also had success in the 2004 JD Power and Associates Initial Quality Study, (IQS). Jaguar's best performing model was the new XJ saloon, which was ranked second in the premium luxury car segment. Jaguar also moved up to become the highest-ranked European car manufacturer for vehicle quality and dependability, improving its performance by 20% over the previous year.
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2017-17/2963/en_head.json.gz/21301 | Blog Videos Press Customer Stories Events Get Updates Corporate
Search A Tragic Loss
The Tesla Team
We learned yesterday evening that NHTSA is opening a preliminary evaluation into the performance of Autopilot during a recent fatal crash that occurred in a Model S. This is the first known fatality in just over 130 million miles where Autopilot was activated. Among all vehicles in the US, there is a fatality every 94 million miles. Worldwide, there is a fatality approximately every 60 million miles. It is important to emphasize that the NHTSA action is simply a preliminary evaluation to determine whether the system worked according to expectations.
Following our standard practice, Tesla informed NHTSA about the incident immediately after it occurred. What we know is that the vehicle was on a divided highway with Autopilot engaged when a tractor trailer drove across the highway perpendicular to the Model S. Neither Autopilot nor the driver noticed the white side of the tractor trailer against a brightly lit sky, so the brake was not applied. The high ride height of the trailer combined with its positioning across the road and the extremely rare circumstances of the impact caused the Model S to pass under the trailer, with the bottom of the trailer impacting the windshield of the Model S. Had the Model S impacted the front or rear of the trailer, even at high speed, its advanced crash safety system would likely have prevented serious injury as it has in numerous other similar incidents.
It is important to note that Tesla disables Autopilot by default and requires explicit acknowledgement that the system is new technology and still in a public beta phase before it can be enabled. When drivers activate Autopilot, the acknowledgment box explains, among other things, that Autopilot “is an assist feature that requires you to keep your hands on the steering wheel at all times," and that "you need to maintain control and responsibility for your vehicle” while using it. Additionally, every time that Autopilot is engaged, the car reminds the driver to “Always keep your hands on the wheel. Be prepared to take over at any time.” The system also makes frequent checks to ensure that the driver's hands remain on the wheel and provides visual and audible alerts if hands-on is not detected. It then gradually slows down the car until hands-on is detected again.
We do this to ensure that every time the feature is used, it is used as safely as possible. As more real-world miles accumulate and the software logic accounts for increasingly rare events, the probability of injury will keep decreasing. Autopilot is getting better all the time, but it is not perfect and still requires the driver to remain alert. Nonetheless, when used in conjunction with driver oversight, the data is unequivocal that Autopilot reduces driver workload and results in a statistically significant improvement in safety when compared to purely manual driving.
The customer who died in this crash had a loving family and we are beyond saddened by their loss. He was a friend to Tesla and the broader EV community, a person who spent his life focused on innovation and the promise of technology and who believed strongly in Tesla’s mission. We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.
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2017-17/2963/en_head.json.gz/24581 | Chicago Auto Show Photo: Mercedes Benz
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Note: For Editorial Use only.
Note: This photo is for Editorial Use only.
Free Photo Tags: Mercedes Benz logo, Chicago Auto Show, stock photos, free images, royalty free pictures, school photo project use
Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG. The name first appeared in 1926 but traces its origins to Daimler's 1901 Mercedes and to Karl Benz's 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagen, widely regarded as the first automobile.
Mercedes-Benz traces its origins to Karl Benz's creation of the first petrol-powered car, the Benz Patent Motorwagen, patented in January 1886 and Gottlieb Daimler and engineer Wilhelm Maybach's conversion of a stagecoach by the addition of a petrol engine later that year. The Mercedes automobile was first marketed in 1901 by Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft. The first Mercedes-Benz brand name vehicles were produced in 1926, following the merger of Karl Benz's and Gottlieb Daimler's companies into the Daimler-Benz company. Mercedes-Benz has introduced many technological and safety innovations that later became common in other vehicles. Mercedes-Benz is one of the most well-known and established automotive brands in the world, and is also the world's oldest automotive brand still in existence today. For information relating to the famous three-pointed star, see under the title Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft including the merger into Daimler-Benz. | 汽车 |
2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/62 | Honda Accord and CR-V are America’s Most Popular Car and SUV with Retail Car Buyers in First Half of 2014; and Honda CR-V Captures the Title of Best-Selling SUV of the Past Decade
Retail car buyers choose Accord more than any other car in America1
CR-V builds on ten years as the most popular, best-selling SUV in America2
Accord, Civic, CR-V and Odyssey each post segment-leading retail results at the halfway mark of 20141
With the Accord and CR-V attracting retail customers in record numbers in the first half of 2014, Honda is again leading the industry with the most popular car and SUV in America, according to a Honda analysis of new-vehicle retail registration data from IHS Automotive. Based on Honda forecasts, the Accord and CR-V are on track to repeat their 2013 full-year results as top picks with U.S. retail car and SUV buyers, while CR-V continues to hold the title as the best-selling SUV in America for more than a decade.
Accord is once again the most popular car in America, with industry-leading sales to individual U.S. car buyers for the first half of 2014, while CR-V is both the retail and outright best-selling SUV based on retail registrations through June 2014, a position it’s held for seven of the past 10 years, culminating in the highest sales of any SUV in America during the past decade. Joining the Accord and CR-V as retail leaders in their segments for the first half of 2014 are the Honda Civic and Odyssey minivan.
Moreover, each of Honda’s four segment-leading models is on target to repeat its retail leadership performance from 2013, despite the fact that Honda has the lowest overall incentive spending among the top seven automakers. Three of the four models – Accord, Civic and CR-V – are each on track to earn sales in excess of 300,000 units for the second consecutive year, with fleet sales in the low single digits, as Honda targets all-time record sales in 2014.
"More individual customers put a new Honda Accord in their driveway in the first half of this year than any other new car in America, and SUV buyers continue to choose CR-V more than any other SUV in America," said Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of the Honda Division. "While competitors rely on deep-discounts and sales to corporate and rental fleets, Honda continues to achieve steady and sustainable growth based on the quality and value of our products in the hands of individual customers."
Honda brand highlights for the first half of 2014 include:
Excluding full-size pickups, the Accord, Civic and CR-V continue to hold three of the top five slots – first, third and fourth, respectively – in retail registrations among individual car buyers in the first half of 2014. The Accord, with retail registrations totaling 181,939 units through June, has strengthened its lead over its nearest competitor in the past three months, compared to the first three months of 2014. Retail registrations accounted for 98.2 percent3 of all Accord registrations for the period, according to Honda analysis of IHS Automotive new-vehicle registration data. Civic retail registrations of 160,293 units led all compact cars, increasing its lead over the closest segment competitor, which is now more than 26,000 units, compared to cumulative totals in the first quarter of 2014. CR-V is America’s outright best-selling SUV of this year, and of the past decade. On a retail basis, CR-V registrations rose 6.6 percent to 153,968 units compared to the first half of last year, giving CR-V a more than 27,000-unit lead over the #2 selling vehicle in the segment so far in 2014.
Odyssey retail registrations of 62,096 units continue to make it the top choice among retail minivan customers –at 32 percent retail segment share. As a result, Odyssey sales have comprised nearly 1 of every 3 minivans purchased by individual buyers in America in 2014.
Honda offers a full line of reliable, fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive automobiles for American car buyers through approximately 1,000 independent U.S. Honda dealers. The Honda lineup includes the Accord, Crosstour, Civic, Fit, CR-Z and Insight along with the Pilot, and CR-V sport-utility vehicles and the Odyssey minivan.
Honda has the highest brand fuel economy4 and the longest-lasting cars5 of any mainstream automotive brand in America, and more models achieving an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating than any other automotive nameplate.
Honda has been producing automobiles in America for more than 30 years and currently operates 16 major manufacturing facilities in North America. In 2013, more than 94 percent of all Honda vehicles sold in U.S. were made in North America, using domestic and globally sourced parts.
1 Based on IHS Automotive, Polk U.S. new vehicle registration data for 2013 and Jan-Jun 2014 in the Honda small car, mid-size car, compact passenger van, and mini SUV segment.
2 CR-V Total Sales Numbers for Best-Selling SUV of the Decade from Automotive News Data Center
3 Based on IHS Automotive, Polk U.S. new retail vs total registrations for 2013 and Jan-Jun 2014 in the Honda mid-size car segment.
4 Based on model year 2012 fuel economy data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and its report: "Light-Duty Automotive Technology, Carbon Dioxide Emissions, and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975 Through 2013."
5 Longevity based on IHS Automotive: Polk U.S. vehicles in operation vs new vehicle registrations for 1988-2013 for Honda and competing non-luxury brands. | 汽车 |
2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/404 | Israeli Electric Car Company Better Place Files for Bankruptcy Innovation
by Mark Boyer 0 Comments
Add to Flipboard Magazine. by Mark Boyer View Slideshow
The once-promising electric car company Better Place has filed for bankruptcy. The company sought to put in place a large and innovative electric vehicle network with interchangable batteries, which could be switched out and replaced in about the same amount of time it takes to fill up a tank of gas. But that concept never truly came to fruition, partly because it never attracted enough buyers to become a commercial success. On Sunday, the company announced plans to liquidate.
Under the Better Place business model, vehicle owners would own the cars, but Better Place would maintain ownership of the batteries. People would be able to drive up to charging stations to swap out batteries for fully-charged ones, enabling them to drive long distances—a problem that other electric car companies haven’t fully addressed. But unfortunately, the Israeli public simply didn’t buy into the program.
The move comes just one year after Better Place rolled out its electric vehicle charging network in Israel, and it had plans to expand to Australia, California, Canada, Denmark, and Hawaii. But as of March, Better Place had only sold 750 cars in Israel, and it had piled up losses of more than $500 million. The first cars to use Better Place technology were Renault Fluence ZE sedans. For its part, Renualt has said that it will continue to produce electric vehicles.
The reason that Better Place failed while Tesla is suddenly turning a profit has to do with Better Place’s business model, argues Todd Woody at Quartz. Better Place had to spend hundreds of millions of dollars just to get its charging network up and running, whereas Tesla was able to slowly scale up operations. “Unfortunately, after a year’s commercial operation, it was clear to us that despite many satisfied customers, the wider public take up would not be sufficient and that the support from the car producers was not forthcoming,” said Better Place Chief Executive Dan Cohen in a statement.
+ Better Place
Via Engadget and Quartz
Israeli Electric Car Company Better Place Files for Bankruptcy | 汽车 |
2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/605 | Bugatti presents new Veyron La Finale at Geneva Motor Show
After 10 years of production and 450 multi-million-dollar examples, the hypercar that broke all records from top speed to price tag is bidding farewell at the Geneva Motor Show with the "La Finale".
Rolls-Royce introduces Phantom Serenity with 'most opulent cabin'
Volkswagen Passat wins European Car of the Year award
Bugatti Veyron La Finale
The farewell model, a Grand Sport Vitesse, takes its exterior design cues from the very first Veyron -- chassis #01 -- and the two cars were unveiled side by side at the Geneva Motor Show on Tuesday.However, while the very first customer Veyron was finished in black and red paint, the 450th example is finished in exposed red- or black-tinted carbon fiber, a technique the marque has pioneered over the past decade.There are two other big differences: The 450th Veyron is a convertible rather than a hard top and its engine more potent. Bugatti's engineers wanted to ensure that it could retain its crown as the world's fastest production car.
Every Bugatti that leaves the factory does so with its prospective owner's input and La Finale is no exception. The owner -- the car has already been sold -- has gone for subtlety. The only clues as to the car's significance are a small "La Finale" badge under the right headlamp and the same legend written on the underside of the car's airbrake spoiler; meaning it is only visible when the car is braking sharply.When Ferdinand Piech, the head of Bugatti's parent company, Volkswagen, said that he wanted the company to build a car with 1000bhp, a top speed in excess of 400km/h (250mph) and a 0-100km/h time of less than 3 seconds, but still be suitable for driving to the opera in comfort and style even his engineers were skeptical.However, over the past decade, the resulting car has become a symbol of what is possible without breaking the laws of physics.
It debuted with an 8-litre, quad-turbo W16 engine, 987bhp (1001PS) and top speed of 252.97mph (407.12km/h) and a 0-100km/h time of just under 2.5 seconds, making it the fastest and most powerful production car in history. Before the Veyron arrived, there wasn't a gearbox capable of channeling that much power, nor where there road legal tires capable of handling those statistics.When other companies started to catch up to the Veyron, Bugatti turned up the power even more with the Supersport which outputs 1184bhp, is capable of going from 0-100km/h in just 2.2 seconds and onto a top speed of 268mph (431km/h).And now that the car's production run is ended, Bugatti will be working on a replacement model which it hopes to debut next year and which promises to carry on where the old car left off.
Bugatti La Finale
Bugatti super car | 汽车 |
2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/989 | Legislation drive cycles are standard drive cycles that all mass produced cars are subjected to before being authorised for sale in a particular market. The total mass of emissions produced during a particular drive cycle must be below a set limit decided by the legislating authority. While many standardised drive cycles exist throughout the world (including special cycles used for research only), the most common ones are the cycles used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the European ECE. In the U.S.A., federal emissions standards are set by the EPA whereas Californian standards are normally more stringent and are set by the Air Resources Board (ARB). European laws are developed and enforced by the following institutions:
European Parliament : elected by the peoples of the Member States.
Council : representing the governments of the Member States. The Council of Environment Ministers oversees the area of environmental regulations.
Commission : the executive and the body having the right to initiate legislation. The EPA has a number of drive cycles used for various legislation purposes. The drive cycle used for emission certification testing of cars and light duty trucks is the Federal Test Procedures 75 (FTP75). This cycle is a compilation of various real-world driving routes performed on the streets of Los Angeles in California.
The FTP75 consists of 3 phases as can be seen in the figure. The cold phase is done to simulate starting your car in the morning and then driving almost immediately onto a highway. While this is feasible for a suburban home, for most city dwellers, one tends to drive out of his/her driveway and into a lot of stationary traffic. This is one of the problems of the FTP since it subjects the car to a relatively high load (thus exhaust gas temperatures) from the get-go and allows the catalyst to warm up in a time that is not representative of a lot real world driving. The hot phase of the FTP is done 10 minutes after the end of the transient phase. This intends to simulate parking a car and then returning to it after a short period of time. It's probably clear that the hot phase is simply a repeat of the cold phase in terms of speed-time.
Even though the FTP75 seems to be representative of real-world driving, once the accelerations are calculated it is found that they are much lower than most of the driving being done in today's cars on todays road networks. One reason high accelerations were avoided back in 1975 when the FTP was designed was the fact that tire slip would occur on the rollers of the chassis dynamometers used for certification. The emissions from each phase of the FTP75 are collected in a separate teflon bag, analysed and expressed in g/mile. The weighting factors are 0.43 for the cold start, 1.0 for the transient phase and 0.57 for the hot start phase. The total emissions during the FTP75 must meet a ceratin level as shown in the table below. The federal and Californian requirements are usually different since California has historically had smog problems and therefore took the early initiative and placed stringent requirements from car manufacturers. The U.S. emissions standards system is very complicated with tiers, service life levels and temporary bins for vehicle classification etc, but the most recent and stringent California standards are shown here. California LEV II Emission Standards, Passenger Cars and LDVs < 8500 lbs, g/mi : Category
50,000 miles / 5 years 120,000 miles/11 years NMOG
NMOG
The European drive cycle is composed of the ECE (shown in the top figure on the left) and a recently introduced Extra Urban Drive Cycle (EUDC; bottom left figure). For emissions certification, the ECE is repeated 4 times and then the EUDC once. All this is done back to back on the chassis dyanomometer. Compared the FTP, the ECE+EUDC drive cycle does not warm up the catalyst as fast since the engine operates at a low-load, low exhaust gas temperature condition for a lot of the time after startign up.
Previously, the vehicle was allowed to soak for at least 6 hours at a test temperature of 20-30°C. It was then started and allowed to idle for 40s. Effective year 2000, that idling period has been eliminated, i.e. engine starts at 0s and the emission sampling begins at the same time. This modified cold-start procedure is sometimes referred to as the “new European driving cycle” or NEDC.
The problem with the ECE+EUDC is that the cycle is very standardised and therfore not representative of real-world driving where rates of acceleration tend to be a lot higher and motorway speeds can exceed 120kph for extended periods of time. Another commonly used drive cycle in the U.S.A. is the Inspection & Maintenance 240 (IM240). Enforced in many states, this is the EPA's way of checking that in-use vehicles are still meeting certain emissions standards even after they leave the showroom floor. Improper maintenance or illegal modifications to the engine will cause the car to fail the IM240 and subsequently be declared not legal for road use until it does meet IM240 standards. The IM240 drive cycle is basically the first 240 seconds of the FTP75. It is conducted on a chassis dynamometer at any number of privately run inspection centres around the U.S.A. Emissions are sampled during the cycle according the the “Constant Volume Sampling” technique, analyzed, and expressed in g/km for each of the pollutants. The European system for certification is a lot simpler as can ben seend in the table below. Euro 1 through Euro 4 standards for petrol and diesel cars.
EU Emission Standards for Passenger Cars (Category M), g/km
HC+NOx
Euro 1†
Euro 2, IDI
Euro 2, DI
1996.01a
† Values in brackets are conformity of production (COP) limits.
a - until 1999.09.30 (after that date DI engines must meet the IDI limits) Many more drive cycles can be seen at this website, including the newly introduced SC03 and US06 supplemental FTP (SFTP) drive cycles. These cycles were added to overcome some shortcomings of the FTP. The SC03 simulates the use of air conditioning units and the US06 simulates aggressive highway driving.
CO2 is a direct result of complete combustion as shown by the simplified combustion reaction in equation below:
HC + O2 --> CO2 + H2O This implies that the more fuel is consumed, the more CO2 is produced, especially with today's cars that produce very little CO emissions. Previously there was little concern for the emission of CO2 since it was considered harmless to the atmosphere. In recent times with the increasing awareness of greenhouse gases and the fear of looming global warming, efforts are being made to reduce CO2 even though it is not as potent a GHG (Green House Gas) as some other compounds such as N2O. Europe has made a commitment in the Kyoto protocol to reduce GHG's by 8% by 2008/2012. The UK has a legally binding commitment under the Kyoto protocol to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 12.5% by 2008/2012 against the 1990 levels and a domestic goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 20% by 2010. Road transport is responsible for 22% of the UK greenhouse gas emissions. In 2002 the UK set a scheme to curb CO2 emissions by taxing company cars based on the amount of CO2 emissions they produce. Different tax rates are payable on different CO2 levels, ranging from 15% of list price for the cleaner cars all the way to 35% of list price for the dirtier models. The standards will get stricter every year and so cars will be taxed more as they age. For the time being the U.S.A. is not too worried about CO2 emissions and their cars see to sprouting bigger more powerful engines every year. A bill was recently introduced in California which will possibly lead to some sort of CO2 control measures by 2008. In the meantime the only CO2 control measure in place is the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE). The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 required passenger car and light truck manufacturers to meet CAFE standards. The CAFE standards are applied on a fleet-wide basis for each manufacturer; i.e., the fuel economy ratings for a manufacturer's entire line of passenger cars must average at least 27.5 mpg for the manufacturer to comply with the standard. [If a manufacturer does not meet the standard, it is liable for a civil penalty of $5.00 for each 0.1 mpg its fleet falls below the standard, multiplied by the number of vehicles it produces. For example, if a manufacturer produces 2 million cars in a particular model year, and its CAFE falls 0.5 mpg below the standard, it would be liable for a civil penalty of $50 million.]. The problem is that the passenger car standard, currently at 27.5 mpg, has not been increased since the 1986 model. For light trucks (including vans and sport utility vehicles) the 1993 CAFE standard was 20.3 mpg while the 1994 and 1995 CAFE standards are 20.5 mpg and 20.6 mpg respectively. Manufacturers earn "credits" for exceeding CAFE standards, and these credits can be used to offset fuel economy shortfalls in the three previous and/or three subsequent model years. They can also be penalized for failure to meet the standard. Congressional efforts are aimed at increasing the standard to around 40 mpg.
A number of drive cycles have been used at the University of Leeds over the years. These cycles tend to be more representative of normal driving as can be seen when examinaing the table below. A good indication of the "aggressiveness" of a particular drive cycle is the Positive Kinetic Energy (PKE). This is calculated using the equation below:
where: V final : Final velocity V initial : Initial velocity
a>0: For positive acceleration only Dist: Total distance travelled in trip or microtrip Statistic
Leeds University cycle FTP75
ECE+EUDC
Distance /km
Duration /sec 596
Avg. speed /kph
Avg. accel /kph
Avg. decel /kph -0.70
Mean PKE /m/s/s
Max speed /kph 80.79
Max acceleration /m/s/s
Max deceleration /m/s/s -2.46
Idle time /% 17.95
Cruise time /% 0.17
Acceleration time /% 19.30
Deceleration time/% 22.99
Number of stops 5
To get a visual picture of a drive cycle, a probability distribution plot (aka Watson plot) can be drawn. This 3D plot can make it clear if there the cycle is biased towards one or more speed or accelereation regions. The plots are shown for the FTP75 and the ECE+EUDC below:
For the FTP75, it seems that there is a bias around 30mph and another one at 55mph. This makes sense as most of the roads int he U.S.A. have speed limits of 30mph or 55mph. A lot of time is also spent idling as well. Accelerations as high as 3.5mph/s are present as low speeds. Decelerations are more spread out but there is an obvious peak at -3mph/s. Compared to the FTP75, the ECE+EUDC is clearly a standardised cycle not representative of real-world driving. Obvious bias is present since there are 3 pronounced speed peaks. Accelerations seem to be a lot less than the FTP at about 2 mph/s.
For the sake of comparison, here is a real-world cycle driven around the block here at Leeds University. The most obvious difference is the much higher rates of acceleration and deceleration. The surface is also a lot smoother than the ECE+EUDC and looks more like the FTP surface. This is a characterisitc of real world driving. | 汽车 |
2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/1306 | Sonoma Raceway, Dominican collaborate on performance-efficiency metric
September 7, 2012 09/07/2012
SONOMA -- Sonoma Raceway and Dominican University of California today unveiled the result of a months-long collaborative effort to develop a rating system that incorporates automotive performance and fuel-efficiency.
Known as the Sustainable Performance Ranking Metric, the measurement was in development for more than seven months and was produced in collaboration with Dominican's Green MBA program.
The measurement balances sustainability metrics such as miles-per-gallon and emissions with performance concerns like horsepower, torque and vehicle weight.
"When people go to buy a hybrid, they know they'll get good gas mileage, but they don't know much about performance," said John Cardinale, vice president of communications at Sonoma Raceway, earlier this week. "We don't necessarily see it as becoming the EPA standard on Friday, but it shows that you don't have to sacrifice performance for sustainability."
More than 200 were present for the unveiling, held on day two of the second-annual Accelerating Sustainable Performance Summit.
Seven Green MBA students collaborated on the project, along with advising from Paul Erickson, associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the University of California at Davis.
The team will continue to gather feedback on the proposed standard and hope to incorporate further data into the calculation, which ranks vehicles on a 10-point scale.
“The vision of the Sustainable Performance metric is to create a new standard in vehicle excellence that values both sustainability and performance and to empower consumers to choose vehicles that balance sustainability and performance,” said Joey Shepp, sustainable programs director at Dominican University, in a statement. “It is also to incentivize automotive manufacturers to optimize sustainable performance technologies."
Full information about the new metric is available at www.acceleratingsustainableperformance.com/ranking-metric.
The annual sustainability summit also featured a number of demonstrations of sustainable racing technologies and high-performance electric vehicles. | 汽车 |
2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/1901 | Will automated vehicles help or hinder us?
Jim Venturi
ride share
last mile
In addition to grappling with the rise of ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft, cities will soon face the challenge of self-driving or autonomous vehicles. The role of cars for everyday transportation has already begun to change and we are fast approaching a radically transformative turning point. Some people consider self-driving cars as the panacea to our congested streets and highways, while others fear the new technology will cannibalize the existing mass transit investments. But there is opportunity in this impending vehicle revolution, particularly if we can create a seamless, integrated system using new types of vehicles to fill existing transit gaps, like addressing the ‘last mile’ issue. What is the ‘last mile’?
The last mile refers to how to get someone from their final transit stop to their final destination. Conversely, the ‘first mile’ refers to the transportation gap between a person’s home (generally in a lower-density residential area) and the nearby transit hub - a gap that we envision self-driving cars could fill. Addressing the ‘first mile’ issue would have a profound impact on the transportation network, particularly in the suburbs. City-dwellers often have the luxury of foregoing car ownership because they have a multitude of other transportation options: subways, buses, streetcars, bikes and walking. Suburban residents, however, are generally more reliant on costly car ownership and without access to their own vehicle, getting to and from work or school becomes a major issue. So, suburbanites drive. But what if a fleet of automated vehicles, that enabled people to get to and from a local transportation hub (e.g. a commuter rail line) without owning a vehicle, was available? This opens a whole new world of opportunity.
"City-dwellers often have the luxury of foregoing car ownership because they have a multitude of other transportation options"
Automated car services could also be used for running errands like grocery shopping or transporting children to school. Now, suburban areas become car-optional rather than car-dominant. This would mean fewer people driving, fewer cars on the road, greater access to transportation, more efficient use of existing transit infrastructure, and increasing economic opportunity for suburban residents. We envision that smarter, more efficient vehicles can become an asset of a well-functioning public transit system, as opposed to a competitor. But it requires careful, thoughtful planning; otherwise we run the risk of weakening existing mass transit and missing out on the opportunity to build a more equitable and sustainable society. Our vision is just one of many ways that cars can continue to play a positive role in the future of cities, including New York. What’s yours? Please share your comments - we’d love to hear your thoughts!
-- Jim
Jim Venturi is the founder and principal designer of ReThink Studio and ReThinkNYC - a comprehensive plan to expand New York City's "car-optional" region beyond Manhattan by unifying and reconfiguring the City and the region's disparate transportation systems into a single functioning network serving the greater NYC area. Feature Image taken from GRAPHICAARTIS/GETTY | 汽车 |
2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/1960 | Compare All Note to Labor Unions and UAW: Auto Workers Don't Need You, but Farm Workers Do
Ted Reed
This story has been expanded to include detail on the UAW's involvement with GM. CHARLOTTE, N.C. ( TheStreet) -- For the labor movement, the United Auto Workers' failure to organize Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga, Tenn., is a shame, a loss to be mourned. But for the workers, who already enjoy many of the benefits that the UAW has worked for for over the past 80 years, it's not really so bad at all. The UAW long ago succeeded in making auto manufacturing a profession that offers its workers a middle-class lifestyle. So why pay union dues? To show your sense of history? Organized labor has so much more to do, as our country slips back into what it was when the UAW got started. The gap between rich and poor is no narrower; it may be wider. Tennessee Republican politicians and right-wing interest groups, who view the UAW as a wing of the Democratic party, could make a case that the Tennessee auto worker does not really need the union. No one can make the case that farmworkers don't. North Carolina, like most states, has farmworkers -- includings tobacco workers -- who make minimum wage or less, suffer a sub-standard lifestyle and often live in labor camps where they can't even reside year round because their work is seasonal. Who is helping them? The Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) is trying. It's enjoyed some small successes. The Toledo, Ohio-based union represents 7,000 farmworkers in North Carolina, a small fraction of the total, and each day it confronts impossible odds. Undocumented farm workers pick America's crops, but they are not covered by America's labor laws. The Railway Labor Act and the National Labor Relations Act do not apply to them. "We've never really had any protections, so we just keep doing work on the ground," said Justin Flores, FLOC vice president. Prev
Wall Street was mostly lower after the U.S. economy in the first quarter grew at its slowest in three years.
Peugeot's Turnaround of GM's OPEL At Threat From New Emissions Rules
OPEL cars are among the most polluting of all brands in Europe but new rules could mean higher taxes for consumers who own these kinds of cars | 汽车 |
2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/2058 | Subaru increases production in Japan as US demand rises
Kiyoshi Ota | Bloomberg NewsA Subaru BRZ sports coupe is driven as employees applaud at the manufacturing plant in Ota City, Japan, where the vehicle co-developed with Toyota is made. Fuji Heavy Industries, the maker of Subaru, is cranking up domestic production in spite of the strong yen. By Anna Mukai and Yuki Hagiwara, Bloomberg News
Posted May 27, 2012, at 6:38 a.m. TOKYO — Fuji Heavy Industries is making a contrarian bet: The maker of Subaru cars is cranking up domestic manufacturing at a time other Japanese automakers are expanding overseas to escape the strong yen.
The carmaker said this month it plans to increase Japanese production to account for 78 percent of output during the fiscal year ending March 2013, compared with 73 percent the previous year. Fuji Heavy said that expanding capacity in Japan — instead of the United States, its biggest market — is cheaper.
“A large-scale expansion in the U.S., where we build new factory buildings and such, will cost a lot,” Chief Financial Officer Mitsuru Takahashi said in a May 18 interview in Tokyo. “We’re not like Toyota, Honda or Nissan, so it’s not appropriate for us to make sudden, big investments.”
The decision makes Fuji Heavy the nation’s only carmaker to disclose plans to increase its proportion of Japanese output, raising its vulnerability to a currency that has risen 40 percent in the past four years and forced competitors to build factories overseas. While the weakening of the yen this year has helped Fuji Heavy shares rally more than other automakers, some investors say the company is taking on unnecessary risk.
“What matters most for carmakers is localizing production where demand is,” said Yuuki Sakurai, chief executive officer at Fukoku Capital Management Inc. in Tokyo, which manages $7.3 billion of assets. “I don’t expect the yen to weaken much anytime soon and their relatively low level of localization will have an impact on their shares sooner or later.”
Driving profit growth is demand in the U.S., where Subaru was named this year’s top automaker in Consumer Reports magazine’s annual rankings, earning its score of 75 out of 100 points for building “dependable, all-wheel-drive vehicles with simple interiors.”
Fuji Heavy, which already makes a bigger proportion of its vehicles at home than any other Japanese automaker, said it will increase domestic production 28 percent to 598,000 units in the year ending March 2013. In the United States, the Tokyo-based automaker will cut output at its plant in Indiana by 1 percent to 169,000, according to the company.
Among Japan’s automakers, Toyota plans to maintain production of 3 million vehicles in Japan and recently announced plans to increase production in Indonesia, Russia and the U.S.
Nissan, whose Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn referred to the yen as a “one-thousand-pound gorilla” that’s unpredictable, has said it plans to maintain domestic output of 1 million cars and expand in Mexico, Brazil and Southeast Asian countries. Honda plans to expand production in Southeast Asia and North America, its biggest market, the company has said.
While the yen has weakened 2 percent in the past six months against the 10 developed-nation currencies tracked by Bloomberg Correlation-Weighted Indexes, it still remains about 40 percent higher than before the 2008 bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc.
For Fuji Heavy, every yen gain against the dollar reduces operating profit by 6.5 billion yen ($82 million), and 400 million yen (4 million euro) versus the euro, according to Fusao Watanabe, a company spokesman.
“I can fully understand their thinking to stay in Japan, risk the inevitable exchange-rate fluctuations — you can lose, but you can also win — and leverage the various advantages they can find to exploit around the Japanese base,” said John Shook, chairman and chief executive officer of Cambridge, Mass.-based Lean Enterprise Institute and a former Toyota engineer.
Building a new factory in the U.S. will cost at least $1 billion, according to Shook and Maryann Keller, principal of a self-named consulting company in Stamford, Conn.
Still, meeting an increase in overseas demand through exports will put pressure on operating profit margins that trail the industry’s average.
Fuji Heavy’s operating margin of 2.9 percent compares with the 3.8 percent industry average, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Nissan, the Japanese automaker with the highest share of production overseas, had a margin of 5.8 percent.
Fuji Heavy on May 8 forecast a 25 percent jump in profit as it targets record sales of its four-wheel drive Subaru vehicles this year on rising demand in the U.S. and China. The stock climbed the most in more than eight months that day and has risen 32 percent this year.
Fuji Heavy had to adjust its production plans after failing to receive government approval from China to build cars in the country. It’s the only Japanese carmaker besides Daihatsu Motor Co. without a vehicle-making venture in the world’s largest auto market.
Fuji Heavy can increase current production at its U.S. plant to 200,000 units a year without substantial investment, Takahashi said.
A weaker yen may lessen the need to expand in the U.S.
“I’m hoping for the yen to further weaken, and I’m hoping that five to 10 years down the road it will be weaker,” he said.
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The new symbol of American energy independence? Wind turbines like this are rising all over America as the fastest and safest way to supplement America's energy supply.
OpEd: Let's Declare Our Energy Independence
September 11, 2001 was America's wake-up call.
By Bill Moore
Last night's speech before the American Congress was President George W. Bush's finest hour. In a stirring, thoughtful address he clearly defined the challenge confronting America and the World. Evil men have perverted the Prophet Mohammed's message of peace and self-control with the justification that "jihad" against the morally-corrupt West is Allah's will. The Taliban government of Afghanistan is the most extreme example of this warped theocratic vision, where music is forbidden and women are cruelly demeaned. These extremists would foist their brutal, totalitarian regimes on others. They deserve to be brought to justice. They must be brought to justice, or as President Bush put it, justice will find them.
But beyond the rhetoric and the flag waving, America needs a visible symbol of our determination to resist and defeat radical Islamic terrorists. If I were directing the fight, I would start with a declaration of energy independence.
The opening phrases of the United States Constitution says that the very purpose of our Union is to " insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity. . ." It is these very tenets that George W. Bush swore to defend when he took the Oath of Office. What better way to uphold the Constitution than to declare America's energy independence, and mean it this time.
It seems clear to me that the reason we now find ourselves embroiled in this new kind of war has to do, in some large measure, with our national addiction to oil, much of it imported from these troubled parts of the world. It was the US "invasion" of Saudi Arabi in 1991 and its continued "occupation" that set Osama bin Laden on his personal, murderous "jihad." And while bin Laden's subsequent declaration of war stated it would be the West which would burn the oil fields, we cannot assume that he or his kind will continue to let oil flow freely to his sworn enemy. In that event, the shock would be felt around the world. Of course, it would be overly simplistic for me to suggest that reducing, much less stopping the importation of oil from the Persian Gulf -- most of which is shipped to China, Japan and the nations of the Pacific Rim -- would prevent further acts of terrorism. In fact, it would probably only further destabilize the region and topple those few governments that remain on good terms with the West. On the other hand, it would remove a significant economic weapon from the hands of our enemies. More importantly, it would help insure that we are no longer vulnerable to political arm twisting. It would also mean we could dramatically reduce our military presence in the region, thus removing one of the major irritants enflaming radical fundamentalism in the Middle East. An America that doesn't need Middle Eastern oil is a safer, more secure America, in my view. It also places America in a stronger strategic position to deal with those who would use oil as an economic weapon against us. The countries of the Middle East need to sell their oil. They have little else to offer the rest of the World. Let me hasten to add at this point, that I believe oil is a valuable resource and that the nations blessed to have it are entitled to extract it at a rate they deem prudent for their long-term economic well being and sell it at a fair market price. I also believe it is simply too valuable a resource to consume at the profligate rate at which we are doing so. While oil income in the Middle East has raised the standard of living for some people in the region, it often has also fostered excesses and corruption far beyond those found in the West. The lavish lifestyles of Arab princes are legendary and can only have helped sow the seeds of militant discontent among a people whose religion exhorts them to practice abstinence and charity. Taking the long view, as I am sure Islamic clerics must do, they must wonder about the fate of their posterity when the oil fields begin to run dry, as they began to in the United States in the mid-1970s. If I were an Islamic cleric, I would be exhorting the government to begin preserving this precious asset for future generations. This would mean less oil on the market today, but it would also mean there would be oil tomorrow. In turn, the United States and the rest of the World should go on a "crash diet" to reduce our dependence on this resource. We have the technology to accomplish this, we simply have lacked the will to use it. The terrible events of September 11, 2001 are a wake up call for the West. Up to this point, the energy debate has centered around how to produce more energy with the focus being on drilling for more oil and building more nuclear power plants. Overnight, however, those offshore rigs have suddenly become vulnerable to small boat attacks similar to the kind that nearly sank the USS Cole. Even worst, the destruction of a nuclear power plant could ultimately result in hundreds of thousands of deaths and the radioactive contamination of tens of thousands of square miles. As the destruction of the World Trade Center demonstrated, a cunning and determined foe can accomplish their objective using very low tech methods. They would have only to destroy the reactor cooling system, the control building or nuclear waste storage pond to wreak havoc of apocalyptic proportions.
Meanwhile, whose who would now argue for the exploitation of the oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge ignore the fact that by the time the oil reaches the lower 48 states, the war could be over. It seems we have few options in terms of conventional, domestic fossil fuels. Granted the US has an abundance of coal, but the environmental consequences of its increased usage could do as much damage to our " general welfare" as that wrought by terrorist activities.
Instead, I firmly believe that America - - and the rest of the civilized world - - needs to launch a "Manhattan-class Project" to develop and deploy renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. There are both strategic and tactical reasons for this. At its very core, renewable energy is a distributed energy source. The sun shines and the wind blows everywhere. Not all the time, granted, but because it is so widely dispersed, it would be nearly impossible for terrorists to disrupt the energy systems that utilize it. Imagine trying to knock out millions of solar panels on homes and businesses and tens of thousands of wind farms scattered across the countryside. It simply couldn't be done. Yes, transmission towers and wind generators could be blown-up, but they can be repaired or replaced relatively quickly. Not so damaged or destroyed central generation facilities or nuclear power plants. In addition, if you networked all these separate systems together similar to the way the Internet works, power could be routed around any potential trouble spots. EPRI has been working on just such a concept.
To illustrate the efficacy of this distributed production strategy, consider Germany's war efforts in 1944. Despite massive Allied bombing raids that year, German fighter aircraft production actually increased over 1943. This is because Hitler's architect, Albert Speer decentralized production away from the large urban centers and into the countryside. Heinkel manufactured aircraft engines only a kilometer from my birthplace in a little town that doesn't even show up on most maps of Germany. A decentralized, renewable energy-based power system could insulate us from terrorist manipulation. It would also create tens of thousands of new jobs at a time when tens of thousands are being laid off. New industries and businesses would spring up to retrain autoworkers, airline personnel and others for the build out of this new energy infrastructure. Just a Kaiser turned out a Victory ship every couple days in World War II, GE could be turning on a wind farm a week!
What better symbol of America's determination to remain free than a giant wind turbine spinning freely in the wind?
As in World War Two, factories that once turned out cars could be converted to turn out mass-produced solar panels, wind turbines and fuel cells. In a massive, war-time effort, America could be transformed from the world's leading producer of greenhouse gases to the leading exporter of renewable energy and energy efficiency technology. We could begin today the transition from a carbon-based to a hydrogen-based economy. Such an effort would eventually lead to scientific and technological breakthroughs that would enable us to export this technology to the poorer nations of the world, lifting their standards of living. This alone would do more to erode support for fundamentalist extremists like Osama bin Laden than any military action.
In addition to launching a war-time effort to turn out renewable energy technologies, Detroit ought to immediately volunteer to begin full-scale production of hybrid electric vehicles, stationary fuel cells, battery electric vehicles and other advanced, fuel efficient automotive drive systems. They've done this before. During World War Two, plants that turned out Packards and Chevrolets, within a matter of months were turning out tanks and planes. As part of this patriot effort, carmakers would cease all non-essential production of any type of vehicle that does not achieve at least a 30 mpg fuel economy with the goal within 5 years of 40 mpg. To help stimulate interest in this new technology, industry and government should immediately launch a nationwide public education campaign to encourage Americans to shift to more fuel-efficient means of transportation as part of their patriot duty. Imagine a "Stick It To the Terrorists" campaign where patriotic Americans voluntarily park their SUVs and demanded carmakers give them electric commuter cars powered by free wind, water and sunlight.
The key to winning this war begins with the crystal clear realization that this isn't going to be your grandfather's World War nor your father's Vietnam. And it isn't going to be Desert Storm. This time it is "in-our-face" and in our backyards. We have to fight it with the same level of determination, willpower and a sense of mission that motivated our forebears in "The Last Good War." Mister President, members of Congress, fellow citizens, if we are really serious about this fight, then let's show it by doing more than waving flags. Let's start with a clear and unambiguous declaration of our energy independence!
Next Week... Know Your Enemy, Know Yourself.
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2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/2870 | Search Alfa Romeo Giulietta vs Seat Leon87Alfa Romeo Giulietta87Seat Leon
Having made its world preview at the 2010 Geneva International Motor Show, the new Alfa Romeo Giulietta makes its debut and, from May 2010, will be marketed progressively on all the major markets, thus relaunching the make in one of the most hight-priority segments in Europe.In Alfa Romeo's Centenary year, the name Alfa Romeo Giulietta is a tribute to an automobile and an Alfa Romeo legend. In the Fifties, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta caught the imagination of vehicle enthusiasts throughout the world, making the dream of owning an Alfa Romeo and enjoying its high level of convenience and technical excellence accessible for the first time.Now the Alfa Romeo Style Centre has manufactured a new Alfa Romeo Giulietta, a 5-door hatchback with an evident Alfa Romeo look and capable of expressing both great agility on the most demanding routes and providing convenience on everyday journeys. This is thanks to the new Compact platform which, thanks to the sophisticated technical solutions employed for the suspension, the dual pinion active steering, the sophisticated materials used and the manufacturing technologies implemented, enables the Alfa Romeo Giulietta to achieve exceptionally high standards both in terms of on-board convenience as well as its dynamic and security features (active and passive).The Alfa Romeo Giulietta introduces an completely new platform - named Compact - developed to satisfy the most demanding buyers in terms of road-holding, agility and security. It ensures both exceptional dynamic performance and high convenience levels, due to the refined technical solutions employed for the suspension, a new-generation steering system, a light and rigid structure created from materials such as aluminium and high-strength steels, and avant-garde manufacturing techniques.With the arrival of the 2010 version of the Seat León Cupra, the range's most comprehensive and spectacular vehicle now features even more cool looks due to several components presented on the dashboard and the look, making it the ideal extension of the Seat León that is making phenomenal strides at the WTCC World Touring Vehicle Championship.The most obvious is the new silhouette, featuring sophisticated, high-tech black honeycomb cooling vents at the front beneath the central grille. The front bumper houses two further black highlights, one at every side, with the word Cupra immediately visible on the left.The back features a prominent black moulding at the bottom of the bumper, a polished metal oval tailpipe and the characteristic model name in the centre of the hatch.A side exterior at the Seat León Cupra reveals a lower ground clearance compared to the general León version, making the vehicle exterior and feel more like a racing unit. The spectacular 18 inch rims, eye-catching wheel arches and black encased door mirrors are all distinctive traits of the Seat model. | 汽车 |
2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/2871 | The World Of Cars
Enzo Ferrari - Creator of Ferrari Cars
It is twenty two years since Enzo Ferrari passed away but he is remembered by all his collaborators, owners and fans of the Maranello marque, the man who created Ferrari.
Since the company's beginnings, Ferrari has been involved in motorsport, competing in a range of categories including Formula One and sports car racing through its Scuderia Ferrari sporting division as well as supplying cars and engines to other teams and for one make series.
The first racing car to be designed by Enzo Ferrari was 1949 AAC 815, although it was not badged as a Ferrari model.
The Cavallino Rampante ("prancing horse") black prancing stallion on a yellow shield is the famous symbol of the Ferrari race team, usually with the letters S F (for Scuderia Ferrari), with three stripes of green, white and red (the Italian national colors) at the top. The road cars have a rectangular badge on the hood and, optionally, the shield-shaped race logo on the sides of both front wings, close to the door.
Ferrari's first models were sports/racing cars quite different from the grand touring models that followed. See below for a complete list.
Starting from 1949, 166 Inter the 2-seat Gran Turismo is still popular.
The various Dino models were named for Enzo's son, Dino Ferrari, and were marketed as Dinos by Ferrari and sold at Ferrari dealers—for all intents and purposes they are Ferraris.
In the mid 1990s, Ferrari added the letter "F" to the beginning of all models (a practice abandoned after the F512 M and F355, but adopted again with the F430).
Dino Ferrari,
Enzo Ferrari,
Mullin presents rare collection of Bugatti
A Human Powered Hybrid Car
Audi TTS Roadster | 汽车 |
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2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/4617 | Auto Show: 2014 Geneva Auto Show
2015 Ford Focus: Geneva Auto Show
Here's How to Master Driving a Manual Transmission
You may already know how to drive a manual. Well, here's how to master it.
Should I Even Bother Buying a Used Jeep Wrangler?
It's time for Ask Doug -- your favorite weekly Q&A session with Doug.
by Colin Ryan
What Is It?The 2015 Ford Focus is a refreshed version of the current Focus, which debuted for the 2012 model year. It offers several updates over today's model, ranging from revised styling and new features to the biggest change: a newly available 1.0-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine.Offering around 120 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque, the 3-cylinder has been available since 2012 in European Focus models, where it accounts for nearly a third of all sales. Ford says the engine is popular because it combines 4-cylinder acceleration with 3-cylinder gas mileage. While fuel economy numbers haven't been released, we expect the Focus model's numbers to be stellar. This is partly because the engine will only be offered with a fuel-saving manual transmission.Other updates to the 2015 Ford Focus aren't as significant, though they're still important to shoppers interested in the compact car. Revisions include a new front end designed to more closely resemble other Ford models, along with an updated trunk lid and taillights. The Focus also adds new safety technology, such as a standard rearview camera and an available blind spot information system.
How Much?While Ford hasn't announced pricing, we don't expect the price on the 2015 Focus to increase much from today's figures. Expect a starting price around $18,000 with shipping, with upscale Titanium models starting closer to $25,000.When Can You Get It?Second half of 2014.Add It to Your Shopping List Because…The Focus is already an excellent contender in the compact car realm, and changes for 2015 promise to make it even better. We're excited to try out the car's new 3-cylinder engine, especially as it promises to do everything a 4-cylinder can -- only with improved fuel economy. And we're pleased to see that Ford is adding cutting-edge safety technology to one of its smallest, least-expensive vehicles.Other Cars to ConsiderDodge Dart -- There's no electric version, and there's no hatchback. But if you're interested in a competent, well-equipped compact sedan, the Dart should be on your shopping list. That's especially true when you consider its excellent infotainment system and long list of available features.
Kia Forte -- Thanks to a 2014 redesign, the compact Kia Forte is now an excellent challenger to the Ford Focus. There's a hatchback or a sedan, and the Forte is available with a lot of equipment at a reasonable price.Mazda3 -- The Mazda3 is often considered one of the best compact cars around. Like the Focus, it also comes as a sedan or a hatchback, and it boasts a long list of cutting-edge safety equipment. The Mazda3 also boasts excellent handling.
2015 Ford Focus: Geneva Auto Show - Autotrader | 汽车 |
2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/5296 | > Bentley
4¼ Litre Carlton Cabriolet
Bentley 4¼ Litre Carlton Cabriolet
B-44-MR
Numbers built:1241 (all models)
Designed by:Carlton Company
Author:Wouter Melissen
Page 1 of 1 In 1931 Rolls-Royce purchased Bentley Motors and all its assets, starting a partnership that would last over 70 years. With the sale, the Bentley factory moved from Cricklewood to Derby and the Bentley produced there are commonly referred to as 'Derby-Bentleys.' Introduced in 1933 the first of these 'Derby-Bentleys' was simply referred to as the 3½ Litre and was very similar in design to the Rolls Royce 20/25 launched in the same year.To comply with Bentley's sporty image, the 3½ Litre was equipped with a slightly more powerful engine. This started a tradition of Bentleys being the more powerful and sportier variant of its Rolls Royce counterpart. Power of the six cylinder engine was increased by the addition of a second Carburetor and a slight increasement of the compression ratio. Compared to the previous Bentley models, the 3½ Litre was quite a step backwards technically.The similarity in design between the Rolls Royce and Bentley did make things a lot easier for the many coach-builders which were responsible for the custom coachwork fitted on the two chassis. For the bodies fitted on the Bentley chassis, the coach-builders usually penned a slightly more aerodynamic and sportive designs. The coach-builders included Mulliner, James Young and Vandenplas.In 1936 Rolls Royce launched the 25/30 model, closely followed by the Bentley 4¼ Litre. For the 4¼ Litre the second Carburetor and higher compression ratio was retained. Production lasted until the outbreak of the War, with over 1200 examples produced, more than of any other Bentley model before. The six-cylinder engine was used in various post-War models as well, until it was replaced by a V8 engine. Page 1 of 1 Article
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2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/5319 | Home > Motorhomes > Revcon > 1979 1979 Revcon 30' Motorhome Exhibit "B"
1979 Revcon 30' Motorhome
Smogged beautifully, new transmission, Motor Runs great, generator works great, new batteries, a must see. 50,000 original miles and engine maintained well. Really is an awesome RV, has a salvaged title due to relacing windshields and repair of the nose, did not have enough insurance to cover brand new windshield, going to need some touch ups on paint, and a new canopy canvas, or it can be removed.
Revcon: Great collector piece for all you Revconers.
After driving many of the typical motor homes built on truck chassis, John Hall knew that this was not the best way to build a motor home. In fact, it was a terrible way to build motor homes. The truck chassis rode too harshly over bumps and the center of gravity was too high to handle corners well. The harsh ride often jarred cabinets, light fixtures and even the walls loose. The high center of gravity turned twisting roads and passing trucks into white-knuckled events. The wooden roof and walls often leaked, creating a world of rot and mildew that no coach owner wanted.
But John Hall had an idea: an all new motor home, all new from the ground up. John knew that his motor home would have to be front wheel drive to get the low center of gravity needed for the superb handling he wanted. He also knew a wooden roof and walls weren't what he wanted, so this new motor home would be made out of aluminum like an aircraft. This was an all new idea, a totally new concept, a REVolutionary CONcept: a REVCON!
The Airstream Connection
It's no secret that Revcon construction bears a striking resemblance to Airstream trailers. It's also no coincidence. John Hall was the stepson of Airstream founder Wally Byam. John knew that the all aluminum construction was far superior to anything else being built at the time. The entire shell was aluminum framing, with aluminum sheets riveted to the inside and outside. The walls and roof were built this way, with no seams in the roof to leak. It was also much more rigid than the typical wooden studs with thin aluminum siding stapled to the outside and cheap plywood paneling stapled to the inside.
The GM Connection
In 1966 GM's Oldsmobile division rocked the auto industry with the introduction of the Toronado. The Toronado was all new, nothing like it had ever been seen before. With swooping curves, hidden headlights, big-block power and front wheel drive, it was as luxurious as it was innovative. Powered by a 385 horsepower 425 cubic inch V8, GM's revolutionary Turbo-Hydramatic 425 transmission propelled the front wheels, an American first in 30 years. John Hall knew at once this was the drivetrain he needed for his Revcon. The front wheel drive would eliminate the need for a driveshaft from the front of the coach to the rear, and would permit the low profile and low center of gravity he envisioned.
The Amazing Result
In 1968, the first Revcons were built. They included aircraft aluminum monocoque body construction, and a custom built chassis with Oldsmobile Toronado front wheel drive. The lightweight, low profile and front wheel drive made the Revcon handle as well as any American car of the day, quite a feat for a 12,000 pound motor home. It certainly helped the fuel economy, consistently 2 to 4 MPG higher than the competition. The innovation didn't end with the drivetrain and body, Revcon took it to the interior as well. Lightweight materials were used throughout. Cabinets were constructed of aluminum honeycomb core sandwiched between 2 thin layers of formica. Not only did this save weight, it was much more durable than the plastic or pressboard cabinets that were typical of the era, and are still the industry standard today. Everything was then trimmed with genuine teak accents. Some coaches, mine included, were built with the optional solid teak galley, to give the look of high-end custom cabinets, which in fact they were. The interior walls were aluminum sheets, with high quality vinyl wall covering. The wall paper inside my Revcon is over 30 years old and looks as good as it did when new. Quality didn't stop where you couldn't see it either. John Hall's new coaches were fitted with copper tubing for the fresh water system, rather than the industry standard plastic. At a time when most motor homes were built with so called "wet baths", where the entire bathroom doubled as the shower stall, all Revcons had "dry baths" with separate shower stalls, just like a smaller version of your bathroom at home. Regular production started in 1971, with Revcon leading the industry in innovation and luxury. By this time, Oldsmobile had increased the size of the Toronado engine to 455 cubic inches, even more suited for motor home use. Early models, affectionately called Flat-Noses, were built until 1977 and could be had in 4 models, the 220, 250, 260 and 290, with several floorplans built in each model.
Revcon realized that it's flat-nose design left a lot to be desired in the aerodynamics department, so in 1978 they introduced the second generation Revcon, commonly called the Slant-Nose. This new design was much more aerodynamic than previous models, brought a more modern look to a motor home that already had the most modern drivetrain. Ironically, while Revcon was improving the exterior of the coaches, Oldsmobile was downsizing the Toronado. The new 350 cubic inch engine and smaller Turbo-Hydramatic 325 transmission wasn't suited for motor home use, so Revcon was left with no choice but to design their own drivetrain. In 1979, they introduced the first Revcon powered by a 454 cubic inch Chevrolet engine and heavy duty Turbo-Hydramatic 475 transmission, with a transfer case mounted to the rear of the transmission and a driveshaft headed up to the heavy duty Dana front differential. The whole system looked similar to a four wheel drive truck, without the rear driveshaft and differential. The interior could be customized in almost any way a customer could imagine. Real ceramic tile countertops, genuine hardwood trim, including cherry, oak, and the Revcon tradition, teak. Customized coaches were the norm for Revcon, not just for RV customers, but for commercial customers as well. Several commercial units were built, used as mobile emergency response units for police and fire departments, local broadcast units for TV and radio stations, and even "bookmobiles" for libraries. Revcons were not just getting better, they were getting bigger too. The new Slant-Nose could be had in even longer lengths than the Flat-nose models, all the way up to 34 feet. Revcon remained the industry leader in quality, innovation and luxury up until the last Slant-Nose was built in 1989. | 汽车 |
2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/5620 | Untitled Document Hertz Named Most Recommended Brand by WomenCompany recognized with the Women’s Choice Award® for America’s Best Car Rental Service PARK RIDGE, NJ; July 1, 2014 – As the leading advocate for female consumers, WomenCertified Inc. is delighted to honor Hertz rental car with the 2014 Women’s Choice Award® seal. Hertz is recognized by women as the most recommended car rental service for overall customer service, loyalty programs, ‘green’ options and business travel. This award designation is based on a national survey of thousands of female consumers and travel agents who were asked to select the brands they would most highly recommend to family and friends.“The Women’s Choice Award program works to raise awareness among consumers about which brands are most recommended by women and to honor those brands,” said Delia Passi, CEO and Founder. “By carrying the Women’s Choice Award seal, companies like Hertz signify their commitment to empower women to make smart buying choices.”According to a 2012 Fleishman Hillard Study, today’s U.S. female consumer values the opinion of others and over half of all women consider one of their roles to be that of a broadcaster, responsible for helping others make smart choices. It is not surprising that major brands, like Hertz, now focus on delivering a customer experience women will love. The Women’s Choice Award has set the standard for helping women make smarter choices by identifying the brands most recommended and trusted by women, along with those that deliver a recommendation-worthy customer experience.92% of Americans will seek out the recommendation of others before making a major decision (Nielsen Research 2012) 9 out of 10 women would ‘definitely’ trust a brand more if it carried the Women’s Choice Award (Medelia Monitor 2013)Women are earning, spending, and influencing spending at a greater rate than ever before, accounting for $7 trillion in consumer and business spending in the U.S. (Steven Parker Jr., 2014)Ms. Passi says it’s important to note that the award doesn’t just signify that Hertz has women’s favor – it signifies that women are willing to recommend it to others. “When a woman is willing to recommend a brand or service to others, it means that business has earned her loyalty. Those are the businesses we wish to recognize for their efforts and commitment to the No. 1 consumer – women,” she says.“We are pleased to salute Hertz for their focus on excellence, a commitment that is recognized by women consumers nationwide,” Passi says.ABOUT WOMEN’S CHOICE AWARD® The Women’s Choice Award sets the standard for helping women make smarter purchasing choices. The company and its awards identify the brands, products and services that are most recommended and trusted by women. Additionally, they recognize those that deliver a recommendation-worthy customer experience.Awards are based on surveys of thousands of women, as well as research conducted in partnership with the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Women are surveyed on what drives the consumer experience for women vs. men.As the leading advocate for female consumers, WomenCertified Inc., home of the Women’s Choice Award, created the first national award based on the ratings and preferences of women. The award provides women with a collective voice. Women can visit the official website at www.WomensChoiceAward.com and join the network to make their preferences heard, and contribute to the mission of a million voices strong. Sign Up Hertz.com Hertz.com Reservations | 汽车 |
2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/5723 | It's the wheel thing
By Kate Fitzgerald.
Published on November 15, 1999. Bmw of north america canceled its golf and tennis sponsorships a few years ago to develop its own events and promotions, with spending on such activity now expanding by 20% annually.
The upscale car marketer pours millions of dollars into an expanding mix of events aimed at getting drivers behind the wheel of its latest models, with a growing emphasis on future customers including teen-agers.
Results from test-driving events have been so successful that BMW has upped its investment this year significantly, building a new facility dedicated to honing the driving skills of thousands of adults and teens, including many who have no immediate plans to own a BMW.
`SO MUCH MORE POTENT'
"The power of events that put people inside our cars is so much more potent than any other sponsorship or promotion that we decided to put all our efforts into this area, also giving us a chance to own and control every aspect of the events," said Jim McDowell, VP-marketing for BMW of North America.
BMW hasn't lost any sales or significant exposure from jettisoning sports sponsorships, and it's also spending more on its test-driv-ing events than any other carmaker, Mr. McDowell said.
More than 45,000 drivers and 4,886 teen-agers took part in the first yearlong run of the "Ultimate Driving Experience," a mobile marketing effort that ended this summer. Prospective customers spent more than 2 hours behind the wheel of a 3 Series sedan, learning high-performance driving techniques, accident avoidance skills and traction aid tricks, with the help of a professional driver.
Teens got a special 4-hour training session and were allowed to test their skills against their peers. The event, held in 13 major cities across the U.S., also included a gallery of BMW's latest models; a lifestyle shop featuring BMW gift items, apparel and accessories; plus lunch and refreshments served in the M Cafe, where free Internet access was offered to all participants in the event. Participants were invited through a special database-driven selection process aimed at identifying future customers. In connection with the "Ultimate Driving Experience," BMW raised $1 million for the third consecutive year for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation by donating $1 for every mile consumers test-drove cars through local dealerships.
X5 TO BE FEATURED
Next month, BMW begins its second full year of the "Ultimate Driving Experience," this time featuring the new X5 sport-utility vehicle in winter conditions starting in Chicago and continuing to eight other major cities including Minneapolis in January.
"We hope it snows so we can demonstrate the special winter handling capabilities of the car," Mr. McDowell said.
Octagon Marketing, Stamford, Conn., is helping execute the mobile driving effort, with help from a variety of other external and internal resources overseen by BMW.
"This year, we'll sell 150,000 vehicles to 100,000 people who have already been BMW owners at some point; our challenge is to go out and find 50,000 people who have never owned a BMW, and we've discovered hands-on demonstration of the cars, in conjunction with general advertising, is the formula that works," Mr. McDowell said.
HIGH-TECH TEST TRACK
The mobile test-driving program has proved so popular with prospects that BMW this fall opened a new promotional center at its Spartanburg, S.C., manufacturing plant where anyone can test-drive 3 Series BMWs on a new high-tech test track.
The BMW Performance Center Driving School opened in September and, with little marketing except for mentions on the carmaker's Web site, has already attracted several hundred people who are expected to pay between $495 to $865 for instruction from professional drivers. Programs include a New Drivers School, Car Controls Skills Clinic, Advanced Car Control Skills Clinic, M School (using BMW's high-performance M3 and M roadsters) and M5 School, offering advanced skills in the high-performance M5 sedan. Among the topics covered are dealing with suddenly occurring obstacles created by BMW's unique "water wall corridor."
REINFORCE BUYER'S CHOICE
Next year, BMW will add an X5 School to hone driving skills on a course involving gravel, rough and flooded roads, narrow bridges, inclines, and obstacles.
This fall, BMW also devised a new option for any BMW purchaser to take delivery on cars made in the U.S. and Europe in Spartanburg, where customers will receive free overnight hotel accommodations, dinner and a complimentary driving class in their new car with a professional driver.
"Our goal is to reinforce the choice people make with BMW and give them a variety of ways to discover the cars' features in ways that are not apparent through mere description or advertising," Mr. McDowell said.
BMW also is beefing up its Web site (bmw.com) to include opportunities to build and deepen relationships with existing customers. The new "Owners Circle" Internet area allows customers to register at the site and maintain ongoing dialogue with product specialists.
BONDING WITH BOND
Through such communications, BMW has contacted dozens of customers to participate in special events such as the screening last week of the latest James Bond film, "The World Is Not Enough." The film is the third Bond movie to prominently feature a BMW, as part of the $20 million sponsorship agreement the automaker inked this year with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Also last week, BMW auctioned off the first-ever X5 on eBay for $159,100, with proceeds to benefit the Komen foundation.
"We're pursuing a variety of events that are specifically oriented around BMW and serve our needs," Mr. McDowell said. "We're not likely to return yet to sponsoring sporting events."
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2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/5760 | GM-Ford Joint Project To Improve Fuel Economy, Save Money
(credit: Thinkstock)
DETROIT (WWJ) — General Motors and Ford say they are working together to produce a new generation of nine-speed and 10-speed automatic transmissions that will go into millions of future vehicles.
“Engineering teams from GM and Ford have already started initial design work on these new transmissions,” said Jim Lanzon, GM vice president of global transmission engineering. “We expect these new transmissions to raise the standard of technology, performance and quality for our customers while helping drive fuel economy improvements into both companies’ future product portfolios.”
With stricter fuel economy rules coming, car companies have been doing all they can to find ways to make vehicles more fuel efficient. Adding more speeds to transmissions is one way to do that. However, that adds cost, and complexity.
By sharing the development costs, Ford and GM save millions of dollars. This is the third time they have worked together on new transmission technology. In fact, many of the vehicles being produced by both companies today have a jointly developed six-speed automatic transmission.
“With the jointly developed six-speed automatics we have in production today, we’ve already proven that Ford and GM transmission engineers work extremely well together,” said Joe Bakaj, Ford vice president of powertrain engineering. “Our front-wheel-drive transmissions have exceeded expectations and there is every reason to believe we will have the same success with these all-new transmissions.”
Neither Ford, nor GM will give a lot of details on the new project, including a timetable or a list of vehicles that will have the new automatic transmissions. | 汽车 |
2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/5995 | Home \ Motoring \ Motoring News \ All-new Honda Civic Type R All-new Honda Civic Type R Honda has revealed the all-new Civic Type R at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, ahead of the model’s European launch in the summer.
The new car builds on Honda’s heritage in developing high-performance hatchbacks, and represents the segment’s ultimate expression of dynamic purity.
Sharing the same fundamentals as the new Civic hatchback, the new Type R has been engineered from the ground up to deliver the most rewarding drive in the hot-hatch segment – both on road and on the race track.
The 2.0-litre VTEC TURBO ‘heart’ of the multi-award-winning previous generation Type R has been optimised and refined and now produces 320 PS with peak torque of 400 Nm. Throttle response and driveability have improved thanks to optimised engine control settings.
The smooth and precise six-speed manual transmission is further improved by a rev match control system, ensuring no compromise in the Type R’s intimate, rewarding connection with the driver.
The new Type R takes the lighter, more rigid body shell of the new Civic hatchback and adds further use of adhesive in key areas. Compared to the previous Type R, torsional rigidity is further improved by 38%.
The front Macpherson strut suspension of the standard hatchback is revised with new geometry to minimise torque steer and maximise sporty handling. At the rear, the new independent multi-link system of the standard car is improved with the use of unique high rigidity suspension arms.
The all-new Type R has a more comprehensive aerodynamic package than the previous model, including a smoother underbody, front air curtain, a lightweight rear wing and vortex generators at the trailing edge of the roof line. The muscular, aggressive body has a best-in-class balance between lift and drag, contributing to greater high speed stability.
Sales to begin summer 2017 | 汽车 |
2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/6422 | Home West Coast San Francisco Tesla’s Lead Motor Engineer Is Greek
West CoastSan FranciscoTechnology
Tesla’s Lead Motor Engineer Is Greek
By Philip Chrysopoulos - Feb 5, 2016 The Principal Motor Designer at Tesla Motors, the electric luxury cars maker, is Greek. Meet Konstantinos Laskaris.
Since 2012, Laskaris is lead designer at Tesla Motors in Silicon Valley, California. There, he implements new technologies for the electric cars of the future.
It comes as no surprise that Tesla, the EV trailblazer, spends a considerable amount of resources on internal R&D to develop better parts for EVs, and that its testing facilities and engineering talent are at the forefront of the industry.
“As Tesla’s Principal Motor Designer, Konstantinos Laskaris is responsible for the electromechanical design and optimization of the company’s existing and future traction motors,” wrote Charged EVs, a magazine specializing in electric vehicles, calling Laskaris “Tesla’s motor guru.”
Laskaris received his diploma from the National Technical University of Athens in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He continued his studies at the Imperial College in London, where he got his diploma and master’s degree in 2002 and 2004 respectively. He worked in Greece as an electrical engineer and returned, three years later, to NTUA to follow his true passion, get a PhD in electrical engineering systems of high performance.
His research interests include customizing and modelling of permanent magnet synchronous motors, induction motors and synchronous reluctance motors using the finite element method, as well as developing methods of multicriteria optimization using supercomputers.
From 2008 to 2011 he was Head and Co-founder of “Prometheus” team in NTUA, a team that consists mainly of undergraduate students, and takes part in fuel economy contests with the prototype electric vehicle “Pyrforos.” The “Prometheus” team broke Greece’s record eight times and took the 7th place in Europe with “Pyrforos” traveling with 360km/kWh.
Konstantinos Laskaris has also worked in education, as a laboratory partner in NTUA and Technical Education Institute of Piraeus, teaching the science of electric engines to undergraduate students.
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2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/6471 | April was the best month ever for 2013 Lincoln MKZ in terms of sales
Article by Christian A., on May 1, 2013 Sales of the Lincoln MKZ sedans were higher in April compared to the first quarter of the year combined, according to Ford Motor Co. This means that April is actually the best month ever for the MKZ. The increase is attributed to the recovery of the luxury brand from extensive delays to the model’s production and distribution.
According to Jim Farley, Ford's executive vice president of global marketing and the head of Lincoln, U.S. sales of the MKZ would be about 4,000 units. For the period from January to March, 3,758 MKZ units were sold. This is 47% lower than its sales in 2012. Farley also said Lincoln’s total sales will increase by at least 10%. Due to a revitalization plan, Lincoln is now known as the Lincoln Motor Co.
Ford as well as the other automakers is expected to post sales on Wednesday. The MKZ was launched in 2007 as a new name for the Zephyr sedan. In a conference call last Tuesday, Farley said that this is an encouraging sign but that there’s a lot more to be done. The launch of the 2013 MKZ was plagued with many obstacles, with several dealers reporting that customers were forced to wait for several months before they got the cars they ordered. The MKZs built in Mexico were sent to a facility in Flat Rock, Mich., to undergo quality inspections and repairs.
Last March, Ford stopped sending these cars to Michigan but there were delays because it had to clear all the cars that had to be inspected and sent them to dealerships. Because of this move, Lincoln experienced a 24% drop in U.S. sales in the first quarter, when the brand made up only 3% of the overall sales of Ford Motor Co.
From a total of 266 nameplates, the MKZ took the 158th place. It posted sales that were a bit higher than those of the Nissan Leaf and Mazda2. The MKZ wasn’t available yet earlier this year but Ford spent millions to advertise this model at the Super Bowl and at the Grammy awards.
Lincoln’s new MKZ is currently the company’s symbol of innovation and technology. The design teams did their best to create an appealing interior that came with bold architectural elements, meticulous details, and opulent natural materials. The exterior front graphic is exceptional. It is mirrored in a bold sweep in the new instrument panel, which ties the interior to the exterior in a harmonious way. Wolff said that the flowing forms including the open center console help create a comfortable and functional interior, which catches the interest of a younger and more diverse group of drivers.
The company has also replaced the conventional mechanical transmission shift level with a modern five-button interface. The individual buttons include the neutral, reverse, park, and the forward gears, which are set in two modes: drive and sport. With the push button shift, the designers became free to imagine a sculptural multi-level center console that has numerous functional storage areas.
The full-color 10.1-inch LCD instrument cluster is located ahead of the driver. It has the newest version of SYNC with MyLincoln Touch. It has dimensional indicator rings that frame the bright and reconfigurable Thin Film Transistor (TFT) LCD. Another major component of the MyLincoln Touch is the almost flush-mounted 8-inch LCD touch screen. Information is clearly shown in color-keyed quadrants that are easy to use. The seating surfaces are covered with premium supple leather. The interior space is the definition of luxury and comfort with its high quality wood and metal-toned finishes.
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2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/6503 | Home > Car Talk & Videos > Car Article > Maserati Levante debuts in New York
Maserati Levante debuts in New York
Author: Media Release
Maserati's first SUV makes its North American debut at the New York International Motor Show.
The Maserati Levante – the first SUV in the brand's more than one hundred year history – will make its North American debut at the New York International Automobile Show on 23 March 2016.North America accounts for 39 per cent of Maserati’s global sales making it the most important market for Maserati. With luxury SUV sales up 7.6 per cent in February this year compared to the period last year in the USA, along with SUV sales as whole taking nearly 36 per cent of the US vehicle market, the North America market for the Levante is particularly significant for Maserati.The New York Auto Show first opened its doors in 1900, making this 116 year old motor show North America’s first car show. Last year it set a new attendance record of 1.1 million visitors in nine days looking at more than 1000 vehicles, confirming its position as one of the most popular American auto shows. The city also at the heart of one of the key Maserati sales area in North America. The Levante completes the existing range of saloon and sports cars, extending the offering together with the Quattroporte, Ghibli, GranTurismo and GranCabrio models. The design of the Levante features clear associations with the Maserati brand and its distinctive Italian character: the aggressive front introduces new, tapered headlights separated into two elements, with the upper headlight unit connected to the radiator grille. Maserati's design signature is clearly visible on the sides: the three iconic air vents on the front wings, the trapezoidal C-pillar with the "Saetta" logo and the large, frameless door windows. The rear is dominated by the tapered back window and streamlined shape, both typical of a high-performance sports car. At a technical level, the Levante's chassis is designed to combine the outstanding on-road performance typical of every Maserati with excellent off-road performance and ride. The new SUV boasts a high level of content as standard, with all versions featuring sophisticated electronic suspension with controlled damping and air springs, which can be set on several levels, "Q4" intelligent all-wheel drive and eight-speed automatic transmission specially calibrated for the brand's new SUV. The Levante will be launched in Europe in May and is set to arrive in Australia and New Zealand in early 2017. | 汽车 |
2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/7671 | Auto Toggle navigation
1967-1974 Saab Sonetts
by the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide
Auto | Other Manufacturers
Saab in the Early Sixties
Next In 1960, when Saab was having difficulty selling its prosaic 93 and 95 auto models, someone watching the success of MG, Triumph, and Fiat got the idea that a sportier model would attract people to showrooms. Saab's U.S. dealers began to clamor for a sports car. Around the same time, Walter Kern, an American sports car enthusiast and engineer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was building what he felt would be an ideal sports car based on Saab components. He knew race cars often blew engines when the centrifugal force generated by extreme cornering forced the oil over to one side of the pan, starving the engine and causing a failure. The Saab mill had no sump -- as a two-stroke engine, lubrication was provided by oil added to the fuel -- so it wasn't susceptible to that problem. Kern also admired the two-stroke's inherent simplicity: no valves to adjust, no oil to check, fewer things to go wrong.
Working with a big IBM computer, Kern tested various chassis designs. Using mainly Saab parts, he constructed a concept car he dubbed the Quantum. His little white sportster was surprisingly attractive, borrowing styling elements from Alfa Romeo and Jaguar.
Saab Motors, then the U.S. distributor based in New Haven, Connecticut, arranged for the Quantum to appear on the Saab stand at the 1962 New York Auto Show. Public response was very good. Apparently without realizing the amount of work that still needed to be done, Saab announced the Quantum would go into production by the end of 1963 with a price of $2,995.
But the white Quantum show car wasn't really engineered for production, so Kern built a second car, a running prototype painted bright red, which was sent to Sweden for testing. Once there, however, Quantum hit a familiar roadblock known as the NIH ("not invented here") factor. Swedish engineers examining the car nitpicked, looking for any possible excuse to give it a bad report. One big shortcoming they cited was that the Quantum had a steering column gearshift lever, when market research showed that a proper sports car must have a shifter on the floor. They showed no inclination to correct or improve the prototype. The Quantum was sent back. There would be no Saab sports car.
But dealers continued to holler for a showroom draw. Finally, in early 1964, Saab was again willing to take up the idea of a sports car. There were some basic parameters: good handling, decent heater, roll-down windows, and ample luggage space. To reduce costs, the sports car would have to borrow much from the Saab 96 sedan chassis. Two designers offered competing designs, Björn Karlström, who was associated with the firm Malmö Flygindustri (MFI) for which he designed powerboats and aircraft; and Saab's in-house designer, Sixten Sason.
Working out of a barn that served as his studio, Sason came up with a sports car concept based on ideas he'd been developing. Dubbed the Catherina, it was an attractive sport coupe with a targa-type roof. Frontal appearance was similar to that of the later Datsun 240Z, while the rear showed the influence of the Studebaker Avanti.
Karlström went for a more elemental look. Dubbed the MFI 13, his concept was engagingly stark; a tight, purposeful design. Like the Catherina, it was to have a fiberglass body. However, MFI's original prototype was built with a metal body -- the idea being it could later be used for casting the mold that would produce the fiberglass bodies. Evidently, the firm felt confident its design would be chosen.
In fact, it was. The MFI 13 was renamed the Saab 97 (Saab development projects were sequentially numbered and the project numbers became the model numbers when they went into production). In fall 1965, Saab told MFI to begin building 24 additional cars right away, with 10 to be ready in time to display at the New York Auto Show in March 1966 -- just six months away! At the same time, work was begun on setting up a factory for volume production.
As things turned out, MFI's steel prototype couldn't be used as a model for the body molds; regular molds would have to be developed. Three plastic-bodied prototype cars were quickly constructed so that production engineering work could begin. After that, work could begin on the 24 handbuilt cars. The tight schedule for building the first three cars meant that certain shortcuts had to be taken, including using a fixed-position Plexiglas rear window instead of the planned hatch-type glass backlight. The prototype made its international debut in March 1966 at the Geneva Motor Show. The following month, it was shown at the New York Auto Show. During 1966, a total of 28 cars (the original prototype, the three production prototypes, and 24 handbuilt preproduction cars) were built. After that "regular" production got under way.
Most Saab sedans and station wagons were simply named after their model numbers, but the 97 was not the 97; it was named Sonett II. Why Sonett II? In 1955-56, Saab had built a scant half-dozen two-seat sports roadsters with the intention of making a good rallye competitor before a rules change rendered them moot. These were the original Sonetts. The word itself is a phonetic spelling of the Swedish expression så nätt, meaning "so neat." (When Sason was designing the first Saab automobile in the late 1940s, at least one of his sketches included a Sonett badge on the front of the car.)
The Sonett II production model was a curious thing. A two-seat sport coupe on an 85-inch wheelbase, it was tiny; one reviewer claimed that compared to the Sonett, a Volkswagen Beetle felt like a Chevrolet Impala. Sonett's front-wheel drive was unusual for a sports car, even then. An inside look at an early Saab Sonett -- the 1967 modelStyling was an uneasy mix of British and Italian influences. Up front was a low grille and headlights set in pockets scooped out of the sloping nose. Two rubber pull straps held down the front-hinged hood/fender panel, which, when opened, provided easy access to the engine. The wheel openings were filled with 155X15 radial-ply tires -- pretty nice rubber for that era -- mounted on steel wheels with simple hubcaps. The fastback rear was abruptly truncated and included a flat rear panel with large round taillamps.
Styling on the whole was acceptable, although hardly inspiring. But it was in little details where the Sonett lost the most points. It looked amateurish. Car and Driver magazine argued that "You could buy a Saab Sonett, take off the Saab escutcheon, and tell people you built it yourself." C/D complained that the car's lines "are broken up by the damnedest collection of bolts, washers, grommets, scoops, bumps and piping you ever saw. It says 'homebuilt' better than your name in Cyrillic script on the nose of the car."
The first Sonetts were powered by the high-performance version of Saab's quirky three-cylinder two-stroke engine found in the sporting Monte Carlo 850 version of the Saab 96 sedan. With a roller-bearing crankshaft, the 841cc mill could rev like a dentist's drill; and with three Solex carburetors, it produced 60 horsepower (as rated in the German DIN system) and a top speed around 93 mph, not bad for such a small engine. Chassis features included rack-and-pinion steering, 10.5-inch front disc brakes, a built-in roll bar, and a four-speed transmission with, of all things, a column shift -- exactly what Saab engineers dismissed as a failing of the Quantum! Car and Driver said Sonett's column shifter was "the worst we ever encountered in any production car -- bar none."
Also featured was free-wheeling, which had enjoyed a brief burst of popularity on American cars in the early 1930s. With this device, the engine and transmission would disengage automatically when the driver let up on the gas. The engine slowed to an idle while the car continued to coast along smoothly and silently. Free-wheeling was necessary on two-stroke cars because the little three-cylinder got its lubrication from oil mixed in the gasoline, which meant that during lengthy deceleration there was a chance the engine wouldn't get enough lubrication. However, free-wheeling could scare the wits out of anyone accustomed to downshifting on, say, an exit ramp because there was no compression-induced deceleration; if anything, the car felt like it was speeding up. Thankfully, the free-wheeling could be turned off.
In Sonett's plywood instrument panel, most gauges were centered in front of the driver. Instrumentation included a speedometer/odometer, fuel-level and water-temperature gauges, tachometer, and clock. Curiously, there were no oil-pressure or ammeter gauges. Although there was a decent amount of cargo space behind the black-and-gray-vinyl bucket seats, it was hard to get to because the rear window didn't open. A tiny access door in the tail was too small for most suitcases to fit through.
Initial Sonett production was practically a cottage industry, carried out at a snail's pace of just three cars per day. Assembly was handled by ASJ (AB Svenska Järnvägsverkstäderna, or "The Swedish Rolling Stock Workshops Limited") in a former railroad-car plant that still had rails on the floor. There was a sort of conveyor system in which cars were pushed by hand to each of the seven stations along the line, with stops of about an hour at each. Improvisation was often called for. If the factory ran out of a particular part, it would send a man out on a bicycle to the nearest auto-parts store to purchase whatever was needed, which explains some of the odd variations found from car to car.
Production of the Saab Sonett became a bit more standardized during 1967. Learn about the 1967 model on the next page. For more information on all kinds of cars:
Consumer Guide Reports on New Cars
Consumer Guide Reports on Used Cars
1971-1973 Buick Riviera
1976-1979 Cadillac Seville
1970 Cadillac NART Zagato
1967-1977 NSU Ro80
1968-1974 AMC Javelin
1971 1972 1973 Ford Mustang
1971-1978 Oldsmobile Toronado
1979-1982 Honda Prelude
1970 Ford Torino GT Convertible
1975-1979 Alfa Romeo Alfetta GT/GTV/Sprint Veloce
1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am and 10th Anniversary Trans Am
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How Algaculture Works | 汽车 |
2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/7959 | Top Fiat Fiat Panda – a car for florists? David Bateson
On November 23, 2013 Fiat Panda – first impressions from behind the wheel
The Fiat Panda is an iconic model from the Italian manufacturer, it’s just that if you live in Australia you wouldn’t know, as this vehicle is the first Panda to grace our shores since the model launched 33 years ago (see our Panda 101 article here). If you’ve been over to Europe and hired a cheap rental car, odds are you’ve already driven a Panda, but you probably didn’t notice (who does?).
Much like other Fiat models, the Panda comes in a number of variants, in order from the base model up these are Pop, Easy, Lounge, and specific to Panda, Trekking. The model which has garnered the most attention in Europe, the 4×4 has not made it over, which is a shame as it’s probably the smallest 4×4 you can buy anywhere in the world, which makes it a little quirky, even if maybe not that practical for your average Aussie 4×4 fan (they probably wouldn’t let it into the club).
On the launch drive we got to test out the entry level Pop with a 1.2l 4 cylinder 5 speed manual, and the next one up, the Dualogic (semi auto) 0.9l TwinAir Easy. We missed our chance to drive the turbo diesel Trekking variant.
Our first impressions were good. It’s important to realise what this car is and what it isn’t. There was a little discussion at the launch about which ‘category’ the Panda fits in, but in our opinion the longstanding car industry classification is outmoded and the Fiat guys admitted it didn’t really fit any one category, rather cut across a few. The car is not designed for people who want fast, it’s not for people who want to cruise long distances, it’s not for you if you need to lug lots of stuff around. But if you’re looking for a utilitarian vehicle with a little bit of an identity, the Panda may be for you.
Even though it’s the smaller TwinAir which is more technologically advanced, on the drive we preferred the (lower spec) 1.2l as it felt a little more responsive. We’ll have to drive the diesel to give you a verdict on that one.
So the story goes, the designers at Fiat given the job of refreshing the 33 year old model were discussing whether it should be ‘boxy’ or more rounded. An inability to decide between these options led to them following another path – the squircle. So everything is boxy, but with very rounded edges!
The end result is quite a quirky design, but it turns out it has – as a result – a better drag coefficient (0.32) than a Ferrari 458 Italia. If only it went as fast.
The new Panda also incorporates lots of clever little features to make it easier and more comfortable to drive – for example a little window in the rear pillar gives better rear vision, and the design motif on the driver’s seat actually improves air circulation and makes the seat more comfortable.
The Panda Pop comes in at a very affordable $16,500 driveaway.
Who will buy it? We think it will appeal to a wide range of people, but in essence anyone who would otherwise have bought a 500 but really needs a little extra space. One potential target market that came up in conversation – florists. Dinky enough, but with enough room in the back for all those flowers. And easy to park.
We’ll have more information for you when we get an opportunity for a longer test drive.
Fiat official Panda page
Fiat Panda Press Kit
Fiat Panda on CarSales
And here is the full Monty from Fiat on the new model…
Fiat Panda – Italian Style, Universal Appeal
Third generation Fiat Panda, Italy’s best-selling car, makes its Australian debut
Panda – Fiat’s benchmark small car delivers five-door, five-seat practicality with a spacious, flexible interior, yet compact exterior dimensions
Available with advanced safety and technology features typically found in cars twice its size, such as Low Speed Collision Mitigation, fuel saving Start&Stop and integrated Blue&Me™ TomTom® navigation
October 25, 2013 – Fiat Chrysler Group has announced the arrival of the celebrated Fiat Panda, one of Europe’s most iconic city cars that is now available in Australia for the very first time, joining a growing Fiat vehicle range that includes the 500, Punto, Freemont, Scudo, Ducato and Abarth models. The new Fiat Panda is the latest version of a well-loved and admired car that is renowned for its use of space, compact dimensions, fun style and functionality. With its five doors and flexible interior, the new Panda builds on an enviable reputation for convenience and durability that has been its hallmark since the original Panda was unveiled in 1980.
The third generation Panda, Europe’s top-selling supermini, is bigger, roomier, safer and more fuel efficient than its predecessors. With the continued popularity of downsizing, the concept of an attractive, sophisticated city car with room for five, an advanced range of economical engines and a host of large car features has never been more appealing. The all-new Fiat Panda is just such a car, with an interior boasting greater flexibility and higher quality materials than its predecessor, as well as some clever, cutting edge technologies that set a new benchmark for small cars when it was launched in Europe. All of this is cloaked in a stylish, yet friendly new design and powered by some of the most economical engines on the market today. For the Australian market, the Panda line-up consists of four models – Pop, Easy, Lounge and the 4×4-inspired Trekking. Three different engines are offered across the four-model Panda range, headlined by Fiat’s award-winning TwinAir turbo powerplant. This 875cc unit has the lowest carbon dioxide emissions of any quantity production petrol engine in the world and won International Engine of the Year 2011 courtesy of its unique combination of power, flexibility and economy. With 63 kW of power, Combined Cycle fuel efficiency as low as 4.1 litres per 100km and a characterful throaty sound track, this engine has cemented Fiat’s position at the forefront of modern combustion engine development.
The TwinAIr turbo is joined by the latest evolution of the dependable 1.2-litre FIRE engine, which produces 51 kW and employs variable valve timing technology to blend power with economy. The new Panda is also available with a 1.3-litre MultiJet2 turbo diesel engine. This second generation, compact unit features faster injectors than its predecessor, making it quieter, more economical and cheaper to run.
The TwinAir and MultiJet engines are both fitted with the Start&Stop system, while all three Panda engines are equipped with the Gear Shift Indicator (GSI) feature, which suggests to the driver when to change gear in order to achieve the best fuel economy.
As well as the new engines, the new Panda has revised dimensions that make it longer, wider and taller than the vehicle it replaces, with more space for passengers and their luggage, while still maintaining sufficiently diminutive exterior dimensions to sit firmly in the city car category.
Most of the Panda’s growth in length is in the rear overhang, which has enabled an increase to luggage space as well as more legroom for rear passengers. The new Panda is also 66 mm wider, which means it can seat three passengers comfortably in the rear – most class rivals have room for only two passengers in the back.
For improved passenger comfort and driver enjoyment there is all-new suspension and a body that is significantly more rigid than its predecessor. These attributes further improve the Panda’s already impressive safety credentials, which includes six airbags, ABS anti-lock braking with Brake Assist System (BAS), Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and an active anti-whiplash head restraint system as standard equipment across the range, making it one of the best-equipped cars of its kind in safety terms.
Unusually for a car of this size, it also features a new safety innovation as standard equipment on the Lounge variant called Low Speed Collision Mitigation – this advanced safety system reads the road ahead and when it detects an obstacle in the vehicle’s path, applies the brakes automatically to avoid a collision.
But the Panda’s long list of practical features isn’t just reserved for the driver. To maximise space inside, the all-new interior is packed with useful equipment, such as 14 storage compartments, including an open portal on the dashboard.
As with all other models in the Fiat vehicle range, the new Panda is equipped with the Blue&Me connectivity system to allow owners to sync music players and mobile phones with the vehicle, enabling handsfree control of devices using either voice activation or steering-wheel mounted controls.
The new Panda is also available with the latest Blue&Me TomTom navigation device as an option, featuring a 4.3-inch touchscreen. However, all Panda models are fitted with the navigation device docking port as standard equipment, which means they are all pre-equipped and ready to fully integrate the navigation unit with the vehicle’s audio system.
DESIGN: HEART MEETS HEAD
Since the Panda was first shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 1980, it has become a byword for substance, practicality and user-friendliness.
Now entering its third generation, the new Panda combines the best of the first and second generation models but with a character all of its own, which allows Fiat to move the Panda legend forward once again. Centro Stile Fiat designers have produced a new design that portrays an even stronger vision of utility and personality than the car it replaces. In creating this careful evolution of the famous model, the designers have reinforced the Panda as a timeless classic, while also ensuring its position as an integral member of the Fiat Automobiles family. Comprehensive restyling has resulted in the Panda’s lines being more rounded than its predecessor. This softening, combined with the absence of corners, conveys solidity and sophistication and makes the car appear bigger than its city car dimensions might suggest. The sleek new look has also been designed to give the passenger compartment a welcoming and protective feel, with the additional benefit of a sleek drag coefficient of 0.32, one of the lowest in its class. The softening of lines continues within the overall shape. Side windows have been contoured to maximise outward visibility for added safety, while giving the cabin a perception of airiness. All windows have rounded-off corners and the third window at the sides, a signature of the second-generation Panda, is less angular. These also merge with the rear light clusters, which are set higher to reduce the possibility of damage from minor knocks, while making them more visible to other road users.
Bumper strips that follow the rounded motif have been added for extra protection from parking knocks. In a nod to the first generation car, there are side mouldings on Lounge and Trekking versions for a more rugged look, which is further accentuated by the body kit on the Trekking model.
INTERIOR: BUILDING ON AN ICON
The Fiat Panda has always been synonymous with style, practicality and useability, and this latest version builds on these key ‘pillars’. Although just 3650mm long with a wheelbase of 2300mm, the newcomer can comfortably seat five people and has one of the biggest luggage compartments in its class.
Functionality is another of the Panda’s hallmarks and the new model is no different, with the five-door design making cabin access easy. Internal space is 26mm wider at the front and 5mm wider at the rear, while overall, the cabin is 20mm longer than the previous model. New slim seat technology yields 23mm more entry space at the front and 6mm at the rear, which provides more leg room for back seat passengers, while those in the front benefit from improved seat travel that is now an impressive 210mm fore and aft.
The rear seat backrest folds down to create 870 litres of boot space – 36 litres more than the second generation model – as well as providing a luggage platform that’s more than two metres in length. In addition, the rear backrest can be split in 60/40 configuration.
New seat material has also been fitted to the new Panda, employing squares that are electronically welded to the backrests in order to improve airflow between the occupant’s back and the seat, thereby improving comfort in warm weather. Further improving cabin comfort when temperatures are high, the new Panda has an upgraded climate control system, which centres on a revised control unit that ensures the required temperature is reached as quickly as possible – a particularly desirable feature in extreme weather conditions. Improvements have also been made to interior refinement and improving NVH, which has resulted in a 4dB noise reduction compared to the previous generation model. This effectively means road noise has been halved.
The dashboard has undergone a radical design rework, which recalls the original Panda by boasting a roomy storage compartment ahead of the front passenger, but there is also a more conventional locking glovebox in the lower section of the dash. Other clever internal innovations include redesigned door panels, allowing the speakers to be positioned higher, which improves sound quality while also enabling the door pockets to be made wider and more usable. The hand brake has also been redesigned by making it shorter, which has released storage space in front, behind and underneath the lever. In total, there are 14 storage spaces in the new Panda, including a mix of open and closed, as well as a glasses holder above the driver’s side window on Easy, Lounge and Trekking models.
TECHNOLOGY: BIG CAR FEATURES
Modern cars are about so much more than just getting around, they are also mobile platforms for the latest communication technologies. Along with other models in the Fiat vehicle range, the new Panda is equipped with the latest, award-winning Blue&Me™ infotainment system.
Based on Microsoft’s Windows Mobile for Automotive, Blue&Me allows Bluetooth equipped devices such as phones and MP3 music players to be linked to the vehicle. Occupants can control the devices using voice activation via a display panel that works in convert with a microphone in the roof, or through the steering wheel-mounted buttons. By allowing drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and their devices securely stowed, the Blue&Me system is both safe and easy to use. The latest generation voice recognition system allows immediate interaction because it does not have to go through a learning phase, while phonebook contents can be transferred to the vehicle’s display panel. Music stored on a USB device, media player or the latest Apple systems can be played through the sound system with track information shown on the display panel. Blue&Me TomTom® opens the door to additional connectivity by combining all the features of the regular Blue&Me system with satellite navigation functionality. Featuring a 4.3-inch touchscreen display, this portable navigation device slots into a holder in the middle of the dash so there are no unsightly wires or cables, yet the device can be removed for safe keeping. All Panda models are pre-equipped ready to support the optional TomTom portable navigation device and mounting cradle. Teamed with Blue&Me is Fiat’s widely acclaimed eco:Drive system that enables users to download information about their driving to a USB stick. This information can then be uploaded to their computer and by accessing Fiat’s eco:Drive website, where acceleration, deceleration, gear shifts and speed are analysed to give drivers a personal eco:Index of between 1 and 100. The eco:Drivers then receive tips on how to improve their performance and can become part of the eco:Ville on-line community which, to date, has enabled 64,000 users to save 4,300 tonnes of CO2 by improving their driving styles.
ENGINES: SMALL CAPACITY, BIG HEART
Fiat is at the cutting edge of combustion engine design and development – as a result the new Panda comes with a choice of engines that lead the way in terms of performance, fuel consumption and emissions.
0.9-litre TwinAir Turbo
At the forefront of the powertrain line-up is Fiat’s International Engine of the Year 2011, the TwinAir turbo. This 875cc unit combines Fiat’s revolutionary MultiAir technology with two cylinders and a turbocharger. The results are stunning, with its 63 kW power output representing a 10 per cent increase compared to a conventional engine of the same size, while peak torque of 145Nm is up 15 per cent and the CO2 emissions rating of 99g/km represents an improvement of 10 per cent. As with every other MultiAir engine, at the heart of this unit is a new electro-hydraulic valve management system, which reduces fuel consumption to as little as 3.7 litres per 100 kilometres (Extra Urban Cycle – Dualogic transmission) by controlling the intake of air directly via the inlet valves rather than the throttle. It enables airflow to be managed cylinder by cylinder, cycle by cycle, phase by phase, according to the driver’s requirements. By rigorously controlling the combustion process, pumping losses are reduced by around 10 per cent, while valve control strategies are optimised to reduce emissions and boost driveability through improved throttle responses.
Fitting perfectly with the Panda’s compact size, the TwinAir takes downsizing to a new level by combining a small capacity engine with a turbocharger, which improves performance and flexibility, particularly at very low revs, where it’s far more responsive than a conventional normally aspirated engine.
1.2-litre Fire EVO II
More than 10 million units of the four-cylinder FIRE engine family have been produced and this durable, reliable engine remains a point of reference in the category courtesy of its flexible architecture. Now fitted with continuously variable valve timing to optimise valve opening and closing at all engine speeds, fuel consumption in the new Panda with the latest generation 1.2-litre FIRE engine is a frugal 5.2 litres per 100 kilometres (Combined Cycle). Yet it still delivers healthy power and torque outputs of 51 kW and 102 Nm respectively, while producing just 120 g/km of CO2 emissions.
1.3-litre MultiJet 2
Fiat’s latest small turbo diesel engine has been described as a masterpiece of technology in miniature – it certainly has compact proportions, measuring just 60cm in length by 70cm high and tipping the scales at only 140kg. But it’s big on performance with a power output of 55kW at 4000rpm and peak torque of 190Nm at 1500rpm, which combine to deliver excellent flexibility.
The efficiency of the MultiJet2 engine is also big news, as it can manage a remarkable 3.9 litres per 100 kilometres (Combined Cycle) in the new Panda with corresponding CO2 emissions of just 104g/km. This combination of performance and economy is delivered courtesy of second generation MultiJet technology. Faster injectors allow up to eight injections per cycle, resulting in greater speed, flexibility and precision in the various combustion phases. The improved injection rate also enables two injections that are so close together as to generate a continuous but modulated supply of fuel to the cylinders.
By improving the combustion process in this way, engine operation is quieter while particulate and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions are also significantly improved, enabling the engine to meet strict Euro 5 standards.
The injectors are also simpler with 40 per cent fewer components, meaning they are more reliable than their predecessors, as well as promising cheaper running costs.
Clever thinking
To further boost economy, the TwinAir turbo petrol and MultiJet2 turbo diesel engines apart are equipped with Fiat’s Start&Stop system. Specifically designed for city driving, Start&Stop switches the engine off when traffic requires the vehicle to stop, while keeping all functions such as lights, climate control and the sound system operating. When it’s time to move off again, releasing the brake pedal (Dualogic) or operating the clutch triggers the engine to re-start. All cars with Start&Stop are fitted with a Gear Shift Indicator (GSI) as well, which offers a discreet prompt to drivers to change gear at the optimum point to minimise fuel consumption. The TwinAir Turbo model also features an ECO button on the dashboard. Pushing the button changes the engine electronics to a specific map that reduces torque to 100Nm and focuses on minimising consumption. When drivers do need to visit the bowser, the Smart Fuel System is another large car feature designed to make city car life as easy as possible. The classic fuel cap has been replaced by a fuel filler pipe that opens and closes automatically when the pump is inserted and withdrawn. It reduces unpleasant gas emissions, any chance of fuel overflow and also doesn’t allow petrol to be pumped into a diesel car, or vice versa.
The new Panda is also available with Fiat’s Dualogic transmission, which is an automated transmission that can also be used as a manual. There is no clutch pedal, so to prompt gear changes in manual mode, the lever is pushed forwards or backwards to shift either up or down. It’s a system that’s simple to use, gives the option of relaxed automatic gear changing round town and more involving driver-prompted changes on the open road. The software that tells the transmission when to perform automatic gear changes has also been optimised for fuel efficiency, as part of the suite of fuel-saving technologies engineered into the new Panda.
DYNAMICS: REWARDING, COMFORTABLE AND SAFE
The new Panda has been designed to be rewarding for all sorts of drivers and in all kinds of conditions. In addition to being practical, comfortable and spacious inside, it’s also been built to put a smile on the face of keen drivers, while offering large car protection to its occupants despite its compact car dimensions.
The Panda has an exceptionally rigid body that utilises high resistance materials in 70 per cent of its construction. The car also features a third load path, which provides more effective control of deformation during frontal impacts and reduces the chance of penetration to the passenger compartment by transferring energy to the lower, more resistant parts of the vehicle. The improved rigidity combines with the latest technology to ensure comprehensive protection in the event of an accident. Six airbags are fitted as standard equipment (dual front, front side and side curtain airbags) while front seatbelts feature pretensioners and load limiters. The front seats are also equipped with an anti-whiplash restraint system while the rear seats feature head restraints and combined Isofix/top-tether attachments for child seats.
ABS anti-lock brakes are fitted as standard, along with a Brake Assist System (BAS) for quicker, more powerful braking to ensure drivers maximise the performance of the braking system. Electronic Stability Program (ESP) is also standard equipment, while a Hill Holder feature enables the driver to make effortless hill starts when taking off on inclines – it continues to apply the brakes for up to two seconds after the brake pedal has been released to prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards. Low Speed Collision Mitigation (LSCM) is a large car safety feature that raises the bar in terms of what drivers can expect from compact cars. Available on the high-spec Panda Lounge models, LSCM can recognise obstacles in the path of the car and apply the brakes if the driver fails to do so. Depending on the speed, the system can either avoid obstacles altogether or minimise the consequences of an impact.
The LSCM system combines Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Prefill and Brake Assist. The AEB is triggered by a windscreen mounted laser sensor, which assesses whether the obstacle poses a threat. The sensor employs the same principles as those used in astronomy to measure the distance between satellites. The obstacle must be more than 40 per cent of the width of the vehicle and the angle of impact must be less than 30 degrees. In addition to applying the brakes automatically, engine torque is reduced if the accelerator pedal hasn’t been released. The AEB works in tandem with Prefill, which primes the braking system for a more prompt response either when the AEB system takes over or in a regular emergency stop.
The new Panda employs all-new suspension that’s been designed to improve comfort, handling and crash safety performance. It’s been lightened using a lower arm, which has been constructed using ultra high-strength material – the first time this method has been employed on a European-made car. It combines with a modular cross member made of low thickness, high resistance steel sheets that work in conjunction with the third load path. There is also a new split shock absorber mounting which, by transmitting loads to the body through two different routes, better filters out road vibrations and improves acoustics compared to the previous model. The front suspension also has a new anti-roll bar that is lighter, without compromising its rigidity, and has been connected to the shock absorber to maximise the anti-roll effect. New suspension bushes have been added front and rear to improve noise insulation without detracting from road holding. To enable the new Panda to perform on the open road and in the tight confines of the city with equal aplomb, Dualdrive electric power steering features a ‘City’ function. Push the dash-mounted button marked ‘City’ and assistance to the steering is increased to facilitate parking manoeuvres and enable drivers to employ the tight 9.3-metre turning circle more easily. The default setting – which it returns to when the ‘City’ button is pressed again or when speeds exceed 35 km/h – ensures the greater driving precision and steering wheel response that is more suited to higher road speeds.
QUALITY AND QUANTITY
One of the fundamental aims of the new Fiat Panda program was to improve product quality for city cars, which has been achieved by concentrating on the three key areas of materials, production and people. With an investment of 800 million Euros, Fiat’s Giambattista Vico plant in Pomigliano d’Arco on the outskirts of Naples has been transformed into a centre of technological and organisational excellence, where up to 260,000 Pandas will be produced annually.
Sheet metal components are now sourced internally, which means that Fiat has far greater control over the final quality. A department with 10 drawing and three cutting lines uses 377 moulds to transform sheet metal into door, floor, roof and side panels to construct a new Panda model.
The factory has also been equipped with the largest plastic pressing unit in the company. More than 100 parts are made from melted polypropylene granules that are injected into 35 ultra-modern moulds under high pressure. Components made using this technique include the bumpers, centre console and dashboard sections. The latter is produced by a single machine that uses a triple-injection system to form the external part first, followed by the middle section in four available colours. Fiat has also invested more than 15 million Euros in the paint department, which has enabled water-based paints to be applied by robots, eliminating awkward manual internal sealing processes. Production
State-of-the-art machinery has been housed in one of the most modern factories in the world. The new Pomigliano d’Arco facility has undergone a complete production revolution, including a sheet metal working department where 99 per cent of processes are automated and 600 robots are in operation. Rather than doing the lifting and welding work, workers now run the systems and manage the controls in a spacious, clean and well-lit environment. One of the most advanced systems is welding, where latest generation ‘hollow wrist’ robots apply 520 spot welds in 30 minutes. There are two side panel production lines that run along the edges of the main production line, while the line itself is made up of modules that can be removed or added according to production requirements, allowing up to four different models to be produced at once. Bodies are moved from one part of the factory to another by overhead train while small, safe and quiet electrical trains have replaced forklift trucks for transporting parts on the ground. Even the pallets that move the cars around as they’re being built have been modernised. Bodies are now clamped to the pallets, so key couplings are maintained throughout the build and as the cars progress through the factory, opto-electronic control stations along the production line check quality compliance and geometric precision. People
However, investment hasn’t just been in the factory – workers at the Pomigliano d’Arco facility have also undergone a total of 200,000 hours of training, while a well-structured assessment programme has been developed to ensure the correctly trained person is working at the right station at the right time. The workers were also asked to contribute to setting up the new factory by defining the organisation of production cycles and work stations. In total, workers contributed around 8500 suggestions to how work station safety, ergonomics and product quality could be improved by eliminating errors. The staff at Pomigliano d’Arco accepted that the only way to move forward was to modernise. The result was a sheet metal department developed from scratch, an improved paint department, a new plastic processing department and a redesigned assembly department. In each of these areas, workers’ suggestions were implemented along with world-class manufacturing standards. To achieve this, workers were encouraged to reconstruct assembly lines virtually, then break them down into stations and operation sequences. It wasn’t until each department had found the best solution for each activity that the line was physically built. As a result, work stations are designed so that the car rises up or turns on hooks to offer the correct side at the right height, which means employees don’t have to reach more than 60cm to perform their tasks. Line workers aren’t the only ones who benefit in the new factory. Glassed-in offices are located right in the middle of the factory so as to be close to the production lines and workers. Testing, testing…
The results of the production process are checked in the Metrological Unit Quality Centre by a piece of equipment called Meisterblock. Body panels are placed on a jig and an 18-metre long measuring machine checks 2000 points around the car using electronic probes to guarantee that all couplings, clearances, profiles, geometric dimensions and tolerances correspond precisely to the design. The Assembly Master stands next to the Meisterblock and employs an innovative photometric scanning system to quickly and accurately assess the new Panda’s bodywork. This compares photographs of a sample car with the master and immediately shows up any areas that are not perfect. Once that check has been completed, cars are moved to the hemi-anechoic room for static noise checks, which measure the sound generated by functions like the movement of the windows, the opening and closing of doors and the sliding of seats in their guides. Water tightness is checked under a nine-post trellis and then all cars undergo a dynamic test on a track over a variety of surfaces. Finally, two of the most important checks take place. An ‘Initial Customer Perception’ involves a tester simulating a customer on first acquaintance with a car in the showroom. Then a ‘Test from a Customer’s Perspective’ reproduces a buyer’s first few months of car ownership.
HISTORY: THREE DECADES OF BREAKING THE RULES
Although the Fiat Panda has entered its 33rd year in 2013, the new model is still only its third incarnation. Proof that the concept of a small, stylish, affordable people’s car has achieved universal popularity is borne out by the fact that more than 6.4 million Pandas have been sold globally since 1980.
The original model was designed by the legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro as a basic, affordable, no frills utility vehicle. To keep costs down, engines and transmissions were borrowed from the celebrated Fiat 127, window glass was flat and suspensions were kept rudimentary. But despite its simple design it still had some unique features that endeared it to owners. Seat covers, dash and door panels were washable, while the rear seat was multi-adjustable and could be folded flat to make a bed, or quickly removed to increase overall load space – an innovation for the time. The Panda continued breaking the rules. In 1983 the famous Panda 4×4 became the first four-wheel drive city car; in 1986 Panda became the first compact to feature a diesel engine; and in 1990 an electric version, the two-seat Panda Elettra, was launched years ahead of its time. During 1986 the Fiat Panda had its first facelift with fresh styling, revised trim and uprated engines. A second facelift occurred in 1991, but from 1996, with tightening legislation governing emissions and safety, the Panda was gradually phased out in Europe until production finally ceased in 2003.
Its successor was unveiled in the same year to sensational reviews. Its blend of style, honesty and practicality resulted in it being awarded European Car of the Year in 2004 and it was equally popular with the car buying public. By October 2005 the 500,000th second generation Panda had been built and on 5 September, 2007, the one-millionth car rolled off the production line. Built at Fiat’s Tychy plant in Poland, the second generation Panda also spawned a variety of derivatives including the sporty 100HP model and the Panda 4×4. It was facelifted in 2007 with a new dash and uprated specification, and on 4 July 2011, the two-millionth version of this Panda series was built. PRICING
The Fiat Panda range will go on sale in Australia during October 2013, with a starting price of $16,500 drive away for the entry Panda Pop model.
1.2L FIRE 4cyl petrol
5-spd manual
$ 16,500 DA# Easy
0.9L TwinAir 2cyl petrol
5-spd Dualogic
1.3L MultiJet 4cyl turbo diesel
* Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) – does not include statutory or delivery charges
# Drive away offer on Panda Pop model
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2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/8380 | 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander, 2013 Outlander Sport Limited Edition coming to LA Auto Show
Article by Christian A., on November 21, 2012 With the discontinuation of Suzuki’s operations in the U.S., Mitsubishi isn’t daunted and has pledged to remain in the U.S. market in spite of its widening inventory, plunging sales, and dearth of new products. However, Mitsubishi has announced that it seeks to launch two new vehicles -- the 2014 Outlander SUV and a new Limited Edition trim level for its 2013 Outlander Sport CUV -- at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show.
The 2014 Outlander made its debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. It was actually available for sale at the Japanese domestic market for a short period in conventional gas-burning form. A plug-in hybrid is in development.
Mitsubishi has set some grand goals by indicating that the Outlander will have the fuel economy of a compact CUV while also being a seven-seater as standard. It appears that Mitsubishi is hoping to achieve a 30-mpg highway rating but it hasn’t been figured out just what features the Outlander will have to attain this.
The Outlander will be powered by a 2.0-liter I-4 in European markets. So far, Mitsubishi hasn’t divulged what its powertrain options are for the U.S. market. Rather, Mitsubishi pledges a MIVEC engine with an updated variable valve and lift timing system to boost the fuel economy. In addition, the Outlander will have several items that weren’t previously available in the U.S. such as forward collision mitigation, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.
The second car isn’t exactly a new model and is more likely to be a trim level update. The 2013 Outlander Sport Limited Edition builds on the 2013 Outlander Sport by facelifting its exterior and by giving it a few slight mechanical revisions.
The Limited Edition will get black mirror caps and a black grille divider, together with black roof rails and “dark chrome alloy wheels.” It is equipped with a different engine balancer shaft, which pledges a stronger acceleration while restricting the NVH and maintaining the highway fuel economy at 31 mpg, identical to that of the stock Outlander Sports.
The package also includes a six-way power driver’s seat, aluminum pedals, a leather-covered handbrake lever, and two tone gray/black leather upholstery.
Topics: mitsubishi, mitsubishi outlander, mitsubishi outlander sport, limited edition, la auto show If you liked the article, share on:
VW unveils improved 2017 e-Golf at 2016 LA Auto Show
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2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/8682 | A Total Of £65 Million For ULEVs In The UK
Sorry there are no photos! Hide Twelve UK cities have been shortlisted to share £35 million in funding aimed at promoting ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs).
Set up by the UK’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles and the Department for Transport, the £35 million Go Ultra Low City Scheme is supposed to deliver a step-change in the uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles. The program will reward cities that demonstrate most potential to achieve ‘exemplar status’ – becoming internationally outstanding examples for the adoption of ULEVs in a local area.
The 12 cities are: City of York Council; Department for Regional Development of Northern Ireland; Dundee City Council; Greater London Authority; Leicester City Council; Milton Keynes Council; North East Combined Authority; Nottingham City Council; Oxford City Council Sheffield City Council; West of England; West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
SEE ALSO: Right-Hand-Drive Tesla Model S Available Now In UK
These cities will now fully develop their proposals over summer and the winners, expected to be between two to four cities, will be announced in the autumn.
“This funding is an unequivocal signal from government that we are committed to making ultra-low emission vehicles a practical and viable choice for more people,” said Minister of State for Transport Baroness Kramer. “Today’s shortlist of 12 Go Ultra Low Cities from across the country is an important part of our effort to improve air quality and establish the UK as a global leader in the uptake of low and ultra-low emissions vehicles. This can help to transform people’s quality of life in their cities and is an important step towards our 2050 vision when almost every car, bus and van in the UK will be an ultra-low emission vehicle.”
Going even further, an additional £30 million has been announced to enable local authorities and bus operators to replace existing vehicles with greener alternatives to help clean up urban air quality.
These investments are part of a £500 million package set aside for ULEVs that was announced last year.
Posted in Incentives and Laws, News, Politics, Incentives & Laws
Tagged as bus, car, electrification, Go Ultra Low City, Go Ultra Low City scheme, Office for Low Emission Vehicles and the Department for Transport, philippe crowe, UK, ulev, ultra-low emission vehicles Related Readings
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2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/9393 | 1070 Arastradero Road, Suite 220
Better Place Consortium Delivers EU Showcase in Amsterdam
Source: Better Place
Minister Verhagen Cuts Ribbon to Open Schiphol Battery Switch Station
AMSTERDAM--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Better Place today announced that it is taking another step forward in Europe by bringing its award-winning electric car network solution, beginning with the launch of a marque electric taxi project at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. The company also announced the appointment of Paul Harms as CEO of Better Place Netherlands. Harms previously served as CEO of Athlon Netherlands and as an Executive Vice President of Athlon Car Leasing International.
Better Place inaugurates the first battery switch station for electric cars at Schipol Airport, Amsterdam (Netherlands). (Photo: Business Wire)
“We’re thrilled that Paul has joined the Better Place team to lead and expand this project going forward,” said Shai Agassi, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Better Place. “And we’re grateful for the support of the European Commission, the Dutch and Danish governments, Schiphol, Renault, and all of our partners in making this project happen in less than 18 months. We’re determined to demonstrate to Europe that electric cars can drive any distance in any country and aren’t just limited to short-distance driving.”
Maxime Verhagen, Minister of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation, presided over the official ribbon-cutting ceremony. Minister Verhagen was joined on stage by Jos Nijhuis, Schiphol Group President and CEO, Olivier Onidi, Directorate General for Mobility and Transport at the European Commission, and Jean-Paul Renaux, Managing Director Renault Netherlands. Better Place Founder and CEO Shai Agassi, along with Netherlands CEO Paul Harms, hosted the group.
Awarded last year, the project consortium, “Greening European Transportation Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles,” is the first-ever, decarbonization infrastructure project co-financed by the European Union’s TEN-T program. The Battery Switch Station was built in partnership with Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and will initially serve 10 Renault Fluence Z.E. taxis operated by three leading Dutch taxi companies – Connexxion, Bios and TCA. The Schiphol station is exclusively dedicated for the use of the Renault Fluence Z.E. electric taxis at this time.
Better Place also announced that it will expand the Schiphol showcase to include a second Battery Switch Station in Amsterdam, which will increase the service area for the first group of electric taxis.
The Schiphol-Amsterdam corridor is one of the most demanding routes in the world with more than 700,000 taxi trips originating from Schiphol each year. Applying battery switch technology to electric taxis allows them to operate virtually around the clock without the need to stop, plug in, and charge. The project showcases that with the right solution, high usage vehicles such as taxis can make the switch to electric cars.
On average, Dutch consumers drive around 15,000 kilometers each year, with a large segment of business users that drive around 30,000 kilometers on average, making The Netherlands one of the most attractive markets for electric kilometers in Europe.
While this is just the beginning for Better Place Netherlands, the company is already proving that its model works today in its first markets – Israel and Denmark.
The company recently completed an historic “lap” around Israel by driving the Renault Fluence Z.E. 1,150 KM in 16 hours – without stopping to charge. Instead, the team leveraged the Better Place network of Battery Switch Stations around the country by switching the battery along the way.
In Denmark, a Better Place network of five Battery Switch Stations now connects Copenhagen to Aarhus, allowing Danish drivers to complete one of the most important routes in the country. Thirteen more Switch Stations will be completed by year’s end.
In both markets, drivers of more than 500 Renault Fluence Z.E. electric cars with switchable batteries have driven more than three million electric kilometres to date. In fact, Better Place has delivered more Renault Fluence Z.E.s in Israel year-to-date than in all of France, thanks to the Better Place network.
Better Place is backed by a world-class group of investors including HSBC and Israel Corp. that are fully dedicated to the company’s long-term success and view Better Place as a long-term, transformational investment in their portfolio. The company has raised more than $750 million of equity financing to date. Last week, Better Place announced its first-ever credit facility from a financial institution – a €40 million loan from the European Investment Bank.
About Better Place
Better Place is the leading global provider of electric car networks that enables the mass market adoption of electric cars through an innovative battery switch model that makes driving electric cars more affordable, convenient and sustainable than today’s petrol-based cars. Better Place owns and operates a network of battery switch stations and public/personal charge spots, along with the supply of batteries that power the cars, to provide drivers with instant range extension and the convenience to drive, switch and go across an entire region. Where possible, Better Place uses renewable sources of energy to deliver fully zero emissions driving. The World Economic Forum has named Better Place a “Global Growth Company Industry Shaper” for its innovative approach in advancing the global switch to electric cars. Check out www.betterplace.com
In this press release and in related comments by our management, our use of the words “expect,” “possible,” “believe,” “continue,” “may,” “will,” “positioned”, “promised” or similar expressions is intended to identify forward-looking statements that represent our current judgment about possible future events. We believe these judgments are reasonable, but these statements are not guarantees of any events or financial results, and our actual results may differ materially due to a variety of important factors. Among other items, such factors might include: our ability to complete testing and certification as expected; our ability to expand commercial operations and increase revenue; our ability to offer nationwide coverage in Israel and Denmark in the expected time frame; our ability to move forward with Battery Switch Station deployment in other countries; and our ability to attract new customers. Better Place disclaims any obligation to update information contained in these forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50394638&lang=en
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Qatar to discuss Smart City road map in Arab Future Cities Summit 2014 Jan. 15, 2014
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2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/10457 | Report: The Trump Effect on You Cellulosic Ethanol Drives Le Mans February 6, 2008 Posted By: Matt Hopkins | EmailEmailPrintFacebookGoogleTwitterLinkedIn The American Le Mans Series season opener will debut cellulosic E85 racing ethanol.
In a technological breakthrough in both the renewable fuels arena and racing, KL Process Design Group of Rapid City, SD, will supply the American Le Mans Series with cellulosic E85 racing ethanol for the 2008 season. The fuel, produced from waste wood, will be used for the first time during the season opener, the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on March 15.
Consumer E85 is a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Cellulosic ethanol is produced from biomass such as wood waste, switchgrass, or citrus. Corvette Racing will be the first team to use the cellulosic-based flex-fuel ethanol in competition.
"This is a groundbreaking achievement not only in motorsports, but also in the drive to relevant fuel technologies," says Scott Atherton, president and CEO of the American Le Mans Series. "The American Le Mans Series was recently recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. EPA as the only motorsports entity to meet the criteria for ‘green racing’. Introducing cellulosic E85 racing ethanol to our series with one of our most noted championship teams does nothing but reinforce our commitment to be the global leader in green racing."
The trend toward renewable fuels in racing has been driven in large part by the Omaha, NE-based Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC). Through the marketing partnership with EPIC, the American Le Mans Series will drive awareness of ethanol among consumers through its use of both E10 and E85 ethanol.
The KL Process Design Group plant providing the fuel is located 1 mile south of Upton, WY, and is the first commercially operational cellulosic ethanol facility in the U.S. The pioneering plant is the result of six years of development efforts between KL and local universities.
According to a U.S. Department of Energy study conducted by the Argonne Laboratories of the University of Chicago, one of the benefits of cellulosic ethanol is that it reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent over reformulated gasoline. Cellulosic ethanol also yields roughly 80 percent more energy than is required to grow and convert it.
There will be at least two automotive manufacturers that will run E85 during the 2008 season — Corvette Racing and Aston Martin Racing.
Topics: ethanol Leave a Reply Cancel reply | 汽车 |
2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/11134 | Upcoming Cars 2011 India
January 11, 2011January 18, 2011SURYA The Hottest New cars of 2011
It’s boom time for the auto industry in India. More than 50 new cars and variants are set for their India debut and over the next two weeks, Check this cars that will hit the Indian auto sector.
Release: January 2011
Price: 12 Lakhs
India’s largest auto exporter and second largest auto manufacturer, Hyundai Motor Co., plans to launch Hyundai Avante as a replacement for its discontinued model Hyundai Elantra. The Avante might be equipped with a 1.6 litre Gamma petrol engine and a diesel engine variant may follow. The 1.6 litre, DOHC, VVT, 4 cylinder, petrol engine is believed to pump out a top power of 118 bhp at 6200 rpm and churn out a peak torque of 156 Nm at 4200 rpm. The diesel variant of the car is reported to be loaded with a 1582cc, CRDi power-train that belts out a max power of 115 bhp at 4000 rpm and generates maximum torque of 260 nm at 1900 rpm. Both the mills are to be mated with a 6-speed automatic gearbox. For better fuel economy, the petrol engine is reported to have intelligent Gasoline Direct Injection technology (GDI). This technology will ensure around 10 per cent increase in the fuel efficiency as compared to its peers. MARUTI CERVO
Price: Rs 1.5-2 lakh
India’s largest auto manufacturer, Maruti, is planning to launch another small car model, Cervo, as an entry level segment in the Indian auto market. This is seen as Maruti’s aggressive counter for the Tata Nano which has stormed the auto market with its ultra low cost. To reduce its manufacturing cost Maruti Suzuki may reduce some features from the original model which is available in Japan. It is also expected that after the launch Maruti Cervo will overtake the company’s most popular models Maruti 800 and Maruti Alto.
Release: February 2011
Price: Rs 20-25 lakh
Leading Indian car manufacturer General Motors India is planning to present its fifth generation all-new luxury sports car in Indian auto market. The Camaro is expected to be powered by two types of engines – 3.6L V6 petrol engine and 6.2L V8 Engine carrying 5 trim level variants, LS, 1 LT, 2LT, 1SS & 2SS. The variants LS, 1LT, 2LT comes with 3.6L V6 engine while rest 1SS & 2SS are packed with 6.2 L V8 engine.
Release: April 2011
Price: Rs 5-7 lakh
After being hit by bankruptcy last year, General Motors has overcome the bad time and is now sailing across the world. It recently launched a new sedan Chevrolet Sail in the Chinese market in association with Shanghai GM and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC), both being GM-SAIC joint ventures. The concept car model, Chevrolet Sail, was displayed in Shanghai Auto Show in 2005. The company has informed that the car will be exported to other emerging markets as well. The statement is seen as an indication of its launch in India as well. However, the company has not confirmed the India launch. The Sail EV isn’t approved for production but there is a strong possibility of it arriving in India next year in the prototype form. GM India has said it will display a concept EV in April 2011.
Price: Rs 8 lakh
As promised by the Japanese auto major, Nissan Micra, a small car, will be followed by Nissan Micra sedan. The Sunny range was first introduced in 1966 and a lot of modifications took place every passing year for decades. Among the all raw information, the code name of the upcoming Sedan i.e. L02B and it’s Nissan V-platform sound trustworthy. The company is also planning to launch Nissan Sunny with both petrol and diesel engine, each having three variants that are all set to be produced in the manufacturing plant in Chennai where Nissan Micra is produced for India and exported to other countries. However, in the case of Nissan Sunny, the car would be first launched in China and then in other nations including India.
The Nissan Sunny is speculated to be loaded with 1.5 litre petrol and the same capacity 1.5 litre diesel engine producing 100 bhp of maximum power. The engine might produce around 146 Nm of torque like other 1.5 litre powertrains. The engine will be incorporated with a 5 speed manual gearbox. It is also clubbed with 4 cylinders and 16 valves. With this engine configuration and expected price tag, the Nissan Sunny will have to face competition from the likes of Honda City, Hyundai Verna, Maruti Swift Dzire, Tata Indigo Manza, Ford Fiesta.
Price: Rs 4.2-5.5 lakh
The announcement of Toyota Etios Liva was made with great anxiousness from Toyota as this is the first time that Toyota Motors has pinned its hopes on a low-range model. However, the cost of this hatchback has been reduced with no compromise on safety or comfort. On stepping in to a new market, Toyota has to face some real experts like Maruti, Hyundai and Tata.
The Liva will be equipped with a 1.2 litre motor will be accompanied with four valves per cylinder for it to breathe better, but despite of all the efficient technology it ends up producing 80 bhp power, a modest figure for a hatchback but if we look at the proportion of power and weight, the Toyota Etios Liva will rule out major players in the segment. The effective weight of the car is 890 Kg and with that it will also assure easy to drive motor. The torque spread of the car is going to be a striking feature as in its saloon version which gives the car excellent linear power delivery.
Release: May 2011
Nissan, the largest auto manufacturer in the world, is reported to launch its flagship car model, Nissan GTR in India. The sports car which has coupe design was first introduced in Japan in December 2007 followed by the U.S. in July 2008 and the rest of the world in March 2009. The car is also known as Godzilla across the world. After the commercial launch, Nissan GTR was launched in different countries with a few upgradation. Recently the car was displayed at Tokyo Motor Show 2009 with some changes. The car Nissan GTR was brought to India in March 2008 for display purposes only.
The super fast sports car comes loaded with a 3.8L, DOHC V6, two-parallel turbochargers, all wheel drive with a displacement of 3,799cc. The powerplant of the coupe is capable of delivering a maximum power of 474 bhp at 6400 rpm and produces a peak torque of 588 Nm at 3,200-5200 rpm. The Nissan GTR comes equipped with GR6 dual-clutch six-speed transmission. As far as the acceleration is concerned, the Nissan GTR can accelerate from 0-100 kmph in a mere 3.5 seconds and can reach speeds in excess of 300 kmph.
Release: June 2011
The Swedish car manufacturer Volvo that has already earned reliability and reputation in India through it’s buses, now the company is all set to hit a new sedan Volvo S60 in the luxury segment. Volvo is targeting to sell 9000 units in the first year of launching.
As per the description given by Volvo Design Boss Peter Horboury, this is going to be in a typical Swedish look, this will probably be like Mercedes high end S-Class sedan in respect of safety features. The company will be offering a single variant – COMFORT – initially, the car will be launched in two petrol engines a 304bhp turbocharged 3.0-litre straight six and a 203 bhp 2.0 – litre turbo four – as well as two five-cylinder diesels, with 205bhp and 163bhp.
Audi has decided to bring its small car to India. Audi A1 is based on its parent firm’s car Volkswagen Polo and is to be shorter than the Audi A3, but will have more length, width and height than the Mini Cooper.
Initially, Audi is reported to launch the compact car in four variants, viz 1.2L TFSI, 1.4L TFSI, 2.0 TDI and 1.6L TDI engine. The first two are petrol and last two are diesel engine. All the power-plants are smaller, turbocharged and have direct fuel injection system. The base petrol engine, 1.2 L TFSI is capable enough to produce 63 Kw of peak power while generates top torque of 160 Nm at 1500-3,500 rpm. The higher end petrol variant of the Audi A1 is powered by a 1.4L TFSI, four cylinder engine which easily pumps out 90 kW of maximum power and 200 Nm of peak torque at 1,500-4,000 rpm. The variant is to be loaded with standard six-speed manual transmission. The diesel variant of Audi A1 might be loaded with 1.6 TDI 16 valve engine that develops 77 kW of peak power and 250 Nm of top torque at 1500-2500 rpm. The variant is loaded with a five-speed manual transmission. There is a bit confusion for the second diesel engine. Some sources report that it will be a 2.0L TDI engine or others say that it will be another 1.6L TDI engine which is to produce more power.
Price: Rs 16 lakh
Small car maker Maruti Suzuki India is all set for a foray into the luxury segment with the Kizashi. Powered by a J24B 2.4 litre petrol engine, 4 cylinder, DOHC, the D-segment car’s powertrain is capable of producing peak power of 185 hp at 6,500 rpm (Manual Transmission) and 180 hp at 6,000 rpm (Continuously Variable Transmission). The maximum torque from the engine is 170 Nm at 4,000 rpm in both types of transmission.
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2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/11490 | Volkswagen Officially Reveals 2012 Tiguan SUV Facelift Prior to Geneva Motor Show
Volkswagen has dropped the first official photos of its refreshed Tiguan following the leak of a single picture of the compact SUV that appeared on the automaker's public website on Thursday. But while we got more than half a dozen of photos, VW did not release any info on the 2012 Tiguan other than that it will make its world premiere at next month's Geneva Motor Show and that the base price of the new model in Germany remains the same as before at €24,175 (US$33,000) for the entry-level Trend and Fun with the 122HP 1.4-liter TSI petrol. The company added that it accelerated the presentation and the start of advance sales of the "technically and visually refined" Tiguan several weeks because "sustained high demand for the previous model has resulted in it being sold out." Looking at the photos we can see that the exterior changes have shades of the new VW design language seen across the Eos, Passat and Touareg. There's a new face up front with a wider but more plain grille flanked by redesigned headlamps incorporating LED daytime running lights and a restyled bumper. The changes at the rear are also inspired by latest VW models as the Tiguan's tail lamps have been squared off, while the bumper has also been re-designed. The only visible change inside the cabin appears to be the newly designed steering wheel. We'll have more on the updated Tiguan as soon as Volkswagen releases more information and /or photos. _______________________________GALLERY_______________________________
Geneva Motor Show, | 汽车 |
2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/11540 | HondaDog W.O.W Concept Car
A friend wanted a new car to carry two people and a dog. So I thought I would search the web for dog carrying systems. I found the expected pet barriers, boxes, harnesses and books. Some of these things seemed a little obsessive, such as four wheeled stroller for dogs. But also there was a specially designed car for dogs: The HondaDog W.O.W Concept Car.This has a range of doggy support systems all in the one experimental vehicle. The first is an oversize mesh glove box to carry a small dog.The base of the centre row of seats flips forward to provide space for a medium size dog, much like a child seat.The most practical seems to be an anchor point in the floor which you can attach a harness to for a large dog. To make this more dog-friendly, the anchor point is shaped like a dog bone.There is also a bar near the door to tie a dog to when the car is open.Google's automated translations from Japanese don't do to well on the descriptions of these, but you get the idea:"When cup thing driving together, being if possible, soon as for the owner we would like placing safely, many expectation. Answering the desire of such an owner this Âcenter crateÂ. It slides the rear seat up to the last section and producing the extra seat which is received under that floor, if it causes the pad of the seat back and the bearing surface, you turn quickly to the center crate which it can ride to the medium-sized dog. Also 4 name riding in a car are possible in this state. Exactly is even in the going out in the family."
Systems of Systems
At the ACT joint systems interest groups (SQA, SESA, IEEE-CS and SCSC) meeting this week Shaun Wilson, from Aerospace Concepts Pty Ltd www.concepts.aero talked about "Challenges of Socio-technical Systems-of-Systems Engineering":The World is full of systems, natural and man-made. We all know this; indeed, this conference and the Systems Engineering Society of Australia exist to further the practice of engineering complex systems because history has demonstrated that design and management approaches that explicitly recognise the nature of systems are useful in undertaking man's more challenging technical projects.Recently, and especially in the Defence sector, the term 'systems of systems' has become commonly heard, perhaps to the point of being over-used. What is the difference between 'SoS' and systems in general. And what about the socio-technical aspects of SoS? To some, there is no fundamental difference, it's all just a matter of scale ... but is this really the case?I had difficulty understanding what "Systems of Systems" were. A quick search of the Wikipedia gave:"System-of-Systems is a relatively new term that is being applied primarily to government projects for addressing large scale inter-disciplinary problems with multiple, heterogeneous, distributed systems that are embedded in networks at multiple levels and multiple domains. ..."Almost all of the audience had a Defence Department background, including myself. Shaun drew his examples of systems of systems from defence and aerospace. However, as an IT person, the idea of having to link to together existing systems just seemed to the everyday routine, not a new concept. With the advent of the Internet and the web, having to get existing systems (and the people who build them) to work together is not unusual. It may be new to systems engineers, but is not to IT ones.There seems a fundamental flaw in the System-of-Systems concept. It tries to fix problems with large defence project from an engineering point of view. But many of the problems with Defence projects are not due to a deficiency in engineering or systems design, they are from political pressures preventing effective management. The engineers know what needs to be done, but bureaucratic impediments prevent them doing it. To hide the management problem is in the quasi-engineering jargon of "socio-technical aspects" is the wrong approach.An example I gave in a question was the color of the engine nacelles on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner airliner. Boeing has proposed to airlines that the nacelles be painted a standard shade of grey. This allows the engines to have a very smooth paint job, reducing drag and saving fuel. But without the financial incentive, there would be no reason for the airlines to agree to do this. In the defence environment there would not be this financial incentive and there would have to be rules and committees invented to try to have the color standardized. The solution is to introduce the financial incentive and let the projects respond to that incentive.An example Shaun used was the major upgrade problems for the US Air Force to keep B-52 bombers flying for 90 years. His solution was to use systems-of-systems techniques. This seemed to me to not be an engineering problem at all, but a simple case of bad management. The solution is to get rid of the old planes and buy some new ones.The cost of developing a large military aircraft to replace the B-52 would be prohibitive, so the alternative would be to militarize commercial airliners. That might sound hard to do, but the US Navy is converting the 737 airliner into the armed P-8A Multimission Maritime Aircraft (MMA).The B-52 is comparable in size and payload to a 787 airliner. It would take a little mechanical work and a lot of software to turn a 787 into a bomber. But at least they would not have to repaint the engines, as the standard grey would do fine. ;-)ps: The Australian military is unlikely to buy any 787 bombers. But they are buying some C-17 transport aircraft which could be used in the role. This might just need a software upgrade. The C-17 can launch a missile 20 m long of 27,000kg.
Net-Enabled Command Capability
In August I gave a talk at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra on "Podcasting for Network Centric Warfare". In this I suggested using web technology for the military, including putting web servers in jet fighters.That sounded a bit far fetched, but I see US DoD's Standing Joint Force Headquarters (JSFHQ) have several proposals for such techniques (some items below).What is a little worrying is that non-nation state groups could apply the same technology. Hezbollah are reported to have flown UAVs over Lebanon in the recent conflict. What makes these UAVs more than just large model aeroplanes is the computer technology on-board.From "Israel shoots down Hizbullah UAV", By Alon Ben-David, Janes Defence Weekly, 9 August 2006:The Israel Air Force (IAF) intercepted an Iranian-made Ababil unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launched by the Islamic Resistance - the armed wing of the Lebanese Shi'ite Party of God (Hizbullah) - off the northern Israeli coastline on 7 August. ...The Ababil has a maximum operational radius of 150 km, a maximum ceiling of 14,000 ft (4,268 m), the ability to travel at a maximum speed of 300 km/h and is capable of carrying a 45 kg payload. It has a surveillance configuration, carrying a camera and digital communications equipment, but also an attack configuration, carrying a high-explosive warhead that would be delivered by the UAV crashing onto a target.Net-Enabled Command Capability (NECC) :The Net-Enabled Command Capability (NECC) is the Department of Defense’s (DoD) principal command and control capability that will be accessible in a net-centric environment and focused on providing the commander with the data and information needed to make timely, effective, and informed decisions. NECC draws from the C2 community to evolve current and provide new C2 capabilities into a fully integrated, interoperable, collaborative Joint solution. Warfighters can rapidly adapt to changing mission needs by defining and tailoring their information environment and drawing on capabilities that enable the efficient, timely, and effective command of forces and control of engagements.Global Information Grid (GIG):The Global Information Grid (GIG) vision implies a fundamental shift in information management, communication, and assurance. The GIG system will provide authorized users with a seamless, secure, and interconnected information environment, meeting real-time and near real-time needs of both the warfighter and the business user. The GIG will use commercial technologies augmented to meet DoD's mission-critical user requirementsCore Services - Net-Centric Enterprise Services:The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) created the Net-Centric Enterprise Services (NCES) program to provide enterprise services in support of the Global Information Grid (GIG). NCES will provide Department of Defense (DoD) organizations ubiquitous access to reliable, decision-quality information through a net-based services infrastructure and applications to bridge real-time and near-real-time communities of interest (COI). NCES will empower the edge user to pull information from any available source, with minimal latency, to support the mission. Its capabilities will allow GIG users to task, post, process, use, store, manage and protect information resources on demand for warriors, policy makers and support personnel.
Life Cycle Analysis, 20 Sep, Canberra
Free seminar in Canberra at the Australian National University:Life Cycle Analysis – A Tool to Understand SustainabilityDate: Wednesday 20th September 2006Location: Engineering Lecture Theatre, Building 32, Grid reference F4.Time: 4.00 pm to 6.00 pmCost: FreeABSTRACT:Both Dr Faltenbacher and Dr Gediga will be in Australia attending a conference on alternative transport energies in Perth.During this seminar they will give an overview of their work, their methodologies and then some detailed results and analysis of a couple of case studies.Life cycle analysis is vital in discussing the cradle to grave impact of sustainable energy technologies. The work carried out in the Engineering Department at the ANU and, within engineering, the Centre for Sustainable Energy Systems responds well to life cycle analysis.BIO:Dr Michael Faltenbacher is in charge of all projects focusing on fuels for transportation energy systems within the PE Consulting Group based in Germany.From 1999 to 2005 he was a research Engineer at the Department of Life Cycle Engineering at the University of Stuttgart, Chair of material science of metal and polymers, IKP. During that time he was, amongst other things, the coordinator of the accompanying studies for the world’s largest fuel cell bus demonstration trial taking place in 10 European cities as well as in Perth, Western Australia, and Beijing, China (CUTE – Clean Urban Transport for Europe).Dr Johannes Gediga is an expert in evaluating and improving the performance of product systems. He has extensive experience in the metals and mining industries, including non-ferrous and precious metals processing. `He has expertise in economic calculations, weak point analysis, and technology benchmark energy efficiency studies, with a focus on sustainability and Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).For my own take on this, see my "Belconnen to City Transitway Submission".
Services Sciences and Network Centric Warfare
On Wednesday I talked on Podcasting for Network Centric Warfare. at the ANU. I argued that civilian university research on how to collect information and coordinate the work people do, is applicable to the military.John Ridge, Executive Director of the ACS Foundation, said that this reminded him of IBM's "Services Sciences, Management and Engineering" concept:"Services sciences, Management and Engineering hopes to bring together ongoing work in computer science, operations research, industrial engineering, business strategy, management sciences, social and cognitive sciences, and legal sciences to develop the skills required in a services-led economy."IBM argue that just as research has previously been used to help manufacturing processes, it can be applied to the service industry. In a way this is a civilian version of the military's "Network Centric Warfare". The military is moving from the mechanistic linking of "engagement systems" to "sensors" and now talking of how to allow people to act more effectively."Services Sciences, Management and Engineering" was first called "Services Science" at an IBM conference in May 2004. It doesn't seem to have gained much attention outside IBM and a few US Universities.A web search only found 500 references to it (126 IBM references, 38 from US universities, 4 from UK Universities, 4 from Australia). Google Scholar had 11 references, with most from IBM publications. One non-IBM published paper is from the Communications of the ACM: "Service systems, service scientists, SSME, and innovation" by Maglio, Srinivasan, Kreulen and Spohrer (all from IBM).There appear to be no books yet on SSME, or at least I couldn't find any on Amazon.
Government Service Point and Search Quality
Last Thursday I attended the fifth Canberra Web Standards Group meeting at the "Bunker Theatre", under the Department of the Environment and Heritage. This featured Peter Alexander, Team Leader, Online Development, Australian Government Information Management Office (AGIMO) and Dr David Hawking, from the company Funnelback and the CSIRO ICT Centre. Peter Alexander, Team Leader, Online Development, Australian Government Information Management Office (AGIMO) talked on "The impact of the e-government strategy and development of the Australian Government Online Service Point". The federal government is going beyond just providing a home page to provide more personalized services. At the same time they are trying to break down the government department based "silos" of services and information. Peter was quite brave to take on a room full of departmental web masters and tell them that from now on government wide information campaigns would use the one home page address, not one for each campaign. Departmental level programs would still be under the department's web site, but would be accessible from the central web address as well.As I outlined from the AGIMO "e-Government Update" in June, a user id and password will be added to the home page allowing citizens (and small businesses) to access government services in a more integrated way. The exact details of what will be provided are still being works out. I asked if paid advertising would be allowed on the site, as this could offset the cots and provide a useful service (if carefully done). My question was met with laughter from the back of the room, but Peter said this had not been ruled out.One flaw in the AGIMO strategy is the lack of integration with state and local governments (who are the ones which provide the bulk of government services). Peter replied that they want to get the federal level sorted out first, but there may be some pilots with state government. One entertaining example was a "report-a-pothole" web site, because the general public has no idea which bit of road is the responsibility of local, state or federal government.Dr David Hawking, from the company Funnelback and the CSIRO ICT Centre talked about "Measuring, optimizing and comparing search result quality". Dr Hawking is a world authority on web search engines, the creator of the technology behind Funnelback and trained some of the clever people at Microsoft and Google. He has come up with a technique (and software) to test public search engines (such as Google) and to tune those used in organizations, such as the Australian Government's service point.Like all good ideas the way the testing works sounds obvious, but only in retrospect, after a decade of work. What is perhaps moire interesting than tuning the technical settings on a company (or government) search engine, is to use the test results to see how the actual content of the web site should be changed. Dr Hawking used the example of where a query failed because the everyday words the public were searching for were not in the more technically written government documents.ps: Funnelback provided a lucky door prize for the event. I joining said I was the only one eligible to win it as everyone else was from government department. At the draw I won it! :-) | 汽车 |
2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/11876 | Automakers caught in China's antitrust drive by Charles Riley @CRrileyCNN August 6, 2014: 7:09 AM ET A Mercedes parked outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. China has launched an investigation into some of the auto industry's biggest names. State media reported Wednesday that China's top economic planning agency was investigating Chrysler and Audi for their "monopoly practices" -- and the companies would be punished soon. The companies stand accused of charging Chinese customers inflated prices for cars and replacement parts. Mercedes Benz is also under investigation. State media said regulators visited the company's offices in Shanghai earlier this week. The authorities are also reported to be looking into the activities of 12 Japanese auto parts companies. A spokesman for Daimler (DDAIF), which owns Mercedes, said the company was assisting authorities in their investigation. Audi, owned by Volkswagen (VLKAF), confirmed that an investigation was underway, but a spokeswoman said the company would not be able to comment further until it was over. Chrysler parent Fiat (FIADF) did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Foreign automakers have found China to be a massively important new market. The appetite for new cars -- especially luxury models -- has helped bolster the bottom line of companies facing weak demand in Europe and the United States. Related: BMW sales top one million. Thanks China! Some companies have responded to the increased scrutiny by slashing prices, presumably in an effort to appease regulators. Mercedes said it would cut parts prices by 15% on average. China's richest man going global The investigation is being carried out under China's anti-monopoly law, a statute that was enacted in 2008. The law covers all companies operating in China, including powerful state-owned enterprises. It has already been used against foreign pharmaceutical companies and milk powder suppliers. Related: Top 10 luxury cars in China Automakers are not the only foreign companies under investigation. Chinese authorities said last month that they're investigating Microsoft (MSFT, Tech30) for possible violations. The government said the company had not fully disclosed information related to its Windows and Office systems. Qualcomm (QCOM, Tech30) has also been targeted in a similar probe. The company said China was looking into the company's licensing business, and that the investigation had hurt revenues. -- Alanna Petroff in London contributed to this article. CNNMoney (Hong Kong) First published August 6, 2014: 7:09 AM ET Comments Social Surge - What's Trending | 汽车 |
2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/11941 | Musings and comments on autos, sports, movies, etc.
JAGUAR JUMPS INTO LUXURY
SPORTS SEDAN SEGMENT WITH 2017 XE
I’ve always tended to look with favor on new Jaguars, even when they didn’t deserve such recognition.
You don’t have to go all that far back to come to a time when their technology (i.e., navigation and audio systems and the operation thereof) was at least a half-step, if not a full pace, behind that of their competitors, and they were late coming to market with convertibles with tops that automatically folded neatly into an enclosed compartment instead of requiring you to get out and snap in place a tonneau cover.
And then there were the issues like about how Aunt Jane once had a Jaguar and it was always in the shop.
But since Tata Motors bought the famed Brit brand from Ford in 2008, Jaguar seems to have undergone a product revitalization, an example of which is the F-Type coupe and convertible introduced in 2014 and featured in current television ads.
The droptop is unquestionably my favorite Jaguar and one of my favorite luxury cars period.
But Tata didn’t stop there.
With the 2017 Jaguar XE, the company dives into the thick of the compact luxury sedan segment by taking on the traditional leader of the class, BMW’s 3 Series, along with the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4, and others. If you’re tired of browsing in Teutonic showrooms, the XE gives you a good reason to shop around.
The XE comes in four trim levels (Base, Premium, Prestige, and R-Sport) and with three different engines offered for each, starting with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (240 horsepower, 251pound-feet of torque) and including a 2.0-liter turbodiesel (180 hp, 318 lb.-ft).
The XE Prestige 35t model I had for the past week came with a 3.5-liter supercharged V6 that is shared with the F-Type and tops the power range at 340 hp and 332 lb.-ft. of torque. It scoots from zero-to-60 mph in just 5.1 seconds, according to company clockers, and I have no reasons to doubt their numbers. With optional all-wheel drive, it’s a tenth of a second quicker. (Times for the smaller-engine 25t model is 6.5 seconds and for the diesel 7.8.)
All the engines are mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission that can be manually shifted via steering wheel-mounted paddles or put in Sport mode for some extra punch.
Fuel efficiency for the four-banger is listed as 21 miles-per-gallon city, 30 highway, and 24 combined. For the 35t, it’s the same with RWD models and 20/29/23 with AWD. Jaguar hasn’t released numbers for the diesel and they aren’t available at www.fueleconomy.gov, but they’re expected to be better than those for the gasoline models.
I’ve always liked the exterior styling of Jaguars. They have a very distinctive look about them that sets them apart from their competitors. You never have to check out the badging to confirm it’s a Jaguar.
That’s certainly true with the 2017 XE. Though it doesn’t have traditional Jaguar cat leaping from the hood — the company opted instead to go with its other signature logo, the Growler, in the front grille, the all-new XE isn’t going to be confused with any other make from any other manufacturer.
Inside, the Jaguar XE has a distinctive look as well, thanks in part to the rotary dial gear selector that rises from the center console when the start/stop button is pushed. The cabin is uncluttered, which is both good and bad. It takes a bit of time to get used to how the various infotainment features are operated, and the navigation map kept asked me to log in to my account, which I didn’t have. Response to voice commands was about average. Overall, though, the systems aren’t overly complicated to operate, and they’re a big improvement over what Jaguar offered a decade or so ago.
The ambiance of the interior is very classy, and the front seat is rather cozy. The backseat? Well, three passengers supposedly fit back there, but I’d hate to be the person in the middle. Truck space is on the generous side with a capacity of 15.9 cubic feet.
Pricing for the XE 25t (2.0 turbo) starts at $34,900. MSRP for the diesel version is $36,400. The 35t (3.0 supercharged) starts at $41,700.
The 35t Prestige model I had included optional Vision (HID headlights, headlight power wash, high beat assist, front and rear park assist, blind spot detection and reverse traffic detection) and Technology (10.2-inch touchscreen, navigation, surround sound, and Wi-Fi) packages with a base price of $45,600. Add the destination and delivery and total charges were $46,595.
What I liked about the 2017 Jaguar XE 35t Prestige: It’s beautiful on the outside and comfortable on the inside. Especially when set in Dynamic and Sport mode, its responses are quick and deliver a true sports sedan performance.
What I didn’t like about the 2017 Jaguar XE 35t Prestige: The infotainment system could be simpler to operate. A dial to flip through radio stations, for instance, would be a good addition. Somehow, I hit something that turned off the radio, and it took a while to figure out how to get it back on. Kind of reminded me of the time several years back and I accidentally turned off the audio on a BMW and I ended up pulling over and stopping the car and turning off the engine to start all over to get it back on.
Would I buy this car: Yes. It’s at least worth a look, especially if you are looking for something distinct from the usual BMW-Mercedes-Audi mold.
Paul Borden
F-Type,
sports sedan,
Tata Motors,
DODGE CHARGE R/T MATCHED WITH DODGE CHARGER HELLCAT
One of the last reviews I wrote for examiner.com this summer was on the Dodge Charger Hellcat. This is the vehicle that dropped a virtual nuclear bomb in the horsepower wars a couple of years ago by putting a 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi V8 under the Charger’s hood. At 707 horsepower, it became the most powerful sedan in the world.
With 650 pound-feet of available torque, the Hellcat zips from zero-to-60 mph in well under four seconds, and the website torquenews.com has reported a time actually quicker than that — just 2.9 seconds.
Of course, there was more to the review than horsepower numbers and I really would like to give you a link to it. When they pulled the plug on examiner.com recently, however, they really pulled the plug and it’s not available any more. Maybe the Russians can find it.
The Charger Hellcat is well-equipped with lots of extras thrown in and roomy as well. One thing I noted in my review was that even with all those power, the Hellcat with its five-passenger capacity still could serve as a “family car,” though one not particularly fuel efficient.
But it also carries a base price tag of nearly $66,000 which, let’s face it, is a lot of money for a Dodge no matter how refined and fast it may be.
But you don’t have to spend that much to get the Charger’s Muscle Car looks and performance that lives up to the image.
Take the Charger R/T Blacktop I had this past week.
It’s equipped with a 5.7-liter naturally aspirated HEMI V8 that is rated at 370 horsepower and 395 lb.-ft. of torque that will scoot you from zero-to-60 in the neighborhood of five seconds, which is a sports-car like number in a full-size sedan. It carries a base MSRP of $34,890 (including destination and delivery), which is roughly half of what the Hellcat will set you back. (OK. A little more than half.)
(For the record, a couple of other Charger trims come with a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 that produces 485 horsepower with 475 lb.-ft. of torque going to the rear wheels, and the base SE and SXT trims come with a standard 3.6-liter V6 with ratings of 292 hp and 260 lb.-ft. — 300 and 264, respectively, with the Rallye Group package included.)
Fuel consumption for the 5.7-liter HEMI is rated at 16 miles-per-gallon city, 25 highway, and 19 combined, which according to the car’s computer is right at the numbers I was getting for my week. Mid-grade fuel is recommended, but Dodge says that regular is acceptable. Numbers for the Hellcat are 13/22 and premium fuel is recommended, so you come out a little ahead there as well.
All the engines, by the way, are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with manual gear selection capable via steering wheel-mounted paddles.
The R/T comes with a pretty wide variety of standard features, like anti-lock disc performance brakes, sport suspension, electronic stability and traction control, hill start assist, automatic headlamps, keyless Go system with push-button start, Dodge’s UConnect system with an 8.4-inch screen to operate telematic funcions, voice commands, and dual zone A/C.
My test vehicle had some option packages that added such features as a Beats Premium sound system, leather seats, HID projector headlamps, ventilated front seats and heated second-row seats, rear backup camera, park-assist system, and the Blacktop appearance package that features 20-inch polished and black painted aluminum wheels, black trim touches inside and out, navigation, and a leather-wrapped performance steering wheel.
Oh. And a black painted roof.
That ran the total MSRP to $41,070, which is still quite a bit less than what the Hellcat will set you back. Can you accept getting to 60 mph a couple of seconds slower? I can for that.
What I liked about the 2016 Dodge Charger R/T Blacktop: The looks are outstanding, and the performance is among the best, and not just in power. Handling is very nimble, and the quiet ride is firm but not overly stiff. The interior has been seriously upgraded with the cheap plastics of past cabins long gone. Backseat passengers can get 40.1 inches of legroom, only 1.7 inches less than those in the front. Trunk capacity is 16.5 cubic feet, which matches what you find in most others in the segment, including the Chrysler 300. Navigation, audio, etc. are very easy to operate.
What I didn’t like about the 2016 Dodger Charger RT Blacktop: Visibility is somewhat restricted by the large rear pillars and small rear windows. Seats could provide more support. A little more in the way of fuel economy would be nice, but if you want that performance, you’ve got to sacrifice something.
Would I buy this car: Yes. The R/T is as fun to drive as the Hellcat (more economical, too) and leaves you a lot more money to spend on extras.
Muscle Car,
USE YOUR TURN SIGNALS,
BUT NOT YOUR HAZARD LIGHTS
A PR rep for an auto manufacturer a few years ago said that after she had moved from St. Louis to Nashville she was stopped behind a car at an intersection and when the car didn’t move when the light changed, she honked her horn.
She said her husband reached over an gently touched her arm and said in a quiet voice, “Honey, in Nashville we don’t honk at people like that.”
Another friend overheard the story and laughed.
“In Miami,” he said, “they honk when the light in the other direction turns yellow.”
Not me. Not any more any way. I don’t honk. This is Miami and you don’t know what the guy in front of you might be packing. (“Say hello to my little friend.”)
Would you believe I don’t honk because I’m such a nice guy and very patient?
OK. Maybe not. Well, really the thing is, so many other things annoy me when I’m driving in South Florida that someone who lingers at a light is way down on my list.
Here are some examples of situations that get me riled:
—Drivers who don’t use their turn signals. As you can see from the above photo, the state or county has embarked on a campaign to try to remind drivers about various safety regulations in Florida via electronic signs above the roadway.
Last week it was a reminder to signal when changing lanes. Considering some people don’t use their turn signals to let you know when they are making a left turn and hardly any at all do so on a right turn, I’d say this is a fruitless campaign. Signal when changing lanes? What a radical idea!
But I admire FDOT’s spirit
This week the electronic reminder concerns moving vehicle from traffic lanes in the case of minor accidents with no injuries. It doesn’t take long for traffic to back up when one lane is blocked, and it makes no sense to leave your vehicle in the middle of the street if the damage is little.
Believe me. Your fender-bender may be big for you, but for the police, it’s trivial to what they face nearly every day. You’re lucky they look at your driver’s license.
—Drivers who turn on their flashers when it’s raining.
Like the requirement to use signal when changing lanes, it is a state law that you do NOT turn on your hazard lights while you are driving when it is raining. Yet many drivers in South Florida do exactly that, especially in heavy rain.
State law limits the use of hazard lights (it’s the button with the red triangle that you push) is limited in Florida to emergency situations when you are stopped or stalled. The one time in the state you are allowed to turn on your flashers is when you are driving in a funeral procession.
Turn them on other times and you may just end up in one.
—Drivers who honk when traffic is stopped and backed up.
Really. Does that help?
There’s an old joke that a guy was stopped at an intersection waiting to allow a little old lady make her way slowly across the street and a guy behind him honked.
The guy in the front car got out and said to the one behind while sweeping his arm toward the little old lady: “You go ahead and run her down. I don’t have the stomach for it.”
—People talking on their cell phones while driving.
I’ll bet that 90 percent of the time someone in front of me does something stupid, like swerve out of a lane or gradually slow down before making an abrupt turn (without signaling), that person is holding a cell phone up to his/her ear while driving. Texting, of course, is even worse.
—Drivers who hang in the left lane on expressways. The left lane on expressways should be for passing, though I guess there are exceptions in urban areas.
I know Kentucky is among states that have passed laws limiting the left lane for passing because there are signs along interstates in the Bluegrass State informing drivers to move to the right except when passing.
Florida has tinkered with that idea and at least once the state legislature has passed it, but Jeb Bush, the governor at the time, vetoed it because, he said, he didn’t want to encourage speeding. As if anybody in the left lane goes the speed limit.
—Drivers who follow too closely. Tailgating is great — at football games. On the interstate or even around town, not so much. The problem is there’s not a lot that you, the one being tailgated, can do about it. Sometimes I tap my brakes, but frankly that’s probably not a very good idea. Just ticks them off.
There are other things have can be annoying, but I have listed the major ones. At least for me. Maybe for you the driver who fails to see that the light has turned green and just sits motionless is at the top of your list.
Honk! Honk! Honk!
changing lanes,
FDOT,
A WEEK WITH A CHEVY SUBURBAN
AND DAYS WITHOUT MY LAPTOP
I am running a day or so late on my usual auto review blog, but I have a good reason/excuse.
On Monday of this week I had a problem with my laptop’s keyboard. A string of keys in the middle row (from D to L) simply failed to work. Punch them and nothing would happen. Naturally, I had a bunch of college football reports that were due the next day (these things never happen at a convenient time), and though I had done most of the work, some more still needed to be done.
So I took my laptop to a computer fix-it place and there, not to my surprise, I was told I would need a new keyboard. If they had one at the shop, they could fix it rather quickly. If they didn't, it probably would be Wednesday afternoon.
Naturally, they didn't have the keyboard in house. I left my computer there (What choice did I have?) and went to the library to see what work I could do there as far using their computers.
I don’t know if you have ever experienced trying to work on a PC after years of dealing with a Mac, but I can assure you of this: It can be frustrating. Very frustrating.
So I got little work done that evening.
Fortunately, the people I was to file the reports to said I could send them on Wednesday, so that left me worrying only about whether the fix-it people would be able to get my laptop back to me as they had said. And, bless their hearts, around 2 o’clock I got a call that it was ready.
I zipped over there to pick it up. While there, they asked me if I had a pet. It turns out they found a bunch of cat hair when they opened up my laptop. Gee. I wonder where that came from?
Any way, I was able to finish my work in an hour or so and got my reports to the Sports Xchange people apparently in plenty of time. At least they’re not complaining.
I had been planning to get to my usual car review on Wednesday but with that day taken up with my football reports, I couldn’t. And Thursday I had other things that needed to be taken care of. Thus, I am writing my car review today (Friday), and even now it is late afternoon.
My review is on the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban LT, a full-size SUV if there ever was one. Driving this for a week took me back to the late 1980s and 1990s when I had a Ford E150 full-size conversion van as my family vehicle.
With the Suburban, you have a feeling of get-the-hell-out-my-way power that comes with driving a vehicle that’s almost as long as Sherman tank tempered by the fear that somehow you’re going to unknowingly run over a Fiat 500 in a strip mall parking lot.
“Honest, officer. I had no idea that car was even there! Here. I’ll scrape it off my tire.”
Of course, the Suburban handles much better than the Sherman. (If you don’t believe me, just ask Mr. Peabody.) Rim shot!
Something you might not know about the Suburban. It has been around since 1935, making it the longest-running automotive nameplate in production.
Available in three trims (LS, LT, and LTZ), Chevy gave it a makeover for 2015 and for 2016 has added some upgrades in the former of an Enhanced Driver Alert package (power-adjustable pedals, forward collision alert, a safety alert seat, lane-keeping assist) and headlight beams that automatically go from high-beam to low according to conditions.
Power comes from a 5.3-liter V-6 engine rated at 355 horsepower (at 5600 rpm) and 383 pound-feet of torque (at 4100). It’s mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and comes in either two-wheel or four-wheel-drive configuration. Fuel mileage is rated at 16 mpg city, 23 highway in 2WD and 15/22 AWD.
This is the kind of vehicle that once was thought to be on the way to extinction what with greenies getting their pants in a wad about environmental concerns, but this is far from the case. Certainly it’s not a vehicle for a family of even four members or a couple in retirement, but if you want to transport a lot of passengers in comfort with a lot of their stuff, few do it better or even more efficiently that a full-size SUV.
The Suburban can be fitted to seat up to nine passengers (eight is standard) and still leave good room to store items behind the third row. That third row also folds flat, leaving a whole canyon (76.7 cubic feet) of space behind the second row. Niceties like Chevy’s MyLink infotainment system with SiriusXM satellite radio and Apple CarPlay and an available rear seat entertainment system (DVD and Blue Ray) plus upgraded materials throughout the cabin give the Suburban a more luxurious atmosphere.
But it is a workhorse, too. In addition to all that storage space, towing capacity is 8,300 pounds with 2WD and 8,000 with 4WD.
Pricing for the 2016 Chevy Suburban starts at around $50,000 and runs up to around $68,000. The Suburban LT 2WD I had for a week carried a base MSRP of $54,730 with a series of extras and the destination and delivery charge running the total tab to $65,530.
What I liked about the 2016 Chevy Suburban: The cabin is quiet and the ride very smooth. As you might expect, it’s not a jack rabbit from a standing start, but it cruises well. Materials in the cabin are first class.
What I didn’t like about the 2016 ChevySuburban: It can be a chore to climb in and out of and standard running boards would be a nice addition. Response time on the voice commands varied.
Would I buy this vehicle: Nope. But only because I don’t need a full-size SUV. If I did need one, it would be on my list to check out, but it faces some stiff competition. That includes even the Chevy Tahoe, which is not quite as big as the Suburban but has a more luxurious ambiance about it at about the same price.
fullsize SUV,
WHEN IT COMES TO THE OLYMPIC GAMES, I’LL TAKE ICHIRO
You may have noticed that the Olympics started this weekend.
Please wake me when they’re over.
I know as someone who has spent the biggest part of his life writing about sports that may sound strange (and not to mention a bit arrogant, but I don’t meant it that way. Honest.). I’m supposed to be crazy about all sports, right?
But I just can’t get all that excited about the Games going on in Rio.
The way I look at it is this. I really don’t care all that much about any of these sports for other three years and 50 weeks, so why now? (Yes, I like basketball, but not so much Olympic basketball. It changed for me when NBA stars took over the Games.)
I wasn’t always this way.
I used to watch a good part of the competitions, especially in 1972 when Mark Spitz (above) was winning beaucoup gold medals swimming for the U.S team. Spitz also swam for Indiana University and I am an IU grad. Plus I was working for a newspaper in Bloomington, Indiana, at the time.
So I had an interest in how he fared.
After that, my interest in the Olympics began to fade.
I don’t remember much of anything about the 1976 Games (Whatever happened to that guy who won the decathlon?), and in 1980 the U.S. didn’t even take part because of President Carter’s ill-advised decision to boycott them in protest of the Soviet Union’s war in Afghanistan. Then in 1984 the Soviet Union retaliated by staying home.
In other words, the Olympics became little more than a weapon in international politics.
Oddly, it seems to me that that is when they also started getting more attention in the U.S. For that, I think USA Today had a part.
That newspaper was just getting started in the ’80s, and I spent some time there in 1984. That’s when the editor, Henry Freeman, who was running the sports department, made an interesting observation.
Since USA Today is a national newspaper, he told me, they really didn’t have a “home” team to cover, like every other newspaper in the country. So USA Today was going to make treat the Olympics as its “home” team. And he did.
Of course, television had a huge part in that growth as well. If you’ve done any channel surfing the last few days, you’ve probably run across coverage of an event on one of NBC’s many over-the-air and cable channels.
They’re hard to miss. But I manage.
Another thing that has soured me on the Games is the number of sports under the Olympic fold:
—Tennis? Aren’t the Grand Slam events enough?
—Golf? Ditto.
—Soccer? Don’t we have the World Cup?
—Air rifle? You’re kidding, right?
Oh, I suppose somewhere along the line I will watch some of the different events, especially when we get to track and field. But for the most part, I kind of feel about the Olympics the same way I do about NFL exhibition games (one of which was supposed to have been played right now as I write this). I’ll stop and watch a few minutes if I run across it while channel surfing, but not much more than that.
In the meantime, I’ll stick with baseball. (Had I been watching the Olympic tennis, as my wife was, I would have missed Ichiro Suzuki’s 3,000th hit!)
I’m not saying, by the way, that I wish the TV coverage of the Olympics would go away. Not at all. I’m not a big enough lunk not to recognize that a lot of people enjoy them. Who am I to deny them that pleasure? I have the same tolerance for the World Cup. If it floats your boat, great. Mine just sinks.
Mark Spitz,
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HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS MOVED UPIN CLASS OVER THE YE... | 汽车 |
2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/12405 | The Class 135 Crash Truck was the most widely used crash truck in the theater of operations. It was built on the Ford and International 4x2 and Chevrolet 4x4 chassis. The bodies were manufactured by General, American LaFrance, Central, Approved, Mack, Darley and Oren. It was similar in appearance to the Class 325 but was equipped with a front mounted high pressure pump. The truck held 300 gals. of water and 20 gals. of foam. Duel hose reels carrying 150 ft. of 3/4 in. high pressure hose were mounted below the platform type body. A third reel was mounted to the rear of the truck. Another version of the Class 135 appeared near the end of the war. It was equipped with an AmLaFr midship mounted pump. Foam and high pressure nozzles were supplied. The Class 135 carried hand tools for rescue work. Unofficial records and research indicate that about 1958 of the Class 135s were produced. 4x2 rigs 942, 4x4 rigs 1016
1943 Ford-Darley 4x2
1943 Chevrolet-Mack 4x4
1942 International-Central 4x2 Data plate from a American LaFranceClass 135 AmLaFr Reg # 2037Delivered 11- 43
W. S. Darley personnel testing their Class 135 Crash Trucks.
Sterling-Cardox
Reo-CardoxDionne Collection
Mack-Cardox Prototype
1944 Kenworth-Mack USA 508025 Truck served at the Camp Springs AAF
Mack Model 19 Class 155 prototype
1944 Brockway-American LaFrance
The Class 150 Crash Truck was built on the Reo and Sterling, 6x6, 7 ton chassis and the body and fire fighting equipment was manufactured by the Cardox Corp. Equipped with 6,000 pounds of CO2 and 300 gallons of foam premix it could discharge both agents individually or in combination. The vehicle was equipped with an hydraulic overhead boom and front grill nozzles. (CO2 and foam) Nozzle operations were controlled from within the cab through hydraulic joysticks. The ground sweep bumper also contained CO2 and foam nozzles. There were four CO2 hand lines on the truck, two located on large hose reels each holding 100 feet of 1 in high pressure hose and two 100 foot 5/8 in lines coiled in a hose bed located over the rear wheels. These two lines were attached to 5 foot long piercing nozzles that could be jabbed into the aircraft. Foam was discharged by pressurizing the foam tank with CO2. Foam nozzles were located on the boom, front grill and ground sweep bumper. Two 100 foot 1 in foam lines were also coiled in a hose bed located over the rear wheels. An early version of the Class 150 was built by Cardox on the Mack, NM, 6x6, 71/2 ton chassis.
With the development of larger and larger aircraft necessitating the carrying of greater quanties of gasoline and oil, it was found that the Class 125 and Class 135 crash trucks were totally inadequate to cope with fires involving these larger aircraft. Information received from the Theater of Operations substantiated these findings. In addition to their limited extinguishing capacity, some were mounted on 1 1/2 ton, 4x2 commercial chassis, while others were mounted on 1 1/2 ton, 4x4 Army chassis. Off road mobility of those trucks had not proved satisfactory. In view of the above limitations, the COE, in early 1944 started to plan the development of a new truck, to be known as the Class 140, mounted on a 2 1/2 ton, 6x6 standard Army chassis. It would be equipped with a 650-700 gallon water tank, two turret nozzles, and three hose lines, each 100 feet in length. Two of the hose lines would be suitable for use with high pressure nozzles, and the other would be used for foam application. Auxiliaryitems such as fire axes, ladders, buckets, gauges, controls, alarms, lights, and miscellaneous extinguishers of the type and size consistent with a crash vehicle would be carried. The fire pump would be capable of supplying 300 gallons per minute at 600 pounds per square inch. It was hoped that the new vehicle would replace the Class 125 and Class 135, and if found adequate, may also eplace the Class 155. By June, 1944, the COE had scrapped the project sighting a new crash truck should also be capable of applying large quantities of CO2 to be effective.
The Corps of Engineers started planning in 1943 and by June a prototype Class 155 built by Mack Trucks, Inc. on the Mack Model L, Type 19, 4x2 chassis had been constructed. The truck was equipped with a midship mounted pump, carried 1000 gallons of water, with two turrets nozzles mounted atop the body. During July, the protype traveled to Dow Field, ME, LaGuardia Field, NY and Washington National Airport in DC, where it was demonstrated to military personnel. During testing it was discovered the truck did not perform well as it lacked in off-road operation and the midship mounted pump prevented pump and roll capability.By September 1943 the Corps of Engineers had redsigned the Class 155 and contracts were awarded for the contruction of the vehicle on the Kenworth, 6 ton, 6x6, Model 572 and the Brockway, 6 ton, 6x6, Model 666, chassis. Mack Truck built bodies on both the Kenworth Model 572 and Brockway Model B666 bridge erecting chassis, these trucks were equiped with a Hale Model ZEY, 325 gpm, 600 psi high pressure pump, powered by a Continental 6-cylinder motor. American LaFrance constructed bodies on the Brockway Model F666 and B666 chassis and they were equipped with a American LaFrance Model 155, 2 stage high centrifigal pump rated 250 gpm at 600 psi powered by the American LaFrance 12-cylinder motor.All versions of the Class 155 were equipped with a 1000 gallon water tank and a pair of manually operated high pressure turrets mounted atop the vehicle. Starting buttons and throttle controls for the pump engine were located at the driver's seat and on the deck at the forward turret position. On the left side of the dash, in the driver's compartment, was a valve which controlled two seat spray nozzles mounted on either side of the windshield. The purpose of those sray nozzles was to protect the driver with a wall of water in case the wind blew flames towards him. The turret nozzles could be changed from straight stream to fog by moving a small lever near the tip of the pipe. Two 100 foot lengths of high pressure, 3/4 in. hose were carried in hose trays located over the rear wheels and were equipped with hand held fog nozzles. A third 100 ft line was carried in a open compartment in the body of the truck behind the cab. The 155 was also equipped with various firefighting tools including, 16 ft A-frame folding ladder, Army crash tool kit, axe, pike pole, fog applicators, fire extinguishers and 100 ft rope with grapnel hook.Postwar, the trucks were modified for foam operation by the addition of a foam tank, mounted atop the vehicle and a foam proportioning device. Fog/foam nozzles were added to the turrets and ground sweep nozzles were attached to the front bumpers.While the Class 155 served well at stateside Army airfields, research indicates that only one of the 155s served overseas during the war with the 2085th Engineer Aviation Fire Fighting Platoon in India.
1944 Brockway-Mack 1944 Brockway-Mack in USAF service at Otis AFBPostwar foam tank & faom nozzles on turretsUSAF 507333 Type O-5
See Class 150 in Action Class 155 1944 Kenworth-Mack USA 508064 Dow Field, MEFire training 22 August 1944Dionne Collection
Boom & front nozzle controls inside cab
1944 Kenworth-Mack USA 508051New Castle AFB, DEModified with foam tank.
Robins AAF 1945
WWII Cardox Ad Class 150 in film USA 508531Sterling-Cardox
________________________________ ____________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ ____________________________ Kenworth-Mack
Kenworth-Mack Offutt FieldDionne Collection
___________________________________ Brockway-American LaFrance
Brockway-American LaFrance
Hill AAF 1946
Geiger AAF 1945 Hill AAF 1946
Class 155 in operation, Marshall Islands 1946 | 汽车 |
2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/13384 | By George Slefo - 1 hour ago
Great Wall Succeeds in China's Auto Market With Starter SUV
Automaker Seized Opportunity to Fill Untapped Niche in Country Full of Sedans
By Anita Chang Beattie.
Published on March 05, 2013. China is the world's largest car market, and it's dominated by foreign brands. But among local automakers, Great Wall Motors stands out for a business strategy that illustrates the old adage about keeping it simple. Great Wall came onto the scene as automakers were churning out sedans, by far the most popular type of vehicle among Chinese consumers. But while some foreign companies sold SUVs, no one offered a low-cost SUV that fit the budget of many first-time buyers. Credit: *Units sold; Source: LMC Automotive
"As a latecomer to the market, it's not about what you want to do, but what the competition will allow you to do," said Simon Chuang, general manager of Ries & Ries & Chuang & Wong, China affiliate of Atlanta-based marketing strategy consultancy Ries & Ries. It began working with Great Wall in 2008. "Our assessment was that although SUVs were a small slice of the market [in 2008], China would follow the growth trends of the U.S. and the rest of the world. One day SUVs would have a much more significant share," Mr. Chuang said. "Midrange models are mostly Japanese and Korean, like the [Honda] CR-V and [Toyota] RAV4. But no one was making entry-level SUVs. It was wide open." Great Wall began to shift its focus from sedans to its Haval SUV, priced in the $13,000-to- $24,000 range. Haval makes up nearly half of Great Wall's sales. Its sales volume rose 71% last year according to data from Ries & Ries. "We could fully see the size and potential of the Chinese market and, in 2010, it seemed like a company could succeed making any kind of vehicle. But that might not be the case long-term," Great Wall President Wang Fengying said. "We focused our resources on creating Haval SUV products and pulled back on other products, losing sales in the short-term. But our main objective was to build long-term brand value." Besides Great Wall placing most of its focus on one model, it doesn't hurt that rivals have made missteps, including diversifying into unrelated industries. Following a decade of strong sales, Chery began making microvans and agricultural machinery. BYD, a battery maker that entered the auto business in 2003, has dabbled in solar power and home appliances. In January, Great Wall announced net profit for 2012 was up 65.7% to $934 million. Haval is popular in lower-tier markets, particularly rugged parts of western China. Incomes there are significantly lower than coastal cities in the east, but residents need tough vehicles to navigate the mountainous terrain. Great Wall doesn't do much advertising, focusing on PR and events to reinforce positioning as "China's SUV leader." Agency partners include Allyes and OpenTide and BlueFocus . Great Wall vehicles are sold in 120 countries, and to continue its success the automaker must commit to overseas expansion, Mr. Chuang said. "The Chinese market is growing, so the company might decided to just focus on China. ... But this kind of thinking isn't advantageous in the long run." In this article: | 汽车 |
2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/13803 | Self-driving cars will be commonplace in 5 to 10 years: study
According to a new study, drivers are already interested in autonomous features like lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control, and they should warm up to entirely self-driving cars sometime between 2020 and 2025. By Richard Read, The Car Connection /
Tony Avelar/AP/File
Teresa Favuzzi, of Sacramento, waves as she gets a ride in the new Google self-driving prototype car during a demonstration at Google's campus in Mountain View, Calif. The plan of traditional automakers is to gradually automate more functions of driving until, perhaps by 2025, some cars will be fully capable of driving themselves. But Google, Alibaba, Baidu and other tech companies are aggressively working on their own self-driving vehicles, and could leapfrog the car industry in bringing them to market. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar) View photo
Auto enthusiasts and analysts have been debating autonomous cars for years. Some critics think they're decades away from becoming a reality, and at least one survey has shown that a majority of motorists don't want to be anywhere near them (despite the fact that autonomous cars are better drivers).On the other hand, as J.D. Power demonstrated yesterday, drivers are interested in autonomous features like lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control, even though they may not want to take their hands off the wheel. And today, a study from the IT analysts at Gartner shows that autonomous vehicle technology could be poised for mainstream acceptance in about five years. About these ads
Gartner's approach is unique, in that it's based on something that the firm calls the "hype cycle". Over the years, Gartner has learned to gauge the rhythm of buzz surrounding new technologies, and the company can predict when they'll reach mainstream status.
Recommended:Can you spot the fake car name? Take our quiz!
The pattern is fairly standard. First, a new technology emerges, and everyone becomes excited by the possibilities it offers. Enthusiasm ramps up and up until it reaches what Gartner calls the "peak of inflated expectations". Afterward, there's a period of disillusionment, when the public realizes, "Oh, maybe this technology isn't everything we thought it was", and buzz dies down. Eventually, however, expectations realign, and the public understands the true, uninflated promise of the technology, when then moves into mainstream products., As you can see from the chart above, Gartner says that wearable technology has begun its downward slide. We've all begun to realize that devices like the FitBit aren't going to make our lives better overnight, but according to Gartner, within the next five or ten years, we'll accept the technology's value, along with its limitations, and it'll see widespread adoption. The "Internet of Things" (e.g. lightbulbs and refrigerators you can access via apps) is on a similar trajectory.Sandwiched between those two technologies are autonomous vehicles. According to Gartner, consumers should warm up to them sometime between 2020 and 2025.A complementary report from Business Insider predicts that by 2020, about three percent of new cars will be equipped with self-driving technology. However, an additional 65 percent of the 2020 auto market will consist of connected cars -- that is, vehicles that are linked to a network via a cellular or other connection. Every connected car will come with its own slate of offerings and options, but if all goes as planned, most will contain a range of safety features like collision avoidance, vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-grid communications, and more.Granted, it's not all good news. These connected cars will also leave drivers exposed to hackers.
Can you spot the fake car name? Take our quiz!
2016 BMW 7-Series (The Car Connection) 2016 Dodge Viper SRT (The Car Connection) 2017 Audi Q7 (The Car Connection) In Gear
Google, other autonomous car developers head to Washington
Your grandchild may never own a car, says Navigant Research | 汽车 |
2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/13834 | ACF American Car and Foundry Company.
ACF's Berwick plant switches to construction of military tanks in...
ACMAT ADI-Thales AEC AEC (Associated Equipment Company Ltd.) built buses,motorcoaches and lorries from 1912 until 1979.
Aerojet General Agrale Alkett Allis-Chalmers Almaz-Antey Alvis Alvis Car and Engineering Company Ltd was a manufacturer of cars and military vehicles in the period...
AM General Hummer is a brand of off-road vehicles sold by General Motors (GM). The original H1, best known, was...
American Locomotive Company AMM-Clark AMO vehicle works AMZ AMZ Kutno ltd is based in Kutno, Poland, and has been operating since 1999. It specializes in the de...
ČKD ČKD (Českomoravská Kolben-Daněk) was one of the largest engineering companies in the former Czec...
Ariel ARO Arzamaz Arzamas Machine Building Plant OJSC produces army armoured vehicles, combat equipment, and spare par...
Associated Equipment Company Atelier de Construction Roanne Austin Austin Motor Company Austin Motor Company was a British car manufacturer. It was founded in 1905 and had its headquarters...
Auto Union Auto Union was an amalgamation of 4 German car manufacturers, established in 1932 in Chemnitz, Saxon...
Autocar Automobilwerk Zwickau Avibras Avibras Indústria Aeroespacial is a Brazilian company which designs, develops and manufactures defe...
Böhmisch-Mährische Maschinenfabrik AG BMM (Böhmisch-Mährische Maschinenfabrik AG) was the name the Germans gave ČKD (Českomoravská Ko...
Büssing-NAG BAE Systems BAE is the world's largest defence contractor as of 2008.
Baldwin Locomotive Works Barkas Barkas was an East German manufacturer of minibuses and small delivery vans.
BAZ Bedford Bedford is a subsidiary of Vauxhall Motors and was established in 1930, manufacturing a wide range o...
Belarusian Automobile Plant Berliet BMW Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW) is a German car and motorcycle manufacturer, mostly luxury and per...
Bombardier Borgward Borgward was a German automobile manufacturer based in Bremen. The Borgward group eventually produce...
Bowen-McLaughlin-York Build M578 LRV and M88 Recovery Vehicle. Later became United Devence and now (2010) part of BAE.
Bravia Bravia was a Portuguese vehicle manufacturer. It started by reconditioning military vehicles and by ...
BSA Buick Bumar Group Cadillac Cadillac Motor Company
Cadillac Gage CASC China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
CASC developes and manufactures a range of spac...
Caterpillar Caterpillar (often simply referred to as CAT) is the single largest manufacturer of construction, mi...
Champion Chelyabinsk Kirovsk Plant Chevrolet Chevrolet is an American brand owned by General Motors. It produces cars, SUV's and trucks and these...
Chrysler Chrysler is a producer of commercial cars, engines and military vehicles. During the 2nd WW the Chry...
Chullora Tank Assembly Shops Citroën Citroën is a French automobile manufacturer and is part of PSA Peugeot Citroën. It was founded in ...
DAC DAF DAF Trucks NV (DAF stands for Van Doorne Automobiel Fabriek) is a Dutch truck manufacturing company....
Daimler Demag Dennis Dennis Specialist Vehicles is a major British manufacturer of specialised commercial vehicles and is...
Detroit Tank Arsenal DEW (Deutsche-Eisenwerke AG) DEW (Deutsche-Eisenwerke AG) was a German vehicle manufacturing company, Vehicles built by DEW (Deut...
DFM Dongfeng Motor Corporation (DFM)
Diamond T The Diamond T Motor Car Company was a producer of cars until 1910 and trucks from 1910 until 1966 in...
Dodge Chrysler LLC's subsidiary Dodge produces / markets a range of cars, minivans, SUVs and trucks. It wa...
Doosan DST Drakensberg Truck Manufacturers Dutch Defense Vehicle Systems Dutch Rijkswerf Eidgenössische Konstruktionswerkstätte Thun Emerson Electric Co. Enasa Engesa Engesa – Engenheiros Especializados S/A was a Brazilian company in the agriculture and defense sec...
E-One E-One or Emergency One Incorporated is an emergency services manufacturer.
EPS Enhanced Protection Systems Ltd. EWK Eisenwerke Kaiserslautern Factory no. 37 Was based in Moscow
FAP Fabrika automobila Priboj Fabrika automobila Priboj (FAP) is a major manufacturer of buses, tractors, trailers, and trucks in ...
Faun Faun GmbH is a German engineering firm that produces mobile cranes, dump trucks, crash tenders, heav...
Federal Federal Motor Truck Company of Detroit Michigan
Federal Machine and Welder Co. Fiat Fiat, or Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino (Italian Automobile Factory of Turin), is an Italian ma...
First Inner Mongolia Machinery Factory Inner-Mongolia First Machine Group Company Limited is a manufacter of various military equipment for...
Fisher Tank Arsenal FMC Corp. FNSS Foden Force Protection Inc Force Protection, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRPT) is a manufacturer of ballistic- and blast-protected vehicles w...
Ford Ford Motor Company is one of the world largest automobile manufacturers. Ford produces / has produce...
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2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/14122 | Ford Mustang 1964 - 1968 The Ford Mustang burst upon the American scene in April 1964. Within two years the first million had been built, and by 1968 there were two million on the road. Many questions we receive at Unique Cars and Parts today relate to "How much did it change during the first four years?". To answer these questions, lets take a closer look...
It's probably fair to suggest that the Ford Mustang revolutionized the American motor industry's thinking. When the car was first shown in a great blaze of publicity at the New York World's Fair in April 1964, the US market's sporting element had been sadly neglected.
Only General Motors, with their small-production plastic-bodied Chevrolet Corvette offered a sports-cum-personal coupe. But in the space of four short years the Mustang and Corvette would be joined by the Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird, the AMC Javelin and AMX, the Barracuda and the Mercury Cougar (itself an offshoot of the Mustang).
A Car Built For The Very First Of The Baby Boomers
From the beginning, the Mustang was a triumph of market research over intuition and design. Styling studies began in 1961, significantly 16 years after the end of the war, when the post-war baby-boom was beginning to work its way through high school, and would soon become a new potential sales area. The compacts, all started in 1959, were well in their stride, and the American economy was showing all the signs of moving into yet another boom. Ford researchers thought deeply about the prospects, coming up with interesting conclusions.
By 1964 there would be many more young buyers, many existing buyers would be wanting more style and performance from small-sized domestic cars. The corporate decision to get involved in motor sport again was about to be made, and the Total Performance concept was only just over the horizon. A new brand of car was thought to be needed from Ford; researchers thought they knew what sort would do the job; and the Mustang was born.
Quite a lot of ex-Thunderbird owners (the original two-seater cars, built only from 1955 to 1957) kept badgering Ford for a successor; the T -bird had grown up to four-seat long ago, and was not a sporting car any more. Yet in spite of this vocal minority, Ford decided that the new car had to be a marginal four-seater at least if it was to sell in quantity. The two-seat die-hards didn't realize that only 53,166 Thunderbirds had been built in three years, whereas the first four-seat car sold 36,510 units in the first model year. They were right, dead right, to give the Mustang four seats; in the first eight months of sales, the first quarter-million Mustangs proved it, and would continue to do so for many years to come.
A Clever Smoke Screen - The Mustang 1
Here it was that a typically American smoke-screen was laid. Other manufacturers knew Ford were dabbling with sporting cars but had to be put off the trail, so-for the moment-had the buyers. While clay models of the production car were still being shaped, Ford built their Mustang 1 and showed it off to the sporting fraternity at Watkins Glen in the autumn of 1962, then as a very advanced two-seater!
The Mustang 1 was the ideal smoke screen. It was a mid-engined (unit between driver and rear wheels) open two-seater with fixed seats and adjustable pedals. The engine was a V4 1,700 c.c. Ford Taunus unit, and the design was entrusted to the same band of engineers, led by ex-Jowett and Aston Martin man Roy Lunn, who had developed the f.w.d. Cardinal before handing over the whole scheme to Ford in Germany. As a production project Mustang 1 was meaningless. but it certainly proved that the US public was interested in Ford's sporting attitudes, and served its purpose as an interest-raiser.
Meanwhile, Mustang's styling had been finalized after a number of internecine competitions, much chopping and changing, director viewing and midnight-oil burning in true Dearborn tradition. First clays were called Cougars, then -briefly- Torinos, and finally Mustangs; it's interesting to note that the rejected names were later resurrected for use on other corporate Ford designs. By August 1962 the engineers had been called in to turn clay into sheet metal, the button was pressed, and planners could only sit back and hope, remembering the debacle of Edsel, their last true market-research car.
The Mustang A Compromise?
Like almost every car ever built, the Mustang was a compromise, Though its styling, structure, and (to some extent) its engineering were new, power packs and transmissions were taken from Falcons and Fairlanes, plus suspensions adapted from the Falcon. Because of the new "Total Performance" concept, the new car had to offer everything from basic motoring (by USA standards) to the makings of a track or rally car. It was a small car by US standards, so as a mere runabout it had to offer good economy and long life.
In addition, Ford wanted the car to be raced eventually, but were not prepared to sell racing cars off the production line. Several tuners, notably Shelby American, and Holman and Moody, were encouraged to develop racing engine, transmission and chassis parts to turn the hottest production car into a real winner.
By the middle of 1963, still nearly a year from the car's planned announcement, Ford decided to play another little game. With Watkins Glen in September (then site of the US GP) as the stage, they decided to show off Mustang II; this was rather less of a leg pull than Mustang I, being a true Mustang prototype with heavily disguised nose and tail styling, but finalized shell, and a removable hardtop looking rather like a squashed version of the eventual production top. Ford paid much more attention to comments on this car, so nearly representative of what they would be making, and were ready to make big changes to the layout, or even put off the announcement date, if it was unpopular. As with Mustang I, it was liked, planners breathed again, and everything was organized for the big splash in April 1964.
Two Engines Take A Long Walk Off A Short Pier
Because the original Mustangs had to fill several budding market sectors, there would have to be a big choice of engines, a problem made more ticklish because the mighty corporation was in any case going through a massive re-think of its immediate engine needs, with important change-overs due only months after announcement. Ford would dearly love to have brought changes forward to suit Mustang, or put Mustang back to suit the engines, but in the end settled for six months of engines that would be obsolete almost at once.
The economy minded engine would be the 170 cu.in. (2.8-liter) six-cylinder engine, which had only four main bearings and produced 101 bhp (gross) ; just six months later, when the entire 1965 Ford range was announced, the six-cylinder engine became a seven-main-bearing job with bigger bore and stroke in the same basic machining layout, displaced 200 cu.in. (3.3 liters) and produced 120 bhp. The other obsolescent engine which lasted only six months was the 260 cu.in. (4.2-liter) V8 boasting 164 bhp; this was superseded by a 200 bhp 289 cu.in. (4.7-liter) V8.
At this time, all the V8s were based on Ford's already famous thin-wall casting engine that had started life as a 221 cu.in. unit in the Fairlane. The 260 cu.in. unit was the first stretch (and was dropped at the end of 1964 - except on the British-built Sunbeam Tiger where it lasted until 1966), followed by another stretch to 289 cu.in. (4,727 c.c.) at which size this had become one of the most famous American V8's of all time.
Two Versions Of The 289 V8
Two versions of the 289 cu.in. V8 were in the original Mustangs, the very significant one being the HP, or High Performance, version which produced 271 gross horsepower at an eye-brow raising 6,000 rpm. Not only did it produce a lot of power to start with, but such fittings as solid valve lifters, a 10.5-to-1 compression ratio and a four-barrel carburetor meant that this was the Mustang engine Ford were backing as the basis of a race unit. Even at the production line stage, there was an almost bewildering variety of gearboxes and final drive ratios to go with the engine options, not helped by the fact that three distinct final drive internals (non-interchangeable) from the Falcon, the Fairlane and the Galaxie were involved.
Public interest in the new car was fantastic, and Ford claimed to have taken 22,000 orders on the very first day! Within a week the planners were sure they didn't have another Edsel on their hands, and within a month it looked like the original gold rush all over again. If ever there had been a car that appeared at precisely the right time, Mustang was it. GM, Chrysler, and AMC looked aghast at this new phenomenon, started scribbling themselves and took years to catch up. Chrysler were quick with their Barracuda but didn't push the performance aspect enough, while GM's Camaro - a true competitor - took over two years to appear.
Shelby American and Alan Mann Racing Variants
Almost at once, sporting successes began to notch up. Shelby American produced some very fast Mustangs very quickly on the West Coast, and shortly blossomed with their own small-production variant, while in Europe Alan Mann Racing were entrusted with the preparation and running of a team of orange cars for the Tour de France. Peter Procter and Peter Harper both wiped the floor with all the Jaguar opposition (which had so dominated the Tour for years), but the first victory was hard to follow up in winter rallies. The same cars later found their way on to the tracks, some of them winning many races in the British Saloon Car Championship, where the just-four-seater hardtop was homologated as a touring saloon.
Into Production
As a production car, sales really rocketed. Within two years, by spring 1966, the first million had been built, even though there had been virtually no styling changes in three peak-buying seasons. The hardtop and the convertible had been joined by a fast-back 2+2 coupe in autumn 1964, perhaps the most successful shape of the three, and destined to form the basis of the highly-modified Shelby 350GT. But even the most successful American car had to be changed, and for Mustang this came in the autumn of 1966.
Ford claimed that the re-working of the styling cost many millions of dollars, but even seasoned observers had to look closely for the differences. The fast-back coupe, admittedly, was substantially re-shaped, with a new sleek roof-line sweeping down to the very tail without suggestion of notching as on the early body. The 1967 and 1968 Mustangs had a concave rear panel instead of the original flat one, different door pressings where the bottom fold disappeared, and a slightly longer nose with peaks to the front wings.
But it was the mechanical changes that were more important. Ford knew that Chevrolet were planning to announce their competing car, the Camaro, so had to keep up with, or even ahead of, the power race. The now-famous 289 couldn't be enlarged enough, so Ford had to bring in their biggest V8 engine, a much heavier (and older) design. For 1967, it was used in 390 cu-in. (6.4-liter) form; handling was not nearly as good as before, but there was a whole lot of really useful horsepower - 335 bhp at 4,800 rpm with a very flat torque curve. The High Performance version of the 289 had pushed out 271 bhp at 6,000 rpm, but with a much more "peaky" power curve, and was not as easy to drive. By 1967, Ford were trying to make the Mustang grow up anyway, with more sound-deadening and refinement being built in with every change, so the big engine, light body concept was an obvious change.
6-Cylinder Economy
During the Northern Hemisphere Autumn of 1967 Mustang development came right up to date, with a slightly revised six-cylinder engine for maximum economy, and a new option of the 302 cu.in. (4.9-liter) V8 - a "stroked" version of the familiar 289 - while the high-revving 271 bhp variant of the 289 was quietly dropped. What was difficult to understand at the time was the announcement of a de-tuned version of the race-winning 427 cu.in. (7.0-liter) engine for road use, especially as there was no call for such hot-rod Mustangs any more. Whatever the reason for announcement, the car was never built in that form.
The expensive-to-build 427 (a racing engine and very different indeed from the 428 which Ford like to link it with) was quietly dropped and the old 390, first shown for 1967, remained the top option. In April 1968 Ford complicated the story even more by announcing the "Cobra-Jet" performance package for Mustang and Cougar, a package that included a "tuned" version of the 428 cu.in. engine with 335 bhp. Since this was the power output already quoted for the 390 cu.in. option it was puzzling as to why Ford had bothered at all - perhaps there were buyers who wanted bragging rights when having a "seven-liter" badge affixed to their car.
The Shelby Mustangs
The Shelby Mustangs were distant relatives of ordinary cars in that they used standard cars as their basis with much modified engines and suspensions under the skin and some very obvious styling "improvements" as traffic-light bait. The first cars, the 350GTs, used the 271 bhp High Performance 289 cu.in. tune, further tuned by Shelby to push out 306 bhp (and you could still have it tuned for more power if your wallet was deep enough).
The Hertz rental car company were very brave and bought several hundred for their hire fleet, but these were really hot-rods or basic racing machines. They were also two seaters only, which reduced their general appeal in America. When the big-block engine option (390 cu.in.) appeared for 1967, Shelby dropped the 350GT and developed the 500GT to replace it. Its styling was even more obviously different - with a boot lid spoiler, scoops in the bonnet and in the rear wings - and the engine was exchanged for a Cobra-tuned version of the 428 cu.in., which shared the same block as the 390 cu.in. engine.
This was a much "softer" car for road use, and sold well by Shelby standards. Production was taken away from the Shelby plant in 1967, and small numbers of the 500GT were then made near Ford's central headquarters in Dearborn.
One should not ignore the Cougar in this story, though under the skin it was precisely the same as Mustang in its variants and options. The Cougar's body represented two years later styling development, and was built (and priced) for a wealthier sector of the US market. It was certainly an attracctive shape by any reckoning, particularly in the versions with hide-away headlights. The styling of the Mustang itself evolved slowly over the first 4 years of production, which is a good thing. Very few cars today are so easily recognisable, nor as collectable!
Bore/Stroke mm Capacity cc Bhp x Rpm 1964
6 cyl.
88.9 x 74.7 2781
101 @ 4400 Std
164 @ 4400 Opt
101.6 x 73.0 4727
120 @ 4400 -
101.6 x 73.0
Opt (65½)
104.9 x 101.2 7014
6944cc engine originally offered for production option, but no cars wre delivered to this specification.
7014cc engine replaced it, and the 6964cc engine was for racing only...
The Mustang Story, Mustang Engines, Mustang Highlights, Mustang Prototype, Racebred Mustangs, Mustang Identification | 汽车 |
2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/14270 | Search Citroen C-Crosser vs Mitsubishi Outlander76Citroen C-Crosser98Mitsubishi Outlander
Citroen has announced first details of its impressive new Sports Utility Car (SUV), that is set to add an extra dimension to the French manufacturer's range when it goes on sale in Europe from summer 2007. The versatile Citroen C-crosser boasts four-wheel drive capability, exceptional levels of room and convenience, as well as an advanced, economical Hdi diesel motor equipped with environmentally-friendly Diesel Particulate Filter System.Taking its name from the four-wheel drive concept vehicle that Citroen first displayed at the 2001 Frankfurt Motor Show, the new Citroen C-crosser's elegant proportions (4. 64m long, 1. 81m wide and 1. 73m high including roof bars) and powerfully sculpted layout lines envelop sufficient dashboard room to bench up to seven passengers.Immediately catching the eye, the Citroen C-crosser's reliable good looks are fronted by the dominant chevrons that stretch across the bonnet into the streamlined front headlamps, ensuring that it is instantly recognisable as a Citroen. A multiple-ribbed bonnet, chunky wheel arches, the smart use of chrome detailing and the sleek window lines further improve the Citroen C-crosser's dynamic look-and-feel.The Citroen C-crosser will be available with Citroen's cool, new generation 156bhp 2. 2hdi motor mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. Capable of producing 380nm of torque this dieselpowerplant also boasts cool green credentials, product low fuel consumption, the ability to run on 30% bio-diesel and a Diesel Particulate Filter System that reduces particle emissions to virtually immeasurable levels.The new-for-2010 Mitsubishi Outlander GT showcases why it's various for a reason with a fresh mix of seven-passenger luxury and road holding control. Occupying the top tier in the Mitsubishi Outlander family, the Mitsubishi Outlander GT uses luxury materials and advanced features for an upscale feel. A restyled look joins an available FUSE Hands-free Link System and the superior all-weather capability of the Lancer Evolution-derived Super-all Wheel Control (S-AWC) system. The Mitsubishi Outlander GT deserves a updated 3. 0-liter V6 motor, teamed with a six-speed sportronic automatic transmission.Powered by an revised Mivec-equipped V6 motor, the Mitsubishi Outlander GT provides greater performance without sacrificing fuel efficiency. By improving the intake efficiency and raising the compression ratio, Mitsubishi developers have managed to push output to 230 hp @ 6250, RPM and 215 lb. -ft. of peak torque at 3750, RPM. The increased motor efficiency has also allowed the Mitsubishi Outlander GT to reduce its carbon footprint and CO2 emissions.Complementing the refined performance is the advanced driver control offered by Hill Start Assist and S-AWC. The S-AWC system utilizes a first-in-class Active Front Differential (AFD) and an electronically controlled center differential system, which distributes driving force intelligently from front to back and left to right to the front wheels. The driver is able to use a Tarmac, Snow, or Lock selector knob to switch between modes, providing full-time traction during any weather situation. | 汽车 |
2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/14507 | Home » Chevrolet
IndyCar: E.J. Viso joins Andretti Autosport for the 2013 season
By Dan Mihalascu
on February 12, 2013 in Chevrolet, Motorsport, News Venezuelan driver E.J. Viso will join reigning IZOD IndyCar Series champion Andretti Autosport for the 19-race 2013 season.
Viso will drive the No. 5 Team Venezuela PDVSA Chevrolet, joining Andretti’s full-season entries of defending series champion Ryan Hunter-Reay, James Hinchcliffe and Marco Andretti. Viso’s entry is a result of an offseason collaboration between HVM Racing and Andretti, resulting in a joint entry supporting Team Venezuela.
The move allows Andretti Autosport to return to its traditional four-car full time lineup, and gives Viso the chance of joining the championship-defending team. HVM Racing also has something to win from the deal, as it provides for continuation of its business in IndyCar.
“I could not ask for more than to get the opportunity to drive for a championship team while representing my country. After five years in the series I believe I have found the right environment and look forward to having Ryan, James and Marco as teammates. I’m very proud to be able to move into the 2013 season with this new relationship; it’s a dream come true,” said the 27-year-old Viso, who will have Michael Cannon as his engineer.
Viso began his racing career via go karts at the age of 5, capturing five Winter National Karting Championships. At just 15 he joined the world of formula car racing and captured victory at 19 out of 22 events in his debut year. Viso went on to win the Formula 3 British Championship and became the youngest driver in the Formula 3000 International the following year. In IndyCar, he recorded six Firestone Fast Six appearances, 16 top-10 finishes and has led a total of 52 laps during his five years of racing. | 汽车 |
2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/15114 | Classics for Sale
"Old cars need to be driven"
If you have not yet discovered the website/podcast called CarsYeah, it is worthy of a visit (or two). Conceived and hosted by Mark Greene, CarsYeah consists of a series of interviews with inspiring automotive enthusiasts. Numbering over 500 to date, the interviewees range from the young to the old, from the great to the works-in-progress. Our very own Alex Finigan talked with Mark about his early passions and how he and Paul built a business out of a simple philosophy: “Do something you love and you’ll never work a day in your life." Listen to Alex tell his own story at CarsYeah. Motor City Mingle at St. John's Concours
Long-time friend to the shop and avid automobile enthusiast Jean Jennings invites you to the dinner and fundraiser to be held in conjunction with the RM Auction at the Concours d'Elegance of America at St. John's. Should be great fun with Jean as MC and Detroit rocker Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels supplying the music. This "Motor City Mingle" will benefit the JDRF, the only global diabetes foundation with a strategic plan to end type 1 diabetes. The event takes place on July 30 at The Inn at St. John’s in Plymouth, MI. Interested JDRF donors have the opportunity to bid on these exclusive packages regardless of attendance at the event or geographic location.
Items on offer include a High Performance Driving Package with two days of track instruction, a Super Bowl Package including 2 tickets to the 2017 game, and transportation plus lodging to enjoy 3 days of New York Fashion Week. Or, do you have a car you would like to donate? For more information, go to CONCOURSUSA.ORG.
Derek Bell drives the Porsche RS-60
We admit it. We are huge fans of driver Derek Bell, of looking through the windscreen while traveling a famous race course and, most especially, of the sounds of a Porsche being put through its paces.
The excellent Revs Institute shared the following in a recent email: The Porsche 718 Is A Living Legacy
Porsche & Petrolicious asked if we could send our 1960 Porsche RS-60 Spyder to Sicily and have the famous Derek Bell drive the old Targa Florio race course. Talk about an opportunity too good to pass up.
Here is the video Petrolcious produced, enjoy!
Paul Russell receives Honorary Doctorate
One of the early members of the National Advisory Board for Automotive Restoration at McPherson College, Paul Russell has served on the board for 12 years and as chairman for the last three years. He was instrumental in advocating to move automotive restoration to a four-year bachelor’s degree, helped to create a strong strategic plan for the program, and has hosted numerous events to benefit the college. On April 30, McPherson College honored Paul Russell with an honorary Doctorate of Applied Arts in recognition of his contributions to the college, its automotive restoration program, and the collector car industry. “We’re most fortunate to have Paul involved at McPherson College,” said Amanda Gutierrez, vice president for historic automotive restoration at MC. “He demonstrates the highest standards in both his personal and professional endeavors and has a wealth of expertise that he contributes. Beyond that, he believes in the liberal arts and values the well-rounded education our students receive.”
Paul’s commitment to promoting restoration as a profession accommodates his hopes for the next generation of automotive craftsmen and connoisseurs. An award such as this not only honors the recipient, but also honors and raises the profile of an entire profession. I do feel like I am sharing this day with a whole cadre of really exceptional craftsmen, historians, patrons and others who have contributed to a successful endeavor with my name on the front door... I have been further supported by my incredible wife Barbara and our children Patrick and Kimberly, who have made their fair share of sacrifices in our life partnership.
The Revs Institute Newsletter
We are not alone when we declare ourselves fans of the Revs Institute for Automotive Research. The good they are doing for the classic car hobby, through their archiving of automotive history for current and future scholars and connoisseurs, cannot be overstated. The Collier Collection consists of "the finest vintage automobiles, and an ever-expanding library of rare books, photographs, documents and ephemera which uniquely catalogues the evolution of automobile design and the industry's influence on modern culture". In perfect alignment with their philosophy of sharing, they are offering a bit of history and beauty in their current series of Salon newsletters. The most recent, a story by John Lamm on the three Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantics, two of which we have had the honor to restore in our workshop, only makes us want more.
Good Work in Rwanda
Richard Barnes, a long time employee in our upholstery department, recently returned from a very special trip to Rwanda. Over a ten day period he, along with his daughter and a handful of others, participated in an outreach program affiliated with the African New Life Church.
Though the group was small the results were not. With most paying for the trip out of their own funds, the money they raised went towards supporting the people of Rwanda. The team was able to supply food for 18 families for a month, deliver donated clothes and medical supplies (as well as a few soccer balls), help fund a women's skill center and day care, and sponsor three children to go to school for a year. Richard remains committed to buying three sewing machines for the next class of graduates, so they can make money to sustain themselves. He is also ensuring that a very grateful 14 year old girl - named Grace - has the chance to further her education.
If you would like to offer your thanks and support for Richard's efforts, please contact him via .
Cavallino Classic celebrates 25 years
The Cavallino Classic 2016 celebrated its 25th gathering of Ferrari owners, enthusiasts, and spectacular cars. One of the highlights of this years event was a special display consisting of Best of Show winners from the prior Classics. We were very pleased that the current car owners of four of our previous winners brought their cars to sunny Florida: 1948 Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa (Scuderia Cup, 2014); 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Alloy Berlinetta (Gran Turismo Cup, 2012); 1950 Ferrari 166 MM/ 195 S Berlinetta Le Mans (Scuderia Cup, 2008); 1949 Ferrari 166 MM Barchetta (Scuderia Cup, 2007 & 1999). Then on Classic Sports Sunday at Mar-a-Lago, the lovely 1950 Berlinetta Le Mans was awarded First in Class.
At the request of the organizers, Paul Russell did a presentation during the Thursday Symposium. There has been a great deal of interest in the 'barn-find' 1961 250 GT SWB California Spyder, one of the cars from the Baillion Collection. This was a wonderful opportunity to have a discussion about the points to consider when deciding whether a car is a preservation project, or a seemingly original car with a great patina that, upon closer inspection and further research, deserves to be returned to its original condition. Our thanks to George Carrick and Keith Bluemel for their contributions to the discussion and to Keith for sharing photos from the seminar. 2015 News
Restoration Story Books for Sale
Many of today’s top concours events include originality in their judging criteria. In preparation for presenting a restoration project at such an event, we assemble pertinent documents and images in support of our thought processes, offering historical context for the decisions taken during our authentic restorations. On the day of the show, these pages of research and references are assembled in a simple ring binder and shared with judges, car owners, and enthusiasts. On our website, those familiar with the Portfolio section will be aware that we often include a slide show of images illustrating the restoration process, and always share a slide show of the finished car. It seemed to us that a logical next step would be to create a printed book containing all three of these components: The Research, The Restoration, and The Results. With the kind permission of the car owners, we can now offer two books we have recently completed: The Ferrari 212 Vignale Coupe No.0267 EU, and The Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa No.0724 TR. Available through the on-line book publisher Blurb, all ordering, printing, and delivery is handled by them. We will continue to put our emphasis on the preservation of these great cars, and publish more books only as time allows.
McPherson College Industry Award
Paul Russell, current Chair of the Advisory Board, is especially proud to report that McPherson College Automotive Restoration was announced as Industry Supporter of the Year at the International Historic Motoring Awards 2015. The Industry Supporter award recognizes "the 'outside world' - in the form of companies, organizations, institutions or individuals whose core business lies away from the international historic car industry…". This year, International Historic Motoring Awards "paid tribute to the way America's McPherson College is educating the historic car preservers of the future with its innovative four-year Automotive Restoration degree program." Amanda Gutierrez, Vice President for Automotive Restoration, said: "This is a wonderful recognition of everyone who has worked so hard to make the automotive restoration program a success – our campus community, alumni, advisory board and supporters. This is the international stage affirming the quality and value of what we've built during the last 40 years."
McPherson College Automotive Restoration was in fantastic company among the other finalists for the award. These included such well-known organizations as: Hagerty Insurance, Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations, Porsche Motorsports North America, and The Royal Automobile Club.
This award further recognizes the momentum of the program moving into a multi-year strategic plan to solidify the Automotive Restoration program at McPherson College as the center of excellence for students serious about automotive restoration. Part of that plan involves utilizing the restoration of a Pebble Beach eligible classic, such as a Mercedes-Benz 300S, to demonstrate the highest levels of restoration skills, time management, goal setting, budgeting, and teamwork. If you know of a good restoration candidate, please contact us! Portfolio: 166 Spyder Corsa
The 1948 166 Spyder Corsa, chassis 016 I, has been added to our Portfolio section. The first Ferrari to be raced in the US, and the first Ferrari to win a US race - driven by the great Briggs Cunningham. This historic Spyder was authentically restored on behalf of the renowned Revs Institute Collier Collection. Pictured here during the Cunningham Gathering held during the 2013 Historic Festival at Lime Rock Park (CT). Lime Rock Historic Celebrates M-B Competition Cars
The Sunday in the Park Concours d’Elegance, held during Historic Festival 33 at Lime Rock Park (CT) this Labor Day weekend, was an amazing lineup of Mercedes-Benz competition cars, presided over by driving greats Jochen Mass and Stirling Moss. Our portfolio of work was well represented, as some of the show winners consisted of former restoration and current preservation clients. The dramatic 1930 'Count Trossi' SSK (center picture), a restoration we completed in 1993, was awarded Best of Show. The authentically restored 1939 W154 'Silver Arrow' (race number 6, above), debuted on the Lime Rock track in 2009, won First in the special feature class. True to the philosophy of The Revs Institute and Miles Collier, that proper preservation and public education includes exercise and demonstration, the 1939 Mercedes W154 GP car was given some spirited runs around the track during the weekend’s historic racing activities, piloted by the great F1 and Le Mans veteran Jochen Mass.
Also on hand were two 300SL Roadsters, which we preserve in running condition for their owners. One Roadster won the Preservation class, and the other (shown above) won the 300SL class. A Study in Contrasts at Pebble Beach
Fresh from our workshop, following a cosmetic body and upholstery restoration, we brought Ferrari’s first production long wheelbase (LWB) 250 GT California Spyder, chassis number 0919GT. This Scaglietti body was fitted with covered headlights, and a number of features unique to the first Californias. After the Tour d’Elegance, followed by Friday’s day of coastal cruising, and then looking quite elegant on the show field, the owners and crew were well pleased with its 2nd place result amongst a very strong class (M-1: Ferrari Grand Touring). The other Ferrari we brought to Monterey was an unrestored “barn-find”, the 1961 short wheelbase (SWB) California Spyder from the Baillion Collection. This car was one of a hundred or so classic European cars tucked away for decades on a farm in France. Some of the cars from this collection will require significant resources to bring them back to life. This car is no exception. Before the event we performed a mechanical recommissioning, offering the new owners the option to drive it on the Tour. There was a lot of talk on the day as to whether an old, unrestored, dusty car has any right to be on the Pebble Beach show field. The public clearly enjoyed this study in contrasts.
A meaningful award from Villa d’Este
The historic Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza has been held since 1929 at one of Italy’s most elegant locations on Lake Como. It is comprised of a very select field of 50 classic and 10 current concept cars. This year the weather was as gorgeous as the cars on display over the Saturday and Sunday events. The owners of a 1952 Ferrari 212 Europa Vignale Coupe, debuted last fall following our authentic restoration, were very pleased to be invited to participate in the 2015 Concorso. Two generations were in attendance as the car received a stream of well-deserved compliments and applause from the viewing public. The Jury was also very impressed with the car, deeming it worthy of the Trofeo BMW Group Classic award for the “most sensitive restoration”. Sensitive Restoration is a way of recognizing the attention paid to authentic detail while utilizing the methods and materials of the original builders. Our congratulations to the father and son team who supported our efforts all through this challenging project. To restore, or not to restore
At the Revs Institute Connoisseurship and the Collectible Car symposium in Naples (FL), Paul Russell was invited to speak to the concept of informed research when considering the philosophy of a restoration. Specifically, regarding the extremely rare 1942 Mercedes-Benz 540K Spezial Aktion Panzer-Limousinen recently added to the host's collection. Joining Paul for this discussion was Michael Shanks, an archaeologist at Stanford University (CA). Michael offers his summation of their conversation on his all things archeological blog. Wide-reaching and thought provoking, history's ruin - the case of an automobile covers many of the issues that anyone who is dedicated to preserving fine automobiles struggles with every day.
Amelia Island Concours March 2015
This year, the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance celebrated Mercedes-Benz Sports Cars in addition to honoring Sir Sterling Moss and the 60th Anniversary of his Mille Miglia win. The 1939 Mercedes-Benz W154 GP 'Silver Arrow', which we had restored a few years ago for the Collier Collection, was one among the many wondrous race cars on special display. Two of our current projects, one a full restoration and the other a preservation undertaking, were on the Concours field for judging. The Figoni & Falaschi custom design on the 1939 Delahaye 135 MS Torpedo Grand Sport was deemed to be the Most Elegant French Coachwork. And the extremely rare and original mid-engine 1965 Ferrari Dino 166P/206P placed First in the 1960-1990 race car class. Cavallino Classic "375"
For the Ferrari enthusiast, the Cavallino Classic continues to impress. We were responsible for four Ferraris during the event: two authentically restored and two authentically preserved. For Paul and the owner of the 375 MM Spyder n.0382, the long weekend started with their participation in a 375 symposium for the Cavallino Classic Lecture Series. Chassis no.0382 had, rather notoriously, been stored for decades before our client purchased it. We are proud to be recommissioning this authentic example of a pedigreed racer for a client who values originality while demanding that the car continue to be race-ready. At the Saturday Concorso, n.0382 was awarded the 375 Cup. This client’s philosophy is also evident in his custodianship of the 1965 166/206 P Dino. We recently rebuilt the ignition system and the transaxle (which included a great deal of custom machine work) after they had failed during Bahamas Speed Week. At Cavallino the owner was thrilled to take it to the track on Friday for some warm weather testing. Then on Saturday the Dino was awarded a Platinum in the Preservation Class along with the Scuderia Ferrari Cup for Best of Show, Competition. A wonderful result for this 1965 World Hillclimb Champion. Our two restored cars well represented the other side of the collector hobby during the Saturday Concorso. The Belgian ENB 1958 Le Mans 250 TR was awarded a Platinum along with the Competizione Cup for finest track/racing Ferrari. The subtly striking black with green 212 Europa Vignale Coupe was awarded a hard-won Platinum, and also won the Excellence Award in its class at the Classic Sports Sunday at Mar-a-Lago. Also on Sunday, the 1939 Delahaye 135MS Torpedo Grand Sport (class winner at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours) joined the Ferrari weekend, and won its class Excellence Award and the Most Elegant Convertible award. 2014 News
This fall we have been excited to attend some local car shows. While most of our clients live outside the New England area, Paul received permission to share a few of these great cars with the public. The Historic Festival at Lime Rock Park is always a great way to spend the weekend. While last year we participated in the track events with the 1948 Ferrari 166 SC, this year we joined the Sunday in the Park Concours with a lovely 1956 silver/blue Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing. Larz Anderson Auto Museum, home to America’s Oldest Car Collection, hosts a series of marque-themed Lawn Events on their extensive grounds over summer weekends. We displayed the extremely rare (and preserved, not restored) 1958 Ferrari 335 S race car for all to enjoy at the Tutto Italiano day. Late September, we took a Pebble Beach winning, bright-red, 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing to display at The Boston Cup, held on historic Boston Common, where Paul was honored to present the Restoration Award to the owners of a 1964 Porsche Carrera. Further afield, the 1958 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa n.0724 was invited by Ferrari to participate in their celebration of 60 years in the USA. The “Race Through the Decades 1954-2014” event displayed 60 historic cars along Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Black tie dinner and charity fundraiser aside, the extraordinary collection of cars were on view for all to see. Pebble Beach Tour & Concours d'Elegance
By all accounts, this year’s Monterey Week was action-packed. After a flurry of activity in our shop to get all the cars ready, the days in California were relatively calm. On Thursday, the three cars entered in the Concours were driven by their owners on the Tour d’Elegance around the Monterey peninsula, and a grand time was had by all. [Pictured top to bottom: 1952 Ferrari 212 Europa Vignale Coupe; 1939 Delahaye 135MS Torpedo Grand Sport; 1958 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Scaglietti.]
With no breakdowns or damage during the 85-mile drive, the cars needed only a simple clean and detail to be ready for the show field on Sunday. Amongst a very strong class of twenty Testa Rossas, the yellow with red stripe, 1958 Le Mans race car was awarded Second. The exceptionally elegant metallic green with black 212 was overshadowed by the Best of Show Ferrari 375MM in the same class. The handsome and unusual Figoni & Falschi Delahaye Torpedo Grand Sport was awarded First in its class. Yes, we do Ferraris
Our crew proudly gathers around an assembly of unique and beautiful cars prior to their debut at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Clockwise from top: 1939 Delahaye 135 MS Torpedo Grand Sport; 1948 Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa; 1958 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa; 1952 Ferrari 212 Europa Vignale Coupe. With the exception of the 166SC, first shown at the 2013 Lime Rock Historic Festival, the other three are recently completed restorations. A Terrific Trio at Amelia Island
Another wonderful weekend at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. We brought three cars to the event, shown here in the early morning. The 1948 Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa won an Amelia Award in the Ferrari Racing class. The 1958 Ferrari 335 S Scaglietti Spyder was awarded the McIntosh Trophy for "the best sounding car on the field". Read more about these two cars in our Cavallino Classic 23 news (January 2014). And the "most elegant" 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680S 'Saoutchik' Torpedo Roadster was awarded the Mercedes-Benz Star of Excellence. Best Ferraris at Cavallino Classic 23
The 1948 Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa continues to impress. Originally owned by Briggs Cunningham, chassis 016-I was the first Ferrari to win a race in the U.S. We were commissioned by the Collier Collection to bring it back to its 1950 Watkins Glen race configuration. At the Cavallino Classic Concorso event on Saturday, the team of judges viewed the field with a critical eye to authenticity, and decreed the 166SC to be the Competition Ferrari Best of Show. Additional honor was bestowed when the judges awarded the 166SC the Chief Judge Emeritus Cup, for the "best restoration in authenticity and research" on the field.
We were also excited to assist with the very rare 1958 Ferrari 335 S Scaglietti Spyder, the same model that clinched the world sports car championship in Argentina. Chassis 0764 was ordered by Luigi Chinetti and displayed at the NY Auto Show before a notable racing career at Road America, Watkins Glen, Midlands Texas, etc. Earlier this month our client entrusted us to give the car a look-over before purchase, and a quick race-prep before this weekend. As delighted as he was when presented with the Competition Ferrari Best of Show at the Mar-a-Lago Classic Sports Sunday, he was especially gratified by the Cavallino Ferrari Spirit Cup. To decide this award, the judges put emphasis on the car and driver's performance on the track Friday, the car's history, and its presence on the lawn Saturday.
First in Class at St. Michaels Concours d'Elegance
While we are known mostly for our restoration work, we are equally proud of the cars we preserve. Honoring the patina of a classic car is a path that we feel should be seriously considered when possible. Shown here is a wonderfully original 1963 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster. Unrestored but properly maintained by us, and repainted due only to minor body damage, this is simply a great car.
Frank and Beverly Spellman have been enjoying the use of this car for decades, both at concours events and on road rallies, usually fully accessorized. Most recently, they showed it at the St. Michaels Concours d'Elegance on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. Dr. Spellman writes "We won best in 'Post War Open Sports Cars' class … Put the original whitewalls on for the event." We think the old girl looks spectacular.
Best of Show at Lime Rock Historic Festival
The 2013 Historic Festival at Lime Rock Park in CT was excellent. Even though the weather was frequently threatening, it could not dampen the spirited three days of on-track vintage racing, a Cunningham Gathering, plus the Sunday in the Park Concours. This year we brought two cars whose restoration completion was specifically targeted for this event: a 1952 Cunningham C-3 and the 1948 Briggs Cunningham Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa to be debuted at the Concours. The C-3 was one of many C-3s grouped together for the Marque feature, and the historic 166SC won Best of Show at the Sunday Concours. More importantly it was the first time that the Collier Collection saw the finished 166SC after a two year restoration. Our mandate was to bring this car, the first Ferrari to win a race in the U.S., back to its precise 1950 Watkins Glen configuration. They were more than pleased with the results.
The Ferrari was displayed with the other four cars the Collier Collection brought to the event from Naples, FL. A truly great outing for all participants, celebrating multiple aspects of the collector car hobby. A New Journey for the Saoutchik
August 2013 For the past 35 years, one of our constant doctrines has been an insistence on quality, for the craftsmanship and for the cars, and on behalf of our clients. We have never advocated that the restoration of a classic should be done solely for monetary return, and truly believe that the ultimate reward for an owner is in the pursuit of their personal passion. That being said, we acknowledge that many of our former restorations have set record prices at auction. The 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680S 'Saoutchik' Torpedo Roadster is a great example of a spectacular car, with an acknowledged 'perfect' restoration, and owners who love the sport and hobby of classic cars. Our entire team enjoyed collaborating with the Andrews family during the extensive research and rebuilding process, which led to Best of Show at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2012. With an eye to new automotive experiences, the Andrews family decided to include the Saoutchik in the 2013 RM Auction at Monterey. Auction houses play a unique role in the current collectible car market, creating a world-wide interest in and competition for the great cars. We wish the new owners many miles of happy motoring.
We Celebrate our 35th Year!
June 2013 Gullwing Service Company (now DBA Paul Russell and Company) was incorporated on June 1, 1978. By the fall of that first year we already had a full workload, specializing in the mechanical restoration of 1950s Mercedes-Benz in our three-bay garage in Topsfield, MA (shown here). By 1983 we had outgrown those premises and that limited specialty, and moved to our current workshop in Essex, MA. Since then our physical plant, range of services, and variety of marques have all grown far beyond Paul's original expectations. More...
35 years of passionate dedication to the preservation of fine automobiles translates to the service and/or restoration of over 680 classic cars from dozens of marques, the majority of them being Mercedes-Benz, including over 250 300SLs. Our work has resulted in 37 Best of Show honors along with numerous other awards and recognitions, including having our craftsmanship displayed at automotive and fine art museums. Many of our clients as well as staff members have been with us for decades. Today we celebrate our past achievements as we look forward, to new projects for old and new clients, with up and coming professional restorers joining our experienced team of craftsman.
Atlantic adds to Best of Show honors
May 2013 Ralph Lauren's 1938 Bugatti T57SC Atlantic Coupe swept the podium at Villa d'Este this weekend. Awarded People's and Children's Choice by popular vote at Villa Erba, and the Coppa d'Oro at the Villa d'Este Concorso, it went on to be awarded Best of Show for the weekend. We are honored that Mr. Lauren still enjoys displaying our restoration craftsmanship 23 years after the Atlantic won Best of Show at the Pebble Beach Concours in 1990.
It is difficult for any car to compete against the rare beauty of the Atlantic. We were very pleased that the recently restored 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680S Saoutchik Torpedo Roadster, Best of Show at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, was shared with European car enthusisasts during the Villa d'Este Concorso weekend. Winning its class, it was in the running for Best of Show.
Excellence at McPherson College
May 2013 The Paul Russell Award for Excellence was presented to TAYLOR ADAMS during McPherson College's Celebration and Awards Convocation on May 3. In recognition of "outstanding commitment to the preservation of automotive craftsmanship, history, and technology", this monetary award is a tangible result of the fundraiser held November 2012 [see News Archives] for McPherson's Automotive Restoration degree program. Our thanks again to all the generous sponsors, attendees, and donors who helped make this award possible. Power the Future at McPherson
April 2013 McPherson College staff and senior auto restoration student Casey Maxon visited with car collectors, restoration specialists, and others in the collector car industry while at the Amelia Island Concours d' Elegance. These enthusiasts shared their passion for classic cars and the growing importance of involving the next generation in the endeavor. This well produced video includes alumni and friends of McPherson College from Mercedes-Benz USA, Hagerty Insurance, and our own Paul Russell - recently appointed chair of the National Advisory Board for the McPherson College automotive restoration program.More...
For more information about the McPherson College Automotive Restoration Program, visit mcpherson.edu/autorestoration.
Connoisseurship and the Collectible Car
March 2013 The 7th Biennial Symposium on Connoisseurship and the Collectible Car, hosted by the Revs Institute for Automotive Research, is now behind us and was another provocative, educational, and inspiring four-day event. This is the third of the seven symposia in which we have been invited to be a member of the faculty - an honor and a privilege. This year marked a significant presence of Stanford University students and faculty, as the Revs Institute takes a foothold in the university curriculum, and fulfills Miles Collier's vision of incorporating the historical, cultural, and technological significance of the automobile into the entire curriculum at Stanford and beyond.More...
A significant segment of this years program centered on the maturing of the collector car "hobby" into one of stewardship of historical objects - documents if you will - that reflect so much of life in their own time period. Dr. Frederick Simeone was there to discuss just that, using his own new book, The Stewardship of Historically Important Automobiles, to lay out the issues. Paul's role was to discuss the many varied decisions a serious owner and restorer must consider when bringing back an historic automobile to a certain point in time. The example used for this discussion was the 1948 Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa we are restoring for Mr. Collier. It is in its trial assembly stage - just before paint - and brought down to the symposium (pictured on display here) to illustrate the decisions made and their consequences in this subject area. Other presenters included motorsports historian Doug Nye, Michael Bock from Mercedes-Benz Classic, Indy 500 Champion Dario Franchitti, and Keith Martin from Sports Car Market. To learn more about the Revs Institute for Automotive Research, visit revsinstitute.org.
Storytelling at the Larz Anderson Auto Museum
March 2013 Our very own Drivetrain Specialist, Bob Lapane, will be one of the guest speakers at the first ever MotorMouth: Insider Series, "an evening of fascinating tales from those who have made careers out of their love of the automobile". At the Larz Anderson Auto Museum in Brookline, MA on Thursday, March 21st. For tickets and more information click here.
Cavallino Classic XXII
January 2013 We sent a truckload of cars to the Palm Beach area for this important South Florida weekend. There were no scheduling conflicts with the Scottsdale weekend this year, but there was a conflict for Ferrari racing fans who wanted to attend the Ferrari Challenge N.A. event at Daytona International Speedway.
The 1954 Ferrari 375 MM, winner of Preservation and Competition Cups in 2012, returned this year for a special class honoring Pininfarina designed Ferraris at Saturday's Concorso d'Eleganza. As the 375MM is a Preservation car, it needed only a check-over after its runs on the track last month during the Bahamas Speed Week Revival.
Pictured here is the 375MM on display at Jet Aviation's La Bella Macchina, Thursday evening. On Saturday at The Breakers, this unrestored 375MM was awarded Gold in its pre-1956 class. Also on the field was a client's Ferrari 500 Superfast, which we serviced and detailed following its 2012 season of European rallying. For the Classic Sports Sunday event, the 375MM owner drove his car to the field at Mar-a-Lago, and then won Finest Competition Car.
Scottsdale Auction Results
January 2013 Alex Finigan, our Sales and Brokerage expert, attended the 2013 Scottsdale Auctions on behalf of three different clients. Continuing a long and complimentary relationship with Gooding & Company, Alex represented the owner of the 1959 Porsche RSK which sold for a new world record price of $3.135M, including the 10% buyer's premium.More...
Assisting a client in pursuit of an original, low-mileage Lancia B24S Spider America, Alex investigated the car's history, inspected the car on site, and then helped to develop a bidding strategy, suggesting a top budget of $400,000. Although unsuccessful in attaining the car, Alex felt the client was well served in preparing for the emotions of the day, as the car ultimately sold for almost twice the estimate.
Before the auction, Alex completed his own investigation of the rare Fantuzzi bodied 1957 Maserati 150 GT Spider. The new owner was particularly pleased with the winning bid of $3.080M, an amount below Alex's recommended bidding limit.
Saoutchik Roadster is Restoration of the Year
Latest News from the International Historic Motoring Awards:
"Restoration of the Year was won by the ‘Avant-Garde Torpedo Roadster’ the 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680S with coachbuilt body by Jacques Saoutchik. Following a meticulous restoration by Paul Russell and Company, which saw members of the restoration team travel from the USA to Germany to see two similar Saoutchik-bodied cars that still had their original lizard skin interiors, this car took the Best of Show award at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.More...
"Without the ability and creativity of restorers and the dedication of owners a great many cars would be lost forever. A truly great restoration requires a combination of in-depth research, historical knowledge, sensitivity, and a huge range of technical skills - and often more than a little ingenuity.
"For this award the judges are looking for the highest conceivable level of workmanship, applied to a vehicle of
historical significance or importance. Provenance and originality are vital - this is restoration not re-creation - a meticulous, comprehensively-documented restoration of a vehicle that has been returned to what it was in its glory days."
Funds Raised for McPherson College
Paul Russell and Company was pleased to host a fundraiser on Saturday, November 3, 2012, for the benefit of the McPherson College Automotive Restoration Program. The centerpiece of the event was a celebration of our 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Best of Show winner, the 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680S Saoutchik Torpedo Roadster. With the support of our generous sponsors, we were able to present a check to Amanda Gutierrez, McPherson College vice president for automotive restoration, for almost $60,000.More...
Essex, MA -- Paul Russell and Company, the automotive restoration and preservation specialists of this year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Best of Show Winner, the 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680S Saoutchik Torpedo Roadster, brought the Mercedes star back east November 3rd to an eager crowd of enthusiasts, raising funds for McPherson College's Automotive Restoration Program, the country's only four-year Bachelor of Arts program devoted to the craft. The event raised nearly $60,000, from over 200 avid auto enthusiasts, sponsors, and supporters who were treated to a first-hand explanation of the custom coachbuilder's art from the restoration team, several of whom are McPherson College Graduates.
"We are thrilled to champion the Automotive Restoration Program at McPherson College, and to have Program graduates involved in a restoration project of this magnitude - an exquisite example of the 'coachbuilt era' motorcar," Paul Russell, a long-time Educational Advisory Board Member of the school, and event host said.
Partner sponsor Mercedes-Benz USA was on hand with a new LeMans Red SLS coupe looking every bit as classy as its 85-year old predecessor, showing the marque truly does withstand the test of time! They joined nearly a dozen other sponsors of the event from the historic, collector and vintage automotive industries, many of whom share a long-time interest and involvement with the McPherson College Automotive Restoration Program.
"We're proud to provide scholarship opportunities, to join in these fund raisers, and promote the McPherson College Automotive Restoration Program," Mike Kunz, of Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Irvine, California and fellow Educational Advisory Board Member at McPherson College said. "We also enjoy the first-hand benefit of employing the graduates of the Program, with one of our youngest employees becoming a specialist on our oldest model - the very car that launched the automotive age - the 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagen!"
Hagerty Insurance, specialty auto insurers were on-board and on-hand to enjoy the presentation and shop tour. "It is important for all of us to support institutions like McPherson College so future generations learn how to properly restore classic cars. McPherson sets the standard and their graduates can be found at some of the world's leading restoration shops and winning prestigious awards at events around the country." McKeel Hagerty, President and CEO said.
Panther City Classic Autos, Jay Leno, BASF Glasurit, Gooding & Company, Premier Financial Services, Intercity Lines, Griot's Garage, Michael Furman Automotive Photographer, and Motorsport Marketing Resources were all key sponsors, helping with everything from donations to in-kind assistance to make the event a success.
The restoration team took attendees through the meticulous processes they used to bring the 1928 Mercedes-Benz up to the exacting Pebble Beach standards. Processes, such as researching and recreating the lizard skin upholstery were accomplished with utmost deliberative care, and over 1500 hours were spent on this endeavor alone! Chris Andrews, son of the vehicle's owners Paul and Judy Andrews of Fort Worth, TX was closely involved in monitoring the progress through the nearly two-year long project, emphasizing the roadworthiness of the finished product, in addition to its Pebble Beach Concours preparation. Their Panther City Classic Autos are also among the event supporters.
"I'm proud to be part of this team," McPherson Graduate, Stacy Puckett, the Resource Manager at Paul Russell and Company said. "Preserving the history of these important early motorcars so future generations can enjoy and learn from them is a pretty awesome job."
Amanda Gutierrez, McPherson College vice president for automotive restoration, said they were pleased to have so many restoration alumni involved with the Best of Show winner and appreciate all the efforts of Paul Russell and Company to organize this benefit.
"At McPherson College, we teach students the skills, historical background and global perspective they need to develop into world-class restorers - like those at Paul Russell and Company," she said. "We are so proud of our alumni success and their passion and professionalism. Our thanks go to Paul Russell for seeing the value of McPherson College."
To learn more about the McPherson Auto Restoration Program, visit www.mcpherson.edu/autorestoration.
Cavallino Classic XXI
The 2012 Cavallino Classic was a sunny showcase of important Ferraris both with and without racing lineage. The field offered up something to admire for every sort of Ferrari enthusiast, from the rugged 1963 GTO to the refined elegance of a 1951 212 Export Spyder Vignale. It was a beautiful day to be a Ferrari admirer. We presented two cars, one a fresh restoration and the other a preservation project. Both cars did very well, as they received 2 class awards and 3 major awards. Our sincere thanks and congratulations go to both of our enthusiastic and committed car owners.
1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta alumino.
Delivered first to Switzerland and used to tour Europe, this wedding gift was then shipped to Canada. The next owner had it repainted brown metallic and fitted with a cream interior and lime green carpets. Other major modifications included the installation of a sunroof, large speakers on the back shelf, and a rectangular front grille guard. We hear it made quite an impression as it was often parked on the streets of Montreal. We purchased it on behalf of the current owner and restored the car to the 1967 Scaglietti configuration, and the original colors of Rosso Chiaro paint with Nero full leather interior. Awards: Platinum Award (95+ points), Gran Turismo Ferrari Cup (Best of Show for road cars)
1953 Ferrari 375 MM Spyder. This car had been stored in a barn since being raced at Watkins Glen in 1973. Our client brought it to us in 2010 to be recommissioned mechanically, and for a sensitive touch while preserving the cosmetics. We are honored to be entrusted with this important project and its ongoing care. The owners have continued its racing lineage by participating in hillclimb events, as well as concours events, both here and abroad.
Awards: Platinum Award (95+ points), Competition Cup (for the finest racing Ferrari), Preservation Vintage Cup (for the Ferrari best representing original preserved condition, pre-1975)
Autobahn-Kurier wins Louis Vuitton Classic Concours Award
The magnificent 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Autobahn-Kurier, which we completely restored in 2006, has been awarded the coveted Louis Vuitton Classic Concours Award for 2011. Only those cars that have won Best of Show at a major concours event during the year are considered. A jury of specialists decide the winner, based upon the elegance and refinement of the interior and exterior coachwork, the mechanical beauty, the appropriateness of form and function, as well as the authenticity, historical importance, and rarity.More...
The Autobahn-Kurier won Best of Show at the 2011 Concours d'Elegance of America, which qualified it for consideration. The award ceremony took place in Monaco on April 23, when a specially commissioned sculpture was presented to the owners.
This is our second "Best of the Best" award. The 1950 Ferrari 166 MM/195 S Berlinetta Le Mans, completed in 2007, won the Louis Vuitton Classic Concours Award for 2008 after winning Best of Show at the Villa d'Este Concorso that year.
The Locomotive or Red Flag Acts were a series of Acts of Parliament to control the use of mechanically propelled vehicles on British public highways. The 1865 act required all 'road locomotives', including automobiles, to travel at a maximum of 6 km/h in the country and 3 km/h in towns. A crew of three were required, one of whom should carry a red flag walking 55 m ahead of each vehicle.
© 2002-2017 PAUL RUSSELL AND COMPANY ESSEX, MASSACHUSETTS
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2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/15194 | New Audi A6 Presented as a Long-Wheelbase Version Exclusively for China By admin - March 8, 2005 0 Comments
Source: Communication Audi Sites
Winterkorn: “We’re taking the success of the new Audi A6 to China too.”
China is the world’s largest market for A6 saloons
The Audi A6L will feature at the Shanghai Motor Show as of 21 April
The new Audi A6L, built in the Changchun plant in China, today celebrated its debut in Shanghai. Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, and the joint venture partners of FAW-VW, President of the FAW Group Zhu Yanfeng and General Manager of FAW-Volkswagen Automobile Co., Ltd., Qin Huanming, emphasised the significance of the new Audi A6L for the Chinese market. Winterkorn stated: “The Audi A6L will be built exclusively as a long-wheelbase version in China for the Chinese market. This premium product, which is wholly orientated to our Chinese customers, thus enables us to go one step further in China than in the rest of the world.” In Europe the A6, already the winner of numerous awards, including “World Car of the Year”, stands as a benchmark for high quality and excellent workmanship. In Germany the A6 has been named the “Best Car of 2005” and in Italy leading designers have declared it as the “World’s Most Beautiful Large Saloon”. “It is our aim,” said Winterkorn, “to extend the success of the new Audi A6 to China as well. The special Chinese version the A6L, which has undergone extensive trials in the country, offers convincing proof of our market leadership in the Chinese premium segment.”
The Audi A6L occupies a leading position among its competitors in terms of driving comfort and luxury, spaciousness and design. The chassis, engineered specifically for road conditions in China, provides outstanding suspension characteristics, particularly when the optional adaptive air suspension system is chosen. The wheelbase of the A6L, ten centimetres longer than that of the A6 saloon, is unique. This extended wheelbase benefits passengers in the rear of the car, giving them legroom hitherto unknown in this vehicle segment. The Audi A6 has also been highly praised for its qualitative charm and design. Qin Huanming, General Manager of FAW-Volkswagen Automobile, stated that, “The Audi A6L is a masterpiece of design”. One example of this is the new image that this family now enjoys, with its single-frame radiator grille. The Audi A6L sets standards in other respects too. The vehicle can be ordered with quattro permanent all-wheel drive, through which Audi has been proving its proverbial on-road “Vorsprung durch Technik” for the last 25 years in convincing style. The quattro drive is offered in 2005 in conjunction with the
3.0 six-cylinder (218 bhp) engine and the 4.2 eight-cylinder (335 bhp). This is the first time that Audi’s programme in China will include an eight-cylinder engine in the A6 range. The 2.4 (177 bhp) engine is a further six-cylinder available from dealers from day one. The four-cylinder 2.0 TFSI engine (170 bhp) will follow shortly after. Customers can choose between a manual transmission and two automatic transmissions, multitronic (2.0 TFSI, 2.4 and 3.0 litres with front-wheel drive) and tiptronic in the two quattro variants.
The Audi A6L can deliver even more evidence of its innovative technological credentials. The MMI control system enables hassle-free operation of a wide range of functions such as a telephone, audio systems and navigation systems. Vehicle settings can also be adjusted easily. If the vehicle is fitted with the adaptive air suspension system, the customer can use the MMI to select a chassis tuning ranging from sporty to comfortable. If the driver does not make an selection, the vehicle level adapts itself continuously to the road and the speed of travel.
High-comfort equipment leaves nothing to be desired. MMI in the Chinese language, servotronic, a leather steering wheel and a light/rain sensor are just some examples of the extensive features that are provided as standard. Naturally the Audi A6L boasts the same comprehensive safety features as the standard saloon. These include a state-of-the-art ESP generation and head/front and side airbags. In the Euro NCAP crash test, the Audi A6 was awarded five stars, the highest possible rating. During recent months, the Audi A6 has been presented with almost every award that a car can possibly win. Besides the title “World Car of the Year”, it received the “Auto1” award, a major international automobile prize. Winterkorn remarked: “To us these awards are clear confirmation of our product strategy, namely: The best of all worlds.”
At the unveiling of the A6L, Zhu Yanfeng, President of FAW Group, stressed: “In terms of sales, brand influence and customer satisfaction, during recent years the Audi A6 has left its competitors trailing.” Some 200,000 Audi A6 cars have been built in China to date. According to Winterkorn, China is already the world’s largest market for A6 saloons. Audi will surely set new standards with the A6L. The Audi A6L, which will debut at the Shanghai Motor Show on 21 April, is to be launched on the Chinese market in the middle of the year.
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2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/15810 | The Medium is the Museum
Is a museum that exists only online still a museum? Yes, in my opinion. As our world moves more and more into the virtual realm, collections have sprung up that exist only in digital format. This blog aims to explore and share these digital museums.
Open Road: The Mazda Museum
Cars, especially classic cars or ones with really out-there designs, are pretty cool. I like seeing these vehicles up close and being able to learn more about them, but I always imagined that this was best done in person. Apparently Mazda thinks this isn't necessarily the case. Though the company has a physical museum in Hiroshima, Japan, they have also elected to display some of their history online for the rest of the world to see. The result is a pretty impressive collection of images and information.
Mazda's online presence includes a few different components: a timeline-style history, several special exhibits and a huge gallery of images and information on past and present cars. The history section contains a fair amount of information, which is not too overwhelming but can also be a bit dry. A photograph of some aspect of that time period accompanies each entry. The special exhibitions are pretty unique - you can learn about the fortieth anniversary of a signature Mazda engine, the company's innovative designs shows of 2006 and 2007, and the design challenge they sponsored six years ago - and by including a number of images and video to explore, they provide a lot of supporting material for these topics. I especially like that you can sign up to get email alerts about new special exhibits, rather than having to check back frequently to see whether anything has changed.
The best part of this museum, though, is the vast collection of pictures and stats on Mazda's cars. This
gallery is broken down into four sections - one each devoted to classic cars, concept cars, innovations that the company pioneered and photographic highlights from the company's history. Images accompany all the entries in each category, along with each car's vital stats and a few paragraphs of information. I was most interested in looking at the cars, but I can appreciate that the other information provided would really delight a car fanatic.
Putting together everything that is provided online, I think Mazda has done a pretty good job of placing interesting and relevant content in a format that appeals to the virtual visitor. Sure, the experience of being close to these cars and seeing how they relate to the space around them is not something you can replicate in the virtual world, but realistically very few of us will every make it to Hiroshima. This really is the next best thing - and believe it or not, the Mazda museum does provide an experience that's almost as good as seeing the cars in person.
The Mazda Museum
Website: www.mazdamuseum.com
Miriam Musco
More Than Tires and Blimps: The Akron Art Museum's Online Collections
When you think of art museums, you probably don't think of Akron, Ohio. And when you think of Akron (if you do at all), you might only remember that it's where Goodyear is headquartered. But I discovered recently that Akron does in fact have an art museum - one with some fairly significant works (like Andy Warhol's silkscreened Elvis) and a rather impressive online presence.
The Online Collections of the Akron Art Musuem contain selected works from fifteen different genres the museum displays, most of which are within the realm of modern art. There are also currently three sections devoted to new works within the museum, each focusing on a different artist. Each exhibit contains several dozen pieces, with the museum providing the title and composition for each one along with a brief description that provides information on the artist and locates the work within the context of its movement. The amount of information provided is really great - the descriptions are engaging, informative, and neither too long nor too jargon-y. Visitors to the online collections can also view additional, cross-referenced information on each artist as well as share artworks via Facebook or email.
What I like most about these online collections, however, is their sense of both ambition and realism. According to the online collection's opening page, their goal is to eventually have all the museum's artworks up for display on the internet. They acknowledge that the physical museum's gallery space constraints allow for "only a fraction"of the objects they hold to be displayed at any one time. I really admire their willingness to be open with the public about where the majority of their collections spend most of their time while in the museum's ownership, as well as their desire to make the most of the limitlessness an online collection could provide to the public.
In all, I think the Akron Art Museum could be a model for how art museums can make themselves more accessible to a wider audience while also making the entirety of their holdings viewable. Sure, this museum probably has many fewer objects than many well-known art institutions, but it has a staff of less than thirty. If they can produce such an impressive online collection, with plans to digitize everything in the hazy future, then surely this level of presentation and information is duplicable for other, more well-resourced organizations.
I look forward to the Akron Art Museum becoming a leader in this field.
The Akron Art Museum's Online Collection
Website: www.akronartmuseum.org/collection
Papal States: The Vatican Museums Collections Online
With the Pope's resignation looming, now is an interesting time to look at what the Vatican's museums are doing online. But first - did you know that the Vatican had an extensive museum system? That was certainly news to me, although I guess that all the wealth and objects they've accumulated (taken?) over the centuries had to go somewhere. And, considering that this Pope decided to get on Twitter, it makes sense for the Vatican's collections to have an online presence. Surprisingly, for an institution that is very old and sometimes seems to be stuck in the past, the Vatican's virtual museum is quite impressive.
Unlike the Louvre, whose online museum I've written about previously, the Vatican seems to have given many of its physical collections a home on the web. There are ten different collections that can be accessed online, and each of these collections is housed among a number of rooms. Most rooms, in turn, have several different artifacts that can be viewed, which means that in total there are hundreds of objects to look at. Some of the Vatican's most prominent holdings, like the frescos in the Sistine Chapel, are gathered in a "Not to Be Missed" section.
In addition, each collection, each room and each object is accompanied by text that is informative but not too long-winded (the individual objects also have their curatorial information presented). This all adds up to a lot of beautiful images and a digestible and interesting amount of information about what and why the Vatican has all these things.
My only quibble with this virtual museum is that it's not so easy to navigate. I suppose this has to do with how many layers it contains, and how many objects there are to work your way through. Sometimes, though, it gets a little illogical trying to find your way around - for example, if you click on the "Virtual Visit of This Room" feature that some rooms have, all you get is a tiny, useless floor plan.
All in all, though, this online museum is pretty impressive, especially considering how old-fashioned and hidebound the Vatican often seems. Although it makes me a little squeamish to think about how these objects were acquired, the fact remains that they are impressive artifacts and highly accessible to web audiences. I never thought I would say this, but the Vatican seems to be one of the leaders in online museum collections.
The Vatican Museums Online Collections
Website: mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/MV_Visite.html
French Style: The Louvre Online Tours
The Louvre is lucky. It's one of the most well-known and recognized museums in the world, and it's probably never hurting for visitors (or funds). It holds the world's most famous artwork (the Mona Lisa) and it now has two satellite locations: one in the north of France and one in Abu Dhabi. Given all these resources and prestige, you would hope that the museum would have a phenomenal online presence, including some sort of virtual experience. Once again, the Louvre does not disappoint - at least in quality.
The online tours here represent two galleries: the Rotunda, which displays the museum building's history, and the Egyptian Antiquities wing. Launching either of these tours brings you to a digital rendering of each section of the building, which you can move around in by mousing over the floor until black arrows appear or by dragging left or right over the screen. Descriptions of each room appear in a text box below at the bottom of the screen, and although you get only a short paragraph of details, it's just the right length to inform without overwhelming.
If you browse through the items in the galleries, you'll find that some of them show an "i" when you hover over them. This indicates that you can click on these items to display a more detailed image and some information. The images quality is excellent, and I'm glad the museum includes curatorial information (like age, composition and dimensions) for these artifacts, although some descriptive text would be appealing to casual visitors.
These two tours are excellent and make good use of technology and the Louvre's resources, so it's puzzling that more isn't on offer. There are ten other sections of the museum that could also be made into virtual tours. I'm also not sure why a third tour, of the Galerie d'Apollon, was displayed on the Louvre's website but was not working (the link took me to Google's French website). These, I suppose, are goals to reach towards - perhaps more tours are being planned for the future. Given the Louvre's status in the museum world, they have shown an admirable effort to make at least some of their collections available to the wider world. I hope they can fix some of the flaws in these tours, and I hope someday to be able to experience more of the museum from the comfort of my computer screen.
The Louvre Online Tours
Website: www.louvre.fr/en/visites-en-ligne
Faith, Hope and Love: The Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Museum
When we think about the saints of the Catholic Church, we usually imagine mystical figures - like St. George and his dragons - or sadistically tortured adherents such as St. Catherine, who died on a spiked wheel. Most of these figures lived a long time ago, and it's easy to think that sainthood is a dying tradition. But in fact, more modern figures are being canonized even up to this day. One of these newer saints, Elizabeth Ann Seton, is the subject of a small online museum.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton has the distinction of being the first native-born American citizen to be granted sainthood. During her short lifetime she made religious pilgrimages, founded of the first Catholic school in the United States, set up missions to help the poor, and created America's earliest Catholic women's religious order. She was made a saint in 1975, and her legacy includes three American colleges: Seton Hall University, Seton Hill University, and the College of St. Elizabeth.
How did I learn all this? From the museum, which is highly informative without being boring. Most of the pages contain no more than a few short paragraphs of text with images interspersed. Rather than present tons of material all at once, the different periods of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton's life are broken down into sections and subsections that are well-labeled and easy to navigate. The result is that you can learn a lot without being overwhelmed.
The only downside to this museum is its size - it's doesn't have very much content, and you can probably view everything in fifteen minutes or less. There are educational resources offered - specifically, a CD with more information and activities - so you could potentially get more out of the museum. But I think I'd rather the museum keep its size and its manageable content than expand and lose some of its charm along the way. This museum just goes to show that it doesn't take mountains of information or flashy graphics to make an interesting virtual museum - just a well-crafted site and interesting material.
The Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Museum
Website: www.scny.org/setonmuseum
Science, Science Everywhere: The Museum of Science, Boston's Online Museum
I love science museums. I work in one, I first got interested in museums while interning in one, and I try to visit as many as I can across the country (and the world). So when science museums start putting content online and creating digital exhibits, I get pretty excited. I think informal science education is fantastic, and the more that can be widely shared, the better. So I'm happy with some of the Museum of Science, Boston's online offerings, but some of it just isn't that interesting.
First, the good. Prominently featured are videos and audio clips about subjects as varied as NASA, magnetism and nanotechnology, which are good tools to draw curious amateur scientists in. There are a couple of really interesting exhibits - on Ancient Egypt, nanomedicine and oceans - that do a pretty good job of recreating a museum-going experience online. Particularly well done are an exhibit about Leaonardo da Vinci, which lays out a lot of information and images in a very approachable form, and a section on scanning electron microscopes, which is pretty bare-bones but absolutely lovely in its presentation.
But these sections are buried deep within the online museum. The audio and video clips I mentioned above, while enlightening, aren't really what online museums should be focusing on - after all, sitting and watching or listening are pretty passive and minimally engaging activities. The other featured content includes a pretty boring exhibit on alternative energy (a few pictures of solar cells spread among paragraphs of text isn't all that exciting) and some links that take you to pages about living lab projects going on in the physical museum. I found these pages very frustrating because they're not at all like exhibits - instead, they read like the websites that universities put up about their various research labs. There's not much educational content or contextualizing of the project, just profiles of the researchers and progress timelines.
These project websites seem like newer content, and if that's the case I would recommend that the Museum of Science, Boston stick to formats like its older online exhibits. Pictures from powerful microscopes are incredibly cool, and so are da Vinci's sketches and games that let you act as a cancer doctor. Interspersed that with some media clips and you've got a pretty good online science museum.
Museum of Science, Boston's Online Museum
Website: www.mos.org/museum-online
A Walk in the Park: California State Parks' Online Museum Collections
As I've mentioned before, I'm a huge fan of federal and state land programs. I grew up going to many national parks for vacations, and I'm now lucky to live in an area with many beautiful state parks and forests nearby. In recent years, many of these administered lands have begun to create exhibits and programs to accompany their natural splendor, and some are even creating online museums. That's exactly what the California State Parks system has done, and while it's a noble endeavor, it's execution leaves much to be desired.
These online collections consist of images arranged by category, and the array of topics is pretty impressive. You can view nature photographs, images of historic structures, immigration documents, paintings, advertising materials, and landscapes, among many other objects. The most fascinating are the certificates that Chinese workers presented upon their arrival to California - you can view twelve of these papers in detailed images. Also interesting - assuming you're into the lives of the American elite - are artifacts from Hearst Castle.
Unfortunately, there's not much to these collections beyond images. Few of the images contain meaningful descriptions to provide context for the objects or artwork - most simply communicate what the objects look like and what their dimensions are - and a good number have no explanation at all. The only collection categories that had interesting texts accompanying their objects were Architect Julia Morgan: A Blueprint for Success and Treasurers from a Pioneer Family. I suppose that the information provided is sufficient for a researcher, but for a general audience most of the collections fall flat.
It's too bad, because as the land administration system for the most populous state, the California State Parks department could surely provide a lot of fascinating content. There are some interesting subjects on display here and I believe a greater depth of information could really draw online visitors in. As it stands now, though, I can't see these virtual collections really adding anything to the park experience.
California State Parks' Online Museum Collections
Website: www.museumcollections.parks.ca.gov
I'm an educator at the Sciencenter, a children's museum in Ithaca, New York. I'm obsessed with museums, and in my spare time I like to cook, put together ridiculous outfits and run around upstate New York. | 汽车 |
2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/16263 | Taking a ride in Hyundai's Ioniq autonomous car
What happens when a law-abiding car meets the real road
Martyn Williams (IDG News Service)
It was only a couple of years ago that auto makers started appearing at CES touting self-driving car systems. Now those vehicles are taking to the roads in various trials around the world and on Wednesday in Las Vegas, I got a chance to ride in an autonomous version of Hyundai's Ioniq four-door sedan.The car was capable of "level 4" autonomy, which means it can drive itself without human help. It recognized traffic signals and stopped when needed, was able to negotiate turns and slow down for other traffic and pedestrians.At the heart of the car are three laser imaging sensors that provide a 180 degree view of the surroundings ahead. The data from the sensors is matched with a detailed 3D map that was generated ahead of time, and enables the car to figure out where it is on the road. It also picks up on visual cues like lane markings. Martyn Williams A Hyundai engineer takes his hands off the wheel in the company's Ioniq autonomous car in Las Vegas on January 4, 2017.
This is how most autonomous cars work these days. The road needs to have been mapped in advance because the cars can't really think and figure things out from scratch.The ride was fairly smooth although some acceleration, braking and steering was a little bit jerky — a sign of the computer control.
Perhaps the most interesting moments came when the car encountered the many minor law violations that occur on roads everyday. Hyundai has programmed it to obey the law -- it couldn't ethically do anything else -- but that meant the car stuck to a sedate and legal 25 miles per hour while most other road users cruised by at faster speeds.At at one stage, when turning right at a junction, it encountered a pedestrian who wasn't waiting on the sidewalk but in the gutter. The car sensed him in the road and slowed to an almost halt. A human driver might have simply taken the curve a little wider.The short drive only took about 10 minutes so it was impossible to really see the car working under a number of different conditions -- but then, the technology isn't production-ready yet. Martyn Williams Hyundai's Ioniq autonomous car in Las Vegas on January 4, 2017.
Hyundai, like many other auto companies, is researching the electronics and computer processing needed to safely and efficiently let cars take over from humans during most driving.And when control was wanted back, the driver could resume by simply grabbing the steering wheel or placing a foot on one of the pedals.
Tags CES 2017
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2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/17426 | AAC launches the new Cadillac CTS-V
AAC launches the new Cadillac CTS-V
Aljomaih Automotive Company (AAC), the sole dealer for Cadillac cars in Saudi Arabia, unveiled the new Cadillac CTS-V, 2016, in Saudi Arabia, to join the latest and most exciting models of “V” series.
The launch of this model represents a new era for the luxury car brand “Cadillac” in Saudi Arabia, where major shifts in customers’ choice are being formed to choose a car that combines strong performance and luxury simultaneously. Through offering of this great model; AAC introduces the new “V” series, which represents the brand's performance line. The new Cadillac CTS-V will be supported with a strong competitive pricing strategy, which will constitute an important factor to attract clients who wish to own a sports car that enjoys sophisticated features and strong performance such as the new Cadillac CTS-V.
The new Cadillac CTS-V enjoys elegant design and strong chassis to meet the maximum requirements for sports performance. The car is equipped with the world's most advanced engine, including the third-generation of Magnetic Ride Control and Performance Traction Management.The Magnetic Ride Control reads the road a thousand times per second to ensure the optimal driving control. Third-generation improvements enable 40-percent faster damping response. The CTS-V is backed by new eight-speed automatic transmission featuring launch control and Performance Algorithm Shifting. Automatically selects the perfect gear for faster lap times, or it can be shifted Full manual control via steering wheel paddles.
The new Cadillac CTS-Vequipped with Brembo brake system,which is offering race car like braking on the track with six-piston front and four-piston rear fixed calipers stopping vented rotors, along with Michelin Pilot Super Sport 19 inch tires with a progressive contact patch and a custom mold shape for maximum grip and stopping power.
The power behind the new CTS-V’s capability is an all-new, more powerful 6.2L supercharged V-8 engine that produces 640 hp and 855 NM.
All of these combined forces take the CTS-V, the lightest car in its class, to a top speed of 320 km/h on racetracks, and acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds.
In addition to the standard dual front, front-side, and side curtain air bags, the 2016 CTS-V also comes with rear-side airbags and knee airbags for the driver and front passenger. Standard active safety and driver aids include lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, lane change alert, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision warning.
The car features four distinctive driving modes (Tour, Sport, and Track & Snow/Ice), electronically calibrate a variety of performance features, optimizing and customizing driving to suit all road conditions.
The CTS-V also has a Performance Data Recorder that captures not only a driver's perspective of the road ahead, but also a host of telemetry data for review at a later date. The system's camera records everything the driver sees directly in front. The system records data on an SD card that lets drivers replay their experiences either on the vehicle's CUE screen or TV screen at a later date.
The rigid sporty design of the car enables the driver to control his lane through 20 adjusting ways. The aura of track-inspired precision carries over to the interior, where the design and the relationship of key components are aimed squarely at performance-driving ergonomics, including a massively thick rimmed steering wheel, beautiful matte carbon fiber detailing and some incredible 16-way adjustable Recaro seats for adjusting the seat and side bolsters. A lightweight carbon fiber hood features an air-extracting vent that not only pulls hot air out of the engine compartment, but helps reduce lift at speed by channeling air pulled through the radiator out and over the top of car rather than allowing trapped air to exit under the car.
Noting that Aljomaih Automotive Company (AAC), which began representing General Motors in 1967, is the largest dealer for General Motors in the Middle East,and one of the largest dealers in the world. AAC has a distinct distribution network covering three main areas in Saudi Arabia as well as other small areas. AAC is the sole dealer for Cadillac in Saudi Arabia.
The company offers various services and comprehensive maintenance, plus exclusive services to clients of prime brand, Cadillac. | 汽车 |
2017-17/2964/en_head.json.gz/18183 | Meter Count
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Updated Suppliers consider expansion, investment in Russia
By Dustin Walsh
TI Automotive Ltd.
Visteon Corp.
TRW Automotive Inc.
Days away from the XXII Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, it's not just the world's elite athletes vying for position. The country's increasingly stable economy is gaining the attention of Southeast Michigan's automotive industry. Rainer Jueckstock, co-CEO of Federal-Mogul Corp., said the Southfield-based brake and piston supplier believes Russia has a solid long-term future for suppliers.
Rainer Jueckstock
Russia is "a rich country with oil and gas resources, which is growing its middle class," Jueckstock said. "It's the largest country in the world with the need for more roads; there's no doubt that Russia will develop." Automakers and suppliers are making efforts to expand in Russia, but with measured caution as political uncertainty and corruption continue to plague its budding economy. Federal-Mogul operates piston plants in Naberezhnye Chelny and Togliatti, and entered an agreement to acquire Dimitrovgrad-based supplier DZV Bearings Co. in December. It employs roughly 750 in Russia. The supplier also operates a sales and administration office and is opening a warehouse soon, Jueckstock said. Jueckstock's enthusiasm for the Russian market is backed by analyst expectations. The Russian automotive market is predicted to overtake Germany as the largest market in Europe by 2020, according to a 2013 study by Boston Consulting Group.The firm forecasts that Russia's auto market will grow by an average of 6 percent annually through 2020, reaching 4.4 million units in sales, up from 2.9 million in 2012. Small four-door sedans and sport-utility vehicles are the most popular choices for Russian buyers. However, the Russian economy sputtered in 2013, leading to a 6 percent drop in new vehicle sales, according to a recent report by the Association of European Businesses. Rick Hanna
Rick Hanna, global automotive leader for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in Detroit, said a major driver of U.S.-based supplier growth in Russia is incentives. The government said last month that it would offer $8 billion in subsidies through 2016 for research and development to boost its domestic industry, Reuters reported. Of the 2.9 million cars sold in Russia in 2012, nearly 2 million of them were imported. Even more dismal is the Russian supply base; only 25 percent of parts of Russian cars are produced inside the country, Automotive News Europe reported. That figure, however, is expected to rise to 30 percent to 35 percent in the next 18 to 24 months, BCG analyst Nikolaus Lang said in an interview with ANE. "A global trend is for automakers to build cars where they sell them, and Russia is no different," Hanna said. "The Russian government is providing incentives to get content built in Russia, which is attracting the supply base ... ." Bill Kozyra, chairman and CEO of Auburn Hills-based TI Automotive Inc., called Russia a long-term market, but customers are asking the fuel systems supplier to invest and expand in the country.
Bill Kozyra
TI Automotive operates a plant in St. Petersburg that supplies systems to Ford Motor Co., General Motors Co., Nissan Motor Co. and Volkswagen AG. "The fact that we currently have facilities in Russia has been advantageous, because some of our competitors do not." Kozyra said in an email to Crain's. "It's a market we are watching closely, as with the other BRIC nations." The BRIC nations are Brazil, Russia, India and China.Van Buren Township-based Visteon Corp. strengthened its position in Russia in October when it increased its stake to 69 percent from 49 percent in its interior electronics joint venture with Russia's Avtopribor. It made Visteon a majority shareholder in one of Russia's largest cockpit electronics suppliers, Automotive News Europe reported.Livonia-based safety system supplier TRW Automotive Inc. is also interested in the market, but reluctant to put on a full rush into Russia. "We have no reason not to support manufacturing in Russia," Peter Lake, TRW executive vice president of sales and business development, told Automotive News Europe. "It's just a question of time."Hanna said suppliers are capitalizing on Russia's skilled labor workforce and high education rates. But the industry is approaching the market with caution due to political unrest and a renowned history of corruption, said Betsy Meter, partner and automotive audit leader for KPMG LLP in Detroit."There's reluctance from the industry because of the way Russia does business, which is not like Western Europe or the U.S.," Meter said. "Most suppliers are at least looking at moving into Russia, but they want to invest wisely." Russia's recent and well-documented corruption scandal involved the 2009 death of Sergei Magnitsky, an attorney for British hedge fund manager Bill Browder. Russian officials arrested and detained Magnitsky in 2008 following his complaints about corruption between Moscow energy companies OAO Gazprom and Surgutneftegas and government officials as well as an alleged $230 million tax fraud ring. Magnitsky died after 358 days in prison. A United Nations human rights group later determined he was severely beaten moments before his death, the Washington Post reported in 2011. Transparency International, an organization that measures perceptions of corruption worldwide, ranked Russia 127th out of 177 countries on its Corruption Perception Index in 2013.However, the Russian government, led by President Vladimir Putin, is moving to thwart corruption, Hanna said. In 2012, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev signed The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's Anti-Bribery Convention. The organization works to reduce corruption by promoting policies with international governments. "The question remains whether you can trust the Russian government and court system to protect your business, but confidence is growing," Hanna said. "Putin has been in power for some time and seems to be consolidating laws and working hard to address corruption to attract foreign investment." Dustin Walsh: (313) 446-6042, [email protected]. Twitter: @dustinpwalsh Related LinksGeared for play: Olympics, soccer help Warrior build global brandWORLD WATCH MONTHLY: Russia | 汽车 |