MTM prefers the subtle art of visual understatement and maximum impact from the engineering within. With the Audi A5 3.0 V6 TDi, the technicians at Wettstetten have produced a tough rival for the near peerless S5. Independently tested at Hockenheim, MTM’s Thunderbolt smashed the S5 lap time by a clear second.
Posted 1 year ago under:
Technology,
VolvoVolvo has designed a smart mounting bracket for Garmin’s latest satellite navigation unit, the nüvi 760, which offers a solution to the untidy suction cups and wires that can be associated with portable systems. Available from 3 December 2007, this unique powered holder complete with Garmin nüvi 760 can be fitted to all new Volvo cars.
Posted 1 year ago under:
Audio,
Technology,
PeugeotPeugeot introduces the new RT4 Multi-media system with integral 30 Gigabytes (GB) hard drive providing storage for up to 180 MP3 music tracks, colour satellite navigation with mapping covering Western Europe and TMC traffic information system. With satellite navigation sales growing year on year, this is clearly becoming a “must have” option. One option is a portable navigation device (PNDs). The issue, however, with these units is that their portability also makes them prone to theft and the use of an integral aerial can also affect their performance.
Posted 1 year ago under:
Supercars,
Technology,
CaparoThe world’s fastest ever track-biased, ultra-performance road car, the Caparo T1, has smashed the lap record on BBC TV’s popular motoring programme Top Gear. The two-seater sports car, which utilises lightweight materials and technology more commonly found in Formula One cars, set a new lap record time of 1:10.6; an astonishing seven seconds quicker than a modified Koenigsegg CCX which held the previous record.
Posted 1 year ago under:
Safety,
Technology
Astucia SolarLite flush road stud uses stored solar power to give a ten-fold improvement in night time road visibility. Shorter days and longer hours of darkness, along with inclement winter weather place particular emphasis on the need for road delineation, to show the driver where the road goes next. The latest generation of a British-designed “smart” road-stud has just been certified by the Department for Transport and is making a significant improvement to driving safety, with a big boost in visibility compared with the traditional reflective “cats-eye.” The Astucia SolarLite™ stud stores solar energy during the day, then built-in Light Emitting Diodes automatically illuminate from dusk to dawn, providing drivers with up to 900 metres of visibility. This is ten times greater than the traditional, retro-reflective, passive road stud which relies on being illuminated by the headlight beam of the approaching vehicle. At best it has a useful range of 90 metres.
Posted 1 year ago under:
News,
TechnologyOwners of diesel powered Rover 75 and MG ZT models can now boost their engine’s performance by more than 10 percent with the relaunch of XPart’s XPower diesel upgrade. The enhancement, which is available through XPart’s 240-strong AutoService centre network, raises power by 15bhp, reducing the 0-60mph time by up to ten percent. Towing capability is also improved with a 15 percent increase in torque across a wide rev range.
Posted 1 year ago under:
News,
Technology,
HondaHonda unveiled the FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle at the Los Angeles International Auto Show, announcing plans to begin limited retail marketing of the vehicle in summer 2008. The FCX Clarity is a next-generation, zero-emission, hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle based on an entirely new Honda V Flow fuel cell platform, and powered by the highly compact, efficient and powerful Honda V Flow fuel cell stack.
Posted 1 year ago under:
Hatchbacks,
Technology,
OpelThe best remedy for increasing gasoline prices is lower fuel consumption. And on this point, Opel has some especially good news: the new Agila, which made its world premiere at the IAA and will be on sale from spring 2008, boasts especially low fuel consumption in all its engine variants. With 5.0 liters per 100 kilometers for the Agila 1.0 and just 4.5 liters per 100 km for the Agila 1.3 CDTI (average consumption according to EU norm), the mini monocab is a real fuel saver.
Ford's high-tech new Mondeo helps drivers make the perfect hill start no matter how steep the gradient or how heavy the load. The car's sophisticated software detects the attitude of the Mondeo every time it becomes stationary – for example at traffic lights. If the Mondeo is on either an uphill or a downhill slope it automatically engages Hill Launch Assist (HLA). A smooth hill start normally requires significant co-ordination skills from a driver. Initially the car is held on the handbrake while the clutch is progressively disengaged and the accelerator applied. As inertia is overcome, the handbrake is gradually released to avoid rollback.
Posted 1 year ago under:
Technology,
MazdaMazda Motor Corporation and HyNor (Hydrogen Road of Norway) have announced they will collaborate in the development of hydrogen fuel and hydrogen vehicles. This was formally agreed at a signing ceremony held at the Norwegian Embassy in Tokyo today (Wednesday). His Excellency Mr Åge B Grutle, Norwegian ambassador to Japan, Mr Ulf Hafseld, chairman of HyNor, and Mr Seita Kanai, a director and senior managing executive officer of Mazda, all signed a memorandum of understanding for the collaboration and support in the development of a Hydrogen Economy.
