Automobiles Review

Author: Zahari Mladenov

  • 1898: Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft tests the low-voltage magneto ignition

    This trial run marked the beginning of a new era in engine technology at Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG): up until then, all automobiles of the Stuttgart brand had been equipped with the hot tube ignition which Gottlieb Daimler had invented for the high-speed gasoline engine in 1883. But the brilliantly simple system soon would be unable to cope with the increasingly higher speeds of the new engines. (more…)

  • 1888: Gottlieb Daimler files patent application for first gasoline-powered fire-fighting pump

    The gasoline-powered fire-fighting pump, invented by Gottlieb Daimler and the subject of a patent application filed with the Imperial Patent Office in Berlin on July 29, 1888, attracted worldwide attention in next to no time.

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  • Mercedes-Benz wedge-pin door lock

    Daimler-Benz patented what was to become a key element of passive car safety in 1958 – the wedge-pin door lock. It was introduced into a Mercedes-Benz production vehicle the following year. The innovative lock, featuring two safety detents, prevented vehicle doors from bursting open or jamming shut in the event of an accident. In vehicles with older locks fitted, doors were known to spring open even as a result of relatively harmless collisions, often resulting in occupants being thrown out of the vehicle, since restraining or safety belts were not commonplace at the time. (more…)

  • Vodafone Mclaren Mercedes Formula 1 car to appear at brooklands motoring festival

    Formula 1™ stars Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen are to drive the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula 1™ car at this year’s Brooklands Motoring Festival: The Double Twelve over 28/29 June.

    The Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team drivers will make a number of appearances in the car during the weekend as they take to the handling circuits at Mercedes-Benz World in Weybridge, Surrey and thrill the crowds. (more…)

  • Audi A4 earns five stars in the Euro NCAP crash test

    After testing the new Audi A4 for passive crash safety, the Euro NCAP consortium awarded the vehicle five stars, the highest rating possible. The results achieved by the new Audi A4 for adult protection in frontal and side crashes as well as child and pedestrian protection make it one of the safest vehicles in its class. (more…)

  • Good to be Back in Canada Again

    For the 450 Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealers in Canada, things are looking pretty good: 21 straight months of sales growth to be solidly the 2nd best selling lineup in the country, the best sales month ever for Dodge Ram, and the best April results in over five years and 2007’s top market share and sales volume gain. It’s good to be in Canada. I should know, I worked there for four years. (more…)

  • BMW Group employee develops solution for a cheap, mobile device for producing drinking water

    On May 26 in Brussels, an international jury presented the National Energy Globe Award 2007 to BMW Group designer Stephan Augustin for his invention of the so called Watercone, a device for generating clean drinking water. Guests at the awards ceremony included Mikhail Gorbachev, José Manuel Barroso, and Kofi Annan. (more…)

  • Mercedes-Benz opens new advanced design studio in California

    Mercedes-Benz is moving its Southern Californian advanced design studio from Irvine to a newly-acquired, spacious facility near Carlsbad, in order to strengthen its creative base in the U.S. At the new Carlsbad facility, the styling masterminds pondering the car of the future have almost three times more space in which to realize their creative ideas. Thus, Mercedes-Benz is underscoring the continually growing influence of the advanced design studio on the internationally-oriented design strategy of the world’s oldest vehicle manufacturer. (more…)

  • Skoda’s fleet market share on the up

    In April Skoda achieved its highest fleet market share on record at 2.2 per cent, having registered 2,015 new fleet vehicles in the UK.
    So far this year, the Czech manufacturer has registered 6,692 fleet vehicles, representing a market share of 1.6 per cent for the year, compared to the 1.4 per cent year-to-date market share registered in April last year. (more…)

  • Citroen displays sporting history and Supercar future at 2008 Goodwood Festival of Speed

    Citroen will be displaying two very special vehicles at this year’s Festival of Speed at Goodwood, exhibiting both the rich racing pedigree and forward thinking, environmentally considerate design of the marque.

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  • Porsche celebrates 60 years of Sports Cars

    Exactly 60 years ago, the cornerstone was laid for a family-operated company, whose rise from modest beginnings into one of the most important sports car marques in the world no one at the time could ever have foreseen.

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  • Gentex SmartBeam to be offered on new Audi models

    Gentex Corporation, the leading supplier of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors to the worldwide automotive industry, has announced that its SmartBeam® High-Beam Headlamp Assist system – called “Fernlichtassistent” (FLA) by Audi – will be offered this spring on the Audi A4, A5 and Q7. The FLA feature will be available on Audi models in the UK and continental Europe as an option in conjunction with Bi-Xenon headlamps. (more…)