Automobiles Review

Tag: Vehicle

  • Does Vehicle’s Color Has Something to Do with Driver’s Character?

    Even if you consider yourself as a careful driver, there are some myths and beliefs, that can tell something different about you. There are people, who believe, that there is sort of connection between vehicle color and the amount of scratches. It sounds funny and superstitious, but let’s see what do say these, who believe in such things about vehicle’s color and the accidents. According to a research, the green color has the most damages, while other colors tend to reduce them. But let’s have a look on some statistics.

    Red

    The color wasn’t that popular in 80’s and 90’s, but now it makes something as a comeback. What researchers say about this color is that you make only 9% on repairs in one year time. Good choice, keep up with the safe red finish.

    Grey

    Not so interesting, the grey color appears to be with more “dangerous”, than the red, because of its 14% filling on one year’s service work. Grey maybe matches the sensible drivers the best. Who knows.

    Blue

    In fact, the blue color is now with decreased popularity with its 13% of new car registrations in 2014. But the vehicles still go through some bumbs and fill a total of 18% of total repairs. Interesting.

    Black

    The always modern black color is in second position with its 21% of total repairs. Some researches show that in recent years black vehicles are mostly reported to be involved in road accidents. Interesting or just coincidence?

    Silver

    This looks like the most unfortunate color. Vehicles with this color go for the most repairs throughout one year with their 24%.

    Interesting things are the colors. In fact, it is considered, that white cars are sort of “safest”, when it comes to researches like this.

    So, what do you think about it? Coincidence and superstition or the vehicle’s color has something to do with driver’s character?

  • Toyota Will Premiere Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle In Frankfurt

    Toyota FCV-R Concept - Front AngleAt the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show Toyota will premiere its new Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle Concept with the aim to offer one of the best solutions to the challenges of energy sources and emissions. In these terms the hydrogen is the ideal and ultra-clean fuel.

    Another goal that the brand has achieved with this model is to offer a driving range and performance comparable to conventional petrol and diesel engines. The advantage here however is that there is no harmful tailpipe emissions.

    In the vehicle has been utilized Hybrid Synergy Drive technology which is also used in the famous Prius and other full hybrid production models. At first the Toyota FCV-R Concept was unveiled at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. Now the brand continues to make progress towards its planned introduction of an affordable FCHV saloon model by 2015.

    The FCV-R concept is 4,745mm long, 1,510mm high and 1,790mm wide. It achieves a maximum driving range of about 420 miles and doesn’t produce any emissions. The only by-product of the hydrogen fuel cell is water vapour. The twin fuel tanks and the fuel cell stack are positioned beneath the floor. This of course results in no impact on the cabin and load space.

    Toyota FCV-R Concept

    Toyota aims that its FCHVs will be in a mass-market production during the 2020s. In addition, this commercialization will be supported by the wider roll-out of fuel cell vehicle technology as well as the development of hydrogen refueling infrastructure.

    The fuel cell which is going to be utilized in Toyota’s production FCHV achieves the world’s highest power output density at 3kW per litre. In addition, it also delivers improved range of the vehicle from about 205 miles to more than 350 miles. What is more, the fuel cell has a greater operating range, with the help of materials in its construction making cold start possible at temperatures around -30°C.

    Toyota’s FCHV has currently a price around US $108 367, however the brand is planning to significantly reduce the cost and make it more affordable.

    Source: Toyota

  • Car tires – the right decision

    The tires are some of the most important parts of the vehicles. There are hundreds of models car tires, but only few of them will give you safety and confidence, when you drive in low-traction surfaces such as wet asphalt. To understand, how important the tires are, think about them as the only contact of your 1500kg vehicle with the road.

    You can find a lot of information on the internet for brands, prices and tests of tires, but you have to know what you are searching for. Tires information is very important, when you make your choice. Often people do not pay attention, what are they buying and in several months they sorry for that. A set of good tires in regular 16 or 17 inches size starts around $800 and if you want nice grippy car shoes you will pay almost double of this.

    Remember that tires offering more traction are softer and they will wear out fast. Often this happens in 15 to 20 thousand miles. Other important thing is the tire age, because the rubber is getting old, especially, when it is put on harsh conditions – cold, heat, sun, etc. So, tires older than two years will not have the same qualities as brand new.

    Car winter tires are obligatory, if you live in areas, where snows or the temperatures are below 7 degrees C for more than a week. The winter tires improve the safety and performance of your car during such conditions, because they don’t lose their qualities in low temperatures unlike the summer sets. On the other hand, it is not recommended to drive with winter tires during other seasons. Remember that the winter tires should be more narrow than the summer sets, because it is easier to drive on snow surfaces. For example, if you drive 225/45 R17 during the other seasons, pick something like 205/50 R17 for the winter. It will be a good choice and those tires are less expensive than the wider.

    So, before you head on buying you next set of tires – summer or winter, check out for the information you need to make the right decision.

  • Accident Injuries and Claims Due To Driver Negligence

    In some cities and towns, there is extremely high population of people; this means more sources of transportation and vehicles on the road. With this, accidents are also going to be higher and there are going to be many more individuals injured or lost during these accidents. It is not just the drivers of these vehicles that will feel this cruel truth; passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists are also prone to being in the wrong place at the wrong time. In such a highly populated area, what would normally be a minor wreck can quickly involve several individuals, higher risks of injury, and possible fatalities. It is important to recognize how and when to file injury claims for motor vehicle accidents, while being able to find an appropriate legal representative.

    What is Driver Negligence?
    Driver negligence is the circumstance in which a wreck or accident occurred not because of an unavoidable situation, but because the driver was not paying attention to what he or she was doing. Some examples of this may be ignoring the road while playing with the radio or a cell phone, putting on make-up while driving, or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Driver negligence is generally at fault for many accidents, with texting while driving being an incredibly popular concern among law officials. This has been made illegal in many states, in an attempt to lower accidents due to this activity. When driver negligence is at fault for an accident, it is much easier to file a claim and be able to receive compensation once injured. Injuries due to these wrecks can be very serious, just as with any other accident. However, when one driver is not paying attention to the road, they can cause much more damage than if they had attempted to avoid the collision.

    Seeking Compensation for Injuries Sustained in Motor Vehicle Accidents
    It is quite often that individuals will sustain injuries when in a wreck. Sometimes, they will require medical attention, and they may even require multiple visits; possibly lifelong medical attention. These bills are a good reason to file for medical compensation. In some cases, these injuries may severely alter one’s ability to work, or lower their quality of life. This usually results in much higher compensation amounts. In order to start the long road of filing a claim, you must first find a reputable legal representative. Personal injury lawyers are specialists when it comes to injuries inflicted due to accidents. They can assist you in recognizing and organizing your claim, determining the amount of compensation that is appropriate, and helping you to begin the process. While this process is going on, you should not sign any papers or contracts with insurance companies, and you should not accept any money that they offer. This can result in you having received a much lower amount of compensation than recommended by the lawyer. Once your lawyer has your case ready, it can take a while to settle. The many peace offerings being made could be tempting, but remember: you’re worth more than what they offer, and your lawyer will help you to get it!

  • The Top 5 Automotive Upgrades for a New Vehicle

    Elevate the style and performance of your new ride from off-the-lot stock to aftermarket hot by spicing it up with performance accessories. Whether you’re looking to add some sizzle to your daily driver or give your free-time ride an extra jolt of juice, custom accessories take your car, truck or SUV to unheard of levels of style and protection. And, as any automotive junkie knows, the best place to start your journey is to add some flashy protection to your front end. And, for stylish defense from the elements, a car bra is the way to go. Car bras are custom-crafted to fit every line of your exact vehicle for the stylish accent your new ride deserves. These beauties defend your bumper from pummeling pebbles, torpedoing wasps and anything else the open road can dish out. And, they’re available in a wide variety of styles and materials to compliment your unique look.

    With your front end taken care of it’s time to focus on keeping your interior fresh and looking fly. And, for that you need to hook up your ride with a set of seat covers. From taking abuse from unruly teenagers to blocking Fido’s fur flinging ways, seat covers offer the best defense out there. Like putting your seats in a time capsule, seat covers put your seats on lockdown to block anything from getting at ‘em. That snug seal is all you need to stop the upholstery aging process in its tracks. Plus, they come in an astounding variety of fabrics and styles so your interior style is helped while your fabric stays factory fresh.

    Now that your seats are squared away, your next step is to take care of your floorboards. Floor mats offer an unbeatable layer of defense from everything your active lifestyle can dish out. So, from mud-covered cleats to spilled soda, your floors stay stylish and clean. They’re available in a wide variety of styles and protection levels to compliment your interior. That means from matching to leather to adding some Hawaiian flare to your floorboards, you’re covered.

    With your car properly protected it’s time to get to the really fun part: performance. And, nothing sets your horsepower and torque soaring like a cold air intake. These beasts suck in massive quantities of power-producing icy air and feed it to your hungry engine. That brawny breath boosts the performance of your ride better than any other upgrade. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your 4×4 for an all-out off-road attack or want to add an extra jolt of juice to your weekend ride, a performance CAI is the way to go.

    Meanwhile, you can’t add that much furious power without boosting your braking system to keep pace. Upgrading your brake rotors to a brawny aftermarket setup is an essential step in the journey of any performance geek. From cross-drilled rotors to dimpled or slotted and every combination in between, performance rotors come in a variety of different styles to suit any situation from the dirt track to the raceway. Either way you go, performance rotors massively increase the stopping power of your ride. All this great gear raises your ride to a personalized statement of excellence for all on the road to envy.

  • All-New Global Vehicle by Ford at the Delhi Auto Expo 2012

    ford delhi thumbFord is going to present an all-new vehicle at the 11th Auto Expo 2012 in New Delhi. The vehicle is planned to be introduced in India and other global markets in the near future. The Ford’s high-tech and interactive stand will cover roughly 1,400 square meters, where the planned highlights will be presented by the company. For instance such include comprehensive safety and quality displays, a 3D theater, live shows and a crowd-sourced, interactive driving game.

    The exclusive news is that the new vehicle will be the latest One Ford global product, which is designed to help expand Ford’s footprint in the world’s fastest-growing auto markets, including India. The expansion in the country will include eight more products to be introduced in the future.

    More to be seen at Ford Stand is the Ford Figo, the All-New Fiesta, the Ford Classic and the Ford Endeavour. To go further into details Figo has already sold around 130,000 units since its launch in March 2010. Although it has only been in the Indian market for not so long time, it has become the country’s most awarded car ever. Moreover it has garnered industry-wide recognition as a great value-for-money vehicle, which is exported to close to 30 international markets. Next, the Ford Classic, has made an impressive footprint on the Indian market by winning more than 120,000 customers, thank to its on-road dynamics and best-in-class fuel efficiency. On the other hand there is Ford Endeavour, which is a popular all-action SUV. At last the All-New Ford Fiesta four-door sedan will also be on display. Additional detail here is that the car soon will be available with the new best-in-class PowerShift automatic transmission. Compared to the traditional four-speed automatics, the PowerShift transmission can improve fuel economy by up to 9 percent.

    All-New Global Vehicle by Ford at the Delhi Auto Expo 2012
    All-New Global Vehicle by Ford at the Delhi Auto Expo 2012

    In addition if you happen to be at the Ford stand, you will experience the advantage of the latest technology. A major highlight will be allowing the audience to take virtual control of a vehicle on a large LED screen. With the help of a motion-sensing camera, the crowd will collectively control the vehicle as it rolls along the road, and unlock information at each bend. The display will prompt the crowd to lean left and right during a short drive as it shows highlights of the route. Furthermore Ford also will have a Figo Theatre which will allow customers to sit inside the car and watch a film played on a plasma television in front of the windscreen. The video of course will explain the Figo’s Smart technologies. Another theatre – this time in 3D will present the improvements in technology, design and development of Ford’s vehicles. Here visitors will navigate a virtual car interior under the guidance of a Ford engineer. In addition a Quality Touch Table will provide guests with a hands-on opportunity to feel the quality of the materials used in Ford vehicles. On the other hand there is a Green Touch Table as well. It will demonstrate the long-term value of Ford’s green technology, delivering on Ford’s commitment to provide customers with low total cost of ownership. Next a Fiesta body shell will also be on display, giving visitors an opportunity to discover the engineering features that make the Fiesta safe and secure on the road. And to make the best out of their experience, guests will be entertained by a local magician who will perform on the stand.

    Auto Expo 2012 runs from January 7-11 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

    Source: FORD

  • Lotus Exige GT3 Concept Road Vehicle

    The Most Extreme Exige Variant To-date – Geneva, Switzerland (6th March 2007), Lotus Sport, the race car performance arm of Lotus Cars Ltd, today unveiled the Lotus Exige GT3 concept road vehicle. With its debut at the 77th annual Geneva International Motor Show, the 275 PS (271 bhp / 203 kW) Exige GT3 is a bold, no-holds-barred, lap record-breaking, breathtaking performance machine that embraces all that is expected of a race-bred Lotus.

    Building on the Lotus racing pedigree, this concept car can deliver more grin-factor than ever before; there are no intended compromises and no limits except those that are self imposed by the driver.

    This is one concept that commands your full attention.
    Said Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer for Group Lotus plc: ” The Exige GT3 concept road car is a fantastic showcase product from our race car performance division, Lotus Sport. The car’s racing background becomes immediately obvious from its aggressive stance, extreme width of rear track and innovative three-dimensional rear wing. The foundation of all Lotus products is phenomenal handling and ride characteristics, but the Exige GT3 takes these into another dimension altogether where supreme road holding and outrageous acceleration come evenly matched with sensational stopping ability.”

    Lotus Exige GT3 Concept
    Lotus Exige GT3 Concept
    Lotus Exige GT3 Concept Road Vehicle
    Lotus Exige GT3 Concept Road Vehicle

    The Exige GT3’s pure bred racing brother will be again competing in the GT race arena in 2007, taking over the mantle from the hugely successful 2006 British GT3 Championship-winning car. On road or track the Lotus Exige GT3 winning pedigree will continue in time honoured Lotus racing tradition.

    A new one-piece front clam-shell with fully masked front wheels and wheel arch venting leads the aerodynamically cleaned silhouette of this car.

    A menacing stance is enhanced by the aggressively flared rear wheel arches and aero-efficient three-dimensional rear wing and blended end-plates. The visual message is clear; this vehicle means business and the squat wide hindquarters symbolise the latent power harnessed within.

    That power is provided by the same charge-cooled supercharged engine that the GT3 race car employs, producing 275PS (271bhp / 203kw) driven through ten inch rear wheels with 255 width tyres making the final connection to the road. Max speed (257kph / 160mph) and peak torque have been electronically limited but acceleration is left untouched and unimpaired. The up-rated front brakes and brake pads all round ensure that on road or track this car’s stopping ability is more than capable of harnessing its acceleration performance.

    The end-plate mounted three-dimensional rear wing is highly efficient and fully complements the widened and flattened rear deck shape in reducing the overall drag as well as maintaining front to rear downforce balance. The performance of this car will amaze and reward all drivers with incredible road holding (developed with the help of its 2-way Ohlins adjustable dampers together with Lotus Sport adjustable front stabiliser bar and rear suspension double-shear track control arms) and stunning acceleration.

    Simply put, the Lotus Exige GT3 will redefine your concept of a road car by re-affirming that unique proposition that is, above all else, a Lotus.

    It is intended that the Lotus Exige GT3 concept road vehicle will be further developed into a full production car for limited markets, to go on sale in late 2007 with an estimated price tag of between £50,000 and £60,000.

    Engine

    The supercharged and intercooled 1796 cc engine in the Lotus GT3 has a maximum power output of 275 PS (271 bhp / 203 kw) at 8000 rpm and a torque figure of approximately 258 Nm (190 lb/ft) at 7000 rpm. This significant amount of extra power and torque now available together with the VVTL-i variable cam system ensures that there is a smooth and linear surge of power from low engine speeds all the way to the maximum 8000 rpm. The Roots-type Eaton M62 supercharger (with a sealed-for-life internal mechanism meaning that it does not require the use of the engine’s oil) is run from the crankshaft and has an integral bypass valve for part load operation. Four high capacity injectors and an up rated fuel pump add additional fuel under hard acceleration or high speed driving.

    An Accusump (engine oil accumulator unit) is included in the whole package as an oil reservoir back-up for extreme track use ensuring that, under those conditions, the engine oil pressure remains constant. Twin oil coolers complete the powertrain package.

    Transmission

    A sports-type clutch plate and heavy duty clutch cover transfer the engine power and torque to the lightweight aluminium C64 six-speed gearbox – with the same perfectly spaced ratios as the Exige S. An open type limited slip differential is fitted as standard. The Lotus switchable traction control system (LTCS) works through the engine, reducing power to maintain traction; it is active above 8 kph (5 mph) and reacts much more quickly than many brake-based systems.

    Chassis Structure

    Lotus designed lightweight structure of epoxy bonded aluminium alloy extrusions with crash structure, extruded aluminium door beams, integral steel seat-belt support structure and lightweight galvanized steel rear sub frame incorporating a structural shear panel.

    Body

    GT3 derived one-piece front clamshell and wide track rear clamshell with full length roof scoop design taken from the Cup Exige 255. New full width rear wing with integral end plates mounting to rear clam. Race style full width front splitter; standard Exige door and body sides retained. Multi element rear diffuser with carbon option.

    Wheels & Tyres

    5-spoke lightweight forged alloy wheels (front 7Jx16 and rear 10Jx17) are shod with Lotus Sport specific Yokohama A048 R LTS tyres (front 195/50 R16 and rear 255/40 R17), designed to maximise grip and achieve the ride and handling targets set by Lotus.

    Brakes

    The brake system includes 308 mm diameter 2 piece aluminium belled cross drilled and ventilated front discs and 288 mm diameter cross-drilled and ventilated rear discs. AP Racing two-piece radially mounted 4 piston calipers at the front and Brembo single sliding piston at the rear. Pagid

    RS14 sports brake pads all round. High grade silicone brake fluid; stainless steel braided brake hoses. In addition, the proven Lotus track tuned servo-assisted four-channel ABS system enhances braking performance and minimises stopping distance without taking over from the skill of the driver.

    Suspension

    Fully independent suspension utilising unequal length wishbones; Öhlins 2-way adjustable dampers with coil over springs and Lotus Sport adjustable front anti-roll bar. A rear double shear track control arm brace is provided to cope with the expected kerb abuse during heavy track day driving.