Here is a video of the review made by the Fifth Gear’s team of the Mercedes SLR roadster.
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McLaren SLR Roadster reviewed by Fifth Gear
“Cars that can’t crash ” unveiled by Thatcham
It sounds like a sci-fi fantasy – cars that can’t crash! But the fictional notion is about to become reality thanks to new technologies being fitted to vehicles driven in Britain – that in time could save more than 125,000 injuries each year.Low speed shunts and collisions make up no less than 75 percent of all motor accidents. So, collision avoidance systems seem to represent the future of accident and injury reduction on UK roads and Thatcham has been evaluating three different systems:
The Volvo City Safety – which will be fitted as standard to their XC60 which will be on sale from November is the first system being tested. The system is active at up to 20 mph. It uses a form of laser radar (LIDAR) mounted in top of the windscreen. It is programmed to respond if the vehicle in front is either at a standstill or is moving in the same direction as the car itself. The brakes are pre-charged and should a collision be imminent it applies them and cuts the throttle. If the car is travelling below 10mph it should prevent the collision entirely and at a speed of up to 20 mph will reduce the impact by 50%.
The second tested system is the Mercedes Distronic Plus currently available on some S-class models. It uses two radar systems linked to the car’s cruise control system to maintain a safe distance between you and the car in front. It provides a continual calculation of the distance between the vehicle in front and the speed differential between them and will bring the car to a complete stop if necessary.
The third system is the Honda CMBS currently available on the CR-V. It is a radar system that again calculates the distance and the speed differential with the vehicle in front. Should this become out of kilter the driver receives visual and audible warnings before brakes are progressively activated. Seat belts are also tightened to alert the driver of an impending problem and lessen any resulting injuries.
Matthew Avery, Thatcham Research Manager said “All three systems offer enhanced protection – the Volvo in particular impressed because of its autonomous operation and the fact that it intervened at the last second and can completely avoid a crash.” However Avery reminds us the basics of driving: “It is imperative that driver vigilance is not lowered by the inclusion of such systems in their vehicles. These systems should not allow the driver to compensate – and take additional risks. The car is not the driver – the driver drives the car.”
Leaked brochure of the Delta gives details
An official brochure of the eagerly-awaited Delta has leaked on Internet giving details about the car’s specification and pricing.The Delta will be available with a choice of three equipment levels: Argento, Oro and Platino. The entry level will feature 16” x 7” 14-spoke design, wearing 205/55 tire
The Delta will be able to combine all colours with a black roof or an optional “Avorio Micalizzato” colour; The standard colours will be similar to the colours featured by the Fiat Bravo and Croma. Three new colours will be available however: “Azzurro Fontanesi”, “Bordeaux Sansovino” and “Perla Sironi”.
Alcantara is expected to be made standard on the Oro and Platino trim levels, with optional leather available; this will also bring the option of a two-tone dashboard. To the Argento-level specification, Oro will add standard cruise control and automatic dual-zone climate control; Platino will also include the Skyview glass roof and standard bi-colore paint.
Technically, the Delat will be available with a choice of three petrol engines according to the brochure. The entry level will be powered by the 120bhp 1.4-litre unit and followed by the 150bhp 1.6 Multijet engine. Along the petrol units, there will be two diesel engines, a 120bhp 1.6-litre unit and a powerful 190bhp variant of the 1.9-litre twin-stage turbo Multijet diesel, developed by Fiat Powertrain Technologies.
The leaked brochure also gave an insight about the pricing. The 1.4 T-Jet Argento will start at €22,100 on the Austrian market. The 1.6 Multijet variant opens at 24,340 euros with the Argento trim level. Oro trim level will cost €2,000 more. In Platino form, the Delta will cost €27,500 for the 150bhp T-Jet, and €28,740 for the 1.6 Multijet. There are no pricing information about the 190bhp diesel unit.
Source: Autoblog.it
London to vote on the £25 congestion charge this week
This week London will vote for the £25 congestion charge that will be applied to “gas-guzzling” cars. The purpose of the new tax is to help cutting the city’s carbon emissions by 60 percent by 2025.Every owner of a vehicle emitting more than 225g CO2 per 100 km will have to pay the tax if he wants to drive in London. The original plan excluded London residents within the taxed zone, but the exemption has been removed for drivers of luxury and SUV cars.
If the is passed, London will become part of the city’s larger green initiative, which includes promoting the use of bicycles in the city, fitting new filters to city equipment and buildings and the low-emission zone targeting heavy trucks, which went into effect on Monday in the zone encircled by the M25.
“We’re ready”, say the Jaguar dealers in the US
Ken Gorin, chairman of the Jaguar Business Operations Council said in an interview with Automotive News that American Jaguar dealers were ready to sell the new XF which will go on sale there next March.He also described 2007 as the worst year ever for Jaguar dealers. “When you’ve been through the worst, you’ve been through the worst,” he said. Last year company’s sales dropped 24.2% to 15,683 units on the American market. This is an average of less than 10 cars per month for each one of the 170 dealers.
Gorin also hopes the future new owner will give the brand the destiny it deserves. Last december he said he wasn’t very happy with the idea to sell Jaguar coming “out of India.” In the interview he said that his comment was misconstrued.
Pininfarina Sintesi to offer 700bhp
Until now, the size of the engine and transmission to a major extent determines the shape of a car, but Pininfarina might perform a little revolution by unveiling the Sintesi concept car at Geneva.Engineers focused on developing a new fuel cell powertrain which can be spread out in the car. The Sintesi features the electric motors in the wheel while the fuel cell stacks are positioned on the vehicle frame. The central tunnel stores the tank for biofuel and a the device that transforms the biofuel into hydrogen. The Sintesi has a power output of 700bhp.
Pininfarina developed the system with the help of a British company Nuvera Fuel Cells.
Eibahc to launch specific spring for the BMW 1-Series coupé
Suspension specialist Eibach has launched a new sports kit for the BMW 1-Series coupé. The small coupé looks like it becomes the new BMW to own like it was the case for the 2002 or the three door 3-Series years ago.The Pro-Kit Performance Springs bring the centre of gravity closer to the road by lowering the car by roughly 1.2”. Eibach also offers the Pro-Spacer Aluminum-Wheel-Spacers which in turn promises to furthermore optimise the car’s overall impression and handling.
Caparo to help Tata to build the Nano
Caparo likes the opposites. After building the supercar T1, the British company will build the body structure for the cheapest car in the world, the Tata Nano.Selected inner structural panels will be pressed and assembled by Caparo at a new facility in Singur which will supply 60 per cent of these assemblies, with the rest being manufactured in-house by Tata. To meet Tata’s ambitious cost targets, Caparo has installed a new semi-automated production line with zero fault forward quality control systems.
“The body technology is relatively conventional, but the manufacturing technology is the result of very sophisticated analysis to ensure high-quality, low-cost production. We completed this extremely quickly to meet our customer’s deadline, with start of production just six months after the contract was confirmed, ” said Caparo Group CEO Angad Paul.
Bugatti to show a Veyron Hermès at Geneva
Bugatti will unveil a new limited edition Veyron at the Geneva Motor Show. The company will collaborate with the fashion Hermès brand to create the new unique vehicle. Both companies worked together in the 1920’s.Limited edition is the best way Bugatti has found to sell its supercar Veyron. By promising more exclusivity to potential buyers, Bugatti expects to sell the quota of 300 cars originally planned. Indeed, since its launch, the company has only sold 125 vehicles.
After the Pur Sang and Pegaso editions, the Hermès collaboration will likely feature tons of leather and embossed logos. Some people in Dubai will likely be tempted by this new Veyron.
Nissan Europe recorded strong sales in January
Nissan Europe has reported a record January with sales of 50,542 units, an increase of 71.9% over the same period last year. The sales are up for the tenth consecutive month thanks to a successful Qashqai.The compact cross-over, which was launched in March 2007, resulted in 14,556 sales in January. Secondly, the new Tiida model sold 4,317 units in January. The Tiida sales will likely increase in the future as the car has been recently launched in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Spain and Portugal will see the launch of Tiida next month. Note sales were up by 32% compared to last year with 7,334 units sold and the X-Trail continues its momentum with 4,395 units sold in January.
Russia continues to perform strongly and almost doubled its volume year on year to 8,903 units in January up 95% versus last year. It was in January the car maker’s largest market in front of the UK and Italy.
