Technical
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Volkswagen’s DSG gearbox has won accolades for its slick shifting, efficient power delivery, and fuel economy ratings, and there have been reports that other carmakers are trying to build their own version of DSG. Volvo has announced it’s also working on developing a DSG style double-clutch transmission, and that it will debut by 2008. It’s expected to be first seen on an upcoming high-performance R-variant of the C30 with a Haldex AWD system. Apart from the performance gains, the C30R will benefit from better fuel economy and lower emissions. Since Volvo is a subsidiary of...
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Carmakers have seen the light in LEDsAs the auto industry starts to adopt LED lights in more mainstream vehicles, we’ll start to see cars featuring new and exciting headlight designs such as those seen on the Audi R8 and Aston Martin Rapide. Consumers will also benefit from features such as the compact size and weight, low cost...
James Martinez -
911 Turbo technology coming to a car near you
The benefits of turbocharging have been well documented, yet still today the technology is not as common as one would expect. Perhaps it’s because until now the price of fuel was not such a major issue and manufacturers could satisfy the demand for power with higher displacement engines...
Ralph Hanson -
Ferrari develops 4WD system
Ferrari’s of the future may include an optional four-wheel drive system that the company has just developed, and follows on from the “adaptable” four-wheel drive system developed in Maranello last year. Unlike a permanent four-wheel drive mode that can rob the engine of torque...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Carbon fiber coming to a car near you
We’re seeing more and more production cars now featuring the exotic material, and for good reason. Carbon fiber is five times stronger than steel but weighs significantly less. Further, it has the flexibility to be formed into virtually any shape and the unpainted version has the appeal of...
Siddarth Raja -
Mercedes CL showcases latest Active Body Control technology
After originally introducing the technology back in 1999, Mercedes Benz has installed an updated version of its ride handling feature for its new CL. Active Body Control works by automatically adjusting the suspension firmness depending on the current driving situation. ABC provides a solution to...
Kenneth Hall -
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has passed a new rule that requires auto manufacturers to inform customers whether their car has an Event Data Recorder installed. The EDR, which works similarly to Black Box flight recorders found in airlines, will record details about vehicle speed, steering wheel movements and brake pressure as well as the vehicle’s movements. If this all sounds a bit too much like a conspiracy theory, think again. According to the NHTSA, roughly 64% of 2005 models are equipped with the data loggers and only a handful of manufacturers currently...
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Drivers want stability
Bosch, the inventor of stability control, has put out a research study showing drivers are becoming more aware of ESP and ABS safety systems on cars. In 2004 only 1% of drivers could identify ESP, and 18% could identify ABS. Today, the figures are 9% and 46% respectively. Installation rates for ESP...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Pioneer joins portable sat-nav brigade
Pioneer, famous for building in car electronic entertainment systems, are now moving into the world of portable satellite navigation with the launch of the AVIC-S1 aimed squarely at the US and European markets. Already a leader in car navigation systems, the move to a portable version is a sensible...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Beat the rising cost of fuel
The cost of vehicle ownership is increasing and now more than ever, it's important to find ways to stretch your fuel budget. Here are some tips on how to stretch your driving dollar: • Drive smoothly, avoiding heavy acceleration or braking. Speeding, rapid acceleration and braking can lower...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran
