Premiere of the MINI Roadster at Detroit Auto Show.
Friday, 13 January 2012
Tuesday, 10 January 2012
Must-Have New Car Features
You may think the only important car features are GPS and a good insurance quote. While a functioning satellite navigation system and cheap coverage are certainly sought after they are far from the only automotive accessories that can greatly enhance your life as a driver. The last decade has seen a startling number of technological improvements that have made cars much safer and significantly better at performing under stressful road conditions. Equipping your car with the following features will change the way you think about driving:
Anti-lock brakes
Anti-lock brakes are a great example of a popular technology that has evolved exponentially since its inception. While still ensuring that your vehicle will be able to stop on slippery or gravel-covered surfaces, newer prototypes allow your car to electronically control front-to-rear brake balance, known as electronic brake-force distribution or traction control system.
OnStar system
You may know it mainly from their prolific radio commercials but the popular General Motors funded road-side assistance service also offers hands-free calling, turn-by-turn navigation and a number of diagnostic and communication systems that make the premiere in-vehicle security service, with over 6 million customers (though they have recently seen a number of competitors).
Kinetic dynamic suspension
KDSS is an interconnected hydraulic technology that is available in a number of new models, including the Toyota 4-runner and several other sports utility vehicles. Very popular among off-road drivers.
Electronic Stability Control
This computerized system monitors your car's steering and reduces skidding, automatically correcting for poor turns. Your rear tires can compensate for over-turning among your front tires and vice versa. The quickly growing market for ESC should lead to lower prices and continued upgrades.
Side curtain airbags
Transportation officials claim that the inclusion of side curtain airbags could save nearly a thousand lives per year. Designed specifically to protect the head from the side window in the case of a collision, family-friendly side airbags drastically reduce the risk of brain injury.
Remote keyless entry
This technology is pretty common now (it's technically been around since the 80's) but recent improvements and upgrades have made RKS (remote keyless system) a wonderful way to get in and out of your car without dropping groceries or locking yourself out. How it works is the fob sends out a radio signal with a special identity code that only your car recognizes.
It seems there are as many car features out there right now as there are grains of sand on the beach, but many of them are superfluous. The best features are ones that will protect you and your family in the event of collision and assist your vehicle to avoid collisions in the first place.
Anti-lock brakes
Anti-lock brakes are a great example of a popular technology that has evolved exponentially since its inception. While still ensuring that your vehicle will be able to stop on slippery or gravel-covered surfaces, newer prototypes allow your car to electronically control front-to-rear brake balance, known as electronic brake-force distribution or traction control system.
OnStar system
You may know it mainly from their prolific radio commercials but the popular General Motors funded road-side assistance service also offers hands-free calling, turn-by-turn navigation and a number of diagnostic and communication systems that make the premiere in-vehicle security service, with over 6 million customers (though they have recently seen a number of competitors).
Kinetic dynamic suspension
KDSS is an interconnected hydraulic technology that is available in a number of new models, including the Toyota 4-runner and several other sports utility vehicles. Very popular among off-road drivers.
Electronic Stability Control
This computerized system monitors your car's steering and reduces skidding, automatically correcting for poor turns. Your rear tires can compensate for over-turning among your front tires and vice versa. The quickly growing market for ESC should lead to lower prices and continued upgrades.
Side curtain airbags
Transportation officials claim that the inclusion of side curtain airbags could save nearly a thousand lives per year. Designed specifically to protect the head from the side window in the case of a collision, family-friendly side airbags drastically reduce the risk of brain injury.
Remote keyless entry
This technology is pretty common now (it's technically been around since the 80's) but recent improvements and upgrades have made RKS (remote keyless system) a wonderful way to get in and out of your car without dropping groceries or locking yourself out. How it works is the fob sends out a radio signal with a special identity code that only your car recognizes.
It seems there are as many car features out there right now as there are grains of sand on the beach, but many of them are superfluous. The best features are ones that will protect you and your family in the event of collision and assist your vehicle to avoid collisions in the first place.
Tuesday, 27 December 2011
The African Bull Dog ( KENYA )
Sustainable by all means.
Mombasa (Kenya) is the location where this unique prototype was conceived. Details are outlined from their Facebook page.
Completed
30th January 2011
The vehicle
The african bull dog is a Kenyan Built Off Road 4X4 Vehicle and MPV; This car is built for every day use, it can be used in farms as a produce cart, or even as an ambulance at Marsabit desert to provide emergency care to the forgotten communities and as a truck to ferry drugs to those remote places that you have never heard of!; With ample backing, the African Bulldog can do for Kenya what the Citroen 2CV did for France and the V.W Beetle for Germany!
Company Overview
Heino Autoworx is a Leading 4x4 vehicle workshop based in Mombasa at the Mtwapa Creek, Kenya. We have been involved in the maintenance of 4x4 vehicles and S.U.Vs for years and we decided to push the boundaries.
Description
The African Bull Dog is the brain child of Engineer Heino, he has a vast experience in the automotive and boat industry. The crew has been working tirelessly to ensure that we meet our target and we build a vehicle that meets the standards of the 4X4s we work on on a daily basis.
Mission
4X4 Extreme Efficient Performance!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/African-Bull-Dog/160682840649799?sk=wall
BAILEY LMP2 ( SOUTH AFRICA )
This is an African Phenomenon for 2011. Below are the stats straight from the makers mouth describing this awesome beast.
"Bailey Cars took the Bold and Brave step of building a current day Prototype car in 2009. Its taken 2 years of intense design and manufacture to produce this master piece of south African engineering.
The car has had many firsts for South Africa such as full carbon Tub, full CFD body design and building a car to the A.C.O Le Mans 24 hours regulations
The car is available to customers who would like to compete in sports car racing throughout the world in events such as ALMS, Le Mans series, Asian Le Mans Series and even the South African Le Mans Series and RSA GT challenge.
Chassis
· Carbon composite monocoque chassis
· Monocoque certified to all ACO and FIA structural and crash standards
· Adjustable pedal box and steering column
· Safety equipment includes 6-point lightweight seat belt harness
· Plumbed in fire extinguisher system
Engine
· 460hp maximum as regulated by ACO
· The engine must be made in a minimum of 1000 units in 12 consecutive months and must come, either from a grand touring car, Or from a large production car.
· Choice of homologated BMW, Lexus, Toyota or Nissan 5000 cm3 8 cylinders maximum. maximum
· Or 3200 cm3 forced induction engine with max 6 cylinders
· Diesel not allowed in LMP
Suspension
· Double wishbone layout all round
· Pushrod rocker type with damper and coil over spring all round
· Third-spring option for front and rear suspension
· Frictionless bearing seals all round
· Same upright all round
· Angular-contact wheel bearings all round
· Chromoly steel-fabricated TIG-welded wishbones
· Quick adjustable ride height, camber, and toe
· electrically power assisted rack-and-pinion
Fuel System
· 90-litre bladder type fuel cell
· Dual Low-pressure fuel lifts pump plus dual high-pressure pumps
Transmission
· Ricardo sequential-shift gearbox
· Six forward speeds plus reverse with torque input capacity in excess of 500 Nm
· Adjustable gear ratios
· Paddle shift as standard
· Gear oil cooling system
Bodywork
· All body panels of lightweight infused epoxy glass composite construction
Brake System
· AP Racing six-piston aluminum calipers all round
· 380 mm diameter ventilated discs front and rear
· Full carbon brake set up as option
Wheels and Tyres
· Wheel dimensions 11”wide x 18” diameter front
· 13” wide x 18” diameter rear
· 3 piece wheels
· Centre lock and anti loosen to FIA standards
Cooling System
· 1 water radiators
· 8-litre dry sump oil tank
· Twin engine all cooler
· Twin Electric oil scavenge pump
· 1 intercooler
· Driver air-conditioning system
Electrical System
· Military-spec chassis wiring loom
· FIA-regulation emergency power cut-off switch
· External start jump plug
· Digital dash display and with full data logging
· Xenon headlamps
WEIGHT
· Minimum weight as specified by ACO 900kg excluding driver and fuel
Bailey - Beautifully Engineered Cars
http://www.baileyedwardscars.co.za
Monday, 26 December 2011
Choosing the right tires for your car
Hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas. I had a great time with family and few friends in London. While chatting with the guys about cars I realised that most of us had only one set of tires (or Tyres for those in the UK) which we only changed when they were worn out.
Like most people, I leave it up to the tire shops to recommend and change the tires. However, there are a range of tires to choose from but it is important to be aware that all cars have different requirements depending on the type of car and what you usually use it for. For example it would not make sense to have performance tyres usually used for racing for your family car which you normally use for every day commuting.
Moreover now that winter is here, it is a good idea to think about winter tires as well. The winters here are not that bad and so far we have had fairly great weather without any snow, we never know. It was fairly bad last year and I had a tough time driving in the snow using my normal tires. I have learnt my lesson and have got myself some winter tires which I ready to change to once it starts snowing.
Anyway, if you are interested in learning more about the different styles of Car Tires, check out Tires information site.
Like most people, I leave it up to the tire shops to recommend and change the tires. However, there are a range of tires to choose from but it is important to be aware that all cars have different requirements depending on the type of car and what you usually use it for. For example it would not make sense to have performance tyres usually used for racing for your family car which you normally use for every day commuting.
Moreover now that winter is here, it is a good idea to think about winter tires as well. The winters here are not that bad and so far we have had fairly great weather without any snow, we never know. It was fairly bad last year and I had a tough time driving in the snow using my normal tires. I have learnt my lesson and have got myself some winter tires which I ready to change to once it starts snowing.
Anyway, if you are interested in learning more about the different styles of Car Tires, check out Tires information site.
Friday, 16 December 2011
Trying to blow up the XJ Sentinel
Targeted at the rich, famous and powerful, the XJ Sentinel from Jaguar provides discreet armoured protection. According to Jaguar, they have put through extensive independent testing and certification to the latest national and international standards by QinetiQ®.
The cars offer ballistic protection up to B7 level (BS EN 1522 level FB7 and BS EN 1063 BR7-), blast protection against 15kg TNT equivalent detonated within close proximity of the vehicle, and substantial under floor grenade protection.
They are also available with several optional features and can be tailored to individual requirements.
The cars offer ballistic protection up to B7 level (BS EN 1522 level FB7 and BS EN 1063 BR7-), blast protection against 15kg TNT equivalent detonated within close proximity of the vehicle, and substantial under floor grenade protection.
They are also available with several optional features and can be tailored to individual requirements.