Tag: automotive

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Something for the weekend? Ford introduces its Drug Driving Suit – not actually as psychedelic as it sounds

E&T magazine

The Ford Motor Company has created a unique body suit that simulates the effects of driving under the influence of illegal drugs. The aim is to educate young people about the dangers of driving whilst under the influence of drugs. Ford developed the suit together with scientists from the Meyer-Hentschel Institute in Germany to simulate some of the effects of popular drugs such as cannabis, cocaine, heroin and MDMA (commonly known as Ecstasy). Physical effects include slower reaction time, distorted vision, hand tremors and poor coordination. Check out the full story of Ford’s Drug Driving Suit on E&T news. Click … Continue reading Something for the weekend? Ford introduces its Drug Driving Suit – not actually as psychedelic as it sounds

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Will @TeslaMotors new Model X give #electriccars a major boost – an annotated infographic

E&T magazine

Tesla’s electric Model X SUV can sprint to 100km/h in 3.2 seconds, features radar and sonar to enable hands-free autopilot driving and can travel 400km on a single charge – at a fuel cost of just €4. The new Tesla Motors Model X SUV is so packed with headline grabbing features like the “falcon wing” doors, mind-boggling performance and a giant windscreen, that you might forget the fact that it is all electric, too. It might even protect you if biological warfare breaks out. The Fremont, California-based battery-powered car pioneer led by charismatic entrepreneur Elon Musk has cornered the market … Continue reading Will @TeslaMotors new Model X give #electriccars a major boost – an annotated infographic

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Volkswagen Group appoints new CEO in wake of #VWgate – an annotated infographic

E&T magazine

As you may have heard, Volkswagen has been experiencing the repercussions of a minor work snafu over some diesel emission test fudging, the immediate upshot of which is that a lot of Bavarian bigwigs have been given the heave-ho, including CEO Martin Winterkorn. In comes 62-year-old Porsche chief Matthias Mueller in his place, as the company struggles to recover from the scandal over its rigging of US vehicle emissions tests and save 72,000 German jobs at its famous Wolfsburg plant. Click on the graphic for an expanded view. Continue reading Volkswagen Group appoints new CEO in wake of #VWgate – an annotated infographic

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How to cheat at emissions tests the #VWGate way – an annotated infographic

E&T magazine

As we all know by now, Volkswagen has got itself in to a little hot water (hot CO2?) with the EPA in America, with the revelation that it has been fudging the emissions tests for its diesel vehicles. How does this happen? Vehicle certification requires new car models to go for a 20-minute simulated drive on a “rolling road” while hooked up to test equipment. The car’s computer then quietly optimises the engine performance to run cleanest during the test. E&T news has been reporting on the latest VW-gate news, including the likelihood that more car manufacturers are involved in … Continue reading How to cheat at emissions tests the #VWGate way – an annotated infographic

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#GenevaMotorShow – star cars on show from #Ferrari and more – three annotated infographics

E&T magazine

Once again, the world’s automotive manufacturers will shortly be zipping around the picturesque roads of Geneva, casting narcissistic glances at the reflections of their new super cars as they cruise by the placid, mirror-like surface of the adjacent eponymous Lake. Yes, ’tis time again for the Geneva Motor Show, when many otherwise perfectly sane, grown-up individuals lose their heads and bandy together in huddled groups, to stand slack-jawed and drooling in awe at the latest strategically shaped and painted hunks of metal before them. Over 220 exhibitors will be showing around 900 cars at the 2015 Geneva International Motor Show, … Continue reading #GenevaMotorShow – star cars on show from #Ferrari and more – three annotated infographics

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#Fiat500X subcompact crossover aimed at American market – an annotated infographic

E&T magazine

Having previously pumped up the fashionista’s preferred runaround of choice, the Fiat 500, to produce the oddly unremarkable 500L, Fiat has now launched the funkier-looking 500X. This subcompact crossover loses more of the 500’s diminutive cute appeal, replacing it instead with sleek muscle and overall capacity in a move to capture more of the burgeoning SUV market. With small and mid-sized SUVs currently among the hottest-selling vehicles worldwide, this is arguably Fiat’s first model designed with the North American market in mind. They don’t much care for small cars, them Yanks, you see. Automotive manufacturers are thus obliged to pump … Continue reading #Fiat500X subcompact crossover aimed at American market – an annotated infographic

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@AeroMobil Flying car to debut at #Pioneers14 Vienna Festival for inventors – an annotated infographic

E&T magazine

Good news: mankind has officially achieved 50 per cent of its 1970s vision of the future, with the news that a flying car will be demonstrated at the Pioneers Festival in Vienna this week. The AeroMobil 3.0 “Flying Roadster” is a prototype flying car which combines the performance of a sports car with the qualities of an ultralight aircraft. It can be refueled at a regular filling station and take off from a 200-metre-long field. So, we have the flying cars: all we need now is food in pill form. Click on the graphic for an expanded view. Continue reading @AeroMobil Flying car to debut at #Pioneers14 Vienna Festival for inventors – an annotated infographic

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Big trucks and luxury cars at #DetroitMotorShow – an annotated graphic

E&T magazine

According to that hazy collection of commentators, know-it-alls and obsessive-compulsives collectively known as “industry experts”, in this case automotive industry experts, 2013 has been deemed the year of the truck and the luxury car at the Detroit Motor Show. Some very shiny, powerful and expensive machines were on show – Ferrari 458 Spyder, Chevrolet Corvette, we’re looking at you – so it’s reassuring to know that the gas-guzzling petrolheads of the world haven’t been forgotten in these days of diminishing fossil fuels and accelerating climate change. Click on the graphic for an expanded view.   Continue reading Big trucks and luxury cars at #DetroitMotorShow – an annotated graphic

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Nissan car factories in Mexico – an annotated graphic

E&T magazine

Nissan is to invest close to $2 billion to build a third factory in Mexico, taking the Japanese car maker’s  total capacity to more than one million vehicles. Nissan built approximately 600,000 vehicles in Mexicon last year. Back in the UK, the Nissan car plant in Sunderland set a new production record in 2011, building a total of 480,485 vehicles, as reported by E&T recently. Click on the graphic for an expanded view. Continue reading Nissan car factories in Mexico – an annotated graphic