Archive for the ‘Future Car Previews’ Category

Cars of the Future

robocarMore and more cars are being built equipped with the very latest in technology and safety; from built-in state-of-the-art entertainment systems to automated and assisted brakes… but what does the future hold for our road-bound vehicles?

Communicating cars

Vehicle-to-Vehicle communication is a technology currently in development – and is a way we could avoid accidents in the future.

Imagine your car is approaching a junction when a car skips a red light. This car could then send a signal to your car telling you it’s directly in your path, thus helping you avoid an accident. From there, your car could even use assisted braking to help you stop sooner.

The technology is designed to operate wirelessly, sending regular signals between cars about their speed, direction and location. This information is then used to create a ‘safe zone’ around the cars, into which other cars cannot enter.

Cars won’t just communicate with each other, though, they’ll also be able to communicate with road signs; allowing them to request information about traffic, for example.

‘Robot’ cars

Ok, so we know that self-driving cars aren’t a ‘new’ thing, as there are already cars able to navigate short journeys and park themselves.

However, a truly autonomous car hasn’t breached the market yet, but we may not be far off this happening. Google has already tested cars like this on over 200,000 miles of public road in California and Nevada. Not only do these cars record images for us to view as maps, but they’re capable of understanding road signs, finding different routes and seeing traffic lights before they’re actually visible to a person.

Future of the Windscreen:

Next-generation dashboards

As first mentioned here, windscreens with interactive dashboards aren’t too far off for us. Imagine a dashboard that ‘comes to life’ with a digital display about traffic conditions, estimated journey time and information about your current surroundings…

So the image you’ve conjured after reading the above could be in front of you sooner than you think. If you still haven’t got a picture in your mind… imagine the terminator – when he looks at a person or object, it automatically brings up information about them. This is pretty much what a next-generation dashboard could do.

The dashboards could also be used to provide an additional safety feature for drivers, warning them if they are going too fast, for example, or aren’t braking soon enough. What’s more, they could also be used to highlight problems such as chipped windscreens and other maintenance issues.

Exterior ‘airbags’

We all know how valuable airbags on the inside of our cars are to prevent injury after an accident, but there is potential for airbags to be added to the outside of your car (underneath, to be precise), that could help your car stop before it is involved in an accident.

The airbags would deploy when on-board sensors detect that a collision is unavoidable. The bags, which would be made from a friction-coated material, will help the car slow down and lift the vehicle off the ground a little to prevent the downward motion experienced during hard braking.

This sort of technology is currently being tested by Mercedes, and could be in production in a matter of years.

So, there you have some of the potential technological advancements in the future of car production. We’re not quite at flying cars just yet… but watch this space!

2012 Ford Focus SEL

The Focus’s job is nearly not possible. It aims to become a “country vehicle” when the country doesn’t really need exactly the same vehicle. The Focus is recognized as a low to medium big automobile meant for familys and also business center administrators in European countries. It is usually the only real car inside a continental home, so purchasers are prepared to spend more money. The average purchase cost for a European Focus may be the equivalent of around $28,000.

Accessible as a 4 door sedan or 5 door hatchback the forward wheel drive Focus is all innovative for 2012. Ford provides 4 trims around the Focus, the S can be obtained on the sedan, the SE, SEL, and Titanium can be obtained on both versions. The newest high quality engine is a 160hp 2.0 liter inline 4 cylinder along with double separate variable camshaft timing, direct fuel injection and E85 capacity. It is combined with either a 5 speed manual or fresh six speed auto change manual transmission. The SEL as well as Titanium trims are simply provided with the 6 speed auto shift transmission. 6 safety bags, back chairs with 3 headrests, anti lock wheels, digital balance control, remote key-less entrance as well as power door locks are typical on all models. Obtainable functions consist of Ford’s MyKey, SYNC, MyFord Touch, Sirius Satellite Radio, a Sony Premium Sound system, as well as warmed front chairs and outside mirrors.

The all new 2012 Ford Focus seems, senses, and has the aroma of the future, but it is a combined bag of feature. The motor is extremely clean, however the automatic transmission programming seems nice. The fabric chairs are awesome and the wrap-around seat is comfortable, but there is not a lot back legroom. It is the technologies leader in the small automobile type.

2012 Tesla Model S

The very long anticipated Tesla Model S is lastly uncovering and can’t wait much better manufacturing since the California centered electrical vehicle creator has got unveiled the newest set of pictures for their electrical sedan. When compared to original concept, the newest take on the Model S Alpha is highly more enhanced, offering sharp, stylish outlines along with a more descriptive total style. The most recent modifications really tag the 2nd set of improvements only in the Alpha phase alone, and most likely the final adjustments until the Model S bows in Beta type for just a short period just before getting into manufacturing in the coming year.

Based on the earlier information, Tesla S is going to have a huge battery power with range as much as 480km (three hundred miles). In addition, you will have 230 mile and 160 mile choices, simply because as you might understand, the electric batteries will not be your possessions, once you purchase an electrical automobile. Tesla Model S is usually designed to come with right hand drive for Asia and europe, however in the middle of the the year 2013.To offer clients many different motor options, Tesla will be providing the Model S Alpha different choices with all the base settings having a 160 mile lithium ion battery power. This specific choice is going to take the Model S from 0-60 miles per hour within below 6 seconds by having an digitally restricted best speed of 130 miles per hour. If 160 miles is simply too short for you personally, Tesla is likewise providing stronger alternatives, such as a 230 mile lithium ion battery power along with a 300 mile edition. Both of these stronger alternatives will also gain an digitally restricted best speed of 130 miles per hour. The Model S’ stopping ability is simply as amazing as the acceleration, because of 6 piston Brembos up-front and four pot calipers out back. The Model S may haul itself down through sixty to zero in only 135 ft. All tyre drive can be obtainable later on, presenting the Model S a lot more positive footnotes.

The high cost for the Model S Alpha begins at $57,000 – $49,000 if you consider the $7,500 government taxes credit for the 160 mile range model.

2011 Toyota Prius c Concept

Prius c ConceptPrius c Concept a hybrid vehicle for city.
The Toyota Prius c, where “c” means “city”, will attract young customers, single or couples who want an environmentally friendly Prius vehicle, with autonomy, enjoyable to drive. This dynamic vehicle especially designed for urban areas would provide a perfect efficiency in fuel consumption, and despite its compact dimensions to provide a surprisingly large interior space.

Prius c is the inspiration for a new Prius family member it hits the market in early 2012 and aims to be the most efficient hybrid on the U.S. market.

2012 Hyundai Veloster

2012 Hyundai Veloster

Receiving an engine with direct injection 1.6-liter 4-cylinder Gamma, 2012 Hyundai Veloster has 138 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 166 Nm of torque at 4850 rpm. Thus, according to the Korean auto manufacturer, this engine will convert the new coupe a sporty car considering that it weighs just 1172 kg.

In terms of transmission, the new Hyundai Veloster 2012 customers can choose between a manual gearbox and a 6-speed dual clutch 6-speed and in terms of efficiency, the new Veloster should have an average consumption 5.9 liters per 100 km, but the exact value was not disclosed.

Besides the hidden rear doors with handles, this three-door coupe received a 23 mm stabilizer bar, a sport steering wheels plus a set of 17 inch alloy rims wrapped in all-season tires.

In terms of technologies and features, the new 2012 Hyundai Veloster comes with a multimedia system with 7-inch touch screen, Bluetooth and the Blue Link.

The price of the new 2012 Hyundai Veloster will be announced.

2012 BMW 650i Convertible

Until now wBMW 650i convertible 2012e had a series of speculations on the technical data and a series of spy photos BMW 650i Convertible 2012, but now we know that its propulsion is provided by a V8 twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter 400 horsepower at 6400 rpm and 610 Nm of torque between 1750 and 4500 rpm.

The 400 horsepower to the rear wheels are sent through an automatic gearbox in eight steps, a 6-speed manual transmission is also available, and in terms of performance, 2012 BMW 650i Convertible accelerates from 0 to 100 km / h in 4.9 seconds and top speed is electronically limited to 250 km / h.

As you can see in the picture, the BMW 650i Convertible 2012 received a a textile roof which the German company said it needed 19 seconds to open and 24 seconds to close  at speeds of up to 40 km / h.

The price of the  new 2012 BMW 650i Convertible will be  announced, but the auto market launch is scheduled for spring 2011.

2012 Chevrolet Sonic

After its wo2012 Chevrolet Sonicrld premiere at the Paris Motor Show the new Aveo five-door hatchback in September 2010, followed in the summer of 2011 to reach European markets, Chevrolet presents the  the new model , Sonic  on  U.S. market, available in two versions body: an elegant four-door sedan (which will also be launched in Europe this summer) and a sporty five-door model. Each of the models provide a cargo space and legroom in the rear seat single class they belong. A variety of connectivity features enriches management.

“Sonic Chevrolet combines the practicality of a small car with a passion for cars led to the Chevrolet and Corvette are famous,” said Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. “The combination of great design, an attractive driving experience and the latest connectivity features give rise to a major competitor with a spirit of fun.”

Sonic model will start production later in 2011 at the Orion Assembly Center in Michigan General Motors, which has invested 545 million dollars for improvements and upgrade equipment and will provide about 1,000 jobs Detroit metropolitan area.

“Chevrolet is the only company that builds a small car in the United States,” said Perry. “We believe Sonic will provide the substance of which the segment with progressive style, performance and value designed to change perceptions about what may mean a small car in America.”

Astrum Meera Concept

Astrum Meera ConceptConcepts help us to connect with the future and Paulo Gabriel design Astrum Meera Concept Car is taking us exactly in the 10 to 20 years forward. The Astrum Meera concept car has overwhelming features that make it safe, sustainable and practical design. It’s somewhat eco-friendly futuristic car with built-in sensors on its exhaust that track the level of CO2 emissions and alert the driver when it exceeds the normal range.

Designer has through idea of future with speed and mechanism he imagine magnetic levitation on wheel rims like train that will make car lighter and faster. He adjusted a hidden side mirror works only once car engine start. Mirrors will have built-in high-tech camera system that will enable driver to see clearly outside and need not to open window in the rain. Paulo Gabriel Astrum Meera is a perfect match of technology and design; I can hope to see it on road in coming future and suggest him to think concept with some futuristic emission free engine.

Is it the Future Yet? New Electric Car Revealed

Vauxhall logoVauxhall’s brand new prototype electric car was recently revealed to workers at the firm’s Cheshire based Ellesmere Port factory, allowing the men and women who may be responsible for building the vehicle a sneak peak at the new vehicle, set to go on sale in 2012.

Vauxhall are the latest in a line of mainstream car manufacturers who are now looking to release electric or dual-powered vehicles, Nissan’s Leaf, for example, hitting the dealerships later on this year.

And when these vehicles are released, it may well be worth considering buying one, wherever you might live. Almost every government in Europe is now offering some form of subsidy for electric motoring in some form or another, keen as they are to encourage people to adopt the new, almost emission free technology that will likely lead the way in transport in the future – Although not for some time yet.

Nissan estimate that by 2020, electric cars will account for no more than a tenth of vehicles sold globally, and apparently this estimate is seen as ‘optimistic’ by many industry insiders, who foresee electric cars being a niche product for years to come. Nissan are keen to downplay the downsides and play up on the positives, however: When questioned about the car’s limited range (Driving the vehicle hard on a motorway with the air con on will return a range of around 77km, which is less than 50 miles), spokesmen instead have pushed the benefit of never needing to travel to a petrol station. Vauxhall’s Ampera deals with the problem of range in a different way: It actually contains a small petrol motor which is used to keep the battery charged, meaning that although it is not a completely emission-free system, the amount of petrol used is tiny in comparison.

In fact, the Ampera arrived in Ellesmere Port under its own power, after making a 160 mile journey from Luton, which is said to be the longest journey made by an electric vehicle in the British Isles.

What does the future hold for electric motoring? At the moment, it’s difficult to tell. We are only now seeing electric cars as any kind of viable competition to their petrol powered brethren, especially as any kind of long distance motorway or non-urban transport. The fact is, they are likely to throw every aspect of motoring into confusion, from car insurance to the fuel industry, and something that challenges that many long held institutions is going to take some time to ‘fit in’. Hopefully, one day electric cars will be a serious contender to the petrol vehicles we know and love, but until they are it’s very interesting to watch the technology develop…

Buick Announces 2010 Crossover

Buick crossoverAugust 2009

The new Buick crossover with 2 direct-injected engines, will be released in 2010,  and a different plug-in hybrid version would come up in 2011. It’s new because it’s not named yet actually, seems it’s mainly based on the Saturn Vue. Learning from bankruptcy story of GM, Buick has found a way to work things out, for the two-mode plug-in archirecture.

For the first time apperance in 2010, the crossover will use 2.4-liter 4-cylinder and 3.0-liter V-6 engines GM’s, which would be used for 2010 Buick LaCrosse, Chevy equinox, and GMC Terrain as well.

Buick launchs the plug-in hybrid crossover one year later than the promise. It’ll use front-wheel-drive, two-mode hybrid system, with a direct-injected, 3.6-liter V-6 engine of GM’s. The versions of crossover before, were able to drive 10+ miles alone with electrical power. The battery of 8 killowatt per hour, is from the same supplier of the Chevy Volt which is coming up, and it could be charged completely in 5 hours, by a standard wall plug, this would also help increasing the crossover’s range and fuel economy.

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