Fri, 02 Nov 2007 01:09:52 GMT

Suzuki Pixy

The car of the future, the Suzuki Pixy. Posted by: Gerard      Read more     Source

October 31, 2007, 8:25 PM CT

Crash prevention could be a DREAM

Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or at excessive speeds are widely considered to be the main causes of serious accidents involving a single vehicle. However, a new in-depth on-scene study in Sweden reveals that driver fatigue, slippery roads, and inexperience could be just as important and should be factored into the design of new vehicle safety features, as per scientists writing in the International Journal of Vehicle Safety.

Jesper Sandin and Mikael Ljung of the Vehicle Safety Division, at Chalmers University of Technology, in Sweden, used the Driving Reliability and Error Analysis Method (DREAM) to dissect the cause and effect of 38 single vehicle crashes that occurred in Gothenburg. They observed that the crashes could be grouped into four scenarios.

In the first scenario, vehicles drifted off road or into the oncoming traffic lane due to driver fatigue, sleepiness or distraction. In the second scenario, a loss of traction caused by an undetected slippery surface caused even experienced drivers to lose control in bends, the scientists explain.

They also observed that loss of control in driving around a bend was a factor in the third scenario, but this was due partly to the vehicle's high speed. In this scenario, drivers overestimated their driving skills or had limited experience of the vehicle or the bend and so lost control. In the final scenario, panicked drivers lost control of their vehicle as they tried to steer themselves out of trouble and failed through excessive over steering......... Posted by: Jim      Read more         Source

October 30, 2007, 10:07 PM CT

Time spent in car drives up air pollution exposure

The daily commute may be taking more of a toll than people realize. A new study by researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) and the California Air Resources Board found that up to half of Los Angeles residents total exposure to harmful air pollutants occurs while people are traveling in their vehicles.

Although the average Los Angeles driver spends about six percent (1.5 hours) of his or her day on the road, that period of time accounts for 33 to 45 percent of total exposure to diesel and ultrafine particles (UFP), according to the study published this month in the journal Atmospheric Environment and available online. On freeways, diesel-fueled trucks are the source of the highest concentrations of harmful pollutants.

If you have otherwise healthy habits and dont smoke, driving to work is probably the most unhealthy part of your day, says Scott Fruin, D.Env., assistant professor of environmental health at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Urban dwellers with long commutes are probably getting most of their UFP exposure while driving.

High air exchange rates that occur when a vehicle is moving make roadways a major source of exposure. Ultrafine particles are of particular concern because, unlike larger particles, they can penetrate cell walls and disperse throughout the body, Fruin says. Particulate matter has been linked to cardiovascular disease, but the ultrafine fraction on roadways appears to be more toxic than larger sizes......... Posted by: Jim      Read more         Source

October 30, 2007, 9:59 PM CT

Wireless Sensors To Monitor Bearings In Jet Engines

working with the U.S. Air Force, have developed tiny wireless sensors resilient enough to survive the harsh conditions inside jet engines to detect when critical bearings are close to failing and prevent breakdowns.

The devices are an example of an emerging technology known as "micro electromechanical systems," or MEMS, which are machines that combine electronic and mechanical components on a microscopic scale.

"The MEMS technology is critical because it needs to be small enough that it doesn't interfere with the performance of the bearing itself," said Farshid Sadeghi, a professor of mechanical engineering. "And the other issue is that it needs to be able to withstand extreme heat".

The engine bearings must function amid temperatures of about 300 degrees Celsius, or 572 degrees Fahrenheit.

The scientists have shown that the new sensors can detect impending temperature-induced bearing failure significantly earlier than conventional sensors.

"This kind of advance warning is critical so that you can shut down the engine before it fails," said Dimitrios Peroulis, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering.

Findings will be detailed in a research paper to be presented on Tuesday (Oct. 30) during the IEEE Sensors 2007 conference in Atlanta, sponsored by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. The paper was written by electrical and computer engineering graduate student Andrew Kovacs, Peroulis and Sadeghi......... Posted by: Kevin      Read more         Source

Sun, 28 Oct 2007 03:27:27 GMT

V8 Quad

VWvortex Forums - Quoted - Bourget's Bike Works is making sure that the 2007 show is no exception. Next week, the small custom bike shop will be taking the wraps off its now Shredder F-80, a mish-mash of Porsche, Chevrolet, and custom parts that is bound to result in a Darwin Award nominee or two. Powering what can be called a four-wheel motorcycle is a 425-hp Chevy small block, while the body is all custom-crafted aluminum. Bourget's plans to build 25 of these a year at a price of $90,000. Good luck. Posted by: Zinzi      Read more     Source

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 03:44:58 GMT

Cool Road-Rail Vehicles

Often referred to as 'Hy-Rail,' or 'Hi-Rail,' these dual purpose vehicles (able to travel on rails, as well as highways) can be fascinating to both train geeks and car collectors. The liberating idea of putting your car to rails, when the road ends or ceases to be an option, is good news to any off-road enthusiast.

What's more, the cool looks of some extremely rare vintage conversions may stir some childhood memories and maybe prompt you to spot the surviving ones and restore them. Posted by: Gerard      Read more     Source

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 01:26:14 GMT

2007 Concorso Lifts its Italian Skirts For a Peek

Amid all the glitter and glamour of Pebble Beach is a concours with its own version of G&G, mixed with a large helping of Italian brio. I am, of course, talking about Concorso Italiano, probably the largest gathering of vintage Italian machinery in North America. Held on a golf course spread over the hills east of Monterey, Concorso Italiano also offers spectacular views of the ocean and beaches beyond (should you need a visual diversion from the equally spectacular cars). I attended Concorso in 2006 for the first time and left with my head spinning as I attempted to photograph the cars, the fashion show, the elegant Riva speedboats, row upon row of contemporary Ferraris and Lamborghinis, and an entire field full of sports cars and sport sedans that (gasp!) came from countries other than Italy.

When the 2007 Concorso show opened your reporter had other responsibilities and couldn't attend the Monterey classics week. However I'm delighted that the Concorso Italiano organisers e-mailed a "thank you" to those who were there (and one who was not) and included a photo gallery of the cars and events. The image that immediately caught my attention (above) is a Nash-Healey, an attempt by American automaker Nash to team with England's Donald Healey, the objective being a car that would raise Nash's profile. Where's the Italian connection? Pinin Farina was the designer and his company the bodymaker. But wait.... weren't all Nash-Healeys roadsters? This is a 1953 coupe! If you can add to our knowledge, or lack of same, please use the "comments" box below. Gracie.

[Photos: Tim Scott at www.fluidimages.co.uk] Posted by: Philip Powell      Read more     Source

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 00:53:48 GMT

When calling shotgun goes bad

Via Autoblog - Quoted - "Okay, maybe she didn't technically call 'gun, but let's be honest. Unless the woman on the left is a TV journo who was on assignment doing a "fun" piece for her broadcast, there had to be at least one opportunity to say "No" before she was strapped into the race harness in a rally car's passenger seat. Posted by: Zinzi      Read more     Source

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 00:46:03 GMT

Vectrix Sport Motorcycle Concepts

Vectrix U.S.A. - Here's an electric motorcycle concept from Vectrix. Although the bike pictured above is just a concept. Vectrix does have a line of high performance electric "Maxi scooters" that plug into the wall and have a range of around 70 miles.The  above concept will trade range for speed. Posted by: Zinzi      Read more     Source

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 19:22:00 GMT

Ford Focus Arrives On The Scene

[Image Source: Ford]

By Gunnar Heinrich

"Thirty pounds lighter, 10 percent quieter, has 3 percent more horsepower," trumpeted the Ford press bulletin, "[and starts] at $14,695." The Americanized second generation Ford Focus (the original's design came from Ford Europe) is here and the Blue Oval couldn't be more enthused about touting its energy-efficient, entry-level, compact car to the U.S. market.

The new Focus is the first vehicle that will offer Ford's new "Ford Sync" technology.

FoMoCo has partnered with Microsoft to produce a techy tool that will stand as a hands-free, voice recognition system that will allow the driver to use both phone and portable listening devices while keep hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

Let's just hope that Sync will prove more reliable than I.E. And F.Y.I.: the new system will be standardized on all Lincolns.

The Focus will hail from Ford's Wayne, Michigan plant and be on dealer lots this Autumn.

[Source: Ford] Posted by: Gunnar Heinrich      Read more     Source