Flying cars

Was stuck in a jam back from the University yesterday and how I wished I had a car that could take off vertically and just fly back home. Well the idea is nothing new and countless sci--fi movies feature flying cars.

In fact there are several prototypes of flying cars in existence right now. Check out this feature about flying cars on Yahoo! news.



Check out the test flight of the Moller Skycar.

Ford recalls 3.6 million vehicles

This is a voluntary safety recall involving speed control deactivation switch systems in Ford passenger cars, trucks and SUVs built between 1992 and 2003. This is in response to some reports of fires in some Ford Crown Victoria passenger cars.

Ford dealers will provide a quick repair to all affected vehicles at no charge to the customers starting in early October.

According to the Ford website, this repair will involve

the installation of a fused wiring harness into the speed control electrical circuit, or the replacement of the deactivation switch if it is found to be leaking.

I appreciate the fact that Ford is doing this whole sale recall voluntarilly, unlike other companies who carry out such actions only after there is a widespread public outcry.

Read the official news release here.

New Honda Accord versions coming soon

Two new versions of the Honda Accord will be launched on the 1st of September here in the UK.

First is the new Sport GT 2.2 i-CTDi and the other is the diesel-engined Accord SE 2.2-litre i-CTDi.




The Sport GT as an accord with a sports suspension and comes in Saloon and Tourer models. Not really sure how different they are apart from the fact that the Saloon has 17 inch alloy wheels whereas the later has 16 inch wheels.

One new colour option will be exclusive to this version - Premium White Pearl (shown here).

I don't have much information other than

The Sport GT is on sale from 1 September, expected to be priced from £20,767 (OTR).

On the other hand the Accord SE is a entry-level diesel engine car. It has a 6 speed gear box with stability assist. It is expected to be priced around £18,600 (OTR).

MG plant reopens

The former MG Rover plant in Longbridge, Birmingham reopened today. Three new 2-seater MG TF sports cars were rolled out of the production line at a ceremony marking the official reopening by new Chinese owner Nanjing Automobile Corporation (NAC).

The ceremony was attended by Senior Chinese government and company officials. Not sure whether any senior British Govt official attended.

At present, the Chinese firm employs just 150 people at the plant. However, the new owners have promised to create 1200 new jobs.

Industry analysts remain skeptical, however. Read the BBC report here.

For your information, the Rover brand name was bought over by Ford.

Renault Clios recalled

Renault has recalled all the Clio II here in the UK. This follows complaints of bonnets suddenly flying open while driving. Read the BBC report here.

There was report about a Clio bonnet popping up and smashing the windscreen yesterday.

Perodua Viva just a poor copy of Mira

Learned about the launch of the new Perodua Viva on the 10th of this month, from Xcarz who left a comment on my blog.

This new model is a replacement for the Kelisa and is based on the Daihatsu Mira (also known as the Cuore, Domino or Charade outside Japan). In fact it is almost identical to the Mira externally. Internally however, it is a different matter all together. Malaysians have been handed down the old tired design. Take a look at Paul Tan's blog post here to see what I mean.

Prices range from RM 28,400 (for the Solid color 660cc EX Manual) to RM 44,200 (for the 1000cc Metallic paint Automatic Premium) - these are on the road prices.

FYI, Perodua is short for Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd.

UPDATE: Learned from Azwan that the 660cc and 850cc versions of Viva don't have power steering.

Mitsubishi launches 2 new models

Mitsubishi Motors is going to release two models for the Japanese domestic market this fall, namely the GALANT FORTIS sedan and the LANCER EVOLUTION X high-performance 4WD sedan.


Galant Fortis is actually the US market Lancer. Features of the Galant Fortis 1 include a high-rigidity platform, a new 2-liter engine with aluminum cylinder block with sporty exterior styling .

The Lancer Evolution X2 features Mitsubishi's S-AWC3 traction and handling system, with the four-wheel drive system/. It is powered by a lightweight 2.0-liter turbocharged MIVEC4 engine with aluminum cylinder block and a 6-speed automated manual transmission.

Don't you think the Evo X looks deadly?

Aston Martin back in the hands of Britishers

A lot of Britishers will be happy today.

Ford Motor has agreed to sell controlling stake in Aston Martin, the luxury marque made famous by James Bond, to a U.K. led consortium headed by Dave Richards for £479 million (US$924 million). Read the official press release here. This is part of Ford's restructuring plan.

It's not totally in British hands, as the Consortium is backed by Kuwaiti investors, namely Investment Dar and Adeem Investment. Also Ford still retains a £40 million (US$77 million) stake (approx. 13% of its value) in the Warwickshire based company.

Related link:
- Aston Martin 'has great future'
- British Reclaim Aston Martin

Toyota cautious of becoming number 1

Most manufacturers would be overjoyed to become the #1 carmaker in the US and I guess Toyota is no exception. However, according to this article "Why Toyota Is Afraid Of Being Number One", they are keen to avoid the backlash that might happen.

Toyota has done a remarkable job over the past 20 years of selling itself as an American company.

Read on on how Toyota became the most respected car company in America.

Sales in different parts of the World, according to the Third Quarter Financial Results:

North America: Vehicle sales reached 764 thousand, an increase of 121 thousand units, due to strong sales of redesigned models such as the RAV4, Camry and Yaris and the new model FJ Cruiser.

Europe: Led by strong sales of compact models such as the Yaris, vehicle sales increased by 60 thousand, to 306 thousand units.

Asia: Sales decreased by 13 thousand, to 204 thousand units, as a result of weakened market conditions in Indonesia and Taiwan.

Other regions, including Central and South America, Oceania and Africa: Vehicle sales increased to 340 thousand units, an increase of 37 thousand, due to continuing popularity of the IMV series in Central and South America and the Camry in Oceania.

Click here for full version.

Tags: Toyota

Manufacturers ignore calls for more safety

According to a recent Euro NCAP press release, certain manufacturers are still ignoring Euro NCAP’s call for stronger safety measures in family cars. The latest test results released are in the MPV, Small Off-Roader and Small Family categories.

This includes the the Chrysler Voyager, which has again been awarded a poor safety score of two stars with the last star struck through, seven years after it originally received a two-star result. The right hand drive MPV did not meet the minimum score for a three star Adult Occupant Protection rating.

The last star being struck through indicates unacceptably high risk of serious or fatal injury.

Euro NCAP first tested a collection of MPVs, including the Voyager, back in 1999. Only two out of eight cars received a four-star rating, the maximum available at that time. It was noted that MPVs’ were weaker in frontal impact tests.

Consequently, many manufacturers have made great improvements to their vehicles since then, particularly in this area. This includes the the Ford S-MAX was awarded 36 points and a five-star rating in August last year, making it the best performing MPV to date.

The test results also indicate some disappointing pedestrian protection scores with the Chrysler Voyager being ranked as the worst performer, scoring no points at all and being awarded no stars. The Jeep Grand Cherokee, also made by Chrysler, performed equally poorly in 2005.

The complete test results will be available from 31st January 2007.

Summary of Results

MPV

Chrysler Voyager
Occupant Protection: 2 stars strikethrough
Child Protection: 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 0 stars

SMALL OFF-ROADER

Chevrolet Captiva
Occupant Protection: 4 stars
Child Protection: 3 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 2 stars

SMALL FAMILY

Volkswagen Eos
Occupant Protection: 4 stars
Child Protection: 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 2 stars

Volvo C30
Occupant Protection: 5 stars
Child Protection: 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 1 star

Tags: Chevrolet Captiva Chrysler Voyager Euro NCAP Volkswagen Eos Volvo C30

Seat changes decision and crash test results

Spanish car-maker Seat has bowed to consumer pressure and reversed its decision to remove the seatbelt reminder system from the León. Euro NCAP was told that the safety feature would be axed at the end of August 2006, as part of a cost-saving exercise and asked Seat to reconsider this decision. After receiving no response, Euro NCAP issued a press release on the 25th August 2006 informing consumers of Seat’s proposed action. Public reaction to that information appears to have convinced Seat’s management to continue to fit the seat belt reminder system as standard.

Seat issued a press release stating that no Leóns had been produced without the seatbelt reminder system. Following a request from Euro NCAP for clarification, Seat has now informed Euro NCAP that they have no plans to remove the seat belt reminder from the León.

Euro NCAP Chairman, Claes Tingvall, said, “This shows the influence that public opinion can have on car manufacturers when it comes to maintaining the highest levels of safety. We are pleased that Seat have responded as they have.”

Today, Euro NCAP issues its latest set of crash test results.

Ratings for four new cars are released: the Toyota Auris, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Magentis and Skoda Roomster. Two of the cars, the Auris and the Roomster, are awarded a five star rating for adult occupant protection. The Magentis and the Sante Fe are both awarded four stars.

Despite the Skoda’s excellent five star adult occupant rating, Euro NCAP’s tests identified a weakness in the Roomster. Main battery power cables are vulnerable to damage as they are routed down the front of the battery. In the frontal crash test, these cables were damaged resulting in a loss of electrical power. As a consequence, the seat belt pretensioners failed to fire. Skoda proposed the fitment of reinforced sleeves over the cables to protect the cables. They also proposed a modification that maintained sufficient electrical supply to fire the pretensioners, even if the cables were damaged. As a consequence, Euro NCAP allowed a retest. In the retest, the cable protection was found to be inadequate with some cables again being damaged. However, the other modifications did ensure that the seat belt pretensioners operated correctly.

Euro NCAP asked if Skoda planned to modify cars already sold but was disappointed to learn that there are no plans to do this. Skoda has appllied the modifications to vehicles from VIN number TMBVCB5J875025783.

As well as a maximum five star rating for adult occupant safety, the Toyota Auris also achieves a commendable three stars for pedestrian protection. However, the Hyundai Santa Fe is given a zero-star rating for its pedestrian protection after failing to score a single point. The Kia Magentis also does extremely badly, scoring only three points for a one-star rating.

Claes Tingvall, “These are appalling results from these two Korean manufacturers. It has taken the car industry a long time to address the issue of pedestrian safety but several manufacturers are now making improvements and the Toyota Auris joins a growing list of three star cars. For the Santa Fe not to score a single point shows that Hyundai have made no effort whatever to protect pedestrians and reflects a worrying disregard for the safety of this important group of road-users. Manufacturers like Hyundai and Kia are now a long way behind the front-runners and it is high time that they realise that such poor results are unacceptable.”

The ratings for these cars in more detail go to their site here .

For further information please contact the Euro NCAP office: office@euroncap.com.

Tags: Citroën C4 Picasso Euro NCAP Seat Skoda Toyota Auris