Thursday, January 29, 2009 | Posted by ASIF at 1:45 PM 4 comments
Embedded Electronics Technology in Automobiles
As automobiles become increasingly user-independent and ‘intelligent,’ the demand for embedded electronic devices for use in cars is steadily increasing. This was indicated by increased demand for printed card buses (PCBs) that were destined for use as embedded devices in automobiles. PCB production rose in several parts of Europe, and experts in the industry are predicting moderate growth worldwide in the near future.
Embedded systems, because of their small size, low power consumption and rapid response rates have become valuable to the automotive industry as parts of safety components, sensors and on-board computers.
Virtual Mechanisms Powered by Embedded Systems
Car manufacturer, Porsche, in cooperation with dSPACE of Germany, has developed an electronics system that simulates the forces at work when one shifts gears. The shift force simulator simulates the normal operating conditions of a car from a driver’s perspective. Available inputs include the gear stick and pedals. Data from those input methods are then fed into a computer, which calculates the appropriate type and amount of feedback to the user.
Porsche’s shift force simulator aims to give developers better testing facilities before a prototype is designed and fabricated. The fabrication of a prototype was necessary in previous cases in order to fully test the effectiveness of a gear shift design. The model is equipped with a dSPACE- manufactured Controller board. The software systems are designed primarily by Porsche.
2010 Chevrolet Camaro
The Camaro is Chevrolet’s sport coupe that returns to the lineup early in 2009 as a 2010 model after a seven year absence. Originally debuting as a 1967 model, the Camaro was Chevrolet’s entry into what would later be called the “pony car” segment and although the new Camaro is a modern design with modern technology, it boasts styling cues that connect it with well-known Camaro designs from the past. Although it has always been available with options to suit a wide range of sports-coupe buyers, performance has been what the name Camaro brings to mind for most people. The Camaro continues the muscle-car tradition as a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports coupe with available V8 power.
The all-new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro marks the return of the storied sport coupe offered in LS, LT and SS versions. The LS and LT are powered by a 3.6-liter V6 rated at 298 horsepower while the SS is powered by a 6.2-liter LS3 V8 rated at 430 horsepower when equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission. When the 6-speed automatic transmission is chosen, the SS is powered by 6.2-liter L99 V8, based on the LS3 but adding Active Fuel Management and producing 400 horsepower while delivering an estimated 23 mpg on the highway.
Posted by Sk Automobiles at 11:02 AM 0 comments
2008 Bangkok International Motor Show : Nissan Intima Concept
Submitted by peter on 8 April, 2008 - 10:13.
Car shows in Thailand are basically glorified showroom. Thankfully some of the car makers still get the idea, and offer at least one concept car. At the back of the Nissan display, on a raised revolving platform sat the Nissan Intima concept.
Some concepts give us some vague idea of what some future cars might look like, but this Intima concept looks like it was the concept that the current Nissan Teana was derived from, but more than likely it points to the next generation Teana, due out this year in Asia, with a Thai launch sometime in 2009.
The most outstanding thing about the concept is the doors, which look like the stops are broken allowing them to swing around to allow very easy access for passengers. The rear features suicide doors, that are very unlikely to find their way into production.
Also likely to be dropped is the system allowing the passenger seats to swing out of the car which would make climbing in and out of the car a thing of the past. Alas, these sort of things are just not practical to implement in a production model, although you do see this feature in some vans to provide access for the disabled.
Toyota aim to build Camry Hybrid in Thailand
Submitted by peter on 19 March, 2008 - 20:59.
According to reports coming out of Singapore, Yasuyuki Kawamoto, the chief engineer of the Thai assembled Corolla Altis, has said that Toyota would be assembling the Camry Hybrid in Thailand.
Currently only available in the US, the gas-electric Camry Hybrid would be good news for the Thai industry which is currently all about crude one-ton pick-up trucks. And although this will change next year with the arrival of the cheap (and hopefully cheery) eco-cars, but Hybrid technology would represent a "high-tech" step forward for the Thai motor industry.
Apparently we can expect Thai assembly of the Camry Hybrid within the life of the current model, which was launched two years ago. This would mean that the Camry Hybrid would run out in the next 3-4 years.
Toyota is still testing the Thai market for Hybrid technology and before we start getting excited and thinking of local production of the Prius, it is worth pointing out that the hybrid-drive system will come in from Japan. This means that the 105-kilowatt motor and battery pack, as well as the drive system and electronics for the hybrid system will come from Japan. Local assembly will reduce the required understanding of these systems to the black-box level.
The sight of a few more hybrid cars on the road will be a good thing though, and hopefully will boost awareness and thinking to shift in the direction of alternatives. I don't see "hybrid" as being the answer, but any options are worth exploring, and in the short-term, there aren't that may options. Expect to see the Hybrid Camry in Thailand in the next few years, with the 3rd generation Prius to follow? We'll see.
2010 Mazda3 Still Years Away?
Submitted by peter on 8 November, 2008 - 00:35.
Images of the 2010 Mazda3 sedan surfaced a few weeks back. They show a car that is heavily infulenced by its big brother, the 6, while still managing to retain a sporty and youthful appearence.
Global Economic Crisis Killing Motor Sport
Submitted by peter on 17 December, 2008 - 09:41.
Recently the "Global Economic Melt Down", "financial crisis", or whatever you want to call it, has been taking its toll on the motor industry. While some automakers are attempting to seek government support to stay alive, all automakers are scrambling to find ways to cut costs and save money.
Unfortunately for fans of motor sport, this means less money is being directed towards motor racing. Honda's decision to withdraw from F1 set the scene. Up until then, much of the focus was on GM, Ford, and Chrysler. Honda's reason was simple: money.
Subaru Withdraws from WRC
Now, in the last few days the World Rally Championship (WRC) has lost Suzuki, and Subaru. Yes, Subaru! This is a massive blow to the WRC. If you ask modern-day rally fans to name the first car that comes to mind when they think of rallying it is more than likely they will name the Subaru Impreza.
The late Collin McRea drove the Impreza to three consecutive manufacturer's titles between 1996 and 1998.
The decision to remove from WRC will likely have an effect on Impreza sales too, where some purchases are made on perceptions built up through Subaru's performance in the Championship.
But is this only the beginning? As manufacturers seek ways to cut costs, the obvious loser is motor racing. Audi recently withdrew from US motor racing events to focus on the European events. Again, the reason was the same, cutting costs due to the slowdown in the industry.
Motor racing is not just a way to have some fun though. Manufacturers use it as a means to test technology that can eventually make it into production cars.
So, who'll be next?
2009 Toyota Camry Styles
2009 Toyota Camry National Base Price
Style:
CE 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5M) | Show All Styles
MSRP:
From $19,145 | Price with Options |View InventoryNEW
Fuel Economy
25 mpg
Build & Price a 2009 Toyota Camry
First Drive: 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart
KickingTires takes one for a spin.
If you find the base Mitsubishi Lancer ($13,990) a little too poky and the Lancer Evolution ($32,990) too pricey, your ship has come in. Actually, two ships have come in: a Lancer GTS ($17,990) with a larger engine for 2009, and a turbocharged 2009 Lancer Ralliart (under $27,000, estimated ) to bridge the gap between the more pedestrian Lancer and the fire-breathing Evo. Mitsubishi characterizes the Ralliart as more of a tuned-up Lancer than a detuned Evolution.That's a sensible description, because the Evolution has a wider track and different suspension components than the Ralliart — but then again, the drivetrain is very much a detuned version of the Evo's — basically the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder with a smaller, single-scroll turbocharger, smaller intercooler and smaller-diameter plumbing. The standard all-wheel drive, which isn't offered on lesser Lancers, is likewise nearly identical to the Evo's. I spent about an hour driving this Frankenstein's monster and found it to be a compelling compromise that should make any Subaru WRX shopper think twice.
More after the jump!
The Ralliart also becomes the new price of entry for Mitsubishi's impressive dual-clutch automated-manual transmission that made its first appearance in the Evolution MR, which just hit dealerships. Comparable to VW's better-known Direct Shift Gearbox, the Twin-Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission uses a separate clutch for even and odd gears, enabling lightning-fast shifts. I'll give more details in my upcoming Evolution review, but suffice it to say this is probably my favorite of the new breed of dual-clutch auto-manuals. Some drivers would rather have a stick, which isn't available in the Ralliart, and I might be one of them. But if I were forced to take an automatic, the TC-SST would be on my short list. It's a far better option than the CVT offered on the regular Lancers, including the GTS.
Apart from its higher overall power, what I like most about the Ralliart's engine is its torque delivery, starting with a healthy amount of grunt at low rpm. The peak 253 pounds-feet of torque comes at 3,000 rpm, but my experience reflects Mitsubishi's power curves, which show a solid 250 pounds-feet from 2,500 to 4,700 rpm. Even though the power is modest up to 2,500 rpm, the transmission's lower-gear ratios keep the Ralliart from being too sluggish from a standing start. It might even be better than the Evolution GSR and its five-speed manual; at least it feels that way. Above 4,750 rpm, the torque tapers down more gradually as horsepower continues to rise to its 237 hp peak at 6,000 rpm. The redline is at 6,500 rpm.
Overall, the lineup offers a nice spread of output: The base Lancer has 152 hp/146 pounds-feet, the Lancer GTS is 168/167, the Ralliart is 237/253 and the Evolution rates 291/300.
The all-wheel drive uses mechanical front, rear and computer-controlled center differentials from the ninth-generation Evolution to route power to the appropriate wheel. It has Tarmac, Gravel and Snow settings and a standard electronic stability system, so all it really lacks is the 10th-generation Evo's ability to sense yaw motions and direct rear torque accordingly. The Ralliart would be a good choice for harsh winters, but the standard summer performance tires would have to be replaced with optional all-seasons.
The quick-reacting transmission seems to find the right gear most of the time, and you can always select the Sport mode to raise the upshift points by about 1,000 rpm. Unlike the Evolution, the Ralliart doesn't include the super-aggressive Super Sport mode intended for track use. If you prefer to shift for yourself, you can use the gear selector lever or magnesium shift paddles, which are mounted on the steering column where they belong. To improve fuel economy, the Ralliart's 5th and 6th gears are higher than those in the Evolution, for an EPA rating of 17/25 mpg city/highway.
The chassis is a similar story: different tunings for the entire lineup. The GTS has a firmer suspension than the base Lancer, and the Ralliart goes firmer still with a larger front stabilizer bar. The Ralliart's ride quality is more than livable, even compared to the Evolution, which itself has been tamed for better day-to-day comfort. My Ralliart had the optional low-riding Recaro front seats from the Evolution, which aren't my favorite. Buyers will find greater comfort and much-appreciated height adjustment in the standard driver's seat.
The Ralliart even boasts a brake upgrade, from single-piston to dual-piston front calipers, and larger-diameter single pistons in the rear. They might not look as good as the Evolution's Brembo hardware, but they are a performance upgrade. This is a Ralliart that never leaves you wondering what you get for the extra money and name. This wasn't the case in the past, where the difference was mostly cosmetic.
The look hasn't been forsaken in the process. The Ralliart has a larger mouth than the Lancer but a less radical style than the Evo, though it shares the Evo's vented aluminum hood with functional air vents. The rear treatment, including the taillights and bumper, is also unique among Lancer models. The dual exhaust also is borrowed, effectively unchanged, from the Evolution. Standard is a rear spoiler that is the smaller of two sizes — by no means subtle, but not as large as the one on the Evolution MR.
The opposite can be said of its trunk. The Lancer offers 12.3 cubic feet of cargo volume, and the Evolution has a paltry 6.9 cubic feet and loses the folding backseat to structural reinforcements. The Ralliart keeps the folding seats and grants 10.0 cubic feet. Pretty much across the board, the Ralliart is a smart compromise between the regular Lancer and the Evolution. Looks like Mitsubishi did this one right.
Evora is the new name of the Lotus 2+2 GT car
The new hand-crafted Lotus gets a name.
Lotus has revealed the new name of its latest model, a 2+2 GT that made its official debut today at the London Motor Show. The car will from now be known as the ‘Evora’ (named after a city in Portugal) and it joins the ranks of Lotus’ existing models, including the Elise, Exige and Europa. The new Evora is the first all-new car from Lotus since the introduction of the Elise back in 1995, and it’s the only sports car on the market with a mid-engine layout and a 2+2 seating configuration.While Lotus’ current offerings are designed primarily with race track intentions, including the GT-styled Europa - which is largely based on the Elise - the new Evora is designed for people seeking real-world usability matched with stunning design and performance. Specs and more info after the jump!
Powered by a 3.5L V6 producing 276hp (206kW), the new car employs innovative lightweight chassis technology for first-rate track performance but with ride and handling more akin to a luxury model. Despite the wider target audience expected for the Evora, Lotus claims the car is considerably faster around Germany’s benchmark Nurburgring circuit than the Elise and more stable than the Exige. The engine in the Evora is based on Toyota’s global 3.5L V6 but has been extensively modified for application in the Lotus. Engineers are still working on the car’s final specifications but early indications suggest a maximum speed of close to 260km/h and a 0-100km/h time of less than five seconds.
In keeping with its luxury overtones, the Evora features plenty of leather and aluminum surfaces in its interior. The dashboard will be dominated by a stylized speedometer and rev counter, backlit with blue LEDs, and all controls are positioned towards the driver in true sports car tradition. Other details include figure hugging bucket seats, hand-stitched leather and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. The Evora will also come with a 7-inch touchscreen multi-media system with satellite navigation and Bluetooth connectivity.
As well as being sold in a 2+2 configuration, the car will also be available as a two-seater with extra storage space located behind the seats. The rear seats will be strictly for children or small adults. Other derivatives are also planned for the future, including a convertible and a high-performance variant.
Anti-lock brakes are standard on all models, as are traction and stability control. These systems have been specially developed in co-operation with Bosch to provide enhanced safety features whilst maintaining performance characteristics.
Deliveries in Europe will start in the first half of next year, with only 2,000 of the hand crafted cars planned each year.
Lotus CEO Mike Kimberley describes the new Evora as the biggest milestone ever achieved by the company since the Elise was born 13 years ago, but he hinted that this is just the start of things to come. He reaffirmed his earlier comments that Lotus is executing a five year plan that will see the launch of two additional models.
Lotus Evora to be in Gran Turismo videogame
Enjoy the new Lotus from the comfort of your couch!
The digital version of the new Lotus Evora was unveiled simultaneously with the car at the British International Motorshow in London last week and according to Lotus, it will be included in a special demo version of the Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. When will we see that demo? Good question.
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2009 smart fortwo: User Reviews
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