⇡ # Automotive News
In September last year, was presented the new generation minivan Ford S-MAX. As before, this car is a pretty interesting fusion of typical family values and drayverskogo character. He has quite a spacious interior and a roomy trunk, but it is well tuned chassis makes it possible not to feel a minibus driver. If the S-MAX seems too small, you can look at the Galaxy, his older brother. Now he has gone through a generational change.
Before us Ford Galaxy in the fourth degree. As before, this model is very similar to the front part of a sibling S-MAX, however, has a greater length. In addition, the feed is dominated by straight lines and angles, allowing further increase the amount of luggage, that is to make the minivan even more practical. The manufacturer has not yet disclose the overall size of the car. We only know that the height of the ceiling above the heads of the second row passengers increased by 10 mm, and the heads of the riders from the gallery immediately became freer to 40 mm. Ford Galaxy is always delivered in the seven-seat version.
At first glance, the novelty becomes apparent continuity of style. Yes, front swept fresh corporate design with a lattice-style Aston Martin, but it is easy to notice the old proportions, and feed though and all remaining old. However, this is only an optical illusion: Ford Galaxy is built on the modernized platform, and all exterior panels have new ones. This is most easily understood by the sidewalls: here a relief wheel arches, side podshtampovok another form of doors.
As the muzzle, salon “Galaxy” is exactly the same as the model S-MAX. The interior is noticeable screen new multimedia system Ford SYNC2. Also refers to innovate a new mechanism that allows for pressing a single button, not only difficult, but expanded third-row seat.
In terms of engines Ford Galaxy identical to the rest of soplatformennym models, including the S-MAX minivan and sedan Fusion . Petrol units will be presented to the family of turbocharged EcoBoost. It amounted to 1.6 and 2 liter capacity – 160 and 240 horsepower, respectively. According cubic capacity diesel engine is only one, two-liter, but it is available in four versions: 120, 150, 180 and 210 “horses”. And the most powerful is significantly different from the rest of additional turbocharger (he has two of them at once).
The last time Ford Galaxy for our market produced at the plant in Yelabuga. The fate of the next generation yet vague: Given the current situation, it may not appear in our country.
⇡ # Electric cars and hybrids
Toyota has for many years been associated with hybrids. It all started with the Prius, but today is the model number of the manufacturer there are many vehicles for which the hybrid is just one of the possible modifications. Not spared innovation and popular crossover Toyota RAV4. In past generations, the Japanese offer fully electric version of the SUV, and now presented and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.
Japanese engineers did not have long to develop a new modification of the SUV, because in producer already present hybrids of different caliber – could only choose a suitable donor . This time it was the Lexus NX 300h. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid received the same naturally aspirated gasoline engine 2.5-liter. ICE runs on the Atkinson cycle, which is not uncommon in hybrids, and paired with an electric motor it works. For the distribution of traction between the two axes meet complex called Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel-Drive System. The manufacturer did not disclose the specifications of the new model. On a similar crossover Lexus NX 300h hybrid filling develops 197 horsepower, certainly Toyota RAV4 Hybrid will go far from this index.
It is easy to notice that the novelty presented differs from the usual model is not only technically, but also visually. Model Toyota RAV4 Hybrid received a new front end design, as well as other taillights. However, these metamorphoses are not a distinguishing mark hybrid version: both with twin-engine Japanese giant novelty introduced normal model update, which will receive the same changes.
Along with the new look Toyota RAV4 will get a solid set of additional equipment that was previously unavailable . Some of the options included full LED exterior lighting system and Bird’s Eye View Monitor, which consists of four cameras. It allows to simulate on-screen view of the car on top of that come in handy during parking. Crossover also receive a set of active safety Toyota Safety Sense. It will automatically slow down before heading off to notify about traveling outside the occupied bandwidth and offer other useful features. According to the “Toyota” Toyota Safety Sense system is the most affordable in its class. It will cost about $ 300 (about 16 000). The Japanese believe that the low price will allow motorists more likely to buy the option, which will significantly increase safety. A similar system will be offered for cars Lexus, where she will be called Lexus Safety System +. Despite the identity technically, the premium brand will ask for this option more – about $ 500.
US sales Toyota RAV4 Hybrid will begin in the fall. In Russia, a hybrid SUV may not appear at all, because of preexisting electric version of RAV4 delivered to us.
⇡ # Automotive Technology
A few weeks ago, Delphi, one a leading manufacturer of automotive components, today announced the imminent start of an ambitious journey across America. It was planned that stuffed with cameras, radar sensors and crossover Audi SQ5 in fully autonomous mode, go to the famous Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco to New York. The car had to come before the end of the International Motor Show. Door motor show closed yesterday (April 12), but long before that Audi SQ5 with modifications Delphi successfully completed transcontinental journey.
Earlier engineers car companies and employees of various educational institutions have tried to build a machine that would could without human driving long distances. However, it is this complex stuffed with sensors and electronics first SUV drove across America from coast to coast.
His impressions of the action robotomobilya shared Jeff Owens (Jeff Owens), chief technologist of Delphi. The engineer was surprised that in some situations, smart car behaves very much like a man. No, it does not break traffic rules, not a park across the markup and cuts. But endowed with the rudiments of artificial intelligence Audi SQ5 afraid of large machinery, including tractors and trucks. According to the observations of Jeff Owens, when overtaking a car pulled away from them to the left a little bit stronger than when cars are preliminary heat.
During the trip, the length of 5472 kilometers, passing through 15 states, employees of Delphi made hundreds of notes about the behavior of the control system in different situations. In this case, 99% of road situations SUV was fully autonomous mode. Representatives of the developer concluded that on the set of roads and in different weather conditions made the car even better than expected.
At what hit 1% of the road where the staff still had to take it under control? The total length of these areas was about 80 kilometers. They were mostly back roads with steep slopes and areas of road repair and construction, where the marking was applied only in certain areas or even absent.
During the journey Delphi engineers gathered information about the behavior of the virtual driver, which eventually will allow further progress in creating the autopilot, and in the short term will help create a more effective system of active safety. According to the developers, the total accumulated during the trip data is 3 TB. It’s about a third of all printed materials in the Library of Congress, although it is unlikely such a comparison can be considered wealthy. All stored data is yet to be thoroughly analyzed, but some of the findings have already been made. For example, it turned out that the camera can briefly go blind at sunrise or sunset, when it is low on the horizon. I must say, a person in such a situation does not feel better camera, so this is not surprising. Fortunately, the system of autonomous control Delphi relies not only on camera data, but also on the testimony of radar sensors.
Interestingly, the experimental instance of Visual Audi SQ5 practically does not differ from those of the serial SUV. Usually robotokary immediately give themselves huge presence on the roof supports with cameras and sensors, but in this case all the elements have been integrated almost invisibly: passers-by were not even aware that a number of them traveled not an ordinary car, but in fact the car of the future. At the same time Delphi employees claim that even being close to the Audi SQ5 drivers hardly suspected that behind the wheel of this crossover is a computer and not a person: the innovative actions of the vehicle were very natural.
While the representatives of the company Delphi try not to distribute promising comments. They did not even tell exactly when the components to create the autopilot will be available car manufacturers. However, in addition to the success of the experiment, in this whole story has another positive aspect: Delphi is one of the largest suppliers of automotive components, therefore contact with international manufacturers have long been adjusted, which will accelerate the introduction of advanced systems. Perhaps no coincidence robotomobilya prototype was built on the Audi SQ5: German brand plans to introduce a system of autopilot on the next generation flagship sedan Audi A8, while its yield was recently moved from the end of 2016 at the end of 2017, and it is directly connected with the creation of a self-governing complex.
The development of systems autopilot today are dozens of companies around the world – periodically news coming from the US, Germany, Japan and Italy. Surprisingly, in these news reports do not appear almost manufacturers from South Korea. It is quite strange, because today Hyundai together with Kia is the largest global players, which also show a very high profit. However, if you do not touch the robotokarov, in South Korea are constantly something new. Today, our attention was attracted by an unusual route optimized for cyclists. For them, in the middle of the highway to allocate special band, which is separated from the streams of cars guard.
An unusual motorway stretches between the cities of Daejeon and Sejong, the distance between which is 32 kilometers away. Both settlements are located approximately 150 kilometers south of Seoul, capital of South Korea. To make the bike ride easier and safer, two-wheeler given a small strip of asphalt right in the center of the highway. On both sides it is separated from the roadway durable fence. In this case, cyclists are not napechet head, even if they go without a helmet on a sunny summer afternoon: over the strip installed solar panels that feed adjacent to the road infrastructure.
Caring road services cyclists striking: in Russia, and in many other countries around the world on such routes can only dream of. However, in this decision, there are downsides. In short video not demonstrated the start and end of the highway, so it is not clear how cyclists are selected from the narrow space between the two streams of cars and how to get there. However, it is not important: from the middle of the highway walled strip can be selected only at the beginning and at the end. This means that the initial and final destination can only be the very city Sejong and Daejeon, between which stretched the track. Another shortcoming of cyclists will notice even during a trip as they are surrounded on both sides of the vehicles, they will have to breathe the exhaust gases. It is unlikely that such a journey can be called a trip to the great outdoors.
⇡ # Concepts
A year ago, was presented a new production model Citroen C4 Cactus. Unfortunately, the French do not sell this SUV in Russia. But very soon he will be the elder brother, who still has a chance to reach our country. This car has not yet been submitted, but first impressions of it will help to make the concept Citroen Aircross.
We remember that the production version of Citroen C4 Cactus only slightly different from the concept Citroen Cactus. Therefore, there is a nonzero probability that Citroen Aircross without global changes become a crossover, which you can buy. The novelty was significantly more Citroen C4 Cactus. If the length of “Cactus” is 4.16 meters, the Citroen Aircross stretched up to 4.58 meters. Across the width of conceptual crossover and all can outdo many SUVs: the shoulders concept car came to 2.1 meters. Another sign of adult machines are huge wheels: the diameter is 22 inches.
As you know, the motto of the company is the slogan Citroen Creative Technologie, and the draft Citroen Aircross not without interesting ideas. It turns out that the presence of the word air («air”) in the title refers to the concept of not only ease the crossover (the exact amount is not reported), but also filigree work with aerodynamics. For example, the front bumper of unusual shapes and chrome edging near the rear door windows must call a special air turbulence, which will reduce the resistance.
Another unusual feature is the rear of the French concept Suicide door, which on production cars found in mainly from Rolls-Royce. No less surprising interior SUV. Minimalism of shapes and colors diluted with orange inserts, and in the design of two 12-inch displays use interface with elements of style pixel art.
Citroen Aircross is a hybrid. Under the hood of the car mounted turbocharged petrol engine capacity of 1.6 liters. Its capacity is 218 horsepower, while the electric motor adds another 95 mounted above the rear axle. Lithium-Ion battery allows travel up to 50 miles in electric mode, and a full charge from a household outlet takes 3.5 hours.
Although the total return in the 313 horsepower and the ability to accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h in just 4.5 seconds, Citroen Aircross consumes only 1.7 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers and emits only 39 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer. Public premiere of the concept will be held April 22 at the International Motor Show in Shanghai. It is not known whether the Citroen Aircross will grow in the production model, but the probability of this is quite high.
Another conceptual crossover arrived from Seoul. Abbreviation in the name SsangYong XAV means eXciting Authentic SUV, which can be translated as “truly exciting SUV».
Korean concept looks quite unusual: a car just will attract attention in the road flow. From some angles SsangYong XAV resembles a Japanese SUV Toyota FJ Cruiser, but at the SsangYong also have a car that could become a muse for designers new items: the silhouette of a body similar to the concept model of SsangYong Korando. This SUV while produced in Russia under the name Tagaz Tager.
If the visually SsangYong XAV can still find echoes of the car SsangYong Korando, then technically between the concept and production model there is almost nothing in common. It all starts with the fact that SsangYong Korando was built on the frame, as befits this SUV, but SsangYong XAV the example of modern SUV uses a monocoque. But it has air suspension, which is more common only in large and expensive off-road vehicles.
Under the hood SsangYong XAV mounted 1.6-liter gasoline engine with an unknown power. He is assisted by a pair of electric motors, one of which is integrated into the front axle, the second – in the rear. For their food meets the lithium-ion battery.
SsangYong XAV has an interesting appearance, but most concepts Korean brand has a big problem: they can for several years to travel the automobile exhibition, gradually transforming its shape and size, and in the end did not arrive on the conveyor, then the manufacturer is the next design project. Perhaps, SsangYong XAV can break this vicious circle.
After two SUVs from well-known companies turn to an unusual start-ups. These projects capture and appearance of the car, and the alleged technical characteristics, but the likelihood of their realization frankly low.
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