Car to Car Communication – Intelligent Transport Systems
Imagine your car can tell you that there is an accident ahead or that the condition on the road is icy. Well this could happen very soon. The European Commission has allocated the 5.9gigaHertz (gHz) radio spectrum for intelligent transport systems.
This decision means that the world of car-to-car communication will be across a frequency that could become a world standard.
Cars can inform other cars about road conditions, congestion, accidents or even if the car in front of them is straying across the white lines.
Ferrari California
NEW FERRARI CALIFORNIA REVEALED: A HUGELY VERSATILE,
INNOVATION-PACKED GT
Press Release
The Ferrari California joins the Prancing Horse’s 8-cylinder family which has always been defined by power and performance. It also flanks the flagship 612 Scaglietti in the prestige sporty Grand Tourer segment.
The new Ferrari California will satisfy even the most demanding of owners in term of its superb vehicle dynamics and driving pleasure. The new model will be available exclusively as a convertible with a folding hard top. Both chassis and bodywork are aluminium, in line with the rest of the current range. The California will be powered by a new V8 engine mounted for the first time in the marque’s history in the mid-front
position.
In line with Ferrari tradition, the new model also features several innovations. Apart from its folding hard top, these include the original 2+ concept which guarantees exceptional versatility of use in the rear of the car. The California’s 4,300 cc V8 engine features direct fuel injection and a flatĀ crankshaft. It generates 460 CV at 7,500 rpm with a torque curve that enhances vehicle dynamics and provides maximum driving pleasure which is typical for Ferrari.
As per the traditional Ferrari transaxle layout, the engine, which allows the Ferrari California to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 4.0 seconds, will be coupled to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission that boosts the car’s performance while enhancing the driving pleasure, improves ride comfort and reduces fuel consumption and emissions (c.310 g/km CO2). The comfort is further enhanced by a new multilink rear suspension system. The Ferrari California is also equipped with the exclusive F1-Trac traction control system which made its debut on the 599 GTB Fiorano and has been further honed to suit the typical driving conditions expected for this new GT. Brembo brakes featuring carbon-ceramic material disks as standard guarantee superbly efficient braking.
In addition to sporting the marque’s classic styling cues, the cabin has also been beautifully trimmed using quality materials by Ferrari’s own skilled artisans. New accessories and equipment, such as the seats, steering wheel, instrument panel and infotainment system, together with optimised aerodynamics ensure that this is a highly ergonomic and enjoyable car to drive regardless of whether the top is up or down. The Ferrari California is aimed at owners who desire a car which embodies everything the Prancing Horse represents in terms of sporty design and innovation, but also seek a car with greater versatility than ever.
BMW M1 Concept
BMW has unveiled its M1 Homage Concept and there is nothing to rave on about. The car is ascetically challenged as it attempts to blend retro and modern visual elements. The thin headlights and BMW’s icon grill does not do the car any justice and from front on the car just looks out of proportion. The only good thing that can be said about the car is that its an improvement from the previous M1′s.
Wooden Splinter Supercar
Made out of Plywood, Maple and MDF, this wooden supercar designed by Joe Harmon makes it from 0-60mph in just over 3 seconds. Now thats incredibly cool! The amazing thing is that majority of the car is made out of wood, that includes the chasis, the body, the suspension components, wheels and even the gear box.
Harmon said that the objective of this project was to explore materials, learn, teach, share ideas and stimulate creativity.
The wooden supercar is powered by a 4.6-litre V8 petrol engine, centrally mounted for perfect balance, and produces 600bhp. This is linked to a wooden 6 speed gear box. The total weight of the car is 1,135kg making it almost 260kg lighter then a stripped-out Porsche 911 GT3.
The car may never make it to production but the sheer fact that its made out of wood and goes as fast as a supercar makes it well worth the mention.
sQuba – Underwater Car
First seen in the movie ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’ in 1977. Thirty years later, Rinspeed boss Frank M. Rinderknecht has brought the make belief car to the everyday driver. Known as the “sQuba” it is able to drive on land and submerge at a depth of 10m under water.
The excellence in design has enabled this watertight and pressure resistant car to move like a fish in water without compromising aesthetics. With the look of a sports car based on that of the Lotus Elise, the “sQuba” has three motors located in the rear. One provides propulsion on land and the other two are used for underwater motoring. The engines provides a top speed of 77mph on land, 3 mph on the surface of the water and 1.8 mph underwater. Power to the engines are supplied by rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries making the “sQuba” a zero-emission car.
The absense of a roof was for safety so that passengers could escape easily in an emergency. Although this wasn’t the only reason. Having a roof would have increased the weight by two tons to counteract unwanted bouyancy making it a turtle on land.
The current car which will be unveiled at the Geneva motorshow in March this year cost $1.4 million to make. However, Rinderknecht has said that it would cost less then a Rolls Royce when it hits the market so we assume it will be less then $400,000.
Koenigsegg CCXR Limted Edition
Due to popular demand, Koenigsegg has created the CCXR Special Edition.
It features a 4.8L twin supercharged Koenigsegg engine, together with many other unique features. The car is more track biased compared to the standard models, as it has stiffer springs and anti-roll bars, reset dampers and lowered chassis. It also features a fully visible carbon body a large adjustable rear wing, larger front splitter and side strakes for increased down force and a unique forged wheel design.
The CCXR is the second most powerful car in the world that runs on E85 ethanol fuel. It reaches 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds and has a top speed of over 250mph. The Bugatti Veyron is the only other production car that is faster the Koenigsegg.
Unveiling of the CCXR will be at the Geneva Motor show in March 2008, where the first delivery will take place with a price tag $2.3 million each.