Archive for the 'Future Cars' Category
Ford uses a lot of words to describe its Reflex concept car. Words like bold, innovative, American, sporty . . . and from what I can tell, all the words fit. But I think the best word is one Ford doesn’t use: family.
Let’s face it, most of the newest car innovations fit a family about as well as a studio apartment! While Ford never says so, the innovations designed into the Reflex concept make it look like they were designed with family in mind. A hip sporty family, that wants to go green, but a family.There are the reverse butterfly doors which make it easy to get in and out of front or back, and mean a parent is no long bumping into the door installing a car seat, or buckling baby in. And speaking of car seats, it comes with one; built right into the rear seat. When is the last time your car came with one of those?
Then there is the rear seat itself – you know how some vans split their row seats 60-40 for easy removal? Well Ford did something similar in the Reflex, for a different reason. The rear seat is divided into one seat, and a small ‘love seat’ that can easily and comfortably fit two full size adults . . . or, you can push a button, and the love seat is divided in two small seats, perfect for children.
Safety is also a major consideration, and in addition to the standard safety features – and not so standard ones, like side curtain airbags – Ford has added some innovation here too. The inflatable seat belts that reduce injury to second row passengers, is nice. The BeltMinderâ„¢, that lets you know if someone in the rear seats isn’t buckled up, is even better.
Ford doesn’t stop innovation there either. The solar roofs fans, that power themselves to keep the car cool when it’s sitting in a summer parking lot, are a very sweet extra. The solar head and tail lights, that absorb sunlight during the day to use when you turn the lights on – and charge the battery – are a very nice touch as well, and boost the fuel economy nicely.
Not that the Reflex needs help boosting the fuel economy. The diesel electric hybrid gets up to 65 mph, while giving all the benefits of all wheel drive. Of course, some things – like how it handles – will need to wait until Ford starts offering test drives.All in all, there is only one minor issue I can see with the concept. Did they have to use white for the interior? I really hope that mesh cleans easily, because speaking for every parent I know, white and kids just do not mix well!
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So, GM and Chrysler finally are getting the money to continue operating. Before that, came a bailout debate with those “for†and “against†the bailout battling it out. It is natural that cartoonists take interest in the situation and get some humorous acts ready. Here are a few cartoons, all against the bailout. Well, we’re not really against the bailout, but this one’s all about fun and nothing about being politically correct.
Reiter Engineering have modified their Gallardo GT3 race car to come up with a road going version, the GT3 Strada. Carbon fiber has been used generously in making the car’s body, with panels, front splitter, rear wing and bumper all shaped up from fiber. A new exhaust from German Formula 1 supplier MHG finds its way into the car, along with a Holinger six-speed sequential gearbox. The huge V10 in the car generates 535bhp of power.
Ford uses a lot of words to describe its Reflex concept car. Words like bold, innovative, American, sporty . . . and from what I can tell, all the words fit. But I think the best word is one Ford doesn’t use: family.
Let’s face it, most of the newest car innovations fit a family about as well as a studio apartment! While Ford never says so, the innovations designed into the Reflex concept make it look like they were designed with family in mind. A hip sporty family, that wants to go green, but a family.There are the reverse butterfly doors which make it easy to get in and out of front or back, and mean a parent is no long bumping into the door installing a car seat, or buckling baby in. And speaking of car seats, it comes with one; built right into the rear seat. When is the last time your car came with one of those?
Then there is the rear seat itself – you know how some vans split their row seats 60-40 for easy removal? Well Ford did something similar in the Reflex, for a different reason. The rear seat is divided into one seat, and a small ‘love seat’ that can easily and comfortably fit two full size adults . . . or, you can push a button, and the love seat is divided in two small seats, perfect for children.
Safety is also a major consideration, and in addition to the standard safety features – and not so standard ones, like side curtain airbags – Ford has added some innovation here too. The inflatable seat belts that reduce injury to second row passengers, is nice. The BeltMinder™, that lets you know if someone in the rear seats isn’t buckled up, is even better.
Ford doesn’t stop innovation there either. The solar roofs fans, that power themselves to keep the car cool when it’s sitting in a summer parking lot, are a very sweet extra. The solar head and tail lights, that absorb sunlight during the day to use when you turn the lights on – and charge the battery – are a very nice touch as well, and boost the fuel economy nicely.
Not that the Reflex needs help boosting the fuel economy. The diesel electric hybrid gets up to 65 mph, while giving all the benefits of all wheel drive. Of course, some things – like how it handles – will need to wait until Ford starts offering test drives.All in all, there is only one minor issue I can see with the concept. Did they have to use white for the interior? I really hope that mesh cleans easily, because speaking for every parent I know, white and kids just do not mix well!
Tags: car seat, electric, ford, hybrid, interior, safety, standard
You can eat it, buy towels and bags made from it, but did you know you can make a car from flax? Renault thinks so, as today it unveiled the Ondelio, a new eco concept car partly made from flax.
The Ondelious is a 6-seater diesel hybrid that Renault says represents the “medium term future” of motoring. It’ll be on show at next month’s Paris Motor Show.
Renault claims the flax bodywork is there for “for greater recyclability.” Flax is certainly a renewable resource — unlike oil-based plastic — but I’m sceptical it has great potential for recycling in the car industry.
A more credible eco claim is the use of carbon fibre and polycarbonate in the car’s bodywork, which should reduce its weight and fuel consumption (like, say, the Axon).
Renault reckons the car will manage 120g/km CO2, thanks to its aerodynamic design, light body, low resistance tyres and stop-start technology that saves fuel when you stop at lights. 120g would be pretty impressive for a car this size.
The hybrid tech inside is of the ‘mild’ variety, meaning it’ll assist your diesel driving for fuel efficiency. You can’t, however, run on 100 per cent electric alone. The lithium-ion battery recharges when you brake, and the car has electric motors front and back.
The Ondelios certainly looks nice for a concept car — I’m a sucker for roof-hinge doors — but the eco claims are a tad oversold. It’s basically a luxury concept with decent fuel economy and okay performance of 0-60mph in 7.8 seconds.
My favourite ‘eco’ element is the promise of a Samsung multimedia gaming gadget for every passenger.
Maybe Renault didn’t notice, but people already one iPhones and PSPs. If a son of the Ondelios ever sees the light of day, let’s hope the Samsung gadgets are an optional extra.
