Archive for January 22nd, 2010
LONG AWAITED GINETTA G40 UNVEILED AT AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL
Top British race car manufacturer Ginetta today unveiled its latest launch, the Ginetta G40, before a rapt audience at the prestigious Autosport International exhibition at Birmingham’s NEC.
The car, which was revealed for the first time to the general public by Ginetta Chairman Lawrence Tomlinson and Autosport’s Henry Hope-Frost, will be the UK’s first multi-platform road and race car and is set to make its debut on the BTCC-supporting 2010 Ginetta Junior Championship.
Joining Mr Tomlinson on stage was current Ginetta Junior Champion Sarah Moore, who will defend her title this season and karting supremo Seb Morris who recently purchased the first ever production G40 – chassis G40-LT-005.
Ginetta Chairman Lawrence Tomlinson said: “”I am absolutely thrilled to see the Ginetta G40 launched at Autosport International here today. We debuted both the G50 and the G50Z at the exhibition and I’m delighted that Autosport visitors have had the first ever glimpse of Ginetta’s stunning new car. The G40 is the most versatile road and race car on the market today – with safety features that exceed all FIA regulations. We have been completely overwhelmed by demand for the G40 and I just can’t wait to see it out on the grid in its first Ginetta Junior race in April. It will kick off the season in style and will be THE car to watch in 2010!”
Featuring an 1800CC sealed Zetec engine and a proposed weight of 850kg, the G40 will not only serve to elevate the current Junior series with a fresh, modern look but will also be eligible for entry into a variety of competitive racing categories – whilst addressing a vast array of safety issues. Key features of the G40 include:
- Safety cage 50 times stronger than minimum 2009 FIA homologation regulations
- Front and rear crash zones
- Updated side impact bars
- Increased occupant safety and visibility
- Adjustable interfaces to maximise comfort
- Comfortable dual occupancy
Following the highly successful launch of the Ginetta G50 launch 2 years ago, Ginetta is producing an initial batch of twenty six G40’s, with pricing set at £24,950.
FORD, UNITED SPACE ALLIANCE SHARE VIRTUAL REALITY EXPERTISE TO BUILD BETTER CARS, SPACE MISSIONS
- Engineers at Ford’s immersive Virtual Evaluation lab (iVE) and United Space Alliance’s imagery lab are working together, exchanging their expertise in the use of virtual reality animation software, which now has clear-cut uses that benefit both industries
- Ford engineers use the virtual tools to design vehicles that improve the driver’s comfort and experience behind the wheel; USA researchers use it to find safer and more efficient ground processing methods.
- Virtual Reality and Advanced Visualization engineers at Ford borrowed the virtual technology from the video game industry and applied it to automotive design and development.
DEARBORN, Mich., January 20, 2010 – Engineers at United Space Alliance (USA) and Ford Motor Company are sharing their animation software experiences to create virtual reality simulations that benefit both astronauts and drivers.
Ford is applying virtual reality animation software that is used by movie animators and video game creators to improve real-life driving situations before the first prototype is even built. In an immersive Virtual Evaluation lab (iVE), Ford engineers create virtual vehicles complete with exterior views.
Engineers for USA, the prime Space Shuttle contractor, are using the same technology at the Kennedy Space Center to help build future space vehicles safer and more efficiently. Current applications include using the technology to track and characterize launch debris during ascent. Past applications include developing processes to more efficiently remove and re-install the reinforced carbon-carbon panels on the Space Shuttle wing leading edges.
“In this virtual environment, we can evaluate early vehicle designs against a backdrop of virtual conditions and literally experience a vehicle from someone else’s vantage point before it is built, helping us to create a car, truck or crossover that provides the perfect environment for the driver and its occupants,” said Elizabeth Baron, Ford’s Virtual Reality and Advanced Visualization Technical Specialist.
2011 Volvo C70 pricing
Offering the best of both worlds: open air freedom or beautifully sculpted coupe, the 2011 Volvo C70 is offered at a starting price of just $39,950*. The price is inclusive of several standard features that were previously optional and represent an approximate $4,000 savings from a similarly equipped 2010 C70. For 2011, the Volvo C70 comes standard with an automatic 5-speed transmission, SIRIUS satellite radio and luxurious Sovereign Hide leather upholstery.
First seen in the U.S. at the South Florida International Auto Show, the 2011 Volvo C70 receives a bold new look and a number of interior enhancements. With its new front appearance, the 2011 Volvo C70 reveals traces of the S60 Concept Car that was unveiled in early 2009. The C70 now relates more closely to the design language of the larger cars in the Volvo model range
Bodywork details such as the front fender have also been redesigned, contributing to the decidedly altered appearance. The nose is more wedge-shaped and has been given added three-dimensional depth by moving some elements of the front both longitudinally and vertically. The new headlights and the décor around the foglights, for instance, have been angled offset up and to the rear, at the same time as the detailing of the lower grille has been enhanced. From head-on, the front forms an open, inviting “V.” The enlarged iron mark and the new, larger air intake reinforce the self-assured stance.
The exclusive high-tech LED lights, similar to what’s found on the Volvo XC60, are the most noticeable update at the rear. The entire taillight unit is clearly integrated with the oval that frames the new C70’s rear panel, making the rear appear wider and lower. Like the front end, new lines and details in the bumper and elsewhere have been integrated to emphasise the depth and dynamism of the design language.
Volvo C70 2010
The new Volvo C70 launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in mid-September 2009 has the same smart three-piece steel roof, practical seating for four adults and world-leading convertible safety as before. With an updated design and elevated premium feel, the Volvo C70 also delivers an “I want” aura of absolute world class.
The Volvo C70 is in actual fact two attractive cars in one. It is as much an elegant coupe as it is a sporty convertible. With the same gentle, clean lines in both versions. Above all, however, the Volvo C70 is a car to enjoy. For people who reward themselves with the best in life.
“The Volvo C70 has classic convertible lines and a strong identity of its own. What we have done is to carefully redesign the front and rear so they harmonise more with both today’s and tomorrow’s Volvo models. We have also increased the exclusiveness of the materials and trim details to enhance the atmosphere of luxury and enjoyment inside the car,” explains Fedde Talsma, Exterior Chief Designer at Volvo Cars.
Modernised, self-assured front
With its new front, the Volvo C70 reveals traces of the Volvo S60 Concept Car that was unveiled in early 2009. Thereby the Volvo C70 is upgraded to relate more closely to the design language of the larger cars in the Volvo model range
Bodywork details such as the front wings have also been redesigned, contributing to the decidedly altered appearance. The nose is more wedge-shaped and has been given added three-dimensional depth by moving some elements of the front both longitudinally and vertically. The new headlamps and the décor around the foglamps, for instance, have been angled offset up and to the rear, at the same time as the detailing of the lower grille has been enhanced.
Never Miss a Beat: Pause and Play Radio Will Wait for You
You’re driving along listening to your favorite radio station and a commercial playing contains a website address you want to check out. But you can’t – or shouldn’t – be writing while driving. Wouldn’t it be great to just hit a pause button on the radio?
Now you can.
Pause and play radio is a built-in feature of the High Navigation Radio in the Chevrolet Equinox, Buick LaCrosse, GMC Terrain and Cadillac SRX as well as the Cadillac CTS Jukebox and Navigation radio, on which it debuted in 2008. Pause and play is coming soon to the new Buick Regal and Chevrolet Cruze.
Just like digital video recording at home that lets you capture live broadcasts and take a break while watching, pause and play radio lets you stop a live broadcast, record up to 20 minutes, and play it back later. It’s as simple as pushing the radio reverse button.
But say you’re listening to a football game on XM Satellite Radio, and your gas gauge is running down with the game clock. Do you risk running out of fuel to catch the end of the game?
No worries.
Before shutting off the vehicle, the driver can press the radio pause button, shut off their vehicle, get out and fill up, get back in the vehicle and start it, push the radio play button and resume listening to the game it stopped.
The content is stored on an embedded hard drive within the radio. Listeners can fast-forward and reverse playback as desired.
Young man Blog 