Monthly Archives: April 2017
3 Major Rumors About the Volvo EV
The first Volvo EV will be made using the CMA platform currently used by the XC40 crossover.
Volvo is reportedly gearing for the release of its first electric vehicle. The Volvo EV is expected to be introduced in China.
1. Bound for Chinese Market
Since Volvo Cars is presently owned by Geely Holding Group, and the company happens to be China-based, it just makes sense that the Asian country will be the first to get the brand’s first EV. There is also the fact that the Chinese market has a strong demand for electric vehicles now because of its stricter measures to curb pollution, which further support speculations.
Citing its sources within the company, Automotive News said the car will be produced at the Luquiao plant of Volvo located in the southeastern part of China.
2. It Will Have the CMA Platform
The Volvo EV will likely ride on the CMA or Compact Modular Architecture of its maker. The platform is currently used by its compact vehicles like the XC40 crossover. The architecture was developed in partnership with Lynk & Co, which is another subsidiary of Geely.
The article claimed that the Volvo EV will be an all-new model.There is no word yet about the body type of the auto and its key specs.
The source noted that the company is looking to put at least one million electric cars on the road by 2025. The brand is aiming to be one of the major sellers of EVs going to that year.
3. Details Will Be Unraveled in Shanghai
Information about the Volvo EV is still scarce. Its maker declined to comment about it yet. However, official announcements and some details about the vehicle are expected to be made public at the auto show happening on April 21-28, 2017 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, China.
How Hot Do Your Car Brake Pads and Rotors Get?
Among the parts that receive a lot of punishment when driving are your car brake pads and rotors. Using a heat sensitive FLIR T1k infrared camera, the video here explores how hot the parts get during your travels.
Engineering Explained takes a close look at one of the rear disc brakes of a Honda S2000 using a thermal cam to demonstrate how their temperatures rise during your trips. First, the presenter divides the wheel of the car into five data points namely the edge, rotor, the point where the rotor exits the caliper, wheel hub and the back of the brake pad.
Then he observes the points as he starts running the rear wheels in first gear. Here, it is amazing to note that the heat levels detected by the thermal cam in the rear wheel are somewhat uneven in some portions. The hand brake is slightly applied, which bring about some changes in the temperature of the brake disc.
Eventually, he revs up the engine while still applying the rear parking brake slowly. That’s where we can see that the areas surrounding the wheel hub are really rising in temperature.
The hottest part detected by the thermal cam among the five data points is the third point, or the area after the rotor passes through the brake pad. A significant increase can be observed in the heat indicators displayed on the left side of the screen despite the very short distance between points 2 and 3. For example in video, the point before reaching the brake pad would only be 44.9 degrees Celsius compared to the 72 degrees Celsius it generates after passing through it.
Outside the five data points, the very edge of the rotor shows a higher temperature in the wheel. Pushing the gas pedal up to 3,000 RPM yields as much as 140 degrees Celsius for that area.
It should be noted that the car we are watching here is not really brand new, so results may vary. However, the presentation should serve as a reminder for us to always check our brake fluids and braking system regularly to minimize the wear and tear of our brake discs and for us to have a safe driving experience.
Lamborghini Huracan Joins Italian Police in Fight Against Crime
Lamborghini is truly one of Italy’s pride in the automotive world. Recently, the Italian Police got themselves a new Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4 to aid them in their fight against crime around the Bologna region.
For some, the supercar might be too much for a law enforcement agency. First, it is too expensive because of its $200,000 price tag. Second, its 610 hp output is just overrated.
Then again, BBC claimed that the vehicle is a gift from Lamborghini to the Italian Police. So who in their right mind would turn that down? Moreover, in a police’s line of work, speed is definitely of the essence.
The Lamborghini Huracan can reach a top speed of 325 km/h. The one given to the police is equipped with state of the art technology to enhance its navigation, communication and security features.
The special car’s main features include a police radio, tablet computer, firearm holster, fire extinguisher, hand-held devices for directing traffic and video camera. It is also packed with medical kit for first aid and refrigeration system in its trunk for transporting human organs.
The exterior of the supercar gets a medium blue paint finish with white accents. The paint follows the official colors of the Italian police. A police siren sits on the roof of the car and its sides are marked with “Polizia”. It is fitted with P Zero Pirelli tires to complement its very sporty appeal.
It should be noted that it isn’t the first time for Lamborghini to donate one of its creations to the police force. Three years ago, the company gave the agency a Lamborghini Gallardo, which is the Huracan’s predecessor.
The head of the Italian State Police, Alessandro Pansa, took the delivery of the new Huracan. “This Lamborghini represents Italy and the quality of its people,” he said. “The same we find in both men and women who wear the uniform of the State Police,” he added.
Photos
Check out the photos of the new Lamborghini Huracan police car in the gallery below:
Yellow Cars Parade in Cotswold Village
Yellow car owners recently paraded in Cotswold Village. The act is in support of the backlash that resident Peter Maddox received when he parked his yellow-painted Vauxhall Corsa outside his cottage in Arlington Row.
According to BBC, the 84-year old gentleman in Cotswold Village was criticized by tourists for parking his yellow car in the historic place. They said that his auto ruins the view.
Tourists who went to social media to air their frustration posted that the car is just “ugly”. The earliest complaint came from Lee McCallum who said, “Picture postcard street photobombed by ugly little yellow car.”
People went as far as to vandalize the car. The report stated that the yellow Vauxhall Corsa was scratched, etched with the word “move” in its hood, had its panels damaged and its windows smashed.
Due to the expensive repairs amounting around £6,000, Maddox told in an interview that he would just buy a replacement. He planned on buying a lime green-painted unit.
In response to the harsh comments and acts against the yellow car of Maddox, 100 yellow car owners recently drove their vehicles along the roads of Cotswold Village. Matty Bee organized the event who pointed out that it was “a celebration of anything yellow”.
For safety reasons, only 100 cars were allowed to join the event. The yellow vehicles ranged from three-wheelers to an expensive Lamborghini super car.
Maddox was delighted over the show of support to his yellow car.
The source said yellow is the most popular color for cars in the UK in 2016 based on the records of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The country saw 12,431 registrations of yellow cars in that year.
An AA survey in 2011 also found out 15 percent of the respondents found that yellow cars have the safest color. Yellow topped that survey compared to other car colors.