At the same time as Honda is trying to rebuild its image as a maker of exciting cars, with confirmation of a new NSX sports flagship for 2014, it’s sticking with some worthy, but relatively un-sexy developments, such as its Stride Management Assist (SMA) device.
Honda Robotics (HR), is a newly created Honda sub-division, working on all of the company’s robotics technologies. It’s most high-profile project to date is ASIMO (Advanced Step In Innovative Mobility), a 130cm tall humanoid robot that Honda has been evolving and improving since the first version appeared in 2000.
Honda’s aim with ASIMO is to apply new robotics technologies to mass-produced products for practical application, and HR describes SMA as “A lightweight, wearable device, designed to support people with reduced walking ability.”
Still a prototype, the 2.4kg device is intended to be produced in three sizes, using ergonomically designed support struts, powered by a small electric motor to make walking easier for people with weakened leg muscles. The rechargeable, lithium-ion battery provides a one hour operating time, at a 4.5km/h walking pace.
Now, Japan’s National Centre for Geriatrics and Gerontology (NCGG) is including the SMA device in a new program researching the needs of people whose walking ability has declined due to aging.
Honda is providing the NCGG with 40 SMA units to be ‘road tested’ in selected shopping centres and designated walking paths. The trial starts late next month, and its results will help HR assess the device’s current potential for broader application and availability.
As the name implies, MINI cars are compact, but the brand known for thinking laterally has come up with a cracker mini idea in London.
As part of its partnership with the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games BMW is supplying a range of full electric, zero emission vehicles including 40 MINI Es (BMW owns the MINI brand).
They’re doing a sterling job, shuttling athletes and officials between venues, having already supported the Olympic Torch Relay convoy on its trek around the UK.
Now a fleet of quarter scale, remote-control versions has been brought in to service as the track and field events get underway from this weekend.
Three ‘Mini MINIs’ will be used in the main Olympic Stadium to ferry javelins, discuses, hammers and shots back from the field in the throwing events.
The 7.5Kw hatches were designed and built to a specification agreed by the London organising committee, and each is expected to cover around 6000 metres a day in four hour shifts. They measure 1.1m long, 500mm wide, 400mm high, and can carry a load of up to 8kg, which equates to a single discus, hammer or shot, or a pair of javelins.
America’s ‘Big Three’ car manufacturers have released their second quarter financial results, and after the turmoil of the global financial crisis, and a soft recovery in the home market, each has remained in the black. But there’s bad news to go with the good.
Chrysler has recorded a net income of $436M, which is up a substantial $806M in the same (loss-making) period last year. Detroit heavyweight, Ford has reported net income of $1.0B, but that’s a decrease of $1.4B on the second quarter of 2011. On the up side, the blue oval, the only major US car company not to enter into partial government ownership in the teeth of the GFC storm, claims this is its 12th consecutive profitable quarter.
The third global giant, General Motors, has published a net income figure of $1.50B. A huge number, but like Ford, down on 2011; this time by $1.0B. GM says its North American operations are doing well, but some overseas subsidiaries (read Opel and Vauxhall in Europe) are creating financial “headwind” for the company.
Opel has just launched in the Australian market, but its parent in Russelsheim, Germany has been bleeding money for over a decade, and is currently struggling in the face of the European debt crisis. A succession of chief executives have also rotated through the company’s top job in recent years.
Yorkshire, UK-based Range Rover tuner Overfinch has been transforming 4WD workhorses into high speed ‘Toorak Tractors’ for more than 35 years.
Its latest limited edition model, the GTS-X, is based on the already brutal, 5.0-litre supercharged V8 powered Range Rover Sport, boosting its outputs to 430kW/700Nm (up from 375kW/625Nm).
The significant increase comes courtesy of engine ECU tweaks and a custom exhaust, complete with a driver controlled valve release, for an even deeper rumble on demand.
The 2.5-tonne brute is now claimed to sprint from 0-100km/h in 5.0sec (close to a second quicker than the ‘standard’ car) and slam its distinctly un-aerodynamic body on to a maximum speed of 230km/h.
While a blinged-up beast like this won’t be to everyone’s taste, those hankering for some ‘look at me’ drama will love the GTS-X’s dramatic body kit, including a rear spoiler, colour-coded side panels, vents and door handles, as well as a gloss black grille incorporating daytime running lights.
An electronic lowering module adjusts the suspension for improved ride quality and better stability under braking. Wheels are enlarged to 22 inch, forged alloy rims, and the brakes have been boosted to deal with the extra performance – now 380mm ventilated and cross-drilled rotors with huge, six-piston calipers at the front, and four pot units at the rear.
Inside there’s a rich mix of leather trim and carbonfibre accents, matched with black instruments and GT steering wheel.
You can have the GTS-X in any colour you like as long as it’s ‘Copper Orange’, and the UK price is the equivalent of $220 000, a substantial figure given the base car costs $159 900 in Australia, including local import duties and luxury sales tax.
According to Tom Graze from Overfinch Australasia, while the GTS-X won’t be officially available here, a Super Sport body kit and wheel package is available to replicate this car’s pumped up personality.
In 1970, Land Rover stunned the automotive world with a category-busting luxury four-wheel drive, mixing exceptional off-highway ability with a heady mix of leather and walnut opulence, in the first generation Range Rover.
Over more than four decades, successive versions of the top-shelf wagon have successfully evolved that formula, and spawned a host of competitors like the Audi Q7, BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz M-Class and Porsche’s Cayenne. Even Bentley is set to soon join the premium adventure set.
The new, fourth-gen Rangie features all aluminium monocoque construction that’s a claimed 39 percent lighter than the out-going model’s steel body, for an overall kerb weight reduction of up to 420kg.
A stiffer structure and innovations like acoustic lamination of the windscreen and side door glass have significantly reduced interior noise, while a new suspension set-up delivers what Land Rover says is an even more luxurious level of ride comfort and refinement.
The new Rangie also features the latest version of Land Rover’s Terrain Response system, which analyses current driving conditions and automatically selects the most suitable vehicle settings for the terrain.
Interior space has been increased with 118mm of additional rear legroom, and there’s even the option of a new two-seat Executive Class seating package for the ultimate in rear-seat extravagance.
According to Land Rover, over the last 18 months a fleet of development prototypes has covered millions of test kilometres in more than 20 countries, facing extremes of climate and a huge variety of road and off-highway surfaces.
Specific engines outputs are yet to be confirmed, but a choice of V8 petrol, turbo-diesel V6 and supercharged diesel V8 engines will be offered.
The new Range Rover will be officially unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in late September, with customer deliveries scheduled to start from early 2013, in over 160 markets worldwide.
Mercedes-Benz is bringing four, original, pre-WWII ‘Silver Arrows’ racers to the annual Goodwood Revival, scheduled for 14-16 September at the historic Goodwood circuit in West Sussex, UK.
These priceless Grand Prix cars, in company ownership since they were built, and authentic in virtually every detail, will be demonstrated around the 3.83km track under simulated race conditions.
Its promoters claim the Revival is the world’s most popular historic motor race meeting, and the only event of its kind to be staged entirely in a nostalgic pre-1960s time capsule.
Sports car races feature models typically entered in events at the circuit between 1948 and 1966. The single-seater races are reserved for monoposti of all sizes, and the program includes classic car auctions and exhibitions, an air show, a supermarket selling vintage products, and a traditional fairground. As well, race participants and visitors dress in period clothing, contributing to the extraordinary atmosphere of this unique motor sport event.
The earliest Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrow at Goodwood will be the W25 of 1934. This 750kg, 260kW missile is powered by a mechanically supercharged 3.4-litre in-line eight-cylinder engine. Debuting at the International Eifel race at the Nurburgring, the W25 lined up at the start in silver as Mercedes-Benz had stipped the paint from its cars to save weight. The ‘Silver Arrow’ nickname was soon attached to it, and stuck fast.
The W125 arrived in 1937, powered by a thundering 441kW supercharged straight eight and famously won the Tripoli Grand Prix on debut in May of that year. The W154 arrived in 1938, powered by a 344kW supercharged V12 (to comply with new regulations), and the W165 was developed in less than eight months to accommodate new rules for 1939, and featured a screaming 1.5-litre, supercharged V8 engine producing 187kW.
Domino’s Pizza has launched a design contest aimed at creating the perfect pizza delivery vehicle. The pizza giant’s logic is that commercial vehicles like fire engines, ambulances and tow trucks are usually, expressly designed for their purpose, but pizzas are delivered in normal cars or vans.
The competition’s design brief says the Ultimate Delivery Vehicle (UDV) should, “Revolutionize pizza delivery forever in the United States.” It calls for a custom, new from the ground up, vehicle that improves efficiency, is exciting to drive, and transports pizzas (and cold drinks) so their temperature and appearance are maintained.
As well, the UDV should be a “rolling billboard” for the company and “instill a sense of confidence with customers that their pizza is safe on board and will always be delivered like it just came out of the oven.”
To be run in five stages, concluding in February 2013, the competition offers $50,000 in prizes (but unfortunately, is only open to US citizens).
Domino’s says in the United States alone, it delivered 400 million pizzas last year, and its domestic delivery drivers covered 16 million kilometres (the equivalent of 41 trips to the moon) every week.
Bentley has boldly announced its intention to create what it says will be the “the world’s most elegant and sophisticated convertible”, the Mulsanne Convertible Concept.
Although Bentley is tight lipped on when the car will make it’s (physical) debut, it has released detailed renderings that confirm the open-top version of the now three-year old Mulsanne will provide glamorous and luxurious transport for up to four, fortunate individuals.
According to its designers the cabin is inspired by luxurious, high-performance power boats, and with a monstrous, 377kW/1020Nm 6.8-litre, twin-turbo V8 under its lengthy bonnet, the open-top Mulsanne will have the performance to leave other luxury convertibles in its wake.
Open roof models have been an integral part of Bentley’s history, since the company was founded in 1919. From the race-bred 3.0-litre of the 1920s to the Park Ward S1 Drophead Coupe of the fifties through the Corniche and, most recently, the Azure of the ’90s and noughties.
Bentley’s chairman and chief executive Wolfgang Durheimer, says the Mulsanne Convertible Concept, “Will enhance the profile of the Bentley brand, particularly in new and emerging markets.” For that, read China, where luxury brands in all categories are enjoying a surge of success as the global giant’s economy continues to grow.
Far too early for any official pricing, but don’t expect much change from $900K in Australia.
Given the name Volkswagen translates to English as ‘People’s Car’ it’s no surprise the German giant is effectively crowd-sourcing future personal transport ideas using the power of the web and social media.
Launched in China over 12 months ago, the VW People’s Car Project (PCP) has attracted more than 33 million visitors to its website, and captured more than 119,000 concept submissions. And one of a trio of ideas being progressed by Volkswagen has been brought to life in video form.
Described by its creator, Chinese student Wang Jia, as an environmentally-friendly two-seater city vehicle, the ‘Hover Car’ is a zero-emissions two seater of the future, designed to travel silently above electromagnetic road networks.
Hit the links below to see how it might revolutionise, and free-up traffic in grid-locked urban areas (now with English subtitles!).
Volkswagen’s The People’s Car Project: Hover Car Part 1
Volkswagen’s The People’s Car Project: Hover Car Part 2
Other PCP ideas being explored are the ‘Music Car’, fitted with organic light emitting diodes that change the vehicle’s colour in tune with the driver’s choice of music. And the ‘Smart Key’ is a slim, nine mm key featuring a high-resolution touch-screen which keeps the driver up to date on the fuel situation, climate conditions and the car’s security via the 3G network. The driver can also monitor the vehicle from a bird’s eye perspective through real-time satellite transmission.
Originally scheduled to run for one year, VW says due to high demand and the exceptionally good quality of contributions, the PCP has been indefinitely extended.
For details on the VW People’s Car Project go to www.zaoche.cn, or watch this show reel clip.
Thirteen time Grand Prix winner and Red Bull ambassador, David Coulthard has taken a promotional hot lap of the streets of New Jersey and the western part of New York in last year’s world championship winning Red Bull RB7 Formula One car.
A Grand Prix at the Port Imperial Circuit is set to be added to the F1 calendar in 2014; the 5.1km circuit taking in the Hudson River waterfront and long straights through residential areas.
Coulthard let the Formula One missile fly as stunned observers grabbed what is likely the first of many times they’ll see Grand Prix cars blast through their neighbourhood.
A highlight of the run, was a raucous dash through the famous Lincoln Tunnel, that lies under the Hudson River, connecting New Jersey with Manhattan. Pity it won’t be part of the track layout as the scream of the RB7’s 2.4-litre V8 bouncing off the tiled walls is sensational.
