Mini Vision Concept

Mini Vision Concept

Scheduled to be launched at Frankfurt Motor Show in September this year, the latest Mini concept, called Mini Vision, which is a hatchback was discussed by the British car maker in terms of design. The officials presented us a concept of Mini that tries to get up on the premium segment with its creative design features and the enhanced user experience. Mini...

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Formula One Pot Boils Over

Formula One Pot Boils Over

The major F1 manufacturers and teams finally got a bellyful. Yesterday theyannounced they would leave the sport’s governing body, the FIA (Féderation Internationale de l’Automobile), and run their own racing series in 2010. This is auto racing’s version of the rebellion that’s racking Iran. The Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) comprises eight teams—Ferrari,...

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Michelin Inflates Innovation with Self-Repairing Tire

Michelin Inflates Innovation with Self-Repairing Tire

Entrusted with maintaining a vehicle’s fluid rolling and supplying traction when most necessary, the four tires on an automobile are burdened with considerable chore in transporting us from point A to point B. Changing significantly in size, construction and performance, today’s tires can last up to 80,000 miles on a vehicle depending on driving habits as well...

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The Most Intelligent Car Ever Built

The Most Intelligent Car Ever Built

James Bond, Agent 007 is forever paired with Aston Martin. Every mission MI6 issues him a new model from the British marque, which he promptly destroys. These cars seem to be standard issue to British spies. But, I have to ask: What type of car would James Bond buy for himself? The answer, if you have read the novels, is a Saab 900 called the Silver Beast....

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Automatic transmission fluid, part one—American manufacturers

Automatic transmission fluid, part one—American manufacturers

Cutaway view of ZF automatic transmission. Just as vehicle manufacturer recommendations for engine oil are changing at an ever-increasing pace, so are requirements for the ever-widening range of automatic transmission fluids. With the advent of overdrive transmissions and four-, five-, six- or more speed units being employed in today’s cars, it is important to...

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Should’ve Seen This Coming: Digital Steering Wheel On the Way?

Should’ve Seen This Coming: Digital Steering Wheel On the Way?

Note to inventors of the world: Not everything needs to go digital. Yes, we appreciate digital music players instead of the old-school Walkmans. Digital television signals are a nice replacement for analog. Replacing in-car audio controls with touch-screen digital interfaces is less necessary, but I suppose I can be convinced. I’m feeling pretty good, though,...

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Has Audi Given Up On Making Cars?

Has Audi Given Up On Making Cars?

I was driving along the other day, and I found myself behind an Audi A6. A new Audi A6. A brand-new, midsize, luxurious Audi A6 sedan. And I thought to myself: When was the last time I saw one of these things? This wasn’t always the case. Back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, you saw the Audi A6 everywhere. They had that cool rounded design, and they were the...

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