Forget about reaching these values - it's time to save some fuel
I’ve decided to write few words about Ecodriving. As far as I don’t really buy all the “greenwashed” efforts the car makers do to sell more cars, it doesn’t mean that You (We) shouldn’t try to be “greener”… We don’t have to throw away the fun cars and buy some horrid hybrid, or any green- eco- blue- line of cars to have aerodynamic tiny alloys, longer gears and body patched everywhere to cut through the air better. All this to save 5% of fuel (of course at the same time loosing extra 10 – 20% of cash when buying the car).
The key to the best efficiency is in driver’s foot. I recently watched again the Top Gear: BMW M3 vs Prius mpg test for inspiration. Also they just announced some social research results about eco-awareness among Polish drivers.
Not so long ago, we heard some rumours about Toyota and Subaru working on a small sports car (Toybaru). Now the car sites are presenting some more info about another sport concept from Toyota. (Or maybe it’s the same project?)
We saw the FT-HS prototype in 2007, and all Supra car enthusiasts looked at it with hope… as their beloved sport toy was withdrawn from production in 2002. Unfortunately Toyota officially stated that this project didn’t have the top priority. That was then…
Last Sunday I watched the Formula 1 Silverstone Grand Prix (Great Britain). I have to admit that it was the first race of the series that I watched this season. Until now I only read some summaries or news. Although I consider myself as a fan, somehow I didn’t really feel like watching the previous races. But this was Silverstone – last year it was the best race of the season (very wet track), so I decided to sit in front of the TV and check what will happen this year.
And this first race… was pretty boring. My expectations were low, after reading all the bitter news from the press… About teams vs FIA conflict. About the double diffuser issue…
Where was the competition? The adrenaline? Where are the duels? Overtaking?
Smart scientists once discovered that when we look at the cars, we use the same part of our brains as we use for peoples faces, to recognize them.
SsangYong Stavic
Probably that is why they are designed the way they are: lights on the sides – eyes… some grill or badge – nose, and bumper – mouth etc. And the same way we feel the mimic emotions and character: like Mini has wide open and cheerful eyes… And new Mitsubishi Lancer is aggressive (narrow headlights descending to the middle)…
Knowing that… why do the designers put all these funny, ugly or sad faces on the cars…
Why “bottoms” – rears?
Because that is what we see the most of the time on the streets. We stand behind the cars in traffic lights. We are forced to look at their rears … And some of them are just harmful to our feelings
Check out the following photos of horrid modern car designs from this decade, below…
A little more about my recent little friend: Below You will find a new Abarth 500 commercial.
I wish they drove the car a little to show what it can do there. But the important guys from marketing company decided to show how the car “looks” and shines instead:)
Regardless… The impression the commercial makes is pretty good. Leaves some mystery about the car performance, as it shows only some revving and RPM At the same time speaks pretty obvious that we see a “sporty” toy… that makes You feel good.
Although the engine sound it makes is a little disappointing through the speakers, in real life it sounds better. I assure You. Now we just have to wait for a movie that the Abarth 500 will be a star in (like “Italian Job” had it’s Mini).
Autocar.co.uk just revealed the Focus RS chaser from the video published a week ago.The video echoed through the internet motoring fans. We started guessing and speculating about who is the “lime green” car keeping up and reflecting in Ford’s body in few shots.
My favourite votes were: Lotus Exige or Porsche 911… I even saw Lambo comments (at least colour fits very good). These 3 would complement RS’s speed and agility. But the real answer is a lot more “down to earth”… Check out the video…
Good news for all roadsters fanatics. British Caterham is famous of it’s light, fast and exceptionally drivable roadsters. This particular Superlight R300 model is equipped with 2 liter 170 HP engine. Like every Caterham, doesn’t have a roof, has hardly any equipment. Just 2 seats, raw body, visible suspension and an engine.
And don’t think that it’s simplicity means – “old-fashioned”. It’s built using carbon fibre. And the engines are modern and clean (produced by Ford).
If you’re wondering what the fastest family hatchback around the Millbrook test track is, PH has the answer for you.
Vauxhall has released this video, showing a prototype of the new Vauxhall Astra careering around the Bedfordshire track’s tortuous hill route. The video shows the new car dispensing first with a Golf, then with a Ford Focus ST.
I wouldn’t treat this clip as a serious test or anything. The Astra wasn’t any OPC (sport) version (at least doesn’t look like it) and was driven by a professional driver. It’s also pretty obvious that Golf and Focus weren’t going at 100%. But I like the way Opel is starting to challenge it’s rivals (Ford and Volkswagen).
The ending result: “Astra – 1 vs VW and Ford – 0″, is pretty provocative. I’ve never seen any open “conflict” between Ford and Opel (Vauxhall). Like we all know the commercials fight between BMW and Audi etc. In Germany and ex. Poland – also Opel vs VW is a well known “issue” I saw Golfs GTI with “Astra OPC – no thank You!” stickers on bumper. The same as Astras were saying “GTI – thank You, but no!”.
I look forward how will the competition respond now. The game is on!
I wrote few words about Abarth 500 few posts ago. Last week I went to Abarth car dealer to take it for a test drive. And it was FUN! Fun… powered with 135 HP 1.4T engine, 0-62 mph in 8 seconds, top speed…who cares? (205 km/h – 127 mph). I know that these numbers are not impressive at all, but You have to remember that the car is only 11,5 feet long (3,5 meter). Of course they could make it more powerful, but this way they left something for tuners.
Abarth… Where’s Fiat?
You see the Fiat 500… You know it’s the Fiat… Everyone around can see this is a Fiat… but You won’t find the Fiat badge anywhere on it. That is the “Abarth way”. Fiat decided to draw a thick line between their regular cars and sporty versions, not by adding some GT, GTI, Sport or other suffix to the name, but by calling them totally separately: Abarth. And with the name comes a story of many decades of cooperation between these two brands.
