Motoring Jargon Jargon - A
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A Mercedes programme of active suspension that near eliminates body roll when cornering. The system also alters ride height, to make for a better aerodynamic drive.
Anti-lock brakes do just that - prevent brakes locking. When brakes lock you lose traction and plough headfirst into a hedge. ABS rapidly increases and decreases the braking pressure on tyres, providing maximum possible braking power while retaining some control over the car. Electronic Stability Programmes and Traction controls often go hand-in-hand with ABS
Windscreens treated to filter out wind noise and associated exterior noises. Won't do much to screen out your kids' whining though.
The lower drag factor of a vehicle built with aerodynamics in mind allows for smoother transit of the vehicle through the air, thereby reducing fuel consumption.
Active headrests move forward in case of a crash, supporting passengers' heads and necks.
A Mitsubishi-originated development that concentrates on maintaining a vehicle's normal degree of stability when under extreme conditions. This form of traction control will apply braking to the spinning wheels and alter engine output accordingly if wheels are losing grip. This action distributes and therefore restores equal power to all four wheels.
Varies steering ratios depending on the speed the car is travelling. Urban driving leads to higher ratios and higher ease in turning. Oversteer is corrected at higher speeds.
Intelligent cruise control which monitors surrounding traffic and adapts speed accordingly. Soon to rise up and enslave human overlords.
Headlights that adapt to the direction in which the car is travelling. Increasingly common on new cars.
Suspension set-up that near eliminates body roll when cornering. The system also alters ride height, to make for a better aerodynamic drive.
How aerodynamic your car is will affect performance, wind noise, upforce and fuel economy. Poor aerodynamics can slow a car, cause noise intrusion and decrease traction and cornering ability. A aerodynamic car will make use of airflow to create downforce, keeping the car in touch with the road. Legend has it that the Austin Allegro was more aerodynamic reversing than moving forwards.
The addition of parts to a car post manufacture. Body kits and other accessories count as after-market additions. Tuning or uprating a car's powertrain is usually done aftermarket.
Often shortened to aircon, air conditioning blows cool or hot air in your face. A poor man's climate control but a step up from sticking your head out of a window.
Suspension that uses compressed air to cushion a ride, often seen on vehicles such as SUVs where ride height can be adjusted.
Designed to prevent serious head injuries in the event of an accident, airbags - often shortened to simply 'bags' - are often available for drivers, passengers, side impact and head impacts (curtain airbags).
Textile used as trim in premium cars. Feels similar to suede, costs less and is surprisingly durable. Increasingly used in non-premium cars.
Alloys not only look cool, they improve performance through being exceptionally light. Usually made of aluminium or magnesium alloys also dissipate heat quickly, preventing brake fade. Many aftermarket companies provide alloy wheels which are generally more expensive than hubcaps and often larger.
Usually used to refer to vehicles that use an alternative to petrol or diesel as a method of propulsion. Can be used to refer to hybrids, biofuel or biodiesel cars, LPG or CNG cars, electric cars and fuel-cell vehicles.
Pillars on cars are denoted by their position. A pillars separate a front windscreen from a driver's or passenger's side window.
An A-segment car desribes a small city car smaller than a supermini, or B-segment car. Typical A-segment vehicles inlcude the Ford Ka, Fiat Panda, Vauxhall Agila, Peugeot 107, Toyota Aygo and Citroen C1. The naming convention is informal and subject to interpretation as vehicle classes become less stratified by the introduction of crossover vehicles that do not readily fit a body style.
System that prevents front wheel spins under acceleration by reducing torque to those wheels. Basically traction control.
Both a fuel-saving and 'eco-friendly' management system increasingly present on many modern cars. A recent innovation that automatically interrupts the direct supply of fuel to a car the moment it comes to a halt and the disengages gearing - at traffic lights for example. The split second that the clutch pedal is depressed, the fuel supply is reinstated.
All-wheel drive improves traction and car control in high-performance cars or crossover SUVs. Unlike four-wheel drive (4x4) all-wheel drive cannot be turned off and is next to useless off-road. Intended for use in to aid high-performance or in difficult weather conditions.
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Mazda will reveal a four-door saloon version of the all-new Mazda3 at the Los Angeles Auto Show on 19th November 2008. | 10/10/2008
Skoda is releasing the new Superb GreenLine on 13 October - one of the few specialist low-emission saloons on the UK market, available at £16,710. | 10/10/2008
The new Audi S3 Sportback balances great performance and driveability with strong practicality and high quality - but is it priced too highly? | 10/10/2008
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|09/10/2008
The credit crunch is starting to impact on car-buying, with dealers and manufacturers feeling the pinch. But now could be the best time to buy a new or used car, or get good leasing and finance deals. How to make the credit crunch work for you.
|10/10/2008
The new Audi S3 Sportback balances great performance and driveability with strong practicality and high quality - but is it priced too highly?
|10/10/2008
The Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 has been named the ultimate Performance Car of The Year 2008 in CAR magazine’s annual test.
|10/10/2008
Skoda is releasing the new Superb GreenLine on 13 October - one of the few specialist low-emission saloons on the UK market, available at £16,710.
|10/10/2008
Mazda will reveal a four-door saloon version of the all-new Mazda3 at the Los Angeles Auto Show on 19th November 2008.
|20/11/2007
Around 400 people a day risk damaging their car by misfuelling, and filling up with gas is a mistake that could cost thousands. So what do you do if you´ve filled up your diesel car with unleaded petrol?
|01/10/2008
Euro Car Parts has acquired Pinco 1555 Ltd, including all 53 of LSUK's 53 branches, together with subsidiaries M I Diesel Products, Protech Automotive (UK) and Yeovil Rewind.
|06/12/2007
Fuel protests similar to those that brought the UK to a halt in 2000 are being planned by a breakaway group of disaffected hauliers, according to press reports.
|07/10/2008
Euro Car Parts has put out a statement on the closure of LSUK, stating that a closure of the business was unavoidable due to a 'lack of support'.
|06/10/2008
LSUK, thought to have been rescused by Euro Car Parts, has been unexpectedly closed by the new owners with the loss of over 600 jobs.
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