Motoring Jargon Jargon - C
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A convertible.
See Camshafts use cams in engines to open valves that let in fuel to the engine and allow exhaust gases to escape. Variable Valve Technology (VVT) allows for the timing of the cams to be altered while the engine is in operation, increasing economy and performance.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is the primary exhaust gas produced by burning petrol, diesel or other oils in internal combustion engines. Although naturally present in the atmosphere CO2 is a major greenhouse gas. In response to concerns over climate change and pressure from governments, car manufacturers have taken significant steps to reducing CO2 outputs of vehicles.
Can refer to hardened plastics containing carbon or cloth woven using carbon. Many performance cars such as the Bugatti Veyron, Koenigsegg CCX and Pagani Zonda are built with carbon fibre-reinforced plastic, which is extremely hard and lightweight.
Modern catalytic converters scrub carbon monoxide, NOx and hydrocarbons from engine exhausts and convert them to less polluting materials, typically carbon dioxide and water. Often work in conjunction with Diesel Particulate Filters on diesel engines.
Cubic centilitres - the volume of an engine. For example a 1300cc engine is usually described as a 1.3-litre engine.
A derogatory term referring unworn patches at the sides of the tyres on the motorcycle of an inexperienced biker. The chicken strips indicate that the owner of the bike is unwilling or incapable of safely leaning into bends, as the sides of tyres show no sign of wear.
Refers to altering a car's computer (ECU), usually to provide uprated performance. ECUs can be modified by software and can be carried out by specialist garages.
Compressed natural gas, used as a fuel alternative to petrol or diesel. Costs less than either and is cheaper, but usage is falling in favour of hybrids and biofuels.
Another Volvo safety system. This one uses both a radar and camera to observe any departure from a particular lane without signalling. If the car is about to move into the wrong lane and the system detects that an oncoming vehicle is on a collision course, the car is automatically steered back to a safe position in the original lane. The system is not currently live on any models.
Systems that detect imminent collisions and apply active and passive safety features accordingly. This usually means attempting to warn a driver before applying braking systems, tensing seatbelts. Honda have pioneered CMBSs over the last five years.
As seen in modern diesel engines, common rail diesels employ a series of valves connected to a rail that inject fuel under high-pressure into cylinders, allowing for increased efficiency and lower emissions.
Concept cars are built by manufacturers to trial new designs and technology prior to deciding whether to take the car into production. Concept cars that do go into production are usually scaled back from the aspirations of the concept for reasons of safety, practicality, cost and sanity.
A 2-seater or 2+2-seater performance car, coupes are generally more powerful and better-handling than other segments.
Car that doubles as a hard-top coupe or open-top cabriolet. Increasingly popular in the UK, recent examples include the Ford Focus CC, Vauxhall Astra TwinTop, Peugeot 307 CC, Renault Megane CC, Volkswagen Eos and Volvo C70.
Vehicles that blur the lines of traditional segments such as hatchback, supermini, SUV and MPV. Current examples of crossover vehicles include the Nissan QASHQAI (hatchback/SUV), Ford Fusion (supermini/MPV), Jeep Wrangler (compact SUV) and pretty much any Daihatsu car.
System that automatically controls speed, allowing for right-foot relaxation. Generally seen on the higher trim levels of modern cars.
Part of an exterior chassis designed to crumple and thus absorb and distribute force of impact around the car, protecting the cabin and its inhabitants.
C-segment cars are typically hatchbacks of medium size. Typical C-segment cars include the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra, Renault Megane, Peugeot 308, Fiat Bravo, Citroen C4, Honda Civic, Toyota Auris and Volkswagen Golf. 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.
Gearbox with a potentially infinite number of gearing ratios. CVTs find the optimum gearing ration for the driving conditions and shifts seamlessly. As a result performance is generally increased.
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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
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
Audi has received 25,000 advance orders already in place for future UK sales, having bucked the diving market in September with a rare sales success for any manufacturer. | 10/10/2008
|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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