Motoring Jargon Jargon - E
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A blend of 85% ethanol and 15% petrol. Ford, Saab and Volvo are spearheading development in production of E85 vehicles.
A manual transmission controlled by an ECU, as seen in Vauxhall models. It's similar to 'tiptronic' transmissions that allow the driver to shift either 'up' or 'down' through gears at will while the ECU does most of the work, but less complicated and less expensive.
Distributes varying braking pressure between wheels to help reduce speed while you retain control over steering. Twinned with ABS.
High-efficiency Ford diesel variants, utilising longer gearing, Diesel Particulate Filter, low rolling-resistance tyres and lowered suspension to lower fuel consumption and emissions.
Devices that control engine characteristics, from valve control to ignition, turbochargers and rev limiters. Can be re-mapped for greater performance. Smaller ECUs may control air con and seat controls.
programme of fuel-saving measures introduced by BMW on new models from 2007. EfficientDynamics reduces fuel consumption utilising Brake Energy Regeneration, Stop-Start systems, aerodynamic styling and low-friction tyres. The programme is used on a number of BMW and MINI models to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
Electric power steering virtually eliminates reliance on hydraulics, using sensors that detect the motion and torque affecting the steering column of a vehicle. This alerts a computer module to apply power via an electric motor that to either the steering gear or column. Traditionally hydraulic rack-and-pinion mechanisms control steering.
An end user is the final part of a chain in the car-buying process. The end user is typically a private buyer, rental organisation or company, who have bought their car from a dealership or broker.
E-segment vehicles generally refer to large executive cars such as the BMW 5-Series, Mercedes E-Class, Jaguar XF, Audi A6, Chrysler 300C and Lexus GS. 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 designed to prevent rollovers, particularly in high vehicles like SUVs. ESPs monitor Yaw to determine whether a car is close to a rollover and can cut throttle and apply braking to individual wheels accordingly. Present on more and more cars these days.
Saloons with a big bottom - also known as Avant, Touring or, increasingly, Sportswagon. Not just the preserve of farmers or people with big dogs anymore, Jaguar now produces an estate, while BMW produces performance M versions of its estates.
Windows engraved with the car's registration number or VIN number. Disliked by car thieves.
A biofuel produced from organic materials that can be used in modified petrol engines. The carbon dioxide absorbed by the crops when growing offsets the emissions produced when burned in an engine, though the eco credentials of biofuels are a source of some debate.
The European New Car Assessment Programme rates cars on safety and awards individual models star ratings based on adult occupancy protection, child protection and pedestrian protection. It's fairly rare to see a new model without a maximum adult occupancy rating these days, though most cars struggle with pedestrian ratings.
Segment that encompasses premium marques such as Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Volvo, Jaguar, Saab and, possibly, the new Mondeo. Most probably have hands-free Bluetooth and are likely to be seen in travel Lodge car parks up and down the country.
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Cow pats, coffee beans, deceased cats and dirty nappies might not sound the sort of stuff you want to fill your car with, but all have been posited as potential alternative fuels to oil. | 05/09/2008
As more drivers turn to all-road estate cars to fill the gap left by a gargantuan 4X4, MT scouts Volvo, Audi and Subaru to see how the leading lights shape up against one another. | 05/09/2008
Gas guzzling manufacturers suffer as high taxes and petrol prices bite, but bad news for manufacturers could be good news for buyers. | 05/09/2008
Toyota has revealed new images of the new ultra-small iQ city car, which will go on sale in the UK in January from around £10,000. | 05/09/2008
England spinner Monty Panesar becomes brand ambassador for Jaguar and collects a brand new XKR sports car from the Big Cat. | 05/09/2008
|05/09/2008
Toyota has revealed new images of the new ultra-small iQ city car, which will go on sale in the UK in January from around £10,000.
|04/09/2008
Volkswagen’s new Scirocco coupe arrives in UK showrooms this week, priced from a shade under £21K, yet can be yours for £259 per month courtesy of VW’s personal contract plan.
|05/09/2008
New-car and van registrations in August drop 20 per cent over the month, used car values are worst since early-90s recession. The recession hits the UK car market.
|05/09/2008
Cow pats, coffee beans, deceased cats and dirty nappies might not sound the sort of stuff you want to fill your car with, but all have been posited as potential alternative fuels to oil.
|04/09/2008
Hyundai rolling up to Paris Motor Show brimming with new models and concepts. Like the world debut-making Hyundai i20 supermini, and all-new Santa Fe petrol-electric hybrid SUV crossover and ix55 SUV.
|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?
|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.
|14/03/2008
Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond will take the multi award-winning BBC TV Top Gear show on the road, as the live event goes worldwide.
|28/03/2008
Volkswagen has been forced to issue a statement on the Polo singing dog advert after complaints that the dog was mistreated. VW says the animal was not harmed.
|05/01/2007
Using new ´dust-to-dust´ scales that measure a vehicle´s environmental impact from construction to scarpping the Jeep Wrangler 4x4 surprisingly emerged as the greenest car on the market
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