Motoring Jargon Jargon - H
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The European car of choice. Hatchbacks feature three or five doors as they all feature a rear door to the boot, as opposed to a lift-up lid of a saloon.
Device situated at the top of a car seat that supports the head and neck in result of a crash. Neck (whiplash) injuries are among the most common in low-speed urban accidents.
Display that's projected onto the windscreen so you can check the time, radio station and satnav details without looking down.
Hemispherical engines used in Chrysler vehicles that provide more power and economy through increased airflow and more efficient ignition. Costs are generally prohibitive, so hemis tend to be rarely used. Porsche and Jaguar have used hemis successfully in racing cars.
System that uses ABS to maintain traction while keeping wheels turning on steep slopes. Pioneered by Land Rover.
Tuned up version of a hatchback with more power and torque, lowered and/or stiffened suspension, bigger wheels, better brakes and a massive insurance policy.
An HPI Check is used to confirm the identity of a vehicle you are considering buying. The check will allow you to confirm the make, model, derivative, door plan, original colour, transmission and engine size of a vehicle and include a record of how many owners have been recorded. An HPI Check will confirm the true age of the vehicle, in terms of the year it was built and the date it was first registered at DVLA.
A car that uses more than one source of power. Hybrids usually refer to cars like the Toyota Prius that combine a petrol engine with electric motor, or motors. Hybrids can switch between power sources or use both simultaneously. Most hybrids use brake energy regeneration to recharge motors. Hybrids tend to give superior fuel economy figures and reduced emissions. Some plug-in hybrids are in development.
An alternative fuel source for some modern cars, hydrogen fuel cells combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce a chemical reaction. Energy is stored in batteries which in turn power electric motors. The only by-product at the point of the reaction is water, though producing the hydrogen is energy intensive. BMW has launched a limited number of 7 Series models using a hydrogen engine.
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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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