Motoring Jargon Jargon - P
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Semi-automatic clutchless transmission that has F1-style paddles behind the steering wheel. Good for stop'n'start driving or pretending you're Schuey.
Front windscreen that keeps going and going upwards, like the forehead on a bald man. As seen on Citroen's Grand Picasso, or Phil Mitchell.
Sensors positioned at the rear, and sometimes front, of a car that tell you how close you are to losing your no-claims bonus. Display screens are often included.
Diesel Particulate Filters on exhausts scrub soot particles from your emissions. Filters can be single-use or, more often, regenerative - using a variety of techniques to burn off the accumulated soot.
Audi-manufactured seat that uses passive foam technology to absorb the energy of the crash and allow the occupant to engage the head restraint without neck distortion.
PCP (PCH) agreements allow the user to retain a car for a set amount of time and return it at the end of the contract. PCP agreements are good for bypassing the problem of declining residual values. A deposit will be required. At the end of the contract you will have the option of making a 'balloon payment' - a sum representing the minimum guaranteed future value figure - and walk away with the car. See Askaprice for more details.
Generally refers to a chassis shared by two or more cars by marques or manufacturers. Rover and Nissan shared platforms in the 80s; as did Vauxhall and Opel. Peugeot-Citroen and Toyota share platforms, most notably on the Toyota Aygo, Citroen C1 and Peugeot 107
A vehicle powered by a mix of petrol engine and electrical power from a plug-in power point.
Power steering systems utilise hydraulics driven by pumps powered by the car's engine. During turning unequal pressures act on the steering, making it easier to turn in the given direction.
Screamed by Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear fame when flooring the gas on a Ferrari 430 and vanishing past the camera car.
A method of decreasing the speed of gear changes by changing gear without using the clutch or taking your foot off the accelerator. Usually performed by racing drivers who know what they're doing and boy racers who destroy their transmissions.
The components of a vehicle that power it, including the engine, gearbox, differential and wheels. Newer powertrain components can include injection systems and valve technology, though the term itself is fluid and fairly informal.
Normal seatbelts tighten the belt when pulled hard. Pre-tensioning seatbelts use sensors to detect a crash and tense in anticipation, preventing the passenger's body from snapping forward. Pre-tensioned belts also prevent 'submarining' - sliding under a loose seatbelt.
Mercedes head restraint that automatically moves up and forward at the start of the crash, actuated by crash sensors on the bumper or within the car
Where a concept aspires, a prototype rolls up its sleeves and gets to grips with the nitty gritty of what's required to ready a model for mass production. Prototypes are often spy-shotted in drab colours and panels as camouflage.
European measurement of engine power, roughly the same as brake horsepower (bhp). PS stands for Pferdestärke.
Generally refers to the pulling power of a vehicle, particularly the low-down torque that allows a car to pull away easily from a static position, or tow a large load.
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The ‘Tumbler’ Batmobile – as seen in The Dark Knight - is always cause for much discussion amongst Bat fans. Some though go that much further, by making their own Batmobile. These people often carry American passports. | 21/08/2008
The Trident Iceni two-seater sports car can hit 62mph in under four seconds, top out at 200mph and record 100mpg at a constant 30mph, according to its makers - Trident Performance Vehicles. | 21/08/2008
Is this the fastest MINI in the world? At 650bhp from the 1.6-litre engine we certainly hope so. | 21/08/2008
The new MINI John Cooper Works has already claimed the title of Best Hot Hatch 2008, awarded by Auto Express, despite only having been ons ale for a month. | 21/08/2008
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has been crowned Best Luxury Car at the Auto Express New Car Honours for the third consecutive year. | 21/08/2008
|18/08/2008
The new seven-seater Nissan Qashqai+2 will go on sale in mid-September, costing from £17,199.
|18/08/2008
Our third batch of Supercar exotica from the last decade comes in the futuristic form of the Lamborghini Reventon.
|18/08/2008
Peugeot has revised the 407 saloon, SW and coupe for 2009, with the new model going on sale in September with exterior and interior enhancements and new low-CO2 diesel engine.
|18/08/2008
New Dodge Journey 5+2 SUV Crossover targets families on its August launch, by adding a couple more seats, extra storage and rear conversation mirrors. All from £17K.
|18/08/2008
UK motorists risk custodial sentences for driving whilst distracted, as new powers to imprison drivers using mobiles and programming sat nav handed down to courts.
|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.
|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.
|16/10/2007
Top Gear in hot water again over smoking ban breach after Clarkson and May spark up Porsche ´911´ pipes.
|14/07/2008
If looks alone guaranteed success for any car, the Mazda RX-8 would be a sellout. The 1.3-litre rotary engine with 229bhp is a big plus too.
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