Features

AUTO MANIA: by Dr. Iain Corness [email protected]

The most powerful muscle car in the world

Dodge Hellcat

Are you ready for the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat? A Dodge Challenger with a 6.2 liter V8 producing 527 kW and 881 Nm of torque.
Unfortunately Chrysler does not build the Hellcat in right-hand-drive, so workshops that can convert American performance cars for the local market are looking at a niche market that could be very profitable.
Dodge provides Hellcat owners with red and black keys to the car, and only the red key can unlock the full power of the V8.
The car also comes with a valet mode that reduces power levels, blocks access to first gear and locks on the stability control using a four-digit pin code.
Dodge America says the ultimate Challenger can cover the 0-400 meter dash in 11.2 seconds, or 10.8 seconds when fitted with sticky street-legal drag tyres - enough to put it in genuine supercar territory with cars such as the Porsche 911 Turbo S and Nissan GT-R.
Will we see one here? Of course we will! There’s plenty of money in the car import business. Just be careful it doesn’t catch fire on the way to Isaan!
 

Volvo Cars’ global sales up 8.3 percent, strong growth in China and Europe

Volvo XC 60

Volvo has certainly turned the corner. Global sales of 36,438 cars, up 8.3 percent versus July last year, China sales up 47,8 percent and this is Volvo Cars’ thirteenth consecutive month of growth. Year-to-date sales of 265,451 cars, an increase of 9.3 percent versus 2013.
The positive momentum continued for Volvo Cars in July with retail sales of 36,438 cars, up 8.3 percent compared to the same month last year, driven by a strong performance in several key markets.
China retains its position as Volvo Cars’ largest market with July sales amounting to 6,858 cars, up 47.8 percent versus last year. The Volvo S60L sedan was the main growth driver while the Volvo XC60 crossover was the best-selling model.
Another highlight was Sweden where Volvo Cars outperformed the market selling 4,100 cars, up 25.8 percent from last year. Demand for Volvo’s XC-range carlines continues to be the main driver of growth while the Volvo V70 and V60 were the two best selling cars.

Lagonda panders to the Pimps at the Pumps

1976 Lagonda.

Aston Martin has decided to resurrect the 100 year-old Lagonda name with a luxury car that will take the pride of place at the top of the luxury car-maker’s order book. The only problem is, you’ll have to live in the Middle East to enjoy it.
Aston Martin’s press release explains much, “As has traditionally been the case, the Lagonda badge will once again sit proudly on a luxurious and exclusive super saloon,” the British luxury brand, which is now part-owned by Middle East investors, said in a statement announcing the badge’s return.
According to Aston, the Lagonda will be based on the brand’s existing VH architecture, with the new car drawing inspiration from the “highly sought-after William Towns-designed Lagonda of 1976.”
It will be offered exclusively in the Middle East, as a result of specific market demand. This is another way of saying that only the oil sheiks will be able to afford one, and Aston Martin is trying to make the Lagonda a status symbol.
Aston said the car would also feature “many of the same cutting edge engineering techniques seen in modern Aston Martin sports cars” including carbon-fiber body panels.
The Lagonda would be hand-built by the craftsmen and women at Aston Martin’s modern manufacturing facilities in Gaydon, Warwickshire, it said, using a dedicated building previously given over to the creation of the limited run One-77 supercar.
“The new super saloon will be offered for sale by invitation only and, while precise pricing details remain confidential, the asking price will be commensurate with the car’s exclusivity, quality and luxurious nature,” Aston said.
“The debut of this luxury super saloon in the Middle East market will be an exciting moment not only for Aston Martin, but for discerning customers who are seeking the ultimate in luxury and personalization,” Aston Martin design director Marek Reichman said.
“The new model, like its exclusive siblings the One-77 and V12 Zagato, has been created as a piece of exceptional automotive art,” he said.
“It has been designed and developed entirely in keeping with the spirit and ethos of previous Lagonda super saloons - notably the William Towns Lagonda - and as a tribute to this car it proudly bears the Lagonda nameplate.”
What a load of BS, but no doubt the pimps at the pumps will line up to get this exclusive chariot - which you and I, gentle reader, have paid for with inflated oil prices and taxes.
I am not waiting by the letter box for my invitation.

Driverless cars getting closer

Question for the locals: When a driverless car has an accident in Thailand, does the passenger flee the scene?
In the UK, the green light has been given for driverless cars to take to UK roads from January 2015.
UK cities can now bid for a share of a £10 million competition to host a driverless cars trial. The government is calling on cities to join together with businesses and research organizations to put forward proposals to become a test location.
Up to three cities will be selected to host the trials from next year (2015) - and each project is expected to last between 18 and 36 months and start in January 2015.
Ministers have also launched a review to look at current road regulations to establish how the UK can remain at the forefront of driverless car technology and ensure there is an appropriate regimen for testing driverless cars in the UK.
Two areas of driverless technology will be covered in the review: cars with a qualified driver who can take over control of the driverless car and fully autonomous vehicles where there is no driver.
Speaking at vehicle engineering consultancy, test and research facility, MIRA, where he tested a driverless car with the Science Minister Greg Clark, Business Secretary Vince Cable said, “The excellence of our scientists and engineers has established the UK as a pioneer in the development of driverless vehicles through pilot projects. Today’s announcement will see driverless cars take to our streets in less than 6 months, putting us at the forefront of this transformational technology and opening up new opportunities for our economy and society. Through the government’s industrial strategy we are backing the automotive sector as it goes from strength to strength. We are providing the right environment to give businesses the confidence to invest and create high skilled jobs.”
Transport Minister Claire Perry said, “Driverless cars have huge potential to transform the UK’s transport network - they could improve safety, reduce congestion and lower emissions, particularly CO2. We are determined to ensure driverless cars can fulfill this potential which is why we are actively reviewing regulatory obstacles to create the right framework for trialing these vehicles on British roads.”
Science Minister Greg Clark said, “Britain is brilliantly placed to lead the world in driverless technology. It combines our strengths in cars, satellites, big data and urban design; with huge potential benefits for future jobs and for the consumer.”
Iain Gray CEO of the UK’s innovation agency, the Technology Strategy Board, said, “This competition for funding has the potential to establish the UK as the global hub for the development and testing of driverless vehicles in real-world urban environments, helping to deepen our understanding of the impact on road users and wider society. The ability to test driverless cars at scale, when married to the UK’s unique strengths in transport technologies and urban planning, will also attract further investment, helping to establish new design and manufacturing supply chains, driving forward UK economic growth.”
The driverless cars competition is being funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Department for Transport, in partnership with the UK’s innovation agency, the Technology Strategy Board. Successful projects must be business-led and need to demonstrate close collaboration with partners such as technology developers, supply chain companies and manufacturers.
MIRA’s Chief Commercial and Technical Officer Dr Geoff Davis said, “We welcome the announcement made by the Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable today at our site in encouraging further advancements and UK engineering excellence. Our 10 years of experience developing driverless car solutions with successful applications in defensse and security as well as cooperative systems in road transport applications means we are already working on a number of projects that explore the potential of connected and cooperative driverless cars.
The deadline for applications for the driverless cars competition is noon on 1 October 2014. The driverless cars trial will last between 18 and 36 months and will begin in January 2015. For more information or to apply for the competition please visit the Technology Strategy Board’s website. To apply for the competition you must first register with the TSB by phoning 0300 321 4357 or visiting www.innovateuk,org. Regulatory areas the review will look at include the need for vehicles to comply with construction and safety regulations, traffic laws and relevant aspects of the Highway Code. The review will also look at licensing, liability and insurance and driverless regulations being put in place in other countries. The results of the review will be published at the end of 2014.
 

Autotrivia Quiz

Quiz car

Last week I mentioned that a car was built during the war years and was a battery powered device. It could go for 100 km between recharges, so it was practical as well. I wanted the year and the name of this car. It was Paul Arzens’s “L’Oeuf Electrique,” or “Electric Egg,” during WWII.
So to this week. What car derived its name from the national manufacturer of war weapons?
For the Automania free beer this week, be the first correct answer to email [email protected].