Lithium-ion batteries have grown a lot in terms of significance and usage. Aside from being used to power cellphones, Li-ion batteries are now also being used to power vehicles, specifically the electric vehicles as well as hybrids. Due to its usefulness, the lithium-ion battery has been declared by Automobile Magazine as the 2010 Technology of the Year! Amazing isn’t it?
What are the characteristics of the Li-ion battery? First of all, it is really smaller and lighter than other kinds of batteries, like the NIMH batteries for example. Also, the Li-ion battery can be charged overnight. But just like other kinds of technology, this battery also has some low points. For example, it is prone to overcharging, short circuits, and excess heat.
Manufacturers are now getting ready with the mass production of The Li-ion battery specifically for automotive use.
The BMW 550i Gran Turismo is not simply all about performance. BMW also designed it for comfort and sheer luxury. People who take aesthetics seriously will find this model very satisfactory indeed. Even the experts recognized the excellence of this vehicle’s design that is why it was given the Design Versatility Award by North America’s Ward’s Auto Interior of the Year Awards. This is in recognition for the vehicle’s superb flexibility. Imagine, the 550i GT is capable of seating up to 5 passengers with enough space left for cargo and luggage.
Of course BMW folks are happy with this recognition. Jim O’Donnell, president and CEO of BMW of North America said, “We’re very pleased to receive this award. With the 5 Series Gran Turismo, our engineers and designers set out to create a vehicle that combined first-class seating with the utmost flexibility for storage options. This award for Design Versatility shows just how well they hit that target.”
In turn, Ward’s Auto World Editor-in-Chief Drew Winter has this to say, “For years, the focus on safety and functionality has given us drab, uninspired vehicle interiors. This year’s winners show style and original design is becoming as important inside the vehicle as it already is to the sheet metal outside”,
The BMW 550i GT was chosen for this particular award out of 40 hopefuls. Eight editors from Ward’s Auto classified, examined, and chose the car with the most winsome features using aesthetics, design harmony, comfort, driver information, ergonomics, fit and finish, materials, safety and overall value as their guide.
Have you seen the previous BMW art cars? Those cars were designed to uplift BMW’s image in the market. And, they didn’t fail because those cars certainly drew lots of attention when they were driven at the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race in the previous years.
But you know what? BMW has a new Art Car and it was created by Jeff Koons. His design is really unique. Mr. Koons painted the car himself. His subject is an M3 GT2. He is actually the 17th artist that BMW contracted to make its latest art car.
Take a look at the photo of his design. Love it or hate it?
Drunk drivers are notorious for getting into an accident. So to minimize this type of incident, iPhone came up with two applications that can help keep track of your alcohol levels: R-U-Buzzed and Last Call. R-U-Buzzed lets you input the drink you’re having and the amount you’ve consumed to help determine whether you’ve had too much for your own good. Last Call on the other hand, lets you call a cab if you can’t find a way to sober up anymore.
Now while these two applications only provide estimates, they can help a lot in keeping you and your passengers safe. Not only will it allow you to minimize driving while you’re tipsy, it will also reduce your chances of meeting an accident on the road.So before heading out to your next party or drinking binge, make sure your iPhone has one or both of these apps installed.
Are you familiar with the Volkswagen Polo? You should because this car has been named European Car of the Year 2010! I must admit, this VW model has not been making waves but well, the European experts saw something in it that others didn’t.
Volkswagen Polo garnered 347 points, which is just 10 points more than its close rival, the Toyota iQ urban car. Other competitors for the said title include Citroen C3 Picasso, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Opel/Vauxhall Astra, Peugeot 3008, Skoda Yeti, and Toyota iQ.
Ford has added a new twist to the common car seat belt! Want to know what it is? Well, instead of being just a plain seatbelt, Ford has made into an inflatable one!
The new seat belts inflate like airbags so they give better protection to the rear-seat occupants. This new system is designed to lessen head, neck, and chest injuries for the said passengers, especially for the children who are usually strapped in the back seat. It expands over the chest and shoulder. This inflatable seat belt can get filled with air in just 40 milliseconds after the crash. The air comes from the pressurized gas stored under the seat.
Ford has selected the model where the new seatbelt will be introduced. The next-generation Ford Explorer that will go on production next year will be the first to have the new seatbelt.
Ford’s vice-president of Sustainability, Environment, and Safety Engineering said, “Ford’s rear seatbelt technology will enhance safety for rear-seat passengers of all ages, especially for young children who are more vulnerable in crashes. This is another unique family technology that builds on our safety leadership, including the most top safety ratings of any automaker.”
It seems poor taste isn’t the only thing that’s genetically transferrable. According to a study conducted by Steve Cramer, a neurology professor from the University of California-Irvine, even the way you drive can be transferred.
Based on the study, 30 percent of the people tested had a certain gene variant that contributed to their poor driving skill. Now what does this gene do? Well, it affects the brain-derived neurotrophic factor or BDNF, a protein that’s secreted to the area of the brain that’s linked to activity. This protein ensures that your brain cells communicate properly while allowing you to retain memory. But for those who have the dreaded gene variant, they only get a limited amount of BDNF secreted into the activity area of their brain.
Of course, since every study needs testing to validate their findings, Cramer had 29 people - 7 of which had the gene variant - drive through a course with turns and twists 15 times. And the results? As expected, the seven had difficulties in going through the course, not just once, but twice.
So before you put the blame on the driving instructor who taught you how to drive for your poor driving skills, you might want to look at your parents or grandparents skill at driving first.
As a driver, you’ve got to be one with your car.Which is why you need to know what it’s up to at all times. And this is what Banks Power’s new iQ Dash Computer can do for you. According to the company, the system is capable of giving you accurate ECU readouts and performance data tracking. It also lets you monitor your car’s exhaust gas temperature as well as its exhaust brake systems. As an add-on, the micro-computer can even play entertainment software such as videos, music, and photos. So if you’d like to go all-techie on your car, make sure you’ve got this baby installed.
If you’re a parent, then we’re sure you’ve been asked that same question. It doesn’t matter where you’re going, but as soon as your kids start spitting those four dreaded words, 90 percent of the time your answer would be a repetitive “no.” So what do you do till then? Read on and find out.
Go for games. Whether it be counting blue cars, license plates, or the number of McDonald’s you’ve already passed–keeping your kids busy is of prime importance.
If you can’t play, then sing. Let your kids listen to the music they want–no matter how lame it is. Then sing along with them.
Listen to radio programs. If you could find it, go for comedy stations.
Teach them a new language. Even if your French is already rusted, it’s alright. Just don’t make it look like it’s school.
Listen to an Audio Book. Be sure to listen to something that you and your kids would appreciate. No John Grishams.
If you can afford it, driving theaters are the way to go. LCD screens and DVD players would really keep them busy–provided that you’ve got the cash.
Lastly, make sure you plan your cruise ahead. Make frequent stops in restaurants or at places of interest so your kids won’t stay bored.
We’ve all had our moments. We’ve all experienced that time when some idiot swerved by our lanes. We would’ve given them the finger and a few choice words–and in fact we did; mentally. However, things like road rage would only ruin your day. In fact, letting all of that anger and frustration in you would only make you an even worse driver. So, to avoid just that, here are some tips that’ll help you quell that anger.
Tip #1:
Always give a driver the benefit of a doubt. What you might see as aggression might be different from the one who’s supposed to be “aggressive”; in fact, the other driver might not be doing it deliberately at all.
Tip #2:
On the other hand, make sure you mark drivers who are truly aggressive in nature. If it helps, just think about these people as road hazards which should be avoided. Give them plenty of space; give yourself an escape route as well should they do something tricky.
Tip #3:
Be sure to back off and calm down. Do you really want to waste your time and spit on something that you could’ve avoided in the first place?
Tip #4:
Above all, be gracious and polite! Just be nice to other drivers. After all, politeness is the ultimate antidote against road rage.
