Brits create autopilot for 150 dollars

Scientists from Oxford University have been active in the development of low-cost autopilot for civilian cars. Over the next 10 years the specialists intend to introduce a device that will cost about 150 dollars. It is reported The Telegraph.

The development is quite simple and is based on the work of several lasers in front of the car, and rooftop cameras. The system is able to generate a 3D image of the surrounding area, as well as recognize objects, including pedestrians. Data is collected and stored, thus, again hitting the same town car will be able to ride alone, but it will distinguish and new objects.

"Our cities are not too fast, so the robotic vehicles will have the ability to recognize familiar buildings and objects and, consequently, will be able to" say "driver:" I know this road and can take you there, "said one of the project developers Paul Newman.

Currently, scientists are engaged in negotiations with the Ministry of transport the UK and hope to get the opportunity to test their design in the "field" conditions on public roads.

This is not the first development in the area of automotive autopilots. In particular, similar devices are Audi, Volvo, Cadillac, Continental, BMW, Volkswagen, Toyota and Google.

Announced European hit parade of cars

European cars popularity rating - is the main standings Western automakers. Success in sales almost automatically means that a particular model is best in class at the moment. In the first half of 2011 top ten looks like this:

Volkswagen Golf – 253 288 (-7,1%)

Ford Fiesta – 195 592 (-18,2%)

Volkswagen Polo – 188 225 (-1,3%)

Opel Corsa – 170 659 (-3,9%)

Renault Clio – 162 519 (-16,3%)

Opel Astra – 162 334 (-1,9%)

Ford Focus – 149 328 (+2,4%)

Peugeot 207 – 140 986 (-19,3%)

Volkswagen Passat – 131 979 (+28,8%)

Renault Megane – 129 175 (-9,9%)


As you can see, nearly all bestsellers sales fell compared to the same period last year, although in general the western market now holds about last year's level. Russian crisis has affected more seriously, but the dynamics is positive. In the first half of the sales achieved in 2007. Learn more about our rating popularity - in the article "Foreign cars: sales boom again."

A new generation Seat Leon

In September, the Frankfurt show the new generation Seat Leon.
According to the magazine Auto Bild, the car will be assembled on the platform of the current sixth-generation Volkswagen Golf.

The design of the new Leon will be in the style of the concept IBe (pictured), whose premiere was last year in Geneva. Production models are expected to have the same shape and same headlights and taillights.

It is interesting that Seat has decided to produce a new generation Leon, not only as a hatchback with five doors, as well as three-door station wagon. Seat Ibe concept with an electric motor assumes that normal power is 68 hp, but when accelerating cars it sharply increases to 102 hp

The energy of the engine comes from a variety of lithium-ion batteries, one charge is enough to travel 130 km. According to Seat, Electric accelerates from 0 to 100 km / h in 9.7 seconds and from 0 to 50 km / h in 3.6 seconds. Its maximum speed is 160 km / h.

It is likely that a new generation of Leon will release a full electric version, but it will happen at a later stage. The next year will likely be offered a wide range of petrol and diesel engines from Volkswagen Group.

Volkswagen Golf R made extreme

Little known even in Germany tuning studio Siemoneit Racing has decided to attract the attention of a very unusual way - making the Volkswagen Golf R at the super car. Moreover, the German tuning wizard offered to do it for very reasonable money.

 

Exterior of the car has remained virtually unchanged - the exterior ennobled original alloy wheels, carbon fiber hood and darkened head optics. In the black painted folksvagenovskuyu logo, but for some reason only the front. However, looks are not important, since the focus of this project was given to the engine. You can choose between two versions of two-liter engine pumping TSI: Budget and "top". In the former case the program is changing the engine control unit (698 euros) and installing a new exhaust system in stainless steel (1749 euros). As a result, this engine develops 270 hp instead of All 350 hp and 485 Nm of torque. But for those who want to become an owner is not "hot", but a truly "hot» Volkswagen Golf R, lay still have extra 499 euros for the high pressure fuel pump, 1199 euros for a new intercooler and 298 euros for a robotic rework boxes DSG double-clutch. The latter clearly would not be superfluous, as the motor, according to representatives of the tuning studio now develops 530 hp

 

The dynamic characteristics are not reported, but one can assume that the 530-strong machine will have an extreme character. After all, even the "stock» Volkswagen Golf R has a very good dynamic performance: acceleration to the first hundred took 5.5 seconds and a top speed of 250 km / h. What can we say about the hatchback with 530 hp engine in! Similarly, the engine did not have even sports cars such as Ferrari California and the Aston Martin DBS. The question is - and it even needs such a car? Because even serial Volkswagen Golf R is designed for "advanced" drivers, and are there many people who can cope with the 530-strong "mad stool" that engineers have built Siemoneit Racing? It seems that in this case, a sense of proportion has changed the German tuner.

What will be the new Volkswagen Golf 2011

German new-generation hatchback will appear in a year, and while its appearance is kept secret. Employees of the British edition AutoExpress explored something about what await metamorphosis Golf, and sketched his own sketch.