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SUBARU now has an extra pair of eyes to assist drivers. The Japanese car maker has unveiled its latest safety gadget, Eyesight. The Hi-tech system has the ability to identify road hazards such as pedestrians or other cars.It then alerts the driver and automatically stops the car at speeds up to 50km/h.The company’s Australian operations have been testing the system for the past nine months. It is expected to be available locally next year.EyeSight can avoid frontal collisions, lane drifting and low-speed impacts.Other party tricks include land departure and sway warning functions.

via Eblens: Subaru, Suzuki and Stihl, experience the Eblens difference!.

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Limited Edition (LE) 580 only ever built.

Built by Holden in Australia.

I had the honor of driving this one for the owner (Geoff Loller) as a wedding car for his own wedding on the 1st April 2010.

Specifications:

Engine: 5.0 litre V8
Bore: 4.000? (101.6mm) x stroke” 3.062? (77.7mm)
Cubic Capacity: 307.83 cu. ins. (5044 cm3)…
Compression Ratio: 9.7:1
Transmission: Turbo-Hydramatic 3 speed auto: Console mounted T-Bar floor shift
Rear Axle: Type – Salisbury (Limited Slip Differential)
Suspension: Front – Independent with coil springs. Rear – 4 link design with axle mounted coil springs
Brakes: Front – Power assisted discs. Rear – Drums, duo servo
Tyres: ER70H14 Radial Ply
Wheels: Polycast 7.00 JJ x 14
Fuel Tank Capacity: 16.5 Gals. (75.0 Litres)
Wheelbase: 111.0? (2819mm)
Track: Front – 60.1? (1526mm) Rear – 60.8? (1544mm)
Overall length: 190.8? (4846mm)
Overall width: 73.9? (1877mm)
Overall height: 53.4? (1356mm)
Turning circle: Kerb to Kerb – 39.7? (12.1 m)
Ground clearance: 5.00? (127 mm)
Estimated Kerb Weight: 3556 lbs (1613 kg)

Standard Equipment

* Variable power steering
* Fully integrated airconditioning
* Push button radio – front and rear speakers
* Quadraphonic cartridge tape player with 4-speaker system
* Power radio antenna
* Dual exhaust system – chrome extensions
* Brushed knit cloth seat trim
* Reclining front bucket seats
* Full instrumentation including electric clock (mine doesn’t work any more!)
* Cut pile carpeting throughout
* Power operated side windows
* Elecrically heated rear window
* Front air dam. Rear deck spoiler
* Exterior sports mirrors
* Limited Slip Differential
* 4 headlamps inc. 2 quartz halogen high beam
* Sports suspension specification
* Exclusive metallic exterior lacquer
* Gold pin stripe accents
* Windscreen wiper dwell control
* Burl walnut finish facings on instrument panel, floor console and door trims
* 3 spoke sports type steering wheel
* Tinted side and rear windows
* Laminated windshield with tinted upper band

Saftey features include:

* Energy absorbing steering column
* Tandem brake master cylinder – with split hydraulic circuits
* Energy absorbing sun visors
* Electric windshield washers – two speed wipers
* Brake system failure warning light
* Parking brake warning light
* Front seat head restraints
* Seat belts for five occupants including retractable dual sensitive belts for front seat positions
* Flow through ventilation
* Underslung, isolated fuel tank and external fuel lines
* Cargo guard – luggage compartment barrier
* Power assisted front brakes

It was fantasy a few years ago, but a car that steers itself is not too far away.

One of the technical innovations of the Mercedes-Benz F 800 Style research vehicle on show at the Geneva Motor Show uses a system called Traffic Jam Assistant that is capable of automatically following the vehicle in front of it.

via Mercedes-Benz F 800 self-steers | Review | carsguide.com.au.

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# homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) — has been around since the 1970s.

# General Motors show off their latest HCCI prototype car.

# HCCI engine could come close to matching the efficiency of a typical hybrid engine.

via Petrol engine may match hybrids | Review | carsguide.com.au.

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I found this fascinating quote today:

Caltex advice: There’s a very good chance your car can run on Caltex Bio E10 Unleaded, and you can check your car compatibility here. This guide is based on the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries’ (FCAI) list of cars that can suitably operate on ethanol-blend fuels.Wayne Checker under, Wheel News Blog, Aug 2009

You should read the whole article.

Last week I read article in New Scientist that began with an interesting anecdote I wanted to share with you:

“Picture the scene: in downtown New York City, all-electric cars glide through streets in a zero-emission transport revolution. Polluting, inefficient gasoline and diesel vehicles are nowhere to be seen – or heard. The only things getting in the way of these smooth, noiseless vehicles are the horse-drawn trams.”

“That’s right, we’re talking about the past. The electric car had its heyday over a century ago. Its brief reign came to an end in 1912, when gasoline-powered Cadillacs began to come fitted with starter motors.”

The article goes on to describe the history and challenges surrounding the development of new battery technologies. It provides an extremely interesting window into what is possible in the future.

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