Maruti Suzuki CERVO to be launched

Overview 11 May, 2012: Maruti Cervo is going to be introduced by the company around Diwali this year. The small car will replace the car next next door, Maruti 800 which has garnered a huge success in India since 1983. Maruti Cervo price is expected to be tagged around Rs 1.5 lakh giving a tough competition to Tata Nano. This car is already plying on Japanese road with the badge of Suzuki Cervo. However, the Maruti Cervo would differ from Suzuki Cervo on a lot of levels from both features and specifications point of view. It is said that this affordable hatch will shell out 25 kmpl of mileage.

Maruti Cervo Mileage

A yet-to-launch miracle product from Maruti Suzuki, Maruti Cervo, is expected to be launched in India with a 0.7L, 660cc petrol engine that will do away Maruti Alto, Maruti 800 and Maruti Wagon R. This entry-level hatchback is capable to generate a peak power of 60 bhp and top torque of 64Nm and the engine power will be delivered through 4 speed automatic transmission. An advanced Variable Valve Timing (VVT) technology will be loaded in the powertrain to enhance the fuel efficiency of Maruti Cervo. The technology promises better mileage by optimizing fuel consumption. As per estimation, the car would give around 20-24 kmpl of mileage. However, a lot will depend on the size, weight and tyres. But what we mention is desirable in a car which is going to replace Maruti's top selling models in India.

 Power of Maruti Cervo

Maruti Cervo will be a compact car loaded with quality features from Suzuki. The five door hatchback is believed to be introduced in India equipped with 0.7L petrol engine. The engine size will be 660cc. Even though the engine size is small but it is to develop impressive power of 60 bhp and a peak torque of 64 Nm. The Variable Valve Timing (VVT) technology of the engine helps to enhance power, torque and mileage figures considerably. The technology is also responsible for optimum release of power, thereby power loss during driving is protected. As a result, engine efficiency is increased, lesser carbon emissions and greater fuel consumption. This also make sure smoother and comfortable driving experience with excellent fuel economy.

Maruti Cervo Exteriors

The most fascinating feature of Maruti Cervo is its funky exterior which comprised of sexy curves, flow lines and sporty appeal. You will fall in love with the car at first sight. The exterior looks is unique and declares it a new generation vehicle.

The front face of the car is compact which give a feel of blend of classic and modern car. The headlight cluster is in 'eye' shape which houses round turn indicator and headlamp. Right down the headlmaps cluster, smiling grille are placed with chrome finished strip. The honeycomb radiator grille are neat and clean. Fog lamp is not available with the Maruti Cervo. Just below the upper grille, a rectangular strip of lower grille in black is placed. However, the front and rear bumper is in body colour. Apart from this, body colour side view mirrors, body colour door handle bars add to the stunning beauty of the sexy avatar. Small turn indicators are fitted at the front side of the car. It is also clear that the rear passenger side door will be lesser in width as compared to front door. That might trouble the rear passenger when access.

The rear side of the car is as superb as the front one. The rear side is adorned by rear spoiler, placed at the top of the rear hatch, funky rear wiper and dotted LED brake light. The taillight cluster also is to come in the same design as front but in smaller shape which comprised of brake lights and turn indicators. A compact antenna is also fitted on the rear roof for sporty looking. The tyres are nicely covered by wheel covers.

Exterior Measurements

The upcoming model of Maruti named as Maruti Cervo is to land here with slight changes in dimension and features in order to reduce price and avoiding taxes. There is no official word on its dimension but we can predict that it would be having more or less same size as Maruti Alto.

Maruti Cervo Interior

Not only the exterior of the Maruti Cervo but also the interior of the car is eye-catching and spacious. Let's start from steering wheel. The steering wheel is expected to be three spoked and powered that helps to handle the car with ease and less physical force. The steering wheel is adjustable as well. Maruti Cervo is believed to come here with wider dashboard comprising round AC vents at both end and instrument panel just behind the steering wheel. A large storage box, standard to all compact cars, in front of the front passenger is a must. Rear view mirror is also a part and parcel of the machine nowadays.

The seats for driver and other passengers are wide and comfy with small headrest. Headroom and legroom at both rows are pretty enough for four passengers. But if you try to adjust three people at rear seats, it might be troublesome. Maruti Cervo is blessed with seatbelts for all the passengers. The flooring and roof are in slender layer in order to provide enough space. At the rear side a big boot space is there. The boot space is nicely carved and having completely flat surface that allows to put more items in it.

Interior Comfort

As it is already mentioned that the car is more spacious at front and rear. All the seats are provided with seat belts, enough headroom and legroom. However, the leg and headroom is larger at front row. It is also expected that Maruti Cervo will come with larger boot space. In that kind of boot, you can put tin type stuffs as well. So as a result, it can be used as an MPV. Storage space is to be ensured at front row and rear too.

Interior Measurements

At this point of time, it is not possible to provide exact specification of interior measurements. Nevertheless, we may hope for pretty good headroom, legroom and storage space in the car.

Wheels

As this will be a replacement of Maruti's best selling model, Maruti Alto, now. It is speculated that it will be equipped with 12 inch wheels with attractive wheel covers like you must have seen on the internet. Over 2,000 mm of wheelbase would be installed for standard stability and balance of the machine.

Maruti Cervo Engine and Performance

Maruti Cervo has been launched in Japan already and doing very well. After seeing the response form the country, Suzuki is planning to launch the machine in India under the alliance with Maruti Udyog. As the tradition for Suzuki, the Maruti Cervo would be launched here with less luxury features but engine would be more or less same. That means, Maruti Cervo will be fitted with new generation 0.7L petrol engine with VVT technology. This engine, must be of 660cc, would churns out 60bhp of maximum power and 64 Nm of peak torque. The powertrain is equipped with some of the advanced technologies which ensure better fuel economy and power. One of the technology which is incorporated in the mill is Variable Valve Timing (VVT). The VVT is there for greater fuel efficiency, less carbon emissions and minimum power loss. The system allows the timing of the intake valve to be altered when the mill is in action, hence making sure that is no chance of power loss or wastage. This results in lesser carbon emissions, greater fuel economy and refined mill efficiency. The technology also ensure quick pick-up, starting and power for any kind of roads. Maruti Cervo would come fitted with four speed automatic transmission that uses the power very well and clears the traffic in an amazing way.

Presenting the All New Nissan Terrano. The Stylish, Safe & Sturdy Premium Compact SUV. Nissan Terrano THE NEWEST ICON IN INNOVATION.

The premium SUV Nissan Terrano has been officially unveiled by the company. The launch is expected to be in the upcoming festive season. Nissan Motor India Private Limited entered the Indian car market in year 2005 and has been doing impressive business in the country since then. This multinational car maker entered the 
automobile market of the country with the launch of their formidable SUV, Nissan X-Trail, which was brought in through CBU (completely built up unit) route into the country. At present, they have quite a few vehicles, which are prevalent in the car bazaar and every vehicle from the Japanese stable has carved its own niche. The company presently has a massive production facility closer to Chennai in Tamil Nadu and this facility has the capacity to generate close to 2 lakh vehicle units per year. This gigantic automobile manufacturing plant is being shared with the French automobile giant, Renault India Private Limited as well. This joint venture has come up with quite a few similar cars such as the Nissan Micra and the Renault Pulse, then there is the Scala and the Sunny sedan series. Now the latest vehicle of this lineup is Nissan Terrano SUV, which is said to be the Nissan's version of the highly acclaimed Renault Duster, which is already prevalent in the Indian car market. According to sources, the deal between Nissan Motor India Private Limited and Renault India is that any of the company launches a re-badged or a modified version of the other company's vehicle, then that car maker has to launch the later version after a time span of at least one year and the price of the version launched later should be slightly expensive from the one which is already launched. 
   it offers a peak torque of 248Nm at 2250rpm in combination with a maximum power output of 108bhp at 3900rpm. The 1.5-litre diesel engine is mated with a six speed manual transmission gear box. This yet to be launched Nissan Terrano is said to be coming in with trendy beige colored fabric seat upholstery, clean interiors, chrome treated steering wheel finish along with a stylish gear knob with metallic finish, giving the cabin a a premium look and feel. On the outside, the exteriors have quite a few cosmetic changes as well, which will make this upcoming Nissan Terrano look more like the other SUVs produced by the company. Nissan India will certainly give an extremely good and clean finish to the exteriors and seem to have used top quality material inside as well. This upcoming hefty SUV will be in direct competition with the likes of Mahindra Quanto, Ford Ecosport and such other vehicles along with its half brother Renault Duster as well. The braking as well as the suspension mechanism of the Nissan Terrano is also very sturdy and robust, which will ensure a comfortable driving experience to all the occupants.

Nissan Terrano Mileage

 The Terrano gets the same 1.6-litre petrol and 1.5-litre engine options like the Renault Duster.
The Indian populace is no doubt driven by the mileage quotient and the first question a majority of the buyers ask is about the fuel economy of any vehicle. As of now there are no confirmed reports of the mileage Nissan Terrano is going to generate. . The 1.5-litre diesel engine is said to be quite fuel efficient and is expected to return an approximate mileage in the range of 19 to 21kmpl. On the other hand, the 1.6-litre petrol engine is anticipated to give a healthy mileage in between 10 to 14kmpl, when driven under normal conditions.

Power of Nissan Terrano

 The power produced by the Nissan Terrano isn’t that great, when see on paper. But in real world it is sufficient.
The yet to be launched Nissan Terrano will come in both petrol and diesel engine based variants. The diesel engine is a 1461cc, K9K , dCi mill, which is being said to be quite powerful and will come with two power output options, which deliver an impressive performance. The more powerful 108bhp at 3900rpm based mill will come in combination with a peak torque yield of 248Nm at 2250rpm, which is quite good for the Indian roads. While, the other option will be a 83.84bhp based mill along with a 200Nm of peak torque. Both these 1.5-litre diesel engines will be cleverly mated with a proficient six speed manual transmission gear box. While, the petrol version is said to coming equipped with a 1.6-litre MPFI (multi point fuel injection) based petrol engine, which is coded as 1.6K4M. This engine has the ability to displace 1598cc and can yield about 102bhp at 5850rpm along with a pounding 145Nm of peak torque value at 3750rpm, mated to a 5-speed manual transmission gear box.

Acceleration & Pick-Up

The acceleration produced by the diesel version of the Terrano is good, that the good bit about this oil burner is the drivability.Both the petrol as well as the diesel engines, which are said to be fitted in this upcoming Nissan Terrano SUV are said to be powerful and capable of delivering a good performance along with peppy acceleration and pickup. The diesel version is equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, which plays a major role in its performance. The top speed anticipated to be achieved by the diesel engine based Nissan Terrano can be in the range of 170 to 175kmph. While the expected time taken for this diesel engine to cross the 100kmph barrier from a standstill might be about 12 to 14 seconds. Meanwhile, the petrol engine based version has been fitted with an MPFI supply system based 1.6-litre mill. This engine is anticipated to be able to attain a top speed in between 155 to 165kmph, while the time taken for this engine to propel the upcoming Nissan Terrano from 0-100 Kmph is expected to be about 11 to 13 seconds.

Nissan Terrano Engine and Performance

The engine and performance of the Terrano is good and it doesn’t feel sluggish at any given time.
The upcoming Nissan Terrano lineup will have both petrol and diesel engine based versions. The petrol engine is said to be a 1.6-litre MPFI (multi point fuel injection) based petrol engine, which is coded as 1.6K4M. It has the ability to displace 1598cc and can yield about 102bhp at 5850rpm along with 145Nm of peak torque value at 3750rpm, mated to a 5-speed manual transmission gear box. There are reports doing rounds that Nissan Terrano might also sport a automatic CVT transmission gear box, which might be launched at a later stage. On the other hand, the diesel variants are coming with two power options, 85PS (83.84bhp) and the other more powerful 110PS (108.49bhp). This fuel efficient 1461cc, K9K, dCi diesel engine is quite powerful and is delivering an impressive performance. It offers a peak torque of 248Nm at 2250rpm in combination with a maximum power output of 108.5bhp at 3900rpm. The 1.5-litre diesel engine is mated with a six speed manual transmission gear box.

Wheels

The company has equipped the flared up wheel arches of this upcoming SUV with a set of modish 16 inch light weight alloy wheels for the top end variants, while the base as well as the mid variants can be fitted with similar sized robust steel wheels, which will certainly make the SUV look sportier. These classy rims have been further equipped with tubeless radial tyres of size 215/65 R16, which will have a superior road grip on any terrain. Apart from this, the company will also bestow this yet to be launched SUV with a full size spare wheel, which have been further covered with a similar tubeless radial tyre and placed inside the boot compartment of this SUV along with other tools required to change the tyre.

Braking & Handling

The Terrano handles just like any other car, and this is the fact that is it a compact SUV.
Nissan Terrano SUV is said to be coming equipped with a powerful and robust braking system. The front wheels of the compact SUV are said to be incorporated with ventilated discs, which help in proficient braking. While the rear wheels will get a drum based braking mechanism that performs quite well on any road conditions . The front axle of the SUV has an independent McPherson strut type of mechanism with a coil spring and also a highly advanced anti roll bar. Whereas, the rear axle gets a torsion beam axle along with coil springs and the similar anti roll bar for enhanced comfort for the rear passengers. Both these systems put together ensure that the passengers as well as the SUV are stable and well balanced. The top end versions of the Terrano will also be equipped with the sophisticated anti lock braking system along with electronic brake force distribution technology, coupled with brake assist as well to further bolster the braking mechanism of the SUV.

Handling & Safety

The safety features on the Terrano include ABS and dual airbags.
Nissan India has equipped this SUV with quite a number of safety aspects as well, which will ensure enhanced protection and security for all the occupants. To begin with, the steering wheel is tilt adjustable, which permits the driver to adjust it as per the requirement and driving comfort. The power steering wheel is said to be very responsive and will help in easy maneuvering of the SUV in peak traffic as well. Other safety features include a highly advanced anti lock braking system along with an emergency brake assist besides electronic brake force distribution mechanism as well and a stability control module. Then the company might also include impact sensing door unlock and engine protective under guard as well. This yet to be launched SUV will also be fitted with front fog lamps and a rear defogger along with a wash and wipe function incorporated in the rear wind screen , which help in giving better visibility in rainy and overcast conditions. The fog lamps also enhance the visibility of the vehicle to the other automobiles during the rainy or low light situations

Ten Points For Automobile safety

Admit it, you drive Vintage cars because you get a rush from driving a small piece of history. The idiosyncrasies of classics are all part of the experience. So why am I writing about safety in something you will continue to drive no matter what? Because you and your passengers need to be safe and, despite rumours that all drivers in the civilized world are perfect, there are some drivers who do not pay attention and do not care. No check written out by an insurance company can give you that sensation of delight that avoidance will. Without further delay, I give you the BMC 2011 Vintage Safety list:

‘Skills’

Fuel

Mirrors

Driveline

Tyres

Suspension

Shocks

Headlamps

Parking and Brake Lamps

Brakes


Good Driving Skills

Yes that horrid little thing we want to say everyone else is worse at and we are perfect.

Going to the extremes - If you drive hard, don’t drive foolish. Remember, this may be your weekend warrior but children share the road with you! If you drive cautiously, remember to stay out of the way. Slow drivers and those driving under traffics speeds have been found most often to be the Actual cause of accidents. Commonly not getting in the accidents because others behind them were kind enough to avoid them but that does not make the cautious driver in the right.

The safest driving I have found is neither offensive nor defensive but somewhere in the middle. When in a smaller vehicle or a vehicle of older standards, it’s best to leave your lights on in the daytime and drive like you mean to pass- this gets peoples attention and they are less likely to merge into your side; Just ask a motorcyclist about slight aggressive driving vs. defensive. Defensive stays off to the side and ready to move out of peoples way- which is a good way to be run off the road.


Clean Fuel

Without clean fuel, a car will run about as good as a turtle on a lazy afternoon. As this may not sound like an item that should make the list, it is one of the most common issues we deal with at BMC for collector vehicles. Generally speaking, these cars run poor or don’t even leave the confines of the garage because of this problem. Also, please make special note that you should EAT your corn, not burn it; I am not going into detail here but use non-oxygenated fuel in classic cars. It stores better and it is less harsh on older fuel systems found in classic cars.


Reliable Mirrors

Here is a strange one that most don't consider: Cars going down the road with vibrating mirrors. Maybe that officer isn't going to notice your mirrors vibrate like a large scale earth quake, but you know you can’t see through them! Maybe just as bad, mirrors that won't stay adjusted or the travel on the mirrors don't work from years of use. Some try to make due with low quality replacement parts but find they end up 'making due' with something that 'sorta works'.

Mirrors: Check Moss Motors or other suppliers for quality mirrors for your British car.


Reliable Engine and Driveline

Nothing makes you feel as silly as a poor running driveline that has not been maintained. Luckily, most people determine if they have issues and have these taken care of quickly. If this list was for classic aircraft such as used in WWII, this might make one of the top three since you might have a tendency to fall out of the sky. Luckily, we just get stuck in traffic on I94 during rush hour awaiting someone to swerve and hit us.

Although BMC British Automobile is a great company for giving you a reliable vehicle, we understand that you may not be able to drive all the way from California in February or Ontario in July to have your service. May we offer you a second solution and check with your local British Motor Trade Association member.


Reliable Road Rubber- ‘Tyres’

There are plenty of reports out on tires that have passed their due date. I admit that I am one to avoid replacement until there are signs that they need it. That said, there are plenty of people such as myself that have ended up bedridden for life, or if it’s possible, worse. To say the least, check the date codes and watch for any bubbling or cracking of the sidewalls. Remember- old rubber is hard rubber and that does not grab very well and will slide when coming to an emergency stop. New rubber is generally soft rubber. To save a life, watch where the rubber hits the road!

BMC offers tyre services through an associated company for local installs. For national installs, check with your local BMTA North American member or other sites such as dicount tire, Coker tire and other national and local suppliers. Remember- original type wire wheels require a special hub for balancing which many of the BMTA members will have access to.


Reliable Suspension

This is everything but the shocks. Some cars have suspension rubber bushings, king pins or other fulcrum points that are so worn that hitting a bump can make the front end move left and right in a circular like motion. Many people that have worn systems have learned to live with it believing that this is ‘the way old cars work’ which is simply not true! A fine example of this would be an Austin Healey 3000 with worn rear suspension. The car will go down the road at 70 MPH and the tail will ‘wag’ or move back and forth in a rather alarming way. I know! A Healey with worn rear suspension has potential to travel down the freeway swapping ends going backwards at speed whereas many other cars with worn front suspension are likely to jump the road when going over a railroad track... And you were worried that a train might jump the track!

Let me recommend Moss Motors and other suppliers. I do not recommend ‘original type’ rubber as the modern replacements are not very good and I question the original compared to modern equivalent. I suggest something in the generic thought of soft plastics. Red Prothane bushings would certainly be in this area of recommendations.


Good Shocks

The largest suspension problem I see in a car of any era is bad shocks or struts. Historic vehicles are no exception. Bad shocks on coil springs show up as very bad whereas leaf springs may have poorly operating end-of-life shocks that most individuals do not realise they are in need of rebuild or replacement. It would be good to mention that ‘modern’ shocks do not mean better, it only means newer technology that for modern cars can drop the OEM factory installation time and cost. Depending on the car and the project, some do better with the standard shocks. Bad shocks can also hop or allow the rubber to disconnect from the road for a milliseconds on again-off again during a panic stop making your stopping distance increase.

My general recommendation is for rebuild shocks. If your Classic has Lever Action shocks, my super secret shock supplier is World Wide Auto of Madison Wisconsin. I do not choose them because they are close but because they are the Best! http://nosimport.com


Headlamps That Work

If you cannot see, you should not go. A small history lesson on headlamps from 1880 to present can be read at these two sites:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headlamp#History_of_automotive_headlamps

and

http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/49367/1/UMTRI-98-21.pdf

Cutting through this to just look at the timeline of headlamps from 1950 through present might be easier, but if you understanding the evolution of light over time in both lumen output and beam spread helps to give a clear picture of what is defined today as safe for the road! Many headlamps in 1960’s era cars were still Lucas or replacements. Three problems I see with these:

The reflectors yellow over time giving a lamp that is already yellow and dim compared to modern bulbs and even more unfair disadvantage.

The tungsten or other element inside has stretched/sagged because they have had their time of use already and are commonly within the end of their completed life span.

The amount of power actually reaching the lamp is nothing close to what modern cars receive because there is no relay in the system with wires that are too long and an overloaded switch.

Shall I mention that modern cars also have the benefit of alternators that put out maximum charge a few hundred RPM above idle and about two or three times the potential charge? The repair a few years ago was to simply switch the bulbs to Halogen. Although this is the easiest and quite needed, it is even better if relays can be installed in the system. If your willing to update a bit more, better light fixtures can be installed fairly affordably. Lights like this are everywhere. The most common for any type of 1940’s through 1980’s vehicles are the seven inch round headlamps. Some vehicles continued to carry these in to the 1980’s and 1990’s such as some American consumer trucks and cars such as the Austin Mini. Where was I in all this? Oh yeah- use a better headlamp that matches your requirements along with relays to power the headlamps up best possible and please take note that LED headlamps are going to be the next big thing. Expensive but lower power requirements and bright.


Brake and Parking Lights

If you frequent our site often, you knew I was going to say this: Safety is a big deal. So is speed but safety even more so! Please understand- rear brake and parking lamps, just like headlamp technology, has changed and your vehicles brakes lights are not obsolete. Not yet anyways. Look around next time your on the road- within 2 or 3 model years, all 1156 and 1157 type Edison technology will be completely obsolete. No more wires that burn red hot inside a ballooned up piece of glass deprived of oxygen but a type of gas to keep the tungsten from burning itself up. Now a panel of diodes that emits light at 85% lower power requirements and a lifespan that can exceed the vehicles life. Did I mention brighter? Two, three and even four times brighter.

Rather than saying- ‘Poppycock! My classics don’t need the upgrade because I say so’, remember, your doing the braking but your NOT the emotional 16 year old girl (Not politically correct but no one ever accused me of that) text messaging about her EX-boyfriend to her girlfriends while travelling down the road in her dad’s SUV that keeps her eyes (at Stock ride-height) about four Feet above YOUR tail lamp level and on top of that, no third brake light. She can Not see you and will not react in time. Bam!!

Improved brake and parking lamps do two things:

For you it cuts your power usage down which is a plus for old wiring harnesses, switches, dynamo powered cars or cars with lower amp alternators (under 40 amps) give the car an advantage. It also allows less power to be pulled through the parking lamp switch which may give a couple percentage points (tenths of voltage) to the headlamps for intensity- albeit minimal it is measureable on some cars.

For the sixteen year old girl or anyone else behind you, the lights come on instantly and need not ‘warm up’ to come on and show an average of 3 times brighter. You could say this is an ATTENTION GETTER! For many of the tail lamp designs on cars (such as MGB) that have tail lamps that are split into sections such as separate turn and separate brake, the entire tail lamp is tastefully filled with LEDs on a PCB that allow for more lighting area which also gives relevance to the driver behind. Although LEDs will not stop you from having a $2,751.71 invoice for bumper and rear bodywork repair/replacement, it will lessen the likelihood and/or potentially give that driver behind you a little more time to stop with that much less overall damage.

We provide LED Products for British cars on our website. Please note- if you do not see it, email us with details and we’ll see if we can help.


Brakes

If brakes haven’t been beaten into your head, where have you been? Brake upkeep is usually all it takes, big brake kits are cool and seldomly required; More of a bragging point but never a bad thing IF set up properly. If not, you can get yourself in trouble. On older vehicles with four wheel drum brakes, it is very important to adjust everything up on a very regular basis. On cars with front disc brakes, it is less often but still required on rear brakes on many of the cars we see. The common culprits would be the rear wheel cylinders, rubber hoses and master cylinders that go bad. Commonly, the steel lines are in okay shape for the first 40 years or so- not always but often. Commonly, front callipers are still in working shape. The brake issue is large and reading above you can see suspension and other items that effect your stopping distance which is highly important. I leave you with this homework- look for information on why brakes are the Most important item for your car and what you can do to improve them.

How Airbags Work

For years, the trusty seat belt provided the sole form of passive restraint in our cars. There were debates about their safety, especially relating to children, but over time, much of the country adopted mandatory seat-belt laws. Statistics have shown that the use of seat belts has saved thousands of lives that might have been lost in collisions.

Like seat belts, the concept of the airbag -- a soft pillow to land against in a crash -- has been around for many years. The first patent on an inflatable crash-landing device for airplanes was filed during World War II. In the 1980s, the first commercial airbags appeared in automobiles.

Since model year 1998, all new cars sold in the United States have been required to have airbags on both driver and passenger sides. (Light trucks came under the rule in 1999.) To date, statistics show that airbags reduce the risk of dying in a direct frontal crash by about 30 percent. Then came seat-mounted and door-mounted side airbags. Today, some cars go far beyond having dual airbags to having six or even eight airbags. Having evoked some of the same controversy that surrounded seat-belt use in its early years, airbags are the subject of serious government and industry research and tests.

In this article, you'll learn about the science behind the airbag, how the device works, what its problems are and where the technology goes from here.
Laws of Motion

Before looking at specifics, let's review our knowledge of the laws of motion. First, we know that moving objects have momentum (the product of the mass and the velocity of an object). Unless an outside force acts on an object, the object will continue to move at its present speed and direction. Cars consist of several objects, including the vehicle itself, loose objects in the car and, of course, passengers. If these objects are not restrained, they will continue moving at whatever speed the car is traveling at, even if the car is stopped by a collision.

Stopping an object's momentum requires force acting over a period of time. When a car crashes, the force required to stop an object is very great because the car's momentum has changed instantly while the passengers' has not -- there is not much time to work with. The goal of any supplemental restraint system is to help stop the passenger while doing as little damage to him or her as possible.

What an airbag wants to do is to slow the passenger's speed to zero with little or no damage. The constraints that it has to work within are huge. The airbag has the space between the passenger and the steering wheel or dashboard and a fraction of a second to work with. Even that tiny amount of space and time is valuable, however, if the system can slow the passenger evenly rather than forcing an abrupt halt to his or her motion

Why & How EBS works

Have you ever encounter a situation where:
1. You met an "emergency" situation
2. You slammed the brakes and turn your steering to avoid the obstacle(s) ahead.
3. BUT... your car just won't turn! It's still going straight even tough you have turned your steering.
(From the outside, you will see your wheels actually already turned, but why does it still going straight?)

So, why does your car never response to your steering input? You already turn your steering and the wheels already turn, logically, it should turn, but why doesn't it turn and still going straight?
This is because your wheels are locked.

Some definition found about wheels lock:
"When wheels lock, they no longer have traction with the road and in turn cannot steer/stop a car efficiently."
"When wheels lock, the vehicle can no longer react to the driver's steering because the lock wheels can no longer convey the optimum braking power and necessary turning force to the street."

This is where ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) comes in; It is actually a SAFETY FEATURE meant to help preventing situations like the above, wheels locking and allows you to maintain steering (remains steerable, stable, while fully applying the brakes)
Do not mistaken or neglect this FEATURE as some fancy feature to show off; It is a SAFETY FEATURE meant to help prevent or minimize the problems resulted from wheels locking and also drivers in panic situations especially situations where human reflex conquers all (yes, even profesional drivers (racers, rally drivers) makes mistakes or looses their conscious/control, there's nothing to be shy about).

Explanation of ABS:
Without being too technical, ABS is basically a system of a computer and sensors monitoring the speed of each wheel. When you press down on the pedal, the system kicks in and it takes over how each wheel should slow down to prevent unnecessary skids.
In short, ABS prevents wheel(s) locking when applying full brakes and promotes Steerability and Stability with the shortest possible braking distance.

The feeling when ABS kicks in:
When you slammed the brake and the ABS kicks in, you will feel occasional pulsing of the brake pedal; Do NOT panic or be afraid especially if you are not used to vehicles with ABS, just brake firmly and allow it to do its job.
If you're going pretty fast and brakes firmly on the straights, you might actually feel/experience your car "straightens" itself during the course of ABS function; Hence, you can guess what will happen if your car is without the ABS.

How to apply the brakes in a vehicle with ABS:
Should I pump the brake pedal when stopping in slippery conditions?
You absolutely should not pump the brake pedal in a car with ABS. Pumping the brakes is a technique that is sometimes used in slippery conditions to allow the wheels to unlock so that the vehicle stays somewhat straight during a stop. In a car with ABS the wheels should never lock in the first place, so pumping the brakes will just make you take longer to stop.
In an emergency stop in a car with ABS, you should apply the brake pedal firmly and hold it while the ABS does all the work. You will feel a pulsing in the pedal that may be quite violent, but this is normal so don't let off the brake.

Advantages or Key Features of ABS:
1. Prevents wheel(s) locking.
2. Shorten braking distance.
3. Ensures the vehicles remains steerable and stable.

Something you should know too:
However, this isn’t a foolproof system that would guarantee that skids won’t ever happen. Definitely, you have to consider other factors like the condition and grip of your tires. The road surface will also be a factor. Oil and tar on the blacktop will definitely give you less grip than a paved concrete road. Your speed and direction would also play a factor. The ABS doesn’t necessarily shorten the stopping distance of your car too.

So then, what's so good about it? Well, nothing is perfect. Remember, this is a SAFETY FEATURE designed to HELP prevent situations like wheel(s) locking mentioned above.

So what about those "MANUAL" ABS I heard about?
These are the "technique" when ABS wasn't available or you can call it "simulated" ABS. Have you ever heard about let off the brakes and re-apply again (or pumping the brakes)? If yes, this is the theory/technique; you release the brakes and re-apply to prevent the wheels from locking.

As many people are crazy about Initial D anime, which talks about the main character Takumi with his "manual" ABS; don't be too over-confident or "carried away" with "manual" ABS just because some anime shows off about it.
First of all, it's an anime, secondly, we're driving on the streets not tracks, and finally, we're all humans; we makes mistakes and in panic situation, sometimes, your reflex overwhelms and the "mean time between accident" is just too short for you to react in time. (don't be afraid or shy to admit, even profesionally race car drivers makes mistakes or overhwhelm by such situations)
Also, don't forget ABS works much much faster and efficient than a human, it can monitor the wheels, speed and also apply and release braking pressure up to 20 times in 1 second; It is supposed to be a SAFETY FEATURE to help the driver.
Manual ABS are useful when your car doesn't have ABS, and it often is an important technique for the driver; but don't be mistaken that one can master this technique and think they can prevent all the situations mentioned above.
Don't "play a fool" with your life and others.

Additional Information about "MANUAL" ABS:
Recently, I was told about another definition for "MANUAL" ABS - Aku Brake Sendiri. (It's a Malay word which means "I Brake Myself". Coincidence huh?

What about ESP (Electronic Stability Control) or TCS (Traction Control System) or those "techie" SAFETY FEATURE?
Well, those are more advanced SAFETY FEATURE, which consist of ABS (or includes ABS). It provides further traction control by making use of ABS and few other SAFETY FEATURES.
It can be another topic, so we will not "write" about it here.

Difference between Diesel and Petrol Vehicles/Engines

->Petrol Engines fire with the help of a spark plug (produces a spark to ignite petrol) while Diesel engines do not need a spark plug to ignite. Diesel engines have a self ignition property. As the air compresses inside, the diesel which is injected gets burnt due to the high compression and temperature. So the next time you see a spark plug ad from MICO, remember that these are only used for petrol engines.

->Petrol Engines are less fuel efficient than Diesel Engines as a matter of fact. Although we find that a Maruti 800 has a very high fuel efficiency of around 17-20kmpl,in reality Diesel produces more energy per given unit of fuel .This means Diesel engines are more efficient than petrol Engines for a given power rating. That’s one reason why Diesel is the most common fuel used for higher rated engines, such as trucks and buses. Diesel‘s thermal efficiency makes it better suited for heavier vehicles than petrol.

-> Another important point of difference between the Diesel and petrol Engines is their reaction to the accelerator pedal. While modern petrol engines usually inject fuel proportional to the accelerator pedal. That means, the more you accelerate, the throttle directly releases more percentage of petrol and air to burn for the power. While in Modern Diesel engine, the accelerator pedal and other pressure conditions are also taken into picture to release the diesel for burning. This is one main reason why we see that petrol cars virtually listen to your accelerator demand , while Diesel cars (without a turbo) do have a slight lag. However, with the improved Common rail diesel Engine and turbo chargers, Diesel cars are almost neck to neck with the petrol cars.

-> Diesel cars have a higher torque (turning power) when compared to petrol cars. So when you are driving uphill on a lower gear, you might be surprised that a Diesel car will take lesser effort to drive up because of the Diesel’s higher thermal efficiency and higher generation of torque. That’s another reason why heavy vehicles tend towards Diesel engines because they need higher torque to even get the vehicle moving.

While it is a personal choice to buy a petrol or a diesel car, one needs to remember that Diesel engines are also built to last longer.

Facts about Hybrid Cars, Why Hybrid Cars

The rising oil prices will have anybody fretting and praying for a miracle so that they did not have to spend that kind of money on fuel. If at all, anybody can answer those prayers, it is our own automobile industry. The only viable solution to this impending crisis could be in the form of manufacturing more fuel efficient Hybrid Cars. Many automobile manufacturers have taken an initiative by launching fuel-efficient hybrid cars that are environment friendly as well.

Hybrid would clearly mean a combination of two technologies, using best features of the two to deliver momentum directly or indirectly. Hybrid technology has existed for a long time in the form of mopeds that unite the energy of a gasoline engine and the pedal power; locomotives that are diesel-electric hybrids; mining trucks and diesel-electric buses in Seattle and other cities which run alternately on diesel and electricity; Submarines which are nuclear-electric combination and a lot more. The latest offering in the hybrid technology is the hybrid car that is combination of gasoline engine with electric motors.

The normal gasoline car runs on gasoline engines that run the car. These car gives us speed, easy refuel facility and long running between the refills. However, did anybody think about the harm these cars causes to our environment and to our wallets? The electric car can be an answer to those concerns. In an electric car, batteries supply electricity to an electric motor, which in turn runs the car. However, the electric cars have some limitations. They do not offer speed as the normal gasoline cars and these cars are not good for long drives because they would require recharging after 80-100 miles.

The hybrid car is a combination of the advantages of the two and takes care of their limitations. All hybrid cars contain a gasoline engine, an electric engine, a generator (mostly on series hybrids), fuel storage container, batteries and a transmission. It covers up the limitations of speed of an electric car while using its fuel efficiency and quality of discharge of less harmful substances.

All the major automobile companies are offering hybrid cars. This clearly indicates its future. Major examples are; Silverado Pick-up and Sierra Pick-up from GM, SUV mini-Escape car from Ford; Malibu, Yukon and Tahoe also from GM; Saturn Vue or Chevy Equinox and several models from Honda. French carmaker PSA Peugeot Citroen has two diesel-electric hybrid cars in the making.

Hybrid is not a fashion statement or a trail product. With so many makers jumping into the market, we are coming across never-before models in Hybrid cars. Latest statistics indicate a steep rise in sale as well as demand for of these cars. So, are you still thinking?