Automotive

Frustrated your existing car doesn’t connect seamlessly to your latest phone or you want better fuel economy? To keep pace with consumers’ demand in the real world, the global automotive industry is relying on a more ‘virtual’ world of development Since the late 1970s car manufacturers have trumpeted the use of computers to design and build better cars. Whilst there was a considerable marketing spin to many of those earlier claims, just cast your mind back to the car adverts...

What is it about the confines of a vehicle that make blokes feel impervious to societal norms? Last month our correspondent Courtney Greatrex became a national hero after she hit back at two tradesmen who wolf-whistled at her from their van. After she reminded them that their behaviour was not only intimidating but also a form of harassment they called her a "f**king whore" and sped off. Fortunately we work for a national news outlet, and they became headline news across all the national...

Most new cars are now connected to the internet in some way, providing navigation, satellite radio, and real-time safety functions. This is paving the way for the future of self-driving cars. Connected cars are already on the market, but self-driving or autonomous cars are currently still a few years away. What both prototypes have in common is the need for a strong internet connection, which is where the future super-fast 5G network comes into play. Why 5g? For an autonomous,...

By Professor Antonios Tsourdos, Head of the Autonomous and Cyber-Physical Systems Centre, Cranfield University A new House of Lords select committee inquiry is looking at how the smart technology around driverless cars and drones can evolve into a smart, autonomous transport system for the UK. The economic benefits from a world-leading industry around autonomous vehicles (AVs) have already been mapped out: a potential £51 billion for the UK economy each year. With the legislation making AVs legal for use on...

You can now fall asleep at the wheel, as driverless cars have arrived on our shores for the first time. Google and Uber are already busy developing this technology and the race to launch the first fully functioning driverless car is hotting up. The self-drive cars were being trailed for the first time, and they were also carrying human passengers. The cars looked very similar to Smart cars and it was a great success. However, don’t expect to get anywhere...

A new road rage survey from the car leasing company, Lease Car, has revealed that 45% of drivers in London think cyclists are the most irritating road users, followed closely by school run mums! The top 5 most irritating road users in London Cyclists 45.00% School Run Mums 30.70% White Van Drivers 25.10% Taxi Drivers 18.50% Lorry Drivers 23.30% The survey asked more than 1,200 people in the UK a series of questions about their road rage experiences and found...

Motorists love the thrill of getting their hands on the steering wheel of a new car – but less than ever before are actually doing so. According to research from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders in the Financial Times, used car sales outstripped new sales three-fold in the first half of the year at 4.18 million. That still means that 1.42 million new cars were purchased in that time. What are the advantages? Firstly, you’re driving a car...

A petrol head from Devon has completed a motorcycle road race in a jet-powered shopping trolley. Madcap Matt McKeown of Plymouth built his wacky racer – which has a top speed of 80mph – from an abandoned cart he found in a ditch. He bolted on brakes, go-kart wheels and a 150 horsepower engine from a Chinook helicopter before taking it for time trials. Matt first set a record of 45.5mph then made several tweaks and broke his own record by reaching...

With the economy shrinking and incomes stagnating, the domestic second hand car market is expected to see a boom. If you're thinking about buying a second hand car, once you’ve pondered the decision and decided to go for it, take a look at these handy tips for making sure you get the best and, most importantly, safest car for your money.   How to inspect the car After arranging to view a selection of used cars that you’ve found and...