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Ford builds robot bottom to test car seats

As bizarre as this might sound, Ford has created a robot has that looks and operates like a human bottom – and there is good reason for it. This contraption is being used to simulate how drivers and passengers get in and out of their car seats.

This data allows engineers to carefully map the pressure points on a seat, enabling them to test the wear and tear of materials. Called ‘Robutt’, the machine simulates human movement when getting in and out of a car, which will help the manufacturer increase the lifespan of its materials.

“From the first moment we get into a car, the seat creates an impression of comfort and quality,” said Svenja Froehlich, a durability engineer, at Ford’s European HQ, in Cologne, Germany.

“Previously, we used pneumatic cylinders that simply moved up and down. With the ‘Robutt’, we are now able to replicate very accurately how people really behave,” he later added.

Robutt was built to resemble an average-sized large man and its job on car seats, is to simulate ten years of use in just three weeks – sitting down and getting up 25,000 times. The tests were carried out in a new Ford Fiesta but the Blue Oval will be rolling the test for all of its vehicles for the Europe market.

Aston Martin Tom Brady Edition to go on sale in 2018

Tom Brady, a star of USA’s National Football League or NFL, has teamed up with Aston Martin to create a special edition of the Vanquish S. Only 12 such cars will ever be produced, which is part of the Q by Aston Martin pservice.

This a service that welcomes customers, presumably those with deep pockets, to collaborate with the automaker and create custom vehicles that offer a sense of uniqueness that goes beyond the appeal of regular Aston Martins.

Brady’s version of the Vanquish S comes with an Ultramarine Black exterior that is complemented by an interior that makes use of a ‘Dark Knight’ themed leather upholstery. Carbon-fibre has been used extensively throughout the car.

California Poppy leather line the paddle shift tips of the One-77 colour-keyed steering wheel, which Aston Martin believes exemplifies Brady’s meticulous attention to detail. Also, each car will bear the NFL star’s signature on their sill plates and the ‘TB12’ logo on the fender badge, embossed on the headrests.

Regarding the car, Brady said, “It is an incredible car to drive and is truly a work of art. Going through the process of curating a unique Aston Martin has been fascinating. We started with a blank canvas and finished with this beautiful car. It’s been great to see it all come to fruition and I’m proud to share a name with it.”

The Vanquish S is a grand tourer that is powered by a 580bhp 6.0-litre V12 engine that is mated to a fast shifting transmission. Considered one of the best looking Aston Martins to date, the Vanquish S features a sleek silhouette and thoughtfully crafted contours.

The Aston Martin Tom Brady Signature Edition will be available for delivery to customers during the first quarter of 2018.

Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels Edition to grace SEMA show

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Chevrolet and Hot Wheels’ partnership in producing some of the most memorable toy cars that have brought great joy to many young kids. The fruits of their efforts have spawned many innovations and incredible designs that attributed to the success of both companies.

And to celebrate this historic occasion, Chevrolet will be introducing a ‘commemorative package’ for its 2018 model year Camaro. This will allow owners to turn their vehicles into real life and size Hot Wheels racers.

The package has been made available for Camaro 2LT and 2SS models of both Coupe and Convertible body styles. Design elements that are offered with this package pay homage to iconic Hot Wheels features that include a Crush exterior color and stripes that replicate the toys’ famous orange tracks.

“In the 1960s Hot Wheels and Camaro challenged vehicle design by elevating the speed, power and performance of both die-cast and pony cars alike. For 50 years, both brands have developed high-performance cars that embody the challenger spirit,” said Chris Down, senior vice president and Global Brand GM, Hot Wheels.

The following is the extensive list of parts and trim that come with this ‘Commemorative Package’:

Satin Graphite stripes with Silver Ice Metallic accents
Satin Graphite ground effects
20-inch forged aluminum wheels (with summer-only tires on SS) in Satin Graphite with milled faces and unique center caps
50th Anniversary Hot Wheels fender badges
Unique grille with Galvano Chrome inserts
Orange brake calipers
Dark taillamps
Black taillamp panel with the Hot Wheels emblem
Black Chevrolet bowtie emblems
Jet Black leather-appointed interior with exclusive orange
inserts and orange accent stitching
Orange kneepads on the doors and orange safety belts
Embossed front-seat headrests
50th Anniversary Hot Wheels badge on the steering wheel
Illuminated doorsill plates with 50th Anniversary Hot Wheels badges
Premium carpeted floor mats with orange stitching and “ghost” stripes

https://youtu.be/PIiXfnKvV2Y

Chevy’s original Camaro, which was introduced in the mid-1960s had a distinctive design feature that allowed its headlights to be hidden in the front sub-frame when not in use. This provided the car with a menacing and rebellious look that may have partly contributed to its immense success.

The latest Camaro doesn’t have hidden headlights, instead it features a higher level of performance, cutting edge tech and a cozy interior. The Camaro Hot Wheels Edition will join approximately 20 other Chevrolet models at this year’s SEMA Show that will take place at the end of this month.

Honda reveals new concept sports car

Honda unveiled a new sports car concept at the Tokyo Motorshow called the Sports EV Concept. The car features similar retro-modern looks of the Urban EV Concept, that has been altered to suit a larger silhouette.

At the front, it gets the same iconic rounded headlights used by the early Civics and an elongated black grille that occupies the recessed section of the front fascia. The bulging front fenders and long swooping bonnet provide the car with a muscle car look.

The noticeably large windshield stretches the entire width of the car with the A-Pillars forming narrow partitions between it and the window glass. Toward the rear, the vehicle takes on a fastback look, reminiscent of the original Ford Mustang.

It’s raked roofline tapers toward the back and forms a muscular looking rear. The overall look makes the car look as premium as vehicles from European automakers. Despite being a compact sports car, its design fools people into thinking that the Sports EV Concept is a larger car than its dimensions would suggest.

According to Honda, this new concept combines EV performance with Artificial Intelligence in a car that has been purposefully built to offer decent driving enjoyment. This news suggests that the car will be aimed at enthusiasts as well as those who enjoy a well built machine.

It’s refreshing to see Japanese automakers embrace this newfound need to produce efficient vehicles that combine cutting edge technology with beautifully sculptured bodies. That said, this is only part of the story for Honda. The automaker also unveiled plans of developing various technology that may contribute to the realization of a carbon-free society.

Creator of McLaren F1 looking to build new supercar

Gordon Murray, the creator of the legendary McLaren F1 supercar, is currently hard at work designing something new that invokes the very traits that made the F1 such a success. Murray himself has announced that he is indeed working on a limited-run flagship vehicle that will utilize an innovative design language.

He also admitted that his new supercar will incorporate the same design and engineering principles that made the McLaren F1 an instant hit about 25 years ago. The car had an engine bay that was lined with gold, a three-seat cockpit layout and was constructed from lightweight materials.

“The new manufacturing business significantly expands the capabilities of our group of companies,” explained Professor Gordon Murray. “With our first new car, we will demonstrate a return to the design and engineering principles that have made the McLaren F1 such an icon.”

According to an article by The Drive, unlike the current crop of supercars, Murray’s creation won’t utilize heavy and complicated machinery and mechanicals, rather a more minimalist approach will be preferred. This is a similar philosophy to that which has served as the bedrock of Lotus Cars for decades.

This new supercar will be launched under Murray’s own car company called Gordon Murray Automotive. Vehicles built under this brand will be based on a new version of the company’s automotive product system called iStream. This platform can be used to manufacture low-volume vehicles for customers with deep pockets.

In depth details regarding performance figures are a bit sketchy at the moment but further details of the car will be released on Friday, 3rd November at ‘One Formula’ exhibition, celebrating 50 years of Gordon Murray car designs.

Mazda debuts new concept car at Tokyo Motorshow

Mazda has revealed two concept vehicles at the ongoing Tokyo Motorshow, namely the Kai and Vision Coupe. This is the latter’s second outing, but the former’s first public debut. Based on first impressions, the car is nothing less than a masterpiece.

Incorporating the Japanese automaker’s Kodo design language, it has similar lines and contours as cars like the Mazda3 and Mazda6 but far more tastefully done. The curved grille, angular headlights and a low swooping bonnet accentuate the sporty front fascia.

Unlike other hatchbacks from the automaker, this car features an extremely short overhang. Apart from that, Mazda has also given it contours that add depth to the side profiles and a low roof line that that blends with the rear hatch to form one continuous line.

The elegant contours and lowered stance, provide the car with a presence and cool factor that has been absent from the product portfolio since the RX-7 was put out to pasture. Adding to that, the car will feature next-generation SKYACTIV-X petrol engine and the SKYACTIV-Vehicle Architecture.

As for the Vision Coupe, however, the styling is far more futuristic and less functional. But it showcases the capabilities of Mazda’s legion of designers and engineers. It features the ‘Soul of Motion’ exterior with minimalist aesthetics that loosely conforms to the company’s design philosophy.

Mazda says that the car’s design pays homage to Coupes like the Mazda R360, Mazda’s first passenger car, and the Mazda Luce Rotary, also known as the Mazda R130. Evidently, this is the Japanese automaker’s way of telling us that we can expect to see some amazing Mazda cars on our roads in the not so distant future.

As for the company’s long term version for technology development, its looking to fundamental appeal of the automobile to offer better driving pleasure in its new crop of vehicles.