Europe has many fine roads and long straight highways that are a joy for drivers and motorcyclists. However, because there are many who don’t motor responsibly, speed limits have to be set and law enforcement authorities constantly upgrade their speed detection and recording devices with new technologies to not only be more effective but also to defeat methods to fool the devices.
Motorists in many countries (even in Malaysia) have long used the tactic of decelerating quickly when approaching a spot known to have a speed trap so that the vehicle will pass by within the speed limit. They may have been going well above the limit but at that point, they become ‘obedient’… and then accelerate off after they pass. This naturally frustrates the cops and to detect this trick, police in Spain and Ireland have come up with devices that can determine the average speed of a vehicle along a specific stretch of highway and also detect sudden braking before the camera.
According to Simon Hancocks at VisorDown, who often attends media rides in Spain, there are different types of fixed and mobile speed cameras, and drones have even been spotted monitoring the mountain roads. Locals and regular riders are aware of many of the locations and will decelerate quickly or brake as they come within range of the cameras.
However, VisorDown has now learnt of a new type of speed camera being tested in some parts of Spain that is able to detect a vehicle suddenly slowing down before it reaches the camera. The system has 2 cameras set a short distance apart and are also used for average speed recording (between 2 designated points). The technology can detect sudden deceleration like braking, and it is believed that it can also catch those who speed up again!
The use of these new devices is part of the effort by the Spanish traffic authorities to cut the accident and death rate on their highways. But Hancock predicts that in time, people will learn to decelerate earlier – out of sight of the cameras – and not get caught. That’s what many do when approaching the AES cameras on our highways which also point in both directions.
Average speed cameras have been in use for many years now in Europe as well as Australia. They were developed when the authorities realized that motorists could be speeding well above the limits along stretches where there were no cameras, slowing down only when they came to a detection spot. Thus, by being able to determine the vehicle’s average speed, it would be possible to know if the driver had gone too fast.
Like the old VASCAR system which required a policeman to visually clock a vehicle passing between two pre-determined points and then getting a calculation by a computer in the car (this was in the 1970s), the average speed camera system works by measuring the amount of time it takes a vehicle to travel between two points and then calculates the average speed. If the average speed is above the speed limit, an offence is deemed to be committed. In NSW, Australia, the basis of the offence being detected is that the average speed being higher than the limit ‘demonstrate a continued intention to speed’.
The two cameras required by the system capture images of vehicles and have Automatic Numberplate Recognition (ANPR) capability. They also have infrared illumination to work even at night. Some systems are able to not only determine average speed but also approach speed and departure speed; if all three are above limits, there could be three different fines!
In a perfect world, there would be no need for such devices and no need for speed limits. Motorists would be responsible and sensible enough to drive within their own limits as well as at speeds that are safe for the conditions. However, because there are too many who are not responsible – which is why accident statistics are high – speed limits and other measures have to be taken to prevent loss of lives. So do your part and drive responsibly to help bring the numbers down.
The Maserati Grecale has finally been unveiled after a delay of about three months due to the global chip shortage. As the second SUV in the carmaker’s range, it is positioned below the Levante and take on rivals like the BMW X3 and Porsche Macan.
With an overall length of 4846 mm and width of 2163 mm, the shares the Giorgio platform with the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, though this is an updated platform with the additional capability of accommodating a 400V electric powertrain as well. At launch, there will be three engine choices available – two 4-cylinder 48V mild hybrids (300 bhp/330 bhp) and the powerful Nettuno V6 which produces 530 bhp for the Trofeo version.
Like the Levante, the performance of the all-wheel drive Grecale’s can be optimised with drive modes. In fact, while the Levante has 4 modes, the Grecale has one more (for the Trofeo version) besides the Comfort, GT, Sport and Off-Road modes. To complement the drive modes is the Maserati Vehicle Dynamic Control Module system which gives full control of driving dynamics and comfort levels.
Details of the electrified version, Maserati’s first BEV (battery electric vehicle) SUV are not available yet as the model will only be introduced in 2023. For now, it is known that it will have 400V technology for its powertrain. It will be part of the Folgore range, the name referring to the company’s strategy to have a completely electric product range by 2030.
The Grecale’s design uses elements from the MC20 sportscar, with a more ‘vertical’ design language more appropriate for the SUV form that is 1670 mm tall. The body has meandering, visual forms and its technical components are highlighted by the use of carbonfibre. In the rear, the boomerang taillights are inspired by the Giugiaro 3200 GT and fit in with the trapezoidal line, made even more striking by the coupe effect of the profile.
The cabin, riding on a wheelbase of 2901 mm, has 2 rows of seating for 5 persons. Like many of the latest cars, the displays are greatly digitised, certainly more than any Maserati before. Everything is touch-based, giving clean aesthetics and even the traditional Maserati clockface has gone digital for the first time,
The dashboard has a large 12.3-inch display (the largest ever on a Maserati) with a classic cluster for the driver, and an 8.8-inch touchscreen running on Android Automotive software, which gives digital assistant services. There’s a second display for rear passengers as well to have more personalised control of the infotainment system.
For those who expect a luxury model to have superlative audio quality, Maserati has worked with Italian specialist Sonus Faber to provide an immersive 3D sound system. The Sonus faber system comes with a high-frequency amplifier and 14 or 21 speakers with specific functionalities that illustrates Sonus faber’s natural sound thorough the use of natural materials.
Production will start in mid-2022 with first deliveries commencing during the second half of the year. Official pricing has not been revealed although the entry-level Grecale GT is rumoured to start from around £50,000 (about RM280,000) in the UK.
Maserati starts electrification journey with new Ghibli Hybrid
You’ve been owning a Ford Ranger for some time, or you’re a new owner who’s just joined the world of trucking… do you want to enjoy your truck to the fullest and do more with it than just being able to carry more durians home? Many truck owners may not be fully aware of the potential and features of their vehicle which has been built tough and very capable.
For such owners, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion-Ford (SDAC-Ford) has a special program called ‘Ford Ranger Getaways‘ where Ranger owners can enjoy the outdoor lifestyle trucks permit, and also learn more about using their vehicle in off-road conditions.
Designed for Ranger/Ranger Raptor owners
There are various packages during the year and coming up on March 26 is a 1-day guided session with trained driving instructors covering tarmac and off-road driving scenarios. Held in the district of Sepang in Selangor, it is designed for Ranger and Ranger Raptor owners.
During the session, they will learn valuable tips and tricks on seating and steering methods. They will also have hands-on experience navigating around an autocross course on tarmac, a 4×4 off-road course and a ‘Baja course’ that will showcase the true prowess of the Ranger Raptor, Ford’s performance truck. And to show the high performance of the Ranger Raptor, the participants will be taken around the Baja course with the instructors at high speed. Baja is a region in Southern California where desert races have been held for a long time.
Ranger owners will go through the same modules as the Ranger Raptor experience except for a dirt cornering and drifting course in place of the Baja course and a drifting hot lap with the instructors. Training on both days will begin at 8:30 am from the Sepang International Circuit. A Certificate of Completion will be presented to all participants at the end of the day.
50% discount + 1 companion
Owners can enjoy 50% discount on this Sepang training experience, and each participant can also bring along a companion for free. Interested owners are encouraged to sign up quickly for this one-of-a-kind experience as only limited slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
“Thanks to its renowned strength, engineering capabilities, smart technologies and increasingly luxurious cabin and passenger vehicle features, customers are choosing a Ranger not just for work, but also for play and family. With our new brand experiential programme ‘Ford Ranger Getaways’, we aim to provide a platform for owners to uncover the full potential and versatility of their Rangers through a series of handpicked local adventures,” said Turse Zuhair, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion-Ford.
Ford Ranger Getaways
‘Ford Ranger Getaways’ is the latest offering under the new ‘Live the Ranger Life’ brand positioning that encapsulates the values and persona of the Ranger. The Ford truck, introduced in the late 1990s, changed public perception of trucks and introduced a new lifestyle for Malaysians to enjoy.
Open to all Ranger and Ranger Raptor customers, ‘Ford Ranger Getaways’ covers a multitude of interest categories to cater to Malaysians from all walks of life who want short local adventures, be it on their own, with friends and family or for those who simply want to meet like-minded individuals.
Each getaway has been thoughtfully curated to reflect the diversity of the Ranger lifestyle – from fun city outings and outdoor or off-road excursions to foodie trails and even flying a plane over KLCC.
To book a slot or find out more, visit shop.sdacford.com.my/getaways. To know more about the Ranger range, visit www.sdac-ford.com.my.
‘Ford Ranger Getaways’ by SDAC-Ford provide owners with ways to enjoy their truck to the fullest
For those who do not like the bother of having to park their cars in a carpark, hotels usually have valets to do the job. But valets may no longer have to do it either as cars will be able to park themselves after the owner has exited. Perhaps the first cars to be able to do so will be from Mercedes-Benz which has developed and begun to demonstrate the capability.
Working with a technology supplier, the German carmaker has developed automated valet parking technology which it calls INTELLIGENT PARK PILOT. The technology is available in the EQS BEV sedan as well as the latest S-Class sold in European markets. In order to enable the car to drive and park itself, it also requires an intelligent infrastructure installed in the parking area.
Sensors installed at the building communicate with the car and guide its manoeuvring through the parking area. This will allow the car to operate in highly automated mode and without a driver, and has the possibility of additional capabilities such as automated EV charging, car wash and vehicle servicing or maintenance where vehicles move in and out of service areas on their own
The automated parking process makes use of a smartphone app and the driver has to first position the car in a designated drop-off area. When activated, the sensor system in the carpark checks whether a suitable space is available or was already reserved for the vehicle. If so, the Automated Valet Parking infrastructure confirms the hand-over of the vehicle for the driver in the app, and the car will depart on its own. It will then be guided with the help of the infrastructure to the designated space.
When the driver requires the car, a request can be sent with the app and the car will be guided to the pick-up area. This will certainly be convenient for owners as it will be unnecessary to walk around the carpark and, for those who may be forgetful, waste time searching for the place where they parked it.
Automated parking technology, which could one day be as common as cruise control, benefits drivers by easing the burden of the parking experience. It may even be possible for carpark operators to cram more cars onto a floor as the spaces can be narrower since there is no need to allow wide gaps for doors to be opened.
“Low-speed manoeuvres are part of the holistic opportunity for automated technology,” said Dr. Kay Stepper, Senior Vice-President of automated driving and driver assistance for Bosch in North America. “Automated technology in the specific use case automated valet parking gets consumers comfortable with how automated technology works and how it can benefit them.”
Engineering teams have been working over the past few years to further develop automated valet parking and support specific testing and deployments around the world. The technology was recently demonstrated at a hotel in Los Angeles, California.
“The demonstration at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown showcases how automated valet parking will operate in a working hotel environment where both automated and non-automated vehicles operate alongside pedestrian traffic,” said Dr. Stepper. “This allows us to dive into the dynamics of local deployments with the use of a highly-connected EQS from Mercedes-EQ to demonstrate how automated technology continues to move forward.”
“Our vision is that getting time back is a key component of the luxury experience our customers are looking for. The EQS gives you time back by driving itself in traffic jams on highways, but with INTELLIGENT PARK PILOT, it may also be able to park itself,” added Dr. Philipp Skogstad, President & CEO of Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America. “INTELLIGENT PARK PILOT is a feature that together with the required infrastructure enables an automated valet service that gives customers even more comfort and relief in everyday life.”
Long-term Development Cooperation for Automated Driving between Daimler-AG and BMW Group
© Copyright – Piston.my 2024 Trademarks belong to their respective owners. All rights reserved
