Fifth Gear Crashes - Part 1

This video kills all the myths about the smart car's lack of safety. We can see that at a 70mph crash, it performs just as well as any other supermini. Its structure is very stiff, and even though the driver has low chances of surviving such an impact, this can be considered a very good safety award for the smart.

This is the first of three crash videos performed by fifth gear I am going to post. They prove some of people's myths right or wrong, and improve our safety knowledge. I'm a very safety-aware person, and I really wanted to share these videos.

Source: Fifth Gear

2010 VW Saveiro

The new VW Saveiro is the newest member of the "Gol" family. Following the example of the VW Gol and the VW Voyage, this small pick-up can be considered one of the best in its class. It has a suspension system which conciliates cargo capacity, comfort and handling both when the car is loaded or empty.
Avaliable in three different trim levels, this pick-up can fulfill the needs of a variety of customers. All trim levels have the option of normal or extended cabin, always powered by VW's 1.6 liter engine, which delivers 103hp. The trim level shown in the pictures is the extended cabin Saveiro Trooper.

The "1.6" trim level is teh basic trim, targeted at those who want a robust small pick-up for work, with black plastic bumpers and steel wheels. The intermediate "Trend" trim adds body-colored bumpers, plastic wheel covers and some luxuries such as fog lights and keyless alarm system. The Troopertrim level adds a more agressive look, with black-painted steel wheels, black inserts above the wheel arches and roof rails. All trim levels hve the so-called "side step", which facilitates the loading/unloading of cargo in the rear. Prices start at R$ 30'990 for the basic, normal cabin, 1.6 trim and get up to R$ 38'990 for the extended cabin, Trooper Trim.

André's Opinion: Personally, I really like this pick-up truck. It is small and agine, due to its reduced weight, and it is very important to be like that in today's traffic. I would have one, but in black.

Source: Novidades Automotivas

New Mini Production Video

This post is similar to last week's, where I commented on a production video of Rolls Royces. This week, however, the Luxury level is not as high, since I am "only" looking at the Mini factory. Still, Minis are pretty luxuriouy superminis, and really fun to drive.

In this video, we can see how they are attentive to detail, and quality control on the assembly line is high. I wish to work in a factory like this someday, or even if I don't get to work there, I would like to at least visit one of them.

Source: Youtube

Building a Rolls Royce

This week's post is a bit different from the other posts. This is a video of the Rolls Royce factory, and it highlights the processes taken to build such a beautiful car. Considering its price, which is of about US$ 400'000 in the USA, the fit and finish of this car is absolutely perfect. It is considered the ultimate luxury car, and the dream car of the millionares around the world.

I love this car. It is not only the ultimate luxury car, but also a beautiful feit of engineering. I want to do mechanical engineering in college, and I wish to work in a factory like this (a premium car brand), and even if I do, my biggest dream is to actually own one of these fabulous cars.

Source: Youtube

Volvo C30 Electric Vehicle

Volvo is preparing for the future with new hybrid technologies for their cars, but they are also preparing new full-electric models to go on sale in 2012. They are starting by developing that technology on their smallest car, the C30

This car is a plug-in electric, and it can be charged in almost every electric outlet there is, as long as it is 220V. Volvo claims that new lithium-ion batteries have been developed for this model exclusively, using a technology similar to cellphone batteries.

This car´s performance figures werén´t very affected by the electric powertrain. It still does 0-100km/h in 11 seconds, which is perfect for city driving. The only drawback is that its top speed is 130km/h.

The electric C30 can run 150km on one complete charge, which is more than most of the drivers drive each day. Volvo hasn´t announced any pricing figures for it yet, but it is reasonable to think that it will cost more than the petrol- or diesel-powered C30, since the electric technology is more expensive.

Andre´s Opinion

I like the Volvo C30. It is small enough to drive in town, and roomy enough inside so that all passengers feel comfortable. The exterior design also catches one´s attentionm, with its coupé-like design. I would not mind having one, I just worry how long it will take for the automakers to realize that Brazil is a perfect place to sell electric cars, and also desperately in need of them.

Source: World Car Fans