Automobile News

Continuing with its mission of manufacturing the best navigators in the market, the navigation company Garmin has launched another masterpiece in the form of the Garmin nüvi 205WT UK. The device is basically an integrated traffic message channel which performs multiple functions of being a traffic receiver, antenna and adapter. It provides digital information on places affected by traffic congestion and also suggest an alternate route. The device has also been programmed to generate data on the number of accidents, police booths and other roads works. The new Garmin nüvi 205WT UK is a plug and play portable navigator that does not require any installation. The suction cups that come with the package are used to connect the antenna to the windshield of the vehicle.

The Garmin nüvi 205WT UK provides continuous broadcasts of TMC traffic. Courtesy the GTM 25, the owner of the device will be able to see traffic improvement in a play-by-play mode. Now the best part of the whole process is that traffic signals can b received on the navigator apart from playing music or radio on it concurrently. For those using this in the UK and inside Europe, it is to be noted that the TMC technology is supported in 14 European countries. The vehicle power cable makes all this happen. Buy the Garmin nüvi 205WT UK and driving will become a very tireless and relaxing process. It will cost you as other simple navigators but the value for money that iot offers you is simple amazing. It is packed with amazing features.

British sports car makers Lotus and Ginetta have recently announced that they are looking forward to expanding their business sphere in the current year by building road-going electric cars. The announcement has generated a mixed response and there are many who are against this move, especially in case of Ginetta who is a total novice concerning the logistics behind the production of the announced cars.

Lotus is in a better proposition to deliver goods, as the Hethel-based outfit has already been rolling chassis for the Tesla Roadster, known as the ‘leccy Elise’, apart from building the Dodge EV for Chrysler, codenamed ‘leccy Europa’. It theregore appears a bit logical for Lotus to take the next step in the direction of expanding the company wings.

Regarding the recent developments, Lotus Chairman Michael Kimberley, while speaking to Financial Times asked the discerning public not to be taken aback when they see the company’s electric model, which he added will be launched shortly. He also expressed the hope that the model will unveil the latent potential that lies with electric vehicle technology.

Critics have however derided the tactics of the company saying that the new models are nothing, but a comparatively poor version of some range-extended vehicle like the Chevy Volt or Fisker Karma, and in no way accepted as a purely electric plug-in as per the Tesla. There are also claims doing the rounds that the new versions take the concept from a forthcoming car by the name Evora, and you shouldn’t be surprised if it goes to even earlier models for inspiration, like the Geneva Motor Show held in March.

‘The TomTom RIDER 2nd Edition UK and Ireland’ is the name of the latest satellite navigation system brought out by TomTom. The gadget is water resistant and its compact build quality ensures that it is ready to endure rough and tedious journeys. The flexibility of the device also happens to be one of its important virtues, as it fits perfectly with your car, bike or scooter, and provides you instructions and information in a clear and audible voice. The gadget is pre-installed with maps of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, as is evident from its name.

The device is tailor made to steadfastly respond to your stimuli and comes with a touch screen feature, which is increasingly becoming the norm. The TomTom Rider 2 UK gives you the opportunity to carry out door-to-door planning in your region which makes your task of navigating through routes that are new to you all the more easier. Meanwhile, instructions are available in both 3D and 2D graphics which are crystal-clear and easy to follow. The compact and portable design complements these traits as you can conveniently carry the device wherever you go without having to think about additional logistics.

Using the device you can find out important information like- the shortest route, fastest, warning on congestions and alternate routes, and others. Another lovely aspect of the device is that the screen is made of anti-glare materials which add to your convenience levels. Then, there is the option to select your preferred language of instruction as well. The device, in addition is of immense help when you decide to take a quick detour, as it instantaneously recalculates and adjusts the route description.

The Snooper S270 Sapphire Plus is not your here today gone tomorrow type of satellite navigation system. Decked out with many a high-end feature, the device has also been pre-loaded with NAVTEQ street-level maps of the UK and Ireland. You will also feel intoxicated by the aesthetically designed 2.7-inch colour touch screen.

The device has been equipped with a built-in MP3, MP4 player which are more than capable of fulfilling your entertainment requirements. A well structured photo viewer is there as well. The Snooper Sapphire Plus S270 also comes decorated with the award winning Enigma speed camera locations and Golf Pro Shot Saver feature and provides you an unabated access to over 2000 golf courses in the UK and Ireland supported by the GPS technology.

The portability of the device adds to your convenience levels, and since there are not many compromises made by the manufacturers to arrive at the final design you are favourably placed to reap the maximum benefits. The device apart from providing you turn by turn navigation facility, also provides you voice guide instructions and a full 8-digit UK postcode search option with the choice of 2D or 3D moving map display.

The device also comes with a stylus that can be used to manipulate the touch screen, and there you can even play with the screen colours. The device in addition gives your prior information on an extensive list of Points of Interest, along with providing you instructions on the shortest or fastest route, congestions, among others. Battery of the device is rechargeable which adds to your convenience. Further, there is a Built-in SIRF III GPS antenna which adds to the desirability of the device.

Tags for this article: gps, ireland, navigation, navteq, snooper, uk

The Novogo V70 Satellite Navigation System is designed to be your reliable soul mate while you drive through the various nook and corners of the UK. The sat nav is especially useful for people who wish to explore some of the cultural locations the UK has to offer and to discover its richness. It is for this very purpose, i.e. to allow you to discover the land with the minimum of fuss that Novogo has come up with its latest satellite navigation System, the Novogo V70.

A stand alone device it is provided with the intuition to effortlessly guide you through the various locations and also provides you with the relevant information related to the journey. Accuracy is one of the strong points of the Novogo V70, and it also cautions you beforehand about probable impediments that you may encounter during the journey. Your entertainment needs are given due consideration. Likewise the device is designed in a manner to ensure you an unrestricted access to the various enhanced features present in it.

The device is endowed with the capacity to receive signals from 20 channels at a time, with the integrated MMCX aerial ensuring signal fidelity. You can even opt for an external GPS aerial connection. Moreover, vocal guidance, which is gaining impetus by the day, is also there making it more like an interactive process and helps you to focus on your driving, and prevents distractions that are a cause of many a discords. Meanwhile, a USB port ensures that there are very few compatibility issues. A pair of headphones is there as well, and so is a built-in microphone and integrated speakers.

Tags for this article: car, gps, satellite navigation, uk

Inchcape, the world’s largest car retailers is facing a heavy down fall in its profits due to the worldwide recession. An unprecedented and sudden slowdown in the market has badly affected the sales of the company. Inchcape is into the distribution and retail of cars from premium brands, such as Audi and Mercedes-Benz. The stock market crash and drying up of customer’s credit has lead to heavy losses and above this the company will be now facing new import duties in Russia starting from next year.

The financial condition still continues to decline as the GMAC, the company in Australia which provides vehicle finance through Inchcape’s showrooms will stop doing the business with the Inchcape from January onwards. Andre Lacroix, Chief Executive said, “Demand is very weak in the UK, which provides half of our revenues. But carmakers are reducing production to keep supply in line with demand, which is very welcome.” According to him the company had anticipated a fall in the UK sales but didn’t expect such a heavy economic slowdown in the Australia and Hong Kong markets.

However Lacroix also commented that, “Markets will recover in due course and we believe that Inchcape is best positioned to benefit from its strong market positions and its long standing relationships with the leading manufacturers.”

With the global economic recession and a debit crunch hitting the UK hard, good news is few and far between. The Automobile industry was also not left unaffected and it for the record witnessed a slump of 23% in unit sales compared to that of 2007. Nevertheless, car manufacturing companies are back in business mode and are ready to face these difficulties in style. First out of the blocks is Japanese car giant Toyota, which making a strong statement of character and resilience has revealed its latest innovation the all new 1.33-litre Dual VVT-I petrol engine.

The unit delightfully incorporates the increasingly popular start/stop technology, claimed to be the first of its kind in the world, which can go a long way in improving fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emission. While sat navs, and in-car DVD player entertainment systems are also very useful, neither help to improve a car’s fuel efficiency. The new specifications look impressive enough, with 17 percent lower emissions and 19 percent improvement in fuel consumption compared to their previous 1.4 litre VVT-I unit.

The Stop and Start technology apart, the unit has also been inscribed with the intuitive Toyota Optimal Drive technology, consequently wearing the hat of being the first model to be released in the UK with these new engineering and design.

Toyota for the time being has decided to import these new Auris’ engines until October 2009 directly from Japan, with its Deeside plant subsequently taking over the reigns after that date. Meanwhile, Toyota is likely to pump in substantial investment to get the factory ready in time to start production.

In what should set the alarm bells ringing for the automobile industry, car sales have taken a nose dive in the UK, with October 2008 figures standing at 128,352, a sharp decline of 23 percent on October 2007. The scenario is even more pathetic for the private sales which by contrast have seen an uncharacteristic decline of 28.8 per cent.

The situation is so critical that the October decline has been rated as the worst year-on-year monthly drop since June 1991. The unhealthy trend first started in August and September this year, and gained momentum in October. Many automobile peripherals, such as sat navs, entertainments systems, multimedia monitors, and more, have witnessed equally staggering declines in sales figures. Many have credited the slump to the credit crunch that is gripping the nation.

Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) executive Paul Everitt has acknowledged the difficulties surrounding the automobile industry and stressed that firm steps are the need of the hour to restore customer confidence and entice buyers back to the showrooms.

He even hinted that cuts in interest rates with the benefits being swiftly passed on to consumers are a probable solution. Scrapping planned increases in vehicle excise duty (car tax) and maintaining public expenditure on new vehicles are also believed to be essential part of the package required to bail out the industry from the turmoil. Paul in addition, also emphasized that the time is here for the European Union to take a cohesive step towards ensuring support for a continued investment in new, lower carbon vehicle technologies.

It’s nearly impossible not to notice the crushing heights that petrol prices have reached nowadays. Indeed, simply filling up one’s car to get work now encompasses a large percentage of people’s monthly expenses. However, for many people their car is their lifeline and alternatives are often non-existent, so what options are there? According to a recent report by the Automobile Association, people are deciding to drive less, and drive slower in order to conserve fuel.

AA puts the overall amount of driving at around the same level as it was two decades ago, when there were also fewer vehicles on the road. Now, even families with multiple cars are opting to make journeys together in only one vehicle. Moreover, the average speed of vehicles on highways has dropped, as drivers attempt to conserve fuel by driving slower. The statistics are based on reports of over 5,000 road patrols conducted by AA that concluded there were 20% less cars on the road than usual. Clearly, this is a very significant drop, and indicative of the impact high petrol prices are having on people’s lifestyles. A survey by AA on people’s driving habits also found nearly two thirds of driver’s had curtailed their driving in some form or another.