Category: Fleet News

SEAT’s CUPRA design team has unveiled a new 3D printing production technique that the
manufacturer claims could revolutionise car design in the future.

Using 3D-printed parts to test aspects of design like aerodynamics, performance and styling
could be a game-changer for the industry at large.

Swift and efficient production and testing

Xavi Serra, head of technical development at CUPRA Racing, said: “The main goal is to
have a lot of parts in a short time.”

“We can quickly test a wide variety of designs and furthermore, this technology enables us
to react swiftly to any changes in the design process.”

Engineers have developed new production techniques for CUPRA’s Leon Competicion
racing car, with the model featuring a host of 3D-printed parts, including door mirrors, air
intakes and cooling intakes.

Processing from design to having the item ready to fit to the car can be done is as little as 20
hours, while up to six different components can be produced at the same time. It all means
the trial and testing of new components can be significantly sped up.

Mr Serra concluded: “This technology is and will continue to be key in countless fields to
make the most complex ideas a reality.”

Jenny Smith, Product Manager for Tele-Gence, commented: “Developing new, more efficient
ways to test and develop components in the design phase could make the production of new
models all the faster, as well as helping manufacturer’s to save on cost and time spent in
development.”

Your business can benefit from affordable telematics with no hidden start-up fees or
long-term commitments. Find out how at www.tele-gence.com

The coronavirus outbreak has had many consequences for the British public, one of which is not
being able to go outside other than for vital reasons like buying food or going to work, if you’re
unable to work from home.

These restrictions mean huge swathes of the population will be making less use of their cars.
There are some benefits to this – like spending less on fuel – but there are also some potential
disadvantages, like the risk of your car experiencing problems because of sustained lack of use.

Since one of the biggest dangers is your tyres sustaining damage, Falken has offered some
advice on how you can maintain your tyres and make sure they’re in good condition.

Increase the pressure

One useful tip is to check your tyre pressures and, while your car is laid up, to increase them by
about 15 PSI over the normal recommended level. This should help to avoid damage and flat
spots while the vehicle isn’t being used.

Leaving a note in the car to remind you to put the pressure back to normal when you start using
it again is a good idea.

Keep the car inside if you can

If you have access to a garage or an indoor space where you can keep your car, this is the time
to use it.

According to Falken, darker and cooler conditions are more conducive to tyre health. If you
have to leave your car outside, you can protect the tyres with covers made from reflective
aluminium material.

Consider jacking up your car

If you expect your car to be out of use for a particularly long time, it might be an idea to jack it
up so the tyres aren’t in contact with the ground at all.

You can also use ‘tyre trainers’ that reduce flat spots and prevent degradation of the rubber.

When life returns to normal and you can get back to looking after your car with regular
maintenance, MyService.Expert from Fuel Card Services can provide access to thousands of
garages nationwide and also save you money on parts and labour.

Volkswagen has received a prestigious award for an innovative new safety feature, which it is bringing in on a range of models and is showcased in the all-new Golf.

Car2X technology is based on the Wi-Fi wireless standard, which is specifically tailored to communicate between vehicles, rather than using the mobile phone network.

This means blanket coverage wherever possible, with cars up to 800 metres apart being able to directly exchange positioning data.

Warnings within fractions of a second

Each equipped vehicle will have the ability to warn others of danger within milliseconds, as well as connecting with traffic infrastructure.

In tests, safety body Euro NCAP put the system through eight hazardous situations that drivers could find themselves in but that they would not normally have time to react to.

In all eight scenarios, Car2X technology was able to successfully warn the driver of hazards, often up to 11 seconds before an impending accident.

Euro NCAP has called the new technology “a technical milestone” and gave special recognition to the traffic hazard alert function.

The new Golf will be the first European car to come equipped with Car2X as standard, but it is eventually to be rolled out to other brands and manufacturers.

Michiel van Ratingen from Euro NCAP said: “This is an exciting area of safety. Volkswagen are to be congratulated for making the technology standard in vehicles selling in high numbers like the Golf.”

At present, Car2X is only active at speeds over 80 kilometres per hour, but work is being done to refine it further so it can boost safety in city traffic situations. It will also become improved as more participants connect.

Jenny Smith, general manager for Tele-Gence, commented: “This is a great achievement for Volkswagen. It is exciting to think that a new system with the possibility to boost safety levels so much is already being rolled out. We’re looking forward to having a go!”

Your business can benefit from affordable telematics with no hidden start-up fees or long-term commitments. Find out how at www.tele-gence.com

It can be hard knowing what make and model to go for when you’re on the lookout for a new
car, with every manufacturer doing their utmost to convince you they’re the best.
However, you might be swayed by the results of a new survey carried out by What Car?, which
has revealed the most reliable used vehicles on the roads today.

 

You can’t go wrong with Lexus, Suzuki and Toyota

The magazine’s publishers quizzed more than 18,000 motorists as part of the research to find
out how dependable their second-hand cars have been over the past 12 months and what
problems they have encountered.

It was found that the Lexus CT is Britain’s most reliable used purchase, scoring a whopping
99.5 per cent on the reliability index.

Rounding out the top three were the Suzuki Swift and the Toyota Auris Hybrid, both of which
have regularly been rated highly by critics.

Other models to achieve a top ten spot included the Honda Civic, the Fiat Panda, the Skoda
Yeti diesel and the Toyota RAV4, while Lexus scored another entry with the brand’s RX.

It wasn’t a good news day for Audi, though, with its 2003-13 A3 diesel model being voted as the
UK's least reliable motor. Compared to the Lexus CT's near-perfect rating, the A3 scored a
pretty dismal 40 per cent.

Editor of What Car? Steve Huntingford said: “Reliability is often at the forefront of any vehicle
purchase. By shining a light on the reliability of various makes and models, we hope to help
buyers make the right decision when choosing their next used purchase.”

A 2018 survey carried out by JD Power UK also saw Suzuki and Skoda ranked highly in a list of
the most reliable manufacturers, so it’s good to see them remaining consistent.

Heather Stark, Brand Manager at The Fuelcard People, comments: “It can really help to hear
other people’s experiences when you need a new second-hand car, so polls like this on day-to-
day dependability are invaluable. It looks like a lot of people will have a Lexus on their shopping
list!”

In-car infotainment systems are now a major selling point for automotive brands, but a new study has suggested they could be as bad for distracting drivers as mobile phones.

Road safety charity IAM RoadSmart commissioned research in which motorists were asked to complete laps on a simulated test route while using either Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, as well as a lap with no in-car system.

The participants also had to drive while using voice control only and then touch control only as instructors assessed their capabilities.

Significant impairment behind the wheel

It was found that both methods of control significantly distracted the participants, with touchscreen proving especially dangerous for concentration.

Drivers were unable to keep a safe distance from the car in front, reacted more slowly to outside stimuli and regularly deviated from their designated lane.

On average, reaction times at motorway speeds increased to as much as five car lengths – and in one scenario, a motorist took their eyes off the road for 16 seconds.

This meant using an infotainment system while driving could be as bad as texting at the wheel and even driving under the influence of alcohol or cannabis.

Policy and research director for IAM RoadSmart Neil Greig said he is seriously concerned by the study’s findings.

“We’re now calling on industry and government to openly test and approve such systems and develop consistent standards that genuinely help minimise driver distraction,” he added.

Last year, Brake hosted a free webinar on reducing driver distraction for fleet owners, so it may be that such initiatives need to be scaled up.

Jenny Smith, general manager for Tele-Gence, commented: “Infotainment systems are handy tools, but they should not be used to the detriment of road safety. Set yours up before you head off and resist the urge to mess with it while you’re behind the wheel.”

Your business can benefit from affordable telematics with no hidden start-up fees or long-term commitments. Find out how at www.tele-gence.com