1962 Chevrolet Corvair 900 Monza

1977 International Scout II

My Lincoln Project Continues: MKS/2 Plug-In

Bringing Two-Tone Back! My newest Lincoln illustrated in Palm Springs with the available Copper and Pewter Luxury Group.

C H O P S — My latest Lincoln would be a sleek plug-in Hybrid, RWD/AWD replacement for their MKS. The MKS on sale now, at its core, is based on a Volvo platform, from the days Ford owned that Swedish marque. I used Volvo's new S60 sport sedan as the base for this sedan then. I extended the front end to make room for a brand-new Inline 6 EcoBoost, the first new inline engine from a domestic automaker in quite some time. I also extended the rear overhang for more trunk space and so the rear seat could be moved back a few inches for more legroom. Most obvious, perhaps, is a return to a classic two-tone paint job, in this case, the Copper and Pewter Luxury Group. Lincoln has a long history of designer packages and "luxury groups" based on colors and this bold 21st century interpretation just might help get New Lincoln noticed. 

I placed this new Lincoln in front of a classic Mid Century Modern home in Palm Springs I found while Googling. I think you'll agree it's a classic pairing.

Ford pushes for Traffic Jam Assist

Traffic Jam Assist is an intelligent driving technology that Ford is developing potentially for the mid-term (2017 to 2025). It uses radar and camera technology to keep pace with other vehicles and provide automated steering control to stay in the current lane, reducing driver stress and potentially improving vehicle flow.
Individual simulation studies have found that where 25 percent of vehicles on a stretch of road are equipped to automatically follow the traffic ahead, journey times can be reduced by 37.5 percent and delays reduced by 20 percent.
Traffic Jam Assist has the potential to follow the traffic ahead while maintaining lane position in environments where there are no pedestrians, cyclists or animals, and where lanes are clearly marked.
Many of the sensing technologies required to deliver Traffic Jam Assist are already available on current Ford models including Focus, C-MAX and Grand C-MAX. Independent steering already features on Lane Keeping Aid, which provides steering input to assist the driver to steer the vehicle back into lane if an unintentional drift is detected. Lane Keeping Aid also provides the camera technology required to monitor its lane position. Traffic Jam Assist’s automatic speed regulation requirement is supported by Ford Powershift transmission as well as Adaptive Cruise Control, a radar-based system which helps to maintain a set distance to other vehicles.
Traffic Jam Assist would be able to respond to changing traffic situations ahead and communicate any developments to the driver. Traffic Jam Assist would also incorporate features to help ensure the driver remains alert and in contact with the vehicle controls, even when the system was active. It could also be overridden at any time.

1983 Honda Civic 1500S

1972 BMW Bavaria

1962 Cadillac Sedan De Ville

1976 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Driver Assistance: Cutting edge technology fort the mass market

CESA Paper Abstract

Driver Assistance Systems have evolved dramatically during the last decade. In the early stage their use was limited due to high cost und technological restrictions in the premium segment. Today we witness a massive rollout phase into every car segment.
On the one hand this leads to higher volume on the other hand the accepted price from the customer is much lower than before without accepting too much compromises in functionality. This describes the challenge for OEMs as well as suppliers.
One approach of Volkswagen is to constantly question today’s hardware concepts concerning sensors and electronic control units (ECUs) for driver assistance systems. E.g. high cost radar sensors dominate the market for adaptive cruise control and side assistance systems. Focusing on the demand of the customers in the volume market leads to a dedicated design which is more cost effective and allows reaching low end platforms. The goal here is not to switch sensor technology completely but to find the important “minor” improvements.
Another motivation for such solutions are the new EU NCAP aims in the following years. The discussed regulations concerning pedestrian detection and active safety require very cost effective systems with the potential of added functionality. Without changing sensors and systems a functional update must enable extra benefits for the driver.
The paper will address these topics with examples from Volkswagen.

By Dr. Alexander Kirchner, DAS System Development, Volkswagen AG

eCall to become mandatory in all vehicles in 2015 in Europe

The Transport Committee in the European Parliament supported the introduction of a mandatory electronic system of emergency - the famous eCall - in all new car models as from 2015. "ECall could save lives with relatively little effort", said Dieter-Lebrecht Koch, from Germany, Vice-Chairman of the Transport Committee in the European Parliament.

Even if no passenger is able to speak, e.g. due to injuries, a "Minimum Set of Data" is sent, which includes the exact location of the crash site. Shortly after the accident, emergency services therefore know that there has been an accident, and where exactly.
eCall cuts emergency services response time. It goes down to 50% in the countryside and 60% in built-up areas. The quicker response will save hundreds of lives in the EU every year. The severity of injuries will be considerably reduced in tens of thousands of cases. You can also make an eCall by pushing a button inside the car. Witnessing an accident, you can thus report it and automatically give the precise location. As eCall normally 'sleeps', it does not allow vehicle tracking outside emergencies.

"ECall should be activated via the existing pan-European emergency number 112. This has two advantages: first, in the case of accidents, the severely injured would be given priority, and second, abuse can be prevented by the automatic recall of the rescue coordination centre", said Mr Koch. ECall can also co-exist with private emergency providers.

1962 Plymouth Belvedere 2 Door

1986 Ford Ranger STX

1988 Chrysler Conquest Tsi

1976 Ford Mustang II Ghia

                                                   

Lighter and Glassier Accord Coupe for 2014?

To answer the headline, sadly, no. This lighter and glassier Accord coupe isn't going to be introduced at any time soon. 

C H O P S — Honda Styling's long descent into heavier, thicker, fuller, blobbier cars continues unabated with their recently introduced Accord Coupe for 2013, and I continue to try to push them in another direction, lol. Hondas once had some of the lowest beltlines and thinnest pillars around. No longer. I've tried to bring back a simpler Accord coupe with this chop. It's a hatchback, too. I think all Hondas should have hatches. And badass, high-strung, and frugal, cutting-edge, powerplants and drivetrains.

2020 Lincoln MKH/3

The Future of the Performance Luxury Sedan?

Well, sometimes you just want to have fun: Turning a Ferrari FF into a H-igh-performance H-ydrogen fuel-cell H-ybrid Lincoln kinda fun!  The MKH/3. Click on image to enlarge, as always.

This roomy-but-small Lincoln would be offered in the year 2020 and would include a hydrogen fuel-cell, as well as a tiny supercharged diesel engine and programmable lithium-ion hybrid drivetrain. "Gas" mileage would be measured in the months, not miles and when plugged into the grid at night, your little Hot Rod Lincoln would create enough energy to run your 21st century clean & green home the next day. A solar-paneled roof would help power the Lincoln's batteries during the day.

Base photo was the just-introduced Novitec-Rosso Ferrari FF.

Automated braking systems in EuroNCAP ratings as from 2014

Euro NCAP is calling for car makers to do more to help reduce Europe's road deaths by fitting AEB (autonomous emergency braking) technology as standard to new cars. The independent safety organisation says that the industry should do more to promote the technology, which can save thousands of lives each year.
AEB systems will be included in the Euro NCAP star rating as from 2014.
Research suggests that Autonomous Emergency Braking systems can reduce accidents by up to 27%, saving around 8,000 lives and preventing many more serious injuries and whiplash claims each year. Despite this, the technology has only been made available on around 20% of new cars and many manufacturers do not offer the technology at all.

1972 Imperial LeBaron Hardtop

1970 Pontiac Safari Executive 400 Wagon