Month: July 2020

Ford is including four-legged robot dogs in a new trial scheme which aims to save time and money at one of its American plants.

Created by Boston Dynamics – a mobile robotics company – the two machines (called Fluffy and Spot) are being trialled at Ford’s Van Dyke Transmission Plant in Michigan.

Bright yellow and equipped with five cameras, the robots can travel up to 3mph for around two hours per charge. They’re being put to work scanning the plant floor and, by doing so, help engineers who are updating a computer aided design of the site prior to retooling.

The robots can get into hard-to-reach places, and should be able to drive down the usual cost of the job which stands at nearly $300,000 (£233,000) for a full scan of the site.

Mark Goderis, Ford’s digital engineering manager, said: “We design and build the plant. After that, over the years, changes are made that rarely get documented.

“By having the robots scan our facility, we can see what it actually looks like now and build a new engineering model. That digital model is then used when we need to retool the plant for new products.”

“We used to use a tripod, and we would walk around the facility stopping at different locations, each time standing around for five minutes waiting for the laser to scan. Scanning one plant could take two weeks. With Fluffy’s help, we are able to do it in half the time.”

Currently, the robots are programmed to follow a specific path and can be controlled from up to 50 metres away. Operators control the robots with a device which allows them to remotely see the camera view.

However, the future intent for the project is that the robots will be controlled remotely.

The robots are capable of changing positions from a crouch to a stretch, and even have three different ‘walks’; a regular walk for stable ground, an amble for uneven surfaces and a special speed for going up and down stairs.

Motorists have been reminded that the MOT extension period ends next week and those that forget could face a hefty fine, points on their licence or even a ban.

The extension was issued because of the coronavirus pandemic lockdown, with the government announcing that cars with an MOT ending after March 30, 2020 would get an automatic six-month extension.

However, it recently announced that this would no longer apply to vehicles with an MOT ending on or after August 1, 2020.

Paul Loughlin, solicitor and a specialist in motoring law at Stephensons Solicitors LLP, has warned motorists that there will be no exemptions or extensions.

He said: “With the easing of lockdown restrictions, there can be an overwhelming urge to jump in our cars and travel anywhere other than being cooped up at home. However, that sense of urgency can come back to bite, particularly if you’re found to be driving without a valid MOT or driving a dangerous vehicle.

“The government’s decision to reintroduce mandatory testing from August 1, 2020 means that if your MOT is due on or after that date, you must book your vehicle in to be tested as usual. Failure to do so can result in a fine up to £1,000 and if your vehicle is found to be dangerous, it can mean fines of up to £2,500, three points on your license or even a possible ban from driving.

“There is so much going on at the moment that it can be easy to prioritise other areas. However, the cost of inaction can be so much greater, not only financially but also in respect of your safety and that of any passengers.”

The solicitor also warned that rules around taxing and insuring your vehicle have not changed during this period.

Nissan has ruled out producing its new Ariya EV at its large production facility in Sunderland.

The UK plant, which produces key crossovers – such as the Qashqai and Juke – as well as the electric Leaf, seemed like a prime spot to produce the Ariya (unveiled today), given its expertise.

However, Nissan has ruled out producing this new EV alongside the Leaf in the UK, and it will instead be built in Japan at the Tochigi facility, which produces more premium Nissan and Infiniti models, along with the GT-R and 370Z sports cars.

Marco Fioravanti, vice president of product planning at Nissan Europe, said: “The Ariya is going to be produced in Japan, at the Tochigi plant, and it’s been totally changed and modernised in order to accept the new platform, which we’re launching with the Ariya.”

Nissan’s Sunderland facility employs around 7,000 people, and has recently had an uncertain future because of Brexit. The Japanese firm is holding off expanding the facility, which is the largest of its kind in the UK.

Fioravanti said: “Regarding Sunderland, it’s definitely one of our top priorities and it’s the heart of our European manufacturing facilities. At the moment we’re eagerly awaiting Brexit to give us the green light to expand it further.”

In June, Nissan confirmed 250 temporary jobs would go at the plant due to declining demand for new cars from the Covid-19 crisis, while it had a blow in 2019 when the Japanese firm said it would not produce the popular X-Trail SUV there as expected.

Back in May, Nissan announced it would shut its plant in Barcelona, at the expense of 2,800 jobs, though confirmed that its Sunderland operations were safe in the short-term.

The Ariya heralds a new era for Nissan – ushering in a bolder design direction for the firm. It will arrive in the UK in the second half of 2021, and offer a range of up to 310 miles.

What is it?

If you’re after a purist driving experience, the Lotus Elise is one of the go-to names. The model has been around since 1996 and has become world-renowned as a lightweight sports car that’s utterly fantastic to drive.

In the two and a half decades since its inception, the principles have remained the same and the car doesn’t look much different either. It’s still very small and very lightweight, preferring to be agile in the corners than fast in a straight line. As mainstream cars get bigger and bigger this Lotus arguably gets even more appealing, but is it still as relevant in 2020 as it used to be?

What’s new?

This is not just any Elise, this is the Cup 250, which Lotus says is designed more for track use than as a sporty road car. In fact, the Norfolk-based firm boasts that the car could be raced competitively ‘by adding little more than a roll cage’.

With weight the brand’s key focus, the Cup 250 is 14kg lighter than its predecessor thanks to the use of carbon-fibre, titanium and aluminium. The manual gear shifter has been optimised, and now has a beautiful open-gate design that lets you see its inner workings. Meanwhile the body design has been tweaked to improve aerodynamics.

What’s under the bonnet?

The Elise Cup 250 uses a 1.8-litre supercharged four-cylinder petrol engine with an output of 240bhp. While that might not sound like much when hot hatches make more, the little Lotus weighs just 931kg, giving a power-to-weight figure of about 275bhp-per-tonne.

The result is a 0-60mph time of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 150mph, but that’s not what this car is about. Behind the wheel, putting your foot down results in a sharp response from the engine, which fizzes away behind your ear and feels every bit as fast as you could want from a sports car.

What’s it like to drive?

It’s immediately obvious, though, that straight-line performance is not its USP. On a country road, the immediacy of response from every turn of the wheel is a delight, and actually takes some getting used to. It’s so responsive that you’ll find yourself turning in too early, but once you’re dialled in it’s a joy to thread along a country lane. The car feels light and nimble beneath you, and you can see why Lotus fans have eulogised its cars for decades.

It’s also an engineering marvel. Often with small sports car companies you make excuses for parts that don’t feel well put together, but everything is solidly built. Whether it’s the smooth as silk clutch, the snickety gear shift or buttery smooth suspension, there’s nothing sloppy.

How does it look?

While its predecessors could almost be considered cute-looking, the latest Elise has a somewhat meaner appearance. It’s far from aggressive, but there are fewer curvy lines and more sharp and focused ensign features. Much of this is likely to do with aerodynamics, but particularly with the Cup 250, it helps to indicate that this is more of a track-focused model.

It’s also tiny. It’s not until you’re alongside other traffic that you realise just how small the Elise is. However, despite the small surface area, there are some nice design touches, such as the air intakes ahead of the rear wheels, the Union Flag on the rear wing end plates, and the smart but simple multi-spoke alloy wheels.

What’s it like inside?

Much like the outside, the inside has a less is more approach, but here it’s taken to the extreme. There’s really little here that isn’t related to actually driving, with a small stereo headunit and soft Alcantara upholstery about as close as you’re getting to creature comforts.

The highlight is the gear shifter, which has a beautiful open design that allows you to see the linkages at work, but that’s about all there is to talk about.

It’s all about the driving position, though. At first, it’s tricky to climb inside, but it’s surprising how it doesn’t feel too claustrophobic inside once you’ve got into the seat. As a six-foot-plus driver I struggled for leg room, with my knees barely fitting beneath the steering column, but even that didn’t do much to take away from the driving experience.

What’s the spec like?

When it comes to on-board equipment, there really isn’t much to discuss. There’s a new in-car infotainment system by Sony, which has iPod and Bluetooth connectivity, with improved speakers for when you want to take a break from hearing the engine all the time. There’s also a heating system, classic analogue dials, and a plaque bearing the name of the person that built your car.

Outside of the cabin, the performance equipment is more impressive. For example, that exquisite ride is helped by Eibach coaxial coil springs and Bilstein high-performance dampers, while AP Racing twin-piston ventilated brake discs offer impressive stopping power. Meanwhile, endless grip comes from a set of Yokohama Advan A052 tyres.

Verdict

The Lotus Elise is a breath of fresh air in 2020. It’s been around more than two decades, but at a time when cars are getting heavier and more numb for the driver, this car is a reminder what a pure driving experience really is.

While the Cup 250 is theoretically the more hardcore version of the Elise, it actually hits a sweet spot for a road-going performance car, offering more than enough power for a car this light as well as instant response to your inputs.

It’s wholly impractical and lacking in on-board technology, but that’s actually what makes it so appealing.

A rare Jaguar E-Type owned by actor and comedian Steve Coogan is set to go under the hammer at auction.

One of the first 92 right-hand-drive cars produced and one of 56 used as dealer demonstration cars, the E-Type – chassis number 62 – was registered to its first owner in 1961. Sold to its second owner in 1978 in Edinburgh, the classic Jaguar moved to its third keeper and then kept a low profile with its fourth owner in Scotland for many years afterwards.

It was then sold by Silverstone Auctions in 2016 to Coogan, who added it to his collection of classic cars.

In 2017, a thorough restoration of the car was completed. In total, the project took two years to finish.

Despite its varied history, the E-Type has retained its matching body, engine and cylinder head. The gearbox matches too. The restoration process brought the whole car up to showroom standard and it now heads to auction with an estimate of between £300,000 and £350,000.

Nick Whale, Silverstone Auctions managing director commented: “Where do I start, this really is a fabulous car of the highest quality. The history that accompanies it is just perfect, the restoration speaks for itself and has been fully documented. Steve has kept this car in pristine condition in his own personal collection.”

“This is a very special opportunity to own one of the earliest and rarest of Jaguar E-Types with the external bonnet locks. A real collector’s car.”

If you suffer from illnesses that could affect your ability to drive, you’re required by the DVLA to inform them.

However, while some might be quite obvious, the DVLA has a list of health conditions that you might be surprised to learn put you at risk of a £1,000 fine if you don’t declare them.

Car hire comparison site StressFreeCarRental has scoured the full list of conditions to find the less obvious ones you should know about…

Diabetes

If you have diabetes that is treated by insulin, and the insulin treatments last more than three months, you must inform the DVLA. This also applies to gestational diabetes, or if you are at risk of low blood sugar, known as hypoglycaemia.

Vertigo

While most people associate vertigo with being at height, this is specifically known as ‘height vertigo’. Regular vertigo sufferers can get attacks anywhere, making it feel like the world around them is spinning. If you suffer from sudden, disabling, or recurrent vertigo you must tell the DVLA.

Déjà vu

This is something mostly written off as an odd feeling that you’ve been somewhere before, but it can be much more serious. The DVLA must be informed if you suffer from seizures or epilepsy that cause déjà vu.

Sleep apnoea

Obstructive sleep apnoea is a condition that causes the throat to relax and narrow during sleep, which can cause difficulty breathing. It’s one of a number of sleeping disorders that the DVLA must be told about, including narcolepsy and cataplexy.

Labyrinthitis

Labyrinthitis has nothing to do with mazes, it’s actually an inner ear condition that causes dizziness, nausea and loss of hearing. Since all of these things could affect your ability to drive, you must inform the DVLA if you have it.

Heart palpitations

This condition results in the sufferer becoming more aware of their heartbeat, which may feel like it’s pounding or fluttering, or perhaps beating irregularly. While the NHS says they are usually not a sign of something serious, the DVLA requires you to declare if you regularly suffer from them.

Formula 1 is back. After months of no racing because of the coronavirus pandemic, the pinnacle of motorsport is heading to Austria for the first of two races at the Red Bull Ring.

With this being the first race of a new season, and new rules and regulations designed to keep everyone involved safe, here’s a roundup of everything you need to know.

The ‘new normal’

One of the key conditions for professional sport to return has been safety protocol designed to keep everyone involved as possible safe from catching and transmitting coronavirus.

Like all sports, there will be no fans attending races. However, specific to Formula 1 is the fact that teams can bring a maximum of 80 personnel, while no media will be allowed in the paddock or pits. All team members must receive a negative test before being allowed to travel, and must be tested every five days while working and wear PPE.

Finally, there will be no podium for the drivers, who will instead be interviewed and receive trophies on the grid after the race.

Double- and triple-headers

F1 is used to double-headers, which involves racing at two tracks in two consecutive weeks. It has even done a triple-header before, but teams hated it, with personnel working flat-out for three weeks to prepare cars and move everything between circuits.

However, this will be a common theme in 2020 as F1 tries to cram as many races in as possible. For the first time, F1 will race at the same circuit twice in one season, with the opening round at the Red Bull Ring in Austria followed the next week by another race at the circuit, then a race in Hungary for the first triple-header.

After a week off, F1 will return for two British grands prix at Silverstone followed by a race at Catalunya in Spain for the second double-header. So far, the rest of the confirmed calendar only includes Spa in Belgium and Monza in Italy, but a second Italian race at Mugello is one of a variety of new European venues under consideration.

Races in the Americas and Asia will be confirmed later in the year if possible, with Bahrain rumoured to be considering different layouts to make a double-header more interesting.

Fighting for equality

During the coronavirus crisis, the Black Lives Matter movement also gained a lot of attention worldwide. F1 champion Lewis Hamilton was the leading voice in the paddock, calling for equality and for his fellow drivers to speak up.

Formula 1 launched its We Race As One campaign, making a public pledge in “the fight against Covid-19 and the condemnation of racism and inequality”. Teams and drivers will be racing with rainbow symbols, with some of the most prominent placing the images on the halo devices above the drivers’ heads.

Mercedes-AMG F1 has made a powerful statement in support of Hamilton, as it has ditched its traditional silver paint scheme in favour of a black livery. It said the move was a ‘signal of the team’s commitment to fighting racism and discrimination in all its forms’. Both Hamilton and team-mate Valtteri Bottas will also wear black race suits.

Battles at the front

All the talking will soon be over and it will be down to the drivers on the track. With very little development time and teams struggling for budget in the wake of the pandemic, changes to the cars might not be as widespread as we’ve come to expect from F1.

Mercedes is expected to dominate, as it has done for many years now. However, Red Bull Racing has been closing the gap and looks strong, so 2020 could be the year it fights Hamilton and co. for the title. Ferrari makes up ‘The Big Three’, but it has revealed that it has ditched its early car design after finding serious flaws, so expect the red cars to be off the pace in Austria.

And that’s before we get into the drama of Sebastian Vettel, who will leave Ferrari at the end of the year. Can he prove a point and beat his young team-mate Charles Leclerc this season? Time will tell.

Best of the rest

In recent years, the midfield battles tend to be where the action is. For 2020, it’s likely that the battle for best of the rest will be between Racing Point and McLaren.

The former has drawn criticism because opponents say the team, which uses a Mercedes engine, has copied the championship-winning team’s design from last year. It says motorsport’s governing body the FIA is happy with its design, but if it is successful expect these complaints to rumble on.

The Formula 1 season begins this weekend at the Red Bull Ring in Austria, with qualifying starting at 2pm on Saturday and the race starting at 2.10pm on Sunday.

A high-performance BMW M4 Convertible has ended up submerged in a marina after rolling into the water near Portsmouth.

The car – which can retail for around £80,000 – is reported to have rolled into the marina after its driver parked up in a car park and left the vehicle in drive.

A berth holder at Port Solent Marina who saw the vehicle after the initial incident said that the car, which first crashed into the water at around 10 am today (July 2) was parked in the berth holder’s car park prior to its accident.

“It appears that the driver pulled up in a disabled bay right at the front,” they told the PA news agency. “Apparently as he got out the car was in drive so it took off and went down the embankment, through the railings and went straight into the marina.

“It’s a real first,” they added. “I’ve never seen a car in a marina.”

It is believed that no one was injured during the incident.

Staff at the marina site quickly put anti-pollution measures into place around the car to stop fuel from leaking further afield.

At the time of writing, it is believed that the car is being craned from the water, according to the berth holder – who does not wish to be named.

PA has contacted Port Solent Marina for comment.

The BMW M4 Convertible uses a turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder with 444bhp and 550Nm of torque and is capable of going from 0-60mph in just 4.3 seconds before reaching a top speed of 155mph.