Ford to Make Human Body Model Available to Automotive Consortium

Ford to Make Human Body Model Available to Automotive Consortium

by Katie Jones

Traffic safety is one of the major concerns of auto manufacturers. That is why a group of car manufacturers have been formed to continually develop safety devices for their vehicles. One of the newcomers to the group is Ford Motor Company.

The Dearborn based company announced just recently that they will be sharing their expertise to the group's effort. The Global Human Body Models Consortium LLC, as the group is named, was formed on April of last year. The group's aim is to develop human body models which will allow them to design better life saving devices.

Ford has joined other car manufacturers in the group. DaimlerChrysler AG., the General Motors Corp., Honda Motor Co., Hyundai Motor Co., Nissan Motor Corp., the PSA Peugeot-Citroën, Renault s.a.s., Takata Corp., the Toyota Motor Corp. and the TRW Inc. are the other members of the consortium.

Ford made known that they would be making their human body model available to the group. For 14 years now, the company has been developing computer human body models which they have been using to develop restraint systems for their vehicles which complement Ford bumpers which are designed to absorb most of the energy generated during a front end collision. The company has developed the most advanced computer human body model which shows the bodies of human beings in microscopic details.

The said model allows researchers to study how certain car crashes affect a person. The full human body model is the most advanced model ever developed by a car manufacturer. The model's most advanced feature is the detailed representation of the human brain and internal organs.

In 1993, the company started the model bit by bit. Through the years, the company has created computer models of different body parts. The head, neck, ribcage, abdomen, thoracic and lumbar spine, internal organs of the chest and abdomen, pelvis, and the upper and lower extremities were developed from 1993 until 2004.

In 2004, the different parts were brought together to form a detailed and very complete human body model. During the construction of the model, researchers for Ford gathered data from MRI scans and human anatomy texts. After the construction of the model, Ford researchers validated it by cadaver testing. Volunteer human testing was also done to make sure that the model indeed represents the human body in a very detailed form.

"The Human Body Model will help reduce physical testing on component and full-scale levels during vehicle development," says Dr. Saeed Barbat, the manager of the Passive Safety Research and Advanced Engineering for the Ford Motor Company. "It will also be used to develop more sophisticated instrumentation that could lead to more human-like crash dummies," added Barbat further. The human body model's most notable characteristic is the very detailed spine model. The company has succeeded in creating a model spine with all the vertebrae segments and cartilage present. Aside from that, the detailed human brain model also allow researchers to study how a person's head can be damaged by certain crashes and thereby allowing them to create a device or safety feature to prevent severe brain damage caused by car crashes.

The consortium will be able to use this technology developed by Ford to create better restraint systems to further protect motorists. The group has already asked for proposals from different research and university groups all over the e world. From these proposals, the group is planning to select five which will be tasked to study the reaction of different body parts in cases of crashes. The group has announced that the Phase One of their plan is the development of six computer human body models. Large, medium, and small male and female models will have to be created which will be used in the next phase of their plan. The group projects that the six models will be developed by the year 2011.

Audi S5 Reviewed in Fast-Autos

Audi S5 Reviewed in Fast-Autos

by John Hartley

A completely new model, the Audi S5 is the top of the 5 Series, a brand new range which is filled out with the A5 models. All look very similar, and provide good performance in a neat package. Stiff competition for the BMW 3 series coupe, but can it compete with the BMW 650i, Jaguar XK or Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG? Possibly.

In any event, the Audi S5 is a sleek looking coupe, with a front end reminiscent of the R8, and a semi-fastback roof line, and just discernible swept lines up and over the front and rear wheels. It is a smart looking car, and one that will blend in well at the country club. Like almost all Audi designs, the S5 and A5 are smart, balanced designs with some neat features, but there is nothing shocking, nothing very exciting about the shape.

V-8 power, 354 bhp

But what about performance? Well, Audi has picked its V-8 to give enough power to see off many competitors, although this is not the most powerful version of this superb engine. For the S5 it is rated at 354 bhp at 7,000 rpm, with 325 lb ft (440 Nm) torque at 3,500 rpm, against the 420 bhp of the RS4.

So it is not as fast as it might be, but still packs plenty of oomph, taking the S5 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, which is true supercar territory, while top speed is limited to 155 mph. This really puts it up with some heavy metal, although it is nowhere as quick as the Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG, which has 480 bhp on tap from a massive 6.2 liter engine.

On the other hand, the straightline performance of the Audi A5 is slightly better than that of the BMW 650i and Jaguar XK, and up there with the likes of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage and Porsche 911 Carrera.

The V-8 is coupled to a six-speed manual box in the S5. More important, Audi has adopted a front:rear torque split of 40:60% for the center differential. This means that in the normal state the car will not understeer strongly like the front-biased split of some Audi quattros. This means the car will handle nearer neutral, which is good.

Also new is the double-wishbone front suspension and trapezoidal multi-link rear suspension which will ensure good tracking and handling.

Volvo C30: German's Readers' Choice For "The Best Cars of 2007"

Volvo C30: German's Readers' Choice For "The Best Cars of 2007"

by Glady Reign

When it rains, it pours. And it seems like Volvo Cars is getting the entire downpour. The first thing to be thankful about it is its amazing 80 years existence in the auto industry. Then, here comes the overwhelming awards.

For its latest addition - the Volvo C30 - alone, the model has received the Goldenes Lenkrad (Golden Steering Wheel) from one of the major Sunday papers, and the Auto Zeitung's Auto Trophy award in the best compact car class. But it did not stop there, the Volvo C30 is also the readers' choice feature "Die besten Autos 2007" ("The best cars of 2007") of the distinguished German trade journal "auto motor und sport" the Swedish manufacturer's first compact model came way out on top in the lower medium import class.

Success comes successively that it leaves the automaker jubilant and thrilled. The all-new S80 also yielded remarkable result, coming second in the upper medium import class. In the said competition, readers are given the opportunity to choose from 312 current car models. Over 100,000 readers chose their favorite cars in ten vehicle categories.

The 2007 Volvo C30 garnered 19.1 percent of the votes thus making it a dominant entry in its category. The said success is bolstered by its previously won awards like the "Das Goldene Lenkrad 2006", the "Auto Trophy 2006" and the "Design Award 2006."

The all-new S80 garnered 12.2 percent of readers' votes to put it on the second place in its category thus beating other popular rivals. The second generation of Volvo limousine blends Scandinavian design with the clear language of innovation and intelligent functions. It also boasts of superb driving dynamics and the outstanding Volvo safety reputation.

The new Volvo C30 from the automaker flaunts the unmistakably Volvo features - from the luxurious aura and ergonomics, exemplary safety, sporty drive feel. The three-door, four-seat hatchback is powered by I4 and I5 engines. The production version of the car was officially introduced at the 2006 Paris Motor Show. It will be introduced in the United States as a 2008 model, with the T5 as the single version.

For the very first time, Volvo reaches out to the young generation of auto buyers. "The Volvo C30 is a very exciting car with emotional appeal. We anticipate that the C30's youthfulness and dynamic design will catch the hearts and minds of people beyond Volvo's traditional customers," said Anne Blec, President and CEO of VCNA.

"The C30 has plenty of muscles in a sporty and compact package," said Steve Mattin, Volvo Car's design director. "Anyone who recalls the Volvo SCC (Safety Concept Car) or the classic P1800ES will recognize the exclusive and convenient rear tailgate. The distinctive tail lamps ensure that no one will be uncertain about which car they are following."

Aside from standard auto parts like Volvo antenna, wheels, radiator, and brakes, the Volvo C30 also boasts of its safety features that include the BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) to overcome "blind spots" and the Intelligent Driver Information System (IDIS) to monitor the car's preemptive systems that include steering wheel angle, pedal depressions, and overall factors that aid the vehicle's computer to decide if the driver is busy or distracted. The car also features four-wheel anti-lock braking system, electronic stability program, seatbelts with pretensioners, traction control, and airbags all around for side impact and rollover protection.

"The new Volvo C30 plays an important role in our push towards a volume of 600,000 cars a year. We are broadening our model program to make it possible for new, younger customers with an intense, urban lifestyle to choose a Volvo with the right appeal as early as possible," Arp noted. The automaker intends to sell 65,000 cars every year. Seventy-five percent of those sales are expected to come from Europe market.

2008 Volkswagen Touareg 2 U.S. Debut in New York

2008 Volkswagen Touareg 2 U.S. Debut in New York

by Benjamin Hudson

The 2008 model year of the Volkswagen Touareg, the first ever sport utility vehicle (SUV) model from the Wolfsburg-based car manufacturer is making its North American debut at the 2007 New York International Auto Show.

Named as the Touareg 2, the vehicle is poised to stir the American car fans at the show with the vehicle's updated exterior styling featuring the company's signature Volkswagen "face" design highlighted by the chrome front grille. Other exclusive features of the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg 2 include redesigned headlamps and darkened taillights, redesigned aerodynamics, sporty rear spoiler with integrated third brake light, optional Bi-Xenon headlights with AFS II that improves night time driving visibility in cornering, and several wheel options for different VW Touareg 2 model trims. For the VR6 FSI, 17-inch alloy wheels are standard while the 19-inch alloy wheels are standard for the V8 FSI and V10 TDI Twin Turbo models. Moreover, the 2008 VW Touareg comes with all-new exterior colors for the customers to choose from. It includes Alaska Gray, Cranberry, Galapagos and White Gold.

Interior highlights of the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg 2 include redesigned luxury seating system featuring standard 12-way power driver's seat, standard Sirius Satellite Radio, park distance control, power lift gate, new instrument cluster with larger display, new silver metallic trim, available ten speaker Dynaudio premium sound system, and optional keyless access with a start/stop button. Bunch of optional packages are also available like the Lux, Lux Plus and Technologie packages.

The VW Touareg 2 also comes with a host of safety features and driver assistance systems to enhance the vehicle's handling. These include new rollover sensor system to detect rollover situation and activate the side and side head curtain airbags, enhanced tire pressure monitoring system (TPS), Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP), hydraulic braking assist, a preventative braking pressure build-up system, and rain brake support. In addition, the Touareg 2 also comes with the world-first "ABSplus" braking system from Volkswagen.

At the heart of the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg 2 comes a three power plant options for the customers to choose from: the powerful 3.6-liter VR6 FSI, the recently upgraded 4.2- liter V8 FSI, and the monstrous 5.0-liter V10 TDI Twin Turbo.

The 3.6-liter VR6 FSI engine replaces the standard 3.2-liter engine of the Volkswagen Touareg. The engine now produces 280 hp, an additional 40 horsepower compared to the previous engine. The 4.2- liter V8 FSI features unleaded fuel direct injection system and pumps out 350 hp and produces 325 lbs. ft amount of peak torque. Lastly, the 5.0-liter V10 TDI Twin Turbo for the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg 2 pumps out 310 hp and produces a stunning 553 lbs. ft. of peak torque output, allowing the Touareg 2 to achieve an impressive towing capability of about 7,716 pounds. All of these engines are equipped with quality VW timing parts like VW timing chain. The Touareg 2's standard gearbox powers the vehicle's permanent 4XMOTION four-wheel drive (4WD) system. Moreover, the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg 2 also features off-road control systems like Hill Roll Back Assist and Hill Descent Assist.

The 2008 Volkswagen Touareg 2 will arrive in Volkswagen dealerships this spring carrying a base manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $39,320.