05 Feb 07
A large glass roof panel, usually fixed into position rather than a sliding/opening sunroof. Should be specified in combination with sunblinds, to stop your car turning into a greenhouse. (Although, strictly speaking, you can't actually have a panoramic roof because it's above you, not around you.)
Most systems use radar sensors mounted on the car's bumpers and give a warning beep if you get too close to another car; some also integrate a rear-view camera and in-dash display screen. Also known as PDC (Park Distance Control).
Traps nasty particles of unburnt hydrocarbons, the soot associated with less clean diesel engines; a maintenance-free device intended to last the life of the engine. A very effective and cheap anti-pollution measure.
A form of lease where the driver signs up to hire a new car for a set period, with an agreed capped mileage, but has the option of buying it at the end. [See also: APR, Contract hire, Lease]
Two modes, normal and sporting, the latter lowering the 911, for instance, by 10mm and firming up the dampers. Capable of monitoring driving dynamics and adjusting damping accordingly.
A number plate with a special configuration of letters and numbers usually designed to mimic the car or driver's name (eg K4 REN). These are typically used to disguise the age of the car, or express one's 'personality'. New personal plates can be chosen and bought straight from the DVLA to fit on a brand new vehicle.
A type of direct injection where solenoid controls are replaced by ceramic injectors which expand and contract under an electric charge. In a petrol engine, these are situated between the valves and the spark plugs. It's also known as jet-guided injection, since the fuel/air mixture ignites right by the injection jet rather than swirling in the combustion chamber. Allows for a lean fuel-air mix throughout the rev range, thus saving petrol, and up to four fuel injections per engine cycle, but needs sulphur-free fuel. Also applied to diesel engines. Makes for ultra-precise fuel injection at even higher pressures than solenoid systems.
The basic structure of the car, or its essential underpinnings. One platform is often used to form the basis of many closely related models for different brands - eg the Volkswagen Golf/Audi A3/Seat Leon - or the creation of different body styles around the same structure (Renault Megane, Scenic, Megane CC).
The problem with current hybrids is that they have a limited range in electric-only mode, so aftermarket firms have developed external charging systems to boost the battery power - just plug it into a mains socket. Factory-fit plug-ins are on the way as an option with production hybrids such as the Prius.
The sweet spot in the engine's rev range where it delivers the bulk of its power. Diesel engines typically develop their peak power quite low down the rev range and performance-orientated petrol engines high up; Honda, for example, is renowned for a very high-rev powerband from its sports car engines fitted with VTEC variable valve timing. [See also: Bhp, torque]
Traditionally uses a chamber of hydraulic fluid pumped around to back up the force applied by the driver to the steering wheel, but most new cars now have an sensor-driven, electronically controlled system, sometimes known as EPS (electric power steering). EPS entails pre-programming of characteristics such as steering feel.
A Mercedes-Benz system that tensions seatbelts, optimises seat positions, shuts windows and the sunroof and inflates seat bolsters to get you in the best position if the car's sensors reckon you're about to have an accident, and deploys airbags according to the predicted force of the impact.
Belts designed to take up the slack and grip the body more tightly when sensors anticipate a crash, thus limiting the distance you can be flung forwards or jerk backwards again.
A fully functioning pre-production vehicle used by manufacturers to evaluate the design and performance of a forthcoming model. These are the cars our spy photographers catch out testing. Most get crushed after their testing life is over, though some important prototypes are kept by companies for their own archives and museums.
A bonnet designed to reduce injuries to unfortunate pedestrians the car may collide with, as in the current Jaguar XK. Uses deployment device similar to an airbag to pop up the bonnet for absorption of the impact and to reduce risk of the person hitting the rigid engine.
