Freak bumps scupper speed record attempt
The team hoping to set a world speed record for electric cars abandons its bid after the salt-flat racetrack suddenly turned lumpy
(10/06/2004)

Le Mans 2004

Tread mills
Why do car and motorcycle tyre manufacturers keep coming up with such varied tread patterns?

Older model
Given the energy required to make a car starting from raw materials is greater than it consumes in fuel, is it better to run "old bangers" for longer, rather than buying new fuel-efficient cars?

How well do you know your fuels?

Latest articles

Tiny radar could make driving safer
A radar system has been squeezed on to an inexpensive silicon chip - it could be used in cars to help with driving in fog
(27/02/2004)

Crashed cars to text message for help
The Europe-wide system automatically senses a crash and then contacts the emergency services in the local language
(14/01/2004)

Silver cars are the safest on the road
Going for a spin in a silver vehicle is much safer than any other colour of car - black, brown and green cars are the most dangerous
(19/12/2003)

SUVs double pedestrians' risk of death
Someone struck by a large sports utility vehicle is more than twice as likely to die as someone hit by a saloon car, a new study finds
(12/12/2003)

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Latest articles

Electric land speed record attempt all set
A needle-shaped vehicle, powered by 52 ordinary car batteries, aims to beat the 245 mph record in Tunisia on Wednesday
(07/06/2004)

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Latest articles

Ford abandons electric vehicles
The decision signals the end for battery-powered cars - fuel cells and hybrid vehicles are the way forward, the motor giant says
(03/09/2002)

Surprise discovery in diesel engines
Study reveals supersonic shock wave in high-speed fuel jets used in diesel cars - designers will now have to scrap old models of fuel mixing and combustion
(23/02/2002)

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Latest articles

Car thieves could be stopped remotely
Criminals could be brought to a standstill by remotely triggered immobilisers, which jam stolen cars from restarting
(21/02/2004)

'Sonic gun' tested as hailstorm suppressor
The system, being tested at a US car plant, aims to prevent impact damage by heavy hailstones - but some experts are skeptical
(10/02/2004)

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