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2 012 POR T L AND I NT E RNAT I ONA L AUTO SHOW
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OF F I C I A L SOUV EN I R MAGA Z I NE
2012 PORTLAND INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW
Motor vehicles are becoming more
sophisticated all the time. Here is a look at
some of the available emerging technologies:
Black boxes
— Recording devices that
continuously document things such as driving
speed so that the data can be reviewed when
legal or insurance issues arise, as in the case
of accidents.
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT)
— A type of automatic transmission
that accelerates and decelerates in relation to
engine speedwithnonoticeable shifts between
gears. Advantages include improved mileage.
Versions vary between manufacturers and
some have manual shift modes that mimic
gear changes.
Curtain airbags
— Airbags placed in
the headliner area above the side windows to
reduce head and other injuries in the event of
side impacts.
Direct fuel injection
— A method
of delivering air and fuel directly into the
combustion chamber without first mixing it
in a traditional intake manifold. The result
is increased mileage and reduced emissions.
Diesel engines have long used direct injection.
More gasoline engines are now using the
technology.
Economy mode
— A setting in some
vehicles that automatically helps increase
mileage by doing such things as turning off
the air conditioner when it is not needed.
Hybrid
— A combination of a traditional
gasoline engine and an electric motor to
improve gas mileage. Systems vary between
manufacturers. Full hybrids are vehicles that
can launch from a stop only on the electric
motor, then use the gasoline motor to achieve
high speeds. Mild hybrids use the electric
motor to assist the gasoline engine. Plug-in
hybrids allow owners to recharge the batteries
when the vehicles are not running so that they
can travel a certain distance on electric power
alone.
Navigationsystems
—Built-inormovable
devices that use maps and other means to
help drivers find their real-time locations and
directions to destinations. In some cases, the
systems show potential destinations, such as
restaurants, along a given route.
Rear-view camera
—A cameramounted
in the back of a vehicle that lets drivers see
what’s behind them when the transmission
is in reverse. Real-time images are displayed
on navigation system screens or rear view
mirrors. Especially helpful for large vehicles,
including SUVs.
Run-flat tires
— Tires that do not change
their shape after the lose air for certain
distances, usually around 50 miles.
Self-parking cars
— A limited number
of cars use sensors and computers to control
steering, acceleration and braking to parallel
park themselves.
Supercharger
—A turbinedrivenby a fan
belt or other engine-driven device to increase
power. Unlike a turbocharger, superchargers
run at engine-related speeds, meaning their
additional power is instantly available.
Turbocharger
— A turbine driven by
exhaust gases that compresses air entering
the engine to produce more power. Unlike a
supercharger, turbochargers produce more
power at the speed of the engine increases.
Some manufacturers are promoting the fuel
efficiency of turbocharged engines while
others are more focused on their increased
power.
New technology keeps making new cars better
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