No other concept car in the history of Volvo Car Corporation has meant more for the company's technological advancement than the Volvo SCC (Safety Concept Car). Ten years after its 2001 world premiere in Detroit, the Safety Concept Car can look back on a fantastic "career".
It was the starting point of the company's leadership in active safety. About 15 of the advanced technical solutions found in today's Volvo models first saw the light of day in the Volvo SCC. From the design viewpoint the SCC also inspired the design of the successful Volvo C30 model. The Volvo SCC is an early example of the cumulative effect of close cooperation between Volvo Cars' designers and engineers.
"Concept vehicles are usually design or technology studies that give car buyers a taste of the future. The Volvo SCC, however, has added impact because it was both attractive and high-tech. It is an early example of how we design our cars around our customers' wishes, needs and limitations," says Volvo Car Corporation's President and CEO Stefan Jacoby.
One of the project group's most important goals was to demonstrate the possibility of combining world-class safety with a sporty, sleek shape all packaged in a relatively small car. "When we began work on the concept car at the end of the 1990s, Volvo was still primarily known for making family cars designed to protect their occupants in a collision. The SCC signaled the start of a new approach which enhanced safety for the occupants, where the car's most important safety task is to help avoid dangerous situations and accidents in the first place," explains Östen Strandberg, who was responsible for the development of the Volvo SCC.
He adds: "With the drivable Safety Concept Car, we showed that all these smart, collision-preventive technological solutions were within reach. It is fair to say that the success of the SCC project triggered Volvo Car Corporation's groundbreaking dedication to active safety systems."
Star in Detroit
The Volvo SCC generated enormous interest at its unveiling to a massive audience on the Volvo Cars stand at Detroit Auto Show in January 2001. That autumn, the world press had the opportunity to test-drive the concept car in a closed-off section of Seville International Airport in southern Spain.
The following year, Swedish Prime Minster Göran Persson was one of many people that tested the car - and later the car went on a nationwide tour of the USA, reaping immense praise from coast to coast.
"The attention it attracted was actually greater than we dared hope. I'm convinced that this was largely because the SCC was attractive as well as technically advanced - but without being complicated. That's exactly the combination that echoes Volvo's approach and it is still our strength," says Mikael Edvardsson, one of the engineers responsible of the technology integrated into the Safety Concept Car.
From concept to production
In 2002 work got under way on translating the technical studies showcased in the Volvo SCC into production-ready safety technology. One year later, Volvo Car Corporation initiated the project that would result in the world debut of the Volvo C30 in Paris in 2006.
Today - ten years after the premiere success - around 15 of the technological solutions presented in the Volvo SCC can be found in Volvo Car Corporation's model range. Technological solutions that now help drivers the world over avoid both minor incidents and major collisions.
"One small but revealing example of just how much of the SCC made it into series production is the fact that even the car's livery became reality - the paintwork of the one-off SCC bears a remarkable resemblance to the Orange Flame colour that you can specify for your Volvo C30," relates Östen Strandberg.
There's an exception to every rule, however. One of the SCC's most attention-grabbing features never made it into production: the Eiffel Tower-like see-through A-pillars remained a part of the C30 project, but eventually made way for a conventional alternative owing to obstacles when it comes to strength, build complexity and cost.
SCC technology in today's Volvo models
Here is a list of the technological solutions that made it from the Volvo SCC to some or all of Volvo Car Corporation's current models:
• Forward collision warning - today in its third generation with Pedestrian Detection, Collision Warning and Full Auto Brake. In addition, there is the ground-braking low-speed system, City Safety, which is fitted as standard to several Volvo models.
• Information projected on the windscreen - today the head-up display is part of the Collision Warning system.
• Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) - Technology that monitors vehicles in the "blind spot" and alerts the driver.
• Lane Departure Warning and Driver Alert - Warning system to alert the driver to the risk of straying from the lane. Today known as.
• Cruise control that maintains a set distance behind the vehicle in front. The present ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) operates all the way down to standstill in cars with automatic transmission.
• Flashing brake lights during hard braking - today known as Emergency Brake Lights.
• Safety cameras - today there are integrated reversing camera and grille-mounted camera offering drivers a 180-degree field of vision (accessory). A camera is also a key component in the Pedestrian Detection and Collision Warning system.
• Advanced headlights that follow the curvature of the road as the car turns – today Active Bending Lights.
• Further-developed HMI (Human Machine Interface) - now Volvo Sensus.
• Height-adjustable rear seat. Present today in the integrated two-stage child booster cushions.
• Protection for pedestrians - today this system is found as the energy-absorbing front structure and bonnet and in Pedestrian Detection.
• Steering wheel adjustable for height and reach - fitted today as standard.
• Passive unlocking and engine starting - today Keyless Go
• Communication with the car via mobile phone - today via a newly developed Mobile Application that was introduced in spring 2011.
Ahead of its time
Mikael Edvardsson sums up: "When the Volvo SCC was unveiled, it was packed with sensational technology. Bearing in mind the interest of the car-buying public in active safety systems today, it's easy to see that the concept car was way ahead of its time. It's evidence that Volvo is and will remain at the cutting edge when it comes to automotive safety."
|
Keeping your Mazda in tip-top shape has never been this easy!
Manila, Philippines, August 2, 2010 – Mazda Philippines today announced the launch of a new customer service promotion that further strengthens its offering of genuine parts and services to Mazda vehicles with expired warranties. The promo is part of Mazda’s ongoing commitment to ensure the highest performance of Mazda vehicles and to maintain its best-in-class customer service offering.
“In addition to offering vehicles that are fun to drive, the Mazda Philippines team is committed to developing and introducing programs that deliver meaningful solutions for our customers and set new standards of aftersales service in the Philippines,” said Dave Macasadia, VP - Customer Service Division .
The Mazda Service promotion, which runs throughout the month of August, includes a free oil filter for out-of-warranty Mazda owners who avail of the Periodic Maintenance Service as well as a 15 percent discount on parts and labor. This offering is valid for Mazda3, Mazda6, Mazda Tribute and Mazda CX-9 units sold from January 1, 2004 to June 30, 2008.
Original Mazda Parts in 24-hours or it’s FREE
The use of non-genuine parts can compromise the safety and performance of a vehicle for the driver, passengers and other road users, including pedestrians. Using genuine Mazda replacement parts helps ensure that the vehicle is maintained in its original condition, which protects the vehicle’s value and its occupants.
In addition to its service enhancement offering, Mazda Philippines announces the launch of its 24-Hour Parts Guarantee Program for the Mazda2, Mazda3 and Mazda CX-7.
This program offers over 65 parts for the repair and maintenance of Mazda’s fun to drive cars and SUVs. Mazda can send genuine replacement parts anywhere in Metro Manila within 24 hours, or customers get them free of charge. The program covers spare parts within six essential groupings, including scheduled service maintenance; brake parts; suspension and steering; electrical and air conditioning; powertrain; and body and collision.
For inquiries, visit any of the nine authorized Mazda dealerships: Mazda Alabang, Mazda Greenhills, Mazda Makati, Mazda Quezon Avenue (Metro-Manila), Mazda Batangas, Mazda Pampanga, Mazda Cebu, Mazda Dagupan and Mazda Cagayan de Oro.
Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/MazdaPhilippines
|
Bosch remains confident on gradual transition to electromobility
Manila - Robert Bosch Inc. (Philippines), local subsidiary of Germany’s Bosch Group and the largest automotive technology parts supplier in the domestic aftermarket, showcased its local line of Gasoline Direct Injection and Diesel Common Rail Injection components at the second Philippine Energy Efficiency Forum. The Bosch Group is engaged in the development and production of fuel components and systems as well as alternative drives that enable vehicles to operate more efficiently and emit significantly lower CO2. Bosch aims to reduce the fuel consumption of internal-combustion engines by another third - considering that some 95 percent of all new vehicles in 2020 will still be powered by diesel and gasoline engines.
“While continuing to increase the efficiency of today’s internal combustion engines Bosch also researches new technologies to reduce the cost of electromobility in the future,” said Joseph Hong, Managing Director of Robert Bosch Inc. (Philippines). “The future of mobility belongs to the electric drive. The only question is when,” Hong further explained to a selected group of media during the forum.
Investing on e-mobility
On the global front, Bosch invests 400 million euros each year in projects related to powertrain electrification while some 800 engineers are working to make the vision of e-mobility a reality. Development work, however, only shows one side of the coin. Convincing drivers of the benefits of electric cars poses another major challenge, which requires presenting customers with market-ready solutions today.
The e-bike, which is already available today, shows the benefits of electromobility to the mass market. 18 brands of e-bikes are already equipped with Bosch drive systems. While traction batteries for long ranges remain expensive, it makes sense to think about how and where the battery technology can be applied in the meantime. On the road to e-mobility, small steps are equally important for future success.
The plug-in hybrid vehicle, which is powered by a relatively compact and affordable battery for short ranges, can be plugged in and the battery recharged from the electricity main. Combined with a gasoline or diesel engine for longer trips, the plug-in hybrid could soon be a realistic option. It could be the solution for a family that runs errands in the city using the electric drive, and then visits relatives a few hundred kilometers away using the internal-combustion engine.
Technically speaking, a combined system such as this calls for broad systems expertise in all types of drive systems – the very kind of networked knowledge that a global supplier like Bosch brings to the table. This broad-ranging know-how has enabled the company to think beyond choosing between conventional and electric drives to come up with technologies that combine both.
A broad range of drive systems
Even in 2020, a lithium-ion battery with a range of 200 kilometers will cost more than PHP300 thousand (5,000 euros). The further development of lithium-ion batteries will play a decisive role here. Together with its partner Samsung SDI, Bosch manufactures such batteries. In the long term, the energy density of such batteries will have to at least double.
The Bosch product portfolio includes electric motors and power electronics as well. With an investment of 600 million euros, the automotive supplier is building a new wafer fab in Reutlingen, Germany to produce its own power semiconductors. This illustrates that Bosch corporate strategy comes not only from broad-based expertise, but also from in-depth technical know-how. By 2013, Bosch will be supplying 12 automakers with components and systems required for some 20 electromobility-related projects.
Full-cycle approach to harnessing clean energy
There are many arguments to support the assertion that the transition to electromobility will be gradual and will see a number of specific solutions for specific markets. Until the full realization of electromobility, companies will need to pool production and standardize components, in addition to reducing costs. Small examples like standardizing plug-in connections show a lot of cost-saving potential. Economies of scale, on the other hand, can be achieved through cooperation between carmakers, and also between carmakers and suppliers. This is why Daimler and Bosch have decided to join forces to develop and manufacture electric motors for electric vehicles.
“The full transition to electromobility in the future will only make sense if energy is harnessed from renewable sources,” said Hong. “It will not make sense if the consumption of fossil fuel is only passed on to power producers.” Bosch is also active in the development of core components for multi-megawatt wind turbines and solar photovoltaics which are locally categorized as “new” renewable energy sources.
|
