Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Evergreener: Long-running Ford Ranger augments safety features for 2010]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/06/evergreener-long-running-ford-ranger-augments-safety-features-f/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/06/evergreener-long-running-ford-ranger-augments-safety-features-f/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/06/evergreener-long-running-ford-ranger-augments-safety-features-f/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click on the image above for a high-res gallery of the 2010 Ford Ranger

Despite dwindling sales in a dwindling segment, Ford's Ranger refuses to pack up. For 2010, the compact pickup looks unchanged on the outside, but beneath the skin it gains some new electronic gubbins to help make it more competitive.

In the main, the trucklet soldiers on into its next model year with a larger complement of standard safety equipment. Traction and stability control (AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control in Blue Oval-speak) will be built into every 2010 Ranger, along with new side airbags designed to protect the head and torso.

The rest of the package continues essentially unaltered, with Ford continuing to wave the Ranger's banner as America's most fuel-efficient pickup (the base 2.3-liter four-cylinder nets 21 miles-per-gallon in the city and 26 mpg on the highway).

Rumors have persisted that the Ranger might be euthanized ahead of its Twin Cities production plant's scheduled closing in 2011 - and indeed, just yesterday word came down that the truck's assembly lines will be idled for an additional two weeks due to slow sales. But the added investment in safety equipment for 2010 would seem to indicate that the Ranger is likely to soldier on until the plant's scheduled closing date. Click on the jump for Ford's official press release.

Gallery: 2010 Ford Ranger


[Sources: Ford Motor Company; Minneapolis Star Tribune]

Continue reading Evergreener: Long-running Ford Ranger augments safety features for 2010

Evergreener: Long-running Ford Ranger augments safety features for 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Feb 2009 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Blue OvalBlueOvalcompact pickupCompactPickupFordfuel economyFuelEconomyminneapolisminnesotapickupRangerrollover protectionRolloverProtectionstability controlStabilityControltraction controlTractionControltwin citiesTwinCitiesFri, 06 Feb 2009 13:03:00 EST<![CDATA[2010 Toyota Corolla, Matrix get standard stability and traction control]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/24/2010-toyota-corolla-matrix-get-standard-stability-and-traction/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/24/2010-toyota-corolla-matrix-get-standard-stability-and-traction/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/24/2010-toyota-corolla-matrix-get-standard-stability-and-traction/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It's not every day that you get more for the same money. Yet that's what Toyota is offering with the 2010 Corolla, which will come with traction control and vehicle stability control and no price increase over the outgoing model. The MSRP of that car remains $15,350 for the base model 5-speed sedan. The Matrix also adds the two features as standard, but the price on the CUV goes up by $201, to $21,960. Both cars will arrive in dealer showrooms at the end of February, and for more pricing info you can check out the press release after the jump.

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading 2010 Toyota Corolla, Matrix get standard stability and traction control

2010 Toyota Corolla, Matrix get standard stability and traction control originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Jan 2009 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car buyingCarBuyingcorollacrossovercuveconomyfeatureshatchbackmatrixoptionssedanstability controlStabilityControltoyotatoyota corollatoyota matrixToyotaCorollaToyotaMatrixtraction controlTractionControlvehicle stability controlVehicleStabilityControlSat, 24 Jan 2009 11:04:00 EST<![CDATA[2008 Monaco Grand Prix: No-traction action]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/27/2008-monaco-grand-prix-no-traction-action/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/27/2008-monaco-grand-prix-no-traction-action/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/27/2008-monaco-grand-prix-no-traction-action/#commentsFiled under:


Click above for high-res gallery of the 2008 Monaco Grand Prix

Short of a divine calling or some sort of athletic/outdoorsy obsession, let's be honest here... who wants to get up before 8 AM on a Sunday? Racing fans who did rise with the songbirds yesterday, however, were rewarded with one hell of a spectacle. In fact, this past Race Sunday was loaded with wheel-to-wheel action in all manner of motorsports, between the Indianapolis 500, NASCAR Coca-Cola 600, Nurburgring 24 and, of course, the Monaco Grand Prix. We're talking about the latter here, and if you've yet to cue up the TiVo, we suggest you go no further. For those looking for a recap of the day's events on the narrow, winding streets of Monte Carlo, click below to read on.

Gallery: 2008 Monaco Grand Prix

Continue reading 2008 Monaco Grand Prix: No-traction action

2008 Monaco Grand Prix: No-traction action originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 May 2008 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1f1 monacof1 monte carloF1MonacoF1MonteCarloformula 1formula one monacoformula one monte carloFormula1FormulaOneMonacoFormulaOneMonteCarlomonacomonaco gpmonaco grand prixMonacoGpMonacoGrandPrixmonte carloMonteCarlotraction controlTractionControlTue, 27 May 2008 10:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Maserati recalls 718 Quattroportes for traction control issue]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/21/maserati-recalls-718-quattroportes-for-traction-control-issue/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/21/maserati-recalls-718-quattroportes-for-traction-control-issue/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/21/maserati-recalls-718-quattroportes-for-traction-control-issue/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Maserati only recently started selling the new automatic transmission version of the Quattroporte sedan and now it's being recalled. Apparently there is a problem with the low voltage threshold for the traction control and stability control that causes it to shutdown prematurely when it thinks the battery is low. The software problem evidently doesn't affect the anti-lock brakes, which should continue to function normally. Only 718 cars are affected by the recall that requires a replacement of the electronic control unit, though considering the Quattroporte is a six-figure car, that number likely represents a decent portion of those on the road.

[Source: NHTSA via MotorAuthority]

Continue reading Maserati recalls 718 Quattroportes for traction control issue

Maserati recalls 718 Quattroportes for traction control issue originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Aug 2007 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>maseratimaserati quattroporteMaseratiQuattroportequattroportestability controlStabilityControltraction controlTractionControlTue, 21 Aug 2007 17:04:00 EST<![CDATA[F1 drivers split on traction control ban]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/12/f1-drivers-split-on-traction-control-ban/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/12/f1-drivers-split-on-traction-control-ban/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/12/f1-drivers-split-on-traction-control-ban/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



For those who think this is shaping up to be an exciting F1 season, next year should be a stunner. The FIA has confirmed that traction control will not be allowed in 2008. With traction control about to be banned from F1, Formula One Drivers are split on the decision. Most have said they support the move, but most racers will usually say they prefer fewer electronic aids getting in the way of pure mechanical feel and control of the vehicle. At this level of performance, however, the drivers often like to talk a good game and downplay the significance of the devices. It's more driver skill, they'll tell you. But for some of today's drivers, electronics have been fitted to every car they have raced at this level of competition. The aids themselves have been used since 2001.

Follow the jump to see how some of the top drivers feel about this issue.

[Source: PaddockTalk]

Continue reading F1 drivers split on traction control ban

F1 drivers split on traction control ban originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Apr 2007 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>David CoulthardDavidCoultharddriver aidsDriverAidsF1Formula 1Formula OneFormula1FormulaOneGiancarlo FisichellaGiancarloFisichellaKimi RaikkonenKimiRaikkonenNico RosbergNicoRosbergtraction controlTractionControlThu, 12 Apr 2007 19:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Traction control banned in F1 beginning in 2008]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/31/traction-control-banned-in-f1-beginning-in-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/31/traction-control-banned-in-f1-beginning-in-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/31/traction-control-banned-in-f1-beginning-in-2008/#commentsFiled under:



Back in 1994, the FIA banned the use of traction control systems on Formula One cars in an effort to put more emphasis on driver skill rather than technological prowess. By 2001, there was considerable hue and cry from some of the participants that certain teams were using advanced engine management software to work around the regulations, so the ban was lifted.

Next year, however, a standard ECU will be employed on all new F1 cars, allowing the FIA to keep a watchful eye on how each team uses their engine controls. Because of this standardization, a decision was reached yesterday that will totally eliminate the use of traction controls systems beginning during next year's season.

The exact text of the new rule can be viewed by following the "Read" link below, but the short and sweet is simple: the driver cannot be informed if a drive wheel is spinning. Period.

According to Autosport.com, the ban was not only supported by the FIA, but also by the majority of the participating teams. We're looking forward to seeing how this new regulation will affect the 2008 season, but considering the talent of most F1 drivers, we doubt they'll be any substantial shuffling at the top of the board.

[Source: Autosport.com via Axis of Oversteer]

Traction control banned in F1 beginning in 2008 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 Mar 2007 09:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>banecuf1formula 1formula oneFormula1FormulaOnetraction controlTractionControlSat, 31 Mar 2007 09:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Stability control could become required by law]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/11/stability-control-could-become-required-by-law/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/11/stability-control-could-become-required-by-law/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/11/stability-control-could-become-required-by-law/#commentsFiled under: , ,

This week lawmakers will be proposing that stability-control systems be federally mandated for all new vehicles sold in the U.S. USA Today reports that comments will be taken for 90 days on the proposal and if approved a final rule could be issued as early as next year with a phase-in period to allow automakers enough time to disseminate the technology across their entire line ups.

Currently stability control is available on about half of all new models sold, but in some instances can cost up to $900 as an option. Studies have shown, however, that stability control can save a lot of lives, somewhere in the order of 10,000 per year. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, if the technology were made standard, then fatal single-vehicle crashes would fall by 56% and the risk of single-vehicles crashes would drop 40%.

Since anti-lock brakes are an integral component in stability-control systems, the new rule would also make that technology standard across the board for the first time. Though it has never been federally mandated as standard equipment, ABS is now standard on 80% of all new vehicles sold.

[Source: USA Today]

Stability control could become required by law originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Sep 2006 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>active safetyActiveSafetyfederal lawFederalLawIIHSmandateNHTSApassive safetyPassiveSafetysafetystability controlStabilityControltraction controlTractionControlMon, 11 Sep 2006 16:38:00 EST