Autoblog

Mexico finally stomping out its fleet of VW Bug taxis

Jeff Sabatini — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Government/Legal, Volkswagen

If you've ever wanted to flag down one of Mexico City's classic Volkswagen Bug taxis, you'd better book your travel now. The last of the iconic cabs will be decommissioned by the end of the year, according to the Associated Press.

VW hasn't built the classic Beetle since 2003, the same year that Mexico City began requiring that taxi operators switch to four-door vehicles. The last Bugs that entered service as cabs back in 2002 have already been given two extra years of service compared to most taxis, according to the report.

The cabs are considered particularly dangerous, not just because they are essentially 74-year-old cars, but also because cab drivers generally remove the front passenger seat to facilitate access to the cramped rear quarters of the Beetle. But the cars are cheap to operate and according to one former Mexico City cabbie, help make the streets safer.

"Today the cars are bigger, and they drive faster," Vera Perez told the AP, "Before, they drove more cautiously, because any accident would destroy them."

Mexico finally stomping out its fleet of VW Bug taxis originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mexico developing 'smart' speed bumps to increase safety, decrease fuel consumption

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:33:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Technology

Speed bumps are the bane of many an urban driver all around the world. We understand that the little protrusions were first installed to promote safety by getting drivers to slow down in congested areas, but we can't be the only ones that think the dang things have been getting out of hand as of late. Such is apparently the case in Toluca, Mexico, where a company called Decano Industries is working on a new smart speed bump that may both increase safety and decrease fuel consumption. Wait... smart speed bump?

Apparently, Decano's innovative devices measure the force of impact from an oncoming vehicle and immediately collapse if the car is traveling the speed limit or below. If a car is moving too fast, the speed bump stays in place, causing the familiar jarring impact we've all come to know and loathe. The government of Mexico City sees enough promise in the technology that its providing grant money to the company and helping get the system patented.

There's more on the line than just controlling speed. A 2006 study by Mexico City Autonomous University found that the constant acceleration and deceleration caused by speed bumps actually causes more pollutants and increases fuel consumption. A slow and steady speed would be much more environmentally friendly. In this instance, it would seem that dumber drivers equals smarter speed bumps. Who knew?

[Source: USA Today | Image: Flickr/boulanger.iE via C.C. 2.0]

Mexico developing 'smart' speed bumps to increase safety, decrease fuel consumption originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Run for the border: Mexico's 2008 Mastretta MXT mid-engine exotic

Dan Roth — Sat, 19 May 2007 10:19:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Etc., Misc. Auto Shows

check out the video after the jump, and click the above photo to view a gallery

The fact that we can't have it makes us want it more. This nicely aggressive coupe from Mexico's Mastretta Design is beautifully sculpted, with plenty of energy bottled up in its stance. The structure is bonded aluminum, just like a proper supercar, and with a production target of 150 units per year, the mid-engine MXT is appropriately exclusive, too. The styling may be writing checks that the powertrain can't cash, with 200 horsepower from the 2.3 liter four, performance numbers are in the realm of the Camry; but we don't think that's the point. This is one stylish car, and we wish we could get our hands on it here in the US. Even without big power, it releases all the proper neurotransmitters -- light weight, minimalist interior, spiffy shape -- too much power may turn it into a widowmaker, anyway.

Mastretta designs all sorts of stuff, from buses to oil bottles. Their vehicular expertise has been honed by producing a handsome Beetle-based coupe, as well as a dune buggy-esque "fun car." Moving off the old VW Type 1 architecture, a faux '62 'Vette was worked up with a custom chassis ready to accept GM components. Mastretta also pulled it all together on the nuts and bolts side and put the designs into series production, so they've also got the practical engineering chops to bring vehicles to fruition. This nectarine-hued creation will drop off the branch in Q1 of 2008, after its formal debut at the Mexico City Auto Show in December of this year.

[Source: Mastretta Design via Carscoop]

Gallery: Mastretta MXT

Continue reading Run for the border: Mexico's 2008 Mastretta MXT mid-engine exotic

Run for the border: Mexico's 2008 Mastretta MXT mid-engine exotic originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 May 2007 10:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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