It all begun with the invention of the Wheel. And as this wheel rolled over through time, we now have these stunning pieces of technology referred to as ‘CARS’.
The name CAR is believed to originate from the Latin word carrus or carrum [wheeled vehicle]. Nicolas-joseph Cugnot is often credited with building the first self-propelled mechanical vehicle or automobile in about 1769 by adapting an existing horse-drawn vehicle but after a lot of unsuccessful creations, inventors like Henry Ford, Karl Benz and Gottileb Daimler were the ones who guided us to the path of this personalized mode of transport in the early 1900’s. Little did these men know that they would have multi million dollar automotive and industrial companies named after them making everything from automobiles to air craft engines.
Rolls Royce, Chevrolet, Fiat and Austin (Now known as the Aston Martin) where a few of those first car companies that made it to India. Maharajas have been known to own such luxurious cars either gifted or bought during the late 1800’s. Later it was a choice of the big entrepreneurs to own cars that were not just about luxury and comfort but also speed and style. And then gradually with advancing technology cars became cheaper and better, creeping into the system making it available to the common man.
Every automobile industry today produces their car with certain unique features that become the identity of the car.
The Rolls Royce- known by the ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ mascot and the shape of its Radiator grill is one of those unchallenged beauties that offer boundless luxury and comfort as well as a mind boggling performance. This car weighs about 3 tons, has enough legroom to play football, has interiors better than your room yet manages 0-60mph in less than 6 seconds! It has a 6.7 ltr V12 engine and 453 BHP.
It is a Symbol of Sheer Class.
Time and again definitions of pleasure changed and there emerged the Sports class of Automobiles. High adrenaline pumping rides rose to power.
One of the very famous car makes in this sector is Scuderia Ferrari. Recognized by Red body and Phenomenal engine roar, Ferrari is the favorite among young blood today. Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1929, this car started its life from the race tracks before moving into production of street legal vehicles in 1947. It was financially backed up by Fiat after 1969 due to crisis. But even though, it came up with astonishingly fantastic cars. The last car that was made before the founder’s death in 1988 was the Ferrari F40. It is still arguably one of the top supercars made till date. 
Lamborghini, that was first known as the Best Tractor Manufacturer switched lanes just to compete with Ferrari and gave the world one of the finest supercars- Lamborghini Gallardo. The latest high speed toy this company has put forward is the Lamborghini Murciellago LP640 (Reventon) that can give the driver a cockpit feel by its digital gauges and speed. It has 641 rampaging Italian horses under its hood.
Today, speed has no limits as cars like the Bugatti Veyron (Top speed- 408kmph, Acceleration- The climb from 200 to 300kmph in 9 seconds!) and Aero TT (Top speed- 412kmph) are manufactured commercially.
Finally there comes the age of sensibility where machines are tamed to perform within normal environments rather than in special ones, to the Optimum level. Technology is literally poured into cars like the BMW, Mercedes, Porsche and the Audi. Aerodynamics, Hydraulic brakes, Traction control, Power steering, Sensors, Ride height control, Dual circuit braking, GPS navigation system, Roll bar and Safety air bags are negligible in front of the innumerous developments in these machines.
For example The BMW M Division cars can travel at 80kmph after having 4 flat tires up to 20 minutes. It also has an electronic differential that locks the rear wheels when pulling through a curve at high speed allowing spectacular tail slides. The BMW 330i has a rare feature of automated driving on programmed paths at high speeds with good accuracy.
Unique performance cars such as the Aerial Atom (does an Eye smearing 0-60mph in less than 3 seconds!) and Carver (Single seat cabin that can tilt up to 45 degrees on turns at the rate of 85 degrees per second) proved their point by their success.
A few latest breakthrough technologies include invention of:
- A transparent lacquer containing Carbon nanotubes that can clear car windscreens or mirrors by acting as a heater. The lacquer can be sprayed onto any surface and consists of a liquid base containing a mixture of nanotubes that conduct electricity. As the liquid dries, the nanotubes form a conducting network inside the lacquer. Passing a current through this network causes the layer to heat up.
- A Compressed air car, an alternative fuel car that uses a motor powered by compressed air. The car can be powered solely by air, or combined (in a hybrid electric vehicle) with gasoline/diesel/ethanol or electric plant and regenerative braking. Companies including Tata motors have signed a deal with MDI to produce the air cars by the summer of 2008.
- A car that can anticipate a side-on impact and subtly alter its body shape to absorb the force of the crash is being developed in Germany. The car will use hood-mounted cameras and radar to spot a vehicle on course for a side-on collision. Once it realizes an impact is imminent it will activate a shape-shifting metal in the door. This reinforces the bond between door and frame, which is normally a weak spot, and distributes the force of the blow more safely.
I ll be back with some more Rubber burning wheels soon....
