Recently, we wrote an article about the benefits of driving an UK electric cars. Electric cars have been an excellent addition to the world and have gone a long way to giving the green-minded ones of us, a bit of hope for the future of the planet once again. However, they are not all sunshine & rainbows – you need to be aware of some rather specific issues that can arise from driving an electric car, including;

It’s Not “Here” Yet

One thing you need to think about is the fact that whilst UK electric cars seem like something in the future, they are technically still in the future at the moment. There is a lot of uncertainty about using these cars, and as we mention below, the cost of using an electric car can be quite massive. This means that the majority of us would struggle to afford one, making the technology itself a little pointless – how can it make a difference if only those who are doing well can afford one?

There’s also no long-term guarantee that UK electric cars will make it in the long-term interests of the industry. There’s nothing to say that they are going to die out, but in a decades time UK electric cars might have been replaced by something else entirely. Technology moves fast and this can leave you at a big disadvantage if you sink all of your money into a long-term purchase, only to watch it fall flat right in front of you and be replaced by something even better!

Limited Distance

You will typically cover around 60 miles of distance when driving typical UK electric cars at motorway speed; this will run through your juice very fast, though. This is a big problem and will typically mean that you can’t get to where you are going without having to stop at one of the – albeit many – charging stations in your city. Whilst going at around 30-40mph will give you roughly 120 miles, you might want to go elsewhere for now if you are going to be making long and arduous drives with regularity.

Tax Credit Downsides

In the other article, we mentioned how useful it is to have tax credits coming into your pocket for buying this kind of car. However, you will notice that the cost of repairs and general upkeep of UK electric cars be quite staggering in comparison with your normal car. This can mean that those extra pennies you are being provided will be gobbled up fairly quickly if you are someone who drives almost everywhere.

A UK electric cars battery change alone could leave you with almost all of that gone right away. Bottomline, you need to be prepared for the big costs of taking on  UK electric cars.

To health and vehicle happiness

Your fearless mechanic,

Phil.

The post Cons of Owning UK Electric Cars appeared first on Xavier Auto Clinic.

In the last decade or so, the prominence of the electric car UK has become far more popular than many expected it; it’s been a relatively fast take off for a revolutionary part of the vehicle industry. Especially in packed cities like London, being able to get access to gas-free vehicles can cut down on their rather staggering petrol costs that you might incur along the way. Due to the size of the capital, it’s important to be able to drive around at your leisure without the constant cost of petrol being factored in.

If you aren’t sure on where to go in terms of your vehicle, we would highly recommend picking an electric car UK for the following reasons;

Avoid Petrol Stations

Whilst petrol stations are an expense that we could all do without, they also come with another issue that many of us might not factor in; they are quite dangerous. Petrol stations in big cities like London can typically be surrounded by a variety of hazards, from “dirty rain” to muggers. If you are driving around in an electric car, though, this problem literally disappears for you.

Helping The Environment

You’ll also be helping out the environment, which definitely needs all the input we can possibly put into it! Choosing a car that is good for the environment is going to be good for your own health, as well as the health of your ancestors. Make the right choice if you are an environmentally conscious person.

Cash In

Another excellent benefit of buying an electric car UK is the fact that drivers in the UK are being rewarded for doing so. In fact, up to £8,000 can await from you in the form of tax incentives if you go down the green route and get an electric car. In the US, you can get up to $7,500 for your troubles; so you will be getting a nice little reward for making a conscious decision to help out the planet and your wallet!

Charging Stations on the Up

The big problem with using electric cars UK in the past was the fact that charging stations were few and far between. However, they are beginning to pop up all over the place and you’ll be able to park up with ease at charging stations, making it easier than ever to park. In fact, charging points also double as parking spaces so you can find a parking spot easier than many of your fellow Londoners! This is the case for many big cities in the UK and the US, though, so you can benefit almost anywhere!

To health and vehicle happiness

Your fearless mechanic,

Phil.

The post Benefits of Owning An Electric Car UK appeared first on Xavier Auto Clinic.

Some of the most expensive cars in the world are breathtaking to look at and drive. so if you’ve got dreams of one day owning your very own Lamborghini, Ferrari or Aston Martin what we’re about to look at will be right up your street.

So if you’ve got a spare few million pounds floating about, in this post we count back from 10 of the most ridiculously expensive, most expensive cars in the world (not including the classics) that money can buy.

10. Porsche 918 Spyder (£501k)

Most expensive cars in the world

At £501,000, the Porsche 918 Spyder is one of the cheapest most expensive cars in the world on the list, but it’s also, according to Porsche, ‘the future of the sports car’. The Spyder goes from 0-60mph in 2.8 seconds, and, in case you’re bothered about the environment (which, looking at this list, is unlikely), it breaks the super car mold by being a hybrid too.

9. Hennessey Venom GT (£652k)

Most expensive cars in the world

We’re only the second car in and we’ve already broken the half a million pound barrier. At £652,000 the Hennessey Venom is a car you might not have heard of before, but one which you’d definitely notice if it pulled up next to you at the Tesco. Aside from its dashing good looks, Hennessey also claim that the Venom has a top speed of 287mph. We say claim because, well, who’s ever going to find out?

9. McLaren P1 (£652k)

Most expensive cars in the world

In joint place with the Hennessey Venom, the McLaren P1 also has a price tag of £652,000. Auto Express has compared the P1 to a fighter jet, and McLaren claim it’s the ‘best driver’s car in the world’. We think that’s probably something to do with the 3.8 liter twin-turbo V8 engine… or then again maybe it’s just because of the beautiful carbon fiber chassis.

8. Zenvo ST1 (£710k)

Most expensive cars in the world

As one of the most expensive cars in the world, the Zenvo was the brain child of a group of people who wanted to make a car which could do two things: get you to the shops and back, as well as rival a Bugatti on the track… hence the massive 7 litre engine, and the three different driving modes. The £710,000 Zenvo ST1 also set Jeremy Clarkson on fire on Top Gear (which could be either a positive or negative… depending on how you look at it).

7. Maybach Landaulet (£750k)

Most expensive cars in the world

If you’re a rapper (or you have £750,000 to spare and want to look like Birdman), the Maybach Landaulet is more like a display case for the rich and famous. With a roof, which reclines the whole way back and a screen separating you and your driver, the Maybach Landaulet is so posh that you require someone else to drive it for you.

6. Ferrari LaFerrari (£770k)

Most expensive cars in the world

It’s got a posh name and an even posher looking set of doors. This £770,600 Ferrari probably isn’t one you’re likely to spot down your local Morrisons, and with a name which translates to ’The Ferrari’, it’s no wonder it’s exclusive. In fact, it’s so exclusive that Ferrari had to invite you to buy one of the 499 made. Didn’t get the call? There’s always eBay…

6. Pagani Huayra (£770k)

Most expensive cars in the world   (£770k)

The Pagani Huayra might be in a draw with LaFerrari, but, apart from that as one of most expensive cars in the world it’s a pretty unique supercar. With a 6 litre engine (custom made by AMG, of course), Autocar claim it’s on par with the Bugatti Veyron, and suggest it’s ‘arguably the best-looking supercar on the planet’. And they’ve certainly got a point.

5. Lamborghini Reventon (£954k)

Most expensive cars in the world

Here’s one of the most expensive cars in the world you may recognise. The Lamborghini Reventon has the looks of a fighter jet and the engine of one too. It’s not just the engine people are shouting about either – it’s got the intimidating looks we’re used to from Lambo as well. What makes this even better? There was only 20 of the Reventon’s ever made. And if you’ve got just shy of £1million going spare, one of those could be yours.

4. Aston Martin One-77 (£1.1m)

Most expensive cars in the world

If an Aston Martin is good enough for James Bond, it’s good enough for someone with £1.1million sitting in the bank. It’s sophisticated, it’s fast and it’s really bloody expensive… but what more do you want from one of the most expensive cars in the world and a supercar with a 7.3 litre engine?

4. Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster (£1.1m)

Most expensive cars in the world

The Pagani Zonda is sitting pretty in joint fourth, proving that new doesn’t always mean better. It may cost a few hundred thousand less than it’s baby brother, but there’s no denying it’s just as impressive. But you could be in for a bit of a wait if you’re in the market for one, as Pagani only made 5…

3. Koenigsegg One:1 (£1.18m)

Most expensive cars in the world

Now I know it sad, but this is one of the most expensive cars in the world that we have no idea about how you pronounce the name. But who cares when you find a car that looks like this. If you’re not one for following tradition, Koenigsegg’s self-titled ‘world’s first Megacar’ has a horsepower to kg curb weight ratio of 1:1. If you’re not sure what that means, it’s basically the ‘dream’ power to weight balance… hence the name, One:1. Clever eh?

2. Bugatti Veyron Vivere by Mansory (£2.01m)

Most expensive cars in the world

Not only is this Bugatti Veyron one of the most expensive cars in the world, but it’s also the fastest road-legal car in the world. The Bugatti Veyron might seem a little less alluring since Katie Price bought one and sprayed it pink, but we’re sure Mansory won’t let her get her hands on one of these beauties.

2. W Motors Lykan Hypersport (£2.01m)

Most expensive cars in the world

It’s got a funny name, it’s one of the most expensive cars in the world, and has a price tag so ridiculous you’d have to be swimming in money to buy one. The Lykan Hypersport comes from Lebanon (hand up who knew they were into making cars?), and it has lights covered in diamonds (real ones of course). If you’re looking for more than just pretty lights from a car, it will also do 245mph and 0-60 in 2.7 seconds.

1. Lamborghini Veneno Roadster (£3.3m)

Most expensive cars in the world

And here we have it – the title of the most expensive car in the world goes to the Lamborghini Veneno Roadster. At an eye-watering £3.3million, any buyer should be expecting a lot from this supercar, but don’t hope to keep your eardrums intact.

The roadster follows in the footsteps of the hard top version (of which only three were made), and to be quite honest, it looks like it could take off at any moment. You’re going to have to be pretty ballsy to get in the driving seat of one – the name is Spanish for ‘poison’, you know.

I’m off to see if anyone in my family has one the lottery.

Your fearless mechanic,

Phil

Images via: Kita Fluiera, Thomas Wolf, mystfire, Thesupermat, German Medeot, milliped, Clement Bucco-Lechat, tm, Taco Ekkel, cmonville, Damiano.46, Alexandre Prevot, Mansory gmbh, Clement Bucco-Lechat.

The post Top 10 most expensive cars in the world appeared first on Xavier Auto Clinic.

When I was younger, I remember being absolutely obsessed with TV show Knight Rider. Watch the Knight Rider intro and reminisce.

The main character in the show was a guy called Michael Knight (David Hasselhoff), and he had a car named KITT,

And KITT was… special.

KITT could do amazing things; I mean super duper, wishful thinking things like… talk!

Now I don’t mean that “turn left in 40 yards” chat that your GPS garbles out… I mean full blown in-depth conversation like –

“Hi Michael, that is a lovely jacket you have on today.”

To help all you Knight rider lovers out there reminisce, K.I.T.T, was an acronym for Knight Industries Two Thousand… yeah I said it! And K.I.T.T had the functionality to do car fantasyland feats.

For example one press of a button would give you “Turbo Boost”, giving the car the ability to jump over other cars… so cool.

TURBO BOOST!

And yes although I digress, the show Knight Rider was a bit of indulgent, tongue in cheek car fantasy – that offered us a glimpse into the future of car technology.  I… was hooked.

Future car technology is now in a period, where just like KITT in Knight Rider, the once impossible, is swiftly becoming the norm. And it’s a time where technological evolution within the automotive industry is emerging at break neck speed.

The development into future car technology is simply relentless – and it needs to be, because with competition between manufacturers is nothing short of fierce, and the race to stay at the forefront of the industry is hot.

GIVE ME MORE…

Drivers now don’t just want four wheels and power, they want slick design, convenience, eco efficiency, more features, more gadgets, more options at a click of a button, with fewer distractions and complex components that are easier to use.

So without further ado here is my round up of the 10 tech innovations, set to revolutionise the way we drive.

1: CARS THAT COMMUNICATE

Imagine approaching an intersection as another car runs a red light. You don’t see them at first, but your car gets a signal from the other car directly in your path to warn you of a potential collision, and your car engages the capacity to hit the brakes automatically to avoid an accident.

Car manufacturers and interestingly the U.S. government, are seriously researching into two technologies that will enable future cars to communicate with each other, and with objects around them.

Right now, automotive manufacturers like Ford Motors are in the throws of developing a future car technology called Vehicle to Vehicle Communication, or V2V tested as a way to help reduce the amount of accidents on the road.

2: CONNECTED SERVICES

Many modern cars already have the capability to hook your smartphone up to your infotainment system, utilising mobile data connection to provide social media and perhaps web searches to scope out your intended destination for things to do.

Some car companies are already trialing systems that actually find empty parking spaces, identify the charge and then take you to your chosen bay.

Although primarily available in electric vehicles, with the option so to be potentially opened up to combustion-engine cars; future car technology integration with your mobile device will enable you to turn your car on in the morning – without you being in the car, complimented with additional options like, pre-heating the cabin and turning on the heated seats during those frosty winter mornings.

Future car technology will also help the dealers keep track of your car performance, alerting them to problems as they develop, thereby helping to reduce mechanical failures and repair costs.

3: DIGITAL MIRRORS

Increasingly more future car technology development is being put into on-board cameras, with the technology possibly set to replace the conventional rear-view mirror.

Although slightly more expensive than a traditional silvered piece of glass, the benefit of using cameras to see behind you is that provided a wide enough lens or multiple cameras are being used, the days of having a blind spot are over.

The introduction of this future car technology may help reduce minor car parking bumps, together with more serious accidents linked with changing lanes on the motorway.

4: SOLAR CHARGES

Fisker might be dead, but some of the Karma’s technologies should really make it into the mainstream.

As long as the weather is sunny, solar panels can charge the vehicle’s battery power, the air conditioning system and/or the infotainment system. Solar panels are a great way to improve your mileage without sacrificing performance. Sure, you can have it as an option on your Prius, but why isn’t it standard equipment already?

 5: ADVANCED FATIGUE DETECTION

“Tiredness kills. Take a break.”

Many drivers would have seen this slogan displayed on UK motorways. And it’s true. Oodles of vehicles already have a system that monitors how you drive, alerting you if it senses you becoming drowsy. But soon to emerge is the next generation of fatigue detection and monitoring.

This new crop of Future car technology systems, actively monitors your heart rate and respiration level wirelessly through sensors built into the driver’s seat. If your breathing or heart rate slows down too much, the system will sense your energy levels dwindling and alert you, telling you to pull over.

6: FULL LED HEADLIGHTS

LED lights on cars have been around for a while, but only in the form of daytime lights. There are a select group of manufacturers who recently have made the use of full LED technology available on their vehicles, but this type of LED lighting is still not mainstream yet.

The benefits is that LED lighting has brighter lighting than regular filament bulbs, improving safety and vision, but using less energy and lasting longer.

7: 3D INSTRUMENTATION

 3D technology has received a lot of attention over the last few years, and carmakers are turning their hand to integrating it into their vehicles. The “new kid on the block” which works without the need for 3D glasses, is called ‘autostereoscopic’ technology.

Basically what autostereoscopic offers you is the functionality for your car’s dials and instruments to ‘pop out’ of the dashboard to create a three-dimensional virtual information display – imagine… 3D SAT NAV.

8: 3D SURROUND SOUND

It’s not just the 3D visual elements vehicle manufacturers are looking to develop either.

Companies such as in-car audio specialists Harman, have tried and tested 3D sound systems for cars, incorporating speakers into the dash, doors, parcel shelf and headlining.

Akin to a stereo that can separate the individual audio elements, 3D surround sound will send those signals to the relevant car speaker to create a much clearer, fuller sound to immerse you in the music, as if you were there in real life.

9: ALTERNATIVE FULES

Whoever comes up with a cheaper green alternative for petrol (ha-ha!), will be as He Man said, “Masters of the universe.”

As we all hold our breath, in bated anticipation for Citroën to work out its high-pressure,  air hybrid system – the alternative fuels, future car technology race continues to bulge into a  multi million pound industry

Simply put… fossil fuels won’t last long, and hydrogen related practices currently require massive containers. And batteries? Well… let’s just say they are heavy without providing enough range.

So right now, the jury is out to see who will come up trumps.

10: AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES 

Going one step further than vehicles being able to communicate with each other, automobiles that can actually drive themselves without any  human input (like KITT), are just around the corner.

Tested with some success in individual vehicles as well as ‘road trains,’ the technology work by sucking signals and information from other cars in the area. Although autonomous vehicles for the mass market might be a long way off, when compared to some of the Future car technology innovations featured here, believe you me, the technology is just round the corner.

EXCITING TIMES

At the moment, it’s truly an exciting time within the automotive industry, and with the unrelenting pace of development pushing the sector over the edge and into the next frontier, Future car technology is set to place whatever vehicle you have right now, firmly into the history books.

So it begs the question…

Which of these technologies would you like to see on your next car?

Are there any innovations we haven’t listed, you’d like to see developed?

Feel free to share your thoughts with us on our Facebook page.

To health and vehicle happiness,

Phil.

The post Future Car Technology appeared first on Xavier Auto Clinic.