Headlight tests: only two cars earned the highest IIHS rating
Last summer, the American Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) already published the results of Best LED Headlights On The Market tests for crossovers and SUVs. Then not a single model could show off really good headlights, and more than half of the cars failed the tests. Now - the second series of tests, which was attended by 38 crossovers and SUVs. Moreover, in the IIHS, crossovers were tested in different configurations, which differ in the type of head light, that is, 79 cars passed the entire test. But only modifications with the best headlights of the proposed ones got into the final table.
During the tests, IIHS experts checked the range and brightness of the headlights, the distribution of the light beam (both when driving in straight lines and in turns), adaptive functions, as well as the operation of assistive electronics, such as automatic switching between high and low beams. Testers especially emphasize that all these parameters influenced the final rating: for example, most of the cars had very bright headlights, but many of them were not good enough in other disciplines.
Of the entire set, eleven four-wheel drive earned a Poor rating. Twelve cars made "at the limit of permissible" (Marginal), as many more received the mark "satisfactory" (Acceptable). And only two crossovers were rated "Good". The first is the Volvo XC60, and this is a car of the first generation with adaptive xenon dipped headlights, because the new model will enter the American market only by the end of the year. The version with simple halogen headlamps has been tested "at the limit of permissible." And the second “honors pupil” is a seven-seater SUV Hyundai Santa Fe, which in Russia is sold under the name of Grand Santa Fe. However, the highest rating earned version with an optional adaptive "bi-xenon" and automatic high-beam switch. A basic crossover with halogen tests failed: the rating of "bad."
Interestingly, a similar rating was eventually assigned to the related crossover Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (in Russia - “just” Santa Fe): none of the modifications available in the USA could boast of IIHS worthy headlights on the trials! And the worst in the ranking were crossovers Ford Edge (not sold in Russia) and Kia Sorento (we are known as Sorento Prime). For example, the Korean xenon dipped-beam headlamps hit only 45 meters, while the record holder Volvo XC60 shines twice as much: 96 meters.
As a year ago, the experts again did not find a clear dependence of the quality of light on the type of its source (halogen, xenon or LED lamps). But the headlight design is important: all models with “good” and “satisfactory” ratings had so-called projection headlights with lenses. Reflex headlight showed itself not so effectively.
4 self-made cars from the USSR, surprising with their capabilities today
In search of a universal vehicle, engineering thought led some inventors so far that they were ahead of the time and expectations of those who hoped to get much less from their inventions.
So, under many of the “homemade” presented in the USSR, the bureaucratic machine put a cutting ear and hurting the soul of any inventor: “Deny”. And yet, their projects inspire and deserve respect even today. And some even received universal recognition.
The car OCTA (Experimental Design of the Three-wheeled Car) appeared in 1933, thanks to the urgent need of the domestic automobile industry in a small car, which is notable for its simplicity of design and efficiency. The development of the prototype, which was published in a single copy, was carried out for 7 years by an engineer from Novocherkassk, E. V. Kirshevsky.
OCTA had a three-wheeled formula with a driving rear wheel. Motorcycle engine "Rudge" volume of 496 "cubes" with a capacity of 4 liters. with. (according to other sources - 469 cubic cm. 8 hp.) was located in the front, and the drive to the rear wheel went through the BSA transmission and drive shaft. Front mounted independent spring suspension. Wheels engineer used motorcycle size 26x3.25 '".
The capacity of the car was modest - the driver and passenger sat down one after another. However, with a gauge of 1000 mm, a base of 1,650 mm and a weight of 236 kg, the “homemade” had a good margin of traffic and easily overcame difficult off-road areas. At the same time, the maximum speed that OCTA could have developed was 60 km / h.
The car "Triton" was born in 1985, thanks to the musician and engineer D. T. Kudryachkov. The body of the amphibian was sheathed with aviation plywood, the outside is trimmed with fiberglass and coated with epoxy resin, which allowed the invention to move easily over land, and if necessary to overcome any water barrier.
The amphibious vehicle was driven by a motor from GAZ-21 and a gearbox from ZAZ-968. This allowed him to reach speeds on land up to 120 km / h and up to 50 km / h on water. From the interesting facts about this car it is known that it became the only vehicle of its kind, which was registered in the State Traffic Inspectorate and the Inspectorate for Small Vessels GIMS. For more than 20 years of operation, the Triton has not had a single leak.