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Keeping drivers in line
New system tackles lane wandering
By Tony Whitney
Intense competition has prompted automakers to continually try to outdo one another on the technology front. As features like stability control and brake assist become common, other areas of automotive safety are explored with a view to breakthroughs that could give a particular vehicle a market edge.
A good example of an auto manufacturer breaking new ground with safety technology is Nissan’s fascinating new electronic system that’s actually capable of scanning road markings and warning the driver when the vehicle is wandering off line.
Nissan calls it a lane departure warning system, or LDW. It’s a remarkable piece of technical ingenuity and might find wider use as time goes by and if Nissan licenses the technology to other automakers.
Basically, LDW uses a small camera, a speed sensor and an indicator with an audible warning buzzer to alert the driver if the vehicle touches either a lane marking line or a painted line at the edge of the road. The system has been shown on concept vehicles for some time, but the first production application is part of an optional “technology package” for the 2006 Infiniti M sedan.
How it works
The LDW system scans lane markings using a tiny camera which is mounted behind the car’s rearview mirror. Over the past few years, ultra-small TV cameras have been used in many vehicle applications, first appearing as backup viewing aids on large motorhomes and more recently, fulfilling a similar role with luxury cars and SUVs.
The camera’s signal and the vehicle’s speed are sent to the system’s advanced microprocessing unit. This combines the information to calculate both the distance between the vehicle and the lane marking and the lateral velocity to the lane marking (how quickly you are moving across the line).
The system then “makes a judgment” as to whether the vehicle is moving out of its lane, depending on the distance and lateral velocity to the lane.
I tried the system quite extensively and it proved to function very effectively. Make the slightest move towards the lane marking, and you get a warning beep in the cockpit that can’t be easily ignored. If the driver uses a turn signal to make a “planned” crossing of a divider line, the system is temporarily disabled.
With so many accidents caused by driver fatigue or distractions of one kind or another, systems like LDW could become widely used. Wandering out of the occupied lane is usually the first sign of a driver getting sleepy and a warning from LDW could save lives.
The system features a manual cancel switch that allows the driver to disable the system when required. Many drivers might feel they need to turn LDW on when they’ve had a long day and are worried about sleepiness. The system automatically resets itself when the vehicle is restarted and remains activated until the driver decides to turn it off.
There’s no word yet on whether Nissan will offer LDW on a wider range of vehicles, but that’s what usually happens when an automaker comes up with a new safety breakthrough.
Driver inattention and distraction is a serious problem in the field of traffic safety, and any way of cutting the accident rate will be welcomed. C.A.R.
Tony Whitney is a Burnaby, BC-based automotive journalist.
Good Sport
The Mazda6 wagon is practical and fun
As promised when the vehicle range was first introduced, Mazda is now marketing a station wagon version of its Mazda6 sedan. The “6” has been very widely praised, won several awards and is proving to be one of the most successful mid-sized vehicles Mazda has ever come up with.
The arrival of this new wagon confirms the configuration is making something of a comeback. The minivan market has been softening slightly as buyers discover that perhaps they don’t need the roominess and bulk of a van.
Mazda’s new wagon obviously draws styling cues from the sedan and is, as one would expect, pretty well the same from the A-pillar (windshield frame) forwards. The wagon part of the vehicle, though, is exceptionally well-styled with its subtly-sloping roofline.
We’d go as far as to say it ranks right up there with some of the most attractive haulers on the market—products from Mercedes, Audi and BMW. Actually, Mazda calls it a “Sport Wagon” and it deserves that nametag on looks alone.
Seamless shifting
The Sport Wagon has a host of upgrades over the basic sedan and is being sold as something of a premium vehicle. There’s only one engine choice—a 220-horsepower, 3.0-litre V-6—and as might be expected, it endows the wagon with impressive performance levels.
Base transmission is a 5-speed manual, but the option most buyers will go for is Mazda’s new 6-speed automatic. The automatic shifted quite seamlessly and boasted ratios that made good use of the engine’s power curve. The auto box has a semi-manual option rather like VW’s Tiptronic. Interestingly, fuel economy is slightly better with the automatic than with the manual. It’s usually the other way round.
A GT V-6 variant comes with sporty bodywork modifications, 8-way power seat, side and curtain air bags and other opulent upgrades. As with rival wagons, the rear seats fold flat and create a very commodious load area. It should prove popular with business users. Mazda’s design team did a good job of providing lots of cargo room while maintaining that very slick exterior.
The original Mazda6 sedan was launched with the intent of getting to grips with mid-size market leaders like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. Our experience with the car indicated the Mazda6 is seriously in the running in this very intensively-contested segment and is a far more valid contender than the superceded and probably unlamented 626 model.
Apart from the Sport Wagon and sedan, there’s also a five-door hatchback, which is proving to be an excellent replacement for the old 626 5-door which was popular with buyers who wanted a combination of style and practicality. In fact, buyers looking at the Sport Wagon might well check out the 5-door, which is almost as roomy as far as cargo goes. From some standpoints, it’s hard to choose between the two, but it’s nice to have the choice.
Build quality
Automakers often say they try to develop cars which “exceed expectations.” As far as our experience with the Mazda6 went, the automaker delivered on its promise, and then some. It’s a while since we were as impressed with a car’s dynamic characteristics, not to mention looks and build quality.
The car has a wonderful “feel” about it, which is mainly due to excellent build quality, snappy performance and tasteful interior trim design. The interior is spacious and attractive and we found the driver’s seat to be as supportive as any in this class when it came to staying put on twisty roads.
The dash was judged attractive and practical and controls proved both easy on the eye and very functional. Rear seat space was a little on the tight side, especially for shoulder room, which is a common shortfall in this size class.
There’s lots of interior stowage space even without folding the rear seats and making full use of the wagon layout, which is not always the case, even with the best of products.
The Mazda6 Sport Wagon handles surprisingly well for a vehicle that has to be considered practical rather than sporty, despite its nametag. Mazda has clearly worked hard on this model’s suspension and steering to impart a “fun to drive” feel and it really shows. It’s agile and predictable on just about any kind of road. An all wheel drive version would be nice, but there’s no sign of that on the horizon.
As far as safety goes, the car has the usual dual-stage air bags (they don’t deploy with maximum force in minor collisions) with as many as four others available as options. Mazda has gone to great lengths to make the body shell as crash-proof as possible, so this should be a very safe car to drive.
Anti-lock brakes are a key feature when it comes to dynamic characteristics, along with very accurate power-assisted steering and a well-designed suspension. The brakes on our tester were outstanding and might be a “best in class.” One interesting safety feature is a gas and brake pedal design that was developed to limit leg, ankle and foot injuries in a collision.
During our stint with the Mazda6 Sport Wagon, we really got to like it a lot. Its aforementioned dynamic qualities are especially appealing, thanks to close attention by the Hiroshima automaker to handling, steering and braking.
It seems even more robust than rivals in this class and will certainly appeal to drivers looking for something with a little individuality. Many rival wagons cost a lot more than this Mazda and don’t offer any noteworthy advantages.
It’s hard to believe that just a few models years back Mazda was facing serious financial challenges, yet now the company is right up there with some of the industry’s top “movers and shakers.” It has been products like the Mazda6 that have made this re-birth possible.
SPECS AT A GLANCE:
BODY STYLE: Four-door station wagon
ENGINE: 3.0-litre V-6
TRANSMISSION: 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic
PERFORMANCE: Zero to 100 km/h in approx. 8.5-secs
FUEL ECONOMY: 12.2-litres/100 km city; 8.1-litres/100 km highway (5-speed manual).
PRICE: $26,996 - $31,495, depending on trim and specs.
Perking up the pick-ups
Dodge and Ford heed calls for improvement
By Howard Elmer
The speed at which Dodge is introducing products is showing no sign of slacking. The 2006 version of the Ram pick-up was recently shown to the automotive press. Pricing is not yet available but the truck is coming to dealers this fall.
This key vehicle in the Dodge lineup was last freshened in 2001 for the 2002 model year and now it’s once again being massaged, much like the mid-size Dakota was last year, but not following quite the same sharp lines that the Dakota features.
The Ram keeps its flat flanks and modest rounded hood edges but it does get extensive new grille work. It’s also getting MDS (multi-displacement system) technology on the Hemi V-8 that the company says will save as much as 20 per cent on annual fuel consumption. A big deal is being made of the potential fuel savings of MDS, no doubt on fears that continued high gas prices will wither sales of the V-8.
MDS seamlessly alternates between four-cylinder mode when less power is needed and V-8 mode when more power is demanded, in as little as 40 milliseconds; or less time than it takes to blink.
This is a completely automatic system. MDS is going to be a standard feature on the 5.7-litre Hemi (the same system already doing duty in the new Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum). But, Chrysler is quick to point out, it does not compromise the 345 horsepower the V-8 Hemi offers and in Canada that matters, as almost 45 per cent of new Rams are ordered with the Hemi.
Quieter cab
Other changes include a new frame and suspension, and the interior gets a spiffy makeover too. The new Dodge Ram 1500 has a hydroformed, fully-boxed frame sprung with monotube shock absorbers, retuned springs, jounce bumpers and suspension bushings.
The 4WD model gets a new coil-over shock absorber and double wishbone front suspension. In the rear, Dodge is aiming to reduce wheel hop with a Hotchkiss-designed leaf spring suspension.
Inside are all-new seats, including optional buckets with leather trim. The cab is also said to be quieter thanks to new door seals, laminated glass and polymer constraint layer body mounts.
There is a new instrument cluster, a new center stack with new audio and HVAC controls. Premium amenities will include new GPS navigation radio, rear-seat DVD (quad cab only), Infinity sound system, sun roof, adjustable pedals, dual-zone climate control, heated seats and a power-sliding rear window.
The nose on the ‘06 Ram has gotten the most attention with new chromed, ingot-like grille highlights, a massive front bumper, and substantial grille. What remains is the large crosshair design as the focal point, but moved to the center of the crosshair from the top of the grille is the signature Ram’s head.
Dodge is also offering the new “tow/haul” feature that reduces gear hunting and an “overdrive off” mode to deliver better towing performance.These systems will also better utilize the engine’s braking capability on hills.
The 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 will be available in regular cab and quad cab styles, in 2WD or 4WD, and with six-foot or eight-foot beds. Available trim levels are ST, Sport, SLT and Laramie. A Mega Cab body style will also be available this fall.
Ford’s approach
Ford is also heeding the call for truck improvements, particularly in the area of cargo space in SuperCrew pickups. It’s now offering a longer 6.5-foot box on the 2006 model, including the F150.
According to Ford, 90 per cent of their SuperDuty customers tow with their trucks. The automaker recognizes capacity is an important factor when making a purchase decision. In response to this trend Ford introduced the first integrated trailer brake controller (factory installed and warranted) last year. Now it’s promoting the controller along with the new TowBoss package that boosts the SuperDuty F350’s towing capability to a whopping 19,200 lb.
The TowBoss consists of the 6-litre PowerStroke diesel, the new TorqShift automatic transmission along with a 4.30 limited slip rear axle ratio. This put Ford in first spot in best conventional and fifth wheel towing.
Along with mechanical and computer upgrades, Ford also showed off the newest Ford Harley-Davidson F150 with available all-wheel-drive (for the first time), 22-inch polished aluminum wheels and a custom interior.
Based on the SuperCab configuration, it comes with a 6.5-foot Styleside box, lots of leather, elegant high-gloss piano black surfaces and performance sport-handling suspension.
We’ll also see a Blazing Yellow pickup offered as a limited edition in the US Southwest only last year. It’s now available throughout North America. This Amarillo Super Duty package will be available on the diesel F250 and F350 XLT SuperCab and CrewCab pickups. Other new trim offerings this year are a chrome package and available 20-inch wheels with the Lariat package.
An interesting development with Ford is the introduction of a commercial cab-over truck called the LCF. This vocational Class 4-5 market (delivery trucks, tow trucks, service trucks, etc.) is one that Ford has been a little light in and this truck is aimed at increasing that fleet business.
The new truck also debuts a new diesel engine—a V6 diesel (built in co-operation with International under the name Blue Diamond) that makes 200 horsepower and 440 foot-pounds of torque.
There’s no word about other possible applications for this engine, but Ford has not ruled out making this new motor available in its other class of truck. News of GM’s intentions with regard to changes in their truck line is due late this fall.
Howard Elmer is a Brampton, Ont.-based freelance writer.
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