Glendal's Favorite Reviews
Volkswagen has unveiled a second concept at this year鈥檚 New York Motor Show, called the Atlas Tanoak, previewing a potential pick-up version of the new Atlas SUV. Named after a tree native to the Pacific Coast in the U.S. 5,438mm long - that鈥檚 over 400mm longer than the seven-seat Atlas. It鈥檚 based on the same MBQ platform and powered by a 276bhp 3.6-litre V6, which drives through all four wheels and an eight-speed automatic gearbox. VW says 0-62mph takes 8.5 seconds. The design of the Atlas Tanoak is separate from the Atlas SUV on which it鈥檚 based, with only slight similarities between the two cars. The Atlas Tanoak has a more rugged appearance to match its off-road capabilities with a raised bonnet and rugged underbody protection, which houses a centrally mounted winch and carabiner. The grille and VW badge are luminated by white light and offer an animated lighting display when the car is unlocked with light running over the grille and into the LED headlight surrounds, while the badge gradually gets brighter.
New distinctive six-sided LED daytime running lights are a prominent feature at the front, too. The rear features a low hinged tailgate, which when opened gives a cargo bed of 2,291mm. Like the front, the Atlas logo has been integrated into the tailgate, which features wraparound animated lighting. Red LED strips on the upper and lower parts of the tailgate move to create three dimensional taillights either side. The lower rear of the vehicle has been designed as both an underbody shield and a diffuser, while a towhook sits above the exhaust. Inside, the Atlas Tanoak looks production ready. Sporty, contoured seats are used up front to offer support when off-roading while the passengers in the rear are treated to individual seats. The centre console, steering wheel and instruments have been heavily redesigned from the Atlas SUV. Most of the functions, including air conditioning, are now operated digitally via the touchscreen, which sits high on the dashboard for ease of use. Together with the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, which sits in front of the driver, it forms a digitalized cockpit environment.
As I mentioned in a previous, blog German Automotive Technology is really, really cool. German car design and automotive technology is currently at the forefront of going green, with the result that all other motor manufacturers are turning green with envy. Pardon the pun. German car design technology doesn't flaunt the colour green as eco-friendly but rather blue. Mercedes is pushing Blue Efficiency as their future technology and VW is flaunting Bluemotion as their new technology. Polo de Volkswagen Bluemotion technology started out with the 2007 Polo (not my 2007 Polo Classic) and may be seen in some of their new vehicles. It's futuristic in the sense that it saves fuel. It saves all the fuel that would have been used, if the car was allowed to idle. Blue Efficiency and Bluemotion fuel technology doesn't allow the car's engine to idle, so when you start the car, it doesn't actually idle but the dashboard lights indicate that the engine has started. Logically there is no engine noise since there are no revs.
The moment the car is engaged into gear and you remove your foot from the brake pedal, the engine starts instantly and pulls away as if it has been idling all the time. Exactly the same happens when coming to a compete stop at a traffic light or stop street. The engine switches off when the car comes to a halt, and remains off whiles you foot keeps the brake pedal depressed. However, the moment the pedal is released, the engine starts and the car moves off as if the engine was never switched off. There is no delay. Currently service agents are trowing spare parts at each electronic problem hoping that it would solve the problem but in most cases doesn't solve the problem. Below is a picture of a potentiometer marked "A" that may be used in an electronic circuit. It specific one could be used as a volume control in an amplifier, or a sensitivity control on a disco strobe or a brightness control for a lamp dimmer. The uses for potentiometers are endless and has been used in cars for quite some time. An overview of the Electronic Power Control Circuit - EPC in Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda.
