Minimal motoring

Essential MG tells the full story of this well loved sports car from its early days, covering developments in style, increases in power, and its history in racing and speed trials. The first MG cars were produced in Oxford, England, in 1924. The car was instantly appealing, with a cheekiness of spirit that would characterize the marque all of its life, winning the hearts of millions around the globe, not least in the United States. The price was as attractive as the styling and the performance. It was cheap and it was fun, quintessential MG traits.

This e-book details the most interesting and important characteristics of the automobiles, car maintenance, styling features, car body style, the standard classification of the cars, an history of the automobiles, introduction in the automotive industry, and the traffic code, rules and signs. An automobile, usually called a car (an old word for carriage) or a truck, is a wheeled vehicle that carries its own engine. Older terms include horseless carriage and motor car, with “motor” referring to what is now usually called the engine. It has seats for the driver and, almost without exception, for at least one passenger. The automobile was hailed as an environmental improvement over horses when it was first introduced. Before its introduction, in New York City, over 10,000 tons of manure had to be removed from the streets daily. However, in 2006 the automobile is one of the primary sources of worldwide air pollution and cause of substantial noise and health effects.

This new edition includes approximately 30% new materials covering the following information that has been added to this important work: extends the contents on Li-ion batteries detailing the positive and negative electrodes and characteristics and other components including binder, electrolyte, separator and foils, and the structure of Li-ion battery cell. Nickel-cadmium batteries are deleted. adds a new section presenting the modelling of multi-mode electrically variable transmission, which gradually became the main structure of the hybrid power-train during the last 5 years. newly added chapter on noise and vibration of hybrid vehicles introduces the basics of vibration and noise issues associated with power-train, driveline and vehicle vibrations, and addresses control solutions to reduce the noise and vibration levels. Chapter 10 (chapter 9 of the first edition) is extended by presenting EPA and UN newly required test drive schedules and test procedures for hybrid electric mileage calculation for window sticker considerations. In addition to the above major changes in this second edition, adaptive charging sustaining point determination method is presented to have a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle with optimum performance.

In this book, theoretical basis and design guidelines for electric vehicles have been emphasized chapter by chapter with valuable contribution of many researchers who work on both technical and regulatory sides of the field. Multidisciplinary research results from electrical engineering, chemical engineering and mechanical engineering were examined and merged together to make this book a guide for industry, academia and policy maker.

After the Second World War Europe was in economic crisis and manufacturing lay in ruins. Materials were in short supply, and factories were forbidden from building aircraft. There was a need for cheap, economical transport, but acquiring a new car was difficult, and secondhand cars were not as readily available as they are today. By the 1950s, a myriad of economy cars had appeared on the market to fill this vacuum. Former aircraft companies – and even a refrigerator manufacturer – turned their hand to producing tiny cars that were often quirky and eccentric. Many of these little cars earned the nickname ‘bubblecars' due to their bulbous shape. The 1960s brought with it new levels of affluence, and these microcars almost faded from view. But today, they are enjoying a resurgence of popularity, with many becoming highly-prized collectors items. Increased traffic levels and fuel prices, and a greater awareness of environmental issues, have also created demand for a new generation of microcars, and car makers have responded accordingly with exciting new designs. Illustrated with over 70 colour photographs, this book celebrates the best of these weird and wonderful motoring marvels.

Available again after a long absence! Always big on character and charm, Fiat’s little cars played an important international roll in providing affordable and practical private transport for millions who had previously thought their dream impossible. With particular emphasis on the now classic 600 and Nuova 500 cars, this book tells the full story of these ‘baby’ Fiats. Built, and exported to, many countries outside of the marque’s native Italy, over 6.5 million Topolinos, 600s and Nuova 500s were sold, and an amazing number survive to this today. Also covered are the wonderful models built on these cars’ tiny chassis by Italy’s leading coachbuilders, and the motorsport success achieved by the Abarth versions of the little cars that everybody loves.