Disabled Parking: Use and Abuse.
It’s a situation that burns people with a sense of right and fair play: seeing seemingly non disabled drivers parking in clearly marked Disabled Parking spots. Invariably, there’s no indication of a sticker inside the car, a requirement in order to use these spots. Unsurprisingly, when these drivers are talked to by security personnel, there’s an unleashing of swearing and attitude that would shame an old salt. Yet, like so many things we see on the roads nowadays, there’s no need for this, there’s no need for this attitude. and the NSW state government appears to have finally said “enough”
In a move that the government hopes will dissuade non-legal users of the Disabled car parks, it’s been put forward that demerits points for drivers that are caught improperly using Disabled parking spots be implemented and fines increased. In NSW, fines are currently $519 for using the space without a permit and $623 for improperly using a permit. NSW Roads Minister, the Hon. Duncan Gay, says his office is responding to the numbers of enquiries and complaints in regards to improper usage, including a submission from the Lane Cover council. Ironically, Lane Cove councillor, Karola Brent, was photographed parking her Range Rover in a Disabled car space…
No Hat Required: Volvo XC60 D4.
Volvo’s best seller is its mid size SUV contender, the XC60 D4, a nomenclature that says, simply, it’s a four cylinder diesel. Having never driven a Volvo before and having only one driving experience, that with Robert Dahlgren and the S60 Polestar as part of the 2014 Top Gear Festival Sydney, it’s with an open mind that the XC60 is approached.
The Donk.
The XC60 tested has a frugal, 2.0L, four cylinder diesel, with peak power being 133kW, at a high (for a diesel) 4250 rpm. There’s significant twisting force on offer, with 400 torques between 1750 to 2500 revs. 
Although it is a narrow torque band, it’s working with a gearbox that has eight ratios, spreading the load and the love. It’s no rocketship, with a zero to one hundred time of 8.5 seconds however those numbers are tempered by its bulk; at 1748kg dry, it’s no featherweight. It’s rare to hear the characteristic chatter of the diesel, intruding only rarely and tending to be at startup and hard acceleration, otherwise it’s barely noticeable. The XC60 has stop/start tech for the engine as well, to conserve fuel and reduce emissions (127g per kilometre) by switching the engine off when the vehicle has come to a stop. It’s somewhat disconcerting for passengers that aren’t aware of how it works.
Hydrogen Fuel Cells and How They Work
Hydrogen fuel cells are the new player in the area of alternative fuel and sustainable motoring. At the time of writing, there aren’t any production cars fitted with hydrogen fuel cell technology but there are a number of manufacturers that have plans to launch them at some point in the near future; Toyota , Honda and Mercedes are the most talked-about names in this department. All the same, there are a few vehicles already out there that have been rigged out with fuel cell technology, mostly as demo or concept vehicles.
The Toyota FCV concept at the 2013 Tokyo motor show: a fuel cell vehicle that we could see on the roads some day.
BTCC 2014 Season Finale: Did Someone Say Night Race?
It is strange to think that as I sit down to write this article , darkness has fallen on the 2014 British Touring Car Championship. The series traveled the length and breadth of the country and in almost poetic fashion, came right back to where it all began to write the closing chapter of the year. However, one slight change from the season opener was the added challenge of the Grand Prix circuit for the drivers to master. Going into the final race weekend, Colin Turkington led by a staggering 50 points over nearest rival Jason Plato. Success was almost certain, but when the only man who can stop you is Jason Plato, truly anything is possible. And just to further add a dash of mystery into the mix, being the final race of the year it had become championship tradition that the weather would be anything but cooperative across the weekend. The stage was set. The weather was preparing its madness. It was time to fire those engines up, one last time.
And so it came down to it. Turkington vs Plato. BMW vs MG. Image Credit: BTCC.net
Level 2, 9 Help Street