Latest news with #drivingexperience
Al Bawaba
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Al Bawaba
Nissan expands Zero Gravity Seat technology across more models in the Middle East
Nissan is making every drive more comfortable than ever by expanding the availability of its Zero Gravity Seats across a wider range of models in the Middle East. Inspired by NASA's research on optimal human posture in space, Nissan's Zero Gravity Seats are engineered to reduce fatigue, improve spinal alignment, and enhance the overall driving experience, especially on longer introduced on the Nissan Altima, Zero Gravity Seats are now available in over half of Nissan's passenger vehicle lineup in the region, including the all-new KICKS, Pathfinder, and X-TRAIL. For the first time, the all-new Nissan Patrol features Zero Gravity Seats across its entire lineup, now enhanced with integrated massage functionality. This added luxury brings targeted muscle relaxation to complement the Patrol's refined driving dynamics, ensuring superior comfort on highways, in the city, and across the Sabbagh, Divisional Vice President, President – Middle East, KSA, CIS – Nissan & INFINITI, said: "At Nissan, comfort is more than a feature, it's fundamental to how we design our vehicles. Zero Gravity Seats underscore our commitment to enhancing the ownership experience by prioritizing comfort and well-being. By extending this advanced seating technology to more models across our line-up, we ensure that every Nissan driver enjoys superior comfort, turning daily commutes into experiences that are more comfortable and human-focused."Developed in collaboration with Yamazaki Laboratory at Keio University, Nissan's Zero Gravity Seats mimic the body's natural posture in zero-gravity conditions, aligning the spine and hips and evenly distributing body weight. This innovative design reduces pressure on joints, enhances blood circulation, and significantly minimizes driver fatigue. Extensive ergonomic research, including musculo-skeletal analysis and advanced seat simulation, informed the strategic placement of 14 pressure points that effectively alleviate stress on the shoulders and across the lineup is tailored to specific driving needs. In the iconic Nissan Z, purpose-built seats keep occupants secure and relaxed on road or track. The flagship Z NISMO elevates this experience with bespoke Recaro® leather-and-Alcantara® bucket seats where high-grip bolsters offer confident support through fast corners and sustained comfort on longer journeys. Meanwhile, the all-new Nissan Magnite also takes a climate-conscious approach, with MODURE leatherette quilted seats and Heat Guard technology for added comfort even in warmer climates. Customers across the Middle East can now experience Nissan's Zero Gravity Seats in a variety of SUV and sedan models, including the all-new Patrol, Pathfinder, X-TRAIL, KICKS, and Altima. Drivers looking for climate-resilient comfort or track-inspired performance will also find specialized seat innovations in the all-new Magnite and Nissan Z range.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Geely Auto expands in Poland with presale of Geely EX5
Geely Auto has entered the Polish market with the presale of the Geely EX5, its pure electric SUV model. The new energy vehicle, known for its 'user-friendly driving experience' and modern design, is set for sale in the third quarter of this year. Geely said that a flagship showroom is slated to open this October, with openings of an additional 10 confirmed dealership outlets prior to the end of 2026. In Poland, Geely's official distributor is Jameel Motors, a distributor of vehicles and a comprehensive mobility solutions provider, operating in over 10 nations. Geely Auto International vice president Moe Wang said: 'Poland is an important part of Geely Auto's global strategy. As one of Europe's dynamic markets, it's showing strong growth in electric vehicle adoption. 'In May 2025 alone, BEV sales went up 54%, and PHEVs jumped 79%—signalling a strong demand for cleaner mobility. Geely Auto is well-positioned to meet that demand.' The company noted that the structure of the Geely EX5, with its eight horizontal and two vertical supports, is further reinforced by the "Cloverleaf" energy dissipation system, providing security. Built on Geely Auto's GEA platform, the Geely EX5 provides an average range of up to 430km (WLTP), with a fast charging that can replenish the battery from 30% to 80% in 20 minutes. It can accelerate up to 100km/h in under seven seconds. The vehicle's 11-in-1 electric drive unit claims to offer 160kW of peak power. The unit's design focuses on compactness, efficiency, cooling, and zero emissions. It is equipped with a suite of features, including automatic emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control (ACC), and auto lane change assist (ALCA). It also includes rear cross traffic alert (RCTA), lane keeping assist (LKA), lane change assist (LCA), blind spot detection (BSD), and evasive manoeuvre assist (EMA). The arrival of the Geely EX5 in Poland follows its presence in over 25 nations. Earlier this month, Jameel Motors also secured a distribution agreement to bring Geely Auto's new energy passenger vehicles (NEVs) to the Italian market. "Geely Auto expands in Poland with presale of Geely EX5" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Telegraph
13-07-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Would you let your 11-year-old drive a 180mph Porsche?
My first feeling on seeing my son Finn climb into the driver's seat of a Porsche 911 is, simply, envy. I've never been a passenger in a Porsche, let alone driven one; and yet here he is, taking the wheel of this elegant sports car with a top speed upwards of 180mph. At the tender age of 11. As far as driving goes, he's peaked way too soon. We're at the Dunsfold Aerodrome near Guildford – AKA the Top Gear test track, where stars including Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz took the wheel of the Reasonably Priced Car back in the day – the latest addition to the 70-plus venues around the country where the company Young Driver offers driving experiences for children between nine and 17. Finn is a huge fan of cars and something of a demon on the driving-simulation games and go-kart tracks that have so far been the sum of his time behind a wheel. The question is whether driving a real car will similarly feel like a game – and, crucially, whether his foot will reach the accelerator pedal. Taking the wheel The experience starts with a taster session in a little Suzuki Swift hatchback, fitted with dual controls as you would find in any driving school car. His instructor spends a brief few minutes running through the basics, after which Finn pulls away surprisingly smoothly for a first-timer and takes off down the track. By the end of his 30-minute lesson, he has not only circled the track a few times but also practised indicating, braking and parking, learned to change gear, navigated some cones and performed a three-point turn (his favourite bit, he tells us later). But really it's all about the midnight-blue Porsche 911, which Finn has watched gliding around the track, eyes wide. Time for the Porsche When this most famous of sports cars arrives, it's a different beast altogether. Like the Suzuki, it has been fitted with dual controls – good to know, given it can accelerate from 0 to 60mph in less than four seconds – and, once again, the focus of the lesson is on safe, controlled driving. After Finn fastens the seatbelt and adjusts the rear-view mirror, his instructor talks him through operating the clutch, which is considerably heavier than the Suzuki's, and he drives off. There's a dashcam in the car with a splitscreen view, with one side of the screen showing what Finn can see (very much like a video game, in fact), the other side showing the expression on his face as he drives. While he could be forgiven for being a little apprehensive, he's apparently as cool as a cucumber (he tells us later that he wasn't nervous at all, simply excited). The instructor, just out of shot, can be heard reminding him to look at the road rather than the gearlever when changing gear, as well as to slow smoothly when approaching a corner, or steer a little more to the right or left. Playing it safe There's a nominal speed limit of 40mph, although children who are confident and practised enough are allowed to go a little faster. This way, they get a sense of the potency of a powerful engine and the dynamics of one of the world's greatest sports cars, as opposed to a go-kart, but in a safe, controlled environment. They are not simply having a junior petrolhead moment, but learning the basics of responsible driving. The theory is that children who take driving lessons at a young age are more receptive to instruction, but have not yet developed the arrogance that can make some 17- and 18-year-olds more difficult to teach. It follows that children who have already had driving lessons in a safe setting such as this are more likely to require fewer lessons once they reach legal driving age. They are also more likely to pass their test first time – not an insignificant consideration given the current waiting time for a test is up to around six months, as well as the costs involved in lessons. Perhaps the most compelling statistic, however, is that children who have experience of driving before the age of 17 are also far less likely to have a crash in those potentially dangerous first weeks and months after passing their test. According to research by Young Driver, its former students have been involved in 84 per cent fewer road accidents in the first six months after passing their driving tests, compared with the national average. The verdict The average 11-year-old, of course, doesn't really have road safety front of mind, although one hopes they will be taking it in on a subconscious level. For Finn, the experience is one of pure adrenaline – and pure fun: as he unsurprisingly puts it, 'the best day ever'. While the driving video games he has played have helped him, he thinks, to be more precise when steering on the track, the experience of not only being in but actually controlling a real car is entirely different from go-karting: 'bigger, faster, more powerful'. He is confident that he would now be able to drive a car safely on the road, but slightly dismayed when told that won't be happening for another six years. On the way home in our now hopelessly underwhelming Nissan Qashqai family car, it appears his expectations have been irrevocably raised. Bentley.'
CTV News
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
New carsharing service offers premium vehicles to residents in Ottawa buildings
It's a new spin on carsharing. There is a new service available in the City of Ottawa, catering to 'upscale condo and apartment dwellers.' Automondial Shared Mobility offers 'premium trim,' vehicles available for exclusive use to residents in certain multi-unit residential buildings. 'We believe that just because somebody doesn't need or want to own a vehicle doesn't mean that they don't want to still enjoy the driving experience,' says Bobbi Jaimet, manager of marketing, communications and business development at Automondial Shared Mobility. 'They're new, and we rotate them out of the fleet when they're two or three years old so that people are always getting a really nice premium trim vehicle.' The company has placed vehicles at select apartment and condominium buildings across Ottawa, where residents can pay to access them. Jaimet says Automondial Shared Mobility is currently in eight buildings. 'I take it for usually like 12 hours at a time, and then I kind of have a good plan. So far, it's been amazing,' says carsharing user Lynn O'Connor, who moved into a new building this year across from Tunney's Pasture. 'I recently sold my car because I used to live downtown. It was a lot of expense. So, one of the benefits of coming to this building is that they have a carsharing program.' Automondial Shared Mobility Lynn O'Connor drives a carsharing service vehicle in Ottawa, which is available in her apartment building through Automondial Shared Mobility. (Peter Szperling/CTV News Ottawa) O'Connor says she uses the service once a week. 'I usually go, I run errands, whether it's to Ikea or I go to the east end, my mom lives there. So, I go visit there, or sometimes I go visit friends and it's just been a great alternative. So, I kind of do weekly shopping. I go get all my groceries, I'll go to Costco, I'll do all the things I need to do.' According to Jaimet, the cost to use the vehicle through Automondial Shared Mobility is $17 per hour to a maximum of $62 per day and that includes everything, 'So, gas and charging are included. We have insurance for the vehicle. Winter tire changeover is included. Of course, they're regularly maintained and serviced and cleaned regularly as well.' For some residents, like O'Connor, that can mean substantial savings over owning a car. 'It's usually about, I think, $70 a week,' she says. 'And I don't pay insurance, gas or maintenance, basically. So, it's really just that fee and then I just walk away when I'm done. And it's always been clean; it's always been in really great condition.' O'Connor says she would spend about $700 a month on her car when she owned one and that wouldn't include the cost of parking in her new building. 'We've done this in our building to add an extra amenity that's desirable for new residents. And it gives you flexibility to not have to actually own a vehicle and have all the extra expenses,' says Kathy Foley, experience resident coordinator at Parkdale Collective. 'It's a free amenity for them,' says Jaimet. 'It costs the developer absolutely nothing to have one of our cars at their building. And if you look at that as compared to a lot of other amenities, such as a swimming pool, which can cost, you know, $100,000 a year to maintain a swimming pool, this costs them nothing. So, it's a free amenity for the developer.' According to the company, 'Automondial Shared Mobility is affiliated with a dealership group that has served Ottawa since 1956 (Carling Motors Group), and hence is uniquely positioned to offer buildings high-quality inventory, selection and flexibility. Partners can choose from Volkswagen, Volvo, Mazda, Nissan, Jaguar and Land Rover brands; fuel and electric powertrains; and make changes to fleet size and mix at any time.' Automondial Shared Mobility vehicles are currently placed at select Richcraft, Minto, Homestead, Mastercraft Starwood, Theberge Homes, and Douville, Moffet & Associés Inc. multi-unit residential buildings across Ottawa.
Auto Blog
06-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Honda Isn't Going to Like the Mazda CX-50's Superb Steering
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Fun AND practical! Steering is one of the aspects of the driving experience that doesn't get prioritized in mainstream car buying the way ride quality, comfort, power, technology, and safety do. Nevertheless, great steering can be a driving game-changer by offering great feedback, precision, responsiveness, effort, and corner weight build-up. Most vehicles outside of sports cars fail to deliver great steering, but the Mazda CX-50 is shockingly good. I recall driving it for the first time shortly after its debut, and I was gobsmacked at how good it was. Of course, Mazda has focused on the driving experience for a long time, but the CX-50 raises the bar even higher than the MX-5 Miata. When contrasted with Honda, another brand famous for infusing its cars and SUVs with great steering, the Mazda CX-50 should make them nervous. A steering setup that rivals (or surpasses) Honda 2026 Honda CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid — Source: Honda For years, Honda has earned praise for producing vehicles that blend precision steering with engaging driving dynamics. For numerous reasons, models like the Civic and CR-V are benchmarks in their segments and have been for some time. They offer sharp, predictable steering and handling that connect drivers to the road. Even a model like the efficient Civic Hybrid is surprisingly connected and rewarding to drive. The CX-50's closest competitor from Honda in terms of output, size, and style is the CR-V. The current CR-V's steering is deftly tuned for both precise and compliant handling, while the ride remains smooth, instilling the driving experience with composure and confidence. While it's unlikely that the CX-50 will ever sell in the same numbers as the CR-V, there's reason for Honda to take notice. Mazda CX-50 The Honda CR-V is one of the best-selling crossovers in North America, and for good reason: it offers excellent space efficiency, comfort, and driving dynamics that surpass most rivals. The CR-V's dual-pinion electric power steering setup (with a variable ratio of about 12.3:1 near the center) provides quick responses and relatively light effort — traits Honda fans have come to expect. What is the CX-50's steering setup? Mazda CX-50 — Source: Mazda The Mazda CX-50 utilizes an electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) system, a technology prevalent in the industry, but this one stands out thanks to careful tuning by Mazda engineers that delivers a remarkably linear and communicative feel. The steering ratio is quick enough to provide a near-immediate response to driver inputs without feeling twitchy on the highway. It also has impressive steering feedback, a characteristic that's absent in even sporty vehicles. Feedback is where the steering wheel communicates road forces and road surfaces between the front tires and the driver's hands. Knowing how the tires are gripping the road and what that surface feels like equates to a good steering rack. The CX-50 excels at this. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Mazda CX-50 — Source: Mazda Another contributor to the CX-50's great steering is the weight, or how heavy the steering feels when turning. The CX-50's steering weight is quite heavy, and some might not like that, but it's paired with excellent corner weight build-up, the part where effort progressively builds as both corner entry speed and front tire load increase. Good sports cars have this, and the CX-50 feels just like that. Mazda engineers focused on minimizing friction and unnecessary damping within the steering system to reduce artificial heaviness. A vehicle can have weighty steering, but it can sometimes feel overboosted and artificial. The feeling is otherworldly for a mainstream, affordable crossover, and it exists in every CX-50 trim level, regardless of the engine choice. The CX-50's torsionally rigid chassis also deserves mention. The use of ultra-high-strength steel in key areas, particularly around the cowl and floor, enhances the body's resistance to flex, allowing the suspension and steering to work more predictably under load. While the CX-50 features MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear suspension, neither of which is exceptional in the industry, Mazda has calibrated the setup so well that it provides exceptional stability and great turn-in precision. You can go over undulating pavement without upsetting it and then point and shoot it into and out of a corner with aplomb. On top of that, Mazda's G-Vectoring Control Plus further aids cornering by subtly adjusting engine torque to shift weight properly. The CX-50's purposeful engineering The 2024 Mazda CX-50 sits on Mazda's Small Product Group platform, which it shares with the Mazda3 and CX-30, both with excellent steering and handling. But the CX-50 isn't just a lifted hatchback in disguise. It's been designed with a wider track than the CX-5, a longer wheelbase, and reinforced body structures to handle both on-road dynamics and light off-road use. With its muscular fenders, low roofline, and purposeful stance, the CX-50 looks athletic, and the experience from behind the wheel is even more rewarding than the CX-50's appearance communicates. Under the hood, buyers can choose between two versions of Mazda's 2.5-liter inline-four engine: a naturally aspirated variant producing 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque or the preferred 2.5-liter turbocharged engine that churns out up to 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on 93-octane fuel (or 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft on regular 87-octane). Both pair with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard i-Activ all-wheel drive. While those numbers are solid, it's the steering that truly defines the CX-50's dynamic character. Why Honda might be concerned The CR-V is one of the better compact crossovers to drive, but the CX-50 feels more natural, sportier, and more rewarding. Where the CR-V's steering is accurate, it can feel isolated and overly boosted at times, filtering out feedback. It also lacks the excellent corner weight build-up of the CX-50. The CX-50's system keeps drivers more informed, letting them feel small adjustments in grip levels without intrusive kickback. On winding backroads, the Mazda simply feels more alive and confidence-inspiring, even though both vehicles are similarly sized and weighted. This unique trait of the CX-50 appeals to car buyers who want practicality without sacrificing driver engagement. The CX-50 is just that much better at it than every other competitor at its price and better than some sporty coupes, sedans, and premium fare. Honda's reputation for driver-focused engineering in mainstream vehicles faces a legitimate challenge from the CX-50, a smaller automaker punching well above its weight. The CX-50 isn't going to threaten the CR-V in terms of sales volume (400,000+ for the CR-V in 2024), but the CX-50 increased by more than 64% in sales in 2024 compared to the year before. Final thoughts The CR-V is great in so many ways, but it's also ubiquitous. The CX-50 isn't just different in its appearance inside and out, but it's also better to drive than the CR-V, thanks to some of the best, most communicative steering in the automotive industry. Mazda's commitment to delivering a more authentic, connected steering experience in a segment dominated by numbness and over-assist is refreshing. While the CR-V will undoubtedly continue to sell in huge numbers, it's clear that enthusiasts looking for more tactile feedback and engagement will increasingly see the CX-50 as the better driver's crossover. It's the one we'd put in our own garage. About the Author Amos Kwon View Profile
