100 - Annoying safety features in new Electric Cars, finding the balance
About this episode
Trevor Long and Stephen Fenwick dive into the intriguing world of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in electric vehicles, discussing their benefits and the common frustrations drivers face. Joined by Sean Tysers from IAG's Automotive Research Center, they explore research findings that reveal many drivers turn off these features due to annoyance or misunderstanding. The episode also features a review of the VW ID Buzz, highlighting its spaciousness, unique design, and the balance between nostalgia and modern technology. Listeners will gain insights into the evolving landscape of EV safety features and practical advice on navigating the electric vehicle market.
VW ID BUZ
"We're also going to talk about this week about the VW ID BUZ, a much requested car for us to review."
The VW ID BUZ is a small electric car from Volkswagen that can carry people and stuff. It runs on batteries instead of gasoline, so it’s quiet and good for city trips.
The VW ID BUZ is a compact electric SUV produced by Volkswagen, part of the ID series of battery‑electric vehicles. It offers a spacious interior, modern tech features, and a range suitable for city and short‑to‑mid‑range driving.
ADAS
"[137.0s] ADAS. There's some people listening and others that go, what are you talking about? [141.0s] What is ADAS? [144.0s] ADAS ADAS stands for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems."
ADAS are safety features in cars that can help you drive more safely by warning you of hazards, keeping the car in its lane, or even stopping it automatically if needed.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are electronic systems that use sensors, cameras, and software to help drivers with driving tasks such as braking, steering, and lane keeping.
autonomous emergency braking
"The big one is autonomous emergency braking. This is the feature that will stop your car for you autonomously, automatically"
AEB is a safety tool that can stop your car by itself if it thinks you’re about to hit something. It helps prevent crashes even if you don’t react fast enough.
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) is a safety feature that automatically applies the brakes when a collision is imminent, without driver input. It uses sensors like radar or cameras to detect obstacles and calculate braking distance.
ADR
"So is that part of essentially the ADR, the design rules that you can't sell a car in Australia without the forward collision assistance or alert?"
ADR is a set of rules that cars in Australia have to follow so they’re safe and clean. Think of it like a checklist every car must pass before it can be sold.
ADR stands for Australian Design Rules, a set of mandatory safety and environmental standards that all vehicles sold in Australia must meet. It covers everything from crashworthiness to emissions.
blind spot monitoring
"And a lot of cars, there's blind spot monitoring. They're all very helpful features in principle."
Blind spot monitoring is a safety feature that tells you if there's another car in the lane next to yours, so you can avoid a collision when changing lanes.
Blind spot monitoring is an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) feature that uses sensors or cameras to detect vehicles in the driver's blind spots and alert them, usually with lights or sounds.
lane keep assist
"And this is what's causing part of the problem is things like lane keep assist must default to being turned on"
Lane keep assist is like a gentle reminder that keeps your car from drifting out of its lane. If you start to drift, it can warn you or even nudge the steering wheel back into place.
Lane keep assist is a driver assistance feature that monitors lane markings and can provide steering inputs or alerts to help the driver stay centered in their lane.
BYD CL6DMI wagon
"[1233.0s] And it's the BYD CL6DMI wagon."
The BYD CL6DMI wagon is a new electric car from the Chinese company BYD. It has a roomy, truck‑like shape and runs entirely on batteries.
The BYD CL6DMI is a battery‑electric crossover SUV produced by Chinese automaker BYD. It features a spacious wagon‑style body, an all‑electric powertrain, and advanced driver assistance systems.
Ford Falcon wagon
"[1242.0s] We can tell because you've held on to a Ford falcon wagon [1251.0s] I'll be honest with you."
The Ford Falcon wagon is a big family car from Australia that could carry more passengers or cargo because it has a long rear door and extra space. It was very common in the 70s and 80s.
The Ford Falcon is a mid‑size car produced by Ford Australia, known for its robust body and versatile wagon (station‑wagon) version that was popular in the 1970s and 1980s.
electric car
"The other thing with the electric car I was looking at"
An electric car runs on electricity from batteries instead of gasoline. It’s quieter, has no exhaust fumes, and can be charged at home or public stations.
An electric car is a vehicle powered primarily or solely by electricity stored in batteries, rather than gasoline or diesel fuel.
grid
"[1411.0s] assuming that their car can then provide to the grid [1413.0s] but the difference I would say is"
The "grid" is the big network that brings electricity into your house. Some electric cars can send power back to this network when they’re plugged in.
In this context, the "grid" refers to the public electricity network that distributes power to homes and businesses. Plug‑in vehicles can feed energy back into this grid when charged.
battery of the car
"[1415.0s] you've got to see the battery of the car as a static storage of electricity [1421.0s] which can be drawn upon when needed"
A car battery holds electricity that lets the car run. In electric cars it can also give power back to the home or the electricity network when you plug it in.
The car battery stores electrical energy that powers the vehicle’s electric motor and accessories. In plug‑in hybrids or fully electric cars, it also supplies power to the grid when the car is plugged in.
EV
"and if I got an EV today would it actually"
An EV is a car that runs on electric batteries, so it doesn’t use gasoline and usually has fewer moving parts.
EV stands for Electric Vehicle, a car powered primarily by electricity stored in batteries instead of gasoline.
Kia EV5
"[1656.0s] ...of a few SUVs, you know? [1658.0s] Kia EV5"
The Kia EV5 is a small electric SUV made by the Korean automaker Kia. It has a modern look and uses an electric motor instead of gasoline.
The Kia EV5 is a compact electric SUV that debuted in 2023, featuring a futuristic design and advanced battery technology.
petrol hybrid
"[1690.0s] BYDC wagon was that it was a petrol hybrid"
A petrol hybrid is a car that uses both gasoline and electric power. It can switch between the two or use them together to save fuel.
A petrol hybrid combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor and battery pack, allowing the vehicle to run on either power source or both for improved fuel efficiency.
hybrids
"[1713.0s] they all have hybrids."
Hybrids are cars that use both gasoline and electricity to move, so they can save fuel and produce less pollution.
Hybrid vehicles combine an internal combustion engine with one or more electric motors, allowing for better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.
fuel pump
"[1775.0s] lining up for a fuel pump [1777.0s] to put petrol in your car."
The fuel pump is the part that moves gas from your car’s tank to the engine so it can run. Without it, the engine would have no fuel.
A fuel pump is a component that draws gasoline or diesel from the tank and delivers it under pressure to the engine’s fuel injectors or carburetor. It ensures a steady supply of fuel for combustion.
Volkswagen
"And that's the Volkswagen ID Buzz, the modern Combi van, which I've got to say"
Volkswagen is a car company from Germany that makes many popular cars, like the Golf and the Beetle. They’re now making electric cars too.
Volkswagen is a German automaker known for models like the Golf, Passat, and the iconic Beetle. The company is also expanding into electric vehicles with its ID series.
Chevrolet Camaro GTX
"[1895.0s] we had the GTX, [1896.0s] which is the long [1897.0s] wheelbase, [1898.0s] seven‑seater."
The Camaro GTX is a special version of the Chevy Camaro that comes with nicer seats, bigger wheels, and extra style touches. It’s a more upscale choice for people who want a sportier look and feel.
The Chevrolet Camaro GTX is a high‑performance trim of the Camaro sports car, featuring upgraded interior materials, larger wheels, and more aggressive styling compared to the base model. It was produced mainly during the 6th generation (2010‑2015).
Cooper
"[1937.0s] I own a Cooper Abort, [1938.0s] similar platform."
Cooper is a small car company from the UK that made lightweight sports cars, especially popular in racing history.
Cooper is a historic British automotive manufacturer known for producing lightweight sports cars and racing vehicles, most famously the Cooper T car used in Formula One during the 1950s.
head-up display
"[1945.0s] And in this case, [1946.0s] there's a head up display as well."
A head‑up display shows important car data, like speed or directions, right on the windshield so you don’t have to look down at a dashboard screen.
A head‑up display (HUD) projects key information—such as speed, navigation prompts, or warning alerts—directly onto the windshield in the driver’s line of sight. This lets drivers keep their eyes on the road while staying informed.
seven-seater
"[1949.0s] The seven-seater [1950.0s] extended wheelbase is enormous."
A seven‑seater car can fit up to seven people, usually with two seats in the front and three rows of seats behind.
A seven‑seater vehicle is designed to accommodate up to seven passengers, typically arranged in a 2-3-2 or 2-4-1 seating configuration. This layout is common in larger SUVs and minivans.
extended wheelbase
"[1952.0s] There's a lot of space [1953.0s] for every single row."
An extended wheelbase means the car’s front and back wheels are farther apart, giving more room inside for passengers or luggage.
An extended wheelbase refers to a longer distance between the front and rear axles of a vehicle. This design increases interior space, especially for rear passengers or cargo, and can improve ride comfort.
Kia Carnival
"who owned a Kia Carnival, which would be its nearest competition as a family seven-seater."
The Kia Carnival is a big van that can seat many people, often used by families for road trips or moving around.
The Kia Carnival is a large minivan produced by South Korean automaker Kia Motors, known for its spacious interior and family-friendly features.
sliding door car
"[2062.0s] wanted a sliding door car, [2063.0s] there's no way"
A sliding door car is a vehicle that has doors that move sideways instead of swinging open, which makes it easier to get in and out, especially for big families or people with limited space.
A sliding door car refers to vehicles equipped with doors that slide horizontally along the side of the vehicle, often used in vans or minivans to improve accessibility and ease of entry.
V-Dub
"[2208.0s] of a flat, [2209.0s] a flat-fronted vehicle [2210.0s] like a Combi."
‘V‑Dub’ is a nickname people use for Volkswagen, the car company from Germany that makes cars like the Beetle and Golf.
‘V‑Dub’ is a colloquial nickname for Volkswagen, the German automaker known for models like the Beetle, Golf, and Passat.
ID Buzz
"[2276.0s] ID Buzz, [2277.0s] good-looking car. [2278.0s] We enjoyed it"
The ID Buzz is a new electric van from Volkswagen that looks like the old VW camper vans but runs on batteries instead of gasoline.
The ID Buzz is an electric van concept from Volkswagen that was later developed into the commercial ID. Buzz and the consumer-oriented ID. Buzz camper, featuring a boxy design inspired by classic VW vans.
split window
"Have you put a strip down the middle to make it a split window?"
A split window is when the back side windows of a car are cut into two parts instead of one big pane. It gives the car an old‑school, stylish look.
A split window refers to a car design where the rear side windows are divided into two separate panels, often with a vertical divider. This style was popular in classic American cars and adds a distinctive retro look.
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