DUNLOP

New Mutant, a tire to equip all types of bikes

The Dunlop Mutant is a tire with an elaborate design that combines aggressive look blocks with a dynamic directional design and sophisticated construction technology, intended for the segment of motorcycles of the type “Crossover” ( ex: Yamaha Tracer, Ducati Multistrada, Kawazaki Versys etc) that according to the brand can also equip bikes from other segments, from Adventure, Sport Touring, Naked and even the Neo-Classics due to its profile multiple use. Dunlop Mutant includes a number of innovative technologies that have been introduced into several high-performance tires of the brand, especially with the aim of improving their behavior on wet floors. The Dunlop penu Mutant range has five measures for the front tire and six for the rear. This means that more than 370 different models of motorcycles will be able to be equipped with the new tire. 



Dmitri Talboom, Product Manager at Dunlop Moto Europea says “ " it is increasingly common for motorcyclists to use scrambler, neo-Classic and naked bikes all year round. Dunlop research tells us that these bikers are looking for a tire that offers them the response and behavior of a hypersport, but that gives them the confidence to enjoy the ride, regardless of the weather and terrain. Dunlop Mutant offers this attractive, unique crossover character."

Autonews

AUTONEWS

Tips to keep coronavirus out of your car

Social distancing and strengthening hygiene habits, improving the way we wash our hands and disinfect them, decrease the chances of being infected by coronavirus. But this effort is useless if we continue to handle potentially contaminated objects, be they the mobile phone or the car. Both should be given the same attention as regards immunization, if we are to continue to avoid the disease that has infected 1.5 million people worldwide and has killed 87,700, numbers which (unfortunately) are constantly increasing.
It is not yet known all about this new virus that came from China, but it is already known that, like other similar germs, it also has a protective layer of protein and fat. It happens that any soap – from blue and white, cheaper, to the softest, smelling and most expensive-consists of molecules that attack fat, undoing the protective layer of the virus, ending it. This is provided that they are in contact for long seconds (experts point to 20 seconds), and hence the need to wash hands for a long time. 70% alcohol proceeds equally and faster.

Why cleaning and disinfection?
Cars are one of the dirtiest” objects " with which we contact daily, capable of spreading all kinds of diseases. It is already known that coronavirus is able to remain active on certain surfaces for more than a week, which raises additional problems in the case of shared cars. This is the case for taxis or carsharing cars, but also for public transport vehicles and shared cars, such as those that are at the service of companies, where they are used by several employees.
Even in the family car, if used by the father, mother and children, all care is little, to prevent, if any of them are infected, the Covid-19 does not spread quickly to the rest, which is avoided only if we strengthen the cleaning and disinfection of the vehicle.

Points to consider
There are several places where we touch constantly – us and everyone who uses the vehicle. Outside, it is the door closures and the fuel tank access cover, where it is easy for even passing pedestrians to splash and cover them with contaminated droplets.
Inside, the probability of contacting the virus is lower, but not non-existent, and the most problematic places are those with which we contact more regularly. The most obvious are undoubtedly the steering wheel, the levers of turn signals, lights and gearbox, in addition to the levers or buttons that we use to regulate the seat and the handles of the doors and controls of the windows. But you should not forget the central screen, especially if it is touch, the interior rearview mirror and the entire dashboard and console, where it is easy to touch or place the phone.
We must also take into account the places we come into contact with in the rear seats and in the luggage compartment, and it is essential to start by removing all the old objects, papers and handkerchiefs that tend to accumulate in the door bags, as these act as a magnet for viruses, bacteria and fungi.

Interestingly, there is no need to overdo it
To wash the exterior of the vehicle it is enough to visit the washing machine more regularly and, in the intervals, spray the handles with alcohol. The cabin is more complex and time consuming. 70% isopropyl alcohol is very popular among professionals who clean and disinfect vehicles, since it is relatively "sweet" to the plastics, fabrics and skins used inside, still ensuring that the virus does not escape. However, it should not rub violently, as this will discolor the surfaces, leaving an undesirable mark.
Choosing to wash a car with water and interior detergent is also a solution (with the necessary care), while for the seats, whether they are covered with leather or fabric, there are specific products. There are also those who opt for Steam Cleaning, which is equally effective. Everything is worth to avoid resorting to a company specialized in these works, to the extent that it implies putting inside your car a stranger who may be contaminated, the is not very advisable these days. And do not forget about carpets and carpets, because that's where everything that falls out of your hands – yourself and, above all, children will stop.

What not to do
There are chemicals that guarantee deep cleanings. However, they also leave deep marks on the surfaces with which they contact. This is the case for leachate and ammonia-based products.
Pay particular attention to the materials you want to clean and use the ideal ones for the fabrics to wash them, leaving those of the skins for the surfaces coated by this material, whether it is true or synthetic. And pay particular attention to the steering wheel, because if the sun already tends to dry it, resorting to more aggressive chemicals may be the end of it. With the aggravating that a new one can be more expensive than you think, especially if it has many built-in controls and airbag. Care to take into account
It should be borne in mind that, although cleaning products and isopropyl alcohol (or isopropanol) are very 'friendly' to the interior materials, they are not intended for regular washing, either daily or, at the limit, weekly. This need for disinfection, the fruit of Covid-19, can excessively deteriorate plastics, skins and tissues, so it is advisable to follow a period of treatment after immunization. To the laia of what happens to the hydration of the hands, when you abuse the dishwashing without gloves.
There are good products on the market to protect skins, without making them greasy or slippery (not advisable for the steering wheel), which moisturize these surfaces preventing them from deteriorating. With the tissues used in the seats and, in some cases, in the doors, the same happens, and the treatment is not necessary to follow each disinfection operation. But some regularity will be welcomed.

What about the air conditioning?
The air conditioning, which satisfies us both by heating or cooling the interior, but above all by reducing its humidity, is traditionally a machine for spreading diseases. From bacteria to fungi, going through viruses, it can come out of everything a little bit through those vents. Fortunately, there is something that can be done to prevent greater evils.
Since at the moment it is not recommended to visit a company specializing in disinfecting air conditioners, the solution involves replacing the air conditioner and the cabin filter. More importantly, use a chemical (usually available in aerosol form) intended to settle the germs that accumulate in the ventilation system.

Are there other technologies and products?
If you are thinking that there is a magic wand out there that, once shaken, puts the cabin in a "toy", it is best to forget and cling to the vacuum cleaner, brushes and cleaning and disinfecting chemicals. However, during the fight against the pandemic, the Chinese authorities used ultraviolet (UV) equipment to disinfect buses very quickly and efficiently. According to the Chinese, the time required to immunize a bus dropped from 30 to 40 minutes to only 5 to 7 minutes.
But UV's are not a joke. They kill germs, but also attack any part of exposed skin and especially the eyes, so we advise you to adopt other practices and leave UV of this type to professionals. On the way, see here the distance at which the operator gets on the bus to be disinfected by UV lamps…

Mundoquatrorodas

INDYCAR

Pagenaud takes the lead at the end and wins Indy virtual race at Motegi

Simon Pagenaud won on Saturday afternoon (18) the fourth stage of the IndyCar iRacing Challenge, Indy's virtual racing championship, played on the Motegi circuit. The Penske Frenchman remained in the group of top finishers throughout the 113 laps on the Japanese track, but took the lead only in the final ten spins, taking advantage of a dispute between Wil Power and Scott McLaughlin, his teammates. It was the second victory for the current Indianapolis 500 winner in the tournament.
The race was marked by a good race for victory between Power, Dixon and McLaughlin. The three stayed close throughout the race, with the New Zealander from Penske attempting the attack on his teammate, stopping at the wall when nine laps remained. At this point, Pagenaud arrived for the dispute and overcame Power, which had a damaged front wing.
Chip Ganassi rider Dixon ended the race in second place after attempting a final attack on Pagenaud on the final lap. Power, who damaged the front wing in the race with McLaughlin, finished third, followed by Marcus Ericsson, fourth with the other Ganassi car. The top five group was completed by McLaren driver Robert Wickens who started from pole position.
Jack Harvey, who went on to win the race, was sixth with the Meyer Shank car, followed by Sage Karam, Dreyer & Reinbold driver and winner of the first race of the tournament at Watkins Glen. Zach Veach, from Andretti Autosport, Santino Ferrucci, from Dale Coyne, and Graham Rahal, from Rahal Letterman Lanigan, closed the top ten list.
This week's guest on the Indy virtual race, Kyle Busch, one of Nascar's top drivers, performed only modestly, and finished the race in 13th position after spending time in the top ten. Although virtually, it was the first experience of the two-time champion of the most important category in the United States in a single seat.
The Brazilians did not perform as well as the best at Motegi this afternoon. Helio Castroneves suffered an accident early in the race and finished the race in 29th place with the Penske car. Tony Kanaan, who raced a car with a layout similar to 2004, when he was Indy champion, finished 30th. The AJ Foyt driver was followed by Felipe Nasr, from Carlin, who finished 31st. by Leonardo Marson

FERRARI

Company extends factory shut down, now making respirator parts

When the coronavirus pandemic began, manufacturers in the automotive segment initially assumed that a few weeks of stopping production would be enough. That assumption proved to be wrong as more and more people continue to get infected worldwide. As a result, many automakers had respective announcements that their factory closures have been extended, sometimes even indefinitely.
The latest to do so is Italian supercar builder Ferrari.
Ferrari first announced the shutdown of its plants last March 14. At the time, the company said that both their Maranello and Modena factories are expected to resume operations by March 27. Instead, the Italian marque now says that the new opening will take place on May 3, 2020 in accordance with the Italian government’s latest announcements.



While all manufacturing and production-related activities have come to halt, the work continues on. Ferrari says, all non-manufacturing related activities will continue through what they call “smart working”, just like they have done so in the past few weeks. Though not specifically explained, this is likely a work-from-home arrangement similar to most companies around the world.
Aside from “smart working”, the Italian company also began making respirator valves and fittings to be used for respirators. The project serves as one of the automaker's initiatives to support health workers treating coronavirus patients.
The department which usually builds prototype cars is the one producing the respirator valves and fittings. Specifically, they make the valves and fittings using thermoplastic components with additive manufacturing technology. Each component features Ferrari's signature logo and are available in either black or white.
The new respirator valves were co-developed with Mares, a company that specializes in making recreational diving equipment. Using the newly-developed valves, Mares makes use of the components to build masks to help protect front liners.

Autonews

AUTONEWS

An app to help keep older drivers safe on the road

University of Minnesota researchers have developed an app to warn senior drivers when they are engaging in risky maneuvers and help them pay better attention while behind the wheel.
The RoadCoach app provides auditory and visual messages in real time when drivers speed, brake too hard, fail to yield or run stop signs, then encourages them to make corrections.
"It's like a surrogate coach in the passenger seat," said Nichole Morris, who led the research and study funded through a grant from the Roadway Safety Institute.
RoadCoach grew out of research in the early 2010s that showed a similar app created for teen drivers was effective in preventing bad habits and had long-term benefits, Morris said.
"We wanted to see what other high-risk users might benefit, so we modified the app to meet the need of older drivers," said Morris, who is the director of the U's HumanFIRST Laboratory.
For the study, Morris loaded RoadCoach onto smartphones of 28 drivers over 65 in Minnesota and Kansas, connected to their vehicles' Bluetooth speakers, and set it to record driving metrics such as hard braking, excessive accelerations, aggressive turning, stop-sign violations, speed violations and distance traveled.
The RoadCoach, developed for senior drivers, gives warnings and encourages corrections when driving behavior is risky.
The study included three weeks of gathering drivers' baseline behavior. That was followed by six weeks with the app giving real-time feedback and then three weeks with no feedback to measure behavior change.
Results were promising, Morris said, noting that there was a significant decrease in hard braking and stop-sign running but no significant difference in speeding. Participants reported that the app helped them stay focused on the task of driving, the study found.
"We showed we can change driving behavior," Morris said. "Older drivers are capable of making improvements, and it's never too late to train the brain."
In reviewing RoadCoach, participants anxious about the potential loss of their driving independence said they were open to using technology to help retain it, according to research documents.
Cheryl Salo, an AARP Driver Safety instructor, said, "I think it's a great idea for the younger seniors" but was unsure if seniors over 80 would be interested.
Older drivers are at high risk for crashes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC found the likelihood of being involved in a fatal crash, per mile traveled, begins increasing after age 70 and is highest for drivers 85 and older. Research from AAA found similar results.
Minnesota has more than 928,000 drivers who are 65 or older, and senior drivers will compose 24% of the state's driving population by 2030, according to the Department of Public Safety. In 2018, seniors were involved in more than 12,000 crashes that led to 73 deaths and more than 1,600 injuries.
Their biggest transgression was failing to yield, which was a contributing factor in 24% of the crashes, DPS data show.
Morris said the U needs a business partner to provide support and customer service for the app before it can be released, but she is hoping that can happen within the next year.
"We need to use all the tools in the tool box to help our aging friends and family members maintain independence," Morris said. "When they (seniors) crash, they have a far lower survival rate, which is why it's so important to help give them extra protection against crashes." 

by Tim Harlow

FÓRMULA-1

Brawn: "Maybe it's time for a reset"

There is a lot of talk about the budget cap in F1. Especially about the fact of exactly where that limit should be. The teams have yet to decide anything, although it looks like the limit will be lowered again.
So far, they want to cut costs step by step each year. Because of the pandemic, the teams have already agreed that the figure will be 150 million, instead of the 175 million previously established. Several teams are in favor of an even lower ceiling and in favor of a reduction to 100 million. It appears that the limit will initially be 130 million in 2022.
In Formula 1, there are many different interests, mainly financial. The wealthier teams do not want to go that low, although there is a chance that the current crisis will make it easier for them to choose. Category director Ross Brawn believes it may be time for a big change.
“Maybe it's time for a redefinition and we have to say that we worked in a certain way when F1 was financially more stable, and now it's time from a different point of view. Time for a redefinition in terms of costs and investments needed in Formula 1 ”.
If you are successful in Formula 1, you have money. The sport attracts worldwide attention and is a great platform for sponsors, especially if you are involved in a successful team. Mercedes is doing well in Formula 1.
“The paradox in Formula 1 is that success pays off. That's how it is. If you are a brand like Mercedes, the rewards in Formula 1 are high. Much higher than the costs. So while Mercedes has a very high budget, the rewards are even greater so they can spend a little more each year. The same goes for Red Bull ”, concluded the Formula 1 director.
The problem is that by no means are all teams so successful, so the difference between the top teams and the rest is big. So, if it depends on Brawn, it looks like it's time to do something about it, reducing spending even more than planned. Autonews

AUTONEWS

Renault closing main China business, will focus on electrics

Renault SA said Tuesday it will shut down its main China business and focus on electric and commercial vehicles.
The French automaker's 7-year-old joint venture with state-owned Dongfeng Motor Corp. already was suffering from lackluster sales before the outbreak of the coronavirus crushed Chinese demand.
China is the auto industry's biggest global market but competition is intense and total sales have fallen since their 2017 peak.
First-quarter sales this year fell 45.4% to 2.9 million cars, SUVs and minivans after Beijing closed dealerships and told consumers to stay home to stop the virus's spread.
Renault's factory is in Wuhan, the central Chinese city where the outbreak began in December.
Renault plans to "maintain a long-term presence" in the Chinese markets for electric and commercial vehicles, a company statement said.
Electric development will be through two joint ventures including eGT New Energy Automotive Co., Ltd. with Nissan Motor Co. The two companies are part of a global alliance.
Renault says it is seeking billions in state-backed loans, cancelling its dividend for 2019 and its chairman is taking a pay cut, as the French automaker tries to weather the coronavirus crisis.

© 2020 The Associated Pres