Recent AAA Study Find Auto Braking Technology
Reverse automatic emergency braking (AEB) is not a complete replacement for human driving, according to a recent study conducted by AAA. With the advancement in vehicle safety technology, AEB systems can reduce collisions and save lives. Drivers shouldn’t rely entirely on technology while on the road.
AAA’s study examined a multitude of simulated collisions for 2023 vehicles equipped with AEB to see how well these systems performed. Their engineers wanted to see how AEB systems performed during a vehicle back out into the path of oncoming traffic with an adjacent parked vehicle blocking the view and another for encountering children behind the vehicle.
The study finds reverse AEB systems automatically apply brakes in 65% of test runs and prevented a collision in 2.5% of test runs during backing up scenarios when a pedestrian is behind the vehicle. For the study involving the stationary child target behind the test vehicle, reverse brakes were applied in 75% of test runs and prevented a collision in 50% of them.
The study shows that drivers shouldn’t rely entirely on technology. It is designed to support drivers, not be a complete replacement for driving. While advanced driving systems help drivers, they still should be updated to handle more realistic scenarios to improve road safety.
Testing standards for AEB systems are lacking in the US but needed so they function properly in situations, according to AAA. They recommend system testing requirements to be consistent to maximize vehicle safety. Drivers should use technology, but also physically pay attention to their surroundings when backing up their vehicles. The test was performed on small to medium SUVs (due to their popularity) with reverse AEB systems with the ability to detect and automatically brake for rear cross traffic.
New “Slight Evolution” LMP2 Tire Will Debut During the 2025 IMSA Season
A new type of LMP2 tire is debuting during the 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season. Michelin, who was recently announced as the official tire supplier of IMSA, is introducing a “slight evolution” of its LMP2 tire at IMSA. This state-of-the-art tire will use new materials that matches the performance of the current tires.
With the advanced LMP2 tire debuting next year. IMSA is retiring the current 957F/958F and 957E/958E tire compounds at the end of this season. Michelin is phasing out one of the raw materials used for its tire with the yet-to-be named tire construction.
Michelin plans to conduct comparison tests using the LMP2 tire at the upcoming Watkins Glen International from May 22 to 23. For the test, Michelin will have current LMP2 teams install a set of 957E/958E tires and the LMP2 tires for a run.
This comes at the heels of Michelin’s plan to introduce updated tires for the GTP class in the WeatherTech Championship and Hypercar class of the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2025.
The tire maker recently finished a successful release of the new Michelin Pilot Sport Pro GT H1 compoound at the Rolex 24 at Dayton for the GTD Pro and GTD categories.
IMSA is the sports car racing sanctioning body for the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season as well as several other major racing championships that includes the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge and the Mustang Challenge.
RX-7 Inspired Iconic SP May Actually Happen
A new version of Mazda’s iconic RX-7 maybe coming back. Well sort of. The Japanese vehicle manufacturer recently revealed to TopGear.com it wants to build a new car. The new car would probably be the Iconic SP concept that was unveiled in the Fall last year.
The new iteration of the RX-7 would bring Mazda back to its racing roots. Many Japanese car enthusiasts have been in anticipation for Mazda to announce a true sports car. With new versions of iconic Japanese cars like the Nissan GT-R and Z, Acura Integra and Toyota Supra, this would push Mazda to the forefront.
According to Mazda’s chief designer, Masashi Nakayama, who was quoted by Top Gear credits the RX-7 as their “biggest source of inspiration.” The concept has a sleek roadster design with aggressive angles. The headlights on the Iconic SP concept truly standout with them opening upward to have a “cool” appearance.
Mazda unveiled the Iconic SP before the 2023 Tokyo Auto Show. The sports car features a hybrid twin-rotor rotary-powered engine. Taking a queue from the RX-7’s coupe design, this two door concept pushes 365 horsepower while running on carbon-neutral fuel like hydrogen and electricity. This is an upgrade to the MX-30’s powertrain which the rotary charges the battery to continue powering the car.
Another key feature on the concept is the engine is mounted low in the center of the car. This vehicle is “designed by rotary” explained Nakayama.
If this happens, expect Mazda to be back in the sports car field. Their current lineup features one car, the MX-5 Miata which produces up to 181 horsepower, making it a far cry from the RX-7’s 276 horsepower which was discontinued in 2002.
