Добавил:
Upload Опубликованный материал нарушает ваши авторские права? Сообщите нам.
Вуз: Предмет: Файл:
Практика перекладу.doc
Скачиваний:
57
Добавлен:
09.11.2019
Размер:
2.55 Mб
Скачать
  1. Here are some factors people consider when buying a car. Match the factors with the definitions.

  1. price

  1. the amount of money you get when you sell your car

  1. resale value

  1. how much petrol or diesel the car uses

  1. size

  1. when customers always buy their cars from the same manufacturer

  1. interior features

  1. the amount of money you pay when you buy a car

  1. fuel consumption

  1. the car’s capacity to go fast and accelerate quickly

  1. performance

  1. how big the car is

  1. brand loyalty

  1. items inside the car

  1. A friend has written to you, asking to recommend a car that suits his needs. Write a letter in reply, describing some technical features of the Smart and Mini, paying special attention to their exterior and interior design, saying why you recommend them.

THE CHANGING EXPECTATIONS OF AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERS

In the past, automotive engineers were closely associated with the field of mechanical engineering. After all, most automotive engineers dealt with topics such as gasoline and diesel engines, transmissions, suspension systems, chassis, door handles, seats, etc. A few ventured off into new developments such as turbine gas engines, continuously variable transmissions, or even Sterling engines. Some dealt with plastics and painting systems. The vast majority of knowledge needed by the automotive engineer of the past was mechanical in nature.

The reality of today is that the automotive engineer is expected to know about far more than just mechanical engineering. To attract the best and brightest, the industry needs to project an image of the automotive engineer as someone with skills and knowledge beyond mechanical engineering.

The modern automobile has often been described as a computer on wheels. It is that and more — much more. Electronics control component systems such as the engine, transmission, and brakes. Those controls have become not just add-ons but integral parts of the operation of each system and the whole vehicle. A focus is on intelligent vehicle technology, which highlighted the integration of more electronics into the vehicle.

No longer can design engineers "throw their designs over the wall" to the manufacturing engineer. The design engineer must know enough about the manufacturing capability of his/her organization or supplier, and the manufacturing engineer must be an early participant in the design team. Competitive quality and cost require that the design specifications match the manufacturing capability. Empty promises by manufacturing ("give us a design and we will build it") are no longer accepted.

Software development is not only necessary to achieve optimum operation of each vehicle computer, but vehicle performance evaluation prior to design is becoming standard practice. Computer simulation for demonstrating compliance with regulations will probably be widely accepted in the not-too-distant future.

THE CAR OF THE FUTURE

It is a cold winter morning but your car is waiting for you, warm and comfortable, at exactly the temperature you like. You open the door by pressing your finger against the lock and your car greets you with a friendly ‘Hi, how are you?’ You seat down and the computer reminds you of the schedule. You start the car. You now have a joystick, steering-by-wire. The old mechanical parts of the past are gone.

As you back out of your driveway, warning sensors warn you about objects and pedestrians in your way. Using voice commands you programme your route, check your emails and dictate answers, ask for local and international news, look up phone numbers and play music. The car also looks after your health. Sensors in your seat and armrest tell you your weight and blood pressure, while sensors in the dashboard notice if you are drowsy and vibrate the joystick to wake you.

Many of the old worries associated with driving are gone. Traffic jams don’t happen anymore because your car automatically avoids crowded roads. Collision avoidance sensors prevent accidents. Speeding tickets are also a thing of the past – sensors pick up signals from traffic signals and automatically adjust your speed or stop your car. And breaking down is no longer a problem. Your car diagnoses any potential faults or worn parts and warns you and the service station. When you arrive at the service station, the spare parts are already waiting for you.

Your car can even park itself. Just stop at any parking space (your car knows if parking is permitted here) and operate the automatic parking system. The car scans the size and shape of the available space and then reverses in.