さて先週末になりますが、日産車オーナー限定サイト「N-Link OWNERS http://n-link.nissan.co.jp/」が主催の試乗会イベントに参加してきました。
I invited one of my friends to join the afternoon session with two of us. I think there were about 2 or 30 participants. There were many families.
The main event was a test drive of the new generation car “Leaf” and the GT-R. Several other cars were also available to test drive and experience Nissan’s latest safety and environmental technologies.
The place is called “Grand Live”, which is Nissan’s test course.
Normally, Nissan staff as well as the general public are not allowed to freely enter or leave this place, and it seems to be an admired place for car enthusiasts.
The event begins at 1 p.m.
First, we listened to a 20- or 30-minute presentation on the latest safety and environmental technologies. After that, we actually test drove a car in which the technologies were incorporated and experienced some of the latest technologies. Here I would like to write my impressions about the matters that are memorable and impressive to me.
「アイドリングストップ」
It’s more of an environmental measure than the latest technology.
The latest cars, including gasoline cars, electric cars, and hybrid cars, are very quiet, so I think people feel less uncomfortable when the engine suddenly stops than before.
At first it was a strange feeling, but as you get used to it, you start to feel uncomfortable if the engine doesn’t stop when the car is stopped. According to Nissan, the most important thing they took care of was to shorten the time it takes for the engine to turn off and on again. This seems to have further reduced the irritating feeling.
In any case, it’s a matter of getting used to it, but you will soon get used to it, so if it’s environmentally friendly and energy efficient, I think it should be a standard feature in future cars.
「インテリジェント・ペダル」
To put it simply, the technology prompts the driver to slow down by pushing back on the accelerator when the distance between the car and the one in front becomes too close. The system will also automatically apply the brakes.
I’m sure it will be useful in an emergency, but honestly I thought it would be enough to sound the alarm when the distance between cars gets too close. In fact, if you get too close and don’t slow down, the alarm will go off.
I think it’s a great technology that can reduce accidents, but as a manual car driver, I think it’s too much and too helpful. For people who just want to enjoy driving, I think it’s a feature that makes them feel uncomfortable and stressed.
※イベントホール内のコース案内図
「VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) 」
This is the so-called “anti-skid technology” that we often hear about these days. It has been introduced by many manufacturers.
The test drive of this technology took place on a “low-mu road” in Grand Live. In short, it simulates a slippery road, and to give you an idea of how slippery it is, Nissan says it’s “like driving on an icy snow-covered road (but slipperier).
Participants will be driving on this low-mu road with this VDC turned on. After entering the road, the car stops for a moment. After that, they start the car at full throttle. At this time, the tires spin for a moment, but the next moment, the car starts moving smoothly. Next, I drove to the right and then to the left with the feeling of an S-shape, and although I felt some difficulty in controlling the car, I was able to drive without skidding.
After you finish driving by yourself, your instructor will take over the driving, and this time you will drive this road with VDC off. Then, the car doesn’t start even though I start with full throttle, and the moment I turn the S-curve, the car turns 180 degrees smoothly!
I had seen this scene from the side many times before I experienced it myself. It looked so scary, but when I actually rode it, I didn’t feel scared at all. The driver is very good, so there is little shaking and it is rather comfortable. However, if you actually experience this yourself, you will definitely panic.
I thought this was great, not only because I was impressed with the amazing technology, but also because I could experience the most advanced technology in a very easy to understand way.
（長くなったので、その２に続きます。）
