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Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Watch The First Ever Multi-Car Pileup Crash Test
If, like me, you're morbidly curious and you like to watch crash test videos in your free time then buckle up because last week PBS published a comprehensive documentary that recreates and investigates a multi-car pileup. Don't worry if you're on the squeamish side, the test is conducted without putting any living beings in danger. Instead of having humans behind the wheel, test engineers rigged up each test vehicle with remote controls that a group of test subjects operated safely from remote simulators. This crash test was meant to simulate a multi-car pileup on a freeway, which in the real world poses a significant challenge for accident investigators to recreate without firsthand knowledge of how the accident actually took place. This experiment offers unique insight into what actually happens in the event of a devastating crash scenario, how real drivers react to a sudden road hazard, and how vehicle safety systems perform in such a complex crash. PBS filmed the test which was staged on a two-mile long stretch of road on a decommissioned Royal Air Force base in Campbeltown, Scotland that was modified to mimic a freeway with a slow lane, middle lane, fast lane, and a shoulder. The film is 1 hour and 40 minutes long and provides a thorough deep dive into the methodology of the test as well as the investigation that follows, so it's perfect for diehard crash test aficionados and normies alike. Read more: These Movies And TV Shows Have The Best Car Casting As the first crash test of its kind, this high-speed pileup scenario required countless hours of preparation to ensure that no lives were harmed, no secrets were revealed, and that the accident occurred as it needed to. All eight passenger vehicles and one semi-truck used in the experiment had to be rigged up to operate as full-scale remote-controlled cars so test participants could best simulate a real-world crash, but only some of the vehicles were driven by unknowing volunteers. Half of the vehicles were piloted by test engineers who knew what to expect from the experiment, but the other half were unaware of the plan to simulate a multi-car pileup. The four unsuspecting drivers were representative of different demographics: one very new female driver who remotely drove a 2002 Porsche Boxster, one mid-twenties male driver who describes himself as a "boy racer" who operated a 2009 Volkswagen GTI, one older woman who operated a 2012 Toyota Prius, and an older man who operated a 2012 Ford F-150. The other vehicles operated by engineers were a 2005 Audi A8, a 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan, a 2005 Mercedes-Benz ML, and a 2012 Vauxhall Vivaro cargo van. Each vehicle was selected to represent different vehicle classes, sizes, and engine layouts to provide a real-world representation of a diverse group of random cars. Several Smart ForTwos were converted into simulators for the participants to operate their respective remote-controlled cars from, and a psychologist observed the volunteers as they practiced driving the remote-controlled cars and observed that their bodies were reacting to the situation as though they were actually behind the wheel of the moving vehicle. Dummies were placed into the remote-controlled cars, some wearing their seatbelts and others intentionally left unbuckled, and the stage was set for the test. The accident staged in this test is meant to recreate an icy British motorway with a patch of black ice, as is sometimes the case in real-world high-speed pileups. To simulate a low-traction, icy surface on the airport runway, engineers found that gravel provided a loss of friction that was most similar to an icy roadway, and the test commenced. The team initiated the pileup by driving a remote-controlled semi-truck across the simulated lanes of oncoming traffic, directly in the path of the remote-controlled passenger cars right as the roadway suddenly became slippery. The unsuspecting drivers did their best to avoid the crash but could only do so much given the challenging road conditions. The results are both alarming and fascinating, but I don't mean to spoil the ending, so give it a watch for yourself. On a totally related note, always wear your seatbelt and remain vigilant when you're behind the wheel of a car, as those are your best defenses against a potentially deadly accident like this one. H/T to reader Steven Lance for sending this our way! Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Daily Mirror
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Full list of 10 cheapest cars to insure in 2025
Car insurance can be costly and often depends on the make and model of the vehicle Many new drivers - or even those still learning - forget to consider car insurance when they're thinking about getting a new car. However, car insurance can be costly, with a number of different factors being taken into account. Insurance premiums can vary widely, as factors such as age, driving history, and safety features, are taken into consideration when it comes to insuring different makes and models. According to MoneySuperMarket, in the UK, cars are categorised into one of 50 insurance groups. Group 1 is the lowest risk and cheapest to insure and Group 50 - the fastest and flashiest cars - the highest risk and most expensive to cover. However, factors like age play a big role in how much you pay for car insurance. This means that the cheapest cars to insure for new drivers differs from what is generally cheaper for everyone. Among the many factors taken into account when calculating premiums are the model of car, the driver's details and claims history. Also considered are the car make and model, car modifications, and annual mileage. The driver's occupation and age are also factored into the decision. MoneySuperMarket has created a list of the cheapest cars to insure, in order to give drivers an idea of the types of cars that are generally less expensive. Cheapest cars to insure for 2025 Mini Cooper (184) - average annual premium £279 Porsche Boxster S - average annual premium £282 Mini Cooper (122) - average annual premium £294 Porsche Boxster - average annual premium £295 Ford KA - average annual premium £299 Jaguar X-Type SE DCI - average annual premium £309 Audi TT Quattro (225) Coupe - average annual premium £310 Mercedes-Benz SLK 200K (163) Convertible - average annual premium £312 Mazda MX-5 Cabriolet - average annual premium £314 Ford Fiesta - average annual premium £318
Daily Mirror
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
One Direction star's net worth uncovered as Liam leaves huge fortune to ex
One Direction became the biggest band in the world and racked up impressive bank balances due to their success – but just how much are they actually worth? One Direction achieved astronomical success, which saw their bank balances also rocket. Since finding fame in 2010, the group have sold over 70 million records across the globe, with the band being worth an estimated £749 million. Despite having soaring success as a group, the band have gone on to achieve success as solo artists following the departure of Zayn Malik in 2015 and his remaining bandmates going on an indefinite hiatus the following year. It's not just music that the band have cashed in on as they've also signed for dozens of brand deals, as well as endless merchandising and releasing their own movie and perfumes. Earlier this week, it emerged that following Liam Payne's tragic death last year, he had left a sum of £28million behind to his son, Bear Payne, eight, and his ex-girlfriend, Girls Aloud singer, Cheryl Tweedy. Despite having no will, Liam's estate totalled £24,279,728 after various deductions. Here, we take a look at the band's net worths and how the lads including Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik have made their hefty fortunes. Liam Payne In an emotional interview from 2022, Liam suggested all of his money was going to his son Bear. The Strip That Down singer said: "My life now is his, my money is his. I have actually got several companies that are up and running that I know he can run one day if he wants to or [he can sell them]." Liam also helped pay for a £4million home for Cheryl and Bear in the Buckinghamshire village of Chalfont St Peter. When he split with Cheryl, Liam then splashed out on a home nearby. The star didn't have a will when he fell to his death from the third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. On Wednesday, it was revealed his ex and mother of his child, Cheryl Tweedy, was granted the power of administration of the late Liam 's estate. He left behind £24.3million. According to court documents filed on May 1, music lawyer Richard Bray was also named as an administrator. He left behind £28.6million, which after expenses and debts were paid, went down to £24.3million. While a lot of his wealth came from One Direction, he also made a name for himself as a solo singer, releasing his debut solo album LP1 in December 2019. After leaving the group, Liam made sure to invest in property despite struggling with addictions. Louis Tomlinson One Direction once earned £45million in one year alone, according to The Sunday Times' list of richest musicians aged 30 and under. Four years after the lads met, the members had an individual net worth of £15 million. And now, years after they went on hiatus, Louis is said to have a net worth of £54million. The singer, who also has solo work, previously bought himself an £80,000 Porsche Boxster, a £90,000 Range Rover and a £2.5million property in north London. He released debut studio album, Walls, in 2020 and his second studio album, Faith in the Future, in 2022 - which debuted at No. 1 in the UK Not only does he earn money from music, touring and merchandising, he also has three companies: 78 Production, LT Publishing and LT Media. Last year, LT Publishing had assets totalling a staggering £229,908. Meanwhile, 78 Productions had assets of £3.57million. Niall Horan Niall Horan was last with Liam weeks before his death when the latter attended his concert in Buenos Aires. Reflecting on their time together, he said at the time, 'We got to live out our wildest dreams together and I will cherish every moment we had forever. The bond and friendship we had doesn't happen often in a lifetime.' The singer reportedly has a net worth of £52 million, which he earned through 1D, solo work and touring. He completed his The Show Live On Tour recently, with millions of fans supporting him. The 31-year-old released three solo albums and even followed his passion by finding a golf management company called Modest Golf with Mark McDonnell, which had a profit of £125,000 between 2022 and 2023. He even has a stake in the Irish athleisure brand Gym+Coffee In 2023, he was one of the coaches of The Voice, with him returning the following season much to the delight of fans. Niall also has a touring firm called BAI which profited £2.08million between 2023 and 2024. Zayn Malik Zayn has an estimated net worth of £56.2million, which is unsurprising as he enjoyed a successful solo career after leaving One Direction in 2015. His debut solo single, Pillow Talk, reached No. 1 in several countries, with the debut album Mind of Mine receiving positive reviews. He went on to release three more solo albums. Zayn tried his hand at many businesses, including releasing a shoe line with Giuseppe Zanotti. He collaborated with may fashion houses for several campaigns and even became the creative director for a men's and women's capsule collection called Zayn x Venus for Versace. In 2018, he designed a backpack for The Kooples. Not only does he earn money from fashion, but his account also fills up thanks to his touring and merchandise. The star, who shares a child with Gigi Hadid, is the co-owner and Chief Creative Officer of Mixoloshe, a non-alcoholic cocktail brand. Harry Styles Harry Styles has the biggest net worth of them all, coming out on top at £150 million. The 31-year-old's solo albums were wildly successful, with Fine Line debuting atop the US Billboard 200 with the biggest ever first-week sales by an English male artist. His widely acclaimed third album, Harry's House (2022), broke many records and saw him bag the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. As It Was, the lead single, became the number-one song of 2022 globally. The singer also received six Brit Awards, three Grammy Awards, two Ivor Novello Awards, three AMAs and four MTV VMAs. Not only is a fan-favourite singer but he also ventured into acting. The star had roles in Dunkirk, Don't Worry Darling and My Policeman. He even became the first man to appear solo on the cover of Vogue. His Love On Tour tour, which ended in the summer of 2023, became the fifth-highest-grossing tour of all time earning £463million. Meanwhile, Harry owns Erskine and a publishing firm called HSA. In one year, Erskine made a proft of £31million between 2021 and 2022, bringing the total cash at bank and in hand to £74,738million. He is also co-founder and owner of Pleasing - a unisex nail care, beauty, and lifestyle brand - which had a £1.2million profit between 2021 and 2022. HSA Publishing also had £14.14 million in the bank
The Drive
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Drive
How the First Staged Highway Pile-Up Simulation Used Real Cars and Drivers
Although they're relatively (and thankfully) rare, multi-car pile-ups serve as a reminder that a small error can have major consequences. Researchers worked with PBS to stage a realistic highway crash to learn more about how this type of situation can be prevented. PBS filmed The Ultimate Crash Test to recreate such a collision in the confines of a scientifically controlled environment. The crash was filmed on a decommissioned Royal Air Force (RAF) base in Campbeltown, Scotland, where a two-mile-long runway was transformed into a replica of a freeway with a slow lane, middle lane, fast lane, shoulder, and oncoming traffic. The aim was to make the simulation as realistic as possible to better understand the chain reaction that leads to a big pile-up. Here, you can see how the vehicles were rigged up for remote driving. The drivers themselves sat in pods made from Smart Fortwos, with screens placed ahead of them. PBS Next, the film crew chose the cars. Here again, the goal was to accurately represent the selection of vehicles you're likely to encounter on a highway in the U.K. or U.S. Eight vehicles were chosen: The Toyota Prius, the Porsche Boxster, the Volkswagen Golf GTI, the Ford F-150, the Dodge Grand Caravan, the Mercedes-Benz ML, an Audi sedan, and a Vauxhall Vivaro van, which is about the same size as the Mercedes Metris sold here through 2023. Another key piece of the puzzle was a semi, which played a big role in triggering the crash. Some dummies in the vehicles were properly belted, while others were not, to again convey the randomness of real life. The researchers wanted to simulate an icy surface leading up to the crash point, and found that loose gravel actually creates conditions more similar to ice than oil and water. PBS Real-world conditions require real drivers, but PBS wouldn't have had much luck if it posted an ad looking for drivers to voluntarily crash a car at highway speeds. Instead, the aforementioned cars were all fitted with a remote driving system, and the drivers were seated in off-track control pods. Their inputs were conveyed to the vehicles through pneumatic pistons for the pedals and electric motors for steering. Hazards such as gravel and parked cars on the shoulder were arranged, and 100 Nextbase dashcams captured the carnage that ensued from every angle. PBS After the wreck, forensic investigators who were not previously briefed on the setup of the experiment entered the scene to see if they could piece together how it all unfolded. The researchers compiled a list of takeaways. One is that real-world crashes are unpredictable and complex, and no two crashes are identical, because there are so many mechanical, environmental, and human variables at play. Human behavior notably plays a critical role in determining the cause and the outcome in a scenario like this. Another lesson learned was that safety systems work until a certain point: Airbags only deploy once and aren't guaranteed to protect you from a secondary impact, for example. PBS All four volunteer drivers were reportedly quite shaken up following the simulation, and noted that what they'd just been a part of would affect how they drove going forward. The Ultimate Crash Test is airing in two parts; the first, detailing the setup, premiered on PBS on May 7, and can be watched online now. The second part, centered on analyzing the aftermath, will air on May 14. PBS Got tips? Send 'em to tips@
Scottish Sun
01-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Four used sports cars selling for under £5k that are set to soar in value including iconic Audi & ‘supercharged' Jaguar
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FOUR used sports cars are available for affordable prices right now, but experts predict they are about to soar in value. While the cost of many classic cars have gone up in the past few years, some models remain at a lower price tag. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 The Porsche Boxster, which are currently priced from £4,000 Credit: Alamy 5 A Mazda RX-8, from 2003 to 2012, is another one where prices are heading north Credit: Getty 5 Another car to keep your eye on is the Jaguar XK8 Credit: Getty One model that the market may have overlooked is the original Audi TT. It doesn't pack a lot of power, but it "could sell on looks alone". Some even feature the rare baseball glove leather upholstery. Autocar notes that "well-preserved" Audi TTs start at around £2,000. Another car to keep your eye on is the Jaguar XK8. The "supercharged" XKR is "what everyone wants", according to Autocar. Experts note that the price is on the lower end, unlike the XK8 which is starting to gain value again. Prices begin from around £3,500. A Mazda RX-8, from 2003 to 2012, is another one where prices are heading north. This is because Mazda admitted it could be years until the RX-9 comes out. In 2012, they said they hadn't even started developing it yet. Experts predict there is a good chance the next one will come with advanced driving aids and "some form of electrification". This means the RX-8 is the last of a breed, and prices start from £2,300 but are slowly rising. Another cheap car is the Porsche Boxster, which are currently priced from £4,000. Inspired by the 550 Spyder, this car "almost single-handedly saved the brand from bankruptcy". It is one of the most affordable Porsches with a flat-six engine. However, experts predict it won't stay this cheap for long. It comes after a car expert picked out five modern classic motors that are set to soar in value - and urged petrolheads to buy now while they're still reasonably priced. Those looking to buy a used sports car can check out the best on Sun Motors. 5 A Silver Jaguar XK8 coupe, which is another car to keep an eye on
