Breakthrough

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Breakthrough: The crumple zone – Part two

In part one, David Twohig explained the origins of this life-saving technology. But how has nuclear bomb-derived software has made your car safer?

Features

Breakthrough: The crumple zone – Part one

You won’t even be aware of the crumple zones under your car’s bonnet until, that is, the day they save your life. David Twohig pays tribute to their creator

Features

Breakthrough: Unibody construction

How a technology that dates back thousands of years came to transform the strength, safety and dynamic ability of cars. David Twohig is your guide

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Breakthrough: Rack and pinion steering

Simple is best but sometimes car engineers just can't help themselves, writes David Twohig, as the history of car steering mechanisms demonstrates

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Breakthrough: The MacPherson strut

Compact, cheap and effective, the MacPherson strut sparked a suspension revolution. But that may be all about to change, says David Twohig

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Breakthrough: The slick tyre

Why did it take the racing world until the late 1960s to embrace the slick tyre? As David Twohig explains, until then its advantages were not in the least bit clear

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Breakthrough: Fuel injection

Try telling most people these days you’re thinking about tuning your carbs and you might inadvertently get a referral to Weight Watchers or advice on the latest fad diet...

Features

Breakthrough: The turbocharger

Automotive progress is not always led by engineers and designers. Sometimes it’s made by grocers. In 1860 a travelling grocery salesman called Nikolaus Otto...

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