What is the difference between a gel battery and a regular battery. Gel battery for cars - pros and cons

11.10.2019

Lead acid batteries are more common than alkaline batteries. For example, only this type of batteries are installed on cars. But only a few are familiar with gel batteries. Since they appeared on sale relatively recently, it is not necessary to rely on objective user reviews or at least some statistics.

In this article, the author offers the reader a detailed, in an accessible form, analysis of all the features, characteristics, pros and cons of gel batteries. Based on such a review, it is easy to understand what to put in the plus column, and what points to position as a minus for samples of this type.

The correct name is a gel battery, from the word "gel". And the helium battery (which is sometimes found in texts) is nothing more than a spelling mistake.

General information about gel batteries

Without knowing the features of gel batteries, it will be difficult to understand everything else, as well as to appreciate their pros, cons and the feasibility of installing them on a personal car.

What is the difference between traditional batteries and gel batteries?

In the lead-acid batteries that are familiar to us, the conductive medium is the electrolyte (). This is the name of a solution of (aqueous) sulfuric acid, which is either purchased or prepared independently. It is present in gel batteries, but in a different consistency - in the form of a jelly-like mass. Here it is called a gel, that is, a two-component medium, characterized by specific properties.

Varieties of gel batteries

The difference is in the production technology.

gel. Silicon dioxide is introduced into the electrolytic mass, which contributes to its "thickening" and turning into jelly.

AGM. The design of such gel batteries is different. Between the electrodes of the battery are placed the so-called separators, which are made on the basis of fiberglass. This material is porous, which means it holds the solution and does not allow it to spread over the volume. The result is a similarity of jelly and an identical effect is achieved.

Peculiarities

pros

Maintenance is not required. Everyone knows what a decrease in the electrolyte level in lead-acid batteries is, the need to search for and top up water (and not any, but distilled). When using gel batteries, all these problems are removed.

Minor damage to the case does not lead to a quick failure of the battery. Again, we compare with traditional batteries. Even a microscopic crack causes "drainage" of the battery, as the electrolyte simply flows out. For gel samples, such damage is not critical due to the thick consistency of the conductive medium.

Gas recombination is almost 100% (for AGM batteries; for GEL models, the figure is slightly lower). What does it give? Firstly, they do not go outside, and there is no need to constantly monitor the purity of the diffusion hole. It was their pollution that was one of the main reasons why old-type batteries literally exploded.

Secondly, the gases "hidden" in the pores of the separators participate in the process when charging the battery, thereby maintaining its energy intensity at a constant level. No wonder manufacturers guarantee about 400 charge / discharge cycles of gel models.

Thirdly, during the period of storage of such batteries, the self-discharge current is practically at zero level. Calculations show that the loss of capacity, even under the most unfavorable conditions, is no more than 18 - 20%.

No risk of shedding plates. A significant plus, given that this is one of the main "sores" of conventional batteries.
Long service life. For gel batteries, it is about 2.5 - 3 times higher than for lead-acid batteries (up to 12 - 14 years).
Maintaining performance in any position. In a conventional battery, on steep descents / ascents, the electrolyte may partially splash out.
Starting current is high. Therefore, there are usually no problems with starting the engine under any conditions (for example, in severe frosts) (ideally). The following is an explanation of this point.

Minuses

Sensitivity to the parameters of the supply network. That is why gel batteries will need a special charger, and it will not be possible to install them on any car. If the “iron horse” was originally equipped with a conventional, lead-acid battery, then along with the acquisition of a gel one, an intermediate block will have to be mounted and included in the circuit.

The need for constant monitoring of the degree of charge of the battery. For lead-acid analogues, this is not so important, but for gel batteries it is of great importance. Excessive charge in many cases is fatal, up to rupture of the case. The process of boiling the electrolyte proceeds differently than in conventional batteries. A lot of bubbles are formed, which can subsequently be transformed into one large one. And this is a sharp increase in pressure inside the battery.

The problem is solved simply - by installing a relief valve. The nuance is that it does not happen with all models of gel batteries. And if it is not there, then the car owner has one more “headache”.

The dependence of the service life on the correct operation of the relay-regulator. Large voltage surges provoke accelerated oxidation of the plates. The en / capacity decreases, the battery charge time increases - these are the main consequences of the negative impact of this device.

The fact is that the parameters of most relays lie within (in terms of voltage, V) 13 - 16. And the gel begins to break down already when the value exceeds 14.5. And this process is irreversible, therefore, it will not be possible to restore the electrolyte.

The gel battery needs to be insulated. Constant exposure to low temperatures does not have the best effect on its durability. Solidifying, the gel changes its main characteristics. First of all, this sharply reduces the en / capacity of the battery, and there will be big problems with starting the car that has stood all night under the window. Therefore, in addition to the battery itself, you will also have to purchase a device for heating it.

High price. For example, a battery (AGM) for 95 A / h costs about 17,000 rubles, while its lead-acid counterpart is in the range of 6,000 - 7,000 thousand.

Taking into account the peculiarities of our climate, as well as some “capriciousness” of gel batteries, it is hardly advisable to rush to change your lead-acid batteries to them. Moreover, the electric circuit of most budget car models is not suitable for their connection. But this is the opinion of the author. And what is yours, the reader, based on the information presented? Decide for yourself.

Recently, among motorists there is often talk about what gel car batteries are, how expedient it is to purchase them, and is it true that they last much longer than well-known batteries with liquid electrolyte in their composition. It is still difficult for some people to imagine that such know-how, as for a car, has long been applied everywhere.

Scope of gel batteries: a bit of their history

Initially, batteries with a chemical composition in the form of a gel used exclusively in the aviation industry - for the purpose of powering the on-board system of aircraft in conditions of constant inclinations, turns and sharp turns during flights. In aviation, batteries were needed that could withstand different temperature ranges - from high to very low. In addition, with increased danger, it is the thick electrolyte in the form of a gel obtained by using silicon oxide that is the most optimal form for power supplies.

When the technology for the production of these batteries became widespread, their scope expanded significantly. They began to be used as power sources for water transport for various purposes. Starting from motor boats and ending with larger vessels. They are especially convenient when used for motorcycles and scooters due to their increased safety, and the gel power supply for a car is no longer surprising.

Why are gel batteries good?

As already mentioned, their main advantage is that they the internal composition is in the form of a gel . If we compare the safety of such a battery with liquid lead-acid counterparts, of course, the gel battery wins in this regard in all directions. He is not afraid of sharp turns and a forced change of position, which expands the scope of its application to universal values.

In addition to safety, there are several more obvious "pluses" of these batteries, which I would like to mention additionally:

Gel prevents premature destruction of lead plates in batteries - Thanks to this, the battery lasts a long time.
The lead plates of gel batteries themselves made from high quality purified lead without unnecessary impurities. it's the same prevents premature sulfation . Due to the low resistance, These batteries charge faster .
The starting currents of such batteries are much stronger. than liquid "acid" - as a rule, one and a half times, or even two. This is a very big advantage in harsh winter conditions, when the battery needs to use much more energy to start the internal combustion engine.
The gel poured between the plates performs a dielectric function . It prevents them from touching each other and thus provides short circuit prevention .
Gel batteries do not need to top up the electrolyte , measuring its density and distilled water, in contrast to liquid batteries. They are often fully serviced (although there is evidence that partially serviced versions of them are already on sale).
Their body is so sealed and durable that if necessary, the battery can be placed on its side and even turned upside down . But the manufacturers themselves, of course, do not welcome such treatment with them.
Their service life, according to manufacturers, much more than liquid lead-acid batteries. He makes up six to ten years subject to correct operation.
If for some reason such a battery is not used for a long time, it will maintains optimal performance of its capacity longer and is more resistant to such a phenomenon as self-discharge .

What are the disadvantages of gel batteries

Despite such a large number of advantages, it is worth talking separately about some of the features and specifics of gel batteries.

It is important to know this before a possible purchase, so as not to be disappointed in the purchase later.:

The first thing that can keep a motorist from such an acquisition is very high price which remains on the market to this day. It is known that any battery (and it does not matter whether it is Varta or a product of any other company) costs, on average, 15,000 rubles and more.
Gel batteries , unlike the cheapest, but unpretentious liquid "acids", very capricious and picky about voltage and current indicators during charging . This needs to be monitored very closely. In the car itself, you will have to install an additional voltage regulator relay. The fact is that “old school” machines are not adapted to technologies such as a gel power source. And the "local" relay-regulator can let the car down at any time. If the voltage of the local on-board network of the car is not clearly and constantly regulated, the battery will quickly lose capacity and may fail in a matter of months.
If for any reason this battery fails, it is possible to restore it, but not always . In any case, he will already lose most of his productivity, and, no matter how successful it may be, he will not be able to provide him with long work. Therefore, if you still decide to purchase a gel battery, you will have to take care of buying a new relay regulator. And also about a more modern charger, with which you can clearly control the entire process of charging the battery.

Of course, such features of gel batteries can hardly be called obvious "cons". However, it is they who can keep the driver from such an expensive purchase. In any case, before buying it is worth weighing all the pros and cons, and only then go to the car shop.

How to charge

The output voltage of most gel batteries is the same as that of cheaper "acid batteries" - 12 volts. Capacity, as usual, is affixed to the battery case. The question of whether it can be answered as follows: charging is carried out in the same way as charging any other battery, in accordance with the indicators of its capacity and output voltage. But during charging, you should more closely monitor all indicators.

The internal structure of a gel battery, except for the shape of the filler, is not much different from conventional batteries. Inside are the same (but only better) lead plates and six "jars" with lids on top. The battery case also has a pair of vents through which the hydrogen gas generated during the charging process escapes.

When starting to charge this battery, remember that even a minimal excess of voltage above the recommended values \u200b\u200bcan finally “land” the battery in a matter of minutes. The battery charge current should be no more than 10 percent of the battery capacity indicated on the case (if you have a 60 Ah battery, set the charge current to 6 amperes).

As for the voltage, it should not exceed the indicators in 14.4 volts. On the battery case, the voltage that needs to be set when charging is indicated by the English phrase cycle use.

By the way: if you suddenly become the owner of a serviced (or partially serviced) gel battery, first unscrew its plugs.

So, step by step instructions for charging:

Connect the charger to the battery, observing the polarity .
Set the charger to a current equal to 10 percent of the battery capacity marked on its body.
As soon as the battery begins to charge, U will rise, it is important to ensure that it does not exceed 14.4 volts . If it rises, you need to reduce the current.
The time to fully charge the gel battery is usually 10-12 hours .

This is a standard charging circuit that is suitable for any type of battery. However, some motorists advise to reduce the charge current by half and in this mode charge the gel battery longer, about 24 hours. If there is time and opportunity to charge the battery in this mode, its service life can be increased.

Of course, the requirements for a charger in the case of purchasing such a battery are greatly increased. It is recommended to purchase a charger with automatic adjustment of current and voltage indicators. The charger should at least be able to regulate the current, and it is better if it has the ability to charge in stages - a mode specially designed for charging gel batteries.

As you can see, gel batteries for cars are, of course, a valuable and worthwhile acquisition. However, they require additional financial investments, which will concern both your car (if you purchase an additional relay-regulator) and a more advanced type of charger. Therefore, you need to proceed primarily from your financial capabilities and desire to get used to the specifics of dealing with a gel battery.

Recently, many modern and rather unusual developments have appeared on the car battery market. For example, not so long ago, the so-called gel battery appeared on sale. And although such models have both pros and cons, they are gradually gaining popularity, replacing batteries with a classic design.

As you know, a car battery consists of a sealed plastic case in which a set of plates is installed, made either from lead or from some of its special alloys. Traditional batteries are filled with a liquid electrolyte, which is an acid solution, and gel batteries use an acidic composition having a gel consistency. To date, manufacturers produce two types of gel batteries: AGM and GEL.

Gel batteries AGM

The abbreviation AGM stands for Absorptive Glass Mat, which means "absorbent glass fiber" in Russian. It is this material that fills the space between the electrodes in batteries of this type. AGM fibers are very thin and they perfectly absorb an acid solution, which as a result does not spread, but together with the material forms a mass that really looks like a gel. One of the important features and at the same time advantages of AGM gel batteries is that all the vapors and gases that are formed during their operation do not go outside, but remain inside, being held between microscopic glass fibers.

GEL batteries

In batteries of this type, the entire space between the plates, even at the stage of their production, is filled with silica gel of a special composition, which, after solidification, forms a gel-like spongy mass, in the pores of which the electrolyte is perfectly retained. Thanks to this design, the battery plates do not crumble, which means that the service life of the device and the number of charge-discharge cycles that it can withstand without problems increase significantly. Another important advantage of GEL batteries is their increased resistance to deep discharge.

Some features of the operation of gel batteries

Some motorists believe that since the electrolyte in such batteries is in the form of a gel, they never boil. In fact, this is not so, just visually the process itself manifests itself somewhat differently than in traditional acid batteries. If the operating modes are not observed, in the same way, an increased release of gases occurs and the pressure increases. As soon as it reaches a critical level, the protective valve is activated, which is accompanied by a characteristic pop.

It should be noted that some budget models of gel batteries do not have such a valve, and therefore they can even explode from excessive accumulation of gas. To prevent this from happening, you need to ensure that these batteries are operated in accordance with the modes for which they are intended. In addition, you should observe the level of their charge.

An important feature of this type of batteries is that they are quite sensitive to short circuits, and even a small short circuit may well disable the device. Therefore, when using them, this must be taken into account.

How are gel batteries charged?

Those motorists who decide to purchase gel batteries for installation in their “iron horses” should keep in mind that special chargers should be used to charge them. Their distinguishing feature is a very accurate value of the output voltage: the fact is that for a battery of this type, in no case should it exceed the limit strictly defined for each of the models. As a rule, it is in the region of 14.5 V, and if the voltage is higher, then the battery will simply fail.

As in the case of conventional acid batteries, helium batteries are charged with a current that is 10% of the capacity. As for the frequency of recharging, experts recommend doing it once or twice a year. To determine the period of time during which recharging should last, it is necessary to divide the battery capacity by the amount of charging current.

Pros and cons of gel batteries

Gel batteries have a number of advantages, among which users especially highlight the fact that they do not need to be serviced at all, periodically measuring the density of the electrolyte and, if necessary, adding water to it. Another important plus is the very durable design of such batteries and the possibility of their operation in any position (standing, lying, inverted).

Due to the fact that high-purity lead is used for the production of gel battery plates, they have low internal resistance, and therefore become infected faster than acid ones. In addition, for the same reason, they have high starting currents. An important advantage of gel batteries is their long service life (approximately two to three times longer than that of acid car batteries).

There are, however, they also have disadvantages. Perhaps the main one is the high price. As mentioned above, in order to charge gel batteries, it is necessary to strictly withstand a certain voltage. Therefore, if the relay of its regulator is unstable, then the battery can simply be “killed”: the fact is that the gel begins to liquefy and does not return to its original form. Another significant drawback, due to which such batteries are not widely used in Russia, is that they are afraid of frost. As soon as the ambient temperature drops to -30°C or lower, the gel becomes brittle and the battery loses its capacity dramatically.

The main advantages of a gel battery for a car

The technology of replacing liquid battery filler with gel has been around for a long time. It has not received wide enough distribution for a number of reasons, but it has a considerable number of advantages. This battery lasts longer. It is often used by fans of additional electrical equipment, which increases the overall load on the electrical system in the car.

Subwoofers, air conditioners, rear-seat headrest televisions and electric heaters in the cabin all greatly affect battery performance. Conventional batteries are often not designed for such a load, so you can replace them with gel batteries with the following advantages:

much less active discharge when using a large amount of equipment;
fast charging using a charger (about 2 hours to 100%);
replenishment of a larger amount of the lost charge during the operation of the generator;
durability subject to operating conditions;
no need to maintain the battery;
work in any position, as well as stable power.

Gel batteries for cars allow full discharge. If ordinary batteries, after deep discharge, begin to break down inside, then the gel filling of such batteries prevents destruction. A sufficiently large number of advantages did not become the reason for the widespread use of this technology. Perhaps gel batteries have more than just advantages?

Indeed, like any other invention in the field of automotive technology, gel-filled batteries provide a number of inconveniences to their owners. Consider the main disadvantages of this technology.

Cons of using a gel battery

By the number of disadvantages, an order of magnitude less than the advantages. But the status of these minuses cannot allow the driver to pay a lot of money for a battery, because it can turn out to be short-lived and of poor quality. There are a lot of reviews from car owners who talk about the lack of good performance of their acquisition. After reading the list of advantages of gel batteries, you could not read the publication to the end, going to the car store. If so, you should know a number of cons of your purchase before you open the package.

The most notable shortcomings of gel battery technology can be described as follows:

too high a price, which negates the durability advantage;
very noticeable sensitivity to high currents and instant destruction under their influence;
the need for an even current when charging, otherwise the gel filler will melt;
inability to use for a long time in the cold.

The last shortcoming is especially touching. If this battery cannot be used in the cold, what is the use of it at all? Many share this point of view, because using one battery in the summer and another in the winter is a rather strange way to operate a car. If you have already purchased a gel battery, get a regular battery for winter as well.

Also, the possibility of melting the electrolyte at elevated currents is not encouraging. 16V for this battery is already too much, because it is generally impossible to use such batteries on older cars. If you want to save on battery replacement costs, it's best to use the batteries recommended by your car manufacturer.

More information about gel batteries in the following video:

Summing up

The topic of using gel batteries is just beginning to move into the circle of drivers. Not everyone knows about the existence of such a curiosity, but not everyone who knows is in a hurry to change his usual battery for this unknown invention. If you decide to purchase a gel battery for your car, learn more about its compatibility with your car's electrical system. It may turn out that the use of such technology not on board your car is completely impossible.

This technology is for those who love novelties and want to integrate all the latest in their car. But for practical daily use, it is better to use the most common and familiar batteries. They are less picky and do not require seasonal replacement with other food options. Do you have experience with gel batteries?

No matter how autonomous the car is, it is still, one way or another, tied to a power outlet. The need for a constant source of electrical energy forced the installation of batteries under the hood of each car, and their design has not changed much over the past hundred years. These are all the same lead-acid batteries that convert a chemical reaction into electricity.

Disadvantages of lead batteries

In the photo - the battery needed to start the car engine

Lead-acid starter batteries look like an obvious anachronism against the backdrop of improving car design, but a better source of electricity to start the engine has not yet been found. The most significant drawback of modern batteries is the huge self-discharge current. On average, for different types of batteries, it is about 2-3% per day. Also, the fact that the number of charge-discharge cycles cannot exceed 200 sounds not too optimistic. The shelf life of fully charged batteries is also not encouraging. Depending on the type of plates, the battery can be stored in a charged state from 6 months to a year, which is associated with a relatively high consumption of water, which is part of the electrolyte. And about long-term storage of acid batteries in a discharged state, there can be no question at all - when fully discharged, an acid battery quickly fails.

It takes 10-12 hours to fully charge the battery, which is also not always convenient and is not always respected. You can quickly charge the battery with a high current, but this will significantly reduce its life. And he's not too big. The average battery lasts 5-7 years, depending on how the owner pays attention to it. Given all the shortcomings of classic lead-acid batteries, it is not at all surprising that designers are trying to find a replacement for them. Such a replacement in the near future should be a gel battery. Their design is not new, but only in the last few years, competent technologies have been able to break out of the field of the military-industrial complex and are beginning to be used in civilian technology.

What is a gel battery

As is the case with many inventions tested in the defense industry and in space, the gel battery is also not God knows what a revelation. The manufacturer also needs to live somehow, and he serves gel structures with such a sauce, as if it were a revolution in the energy sector. In fact, a gel battery is a modification of an acid battery.

Gel battery video tutorial

Roughly speaking, two lead plates placed in acid diluted with water are capable of accumulating a certain amount of energy. The more of these plates, the higher the capacitance. So, the difference between a gel battery and an acid battery lies on the surface. Instead of a sulfuric acid solution, a liquid electrolyte, they contain a thick gel-like composition. The viscous consistency of the gel is due to the fact that it contains certain silicon additives, and the gel itself tends to thicken during operation.

The difference between gel batteries, or rather, the justification for their high price, may partly be a rather complicated manufacturing process. During the production process, each jar is separately filled with gel using a special vacuum dispenser in a strictly verified amount, and after filling the gel must be completely dried in forced drying chambers. Drying is necessary in order for microcracks to form in the gel structure, which to some extent prevent evaporation. This process is called gas recombination and consists in the fact that hydrogen and oxygen molecules are held by these microcracks, forming water on the surface, which is then absorbed into the gel. Ideally, this process could make such a battery practically eternal, because whatever evaporates from the battery stays in it and returns to the gel. But this has not yet been achieved, since some of the molecules at a high charging current still break out and a special valve is built into the battery case to bleed the "excess" gas.

Also, among the differences between gel batteries and acid batteries, the design and material of the separator are distinguished - a plate that separates the plates from each other. It is needed so that the plates do not close to each other during operation, and this can easily occur with increased vibration or high temperatures. In gel batteries, the separator is a duroplastic plate, which in a gel environment has an extremely high resistance to chemical aggression. These innovations distinguish gel batteries from other lead-acid batteries.

Gel battery: features, pros and cons

With the advent of gel batteries on the market, there was a reason to say that some of the disadvantages of acid structures were defeated, as well as the advantages of gel batteries. The most important advantage of the gel is the complete impossibility of its flowing out of the body. You can’t argue with this, indeed, it is problematic to pick out a thick mass from a jar. Gel structures can be used in any position, at any angle, and this already makes their application wider. The acid will not spill and damage the surface, and now you can not be afraid of chemical burns, which were dangerous for the old battery. From the point of view of durability, they say that sulfation of the plates is completely excluded, as well as lead corrosion. The stable state of the gel can ensure that deep discharge does not cause as much damage to the plates as it did with electrolyte batteries, the gel simply does not evaporate much, and therefore there is no need to monitor the density of the electrolyte. The same property of the gel, low evaporation, contributes to a longer storage, so their self-discharge value is much lower than that of acid ones. In a word, to briefly praise gel batteries, we can dottedly highlight some of their benefits on the fingers:

Gel batteries can work in any position and change the angle as you like, which makes their use on motorcycles and scooters possible, and in combination with compactness, as well as new spiral technologies for laying lead plates, their use on motorcycles suggests itself.
Gel batteries are not afraid of low discharge, operation in conditions of 10 - 12 volts and even lower does not affect their service life in any way.
Spiral technology, in addition to compactness, also shows a significant increase in the contact area, as a result, the size/capacity ratio reaches attractive values. So, Optima batteries from the Warta company, or rather, its American representative office Johnson Control, with standard battery dimensions, can show a capacity of up to 100 Ah. However, their application has gone beyond the automotive industry. Traction and starter-traction gel batteries are used in shipbuilding and aviation.

Despite such gel euphoria, there are some reasons to say that this type of battery should not be idealized. Gel batteries are very sensitive to high charging currents, so if the charger exceeds the 12 volt charging voltage limit, the battery will instantly fail. Moreover, the current must be very even and stable, otherwise the gel will lose viscosity and the whole point in its use is reduced to nothing.

Therefore, the car's electrical system must have cosmic accuracy in regulating the charging current, otherwise the huge money that had to be paid for a gel battery will be wasted. There are conflicting reviews about the operation of gel batteries in the cold, while manufacturers do not voice any warnings about this. However, the price of such a battery fluctuates around $300, which clearly does not indicate its affordability. For adequate use of the gel battery, you will still have to buy a good old acid battery just in case, maintain it in the same way, and charge it in the same way. And wait until the next offending technology is thrown out of the space industry.

News
Workshop

The Ministry of Transport proposed to simplify the European protocol

For this purpose, a draft order was developed to amend the rules in force since 2014 for registering an accident without the participation of police officers (“Europrotocol”) and providing information about the accident to the insurer, Izvestia reports. Recall that the possibility of drawing up documents under the "Europrotocol" exists in Russia since 2009. To do this, no more than two cars must be involved in the accident, there must be no ...

Roads for unmanned vehicles will appear in Russia

The construction of special roads for the use of robotic vehicles should become part of a profile plan for the development of unmanned transportation, Rossiyskaya Gazeta reports. In this regard, the Ministry of Transport is already creating a special interdepartmental group, said Alexander Slavutsky, deputy director of the development programs department. To organize such roads, the authorities will have to revise the design standards. In particular, you will need...

Glass marking will appear in Moscow

In particular, special microscopic glass balls will appear in the markup, which will enhance the reflective effect of the paint. This was reported by TASS with reference to the Department of Housing and Public Utilities of Moscow. As the State Budgetary Institution "Roads" explained, the markings have already begun to be updated at pedestrian crossings, stop lines, lines separating oncoming traffic flows, as well as duplicating ...

Volkswagen Polo Cup final - five have a chance

In 2016, the final stage of the Volkswagen Polo Cup will again be held as part of the decisive round of the Russian Rally Cup. This time, Cupper Pskov, a race that starts and finishes right at the walls of the ancient city's Kremlin, will dot the i's of the season. Moreover, the organizers are preparing a surprise: on Friday, September 30, the athletes ...

From Moscow to London in 2.5 hours: it can become a reality

A new line of high-tech transport between the capitals of Russia and the United Kingdom may appear within 15 years. The owner of the Summa group, Ziyavudin Magomedov, spoke about this in an interview with the Financial Times. According to Magomedov, it will be possible to get from Moscow to London thanks to the new transport system in 2.5 hours. He also...

Sedan Volkswagen Polo received a sports version. Photo

The car differs from the standard more aggressive appearance, as well as a whole range of special options. The Volkswagen Polo GT will be offered in exclusive Tungsten silver and a full range of standard Polo colors. At the request of the client, it is possible to paint the roof in black. In addition, the car received factory sports bumpers, ...

The Mercedes-Benz E-class coupe was spotted during tests. Video

The video featuring the new Mercedes-Benz E Coupe was filmed in Germany, where the car is undergoing final testing. The video was posted on the walkoART blog, which specializes in spy footage. Although the body of the new coupe is hidden under a protective camouflage, we can already say that the car will receive a traditional appearance in the spirit of the Mercedes E-class sedan...

Dakar-2017 can take place without a KAMAZ-master team

The Russian KAMAZ-master team is currently one of the most powerful rally-raid teams on the planet: from 2013 to 2015, blue-and-white trucks took the gold of the Dakar marathon three times, and this year the crew led by Airat Mardeev became the second. However, as the director of NP KAMAZ-Avtosport, Vladimir, told the TASS agency...

Citroen is preparing a suspension-type carpet-flying

In the Advanced Comfort Lab concept presented by Citroen, built on the basis of the C4 Cactus serial crossover, the most noticeable innovation is, of course, plump chairs that look more like home furniture than car seats. The secret of the chairs is in the padding of several layers of viscoelastic polyurethane foam, which is usually used by manufacturers ...

Toyota factories are up again

Toyota factories are up again

Recall that on February 8, Toyota Motor stopped production at its Japanese plants for a week: from February 1 to February 5, employees were first forbidden to work overtime, and then it came to a complete stop. Then the reason turned out to be a shortage of rolled steel: on January 8, an explosion occurred at one of the supplying plants owned by Aichi Steel, ...

WHAT you need to know to take a car on credit?, how long to take a car on credit.

What you need to know to take a car loan? Buying a car, and especially at the expense of credit funds, is far from the cheapest pleasure. In addition to the principal amount of the loan, which reaches several hundred thousand rubles, you also have to pay interest to the bank, and considerable ones. In the list...

Which sedan to choose: Camry, Mazda6, Accord, Malibu or Optima

Powerful story The name "Chevrolet" is the very history of the formation of American cars. The name "Malibu" beckons with its beaches, where numerous films and television series were filmed. Nevertheless, from the first minutes in the car "Chevrolet Malibu" one can feel the prose of life. Pretty simple stuff...

WHAT car to buy for a beginner, what car to buy.

What car to buy for a beginner When the long-awaited driver's license is finally obtained, the most pleasant and exciting moment comes - buying a car. The auto industry vying with each other offers customers the most sophisticated novelties and it is very difficult for an inexperienced driver to make the right choice. But often it is from the first ...

CHOOSE a car: "European" or "Japanese", Purchase and sale.

Choosing a car: "European" or "Japanese" When planning to buy a new car, a motorist will undoubtedly face the question of what to prefer: the left hand drive of the "Japanese" or the right - legal - "European". ...

Each car owner seeks to protect himself from emergencies related to road accidents or other damage to his vehicle. One of the options is the conclusion of a CASCO agreement. However, in an environment where there are dozens of companies providing insurance services in the insurance market, ...

WHERE can I buy a new car in Moscow?, where to sell a car in Moscow quickly.

Where can I buy a new car in Moscow? The number of car dealerships in Moscow will soon reach a thousand. Now in the capital you can buy almost any car, even a Ferrari or Lamborghini. In the struggle for a client, salons go to all sorts of tricks. But your task...

HOW to choose and buy a car, Buying and selling.

How to choose and buy a car The choice of cars, both new and used, on the market is huge. And not to get lost in this abundance will help common sense and a practical approach to choosing a car. Do not give in to the first desire to buy the car you like, carefully study everything ...

What did the stars drive in the 20th century and today?

It has long been understood by everyone that a car is not just a means of transportation, but an indicator of status in society. By car, you can easily determine which class its owner belongs to. This applies to both the common man and pop stars. ...

Which hatchback Golf class to choose: Astra, i30, Civik or still Golf

Central figures Local traffic cops do not show any reaction to the new "Golf". According to observations, they like the catchy Honda (apparently rare in Ukraine) much more. In addition, the traditional proportions of the Volkswagen hide the updated body platform so well that it is difficult for the layman ...