Glossary

Even though we do try to avoid using technical terminology across our websites, there maybe times when you may need further help to understand some of the features described on our cars. That's what this glossary is for. Search alphabetically.

0-9
A

17 entries
Acceleration
...
Automatic passenger airbag cut-off
B

9 entries
Battery - front-mounted
...
Bumpers
C

20 entries
Cargo net
...
Cylinder configuration
D

16 entries
Daytime running lights
...
Dry sump oil system
E

17 entries
Eight way manually adjustable driver's seat (height, tilt and lumbar)
...
Extra power outlet in console
F

17 entries
Flat-folding front passenger seat
...
Full size spare wheel
G

3 entries
Glass flip tailgate
...
Grille
H

18 entries
Head- & taillamps – chrome ring
...
Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA)
I

3 entries
Instrument panel lighting dimmer
...
ISOFIX child seat restraint system (2nd row outer rear seats)
J

0 entry
K

4 entries
Kerb weight
...
Keyless access system – lock/unlock passive entry & panic feature
L

24 entries
Leather gear knob
...
Lumbar support driver seat
M

8 entries
Map pockets in front doors
...
MP3 auxilliary input jack
N

1 entry
NOX exhaust gas value
O

2 entries
Open door warning lamp
...
Outside Temperature Indicator
P

12 entries
Part leather seat upholstery
...
Privacy glass, side and rear
Q

0 entry
R

17 entries
Rain sensitive windscreen wipers
...
Roof rails
S

29 entries
Satellite Navigation (with USB socket)
...
Sunroof, electric slide and tilt
T

22 entries
Tachometer
...
Tyre size front and rear
U

3 entries
Upper glove box with device holder
...
USB with ipod connectivity
V

1 entry
Valves
W

4 entries
Weight distribution - front to rear (%)
...
Width
X

1 entry
Xenon headlights
Y

0 entry
Z

0 entry

Battery - front-mounted

- The typical car battery supplies the source of power for cranking the engine and the charge for ignition. In addition, it can (for a limited time) provide current when the electrical demands of the vehicle exceed the Alternator output. Batteries are usually front-mounted (under the bonnet).

Battery - rear-mounted

- See front-mounted battery. Rear-mounted batteries are less common and usually fitted in the boot.

Blue centre console ambient lighting strip

- A key element of the interior design, blue ambient lighting improves the appearance of the various dials and buttons on the dashboard.

Body colour door mirrors

- Depending on the trim you pick for your car, the side or wing mirrors can either be black or painted in the body colour of the car including the side indicator.

Bore

- The diameter or width of the cylinder.

Bottle compartment in door panels

- Storage compartment in both driver and front passenger doors for items such as large drinks bottles, maps and guide books.

Brake assist system (BAS)

- A passive safety feature, BAS interprets the braking behaviour of the driver and - should it detect an emergency situation - automatically applies a much greater stopping force than most driver are able to generate in such situations.

Brakes

- In this very common combination, the disc brakes are on the front two wheels. A disc brake has two basic components: a flat rotor disc that turns with the wheel and a caliper that is stationary. When you brake, the caliper forces its heat-resistant (this is important because of the high friction) brake pads against both sides of the rotating disc, thus slowing/stopping the wheel. These brakes are also ventilated to cool both the rotor and the caliper. Drum brakes are fitted to the rear wheels. As the name suggests, a shallow drum-shaped metal cylinder is attached to the inner surface of the wheel and rotates with it. When you brake, curved brake ""shoes"" with friction linings press against the inner edge of the drum to slow the car down.

Bumpers

- Prevent damage to the main part of the car in the event of a collision. Bumpers are usually painted in the body colour of the car.

0-9
A

17 entries
Acceleration
...
Automatic passenger airbag cut-off
B

9 entries
Battery - front-mounted
...
Bumpers
C

20 entries
Cargo net
...
Cylinder configuration
D

16 entries
Daytime running lights
...
Dry sump oil system
E

17 entries
Eight way manually adjustable driver's seat (height, tilt and lumbar)
...
Extra power outlet in console
F

17 entries
Flat-folding front passenger seat
...
Full size spare wheel
G

3 entries
Glass flip tailgate
...
Grille
H

18 entries
Head- & taillamps – chrome ring
...
Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA)
I

3 entries
Instrument panel lighting dimmer
...
ISOFIX child seat restraint system (2nd row outer rear seats)
J

0 entry
K

4 entries
Kerb weight
...
Keyless access system – lock/unlock passive entry & panic feature
L

24 entries
Leather gear knob
...
Lumbar support driver seat
M

8 entries
Map pockets in front doors
...
MP3 auxilliary input jack
N

1 entry
NOX exhaust gas value
O

2 entries
Open door warning lamp
...
Outside Temperature Indicator
P

12 entries
Part leather seat upholstery
...
Privacy glass, side and rear
Q

0 entry
R

17 entries
Rain sensitive windscreen wipers
...
Roof rails
S

29 entries
Satellite Navigation (with USB socket)
...
Sunroof, electric slide and tilt
T

22 entries
Tachometer
...
Tyre size front and rear
U

3 entries
Upper glove box with device holder
...
USB with ipod connectivity
V

1 entry
Valves
W

4 entries
Weight distribution - front to rear (%)
...
Width
X

1 entry
Xenon headlights
Y

0 entry
Z

0 entry