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   TAG Heuer Carrera od slávneho hodinára Jacka Heuera je šitá na mieru automobilovým pretekárom, ktorí ju po celých 50 rokov milovali. Od svojho zrodenia v roku 1963 zažila množstvo úspešných premien, ale jej srdce stále zostáva verné motoristickému športu.

   Majitelia švajčiarskej hodinárskej značky Heuer boli od nepamäti oddaní nielen hodinárstvu, ale aj športu. V roku 1963 Jack Heuer navrhol hodinky vyhovujúce špecifickým potrebám automobilových pretekárov s veľkým prehľadným číselníkom a puzdrom odolávajúcim náročným podmienkam automobilových pretekov. Jeho inšpiráciou bol „Carrera Panamericana Mexico Road Race“, najnáročnejší vytrvalostný závod sveta.

Prvú černo-bielu Carreru volanú aj „Panda“ si okamžite obľúbili špičkoví pretekári Európy aj Ameriky, dnes patrí k najcennejším zberateľským kusom. Medzi slávnych majiteľov Carrery patrili napríklad šampióni F1 Jackie Ickx a Clay Regazzoni. V čase, keď bol Heuer oficiálnym sponzorom a časomierou Ferrari, mali členovia tejto stajne Carrery z masívneho zlata so svojím menom a krvnou skupinou vygravírovanou na zadnom kryte.

   Od tej doby prešla Carrera radou premien. Model Carrera Calibre 1887 získal prestížne ocenenie La Petite Aiguille a tým vzdal poctu oscilačnému pastorku – vynálezu firmy Heuer z roku 1887. Ten je dnes jeden zo základných a najpevnejších pilierov moderného hodinárstva. V roku 2012 bol predstavený TAG Heuer Carrera Mikrogirder. Jeho presnosť je 5/10 tisícin sekundy, pracuje na ultravysokej frekvencii 7,2 milióna taktov za hodinu a jeho sekundová ručička obehne číselník 20× za sekundu.

Modelová trieda Clipper Chrono Diver Maxi od spoločnosti Hermes patrí k tým, ktoré si vyberajú zákazníci s vyhradeným vkusom a záľubou v potápaní. Model s názvom 038913WW00 je ideálnym reprezentantom tejto triedy.

Hermes venoval dizajnu týchto náramkových hodín zvýšenú pozornosť a aj napriek tomu, že sú tieto hodinky extravagantné a jednoznačne identifikovateľné, nepôsobia nevkusne alebo nevhodne. Hodinky majú výrazný kaučukový remeň, ktorý je vybavený „push button“ skladacou sponou, puzdro hodín je vyrobené z brúseného titánu s funkčnými detailmi z leštenej nehrdzavejúcej ocele. Výrazný strieborný ciferník so zapustenými ciferníkmi chronografu a bielymi číslami obsahuje svetielkujúce ručičky a dátumovku na 3. hodine. Chronograf sa dobíja prirodzeným pohybom, pričom má energetickú rezervu na 48 hodín, je ho možné používať aj pod vodou a pred poškodením ho chráni zafírové sklo.

Autumn is coming, when we are most susceptible to colds and various viral diseases affecting mainly the respiratory tract, which makes our everyday life very unpleasant. We feel generally tired, inefficient, we are constantly forced to clear our noses and the cough does not allow us to rest even during a night's sleep. The time of the flu has come.

   Influenza is an acute viral disease that spreads rapidly from person to person through the air. It is a serious health problem that can cause serious health conditions and even death in high-risk groups. According to the World Health Organization, about 1 billion people get influenza every year, of which 3 to 5 million people have a severe course of the disease. The risk of developing serious complications is highest in young children, the elderly and people with serious chronic diseases of the respiratory tract, cardiovascular system, metabolic, renal and immune disorders.

   Who should get vaccinated?

   Vaccination should be primarily aimed at people who are most likely to develop complications, or those who are most exposed to the risk of infection. The high probability of developing complications is in people with other, especially chronic, diseases, in people with reduced immunity, as well as in people older than 65 years.

   In healthy people, vaccination is equally effective, reducing morbidity by 70 to 90%.

   Flu vaccination is recommended for all children between the ages of 6 months and 3 years. Athletes and those traveling abroad during an expected flu epidemic should also be protected by vaccination.

   Who should not be vaccinated?

   Vaccination should be postponed in patients with a febrile illness or acute infection. People allergic to chicken eggs should not be vaccinated. However, vaccines for allergy sufferers are now available, in which the virus is produced in cells other than those of chicken origin. Vaccination is generally not recommended for women in the first trimester of pregnancy and for children younger than 6 months.

   Why is it recommended to get vaccinated every year?

   The level of antibodies produced after vaccination declines over time and may be too low to provide protection the following year. Flu viruses are also constantly changing genetically, and immunity acquired from a previous flu infection or vaccination in the previous year may not protect against the changed flu viruses. Because the flu virus changes, the vaccine must be updated each year to include the most current strains of the flu virus.

   How does the vaccine protect you?

   Following vaccination, the immune system begins to produce antibodies against the viral proteins of the vaccine strains. If a person becomes infected with the real virus, these antibodies bind to the virus particles that have entered the body and are removed before they can damage tissue, so that people do not get sick or the disease is only mild. Sufficient protective levels of antibodies are developed 10-14 days after vaccination.

   When is the best time to get vaccinated?

   In the northern hemisphere, the best time to get vaccinated is between mid-September and the end of November. If you get vaccinated later, the vaccine may not have enough time to provide an immune response. For more information, contact your GP who will administer the vaccination.

   How effective is the flu vaccine?

   The effectiveness of a vaccine lies in preventing or reducing the course of the disease. The effectiveness of a vaccine against influenza depends on the immune status of the person, the age of the person vaccinated, the degree of similarity between the vaccine virus and the virus circulating in the population, the (sub)type of the virus, and the length of time between vaccination and exposure to the influenza virus. These factors make it difficult to say with certainty how effective an influenza vaccine is. In general, vaccination will prevent illness in 80% young adults and is somewhat less effective in older people.

    Is it possible to get the flu if you have been vaccinated?

   This is possible, especially in older adults, if they become infected shortly after vaccination. However, in those who become infected after vaccination, the disease is likely to be milder, without complications, and is less likely to require hospitalization or result in death.

   To support the body's immunity and prevent viral diseases, we also recommend the application of high-dose vitamin C (7.5 gr.), which is applied in repeated small short-term infusions into a vein. However, before applying it, it is necessary to ask your treating doctor whether its application is not inappropriate for you. For example, patients with a tendency to form urinary stones should not use this treatment, and may need certain additional examinations before its application.

   Finally, it is important to remind travelers who decide to visit exotic countries during the fall and winter that they should not forget to get vaccinated against diseases that could make their stay in that country unpleasant.

   If you think about your health and its prevention, autumn will be beautiful for you and full of fresh colors, which you can enjoy with the arrival of this year's Indian summer!

 1. About half of all mental disorders begin before the age of 14. It is estimated that approximately 20% children and adolescents worldwide, across cultures, have a mental disorder or similar problems. Yet the regions of the world with the highest proportion of people under the age of 19 have the worst levels of resources for treating such disorders. Most low- and middle-income countries have only one psychiatrist for every 1 to 4 million children.

  2. Depression is characterized by persistent sadness and loss of interest, with psychological, behavioral, and physical symptoms. However, the causes of depression are primarily physiological, not psychological.

  3. On average, about 800,000 people commit suicide each year, 861,000 of them in low- and middle-income countries. More than half of those who kill themselves are between the ages of 15 and 44. The highest number of suicides among people is in Eastern European countries. One of the most significant and treatable causes of suicide is mental disorders.

  4. Speech problems occur mainly in lower-income families. The reason is the gradual loss of interest of parents in correcting their own children's shortcomings, as they have to deal with existential problems.

  5. Governments, donors and groups representing mental health professionals, patients and their families must work together to improve mental health, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The financial resources needed are relatively modest: US$2 per capita per year in low-income countries and US$3-4 in lower-middle-income countries.

Computer genius, top businessman and manager, multiple times the richest person in the world, and the most active philanthropist today. These are just a few of the titles that belong to Bill Gates, one of the most iconic figures of the 20th and 21st centuries. 

   An exclusive foundation for personal development

   Bill Gates, whose full name is William Henry Gates III, was born into a family of a corporate lawyer and a teacher and a member of the board of directors of First Interstate Bank. In addition, his mother, Mary Maxwell Gates, also held the position of a member of the national board of the international non-profit organization United Way. Bill thus received an exceptionally good family, financial and moral background, thanks to which he became a student at an early age at the prestigious private high school Lakeside School and later at the renowned Harvard University.

   His interest in electronic devices was already evident during his high school studies. In the 1970s, computers were still at the beginning of their journey, which even today has not yet reached its destination. Young Bill already got a job at one of the local computer companies, which provided him with access to the then mini-computer PDP-10. Working with it became so interesting and valuable for Bill that soon, at the age of seventeen, he was able to prepare a complete program for creating a school timetable. For this program, he even received a scholarship of 4200 USD, which at that time represented a significant financial amount.

   In 1973, he enrolled at Harvard University, where he met Steve Ballmer, later the CEO of Microsoft. He brought another acquaintance from high school, Paul Allen, with whom he managed to create the so-called Altair BASIC programming language interpreter for the first commercially successful computer, the Altair 8800. It is here that the basic building block of the current Microsoft Corporation can be found.

   Micro-Soft

   In order for Gates and Allen to sell their programming language, they had to start a company. Therefore, in 1975, Micro-Soft was founded with a single product – the Microsoft BASIC programming language. The success of their work was so great that it determined the future direction of the company and created capital for aggressive expansion. This required all of Gates' time, so in his third year he left the prestigious Harvard and began to devote himself fully to the company. The most significant turning point in Microsoft's history came in the late 1970s, when it entered into cooperation with the giant IBM. At that time, IBM was preparing to enter the world of personal computers, and Gates became the supplier of the MS-DOS operating system. For a long time after that, this system was the basis of all personal computers in the world. Later disagreements with IBM led to the fact that Microsoft had to start building its own operating system, today's Windows. Microsoft first introduced the Windows operating system in November 1985 as an extension to the MS-DOS operating system in an attempt to respond to the growing popularity of graphical user interfaces. Windows eventually gained a dominant position in the global personal computer market and brought Gates immense wealth. Today, its share is around 90% and is declining, and Bill Gates has regularly ranked among the richest people in the world between 1996 and 2011, mostly in the first position.

   Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

   Over time, Gates' wealth became a phenomenon that even started to be joked about. He could have used this wealth to provide for his family and devote himself to the rest of his life, but instead, the need to make the world a better place prevailed. And Gates fulfills this need to an unprecedented extent. With his wife, he runs the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which covers over 20 different humanitarian goals. These include fighting diseases prevalent in third world countries, including HIV, pneumonia, malaria and tuberculosis, helping the homeless, developing new drugs, controlling the tobacco industry and providing financial assistance to the poor.

   The foundation was symbolically established on January 1, 2000, as if to suggest that just before the end of the 20th century, even the very rich should share their wealth with those who did not have it so easy in life. The turn of the 20th and 21st centuries became the most significant in Gates' life, because other talented people took over big business for him and he began to devote himself almost entirely to altruism. However, he still retained his analytical thinking and the desire to look into the future, which is why his foundation addresses not only the consequences, but also the causes of human misfortune.

   The foundation's efforts to improve the lives of people in third world countries through education and healthcare are unparalleled. However, the scope of the foundation's activities is much broader - for all its marginal activities, we will recall the huge volume of plant seeds preserved for future generations in specialized warehouses.

   To be good at all costs

   Like every great figure in history, Bill Gates has been the target of harsh criticism, especially on the topic of population reduction. He has been criticized for his activities related to controlled parenthood in poor countries. Despite this, Gates chooses the path of open discussion and emphasizing the importance of responsible parenthood. The fact that the world's philanthropists do not let themselves be discouraged has the potential to make the world an increasingly better place to live.

   "We believe that every person deserves the chance to live a healthy, productive life."

   Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation motto

Maria Synakova

   Who am I?
• I am a representative of J&T Finance Group, for which I have worked since 1996.
• I am one of the founding members of J&T Finance Group.
• In 1998, I was involved in the acquisition of Podnikateľská banka in the Czech Republic, which later became J&T BANK.
• In 2006, I founded J&T BANK in Slovakia. For the next few years, I was the bank's director and currently I am the vice president of J&T.
• During my leadership at J&T Banka, we built a well-known and respected private bank on the market with more than 10 thousand clients and an interesting market share in the wealthiest sector.

1. What does your job mean to you?

    My job? What I enjoy.
I have always been close to banking. Shortly after graduating from college, I started working for J & T, then a securities trader, now a successful private bank and a large financial holding. My work has also become my hobby. I am convinced that in order for a person to perform at their best, it is essential to find a hobby in their work. I worked for many years as a director of J & T Banka, currently I am the Vice President of the J & T Group and every day I encounter new tasks that are a challenge for me. I travel a lot, meet new people and constantly gain valuable experience that moves me forward in life.

2. What career did you dream of when you graduated from college?

   I always wanted to do what fulfills me, has meaning and I enjoy it, and that's when you can be better and more successful at what you do. Then you don't look at the time you spend working, because it's something you could do all the time. But after graduating from college, I had no idea that I would end up as a banker/financier. It's important to find your place in life where you feel "at home", where you are better than average and go that way. And at the same time, don't forget to constantly work on yourself, move forward and have new challenges ahead of you so that you don't stay in one place, and I'm doing well at that so far.

3. What is your opinion on the saying "money corrupts character"?

  Unfortunately, I have to partially agree. Nevertheless, I know many successful people who, thanks to their work and determination, have achieved a lot, which was naturally reflected in their income. However, they remained themselves. Money certainly makes our lives more pleasant, but real life is about other values. However, few people are aware of this fact, or rather, they understand the fact that money is not of primary importance only when they lose their real values.

4. Do you think it is possible to build a country similar to Switzerland in Slovakia?

  In my life, I am guided by the principle that nothing is impossible. Slovakia is a small country, but with great potential. However, becoming the "second" Switzerland will be a very long and difficult journey, on which it will be necessary to adopt many fundamental systemic changes, anti-corruption measures and many other interventions. Without them, Slovakia will remain at the stage before the founding of the republic, that is, only at the level of promises and wishes.

 5. What do you think is the difference between poor, middle class and rich people? What fundamentally sets them apart?

     Since J & T Banka focuses on private banking and, one might say, the richest people in the country, I personally know a few of them very well. And I must say that in general, I am very enriched by talking to them about their views on life, their hobbies, and the paths they took to success and wealth. And by wealth I don't just mean the amount of money in a bank account, but mainly the life experiences they had to go through in life to be who they are today. The rich certainly have more options, they can afford a more comfortable life, they can provide their children with better education or above-standard health care. The poor or the middle class often cannot afford that, or at least not to such an extent. However, money is only a means to a more pleasant life and does not indicate or guarantee a person's happiness or satisfaction.

 6. In your opinion, is the development and establishment of financial groups in Slovakia unique from the perspective of surrounding countries?

   The emergence of financial groups in Slovakia is mainly associated with the times of privatization. Their operation in our country is not unusual compared to the situation abroad. It was just a group of young people who were not afraid to start a business in the short time after the "gentle revolution", when entrepreneurship was a very unknown concept for many people who had lived for a long time under socialism. In our territory, people look at financial groups "through the fingers", so to speak, and perceive them more or less negatively. However, the fact is that they have an impact on our economy, employ many people, pay considerable taxes and, last but not least, invest in development in our territory.

7. Do you think it is possible to help others by changing their thinking?

    Of course, yes, but you will never change someone unless they want to change themselves. I am convinced that a person's life depends on their internal setting, their psyche and thinking. We cannot influence certain things in them, but thinking positively is the basis of a person's satisfaction. Feedback is very important, a person should have someone with them who can guide them or show them a different path. In this regard, our parents, friends or partners play an important role. As part of the primary social group, they perhaps influence our thinking the most and can help us in this way.

8. Do you think it's possible that admiration will one day overcome envy?

   I believe so 🙂 Although one of the not very flattering traits of Slovaks is envy and looking at what someone else has and I don't. I think that over time there will be a shift for the better in this direction. There are more and more successful people in Slovakia who can and should be an example for us. I believe that it will be so one day.

9. Can a leader as a personality be irreplaceable in the management of a company?

   From a general economic point of view, every person is replaceable. However, not every manager in business becomes a natural leader. Leadership is something that a person must have within themselves, something they must be born with. From this point of view, leaders play a very important role in the management of companies and therefore they are certainly more difficult to replace, but in my opinion certainly not irreplaceable.

10. If you had a magic wand and one wish, what would you wish for?

   To have only happy and smiling people around you. And I believe that soon this wish will not be just a wish, but a reality;)

Vladimir Orth

   At the Frankfurt Motor Show, automakers showed themselves in a good light. They presented not only concepts and prototypes, but also production versions of long-awaited cars.

   Porsche 918 Spyder

   The new generation of hybrid supercars is complete. Porsche has unveiled the 918 Spyder, a competitive addition to the Ferrari LaFerrari and McLaren P1. It will be the manufacturer's top model and, according to many, will be the moral successor to the Carrera GT. The Porsche 918 Spyder is a powerful car with a hybrid gasoline-electric drive with a power output of 608 hp (447 kW), while the gasoline 4.6-liter naturally aspirated eight-cylinder will offer an output of 608 hp (447 kW) and the combined output of the hybrid system is up to 887 hp (652 kW). The maximum speed of the car is up to 345 km/h. The car is built of carbon fiber reinforced plastic, has a double wishbone front suspension, a multi-link rear axle and advanced technical materials complement the carbon-ceramic brakes.

   The prototype of Jaguar's first SUV

The aristocratic Jaguar showed a prototype of its first SUV at the auto show. Except for the futuristic interior, it could easily fit into a showroom without attracting negative attention. The design of the front grille practically coincides with the design of the XJ sedan and the updated XF sedan. It retains natural lines and the traditionally massive radiator grille. The rear of the vehicle is inspired by the F-Type supercar and its narrow taillights. The C-X17 model is still just a prototype, it should go on sale in two years.

 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante

   Carbon bonded body, weight 1,844 kg, 6-liter 12-cylinder engine with AM1 power of 573 hp and open roof. Aston Martin showed the new Vanquish Volante, the most rigid convertible in its history. The body bonding technique is unparalleled in the automotive industry, it was used only in aviation. The Vanquish Volante model combines the best of the Aston Martin world – sportiness, premium materials, top driving characteristics and stunning performance.

News from Audi

   The popular A-3 cabriolet has finally been rejuvenated. The A3 Cabrio is the first Audi built on the MQB platform. It is known for its lightness and strength, which even leaves more powerful vehicles like the Škoda Octavia RS room to stand out dynamically with relatively low power. In the case of the small A3 Cabrio, this means not only a first-class driving experience, but also acceptable consumption considering the engines used. In addition to the cabriolet version, Audi also showed the new A3 1.6 TDI ultra in Frankfurt, as well as facelifts for the A8 and S8 sedans and prototypes of the Nanuk Quattro and Sport Quattro vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz S 500 Plug-In Hybrid

   Battery-powered limousine. The eco-friendly variant of Mercedes' top-of-the-line S500 consumes just 3 liters per 100 km and can travel 30 km on electric power alone. This range is provided by a 109-horsepower electric motor that draws energy from a Li-Ion battery and a 6-cylinder gasoline engine with up to 333 horsepower. The drivetrain operates in four modes, with Hybrid mode enabling acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in a beautiful 5.5 seconds and a top speed of up to 250 km/h. In E-Mode, the driver drives on electricity, while E-Save stores the energy for later. After switching to Charge, the car recharges the batteries by recuperating during braking and then uses it again in E-Mode.

Frankfurt motor show full of news

At the motor show in Frankfurt, the car makers showed themselves in a good light. They introduced not only the concepts and prototypes but also the series appearances of long-awaited automobiles.

   Porsche 918 Spyder

   The new generation of the hybrid supersports is complete. Porsche introduced the 918 Spyder model, which is a competitive complement to the Ferrari LaFerrari and McLaren P1 automobiles. It is concerned with the best model of the producer and according to many people it will be the moral successor of the Carrera GT vehicle. Porsche 918 Spyder is the strong car with the hybrid petrol-electric drive with performance, whereupon the petrol 4.6-liter V8 engine will offer the performance of 608 horsepower (447 kW) and the combined performance of the hybrid system is 887 horsepower (652 kW). The maximum speed of the car is 345 km/h. The car is made of plastic reinforced by the carbon fiber, it has double trapezial hanging in front, more-parts rear axle and progressive technical materials complement the carbon-ceramic brakes.

   Prototype of the first SUV from Jaguar

   The aristocratic Jaguar showed the prototype of its first SUV at the motor show. Except for the futuristic interior, it could be equally included in the showroom without drawing negative attention. Design of the front mask is practically the same as the design of the saloon car XJ and renewed sedan XF. It keeps the natural lines and traditionally massive cooler mask. The rear part of the vehicle is inspired by the supersport F-Type and its narrow rear lights. Model C-X17 is for the time being only a prototype, it should be sold in two years.

   Aston Martin Vanquish Volante

  The carbon bonded chassis, weight of 1,884 kg, 6-liter 12-cylinder engine with performance AM1 with performance of 573 horsepower and opened roof. The car producer Aston Martin showed the new Vanquish Volante, structurally the most solid convertible in its history. The technology of bonding the chassis in the automobile industry does not have an analogy, it was used only in aviation. The Vanquish Volante model combines the best from the world of Aston Martin – sportiness, premium materials, top driving qualities and astounding performance.

   News from Audi

   Also the popular A3 in the convertible version finally waited to see the making young. A3 Cabrio is the first Audi built on the MQB platform. This is known for its lightness and firmness which gives the space to excel dynamically also to the stronger cars such as Škoda Octavia RS with relatively low performance. In the case of small A3 Cabrio it means not only the first.class experience of driving but also the acceptable consumption with regard to used engines. Besides the cabrio version, Audi also showed in Frankfurt the new A3 1.6-liter TDI ultra, facelift for the saloon cars A8 and S8 and prototypes of cars Nanuk Quattro and Sport Quattro.

   Mercedes-Benz S 500 Plug-In Hybrid

   The saloon car battery-operated. An ecological variant of the top car S500 from Mercedes has the consumption of only 3 liters per 100 km and it can drive 30 km solely on the electric drive. The
electromotor with performance of 109 horsepower, which pumps the energy from Li-Ion battery and gasoline 6-cylinder with performance to 333 horsepower, secure this trailig throttle. Driving mechanism works in four modes, when the Hybrid mode enables the acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in the course of beautiful 5.5 seconds and the highest speed to 250 km/h. In the mode E-Mode the driver drives on electricity then, while E-Save saves the energy for later. After switching to Charge, the car charges the batteries by the recovery during braking and then it uses it again in the mode E-Mode.

   It's generally said that to afford a Mercedes SUV, you have to be good at managing your money or get free capital. The latest GLK tweaks that dogma slightly.

   The new Mercedes-Benz GLK 220 CDI costs just over 39,000 euros including tax, which is the lowest of all the manufacturer's other SUVs. For the cheapest all-wheel drive variant, the 220 CDI 4Matic with the 7G-Tronic automatic, you will pay over 4,000 euros more, but it is still a very reasonable and affordable choice.

   Innovative design

The basic version of the new GLK retains the good and beautiful from the previous version. Mercedes decided to slightly round and soften the sharp edges, following the example of other models, which makes the new GLK look more elegant and less aggressive. However, it still clearly shouts to the world that it belongs to the family of better Mercedes.

   Compact SUV deceives with its body

   The Mercedes-Benz GLK is often mistakenly placed in the same class as the BMW X3 and Audi Q5. In reality, it is closer to the even lower class dominated by the BMW X1 and Audi Q3, or the Range Rover Evoque. With a bit of exaggeration, I could compare the space in the GLK to that of a C-segment sedan.

   This is primarily due to the dimensions, which place this SUV among the smallest on the market. The car is 4,536 mm long and 1,840 mm wide, so two passengers do not feel the freedom typical of the M-class or even the GL. However, it cannot be said that the new Mercedes does not provide first-class comfort. If you have driven any other car from any “less valuable” manufacturer, you will be delighted with the GLK. The unladen weight of the vehicle has reached 1,888 kg.

   Top driving characteristics

   Multi-link axle, independent suspension, coil springs, double gas shock absorbers with SDD system at the front and rear and of course progressive all-wheel drive with electronic traction system 4ETS – all of this contributes to the fantastic driving characteristics of the vehicle. Driving the new GLK is accompanied by real driving pleasure, also because in a relatively small compact vehicle you get an experience comparable to driving in a larger SUV. The vehicle does not lack the ability to easily handle moderately difficult obstacles with the need for strong axle flexibility, while providing a pleasant experience while driving in an urban environment.

   Interior like in a luxurious CLS

   The interior of the vehicle has also undergone changes, primarily in terms of significant innovations. The space in which the driver works is strikingly similar to the latest CLS and C interiors. It beautifully combines elegance with a reasonable degree of sportiness, while the manufacturer placed great emphasis on direct interaction. Therefore, the materials used to make the steering wheel covers and control elements are of a premium nature and touching them never causes unpleasant sensations. Chrome, soft plastic imitating leather and hardened synthetic imitation wood are widely used. However, the layout of the basic control elements is identical to the previous version, so a driver with experience with another Mercedes vehicle will not be surprised.

 The parking brake and its mechanical release lever remain on the left under the steering wheel, within reach of the left foot – an unusual but typical solution for Mercedes. The COMMAND system, displayed on a large color display, has also not undergone any significant changes at first glance, so even die-hard fans of the previous system will not get lost in it.

   The perfect SUV for the city?

   The Mercedes-Benz GLK is still the good old Mercedes we are all used to. However, it does not deny its efforts to progress and adapt to supporters of an active lifestyle based in larger cities, where even the SUV category requires a certain degree of compactness.

"Honda's i-DTEC 1.6 engine is a very pleasant surprise even for a professional driver. The Civic driving experience is now supported by beautifully low fuel consumption." This year, Honda introduced the Civic with a 1.6-liter i-DTEC engine. In addition to pleasant performance, it offers extremely low consumption, which during our test did not exceed 5 liters per 100 kilometers on a combined basis.

   Despite the new Civic's aggressive exterior, it only has a 1.6-liter engine under the hood. That's a big step down from the 2.2-liter current variants. But whatever the paper specs, this one-and-a-half-liter diesel is still capable of squeezing passengers into the seats while still maintaining excellent fuel economy.

   The current appearance of Honda Civic vehicles has become closer to the average customer who has no taste for sci-fi design. The previous generation, which caused a stir on the European market, is typical of this. The current one maintains its avant-garde position, but now also takes into account the conservative customer. The interior of the Honda Civic has remained practically the same, it is downright futuristic, with a noticeable amount of plastic revealing lower production costs. However, this plastic does not have the character of a cheap material - the surface of the plastic modules is modified so that it does not look cheap and provides the driver and passengers with a high level of comfort. The seats are firm, comfortable, with significant lateral guidance, and we appreciate the extensive position adjustment options. All three levers designed to adjust the position are easily accessible and their functions are obvious from the first use.

The technical equipment of the interior in the tested version of the car included 2-zone air conditioning, simple cruise control, LED daytime running lights, automatic lighting mode, USB connectivity of the music system, literally futuristic design of the information panels behind the steering wheel and a color display. We must also praise the "one-click" engine START/STOP function, good sound of the built-in audio system, very well-adjusted parking camera with excellent image even at night. The headlights, which are already typical for Honda, also deserve praise. The 5-speed manual transmission is excellently graded, the course of torque action is balanced and the turbo starts to engage at about 1500 rpm.

   The price for the new Civic starts at just over 13 thousand euros. At this price, it is necessary to take into account that the engine of this car really has the potential to save you money on fuel every month, with a luggage space of 477 liters you will not have problems even when picking up friends at the airport from a long vacation and last but not least, you should think about the 5-star rating of the car in the Euro NCAP safety tests.

   We would like to thank Honda Motor Europe Limited Slovakia for lending us the vehicle.

   In the first issue of United Life magazine, we revealed more about the pseudo-adiabatic engine from Slovak manufacturer RTU Europe. This time, we will also look at other alternative eco-friendly engines that could eventually replace current combustion units.

    Electric motors and hybrids

Electric cars or those with hybrid solutions are experiencing their biggest boom in recent months. Electric motors are not new in professional practice and their use in vehicles is not exceptional, but they have only now entered the environment of commercially available cars. Car manufacturers place great trust in electric motors and hybrid solutions and invest billions of euros annually just to improve them. The pioneer in hybrid engines is the Japanese Toyota, but BMW also makes a significant contribution to the development of this ecological trend with its "i" model line.

   Electric motors have several advantages compared to combustion engines. The first is, of course, that they operate solely on electrical energy. No liquid, gaseous or solid fuel is required, which also brings with it a slightly higher level of safety, reducing the risk of explosion and fire. In addition, electric motors can operate without loss of efficiency at speeds that are at the limit or even far beyond the limit for today's combustion engines. In addition, the torque curve is available at virtually any time without the need to change gears. This is why there are no clutches or gears in electric cars.

   The main problem with current electric vehicles is their high energy requirements and the inability of manufacturers to produce a battery that can handle this requirement. Electric cars can travel a relatively short distance on a single charge. This is why electric motors are more often found in smaller and lighter cars such as the Citroën Zero, which are designed for driving in cities.

   However, we have also seen progress in this direction. The Chevrolet Volt brought the principle of electric energy recovery to the world of electromobility, thanks to which the range is extended to up to 600 kilometers. This is a value with which it can compete with most conventional cars. The Chevrolet only takes 4 hours to charge, and it needs to be plugged into a conventional 230 V socket. The American Tesla Model S has a slightly shorter range, but on a single charge without recuperation. It can travel up to 426 kilometers on one 85 kWh battery. Manufacturers are solving the high cost of equipping a vehicle with sufficient energy storage in various ways, in addition to recuperation, for example with hydrogen…

   Hydrogen propulsion in two ways

   It seems as if the trend of electric motors has overshadowed the not-so-distant popularity of hydrogen propulsion. However, this is not entirely true, because hydrogen propulsion could represent a sustainable and ecological concept. At the last Frankfurt Motor Show, Hyundai showed the hydrogen ix35. At first glance, this large SUV looks like any other, only after starting it does not make the typical sound of a combustion engine. The car is "fueled" with pure hydrogen, which then produces electricity through a fuel cell. This recharges the battery, which powers a standard car electric motor. Hyundai plans to produce a thousand units of the hydrogen-electric ix35 by 2015 and up to 10 times more after 2015. It is at that time that the price of the car should reach acceptable levels. We have also encountered similar hydrogen propulsion at Honda, General Motors, Daimler and even BMW, which several years ago demonstrated the BMW Hydrogen 7 as part of the BMW Clean Energy project. The older generation of the 7 Series sedan was equipped with an engine capable of running on hydrogen, which produced electricity. However, today, the development of this technology is not widely expected, the future lies with the BMW-i sub-brand and its electric motors.

   However, hydrogen as a basis for off-road generation of electricity is not a typical concept of hydrogen propulsion. If it was written above that electric motors did not overshadow hydrogen, because it can be a part of them, this will not apply now. Pure hydrogen propulsion is almost passé today. Having high-pressure containers with liquid hydrogen supercooled to -253°C with explosive potential in a car is unacceptable neither for car manufacturers nor for car manufacturers nor for customers. Hydrogen propulsion is based on a not very complicated concept, which produces water vapor as emissions. Thanks to this, it is quite environmentally friendly.

   Air drive from Citroën

   "What did Citroën present in Frankfurt? A car that runs on air? Unbelievable!" say experts and lay observers. The second prototype of the Hybrid Air drive has received great marketing and the public perceives it as "something capable of running on air". However, this is not true, even though air plays a significant role in the entire drive process.

   The prototype of the Citroën Cactus with Hybrid Air drive is equipped with an economical 3-cylinder engine and air tanks. These are a storage for compressed air, which is supplied by suction using recovered energy. When there is sufficient pressure in the air tank, it can literally help the combustion engine and reduce its energy requirements. This means that the energy gained while driving by the combustion engine is converted into pressure capable of moving the car a little further or a little faster. This helps save fuel, the amount of emissions and, of course, the driver's financial budget.

   Eco-efficiency at the expense of emotion

   What does the future of car propulsion look like? Even today, in the age of cutting-edge technology, it is not at all clear. The commercial automotive industry will most likely switch to electric motors over the next few decades, but developments in the field of power supply for these motors will continue. Hydrogen, compressed air, highly efficient recuperation, all of these are a fraction of what the still not entirely clear future offers us. However, what we can predict with great certainty is the gradual disappearance of the combustion engines that are so popular today or their relegation to a marginal position. Are we living in the last decades of honest, powerful, noisy cars?