SEMA 2009: HPP Dodge Challenger Daytona
Source: foureyedfoxbody.blogspot.com
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Car - SEMA 2009: HPP Dodge Challenger Daytona
Car - Jaguar XF - One For The Ladies!
Jaguar XF - One For The Ladies!
Now there's a Jaguar XF having fun!
Evecars.com - a website specifically set up to give the woman's angle on new cars, advise on car purchases etc, has proclaimed the Jaguar XF it's 2008 'Best Executive Car'
The XF was put through its paces by: Alex Jenner-Fust(evecars.com's editor), Eve magazine's Rachael Ashley and Jessica Gibson, Vicky Parrott - road tester for Autocar Magazine, and Eve reader Sarah Thane. Five separate qualities were considered: Comfort (driving position, space in the rear), Practicality (getting in and out, positioning a child seat), Space (boot volume and ease of loading) Parking and of course the Drive.
Alex Jenner-Fust editor of evecars, Alex Jenner-Fust commented: "For a car that will take you seamlessly from school gates to board room, look no further. The Jaguar XF combines cutting-edge tech with a classic British feel. Driving it is a real pleasure, whether you're on the school run or cruising to the south of France. The stereo system is easy to use, while the seats are so comfortable you won't want to get out."
This follows straight on the back of the Auto Express 'Car of The Year' Award (see our previous article) and is just the latest in a long line of awards for the Jaguar XF.
UK Managing Director of Jaguar Cars, Geoff Cousins said: "The female market is incredibly important to Jaguar and it is great to see that XF really appeals to women with its combination of style and practicality."
Car - Toyota RAV4 EU Version At Luxury Car
Toyota RAV4 EU Version At Luxury Car
the New Toyota bears on to dispute anticipations and convenings. Fashionable design conceptions admit new battlefront and back end bumpers, chrome-plated front grill, scoop alloy rolls, new DoI cloth and heightened inner cease at Luxury Car.
Car - Porsche Car NewS Updates : Porsche 911 turbo GT2 by SwitZer Performance
Porsche Car NewS Updates : Porsche 911 turbo GT2 by SwitZer Performance
The American tuning specialist Switzer Performance has set a target to attain 800hp for its latest Porsche GT2 project while running on 93 octane gas. The car comes with an efficient linear power and torque curves that’s gentle on the driver and a final dyno figure that demonstrates it has attained its goals. The car performs superbly on the road even at this level of potency and who knows what it can do on the tracks at the hands of a professional
This is a moment too powerful to be taken lightly, too special to be considered ironically, too vital to examine with any pretense of journalistic impartiality. I am seated behind the wheel of an absolutely perfect, fully-loaded, brand-new Porsche GT2, unwinding the wheel at the exit of Nelson Ledges Road Course’s Carousel turn. Next to me, the car’s owner, entrepreneur and bon vivant David Kim, has planted himself squarely into the GT2’s fixed-back passenger-side bucket, rigid with anticipation. There is traffic ahead, several cars varying from Improved Touring racers to tuned-up street Hondas. It’s time to accelerate, so I press the right pedal into the carpet.
Source: carworld123.blogspot.com
Car - Mitsubish i-Miev: Available in Europe from 2010 for €34,000
Mitsubish i-Miev: Available in Europe from 2010 for €34,000
Mitsubishi i-Miev will be available in UK from 2010 with prices starting from approximately €34,000. i-Miev is expected to be available in main European markets around 2012.
The price is expected to be lowered at around €15,000 by 2012 as the production will be increased to 30,000 cars/year.
Source: autoblog.it
The price is expected to be lowered at around €15,000 by 2012 as the production will be increased to 30,000 cars/year.
Source: autoblog.it
Source: feedproxy.google.com
Monday, November 9, 2009
Car - How Active Participation Helps Teens Understand Safe Driving Concepts
How Active Participation Helps Teens Understand Safe Driving Concepts
Most adults understand that teens tend to tune out long lectures about safe driving (or anything else), but parents and teachers also know that they have important messages to pass on, and they are sometimes at a loss as to other methods of doing so. Creative thinking in terms of teaching methods, both in the home and at school, can mean the difference between messages that teens will ignore
Car - Latest 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Cars
Latest 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Cars
Latest 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Cars
Price:$21,605 - $26,880
Both gas and electric
Hybrid model is also
available.Hybrid combines
the 4-cylinder gas
engine with an electric
motor. 
Car - Toyota LandCruiser Prado 2010
Toyota LandCruiser Prado 2010
The Toyota Landcruiser Prado 2010 latest demo accepts as is distinctively LandCruiser-like Prado front of the five-door, featuring an three-dimensional erect grillwork. Thems roof and rear-quarter canvas alloy is alone, altho the back door – which abides the love handle are dealt on the five-door edition view more at luxury car.
Source: luxurytoys-carl.blogspot.com
Car - New Step in the Electric Vehicles Cooperative Agreement between Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and PSA Peugeot Citroën
New Step in the Electric Vehicles Cooperative Agreement between Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and PSA Peugeot Citroën
Source: carsofjapan.blogspot.com
Car - Porsche Car NewS Updates : Porsche 911 turbo GT2 by SwitZer Performance
Porsche Car NewS Updates : Porsche 911 turbo GT2 by SwitZer Performance
The American tuning specialist Switzer Performance has set a target to attain 800hp for its latest Porsche GT2 project while running on 93 octane gas. The car comes with an efficient linear power and torque curves that’s gentle on the driver and a final dyno figure that demonstrates it has attained its goals. The car performs superbly on the road even at this level of potency and who knows what it can do on the tracks at the hands of a professional
This is a moment too powerful to be taken lightly, too special to be considered ironically, too vital to examine with any pretense of journalistic impartiality. I am seated behind the wheel of an absolutely perfect, fully-loaded, brand-new Porsche GT2, unwinding the wheel at the exit of Nelson Ledges Road Course’s Carousel turn. Next to me, the car’s owner, entrepreneur and bon vivant David Kim, has planted himself squarely into the GT2’s fixed-back passenger-side bucket, rigid with anticipation. There is traffic ahead, several cars varying from Improved Touring racers to tuned-up street Hondas. It’s time to accelerate, so I press the right pedal into the carpet.
Car - Nissan retailing of the Leaf electric vehicle starts next year in five markets
Nissan retailing of the Leaf electric vehicle starts next year in five markets
Just days after pulling the wraps off of its prototype Leaf electric vehicle in Japan, Nissan Motor Co. says it has committed to an early launch of 5,000 sales in the United States, starting late next year.
The plan will require Nissan North America to begin retailing the Leaf at U.S. dealerships two years ahead of the schedule outlined by Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn.
The first 5,000 U.S. Leafs will take part in a five-market study of electric-vehicle driving habits. Nissan and various public utilities and government agencies want to make sure they understand how consumers recharge their vehicles.
Mark Perry, Nissan's director of product planning and strategy, says it is not merely a market test but rather the bona fide launch of mass electric-vehicle retailing.
"We're moving fast," Perry says. "This is not a test to determine whether or not it's going to work. This is the beginning of mass marketing."
Buy them
Customers will buy the cars from dealerships. But they must agree to have their recharging habits monitored through an onboard black box for their first two years of ownership.
Nissan will qualify which consumers get to purchase the first 5,000 Leafs. Perry says there will be some screening to make sure the cars are purchased by consumers who can provide meaningful data.
"We don't want these first cars going to somebody who commutes 150 miles a day or who lives a great distance from a recharging station," he says.
Nissan has said the Leaf will be affordable, but it has not revealed the price.
DOE money
The catalyst behind the early startup is a $99.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to Electric Transportation Engineering Corp., a Phoenix technology supplier. That firm must install 12,500 recharging stations in Nissan's first five markets: the Phoenix-Tucson corridor of Arizona; Oregon; San Diego; Seattle and Tennessee.
Matching funds are being provided by the cities and states, for a total investment of $199.6 million.
The recharging data will be turned over to the Department of Energy, which required Nissan to have 1,000 vehicles on the road in everyday use to make the data valid.
Nissan originally said it would launch electric-vehicle fleet sales in the United States in 2010 and start retail sales through its dealerships in 2012. But Perry has maintained that retail sales could start earlier than 2012 if individual markets and dealers were ready.
Perry says Nissan still intends to launch U.S. fleet sales of the electric car next year. Those sales will be in addition to the 5,000 cars participating in the data collection.
Source: Autoweek
The plan will require Nissan North America to begin retailing the Leaf at U.S. dealerships two years ahead of the schedule outlined by Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn.
The first 5,000 U.S. Leafs will take part in a five-market study of electric-vehicle driving habits. Nissan and various public utilities and government agencies want to make sure they understand how consumers recharge their vehicles.
Mark Perry, Nissan's director of product planning and strategy, says it is not merely a market test but rather the bona fide launch of mass electric-vehicle retailing.
"We're moving fast," Perry says. "This is not a test to determine whether or not it's going to work. This is the beginning of mass marketing."
Buy them
Customers will buy the cars from dealerships. But they must agree to have their recharging habits monitored through an onboard black box for their first two years of ownership.
Nissan will qualify which consumers get to purchase the first 5,000 Leafs. Perry says there will be some screening to make sure the cars are purchased by consumers who can provide meaningful data.
"We don't want these first cars going to somebody who commutes 150 miles a day or who lives a great distance from a recharging station," he says.
Nissan has said the Leaf will be affordable, but it has not revealed the price.
DOE money
The catalyst behind the early startup is a $99.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to Electric Transportation Engineering Corp., a Phoenix technology supplier. That firm must install 12,500 recharging stations in Nissan's first five markets: the Phoenix-Tucson corridor of Arizona; Oregon; San Diego; Seattle and Tennessee.
Matching funds are being provided by the cities and states, for a total investment of $199.6 million.
The recharging data will be turned over to the Department of Energy, which required Nissan to have 1,000 vehicles on the road in everyday use to make the data valid.
Nissan originally said it would launch electric-vehicle fleet sales in the United States in 2010 and start retail sales through its dealerships in 2012. But Perry has maintained that retail sales could start earlier than 2012 if individual markets and dealers were ready.
Perry says Nissan still intends to launch U.S. fleet sales of the electric car next year. Those sales will be in addition to the 5,000 cars participating in the data collection.
Source: Autoweek
Car - My Credit Affects My Car Insurance Rate ?
My Credit Affects My Car Insurance Rate ?
You probably know that lenders use information in your credit report to determine if they'll give you credit. But did you know that in some states, insurance companies also consider your credit history? Good or bad, your credit history may affect your ability to purchase homeowners or auto insurance coverage and help determine what premium you'll pay.
For example, consider these scenarios :
Two years ago, you were unemployed for six months. Before you could find a new job, you fell behind on several credit card payments. Now your auto insurance rates are going up, even though you've never filed a claim against your policy.
You've always paid your bills on time, and you've always paid cash instead of applying for credit. Why could this be a problem? Similar to when you apply for a mortgage or credit card, your lack of credit history means you’re an unknown quantity – there is no history of monthly credit card payments.
Many people believe that only their driving record is important, but that’s simply not the case. The majority of auto insurance companies consider credit to be a very important rating variable.
What's the score here ?
Insurers have always used various criteria to determine who to insure and at what rates. For example, if you're applying for auto insurance, your insurer might consider your age, driving record, make and model of your car, and how many insurance claims you've filed in the past. But within the last decade, insurance companies have also begun using credit information as an additional factor to help predict which persons pose more risk. Insurers believe that the healthier your credit history, the less likely you are to file a claim against your auto or homeowners insurance policy. And the more likely you are to pay your insurance premium payments.
If your credit history (along with other factors considered) suggests that you are likely to be a responsible driver, you may be offered a lower premium. But if your credit history is tarnished--or if you have little or no credit history--you may pay higher premiums for the coverage you're offered. You may even be denied coverage altogether.
How you can improve the score
If you're denied insurance coverage because of your credit history, the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act allows you to order a free copy of your credit report from the bureau used by the auto insurance company who denied you. If you feel the information provided to the credit bureau is incorrect, you can dispute it.
If you've been turned down for insurance, this may feel like too little, too late. But if your credit history is affecting your ability to get auto or homeowners insurance (or the premiums you're charged for it), here are a few things you can do:
Clean up your credit immediately. Pay your bills on time every month, get rid of the high interest credit cards, and don’t spend beyond your means.
If you don't have any credit, get some. Your lack of history is what's hurting you; to the insurance companies, you're an unknown quantity. Although you don't want to run up excessive debt, you do want to show that you can use credit responsibly. Use your credit regularly, and always make your monthly payments in a timely fashion.
Once a year, get copies of your credit report from all three major credit bureaus. (The information contained in one report may not be reflected by the others.) Make sure the information on them all is correct. Dispute any errors with both the creditors and the credit bureaus involved.
Shop around for insurance. Depending on the insurer, prices for the same coverage can vary substantially.
Consider higher deductibles to save money. For both homeowners and auto insurance, higher deductibles can lower your premium costs. Just make sure you can cover the deductible should you be faced with a claim.
For now, the use of credit reports is an industry standard. Make your credit work for you by watching it closely. In most cases, you may be rewarded with lower premiums if you do so.
Car - Mazda MX-5 Superlight Concept Details Released
Mazda MX-5 Superlight Concept Details Released
As we reported last month, Mazda is to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Mazda MX-5/Miata roadster with the Mazda MX-5 Superlight concept car, which will make its debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show later this month, and the release of a special-edition Mazda Miata in the Japanese domestic market (JDM). Recently, details of the [...]
As we reported last month, Mazda is to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Mazda MX-5/Miata roadster with the Mazda MX-5 Superlight concept car, which will make its debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show later this month, and the release of a special-edition Mazda Miata in the Japanese domestic market (JDM). Recently, details of the Mazda MX-5 Superlight have been released, as have a range of images of the little roadster.
Designed and developed at European R+D centre in Oberursel, Germany, the Mazda MX-5 Superlight concept car is a two-seater model with no windscreen, and befitting its name, the Mazda MX-5 Superlight concept car weighs in at just below a ton at just 995 kg or 2,194 pounds!
Powering the concept car is the production MX-5’s MZR 1.8-Liter four-cylinder petrol engine that produces a maximum of 126 bhp at 6,500 rpm and 123 lb-ft of peak torque at 4,500 rpm. The engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The light weight Mazda MX-5 Superlight concept car accelerates from zero to 62 mph in 8,9 seconds, one second faster than the stock Mazda MX-5 1.8, and achieves a healthy 37.3 mpg, bettering the production model’s 33.6 mpg. CO2 emissions are also lower at 150g/km compared to the stock MX-5 1.8’s 167g/km.
Technical Specifications:
- Body Type : Roadster Monocoque
- Seating capacity: 2
- External Dimensions:
- Overall length: 4,020 mm
- Overall width: 1,720 mm
- Overall height (unloaded): 1,110 mm
- Wheelbase: 2,330 mm
- Track (front/rear): 1,540/1,545 mm
- Ground clearance: 106 mm
- Engine: MZR 1.8-litre petrol
- Max. power: 126 PS (93 kW) at 6,500 rpm
- Max. torque: 167 Nm at 4,500 rpm
- Transmission: 5-speed manual
- Front/rear suspension: Double wishbone/Multi-link
- Damper (front/rear): Bilstein® monotube
- Tyre size: 205/45 R17
- Brake type (front/rear): Ventilated discs/Solid discs
- Brake diameter (front/rear): 300/280 mm
- Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 8,9 s
- Fuel consumption (combined): 6,3 l/100km
- CO2 emissions (combined): 150 g/km
- Min. kerb weight (without driver): 995 kg
[Source: Mazda]
Car - AutoTrader Find of the Week: 1983 Land Rover One Ten
AutoTrader Find of the Week: 1983 Land Rover One Ten
A rugged and polarizing iconic SUV, the classically styled Land Rovers of years past show case a tough exterior design contrasting a civil interior fit for the Queen. The Defender series is the best representation of this style and was brought into the United States starting in 1993. The rest of the world was able to enjoy this vehicle when it was introduced back in 1983, ten years prior. At that time, the vehicles were not called Defenders but they were simply referred to by their wheelbase length. One lucky Floridian managed to import and register a 1983 Land Rover One Ten, and is now offering this extremely clean example for sale.
The silver beast seen here appears to be wearing very clean silver paint outside and has a nice and tidy inside. This One Ten is a right-hand drive model which will make ordering at the drive-thru a difficult but all-in-all more exciting experience. Truth be told, every experience would be more exciting experience because I would keep a pith helmet in the car and pretend I am on a safari every day of the week. Regardless of the fact that my “prey” is either the groceries or golf balls at the driving range, it will all be taken down in a highly civilized manner - with tea to follow.
This particular V8 engine shows its age but otherwise looks great for a 26 year old engine. It is a 3.5L unit that made between 113 and 134 hp when new. The seller says he took great care of it, and it looks to be the case. The V8 is paired with a four-speed manual transmission which will take some getting used to since the driver will be shifting as a sinister lefty.
With a full load of passengers, the One Ten will seat nine passengers. That is as much as a modern Suburban. The rear inward-facing seats allow for stimulating conversation regarding topics ranging from duck hunting to pheasant hunting.
This 1983 Land Rover One Ten appears to be an excellent example of the splendid British SUVs of a time gone by. More modern examples of the Defender 90 fetch princely sums even with high mileage. This utility vehicle has 57,000 on the clock and is being offered at a fee a tick under the $20,000 mark. Someone scoop this one up quick before I trade my baseball hat in for a safari helmet and teach my dachshunds how to fetch wild game…
Source: www.nadaguides.com
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Car - Saleen 435S Mustang 2010
Saleen 435S Mustang 2010
The latest Saleen 435S Mustang 2010 are powered near a 4.6-liter, 3-valve SOHC V8 locomotive, the complete on an Saleen Series VI twin-screw supercharger two-stage intercooler. These locomotive develops an vigorous 435 HP and 425 lb.-ft. By torsion. Thems checkmated to a 5-speed manual of arms contagion, and has a 3.73:1 rear axle ratio with limited-slip derivative. The Saleen 435S Mustang baits 1.5 column inch bluer than an Ford Mustang GT, cheers to its Saleen Racecraft functioning abatement. The abatement box admits bounces, a stiffer front anti-sway bar, and nitrogen-pressurized cushions attuned alone as the 435S. The aired bracken rotor coil, face and rear, are slotted and cross-drilled for ameliorated feel and stopping performance. Larger, 14-inch slotted face rotors on 4-piston caliper are usable as an alternative at luxury car.
Car - Local Motors Rally Fighter: The First-Ever Creative Commons Car [New Cars]
Local Motors Rally Fighter: The First-Ever Creative Commons Car [New Cars]
This is Local Motors' Rally Fighter, the first car openly developed and built using crowd-sourcing. It will change the auto industry forever. More importantly for me, with its P-51 fighter plane-influenced design, it might be the coolest-looking car ever.
The Rally Fighter is the first-ever crowd-sourced "creative commons"-like car, is the culmination of 35,000 designs by 2,900 community members from over 100 countries. Local Motors, the company behind it, plans to change forever the way cars are designed.
For starters, Local Motors doesn't even have a designer for their cars on staff. Each major system of the vehicle — whether it's the exterior design, interior design or doors — heck, even the name — are developed in an open source development process. Once there's enough support for any single design, Local Motors will develop it openly. That means members of the Local Motors community not only choose which designs are developed, but also, they get to help develop them. Contests are held for the development and the winner receives a monetary prize based on the importance of the system to developing the overall vehicle. Thus, door design might receive less money than say, exterior design.
That includes the "where" as well as the what. Local Motors cars are built in regional micro-factories. The first vehicle the community chose to build — the Rally Fighter — will be built at both Local Motors' headquarters in Massachusetts, but also in Arizona, where the car — built for off-road and desert races of the American Southwest — will be primarily used. Each car the Local Motors community designs will be based on regional desires, tastes and preferences.
Better yet is the manufacturing — it's done by the soon-to-be-owner. That's right, once design and engineering is fully developed the buyer goes to the local Local Motors Micro-Factory and builds it — with a little bit of their help.
Brilliant idea? Yes. Even better is that they're looking to work with the major automakers and not against them. The best analogy we've yet heard for the available market for Local Motors is to imagine a glass mason jar filled with marbles. The mason jar represents the total potential U.S. automotive marketplace and the marbles represent cars built by major automakers. You'd notice that there's a lot of nooks, crannies and openings in between those marbles. That represents unfulfilled niche markets that, frankly, just aren't covered by current vehicles available from major automakers because they're too costly for them to build in small runs. Rogers wants Local Motors to be the sand that can fill the crevices of that marble-filled mason jar.
That's what separates Local Motors from a company on the brink of failure like Tesla. Tesla, with its designs on the mid-size sedan segment, looks to replace major automakers. Local Motors wants to work with them. Each Local Motors system competition is looking for the best ideas, not new ideas. So, for instance, why design an engine from scratch, when, like the Rally Fighter, it can use BMW's perfectly good M57 3.0-liter turbo-diesel? Why build a tail light from scratch when you can just use a set from a Honda Civic? Need a Transmission? Use the 6-speed ZF auto tranny. Need a door handle? The Miata's works just fine thank you very much. Go through the car's galleries in this post and try and spot what's being used where. I think you'll be shocked at how much parts-sharing is going on here.
But that's just the start. Imagine a company able to help automakers build the niche products they want to make but just can't because the volume isn't there to make it profitable? Are you an automaker with an E85-burning engine? Contract with Local Motors to make a small volume car in the Midwest with its large ethanol production. Have a compressed natural gas engine? Let Local Motors build a car with it in areas with great CNG infrastructure. There's a lot of space in between marbles they're able to fill.
So let's talk about their first product — the Rally Fighter. Thanks to the very concept caresque styling, when you walk up to it, you're immediately struck with how attractive the Rally Fighter looks. It's got a look inspired by the historic P-51 Mustang fighter plane, right down to the pregnant belly bulge in the fuselage. The lines are swoopy in the right places and it's high up off the ground thanks to 18" of suspension travel necessary for clearing the big rocks n' boulders you'll find in Baja and other rally races.
Although the car's built for both off-road and on, because it's lacking so many weighty creature comforts, and thanks to the big BMW diesel engine, it's capable of 36 MPG on the highway or 30 MPG in an off-road setting. All while pumping out 265 HP and 425 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels.
It's 189 inches long, 69.25 inches high in "high ride height mode" and 61.25 inches high in "low ride height mode." The wheelbase is 115 inches, track width is 69.5 inches and it has a curb weight estimated between 3,000 and 3,200 lbs. It seats four and it's awesome.
We can't wait to drive it. Do you want one? Head over to Local Motors and drop a deposit down now. The full price will be approximately $50,000 and looks to be well worth it.
Source: feeds.gawker.com
Car - Future Retro
Future Retro
Pete Wozena's Proposal for an Oldsmobile artwork graces the cover of Future Retro, a hardcover I picked-up recently at Amazon. This volume contains the collected artwork of 40's through 60's mostly GM designers drawings.
One of a reviewer's comments left on the website say's it all: "These days, when all an automotive designer has to do is draw a boiled sweet potato and add windows, headlights, taillights and tires, it's great to relive an era of tailfins, chrome, baby moon hubcaps, whitewalls and two-tone paint jobs". Roger that.
Car - Road Test Review: 2010 Lexus HS 250h
Road Test Review: 2010 Lexus HS 250h 
The 2010 Lexus HS 250h compact hybrid luxury sedan is catching some sun at The Garage.
Lexus knows the hybrid game well. They were the first to bring a mid-size luxury hybrid SUV/Crossover to the market in the form of the RX and they introduced the first full-size luxury hybrid sedan with the LS. They also introduced the first luxury hybrid sports sedan in the form of the GS. Now, they are offering a luxury hybrid compact sedan with the all-new 2010 Lexus HS 250h. Is it simply a Prius that went shopping for designer duds or a luxury car with a greener heart?
Ok, the heart isn’t literally “green” but a blend of silver, black, pink, and a touch of orange…
The 2010 Lexus HS 250h is the first hybrid-only vehicle from the luxury car maker. It serves as an upscale cousin to the Toyota Prius, yet the two are actually quite different. They do not share any body panels or suspension components. The hatchback Prius is a focused MPG king, with an EPA combined rating of 50 mpg. The HS 250h goes in a different direction, with an actual trunk and luxury options galore. However, the added weight of these features and a more powerful engine taken from the Camry Hybrid mean this little luxury sedan doesn’t hit the higher MPG numbers like the Prius does. The EPA estimated fuel-economy rating for the 2010 Lexus HS 250h is 35 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway.
As mentioned above, the engine is not the same as the one found in the Prius. The HS 250h is fitted with the 2.4L inline-four-cylinder engine, which pairs with an electric motor, and produces 187 hp. Not a big number, but enough to give this little-luxo box surprising pep. The engine stays whisper quiet as I would cruise around town, but when I put more pressure on the toe of my Vans the display would show I was no longer driving green and the engine would rise to a tinny wail. This Lexus has more than enough power to make that highway pass or freeway on-ramp merge maneuver nothing to worry about. The only problem with this power relates back to that not-too-exciting fuel economy number. I averaged about 33 mpg but I was able to dip down into the low-to-mid 20s if I kept my foot in it. Obviously, the person who buys a hybrid should plan on driving it more eco-consciously than I and 33 mpg is a better number than most vehicles will see. However, when you see a car with a “Hybrid” badge you expect a little more in the fuel efficiency department.
The interior of the Lexus HS 250h is where the vehicle really comes to life. Incorporated into the Cyrano de Bergerac-esque center stack is a well-placed trackball. This mouse-like device is used to control the features which appear on the color LCD display. These include the navigation, HVAC, audio controls, and it provides access to optional XM features which show the driver weather information, stock updates, and even sports scores. Some of these features are limited when the car is in motion, which is a good thing because I don’t need to rear-end someone while waiting to see if the Sox won the night before. The trackball is extremely easy to use, and once I learned the layouts of the menus, I rarely needed to look away from the road.
Beyond the tech, the most important aspect of any interior is comfort and this HS 250h provided just that. The front seats are heated and cooled, and the rear seats have adequate legroom - something missing in most compact sedans these days. Additionally, the HS 250h utilizes sustainable products wherever possible including castor oil in the seat cushions and kenaf fibers behind the seats. The optional Mark Levinson sound system rounds out the enjoyable nature of this space, producing a crisp, clean soundtrack for my time spent with the car.
On the outside, the Lexus bears an unmistakable similarity to the Toyota Corolla. It does boast a few features that make it stand out, including the 18” seven-spoke alloy wheels, the aggressive but good-looking front fascia, and the available rear spoiler. The HS 250h also wears this Matador Red Mica paint job quite well.
The 2010 Lexus HS 250h offers hybrid shoppers an upscale alternative to the compact four-doors on the market. It loses a bit of fuel efficiency but gains an edge with the available technological features, upscale interior, and exterior styling touches. The HS 250h is available in two trims; a base model and the premium version seen here. This 2010 Lexus HS 250h Premium starts at $36,970, while the vehicle pictured here will run you $41,375 thanks to a few options. I think this is a smart choice for the luxury buyer looking to be a little more fuel-efficient, but not yet ready to hop on the diesel train. The Lexus may trade some of the fuel-efficiency that a potentially up market Prius shopper is looking for, but it takes the tech, style, and comfort to a better place - not to mention it has a real trunk.
Car - Review:2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
Review:2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, which debuted in 2003 and is wrapping up production this year, was a car as convoluted as its name. The unhappy child of bickering parents, the SLR came out too heavy, too big, and too unprofitable. Now that the Mercedes-Benz/McLaren marriage has dissolved, both sides are coming to their senses. For McLaren, that means developing a lightweight, mid-engine supercar codenamed P11, a car you'll be reading about here soon. For Mercedes-Benz, it means going back to its sports car roots with another Gullwing, the SLS AMG.
Inspired by the 300SL coupe of the 1950s, this new SLS also has the bobbed tail, football-shaped grille, and bottom-mounted door handles of the original. Where it differs is, well, pretty much everywhere else. Indeed, AMG boss Volker Mornhinweg says the SLS is no simple homage. “We did not build a retro car at all,” he says. “It is the most advanced supercar you can find today!” The SLS is 182.7 inches long and rides on a 105.5-inch wheelbase, figures roughly equivalent to those of the Lamborghini Murciélago LP640. The entire car is constructed out of aluminum; the space frame weighs just 530 pounds.
Reengineered Engine, All-New Gearbox
Climbing into the driver’s seat of the new SLS AMG is surprisingly straightforward—the sill is easier to clamber over than the old 300SL’s—but you’ll need every inch of your left arm to reach the strap you tug to close the gullwing doors. The view out the front is dominated by the loooong hood, which provides shelter to the heart of the reborn Gullwing: a 6.2-liter, AMG-built V-8. Known internally as the M159 engine, the SLS’s V-8 is a reengineered version of the M156 V-8 found in the C63, E63, and S63, among others. The M159 has an all-new magnesium intake with individual velocity stacks, a reworked valvetrain, and revised camshafts. The tubular steel headers are further optimized for flow, and the exhaust system is similarly changed. Output stands at 563 hp at 6800 rpm and 479 lb-ft of torque at 4750 rpm. The engineers also switched to dry-sump lubrication in order to mount the engine very low in the chassis, which imparts a lower center of gravity, and the entire mill sits behind the front-axle line.
The V-8 hooks to an all-new, seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox integrated into a rear-mounted transaxle. The connection is made via a carbon-fiber driveshaft housed within a torque tube, which ensures a very rigid link between engine and transmission. There are four driving modes: Controlled Efficiency, Sport, Sport Plus, and Manual. The Race Start launch-control mode guarantees neck-snapping starts, and the stability control is selectable to on, off, or Sport.
It’s as Incredible to Drive as You Imagine
Once the engine is ignited—via a button on the dash, naturally—it idles with a deep thrum. Toe the throttle a bit, and the revs gather quickly, as in a race engine, and the aural accompaniment becomes more metallic in tone. Lift the throttle, and engine speed drops as quickly as it rises. Floored from a stop, the acceleration is nothing less than explosive: Mercedes claims a 0-to-62-mph time of an astonishing 3.8 seconds. (Mercedes estimates are notoriously conservative.) The engine note under load is a throaty war cry that changes into a sort of zinging buzzsaw above 4500 rpm. The engine response above 6000 rpm is as direct as any we’ve ever felt—and that includes the Ferrari F430’s masterful V-8. Top speed is governed at 196 mph.
The SLS understeers slightly on corner entry, but the optional carbon-ceramic brakes, immediate throttle response, and talkative steering—perhaps the sharpest rack ever to be fitted to a Mercedes road car—make repositioning the car a snap. Give it mid-corner throttle, and car gently transitions to easily controllable oversteer. The SLS is wonderfully neutral (helped by the near-ideal 48/52-percent front-to-rear weight distribution), and sitting so close to the rear axle means you can easily determine what the car’s doing and take immediate action. It is mind-blowingly simple to drive the SLS quickly.
High exit speeds are aided by a mechanical limited-slip differential that offers 30 percent lock under load; it provides 60 percent lock under deceleration. Grip is high, to say the least, thanks in part to the Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires developed especially for the SLS. They measure a beefy, 295/30-19 in the back and 265/35-19 up front. Suspension is by forged aluminum wishbones all around, and a wide track (66.1 inches in the front and 64.9 inches in back) imparts stability. The coupe will eventually spawn an SLS roadster and the SLS eDrive, which is a fully electric version that replaces the raucous V-8 with lithium-ion batteries and four individual electric motors.
The new Gullwing is incredible; even in this prototype form, it is clearly every bit the driver’s car the SLR wasn’t. We won’t be able to afford an SLS when it goes on sale next spring—unless it’s a ’95 Cadillac SLS that pops up on eBay—but those with the means will be able to nab one for $175,000 or so. We’re already green with envy.
Source: Caranddriver.com
Car - SASCO Era Ends - Studebaker Auto Parts Treasure Trove
SASCO Era Ends - Studebaker Auto Parts Treasure Trove
Source: www.studebakerguide.com
Car - It's Official: Studebaker International Bought SASCO's Inventory
It's Official: Studebaker International Bought SASCO's Inventory
Source: www.studebakerguide.com
Car - Four Ways Teens Benefit from Following Graduated Driver Licensing Laws
Four Ways Teens Benefit from Following Graduated Driver Licensing Laws
It isn't uncommon for teens to rebel against Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws. They may reason that since they passed the driving test, they shouldn't have to deal with restrictions. Or they may be unfamiliar with the GDL laws in their state and violate them unintentionally. But there are many benefits to obeying GDL laws for teens, such as:1. They're a chance to prove your maturity and
Car - SEMA 2009: Lingenfelter T/A Concept
SEMA 2009: Lingenfelter T/A Concept
Source: foureyedfoxbody.blogspot.com
Car - Renault Fluence 2010: El video Oficial
Renault Fluence 2010: El video Oficial
Renault Fluence 2010
Ayer les presentamos el nuevo Renault Fluence 2010, la nueva variante de cuatro puertas del Mégane modelo 2009, que llega para sustituir al viejo y ya conocido Mégane Sedán que ya está a la venta desde el año 2003.
Puedes ver el articulo haciendo click aqui: Renault Fluence 2010: Todos los datos e imagenes oficiales
Ahora les dejamos un vídeo para que puedas apreciar al nuevo Fluence 2010 al máximo, solo dura 55 segundos, pero estoy seguro que lo disfrutaremos al máximo. Se los dejo y espero que lo disfruten.
Videos del Renault Fluence 2010
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Car - The STILLEN-NADAguides.com Nissan GT-R Wins the 2009 Targa Newfoundland Modern Class!
The STILLEN-NADAguides.com Nissan GT-R Wins the 2009 Targa Newfoundland Modern Class!
Godzilla and STILLEN have invaded Canada… (photo courtesy of Kyle Millen)
Try to imagine race cars, new and old, roaring through your local suburban community. The glowing brakes and roaring engines a few feet away from you as the drivers wrestle their purpose-built machines down Main St. Now imagine piloting one of these rumbling rockets through side streets, past the local store fronts, and occasionally over someone’s lawn. You have just pictured the 7th Annual Targa Newfoundland.
This year marks the first year that Steve Millen, good friend to NADAguides.com, and his crew at STILLEN attempted to not only compete, but to win the event. The STILLEN folks teamed up with Mike Monticello from Road & Track who served as Co-Driver for the targa - their chariot of choice; a modified 2009 Nissan GT-R. How did they do? Well, either you skipped the headline or want me to say it again.
Sometimes the fastest way between A and B is someone’s front lawn. (photo courtesy of Kyle Millen)
The Targa Newfoundland is broken up into multiple categories of Modern and Classic vehicles. Steve and Mike finished in the top spot for the entire Modern Class. However, due to the scoring/timing system, they finished 6th overall. The event sets handicaps for the modern cars which make certain stages nearly impossible to finish without incurring a penalty. On most, if not all the stages, Steve was able to catch up to and pass quite a few cars even though those other teams had a head start. They set blistering stage times and were happy with the final result but they were disappointed with the scoring system.
(photo courtesy of Kyle Millen)
Moving past the drivers for a moment, the other star of this event was the Nissan GT-R. The car held up amazingly well for such a grueling event. The Targa Newfoundland plays out over 1,400 miles in seven days. Other than a CV Boot, which needed to be replaced, the car only needed fuel and air in the tires. This particular GT-R has been modified to produce more power yet at the same time has also been given a carbon fiber diet. A stock GT-R is a fantastic car; however the STILLEN GT-R has more power and less weight making it an unbelievably fast and capable road racer, especially in the talented hands of Mr. Millen.
Mike, Steve, and the GT-R taking a breather in between stages. (photo courtesy of Kyle Millen)
Here at NADAguides.com we would like to congratulate Steve Millen and the entire STILLEN crew, as well as Mike Monticello and his team from Road & Track for running a fantastic race from start to finish. You may recall that we were a proud sponsor of the STILLEN/NADAguides.com Ford GT last year. We are once again proud to have the NADAguides.com shield on a STILLEN car and look forward to seeing more great things from this talented team in the very near future.
Here is an inside look at Steve and Mike tackling one of the Targa stages:
For more information and photos from the event, visit the STILLEN Blog.
Source: www.nadaguides.com
Car - Dang Detroit Kids Push Abandoned Dump Truck Out Packard Plant Window [Detroit]
Dang Detroit Kids Push Abandoned Dump Truck Out Packard Plant Window [Detroit]
Remember the dump truck hanging out the side of the Packard Plant in our Feral Factories of Detroit story? Well, some kids decided it was time to push it over the edge. Check out the crashing-to-Earth result below.
Car - News Review : BMW USA Fall in Sales IN July
News Review : BMW USA Fall in Sales IN July
BMW America has become official when the German-based automakers released its actual figures for their 2009 sales totals. The chart, which dictates the actual sales numbers for the month of July and the year to date for both the BMW and Mini brands in the US.
Judging from the figures BMW released, the only car that has managed to keep its head above water has been the X6 SUV, which posted a 50% sales increase in July 2009 from its numbers at the same month a year ago. For the year to date, the X6 sales have also grown by 12% compared to its figures at the same time last year.
Apart from the X6, sales for all BMW and MINI vehicles are down across the board with the most notable hit coming from sales of the X3, which is down by a staggering 71.3% in the month of July and 69.5% for the while year.
Source: carworld123.blogspot.com
Car - Online Car Insurance Taking The Hassle Out Of Cover
Online Car Insurance Taking The Hassle Out Of Cover
Up until 15 years ago, the online car insurance market was unheard of, but now it's booming! It is continuing to grow at astounding rates. Small insurance businesses would have an area in their town where everyone went for coverage. Now, those small businesses are facing great competition from companies starting up in the business, or branching out from other areas.
With the increase in technology in modern households, there has been an overwhelming amount of companies offering online insurance. The telephone also advanced with call centers and multi-line phones. Now, smaller companies can handle the volume of customers.
Laws that strictly regulated insurance markets were relaxing in many places, and the call centers of smaller companies were doing extremely well. Meanwhile, the traditional, large insurance companies faced a new challenge in the Internet. While customers once had to travel to an office to get an insurance quotes, they eventually turned to the telephone for policy inquiries, and they can now get a quote through an online form without ever talking to a live person.
Thanks to the large number of internet companies offering online car insurance, auto insurance rates and associated charges have dropped. Anyone looking for a policy can compare quotes from a large range of insurers, without having to leave their home or even pick up the telephone. Not only that, but looking online saves a significant amount of time as well. The role of the insurance agent of the past, who may have been affiliated with a particular company, can now be carried out by the consumer.
There are still a significant number of consumers who are reluctant to apply for car insurance online. Older motorists especially prefer talking to someone in person, or over the telephone. Some people also have privacy concerns, and are hesitant to provide large amounts of highly personal information over a website in order to get a quote. However, thanks to modern internet security protocols, which make the exchange of data very secure, these fears can be laid to rest.
Of course, there are some services that online car insurance websites can never hope to achieve. It's hard to put a value on customer service. When the worst happens and you have to make a claim nothing can be more reassuring than having a real live human being on your side. A car insurance agent you are on personal terms with who will examine the details of any incident and help you with the hassle dealing with a claim is invaluable.
Source: feedproxy.google.com
Car - FM Transmitters - A Good Option For iPod Integration But Are There Better?
FM Transmitters - A Good Option For iPod Integration But Are There Better?
If you want to take your music on the road with you, your iPod is the best and most convenient option. But how do you connect it to your vehicle? Which method is best? And what options do you have?
You have many options depending on your car and stereo equipment you have installed, there are a variety of ways of connecting your iPod to your Vehicle. The Kits range from fully integrated connections that emulate your CD changer providing CD quality or better audio through your stereo, through to FM Transmitters that connect to your iPod and transmit radio signals to your aerial. The truth is there are thousands of options and a variety of different brands that offer slightly different functions.
The more basic of the options start with FM… Continue reading
If you want to take your music on the road with you, your iPod is the best and most convenient option. But how do you connect it to your vehicle? Which method is best? And what options do you have?
You have many options depending on your car and stereo equipment you have installed, there are a variety of ways of connecting your iPod to your Vehicle. The Kits range from fully integrated connections that emulate your CD changer providing CD quality or better audio through your stereo, through to FM Transmitters that connect to your iPod and transmit radio signals to your aerial. The truth is there are thousands of options and a variety of different brands that offer slightly different functions.
The more basic of the options start with FM Transmitters; they are a simple kit but can provide good results. FM Transmitters plug into the bottom of the iPod / iPhone and translate your music being played on your iPod to a radio signal, The radio signal is then broadcast to the local area (Anybody using the same frequency can listen to your music / podcast etc). The FM Transmitters are usually the more cost effective option when purchasing an iPod car kit, however bear in mind the area you live in or commute to before you purchase. If the area is heavy with radio signals you can often receive a poor signal, usually resulting interference or a duplicate signal played over the top of the original frequency so you have two sources of audio being played.
There are several advantages and disadvantages to the fm transmitter kits, these can be broken down simply see below;
Advantages:
They are Easy to install
More cost effective
Move from vehicle to vehicle
Disadvantages:
Occasionally has poor signal
Can’t control the iPod from vehicles controls or radio
Drains the iPod / iPhone battery
The next best option is the FM Modulator; the modulator works on a similar principle to the transmitter however FM Modulation kit provides a better performance over all. The modulator is a hard wired connection to the back of the aerial replacing your previous aerial which connects further in the loop. This system reduces the interference from outside broadcasts meaning you receive a signal quality similar to that of DAB (Digital radio). FM Modulator kits are also provided with power clips that allow you to crimp onto the stereos power cable to provide kit with battery power from the ignition switch. This powers the kit and the iPod when the ignition is turned on so you’ll never lose battery charge while connected and your iPod is good to go again. Although the Modulator provides better performance than the transmitter it still doesn’t offer the ability to control the iPod through the stereo of steering wheel controls, which is a major factor for a lot of people when purchasing an iPod car kit.
The most advanced option is hard wired option. The Dension Gateway 100 is a good example of this. The hardwired kit connects into the CD changer port on the back of the stereo and emulates the factory changer. These kits are a little more expensive however in many people’s opinion they are worth the extra investment. The majority of hardwired kits allow the user control the iPod from steering wheel or stereo, charge the ipod, offer text display on the vehicle display or cluster screen and provide perfect CD quality audio through the factory speakers.
When ordering an iPod car kit it’s important to consider what functions you want from it. If you only want a simple kit that provides decent quality audio, and you’re prepared to put up with a little interference every now and then, the FM Transmitter is probably the better option for you. However if you love your music and want an all singing & Dancing kit you should be prepared to spend a little extra money.
An iPod transmitter is a good option for an iPod car kit connection. However if your looking for a more advanced iPod car kit solution you should look for an integrated iPod kit. Check out the number 1 iPod Car Kit Store
Nick_Janaw
Tags: BatteryRelated posts
Car - Exclusive 53 up-close images of Premier Rio
Exclusive 53 up-close images of Premier Rio
Interior plastics are nothing to write home about; the top-end with alloys looks stylish
Interior plastics are nothing to write home about; the top-end with alloys looks stylish
Here are some of the details discussed during the launch -
- Zotye began their operations in China in the year 2005
- Premier will bring more Zotye products in the future into India as CKDs
- The Rio is expected to return a fuel economy figure of 16-18kmpl
- 500 vehicles will be assembled in the company’s facility every month
- Premier is using a 1,500cc diesel engine, adopted from Peugeot, that delivers 65bhp.
- The company will sell the car in BS3 spec till the regulations come in next year, which is when it will upgrade satisfy demands.
Premier Rio Interior and Exterior Image Slideshow
If you’re not able to view the slideshow above, visit the Premier Rio Interior and Exterior Image Gallery directly
Source: feedproxy.google.com
Car - Micro Car
Micro Car
Most Valuable Micro Car
By : Hesti Yanuarti
Micro car is an extremely small automobile. However,if we thinking small isn't a new thing, it was the lack of materials and fuel after WW2 that first prompted the development of the Bubble Car (Micro Car). Known as Bubble Cars due their dome-like rounded shape,these vehicles became a common sight on the roads of Europe during fifties and sixties.Micro Car was more than just an automobile. It symbolised a new dawn for Europe, and signalled a renewed energy and prosperity for its people, striving to recover from the rubble of a bombed-out civilisation, who needed cars but who couldn't rely on the savings options we enjoy today, to buy one.
Now, however, the car industry is looking to downsize once more, and we could soon see a revolution in micro-cars. And now we can see another revolution micro car is smart car from Marcedes which has now been in production for over a decade.
The micro-car craze is yet to really take off in North America, where over sized engines have always been the order of the day. In Europe, drivers are welcoming the smaller vehicles and appreciate that where cars are concerned, small really is beautiful. Although small, i think micro car today also safety car.
Car - Video: 2012 Mercedes SLK Spy Video
Video: 2012 Mercedes SLK Spy Video
The future Mercedes Benz SLK has been caught on video. Set to be revealed in 2012, the new SLK will feature the usual naturally aspirated and turbocharged petrol engines, but also a turbo diesel engine. The AMG version will get a new twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 with 470hp.
Car - ‘08 Geneva - Lotus Europa SE
‘08 Geneva - Lotus Europa SE
As we accustomed you over the past days, here is a new car that made its appearence at the Geneva Motor Show - the Lotus Europa which could be upgraded to Europa SE. The Europa is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine which produces 225 HP and 221 lb-ft of torque. This model is not exactly what we [...]
As we accustomed you over the past days, here is a new car that made its appearence at the Geneva Motor Show - the Lotus Europa which could be upgraded to Europa SE.
The Europa is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine which produces 225 HP and 221 lb-ft of torque. This model is not exactly what we expected, but the SE model makes us to forget about it. If you think that this upgrade consists of new cool lightweight rims, high performance tires and new luxury interior features and you only have to pay an extra €4,000 to complete your dream car. You can buy this car for €41,500 and if would like to know more about it, then read the full press release after the jump and check out the gallery below.
Gallery: Lotus Europa SE
PRESS RELEASE:
2008 Lotus Europa Range
Group Lotus plc unveils a new updated and significantly enhanced range of Europa’s at the 78th annual Geneva International Motor Show. The new entry level Europa is priced at £27,950 MSRP / €37,500, with the range topping Europa SE available for a competitive £32,995 MSRP / €41,500 (Euro prices are without taxes, delivery & other related costs).
These new Europa variants have been designed and developed especially for European customers and will be sold exclusively across Europe from June 2008. The Europa is now available to a larger target audience with the entry level car providing a more accessible way to own a Europa and the SE designed to appeal to those who are even more style conscious and want increased levels of performance.
Mike Kimberley, CEO of Group Lotus plc commented: “As the true driver will know, this Europa range, offers access to Lotus’ unique DNA for those who perceive the Elise and Exige as a little too uncompromising for everyday use. The new Europa SE sits at the more refined end of the Lotus spectrum, providing a terrific mix of performance, agility and style, but incorporates Lotus’s values and heritage”.
The Europa has a mid-mounted 2 litre turbo charged engine, tuned in the SE with an all new calibration to 225 PS and with 300 Nm of torque to offer effortless cruising capability. Even though the Europa is engineered with more relaxed driving characteristics it provides amazing performance, with 0-60 mph in the SE dispatched in 5.5s (0-100 km/h in 5.7s estimated) and the sprint to 100 mph (160 km/h) taking just 13.0s (estimated). Given the legal opportunity to stretch its legs, the Europa SE will hit a top speed of 143 mph (estimated).
The Europa now offers increased levels of comfort over the Elise and Exige whilst enhancing the focused driving experience that you would expect from a Lotus. These models are both equipped with race car derived double wishbone suspension to give an exceptional driving feelwith Lotus DNA. The sleek Europa body work, together with the assistance of the flat underbody, generates positive downforce to provide balanced handling at speed.
The Europa SE has attractive and light weight new wheels, which are shod with wider, high performance tyres, for increased levels of grip. These new high performance wheels are larger with 17″ rims up front, and larger 18″ rims on the rear. The new wheels house high performance AP Racing four pot brakes and larger (308 mm) diameter discs.
The SE interior has been updated by Lotus Design with a stylish new design that works in harmony with the premium avant-garde Ice White of the Geneva Show car. The interior is finished using 4 hides of soft, lightweight high-grade leather, to ensure that every surface has a luxuriant tactile feel.
As with all 2008 Lotus road cars, the Europa and Europa SE come with driver and passenger airbags and an engine start button as standard. The Europa interior is furnished with leather sports seats and comes as standard with a high quality stereo system.
Source: feedproxy.google.com
Friday, November 6, 2009
Car - Latest 2009 Saturn Sky Cars
Latest 2009 Saturn Sky Cars
2009 Saturn Sky Cars
Prices :$27,595 - $33,680
2009 SKY is a 2-door,
2-passenger convertible
sports car, available in
6 trims.A 5-speed manual
transmission it has
standard on both trims,
and a 5-speed automatic
with overdrive is optional.
Car - 400,000th China-Made Ford Focus Rolls off the Line
400,000th China-Made Ford Focus Rolls off the Line
Source: american-cars.blogspot.com
Car - 110cc Honda Aviator launched in Delhi; Priced at Rs. 42,160
110cc Honda Aviator launched in Delhi; Priced at Rs. 42,160
Honda has launched the 110cc version of its Aviator scooter in Delhi. We don't have any images as of now, but we're expecting it shortly. Attached here is the press release. ‘Live Your Style’ with Honda’s New ‘Aviator’ o Perfect blend of premium image, appealing style, quality and comfort o New 110 cc Honda Engine to deliver more fun to ride experience. o Fuel Economy increased by 15 % o Various New exciting features like Combi-Brake, Maintenance-Free Battery, Viscous air filter along with telescopic front suspension, 190 mm front disc brake, 20 ltr large under storage box & tuff up tube in rear tyre make New Aviator a best in class premium scooter. New Delhi, October 27, 2009: Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. (HMSI), the 100% owned 2-wheeler subsidiary of the Honda Motor Company, Japan – the world’s largest manufacturer of 2-wheelers, today unveiled the New Aviator in New Delhi. With the tagline ‘Live Your Style’, the New Aviator is bound to make the mature Indian males truly ‘live their style’. It comes with a host of new features which enhance the style and premium element. It is an ideal vehicle for males who seek a premium-class product and have a flair for style. click through to read the rest
Honda has launched the 110cc version of its Aviator scooter in Delhi. We don’t have any images as of now, but we’re expecting it shortly. Attached here is the press release.
‘Live Your Style’ with Honda’s New ‘Aviator’
o Perfect blend of premium image, appealing style, quality and comfort
o New 110 cc Honda Engine to deliver more fun to ride experience.
o Fuel Economy increased by 15 %
o Various New exciting features like Combi-Brake, Maintenance-Free Battery, Viscous air filter along with telescopic front suspension, 190 mm front disc brake, 20 ltr large under storage box & tuff up tube in rear tyre make New Aviator a best in class premium scooter.
New Delhi, October 27, 2009: Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. (HMSI), the 100% owned 2-wheeler subsidiary of the Honda Motor Company, Japan – the world’s largest manufacturer of 2-wheelers, today unveiled the New Aviator in New Delhi. With the tagline ‘Live Your Style’, the New Aviator is bound to make the mature Indian males truly ‘live their style’. It comes with a host of new features which enhance the style and premium element. It is an ideal vehicle for males who seek a premium-class product and have a flair for style.
Aviator is HMSI’s most popular automatic scooter among the males. The introduction of New Aviator is a step ahead in the company’s commitment to expand the scooter market in India. With various new features, the New Aviator will boost the popularity and performance of the model.
Powered with an 110cc engine, the new model will deliver a power of 8 bhp. The new Aviator will give 15% more mileage thus making it even more economical than the previous model. This increased efficiency has been made possible because of various cutting-edge technologies.
The New Aviator is mainly targeted at married males in the age-group of 30-40 years. Being a premium product, it is meant to attract buyers who are style-conscious and seek quality & comfort. It will make an impact on the two-wheeler market increasing the appeal for the premium automatic scooters.
New Aviator features the Combi-brake which makes it comfortable. Also, it strongly addresses the environmental issue. Though all the Honda products adhere strictly to the emission standards, the New Aviator adheres to even the BS-III norms which will come into effect from April next year. Among the other attractive feature of the New Aviator includes the front Disc brake with 3 piston calipers and the alloy wheels (in Dlx Variant). Front telescopic suspension continues to aid in smooth riding.
The scooter will be available in 5 stylish colours – Neo Orange Metallic (new), Pearl Heron Blue (new), Rebel Red Metallic, Pearl Black and Monsoon Gray Metallic.
The New Aviator will hit the roads by October-end. The scooter has been competitively priced.
Ex showroom price for Delhi :
Aviator Standard : Rs. 42,160/-
Aviator Deluxe : Rs. 47,160/-
Present at the new Aviator launch event were: Mr Shinji Aoyama, CEO & President, HMSI; along with Mr N.K. Rattan, Operating Head – Sales & Marketing, HMSI.
HMSI is one of the youngest players and currently the fastest growing company in Indian 2w industry. The company grew at the rate of 18% in 2008-09 & sold 10.7 lakh units. It has set a target to achieve 12.5 lakh sales mark in this financial year 2009-10.
Salient features of New Aviator:
Grandeur Masculine Style ( New)
The styling of the New Aviator makes it look sophisticated and luxurious. The deluxe variant has an elegant front-cover chrome, body-color grab, instrument panel garnish and inner cover painted in order to add to the style and premium appeal of the scooter. Along with these, the scooter also has alloy wheels and leaves a lasting impression with its attractive looks.
Economy with 110cc Honda Engine (New)
The New 110cc engine in the New Aviator delivers a power of 8 bhp. The proven Honda engine not only offers smooth performance but also consumes less fuel. It is 15% more economical than the earlier model.
Comfort
Combi-Brake (New): In the conventional braking system, when the left brake lever is applied, only the rear brake gets activated. However, in case of Combi-brake system, front and rear brakes get activated jointly when the left lever is applied. This reduces the braking distance and is a very important comfort and safety feature for all types of riders.
Telescopic Front Suspension: The New Aviator boasts of a high quality telescopic front suspension to achieve smoother handling, lower vibration and more stable high-speed control.
Comfortable Sitting Posture: The New Aviator seat has been designed to provide a comfortable upright seating position.
Front Disc Brake with 3 piston calipers – The 190 mm disc brake at front ( Dlx Variant), provides responsive braking control resulting in assured swift stop.
Convenience
Viscous air filter (New): It is more efficient in catching the dust particles which prolongs the filter life. Thus, it lessens the maintenance expense as it requires less frequent replacement and no cleaning.
Maintenance-Free battery (New): The newly adopted battery makes use of Honda global technology. It is non-leaking and battery life is more than conventional battery.
Tuff Up tube – Honda Patented puncture resistant tuff up tube in rear tyre minimizes the incidents of sudden punctures to the extent of 70%.
Excerpts from Company officials-
“Honda will continue to make innovative and appealing products to serve the new aspirations of Indian customers. Our commitment to India is much larger than selling the products .We have comprehensive policy for Expansion of ‘Fun, Safety and Environment conservation’ activities to make ‘Honda’ a company that society admires the most.” – Mr. Shinji Aoyama, President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt Ltd.
“Being a market leader in the scooter segment, HMSI has launched the New Aviator with premium appeal and increased economy for further expansion of scooter market. From beginning, we plan to sell 10,000 units /month through our 690 outlets all across country. Further, there is good response from customers towards all HMSI products, so we shall achieve our set target of 12.5 lac units during the current year 2009-10 registering a growth of 17% over last financial year.” – explained Mr. N.K Rattan, Operation Head, Sales & Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. in his presentation.
Car - Remember Essential Facts Related To Online Car Insurance
Remember Essential Facts Related To Online Car Insurance
The best course of action to take sometimes isn't clear until you've listed and considered your alternatives. The following paragraphs should help clue you in to what the experts think is significant.
Car is such a valuable part of every ones life that they can not ignore the safety of their car. Although for the safety of their car people usually take manifold measures and precautions but even then sometimes they have to suffer loss. With car insurance they can take a step forward in having full safety of car and moreover if they take it online then there are also chances of availing many other benefits.
Online car insurance assists you in making the generous and useful utilization of your precious time. Online you can finish your search for suitable car insurance within seconds and even you might also grab heap of added benefits in comparison of any other mode of taking van insurance. Now as the competition among insurance companies is increasing, they have online drastically reduced the prices for car insurance. Hence with online car insurance after making search for various car insurance you can very easily find the best one suited to you.
The more authentic information about Online Car Insurance you know, the more likely people are to consider you a Online Car Insurance expert. Read on for even more Online Car Insurance facts that you can share.
However, while giving car insurance online, insurance companies pays heed to some important factors like driving record of driver, condition of car, safety measures installed in car and the location of your residence. With drivers having very good driving record the chances of getting online car insurance are higher because they drive carefully which minimizes the accidents or any loss to car. On the other hand if you are a high risk driver then very often you will get involved in auto accidents and keep making claim, which causes your insurance premiums to increase.
Location of your residents also plays an important role in getting online car insurance. People living in safe locations can avail it easily in comparison of those residing in unsafe places because the chances of getting your car victim of vandalism and theft are more. Apart from it insurance companies also consider the model and value of car before giving online car insurance. The probability of accidents and theft is more with cars having powerful engine and higher value respectively.
Browse online to various websites of insurance providers and compare well both the cover and cost of policy. If you find the required quote then apply for it without any delay for getting complete safety of your car.
Sometimes it's tough to sort out all the details related to this subject, but I'm positive you'll have no trouble making sense of the information presented above.
Car - The Best Image and Sound Quality On Road and Off - Car Audio Shops Offer Mobile and Home Theaters
The Best Image and Sound Quality On Road and Off - Car Audio Shops Offer Mobile and Home Theaters
Visit your local mobile electronics shop for the best in audio video-on the road and off. Your local car audio installer may also specialize in home theater, making it easy to get superior sound and picture whether you're on the road or on the couch! For top-quality components, installation expertise, and product selection advice, your area mobile electronics retailer can help with all of your mobile and home theater needs.
Car Audio Video
Factory radios and OEM car stereos can sound mediocre at best. Soup up your sound quality with an aftermarket stereo or car audio components! Regardless of whether you prefer bass-blasting subs or the clear, crisp audios of high-performance sound, your local car audio shop can help. With a huge range of speakers, woofers, amps, decks, and accessories on the… Continue reading
Visit your local mobile electronics shop for the best in audio video-on the road and off. Your local car audio installer may also specialize in home theater, making it easy to get superior sound and picture whether you’re on the road or on the couch! For top-quality components, installation expertise, and product selection advice, your area mobile electronics retailer can help with all of your mobile and home theater needs.
Car Audio Video
Factory radios and OEM car stereos can sound mediocre at best. Soup up your sound quality with an aftermarket stereo or car audio components! Regardless of whether you prefer bass-blasting subs or the clear, crisp audios of high-performance sound, your local car audio shop can help. With a huge range of speakers, woofers, amps, decks, and accessories on the market today, your car electronics shop can help you get the personalized car stereo system that’s just right for style, vehicle, and listening tastes. Providing both sales and custom installation, these pros can help you get the most out of your vehicle with an upgraded car audio system.
And with today’s technology, mobile video is becoming increasingly common and elaborate! From kid-centric entertainment systems for those long car trips to out-of-this-world exotic car video installations featuring multiple screens, video game inputs, and more, the sky’s practically the limit for in-car video. With increasing options in video input (car DVD players, video iPods, and even TV) and myriad screen options (fold-down, headrest mounted, visor mounted, trunk mounted, and in dash), the professionals at your local car electronics shop can help design and configure the mobile video system that’s right for you. No matter where you go-across town, across the country, or around the corner-you’ll be able to enjoy your favorite movies en route!
Home Theater
Your local car audio shop is also your resource for complete home theater sales and installation. Bringing you the product recommendations, components, and professional installation to create that movie theater experience in your living room, today’s mobile electronics shops have expanded beyond mobile and into your home! Using their knowledge of complex electrical wiring and high-tech audio video components, car electronics shops and technicians are logically expanding into home theater installation. They can help you select flat screen TVs, home theater receivers, speakers, and Blu-Ray players for high-def image quality and fabulous surround sound as well as provide expert installation. Many can also provide home theater-specific advice and services such as acoustic paneling, theater seating, and more!
So whether you want to enjoy top-quality sound and video from the comfort of your home or the driver’s seat, your area car electronics shop should be your first stop for mobile audio video and home theaters. Call your mobile electronics specialists today to learn more!
Matt Gallo drives a customized 2001 Ford Mustang and is the Internet marketing manager for Prospect Genius, bringing local businesses affordable online advertising solutions.
Matt_Gallo
Tags: car audio, car stereosRelated posts
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Car - Hydrogen powered fuel cell cars from Riversimple
Hydrogen powered fuel cell cars from Riversimple
Horizon's Fuel Cells Power the World's First Affordable Hydrogen Car
A new generation of fuel cells developed by Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies has enabled the world's first low-cost and practical hydrogen car. The top secret UK development unveiled today in London is a two-seater zero emissions hydrogen-electric city car with an expected fuel consumption equivalent to 360 miles per gallon*, six times better than today's best available hybrid electric vehicles. What's more, this innovative car could be made available to consumers for just 200 pounds Sterling ($315) per month.
Developed by Riversimple, the small city car integrates a 6kW fuel cell from Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies. The vehicle maximizes energy efficiency by utilizing lightweight composite materials, eliminating heavy mechanical component, and by networking fuel cells with ultra capacitors and 60% regenerative braking energy into one symbiotic system. The result is ground-breaking: 240 miles (390 km) can be traveled on one small tank of hydrogen weighing only 2.2 lbs (1 kilogram).
Hugo Spowers, founder of Riversimple said, "Horizon's approach to commercialization of fuel cells perfectly complements our approach to bringing hydrogen fuel cell cars to market. Thanks to this partnership, we believe that we are closer to market with a commercially viable fuel cell car than anyone else in the world."
The networked fuel cell power-train design led to a reduction in fuel cell power requirements by a factor of 6 compared to other urban vehicles of similar performance and by a factor of 15 compared to other fuel cell prototype vehicles - an effort further magnified by Horizon's ability to supply high power fuel cells at greatly reduced costs.
"Many people lost track of the fact that fuel cell cars are electric cars, since fuel cells store and deliver electrical energy, just like batteries - only with significantly more storable energy per unit of weight. Batteries and ultra capacitors on the other hand, offer more power per unit of weight, but less storable energy," said Taras Wankewycz, one of Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies' founders. "Technologies have evolved, but more importantly, Riversimple brought them together as one system, in a way that greatly exceeds the sum of their individual benefits. This next generation hydrogen-electric car brings electric vehicles into a new stage where range, charge-time and cost are no longer commercial barriers."
The Riversimple car will be commercialized internationally using an "open-source" production model inspired by the software industry, creating new entrepreneurial possibilities around the world and the promise of car manufacturing jobs within the communities where the vehicle is used. Because the car can be produced and maintained locally, the carbon footprint associated to century-old models of centralized car manufacturing and distribution is also significantly reduced.
Fuel Cells and Refueling
A fuel cell converts the chemical energy of hydrogen into usable electric energy without combustion, with water as its only by-product. Unlike batteries, fuel cells separate energy storage and energy conversion functions. If used as a primary source of power like many fuel cell vehicle developments to date, fuel cells can become extremely expensive as power needs impacts their size. But when changing the configuration and coupling the high energy density quality of fuel cells with higher power density ultra-capacitors, it is possible to greatly increase the performance of electric vehicles while reducing their cost. Ultra-capacitors are charged by the car's regenerative braking system, providing power for acceleration. By de-coupling acceleration from cruising, a much smaller, lower power and lower cost fuel cell can be used.
With a smaller fuel cell consuming much less hydrogen, the vehicle no longer depends on large storage tanks, which greatly reduces the costs and complexities so far associated with hydrogen supply. Working simultaneously with BOC to make hydrogen affordable, sustainable and readily available for refueling, what many believed would be twenty or thirty years away can be done today by using an existing industrial hydrogen supply system.
Horizon started commercializing fuel cells four years ago from small and simple products to larger energy storage solutions. The company is emerging as a world leader in the commercialization of fuel cell integrated energy solutions and offers a complete range of products and solutions for the consumer, industrial and transportation markets. Horizon's new multi-kilowatt systems, which are currently being adopted in various applications including cellular telecommunication sites, can store significantly more electrical energy than batteries.
Source: carworld123.blogspot.com
Car - Steeda previews 2010 Q Series Mustang
Steeda previews 2010 Q Series Mustang
Source: foureyedfoxbody.blogspot.com
Car - Cintos de segurança insufláveis da Ford
Cintos de segurança insufláveis da Ford
Source: blogcarburado.blogspot.com
Car - Fiat Panda 2010 at luxury car
Fiat Panda 2010 at luxury car
Lets enjoy this latest Fiat Panda 2010 accompanies afresh 1.2-litre gas locomotive that acquires 69 bhp. These accommodates into the across-the-board ambit of locomotives uncommitted as the Fiat Panda, with petrol, diesel, gas and LPG adaptations usable giving ability outputs arraying by 54 to 100bhp,The latest Fiat Panda 2010 will acquire 4 fresh outside colors to the adjust already usable, a many contemporaneous body colored grille that is uncommitted on the 4X2 and 4X4 dynamical edition, silver trim finish for the roof bars, fresh alloy wheel alternatives and bigger exterior mirrors for more cars you can view at luxury car.
Source: luxurytoys-carl.blogspot.com
Car - What Car Is The Best Canvas For Customization? [Question Of The Day]
What Car Is The Best Canvas For Customization? [Question Of The Day]
Every year the variety of cars at SEMA seems to grow, including everything from a Smart Car to a F-750. Looking at the entire automotive universe: what car is the best canvas for customization. It's...
Car - Four Ways Teens Benefit from Following Graduated Driver Licensing Laws
Four Ways Teens Benefit from Following Graduated Driver Licensing Laws
It isn't uncommon for teens to rebel against Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws. They may reason that since they passed the driving test, they shouldn't have to deal with restrictions. Or they may be unfamiliar with the GDL laws in their state and violate them unintentionally. But there are many benefits to obeying GDL laws for teens, such as:1. They're a chance to prove your maturity and
Source: www.blogger.com
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Car - Mercedes-BenZ SLS AMG First Images,high resolution wallpaper,body,interior navigation @ carworld123
Mercedes-BenZ SLS AMG First Images,high resolution wallpaper,body,interior navigation @ carworld123
It seems likely that we are about to get a proper release from Mercedes on the new Mercedes SLS AMG Gullwing. So far this week we’ve had another set of teaser pictures of the SLS AMG, closely followed by a report that there is going to be a Mercedes SLS AMG e Drive Electric SLS in 2015.
Today we get a leaked ‘Official’ image of the SLS, which does seem to be real. It appears to be taken on a mobile phone – probably from magazine artwork at car magazine Autobild, and doesn’t look like a Photoshop job – it appears to be a photo. Which tends to suggest that Mercedes may have given them the detail for their next issue to coincide with the official release of the pictures, and the first solid detail.
The first spy photos of the new AMG production car SLS Gullwing appeared in early 2008. Nowadays rumours of a SLS Gullwing electric car is slated for 2015 and some days ago another very legitimate looking likeness revealing the front and rear details has surfaced.
The SLR McLaren’s replacement that is being developed in-house by Mercedes-Benz’s AMG division, will be powered by a front mounted 6.3-liter V8 engine producing 571 HP. According to a previous release the new SLS AMG should hit the 100km/h (62mph) mark from standstill in 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 315 km/h or 196 mph.
Source: carworld123.blogspot.com
Car - Mini Cooper Coupe Concept: El video oficial
Mini Cooper Coupe Concept: El video oficial
Hace ya unos días les habíamos presentado el nuevo Mini Cooper Coupe Concept, el cual será presentado a mediados de Septiembre en el Salón del automovil de Frankfurt, y que sin duda se convertirá en la sensación del Salón.
Puedes ver el articulo haciendo click aquí: Mini Cooper Coupe Concept: Todos los datos e imagenes
Ahora les dejamos el vídeos oficial que ha presentado la marca sobre este nuevo Coupe, en los que lo podremos apreciar mucho mejor que en las fotografías. Se los dejamos y esperamos que los disfruten.
Puedes ver el articulo haciendo click aquí: Mini Cooper Coupe Concept: Todos los datos e imagenes
Ahora les dejamos el vídeos oficial que ha presentado la marca sobre este nuevo Coupe, en los que lo podremos apreciar mucho mejor que en las fotografías. Se los dejamos y esperamos que los disfruten.
Videos del Mini Cooper Coupe Concept:
Source: super-coches.blogspot.com
Car - Honda Accord Crosstour 2010 Officially announced
Honda Accord Crosstour 2010 Officially announced
Honda has officially named its new crossover that is set to arrive in the United States this fall: It's the Accord Crosstour.
The name has been widely used to describe a new vehicle in the Honda lineup and was confirmed Tuesday morning in a statement from the automaker. The vehicle will be a 2010 model.
As the name would imply, the Accord Crosstour is based on the Accord platform. It will have some resemblance to the Acura ZDX crossover prototype shown at the New York auto show, but the vehicles are expected to have different underpinnings.
Tags: hondaaccord,honda,accord,hondaacord,crossover,new car,latest news
Source: carworld123.blogspot.com
Car - Porsche Car NewS Updates : Porsche 911 turbo GT2 by SwitZer Performance
Porsche Car NewS Updates : Porsche 911 turbo GT2 by SwitZer Performance
The American tuning specialist Switzer Performance has set a target to attain 800hp for its latest Porsche GT2 project while running on 93 octane gas. The car comes with an efficient linear power and torque curves that’s gentle on the driver and a final dyno figure that demonstrates it has attained its goals. The car performs superbly on the road even at this level of potency and who knows what it can do on the tracks at the hands of a professional
This is a moment too powerful to be taken lightly, too special to be considered ironically, too vital to examine with any pretense of journalistic impartiality. I am seated behind the wheel of an absolutely perfect, fully-loaded, brand-new Porsche GT2, unwinding the wheel at the exit of Nelson Ledges Road Course’s Carousel turn. Next to me, the car’s owner, entrepreneur and bon vivant David Kim, has planted himself squarely into the GT2’s fixed-back passenger-side bucket, rigid with anticipation. There is traffic ahead, several cars varying from Improved Touring racers to tuned-up street Hondas. It’s time to accelerate, so I press the right pedal into the carpet.
Car - Jaguar E-Type Wins "Most Beautiful Car Of All Time"
Jaguar E-Type Wins "Most Beautiful Car Of All Time"
The Daily Telegraph newspaper asked its readers to vote on what they thought were the most beautiful looking cars of all time. The poll has been running online for the last 6 months, and the results are in. Unsurprisingly, the Jaguar E-Type topped the table, with over 4 times as many votes as any other car!
This follows countless other polls in newspapers, motoring magazines etc. where the E-Type won the aesthetic vote ahead of some far more expensive machinery, and it seems the results are similar worldwide with the E-Type claiming first place in most other countries, as well as Great Britain. (Although the vast proliferation of English cars in the top 20 do tend to suggest a slight national bias in this particular survey!)
Other classic Jaguars don't fare badly at all either, with the Mark 2 in 12th place, the D-Type in 11th, and the XK120/140/150 in a heady 3rd position.
The top twenty are listed below for you:
- 20th - Ferrari 288 GTO
- 19th - Bugatti Type 57 Atlantique
- 18th - Ferrari 250 GT SWB
- 17th - Austin Healey 3000
- 16th - AC Cobra
- 15th - Chevrolet Corvette
- 14th - Alfa Romeo P3 8C
- 13th - Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
- 12th - Jaguar Mk2
- 11th - Jaguar D-type/XK-SS
- 10th - Ferrari 250 GTO
- 9th - Lotus Esprit
- 8th - Aston Martin DB9
- 7th - Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato
- 6th - Aston Martin DB4/5/6
- 5th - Lamborghini Miura
- 4th - Ferrari Dino 206/246 GT
- 3rd - Jaguar XK120/140/150
- 2nd - Citroën DS
- 1st - Jaguar E-Type (XKE)
To visit the original article follow this link: Telegraph Poll
Source: www.jaguar-cars-blog.com
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Car - Renault Fluence 2010: El video Oficial
Renault Fluence 2010: El video Oficial
Renault Fluence 2010
Ayer les presentamos el nuevo Renault Fluence 2010, la nueva variante de cuatro puertas del Mégane modelo 2009, que llega para sustituir al viejo y ya conocido Mégane Sedán que ya está a la venta desde el año 2003.
Puedes ver el articulo haciendo click aqui: Renault Fluence 2010: Todos los datos e imagenes oficiales
Ahora les dejamos un vídeo para que puedas apreciar al nuevo Fluence 2010 al máximo, solo dura 55 segundos, pero estoy seguro que lo disfrutaremos al máximo. Se los dejo y espero que lo disfruten.
Videos del Renault Fluence 2010
Car - New Kleemann Mercedes Website
New Kleemann Mercedes Website
Kleemann just launched their new and improved website. It's absolutely fantastic. Sick colors and a great layout. As the Danish company continues to expand and grow stronger, it seems like the Mercedes tuning industry is becoming way more competitive. The Kleemann Mercedes vision just goes beyond any other company. They are simply mindblowing and fans all around the world love their hard work. Above is an example of the pictures available for downloading. Soon they will open an online web store with awesome Kleemann Mercedes products. It's possible to contact them in advance and see what they have available.
I got into contact with Ken, the sales executive. He mentioned that the shop will probably be open within the next two months. Get ready to whip out the plastic and buy, buy, buy. Recession or not, I have a feeling things are going to go quickly. Hurry up and take advantage of Kleemann Mercedes products. If you cannot buy the car, then buy the watch for now.
Car - Cape Town Street Racing.....the group.
Cape Town Street Racing.....the group.
Source: flashyandfly.blogspot.com
Car - Checklist For When You Compare Car Insurance Rates
Checklist For When You Compare Car Insurance Rates
When you're learning about something new, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of relevant information available. This informative article should help you focus on the central points.
If you're looking for car insurance, perhaps the best way to compare car insurance is online. There are several factors you should consider before you buy car insurance.
Type of policy
When you compare car insurance, consider the type of policy you're looking for. Are you going to want comprehensive coverage, collision, or just liability? In general, if your car is more than 10 years old and you have it paid off, you should only opt for liability coverage. Liability coverage is mandatory in most states regardless of the car you drive. You must have this type of insurance in the event you're involved in an accident and are found at fault. Liability insurance covers both personal injury and property damage for the other party, as in up to $50,000 in property damage and $25,000 per person for personal injury. The amount of coverage you need varies by state. Check to see how much you need where you live.
Two other types of insurance coverage are collision and comprehensive. Liability coverage does not cover anything about you personally, or your car. That type of insurance is only to cover the other party for personal injury or property damage if you are at fault. This is where collision and comprehensive coverage may be needed. Both collision and comprehensive insurance protect your car in the event of an accident or other damage, regardless of who may be at fault.
Collision insurance covers car accident damage specifically, while comprehensive insurance pays for damage to your car that may have happened because of vandalism or theft, for example. Again, you generally only need either of these types of coverage if your car is under 10 years old or hasn't been fully paid off. You will pay more for this type of car insurance than you will for just liability, though, if you need it.
Your driving record and credit score
Those of you not familiar with the latest on Car Insurance Rate now have at least a basic understanding. But there's more to come.
When you compare car insurance, of course your driving record is going to come to mind. If you've had a lot of speeding tickets or several accidents, it's going to be tougher to get inexpensive insurance and you probably know this. However, you may be surprised to know that your credit score matters, too. This is because insurance companies look at your level of responsibility in a holistic manner, in that they look at your "whole life" as much as they can.
Your credit score tells them whether or not you're responsible in general; if your credit score is poor, it's going to affect the amount of insurance premiums you'll have to pay, and you'll likely have to pay more for the same coverage than someone who is more responsible than you are. Some insurance companies may not cover you at all. If your credit score is poor, spend some time to get it cleaned up as much as possible before you start getting car insurance rate quotes.
Having more than one policy with the same company
When you compare car insurance, a good place to start is with the same company that carries your homeowners or renters insurance. This is because the same company will often give you a break on automobile insurance if you carry more than one type of insurance with them. However, you shouldn't stop there.
Shop online
The best way to compare car insurance quotes between insurance companies is to shop online. Again, although you're going to want to start with the same company that provides your homeowners or renters insurance, you shouldn't stop there. You may still get a better deal from someone else. The Internet has made it very easy these days to comparison shop between companies, and you can often get an instant quote online based upon information you provide to a specific company. This should help you find the best car insurance rate possible.
The day will come when you can use something you read about here to have a beneficial impact. Then you'll be glad you took the time to learn more about Car Insurance Rate.
Source: feedproxy.google.com
Car - Lorinser already working on tuned Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing
Lorinser already working on tuned Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing
Lorinser SLS AMG Gullwing Rendering - click above image for hi-res gallery
Much of the discussion in Frankfurt centered on our personal "best of show" car. Going into the show, it would have been pretty safe to assume that the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG would have been the run away winner. What's not to love? 571 hp, essentially mid-engined (you should see how far back that engine sits in the chassis), gullwings -- its got everything. But up close, something about it left us... a little cold. It's probably the headlights. So our best of show group decision went to the E63 AMG Wagon. There's something so very right about 500+ horsepower wagons. But maybe Lorinser could help steer our affections back to the Gullwing?
If you don't know, Mercedes tuner Lorinser has never met a fender it liked. Meaning that there idea of a good time is to hack vents into every body surface it can. Sometimes the results are okay. And sometimes, let's just say not so okay. Lorinser actually has two competing design studies it's considering. The first and probably most controversial is a Carbon Fiber design, with an unpainted CF hood, a Lorinser family crest in place of the Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star in the grill and scores of carbon fiber trims pieces all over the place.
The second, more low-key design is probably closer to the real deal. It even features a soon to be Lorinser signature -- vents behind vents. There are also six giant eyebrows festooned around the car. A homage, no doubt, to the brows on the original 300 SL. We will admit that we like the headlights in Lorinser's rendering more than the production SLS.
If you don't know, Mercedes tuner Lorinser has never met a fender it liked. Meaning that there idea of a good time is to hack vents into every body surface it can. Sometimes the results are okay. And sometimes, let's just say not so okay. Lorinser actually has two competing design studies it's considering. The first and probably most controversial is a Carbon Fiber design, with an unpainted CF hood, a Lorinser family crest in place of the Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star in the grill and scores of carbon fiber trims pieces all over the place.
The second, more low-key design is probably closer to the real deal. It even features a soon to be Lorinser signature -- vents behind vents. There are also six giant eyebrows festooned around the car. A homage, no doubt, to the brows on the original 300 SL. We will admit that we like the headlights in Lorinser's rendering more than the production SLS.
Car - 1951 Packard 200 - Photographs and History
1951 Packard 200 - Photographs and History
Source: www.studebakerguide.com
Car - How to Get a Lower Than Average Car Insurance Rate
How to Get a Lower Than Average Car Insurance Rate
It is interesting to me how many people don't shop for their car insurance premium. For different reasons, many people seem to assume that the vehicle insurance rates they are paying are better than average and so they don't bother getting quotes from other carriers.
For example, my parents were with a very well known auto insurance company when I started driving and of course so was I. As I grew older, married and built my family, I just stayed with that company because it was easy and...they told me I was getting a better than average car insurance rate by staying with them for so many years.
For the longest time it made sense to stay with the same company. After all, it was not easy to get auto insurance quotes from other companies. Most of the time you would have to meet with an agent face to face and go through a sales presentation and...it just took too long.
In this day and age however, it is so much easier to lower your vehicle insurance premiums. All you need is an internet connection and a computer. Most all of the major carriers have found that in order to stay competitive, they must provide cheap car insurance quotes "online".
If you have been with the same car insurance company for 5 years or more you should keep them honest by getting quotes from other companies. At the very least, get some quotes and then use them as leverage to ask your current company to lower your auto insurance premium to keep your business.
And now it is easier than ever to get cheap car insurance quotes online. Find a website that provides you with access to multiple major carriers. Enter a small amount of information. Click the submit button and get up to 5 competing quotes within minutes.
In most cases you can print them out and take them with you to meet with your current vehicle insurance provider. If he is not willing to give you a better than average car insurance rate, you now have a quote from someone who will. Also, in most cases when getting online insurance quotes, you w
Source: feedproxy.google.com
Car - Smart Car : Future Car
Smart Car : Future Car
Over than three decades, movies and television have been portraying the idea that by the year 2000 everyone would be traveling around the world via jet packs and hover cars. Well, that obviously hasn't happened. Cars of the future have been a hot topic of discussion for vehicle enthusiasts and will continue to be as they are developed and released year after year. The first couple of future cars would have to be 'green cars'.
'Green' cars were introduced as a part of the 'green' initiative to make the Earth a better place to live in. They also cut down on the amount of pollution that is flung into the air from the exhaust fumes. 'Green' cars are also known as electric cars or hybrid cars. They run off of electric, a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) or an internal combustion engine. Hybrid power isn't used solely for vehicles. Trains, buses and some trolleys have switched to hybrid power in order to not only conserves natural resources but to also limit the amount of pollution to the atmosphere.
Hybrid cars, right now, are mainly the future of the automobile industry. On the market now is a vehicle called the smart car. The smart car is so popular that there is a waiting list over a year long to purchase one. It is called the Smart fortwo. As evidenced by its name, the car can only seat two. It is an exceptionally small compact car, it looks almost like a box, and the public can make a reservation for the car for $99.
There are a handful of different models of the smart car besides the fortwo. There is the forfour, the roadster, the crossblade, the crosstown, the formore, and the smart ev. The smart ev is only in a trial period right now and is being planned on a launch in the United Kingdom sometime in the fourth quarter of 2008.
'Green' cars were introduced as a part of the 'green' initiative to make the Earth a better place to live in. They also cut down on the amount of pollution that is flung into the air from the exhaust fumes. 'Green' cars are also known as electric cars or hybrid cars. They run off of electric, a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) or an internal combustion engine. Hybrid power isn't used solely for vehicles. Trains, buses and some trolleys have switched to hybrid power in order to not only conserves natural resources but to also limit the amount of pollution to the atmosphere.
Hybrid cars, right now, are mainly the future of the automobile industry. On the market now is a vehicle called the smart car. The smart car is so popular that there is a waiting list over a year long to purchase one. It is called the Smart fortwo. As evidenced by its name, the car can only seat two. It is an exceptionally small compact car, it looks almost like a box, and the public can make a reservation for the car for $99.
There are a handful of different models of the smart car besides the fortwo. There is the forfour, the roadster, the crossblade, the crosstown, the formore, and the smart ev. The smart ev is only in a trial period right now and is being planned on a launch in the United Kingdom sometime in the fourth quarter of 2008.
Source: auto-smartcars.blogspot.com
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Car - 67X Toronado
67X Toronado
Forty two years ago, in celebration of Canada's Centenary at Expo 67, Imperial Oil Canada commissioned Barris Kustom Indistries to custom-build four 67' Oldsmobile Toronados with a futuristic look. The models were called the "67X" and were given away as prizes in a national competition. This is one of only two still known to exist.
The owner of the one shown here says it cranks and runs, but will need a complete body-off restoration. I'm a big George Barris fan, but the styling on the 67X was pretty far out there.
Source: chromefin.blogspot.com
Car - 4 Tips To Saving A Bundle At Your Next Car Auction
4 Tips To Saving A Bundle At Your Next Car Auction
Source: tipsforyourcar.blogspot.com
Car - Smart Car Fortwo
The MCC Smart Fortwo is a small car - naturally, as small cars are well known for staying low to the ground, and thus providing smooth, easy handling and admirable fuel economy. There is no question, either, that the Smart Fortwo is quite cute . It is also reason why one should never judge a car by its exterior.
The Fortwo's interior surprisingly roomy and spacios, not to mention very urban and artful. Colors, textures, and shapes are as unique as the Smart Fortwo itself, but in more bohemian way than the exterior. the dashboard is broad and accommodating, and there is ample room for storage and luggage in the trunk. the passenger seat in now able to fold completely forward and completely backward, which allows even more room for storage - especially of long cargo.
The MCC Smart Forto's suspension has also gotten much better and the ride is remarkably smooth one during both city and country driving, The Fortwo takes corners extremely well, especially for such a small car, and the steering wheel handling is truly amazing.
Driving an MCC Smart Fortwo helps to save the environment. Leasing an MCC Smart Fortwo can help save money, especially with smart car leasing and smart car contract hire through Total Fleet Services. The Smart Fortwo is relatively new, having been around for only ten years or so, and as with all new markets, buying it out right can be awfully expensive. Not only can smart car leasing allow a potential renter to get used to the car, he or she can also see how their budget holds up to renting a smart car and running it. Odds are likely that leasing will turn out to be more affordable.
The Fortwo's interior surprisingly roomy and spacios, not to mention very urban and artful. Colors, textures, and shapes are as unique as the Smart Fortwo itself, but in more bohemian way than the exterior. the dashboard is broad and accommodating, and there is ample room for storage and luggage in the trunk. the passenger seat in now able to fold completely forward and completely backward, which allows even more room for storage - especially of long cargo.
The MCC Smart Forto's suspension has also gotten much better and the ride is remarkably smooth one during both city and country driving, The Fortwo takes corners extremely well, especially for such a small car, and the steering wheel handling is truly amazing.
Driving an MCC Smart Fortwo helps to save the environment. Leasing an MCC Smart Fortwo can help save money, especially with smart car leasing and smart car contract hire through Total Fleet Services. The Smart Fortwo is relatively new, having been around for only ten years or so, and as with all new markets, buying it out right can be awfully expensive. Not only can smart car leasing allow a potential renter to get used to the car, he or she can also see how their budget holds up to renting a smart car and running it. Odds are likely that leasing will turn out to be more affordable.
Car - New Car Sales
New Car Sales
New Car Sales
By : Hesti Yanuarti
The blame for the lack of new car sales is being attributed to the current financial crisis and a lack of confidence in job security. Debt problems is one of serious indicator of the trouble the economy faces, or just a sign that people are taking care over their finances. It's important to remember that this is a reflection of new car sales, and not necessarily car sales as a whole. It may well be that as we have seen with the supermarkets, consumers are simply keeping to a tighter budget. The market for second-hand or new car sales could benefit, or perhaps people are just keeping their existing vehicles.
New Car Sales such as Lexus and Mercedes and even your average Ford are down by just over twenty per cent on last year's figures. Given that this is the time of year when new car sales are made up with the bulk of their annual sales thanks to the new registration plate, this is disappointing news and a little worrying. Of the drivers who can afford new car sales, many are turning to the smaller, more economical version with lower tax expenses and more fuel efficiency. Of course, Lexus and BMW do eco-friendly versions but they still come with luxury car status.
The automotive industry is looking to the government to ease the situation for new car sales by capping the increases in vehicle excise duty along with other measures. New car sales has been falling all year at a rate of 7.5 per cent over the last year but the chain of events in the world's finances has seen that dip to the twenty per cent drop that we now see.
May be you wanna read about smart car and diesel cars.
Car - Latest 2009 Kia Sportage Cars
Latest 2009 Kia Sportage Cars
Latest 2009 Kia Sportage Cars
Prices :$16,695 - $23,400
Drivetrain :2 Wheel Drive
Curb Weight :3230
City :20
Hwy :25
Horsepower :140 @ 6000
Torque :136 @ 4500
Wheelbase :103.5
Length :171.3
Width :70.9
Height :66.7
Source: latest-cars-online.blogspot.com
Car - Road Test Review: 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster
Road Test Review: 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster 
The 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster
“Top down, chrome spinnin’…” or in this case, it would be the 19” lightweight alloy wheels wrapped in high-performance Bridgestone Potenza tires; 245 in the front and large 275s strapped to the back. The song continues that “you see the boss grinnin’…” and I am doing more than grinnin’. I am behind the wheel of the 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster - smilin’ because this is one convertible sports car that gets it all just right.
The 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster is the positive evolutionary step forward away from the drop-top version of the 350Z. The previous model looked awkward and was uncomfortable to sit in for periods of time lasting longer than 2 minutes. However, it did get the sports car part correct. This new iteration has great exterior style, doesn’t make my spine cry for mercy, and takes the sporty part of the equation to another level.
Growing in size and power output, the engine in the 370Z Roadster is now 3.7L (up from the previous 306 hp 3.5L V6) producing 332 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. Nissan sent this Z to the set of the Biggest Loser and it came back 150 lbs lighter. For those scoring at home, this 2010 370Z Roadster has more power and less weight than the old model. It is faster and all-around more fun to drive. The popular new Synchro-Rev transmission system is employed here and makes me feel like Ayrton Senna even if I am still just Johnny Fat Feet (I know the clip is in Japanese but watch what this man could do with a car). When I downshift, the engine and transmission work together allowing me to extract every last bit of driving excitement from this vehicle.
Rather than harping on old vs. new, I think you should see how this ragtop stacks up against the competition. How would you feel if I told you this is a Nissan that was designed to run with Porsches? You read that correctly, this sub $40K convertible sports car keeps pace with the Porsche Boxster which starts at $46,600. The base price of the 370Z Roadster is $36,970. In all fairness, the Z can be optioned out to the tune of $48K+, however the Porsche can be optioned into the stratosphere. I tested it out myself and built up a base Boxster to the tune of $72,900. Good thing I didn’t start with the $56K+ Boxster S!
The interior of the Roadster is a nice place to be on short and long drives, which is a huge change from the previous model. The Bose sound system works well, but the real aural pleasure is derived when the top is down and the VQ engine is howling through the exhaust. The VQ exhaust note has a love-it-or-hate-it quality, but I think it sounds great in the upper RPM range. The available navigation system mimics the one found in the more expensive Infiniti side of the family.
There are only two areas of the interior with which I found immediate faults; the gas gauge and the floor near the gas pedal. The gas gauge has been covered ad nauseam by most automotive outlets. It is an interesting concept that doesn’t work well in reality. A row of dots in a line is not enough information for me to process how full or, for the pessimistic bunch, how empty my fuel tank is. Thankfully I can have my remaining mileage displayed on the small screen located below the gauge. The other issue I mentioned is the floor near the gas pedal. There is a section of the pedal that juts out and forces me to place my foot on the pedal at an angle. If I don’t then my heel rests uncomfortably on this protuberance. It is not a big issue, but more of a minor annoyance.
The exterior style of this 370Z is leaps and bounds over the previous generation convertible. The 350Z Roadster comes off a design afterthought whereas this new version was designed from the outset with a drop-top in mind. It looks handsome with the top up and gorgeous with the top down. The flowing shoulder line appears to become even more embellished when the top is neatly stowed.
Quite often a convertible suffers from a serious case of the shakes. Hit a bump in the road and you can feel the front and rear of the car reacting apart from each other. Nissan has done an excellent job of stiffening the already quite stiff 370Z to eliminate as much of this as possible and the result is readily apparent. The car feels solid and reacts well to changing road environments. The ride is the perfect mix of sporty stiff and slow-jaunt relaxed, it is certainly not the high-performance NISMO version but it is no slouch.
The 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster is a convertible sports car that gets both parts of the equation correct. The interior volume, both noise and space, are good with the top up or down. The car feels tight and constantly yearns for me to take it on another run through the local canyon roads. The base price for all this fun is $36,970 with the 370Z Roadster pictured here topping out a hair over the $40,000 mark. Nissan has created a convertible sports car that wears the iconic Z badge well. The only way they could top it would be to listen to my endless letters asking for the return of T-Tops…
Source: www.nadaguides.com
Car - Car News Reivew Photos :Nissan Unveils 2010 Nissan Leaf producion EV electric car
Car News Reivew Photos :Nissan Unveils 2010 Nissan Leaf producion EV electric car
Nissan’s CEO Carlos Ghosn today unveiled the Japanese automaker’s new zero-emission electric-car - the Nissan LEAF. The model is scheduled to be launched in late 2010 in Japan, United States and Europe. The medium-sized hatchback, which comfortably seats five adults, is powered by lithium ion cells that power the 80 kW (107-hp) electric motor with a peak torque of 208 lb-ft. On a full-charge, the Nissan LEAF allows for a driving range of 100 miles with a top speed of 87 mph. Charging time takes approximately 8 hours on a standard 200V outlet.
However, buyers can opt for the DC 50kW quick-charger, which recharges the battery up to 80 percent in under 30 minutes. Nissan expects production capacity to reach 200,000 units a year by 2012. The first couple of units will be produced at the company’s Oppama, Japan, with additional capacity planned for Smyrna, Tennessee.
The lithium-ion batteries, which cost around $10,000 per vehicle, will be produced in Zama, Japan, with additional capacity planned for the U.S., UK and Portugal. Pricing for the vehicle is expected to come in around $30,000 for the U.S. market. Nissan said that it wants to mass market its electric vehicles globally by 2012.
Source: carworld123.blogspot.com
Car - Rural Wagon
Rural Wagon
The part pickers have long since moved on from this 57' Ford 2-door Wagon (Del Rio or Ranch?). Nature's slowly doing the rest.
Source: chromefin.blogspot.com
Car - Hyundai i10 eléctrico
Hyundai i10 eléctrico
La firma coreana, Hyundai presentó en el Salón del Automovil de Frankfurt, una versión completamente ecológica del i10. Este pequeño urbano estará equipado con un motor completamente eléctrico y planifica llegar al viejo continente en el 2010.
El nuevo Hyundai i10 eléctrico está propulsado por un motor de 49Kw de potencia, que trabaja en forma conjunta con una batería de 16KWh, la cual presenta una autonomía de 160 km. Este motor es capaz de alcanzar una velocidad máxima de 130 km/h. Debido a que el motor es completamente eléctrico, este nuevo i10 presenta un nivel de "cero emisiones" contaminantes de CO2. Según la marca, la batería puede recargarse hasta un 85% en tan solo 15 minutos, siempre y cuando se utilice un cargador industrial de 415V, pero si se carga con un cargador de 220V, la recarga completa puede durar aproximadamente unas 5 horas.
Galería de imagenes del Hyundai i10 EléctricoEl nuevo Hyundai i10 eléctrico está propulsado por un motor de 49Kw de potencia, que trabaja en forma conjunta con una batería de 16KWh, la cual presenta una autonomía de 160 km. Este motor es capaz de alcanzar una velocidad máxima de 130 km/h. Debido a que el motor es completamente eléctrico, este nuevo i10 presenta un nivel de "cero emisiones" contaminantes de CO2. Según la marca, la batería puede recargarse hasta un 85% en tan solo 15 minutos, siempre y cuando se utilice un cargador industrial de 415V, pero si se carga con un cargador de 220V, la recarga completa puede durar aproximadamente unas 5 horas.
Autor: Emiliano Arévalo - Fecha: 28/10/09
Source: super-coches.blogspot.com
Monday, November 2, 2009
Car - Mercedes bringing E-Class Wagon Stateside
Mercedes bringing E-Class Wagon Stateside
2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon - click above image for high-res gallery
Wagons, wagons everywhere! Just yesterday there were rumors that Acura is tinkering with the idea of a TSX Wagon. Today, none other than the Gray Lady reports that Mercedes-Benz is planning on bringing an E-Class wagon to the U.S. Dubbed the E350 4MATIC Wagon, the potent people mover will sport a 268 hp 3.5-liter V6, Mercedes excellent seven-speed autobox and all-wheel drive. The E350 Wagon should reach our shores by June of 2010 as a 2011 model.
No word on price, but as the E-Class sedan starts at $52,00, expect the wagon to cost more. Same goes for mileage: the sedan gets 16/24 mpg so the slightly heavier AWD wagon should do a bit worse. Over in Europe-land the E-Class wagons get all sorts of different engines ranging from teeny turbo gas engines to bigger boosted diesels. Not here. In fact, we're not even getting a BlueTec diesel wagon. But you can bet your pinks that we'll be getting an AMG E63 wagon, so you can sleep soundly tonight.
No word on price, but as the E-Class sedan starts at $52,00, expect the wagon to cost more. Same goes for mileage: the sedan gets 16/24 mpg so the slightly heavier AWD wagon should do a bit worse. Over in Europe-land the E-Class wagons get all sorts of different engines ranging from teeny turbo gas engines to bigger boosted diesels. Not here. In fact, we're not even getting a BlueTec diesel wagon. But you can bet your pinks that we'll be getting an AMG E63 wagon, so you can sleep soundly tonight.
Source: benzauto.blogspot.com
Car - Hydrogen powered fuel cell cars from Riversimple
Hydrogen powered fuel cell cars from Riversimple
Horizon's Fuel Cells Power the World's First Affordable Hydrogen Car
A new generation of fuel cells developed by Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies has enabled the world's first low-cost and practical hydrogen car. The top secret UK development unveiled today in London is a two-seater zero emissions hydrogen-electric city car with an expected fuel consumption equivalent to 360 miles per gallon*, six times better than today's best available hybrid electric vehicles. What's more, this innovative car could be made available to consumers for just 200 pounds Sterling ($315) per month.
Developed by Riversimple, the small city car integrates a 6kW fuel cell from Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies. The vehicle maximizes energy efficiency by utilizing lightweight composite materials, eliminating heavy mechanical component, and by networking fuel cells with ultra capacitors and 60% regenerative braking energy into one symbiotic system. The result is ground-breaking: 240 miles (390 km) can be traveled on one small tank of hydrogen weighing only 2.2 lbs (1 kilogram).
Hugo Spowers, founder of Riversimple said, "Horizon's approach to commercialization of fuel cells perfectly complements our approach to bringing hydrogen fuel cell cars to market. Thanks to this partnership, we believe that we are closer to market with a commercially viable fuel cell car than anyone else in the world."
The networked fuel cell power-train design led to a reduction in fuel cell power requirements by a factor of 6 compared to other urban vehicles of similar performance and by a factor of 15 compared to other fuel cell prototype vehicles - an effort further magnified by Horizon's ability to supply high power fuel cells at greatly reduced costs.
"Many people lost track of the fact that fuel cell cars are electric cars, since fuel cells store and deliver electrical energy, just like batteries - only with significantly more storable energy per unit of weight. Batteries and ultra capacitors on the other hand, offer more power per unit of weight, but less storable energy," said Taras Wankewycz, one of Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies' founders. "Technologies have evolved, but more importantly, Riversimple brought them together as one system, in a way that greatly exceeds the sum of their individual benefits. This next generation hydrogen-electric car brings electric vehicles into a new stage where range, charge-time and cost are no longer commercial barriers."
The Riversimple car will be commercialized internationally using an "open-source" production model inspired by the software industry, creating new entrepreneurial possibilities around the world and the promise of car manufacturing jobs within the communities where the vehicle is used. Because the car can be produced and maintained locally, the carbon footprint associated to century-old models of centralized car manufacturing and distribution is also significantly reduced.
Fuel Cells and Refueling
A fuel cell converts the chemical energy of hydrogen into usable electric energy without combustion, with water as its only by-product. Unlike batteries, fuel cells separate energy storage and energy conversion functions. If used as a primary source of power like many fuel cell vehicle developments to date, fuel cells can become extremely expensive as power needs impacts their size. But when changing the configuration and coupling the high energy density quality of fuel cells with higher power density ultra-capacitors, it is possible to greatly increase the performance of electric vehicles while reducing their cost. Ultra-capacitors are charged by the car's regenerative braking system, providing power for acceleration. By de-coupling acceleration from cruising, a much smaller, lower power and lower cost fuel cell can be used.
With a smaller fuel cell consuming much less hydrogen, the vehicle no longer depends on large storage tanks, which greatly reduces the costs and complexities so far associated with hydrogen supply. Working simultaneously with BOC to make hydrogen affordable, sustainable and readily available for refueling, what many believed would be twenty or thirty years away can be done today by using an existing industrial hydrogen supply system.
Horizon started commercializing fuel cells four years ago from small and simple products to larger energy storage solutions. The company is emerging as a world leader in the commercialization of fuel cell integrated energy solutions and offers a complete range of products and solutions for the consumer, industrial and transportation markets. Horizon's new multi-kilowatt systems, which are currently being adopted in various applications including cellular telecommunication sites, can store significantly more electrical energy than batteries.
Car - Mazda MX-5 Superlight Concept Details Released
Mazda MX-5 Superlight Concept Details Released
As we reported last month, Mazda is to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Mazda MX-5/Miata roadster with the Mazda MX-5 Superlight concept car, which will make its debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show later this month, and the release of a special-edition Mazda Miata in the Japanese domestic market (JDM). Recently, details of the [...]
As we reported last month, Mazda is to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Mazda MX-5/Miata roadster with the Mazda MX-5 Superlight concept car, which will make its debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show later this month, and the release of a special-edition Mazda Miata in the Japanese domestic market (JDM). Recently, details of the Mazda MX-5 Superlight have been released, as have a range of images of the little roadster.
Designed and developed at European R+D centre in Oberursel, Germany, the Mazda MX-5 Superlight concept car is a two-seater model with no windscreen, and befitting its name, the Mazda MX-5 Superlight concept car weighs in at just below a ton at just 995 kg or 2,194 pounds!
Powering the concept car is the production MX-5’s MZR 1.8-Liter four-cylinder petrol engine that produces a maximum of 126 bhp at 6,500 rpm and 123 lb-ft of peak torque at 4,500 rpm. The engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The light weight Mazda MX-5 Superlight concept car accelerates from zero to 62 mph in 8,9 seconds, one second faster than the stock Mazda MX-5 1.8, and achieves a healthy 37.3 mpg, bettering the production model’s 33.6 mpg. CO2 emissions are also lower at 150g/km compared to the stock MX-5 1.8’s 167g/km.
Technical Specifications:
- Body Type : Roadster Monocoque
- Seating capacity: 2
- External Dimensions:
- Overall length: 4,020 mm
- Overall width: 1,720 mm
- Overall height (unloaded): 1,110 mm
- Wheelbase: 2,330 mm
- Track (front/rear): 1,540/1,545 mm
- Ground clearance: 106 mm
- Engine: MZR 1.8-litre petrol
- Max. power: 126 PS (93 kW) at 6,500 rpm
- Max. torque: 167 Nm at 4,500 rpm
- Transmission: 5-speed manual
- Front/rear suspension: Double wishbone/Multi-link
- Damper (front/rear): Bilstein® monotube
- Tyre size: 205/45 R17
- Brake type (front/rear): Ventilated discs/Solid discs
- Brake diameter (front/rear): 300/280 mm
- Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 8,9 s
- Fuel consumption (combined): 6,3 l/100km
- CO2 emissions (combined): 150 g/km
- Min. kerb weight (without driver): 995 kg
[Source: Mazda]
Source: modified.cars-blog.net
Car - Ford Focus RS
Ford Focus RS
This Ford RS began in the 1960’s in Germany and it had success across Europe. It is stylish, yet a cheap and well performance car contributing in every day needs. It has the combination and parts from the 1970 Le Mans Green and also the Escort RS1600. This car can accelerate from 0-100kmh (0-62mph) in [...]
This Ford RS began in the 1960’s in Germany and it had success across Europe. It is stylish, yet a cheap and well performance car contributing in every day needs. It has the combination and parts from the 1970 Le Mans Green and also the Escort RS1600.
This car can accelerate from 0-100kmh (0-62mph) in under six seconds. It has upgraded its model with 336mm ventilated front discs and also to the rear 300mm discs.
RS had a reputation in their car’s performance and its car’s heritage in the World-Wide Rally Championship and has also established its reputation for the driving dynamics in their cars. This new car will not disappoint the customers with its genuine build and style.
Source: feedproxy.google.com
Car - Toyota to boost production of 2010 Lexus HS 250h to meet demand
Toyota to boost production of 2010 Lexus HS 250h to meet demand
The brand new Lexus HS 250h, which just made its debut last month in Japan and the U.S., is selling like hot-cakes. According to Japan’s Nikkei, Toyota was targeting 500 sales per month, but has already received close to 9,000 orders.
Toyota, which produced 2,000 units of the HS 250h in July, in now looking to nearly triple production of the dedicated hybrid Lexus model by October. Officials said that employees has been working overtime to keep up with the demand of the HS 250h.
The 2010 Lexus HS 250h gets an EPA-estimated ratings of 35 mpg city and 34 mpg on the highway for a combined 35 mpg on regular 87-octane gasoline. Prices start at $34,200 for the standard model and $36,970 for the Premium model.
Source: egmCarTech
Toyota, which produced 2,000 units of the HS 250h in July, in now looking to nearly triple production of the dedicated hybrid Lexus model by October. Officials said that employees has been working overtime to keep up with the demand of the HS 250h.
The 2010 Lexus HS 250h gets an EPA-estimated ratings of 35 mpg city and 34 mpg on the highway for a combined 35 mpg on regular 87-octane gasoline. Prices start at $34,200 for the standard model and $36,970 for the Premium model.
Source: egmCarTech
Car - Toyota Prius Coupe is coming to combat CR-Z! (来年1月のオートサロンで公開されるのはホンダCR-Z対抗のプリウスクーペ！)
Toyota Prius Coupe is coming to combat CR-Z! (来年1月のオートサロンで公開されるのはホンダCR-Z対抗のプリウスクーペ！)
Back in March, it was reported by Auto Express (earlier post) that Toyota is developing an exciting performance hybrid which would rival Honda’s upcoming CR-Z.
Japanese Best Car magazine is now claiming that Toyota is indeed developing such a model, based on Prius, which will be shown at next year's Auto Salon. Pininfarina and Italdesign Giugiaro are among the design studios considered for developing the design.
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Text in Japanese
トヨタは宣伝部を解体し、新マーケティング会社を設立。その会社が手がけるクルマの第1弾がプリウスをベースとしたニューモデルという情報を独占入手。そのクルマがここで紹介するプリウスクーペで、イタリアンデザインをまとっての登場となる。イタリアのカロッツェリアが手がけたデザインというだけでもクルマ好きの食指が動くはずの注目モデルだ。ピニンファリーナ、イタルデザインなどが考えられるが、これまでのトヨタ車とは一線を画すモデルであることは間違いない。CR-Zは東京モーターショーで市販モデルを公開し、来年2月に発表されるが、発表のタイミング的にはCR-Zの対抗馬と考えるのが妥当。心の底から楽しみなプリウスクーペの情報が読めるのはBC9月26日号だけ！
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Source: Best Car magzine
Japanese Best Car magazine is now claiming that Toyota is indeed developing such a model, based on Prius, which will be shown at next year's Auto Salon. Pininfarina and Italdesign Giugiaro are among the design studios considered for developing the design.
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Text in Japanese
トヨタは宣伝部を解体し、新マーケティング会社を設立。その会社が手がけるクルマの第1弾がプリウスをベースとしたニューモデルという情報を独占入手。そのクルマがここで紹介するプリウスクーペで、イタリアンデザインをまとっての登場となる。イタリアのカロッツェリアが手がけたデザインというだけでもクルマ好きの食指が動くはずの注目モデルだ。ピニンファリーナ、イタルデザインなどが考えられるが、これまでのトヨタ車とは一線を画すモデルであることは間違いない。CR-Zは東京モーターショーで市販モデルを公開し、来年2月に発表されるが、発表のタイミング的にはCR-Zの対抗馬と考えるのが妥当。心の底から楽しみなプリウスクーペの情報が読めるのはBC9月26日号だけ！
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Source: Best Car magzine
