Shelby GT500 Mustang Custom Fit Luggage Set

Being a Vintage Race Car Driver and a Director of a high performance driving program (www.arosc.org), I get to test a variety of automotive accessory items. This seems to be my Carroll Shelby product test month and the new product being tested is a 3 piece luggage set that has been customized to fit the trunk of the Shelby Mustang GT500 -AFTER INSTALATION OF THE TRUNK MOUNTED SHAKER 1000 SPEAKER SYSTEM. In fact this luggage will fit all body styles of Mustangs from 2005 through 2009.

Before discussing the quality and utiitarian details, I'd like to write a few words about the clever, subtle design features that enables 3 substantial luggage pieces to fit in, what appears to be, severly limited space. The deepest part of the trunk, just behind the rear seats is slightly over 9 inches high with a slight down slope. The wheeled overnight bag -22" X 14" X 9" - with a Shelby signature extendable handle, is a rigid, molded frame bag that not only qualifies as an airline carry on, but maintains its shape in the small area allocated. The large capacity - 26" X 15" X 15"- soft sided wheeled duffle not only has Mag Style Wheels, a Shelby signature extendable metal handle, but also a separate lower framed section for suits, dresses, etc. The third piece is a large capacity - 24" X 15" X 14" - hand carry duffle that fits on it side facing the trunk locking unit. When all 3 pieces are in place, there is still room in the drivers side wheel well for a computer bag or briefcase.

Over the past month, this luggage has been put through the wringer. The hand carry duffle, being used to carry my driving suit, shoes, helmet and a variety of track necessities, spent a weekend being pushed, pulled and tossed around our small garage at the track. The other two pieces shared the truck bed with tools, tires and back up engine parts. It was not a pretty sight, but this 'Ballistic Nylon' luggage had virtually no scuffs and cleaned up with a damp cloth. The luggage also made 300 (plus) mile road trip up the Pacific Coast followed a week later to another 300 (plus) miles to Joshua Tree National park. I'm still looking for significant signs of wear.

The utilitarian features of the luggage includes a soft but tough Polyester Broadcloth lining, multiple cosmetic and accessory pockets with rugged zippers and a built in laundry pocket in the large wheeled duffle. The extendable metal handle on the rolling pieces has a well fitted grip and the (Mag Style) wheel assemblies ran smoothly and, imagination being a wonderful thing, they appeared to corner as if they were cambered and toed out.

The attention to detail- metal Carroll Shelby Badge, signature replications and correct logo designs embroidered strategically on the luggage, correct signature on the extendable handle, rubber molded logo in the carry handles of the rolling pieces - all add to the overall quality appearance and feel. The luggage is available through selected Ford Dealerships, www.shelbyperformance parts and the licensed manufacturer www.a2zracergear.com

2008 Lamborghini Gallardo Looses Weight for Better Aerodynamics

The Lamborghini Gallardo is a sports car built by Lamborghini. It was introduced in 2004 as a new entry in Lamborghini lineup of racers. It was intended to rival the Ferrari F430. The name was derived from the Spanish breed of fighting bull named Gallardo. This means gallant in Spanish and striking in from an Italian language.

Most Lamborghini models are sold in a limited number. The Gallardo is the most produced model as of this moment with 5,000 units built in the first three years. It is a cheaper version of the famous and more powerful Lamborghini Murcielago

It's been made in five variants. The Spyder model of the Gallardo was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006. In late 2005, the Gallardo SE (Special Edition) was introduced. The Gallardo Nera (Special Edition) was introduced at Paris Motor Show. Only 185 units of the Gallardo Nera will be produced and 60 are for the American market. A special version of the Gallardo, dubbed the Superleggera was launched at the 2007 Geneva Auto Show. And the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 which was revealed at the 2008 Geneva Auto Show.

As of March 2008, the Gallardo is the only model to use the Lamborghini V10 engine. It uses 520 horsepower, 5.0 liter V-10 engine. The V-10 is linked to a 6 speed manual gearbox, or optional 6-speed automatic, and permanent 4 wheel drive with viscous traction. According to Lamborghini, its acceleration can reach up to 100 kilometers per hour in only 3.95 seconds and it has a top speed of 196 mph.

The Gallardo leaves the impression of being one of the sexiest sports cars on the market. The car certainly looks fantastic with its auto parts and can turn heads almost off their necks. This two-seater car measures 4.34 meters in length, 1.90 meters in width and a mere 1.16 meters in height. It weighs in dry at 1410 kilograms. Its lightweight is due to the extensive use of Superman-hard but lightweight carbon fiber. Most exterior components have been replaced with lighter-weight polycarbonate which then reduces the original with 126 pounds.

Modern car-building techniques have made the car surprisingly comfortable and luxurious. This car carries a warm welcome with its handsome interior furnished in rich leather. The position of the seats is very low but it provides head and leg room enough for a mid-six-footer.

Standard features include automatic climate control, power windows and door locks, power-adjustable leather seating, a CD player with two auxiliary audio inputs, an adjustable leather-wrapped steering wheel, and electrically folding outside mirrors.

Overall, reviewers describe the 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo as a truly a world-class sports car with a very attractive image and a mind-blowing speed.

2008 Land Rover LR2: A Better Version "Freelander"

The Land Rover Freelander is a compact crossover SUV made by Land Rover, a subsidiary of the Tata Motors. It is now on its second generation known as the LR2 in areas such as the North America and Middle East. The first generation Freelander was launched in 1997 but it suffered from minor unreliability issues. So a stylish new Land Rover LR2 debuts for 2007 as the second generation Freelander. It was released in 2008, also to comply with the market which is in need of a compact SUV.

The 2008 LR2 is a 4-door, 5 passenger luxury sport-utility, available in two trims, the SE and the HSE. Both trims are equipped with a standard 3.2 liter, I6, 230 horsepower engine that achieves 16 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. A 6 speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard. Reviewers describe its performance as a dynamic SUV, with a very smooth handling, and great power which makes it very capable on and off road.

It terms of its auto parts and exterior looks it comes with an impressive ancestry but looks better than the model it replaces. It is similar to the boxy appearance of the company's more expensive models with softer and more rounded edges. The LR2 looks remarkably muscular, and there is some fine detailing including the fish-gill side vents, kaleidoscopic headlight glass, and square and upright stance. Underneath the unibody LR2 is a fully independent strut-type suspension with larger disc brakes at each corner.

The LR2 has seats for five in two rows. Its interior is very nicely done that it comes near to the point when we can say that it is luxurious. It comes standard with leather upholstery, a massive twin-element sunroof, Alpine nine-speaker audio system with six discs CD changer, six-way power driver's seat, dual-zone climate control, and a push-button starter. Also standard is a unique electrically controlled Terrain Response which allows you to choose ride height, throttle response, transmission setting, and traction control.

LR2 has an exceptional safety package. It includes is a unique electrically controlled Terrain Response which allows you to choose ride height, throttle response, transmission setting, and traction control. In crash protection features, it comes with seven airbags, including side curtain airbags for all outboard passengers and head airbags all around. There are also expanded front crumple zones and a safety cage of high strength steel around the passengers.

How to Save Gas with Internal Combustion Engines

When it comes to internal combustion engines, especially with the rise of oil prices in the market year on year, the subject of fuel efficiency ever becomes more important.

Whether the engine is new or old does not matter. On the part of the consumer, he or she would only be willing to maintain an engine as long as there is a perceived added-value in its maintenance, like saving gas.

Fuel efficiency is defined as "the efficiency of a process that converts chemical potential energy contained in a carrier fuel into kinetic energy or work." In vehicle terms the measurements we use to save gas is usually in miles per gallon (MPG) or kilometers per liter (KPL) in other countries.

A rarely known fact in present-day internal combustion engines is that not all of the petrol in engines are efficiently utilized. It is surprising but in even the best-performing unmodified engines only about 20% of the energy is used to move the car. The rest is considered waste like exhaust, noise, etc.

So how to save gas and increase your engine's MPG? Here's a few tips.

- Drive gently. Yes! Your driving style accounts for up to 30% of the savings in fuel economy. How you step on the accelerator makes the difference. When approaching traffic lights or stops, take your foot off the pedal and coast to a stop from a distance. When you move from a still position, push the pedal gently and drive forward slowly to gain momentum. Gentle saves gas. Sudden starts waste petrol. Never turn off the engine unless you intend to stop for some time.

- Coast downhill. Take advantage of the terrain like Sun Tzu's and gravity like Newton. Only for long downhill roads, set the gear shift to neutral and coast again. Keep an eye out for anything. Take your foot off the gas. Never turn off the engine.

- Maintain and record regular checkups. Never miss a chance to have your car checked every three months to tighten the bolts or to fix that rattle. More importantly, have your mechanic drain and change the engine oil, fill the brake fluids, check the sparks, etc. The whole shebang.

- Check the tires regularly. Other then having a routine checkup every quarter, make sure you have the tires checked weekly. Tire inflation significantly contributes to the the wastage of petrol due to the effort the engine has to make to roll against the resistance. Make sure the tire pressure is within acceptable parameters as advised by the manufacturer to save gas. If the tires are bare, replace as soon as possible.

- Unload unnecessities. Take out of the car items which are not going to be used or useful. Extra baggage can eat up lots of petrol. It's like loading a backpack full of books and you were too busy to get them out to read because you're traveling.

- Record petrol usage. Diligently record and file your receipts and you'll be able to accurately track your petrol usage. This practice can help you maximize the savings of a tank of gas on a given period.

- Research. Join the forums and communities. They have lots more innovative suggestions on how to improve your MPG limits. Look into the viability of alternative fuels. Follow the news on the oil issue. Be informed and prepared.

A Sketch on a Cigarette Pack Led to the Classic Jaguar XK Auto Car Series

The legendary Jaguar XE series of fine motor cars was directly developed from the inspiration of Jaguar engineers on a rooftop watching their city of Birmingham England being bombed from the sky during the darkest days of World War II.

These engineers sketched the plans for what became the legendary Jaguar engine amazingly and simply on cigarette box carton. . This new engine was so good it became the standard that went on to become the stock Jaguar powerplant for the next 30 years. The best words that best describe this classic engine are - efficient, smooth and powerful. Indeed it was one a mechanical genius, Harry Weslake, who provided the key to the design - a light weight alloy cylinder head with dual cams and angled valves in a hemispherical combustion chamber. The final marvelous touch of genius were the two SU carburetors fed the 3.5 liter straight six, producing a 160 horse power

The new Jaguar was so good that it deserved a whole new car to be designed and built around it. The engineering felt that the motor was so exceptional it needed its own automobile - one worthy of such a powerplant. Otherwise it was if their work had been wasted. 1948 became the release date of this project. What emerged and created a storm from automobile enthusiasts was a low slung car body mounted at was then a fairly standard box-frame chassis. Independent front suspension was by torsion bars and the solid rear axle was by torsion springs. With all the power and effect the final finishing touches that were almost essential were 12 inch diameter drum brakes. Indeed the Jaguar XK120 was timed at a top test speed of 132 miles per hour

Of course the Jaguar XK proved to be a major hit - especially in the lucrative American export market. At a $ 4,000 sticker price 90 % of factory output was exported outside Britain - most of it to the American automobile market. It did not hurt the reputation and sales of the Jaguar .XK series that the car proved to be a killer on the Le Mans auto racing circuits. It was the Jaguars that were to become the inspiration for the classic "sports cars" that were to come - especially the venerable Chevrolet Corvette and Stingray.

The Jaguar line grew and evolved further with each racing win. In 1954 the next step occurred -The classic 1948 era Jaguar XE120 was replaced by what was to become a short lived production run model - the XK140. Disc brakes had made a great impression on the Jaguar racing team crews - including car design team as well as the actual drivers. Along with this went "unitary construction" a major upgrade and update from the former hefty chassis being applied from Jaguar cars from 1955 onwards.

Still the venerable motor based on the cigarette pack sketches lived on with the introduction of the next phase - the XKE Jaguar. Along with that 3.8 liter what then was a major innovation then - electric fans, which were added after exceptional results on the racing circuits with Jaguar as well as other racing cars. The XKE was considered at the time to be the sleekest automobile body shape seen anywhere and at anytime on the globe. Performance was considered mind numbing - 150 miles per hour top speed with 0 to 100 miles per hour in an extraordinary 16 seconds. A driver could accelerate from 0 to 130 miles per hour in less than 30 seconds.

It is no accident that the Jaguar XK series has gone on to be an automobile classic - both in terms of innovative styling, performance and handling.

Unique New Discovery Helps You Increase Your Gas Mileage Up To 50%

With the ever more importance's of alternative fuel, the costly hybrid cars are coming to hit the market hard. But going out and buying a brand new car like a hybrid will that save you money on the rising gas prices. Everyone wants to find ways to improve gas mileage without spending money on a whole new car. When buying a Hybrid car, the price often cost more and many don’t get that much more in improved gas mileage. Instead of buying a new car, is there a better way to improve gas mileage. There is a new technology that actuality converts your car to run on a water/gas mixture. So, instead of buying a hybrid, why not just convert your current car into a hybrid car.

Did you say Water/Gas Mixture…?

What this dose is converts the gas with water and turns it into a combustible gas called HHO. This is also known as brown gas. Works just like gas but your car will need a lot less of it to run. So you’re using less gas, saving you thousands at the pump. By running a water/gas mixture in your engine will improve your gas mileage and help reduce the global warming effect. This is a win, win for you and the environment.

There have been a few, not many news peaces on the water for gas. Fox News has done a peace on it, but it didn’t get much air time. So, how dose this brown gas or HHO actually works and convert my car to run on water to improve your gas mileage. Well it is a simple system that most of us learned in middle school.

How Do I Get This to Work in My Car?

After installation of the hydrogen conversion kit is supplemented with a vacuum hoses and an electrolysis. That’s how this simple process on the water and baking soda as catalyst can produces the HHO gas or water/gas mixture. Most cars will only need one hydrogen conversion kit, but if you drive a vehicles with 8 or more cylinders you mite want to think about getting two kits. This will ensure you improve your gas mileage.

How Much Will It Cost to Convert My Car to Run On Water?

All the materials can be found at your local store. But the if you don’t want to go shopping for them, the hydrogen conversion kit cost less the $100, and will improve your gas mileage by at least double of what your car is already getting. Before making a decision, I would search the internet for information to understand the process better.

By Converting your car to run on a water/gas mixture you will improve your gas mileage, help the environment and boost horse power and your saving money on your fuel consumption.